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In this episode: connecting points, the power of FU money, the early retirement era, and enjoying the journey.
This week we are joined by returning guests, Steven and Lauren Keys from Trip of a Lifestyle, to update us on their FI journey and “early retirement era,” as well as discuss the importance of finding the courage and freedom to make radical lifestyle changes in the present. We all know that money can open up new opportunities in your life, whether it’s having the flexibility to leave your job for a better one or even relocating to a dream country, but most of us forget that these opportunities can be achieved sooner than you think! The journey to FI is about taking actionable steps to build and achieve the life you want, and you don’t have to wait until you’re fully retired to do it! While you’re starting to save and spend less, remember that you’re getting closer and closer to your goal, but even still that it’s not a poor decision to spend money on things that are important to you and can improve your life! 
New ChooseFI shirts are now available here!
Trip of a Lifestyle: Website: tripofalifestyle.com Instagram: @tripofalifestyle Crambetter: crambetter.com Timestamps: 0:46 – Introduction 3:12 – Connecting Points 6:39 – Taking Money Out of the Equation 13:14 – The Power of FU Money 23:39 – Getting to The Early Retirement Era 33:27 – Investing 44:59 – Paying Yourself Last? 48:39 – Enjoying the Journey/Setting Yourself up for Success 58:13 – Conclusion Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode: Trip of a Lifestyle to All US National Parks | ChooseFI Ep 226 We Took a 3-Month Vacation and Came Home $26,000 Richer How We Saved $100k in 2 Years on Teacher Salaries We Vacationed Our Way to $1 Million by Age 33 (and You Can Too) Inside the Investment Portfolio of Early Retirees Pay Yourself Last: Why You Don’t Need A Budget Subscribe to The FI Weekly! More Helpful Links and FI Resources: Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off) Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount) Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: courage from community, what to do next, overwhelm, finding community, and the evolution of FI.
Live from the EconoMe Conference in Cincinati Ohio, Brad is joined by Jordan "Doc G" Grumet and a room full of passionate members of our community to discuss finding the courage to take action in your FI journey. While we understand money can be a north-star for many early in your venture towards FI, what happens once money is no longer the root of your goals? Where do you shift your focus to next? Well, sometimes finding answers to these questions is a little easier when you have help from some of your friends. Listen along as Jordan, Brad and our community speculate on their ideas for what their next steps are.
Doc G:

Website: earnandinvest.com Podcast: The Earn and Invest Podcast Timestamps:

0:41 - Introduction 1:41 - Courage From Community 7:40 - Roger and What To Do Next? 20:31 - Allison and Finding Community 30:15 - What/Where is the Overwhelm 34:49 - The Evolution of FI/Being The Change You Want To See 41:11 - Reconciling With Social Responsibilities 44:34 - Charitable Giving 47:21 - Interacting Outside of The Community 51:55 - Conclusion Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

Retire Often FI Freedom Retreat Mr Money Mustache CampFI FinCon "Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life" by Bill Perkins Josh Overmeyer EconoMe Alan Donegan Find Your Local ChooseFI Group Effective Giving for the FI Community | Rebecca Herbst & Jack Lewars | ChooseFI Ep 483 Subscribe to The FI Weekly! More Helpful Links and FI Resources: Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off) Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount) Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: survivor benefit plans, VA benefits, VSO's disability benefits, tax planning, healthcare, and blended retirement systems.
This week we are joined by Daniel Kopp, founder of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning, to outline ways you can best prepare for military retirement. Together we cover pensions, navigating the Survivor Benefit Plan and additional benefits, healthcare and disability resources, as well as other financial decisions you can consider as you begin to transition out of the military. When dealing with any kind of retirement planning, taking actionable steps to prepare and get a plan in place for you and your family is essential. While everyone's circumstances may be different as they transition out of the military, there are many resources available and benefit programs you are entitled to before and after you leave duty!
Daniel Kopp, CFP

