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
Sunday Nov 20, 2022
Sunday Nov 20, 2022
Answering your financial independence, retire early (FIRE) questions, including the one we're asked most often. This special Ask Us Anything format commemorates the 50th episode of Two Sides of FI. THANK YOU to all who submitted questions and for your continued support of the show!
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/ep50
Sunday Nov 06, 2022
Sunday Nov 06, 2022
The bear market has forced many to revise their FI goals and retirement plans. In this episode, Eric talks with Jason about pushing back his FI date, options he's considering, whether BaristaFIRE could be the answer, the possibility of redefining work, and advice for others in a similar position. See the link below for the show notes.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/delayed
Sunday Oct 23, 2022
Sunday Oct 23, 2022
Are you worried about holding cash in this high inflation environment? In a recent video, we talked about the role of cash pre- and post-retirement. In this episode, Eric + Jason review and react to YOUR ideas that you shared with us. Topics covered include bond ladders, high yield savings, real estate, gold and other cash alternatives, and emergency funds. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/cash
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Chasing short term market conditions adds a lot of risk to reaching your long term investing goals. An investment policy statement (IPS) can help ensure you stick to your strategy, and avoid market timing and other investing pitfalls. In this episode, Eric talks with Jason about his IPS, and why he finds it such a useful tool. Topics covered include defining portfolio makeup + objectives, the mechanics of cash generation + rebalancing, and why you might consider implementing an IPS yourself. See the link below for the show notes, where we link to Jason's IPS and other content we referenced in the episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/ips
Sunday Sep 25, 2022
Sunday Sep 25, 2022
What can conversations with the dying teach us about the secret to financial independence? In this episode, Eric + Jason are joined by Jordan "Doc G" Grumet, a hospice doctor, podcaster, blogger, and author. Topics discussed include the mirage of wealth, living meaningfully, and Jordan's experiences eight years post-FI. Irrespective of your own retirement journey, you won't want to miss our conversation. See below for links to Doc G's book as well as the show notes.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/DocG
Doc G's book: "Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life": https://amzn.to/3xKvukv
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
How much cash in your portfolio is enough - or too much? In this episode, Eric + Jason discuss the idea of holding cash allocations pre- and post-retirement. Topics covered include emergency funds, the temptation to invest in a down market, bonds, and building cash reserves. Join us as we discuss this essential retirement topic. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/cash
Sunday Aug 28, 2022
Sunday Aug 28, 2022
With all of the volatility in the market, should you delay retirement by a year? A viewer asked Jason if he would feel more secure had he worked another year or two before retiring early. In today's episode, Eric + Jason discuss that question and the merits of considering "one more year". Join us as we discuss this idea and the reasons you might consider that option, what Jason would have missed out on if he had worked longer, and the value he found in retiring when he did. Check out the link below for the show notes, including all the content referenced in this episode.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/onemoreyear
Submit a question: https://twosidesoffi.com/speakpipe
Sunday Aug 14, 2022
Sunday Aug 14, 2022
Can you retire early without a high-paying tech industry salary? In this episode, we talk with Stephen about how he plans to do just that. At 30 years old, he's earning $50k as a higher education administrator, yet he plans to retire with at least a million dollars by his early 50s. How will he do that? Join us as we discuss his plans, the role of financial discipline, why he doesn't feel he's overly frugal, and the challenges of his FIRE path.
**Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/50k
Sunday Jul 31, 2022
Sunday Jul 31, 2022
We're making changes. Here's what we learned and how our FIRE strategies are changing after talking to "Big ERN" Karsten Jeske, an economist, CFA, and safe withdrawal rate expert. In this episode, we review our take-homes from that conversation, and react to comments and feedback we received about the episode. If you missed the original episode, be sure to listen to Episode 40 first.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/swr
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Calculating the cost of health insurance is a complicated and stressful exercise when you're retiring early. Hear Jason's experience with his first full year using the California ACA Exchange and learn how Eric arrived at his budget of $350K, his worst case scenario. We discuss how to choose a plan, ACA subsidies, differences by state, and other alternative options. If you missed our earlier healthcare episode, be sure to see the link below.
Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/aca