Catching Up to FI
A mindset, money, and life podcast for late starters catching up to Financial Independence.
Women And The Great Wealth Transfer | Cary Carbonaro | 151
In this episode we are joined by Cary Carbonaro, an award-winning author, and Certified Financial Planner™ with over 25 years of experience. Her specialty is empowering women to discover their unique path to financial independence. One thing we love the most about Cary is how radically transparent she is with her clients. Just call her the "Queen of Transparency" because she shares her tax return, investment portfolio and other parts of her financial life with them. In our conversation with her we discuss:
The Great Wealth Transfer that she talks about in her latest book, 'Women and Wealth.' Th...Women Talk Taxes (Part 2) | Jackie Cummings Koski | 150
This mid-week episode is the recording of a session done with the smart women of the WE (Women Empowered) Wealth Collective, titled: What Every Woman Should Know About Minimizing Taxes in Retirement. ‘Catching Up to FI’ co-host and author of ‘F.I.R.E for Dummies', Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC®, continues through an easy to follow checklist of tax considerations in retirement. She demo-drives 72(t) and RMD calculators, live-shops the ACA site to score premium tax credits, and shows how Medicare surcharges work.
Topics for the series include:
Age-band tax checklist (pre-55, 55-65, 65-75, 75+)
S...
The Godfather of FI Talks Fatherhood | JL Collins | 149
Mention financial independence and one of the first names that come up is JL Collins, author of the bestselling book 'The Simple Path to Wealth'. In fact, he is affectionately known as the Godfather of FI. One million copies and 10 years after its original publication, JL back with a shiny new, revised and expanded edition... and it just hit the New York Times Bestseller list!!!
We know you've heard and seen JL all over the place because he is a BIG deal. But we uncovered some intriguing facts about his life and career that isn't often talked...
Women Talk Taxes (Part 1) | Jackie Cummings Koski | 148
Tax talk without the snooze-fest! This mid-week episode is the recording of a session done with the smart women of the WE (Women Empowered) Wealth Collective, titled: What Every Woman Should Know About Minimizing Taxes in Retirement. ‘Catching Up to FI’ co-host and author of ‘F.I.R.E for Dummies' Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC®, turns this insightful discussion into a masterclass on trimming Uncle Sam's tab at every phase of retirement. Jackie rewinds to her own FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) journey: the divorce-day "401(k) gap" that lit her savings rocket, supersizing her HSA past $200,000, and hitting FI at 49...
Hanging On In a Yo-Yo Economy | Sam Stovall | 147
Wall Street has us all on edge right now, so we called in one of the smartest people we know when it comes to stock market to help us make sense of it all, Sam Stovall. Sam is CFRA's Chief Strategist and a market historian that knows his stuff! He joins us in this episode to discuss:
What stock market history tells us about the shaky situation we're in today What tariffs really have to do with the stock market and economy The 'rebalance' rule Mid-term election tailwinds Where the federal reserve fits into all of this
🥳Celebrating 1 Million Downloads- Thank You! | Bill & Jackie | 146
We just hit 1 Million Podcast Downloads... that puts us in the top 1% of podcasts world wide!!! And we have you to thank 💞 This is a special message from Bill and Jackie to everyone that helped the podcast grow to this level. We are so grateful for the support and looking forward to the next million downloads with our regular Sunday episodes and occasional pop-up episodes on Wednesdays.
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Good Times with rich & REGULAR | Julien and Kiersten Saunders | 145
In this episode we are joined by Julien and Kiersten Saunders, co-creators of rich & REGULAR and authors of 'Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away'. What started as a blog in 2017 has grown into a multimedia powerhouse, all centered around their mission… to inspire better conversations about money. Hear why Julien walked out of corporate life before he had 'FU money,' and how Kiersten's Valentine's Day resignation collided with the pandemic. They also talk to us about:
Their 15-year 'Cashing Out' career sprint The power of 'Money on the Table' (think Anthony Bourdain meets FIRE) The...Once Upon A FI | Paul & Amanda Mollenkopf | 144
Childhood crushes can bloom into full-blown FI fairy tales, and Paul and Amanda Mollenkopf are living proof. They join us to tell their story and showcase the world premiere of Paul's first book, ‘Once Upon a FI.’ What started out as letters to his daughter grew into a delightful collection of short stories inspired by timeless classics and fables. The book is a refreshing approach to spreading the message of financial independence to even the youngest readers. The clever analogies using classic tales inspire valuable generational conversations around money and include:
The Tortoise and the Hare: A Race to Fi...Borderless FI: Australian Paramedic Healing Her Own Trauma | Tasch Rogers | 143
Aussie paramedic-turned-life-coach Tasch Rogers joins us to unpack the head-on crash that shattered her body, her finances—and ultimately her limiting beliefs. After a 30-year career as a first responder, she had to leave it all behind and start over. She became intimately familiar with the effects of trauma and PTSD, having personally navigated through her own healing journey. Now as a life coach with expertise in holistic modalities and various other disciplines, she helps others using a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach.
***Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of mental health issues such as PTSD and suicide. The...Smart Money Moves After 50 | Bill Yount | 142
Bill hops onto Jesse Cramer's 'Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors' (formally The Best Interest) podcast to spread the message that it's never too late to start. In this episode he shares:
The messy, shame-to-FI journey that inspired Catching Up to FI His three-step "Pause-Plan-Pivot" playbook His trademark mix of candor, nerdy humor, and high-five optimism
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The Three Kinder Questions (Part 2) | George Kinder | 141
George Kinder is the pioneering mind behind Life Planning and founder of the Kinder Institute. He joins us for the second half of our enlightening conversation about the essence of financial freedom from last week. George is best known as the Father of Life Planning and creator of The Three Kinder Questions that probe deeper into our hopes, dreams, and fears. This episode brings you: The real meaning behind the Kinder Questions A little live therapy session with Bill & Jackie as they share thier answers to the Kinder Questions The EVOKE life‑planning process (Exploration – Vision – Obstacles – Knowledge – Execution) The Three Domains of Freedom...
The Father of Financial Life Planning (Part 1) | George Kinder | 140
In part one of this enlightening two-part series, we are joined by George Kinder, founder of the Kinder Institute. He’s best known as the Father of Life Planning and creator of The Three Kinder Questions that probe deeper into our hopes, dreams, and fears. In this episode we discuss: The essence of financial maturity The profound practice of living in the present moment to achieve true freedom The power of envisioning meaningful goals and the practical steps to integrate them into your financial planning Tips to embark on your own hero's journey towards financial and personal fulfillment
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Vote Your Money: Values Aligned Investing | Janine Firpo | 139
Today on the show we welcome Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women through values-aligned investing. She has a relentless drive to make a difference and poured it all into her book, 'Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World'. In this episode, you will learn: How Janine transitioned from a lucrative career in big tech to impact investing The importance of aligning financial goals with social values How to integrate ethical considerations into your investment portfolio Practical steps you can take to manage your finances ethically and effectively <...
Catching Up to FI in Uncertain Times | Bill & Jackie | 138
In this episode, Bill & Jackie joined Doc G (Jordan Grumet) on the 'Earn & Invest Podcast' to talk about what it feels like to be a late starter in these uncertain times. Questions about a recession are looming and it's scary, especially for those just waking up and trying to catch up. They discuss the ups and downs and how late starters can still stay on track.
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International Educator, Bali FIRE | Amy Minkley | 137
Amy Minkley is the founder of FI Freedom Retreats, a passion project that was born out of her love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and community. In this episode, she shares her journey to achieving financial independence (FI) while living in Bali, Indonesia. Amy gives us a glimpse into her lavish yet affordable lifestyle, spending only $30k a year. She details her frugal upbringing, early teaching career in Japan, and subsequent well-paid international teaching positions that allowed her to save aggressively. The episode also highlights Amy's contributions to the local Balinese...
