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

Financial independence doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing leap — it’s a spectrum, and you can start practicing freedom now. In this episode, I continue the conversation with Jess from The Fioneers, exploring “tiny quits” — low-risk experiments you can take to reclaim time, protect your energy, and build confidence without derailing your FI plan.We discuss practical ways to negotiate your work, control your calendar, and even step back from the chase for maximum income, all in service of a more balanced, intentional path toward FI.If you’ve been feeling the pressure of burnout or stuck waiting until some future number to enjoy freedom, this conversation is full of actionable strategies to start practicing it today.Key Takeaways:Tiny quits help reclaim time and energy without quitting your jobHow to negotiate responsibilities, meetings, or schedule to reduce burnoutWays to control your workload and say no guilt-freeQuitting the chase for maximum income can increase freedom and peacePractical steps to take back your calendar and protect focusOther Episodes You’ll Love:The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel LarsgaardHow to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy HillMini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian JohnsrudGuest Summary:Jess is the co-founder of The Fioneers, a platform dedicated to helping people pursue financial independence while building a life they enjoy along the way. Through their writing, courses, and YouTube channel, Jess and her partner Corey help people explore ideas like SlowFI, intentional living, and designing a flexible lifestyle before reaching full financial independence.The Fioneers WebsiteConnect With JustinEmail me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI MindedWant to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

As I got closer to financial independence, I realized something strange: I had more financial freedom than ever, but I still wasn’t using my time any differently.It forced me to ask a bigger question: if the goal of FI is freedom with your time, why was I still waiting to start living that way?In this solo episode, I share why Fridays might be the best place to begin practicing financial independence before you reach your FI number. After years of working full-time while also running my business, I started experimenting with taking Fridays off, and eventually Mondays too, and discovered that freedom is something you can practice in small doses.You’ll learn why Fridays are the perfect low-risk “tiny quit,” how reclaiming just one day can help you escape the weekend crunch, and why experimenting with flexibility now can build confidence in your FI plan long before you hit your number.Key Takeaways:Why financial independence is a skill, not just a numberHow taking Fridays off can help you practice freedom before reaching FIWhy Fridays are the lowest-risk day to experiment with flexibility at workHow reclaiming your time can prevent burnout and create more life balanceSimple ways to ask your employer for Fridays off or more flexibilityWhy small “tiny quits” can help you build confidence and design your ideal lifeOther Episodes You’ll Love:The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel LarsgaardHow to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy HillWhat’s on Your FI Bucket List? | E186Connect With JustinEmail me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI MindedWant to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

The FI community is incredibly good at effort, optimization, and doing hard things for a long time. But somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to stop. Even after gaining more control over our time, we fill it back up with projects, commitments, and expectations, leaving us busy, tired, and quietly stretched thin.Joel Larsgaard shares what it looked like to recognize that “doing it all” was no longer sustainable, even when the work was meaningful. After front-loading years of effort through saving, investing, and building How to Money, Joel began intentionally pulling back: working fewer hours, prioritizing family and health, and even taking a six-week sabbatical. This conversation explores why doing less isn’t laziness, but a necessary evolution after years of striving.You’ll hear how financial independence can be used as a tool for time, not just wealth, along with practical ways to say no, resist constant expansion, and create space without losing ambition. If you’ve reached a point where more effort isn’t improving your life the way it used to, this episode offers a healthier path forward - one built on balance, presence, and intentional choices.Key Takeaways:Doing more eventually stops improving your quality of lifeFinancial independence is a tool to reclaim time, not fill itBurnout can exist even when work is meaningfulSaying no protects energy for what matters mostOver-committing quietly erodes family and personal timeSmall boundaries can create disproportionate freedomDoing less doesn’t kill ambition—it refines itSuccess should feel sustainable, not exhaustingOther Episodes You’ll Love:4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan GrumetGuest Summary:Joel Larsgaard is the co-host of How to Money, one of the most popular personal finance podcasts, where he helps listeners build wealth while living well. Through his own FI journey, Joel has shifted from relentless optimization toward a more intentional, balanced life—focusing on family, health, and long-term sustainability without abandoning ambition.Connect With JustinEmail me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI MindedWant to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

If you’re great at saving money but feel anxious, guilty, or uncomfortable spending it, I want to share 4 spending principles that have helped me.Many people pursuing financial independence don’t struggle with discipline. They struggle with permission. We have endless advice on saving and investing, but far less guidance on how to actually enjoy the money we’re working so hard to build.In this episode, I’ll share my personal Spending Playbook: four spending principles I use as a super saver to spend confidently, reduce stress, and still stay on track toward financial independence. These principles are designed to help me enjoy my money without sabotaging my long-term goals.This isn’t about spending more; it’s about spending intentionally, so saving stops feeling like a sacrifice.The 4 Spending Principles Covered1. The Fun FundA simple way to give a portion of your money one clear job: enjoyment — without competing with your investing goals.2. The Oops BudgetA no-questions-asked buffer for unplanned, non-fun expenses so money doesn’t add stress during already stressful moments.3. The “Moments That Matter” ListA short list of life events and experiences where you pre-decide money won’t have an outsized influence on your choice.4. Guilt-Free Spending CategoriesA few high-impact categories where spending creates outsized happiness — and where under-spending isn’t necessarily a win.Key Takeaways:Being good at saving doesn’t automatically make spending easyGuilt around spending is often a permission problem, not a math problemPre-deciding how you’ll spend removes stress in the momentSpending rules can create freedom, not restrictionEnjoying your money is a skill you can practiceIntentional spending supports FI — it doesn’t sabotage itThe goal isn’t to spend more, but to spend with confidenceFinancial independence should make life feel bigger, not smallerOther Episodes You’ll Love:Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC RodriguezIs Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse CramerYou’re Financially Free, But It Doesn’t Feel Like It | E165 Shannah GameConnect With JustinEmail me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI MindedWant to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

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

Are FI seekers supposed to follow the 50/30/20 budget guideline — or is it completely irrelevant when you’re pursuing financial independence? In this solo episode, Justin walks through five years of his own spending data to find out how closely his real-life budget aligned with this popular personal finance rule of thumb.You’ll learn what the 50/30/20 rule was originally designed for, where it breaks down for people on the path to FI, and how your own needs, wants, and savings ratios might shift as you move closer to financial independence. Justin also shares his FI-friendly version of the guideline that better supports intentional spending, lifestyle design, and long-term financial freedom.Whether you’re in your first year of the FI journey or optimizing for Coast FI, this episode will help you rethink your spending percentages, understand your true savings rate, and build a budgeting approach that matches your work-optional goals.Key Takeaways:Why the traditional 50/30/20 budgeting rule often breaks down for FI seekers, early retirees, and anyone aiming for financial independence.How Justin’s actual 2020–2025 spending data compared to the guideline — including needs, wants, and savings percentages.The difference between budgeting for traditional retirement vs budgeting for financial independence or Coast FI.What your savings rate reveals about your FI timeline and why it matters more than a fixed budget ratio.How an FI-minded spending framework can help you design a flexible lifestyle, reduce money anxiety, and stay aligned with your long-term goals.A simple FI version of the 50/30/20 rule you can adapt to your income, values, and personal financial independence path.Why intentional spending beats rigid budgeting - and how knowing your own numbers can help you reach work optionality faster.Other Episodes You’ll Love:Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC RodriguezHow to Save Thousands on Groceries (Without Giving Anything Up) | E176 Bryan SuddithMoney Moves That Sound Smart…But Aren’t (Part 1) | E172Connect With JustinEmail me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI MindedWant to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

FIRE was never meant to be the finish line. It was supposed to be the launchpad. But somewhere along the way, we started chasing optimization instead of meaning.In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Grumet (Doc G), author of The Purpose Code and host of the Earn & Invest Podcast, to explore how the FIRE movement can sometimes turn from a tool for freedom into a trap that leaves people feeling empty.We unpack three hidden pitfalls that can derail your FIRE journey and how to realign money, purpose, and meaning once you’ve “made it.”Jordan has been a longtime voice in the Financial Independence movement, through his blog, DiverseFI, his book, The Purpose Code, and his podcast, Earn & Invest.But after a decade in the movement, he started asking some deeper questions:Has FIRE become the destination instead of the launchpad?Are we optimizing our finances at the expense of meaning?And how do we bring purpose back into the FIRE movement?Key Takeaways:Why FIRE can accidentally make money the goal instead of the toolThe trap of “Perfect is the Enemy of Good” in personal financeEndless optimization (Roth timing, iBonds, chasing interest rates) can distract from what truly matters.How optimization can distract us from the hard emotional workReal fulfillment comes from pursuing purpose, not FIRE.What Jordan still loves about the FIRE movement (and what he’s outgrown)How to redefine success beyond spreadsheets and savings ratesOther Episodes You’ll Love:Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse CramerHow to Live a FI Life Without the FI Bank Account | E170 Jess from FioneersFind Purpose Beyond Financial Independence | E157 Jordan GrumetGuest Summary:Jordan Grumet (Doc G) is a physician turned writer, speaker, and host of the Earn & Invest Podcast. His books, Taking Stock and The Purpose Code, explore how to align money, meaning, and legacy. Jordan has been part of the FIRE community since 2014, helping thousands rethink what financial independence really means.Connect with Jordan:Book: The Purpose CodePodcast: Earn & Invest PodcastConnect with Justin:Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI Minded:Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

It might have been monsters under the bed, shadows in the corner, or creepy dementors from Harry Potter. We all had irrational fears growing up.Mine was creepy dolls. After watching a movie called Teacher’s Pet, I became so terrified of dolls that my dad had my sister box up hers and store them in the basement.I’ll be honest, I’m still not a huge fan of dolls, but I’ve mostly outgrown that fear. Along the way, though, I’ve picked up some new ones like running out of money, being left without health insurance, and probably the biggest of all… taxes.I’ve been saving and investing with the fear that Uncle Sam will take a huge chunk of my money. That mindset has me padding my investment accounts and inflating my FI number. But after reading Sean Mullaney and Cody Garrett’s book, Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement, I’m starting to rethink that - and I think you should too.To help us all navigate this, I invited Sean and Cody to walk us through strategies to optimize taxes before and during early retirement. We’ll cover things like which accounts to deplete first, how to control your taxable income through strategic selling, ways to minimize sequence-of-return risk, and even how you could pay almost nothing in taxes some years without cutting expenses.If you want practical strategies for optimizing taxes on your path to early retirement, this episode is for you.I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mr. Measure Twice and the FITaxGuy…Cody Garrett and Sean Mullaney.Key Takeaways:How to fund an early retirement lifestyle tax-free with drawdown strategies.Which investment accounts to tap first to optimize your retirement withdrawalsHow to sell specific brokerage lots to precisely manage taxes and cash flowA drawdown approach that protects against the sequence of returns risk in retirementHow to maximize ACA premium tax credits for affordable early retirement healthcareWhen to use Roth and HSA withdrawals for tax-efficient income flexibilityMentions:Selling Specific Lots in Fidelity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cft7dLLP7_U&feature=youtu.beMore of Sean & Cody:Check out the book “Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement”:: https://www.measuretwicemoney.com/bookCody’s website: https://measuretwicefinancial.com/Sean’s website: https://fitaxguy.com/More of FI Minded:Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.comConnect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. Justin and the FI Minded podcast do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc. and their services.

I was reviewing my spending for the first half of 2025 and noticed something interesting: excluding routine bills, groceries, and experiences, I only bought 25 new things this year, totaling about $1,400. For six months, that felt pretty solid. But it also got me wondering… could I go even further?That curiosity came to a head when the nozzle on my garden hose started leaking. My first instinct was to hop on Amazon and buy a new one. It was only $20. But then I paused. I looked up what might cause the leak and found out it’s usually a worn-out rubber washer. I took the thing apart, and sure enough, that was it. I hopped back on Amazon to order a new washer…until I remembered I had another broken nozzle in the garage. I swear I have the worst luck with these—but this one wasn’t leaking. I had just dropped it and snapped the trigger handle. I took the rubber washer from that one and used it to fix the current nozzle.And it worked! No money spent. Nothing added to a landfill. And honestly, I felt proud of myself.I share that story because it’s easy to assume we’re already frugal or intentional enough—especially in the FI community. But that moment made me realize how often I default to “buy new” without even questioning it. And I want to become more intentional, especially when it comes to physical things.That’s why I invited Ashlee Piper on the show today. Ashlee is a sustainability expert and author of the new book No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity. She’s also the creator of the #NoNewThings Challenge, which she personally followed for two years, which is just insanely impressive.In this conversation, we dig into how to creatively meet your needs without always reaching for your wallet. Ashlee shares her SUPER system for thoughtfully navigating purchases, and we run through a few real-life scenarios like getting ready for a wedding or gearing up for Halloween.If you want to bring more intentionality into how you consume, this episode will leave you feeling inspired.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the always resourceful, wildly entertaining, and sustainability-driven…Ashlee Piper.Key Takeaways:How to skip buying new without giving up what you loveA system to make smarter, more intentional buying choicesFind practical ways to fix, borrow, or swap before buying something newHow consumer culture encourages excess (and how to resist it)Balancing intentional spending and restrictionMore of Ashlee:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleepiper/Newsletter: https://substack.com/@theethicaleditMore of FI Minded:Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.comConnect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

