Vote Your Money: Values Aligned Investing | Janine Firpo | 139
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Release Date: 04/27/2025
Vote Your Money: Values Aligned Investing | Janine Firpo | 139
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Today on the show we welcome Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women through values-aligned investing. She has a relentless drive to make a difference and poured it all into her book, 'Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World'. In this episode, you will learn: How Janine transitioned from a lucrative career in big tech to impact investing The importance of aligning financial goals with social values How to integrate ethical considerations into your investment portfolio Practical steps you can take to...
info_outline
Catching Up to FI in Uncertain Times | Bill & Jackie | 138
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
In this episode, Bill & Jackie joined Doc G (Jordan Grumet) on the 'Earn & Invest Podcast' to talk about what it feels like to be a late starter in these uncertain times. Questions about a recession are looming and it's scary, especially for those just waking up and trying to catch up. They discuss the ups and downs and how late starters can still stay on track. 🔗 ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question === DEALS AND DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED...
info_outline
International Educator, Bali FIRE | Amy Minkley | 137
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Amy Minkley is the founder of FI Freedom Retreats, a passion project that was born out of her love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and community. In this episode, she shares her journey to achieving financial independence (FI) while living in Bali, Indonesia. Amy gives us a glimpse into her lavish yet affordable lifestyle, spending only $30k a year. She details her frugal upbringing, early teaching career in Japan, and subsequent well-paid international teaching positions that allowed her to save aggressively. The episode also highlights Amy's...
info_outline
Our Team is Growing: Welcome Patrick! | Patrick McDonnal | 136
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
We're excited to introduce you to our newest 'Catching Up to FI' team member, Patrick McDonnal. In this episode, you'll get to hear some of his money story and how he'll be helping with the show. Patrick discusses his career transition from engineering to financial planning and openly shares how the early financial education he got from his grandfather helped shape his journey. We're also celebrating with Patrick because he just sat for the very challenging, CFP Exam in March and got a preliminary 'Pass'. He is now well on his way to earning his Certified Financial Planner credential. ...
info_outline
How to Bake a Cake: An Asset Allocation Mashup | Rick Ferri & Paul Merriman | 134
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Joining us on this episode is not just one, but TWO titans in the investing and financial literacy space, Rick Ferri and Paul Merriman. These two great minds go head-to-head on topics like asset allocation, and the risks/rewards of small cap value funds vs. total stock market funds. Through this high energy debate, they also provide expert insights into the various stages of your investing journey. Rick and Paul both share how they empower investors through their platforms and continue their relentless mission of spreading financial education. 🔗 ☕ Like what you hear on...
info_outline
Bonus Episode: The Market is Crashing, Now What? | Bill & Jackie | 135
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
📈 Between April 3rd and 4th, the stock market dropped 10% and the S&P 500 is down nearly 15% so far this year. That's huge in such a short period of time and downright frightening! So, what do you do? Start by listening to this episode where Bill and Jackie take a deep breath, and discuss the impact of these recent market declines. There is a natural human reaction of fear, but they share tips on tempering those emotions and remaining levelheaded during volatile times. They also talk through the importance of understanding stock market history and cover practical strategies like...
info_outline
Cashing in on 72(t): The Goldmine of Early Retirement Rules (Part2) | Bill Stecker | 133
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic...
info_outline
Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions | Paul Merriman | 132
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We also share some of our favorite financial literacy resources. 🔗 ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question ...
info_outline
72(t) Expert Tells All: No More Secrets About Early Withdrawals (Part 1) | Bill Stecker | 131
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic...
info_outline
Discipline Is Hard To Maintain In The Heat of Battle | Bill Yount | 130
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is the second part of a two-part episode. The first part was aired last Wednesday (episode 128) so be sure to check it out. 🌐 🔗 ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at ...
info_outline- How Janine transitioned from a lucrative career in big tech to impact investing
- The importance of aligning financial goals with social values
- How to integrate ethical considerations into your investment portfolio
- Practical steps you can take to manage your finances ethically and effectively
🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website
☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"
🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question
===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS===
MyBudgetCoach A zero-based budgeting app that allows you to connect your banks, categorize your transactions, and work with a certified budget coach at your own pace. Receive 10% off subscription costs by entering code: Catchingup
Boston Institute of Finance CFP® level curriculum for those that don’t need course credit, but want to gain useful knowledge for personal development. Special pricing for self-paced and instructor lead 'Personal Growth Track' course or package. Receive 5% off by entering code: Catchingup
For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners
RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Free membership in Invest for Better
Circle experience for Black women
Janine's Talk at EconoMe 2025 (Coming Soon)
As Your Sow | Invest your values
BetterInvesting.org | Educating individual investors and investment clubs
Mighty Deposits | Find banking that matches your values
Circle experience for Black women
📗Book: Your Money or Your Life
📗Book: The Beardstown Ladies' Common-Sense Investment Guide
⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes
Doña Quixote, Life Energy, and The Coming of Aging | Vicki Robin | 94
Enoughness: Your Life or Your Money | Vicki Robin | 95
Money for the Rest of Us | David Stein | 041
The pURPOSE Code | Jordan Grumet | 115
Purpose, Identity, & Connection | Jordan Grumet | 022
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!
⚠️Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.