Catching Up To FI

This mid-week episode is the recording of a session done with the smart women of the WE (Women Empowered) Wealth Collective, titled: What Every Woman Should Know About Minimizing Taxes in Retirement. ‘Catching Up to FI' co-host and author of ‘F.I.R.E for Dummies', Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC®, continues through an easy to follow checklist of tax considerations in retirement. She demo-drives 72(t) and RMD calculators, live-shops the ACA site to score premium tax credits, and shows how Medicare surcharges work.  Topics for the series include: Age-band tax checklist (pre-55, 55-65, 65-75, 75+) Separating "macro" worry (markets, policy) from micro action (what you control) Early withdrawal strategies  (Rule of 55/50, 72(t) / Equal Payments, HSAs, Affordable Care Act/Tax Credits, Brokerage Accounts, ect) Tax Minimizing tips during normal retirement (Social Security, Medicare Surcharge, Increased Standard Deduction, Balancing account types) Later in life considerations (RMDs, Qualified Charitable Distribution, Inheritances, ect)   This is the second part of a two-part series and part 1 aired last Wednesday. This session references visuals from a presentation that is better viewed on youtube or you can follow along using this slide deck.   Disclaimer for this session: The intent of this session is open discussion about money topics that makes us all a little smarter. The content is for general education and information purposes only, and is not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.  

Mention financial independence and one of the first names that come up is JL Collins, author of the bestselling book 'The Simple Path to Wealth'. In fact, he is affectionately known as the Godfather of FI. One million copies and 10 years after its original publication, JL back with a shiny new, revised and expanded edition... and it just hit the New York Times Bestseller list!!! We know you've heard and seen JL all over the place because he is a BIG deal. But we uncovered some intriguing facts about his life and career that isn't often talked about (we're just curious like that). Here are five things you probably didn't know about JL Collins that we discuss in this episode: Before he ever started writing about financial independence, he worked in the magazine publishing industry.  He was a job-hopper throughout his career to make more money and took lots of sabbaticals because he liked working, just not all the time. He started writing his blog to teach is daughter (Jessica) about investing, problem was… she wasn't listening when she was a kid. His daughter (Jessica) is now in her thirties and turns out, she has gained a deep understanding of his teachings (way more than he originally thought). She's now firmly on the path to FI and just left her corporate job. His daughter Jessica was part of his team in updating the new version of ‘The Simple to Wealth' and getting to work so closely with her was the most gratifying part for him as a dad.  

Tax talk without the snooze-fest! This mid-week episode is the recording of a session done with the smart women of the WE (Women Empowered) Wealth Collective, titled: What Every Woman Should Know About Minimizing Taxes in Retirement. ‘Catching Up to FI' co-host and author of ‘F.I.R.E for Dummies' Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC®, turns this insightful discussion into a masterclass on trimming Uncle Sam's tab at every phase of retirement. Jackie rewinds to her own FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) journey: the divorce-day "401(k) gap" that lit her savings rocket, supersizing her HSA past $200,000, and hitting FI at 49 with a 40% savings rate. Expect plain-English breakdowns, plenty of ‘there are no dumb questions' crowd chat, and Jackie's trademark mix of CFP level and girlfriend realness. Topics for the series include: Age-band tax checklist (pre-55, 55-65, 65-75, 75+) Separating "macro" worry (markets, policy) from micro action (what you control) Early withdrawal strategies  (Rule of 55/50, 72(t) / Equal Payments, HSAs, Affordable Care Act/Tax Credits, Brokerage Accounts, ect) Tax Minimizing tips during normal retirement (Social Security, Medicare Surcharge, Increased Standard Deduction, Balancing account types) Later in life considerations (RMDs, Qualified Charitable Distribution, Inheritances, ect) This is part one of a two-part series and the second part will be aired next Wednesday (6/18/25). This session references visuals from a presentation that is better viewed on youtube or you can follow along using this slide deck.   Disclaimer for this session: The intent of this session is open discussion about money topics that makes us all a little smarter. The content is for general education and information purposes only, and is not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.    

