Mindful FIRE : Life Design for Financial Independence

In this episode: The mindful money method, overcoming a scarcity mindset, using bridge thoughts, envisioning our future selves, living debt-free, and the power generosity on the journey to FI with Liz Carroll, the mindful money coach.

On today’s episode,I am joined by my friend, Liz Carroll, who shared her journey towards financial independence. Liz was inspired to become financially independent after reading Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey, when she was 30 and working for AT&T. Her plan to become financially independent within 20 years included college educating their children and creating enough passive income.

Liz introduced us to the Mindful Money Method, which is all about awareness, clarity, and vision to create a spending plan that aligns with our values and desires. She also talked about overcoming scarcity mindset and the importance of envisioning our future selves. 

Guest Bio

Liz Carroll is a mindful financial coach and founder of The Mindful Money Method. She is passionate about empowering women to take control of their finances and achieve financial independence. She has helped countless women realize their financial goals through her Mindful Money Method, which focuses on awareness, clarity, and vision to create a plan that aligns with their values and desires.

Resources & Books Mentioned

• Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

Connect with Liz Carroll

• Website: https://www.mindfulmoneymethod.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-coach
• Instagram: @mindfulmoneycoaches

Key Takeaways

• The Mindful Money Method is all about awareness, clarity, and vision to create a spending plan, a safety net, and aligning our finances with our values and desires.
• Overcoming scarcity mindset is key to achieving financial independence. Liz recommends completing sentences like "Rich people are..." to uncover hidden beliefs and emotions around money.
• Envisioning our future selves can help us make better financial decisions in the present.
• Being debt-free allows us to be more present and make decisions for our future selves.

Take 10 minutes to settle in for a gentle, guided meditation on self‑compassion. 

We’re often our own toughest critics, moving from task to task without a moment of care for ourselves. I

n this short practice, you’ll pause, breathe, and offer yourself the same kindness you’d give a close friend. 

Join me to soften self‑judgment, reconnect with your inner calm, and leave feeling a little lighter and more supported.

In this episode: Nirav Shah's journey, the impact of money on happiness, daily practices for mindfulness, understanding contentment, the concept of enough, with Guest Nirav Shah.

Episode Summary
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Nirav Shah as he discusses his new book "The Serenity Blueprint," shares insights on finding inner peace regardless of external circumstances, and explores the interplay between mindfulness and financial independence.

Guest Bio
Nirav Shah is a civil engineer turned software executive who has traveled to 84 countries and worked on six continents. After retiring early, he dedicated his life to helping others find inner peace through meditation and writing. His first book, "Shortcut to Serenity," aims to help individuals discover peace within themselves. Nirav's latest work, "The Serenity Blueprint," continues this mission.
Resources & Books Mentioned

• "Shortcut to Serenity" by Nirav Shah
•  "The Serenity Blueprint" by Nirav Shah
• Meditative resources available at meditativeman.org
• Weekly Zoom meditation sessions

Guest Contact Information

• Nirav Shah on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Nirav's journey emphasizes the importance of finding peace within oneself, regardless of external conditions.
• Money does not equate to happiness; true contentment comes from appreciating what we have.
• Daily practices like meditation and taking deep breaths can significantly enhance mindfulness.
• Letting go of rigid expectations allows for a more fluid approach to life and personal goals.
• Recognizing the difference between 'life' and 'lifestyle' can help determine what is truly enough.
• The importance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on end results is key to achieving serenity.

In this episode: Relaxation in the Present Moment Meditation

This mindfulness exercise invites you to leave everything behind for a moment and revel in the profound simplicity of the here and now.

Our daily lives are filled with tasks, plans, concerns, obligations to family and work, and so much more. The list goes on.

Nonetheless, we have the option to let go of all that has transpired and all that is yet to happen, and merely immerse ourselves in the infinite moment of now, even if it's just for one breath.

That's the essence of this meditation practice. It's an opportunity to relax in the uncomplicated act of being conscious of nothing more than this incoming breath and this exiting breath, just as they are, instant by instant, breath by breath.

I hope you enjoy this meditation.

In this episode: purpose, mindfulness, personal journey, overcoming burnout, human flourishing with Carolina Lasso

Episode Summary
Adam welcomes Carolina Lasso, a purpose mentor and facilitator. They delve into Carolina's transformative journey from a corporate career at Google to becoming an advocate for mindfulness and purpose. Carolina shares her experiences with burnout, her travels around the world, and how these experiences shaped her understanding of purpose and human flourishing. Listeners will gain insights into how to reconnect with their true selves and the importance of serving others.

Guest Bio
Carolina Lasso is a purpose mentor, facilitator, and teacher dedicated to helping individuals connect with their true purpose. With a background in international business and experience working at Google, Carolina has transformed her career to focus on emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership. She is the author of "The Path to Flourishing" and "The Purpose Reset," and runs her own purpose academy.

Resources & Books Mentioned

• "The Path to Flourishing" by Carolina Lasso
• "The Purpose Reset" by Carolina Lasso, co-authored with Rich Fernandez and Steph Stern

Guest Contact Information

• Website: https://www.carolinalasso.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinalasso/
• Carolina’s Books: https://www.carolinalasso.com/books
• Plenari Purpose Academy: https://www.plenari.co/

Key Takeaways

• Understanding your purpose is a journey, not a destination; it requires ongoing introspection and curiosity.
• Mindfulness practices can greatly enhance our ability to connect with our true selves and navigate life's challenges.
• Burnout can stem from neglecting personal well-being and community; it's essential to prioritize mental health.
• Traveling and experiencing different cultures can lead to profound personal transformations and insights.
• Embracing acceptance and self-compassion is crucial for personal growth and flourishing.
• The significance of curiosity in discovering purpose: following small interests can lead to meaningful insights and connections.

In this episode: Envision your ideal future in vivid detail.

Thanks for joining me for today's guided meditation. We're going to explore something exciting—visualizing the life of our dreams.

The foundation of this practice is simple: being present and mindful without judging our thoughts. Through mindfulness, we can fully experience the present moment rather than becoming entangled in past regrets or future anxieties.

Once we settle into a relaxed state, we'll create a mental image of our ideal life. We'll make this visualization come alive by imagining the sensory details—what we see, hear, and feel in this dream life.

Then, when we're deeply immersed in that visualization, I have a special surprise waiting for us.

In this episode: journey to financial independence, the concept of mini retirements, designing a fulfilling life, overcoming burnout, benefits of taking breaks with Jillian Johnsrud

Episode Summary
Jillian Johnsrud explores the transformative power of mini retirements and how they can lead to a more fulfilling life. She shares her personal journey towards Financial Independence and discusses the importance of stepping away from work to recharge and gain clarity on life goals.

Guest Bio
Jillian Johnsrud is a Financial Independence advocate and author of the upcoming book "Retire Often." With her extensive experience in coaching and her personal journey to financial freedom, Jillian inspires others to embrace the concept of mini retirements as a way to enhance their lives and achieve their goals.

Guest Contact Information

• Website: https://retireoften.com/
• Book Purchasing Link: https://lnk.to/retireoften
• Free Opt-In Worksheets:
  • Planning: https://retireoften.com/mini/
  • Negotiating: https://retireoften.com/onemonth/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianjohnsrud/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianJohnsrud/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-johnsrud/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JillianJohnsrud

Key Takeaways

• Embracing mini retirements can provide a much-needed break from work and lead to greater clarity and satisfaction in life.
• Taking time off can actually enhance your career trajectory and earning potential.
• Mini retirements are not just vacations; they are opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth.
• Addressing burnout early can prevent long-term negative effects on mental health and productivity.
• It's important to design your life intentionally, aligning your career with your personal values and goals.
• Practicing mindfulness and being present can significantly improve your overall well-being and relationships.

In this episode, we'll embark on a 12-minute guided meditation designed to cultivate peace, ease, and refuge in the present moment. This builds reslience.

Our focus today is creating a sanctuary within ourselves. In a world filled with challenges—wars, layoffs, and economic uncertainty—we'll establish an inner refuge where we can temporarily set aside our concerns and simply be.

We'll begin by consciously releasing our worries as we tune into our body, mind, and heart, acknowledging our current state without judgment.

After resting in this space of refuge, we'll transition to practices of loving-kindness and compassion—first directed inward toward ourselves, then extending outward to all beings.

May this practice bring you a sense of peace and renewal.

In this episode: tax planning strategies, financial independence, empowering women in finance, real estate investments, overcoming financial shame with Susan Geist

Episode Summary
Adam welcomes Susan Geist, a financial expert focused on empowering women to take control of their finances and achieve Financial Independence. They discuss various tax planning strategies, the importance of understanding different income buckets, and how women can navigate financial challenges. Susan shares her personal journey to Financial Independence and provides actionable insights for listeners seeking to improve their financial literacy.

Guest Bio
Susan Geist is a financial expert and co-founder of Rising Femme Wealth, an organization dedicated to helping women achieve financial empowerment and independence. With a background in tax strategy and personal finance, Susan guides women in understanding their financial options and making informed decisions to create the lives they desire.

Resources & Books Mentioned

• "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki
• "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins

Guest Contact Information

• Rising Femme Wealth: https://www.risingfemmewealth.com/
• Free Tax Smart Financial Independence Guide: http://www.risingfemmewealth.com/mindful

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the three income buckets (active, portfolio, passive) is crucial for effective tax planning.
• Empowering women to take control of their finances is essential for achieving Financial Independence.
• Tax planning should be integrated into an overall wealth plan, considering personal values and lifestyle goals.
• Utilizing tax-advantaged accounts, such as 401(k)s and HSAs, can significantly impact long-term financial health.
• Real estate investments offer unique tax benefits, including depreciation and 1031 exchanges.
• Overcoming financial shame and taking proactive steps towards financial literacy is vital for women seeking empowerment.

Today’s guided meditation is all about cultivating and sharing kindness.

We’ll begin by checking in with ourselves and observing our breath.

Then, we'll take some time to gather and multiply kindness within ourselves.

Then we will practicing sending kindness out to others.

Finally, we open to receiving kindness from others.

I hope you enjoy this practice