Website: wisestewardshipfp.com Podcast: Military to Financial Planner Timestamps: 1:26 – Introduction 2:32 – Approaching Military Retirement/Blended Retirement System 9:38 – Military Benefits/Healthcare 15:36 – VA Benefits/Term Life Insurance 22:12 – Disability Benefits/VSO’s 30:17 – Survivor Benefit Plans 43:13 – SBP Contingencies and Child Coverage 50:41 – Tax Planning 56:26 – Conclusion Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode: Blended Retirement VA education benefits for survivors and dependents Everything About The Military’s Survivor Benefit Plan SBP Financial Analysis Tools Daniel Kopp Estate Planning for Military Families | Military Money Manual Podcast Episode 83 Accredited VSO Representatives Transition Planning from a Military Career on the Path to FI | ChooseFI Ep 296 “Military in Transition’s Guide to The Survivor Benefit Plan: Navigating the SBP” by Forrest Baumhover How VA Disability Compensation Affects Military Retirement Pay Income Tax and Rental Properties When You’re in the Military MFAA ChooseFI US Military Subscribe to The FI Weekly! More Helpful Links and FI Resources: Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off) Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount) Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: public service accounts, side hustles, making FI possible, frugality, giving yourself freedom, and side hustles.
This week we are joined by Chris Travers, a New York City public school teacher and FI community member, to discuss his journey from being a natural saver to becoming a savvy investor, talk advantages and disadvantages of some of the retirement accounts provided to teachers, as well as discuss some ways he has been able to grow his net worth in the last 10 years. Frugality is a term that often comes up while on the FI path, and finding a balance of saving and spending is crucial to reaching your financial goals. Remember that where you decide to save and spend and how you do so will evolve throughout your FI journey! While it can be hard to cut costs of the things you enjoy in the present, being willing to cut out what you don’t need can set you up for success in the future! 
Chris Travers: Book: “TL;DR: Financial Literacy for New York City Public School Teachers: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based On Your TRSNYC Benefits” by Christopher Tavers and Karl Fisch Instagram: @thewealthyeducator Timestamps: 0:54 – Introduction 6:47 – Public Service Accounts 11:38 – Diving Into FI 15:08 – Side Hustles/Making FI Possible 22:17 – Renting vs Buying 26:43 – Frugality and Loosening the Purse Strings 32:25 – Giving Yourself Freedom 37:53 – Conclusion Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode: Join ChooseFI’s Facebook Group! “The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko “Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!” by Robert Kiyosaki “Smart Couples Finish Rich, Revised and Updated: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner” by David Bach The Unfair (FI) Advantage Of Teachers | 457b | ChooseFI Ep 13 The Happy Body Millennial Revolution Karl Fisch Subscribe to The FI Weekly! More Helpful Links and FI Resources: Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off) Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount) Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: spending down to zero, the ratcheting rule, the guardrails approach, high fee 401k's, and mini-retirements.
This week we are diving back into the listener mailbag with Rachael Camp to address the pressing questions our community has! Whether it's curiosity towards the concept of dying with zero, determining whether it is a good time to take a mini-retirement, or working with high-fee 401k's, Brad and Rachael tackle it all! Listen along as YOU the community dictate the conversation with your hot button FI questions!
Rachael Camp:

Website: www.rachaelcampwealth.com Twitter: @camp_wealth Please note:
Rachael Camp offers advisory Services through Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser, and Securities are offered through cfd Investments, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC, 2704 S. Goyer Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. 765-453-9600. Camp Wealth is not affiliated with the CFD companies.
Timestamps: 0:55 – Introduction 1:38 – Spending Down to Zero 10:15 – The Ratcheting Rule and The Guard Rails Approach 20:38 – Flexible Spending Strategy 27:01 – Does Everything Need to be Optimized? 31:15 – High Fee 401k’s 41:48 – Mini Retirement Considerations 49:54 – Roth IRA Contributions and Faze Out Limits 55:57 – Conclusion Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode: “Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life” by Bill Perkins “Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts” by Annie Duke The Ratcheting Safe Withdrawal Rate – A More Dominant Version Of The 4% Rule? The guardrails approach is a flexible retirement withdrawal strategy: Here’s how it works Early Retirement Now The Problem with the 4% Rule (and Why You Could Retire Even Sooner) The Roth IRA Conversion Ladder | A Case Study | ChooseFI Ep 17R Roth IRA Conversion Ladder Case Study | ChooseFI Ep 163R Retire Often Mini-Retirements to Accelerate Your Path to FI | Jillian Johnsrud | ChooseFI Ep 451 Subscribe to The FI Weekly! More Helpful Links and FI Resources: Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off) Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount) Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: wants vs needs, side hustles, tax planning, college hacking, travel rewards, mindset, and living your values.

This week we are joined by Joel and Emily Allen, a married couple with children based out of Iowa who truly embody what the FI movement is all about! Not only have they seized control of their life and finances, but have also managed to start a successful side hustle, provide incredible resources to the community around them, travel the world, and so much more! While the FI movement is about financially freeing yourself and your family, it is also important to remember why we want that freedom. Not stressing about money is just one piece of a fulfilling life, once you have that freedom, take advantage of it like the Allen’s have!
Timestamps: 1:25 – Introduction/The FI Mindset 9:02 – Budgeting/Wants and Needs 14:59 – Side Hustles 21:02 – Financial Literacy to FI 23:29 – Tax Planning/Travel Rewards 29:11 – College Hacking 42:05 – Living Your Values and Taking Time Off 48:39 – The Importance of Knowing the Rules 53:48 – Traveling Like a Pro 69:25 – Conclusion Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode: Dave Ramsey Travel Rewards | ChooseFI Preparing for the Cost of College | Brian Eufinger | ChooseFI Ep 460 The 10 Pillars Of FI Modern States The $100K Glorified Sleepaway Camp | Millionaire Educator | ChooseFI Ep 386 All the Hacks Subscribe to The FI Weekly! More Helpful Links and FI Resources: Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off) Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount) Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile