Ever considered taking a gap year right in the middle of your career?

That's exactly what Becky and Noah did. We interviewed them before they went off on their 1 year road trip round the United States, and now they tell us how it went, their takeaways and plans for their future.

You'll love their story.

We also chat about...

What surprised them about their trip

Their advice to others who want to take a gap year

Getting back into the workforce after a gap year

Why they didn't try to start any new business ventures

Why they chose California

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/our-fi-gap-year-travelling-across-the-us-money-metagame

Most early retirees will tell you that you'll most likely still make money even after retire.

That's why JT decided he didn't need to reach the full 25 times his annual expense in order to quit his job and enjoy being with his family. Instead he has a runway for several years and is working on land investing to produce his main income.

You'll love his story.

We also chat about...

Reaching FI with 4 kids

The runway approach to FI

JT's current assets

How paternity leave gave him a taste of FI

Land investing as an income 

His healthcare strategy

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/how-i-reached-fi-without-saving-25-x-my-annual-expenses-jt

How many times were you in a position to negotiate your salary?

Financial Mechanic is a software engineer at the age of 25. She's negotiated for her salary several times which has boosted her income into the impressive 6 figures. She's now on her track to reach FI at the age of 32.

You'll love her story.

We also chat about...

How to get a job in software engineering

How she applied to jobs

Why she wants to reach FI

Her timeline for the next few years

How negotiating booster her income to 6 figures

Her love for travel

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/how-negotiating-boosted-my-income-to-a-6-figure-salary-financial-mechanic

One FI strategy is focus hard on your own career to fast track your path to FI.

Robert worked for the same company for 15 years, which allowed him to get multiple promotions, become a leader at a young age and retire early at the age of 36. He worked in sales and thanks to a good boss and network, he was able to move up the corporate ladder to eventually reach FI. 

You'll love his story.

We also chat about...

How to quit your job

Why working in sales makes promotions easier

Optimising your career to reach FI

Negotiating your promotion

Robert's plans after leaving his job completely

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/how-to-focus-on-your-career-to-reach-fire-stop-ironing-shirts

Reaching FI and preparing for kids at the same time sometimes doesn't go as planned.

In this episode we hear tips and tricks from our community on planning for children, the different options LGBTQ couples have and advice when it comes to paternity leave.

You'll love this episode.

We also chat about...

Family timing and tips

Why it can be dangerous to wait too long

The different options LGBTQ couples have

Why you should divide your paternity leave

Working as a stay at home Dad

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/planning-for-a-family-and-fire

Imagine making 39,000 sales through your Etsy shop.

That's exactly what Alys Maley has made in total since she started selling digital products through her Etsy shop. She went from a full time job as a designer to working from home and earning even more through her side hustle, allowing her husband to also leave his job.

You'll love her story.

We also chat about...

Her career as a designer

Her initial investments

Her journey getting to 39,000 sales

Advice to those getting started

How to manage clients

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/how-i-grew-my-etsy-shop-to-39000-sales-paper-lark-designs

Spend based on your values rather than your wants.

This is what Steve does with his money, his values being his wife, happiness, travelling, health and fitness. By focusing his money on the right things he was able to pay off over $100,000 in debt, house hack and reach his own level of freedom before even reaching FI.

You'll love his story

We also chat about...

The moment Steve realised he needed to fix his finances

How him and his wife house hacked their mortgage

Moving from Chicago to Miami

Spending based on values rather than wants

His future FI goals

The FI levers he's taking advantage ofCan everyone achieve FI?

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/using-house-hacking-to-get-out-of-100000-in-debt-even-steven-money

Have you ever felt that pursuing FI affected your mental health negatively?

Today we talk to Hillary, who struggled with anxiety and depression in her younger years and has worked with therapists to improve her mental health. She is also on her journey to FI, but does not sacrifice her mental wellbeing for financial independence.

You'll love her story.

We also chat about...

Hillary's background

Doing therapy online

When is it time to see a therapist?

What to do as a friend

Gwen and J's experiences in mental health

The importance of setting boundaries

What will you with your time once you retire early? 

We know you've wanted to hear more from early retirees, so today we interview Chris, who retired at the age of 41 after working for 15 years as a physical therapist, and now lives in Utah with his wife and daughter.

You'll love his story.

We also chat about...

His job as a physical therapist

His emotions when leaving his job

Moving from Pennsylvania to Utah

What he's currently doing with his time

Figuring out the healthcare situation

His plans for the future

Do you believe in paying off your mortgage? Or using that money to invest in the stock market? Or a hybrid approach?

In this episode we do a big debate on whether paying off your mortgage really is the right thing to do. We get some interesting voicemails from both sides of the debate, as well as some messages from the community!

You'll love how interesting it gets.

We also chat about...

Updates from Gwen and J

Voicemails for and against paying off your mortgage

Gwen and J's personal take

The hybrid approach

Opinions from the community

For show notes and takeaways: https://www.firedrillpodcast.com/the-great-mortgage-payoff-debate