Do This To Simplify Your Next Financial Review ... (Part 1) | Jon Luskin | 156
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Release Date: 07/13/2025
Tell Your Story With A Book, Here’s How | Azul Terronez | 164
Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters
Azul Terronez went from being an unknown schoolteacher to a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. He is co-founder and lead coach at “Authors Who Lead,” a platform dedicated to empowering authors to share their stories. He turns our conversation with him into a courage clinic for would-be storytellers, late starters, and anyone who suspects their "zone of genius" is dying to be unleashed. He gives us the reframe that authorship isn't about words so much as the message beneath them. === PLUTUS AWARDS: ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO VOTE === We...
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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...
info_outlineBogleheads 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 the first part of a 2 part episode. Click here to listen to part 2.
=== VOTE FOR US: PLUTUS AWARDS ===
We need your vote for the 2025 Plutus Awards! You can now vote for your hosts behind "Catching Up to FI” - Bill Yount & Jackie Cummings Koski.
✅ WHAT IS THE PLUTUS AWARDS?
The Plutus Awards recognize excellence in independent financial content. That's the best podcasts, books, video channels, blogs, and more.
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✅ CATEGORIES
Below are the categories we have been nominated for and we’d love your vote in each of them.
Catching Up to FI
- Best New Personal Finance Content Creator - Audio
- Content Creator of the Year: Audio
- People's Choice: Audio
- Best Financial Advisor Content/Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP
- Plutus Storyteller Award
- Best Traditional Retirement Content
- Best Personal Finance Content for Underserved Communities
- Best Personal Finance Content for Women
Other categories
- Best New Personal Finance Content Creator - Written (F.I.R.E. for Dummies)
- Best New Personal Finance Book (F.I.R.E. for Dummies)
- Plutus Resilience Award (Jackie Cummings Koski)
- Best Financial Independence or Retire Early Content (F.I.R.E. for Dummies)
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RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Charity:
Jonathan Clements Getting Going on Savings Initiative
Jon’s Sample Financial Reviews
Jon’ Thesis paper: Measuring the Value Added by Alternative Assets within the Investment Pools of Non-profit Organization
Bogleheads Live- Episode 39: Disability Insurance
Kitces Article: Why Tax-Loss Harvesting During Down Markets Isn’t Always A Good Idea
Bogleheads on Investing Podcast
Bogleheads Investment Policy Statement
The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy
2025 Bogleheads Conference (Oct 17-19, San Antonio)
⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes referenced
Retirement Remix: Crafting Financial Futures with Purpose | Christine Benz | 117
Tactical Tips and Tripwires: The DIY Financial Planner's Guide | Cody Garrett | 112
How to Think About Money | Jonathan Clements | 040
How a Second Grader Beats Wall Street | Allan Roth | 033
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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.