Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters

Catching Up to FI is mindset, money, and life show for late starters of any age and for any reason, on the journey to Financial Independence (FI). The show is hosted by two late starters that have clawed their way back financially and share a passion for financial literacy and education. Bill Yount, MD is an emergency room physician that is still working and Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is a financial educator that reached FI and manage to retire at the age of 49 even after getting a late start. Together they talk to experts, other late starters, and explore topics that help listeners catch up and move closer to achieving their money and life goals. Our past guests have been thought leaders in the FI community with a special lens toward late starters, such as JL Collins (Simple Path to Wealth & Pathfinders), Brad Barrett (ChooseFI), Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache), Paula Pant (Afford Anything), Mindy Jensen & Scott Trench (BiggerPockets), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club & Necatrine) and more.

Hot Takes & Money Debates: Social Security at 62, New Trump Accounts, & more! | Bill & Jackie | 210 04/26/2026

Hot Takes & Money Debates: Social Security at 62, New Trump Accounts, & more! | Bill & Jackie | 210 What happens when the two co-hosts stop being polite, start being honest, and publicly debate the money moves they still don't agree on? We throw open the doors on four of our favorite friction points: Simple index-fund investing versus "modest complexity" Whether high school personal finance classes are actually helping What to make of the new 530A Trump accounts Taking Social Security at 62 versus waiting The fun here is that neither of us is playing a character. Jackie comes in swinging for simplicity, practical execution, and "please stop overcomplicating this for normal people," while Bill makes the case for curiosity, customization, and not sleepwalking through important financial choices. Along the way, we swap real stories about helping kids with 401(k)s, seeing bad default investments in the wild, what personal finance education gets wrong, and why Social Security advice may be more nuanced than the "always wait until 70" crowd admits. It's a reminder that thoughtful disagreement can sharpen your own plan faster than blindly copying someone else's. . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 PARTNERS=== 📈 : 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: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any investing course Advice-Only and Flat-Fee Hourly Fiduciary Financial Advisors (Catching Up to FI will be compensated by Nectarine if you use our affiliate link, which creates an incentive and conflict of interest. We are not current clients or employees of Nectarine.) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW . ⏰ Related Episodes . If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40942305

Why 90% of Families Lose Their Wealth (and How to Stop the Cycle) | Julia Myers | 209 04/19/2026

Why 90% of Families Lose Their Wealth (and How to Stop the Cycle) | Julia Myers | 209 What if the real reason family wealth disappears by the third generation has almost nothing to do with investing, and everything to do with what parents fail to teach at home? We sit down with Dr. Julia Myers, founder of Generational Wisdom, for a conversation that goes way past trusts, spreadsheets, and "someday" estate plans. Julia shares the medical crisis that abruptly ended her pharmacy career, the mindset shift that followed, and why she now believes legacy is not what you leave to your kids, but what you leave IN them. Together we unpack the three silent killers of generational wealth: no skills, no goals, no expectations, and explore what it looks like to raise kids who understand money and values, before the world teaches them. If you've ever wondered how to build wealth without accidentally raising entitlement, or how to recover from your own money story before passing it on, this episode is a gold mine. This episode covers Why 70–90% of family wealth disappears by the third generation Julia's shift from pharmacist to generational wisdom coach after a life-changing health crisis The three biggest reasons generational wealth gets lost Why "wealth without wisdom is wasted" How to build a family constitution around values, not just money The difference between leaving wealth to your kids versus leaving legacy in them How to talk to kids about money, giving, enough, and expectations Why late starters can still change their family's financial story Practical ways to make values visible in daily family life . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 PARTNERS=== 📈 : 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: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any investing course Advice-Only and Flat-Fee Hourly Fiduciary Financial Advisors (Catching Up to FI will be compensated by Nectarine if you use our affiliate link, which creates an incentive and conflict of interest. We are not current clients or employees of Nectarine.) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Charity: 🌐 Free Audiobook "" . ⏰ Related Episodes . If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40892150

20 Questions from 20-Somethings About Money | Dr. DeLong, Emilie Stewart. Britton Carver | 208 04/12/2026

20 Questions from 20-Somethings About Money | Dr. DeLong, Emilie Stewart. Britton Carver | 208 APRIL IS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH! What do you get when two late starters hand the mic to two twenty-somethings and let the money questions fly? In this unusually fun follow-up to the University of Tennessee classroom visit, we bring Dr. Karen DeLong and two of her students, Emilie and Britton, onto the podcast to tackle the real questions young adults ask when money stops being theoretical and starts getting personal. Emilie – Majoring in Finance and International Business with a minor in Agricultural Business and will be pursuing a career in Wealth Management. Britton – Interning with Wells Fargo in their Investment Banking - Commercial Real Estate division and will be pursuing a career in that post grad. . This episode covers The real money questions college students are asking before graduation Why Roth IRAs are such a powerful early-start tool How to think about saving for retirement versus nearer-term goals What happens to your 401(k) when you switch jobs Why savings rate matters more than most young adults realize The balance between being responsible and being too frugal How parents, professors, and mentors shape money mindset Why financial literacy needs to be practical, not just theoretical What late starters can teach young adults before they make the same mistakes . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 PARTNERS=== 📈 : 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: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any investing course Advice-Only and Flat-Fee Hourly Fiduciary Financial Advisors (Catching Up to FI will be compensated by Nectarine if you use our affiliate link, which creates an incentive and conflict of interest. We are not current clients or employees of Nectarine.) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW 🌐 📘 📕 📗 Y 📙 📘 . ⏰ Related Episodes . If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40777130

Financial Literacy 101: Live Inside the Classroom at University of Tennessee | Bill & Jackie | 207 04/08/2026

Financial Literacy 101: Live Inside the Classroom at University of Tennessee | Bill & Jackie | 207 APRIL IS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH! What happens when you hand a room full of almost-graduates a microphone, a few $2 bills, and permission to ask the money questions most adults still avoid? In this special on-the-road episode, we take you inside the financial literacy presentation at the University of Tennessee to share a few highlights of our recent talk. It's energetic, imperfect, and deeply encouraging. Financial literacy doesn't have to be stiff or scary. Sometimes it just looks like showing up, telling the truth about your mistakes, and helping the next person get a much earlier start than you did. This episode covers: ➡️ Highlights from Bill and Jackie's live financial literacy presentation at UT Knoxville ➡️ Why young adults need practical money education before entering the workforce ➡️ The difference between being rich and being wealthy ➡️ Why savings rate matters so much for financial independence ➡️ How to think about 401(k)s, employer match, vesting, and job changes ➡️ Why index funds and simple investing often beat picking individual stocks ➡️ Jackie's $2 bill story and how tiny saving habits can shape a lifetime ➡️ Bill's "rich doctor syndrome" story and the danger of lifestyle inflation ➡️ How listeners can adapt this presentation for their own school, church, or community . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 PARTNERS=== 📈 : 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: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any investing course Advice-Only and Flat-Fee Hourly Fiduciary Financial Advisors (Catching Up to FI will be compensated by Nectarine if you use our affiliate link, which creates an incentive and conflict of interest. We are not current clients or employees of Nectarine.) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: 🌐 📘 📄 ⏰ Related Episodes Questions from Students (coming in April) . If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40689995

I Have a PhD in Business but Never Had a Personal Finance Class | Dr. Karen DeLong | 206 04/05/2026

I Have a PhD in Business but Never Had a Personal Finance Class | Dr. Karen DeLong | 206 APRIL IS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH! What if one passionate professor, one classroom, and a few brave money questions could change hundreds of financial lives before graduation? We head to Knoxville for a special Financial Literacy Month episode with Dr. Karen DeLong, the University of Tennessee professor quietly doing the work most schools still don't: making sure students leave campus with more than a degree. Karen shares how three advanced degrees somehow included zero personal-finance education and how that gap pushed her to build an annual money session for her students. Bill and Jackie reflect on what it was like to teach these soon-to-be graduates and how any late starter can become a powerful financial literacy advocate in their own little corner of the world. This episode covers: ➡️ Why Dr. Karen DeLong started bringing personal finance into her classroom ➡️ How someone can earn multiple degrees and still never take a money class ➡️ Why college students are hungry for practical money conversations ➡️ The kinds of personal finance questions students are asking before graduation ➡️ How Bill and Jackie prepare for live financial literacy teaching sessions ➡️ Why financial literacy fits into almost any curriculum, not just finance classes ➡️ How Farm Credit Mid-America helped support this student enrichment work ➡️ Why late starters can still become mentors and financial literacy advocates ➡️ A preview of the student follow-up episode answering unanswered questions . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 PARTNERS=== 📈 : 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: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any investing course Advice-Only and Flat-Fee Hourly Fiduciary Financial Advisors (Catching Up to FI will be compensated by Nectarine if you use our affiliate link, which creates an incentive and conflict of interest. We are not current clients or employees of Nectarine.) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW 🌐 . ⏰ Related Episodes Questions from Students (coming in April) If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40689340

Is Your 401(k) a Mess? Do This Now (Step-by-Step Guide) | Bill & Jackie | 205 03/29/2026

Is Your 401(k) a Mess? Do This Now (Step-by-Step Guide) | Bill & Jackie | 205 April is Financial Literacy Month and we're starting a little early! That's because we are so excited to launch a new project called "The Great 401(k) Cleanup." What if the easiest way to boost your retirement odds this year isn't reducing your spending or a side hustle, but cleaning up that messy, confusing 401(k) you've been ignoring? We are using Financial Literacy Month to launch a full-on 401(k) intervention with a step-by-step guide including: Access From Home Contributions Beneficiaries Investments Rate of Return What’s Next 401(k)s and similar workplace plans like the TSP, 403(b), and 457 have become the backbone of retirement for most Americans. Yet they are often confusing and complicated to the average employee. No wonder so many accounts get neglected and become messy over time. The good news is that 2026 can be the year you clean it all up. This friendly and straightforward guide was created independent of any employer or plan provider, and will help you get going. By the time you’re done you’ll better understand your 401(k) and feel more empowered to use it as a real tool to build wealth and support your money goals. This episode covers: ➡️ How to clean up a messy 401(k) in less than an hour ➡️ Why year-to-date returns can mislead and longer time frames matter more ➡️ How contribution rate and savings rate shape your retirement timeline ➡️ Employer match, vesting schedules, and why "free money" still confuses people ➡️ Target date funds and simple one- to three-fund strategies ➡️ How to spot low-cost index funds inside an ugly 401(k) menu ➡️ What to do with old 401(k)s when you change jobs ➡️ How AI can help decode plan documents and confusing fund lists ➡️ Why forgotten 401(k)s now total a jaw-dropping $2.1 trillion ==================== DOWNLOAD GUIDE & EDITABLE CHECKLIST 📄 📄 ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40501550

Here's What 6 Years of Early Retirement Life is Really Like | "REAL Retirees: Uncut" Crossover | 204 03/25/2026

Here's What 6 Years of Early Retirement Life is Really Like | "REAL Retirees: Uncut" Crossover | 204 What if the best retirement advice didn't come from a spreadsheet—but from a real retiree saying, "I wish I'd done it sooner"? Jackie crosses over to "REAL Retirees: Uncut" for a refreshingly candid, walk through of what six years of early retirement have actually looked like. She also shares her top five reasons to retire early, from time freedom and better mental health to the surprising new opportunities that open up when your job no longer runs your calendar. And because this is still Catching Up to FI, she closes with a message straight to late starters: most people wake up later than they wanted, but that doesn't mean they're doomed. It means they need a new frame and a little grace. This episode covers: ➡️ Jackie's real-life retirement story, six years in ➡️ Retiring at 49 after corporate life ➡️ Building a nest egg using FIRE math and the 4% rule ➡️ Living off brokerage assets, Roth contributions, and a 72(t) strategy before 59½ ➡️ ACA health insurance subsidies and managing income in early retirement ➡️ Why Jackie kept her mortgage and doesn't regret it ➡️ Her top five reasons to retire early ➡️ The hidden superpowers late starters already have ➡️ Why retirement success is really about freedom, health, and impact ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 http://www.youtube.com/@REALRetireesUncut 🌐 📕 📘 📈 ⏰ RELATED EPISODES If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40205140

I Thought the Stock Market was Gambling, Then I Retired at 44 | Jaylynn | 203 03/22/2026

I Thought the Stock Market was Gambling, Then I Retired at 44 | Jaylynn | 203 What if you were already financially independent at 40… and didn’t realize it until a random pension search and a couple of podcasts blew the whole thing open? This was Jaylynn's "Surprise FI" and he joins the show to take us blow by blow. He gives us look back to his childhood of money orders, loving parents, and “value over flash” shaped him. He shares how he went from thinking the stock market was gambling to maxing out a 401(k), building a brokerage account, and accidentally discovering he had already hit FI in his forties. But this isn’t just a “run the numbers and quit” story. Jaylynn talks through Surprise FI, staying in a job he loved until COVID burnout changed the equation, retiring at 44, managing ACA subsidies, planning Roth conversions and a future 72(t). He's now using time freedom to become the dad his son would later call his “best friend.” He leaves us with the reminder that progress beats perfection—especially for late starters. This episode covers: How Jaylynn’s parents taught him value, bills, and stretching money without calling it “financial literacy” Why he thought investing was gambling after watching Trading Places The coworker moment that made him realize he was already an investor through his 401(k) A rare private-company benefits setup: automatic 401(k) contributions, pension, and relocation packages How he discovered the FIRE movement by researching pension payout options “Surprise FI” at age 40 using the 4% rule and liquid assets only Why he kept working after hitting FI—and what changed in 2020 Retiring at 44 with a mortgage, a tax strategy, and 15 years of runway Using ACA subsidies, Roth conversions, and a future 72(t) to bridge the early-retirement years Why the real wealth turned out to be time with his kids, not just a portfolio balance ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40457520

Don't Trust AI with Your Money Until You Listen To This | Jeffrey Trull | 202 03/15/2026

Don't Trust AI with Your Money Until You Listen To This | Jeffrey Trull | 202 Today we’re putting AI (Artificial Intelligence) to the test with AI money expert Jeffrey Trull. He's founder of the blog and newsletter, Money Meets AI where he shares tested prompts for your money. He joins us to sort the genuinely useful from the wildly overhyped when it comes to AI. We expand our conversation into prompts, privacy, hallucinations, portfolio questions, Google vs. ChatGPT, paid vs. free tools, and where AI can actually save real time for DIYers. Along the way, Bill wrestles with the tradeoff between efficiency and original thought, Jackie pushes the "AI as thought partner" framing, and Jeffrey stresses that it's great for lower-risk questions but terrible as your all-knowing financial planner. This episode covers: Where AI is genuinely useful for DIY personal finance Why prompts matter, but perfection is overrated Using AI to review insurance, contracts, and 401(k) plan docs Google vs. ChatGPT vs. Claude for money questions Paid vs. free AI tools and when subscriptions are worth it AI "hallucinations" and how to fact-check outputs Privacy concerns when uploading financial documents Why AI should be a thought partner, not your financial planner Agentic AI, AI shopping assistants, and what may be coming next ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40404640

The 5 Investing Hurdles You Can't Ignore | Bill Bernstein | 201 03/08/2026

The 5 Investing Hurdles You Can't Ignore | Bill Bernstein | 201 What if the guy who literally wrote the book on asset allocation told you your biggest risk isn’t the market…it’s the person in your bathroom mirror? Neurologist-turned-market-historian William (Bill) Bernstein joins us for a fascinating conversation about his unlikely path from photochemistry to medicine to becoming the quiet godfather of Boglehead-style investing. He shares what shaped his “simple but not easy” philosophy, why he thinks all of investing is “half math, half Shakespeare,” and how a homemade website in the 1990s turned into “The Intelligent Asset Allocator” and a second career. This episode covers: ✅ How a frustrated young scientist became a neurologist, then a financial theorist and writer ✅ Early investing mistakes (Palladium futures, hot funds, overconfidence) and what finally clicked ✅ The five hurdles from If You Can and why history and psychology matter as much as math ✅ What makes a true bubble: social buzz, career-changing speculators, hostility to skeptics, wild predictions ✅ Predictions vs forecasts, and how Bill “called” the dot-com bubble and GFC without betting the farm ✅ His current mix: modest small/value tilts, cash/T-bills for sanity, and a TIPS ladder for 30 years of expenses ✅ Why a TIPS ladder feels different from a TIPS fund and why most investors still won’t use one ✅ The 30-years-working / 30-years-retired “toy model” and why it implies 20–25%+ savings rates ✅ Teaching kids about money via your own behavior, crappy college jobs, and tiny three-fund portfolios ✅ A sober view of FIRE as a way out of the cubicle and into meaningful work—not a 36-year-old beach fantasy ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 🌐 📘 📗 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40257470

A Donor-Advised Fund For You (Daffy): Democratizing Philanthropy for Everyone | Adam Nash | 200 03/01/2026

A Donor-Advised Fund For You (Daffy): Democratizing Philanthropy for Everyone | Adam Nash | 200 What if your giving plan felt as intentional and optimized as your FI plan, and just as easy to automate? In walks Daffy, the new and modern donor-advised fund that is democratizing giving! Adam Nash, co-founder and CEO of Daffy, joins us today to explain how donor-advised funds (DAFs) went from stuffy tools for the ultra-wealthy to something you can open on your phone. Daffy is a fast-growing fintech platform and community for charitable giving, made for everyday people. Adam shares the pandemic-era "why now" behind Daffy, how traditional donor-advised funds quietly skim high AUM fees while setting eye-watering minimums, and walks through Daffy's flat-fee, app-first model. This episode also covers: ✅ What donor-advised funds are and why they've been hidden from most everyday givers ✅ DAFs for tax optimization (bunching, appreciated stock, estate planning) ✅ How to turn giving into a family and workplace culture (campaigns, matching, gift links) ✅ Why Adam sees a DAF as a simple "charitable 401(k)" or mini family foundation without the lawyers, board meetings, or overhead, built to help you be more generous ========== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) ➡️ Join or on :Daffy and receive an extra $25 bonus for charity in your new account 🌐 ▶️ 📄 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40202060

Why This DIY Investor Finally Hired A Financial Advisor | "BiggerPockets" Crossover | 199 02/25/2026

Why This DIY Investor Finally Hired A Financial Advisor | "BiggerPockets" Crossover | 199 What happens when a "late-starter" ER doc finally hits FI at 60, then must figure out how to actually spend the money without blowing it—or hoarding it forever? Bill joins Mindy and Scott on the BiggerPockets Money podcast to walk through his full "caught up to FI" debrief. Here his decade-long sprint from single-digit savings to 40%, taking his money back from a private bank, and the 60th-birthday retirement-readiness check that came back with a 100% success rate. From there, they dig into his move from a simple three-fund portfolio to a risk-parity setup, why he hired a flat-fee planner after years as a DIY investor, and how he's using FI to buy back time and jump-start his kids' wealth with Roth IRAs, HSAs, and tax-savvy living gifts. This episode covers: ➡️ Going from "rich but broke doctor" to FI in about 10 years ➡️ Boosting a savings rate from single digits to ~40% without feeling deprived ➡️ Shifting from a three-fund portfolio to a risk-parity decumulation strategy ➡️ Using flat-fee, advice-only planner instead of 1% AUM ➡️ Order of withdrawals: taxable, pre-tax, Roth, plus asset location ➡️ Modeling taxes, RMDs, and Social Security timing in real life ➡️ Building a "3-1-1" spending plan for needs, comfort, and luxury/giving ➡️ Helping adult kids fill Roth IRAs and HSAs as part of generational wealth ➡️ Weighing when to actually leave medicine once money is no longer the boss ============================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40201510

The Biggest Retirement Mistake: Over Saving and Under Living | Rachael Camp & Jesse Cramer | 198 02/22/2026

The Biggest Retirement Mistake: Over Saving and Under Living | Rachael Camp & Jesse Cramer | 198 Don't be that person who becomes a hoarder in retirement! You know who you are and it's a big concern for those that are champs at saving but reluctant to spend. It almost seems like a good problem to have... but not really! Retirement planners Rachel Camp, CFP® and Jesse Cramer join the show for a tackle the topic and what's known as the “consumption gap"-- the mismatch between what retirees could safely spend and what they actually spend. They discuss how decades of frugality, and dopamine hits from watching net worth climb and similar types of thinking make it brutally hard to flip from saver to spender. In this episode we cover: ✅ The 4% rule’s real origin story (it was built to avoid failure, not to optimize joy) ✅ The very human tendency to over solve for the worst-case market and under solve for lost health, time, and relationships ✅ Strategies Rachael and Jesse use with their clients to help them spend and not hoard their money in retirement ✅ Why talking through childhood money stories is often more powerful than another spreadsheet. ✅ Debunking the viral “retire later, die sooner” meme and zoom out to what actually affects longevity ✅ A challenge tailor-made for late starters: once the math says you’ve won, stop buy back your time, and don’t die with the biggest net worth of your life. ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 🌐 📄 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40147030

Flashback to Episode 1: 'A Boat Named YOLO' | Bill Yount | 197 02/18/2026

Founder of 'Catching Up to FI' Just Hit Financial Independence, Now What? | Bill Yount | 196 02/15/2026

Founder of 'Catching Up to FI' Just Hit Financial Independence, Now What? | Bill Yount | 196 Don't miss this special 3-year anniversary of 'Catching Up to FI' as Bill marks the moment by doing something he's been helping everyone else do for years: officially 'coming out' as financially independent (FI)! It is hard to believe that the show has been around for 3 years, 196 episodes, 20k Facebook Community members, 1.4M audio downloads and 300k views on YouTube. Is this real? Today we celebrate Bill’s journey from Episode #1: 'A Boat Named Yolo', to officially reaching FI, but feels more like the 'The Fog of FI'. During this interview, Jackie gets Bill to open up and vulnerably share details of his wake-up call at 50: burned out, sued, house-poor after a disastrous renovation and de-risking at the bottom of the Great Recession, and still living paycheck to paycheck despite a 'rich doctor' income. He walks through discovering FI via blogs and books, taking a full year to reclaim his money from private bankers and whole life policies (he's naming names!). Bill's real superpower was boosting his savings rate up to ~40% in his early 50s using Mr. Money Mustache's 'shockingly simple math' to accept a 10 to 15-year timeline. Fast-forward to 60 and a retirement-readiness check with a flat-fee, advice-only planner: after three years of expense tracking in Monarch Money, a comprehensive plan, and stress-testing with risk-parity portfolios, Bill gets the verdict every late starter dreams of, 'you could retire tomorrow'— and feels weirdly flat. We also dig into the emotional side: the identity crisis of possibly leaving medicine, using newfound leverage to negotiate work on his own terms, the choice to glide out over several years instead of cliff-retiring, and the shift from building wealth to giving with warm hands, mentoring younger docs, and helping his adult sons lay foundations he never had. We close with Bill's hard-earned advice: ➡️ Reverse-engineer your life from your tombstone ➡️ Focus on health span as fiercely as net worth ➡️ Stop over-identifying with your job or your number ➡️ Remember that for late starters, the real win is feeling less alone while you build a life you won't regret. ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: 📄 Bill's Financial Planner: ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40096135

Work Less, Live More: The New Paradigm of Financial Freedom | Andy Hill | 195 02/08/2026

Work Less, Live More: The New Paradigm of Financial Freedom | Andy Hill | 195 Do you want to own your time, work less, and live more? What if the point isn't maxing out every account forever, but designing a week you don't want to escape from? This is the Coast FI life built by our guest today, Andy Hill. He shares the steps you can take to put your family first and escape the 9-5 grind: for good! He takes us through the full arc: starting married life at –$50K net worth, killing the debt in a year with budget parties, saving 40–50% to hit around $500K in investments by forty, then realizing that number was enough for Coast FI. With all that, he realized that what he really wanted was time. Andy is an award-winning blogger, podcaster, and family finance coach behind Marriage, Kids, and Money. He's also author of the new book 'Own Your Time: 10 Financial Steps to Put Your Family First and Escape the Corporate Grind', which walks readers through simple, yet highly effective steps families can take to achieve family financial independence. It also features real-life examples of couples who’ve conquered these family financial independence milestones and found better lives for themselves because of it. ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 📕 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/40016335

Back to FI Basics: How to Start Your Journey to Early Retirement | ChooseFI Crossover | 194 02/04/2026

Back to FI Basics: How to Start Your Journey to Early Retirement | ChooseFI Crossover | 194 Strap in, because Jackie joins Brad Barrett for a crossover episode on the ChooseFI podcast, home of the world’s largest FI community! Together, they rewind all the way back to 2017, when Jackie first stumbled onto ChooseFI… and everything changed. She recounts her journey to reaching early retirement by December 2019, and using that freedom to go back to school, get her CFP, and write 'F.I.R.E. for Dummies'. Then the two of them dive deep into the fundamentals and break down what financial independence really means. They explain why even ten dollars a month can spark a lifelong investing habit, and how Jackie's first investment club taught her the power of community and compounding. They decode 401(k)s, demystify fund selection, and spotlight the quiet villain of investing: expense ratios. The episode widens from there: debt payoff strategies, designing a modest but deeply rich life on $40–45K a year in Ohio, negotiating everything from internet bills to insurance premiums, and the emotional transformation from paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle to feeling 'directionally correct.' They conclude with the realization that FI isn’t just about money, it's about options. Whether you’re a late starter, brand new or ten years into the journey; returning to the basics is how you stay grounded, stay motivated, and stay on course. ==================== DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 🌐 📕 📘 📈 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39725110

These New Rules Will Change The Way You Think About 529 Plans | Patricia Roberts | 193 02/01/2026

These New Rules Will Change The Way You Think About 529 Plans | Patricia Roberts | 193 529 plan expert Patricia Roberts blows up the myth that 'it's too late' and '529s are just for rich people with toddlers and Ivy League dreams'. She is author of the book 'Route 529' and shares some big changes with 529 plans that make them an incredibly flexible savings vehicle for more than just college. In this episode we cover: How state tax deductions, credits and 'parity states' work for contributions The shockingly long list of qualified uses including trade schools, apprenticeships, non-degree credentials, K–12 tuition, tutoring, test prep and even student loan repayment Busting the 'use it or lose it' fear and the new option to rollover left over funds to a Roth IRA How to juggle retirement vs. college savings Advanced strategies to create generational education wealth DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 📕 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39838680

Why Your Financial Plan Will Fail (It's Not the Math) | Dan Haylett | 192 01/25/2026

Why Your Financial Plan Will Fail (It's Not the Math) | Dan Haylett | 192 Dan Haylett gives us a late-starter masterclass on why retirement is a human problem long before it's a math problem. Dan is a UK financial planner, creator of 'Humans vs Retirement' podcast, and author of 'The Retirement You Didn't See Coming'. He walks us through how that outdated 'retire from work and fade away' script clashes with modern 50- and 60-somethings who still have health, curiosity, and huge ambitions. In this episode he also: Reframes risk as the possibility of dying with plenty of money but too few memories Unpacks why spreadsheets never quite make us feel safe Lays out his three-phase map of the second half of life DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 📕 ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39549900

The College Discount Game You Need To Know Before Choosing A School | Ron Lieber | 191 01/18/2026

The College Discount Game You Need To Know Before Choosing A School | Ron Lieber | 191 The cost of college is skyrocketing! To make sure you're not paying those sticker prices, we brought in New York Times 'Your Money' columnist, Ron Lieber. He is also author of 'The Price You Pay for College' and joins the show for a brutally honest walkthrough of what is actually going on behind the scenes. In this episode he breaks down: List price vs. cost of attendance Why most families don’t pay rack rate How to read a school’s 'Common Data Set' Merit vs. need-based aid How net price calculators and pre-reads can keep you from falling in love with a school you can’t afford DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 📕 🌐 (with link to free merit aid checklist) (for comparing colleges) (Compare 529 Plans) ⏰ Related Episodes The New World of 529 College Savings | Patricia Roberts (Coming Soon) If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39544225

Can AI Plan Your Retirement? Testing ChatGPT's Financial Advice | Earn & Invest Crossover | 190 01/14/2026

Can AI Plan Your Retirement? Testing ChatGPT's Financial Advice | Earn & Invest Crossover | 190 Bill joins Jordan 'Doc G' Grumet for a community episode on the Earn & Invest podcast. They stress-test what happens when someone asks ChatGPT: 'What should I do if I'm retiring in five years?' Bill talks about turning 60, being told he's officially reached financial independence, and shifting from accumulation to a more defensive, retirement-ready nest egg. DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) ⏰ Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39544220

Stop Paying for College and Use These High-Return Scholarship Hacks Instead | Chris Corinthian | 189 01/11/2026

Stop Paying for College and Use These High-Return Scholarship Hacks Instead | Chris Corinthian | 189 Chris Corinthian is the 'Fin Lit Guy' and knows his way around scholarships and other high-return ways to earn money for college. He joins the show to give us a masterclass on paying for college without wrecking your retirement. Chris opens with his own financial setbacks, including a layoff and a devastating fire, which helped him realize the importance of financial literacy. In this episode, you will learn: Chris' Debt-free degree triangle How teens as young as 13 can earn free college credits His scholarship system that treats applications like a part-time job Specifics of where and how to apply for scholarships DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: SUPPORT THE SHOW 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) Charities: 🌐 📕 📘 ⏰ Related Episodes The New World of 529 College Savings | Patricia Roberts (Coming Soon) If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39544215

How Clutter Steals Your Time (And How to Get It Back) | Rose Lounsbury | 188 01/04/2026

How Clutter Steals Your Time (And How to Get It Back) | Rose Lounsbury | 188 Rose Lounsbury likes things simple. Her specialty is helping people embrace the art of decluttering and she joins us on the show today for a New Year's reset that goes way beyond junk drawers. Rose tells us how decluttering is really about creating space— for FI, for generosity, and for the surprising next chapter. After this episode you'll be ready for a clean start for 2026 as she walks us through: Her own minimalist journey that led her to getting rid of 70% of her stuff, while raising triplets! The generational scripts behind our clutter and how to fix it Why we should own our stuff, not the other way around How late starters can overcome the clutter trap that quietly devours time, money, and energy Getting rid of internal clutter DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: S U P P O R T T H E S H O W 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 📘 📗 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating and review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39544195

Monarch Money Masterclass: How to Organize Your Financial Life | Rachel Lawrence | 187 12/28/2025

Monarch Money Masterclass: How to Organize Your Financial Life | Rachel Lawrence | 187 Happy New Year! As we roll into 2026, organizing money becomes top of mind and one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. So today on the show we have an expert with the leading money management app- Monarch Money, Rachel Lawrence. She is a Certified Financial Planner and fintech leader who works at the intersection of personal finance, behavior, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). She also runs her own fee-only financial planning firm called Reverie Wealth. In this episode Rachel gives us a masterclass on how to organize your financial life with Monarch's modern way to manage money that goes beyond the basics of budgeting. Plus, we’ll get a peek into what changes they have coming in 2026! DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 🌐 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39519910

Retired Before 50: A Look at Her Real Finances, Numbers & Strategy | Andy Panko Crossover | 186 12/24/2025

Retired Before 50: A Look at Her Real Finances, Numbers & Strategy | Andy Panko Crossover | 186 Catching Up to FI co-host, Jackie Cummings Koski crosses over to Andy Panko's 'Retirement Planning Education' podcast for a funny, deeply practical masterclass on what FIRE really is (and what it isn't). Jackie is single-mom late-starter, FIRE for Dummies author, and "I retired but I'm still busy" money nerd. She rewinds her journey of retiring before 50 and walks Andy (and listeners) through: How she hit a ~$1M FI number with ~$40K annual spending Managing healthcare premiums by understanding how ACA subsidies really work Tapping her pre-tax IRA before 59.5 using 72(t) without blowing herself up Qualifying for ex-spouse Social Security benefits Medical tourism in Bali funded by her HSA Why most 401(k) menus are quietly sabotaging regular people They finish with Jackie's second act: two books, a CFP, a master's in financial planning & financial therapy, and co-hosting Catching Up to FI to help late starters realize it's not too late. DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 🎙️ 🌐 📕 ⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39465995

He's Back! Peek Inside The Mad Fientist’s Post-FI Life & His Struggle to Spend | Brandon Ganch | 185 12/21/2025

He's Back! Peek Inside The Mad Fientist’s Post-FI Life & His Struggle to Spend | Brandon Ganch | 185 The Mad Fientist (Brandon Ganch) is an OG, pioneer, and giant in the Financial Independence (FI) movement! It took us a while to get him on the show, but he finally joins us for this very special holiday catch-up. Brandon is a software developer and strategically put those skills to work in creating the popular Mad Fientist blog & podcast. He's best known for deep dive experiments on tax optimization, early access to retirement funds, and other brilliant FI strategies. Now a family man with a wife and two kids, Brandon rarely does interviews these days. But today you will get a rare glimpse into the ups and downs of his post-FI life. In this episode he candidly talks about: What he thought about money growing up and as a young adult His obsession with money and how it led to a period of depression while running the Mad Fientist blog and podcast How he traded in his extreme frugality and self-deprivation for joyful spending using his "Wealth Machines" software that has been in development for years Building his dream music studio and putting out a Billboard-charting album () and new EP () Becoming a dad and asking big questions about raising children who've never seen their parents go to work DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: 🆕NEW PARTNER: The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: CATCHINGUP50 The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐 🎙️ 🎼 🎼 🎼 📘 📕 📗 ⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39230550

