In this episode: financial aid, college planning, standardized tests, tests optional, need meeting, and preparation.

This week we are re-joined by Brian Eufinger to discuss ways to best prepare your children for college admissions, navigating the new changes to FAFSA and the CSS profile, and how you can maximize when prepping for your child’s higher education. While college prep can be stressful for students, from maintaining their GPA to taking multiple standardized tests, it can be just as stressful for parents to figure out financial aid and how to best set up their child for success before and after graduation. However, knowing the factors to consider early on and having the knowledge in advance can make this process far less daunting! While stressful as it may be, remember that there are many different resources available to you and your child that give you the knowledge that may alleviate the pressures that come with college prep and financial aid! 

Brian Eufinger:

• Free diagnostic mock SAT and ACT tests (each weekend): www.edisonprep.com/mocks/
• Free information sessions on college admissions (6-7x / year, including one on 11/14 @ 7pm EST): www.edisonprep.com/infosession/
• How to self-prep for the SAT/ACT: www.gettestbright.com/self-prep-for-the-sat-act/
• Edison Prep Bios: www.edisonprep.com/bio/

Timestamps:

• 1:06 - Introduction
• 4:53 - The Impact of Merit Aid
• 11:49 - When, Where, and How to Think About Standardized Tests
• 18:33 - The Intersection of The School, Price, Opportunity, and Comfort
• 25:20 - Standardized Tests and The Reality of Preparation
• 31:08 - Tests (Not) Optional
• 37:32 - Governmental Forms and Financial Aid
• 46:43 - The Variance of Need Meeting and Aid Changes
• 51:13 - Preparation and Knowledge With College Planning
• 55:23 - Non-Academic Path to Savings
• 58:14 - Conclusion

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• Demystify College Scholarships | Brian Eufinger | Edison Prep | ChooseFI Ep 114
• Hacking The FAFSA | Brian Eufinger And Seonwoo Lee | ChooseFI Ep. 154
• Major Financial Aid Changes Coming: What Families Need to Know
• FAFSA Changes Are Coming: What You Need To Know
• Big J’s Very Brief Guide to the FAFSA and CSS Profile
• How the FAFSA Simplification Can Impact Your Financial Aid
• Summary of Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA
• The $100K Glorified Sleepaway Camp | Millionaire Educator | ChooseFI Ep 386
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

More Helpful Links and FI Resources:

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: spiritual bypassing, curiosity, fear, wellbeing, inflection points, and what the body stores.

This we are re-joined by Cory Muscara to discuss the benefits of practicing mindfulness while embarking on the FI journey, the concept of spiritual bypassing, and the positive benefits that come from being present. An important part of the FI journey is learning to take actionable steps to better your life, and a large part of this requires introspection and honest reflection of where you are in your life. Through the practice of meditation and setting intentions, it may allow you to recognize patterns that harm you or keep you from enjoying life in the present. While working through triggers or anxieties can be uncomfortable, mindful practices can be the vehicle to move you from discomfort to a place of control and confidence in your life. So while you may be putting all your mental energy into reaching your FI goal, remember that getting to the finish line is not what this journey is about, but rather the positive effects and changes that come from taking control of your life and being present! 

Cory Muscara:

• To join Cory's daily text list text "choosefi" to 631-305-2874
• Website: Practicing Human
• Book: "Stop Missing Your Life: How to be Deeply Present in an Un-Present World"
• Instagram: @corymuscara

Timestamps:

• 1:56 - Introduction
• 2:34 - The Cost of Relocation
• 6:28 - The Danger Of Spiritual Bypassing Through FI
• 16:52 - Curiosity and Fear
• 27:22 - What The Body Stores
• 33:18 - Money and Well-being/Inflection Points
• 40:46 - Taking Control and Following The Thread
• 48:12 - Conclusion

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• Mindfulness And FI | Cory Muscara | ChooseFI Ep 61
• "Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion" By Robert Cialdini
• Headspace
• "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk MD
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

More Helpful Links and FI Resources:

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: fear, anxiety, FOMO, talking about money, endings, self development, exposure, and the fear of loneliness.