Our Team is Growing: Welcome Patrick! | Patrick McDonnal | 136
We're excited to introduce you to our newest 'Catching Up to FI' team member, Patrick McDonnal. In this episode, you'll get to hear some of his money story and how he'll be helping with the show. Patrick discusses his career transition from engineering to financial planning and openly shares how the early financial education he got from his grandfather helped shape his journey. We're also celebrating with Patrick because he just sat for the very challenging, CFP Exam in March and got a preliminary 'Pass'. He is now well on his way to earning his Certified Financial Planner credential.<...
How to Bake a Cake: An Asset Allocation Mashup | Rick Ferri & Paul Merriman | 134
Joining us on this episode is not just one, but TWO titans in the investing and financial literacy space, Rick Ferri and Paul Merriman. These two great minds go head-to-head on topics like asset allocation, and the risks/rewards of small cap value funds vs. total stock market funds. Through this high energy debate, they also provide expert insights into the various stages of your investing journey. Rick and Paul both share how they empower investors through their platforms and continue their relentless mission of spreading financial education.
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Bonus Episode: The Market is Crashing, Now What? | Bill & Jackie | 135
📈 Between April 3rd and 4th, the stock market dropped 10% and the S&P 500 is down nearly 15% so far this year. That's huge in such a short period of time and downright frightening! So, what do you do? Start by listening to this episode where Bill and Jackie take a deep breath, and discuss the impact of these recent market declines. There is a natural human reaction of fear, but they share tips on tempering those emotions and remaining levelheaded during volatile times. They also talk through the importance of understanding stock market history and cover practical strategies like rebalancing and...
Cashing in on 72(t): The Goldmine of Early Retirement Rules (Part2) | Bill Stecker | 133
One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) using IRS...
Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions | Paul Merriman | 132
April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We also share some of our favorite financial literacy resources.
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72t Expert Tells All: No More Secrets About Early Withdrawals (Part 1) | Bill Stecker | 131
One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) using IRS...
Discipline Is Hard To Maintain In The Heat of Battle | Bill Yount | 130
'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is the second part of a two-part episode. The first part was aired last Wednesday (episode 128) so be sure to check it out.
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Not Just Another Album, It’s A Money Revolution! | Alan & Katie Donegan | 129
In this episode we welcome back the rebels, Katie and Alan Donegan. They are founders of the Rebel Finance School and have turned the concept of financial independence (FI) into an energetic global movement. We are celebrating the launch of their brand-new music album. But it's not just music, it’s a Money Revolution and the world's first financial independence album! The Donegans give us a behind the scenes look at the making the of the album and a backstage pass to some of the tracks, including:
🎤 4% Rule
🎤 Badassity (Mustachianism)
🎤 Create a Gap
🎤 The...
Get To Know Your Future Self | Bill Yount | 128
'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is a two-parter and will be aired over the next two Wednesday episodes.
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Coast FI Couple | Matt & Yana Tarr | 127
Jackie is out this week, and her co-host seat is being filled by Mindy Jensen (the hostess with the mostest 😂) from the 'BiggerPockets Money' and 'Living a FI Life' podcasts. In this episode we talk with Matt and Yana Tarr, the married duo behind the 'CoastFI Couple' blog and podcast. The conversation centers around the power of Coast FI, and how open, healthy communication about money can strengthen partnerships and marriages. We also highlight their favorite budgeting and accountability tool, Qube Money and why it's such a great tool for late starters.
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Confessions of a Co-host: I broke some FI Rules | Jackie Cummings Koski | 126
Jackie Cummings Koski is co-host of the 'Catching Up to FI' podcast and author of the book 'F.I.R.E. For Dummies'. In case you're new here, FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In this episode, Jackie comes clean and publicly shares her non-FIRE confessions. Recorded at a CampFI near San Diego, she reveals surprising financial decisions that didn’t exactly follow the 'rules' of FI, and some are downright shocking… such as taking a 401(k) loan (don’t judge too soon😁). These moves may have gone against traditional FI principles, but they didn't ruin her plans or curb h...
Bouncing Back from the Financial Setbacks | Lynnette Khalfani Cox | 125
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox (also known as 'The Money Coach') is an icon in the financial media and financial education space. She is the author of 16 money-management books, including the New York Times bestseller ‘Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom’. Lynette joins us on this episode to share some of the big takeaways from her latest book 'Bounce Back', offering practical and emotional guidance for those recovering from financial setbacks. She guides us on how to take on―and defeat―the most common and difficult challenges most of us face, like being downsized from a job, disasters, debt, divorce, discrimi...
“The Risk Parity Paradox” an Exercise in Simple Complexity? | Frank Vasquez | 124
Frank Vasquez (also affectionately known as Uncle Frank) is a mostly retired lawyer and host of the 'Risk Parity Radio' podcast. In this episode, he gives us a dose of his investing wisdom complete with his unique 'SpongeBob' sense of humor. We discuss financial independence (FI) in the older years, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the fruits of your labor after decades of saving. We explore diversified portfolios, the principles of risk parity, and introduce listeners to various investment approaches such as the 'Golden Butterfly' and 'Golden Ratio' portfolios. Frank also shares his thoughts on the shortcomings of traditional...
ATM Receipts, Origami, and Unravelling Your Relationship With Money | Shannah Game | 123
Ever felt anxious around money, or like you're stuck no matter how much you try to save? You're not alone. In this episode, we unravel all of that with Shannah Game, a leading transformational money expert helping you heal your relationship with money. Shannah is host of the popular podcast 'Everyone's Talkin' Money' and author of the new book 'Unraveling Your Relationship with Money', a step-by-step guide to breaking free from money stress, shame, and self-doubt.
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Banishing The Burden of Student Loan Debt | Travis Hornsby | 122
We're pulling back the curtain on student loans with expert and founder of Student Loan Planner, Travis Hornsby. Initially impacting younger borrowers, the student loan crisis now affects those in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s. The balances are getting bigger, lasting longer and rules are becoming more complex! It can be confusing, but this episode will give you clarity and help you tackle your student loan challenges head-on. We explore smart repayment strategies, student loan forgiveness, the impact of current and future government policies and more.
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Attorney Spilling all the Legal Tea on Estate Planning | Jenny Rozelle | 121
Attorney Jennifer (Jenny) Rozelle joins us to unravel the complexities of estate planning and help you get your estate plans in order. In this episode she covers the essentials- healthcare directives, probate, wills, beneficiaries, trusts and more. She's a lawyer with a sense of humor and sprinkles in her special blend of wit and wisdom to liven up a topic that many people try to avoid. She also shares cautionary tales, current trends, and celebrity mishaps that she often talks about on her podcast, "Legal Tea". #DoYourEstatePlan
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"Mama, Are We Poor?”: a Single Mom's Millionaire Mindset | Monica Scudieri | 120
Monica Scudieri started late on her financial independence journey but finished early. Her financial watershed moment was when she discovered she had $257,000 in debt. She was in serious financial despair but managed to slowly dig out. The progress she made was impressive and just ten years later, she reached financial independence. In this episode Monica shares the challenges she faced as a divorced single mom, her parents' immigrant story, and the smart, scrappy moves she made to transform her financial life.
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Leaning Out: Cracking the Burnout Code | Dawn Baker | 119
Ever felt burnout creeping into your life? Then join us for this discussion about tackling the widespread issue of burnout with Dr. Dawn Baker, author of the book 'Lean Out'. Discover practical advice for high-powered professionals struggling with exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of motivation. Whether you're an overworked physician, a stressed corporate employee, or overloaded entrepreneur, this episode will give you actionable tips to help you regain balance and find fulfillment.
