The Financial Independence Show

Today's episode features Marlys Woods who created her own business, Get in Tune Music Therapy, where she uses music as a tool to help her clients reach new heights.

Never heard of musical therapy? Neither had we but it's very interesting.

She pairs what she loves about music with psychology. The most common use case for this is for developmental issues or speech rehab.

But it's also possible to use music as a tool for everyday productivity and releasing stressors.

Marlys focuses on addiction which was her focus after her undergrad degree. She turned this into a full-fledged business where she employs other contractors to all help patients through their recovery utilizing music.

Take a listen and learn about yet another amazing example of designing a life that brings you happiness and purpose.

Links From the Episode

Contact Marlys:

Website: Getintunemusictherapy.com

Instagram: @GetInTuneMusic

Money Emotions & Music: Program coming soon for managing emotions on your financial independence journey! 

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Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode rounds out our series on utilizing your location as a tool to financial independence and is led by just thew of us hosts.

You may hear this idea called geo-arbitrage. We wanted to pick two locations where we would actually like to take a test run of financial independence in a foreign country.

Cody picked Santiago, Chile and Justin picked Porto, Portugal.

This episode covers an honest and holistic look at what it would cost for a couple to live in these countries while still really exploring and enjoying them.

Take a listen and consider where you'd move if you had the freedom.

Santiago, Chile

Housing

- $500 for a one BR apartment

- Comes with parking, laundry, gym, BBQ and pool

Utilities (Electricity, Heat, Cooling, Water, Garbage)

$135 per month

Cost of Flights to Other Locations

- Flights around South America starting as low as $35.

- $385 to get back to  Cody's home in New England

Restaurant Samplings

- Simple meal at inexpensive restaurant costs $5

Grocery Samplings

- $30-35 per week. With mostly fish, vegetables, beans, eggs, “healthy” pasta, fruits, and smoothies

Phone/Internet

- $45 per month

Public Transportation

- Taxis will take you anywhere for less than $10

- Average of $150 per month (per expat survey)

Healthcare

- Ranked 33 out of 190 countries (similar to Australia and Denmark and many of the doctors speak english)

- $100-120 for healthy adult expat insurance

Visa Requirements (how long can I stay?)

- 90 days (plus can pay $100 for another 90 day extension)

Weather

- Coldest months are June and July with average highs of 61 degrees Fahrenheit

- Only downside is that it rains 4-5 days per week

Total cost = $1650/month

500 housing

135 utilities

120 groceries

250 restaurants

45 phone/internet

100 transport

120 healthcare

400 entertainment

$19,800 per year

 

Porto, Portugal

Housing

- $833 for a one BR apartment in heart of the city

- Comes with parking, laundry, wifi, all utilities

Utilities (Electricity, Heat, Cooling, Water, Garbage)

Included

Cost of Flights to Other Locations

- Flights around Europe starting as low as $25.

Paris: $25

Barcelona $49

Milan $53

- $670 to get back to  Justin's home in Austin

Restaurant Samplings

- Simple meal at inexpensive restaurant costs $6

- Anthony Bordain visited restaurant also serves $1.80 martinis

Grocery Samplings

- $40 per week.

$2.60/lb chicken, $1.30/lb pork, $0.75 fresh bread, $0.90 apples, $2.50 bottle of wine as examples

Phone/Internet

- Wifi is free, 22gb data and unlimited call cell phone for $18

Public Transportation

-Amazing train system for very cheap which I factor into "Travel"

Healthcare

- Emergency room visits are free

- Research shows ~$40 per month for plans

Visa Requirements (how long can I stay?)

- 90 days with just the passport

- Full citizenship appears attainable if you can prove you have healthcare as well as stable income source to fund your retirement

Weather

- Lowest highs are 57 degrees December/January

- Highest highs are 77 degrees in July/August

Total cost = $1770/month (for a couple)

833 housing

140 groceries

300 restaurants

18 phone/internet

80 healthcare

400 entertainment (includes transportation)

$21,240 per year

 

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features Jim White from Route to Retire.

We're continuing our series on geoarbitrage which is the act of purposefully moving to a location for monetary benefits such as lower cost of living or tax treatment.

Jim and his family utilized a traditional corporate job to amass a nest egg large enough to retire in his early 40s. They were conservative enough to save for a life in the U.S. but wanted to find a lower price point abroad.

Jim poured over the research and took a successful test run to Panama. The rest is history and Jim and his family now live there full time. They live a vacation life on an ordinary budget.

Take a listen and consider where you'd move if you had the freedom.

Links From the Episode

Follow along with Jim's Net-worth

Roth IRA conversion calculator

Cost of living in Panama

Investment drawdown plan

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features Mr. Nomad Numbers from Nomad Numbers.

This begins our series on Geo-arbitrage which is the act of purposefully moving to a location for monetary benefits such as lower cost of living or tax treatment.

Mr. &. Mrs. Nomad numbers were living in California and realized they could jump ship and retire. They chose to move to Taiwan where they could obtain a 3yr gold-card which would allow them to live there full time.

Mr. NN also gives us the breakdown of how Taiwan has battled Covid-19 so effectively and what it was like going through that process.

