Q&A: Tackling Listener Questions | Bill & Jackie | 155
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Release Date: 07/06/2025
Late Starter Real Numbers: 1.5 M ➜ 864 K — And Back Again | J. C. & Bev Webber | 163
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
J.C. and Bev Webber's late-starter journey is proof that resilience + innovation can outrun even a Great Financial Crisis. J.C. gives us his real numbers and how he sprinted from a net worth of ~$120k (age 51) to $1.5M (age 57)—only to see it crash to ~$864k in early 2009. But that didn't derail their plans because he and his wife Bev still retired early and hit the road in their RV. You could say they reached FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) before it was hot! In this episode they walk us through all the twists and turns, giving us the excruciating details that you rarely hear...
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From Silent Majority to Visible Voices | Bill & Jackie | 162
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
In this midweek episode, Bill and Jackie join the 'The Visible Voices' podcast, hosted by Dr. Resa E Lewiss. We highlight the voice of late starters and discuss: The huge gap that 'Catching Up to FI' is filling and what we mean by the 'silent majority' How shock, regret, and money-trauma can become fuel Unique advantages you may have when beginning your financial independence journey later in life Why micro-steps (Kaizen-style) beat grand gestures every time === VOTE FOR US: PLUTUS AWARDS === We need your vote for the 2025 Plutus Awards! You can now vote...
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Case Study: The Real Numbers That Told Her She Could Quit her Job, Now! | Lisa B | 161
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
We ❤️ Case Studies! Nurse practitioner and mom of three, Lisa, opens up and shares what's in her wallet, and her heart. In this episode we dive into her fascinating late-starter story and financials. She was also this year's brave Case Study at the EconoMe conference and revealed all her numbers in front of a live audience to get crowd-sourced feedback in real time. What transpired afterwards was powerful- she quit her day job and handed in her clinical badge to enjoy a sabbatical she had been longing for! With a little help from some Boldin financial modeling and a Nectarine hourly...
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The $1,000 Gift From Jonathan Clements To 18-Year-Olds | Bill Bernstein & Christine Benz | 160
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Morningstar's Christine Benz and investing-history legend Dr. William Bernstein announces the Jonathan Clements "Getting Going on Savings" Initiative. In 2024, Jonathan was diagnosed with a terminal illness and decided to use the proceeds from a final book to kick-start a new program that will directly help fund Roth IRAs for young adults (especially from low-income households) to the tune of $1,000 each. The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is assisting with the project and 'Catching Up to FI' is proud to spread the word by replaying this conversation that...
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Forget the Corporate Ladder, Here’s How to Climb ‘The Wealth Ladder’ | Nick Maggiulli | 159
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Nick Maggiulli is the data-driven creator of the blog 'Of Dollars And Data', Chief Operating Officer at Ritholtz Wealth, and author of the newly released book 'The Wealth Ladder'. He joins us on the show to break down his six-level wealth ladder and openly shares some of his steps and missteps as he moved up on his own wealth-building journey. In this episode, we discuss these financial insights he shared in the book: Six Wealth Levels (<$10 K to $100 M+) 0.01 % Daily-Growth Spending Rule Grocery / Restaurant / Travel Freedom progression Cookie-cutter asset allocation across ALL accounts...
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Keeping Up With The Joneses | Bill Yount | 158
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Bill hops onto Jesse Cramer's 'Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors' (formally The Best Interest) podcast. Along with some of our favorite content creators, he shares his crazy spending screw ups-- and the life lessons that followed. Stories from: Bill Yount (Catching Up to FI) Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance For Long-Term Investors) Diania Merriam (EconoMe Conference & Optimal Finance Daily) Justin Peters (FI Minded, formally The Struggle is Real) Jordan (Doc G) Grumet (Earn & Invest) Joe Saul-Sehy (Stacking Benjamins) Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club) ...
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Do This To Simplify Your Next Financial Review... (Part 2) | Jon Luskin | 157
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Bogleheads favorite Jon Luskin, CFP® drops in for part 2 of his masterclass on embracing simplicity. He specializes in providing hourly advice to do-it-yourself investors and is a long-time advocate of simple, low-cost investing. In this second part he shares with us: Simple Investor Policy Statement (IPS) All-in-One Funds: target date and balanced/life-strategy funds as "default simple" solutions Disability, life, and (if appropriate) long-term care insurance This is the second part of a 2 part episode. === VOTE FOR US: PLUTUS...
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Do This To Simplify Your Next Financial Review ... (Part 1) | Jon Luskin | 156
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Bogleheads favorite Jon Luskin, CFP® drops in for a masterclass on keeping money moves “so dull they sparkle.” He specializes in providing hourly advice to do-it-yourself investors and is a long-time advocate of simple, low-cost investing. In this episode he shares with us: Why every late-starter’s to-do list should begin with an emergency fund and Social Security game plan before touching their asset mix How low fees—not “sexy” alts—make numbers grow His soup-to-nuts review (including insurance gaps, estate docs and Investor Policy Statement) How simplicity wins This is...
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Q&A: Tackling Listener Questions | Bill & Jackie | 155
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
You asked and we answered! In this episode we tackle listener questions with more than just a one-sentence response… we go deeper and give you answers with our thoughtful insights, ideas and considerations important to late starters. These are the questions we cover on today’s show: ✅ Bill’s costly mistake with whole-life insurance; what should you do instead? ✅ How does the $19,000 annual gift tax exclusion work? ✅ Do I have too much in cash as I’m approaching retirement? ✅ I’m new to investing and pay someone to manage my 401(k). I also want to start a Roth IRA, is...
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Learn This or Never Retire | Bill & Jackie | 154
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
On this mid-week episode we join the upbeat creators of 'Rebel Finance School', Alan and Katie Donegan, for a turbo-charged pep rally aimed at every late-starter who's ever whispered "it's too late for me." We kicked off the Donegans' free 10-week course that's helping thousands around the world on their journey to FI. 📩 NEW! 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED...
info_outlineYou asked and we answered! In this episode we tackle listener questions with more than just a one-sentence response… we go deeper and give you answers with our thoughtful insights, ideas and considerations important to late starters. These are the questions we cover on today’s show:
✅ Bill’s costly mistake with whole-life insurance; what should you do instead?
✅ How does the $19,000 annual gift tax exclusion work?
✅ Do I have too much in cash as I’m approaching retirement?
✅ I’m new to investing and pay someone to manage my 401(k). I also want to start a Roth IRA, is now a good time?
✅ What if you're low income and can barely save, how do you move the needle?
✅ What is the middle class trap?
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🎙️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===
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📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement): Retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. 👉🏼 Be sure to use this link to get started: Go.boldin.com/catchingup
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For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners
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📕F.I.R.E. For Dummies by Jackie Cummings Koski
📗The Wealth Ladder by Nick Maggiulli
Podcast episode with Nick Maggiulli coming July 27th, 2025
⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes referenced
A Boat Named YOLO | Bill Yount | 001
From Poverty to Wealth and Early Retirement | Jackie Cummings Koski | 007
SpongeBob and Drawdown Strategies | Frank Vasquez | 044
Life & Taxes | Sean Mullaney | 013
72(t) Expert Tells All: No More Secrets About Early Withdrawals (Part 1) | Bill Stecker | 131
Cashing in on 72(t): The Goldmine of Early Retirement Rules (Part2) | Bill Stecker | 133
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⚠️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.