Coast FI promises that if you save enough early, your retirement money can coast the rest of the way. Don and Tom run the numbers and find the missing passengers: inflation, Social Security, uncertain returns, and the messy surprises of real life.
They like aggressive early saving, but not treating a projection as a guarantee—or abandoning a valuable saving habit and employer match. The listener questions cover Treasury bills versus CDs in high-tax states, California municipal bonds, and how to simplify scattered retirement accounts.
They also explain why an S&P 500 fund can leave nearly 40% of a portfolio riding on one sector. A globally diversified one-fund solution is less exciting, easier to maintain, and far less dependent on yesterday’s winners.
00:36 What Coast FI promises
04:36 Inflation breaks the easy math
06:43 Life does not follow a spreadsheet
09:25 Save early—but keep saving
15:20 T-bills, CDs, and state taxes
20:05 Simplifying four old 401(k)s
25:13 The hidden tech bet in the S&P 500
30:03 The Line Uncrossed audiobook
