FI Minded - Financial Independence, Early Retirement & Lifestyle Design

When I started my first “big boy” job, I signed up for our 401K program. HR handed me this packet of papers and essentially said good luck.

I remember sitting at my kitchen table that night trying to make sense of fund names, historical yields, and asset allocation charts.

Nothing will make you realize school did not prepare you for the real world like that kind of moment. I remember thinking, wow I’m never going to understand this. When I have money, I need to hire someone to make these decisions for me.

But I didn’t need a pricey advisor or even fancy software. I needed financial education so I could feel comfortable and confident in my choices.

I thought it was going to take decades of experience or even having to go back to college to get a degree in finance but once I got serious, it only took me about a year of learning and practicing before I felt like I could handle the money choices that life threw at me.

Today’s guest would argue that with her guidance, you’d only need 90 days to master your money and after getting to know her, I believe it.

In her early 20s, Mills Bender was lost when it came to money. So lost that she woke up one day with $1.50 in her bank account. Mills started to demystify and understand the different facets of money. Now she helps others do the same through her financial coaching business, Mills Knows Bills.

In this conversation, we cover a lot of money concepts including the cost of delaying investing, the 4 money mindsets, and creating a budget that reflects your priorities. We also discuss how to turn your passion into a business - something Mills has a little experience with.

Key Takeaways:

• The cost of delaying investing
• How to set up your 401K at work
• Hiring employees based on skill set and value alignment
• How to turn your passion into a business
• Land a mentor to accelerate your learning
• The 4 money mindsets and how to identify which bucket you are in
• Creating a budget that is a reflection of your priorities

Mentions:

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Rich-Second-dp-1523505745/dp/1523505745/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

Fearless Money Mindset by Arian Simone: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Money-Mindset-Broke-Doesnt/dp/173483000X

More of Mills:

Website: www.millsknowsmills.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/millsknowsbills/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCK5C-sp5RaFeFg-LuczmMoA

Debt Payoff Webinar: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63ecee3e8e06d4dae9494316

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

You meet someone amazing and you have the best intention to stay in touch with them only to find years have gone by and you totally dropped the ball.

You want to reach out now but it feels awkward and you overthink it. You never reach out and this potential friend, business partner, or employer just drifts out of your life.

Staying connected with your network doesn’t need to be a challenge.

In this episode, I want to share a tool I use to stay top of mind with my network and walk you through the step-by-step process on how to create, manage, and execute a “hot 100 list.”

Key Takeaways:

• Why a process for remembering to reach out is important
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• How to create a hot 100 list
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• A script for what to say when you reach out
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More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Has the sexual chemistry in your relationship turned dull?

Bedroom boredom is a really common issue in relationships so it is nothing to beat yourself up about. We get comfortable in our patterns. The same positions, techniques, and places although great at first, become predictable and eventually boring.

I don’t need to ask a stupid rhetorical question here. I know you don’t want to have a boring sex life. Nobody wants that. So let’s reignite some excitement in the bedroom.

But we know it’s not that simple or we’d be doing it already. How do I talk to my partner about this and once they’re on board, what do we do to “spice things up?”

What if you had a list of ideas and someone to help bridge that conversation with you and your partner? Insert fan favorite guest, Susan Bratton, who first appeared on episode 63.

Susan is back on to share something she created to help us with this exact problem: a sex life bucket list. In this conversation, Susan will walk you through how to create and use your sex life bucket list.

Of course, if I have an hour with Susan, I’m not going to miss the opportunity to ask for some tips and techniques as well. We get into some hot and heavy conversations about ejaculatory choice, how to be louder in the bedroom, and how to share feedback to your partner that leaves them feeling encouraged.

Finally, if you’re lacking confidence in your body, you’ll want to stay tuned in until the end because Susan brings it home with a reassuring monologue.

Key Takeaways:

• Why you should care about your sex if you want to live a healthy life

Mentions:

Susan Bratton on TSIR Part 1: www.tsirpodcast.com/63

More of Susan:

www.sexlifebucketlist.com

www.FemaleLiquidOrgasm.com

www.gspotjoy.com

www.BetterLover.com

www.PumpingGuide.com

www.PersonalLifeMedia.com

www.SexualSoulmatePact.com

www.ExpandHerOrgasm.com

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

It might just be my circle but so many of my friends are recently single and I’m hearing the war stories of 1st dates. From coordinating plans, getting catfished, talking to a brick wall, and awkward goodbyes, I gotta say, I’m not jealous.

Being in a long-term monogamous relationship has its struggles, but taking Gaby out on a date is not (usually) an exasperating process.

I think it is totally justifiable and I see why this stress would keep you wavering in and out of the dating scene. I have thoughts and I’d love to help but being in a committed relationship for the last 5 years hasn’t left me with very little practical experience to share on this struggle.

But our former guest, Cara Hays had a lot of great ideas so we pulled a clip from her interview, episode 43, where she shared practical tips on how to make 1st dates less stressful and more enjoyable.

Key Takeaways:

• A simple strategy to make sure the date doesn’t go too long
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• How to take the stress out of what to wear
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Mentions:

Cara Hays’ original episode on TSIR: www.tsirpodcast.com/43

More of Cara:

Website: https://www.carahays.com/

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I’m talking to my friend Jenny Foss who is a Job Search Strategist who has been in the game for quite a while helping people navigate job searches, advance their careers, and make career pivots.

We start with how to bridge the gap between the job you have and the job you want. Jenny shares the secrets of what makes a great resume and I’ll give you a spoiler, it is not Times New Roman, on 1-inch margins, on one-page. She has way more useful advice than that.

At the end of our conversation, Jenny breaks down a step-by-step process to ask someone and conduct a successful informational interview. 

I’ve always hated writing cover letters, but Jenny walked me through a simple framework for writing a cover letter so they don’t sound generic and actually showcase your value as a candidate.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with the career consultant and newly published author of Do This, Not That Career….Jenny Foss.

Key Takeaways:

• How to job craft your current role

Mentions:

Using Job Crafting to Increase Your Career Satisfaction l E21 Dr. Benjamin Ritter - www.tsirpodcast.com/21

More of Jenny:

Do This, Not That: Career: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Do-This-Not-That-Career/Jenny-Foss/Do-This-Not-That/9781507219669

LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-ask-make-most-informational-interview-jenny-foss/?trackingId=ySRyz0xfS9acXbdDF6XVEQ%3D%3D

Website: www.jobjenny.com

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Where are you at with your 2023 New Year’s resolutions?

Are things going better than ever? Awesome!

But if you’re like the majority of people, your goals might be wavering or even worse, you might have completely abandoned them.

The good news is the year is still young. We have plenty of time to get back on track with our 2023 goals and in this episode, we’ll discuss 3 tips for doing just that.

Key Takeaways:

• Making your goals sustainable
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• Opt-out versus opt-in method
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• Why you should find an accountability partner 
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More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

19 cents. That’s how much in interest that my bank paid me in 2022.

I’m not sure if that makes me want to cry, yell, or laugh but those are none of the feelings that I want to have when it comes to calculating my annual bank interest.

The good news is, I don’t keep a ton of money in my savings account. Simply a couple thousand dollars that acts as an emergency fund.

But that comical calculation would make me furious if I had tens of thousands of dollars in my savings account.

The last few years have shown us the real impact of inflation. An item that cost $100 in 2020 cost roughly $115 today using the average cumulative rate of inflation.

What does that mean? Just to break even, you want your money keeping up at the same rate. 19 cents isn’t going to do that for me.

Luckily Jeremy Keil is here to give us some strategies on how we can make more interest from our savings.

We also talk about how much money you should have in your bank account, what are I bonds and how you can use them for short savings, and why, even as a young adult, you shouldn’t discount social security in your retirement plan.

Key Takeaways:

• Why are interest rates continuing to go up?
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• How is inflation calculated?
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• How much money should I have in my bank account?
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• How to find the best bank account interest rates?
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• Automate your bank savings rate using maxmyinterest.com
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• What are I bonds and how to use them to get more interest out of your savings
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• Where to buy I bonds
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• What are treasury bonds?
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• How to negotiate your interest rates with your current bank
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• Why social security is going to be around for you when you get older
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• How is social security calculated
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• How to fix social security
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• Ask better questions with motivational interviewing
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Mentions:

www.bankrate.com

www.maxmyinterest.com

www.treasurydirect.gov

More of Jeremy:

www.retirement-revealed.com

More of Justin & The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I hope you’ve taken the New Year as an opportunity to set priorities and state your goals. In today’s episode, we will discuss how to create systems in order to accomplish those goals.

My friend, David Ward from RunnersFI.com, is joining me in this conversation. From unhealthy and overweight to completing an ultra-marathon, David knows a thing or two about accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.

