Can you retire early without a high-paying tech industry salary? In this episode, we talk with Stephen about how he plans to do just that. At 30 years old, he's earning $50k as a higher education administrator, yet he plans to retire with at least a million dollars by his early 50s. How will he do that? Join us as we discuss his plans, the role of financial discipline, why he doesn't feel he's overly frugal, and the challenges of his FIRE path.

**Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/50k

We're making changes. Here's what we learned and how our FIRE strategies are changing after talking to "Big ERN" Karsten Jeske, an economist, CFA, and safe withdrawal rate expert. In this episode, we review our take-homes from that conversation, and react to comments and feedback we received about the episode. If you missed the original episode, be sure to listen to Episode 40 first.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/swr

Calculating the cost of health insurance is a complicated and stressful exercise when you're retiring early. Hear Jason's experience with his first full year using the California ACA Exchange and learn how Eric arrived at his budget of $350K, his worst case scenario. We discuss how to choose a plan, ACA subsidies, differences by state, and other alternative options. If you missed our earlier healthcare episode, be sure to see the link below.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/aca

What would you do if you ran out of money in retirement? It's hard to imagine a scarier outcome, and yet many on the FIRE path may be at risk for this if they get their portfolio withdrawal rate wrong. In this episode, Eric + Jason talk with Karsten Jeske, the creator of the Early Retirement Now blog. Known by many as "Big ERN", he is an economist who is well known to the FIRE community for his extensive work in characterizing safe withdrawal rates (SWR). In this episode, we dig into Karsten's free, powerful SWR Toolbox, and discuss topics including the downsides of FIRE calculators, 100% stock portfolios, the bucket strategy, why dividend investors are wrong, and his own post-FIRE life. If you're interested in FIRE, you can't afford to miss this information-packed episode!

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/swr

Here's what we learned by hiring a financial advisor for a fixed fee of $1,000. Rather than pay a costly ongoing assets under management (AUM) fee, we wanted to test out this increasingly popular fee-for-service advisement model. Eric and Jason discuss each hired the same fee-only, advice-only advisor for $1,000 to evaluate their portfolios and answer a variety of key questions. They share how they found this advisor, what the process was like, the specific questions + answers they had, and who they think could benefit from such a service. Is this the right option for you? Maybe.  

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/1Kadvisor

You're on a FIRE path and the markets keep falling - what do you do? In this episode, Jason + Eric revisit the topic of market downturn and candidly discuss their pre- and post-FI moods in this turbulent time. Join us to learn what they're doing and thinking about right now as Jason nears the two-year post-FI mark and Eric contemplates pushing his 2024 FI date back. Topics discussed include rebalancing, how to monitor portfolio performance, moves we are making now, and feeling down about FIRE.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/downmarket

Wondering what a day in the life in early retirement is like? Eric travels to California to shadow Jason and find out what his FIRE life is like nearly two years into early retirement. We learn how Jason fills his days, hear his concerns pre- and post-FI, discuss the merits of part-time "fun" jobs, and the reality of finances.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/tryingonFI

Don't make a common mistake that could cost your family dearly. If you don't have an estate plan, many essential decisions will be left to others, including the government. In this second installment in a two-part series, Eric + Jason continue their conversation about what they did to get their respective plans in place. Topics discussed in this episode include end of life decisions, powers of attorney, insurance, and how to get started. Don't delay further - join us now for the second episode of this two-part series.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/houseinorder

We avoided estate planning for a long time; here's why you shouldn't. Without an estate plan, you're giving over the control of what happens to all your assets to others. In part one of this two-part series, Eric + Jason talk about what they did to - finally - get their respective plans in place. Topics discussed in this episode include the elements of estate planning, why people delay + how to get started, living trusts, and taking care of your heirs. Don't be like those who put this off "until they're older": join us now for the first episode of this two-part series.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/houseinorder

Am I leaving my financial advisors after seven years? Is that foolish? Parting ways with a trusted financial advisor is a difficult and impactful decision. In our last episode, Jason talked with Eric about his thoughts to end his longterm relationship with his financial planners and take the reins himself. In this video, we learn the outcome of that conversation and talk about what their decision means for Jason and Lorri going forward.

Did you miss the first part of this conversation? If so, check out Episode 33: "Breaking Up With My Financial Advisor?"