In this episode of the Nine to FI podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot kick off a case study addressing Elliot's housing dilemma. They discuss the pros and cons of moving, building a new home, or expanding the current one, considering financial constraints and family needs. Elliot shares past experiences with contractors and the challenges of financing a large home addition through loans. They also explore different loan options like HELOC, home equity, and construction loans, contemplating the impact of these choices on their financial independence journey. Audience feedback and ratings are encouraged to help the podcast grow.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:05 Elliot's House Dilemma: Initial Thoughts

02:03 Exploring Housing Options and Costs

07:32 Financial Considerations and Loan Options

16:15 Family Dynamics and Final Thoughts

In this episode of nine to FI, we dive into how owning a 13-year-old Chevy Colorado for over nine years has significantly contributed to my journey towards financial independence and early retirement. Join Josh and Elliot as they discuss the financial benefits of keeping an older vehicle, the insights from recent car ownership statistics, and practical steps for turning a vehicle from a money pit into a money-making asset. We also share strategies on monthly savings, the gig economy, and how to maximize your car's utility for small businesses and side hustles. Don't miss out on the valuable tips for anyone looking to make thoughtful financial decisions about car ownership!

00:00 Introduction: Can Cars Build Wealth?

00:25 Meet the Hosts: Josh and Elliot

00:56 Car Ownership Stats and Trends

03:21 Commuting and Carpooling Insights

05:57 Monthly Savings Project

06:40 Streaming Services and Mobile Savings

09:47 Internet Provider Hacks

15:36 Josh's Truck: A Wealth-Building Tool

22:38 Cost of Ownership and Financial Impact

24:44 Mindset and Identity: Truck as a Symbol

30:19 Turning Vehicles into Moneymakers

32:12 Advice for Younger Self and Conclusion

In this episode of 'Nine to FI', hosts Josh and Elliot delve into the financial burdens and benefits of car ownership. They explore the average costs associated with car maintenance and offer practical tips for managing these expenses effectively. The conversation highlights the importance of preventative maintenance, how it can enhance vehicle longevity, improve safety, and save money in the long run. The hosts share personal anecdotes and recommendations for DIY maintenance, reflecting on their own car maintenance journeys. Addressing common reasons people delay car care, like cost and time constraints, they propose solutions to help listeners better manage their vehicle maintenance and expenses. The episode aims to provide valuable insights and actionable advice for those seeking financial independence and reliability in their vehicles.

00:00 The Financial Burden of Car Ownership

00:20 Introduction to the Episode

01:30 Car Maintenance Costs and Tips

07:33 Personal Car Maintenance Stories

19:05 The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

30:49 Personal Car Maintenance Stories

31:20 Common Reasons for Neglecting Car Maintenance

32:41 The Importance of Regular Car Maintenance

36:49 Benefits of Preventative Maintenance

38:23 Cost of Car Ownership

42:50 Tracking Car Maintenance

47:11 DIY Car Repairs and Savings

55:36 Rapid Fire Questions

01:01:02 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

How CARS helped me achieve FIRE (reducing the cost for one of the BIG 3)

In this episode of Nine to FI, Josh and Elliot explore the complex world of auto financing. They offer practical tips for car purchasing, share a mix of success and failure stories, and discuss their personal car ownership journeys. This episode kicks off a multi-part series focusing on cars and financial independence. Tune in for insights on making smarter car decisions and the financial benefits that come with it. Enjoy the casual conversation and learn how you can turn your car savings into investments for a secure and comfortable future.

00:00 Introduction to Smart Car Ownership

00:40 Meet the Hosts: Josh and Elliot

01:24 Halloween Fun and Family Talk

03:14 Shocking Car Payment Statistics

09:54 Call to Action: Support the Show

10:36 Personal Car Ownership Stories

26:30 Financial Strategies for Car Purchases

28:50 The Money Guy Show's Car Buying Rule

32:46 The Cost of Car Ownership

34:44 Interest Rates and Financing

37:28 Smart Spending Strategies

49:45 Leveraging Your Car for Income

54:39 Shifting Mindsets for Financial Freedom

57:09 Rapid Fire Questions

01:03:43 Closing Thoughts

Navigating Retirement and Housing Dilemmas: A Conversation on Financial StrategiesIn this episode, Josh and Elliot delve into personal financial challenges and decisions. Josh grapples with his wife Lori's reluctance to leave full-time work due to uncertainties about income replacement post-retirement. This kicks off a discussion on withdrawal strategies and asset management. Elliot shares his own dilemma about whether to move to a larger house, which is complicated by the high cost and the location his family enjoys. The episode further explores housing decisions as Josh considers downsizing to a more amenable town, but struggles with finding the right property. Both hosts commit to returning with detailed financial analyses, hoping these conversations will help others facing similar issues.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Purpose

00:35 Discussing Retirement and Financial Planning

03:22 Exploring Housing Dilemmas

05:41 Comparing Housing Options and Financial Implications

08:55 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Raising a FIRE-Conscious Family | 9toFI 013 | 9 to FI PodcastJoin hosts Josh and Elliot on the 9 to FI Podcast as they discuss strategies for raising a family with a mindset focused on Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). They share personal experiences, including the concept of the 'Bank of Mom and Dad', emphasizing the value of teaching money management and values to children from different age groups. The conversation covers practical ways to cut costs, such as using libraries, buying secondhand, and leveraging credit card reward hacking for economical travel. They also delve into the significance of making intentional big purchases, the benefits of not always having the latest and greatest, and the importance of experiences over material items. Wrapping up with rapid-fire questions, they highlight key financial lessons and family splurges that reinforce the FIRE principles.00:00 Welcome to the 9 to FI Podcast00:11 Introducing the Concept of a FIRE Conscious Family01:34 The Bank of Mom and Dad: Teaching Financial Responsibility08:45 Balancing Extracurricular Activities and Financial Independence14:24 The Value of Secondhand Items22:44 Travel Hacking: Saving Money on Family Trips26:32 Big Purchases: Vehicles and Housing33:26 The Bond of Twins and House Hacking34:17 Minimalist Gift-Giving Strategies41:24 Library Hacks and Resourcefulness47:02 529 Plans and College Costs52:41 The True Cost of Raising Kids55:43 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

How Real Estate Fast-Tracked Financial Freedom | 9toFI 012 | 9 to FI PodcastIn this episode of 9 to FI, hosts Josh and Elliot delve into how building a portfolio of properties can accelerate the path to financial independence. Josh shares his personal journey, starting from his first fixer-upper in the early 2000s to a diversified portfolio that generates significant cash flow. Along the way, they discuss the skills needed for property renovation, the BRRRR strategy, and the challenges faced in real estate investing. Whether you're curious about getting started in real estate or looking to expand your investment knowledge, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world experiences.00:00 Introduction to Real Estate and Financial Independence01:05 Josh's First Real Estate Experience02:18 Developing Handy Skills and Early Influences05:22 Transitioning to Real Estate Investment07:25 The Role of Mentorship and Networking18:42 First Property Purchase and Renovation25:39 Executing the BRRRR Strategy31:33 The Hustle Culture and Time Freedom33:33 Balancing Real Estate and Parenting34:34 Involving Kids in Real Estate37:03 Financial Strategies and Cash Flow42:44 The Challenges of Real Estate Investing45:11 The Big Renovation Project51:20 Lessons Learned and Advice for New Investors58:13 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

From Nervous Speakers to Confident Podcasters

In this episode, Elliot and Josh reflect on their podcast journey, particularly revisiting their very first episode, 'Intro to 9 to FI.' They discuss the feedback received and their initial challenges, then outline their personal and shared goals for the podcast. These goals include becoming better speakers, having deeper and more meaningful conversations, meeting new people, and impacting others' lives. This episode is a candid and unedited discussion about their aspirations and the future direction of the podcast.

00:00 Introduction and First Episode Recap

00:16 Reflecting on Feedback and Improvements

01:21 Setting Goals for the Podcast

01:56 Personal Development Goals

03:38 Deep Conversations and Feedback

04:56 Meeting New People and Overcoming Anxieties

06:16 Impacting Lives and Financial Independence

07:10 Preparing for Early Retirement

08:15 Learning New Skills and Marketing

09:31 Sustainability and Enjoying the Process

10:42 Conclusion and Call to Action

How to avoid Retirement Burnout | 9toFI 010 | 9 to FI PodcastElliot and Josh continue their deep dive into retirement planning on this episode of the 9 to FI Podcast. Reflecting on their meticulously planned retirement schedules, they share their real post-retirement experiences, highlighting the inevitable deviations and surprises. Josh opens up about the challenges of maintaining a perfect retirement day, dealing with cognitive overload, and the struggle to balance multiple interests and obligations. They explore the importance of flexibility, the evolution of personal schedules, and the universal human tendency to overcommit. Tune in to gain insights into navigating the unpredictable journey of early retirement, along with practical tips on managing activities and expectations.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:13 Recap of the Perfect Retirement Plan01:28 Josh's Perfect Day Vision03:34 Elliot's Perfect Day Vision06:10 Reality of Retirement: The First Week10:11 Adjusting the Plan: Overwhelm and Realizations15:24 Balancing Activities and Mental Health19:29 The Struggle of Saying No28:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Planning Your Perfect Post Work Life | 9toFI 009 | 9 to FI PodcastJoin Elliot and Josh as they delve deep into the concept of early retirement and the journey of financial independence. Josh shares his personal experiences and plans leading up to his transition to early retirement, emphasizing the importance of having a purpose and activities to retire to. The episode explores various exercises and strategies to prepare for a fulfilling retirement, addressing concerns about potential boredom and anxiety. They discuss the balance between decompression and productivity, stressing the value of intentional planning and regular self-reflection. Whether you're nearing retirement or just considering it, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for a smoother transition.00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:08 Discussing Early Retirement Plans00:54 Concerns About Early Retirement01:47 Planning for Post-Retirement Life06:34 Creating a Retirement To-Do List09:19 Finding Purpose in Retirement12:06 Reflecting on Retirement Activities19:25 Adapting to Retirement Life26:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts