Catching Up to FI

What if getting to FI has less to do with avoiding mistakes and more to do with surviving them without setting too much money on fire? Bill joins Doug Cunnington of Mile High FI for a refreshingly imperfect look at the financial decisions they wish they could redo. Between them: credit card debt, lifestyle inflation, whole life insurance, expensive advisors, an underwater dream house, a foreclosure, selling stocks at exactly the wrong time, and the very FI-specific problem of eventually becoming too good at saving. But this isn't just a financial confession booth. Bill and Doug compare what actually helped them recover, why "good enough" beats perfect, and how both still reached FI despite getting plenty wrong along the way. This episode covers Why financial mistakes are often part of the learning process rather than proof you've failed Bill's late-start wake-up at 50 and Doug's accidental path into the FI community How missing financial education can turn needs, wants, and lifestyle inflation upside down Whole life insurance, expensive advisors, and the opportunity cost of bad financial products When DIY investing works—and when professional advice can uncover expensive blind spots Doug's housing mistake, rental losses, and strategic foreclosure Bill's over-renovated home, car payments, debt, and the cost of "too much house" Investing mistakes including selling during crashes and chasing recent winners Why aggressive savers can eventually struggle to give themselves permission to spend Bill's "fog of FI," phased retirement, and learning to use financial independence instead of merely reaching it . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Mile High FI Podcast Mile High FI YouTube . ⏰ Related Episodes The Income Trap: How Not to Become A Millionaire | ChooseFI Crossover | 236 The Fog of FI: Overcoming the Fear of Quitting Your Job | "The Long View" Crossover | 211 . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

What if the smartest financial planning move isn't a 100-page plan, but one question that makes you stop and say, "Wait... I can do that?" In this crossover with the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, Jackie puts on her professional hat for two conversations about the small ideas that can create much bigger financial wins. First, she and host Cary Sinnett unpack five high-impact planning opportunities involving 529s, 72(t)s, HSAs, charitable giving, and forgotten retirement accounts. Then they zoom out to the bigger question: why financial literacy, not products or strategies, is the foundation for better decisions and greater financial independence. Jackie also tackles FIRE stereotypes, the shame late starters often carry, and the "superpowers" that can emerge once people stop beating themselves up and start asking better questions. This episode covers Five small financial-planning conversations that can uncover much bigger opportunities New and expanded ways families may be able to use 529 plans How 72(t) distributions can help some people access retirement money before age 59½ Why HSAs can be much more than simple medical spending accounts Charitable-giving strategies ranging from smaller deductions to donor-advised funds How to search for forgotten 401(k)s and other unclaimed assets Why financial literacy should come before complicated products and strategies How money beliefs and behavior can overpower mathematically "correct" decisions Why FIRE doesn't require copying someone else's lifestyle The late-starter journey from shame and guilt to action, confidence, and financial "superpowers" . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database National Association of State Treasurers (Missing Money) . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

What if the biggest thing standing between you and early retirement isn't your savings... it's your health insurance? Bill and Jackie welcome Lyndia Cunningham of Move Health to tackle the healthcare headache that keeps so many Americans working until 65. From COBRA and short-term medical plans to faith-based health sharing and the Affordable Care Act, Lyndia walks through the options that could change your retirement timeline. Throw in retroactive COBRA, Medicaid, college health plans and direct primary care, and suddenly the path to healthcare freedom looks a lot less mysterious. This episode covers The health insurance options available to early retirees before Medicare at 65 How COBRA, short-term medical insurance, Farm Bureau plans and healthcare-sharing programs compare The important differences between ACA-compliant insurance and other types of coverage How spouses, dependents and college students can access alternative coverage Retroactive COBRA and planning for the transition out of employer-sponsored insurance ACA essential health benefits, provider networks and out-of-state coverage limitations How ACA premium subsidies interact with household income, Roth conversions and HSA contributions Medicaid eligibility and the complications that can arise for early retirees and their families Dental, vision, accident and critical illness coverage beyond a basic health insurance plan How HSAs and direct primary care can fit into a broader retirement healthcare strategy . This is the first part of a 2-part episode. Be sure to subscribe to the channel and catch part 2 next week (10/4/26). . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Move Health Move Health YouTube ACA Health Insurance Marketplace . ⏰ Related Episodes Mind Blowing ways to Maximize Your Health Savings Account (HSA) | Jeff York | 98 Maximizing HSAs Part 2: Devising Drawdowns, Badass Scenarios, Listener Questions | Jeff York | 99 . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

What if the biggest retirement risk isn't running out of money, but being too afraid to spend the money you worked decades to build? Personal finance icon Jean Chatzky joins Bill and Jackie to tackle the psychology and math behind turning a lifetime of savings into a Forever Paycheck. Jean shares her own late-start reset after losing her father, getting divorced, and getting fired within a single year. She then explains why retirees often happily spend Social Security and pensions while fiercely protecting their investment balances. Together they explore Jean's tools that can create both security and permission to spend. Jackie even runs her own numbers and discovers her forever-income gap might be surprisingly easy to fill. This episode covers Jean Chatzky's own financial reset after a series of major life changes at 40 Why retirees can become surprisingly reluctant to spend their accumulated savings The "decumulation gap" and the psychology behind creating a retirement paycheck How to build a "moat budget" around essential expenses and important wants How risk tolerance and FOMO can shape your retirement-income strategy Why Jean changed her long-held opinion about annuities How home equity, insurance, HSAs, and other assets can become retirement resources Why late starters need forgiveness, benchmarks, and trusted guidance, not perfection . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 📺 Watch & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW 📙The Forever Paycheck Her Money Her Money Podcast Guaranteed Income: A License to Spend (A research paper by David Blanchett and Michael Finke) . ⏰ Related Episodes Are Pensions Really Dead? The Surprising Value of Modern Pensions | Andy Panko | 233 How To Build Your Own Paycheck: From Saver to Spender | Fritz Gilbert & Dana Anspach | 171 . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

A 72(t) plan is little-known IRS provision which gives you a perfectly legal way to access your retirement money before 59½ without the 10% penalty. In this second half of the 2-part episode, Jackie brings back Mr. 72t, William (Bill) Stecker, CPA and founder of 72tcalc.com. This episode takes on the practical half of their deep dive into 72(t) plans as they move from theory to execution. Jackie puts her own plan on screen to let Bill do what he does best... audit it! He scrutinizes her $240k starting balance, $15k annual withdrawals, plan timeline, and the surprising fact that her account has actually grown even though she's been taking money out. This episode covers Why Bill strongly favors the amortization method for most practical 72(t) plans How the 5% interest-rate floor changed SEPP planning The three basic inputs needed to calculate a 72(t) How to document the correct starting IRA balance What records to keep in case the IRS ever asks questions Why annual withdrawals may reduce opportunities for mistakes How to handle a 1099-R that says "early distribution, no known exception" Jackie's real-life 72(t) setup, asset allocation, and withdrawal schedule How 72(t)s can work alongside Roth conversions and other income strategies Why some people may qualify for better early-withdrawal exceptions and not need a SEPP at all This is the second part of a 2-part episode. Be sure to subscribe the show and catch part 1 (episode 234) from 8/30/26. . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW 🌐72tcalc.com Website Free consultation with Bill Stecker's Firm (The Marble Group) email: [email protected] Phone: (312) 361-0221 Official IRS Tax Code 72(t) IRS Notice 2022-6 (sets a new floor interest rate of 5% for calculating 72(t) distributions) 72(t) Calculators 72tCalc FI Tax Guy 72(t) using Google Sheet Dinkytown CalcXML UngrindFi . ⏰ Related Episodes Retiring Early? CPA Explains How To Use A 72(t) to Escape The 10% Penalty | Bill Stecker (Part1) | 234 72(t) Expert Tells All: No More Secrets About Early Withdrawals (Part 1) | Bill Stecker | 131 Cashing in on 72(t): The Goldmine of Early Retirement Rules (Part2) | Bill Stecker | 133 . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

What happens when one of investing's original disruptors buys one of the industry's newest disruptors? Barry Ritholtz thinks investors may be the biggest winners and Bill and Jackie dig into why. This special breaking-news is an excerpt from an upcoming Catching Up to FI episode, recorded on 8/26/26. Barry reacts to Vanguard's newly announced agreement to acquire Altruist, the fast-growing technology and custody platform built for independent financial advisors. Barry also gives an important disclosure: he's an Altruist investor, so yes, he has a dog in this fight. From there, he explains why combining Vanguard's enormous scale with Altruist's technology could quickly reshape the custody business, put fresh pressure on Fidelity and Schwab, and potentially extend the famous "Vanguard Effect" into another corner of financial services. Bill calls it "disruptor squared." Barry sees an industry that never stands still. And if competition drives prices lower again, investors may ultimately be the ones cashing the biggest check. This episode covers Barry's immediate reaction to Vanguard's agreement to acquire Altruist His disclosure that he is an Altruist investor and financially benefits from the deal Why Altruist's clean-sheet technology made it an attractive challenger to legacy custodians How Vanguard's scale could immediately change Altruist's competitive position Why Fidelity and Schwab may suddenly have a much larger third competitor The "Vanguard Effect" and how competition can push fees lower across an industry Why Barry believes investors could be the biggest winners from the acquisition How Schwab and Robinhood previously disrupted investing through lower-cost and free trading Why Vanguard was a logical potential acquirer given its earlier relationship with Altruist Barry's larger lesson that financial technology never stands still The Full Episode with Barry Ritholtz will be coming out soon! Be sure to follow the show or subscribe to the channel on YouTube, so you don't miss it!" === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Official Vanguard announcement – Vanguard to Acquire Altruist, Expanding the Reach and Impact of Financial Advice View the August 26, 2026 Vanguard announcement Vanguard FAQ – Vanguard to Acquire Altruist Read Vanguard's acquisition FAQ Altruist's official acquisition announcement Read the Altruist announcement Ritholtz Wealth https://ritholtzwealth.com/ How Not to Invest https://a.co/d/07ZHXM8h . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

After Rishi Vamdatt's conversation with Bill and Jackie, his parents Renu and Raag step out from behind the scenes to share how their son became the 16-year-old financial educator behind Easy Peasy Finance. They believe raising a financially savvy kid has less to do with giving money lectures and more to do with letting them swipe the credit card at the grocery store and ask "what happens next"? Their approach was surprisingly simple: money was never taboo, questions were always welcome, and Rishi was allowed to follow his curiosity rather than being scheduled into oblivion. For late-starting parents, the reassuring message here is that you don't need to raise another Rishi. Just talk openly, model your values, and follow the child. This episode covers How Renu and Raag recognized Rishi's unusual interest in money from a very young age Why money, income, mortgages, and family finances were never treated as taboo How everyday activities like grocery shopping became natural financial lessons The family effort behind the early years of Easy Peasy Finance Why Rishi has turned down sponsorships, including significant offers, to protect audience trust How Rishi's parents balance his mathematical approach with the emotional side of money Why letting children lead their interests can be more powerful than filling every hour with activities How Rishi balanced finance with theater, travel, fishing, scuba diving, video games, and being a regular kid What parents can do differently to build financial fluency in the next generation How financial values and openness traveled from grandparents to parents to Rishi . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Easy Peasy Finance Easy Peasy Finance YouTube 📕Easy Peasy Money Coverage on CBS News Kiplinger Article I Will Teach You To Be Rich (Ramit Sethi) . ⏰ Related Episodes This 16-Year-Old CFP Exam Passer Is Making Personal Finance "Easy Peasy" | Rishi Vamdatt | 231 Why 90% of Families Lose Their Wealth (and How to Stop the Cycle) | Julia Myers | 209 Is Your 401(k) a Mess? Do This Now (Step-by-Step Guide) | Bill & Jackie | 205 Money Scripts: Don't Get Scrooged! | Brad Klontz | 175 . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

This is Part 2 of a 2-part Episode. Be sure to catch Part 1 that aired last week (August 2nd). What if the safest-looking retirement portfolio is actually protecting you from the wrong disaster? In part two of Bill's bond marathon with Frank Vasquez, the conversation moves from Bond 101 into the question that really matters: what role should fixed income play once you stop accumulating and start living from your portfolio? Frank explains why bonds should be chosen for a specific job, why a total bond fund may be trying to do too many things at once, and why retirement planning should prepare for a bad decade. The ultimate takeaway is reassuring: bonds are complicated, but most people probably only need one or two bond funds chosen with an actual purpose. This episode covers How bond choices should change from wealth accumulation to retirement spending Why the purpose of a bond matters more than simply deciding to "own bonds" The weaknesses of total bond market funds such as BND Why retirement portfolios should prepare for a difficult first decade What Bill Bengen's research suggests about stocks, bonds, cash, and sustainable withdrawals Why TIPS disappointed Frank during both the 2008 recession and the 2022 inflation shock The limited situations where a bond or TIPS ladder may genuinely be useful Why elaborate bucket strategies often behave like ordinary 60/40 portfolios The risks of pairing a mostly stock portfolio with only two or three years of cash Frank's four principles for designing a diversified retirement portfolio === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Risk Parity Radio ⏰ Related Episodes Are Bonds Dead?: Fixed Income Fundamentals (Part 1) | Frank Vasquez | Episode 229 The 5 Investing Hurdles You Can't Ignore | Bill Bernstein | 201 Mr 4% is now Mr 5% | Bill Bengen | 111 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

What if crushing your money goals has less to do with finding the perfect formula—and more to do with getting lovingly bullied into taking action today? Bill and Jackie sit down with Bernadette Joy, a first-generation Filipino American who paid off $300,000 of debt in three years, reached her first million, and eventually built a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Bernadette also explains why she believes traditional financial literacy is dead, walks through her C-R-U-S-H framework, and reveals why the final "H" evolved from hustle to healing your money wounds. This episode covers How Bernadette paid off $300,000 of debt and reached her first million The $100-a-day strategy that made an intimidating goal feel actionable Why generating more income only works when you keep and invest the difference How she resisted lifestyle creep while building a seven-figure business Why her paid-off home mattered more emotionally than optimizing every return Her argument that financial literacy should become financial fluency and freedom The five-part C-R-U-SH framework for organizing money and designing an independent life The $1-per-use rule for spending intentionally without guilt How unsubscribing, reducing drama, and creating a peace plan support financial freedom . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Crush Your Money Goals Website 📕 CRUSH Your Money Goals Bernadette Joy's free retirement checklist and newsletter 2026 Plutus Impact Summit 2026 Plutus Awarsds ⏰ Related Episodes Live Talk from the Plutus Awards: Bill's Inspiring Message to Late Starters . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.