Two Sides of FI

What happens when you walk away from a career you've spent 25 years building? Nearly two years into early retirement, Laura's answers might surprise you.

She retired at 51 after a career in biomedical research, including 13 years running her own laboratory. Before leaving, she had plenty of questions. Would she miss the work? Her colleagues? The sense of purpose and identity that came with being a scientist? And what would happen when the structure she'd known for decades dropped away?

Now that she's had some time to experience life after work, we're revisiting those questions.

We talk about what Laura misses (and what she doesn't), the unexpected emotional side of giving up a paycheck, finding purpose without a job title, and what it's been like spending more time together than at any other point in our relationship.

We also dig into a piece of conventional retirement advice that Laura chose to ignore: the idea that you need to retire to something. Was that a mistake? Has the retirement honeymoon worn off? And would she ever consider going back to work?

Along the way, we answer questions from our audience about friendships, daily routines, staying healthy, intellectual curiosity, and what a fulfilling retirement actually looks like when you're living it.

If you're approaching financial independence, particularly after a career you've invested decades in building, you'll find plenty to consider in this conversation.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/laurayear2/

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/

Your FIRE plan worked — so why is spending still so hard? In this episode, Jason (year 7) and Eric (year 2) share a candid early retirement update. Both portfolios have grown well above their FIRE numbers despite years of withdrawals, and a fee-only advisor delivered a surprising verdict: spend more. Learn why unwinding the accumulation mindset is harder than the math, how "life support" for adult kids reshapes the budget, and why unstructured time might be the truest form of wealth - and much more.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/spendmore

Retiring at 47 is early by any definition. In this 2SFI Rewind episode, Jason reflects on his first year in early retirement. Not everything went smoothly as you might expect. Learn what's changed, what's been better, what's worse, and - importantly - has it lived up to his expectations? If you're excited to reach this milestone but still harbor some reservations about crossing into "retirement", Jason offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on what to expect and how to prepare for such a life-altering transition.

Read more about his journey on his blog, starting with the post that originally accompanied this episode: https://www.thenextphaseisnow.com/p/yearone

Is early retirement everything you imagined or does the reality take years to settle into? In this honest check-in, Jason (year 2) and Eric (year 7) compare notes on what post-FIRE life actually feels like from two very different vantage points. They cover decision fatigue, the challenge of replacing work's structure, and why the emotional side of retirement rarely gets the attention it deserves.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/year2/

Is slow travel in retirement all that we hoped or is the dream far better than the reality? In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about his recent experiences during a month-long US road trip. Learn how the trip ended up way over budget, compare how Eric+Jason manage expenses, and whether they would do it again - and much more.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/slowtravel

Are we really ready to walk away from Two Sides of FI? In this candid conversation, Jason and Eric reflect on more than four years of recording together, what the project has meant, and whether it still fits into their lives. They talk openly about the rewards of community and connection, the challenges of generating new topics, and the weight of obligations in retirement. Is this the end, or just a pause?
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/goodbye
Jason's blog post: https://www.thenextphaseisnow.com/p/goodbye

Retirement doesn’t follow a script - it rewrites itself in real time. In this episode, Jason and Eric unpack why the classic “phases” of retirement actually overlap and how that feels day to day. They dig into the challenges of switching from super-saver to intentional spender, using side income (like options trading or creative work) to fund experiences without derailing the plan, and how travel has changed for them. No matter where you are on the FIRE path, there's something here for you.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/phases

What happens when the plan was “we”… and now it’s just “me”? At 45, Kayla reached Financial Independence solo after divorce, living in the Bay Area without a tech salary. In this episode of Two Sides of FI, she shares how she rebuilt her finances, overcame her fear of investing, and designed a plan that works without a partner’s income or support. In this episode, Learn how a saving mentality and discovering the FIRE community in her 30s led her to the realization that early retirement was within her reach and how she achieved it.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/kayla

Most don't stop to think about how much they might be missing by working "just one more year." It's impossible to put a price tag on some of the experiences Eric + Jason have had since leaving full time work behind. In today's episode, they talk about things they'd never have done before retiring early, the freedom that FIRE afford, and much more. Don't miss the show notes below for details on their work history and their journeys to financial independence.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/wrong

In Part 5 of our SWR Toolbox series, we answer your questions about our CAPE-based withdrawal strategy, how it compares to a fixed safe withdrawal rate approach, and much more. See the link below for all of our toolbox videos including tutorials and a host of supportive content in the show notes.

FREE SWR tool and show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/toolbox

Are FIRE content creators being honest about their numbers? YouTuber Duane isn't so sure. In this episode, Eric and Jason share detailed insights about their own FIRE numbers, portfolios, withdrawal rates, and what it actually means to be "retired." They also explain why context matters more than a single number, and get honest about how content creation fits into their financial picture. If you've ever wondered how real people make FIRE work, this one’s for you.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/numbers

What’s the scariest part of retiring early? For many, it's not just about money—it's the unknowns that come after leaving work behind. In this candid conversation, Eric and Jason unpack the biggest fears they and others faced on the path to FIRE, from financial worries and healthcare to identity shifts and societal judgment. Whether you're planning your own early retirement or already there, this episode will help you feel less alone and more prepared.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/fears

After five years of early retirement and 100 episodes of Two Sides of FI, what have we learned? A lot—and we're sharing it all. To mark this milestone, Eric and Jason sit down for an honest, wide-ranging AMA based on questions from our community. We cover everything from money and mindset shifts to healthcare, travel, and even music choices. Whether you're already on your FIRE path or just curious what life really looks like on the other side, this conversation is for you.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/episode100

With markets down at one point nearly 20% in 2025, is this the sequence risk moment we feared? In this episode, we reflect on recent market volatility, how it’s impacted our early retirement finances, and whether our original FIRE strategy can still hold up. We also catch up post-Liberation Day and share how our thinking has evolved after real-world stress testing our withdrawal plan. If you're navigating FIRE in 2025—or just wondering what a 20% portfolio loss feels like—this one's for you.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/chaos

How should you respond to market conditions to ensure financial stability? Like the famous Mike Tyson quote says, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth". In this episode, Eric talks with Jason about an unexpected opportunity to update his early retirement portfolio. Topics discussed include bond and cash allocations, asset location, and what they're doing to manage extreme market volatility.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/bonds

Do some find it hard to retire because they don't know how to stop working? In today's episode, Eric talks with Jason about the challenges he's experienced after achieving FI, finding it hard to ramp down his business. Are we just wired to work hard or is there more to it? We discuss why Eric can't stop working, how it affects his spouse, and what Jason has learned in his five years of RE.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/crisis

Why has ProjectionLab quickly become one of the most popular early retirement planning tools? In this episode, learn why PL is an essential software package for both Eric and Jason. Topics covered include how to get started, best practices, and powerful new features. See the link below for how you can try ProjectionLab for free!

Check out ProjectionLab for free: https://twosidesoffi.com/pl

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/projectionlab

What are the critical financial elements to track and review each year pre- and post-FI? In this episode, Eric and Jason share their processes and learnings from their 2024 annual review. Topics covered include tracking net worth and withdrawal rate, portfolio management, taxes, and much more.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/2024review

How do you know when it's the right time to retire? Most on the FIRE path focus on the financial elements because in essence, they're the easiest part of the equation. But many people struggle with the emotional elements of the decision. In this episode, Jason and Eric talk about their own experiences and what they've found most challenging.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/whentoretire