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Taking it to the Streets: Best Pro Tips for Late Starters - Episode 118
In this episode, we're taking it to the streets of Atlanta, GA where the 2024 FinCon took place. FinCon is the largest (and funnest) conference for independent content creators in the personal finance space. We wish you could have been there but since we couldn't bring our audience to FinCon, we're bringing a little FinCon to you. We chatted with some of them and asked the big question: "What is your best tip for late starters?"
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Retirement Remix: Crafting Financial Futures with Purpose | Christine Benz | 117
In this episode we welcome back Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. Christine is one of the most respected thought leaders on the topic of retirement and shares insights from her new book, 'How to Retire'. We discuss the importance of preparing for retirement well in advance, building social networks, the significance of diversity in relationships, and more. Today's show is packed with valuable advice and a must listen for anyone approaching or in retirement.
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Value-Based Spending: The Latte Chronicles | Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni | 116
In this episode, we talk with Jen and Jill from the Frugal Friends Podcast and authors of the new book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke. They believe the secret to saving money isn’t in coupons and sales, it’s in identifying what you value and pursuing it unapologetically. We chat about how value-based spending can meet higher emotional and psychological needs beyond mere financial savings. The Frugal Friends also share personal stories of overcoming debt, understanding the 'real' needs behind our purchases, and how frugality can be both sustainable and enjoyable.
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The pURPOSE Code | Jordan Grumet | 115
In this episode we are joined by the multi-talented Jordan Grumet, a hospice doctor, storyteller, and the host of the award-winning 'Earn & Invest' podcast. Jordan shares insights from his latest book, 'The Purpose Code', diving deep into the nuances of Big 'P' vs Little 'p' purpose, legacy, and finding true happiness. From his personal journey from medicine to financial independence, to discussing meaningful legacy and generational growth, Jordan offers valuable advice for late starters. Listen in to discover why Little 'p' Purpose might just be the key to a joyful and fulfilled life, and how you can start integrating...
Weathering Financial Storms | Kristen Knapp | 114
After 28 years of playing the weather girl on TV, Kristen Knapp moved to part time work to follow her passion for travel planning for the financial independence (FI) community. She shares her fascinating backstory of growing up in poverty, dealing with childhood money trauma, becoming a successful broadcast meteorologist, and ultimately achieving FI. As someone who loves to travel, loves to plan travel, and loves spending time with the FI community, she thought why not combine those things? So, she launched a new venture called 'FI Friends Travel' which offers travel experiences that bring the FI Community together to...
FINCON Jeopardy | Justin Peters, Joel Larsgaard & Justin Brown Woods | 113
We love games so today we're bringing you a podcast takeover and having some fun with 'Money Jeopardy'! This was recorded live at FinCon 2024 (a conference for personal finance content creators) with 'The Struggle is Real' podcast, hosted by our friend Justin Peters. He’s joined by Jackie Cummings Koski (your co-host on 'Catching Up to FI'), Joel Larsgaard from 'How to Money' and Justin Brown-Woods from 'Price of Avocado Toast' to play!
The contestants will be choosing questions from 4 categories:
Binge or Cringe - are you in or out on this personal finance topic History of...Tactical Tips and Tripwires: The DIY Financial Planner's Guide | Cody Garrett | 112
Happy Holidays! Join us for this lighthearted chat with a longtime friend of the show, Cody Garrett, CFP. He shares his list of the 24 common DIY investment mistakes that might be hindering your path to financial independence and some tips on how to fix them. He steps us through the list which includes things like underutilizing employer benefits, misunderstanding how the 4% "rule" should be applied, and assuming health insurance coverage is expensive in early retirement. Cody is the founder of Measure Twice Money and Measure Twice Planners, and known for his unique advice-only planning approach.
Be sure t...