We will also discuss how to get started on your goal, when to use internal and external motivation, and escalating the meaning behind your goal with a concrete why.

Key Takeaways:

• How to get started on your goals
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• It’s good to goal set but you need to create systems too
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• External motivation helps with the tough times but internal motivation keeps progress
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• Escalate your goal with a why
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Mentions:

Are You Setting Goals or Are You Developing Systems?: https://runnersfi.com/are-you-setting-goals-or-are-you-developing-systems/

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Jesse Cramer on TSIR: www.tsirpodcast.com/75

More of David:

www.runnersfi.com

RunnersFI Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/472890344715095

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I remember being so furious with my dad because I felt like I was the only 16-year-old in my friend group that paid for their own car insurance. 

Looking back now, I really appreciate him making me handle my financial responsibilities early on. Don’t get me wrong I still take advantage of my parents picking up the tab at dinner or paying for the hotel on a family vacation but I pay my own bills and it makes me feel so empowered being financially independent.

This was the first step toward my parents seeing me as financially mature.

Maybe you’re someone who’s been taking care of yourself since you were a teenager or you might feel guilty that your parents are still financially supporting you.

I’m here to tell you there is nothing wrong with being a young adult and getting support from your parents. Life is expensive and I don’t think it's a smart idea to rack up credit card debt to try to prove that you can pay for your own things.

Although the financial support might be nice, I know you want to be seen as mature enough to make your own money and handle it appropriately.

That’s what this conversation is about today. How do I move towards this goal without making a huge mistake? How do I gain trust from my parents?

My friend Clifton Corbin is going to share some advice as he’s gone through this journey himself. After making a mess of his finances in his early 20s by racking up debt and destroying his credit, his parents lost faith in him. Luckily, he turned things around and eventually earned back trust with his parents.

If you’re looking for what you should do and what shouldn’t in your own journey, this is a great place to start. We also talk about how to stop trading your time for money, how to know when you’re ready for kids, and how to maintain your identity whenever you become a parent.

If you’re a listener of the show and haven’t left us a rating and review, we’d really appreciate it if you did. And if you’re new, welcome, sit back, relax, and let’s learn something new.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with the basement DJ, PTA Chair, and Author of Your Kids, Their Money…Clifton Corbin.

Key Takeaways:

• How to stop trading time for money

Mentions:

Mason Burchette on TSIR: www.tsirpodcast.com/71

More of Clifton:

The Richest Man In Babylon by George Clason, Edited by Clifton Corbin: https://www.amazon.com/Richest-Man-Babylon-Illustrated-Revised/dp/1777869544

Your Kids, Their Money by Clifton Corbin: https://books2read.com/YourKidsTheirMoney

Website: www.cliftoncorbin.com

More of Justin & The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

It was fall of 2019 and I was absolutely lost with my career. 3 months prior, I had just left a longtime employer to try something else.

Here I was in this new job with a fancy title and absolutely hating it. The problem was, I wasn’t sure what to do about it.

Of course, I knew this role wasn’t a long term fit for me, but I wasn’t actually sure what was. I figured staying put was my best option until I figured things out but the unhappiness and anxiety around this role was clouding any sensible judgment for what my immediate future should be.

Then I made my best career decision, I decided to take some time off.

From January 2020 to August 2020, I created a sabbatical for myself. This break created distance from my career and that distance is what actually helped me gain clarity on my future career path.

I’m not saying I have everything figured out now but I have such a healthier relationship with my career and I used that time off to do something that brings me so much joy now….I created a podcast.

My good friend Krista Edwards had a similar experience. She needed a shakeup and turned to a career break as well. She spent 5.5 months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, a long-distance thru hike which spans 2,650 miles.

We are both going to share stories from experience and transformation and discuss why a career break might be the exact thing you need right now.

If you’re a listener of the show and haven’t left us a rating and review, we’d really appreciate it if you did. And if you’re new, welcome, sit back, relax, and let’s learn something new.

I hope you enjoy my conversation…the Queen of Roth IRAs and the monster athlete herself…Krista Edwards

Key Takeaways:

• Appreciate where you are because everything is temporary

Mentions:

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Sean Mullaney: www.tsirpodcast.com/39 and www.tsirpodcast.com/40

More of Krista:

Ready to Roth TikTok

Ready to Roth Instagram

Ready to Roth Podcast on Apple and Spotify

www.readytoroth.com

More of Justin & The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/