Navigating the Journey Beyond Financial IndependenceIn this episode of the 'Nine to FI' podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot discuss an article from the Mad Fientist about leaving the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement. They explore the nuanced stages of pursuing financial independence and the shift in focus from aggressive saving to enjoying financial freedom. The conversation highlights the challenges of maintaining the FIRE mentality post-retirement, the evolution of personal priorities, and the importance of balancing community engagement with other life interests. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences and share insights for both newcomers and seasoned members of the FIRE community.00:00 Introduction to Nine to FI Podcast00:45 Discussing the Mad Fientist Article03:04 Reactions to the Article's Bold Statements05:42 Personal Experiences with the FIRE Community10:40 Balancing FIRE and Personal Life16:12 Challenges of Maintaining FIRE Habits18:47 Reflections on FIRE and Future Directions37:33 Closing Thoughts and Listener Appreciation

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Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Navigating Holiday Breaks and Amazon Prime CancellationIn this episode of the Nine to FI podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot discuss their experiences and reflections on holiday breaks, detailing the contrast between Josh's retired life and Elliot's imminent return to full-time employment. They dive into the 'Sunday scaries' and how the ability to manage time during holidays has shifted. The episode also covers a discussion on the decision to cancel Amazon Prime in favor of supporting local businesses, including the reasons behind it and the resulting changes to their shopping habits. The hosts highlight their ad-free podcast model and encourage listener support through links in the show notes.Is amazon prime worth it? Amazon prime cancellation. Breaking up with Amazon. Quitting Amazon. Why I cancelled amazon prime00:00 Introduction to Nine to FI Podcast00:41 Holiday Reflections and Work Transitions01:37 Balancing Work and Personal Life04:38 Morning Routines and Exercise07:10 Amazon Prime Cancellation Discussion09:42 Supporting Local Communities

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Setting Intentional Goals and Resolutions for Growth in 2026

In this episode, Josh and Elliot discuss their approaches to goal-setting and New Year's resolutions as they enter 2026. Josh shares his practice of yearly goal-setting with his wife while Elliot shares his preference for building sustainable systems over resolutions. They reflect on their journeys, including lessons learned from the financial independence (FI) community, the importance of planning, and the significance of maintaining health. They also commit to becoming each other's accountability partners for health goals in 2026. The episode ends with a request for listener support via YouTube subscriptions to help enhance the podcast's quality.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:06 Setting Goals for the New Year

03:59 The Concept of Resolutions vs. Goals

04:58 Personal Experiences with Resolutions

16:05 Health and Wellness Goals

28:34 Podcast Journey and Future Plans

35:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Books mentioned in this episode:

James Clear's Atomic Habits: https://amzn.to/49zWfv7

Exploring Side Hustles: From Handyman Jobs to YouTube Success

In this episode, hosts Josh and Elliot dive into the world of side hustles, continuing their discussion from episode 21 - Winning With Side Hustles. Josh shares his journey starting in 2012 with handyman work and eventually transitioning into real estate investing. He highlights the flexibility and opportunities available through various side hustles such as YouTube content creation and flipping furniture. Elliot and Josh also discuss the importance of leveraging your unique skills, the evolving mindset of financial independence, and encouraging younger generations to explore side hustles. They conclude with reflections on their podcasting experience and the excitement of continuously learning and challenging themselves.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:38 Josh's Handyman Side Hustle Journey

03:26 Exploring YouTube as a Passive Income Source

05:30 Real Estate Investing and Flexibility

07:17 Monetizing Skills and Hobbies

18:20 Teaching Kids About Side Hustles

19:49 Reflections on Side Hustles and Financial Independence

24:22 Podcasting as a New Endeavor

27:42 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use Mint Mobile and save a ton on our phone plan: https://fbuy.me/vgAmz

Empower is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use Descript

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of Chase

Buy Us a Coffee - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try Upside!

Books mentioned in this episode:

Navigating Gift Giving and Reflections on the Nine to FI Podcast

In this episode of the Nine to FI Podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot share their thoughts on gift-giving practices during the holiday season. Covering everything from family traditions to budgeting, they discuss their preference for experiences over material possessions and reflect on their personal approaches to giving gifts. Additionally, they touch on their podcast's progress, audience engagement, future topics, and improvements in audio quality. The episode ends with mutual appreciation for their listeners and plans for upcoming discussions in the new year.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:31 Discussing Gift Giving Philosophies

02:55 Personal Gift Giving Experiences

04:33 Gift Giving with Kids and Family

06:12 Gift Giving Between Partners

08:26 Wrapping Up the Conversation

Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

Leaving a Six-Figure Career for Personal Independence: Insights from the 9toFI Podcast

