FI Minded: Bridging Pre FI Discipline and Post FI Freedom in Financial Independence

Justin Peters - Financial Independence Enthusiast
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FI Minded is the podcast for anyone seeking financial freedom, time freedom, and a work-optional lifestyle while learning to think like someone who’s already FI. We help you bridge the gap between pre-FI discipline and post-FI freedom, so you can make smarter decisions today while enjoying life along the way. Whether you’re just starting your FI journey or deep into Coast FI or Slow FI, this show offers practical strategies, mindset shifts, and insights to help you reach early retirement and design a life aligned with your values, purpose, and fulfillment. Popular topics include: - FI Optimization Strategies: Actionable advice to reach Financial Independence faster without unnecessary stress. - Work Optional & Lifestyle Design: How to transition from the corporate grind and build a life of freedom, flexibility, and intentional living. - Time Freedom & Coast FI: Making the most of your time while still planning for the future, including mini-retirements, travel, and other ways to enjoy life now. - Post-FI Identity & Purpose: What to do once you’ve achieved FI, and how to create meaning beyond money. - Burnout & Balance: Avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization and learn to balance saving for the future with mental health and happiness. - Bridging Pre-FI to Post-FI Thinking: Mindset shifts to help you think like someone already living FI, so your choices today set you up for freedom tomorrow. If you want to reach financial independence, enjoy the journey without missing out on life, and develop a mindset that bridges pre-FI effort and post-FI freedom, FI Minded is your guide to building a sustainable, fulfilling, and free life. Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money) and many more inspiring voices in the FI space.

  1. Why Roth Contributions Are Overrated for Financial Independence | E191 Cody Garrett

    1D AGO

    Why Roth Contributions Are Overrated for Financial Independence | E191 Cody Garrett

    For years, I assumed Roth contributions were the smarter move. Pay the taxes now, enjoy tax-free growth later, and never worry about future tax hikes. It felt simple and responsible. But during my highest-earning years, that mindset was quietly slowing down my progress toward financial independence. Financial planner and tax expert Cody Garrett explains why Traditional contributions often outperform Roth for people pursuing FI. The key insight: during retirement, it’s not your income that drives taxes, it’s your spending. That shift changes everything about how tax planning should work for early retirees and those working toward financial independence. In this conversation, we break down the three major reasons Traditional contributions often win, why retirees benefit from a surprisingly friendly tax code, and how locking yourself into Roth contributions too early can limit your future flexibility. You’ll also learn how strategic tax planning can help you reach your FI number faster and create more options once you stop working. Key Takeaways: Lower today’s tax bill during peak earning yearsOptimize tax brackets and avoid costly phase-outsRetirement taxes depend on spending, not incomePreserve flexibility to convert to Roth laterAvoid overpaying taxes during high-income yearsUse Traditional savings to accelerate your FI timelineTake advantage of the retiree-friendly tax code Other Episodes You’ll Love: 50/30/20 Budget: Does This Popular Guideline Actually Work for FI Seekers? | E184 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet Optimal Tax Strategies for Your Early Retirement | E180 Cody Garrett & Sean Mullaney Guest Summary: Cody Garrett is a financial planner, tax specialist, and the founder of Measure Twice Financial. A former professional musician turned financial advisor, Cody specializes in tax planning strategies for people pursuing financial independence and early retirement. His work focuses on helping high earners optimize tax strategies during their working years while creating flexible withdrawal strategies for retirement. Book: Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement Website Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    28 min
  2. The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard

    FEB 25

    The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard

    The FI community is incredibly good at effort, optimization, and doing hard things for a long time. But somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to stop. Even after gaining more control over our time, we fill it back up with projects, commitments, and expectations, leaving us busy, tired, and quietly stretched thin. Joel Larsgaard shares what it looked like to recognize that “doing it all” was no longer sustainable, even when the work was meaningful. After front-loading years of effort through saving, investing, and building How to Money, Joel began intentionally pulling back: working fewer hours, prioritizing family and health, and even taking a six-week sabbatical. This conversation explores why doing less isn’t laziness, but a necessary evolution after years of striving. You’ll hear how financial independence can be used as a tool for time, not just wealth, along with practical ways to say no, resist constant expansion, and create space without losing ambition. If you’ve reached a point where more effort isn’t improving your life the way it used to, this episode offers a healthier path forward - one built on balance, presence, and intentional choices. Key Takeaways: Doing more eventually stops improving your quality of lifeFinancial independence is a tool to reclaim time, not fill itBurnout can exist even when work is meaningfulSaying no protects energy for what matters mostOver-committing quietly erodes family and personal timeSmall boundaries can create disproportionate freedomDoing less doesn’t kill ambition—it refines itSuccess should feel sustainable, not exhausting Other Episodes You’ll Love: 4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188 How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet Guest Summary: Joel Larsgaard is the co-host of How to Money, one of the most popular personal finance podcasts, where he helps listeners build wealth while living well. Through his own FI journey, Joel has shifted from relentless optimization toward a more intentional, balanced life—focusing on family, health, and long-term sustainability without abandoning ambition. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    42 min
  3. Divorce Lawyer Reveals the Reasons Marriages Fail (and How to Prevent Them) | E189 Aaron Thomas