This week we are joined by Farnoosh Tarabi where we will be discussing the topic of fear and anxiety, reinterpreting FOMO, and how to recognize and use your fears and anxieties to work with you in order to reach your financial goals. While we can sometimes interpret our own fear as a weakness, many times these fears and anxieties can be a secret weapon, ones that motivate us and usher in necessary change that can make a difference in the path that we are on. In some cases, it can be a fear of missing out on opportunities. Other times it can be a fear of endings. But no matter the fears, learning to recognize the underlying feelings and meanings can ultimately help you on the path to FI! Remember, an important part of this journey requires introspection, and while it may be uncomfortable to sit with your fears and anxieties, working with them, rather than against them may just be the superpower you didn’t know you had. 

Farnoosh Torabi:

• Check out Farnoosh's new book "A Healthy State of Panic! Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life"

• 2:12 - Introduction
• 3:24 - The Other Side of Anxiety's Coin
• 8:23 - Fear and Finance/Talking About Money
• 16:41 - The Fear of Rejection
• 25:22 - The Fear of Missing Out/The Fear of Loneliness
• 39:33 - The Fear of Exposure
• 45:29 - The Fear of Endings
• 50:03 - Conclusion

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• So Money Podcast
• "The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body's Fear Response" by Ellen Vora
• "When She Makes More" by Farnoosh Torabi
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

More Helpful Links and FI Resources:

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: the 4% rule, second generation FI, retirement saving, 529's, 401k's, and is it too late for FI?

This week we joined by Rachael Camp of Camp Wealth for another installment of Mail Bag, where we will be answering some questions sent in by our listeners. Together, we cover topics surrounding the 4 percent rule, starting the FI journey “late”, the importance of tax diversity in your retirement accounts, and the potential benefits and drawbacks to 529 plans. On the path to FI, the community this journey brings can be the best resource, and answering any questions you may have is our way to ensure you’re well on your way to FI, as well as help others in the community who may be navigating similar scenarios!

• Website: rachaelcampwealth.com
• Twitter: @camp_wealth

Please note:

Rachael Camp offers advisory Services through Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser, and Securities are offered through cfd Investments, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC, 2704 S. Goyer Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. 765-453-9600. Camp Wealth is not affiliated with the CFD companies.

• 1:09 - Introduction
• 3:22 - Can It Be Too Late For FI?/Credit Card Debt
• 18:25 - The 4% Rule And Early Retirement
• 27:02 - Withdrawing Earnings
• 40:06 - Not Maxing Out Your 401k?
• 50:03 - 529's and Financial Aid
• 57:04 - Second Generation FI
• 72:10 - Conclusion

• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!
• The Safe Withdrawal Rate Series
• "Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life" By Bill Perkins
• FICalc
• How and Why to Set up a Roth IRA Conversion Ladder

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: the importance of starting, everything is negotiable, talentstacking, building your flywheel, and Ginger!

As September comes to a close, it’s once again time for another Roundup episode! This week we are rejoined by Ginger, where we will be revisiting the topics of our September episodes and discussing our favorite takeaways and the talking points that stood out to us. From the importance of perseverance on your path to FI and embracing the community this journey brings, and negotiating salary with confidence, to finally skill stacking and the teaching opportunities it may bring for you and others! So lets look back on what FI can look like from the different points of view of our past month’s guests, and move into October better informed and better prepared! 

• 0:35 - Introduction
• 2:02 - Taxes And After-Tax Brokerage Accounts
• 9:55 - The Importance Of Starting/Community
• 19:52 - Decision Making Strategy/Focusing On The Future
• 23:53 - Everything Is Negotiable/Being Prepared And Doing the Work
• 31:31 - Talentstacking And Building Your Flywheel
• 36:14 - What Your Money Can Do For You
• 41:55 - Reviews And Conclusion

• FI is Fun
• From Food Stamps to FI | Theresa | ChooseFI Ep 453
• Find Your Local ChooseFI Group
• CampFI
• EconoME Conference
• "Widen the Window: Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma" by Elizabeth A. Stanley
• Salary Negotiation & Early Retirement | Financial Mechanic | ChooseFI Ep 454
• Creating Your Entrepreneurial Flywheel | Nathan Barry | Ep 455
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: it's not easy it's simple, the flywheel, being consistent, skilling up, the gift of time, and what money can provide.

This week we are joined by founder and creator of ConvertKit, Nathan Barry to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how the fundamentals of FI helped drive him to create and build a successful business. We often discuss the importance of skill stacking when on the journey to FI, but we sometimes forget to touch on the trial and error that comes with learning and creating something new for yourself. While you can’t expect to start something new and be faced with little to no challenges, this leaves more opportunities for personal growth and important lessons! So whether it’s learning a new side hustle or starting a business, it’s important to remember that you may not always know how to do something perfect when you begin. You should not count yourself out or give up when you don’t see instant results, but rather reach out to new communities and take the lessons in stride! Though it takes time and effort, it’s worth it!

Nathan Barry:

• Website/Newsletter: nathanbarry.com
• Twitter: @nathanbarry
• Business: convertkit.com

• 1:23 - Introduction
• 3:24 - Nathan and FI
• 15:56 - Not Burning the Boats
• 22:26 - It's Not Easy, But it's Simple/Unique Messengers
• 33:00 - Being Consistent, Showing Up, and Skilling Up
• 44:22 - The Flywheel
• 58:01 - What Money Can Provide/The Gift of Time
• 70:16 - Conclusion

• Mr. Money Mustache
• Physician on FIRE
• "The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future" By Chris Guillebeau
• "Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life" by Bill Perkins
• The Tail End
• School of Greatness Podcast
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: salary negotiation, knowing your worth, doing your own research, anchoring, and facing job offers.

We often talk about the importance of shifting out of a scarcity mindset towards an abundant one, and this can mean leaving a job for a new one, or even asking for a higher wage. But how do you overcome the guilty feelings that can arise when wanting to level up? This week we are re-joined by the Financial Mechanic to discuss the art and steps to successful salary negotiating, from doing your research to collaboratively working with hiring managers, and learning to handle the discomfort and self doubt that can come when asking for more. While negotiating can make you feel uncomfortable or even intimidated, it’s important to remind yourself that asking for what you want does not mean you are begging. Rather, it means you know your worth and are advocating for yourself and your future! Though it takes practice, learning how to confidently negotiate can make a difference in your present but make all the difference in your future and your FI goals! 

Financial Mechanic:

• Website: financialmechanic.com
• Twitter: @fimechanic

• 1:05 - Introduction
• 5:21 - The Win-Win of Salary Negotiation
• 14:40 - Delay Talking About Salary
• 18:42 - Doing Your Research
• 25:33 - Knowing Your Worth
• 29:21 - The Negotiation
• 36:44 - Negotiation is About More Than Salary
• 41:10 - Accepting, Rejecting, and Making Your Decision
• 44:49 - Updates From The Financial Mechanic
• 53:25 - Conclusion

• How to Negotiate Your Salary Without Burning Bridges | Financial Mechanic | Ep 211
• Glassdoor
• 1 Year of Early Retirement (With Numbers)
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: the importance of community, finding financial literacy, pulling the levers of FI, and the hot seat.

We’ve heard incredible stories of FI from many of our listeners, but this week we are lucky to hear from someone who overcame so much in order to achieve the life she always wanted. This week we are joined by one of our listeners Teresa, where we discuss her incredible story of navigating and overcoming debt as a single mother to building a strong foundation of financial literacy and knowledge for herself and her daughters! Some of us on the path to FI may not have grown up surrounded by great financial models, and maybe some of our listeners may feel overwhelmed with the new tips and knowledge that FI brings, but please remember that feeling unprepared is no reason to count yourself out on this journey! Your past failures or mistakes shouldn’t hold you back from building the life you want and the life you deserve, but rather they should motivate you to learn and grow into the best future version of yourself!

• 1:06 - Introduction
• 2:52 - Theresa's Story
• 9:02 - Awakening
• 16:31 - Finding Financial Literacy and What Came With It
• 22:22 - The Importance of Community
• 31:36 - You've Recovered Financially, Now What?
• 39:43 - Pulling The Levers of FI
• 49:02 - The Opportunity FI Provides
• 55:37 - Theresa Takes The Hot Seat
• 64:41 - Conclusion

• Dave Ramsey
• Coach Carson
• "Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips" By Mary Hunt
• "Retire Inspired: It's Not an Age, It's a Financial Number" By Chris Hogan
• Financial Peace Graduates | What Next? | Andy Hill | ChooseFI Ep 68
• Welcome To The FI Community | ChooseFI Ep. 100
• "The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life" By J.L. Collins
• Grumpus Maximus
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: spending for value, mastering your finances, what nourishes you, limiting beliefs, and getting the best out of yourself.

The end of August is rapidly approaching which means it is time for another round-up episode. To close out the month this time we are joined by Katie Gatti from "Money with Katie" to discuss all the lessons we picked up from the last month of ChooseFI! Whether it's planning a mini-retirement, designing what your want your life to look like, or forming your identity statements, our wonderful August guests have provided some amazing blueprints for you to start becoming the best version of yourself. So now that the summer is ending, it seems like a great time to take action on what we have learned together!

Katie Gatti:

• Website: moneywithkatie.com
• Podcast: The Money With Katie Show

Timestamps:

• 1:11 - Introduction
• 4:34 - Spending For What You Value
• 9:59 - Getting The Best Out Of Yourself
• 14:26 - Claiming The Life You Want
• 24:59 - Mastering Your Financials First
• 33:20 - Limiting Beliefs
• 44:48 - It's Not Too Late To Start/What Nourishes You?
• 50:42 - Identity Statements
• 54:38 - Conclusion

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• Why Decluttering Can Lead to Increased Brain Power
• "Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism" by Fumio Sasaki
• Rubber Ducks and Systems for Land Investing | ChooseFI Ep 449
• Mini-Retirements to Accelerate Your Path to FI | Jillian Johnsrud | ChooseFI Ep 451
• Catching up to FI | Becky Heptig & Bill Yount | Ep 450
• "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman
• "Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life" by Bill Perkins
• Miss Excel
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

More Helpful Links and Resources:

• Earn $1,000 in cashback with ChooseFI's 3-card credit card strategy
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Keep learning or start a new side hustle with one of our educational courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance

In this episode: mini-retirements, building fun into your life, structuring and planning mini-retirements, negotiating, and gaining momentum.

When pursuing your FI goal, it can feel like you are on a set trajectory, and picking up new habits or hobbies can seem overwhelming because you don’t have the time to focus on them. However, you should never feel held back from starting something new! This week we are joined by Jillian Johnsrud to define and discuss the mini-retirement strategy, and how taking a break to recover, relax, and re-strategize can propel you towards your FI goals! Sometimes the thought of taking a break can seem scary, or even the thought of relaxing can be more stressful than it's meant to be. But, taking the time and space away from your usual structure can allow you the space and bandwidth to pursue other avenues that you are passionate about! While the thought of a mini-retirement can leave you feeling unstructured from your usual 9-5, it can usher in more time for hobbies, side hustles, or even new jobs! So, while your journey to FI may be filled with rules and guidelines set in place to help you reach your FI goal, remember that there is no harm in taking an active rest in order to restructure your goals and re-motivate you! 

Jillian Johnsrud:

• Website: jillianjohnsrud.com
• Podcast: Everyday Courage
• Book: "Fire the Haters: Finding Courage to Create Online in a Critical World"

Timestamps:

• 0:59 - Introduction
• 3:34 - Building Fun Into Your Life
• 12:25 - The Purpose of Mini-Retirements
• 19:35 - Structuring A Mini Retirement And Avoiding Mistakes
• 28:25 - Gaining Momentum In A Mini-Retirement
• 37:17 - Mini-Retirement Negotiation
• 45:55 - Planning A Mini-Retirement
• 50:42 - Conclusion

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• "Influence : The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

More Helpful Links and Resources:

• Earn $1,000 in cashback with ChooseFI's 3-card credit card strategy
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Keep learning or start a new side hustle with one of our educational courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance