The Financial Independence Show

Should you pay off your mortgage or invest? Choose Roth or traditional? Buy rental properties or stick with index funds?

Paula Pant, host of Afford Anything, joins us again to work through some of the biggest debates in personal finance. Instead of giving everyone the same answer, she shares frameworks for making decisions based on your income, your goals, and the risks you’re already taking.

She also opens up about her own portfolio, including why she paid off all seven rental properties and moved beyond a simple VTSAX strategy.

In this episode, we cover:

• Growing the gap between what you earn and what you spend
• Separating your actual needs from lifestyle upgrades
• Paying off your mortgage versus investing, and choosing a 15- or 30-year loan
• Where to keep your emergency fund without overcomplicating it
• How Paula balances rental income and index fund investments
• Why she favors Roth accounts and when traditional makes sense
• Using side hustles to diversify your income and build new skills
• Following your curiosity instead of waiting to find your passion
• When to embrace Coast FI or pause retirement contributions to build a business

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• Afford Anything
• Paula’s Free FiiRE Workbook
• Paula’s First FI Show Appearance

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31k632WLFTw

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

You can do that by clicking here

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Could you walk away from a business that was still making money?

Doug Cunnington joins us again to share what happened when he started doing about 20% less work each year—and eventually retired.

Six years after our first conversation about affiliate websites, we’re catching up on his portfolio, his spending, and what life actually looks like on the other side of FI.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Doug quiet quit his own business
• Why he shut down his online courses and income streams
• His investment portfolio and why he keeps it simple
• Learning to spend on what you value
• When good enough is good enough (and optimizing costs too much time)
• Why idleness can be a good thing
• Making room for fitness, hobbies, and experimenting
• The role luck played in his financial independence journey
• Finding an identity beyond your job

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• Mile High FI
• The Doug Show
• Doug’s First FI Show Appearance

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6dHKNjlkTk

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

You can do that by clicking here

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

What’s more important than money? Freedom.

In this episode, Vincent Pugliese explains how and why he prioritizes freedom above all else.

More specifically, we cover:

• How to create freedom and design your life
• Building a business while quitting your job
• Vincent’s annual business and life assessment
• How to beta test a business idea
• What the FIRE community gets wrong
• Lessons he’s passing down to his kids
• How to know when to quit something
• How to make business easy

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• The Unconference
• Vincent on Facebook
• Vincent on LinkedIn

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPMVRqb-Lnk&feature=youtu.be

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

What if you could reach financial freedom and enjoy the journey?

That’s exactly what Justin Peters has done so far, and he’s been able to amass a $1M net worth by age 33.

In this episode, we cover:

• How saving 70% was too extreme
• Justin’s investment portfolio breakdown
• Turning a side hustle into a real business
• His 4 rules for spending money
• The best way to quit a full-time job
• Justin’s biggest financial mistake
• If and when you need a financial advisor
• When to know when enough is enough
• Moving from a 5-day to a 2-day workweek

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• FI Minded Podcast
• FI Minded Episode 192 (Fridays for Practicing Financial Freedom)
• FI Minded Episode 188 (Four Rules to Help You Spend Money)
• Cody on FI Minded

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZFxlu-bPZY

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Jason VanDevere reached financial independence by selling essentially ONE product.

And then reinvesting those profits into real estate and the stock market.

In this episode, we cover:

• The power of goal setting
• Why you should chase your dreams (not just money)
• Testing business ideas quickly and cheaply
• When to pivot and when to power through
• Creating and selling a physical product
• Building a business around your life (not the other way around)
• His “dream-driven” framework and why dreaming matters
• The three Ls of business

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• https://goalcrazy.com/

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxz-haX6d30

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Jordan Grumet (a.k.a. Doc G) joins us again to unpack his latest book, The Healthcare Heist, and explain just how broken the American healthcare system is.

But most importantly, he shares what we can do about it.

In this episode, we cover:

• The inner workings of our broken healthcare system
• How to choose your primary care physician
• The best ways to save money on prescriptions
• How private equity created an alignment problem
• Why healthcare costs have skyrocketed
• The power of story in medicine and healthcare
• Preventative healthcare and how to minimize doctor’s visits
• Which types of insurance make sense

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• The Healthcare Heist
• https://jordangrumet.com/

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0IjSPixt8c

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Sophia Khawly (The Traveling NP) is an optimizer in the true sense of the word.

Not only has she landed a travel job that pays her $200K+, but she also spends just $1k per month and has multiple other side hustles.

