Two Sides of FI

Jordan 'Doc G' Grumet, a hospice doctor and author, shares profound insights on financial independence drawn from his experiences with dying patients. He challenges the traditional notions of wealth, emphasizing the importance of living meaningfully and finding purpose beyond financial success. Topics include the balance of enjoying the present while planning for the future, the significance of personal passions, and redefining what 'enough' truly means. His reflections encourage listeners to prioritize relationships and mindfulness over mere financial metrics.

How much cash in your portfolio is enough - or too much? In this episode, Eric + Jason discuss the idea of holding cash allocations pre- and post-retirement. Topics covered include emergency funds, the temptation to invest in a down market, bonds, and building cash reserves. Join us as we discuss this essential retirement topic. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this episode. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/cash

With all of the volatility in the market, should you delay retirement by a year? A viewer asked Jason if he would feel more secure had he worked another year or two before retiring early. In today's episode, Eric + Jason discuss that question and the merits of considering "one more year". Join us as we discuss this idea and the reasons you might consider that option, what Jason would have missed out on if he had worked longer, and the value he found in retiring when he did. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this episode. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/onemoreyear Submit a question: https://twosidesoffi.com/speakpipe

Can you retire early without a high-paying tech industry salary? In this episode, we talk with Stephen about how he plans to do just that. At 30 years old, he's earning $50k as a higher education administrator, yet he plans to retire with at least a million dollars by his early 50s. How will he do that? Join us as we discuss his plans, the role of financial discipline, why he doesn't feel he's overly frugal, and the challenges of his FIRE path. **Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/50k

Karsten Jeske, an economist and CFA known as 'Big ERN,' dives into the complexities of retirement withdrawal strategies. He challenges the traditional 4% rule, discussing its risks in varying market conditions and the necessity for personalized planning. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding individual financial goals, while advocating for iterative, flexible strategies instead of oversimplified advice. Listeners will find insights on tailoring their FIRE journeys to enhance financial security, backed by anecdotes and listener feedback.

Calculating the cost of health insurance is a complicated and stressful exercise when you're retiring early. Hear Jason's experience with his first full year using the California ACA Exchange and learn how Eric arrived at his budget of $350K, his worst case scenario. We discuss how to choose a plan, ACA subsidies, differences by state, and other alternative options. If you missed our earlier healthcare episode, be sure to see the link below. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/aca

Karsten Jeske, an economist and creator of the Early Retirement Now blog, shares invaluable insights into the FIRE community's misconceptions about safe withdrawal rates. He critiques popular FIRE calculators, emphasizing the need for personalized strategies and proper context in market conditions. The discussion includes the risks associated with 100% stock portfolios, challenges of relying on dividend stocks, and the importance of financial buffers for peace of mind during retirement. Karsten also reflects on his own experience in post-FIRE life.

Eric and Jason, who both hired a flat fee financial advisor for $1,000, share their intriguing experiences. They discuss the benefits of the fee-for-service model versus traditional methods. The duo dives into key topics like personalized financial strategies, navigating complex investment decisions, and optimizing retirement savings for small business owners. They also reflect on investment strategies, the significance of targeted questions during consultations, and the impact of professional advice on achieving financial goals. Is this approach right for you? Tune in to find out!

You're on a FIRE path and the markets keep falling - what do you do? In this episode, Jason + Eric revisit the topic of market downturn and candidly discuss their pre- and post-FI moods in this turbulent time. Join us to learn what they're doing and thinking about right now as Jason nears the two-year post-FI mark and Eric contemplates pushing his 2024 FI date back. Topics discussed include rebalancing, how to monitor portfolio performance, moves we are making now, and feeling down about FIRE. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/downmarket

Wondering what a day in the life in early retirement is like? Eric travels to California to shadow Jason and find out what his FIRE life is like nearly two years into early retirement. We learn how Jason fills his days, hear his concerns pre- and post-FI, discuss the merits of part-time "fun" jobs, and the reality of finances. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/tryingonFI