
You're listening to Two Sides of FI, a conversation between two lifelong friends about financial independence - what it takes to get there and what comes after. One of us reached FI in 2020, the other in 2024. We started this show to document our different paths, and now that we're both post-FI, we're still figuring out how to use the freedom we spent years working toward. I'm Eric and I'm joined by my friend Jason, and this is our story.
Episodes

Jul 12, 2021
Jul 12, 2021
30 min
Choosing a new area to call home once you've reached financial independence can be an overwhelming task given just how large the problem space is. In part two of this series, Eric and Jason continue their conversation about how to narrow the options of where to live post-FIRE. There's a lot to consider beyond the finances, and the "Where to Live" process they used is again highlighted as a useful tool to support that. Irrespective of your own retirement path, this approach can help you make decisions about relocating to a new area.
Check out the show notes and get a FREE copy of the "Where to Live" planning tool at https://twosidesoffi.com/where-to-live/

Jun 28, 2021
Jun 28, 2021
34 min
As Eric nears his Financial Independence number he asks Jason for help and advice on how to narrow the range of options of where to live. Choosing a place to call home once you've reached financial independence can be an overwhelming task, given just how large the problem space is. Jason shares how he and Lorri approached where to live in "retirement" before taking the plunge to move their family. Irrespective of your own retirement path, the process they used will apply universally to making decisions about relocating to a new area.
Check out the show notes and get a FREE copy of the "Where to Live" planning tool at https://twosidesoffi.com/where-to-live/

Jun 13, 2021
Jun 13, 2021
24 min
Diversifying your sources of income is an important step on the path to financial independence. On average, millionaires have seven streams of income. In part 2 of our series on passive income, Eric shares the lessons learned and mistakes made as he created passive income streams for his architecture practice. In 2020, 90% of his small business revenues came from passive sources, bringing him closer to reaching financial independence. Join us as we explore these topics and more in this second episode in our series about passive income.
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/

May 30, 2021
May 30, 2021
25 min
Earning money while you sleep is the dream of passive income that few realize. In part, that's because it requires a significant upfront investment of active work and time to build the assets necessary. For those seeking financial independence, passive income can be both an accelerator and a plentiful source of cash once you reach FI, and leave your primary career. In this show, we discuss Eric's experience gained over the past eight years intentionally creating a diverse array of passive income streams. Today, 90% of his small business revenues come from passive sources, bringing him closer to reaching FI each day. Join us as we explore these topics and more in this first episode in a series about passive income.
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/

May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
30 min
We all make mistakes on the path to financial independence. Learn from ours as we chronicle the poor choices, bad habits, and missteps we’ve made on the road to FI. In this episode we talk about big ticket items like cars, student loans, and mortgages. Mistakes made in these areas can certainly have a large impact on your FI journey! Join us as we explore these topics and more in this second episode in a series documenting our financial mistakes and missteps on the path to FIRE.
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/

May 6, 2021
May 6, 2021
38 min
We all make mistakes on the path to financial independence. Learn from ours as we chronicle the poor choices, bad habits and missteps we’ve made on the road to FI. In this episode, we share our own experiences from our teens through our 30s, reflecting on what we've learned in hopes of helping our children avoid repeating them. Join us as we explore these topics and more in this first episode in a series documenting our financial mistakes and missteps on the path to FIRE.
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/

Apr 15, 2021
Apr 15, 2021
34 min
Things have changed: attitudes, spending habits, withdrawal rates, what we’ve chosen to reveal to family and friends. In this episode, we discuss how our early FI goals and calculations underestimated today’s needs and move beyond the math of financial independence to discuss the psychological aspects, including important conversations with family and friends. These discussions can be challenging and touch on deep-seated ideas about money, entitlement, and often guilt. It's common to overlook the importance of these conversations and this side of FIRE when you're focused on the financial side. Join us as we explore these areas and more in this second episode focused on the math of financial independence.
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/

Apr 8, 2021
Apr 8, 2021
32 min
How much do you really need to achieve financial independence? We decode the math used to calculate our FI numbers, talk about the different flavors of FIRE and you'll learn where our FI numbers fall on the FIRE spectrum. All finance is personal but it's difficult not to compare your financial situation to those around you. The pragmatics of calculating your FI number are easier to comprehend and address than the psychological ones and this episode touches on those too. And, the closer you get to financial independence the more these conversations impact your day-to-day life. Be sure to check out our website for key resources mentioned in the episode to help you establish and chart your own FIRE path: https://twosidesoffi.com/

Mar 29, 2021
Mar 29, 2021
33 min
You’ve reached financial independence, but are you really ready to retire? Join us as we discuss what FIRE means to us, why traditional retirement isn't very interesting, and the challenges of speaking to friends and family about it. Whether you're already on the FIRE path or simply interested in learning more about it, Eric and Jason bring perspectives from the two sides of financial independence.
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/

Mar 16, 2021
Mar 16, 2021
31 min
Our path through life is heavily influenced by the career choices we make early in adulthood. Learn how we leveraged our chosen professions in science and architecture to chart our respective paths to achieving financial independence. One of us employed a job "leveling up" strategy to accumulate wealth, while the other started their own business and became a successful content creator. There's a lot to learn from our journeys and we walk you through how we did it!
For show notes and resources please check out our website: https://twosidesoffi.com/