In this episode, she covers:

• How she saves over 90% of her income
• Why travel jobs can help eliminate your biggest expenses
• Her mini-retirement strategy
• Why she chooses to work instead of retiring
• Her full investment strategy and retirement account breakdown
• How travel hacking has saved her thousands
• Owning rental properties in other countries

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• Traveling NP (Website)
• Traveling NP (Instagram)
• Wealthy NP (Instagram)
• Justin’s Airbnb Geohacking Episode
• Retire by 30 (Cody’s Book)

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uRWXog6Pi8&feature=youtu.be

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Evan Lawler is a man with a plan.

At 25, he’s already invested $200,000 and is aiming to hit his Coast FI number of $500,000 before his 30th birthday.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Evan saves over 50% of his income
• The difference between frugal and cheap
• How to minimize the “Big 3” (housing, transportation, and food)
• Gamifying frugality and enjoying the journey
• Where Evan invests his money
• The $500K at age 30 Coast FI plan
• A new way to look at travel

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• The Financial Foundation Instagram
• The Financial Foundation Facebook Page
• Retire by 30 (Cody’s Book)

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWky9lIIdzI

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Today’s guest is Josh Mettle from Neo Home Loans.

This is the type of episode where you’ll want to take plenty of notes (we sure did!).

Josh is a master at understanding the tax code and how to use it to legally avoid taxes through real estate.

In this episode, you’ll hear him explain:

• Why inflation destroys debt
• 1031 exchanges
• Bonus depreciation and cost segregation
• How the rich use debt
• Generational wealth through step-ups in basis
• His daily routine for business, mindset, family, and fitness

And much more.

If you got value from this episode, the best things you can do are to subscribe and share it with a friend!

Links From the Episode

• Neo Home Loans
• Josh Mettle Instagram

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyBxo3WNbUw

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

In this episode, the tables are turned.

Grant Sabatier interviews Cody about his new book, Retire by 30, and everything that’s changed since he’s reached FI.

At the beginning of the podcast, you’ll hear a clip from 2019, just a few days into their 3-month book tour together.

And wow, so much has changed since then.

We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did putting it together!

Links from the Episode

• Retire by 30 (Cody’s book) – https://retireby30book.com/
• Original Episode with Grant – https://grantsabatier.com/podcast/
• Grant’s Website – https://grantsabatier.com

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Today’s guest is Chandler Bolt, founder of https://selfpublishing.com/

That’s the company that helped Cody publish Retire by 30 and hit bestseller status in three categories within 16 hours of launch.

Chandler dropped out of college with three months of runway, moved across the country to live with his mentor, and was a millionaire by 21.

Today, he’s built an 8-figure business that has helped over 7,000 people publish their books.

His latest book alone generated roughly $7 million in revenue over the past year. He still drives his 2004 Nissan Altima.

In this episode, you’ll hear Chandler explain:

• The mindset behind his financial decisions
• Why he kept his expenses near zero even as his income exploded
• How he thinks about delayed gratification
• The investment mistakes he’s made along the way
• Why a book is one of the highest-leverage things an entrepreneur can do
• How self-publishing differs from traditional publishing
• Why the most valuable thing you can do this week is spend 15 minutes mind-mapping your book idea

And much more!

Whether you’re thinking about writing a book or just want to hear how someone compounds money and opportunity at an unusual pace, this one’s worth your time.

Links From the Episode

• https://selfpublishing.com/
• Book a Call with Chandler’s Team
• Self-Publishing School YouTube
• Chandler Bolt on Instagram
• Chandler World YouTube
• Cody’s Book — Retire by 30

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kYPbvTxXxU

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Today’s episode is a long-awaited return visit from Jeremy Schneider of Personal Finance Club.

Five years ago, Jeremy joined us fresh off selling his tech company for over $5 million, already retired at 36, and just starting to build what would become one of the most trusted personal finance Instagram accounts online.

Today, he has 700k followers, has grown his net worth to roughly $7 million, almost entirely from index fund growth, and has launched a brand new company called Nectarine.

Nectarine is a marketplace of flat-fee financial advisors with no commissions, no assets under management fees, just transparent pricing listed directly on the site.

Jeremy explains how it works, who it’s actually for (and who probably doesn’t need it), and why he’s been building the whole thing in public.

You’ll also hear

• Why the most important piece of the “how to get rich” pie chart isn’t what you invest in
• What the Dunning-Kruger curve looks like for the average investor
• Why the best investors might just be the ones who forget they have an account

And much more!

As always, if you found this episode helpful, let us know and/or leave a review. If you know someone who would enjoy it, sharing is caring!

Links From the Episode

• Hello Nectarine: https://thefishow.com/nectarine
• Personal Finance Club: https://personalfinanceclub.com/
• Personal Finance Club IG: https://www.instagram.com/personalfinanceclub
• Dunning Kruger post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOHIX5jksco/
• Nectarine transparency post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTLVrppD7RS/?img_index=1
• How to get rich post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT8BvNLEgRc/?img_index=1
• Stock market history post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DW35p0liMte/

YouTube Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEN8KlUtG28

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

• Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
• Join our Facebook Group
• Leave us a voicemail
• Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

https://codydberman.com/ (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode is a little different as Justin pulls back the curtain on his and Leslie's new venture, Life Well Worth It.

This passion project is a fitness and wellness retreat business that started with one big idea: what if they could take the unique lifestyle they created and the passions they've picked up along the way, and bring others along for the ride?

You can actually join them on their next retreat in Nice, France, October 28 - November 3 (Early Bird pricing until June 9)

The name Life Well Worth It comes from the concept of designing the life that's best for you instead of simply falling in line with what society tells you to do.

It also tries to highlight the mindset that Justin always used with his finances, where he never skimped on the experiences and expenses that were truly worth it and stripped away the rest.

The idea all started with a realization after their six-month international trip.

They loved the way they traveled, but they still found themselves missing community. So they combined their love of adventure, fitness, and community and booked a villa in Malaga, Spain, with 11 people.

No prior retreat experience. Just a non-refundable Airbnb and a group chat.

They cover the full breakdown of how the first retreat came together, from the near-cancellation moment, the structure of the Spain retreat (6 days, 5 nights, catamaran cruise, a gorge hike, race day, and a lot of home-cooked meals), and how the rave reviews left them with the desire for their next trip in Nice, France.

You'll also get a full explainer on what Hyrox actually is and why it's more accessible than it sounds.

They'll also help you recognize how the skills you've built without even realizing it might be worth more than you think.

If you've ever wondered what FI actually unlocks in everyday life, this episode is a pretty good answer.
Links From the Episode

Life Well Worth It
Life Well Worth It on Instagram
Full Recap of Spain Retreat
What Is Hyrox? (Official Site)
Previous Episode: Our 2025 Goals

YouTube Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRIWRUYhUs
Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Back in January of 2018, I (Cody) attended my first in-person FI event — CampFI in Florida.

I was 21 years old at the time, and my mind was blown. I was meeting real people who retired in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

The guys from ChooseFI decided to record a community episode featuring some folks from the event, and to my surprise, they asked me to come up to the microphone.

What you hear in this episode is my first podcast appearance ever.

And then "future Cody" comes in and comments on what 21-year-old Cody said.

The craziest part? Is actually how little has changed in terms of philosophy and strategy.

This stuff works, and you'll see just how well from this podcast.

It was a lot of fun digging up this episode from the archives, and I hope you enjoy it!
Links from the Episode

Retire by 30 (my book!) - https://retireby30book.com/
ChooseFI - https://choosefi.com/
CampFI - https://campfi.org/
Get Rich Slowly Guest Post - https://www.getrichslowly.org/cody-berman-story/

Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Website)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s Website)

Today's episode is a long-overdue follow-up with Cory Jacobson of The Wealth Juice Podcast.

Four years ago, Cory and his business partner Ryan joined us while still working their day jobs, building a real estate portfolio on the side, and documenting every step of the journey. A lot has changed since then.

Cory has since left his W-2 behind, grown the portfolio to 80-90 units, become a licensed real estate agent, and launched a mentorship program helping others buy their first and second investment properties. He's also gotten engaged and is navigating the realities of full-time entrepreneurship for the first time.

In this episode, Cory shares the honest income journey since quitting — including a tough first year and why he's projecting a much bigger 2026.

You'll also hear his tactical take on managing lumpy self-employment income, how he still finds deals that hit the 1% rule, and why he believes the "you missed the window" crowd has it all wrong.

Whether you're still in your W-2 grinding toward your first property or trying to figure out how to make the leap, Cory's story is a great reminder that the timeline is long and that planting seeds is the whole game.
Links From the Episode

Cory & Ryan's First Appearance on The FI Show (2022)
The Wealth Juice Podcast
Wealth Juice Instagram (@wealthjuiceofficial)
Wealth Juice YouTube
Wealth Juice Mentorship Program

YouTube Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfWQFUnHbRE

Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Cody wrote a book!

That's right, the secret is out, and you're getting all the details here, folks.

Retire by 30 is a guide to reaching financial independence as fast as possible.

In this episode, Justin gets to pepper Cody with questions about the book, including:

Why was Cody living the American Nightmare rather than the American Dream
What it felt like to hear that he was "a waste of time and resources."
What did saving 80% really look like
Did he ever struggle to know what he actually valued versus what he'd been conditioned to want?
How to decide when to kill a hustle versus double down?
How to choose between the "be an intrapreneur and negotiate raises" path vs. the "quit and side-hustle" path
What it felt like to hit FI at 25
Which FI is most underrated— Coast FI, Barista FI, Lean FI, Cash Flow FI, etc. Which
What was most surprising once money was no longer the forcing function in life?
What is it that he wants readers to feel after closing this book
What's next for Cody

And much more!

Have you been looking for a book to help you find your path to early retirement? Or maybe you know someone who could use this kind of guidance?

Give this episode a listen, check out the book, and share with friends and family!
Links from the Episode

Retire by 30 (https://retireby30book.com)

The ebook is just $0.99 through the month of May, and Cody is giving away an iPhone to one lucky buyer.

YouTube Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OWBHL3i5Rs
Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Andrew Giancola, host of the award-winning The Personal Finance Podcast, joins us today to talk all things (you guessed it)... personal finance.
This guy has read over 576 books on money and business (more since we've recorded), and he shares everything he's learned.
Can we trust the 4% rule? Do budgets actually work? What's the biggest personal finance mistake most people make?
It's always fun to cover crazy stories and fringe tax hacks, but it's important to remember the fundamentals.
Andrew is one of the best out there, sharing these fundamentals with the masses, and we're so lucky we got to have him on the pod.

If you found the episode valuable, please share it with a friend!
Links from The Episode

Andrew's Podcast: The Personal Finance Podcast (https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/)
Andrew's Website: Master Money (https://mastermoney.co/)
Andrew's YouTube: Master Money (https://www.youtube.com/@mastermoneyco)

YouTube Interview
https://youtu.be/fC6_6KVBGX0?si=chuwbJxXdQ2xrOTr

Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

In this episode, we dive into the concept of "Comprehensive Coveting" and why you can't cherry-pick the best parts of someone else's success without accepting their sacrifices.

For example, maybe squeezing into a 375 sq/ft apartment or forgoing children isn't something you're comfortable with, even if those are huge reasons why Justin retired at 33.

We pull back the curtain on tons of real-world trade-offs, especially with early retirement.

Plus, we run the numbers on what upgrading your lifestyle actually costs in years of your life

Finally, we leave you with a quick "Covet Audit" to help you turn financial envy into actionable clarity.

What things in life are you coveting? Can you use it as motivation, or is it time to move on and let go?

If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend!
Links from the Episode

Comprehensive Coveting Blog Post (https://saving-sherpa.com/blog/comprehensive-coveting)

YouTube Interview
https://youtu.be/kgH6b4WZOBY
Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Aaron Hurd joins us today to share a more rational, math-based approach to the world of credit card rewards.
Aaron is a long-time expert in the space who has written for major publications like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and The Points Guy. After years of writing for others, he recently shifted focus to become an independent content creator with his Cards and Points YouTube channel.
In this episode, we dig into Aaron’s unique backstory—from buying $250,000 in dollar coins to rack up rewards to his "economist" philosophy on point valuations.
We also cover:

The "Hustle" Origins: How Aaron got his start stacking rebates on Dell computers and exploiting the U.S. Mint's dollar coin program to generate massive rewards.

The Economist Approach: Why focusing on "cents per point" is often a trap. Aaron explains why you should value points based on what you would actually pay in cash, rather than the inflated retail price of a luxury flight.

Rational Decision Making: The key questions you should ask yourself before redeeming, such as "What is my alternative?" and "Can I earn cash back instead?"

Wallet Strategy: A breakdown of how Aaron categorizes his cards into three buckets: Daily Spenders, Benefit Buyers, and Free Night Earners.

And so much more.

If you found the episode valuable, please share it with a friend!
Links from The Episode

Cards and Points YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@cardsandpoints)
Cards and Points Blog (https://cardsandpoints.com/)

YouTube Interview
https://youtu.be/TcR2V7RxxH0
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CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Andy Hill joins us today to give you the step-by-step playbook to own your time.

This is Andy's second appearance on the show, and this time it coincides with the release of his new book -> Own Your Time: 10 Financial Steps to Put Your Family First and Escape the Corporate Grind.

In this episode, we cover each step from the new book:

Step 1 - Define the life you want to live
Step 2 - Eliminate high-interest debt
Step 3 - Protect your family (insurance, emergency fund, etc.)
Step 4 - Investing until you reach Coast FIRE
Step 5 - Eliminate your mortgage
Step 6 - Stockpiling FU Money
Step 7 - Create your 3-day workweek
Step 8 - Embrace the simple life
Step 9 - Use your 4-day weekend wisely
Step 10 - Show your children the way

And so much more.

If you want to go back and get more of Andy's backstory from our previous episode, you can find that in episode 27.

If you found the episode valuable, please share it with a friend!
Links from The Episode

Own Your Time (Andy's New Book)
Marriage Kids & Money (YouTube Channel)
Marriage Kids & Money (Podcast)

YouTube Interview
https://youtu.be/sGwr_ISlKI8
Join the Community
We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet
Join our Facebook Group
Leave us a voicemail
Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<
Learn More About Your Hosts
CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)