If you're on the path to financial independence, you know every dollar adds up. An extra $1,000 a year might not sound like much, but early in your FI journey, that kind of savings can seriously accelerate your timeline. And if you’re already FI, trimming $1,000 in expenses lowers your FIRE number and helps your nest egg last longer.The best part? I’m not asking you to start a side hustle or cut out your favorite purchases.Instead, we’re talking about saving money by wasting less, specifically, food waste.Yes, that’s right. The average American throws out over 200 pounds of food a year. For a family of four, that’s about $3,200 straight into the trash. Think wilted spinach, moldy bread, and forgotten leftovers. Any of this sound familiar?Here’s the good news: with a little planning and a few habit shifts, you can cut that waste dramatically and keep more money in your pocket without sacrificing lifestyle.Today’s guest, Bryan Suddith, took this challenge seriously. Over the last five years, he’s tracked every bit of food that ended up in his trash. And the total? Less than $100. For a family of four.We’ll share practical tips for meal planning, a framework for eating through your groceries, his favorite go-to food-waste saving meal (which surprised me), and even how to avoid food waste after hosting a party.If you’re ready to trim your grocery bill and stretch your FI dollars further without really sacrificing anything, then you’re going to like this episode.Key Takeaways:The impact of tracking your food wasteHow to avoid aspirational grocery purchasesWhich groceries to prioritize eating firstCreative ways to turn soon-to-expire food into tasty mealsA go-to food-waste-saving meal everyone will enjoyHow to cut down on food waste after hosting a partyWhat to know about food waste legislationMore of Bryan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryansuddith/More of FI Minded:Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.comConnect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

My first big trip abroad was in 2015. I had just graduated from college the week before and wanted to do something fun. So my girlfriend and I flew to Europe and visited Prague, Paris, and Barcelona. It was a blast, and it left a lasting impression. Since then, I’ve traveled to 10 more countries.Lately, I’ve been getting more comfortable with international travel, and I’m starting to feel the itch to push beyond my comfort zone. Up to this point, most of my trips have been to first-world countries, major metropolitan cities, and usually with a group of friends or my partner.But I’ll be honest, I’m a little nervous to push the boundary. That’s why I invited Jon Otero on the podcast to help me break through those fears and build the confidence to travel more adventurously.Jon is the definition of an adventurous traveler. He has visited 35 countries and all 50 U.S. states, and he has done some incredible things, such as riding a camel in Egypt, scuba diving to sunken ships, and paratriking in Peru. His fearless approach to travel is seriously so inspiring, and I’m hoping to tap into a little of that mindset myself.In this episode, we talk about everything from navigating language barriers and understanding cultural differences to safety tips, solo travel, and ideas for your next adventure.Before we jump in, I want to say this: adventurous travel is defined by you. If you’ve never left the country before, going anywhere new might feel like a big leap, and that’s awesome. Even exploring a new part of the U.S. can feel adventurous if you’ve never been out of your home state. Don’t let social media or someone else’s definition shape what a great trip looks like. Go at your own pace, and most importantly, have fun.Let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the adventurous traveler and host of The Globetrotters Podcast…Jon Otero.Key Takeaways:How to navigate language barriers when you don’t speak the local languageTips for learning cultural customs before your tripStaying aware without being overly paranoid while travelingMaking solo travel fun (and not lonely)How to pick your next travel destinationUnderrated countries that deserve a spot on your listMore of Jon:Listen to the Globetrotters Podcast: https://www.gtspodcast.com/More of FI Minded:Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.comConnect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Some financial strategies sound really smart…until they aren’t.In part one of this special two-part series, we’re diving into real stories from personal finance pros who once made money moves that seemed like great ideas... but turned out to be anything but.You’ll hear honest reflections from:Diana Merriam (EconoMe) on the allure, and pitfalls, of credit card churningJesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors) on rethinking Roth conversionsJoel Larsgaard (How to Money) on why 529 plans aren’t always the no-brainer they seemI’ll also share my own story of trusting the wrong financial “expert” and how it led me to open a whole life insurance policy I didn’t need.We’ve all made money moves we later questioned. This episode is here to help you learn from them and avoid making the same ones.Key Takeaways:Whole life insurance isn’t the wealth builder it’s often sold as.Credit card churning can be more trouble than it’s worth.Roth conversions aren’t always a smart tax move.529 plans can limit financial flexibility.Even smart-sounding strategies deserve a second look.Mistakes are part of the journey - learn and keep going.More of Our Guests:Check out Diana’s EconoMe Conference at https://economeconference.com/Listen to Jesse’s podcast Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors at https://bestinterest.blog/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors/Listen to Matt’s podcast How to Money at https://www.howtomoney.com/More of FI Minded:Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.comConnect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/