I Love Goooooold?! :) | Frank Vasquez | 184 12/14/2025

I Love Goooooold?! :) | Frank Vasquez | 184 Frank Vasquez (aka 'Uncle Frank' to the FI community) returns to the show to talk gold and what this shiny speculation is actually doing in a modern FI portfolio. Frank is the voice behind Risk Parity Radio and has a knack for making even the most tangled concepts in life and investing feel approachable. In this episode he tackles: Gold as speculation, not a gamble Gold's role in accumulation vs. retirement Typical gold allocation Correlation & diversification Physical gold vs. ETFs DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: 🆕NEW PARTNER: The modern way to manage money! will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) Charity: 🌐 ⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39229915

Shopping Hacks For The Holidays | Trae Bodge | 183 12/07/2025

Shopping Hacks For The Holidays | Trae Bodge | 183 Trae Bodge is one of the country’s leading smart-shopping and personal-savings experts. You’ve probably seen her on CNBC and Good Morning America, or in publications like The New York Times, USA Today, and MarketWatch. She joins us on the show for a holiday-season intervention on spending, shopping, and gift-giving. Trae also shares news about her, mom-inspired Threadneedle Alley Foundation, a nonprofit that provides grants and guidance to midlife entrepreneurs facing financial challenges. Through Dec. 31, 2025, entrepreneurs ages 40 and up can apply for a . 🎁 🎁 🎁A Special Gift from our friend... The Mad Fientist (only through Dec 10th) Brandon Ganch's (aka ) is one of the early pioneers of the FI Movement and has shared his knowledge and brilliant resources with millions of people for over a decade. He will be featured on our holiday episode (releasing on 12/21/25). This holiday season he has a brand new beta software called , a complete system designed for financial independence that focuses on your assets and the income they generate. Even though he's brilliant at developing software, his real passion is music, and he has a new album coming out with a juicy offer! Until December 10th, he is gifting early access to you before it goes to a monthly subscription when you purchase his new album. Here's how you can support his passion and get his software: Preorder his brand new EP Album for $4.99 before December 10th on (or other music retailers) and follow him on (help him get to 1000 subscribers) Send a copy of the receipt to Go to and click the "Get Access" link in the top right corner to get free access. Note: The public release won't be until 2027, but you'll be able to start using it as soon as it's ready. Also, you will NOT need to pay an annual fee once the app becomes publicly available (the annual fee will be more than the EP's cost, every single year)! DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS: 🆕NEW PARTNER: The modern way to manage money! will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special Link and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) Charity: 🌐 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39227730

Broke at 50 ➡️ Retired at 60! | BiggerPockets Crossover | 182 12/03/2025

Broke at 50 ➡️ Retired at 60! | BiggerPockets Crossover | 182 We love collaborations and this time we teamed up with Mindy and Scott from BiggerPockets Money to tackle a case study you don't want to miss: "How to go from Broke at 50 to Retired at 60!" This originally aired on BiggerPockets Money in August, and since then it received over 300,000 views and quickly moved up to the second most popular video on their YouTube Channel. Needless to say, this topic, got people talking! We spell out exactly what we would do to go from a zero-dollar net worth to a million dollars in retirement! This is a step-by-step plan that anyone who wants to retire on time can follow, focusing specifically on Barb - a recently divorced stay-at-home mom reentering the workforce with a zero-dollar net worth. Her situation represents millions of people who find themselves starting over financially in their fifties, whether due to divorce, job loss, or simply never having started saving for retirement. ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== 🆕NEW PARTNER: Monarch Money The modern way to manage money! will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐Bigger Pockets Money YouTube Channel ⚠️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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39192005

Drowning in Debt at 48, Retired at 58: Here’s How She Did It! | Kim Hunter-Borst | 181 11/30/2025

Drowning in Debt at 48, Retired at 58: Here’s How She Did It! | Kim Hunter-Borst | 181 At 48, Kim Hunter-Borst was drowning in debt even though she had a solid New York income. Where was the money going? How did she fix it and reach early retirement by 58? We find out in this no-shame late-starter conversation that was recorded live in Bali at the FI Freedom Retreat (please excuse the background noise!) Kim was firmly in the messy middle and retraces the moment she decided to stop winging it. She shares some simple systems that finally stuck, and the handful of brave choices—asking for more at work, saying no to status buys, and saying yes to purpose—that changed her trajectory. In this candid interview, you’ll also hear: The money scripts Kim had to rewrite The tools that actually helped The joyful stuff she refused to cut while saving How she healed her 'one more year syndrome' What she's doing now to help others on their FI journey ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== 🆕NEW PARTNER: Monarch Money The modern way to manage money! will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this and entering code: The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer). For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: 📩 🌐 🔗 ☕ 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 RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) Charities: 🌐 Kim’s 2026 Women’s Weekend has sold out! Click for more information about future events and get on the email list. ⏰ ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/965474e8-0ed6-4527-a513-26a270f7ae31/id/39051290

Catching Up to FI: Financial Independence for Late Starters

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