Shows / Two Sides of FI
Two Sides of FI
You're listening to Two Sides of FI, a conversation between two lifelong friends about financial independence - what it takes to get there and what comes after. One of us reached FI in 2020, the other in 2024. We started this show to document our different paths, and now that we're both post-FI, we're still figuring out how to use the freedom we spent years working toward. I'm Eric and I'm joined by my friend Jason, and this is our story.
Episodes
- Two Sides of FI
My FIRE Budget Didn’t Account for This
Are you worried about neglecting to budget for key expenses in early retirement? Even if you put good effort into creating your FIRE budget, it's easy to miss…
- Two Sides of FI
Finding My Way in Early Retirement: A 30 Month Check-In
What is early retirement really like? In this episode, Eric checks in with Jason two and a half years after he left his career behind. They discuss his recent…
- Two Sides of FI
Our Most Impactful Tools and Purchases Under $250 (Part 2)
How big of an impact can a single purchase under $250 make on your life? In part two of this series, Eric and Jason talk about some of the best things they've…
- Two Sides of FI
Budget-Friendly Finds: Our Favorite Tools and Hacks Under $50 (Part 1)
Can low cost items - or even free things - truly impact your quality of life positively? In this episode, Eric and Jason talk about some of their favorite…
- Two Sides of FI
Tax Strategies on FIRE: Financial Independence / Retire Early
Do you worry about taxes and how they impact your financial goals? Whether you're on a FIRE path or retiring traditionally, there are many critical tax topics…
- Two Sides of FI
You Asked, We Answered. FIRE Q&A
Answering your financial independence, retire early (FIRE) questions, including the one we're asked most often. This special Ask Us Anything format…
- Two Sides of FI
My Plan to Retire Early is ON HOLD
The bear market has forced many to revise their FI goals and retirement plans. In this episode, Eric talks with Jason about pushing back his FI date, options…
- Two Sides of FI
Reacting to YOUR Ideas for Holding Cash
Are you worried about holding cash in this high inflation environment? In a recent video, we talked about the role of cash pre- and post-retirement. In this…
- Two Sides of FI
Is This a Part of Your FIRE Plan?
Chasing short term market conditions adds a lot of risk to reaching your long term investing goals. An investment policy statement (IPS) can help ensure you…
- Two Sides of FI
Will You Run Out of Money or Time? FI Advice From a Hospice Doctor
What can conversations with the dying teach us about the secret to financial independence? In this episode, Eric + Jason are joined by Jordan "Doc G" Grumet, a…
- Two Sides of FI
FIRE and Holding Cash - What We’re Doing
How much cash in your portfolio is enough - or too much? In this episode, Eric + Jason discuss the idea of holding cash allocations pre- and post-retirement…
- Two Sides of FI
Do I Wish I’d Worked One More Year?
With all of the volatility in the market, should you delay retirement by a year? A viewer asked Jason if he would feel more secure had he worked another year…
- Two Sides of FI
How I Plan to Retire Early on a $50K Salary
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…
- Two Sides of FI
Karsten Spoke, We Listened. Here’s What We Learned.
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…
- Two Sides of FI
Don’t Let the Cost of Healthcare Break Your Early Retirement Plan
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…
- Two Sides of FI
What the FIRE Community Gets Wrong - Talking with Karsten Jeske
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…
- Two Sides of FI
We Each Hired a Flat Fee Financial Advisor. Was it Worth It?
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…
- Two Sides of FI
Stock Market on FIRE: What We’re Doing in a Downturn
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…
- Two Sides of FI
My New Life: Two Years After Early Retirement
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…
- Two Sides of FI
We Avoided Estate Planning. Here’s Why You Can’t Afford To (Part 2)
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…
- Two Sides of FI
If You Want Financial Freedom You Can’t Ignore This (Part 1)
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…
- Two Sides of FI
Making The Worst Financial Mistake I’ve Ever Made?
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…
- Two Sides of FI
Breaking Up With My Financial Advisor?
Did you know that financial advisor fees can eat up HALF of your portfolio's value over time? While happy with the good support and great relationship he had…
- Two Sides of FI
Financial Lessons We’re Passing On (Part 2)
Kids are incredibly impressionable and as parents, we have a responsibility to educate them in all ways, including in financial matters. In this second…
- Two Sides of FI
Our FIRE Portfolios Are Down 20%, What Now?
How has the recent market downturn changed our plans? Jason + Eric candidly discuss their pre- and post-FI moods in this volatile time. Learn what they're…
- Two Sides of FI
Teaching Our Teens About FI and Money (Part 1)
Having children comes along with many necessary expenses, but also provides a key opportunity to provide them with a solid financial education. In part one of…
- Two Sides of FI
Buying Bonds. Still Not Convinced I’m Doing the Right Thing! (Part 2)
I reallocated my investment portfolio, sold out of my 100% equity position and I'm not happy about it. Part two of a two-part series, you'll learn why and how…
- Two Sides of FI
FI-nancial Decisions - Transitioning to FI with Laura + Eric [Bonus Episode]
Making big decisions like reallocating your investment portfolio can be pretty stressful. They're also impactful, so alignment with your partner or spouse on…
- Two Sides of FI
I Rebalanced My FI/RE Portfolio and I Hate It! (Part 1)
I reallocated my investment portfolio, sold out of my 100% equity position and I'm not happy about it. In this two-part episode, you'll learn why and how I'm…
- Two Sides of FI
Retirement Is Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be
We all daydream about what retirement will be like, but will reality live up to expectations? In this episode, Eric and Jason are joined by Fritz Gilbert, who…
- Two Sides of FI
Financial Independence, Retire Early...Go Back to Work?