If you found this discussion helpful, please Like this video, Subscribe to the 9toFI channel, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments below!https://youtube.com/@9tofi?si=hvip4nsvatb-D1q0In this episode of 9toFI, hosts Elliot and Josh discuss their experiences and decisions of stepping away from high-paying full-time jobs and how it impacted their Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) journeys. They explore the change in mindset, lessons learned, and negotiating salary increases that led to their financial milestones. Josh shares his story of negotiating his salary to reach six figures and beyond while Elliot discusses similar financial growth in his career. They delve into the psychological challenges and societal perceptions of retiring early, and the balance between financial prudence and living a fulfilling life. Josh also touches on the unexpected challenges of early retirement, such as managing free time and dealing with sudden expenses. They conclude by discussing the potential of rejoining the workforce in different capacities and the importance of having supportive communities to navigate the FIRE journey.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:24 Thanksgiving Break Reflections

01:58 The Six-Figure Milestone

03:21 Negotiating Salary Increases

06:46 Career Progression and Salary History

09:37 Early Retirement and Financial Independence

16:24 Challenges and Considerations in Early Retirement

32:19 Psychological and Social Aspects of Early Retirement

36:06 Surprises and New Opportunities Post-Retirement

40:15 Advice for High Earners Considering Early Retirement

44:40 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

#financialindependence #firemovement #personalfinance #careers

Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

In this episode of Nine to FI, hosts Josh and Elliot dive deep into the world of side hustles, discussing their own experiences and the various types of side gigs people undertake. The episode covers the financial and personal benefits of side hustles, highlighted by interesting statistics and generational differences. They explore part-time jobs, gig economy roles, freelance work, entrepreneurial ventures, and credit card reward hacking. Josh and Elliot also share stories from their own lives, emphasizing skill-building and the impact on their journey towards financial independence. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to examine their own expenses and consider the potential of side hustles in their lives.

00:00 Introduction and Audio Quality Disclaimer

00:35 The Benefits of Side Hustles

01:23 Personal Experiences and Seasonal Chit-Chat

03:26 Statistics on Side Hustles in the US

05:42 Generational Differences in Side Hustles

09:33 Motivations Behind Side Hustles

12:28 Cutting Down on Recurring Expenses

20:23 The Impact of Reducing Expenses on FI

21:28 Listener Engagement and Feedback

22:59 Josh's Side Hustle Journey

27:41 Personal Side Hustle Stories

29:46 Exploring the Gig Economy

30:29 Freelancing and Entrepreneurship

33:04 The eBay Store Experience

38:07 YouTube Ventures

52:20 Credit Card Reward Hacking

54:32 Dawn's Entrepreneurial Journey

56:31 Conclusion and Future Plans

#sidehustle

Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

Preparing for Early Retirement: Elliot's Journey and Financial Planning

In this episode, hosts Elliot and Josh delve into Elliot's financial journey and imminent transition to early retirement. They discuss key aspects that contribute to readiness for retirement, such as setting retirement dates, understanding the 4% rule, evaluating current and projected expenses, and planning for major upcoming costs. Elliot reveals his financial numbers, including savings, investments, and his approach to healthcare expenses. The conversation also touches on psychological aspects of retirement, like avoiding the 'one more year syndrome' and planning for a balanced post-retirement life with personal goals and explorations. They conclude by discussing the emotional and practical steps Elliot is taking as he approaches his retirement target date of March 2027.

00:00 Introduction: Can Elliot Retire Yet?

00:16 Elliot's Early Retirement Plan

03:37 Financial Considerations and Strategies

04:03 Discussing the 4% Rule and Withdrawal Rates

10:35 Elliot's Financial Snapshot

13:02 Planning for the Future: Expenses and Savings

33:42 Healthcare and Insurance Plans

42:04 Life After Retirement: Goals and Concerns

48:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

In this episode of the Nine to FI podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot dive into a comprehensive discussion about Josh's early retirement strategy. Josh retired at the age of 48, while his wife Lori still works full-time but is considering a shift to part-time employment. The episode offers a detailed look at their current financial status, including their cash reserves, brokerage account, and rental income. Josh shares his spreadsheet calculations and insights from his Empower account, discussing their monthly and annual expenses, and potential strategies for Lori's reduced work hours or complete retirement. The conversation touches on important financial concepts like the 4% rule, Roth conversion ladders, and 72-T distributions, aiming to find the best approach for their family. The hosts also emphasize the importance of adaptability and proper planning to ensure financial security in early retirement. Feedback and topic suggestions are welcomed at [email protected].

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:59 Josh's Retirement and Financial Situation

01:46 Current Financial Snapshot

04:01 Income and Expenses Breakdown

07:49 Lori's Potential Part-Time Work Impact

16:14 Full Retirement Scenario for Lori

18:13 Empower Retirement Planner Insights

24:20 Withdrawal Strategies and Future Planning

30:25 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI

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

Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Contact Elliot: [email protected]

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

Looking for a new credit card?  We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

Books mentioned in this episode:

Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI