In part one of this enlightening two-part series, we are joined by George Kinder, founder of the Kinder Institute. He’s best known as the Father of Life Planning and creator of The Three Kinder Questions that probe deeper into our hopes, dreams, and fears. In this episode we discuss: The essence of financial maturity The profound practice of living…

Today on the show we welcome Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women through values-aligned investing. She has a relentless drive to make a difference and poured it all into her book, 'Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World'. In this episode, you will le…

In this episode, Bill & Jackie joined Doc G (Jordan Grumet) on the 'Earn & Invest Podcast' to talk about what it feels like to be a late starter in these uncertain times. Questions about a recession are looming and it's scary, especially for those just waking up and trying to catch up. They discuss the ups and downs and how late starters can still …

Amy Minkley is the founder of FI Freedom Retreats, a passion project that was born out of her love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and community. In this episode, she shares her journey to achieving financial independence (FI) while living in Bali, Indonesia. Amy gives us a glimpse into her lavish yet …

We're excited to introduce you to our newest 'Catching Up to FI' team member, Patrick McDonnal. In this episode, you'll get to hear some of his money story and how he'll be helping with the show. Patrick discusses his career transition from engineering to financial planning and openly shares how the early financial education he got from his grandfa…

Joining us on this episode is not just one, but TWO titans in the investing and financial literacy space, Rick Ferri and Paul Merriman. These two great minds go head-to-head on topics like asset allocation, and the risks/rewards of small cap value funds vs. total stock market funds. Through this high energy debate, they also provide expert insights…

📈 Between April 3rd and 4th, the stock market dropped 10% and the S&P 500 is down nearly 15% so far this year. That's huge in such a short period of time and downright frightening! So, what do you do? Start by listening to this episode where Bill and Jackie take a deep breath, and discuss the impact of these recent market declines. There is a natur…

One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retire…

April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We…

One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retire…

'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot t…

In this episode we welcome back the rebels, Katie and Alan Donegan. They are founders of the Rebel Finance School and have turned the concept of financial independence (FI) into an energetic global movement. We are celebrating the launch of their brand-new music album. But it's not just music, it’s a Money Revolution and the world's first financial…

'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot t…

Jackie is out this week, and her co-host seat is being filled by Mindy Jensen (the hostess with the mostest 😂) from the 'BiggerPockets Money' and 'Living a FI Life' podcasts. In this episode we talk with Matt and Yana Tarr, the married duo behind the 'CoastFI Couple' blog and podcast. The conversation centers around the power of Coast FI, and how o…

Jackie Cummings Koski is co-host of the 'Catching Up to FI' podcast and author of the book 'F.I.R.E. For Dummies'. In case you're new here, FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In this episode, Jackie comes clean and publicly shares her non-FIRE confessions. Recorded at a CampFI near San Diego, she reveals surprising financial deci…

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox (also known as 'The Money Coach') is an icon in the financial media and financial education space. She is the author of 16 money-management books, including the New York Times bestseller ‘Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom’. Lynette joins us on this episode to share some of the big takeaways from her latest boo…

Frank Vasquez (also affectionately known as Uncle Frank) is a mostly retired lawyer and host of the 'Risk Parity Radio' podcast. In this episode, he gives us a dose of his investing wisdom complete with his unique 'SpongeBob' sense of humor. We discuss financial independence (FI) in the older years, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the fruits…

Ever felt anxious around money, or like you're stuck no matter how much you try to save? You're not alone. In this episode, we unravel all of that with Shannah Game, a leading transformational money expert helping you heal your relationship with money. Shannah is host of the popular podcast 'Everyone's Talkin' Money' and author of the new book 'Unr…

We're pulling back the curtain on student loans with expert and founder of Student Loan Planner, Travis Hornsby. Initially impacting younger borrowers, the student loan crisis now affects those in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s. The balances are getting bigger, lasting longer and rules are becoming more complex! It can be confusing, but this episode …

Attorney Jennifer (Jenny) Rozelle joins us to unravel the complexities of estate planning and help you get your estate plans in order. In this episode she covers the essentials- healthcare directives, probate, wills, beneficiaries, trusts and more. She's a lawyer with a sense of humor and sprinkles in her special blend of wit and wisdom to liven up…