Wall Street has us all on edge right now, so we called in one of the smartest people we know when it comes to stock market to help us make sense of it all, Sam Stovall. Sam is CFRA's Chief Strategist and a market historian that knows his stuff! He joins us in this episode to discuss: What stock market history tells us about the shaky situation we're in today  What tariffs really have to do with the stock market and economy  The 'rebalance' rule  Mid-term election tailwinds  Where the federal reserve fits into all of this  

We just hit 1 Million Podcast Downloads... that puts us in the top 1% of podcasts world wide!!! And we have you to thank

In this episode we are joined by Julien and Kiersten Saunders, co-creators of rich & REGULAR and authors of 'Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away'. What started as a blog in 2017 has grown into a multimedia powerhouse, all centered around their mission… to inspire better conversations about money. Hear why Julien walked out of corporate life before he had 'FU money,' and how Kiersten's Valentine's Day resignation collided with the pandemic. They also talk to us about:  Their 15-year 'Cashing Out' career sprint The power of 'Money on the Table' (think Anthony Bourdain meets FIRE) The joy of raising an eight-year-old who calls 78-year-olds his besties A reminder that aiming for the heart—rather than the wallet—can turn any late start into a blockbuster finale 

Childhood crushes can bloom into full-blown FI fairy tales, and Paul and Amanda Mollenkopf are living proof. They join us to tell their story and showcase the world premiere of Paul's first book, ‘Once Upon a FI.' What started out as letters to his daughter grew into a delightful collection of short stories inspired by timeless classics and fables. The book is a refreshing approach to spreading the message of financial independence to even the youngest readers. The clever analogies using classic tales inspire valuable generational conversations around money and include: The Tortoise and the Hare: A Race to Financial Independence The Odd Duckling: Finding the Like-Minded Jack and the Beanstalk: Magic Cards that Sprout Growing Debt The Boy Who Cried Wealth: A Lesson in Stealth Wealth The Three Little Pigs: Getting a Straw, Sticks or Bricks Mortgage Chicken Little: The Market is Falling A Spending Carol: The Spirits of Spending Past, Present and Future Oh, The Places You'll Go: The Things that You'll Do, with FI Community standing by You  

Aussie paramedic-turned-life-coach Tasch Rogers joins us to unpack the head-on crash that shattered her body, her finances—and ultimately her limiting beliefs. After a 30-year career as a first responder, she had to leave it all behind and start over. She became intimately familiar with the effects of trauma and PTSD, having personally navigated through her own healing journey. Now as a life coach with expertise in holistic modalities and various other disciplines, she helps others using a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach.  ***Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of mental health issues such as PTSD and suicide. These topics may be difficult for some listeners. If you need support, please consider reaching out to a trusted friend, professional, or crisis resource. Take care of yourself and listen at your own pace.  

Bill hops onto Jesse Cramer's 'Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors' (formally The Best Interest) podcast to spread the message that it's never too late to start. In this episode he shares: The messy, shame-to-FI journey that inspired Catching Up to FI His three-step "Pause-Plan-Pivot" playbook His trademark mix of candor, nerdy humor, and high-five optimism  

George Kinder is the pioneering mind behind Life Planning and founder of the Kinder Institute. He joins us for the second half of our enlightening conversation about the essence of financial freedom from last week. George is best known as the Father of Life Planning and creator of The Three Kinder Questions that probe deeper into our hopes, dreams, and fears. This episode brings you: The real meaning behind the Kinder Questions A little live therapy session with Bill & Jackie as they share thier answers to the Kinder Questions The EVOKE life‑planning process (Exploration – Vision – Obstacles – Knowledge – Execution) The Three Domains of Freedom: the freedom of each moment, the freedom to live one's life purpose, and the freedom of civilization 'The Freedom Song' — written and performed by George Kinder & his daughter London Kinder  Be sure to go back and listen to last week's episode 140 to catch the first part of our conversation with George Kinder.  

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 in the present moment to achieve true freedom ✅ The power of envisioning meaningful goals and the practical steps to integrate them into your financial planning ✅ Tips to embark on your own hero's journey towards financial and personal fulfillment  

Today on the show we welcome Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women through values-aligned investing. She has a relentless drive to make a difference and poured it all into her book, 'Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World'. In this episode, you will learn: How Janine transitioned from a lucrative career in big tech to impact investing The importance of aligning financial goals with social values How to integrate ethical considerations into your investment portfolio Practical steps you can take to manage your finances ethically and effectively  

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

Amy Minkley is the founder of FI Freedom Retreats, a passion project that was born out of her love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and community. In this episode, she shares her journey to achieving financial independence (FI) while living in Bali, Indonesia. Amy gives us a glimpse into her lavish yet affordable lifestyle, spending only $30k a year. She details her frugal upbringing, early teaching career in Japan, and subsequent well-paid international teaching positions that allowed her to save aggressively. The episode also highlights Amy's contributions to the local Balinese community through the FI Freedom Retreats, aimed at educating and bringing together the FI community in Asia.  

We're excited to introduce you to our newest 'Catching Up to FI' team member, Patrick McDonnal. In this episode, you'll get to hear some of his money story and how he'll be helping with the show. Patrick discusses his career transition from engineering to financial planning and openly shares how the early financial education he got from his grandfather helped shape his journey. We're also celebrating with Patrick because he just sat for the very challenging, CFP Exam in March and got a preliminary 'Pass'. He is now well on his way to earning his Certified Financial Planner credential.  

Joining us on this episode is not just one, but TWO titans in the investing and financial literacy space, Rick Ferri and Paul Merriman. These two great minds go head-to-head on topics like asset allocation, and the risks/rewards of small cap value funds vs. total stock market funds. Through this high energy debate, they also provide expert insights into the various stages of your investing journey. Rick and Paul both share how they empower investors through their platforms and continue their relentless mission of spreading financial education.  

One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) using IRS rule 72(t) in 2024 and will share some details of her first-hand experience. If you've been fearful and confused about how 72(t)s work, fear no more! In this episode, we thoroughly break down everything you need to know in a way you've never heard before. We also discuss more than a dozen other ways the IRS allows you to legally avoid federal tax penalties for early withdrawals from your retirement accounts. To make sure we did this topic justice, we turned it into a 2-part series. This is part 2, so make sure you go back and listen to part 1 which was released on March 30th. Both episodes are packed with valuable insights and practical tips for anyone considering early retirement.  

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

One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) using IRS rule 72(t) in 2024 and will share some details of her first-hand experience. If you've been fearful and confused about how 72(t)s work, fear no more! In this episode, we thoroughly break down everything you need to know in a way you've never heard before. We also discuss more than a dozen other ways the IRS allows you to legally avoid federal tax penalties for early withdrawals from your retirement accounts. To make sure we did this topic justice, we turned it into a 2-part series. This is part 1, and part 2 will be released next week; both packed with valuable insights and practical tips for anyone considering early retirement.  

'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is the second part of a two-part episode. The first part was aired last Wednesday (episode 128) so be sure to check it out.   

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 independence album! The Donegans give us a behind the scenes look at the making the of the album and a backstage pass to some of the tracks, including:

'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is a two-parter and will be aired over the next two Wednesday episodes.    

Jackie is out this week, and her co-host seat is being filled by Mindy Jensen (the hostess with the mostest

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 decisions that didn't exactly follow the 'rules' of FI, and some are downright shocking… such as taking a 401(k) loan (don't judge too soon

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 book 'Bounce Back', offering practical and emotional guidance for those recovering from financial setbacks. She guides us on how to take on―and defeat―the most common and difficult challenges most of us face, like being downsized from a job, disasters, debt, divorce, discrimination, and more. Lynette also gets vulnerable with us, sharing her emotional stories about dealing with her own divorce and the death of her sister.  

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 of your labor after decades of saving. We explore diversified portfolios, the principles of risk parity, and introduce listeners to various investment approaches such as the 'Golden Butterfly' and 'Golden Ratio' portfolios. Frank also shares his thoughts on the shortcomings of traditional personal finance gurus, who often fail to provide viable strategies for retirement spending.  

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 'Unraveling Your Relationship with Money', a step-by-step guide to breaking free from money stress, shame, and self-doubt.  

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 will give you clarity and help you tackle your student loan challenges head-on. We explore smart repayment strategies, student loan forgiveness, the impact of current and future government policies and more.   

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 a topic that many people try to avoid. She also shares cautionary tales, current trends, and celebrity mishaps that she often talks about on her podcast, "Legal Tea". #DoYourEstatePlan  

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 Monica shares the challenges she faced as a divorced single mom, her parents' immigrant story, and the smart, scrappy moves she made to transform her financial life.  

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 corporate employee, or overloaded entrepreneur, this episode will give you actionable tips to help you regain balance and find fulfillment.   

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 some of them and asked the big question:  "What is your best tip for late starters?"

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 networks, the significance of diversity in relationships, and more. Today's show is packed with valuable advice and a must listen for anyone approaching or in retirement.   

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 psychological needs beyond mere financial savings. The Frugal Friends also share personal stories of overcoming debt, understanding the 'real' needs behind our purchases, and how frugality can be both sustainable and enjoyable.   

