Two lifelong friends document and share their personal journey as they seek to become financially independent and retire early (FIRE). One achieves his FIRE goal in 2020 during a global pandemic, inspiring the other to play catch-up. Whether you are new to the FIRE movement, already on your FIRE journey, or have retired early, there’s something here for you. Go beyond the numbers and get the personal stories as experienced by Eric and Jason.
Episodes
Sunday Aug 18, 2024
He Earned a Million Dollars Trading This Option Strategy
Sunday Aug 18, 2024
Sunday Aug 18, 2024
How would you like to earn $80,000 a year trading options against your existing portfolio? That's exactly what our guest, Karsten "Big ERN" Jeske, has achieved. In today's episode, Jason talks with Karsten about his simple SPX options trading strategy. Be sure to see the show notes linked below for definitions, associated blog posts, and more.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/options
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
Our 80/20 Rules for Early Retirement: How We Did It
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
If you are not aggressive, you are not going to make money, and if you are not defensive, you are not going to keep money (Ray Dalio). In this episode, Eric and Jason talk about their personal "80/20 Rules" for retiring early. That is, the decisions they made along the journey that served as key pivot points towards ensuring their achievement of financial independence.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/roads
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Checking In: Year One of Early Retirement
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
A year later, Jason and Eric check in with their friend Erik, who retired early at 49 while his wife continues to work. In this follow-up episode, we find out how things are going and what important lessons he learned during his first year of early retirement.
Show notes and our earlier chat with Erik - https://twosidesoffi.com/erik
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
Four Years Later: What I Wish I Knew Before Retiring Early
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
Four years after retiring early at 47, Jason reflects on the key lessons he wishes he knew beforehand. He discusses his portfolio, spending habits, healthcare, mental health, relationships, and more.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/fouryears
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Retired Early? Here’s How to Pay Yourself
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Wednesday May 22, 2024
How do you plan to set up your retirement paycheck to avoid running out of money? In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about how he uses a free online tool to manage his finances in early retirement. Topics covered include his variable withdrawal strategy, managing cash, portfolio rebalancing, and much more.
FREE SWR tool and show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/toolbox
Sunday May 05, 2024
When is Enough, Enough? Working After Financial Independence
Sunday May 05, 2024
Sunday May 05, 2024
Why would anyone continue to work for money once they've achieved financial independence? In this episode, Eric and Jason discuss this common practice, including why Jason and Lorri currently have part-time jobs post-FI. Topics covered include de-risking retirement, charitable giving, skill-building, and more.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/enough
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Unexpected Reactions to My Early Retirement
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Contempt, concern, surprise, envy, admiration, and support; just a few of the reactions Laura received when she announced she was retiring early, closing her biomedical research laboratory, and beginning a new phase of life beyond work. Some reactions were expected and some surprised her. In this episode, Eric and Laura unpack these interactions and chart their next steps as they prepare to leave work and step into early retirement.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/unexpected
Sunday Apr 14, 2024
Retiring Early Made This Possible
Sunday Apr 14, 2024
Sunday Apr 14, 2024
What essential lessons did Jason learn from the most impactful travel he's done to date? In this episode, Eric and Jason catch up on a number of recent changes in their lives. Topics discussed include Eric and Laura's recent big announcement, Jason's Camino experience, the benefits and challenges of pre- and post-FI travel, and much more.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/catchingup
Sunday Mar 17, 2024
One Step Closer to FI/RE - Preparing to Give Notice
Sunday Mar 17, 2024
Sunday Mar 17, 2024
Eric and Laura discuss their preparations as they near their FI number and Laura prepares to notify her employer that she's leaving. Recorded in the fall of 2023, this behind-the-scenes discussion was prepared for release on the week that Laura submits her resignation letter (which she did on Thursday!) They discuss their hesitations, changes of heart, and ready themselves for what's ahead.
Show notes + resources: https://twosidesoffi.com/one-step-closer-to-fi
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Retired Early to USVIs, Florida, and Spain: How They Did It
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Have you considered living a life outside of your home country in retirement? Jeff went from broke at 38 to financially independent at 45 with six rental properties supporting them. He and his wife relocated to St Thomas, USVI for a few years, bought a rental property in Puerto Rico and now they’re preparing to relocate to Spain. So, if you’ve considered what a life outside the mainland US might look like, I think you’ll find his story interesting.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/retirementality