We're excited to bring you some guests who took their freedom to the next level and moved abroad. Take a listen and consider where you'd move if you had the freedom.

Links From the Episode

Taiwan Gold Card

https://taiwangoldcard.com/goldcard-holders-faq/at-work/#can-i-just-not-work-at-all

https://www.nomadnumbers.com/taiwan-employment-gold-card-application-guide/

Other Helpful Links

https://www.nomadnumbers.com/cost-of-living-stuck-in-taiwan-during-the-pandemic/

https://www.nomadnumbers.com/slow-travel/

https://www.nomadnumbers.com/design-your-ideal-life/

https://www.nomadnumbers.com/top-tips-save-money-airbnb-guide/

Nomad Numbers Cost of Living Around The World Map

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features your two podcast hosts, Justin & Cody.

The cover guest questions on topics like medical bill negotiations, pricing, plan types, coverage when traveling, and more.

They also let listeners in on exactly how they get their coverage now, and for Justin, how he plans to manage this once he no longer has that W-2 job.

This topic is crucial for everyone listening so don't miss this one.

Links From the Episode

https://uncoveredhc.com/blog/the-top-healthcare-transparency-sites-2019/

https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes

ehealthinsurance.com

healthcare.gov

https://uncoveredhc.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-health-insurance-for-2020/ https://uncoveredhc.com/blog/paying-for-health-insurance/

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features the healthcare expert Scott Heiser who authored Healthcare is Making Me Sick.

Scott is leading the charge on making healthcare understandable for all.

He covers how new transparency data tools are empowering us as healthcare consumers and how best to handle your medical bills.

This topic is crucial for everyone listening so don't miss this one.

Summary

Scott shares transparency data tools and how they're changing healthcare shopping

Medical tourism is possible even within the United States

You haggle for a used car, why not the payment on a knee replacement?

Are non-profit hospitals raking in cash?

And much more

Reach out to Scott

Book: Healthcare is Making Me Sick

Website: UncoveredHC.com

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features the healthcare option experts Lynn Frair and Jackie Cummings Koski.

Lynn is crowdsourcing all the best health care options for the FI community and Jackie is a certified Health Savings Account (HSA) expert!

Open enrollment is just around the corner and we're bringing you the knowledge you need to decide.

This topic is crucial for everyone listening so don't miss this one.

Links and Resources

Comparing High Deductible Plans with a Health Savings Account to Traditional plans

Lynn & Jackie recommend this tool -> WexInc HSA vs Traditional Calculator

Really understanding what all you can do with HSAs

Mad Fientist article helps with HSAs too

How Lynn is crowdsourcing healthcare options especially for FIRE / Entrepreneurs

Take a look at FI Healthcare

Reach out to Lynn & Jackie

Lynn Frair

Website: FI Healthcare 

Instagram: FI Healtchare

LinkedIn: Lynn Frair

Jackie Cummings Koski

HSA Email: [email protected] 

Website: Money Letter 2

LinkedIn: Jackie Koski

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features your very own hosts Justin from Saving-Sherpa and Cody from Fly to FI.

We just wanted to celebrate our 100th episode!

Both of us give you a rundown on all the big life events that have taken place this year.

Cody bought three investment properties and Justin hit FI at age 30!

There's so much more so you won't want to miss this one.

Episode Summary

What You Can Expect To Hear

Justin hits FI

Cody buys 3 properties

Cody goes Vegan

Justin sells his van

Justin moves to Texas

Cody learns lessons from entrepreneurship

We also celebrate accomplishments from those special people in our lives

Experimenting with The FI Show going forward

We want to hear from you!

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Grab our FREE Budget Planner

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review!

>> You can do that by clicking here <<

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features Jerry Brown from Peerless Money Mentor.

Jerry grew up in a self-described ghetto with no real view of a way out.

We cover his background, how he turned things around, and how he's built a powerful financial independence network.

You won't want to miss this inspiring story!

Listen, learn, and let us know what you think about this awesome episode.

Episode Summary

Jerry's Background

Jerry didn't really know he was poor growing up

But he lived in a crime-filled neighborhood with few outside role models

His mom also needed assistance to get by

He talks about how people were surprised he'd even admit that he was from the area he lived in

Growing up he thought basketball or rapping would be the only possible way to escape

His mom did put a big emphasis on learning but financial independence never seemed reasonable

Can you Bootstrap Past Disadvantages?

Jerry sees it as a mixed bag

He does put a lot of weight into hard work

But he also acknowledges the real disadvantages

He was also cognizant enough to understand his family was a big advantage

Jerry's Financial Mistakes

Jerry was young and healthy so he thought he didn't need insurance

A large dental procedure led him to serious credit card debt

Then he started buying more things on credit

Eventually, Jerry would buy a $22k car while only earning $22k per year

Financial Wake Up Call

He came home and his fiance had her bags packed

Jerry realized he couldn't afford to live by himself

So he thought he'd just live out of his car to avoid the embarrassment of moving home

Jerry was also carrying debt with 25% interest rates

He was making payments but was never actually making progress

A friend recommended he refinance through a personal loan

This lowered his debt all the way down to 5%

For his remaining credit card bills, he did a balance transfer

That gave him 0% rate for 18 months

Jerry's Side Hustle Journey

He tried Swagbucks but the payout was terrible

Then he tried Uber but it was taking a toll on his car

Jerry also tried We Go Look where you send in pictures of damaged vehicles for insurance claims.

Now he is getting more into freelance writing and social media management

Jerry also highly recommends Beta Testing.

Networking

This was a really powerful part of Jerry's story

Networking expanded his world view

It also tangibly impacted him

From ideas on debt payment or side hustles like freelance writing

Jerry really highlights the importance to surround yourself with people you can draw knowledge and encouragement from

Key Takeaways

Artificial Limits: One thing that really stuck out was the disadvantage that people experience simply by having low expectations set for them and surrounding them.

Mental Health: We loved that Jerry was open about his mental health journey and his encouragement to others to also take it seriously.

Call to Action

Expand your network! One easy way is to just join our Facebook group page. Other options are LinkedIn, MeetUp, or other Facebook group pages.

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Sign up for our exclusive newsletter

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please leave a rating/review!

The FI show on iTunes

The FI show on Android

Check out our Partners

We’ve all heard of LinkedIn, but have any of you managers or small business owners used the platform to hire new talent? LinkedIn Jobs uses its state-of-the-art technology to put your listing in front of qualified candidates. When you’re ready to make that next hire, visit LinkedIn.com/FiShow to get $50 off your first job listing.

Jerry's Information

Website: Peerless Money Mentor

Twitter: @PeerlessMoney

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Today's episode features Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins.

Before creating a massively popular podcast, Joe made a lot of money mistakes.

This all came to a clash when he was working as a financial advisor, owned his own business, and still could barely get the money to get home.

Now Joe is bringing finances into so many homes via a unique comedic angle.

Listen, learn, and let us know what you think about this awesome episode!

Episode Summary

Joe's Background

Joe was in high school and remembers seeing news specials on money-saving tips

He also got inspired by the movie Wall Street

But it took Joe a long time to actually put it into practice

His parents pushed him to work hard but money was taboo

Making Money Missteps

On his first day at college, Joe spots a long line at an American Express Credit Card table

He talks about blowing money at the mall and fancy meals at Ruby Tuesday for his friends

Then things get real when he gets a bill and his parents refuse to help him

His credit was destroyed and the interest started building

Even in his professional life, he thought he had an earning issue, not a spending issue

But we know from famous athletes that a spending problem will always overcome earnings

Joe started earning more money with his own business but kept racking up debt

Keep in mind, his business was as a financial advisor

The breaking moment is when he has no money or credit to buy gas to get home

Joe had to dig for change in his seats just to get home

Turning Things Around

Joe realized he needed to "hide money" from himself

This meant automating money to go into separate accounts that he didn't see

He also realized that he couldn't go cold turkey

Joe gave himself an allowance so he could buy some of those entertainment items

He said it's important to not be too restrictive or else you'll relapse

Entrepreneurial Journey

Joe says he's a bad employee

He would always clash with a boss

Joe admits he also wasn't a great boss at first

He might hire people too much like him

Or spout off ideas through the day not thinking his employees would take that as direction

Starting Stacking Benjamins

Joe sold his business at age 40

This was inspired by a colleague who walked away because it wasn't fulfilling

That person, Chris,  stepped away to go climb mountains across the world

Chris would then go on to start an adventure travel company

Inspired by this, Joe decides to go back to school to become a teacher/coach

He realized quickly that it wasn't for him

So Joe starts dabbling in a blog and creates the  Stacking Benjamins podcast

He wanted to take the unique angle of comedy

They took it really seriously and even would attend comedy classes

Pulling From Others

Joe recommends the book by Austin Kleon - Think like an artist

He really recommends people look at others in their industry and pull all the best parts

It was actually a car podcast that was hilarious to him that inspired the Stacking Benjamin theme

Joe says he actually wants a finance show where no one learns a thing about money

In reality, people learn a lot but it doesn't feel like a class

He would go on to pull from a board game podcast, car podcast, and even a little kids podcast

Key Takeaways

Imposter Syndrome: Joe was a financial advisor but still struggled to follow his own advice. We all need help on this journey.

Let Others Inspire You: Don't feel guilty about taking takes from others as long as it isn't inspiration.

Call to Action

Change, assess, repeat. Start to source ideas from others and try them out. Don't just be stagnant!

Join the Community

We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community!

Sign up for our exclusive newsletter

Join our Facebook Group

Leave us a voicemail

Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com

If you like what you hear, please leave a rating/review!

The FI show on iTunes

The FI show on Android

Check out our Partners

We’ve all heard of LinkedIn, but have any of you managers or small business owners used the platform to hire new talent? LinkedIn Jobs uses its state-of-the-art technology to put your listing in front of qualified candidates. When you’re ready to make that next hire, visit LinkedIn.com/FiShow to get $50 off your first job listing.

 

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 Joe's Information

Website / Podcast: Stacking Benjamins

Learn More About Your Hosts

Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)

Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)