Discussing the concerns, worries, and interests occupying our thoughts right now. A temporal look from their respective sides of FI, Eric and Jason discuss a…
- Two Sides of FI
Comparing our FIRE Portfolios + Asset Allocations (Part 2)
Choosing how to divide your assets among stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles is a good first step, but asset allocation also impacts your tax rate…
- Two Sides of FI
Getting Your FIRE Asset Allocation Right. Here‘s Ours (Part 1)
What is the best way to divide up your investments among stocks, bonds, and other vehicles? Asset allocation is an essential yet confusing topic. That said, it…
- Two Sides of FI
Have Enough to Retire (Early)? 10 Steps to Make Sure
Will you have enough to money to retire (early or otherwise)? Achieving financial independence requires many key elements to be in place and special…
- Two Sides of FI
Healthcare is my Second Highest Cost in Early Retirement
Health insurance may not be top of mind in early retirement when you're young and healthy, but it should be. In the US, healthcare costs are a significant line…
- Two Sides of FI
A CoastFI Path to Financial Security: An Interview with Catherine
In today's episode we are joined by a guest, who we met in a FIRE Discord server, and wanted to share her story. Our conversation is a great example of the…
- Two Sides of FI
How We Travel: Pre + Post Financial Independence
A seven day vacation or 5 weeks of travel - which would you prefer? When you're working towards financial independence, vacations are a time to set aside work…
- Two Sides of FI
Retired Early and I Hated It: How NOT to FIRE, Part 2 (Post-FI/RE)
Imagine hitting your FI number, retiring early, and discovering you hate it? In this episode we discuss four examples of such an outcome: from quitting the…
- Two Sides of FI
How NOT to FIRE - Part 1 (Pre-FI/RE)
On the path to financial independence, there are ample opportunities for mistakes and missteps. In today's episode, we review stories from people who shared…
- Two Sides of FI
Answering Your Financial Independence Questions
You asked, we answered. Bringing the Two Sides of FI together to discuss changing withdrawal rates, Jason and Eric's own FI numbers, redefining identity in…
- Two Sides of FI
What I Learned in My First Year of ”Early Retirement”
Retiring at 47 is early by any definition. In this episode, Jason reflects on his first year in early retirement. Not everything went smoothly as you might…
- Two Sides of FI
Discussing FIRE with our Spouses: 2 x Two Sides of FI (Part 2)
Talking about FIRE with your partner involves so much more than finances: from friend groups and career aspirations, to personal goals and family dynamics. In…
- Two Sides of FI
Talking with our Spouses About FIRE: 2 x Two Sides of FI (Part 1)
Talking with a spouse or partner about FIRE isn't always easy. In this episode, Eric + Jason bring their wives, Laura + Lorri, into the conversation to share…
- Two Sides of FI
Retiring Early - So Why Am I Worried?
Retiring early is a dream for many but the decision to leave the workplace early can impact us in ways we may not have predicted. In this episode, we discuss…
- Two Sides of FI
Financially Independent, Live Anywhere? How to Choose (Part 2)
Choosing a new area to call home once you've reached financial independence can be an overwhelming task given just how large the problem space is. In part two…
- Two Sides of FI
Can't Decide Where to Live? Here's How We Chose (Part 1)
As Eric nears his Financial Independence number he asks Jason for help and advice on how to narrow the range of options of where to live. Choosing a place to…
- Two Sides of FI
Lessons Learned in 7 Years Earning Passive Income - A Path to FI (Part 2)
Diversifying your sources of income is an important step on the path to financial independence. On average, millionaires have seven streams of income. In part…
- Two Sides of FI
Passive Income = A Path to Financial Independence (Part 1)
Earning money while you sleep is the dream of passive income that few realize. In part, that's because it requires a significant upfront investment of active…
- Two Sides of FI
Financial Mistakes We Won't Make Again (Part 2)
We all make mistakes on the path to financial independence. Learn from ours as we chronicle the poor choices, bad habits, and missteps we’ve made on the road…
- Two Sides of FI
Sharing Our Financial Mistakes and Missteps (Part 1)
We all make mistakes on the path to financial independence. Learn from ours as we chronicle the poor choices, bad habits and missteps we’ve made on the road to…
- Two Sides of FI
Discussing our FI Numbers : Changing Our Minds, Talking to Family
Things have changed: attitudes, spending habits, withdrawal rates, what we’ve chosen to reveal to family and friends. In this episode, we discuss how our early…
- Two Sides of FI
So, What's Your FI Number? Sharing Ours Here
How much do you really need to achieve financial independence? We decode the math used to calculate our FI numbers, talk about the different flavors of FIRE…
- Two Sides of FI
Financially Independent. Retire Early? Let's Discuss!
You’ve reached financial independence, but are you really ready to retire? Join us as we discuss what FIRE means to us, why traditional retirement isn't very…
- Two Sides of FI
Two Careers, Two Paths to Financial Independence
Our path through life is heavily influenced by the career choices we make early in adulthood. Learn how we leveraged our chosen professions in science and…
- Two Sides of FI
Our Financial Past and our FIRE Present
So much of who we are and how we think is informed by our early experiences. Learn how we got started on our financial independence journey as we unpack our…