
Two Sides of FI
Two lifelong friends document and share their personal journey as they seek to become financially independent and retire early (FIRE). One achieves his FIRE goal in 2020 during a global pandemic, inspiring the other to play catch-up. Whether you are new to the FIRE movement, already on your FIRE journey, or have retired early, there’s something here for you. Go beyond the numbers and get the personal stories as experienced by Eric and Jason.
Latest episodes

Mar 12, 2023 • 45min
Having Trouble Trusting the Math in Early Retirement?
How much money can you safely spend in retirement? In part two of this series on safe withdrawal rates, we discuss the #1 tool we've found to help you answer that question. Topics covered include the SWR Toolbox, our thoughts on Social Security, the challenges of spending in retirement, and how to get comfortable with increasing your withdrawal rate. Be sure to see the links below for the show notes and to Part 1 which walks through this FREE retirement tool.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/toolbox

Feb 26, 2023 • 25min
Never Run Out of Money in Retirement - Use This Free FIRE Calculator!
Do you want to avoid the biggest retirement risk? This simple to use tool will let you model your safe withdrawal rate and help ensure you don't run out of money. In this walkthrough video, we teach you how to use this powerful, flexible, and FREE tool created by Karsten Jeske. Using the SWR Toolbox, you can ensure that you have a personalized plan that works with your own financial situation.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/toolbox

Feb 12, 2023 • 1h 9min
What’s Wrong with This Popular Retirement Strategy?
Do you worry about running out of money in retirement? How do you draw down your assets without tanking your portfolio? Eric + Jason talk with FIRE bloggers Karsten Jeske and Fritz Gilbert about the bucket strategy. Is it a reasonable withdrawal plan or nothing more than a gimmick? They discuss alternative approaches, how to generate a retirement paycheck, and the role of cash. Whether you're interested in FIRE or on a traditional retirement path, you can't afford to miss this episode!
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/bucketstrategy

Jan 29, 2023 • 35min
My Next Phase of Early Retirement Won’t Include This…
Year two in early retirement was very different for Jason than year one. It's common that the honeymoon stage of retirement is followed by disappointment and a search for meaning. In this episode, Jason and Eric discuss a recent project Jason abandoned and what stage of retirement they think he's in. You'll hear his approach to guarding his free time, what Eric fears most about retiring early, and more. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this video.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/noblog
Jason's blog archive: https://www.thenextphaseisnow.com/

Jan 15, 2023 • 46min
My FIRE Budget Didn’t Account for This
Are you worried about neglecting to budget for key expenses in early retirement? Even if you put good effort into creating your FIRE budget, it's easy to miss some very important items. In this episode, Jason and Eric discuss these commonly forgotten or underestimated expenses, including healthcare costs, taxes, dealing with inflation, and more. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/iforgot

Jan 4, 2023 • 45min
Finding My Way in Early Retirement: A 30 Month Check-In
What is early retirement really like? In this episode, Eric checks in with Jason two and a half years after he left his career behind. They discuss his recent financial moves, the impact of inflation, how Jason spends his time, and what's truly important to him. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content we referenced in this episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/30months

Dec 21, 2022 • 31min
Our Most Impactful Tools and Purchases Under $250 (Part 2)
How big of an impact can a single purchase under $250 make on your life? In part two of this series, Eric and Jason talk about some of the best things they've bought in recent years. Topics discussed include travel, outdoor gear, concert tips, kitchen aids, and more. Be sure to see the link below for the show notes, which includes info on all the items we discussed in the epispode, as well as those on our under $50 list from part one.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/under50

Dec 18, 2022 • 35min
Budget-Friendly Finds: Our Favorite Tools and Hacks Under $50 (Part 1)
Can low cost items - or even free things - truly impact your quality of life positively? In this episode, Eric and Jason talk about some of their favorite purchases under $50, as well as some tools and life hacks that have done just that. Topics discussed in part one of this series include apps, books, games, outdoors essentials, and organizational tools. Be sure to see the link below for the show notes, which includes info on all the items we discussed in the episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/under50

Dec 4, 2022 • 45min
Tax Strategies on FIRE: Financial Independence / Retire Early
Sean Mullaney, a financial planner and CPA known for his blog The FI Tax Guy, dives into crucial tax strategies for achieving financial independence. He unravels common tax misconceptions and explains how solo 401(k) accounts can benefit solo entrepreneurs. The conversation covers Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, and smart year-end tax planning techniques. Mullaney emphasizes the importance of meticulous planning to optimize tax liabilities while navigating the FIRE lifestyle, making financial goals more attainable.

Nov 20, 2022 • 1h 7min
You Asked, We Answered. FIRE Q&A
Answering your financial independence, retire early (FIRE) questions, including the one we're asked most often. This special Ask Us Anything format commemorates the 50th episode of Two Sides of FI. THANK YOU to all who submitted questions and for your continued support of the show!
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/ep50
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