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 from medicine to financial independence, to discussing meaningful legacy and generational growth, Jordan offers valuable advice for late starters. Listen in to discover why Little 'p' Purpose might just be the key to a joyful and fulfilled life, and how you can start integrating it into your daily routine.  

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 FI. As someone who loves to travel, loves to plan travel, and loves spending time with the FI community, she thought why not combine those things? So, she launched a new venture called 'FI Friends Travel' which offers travel experiences that bring the FI Community together to see the world! Join us as Kristen takes us through how she made this unlikely transformation, even after getting a late start.

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 Larsgaard from 'How to Money' and Justin Brown-Woods from 'Price of Avocado Toast' to play!  The contestants will be choosing questions from 4 categories: Binge or Cringe - are you in or out on this personal finance topic History of Money - a tough money-related trivia question Frugal or Cheap - are you being a good steward of your money or just a cheapo Fill in the blank - complete this statement We weigh in on some serious topics like: Is Couponing Worth it, Using Your Old Student ID for Discounts, Weirdest Way You've Made Money, and more. You will chuckle and laugh throughout this whole conversation, but you'll also pick up tips and tricks along the way.   

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, misunderstanding how the 4% "rule" should be applied, and assuming health insurance coverage is expensive in early retirement. Cody is the founder of Measure Twice Money and Measure Twice Planners, and known for his unique advice-only planning approach.  Be sure to listen to the end as Cody plays a beautiful Holiday piano medley to get us all in this spirit of the season.  

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 years later. We talk about the evolution of Bengen's research, his thoughts on market timing vs. managing risk, and he gives us a preview of his upcoming book geared toward consumers.  

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 adjustments of the 4% rule. He also explains the 'retirement spending smile,' and retirement strategies for late starters.  

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' podcast to help other late starters. Jay is the author of the upcoming book 'The Childfree Guide to Life and Money' and the founder of Childfree Wealth, a financial planning firm that addresses the needs of childfree people in a way that traditional financial companies don't. Jay and Bill cover topics like investing, long-term care, and preparing for unexpected medical emergencies.  

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 few things you'll want to check off your financial to-do list before December 31st; some have a true deadline, and others are smart things you should review every year.   Eric also clues us in on a unique service the firm offers- 'travel hacking'. They love teaching skills such as budgeting for trips, finding cost-effective travel options, and maximizing travel rewards programs for their clients.   

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 yield savings accounts to the cool buckets that are perfect for allocating your sinking funds, they're our favorite. But what really blew us away in this interview was Jack's money story and how it led to her incredible work as the face of financial wellness at Ally.  Jack blends personal finance and psychology to help people achieve holistic financial well-being that helps shift their perspective on money. She shares more about Ally's newest community initiative, Money Roots, a free financial education program designed to help people uncover the 'why' behind their money behaviors. Jack also gets vulnerable with us as she shares her own resilient story of the loss of her mother as a young girl and winning her heroic battle against breast cancer. With her giving spirit, she proudly served as chair of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Detroit in 2023 and 2024. Special thanks to LLC Attorney for sponsoring the Podcast booth at FinCon 2024.  

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 valuations for retirees and the 'one more year' syndrome often discussed in the Financial Independence community. Karsten also shares his personal journey from a modest upbringing in Germany to early retirement in the U.S.  

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 planning firm. Now, he uses those valuable engineering skills to simplify the most complex financial topics into fun explanations for his clients and his audience.   

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 discusses the differences between frugal and cheap, the gender wage gap, and strategies to manage income disparities in relationships.  *Trigger warning: There are brief mentions of suicide in this episode.  

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' life with his family. Andy also shares how he is creating a meaningful legacy of giving and generosity with his kids.  

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 Afford to Make'. Danielle breaks through the confusion and explains Medicare's history, enrollment rules, Parts A, B, C, and D, and the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. Discover the importance of early planning, common pitfalls to avoid, and critical decisions about Medicare coverage.  

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 internationally. This conversation provides a comprehensive guide for those considering a similar path to financial independence. Get inspired by her creative approach to generating income and the community she finds along her adventurous journey.  

Subscribe and Watch on YouTube Join hosts 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 basics with a step-by-step guide for late starters on the path to financial independence. Our guest for this special episode is original Catching Up to FI co-host, Becky Heptig! She joins Bill and Jackie as they share insights and guide you through how to get on track with your finances. They not only share what to do but in what order. It's hard starting late and feeling like you've done everything wrong. The good news is, there is time to catch up and this is the place to start.