In this episode, I am doing a deep dive to unveil all of the personal finance secrets that FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) people know about. I am going to tell you about all of the crazy secrets FIRE people use to do everything from career pivots and retiring early to retiring their kids for cents on the dollar. Along the way, you'll learn a bit about why FIRE is awesome and the various ways in which you can use many of these FIRE secrets to benefit your life!

Guide:

Intro/How The Heck Are People Retiring Early?

Saving in the Right Places:

• ​Tax-advantaged accounts (401ks, IRAs, HSAs, taxable brokerage, DCP, etc.) are key
• ​Legal Loopholes: Backdoor Roth IRA, Mega Backdoor Roth, Investing HSA for Decades, Saving HSA Receipts
• ​Strategy (keep it simple, automate investing, save early, save as much as you can comfortably manage, rinse and repeat)

Helpful Illustrations:

• ​Savings rates translated into years to retirement
• ​4% Rule
• ​Compounding Interest for a 50 yr old vs. 30 yr old
• ​CoastFIRE Meaning and other steps along the FIRE journey (sabbatical, career break, career pivot, house, etc.)
• ​How to Estimate Annual Retirement Spend

How to Access Money in Retirement Accounts Before 59.5

Legal Loopholes: Roth IRA Contributions, Roth IRA Conversion Ladder, 72T, Rule of 55

Taxes in Early Retirement: How They Are So Low

Legal Loopholes: Standard Deduction, Long Term Capital Gains, Roth Accounts, etc.

How to Navigate Income Levels for Healthcare in Retirement

Legal Loopholes: Pulling from Roths & Taxable Brokerage

Bonus Legal Loopholes: Hacking FAFSA, Avoiding IRMAA, Avoiding RMDs, Travel Hacking, Retiring Your Kids!

Media:

How to Earn/Save /Spend Money Strategically: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6TtUitezFhhmiqfBNDOWij?si=EoXDWsNHT8uIsApcbaHLLw

Tyler Gardner on Retiring Your Kids: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68hR3hpj9LwMxsVuKnpqGs?si=oNbxO8oFQwKHcVjVGwPtPQ

Money Feels on Screen Time: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Z4QoRBGms24RQM8ye1kbP?si=Q45e3rL1Th2ZHp8iI_bQMg

Hello all! In this week's episode, I return to more life topics, including a review of the Brick, a device to help control screen time habits, and a love letter to Asian food, from the access we are privileged to have more of in modern day, as well as some approachable recipes to try! I also unveil a new segment where I give small explainers/tips and this week I discussed what I consider to be bare minimum doctor appointments for healthy people.

Maangchi on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QQ67F8y2b8&pp=0gcJCdkKAYcqIYzv

Crying in the H Mart: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/crying-in-h-mart&ved=2ahUKEwjkp5XF7sWTAxV0kyYFHXlAHFoQFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1Fe1kCiKFCfGN__Vb8NEYu

An Ode To Korean Moms (Dave Chang): https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jaaEF0X8SuwrBClX19uxg?si=_UQgNUKsRCu9-7GCkuDZsw

The Reframe on Grocery Spend: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ol4N9VniJPVAsTsMh3zKv?si=FALmvhItQCmie86DVXFriA

Kathleen in EverydayFI Pt 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ro6fka18fazBX13xEkyh6?si=0oanDRoKQhGJIAcu87iT3A

In this week's episode, I give a brief educational overview on how to file your taxes, from filling out your W-4 form or making quarterly estimated tax payments to W2s, 1099s, and credits vs. deduction. If you have never filed your own taxes before, or you are looking to build confidence in self-filing, this episode is for you!

Disclaimer: this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. This is not tax advice and I am not a tax expert. If you have a tax question, ask a professional.

EverydayFI Kathleen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LWMj3TQXZbcvxAxHw2lJQ?si=0K2Mii3ARBu3DlkoYJaDcw

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flC0y-2iFw

In this week's episode I expand on insurances one may get outside of employer benefits (hello, self-employed listeners!), as well as deep dive into some nuances of 401k (or Solo 401k) vs. Roth IRA as savings vehicles. P.S. You got double personal finance media this week - think of it as a special bonus!