Monica Scudieri started late on her financial independence journey but finished early. Her financial watershed moment was when she discovered she had $257,000 in debt. She was in serious financial despair but managed to slowly dig out. The progress she made was impressive and just ten years later, she reached financial independence. In this episode…

Ever felt burnout creeping into your life? Then join us for this discussion about tackling the widespread issue of burnout with Dr. Dawn Baker, author of the book 'Lean Out'. Discover practical advice for high-powered professionals struggling with exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of motivation. Whether you're an overworked physician, a stressed corpo…

In this episode, we're taking it to the streets of Atlanta, GA where the 2024 FinCon took place. FinCon is the largest (and funnest) conference for independent content creators in the personal finance space. We wish you could have been there but since we couldn't bring our audience to FinCon, we're bringing a little FinCon to you. We chatted with s…

In this episode we welcome back Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. Christine is one of the most respected thought leaders on the topic of retirement and shares insights from her new book, 'How to Retire'. We discuss the importance of preparing for retirement well in advance, building social network…

In this episode, we talk with Jen and Jill from the Frugal Friends Podcast and authors of the new book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke. They believe the secret to saving money isn’t in coupons and sales, it’s in identifying what you value and pursuing it unapologetically. We chat about how value-based spending can meet higher emotional and ps…

In this episode we are joined by the multi-talented Jordan Grumet, a hospice doctor, storyteller, and the host of the award-winning 'Earn & Invest' podcast. Jordan shares insights from his latest book, 'The Purpose Code', diving deep into the nuances of Big 'P' vs Little 'p' purpose, legacy, and finding true happiness. From his personal journey fro…

After 28 years of playing the weather girl on TV, Kristen Knapp moved to part time work to follow her passion for travel planning for the financial independence (FI) community. She shares her fascinating backstory of growing up in poverty, dealing with childhood money trauma, becoming a successful broadcast meteorologist, and ultimately achieving F…

We love games so today we're bringing you a podcast takeover and having some fun with 'Money Jeopardy'! This was recorded live at FinCon 2024 (a conference for personal finance content creators) with 'The Struggle is Real' podcast, hosted by our friend Justin Peters. He’s joined by Jackie Cummings Koski (your co-host on 'Catching Up to FI'), Joel L…

Happy Holidays! Join us for this lighthearted chat with a longtime friend of the show, Cody Garrett, CFP. He shares his list of the 24 common DIY investment mistakes that might be hindering your path to financial independence and some tips on how to fix them. He steps us through the list which includes things like underutilizing employer benefits, …

In this episode we welcome the legendary Bill Bengen! He is the creator of the infamous 4% rule that is referenced in any quality conversation about retirement and withdrawal rates. There's been spirited debates and lengthy discussions about Bengen's research but there is no one better than the man himself to weigh in on what he thinks about it 30 …

Today Bill and Jackie are joined by another genius in the world of retirement planning research, David Blanchett, PhD, CFA, CFP. In his role at PGIM, David is responsible for Target Date Funds and Retirement Spending Portfolios. In this episode he discusses redefined retirement concepts, the myths surrounding the 60/40 portfolio and some practical …

In this episode we turn the tables as Bill joins Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP on the Childfree Wealth podcast. Bill shares his journey as a late starter physician who lived largely a paycheck-to-paycheck existence until waking up at age 50. He now co-hosts the 'Catching Up to FI' podcast to help other late starters. Jay is the author of the upcoming book '…

Hard to believe that 2024 is almost over but before we close it out, we have some end-of-year financial tips with special guest Eric Simonson, CFP and CEO of Abundo Wealth (an advice-only financial planning firm). Eric shares insights on maximizing different types of contributions, FSAs, charitable donations, and other tax strategies. There are a f…

Our guest today is Jacqueline (Jack) Howard, head of Money Wellness at Ally Financial, a leading voice in financial health & wellness, and fierce change maker. We are thrilled to bring you this special episode recorded live from FinCon 2024 in Atlanta, GA! It's no secret that we love Ally and talk about them often on the podcast. From the high yiel…

Karsten Jeske also known as “Big ERN” is the founder and genius behind Early Retirement Now. He writes on all topics related to personal finance but is best known for his comprehensive series on safe withdrawal strategies. In this episode he dives deep into the intricacies of safe withdrawal rates, sequence of return risk, the importance of market …

In this episode, Jesse Cramer discusses the essential considerations for pre and post-retirement planning and the major factors late starters should consider. Jesse is founder of the award winning 'The Best Interest' blog and podcast. He left a career as a mechanical and aerospace engineer to work with clients at a fiduciary, fee-only financial pla…

By day, Dr. Disha Spath is an internist caring for her patient’s physical and mental health. By night, my she's known as The Frugal Physician and hosts the Finding Financial Freedom podcast. In this episode, Disha shares her personal journey from financial struggles to becoming an advocate for frugality and financial independence. She also discusse…

Andy Hill is an award-winning blogger, podcaster, Youtuber and family finance coach. All under the brand of 'Marriage, Kids, and Money’, his primary focus is helping families build wealth and happiness. He shares his inspiring story of going from a $50,000 negative net worth to achieving financial independence and now living his best 'Coast FI' lif…

This episode explores the intricate and confusing world of Medicare with leading expert Danielle Roberts. Danielle is founding partner at Boomer Benefits, an agency that has helped thousands of ordinary Americans learn and navigate their entry into Medicare since 2005. She's also author of the bestselling book '10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't…

Cris Gawlik sold all her possessions in 2019 to travel the world, and in this episode she shares her fascinating nomadic journey. Learn how she utilizes geo-arbitrage, manages her finances on the go, and maintains strong social connections across the globe. She gives us insights into how she handles banking, health insurance, and taxes while living…

Subscribe and Watch on YouTube Join host Bill and guest Diana Falck as they explore the intersection of community resilience and getting involved. In the wake of a recent crisis in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, the duo highlights local relief efforts and community collaboration. Then in this special 100th episode, we get back to the ba…

In this special two-part episode we unveil the 'Wealthy Custodian,' Jeff York (from episode 74 & 76), and take a deep dive into the world of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Jeff joins as co-host along with Bill and Jackie (our HSA Maven) to share how they supersized thier HSAs and discovered how powerful they can be on the path to FI. This comprehe…

This heartfelt episode dives into the incredible story of Krista and Ed. From growing up in poverty to facing financial insecurity as adults, this resilient couple shares their journey of overcoming adversity and finding hope in the FIRE movement. Discover how a deep bond of love, open communication, strategic planning, and an unwavering spirit led…

Former award-winning teacher turned educator on financial literacy and relationships, Brian Page discusses the concept of 'Modern Husbands' and the importance of viewing marriage as a partnership. Learn about his innovative Marriage Toolkit, designed with insights from over 30 experts, and discover practical tips on managing money, home, careers, a…

Join hosts Bill and Jackie as they delve into a profound conversation with Vicki Robin, co-author of 'Your Money or Your Life.' Vicki discusses the concept of 'enoughness' as a spiritual practice and the fulfillment curve, offering insights into how recognizing enough can lead to a more satisfying life. The dialogue covers financial independence, t…

Join Bill and Jackie in an engaging conversation with Vicki Robin, co-author of the best-selling book 'Your Money or Your Life'. Vicki shares her insightful philosophy on financial independence, community resilience, and the power of frugality. She discusses her journey from active community building to aging with purpose on Whidbey Island, and how…

Subscribe and Watch on YouTube Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung are the dynamic duo behind the Millennial Revolution blog and movement. In this insightful episode, Kristy and Bryce discuss their journey from house-hunting to achieving Financial Independence (FI) and retiring in their early 30s. They delve into why they chose to reject traditional housin…

Subscribe and Watch on YouTube Meet Nadia and Nicole, the Wealth Twins! Raised by a single mother in New York City's toughest projects, these twin sisters overcame obstacles to graduate from Columbia University, work on Wall Street, and ultimately achieve early retirement. In this episode, they recount experiences from 9/11 and the 2008 financial c…

Subscribe and Watch on YouTube Joe Saul-Sehy of Stacking Benjamins joins the show to discuss financial planning, overcoming debt, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Joe shares his personal journey of financial mismanagement as a young financial planner, the principles behind the efficient frontier, and his thoughts on…