    FEB 11

    Divorce Lawyer Reveals the Reasons Marriages Fail (and How to Prevent Them) | E189 Aaron Thomas

    Most people enter marriage with optimism and good intentions, but very few understand what actually causes relationships to fall apart over time. After spending 15 years inside divorce courtrooms and watching more than a thousand marriages unravel, today’s guest reached a blunt conclusion that challenges everything we’re taught about marriage and money. Aaron Thomas, divorce lawyer, Harvard Law graduate, and founder of Prenups.com, shares what he learned from seeing marriages fail up close, and how those lessons completely reshaped how he approached his own relationship. Instead of ignoring the risks, Aaron reverse-engineered the most common emotional and financial breakdowns couples face and built systems to prevent them before they ever show up. This conversation explores practical tools couples can use to strengthen trust, reduce money-related conflict, and stay aligned on big goals like financial independence, early retirement, and lifestyle design. You’ll learn how to run a marriage check-in that actually works, why prenups can be healthy (not hostile), and how clear financial agreements can protect both your relationship and your FI journey. Key Takeaways: Identify repeating conflict patterns before they escalateSchedule an annual relationship check-in on your calendarSet a shared spending limit to prevent daily money tensionCreate financial guardrails for helping family and friendsAlign on FI timelines before resentment buildsTalk through risk tolerance differences, not past each otherUse a prenup to clarify values and expectations earlyLearn your state’s default divorce rules before you marry Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Have End-of-Life Conversations with the People You Love | E185 Tess Waresmith When You and Your Partner See Money Differently | E162 Brian Page When Your Spouse Makes More Than You | E151 Ed Coambs Guest Summary: Aaron Thomas is a divorce lawyer, Harvard Law graduate, and founder of Prenups.com. After representing hundreds of couples through emotionally and financially costly divorces, Aaron became passionate about helping couples proactively design healthier relationships. His work focuses on clear communication, financial transparency, and practical systems that reduce conflict and support long-term partnerships, especially for high-achieving couples pursuing financial independence. Aaron’s website: https://prenups.com/ Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    45 min
  4. 4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188

    JAN 28

    4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188

    If you’re great at saving money but feel anxious, guilty, or uncomfortable spending it, I want to share 4 spending principles that have helped me. Many people pursuing financial independence don’t struggle with discipline. They struggle with permission. We have endless advice on saving and investing, but far less guidance on how to actually enjoy the money we’re working so hard to build. In this episode, I’ll share my personal Spending Playbook: four spending principles I use as a super saver to spend confidently, reduce stress, and still stay on track toward financial independence. These principles are designed to help me enjoy my money without sabotaging my long-term goals. This isn’t about spending more; it’s about spending intentionally, so saving stops feeling like a sacrifice. The 4 Spending Principles Covered 1. The Fun Fund A simple way to give a portion of your money one clear job: enjoyment — without competing with your investing goals. 2. The Oops Budget A no-questions-asked buffer for unplanned, non-fun expenses so money doesn’t add stress during already stressful moments. 3. The “Moments That Matter” List A short list of life events and experiences where you pre-decide money won’t have an outsized influence on your choice. 4. Guilt-Free Spending Categories A few high-impact categories where spending creates outsized happiness — and where under-spending isn’t necessarily a win. Key Takeaways: Being good at saving doesn’t automatically make spending easyGuilt around spending is often a permission problem, not a math problemPre-deciding how you’ll spend removes stress in the momentSpending rules can create freedom, not restrictionEnjoying your money is a skill you can practiceIntentional spending supports FI — it doesn’t sabotage itThe goal isn’t to spend more, but to spend with confidenceFinancial independence should make life feel bigger, not smaller Other Episodes You’ll Love: Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC Rodriguez Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer You’re Financially Free, But It Doesn’t Feel Like It | E165 Shannah Game Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    21 min
  5. How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill

    JAN 14

    How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill

    Everyone only gets 168 hours each week, and work quietly consumes the best of them. When careers sprawl into nights and weekends, health, relationships, and joy are usually the first things sacrificed. This conversation is about reclaiming time before burnout forces the decision for you, and proving that you don’t need full financial independence to start living with more freedom right now. Andy Hill shares how he and his wife redesigned their lives to work just 20–25 hours per week while still supporting their lifestyle and long-term goals. Through practical examples and mindset shifts, Andy breaks down what it really takes to transition away from a traditional five-day workweek without feeling reckless or irresponsible. The focus isn’t on escaping work. It’s on intentionally designing it. You’ll learn how CoastFI, part-time work, and solopreneur models can create flexibility long before you reach your FI number. This episode explores how to test reduced hours safely, set boundaries with employers or clients, and identify the moment when “more money” stops being the thing worth optimizing. If you’re craving more time but don’t want to derail your financial future, this is your blueprint. Key Takeaways: How to work fewer days without waiting for full financial independenceCoastFI can unlock flexibility long before retirementTime freedom is built gradually, not all at onceOne reclaimed day can transform how life feelsPart-time work can reduce burnout without killing progressClear boundaries protect your time and incomeSmall experiments lower the fear of cutting hoursShifting your priorities toward time and health Other Episodes You’ll Love: Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud How to Live a FI Life Without the FI Bank Account | E170 Jess from Fioneers Guest Summary: Andy Hill is the creator of Marriage, Kids, and Money and the author of Own Your Time. After years of juggling a full-time job and a side hustle, Andy designed a solopreneur lifestyle that prioritizes time freedom while maintaining financial security. His work focuses on helping families align money with what matters most: time, flexibility, and intentional living. Check out Andy’s new book: Own Your Time Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    46 min
  6. What’s on Your FI Bucket List? | E186

    12/31/2025

    What’s on Your FI Bucket List? | E186

    If you’ve ever felt stuck somewhere between the excitement of starting your FI journey and the reality that the finish line is still years away, this episode will give you a practical way to stay motivated. You’ll learn how a FI Bucket List can immediately add meaning, momentum, and enjoyment to the process—no matter where you are on the path. This isn’t about spending more money; it’s about intentionally creating experiences that keep you energized instead of burned out. You’ll also hear how shifting from a “save now, live later” mindset to a “design a meaningful life today” approach can completely change the way your journey feels. We break down how to choose bucket-list items that fit your values, your current season of life, and your budget. You’ll walk away with clear steps for creating your own version, whether you want more adventure, more connection, or simply more joy in your week. Finally, the conversation highlights what the FI Bucket List reveals about the bigger purpose behind financial independence: freedom, flexibility, and the chance to build a life you actually want to live. If you’ve been feeling behind, bored, or disconnected from your "why," this episode will help you reconnect with the possibility, purpose, and excitement that originally drew you to FI. Key Takeaways: Why a FI Bucket List is one of the most effective ways to stay motivated on a long FI journeyHow to design bucket-list items that fit your values, energy, and current season of lifeThe mindset shift from delaying joy to intentionally integrating it into your journeyHow to balance saving aggressively and creating meaningful experiences todayWhy your FI “finish line” isn’t the real point—and what actually matters moreHow a bucket list helps reduce burnout, boredom, and the fear of “doing FI wrong”Practical examples of small, low-cost wins that build excitement and momentumThe difference between running away from work and running toward a fulfilling life Other Episodes You’ll Love: Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud How to Get the Courage to Travel More Adventurously | E174 Jon Otero Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    25 min
  7. End-of-Life & Estate Planning With Your Parents (In A Compassionate Way) | E185 Tess Waresmith

    12/17/2025

    End-of-Life & Estate Planning With Your Parents (In A Compassionate Way) | E185 Tess Waresmith

    Talking about end-of-life planning is one of the hardest conversations we’ll ever have, but also one of the most important. Whether you’re pursuing financial independence or already work-optional, someone in your life will eventually rely on you to make decisions on their behalf. And without clarity, that responsibility becomes emotionally heavy, financially stressful, and often filled with guesswork. In this episode, Financial Educator Tess Waresmith (Wealth With Tess) walks us through how to approach these conversations with compassion and confidence. Tess has navigated caregiving and loss firsthand, including the passing of her stepfather and aunt. She brings a personal and practical approach to preparing families for the future. You’ll learn how to make these conversations feel less overwhelming, how to use Tess’s 3-Layer Talk Framework to guide your discussion, and which estate-planning essentials every FI-minded person should have squared away. More than anything, this episode will help you strengthen connections, reduce uncertainty, and create peace of mind for yourself and the people you love. Key Takeaways: How to start end-of-life conversations in a way that feels natural, not heavyThe 3-Layer Talk Framework for discussing logistics, values, and legacyEssential estate-planning documents every family needs (Will, POA, Healthcare Directive)Questions that help uncover a loved one’s hopes, fears, stories, and wishesWhy acknowledging mortality can lead to more intentional spending, saving, and FI planning Other Episodes You’ll Love: 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills | E161 Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington Does My FIRE Number Account for Inflation? | E140 Jesse Cramer Guest Summary: Tess Waresmith is a financial educator, speaker, and the creator of Wealth With Tess, where she teaches women how to build confidence with money and investing. Through her workshops, courses, and content, she shares clear, compassionate financial guidance to help women reduce stress and prioritize what truly matters. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthwithtess/ Talking About Death: https://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/talkdeath Deathly Yours Workbook ($60 off with code FIMINDED): https://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/offers/BkfzyzKV?coupon_code=FIMINDED Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    48 min
  8. 50/30/20 Budget: Does This Popular Guideline Actually Work for FI Seekers? | E184

    12/03/2025

    50/30/20 Budget: Does This Popular Guideline Actually Work for FI Seekers? | E184

    Are FI seekers supposed to follow the 50/30/20 budget guideline — or is it completely irrelevant when you’re pursuing financial independence? In this solo episode, Justin walks through five years of his own spending data to find out how closely his real-life budget aligned with this popular personal finance rule of thumb. You’ll learn what the 50/30/20 rule was originally designed for, where it breaks down for people on the path to FI, and how your own needs, wants, and savings ratios might shift as you move closer to financial independence. Justin also shares his FI-friendly version of the guideline that better supports intentional spending, lifestyle design, and long-term financial freedom. Whether you’re in your first year of the FI journey or optimizing for Coast FI, this episode will help you rethink your spending percentages, understand your true savings rate, and build a budgeting approach that matches your work-optional goals. Key Takeaways: Why the traditional 50/30/20 budgeting rule often breaks down for FI seekers, early retirees, and anyone aiming for financial independence.How Justin’s actual 2020–2025 spending data compared to the guideline — including needs, wants, and savings percentages.The difference between budgeting for traditional retirement vs budgeting for financial independence or Coast FI.What your savings rate reveals about your FI timeline and why it matters more than a fixed budget ratio.How an FI-minded spending framework can help you design a flexible lifestyle, reduce money anxiety, and stay aligned with your long-term goals.A simple FI version of the 50/30/20 rule you can adapt to your income, values, and personal financial independence path.Why intentional spending beats rigid budgeting - and how knowing your own numbers can help you reach work optionality faster. Other Episodes You’ll Love: Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC Rodriguez How to Save Thousands on Groceries (Without Giving Anything Up) | E176 Bryan Suddith Money Moves That Sound Smart…But Aren’t (Part 1) | E172 Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

    16 min
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About

FI Minded is the podcast for anyone seeking financial freedom, time freedom, and a work-optional lifestyle while learning to think like someone who’s already FI. We help you bridge the gap between pre-FI discipline and post-FI freedom, so you can make smarter decisions today while enjoying life along the way. Whether you’re just starting your FI journey or deep into Coast FI or Slow FI, this show offers practical strategies, mindset shifts, and insights to help you reach early retirement and design a life aligned with your values, purpose, and fulfillment. Popular topics include: - FI Optimization Strategies: Actionable advice to reach Financial Independence faster without unnecessary stress. - Work Optional & Lifestyle Design: How to transition from the corporate grind and build a life of freedom, flexibility, and intentional living. - Time Freedom & Coast FI: Making the most of your time while still planning for the future, including mini-retirements, travel, and other ways to enjoy life now. - Post-FI Identity & Purpose: What to do once you’ve achieved FI, and how to create meaning beyond money. - Burnout & Balance: Avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization and learn to balance saving for the future with mental health and happiness. - Bridging Pre-FI to Post-FI Thinking: Mindset shifts to help you think like someone already living FI, so your choices today set you up for freedom tomorrow. If you want to reach financial independence, enjoy the journey without missing out on life, and develop a mindset that bridges pre-FI effort and post-FI freedom, FI Minded is your guide to building a sustainable, fulfilling, and free life. Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money) and many more inspiring voices in the FI space.

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