Topics Covered:

• ​Long-Term Disability Update
• ​Health Insurance through ACA
• ​Car Insurance
• ​Homeowners Insurance
• ​Renters Insurance
• ​Term Life Insurance
• ​Order of Operations: Roth IRA vs 401k

Employer Benefits Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ACaewmZH1NXsrrdrkttsq?si=ll7C9TNDTCyGQ_0IiJL7sQ

How to Save for Retirement Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Cy85AshjM8AYNBcQWEA69?si=shcjSNbdTBaRaBwJ9XED7g

Your Money Guide on the Side Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aPYXxvCFOzGCNFMQzMUHq?si=f90f285ff28c4eb0

Retiring in France Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lsjBELU9dZDsqudRSbg0Q?si=Qsiv7YLsQKyXN2DTV-vEzg

This week's episode is all about employer benefits, from health insurance to stock options! I go through each benefit listed below, giving a 101 overview of things to pay attention to, as well as a tax overview since it is tax season!

Benefits Reviewed:

• Health Insurance
• Dental/Vision Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability Insurance (short-term and long-term)
• Employer Paid Taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes)
• 401ks: Fund Options, Match Types, etc.
• ESPP
• RSUs
• Stock Options
• Wash Sale Rule

Media:

How to Save For Retirement: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Cy85AshjM8AYNBcQWEA69?si=APWeXPT4SIOCdxuFI_XqnQ

Money with Katie on External Disability Insurance: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1D0ZMkKNh87p7q49CscNyn?si=ScV57fIVRMKxfwi_PONsww

Frugal Friends on Buying Cars: https://open.spotify.com/episode/11fnT6DJcxAmoj1elR5AUX?si=78hcsvo7T1i8QTEBCDJ-cA

Hank Green and Jason Mantzoukas: https://youtu.be/RuuyCOnuBDA?si=giSqtXNkfQCZ56Gf

In lieu of a regular episode this week, I am re-running an old deep dive I did on travel hacking. It goes in depth and is a great resource for people looking to save a lot of money on travel. Give it a listen if you haven't already!

In this episode, I discuss a term I coined called "Deep Pursuits". In short, Deep Pursuits are special kinds of of hobbies, activities, or callings that allow us to do one or more of the following:

1. Find purpose

2. Find or foster community (and give back!)

3. Find the flow state

4. Build skills and use creativity

(Bonus points if you can do multiple!)

I go in-depth to describe examples of Deep Pursuits in my life, describe why having Deep Pursuits and finding the flow state is so important, and I also throw out a bunch of examples of brainstormed Deep Pursuits ideas to get you thinking about how to add Deep Pursuits to your own life.

Alyssa Liu's Gold Medal Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrFaRsezGo&pp=ygUKYWx5c3NhIGxpdQ%3D%3D

Making a Millionaire Episode by Money Guy Show: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6O4pcXkltU5Fkr6fclBzK0?si=OdqBcA4_Rg2HQ1iVCEVV5w

Today in lieu of a regular episode, I am going through an info-graphic I made a while ago on how to save for different goals in a simplified way and explaining it step by step! I also have the info-graphic posted on my Instagram account, so follow it to access the visual!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frompaycheckstopurpose?igsh=bHVrNHVqdDd1cTUx&utm_source=qr

This week I jump on the Instagram trend of reflecting back to 2016. I share some about my finances and a lot about important life lessons I learned that year.

Aja Dang - I Regret Buying a House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ii2yBYCzk&feature=youtu.be

Brooklyn 99: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icTOP9F17pU

Join me this week to learn all about my goals for the year, from career path exploration to podcasting, piano, local adventure and a Colorado trip! Note: I edited out our family dog's name - so pardon the abrupt jump cuts!

ChooseFI Local Adventure List: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kEPWBZndLrzFxLWNCNUEo?si=S4EPLz_ESvuOniTwU4AgqA

Studio Ghibli: https://www.hbomax.com/channel/studio-ghibli

Liz Gets Loaded: https://open.spotify.com/show/2t6FJB5zk7Du2fpH5Cy4oV?si=f52d80841bbe4e6b