Shows
BiggerPockets Money PodcastThe Mad Fientist’s New Rule To Retire Early Even SoonerIf you want to retire early, the Mad Fientist is your guide. For over a decade, Brandon, more commonly known as the “Mad Fientist,” has been running simulations, experiments, and exercises to discover which road to early retirement is the fastest. Now, in his forties, Brandon has time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and his regrets on the sprint to early retirement and financial freedom. And he’s also got a new update that’ll make your early retirement journey smoother.After tinkering with the beloved and rarely challenged 4% rule, Brandon decided it was time to sit down a...2024-12-241h 06
Mile High FI PodcastMad Fientist: Life, Money, & Pursuit Of Happiness (Mindy on Money) | MHFI 214Mindy and Carl catch up with long-time friend Brandon, the Mad Fientist, to discuss the balance between spending, saving, and maintaining happiness. Brandon details his journey from extreme frugality to spending experiments to purposeful spending/spending for happiness. He also discusses the indispensable role of personal development, the importance of experiences over possessions, and the influence of parenthood and life events in reshaping priorities.
Note: This is a rebroadcast of episode 22 of the “Mindy on Money” podcast.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Interested in you...2024-05-071h 13
Mile High FI PodcastMad Fientist: Life, Money, & Pursuit Of Happiness (Mindy on Money) | MHFI 214Mindy and Carl catch up with long-time friend Brandon, the Mad Fientist, to discuss the balance between spending, saving, and maintaining happiness. Brandon details his journey from extreme frugality to spending experiments to purposeful spending/spending for happiness. He also discusses the indispensable role of personal development, the importance of experiences over possessions, and the influence of parenthood and life events in reshaping priorities.
Note: This is a rebroadcast of episode 22 of the “Mindy on Money” podcast.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Interested in you...2024-05-071h 13Mile High FI PodcastMad Fientist: Life, Money, & Pursuit Of Happiness (Mindy on Money) | MHFI 214Mindy and Carl catch up with long-time friend Brandon, the Mad Fientist, to discuss the balance between spending, saving, and maintaining happiness. Brandon details his journey from extreme frugality to spending experiments to purposeful spending/spending for happiness. He also discusses the indispensable role of personal development, the importance of experiences over possessions, and the influence of parenthood and life events in reshaping priorities.
Note: This is a rebroadcast of episode 22 of the “Mindy on Money” podcast.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Interested in you...2024-05-071h 13
Financial Independence PodcastThe Best Advice from JL CollinsTo celebrate the release of JL Collins' new book, Pathfinders, I collected all the best advice from his Financial Independence Podcast interviews! Jim has been on the show three times: First, back in 2012 (he was my second guest ever!) Second, when his hit book, The Simple Path to Wealth, was released Third, during the depths of the Coronavirus crash That last interview may be my proudest moment as the Mad Fientist (I explain why during the show). Hope you enjoy this jam-packed episode! Highlights The power of FU Money and why it may be less money than you thin...2023-12-0539 minMile High FI PodcastMad Fientist on Evolution of FIRE: A Founder's Reflections | MHFI 176Brandon, the Mad Fientist, has changed his view on FIRE and spending over the years. This is a rebroadcast of the interview from early 2022, and there is a new introduction in the first few minutes. Bradon has been on a bunch of podcasts in the last few months, and he's embracing spending.
So you might have heard Brandon on Choose FI, Bigger Pockets Money, or his own podcast talking to Ramit Sethi about spending more and trying to be less frugal. So it's cool to hear how he has changed his views over time.
- Carl and Brandon reminisce about...2023-08-151h 11Mile High FI PodcastMad Fientist on Evolution of FIRE: A Founder’s Reflections | MHFI 176Brandon, the Mad Fientist, has changed his view on FIRE and spending over the years. This is a rebroadcast of the interview from early 2022, and there is a new introduction in the first few minutes. Bradon has been on a bunch of podcasts in the last few months, and he’s embracing spending.
So you might have heard Brandon on Choose FI, Bigger Pockets Money, or his own podcast talking to Ramit Sethi about spending more and trying to be less frugal. So it’s cool to hear how he has changed his views over time.
–...2023-08-151h 11Mile High FI PodcastMad Fientist on Evolution of FIRE: A Founder’s Reflections | MHFI 176Brandon, the Mad Fientist, has changed his view on FIRE and spending over the years. This is a rebroadcast of the interview from early 2022, and there is a new introduction in the first few minutes. Bradon has been on a bunch of podcasts in the last few months, and he’s embracing spending.
So you might have heard Brandon on Choose FI, Bigger Pockets Money, or his own podcast talking to Ramit Sethi about spending more and trying to be less frugal. So it’s cool to hear how he has changed his views over time.
–...2023-08-151h 11
BiggerPockets Money PodcastThe Mad Fientist on Early Retirement in Your 40s and 4% Rule UpdatesIf you want to retire early, the Mad Fientist is your guide. For over a decade, Brandon, more commonly known as the “Mad Fientist,” has been running simulations, experiments, and exercises to discover which road to early retirement is the fastest. Now, in his forties, Brandon has time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and his regrets on the sprint to early retirement and financial freedom. And he’s also got a new update that’ll make your early retirement journey smoother.After tinkering with the beloved and rarely challenged 4% rule, Brandon decided it was time to sit down a...2023-07-101h 07
The Financial Independence ShowEntrepreneur vs. Employee Path to FI (Mad Fientist Replay)We (Cody and Justin) have both achieved financial independence through drastically different paths.
This episode was a takeover episode for The Mad Fientist's podcast where we break down the similarities and differences between an employee's path (Justin) and an entrepreneur's path (Cody) to FI!
Highlights:
Live-in flip vs. house hacking
The sweet spot for buying used cars
Why focusing on fixed expenses is important
How to 5x your corporate income
The unlimited upside of entrepreneurship
How to get started investing if you're scared/nervous
Nest-egging vs. cash-flowing your way to financial independence
The benefits of a Solo-401(k) for entrepreneurs
...2023-05-3141 min
Financial Independence PodcastRamit Sethi – How to Spend (and Actually Enjoy It)On today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I welcome back Ramit Sethi from I Will Teach You to Be Rich! I needed someone to come on the show to provide some tough love and Ramit was the only person for the job. As Ramit mentioned during our last interview, FIRE people are great at knowing what NOT to spend on but we’re not good at knowing what to spend on. Spending is going to be a big focus on the Mad Fientist this year and I can’t think of a bett...2023-02-1751 min
Aussie Firebug78. The Mad Fientist - Life After Financial IndependenceMy guest today is Brandon Ganch who is better known in the FIRE community as the Mad Fientist. Brandon is an ex-computer programmer turned blogger and podcaster who reached financial independence at the ripe old age of 34 with his wife Jill. It’s always a pleasure to speak with Brandon as one of my financial/investing heroes and someone who’s been on the scene since the early days when I first discovered the concept of FIRE.Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:The life changing event of becoming a parent and ho...2023-01-261h 19
Financial Independence PodcastMy Family - Raising Money-Smart KidsOver the last few years, I interviewed members of my family to find out two things: How I became the Mad Fientist (i.e. where did I get my extreme ideas about money) What advice they'd give to parents hoping to raise money-smart children This is a short but sweet holiday episode to end the year and I hope you enjoy it!2022-12-1418 min
Financial Independence PodcastPodcast Takeover: The FI Show - Employee vs. EntrepreneurCody Berman and Justin Taylor, hosts of the FI Show, have both achieved financial independence but they've taken drastically different paths to get there. Listen to this Podcast Takeover episode to hear the similarities and differences between an employee's path to FI (Justin's) and an entrepreneur's journey to FIRE (Cody's)! Highlights Live-in flip vs. house hacking Sweet spot for buying used cars Why focusing on fixed expenses is important How to 5x your corporate income The unlimited upside of entrepreneurship How to get started investing if you're scared/nervous Nest-egging vs. cash-flowing your way...2022-10-0137 min
Financial Independence PodcastMad Fientist Jr. - Why I’m Appreciating FI More Than Ever NowLife has completely changed. And because of this major change, I'm even more grateful for the freedom, flexibility, and time that financial independence and early retirement provide. In this short episode, I fill you in on what's been happening and I discuss the reasons for my newfound appreciation of FI.2022-09-0211 min
Financial Independence PodcastPodcast Takeover: Mile High FI - Early Retirement Failures & SuccessesI'm excited to share with you the first Podcast Takeover episode of the Financial Independence Podcast! Carl and Doug from the Mile High FI podcast take over the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about their early retirement successes and failures. Enjoy! Highlights Test drive early retirement by going part-time or taking a sabbatical Why finding a community is even more important for early retirees How to give yourself permission to slow down and be inefficient/unoptimized Why you can (and should!) reinvent yourself after you leave your job How to stop worrying...2022-03-2838 minMile High FI PodcastPost FI Life with the Mad Fientist | MHFI 048Doug and Carl talk to the famous Brandon aka The Mad Fientist! Here are a few highlights of our discussion:
Carl and Brandon reminisce about their first meeting almost 10 years ago!
Discovering JD Roth and FIRE
Mad Fientist: new features coming soon to the FI Laboratory
How to spend money or not (The Switzerland Incident)
Michelin 3 star restaurants versus Taco Bell
Where is the FIRE movement going?
Why the Mad Fientist loves routines
For the love of coding
____
Links
Mad Fientist – Financial Independence and Early Retirement
Mad Fientist’s Music
Travel Credit Cards
Get Rich...2022-02-081h 01Mile High FI PodcastPost FI Life with the Mad Fientist | MHFI 048Doug and Carl talk to the famous Brandon aka The Mad Fientist! Here are a few highlights of our discussion:
Carl and Brandon reminisce about their first meeting almost 10 years ago!
Discovering JD Roth and FIRE
Mad Fientist: new features coming soon to the FI Laboratory
How to spend money or not (The Switzerland Incident)
Michelin 3 star restaurants versus Taco Bell
Where is the FIRE movement going?
Why the Mad Fientist loves routines
For the love of coding
____
Links
Mad Fientist – Financial Independence and Early Retirement
Mad Fientist’s Music
Travel Credit Cards
Get Rich...2022-02-081h 01Mile High FI PodcastPost FI Life with the Mad Fientist | MHFI 048Doug and Carl talk to the famous Brandon aka The Mad Fientist! Here are a few highlights of our discussion:
Carl and Brandon reminisce about their first meeting almost 10 years ago!
Discovering JD Roth and FIRE
Mad Fientist: new features coming soon to the FI Laboratory
How to spend money or not (The Switzerland Incident)
Michelin 3 star restaurants versus Taco Bell
Where is the FIRE movement going?
Why the Mad Fientist loves routines
For the love of coding
____
Links
Mad Fientist – Financial Independence and Early Retirement
Mad Fientist’s Music
Travel Credit Cards
Get Rich...2022-02-081h 01
Financial Independence PodcastEarly Retirement Extreme - A Systems Approach to Lifestyle DesignOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I finally got to interview the person who introduced me to the concept of financial independence and early retirement in the first place… Jacob Lund Fisker from Early Retirement Extreme! To my mind, Jacob is the founder of the modern-day “FIRE movement” so hope you enjoy the interview! Highlights What Jacob has been up to since stepping away from ERE His experience being a financial quant and how it impacted his personal investing The problem with set-it-and-forget-it index investing The importance of staying flexible...2021-01-1953 min
ChooseFIMad Fientist Should you rush to reach FI? Or use it as a map in a lifelong pursuit to master your relationship with time, money, and happiness? Brandon, from the Mad Fientist, wishes he would have found more free time to work on other goals while on his journey to FI. When Brandon was first on the show four years ago, he had just reached FI and discussed the psychological hurdles he had to overcome. What's changed for him since then, and with the benefit of hindsight, what would he do differently? Brandon's dream as a child was to write music and...2021-01-181h 07
Real Estate Investing with Coach Carson#148: The Mad Fientist on Pursuing Your Dreams After FIEpisode #148 - Brandon Ganch (aka the Mad Fientist) saved his money and left a career as a computer programmer in his early 30s to pursue a life of early retirement. In this interview with Coach, he shares some of the highs and lows of his journey (including disillusionment & depression). He also shares some tips on how he would have done things differently and how to build a life around learning and skill development, which currently means pursuing his dream of becoming a musician (he's even releasing an album! see link below). Links from the Mad...2021-01-111h 08
BiggerPockets Money PodcastBackdoor Roths, Mega Backdoor Roths, and Roth Conversion Ladders with The Mad Fientist
He’s back! Today we’re joined by a friend of the BiggerPockets podcast network, Brandon “The Mad Fientist”. Brandon walks us through advanced retirement account strategies you may have heard of, such as the Backdoor Roth, Roth Conversion Ladder, and the coveted Mega Backdoor Roth. While these strategies may sound intense at first, they’re quite simple in practice, as Brandon shows us!Many FI (financial independence) followers constantly ask the question “What’s the best retirement account to contribute to that will help me optimize my early retirement?”. While this can be answered a handful of ways, it ofte...2021-01-111h 33
Earn & InvestWhy Haven't You Started a Business Already (Rewind) w/ Mad FIentist, Jim Wang, and Waffles on WednesdayThis rewind episode is a discussion on whether you should start a small business on your path to financial freedom. The answer might surprise you! Featuring Brandon from The Mad Fientist, Jim Wang from WalletHacks, and Mr. and Mrs. WoW from Waffles on Wednesday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2020-10-051h 02
Financial Independence Podcast8 Key Lessons from the Ultralearning ExperimentLast year, I conducted an experiment in Ultralearning that I hoped would help me achieve a lifelong dream of mine of writing and releasing an album. I’m happy to say it was far more successful than I ever imagined it would be! As I mentioned in the initial Ultralearning podcast episode, the hope for the 3-month experiment was that it would accelerate my progress towards my goal and make the process more enjoyable. Well, it did all that and more… I ended up finishing a song during that 3-month experiment and...2020-10-0239 min
Financial Independence PodcastMorgan Housel - The Psychology of MoneyOne of my favorite financial writers, Morgan Housel, is on the Financial Independence Podcast today! I’m not the one conducting the interview this time though (all is explained in the episode). Morgan’s insight into how to handle uncertainty, market crashes, and this weird stock boom that we now find ourselves in is invaluable so hope you enjoy it! Big thanks to Gouri, Morgan, and the Bogleheads for making this happen!2020-09-1048 min
Financial Independence PodcastValuable Lessons from My Fourth Year of FreedomIt’s been four years since I left my full-time job and what a crazy year it’s been! To celebrate this anniversary and to recap the things I’ve learned during this last year of post-FI life (and the COVID market crash), I recorded a short podcast episode.2020-08-0717 min
Financial Independence PodcastCoronavirus Market Crash - Is This Time Different?Bear markets are a normal part of investing but is this time different? As the coronavirus COVID-19 spreads around the world, governments are struggling to limit the economic impact of the disease. In today’s unplanned episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, JL Collins (author of The Simple Path to Wealth) joins me to talk about this stock-market crash, how it differs from previous crashes, and what you should do about it. Note: Apologies for the audio quality of this episode. Since this wasn’t planned in advance, I didn’t have my normal...2020-03-1629 min
Financial Independence PodcastScott Young - UltralearningOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I’m excited to introduce Scott Young! I first heard about Scott when he decided to complete MIT's entire computer science curriculum in a year. Scott has taken on a lot of these types of impressive learning projects and he just wrote a great book about it – Ultralearning. As you know, I’m attempting to tackle a very intimidating project myself so what better way to kick off that effort than with my own 3-month ultralearning project! In today’s interview, we dive into t...2019-10-161h 01
Financial Independence PodcastThird Year of FreedomI can’t believe it but it’s already been three years since I left my full-time job! To commemorate this special anniversary and to recap the things I’ve learned during this last year of post-FI life (which happened to be the best one yet), I recorded a short podcast episode.2019-08-0120 min
Financial Independence PodcastRamit Sethi - I Will Teach You to be RichPersonal-finance icon Ramit Sethi from I Will Teach You to be Rich joins me for an episode of the Financial Independence Podcast! Ramit first published his New York Times best-selling book, I Will Teach You to be Rich, back in 2009 during the depths of the financial crisis. He just released the second version today so we discuss what’s changed in the last decade and also talk about FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) – a concept that’s taken the financial world by storm in recent years. This is the first time Ramit has talked...2019-05-1454 min
Financial Independence PodcastCal Newport – Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and the Key to a Happy RetirementOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I’m very excited to introduce author Cal Newport! I’ve been a huge fan of Cal’s writing for many years so it was a treat to get to talk to him. We explore many important issues related to early retirement that aren’t often talked about so if you’re thinking about retiring early (or if you already have and are struggling to build the life that you envisioned before leaving work), today’s episode is a must-listen! Highlights: Why pursuing your passion i...2019-03-0549 min
Financial Independence PodcastMillennial Money - From Broke to Millionaire in 5 YearsOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, my buddy Grant from Millennial Money joins me to talk about how he went from having $2.26 in the bank to $1.25 million in just 5 years, 3 months, and 6 days! We dive into the strategies and tactics he used but we also go deeper and discuss some of the unexpected challenges of FIRE. We also explore Grant’s new book, Financial Freedom, which is out today and features parts of my own story! Highlights: Why you don’t need to hit FI or save a million dollars...2019-02-0657 min
Financial Independence PodcastTony - Going Back to Work After Early RetirementIt’s easy to think that early retirement will be the answer to all your problems. After all, how could you not be happy when you don’t have to work anymore? I’ve written about why early retirement is not a magic bullet but what if it actually makes your life worse? On today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I interview a reader named Tony who found this to be the case. He’s since decided to go back to the same career he retired from and is enjoying w...2019-01-2345 min
Financial Independence PodcastMonumental Strength – How to Get Fit (and Actually Enjoy It)I made two big mistakes when I was pursuing financial independence… The first was I put off happiness until I hit FI. The second was I also put off my health. In today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I chat to my personal trainer, Doug from Monumental Strength. Doug has spent the past two years taking me from a puny computer programmer to a strong, healthy weightlifter! It’s been a fantastic journey, with numerous unexpected benefits, so don’t wait until FI like I did. Start focusing...2018-12-1847 min
Financial Independence PodcastJames Clear - Atomic Habits and Building a New Identity After RetirementA challenging aspect of early retirement is the loss of identity you may experience when leaving a career you’ve spent a big chunk of your life building. However, one of the most exciting parts of early retirement is that you have the time, money, and freedom to create a completely new identity! How do you do it though? Today, I had the privilege to speak to the writer who has been most helpful to me as I’ve started building my own new identity – James Clear. In this episode, we discus...2018-10-1650 min
Financial Independence PodcastTravis Shakespeare - Playing with FIREIf you’ve been reading about financial independence for a while, you’ve likely seen that the topic is getting more popular lately. Although FIRE (Financial Independence / Retire Early) is far bigger than it was when I created this site in 2012, it’s still nowhere near mainstream. That may change though… A full-length documentary called Playing with FIRE is currently in the works and the film has the potential to reach millions of people that blogs or podcasts never would. This is a huge deal. I was asked to take part...2018-10-021h 00
Financial Independence PodcastChad Carson - Retire Early with Real EstateChad Carson from CoachCarson.com joins me again on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about the various strategies you can use to retire early with real estate! Highlights: The best real-estate strategies to use to reach financial independence and retire early How real estate can be a good investment while also enhancing your lifestyle What is the Mad Fientist’s Peak Arbitrage™ strategy and is it a good idea Why you should buy utility but rent luxury Thoughts on internet-based real estate investing companies (e.g. PeerStreet, RealityShares, etc.) What you should look for when buyin...2018-08-311h 07
Financial Independence PodcastSecond Year of FreedomI can't believe it... It's already been two years since I left my full-time job! To celebrate this special anniversary, I decided to release a podcast episode containing my thoughts on my second year of freedom. Find out what a day in my life is like now, hear all the ways early retirement is different than I expected, and discover the most valuable lessons I've learned since leaving my job!2018-08-0118 min
Financial Independence PodcastFirst Year of FreedomOn August 1st, 2018, it will be exactly two years since I left my full-time job as a software developer. To celebrate, I've decided to release two podcast episodes that contain all the valuable lessons I learned during my first two years of freedom. Today's episode contains everything I learned during my first year and on Wednesday (August 1st), I will release everything I learned during my second year of freedom. It's been a wild ride so hope you enjoy the first of these two episodes!2018-07-3026 min
Financial Independence PodcastScott Trench - Set for LifeOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I’m joined by the president of biggerpockets.com and cohost of the BiggerPockets Money Show, Scott Trench! Scott breaks down the journey to financial independence into three stages and explains what you need to focus on at each step (and why)! Highlights: The three stages of wealth creation on the path to financial freedom Why it doesn’t make sense to worry about investing right away How to create a “financial runway” and use it to your advantage Why you should try to find a “scalable...2018-06-2040 min
Financial Independence PodcastMarla Taner – Striving for Happiness After Early RetirementMy good friend Marla Taner joined me on the Financial Independence Podcast to go deep into some early-retirement topics that aren’t often discussed. Marla and I met in 2014 at Camp Mustache and we’ve had a lot of fun (and sometimes heavy) conversations over the years so I thought it’d be great to record one for the podcast! Highlights: How to deal with a sudden early retirement Rethinking travel after leaving work Finding happiness from within Dealing with losing career identity and external validation How to care less about “success” The effort of happines...2018-05-0938 min
Financial Independence PodcastMoney Talks – Live from the UK Chautauqua with Vicki RobinLast August, I was down in England with Vicki Robin (author of Your Money or Your Life) for the FI Chautauqua. We were chatting about the new version of the book she was working on (which is out now!) and she mentioned that she created a game called “Money Talks” to go along with the new edition. The card game consists of 52 different cards, each containing a different money question or topic. The idea is, you can use the cards to initiate conversations about money with family, friends, etc. (as you are probably aware, money doesn...2018-03-2850 min
Financial Independence PodcastElizabeth Willard Thames – Meet the FrugalwoodsToday on the Financial Independence Podcast, I welcome back Liz Thames (a.k.a. Mrs. Frugalwoods)! Liz was last on the show over two years ago and a lot has changed. Since then, she’s made her dream of retiring to a homestead in Vermont a reality, she’s had two babies, and she’s just published a book! It was great to catch up with her to hear about everything that’s happened over the last couple of years and to find out whether her early retirement dream is actually as good as she ho...2018-03-051h 16
Optimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 2 - Episodes 301-600 ONLYHappiness Through Subtraction by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist shares how you can find happiness through subtraction. Episode 525: Happiness Through Subtraction by The Mad Fientist (Minimalist Finances & Financial Freedom). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance methods specifically for people wanting to break away from full-time em...2018-03-0209 min
Financial Independence PodcastMy Brother – Using the Power of Money to Pursue Your PassionOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I interview my little brother while drinking wine next to a canal in Venice! Brian, who is three years younger than me, isn’t actively pursuing financial independence but he’s done some really impressive things with his money and has used the power that money provides to fully pursue his passions. In fact, he’s currently in the middle of a ~6-month mini-retirement and is using the time off to travel and hopefully take his music career to the next level. We dive into a l...2018-02-0841 minOptimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 2 - Episodes 301-600 ONLYHierarchy of Financial Needs (and the Meaning of Life) - Part 2 by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist shares what he calls the hierarchy of financial needs. This is Part 2 of 2. Episode 502: Hierarchy of Financial Needs (and the Meaning of Life) - Part 2 by The Mad Fientist (Like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing ad...2018-01-3009 minOptimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 2 - Episodes 301-600 ONLYHierarchy of Financial Needs (and the Meaning of Life) - Part 1 by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist shares what he calls the hierarchy of financial needs. This is Part 1 of 2. Episode 501: Hierarchy of Financial Needs (and the Meaning of Life) - Part 1 by The Mad Fientist (Save Thousands & FIRE). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and in...2018-01-2909 min
Financial Independence PodcastChris Hutchins – Why You Should “Retire” Before You Hit Your NumberOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I interview a serial entrepreneur who has achieved financial independence three different ways! You’d think that selling a company to Google or buying San Francisco real estate before prices went crazy would be the best way to reach financial independence but that’s not been the case for today’s guest, Chris Hutchins from Grove. Although he’s done all of those things, Chris shares how consistent saving actually impacted his net worth more than anything else. This episode is packed full of useful inf...2017-12-191h 02
Financial Independence PodcastPhysician on FIRE – Geographic Arbitrage, Sunk Costs, and Gangsta RapIt’s been a while since I posted a new Financial Independence Podcast episode but I’m excited to share one with you today! Mr. and Mrs. 1500 from 1500Days.com joined me live at FinCon in Dallas to interview the Physician on FIRE! We sadly only had 25 minutes to record so it’s a short interview but it’s a fun one. If you ever wanted to hear Mrs. 1500 rap, this episode is definitely for you :) And if you ever wanted to hear what a podcast sounds like when two out of the thr...2017-11-1419 minOptimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 2 - Episodes 301-600 ONLYUnder the Microscope: The Mad Fientist - Part 2 by The Mad Fientist of The Financial Independence PodcastThe Mad Fientist goes under the microscope with his own finances. This is Part 2 of 2. Episode 447: Under the Microscope: The Mad Fientist - Part 2 by The Mad Fientist of The Financial Independence Podcast (Case Study). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and in...2017-11-1409 minOptimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 2 - Episodes 301-600 ONLYUnder the Microscope: The Mad Fientist - Part 1 by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist goes under the microscope with his own finances. This is Part 1 of 2. Episode 446: Under the Microscope: The Mad Fientist - Part 1 by The Mad Fientist (Reach Financial Independence & Early Retirement). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance me...2017-11-1308 min
Afford AnythingLife After Financial Freedom, with Brandon - the Mad FIentist#100: Over a year-and-a-half and two million plus downloads later, the Afford Anything podcast has hit another awesome milestone: the 100th episode! To celebrate, I recorded this one live from Ecuador with my good friend Brandon, otherwise known as the Mad FIentist. If you've been a listener since the early days, you may remember Brandon from episode #7. He was the first guest to appear on the podcast, and I'm thrilled to have him back on for round two! In this episode, we focus on life after financial freedom: What projects has Brandon been w...2017-10-2354 min
Financial Independence PodcastMichael Kitces – The 4% Rule and Financial Planning for Early RetirementOne of the internet’s most-respected retirement researchers and financial planners, Michael Kitces, joins me for an episode of the Financial Independence Podcast! You may remember that my Safe Withdrawal Rate post drew heavily from the incredible research Kitces has done on the topic so it was great to talk to him directly to dive even deeper into important topics related to early retirement. During the interview, we discuss… Safe Withdrawal Rates and whether the 4% rule is still safe in the current market environment The unique challenges early retirees face that normal retirees don’t (and...2017-08-311h 07
Financial Independence PodcastThe Happy Philosopher - Semiretirement and Finding HappinessOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, Jeff from The Happy Philosopher joins me to discuss the unique challenges that doctors and other professionals face on the journey to early retirement. When you invest so much time, money, and energy into your career, it’s no wonder that walking away from your job is much more difficult. We discuss alternatives to early retirement, which provide a lot of the same benefits but limit the downsides, and we also dive into ways you can increase your happiness during your journey to FI! High...2017-07-1736 min
Financial Independence PodcastMr. Money Mustache – Early Retirement Made Easy (Rebroadcast)To celebrate the 5-year anniversary of launching the Financial Independence Podcast, I've republished the very first interview I recorded back in 2012 with Mr. Money Mustache. In addition to the original interview, this episode also contains an updated introduction that tells the story behind the interview! Highlights: How Mr. Money Mustache and his wife retired in their early 30s Why he decided to start writing about financial independence The benefits of raising children after you’ve already retired What MMM likes most about early retirement Why you need to ride a bike 2017-06-1233 min
Financial Independence PodcastThink Save Retire - Selling Everything and Retiring to an RVOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve from ThinkSaveRetire.com! Steve initially planned to retire at the age of 40 but after making some drastic lifestyle changes, he ended up walking away from his job at 35. One of the biggest factors that reduced his time to FI was his and his wife’s decision to sell nearly everything they owned and move into an Airstream. If you have dreams of spending your early retirement traveling around North America in an RV, this episode is for y...2017-05-1636 min
Financial Independence PodcastYour Money or Your Life – An Interview with Author Vicki RobinI can’t believe it… One of the founders of the financial independence movement, Vicki Robin, joined me for an episode of the Financial Independence Podcast! Vicki and her partner Joe Dominguez wrote the book, Your Money or Your Life – a New York Times Best Seller that many people consider to be the bible of financial independence (the FI-ble?). Your Money or Your Life is actually what inspired me to create the FI Laboratory many years ago. Vicki has been a driving force in the FI community since the 1960s and has a wealth...2017-04-051h 06
ChooseFI017 | Mad Fientist an Origin Story017 | In Today’s Podcast we cover: Today’s guest: Brandon from MadFientist.com and the origin story of the Mad Fientist How did the Mad Fientist website come about? He first stumbled on the Early Retirement Extreme website He thought there’d be investing strategies to get him to financial independence more quickly, but he realized index funds were the best way to go about it Then he stumbled upon tax optimization and tax avoidance strategies Finding Get Rich Slowly and other personal finance blogs got him interested, but he looked at it through the eyes of an early retire...2017-04-031h 14Optimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 1 - Episodes 1-300 ONLYThe Power of Quitting by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist shares how the power of quitting can affect your finances. Episode 271: The Power of Quitting by The Mad Fientist (Personal Finance Advice). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance methods specifically for people wanting to break away fr...2017-03-1300 min
Financial Independence PodcastOur Next Life - Retiring to a Life in the MountainsLater this year, at the ages of 38 and 41, the couple behind OurNextLife.com will be quitting the stressful, time-consuming jobs that they’ve held for most of their adult lives and will be retiring to a life in the mountains. This is particularly interesting to me because one of my dreams is to live on the side of the mountain and get a part-time ski patrol job. Because really, what could be better than waking up early after a big snowfall, grabbing a cup of coffee with your buddies, then strapping on your skis and heading up the...2017-02-2741 minOptimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 1 - Episodes 1-300 ONLYCognitive Bias by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist shares how cognitive bias affects personal finance. Episode 247: Cognitive Bias by The Mad Fientist (Money Management). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance methods specifically for people wanting to break away from full-time employment very early in li...2017-02-0700 min
Financial Independence PodcastCoach Carson - The Simple Way to Retire Early with Real EstateAfter delivering an epic guest post on the tax advantages of investing in real estate, I asked Chad Carson from CoachCarson.com to join me on the podcast to hear more about his own experiences with real estate investing. Chad started with only $1,000 in the bank and was able to build up a real estate empire that now consists of over 90 units! It’s an incredible story of hard work, intelligent money management, and perseverance so listen to find out how he did it. And if you’ve ever wanted to know what it felt like t...2017-01-201h 01Optimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 1 - Episodes 1-300 ONLYTriple Value of Income by The Mad FientistThe Mad Fientist shares a simple way to triple the value of your income. Episode 235: Triple Value of Income by The Mad Fientist (Real Estate Investing & Financial Independence). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance methods specifically for people wanting to...2017-01-2000 minOptimal Finance Daily - ARCHIVE 1 - Episodes 1-300 ONLYEmotions of Financial Independence by The Mad Fientist of the Financial Independence PodcastThe Mad Fientist questions what it means to retire early. Episode 222: Emotions of Financial Independence by The Mad Fientist of the Financial Independence Podcast (Early Retirement Lifestyle). The Mad Fientist analyzes the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence to develop strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier. Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those of us pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist is focused on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance methods specifically for people wanting to br...2017-01-0300 min
Financial Independence PodcastFiery Millennials and Millennial Boss – A Millennial’s Guide to FIOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, Gwen from Fiery Millennials and Julie from Millennial Boss join me to talk about millennial finances and what young people should do to reach financial independence as quickly as possible! Highlights: Thoughts on Chautauqua and Camp Mustache (including the awful financial advice Julie received in Ecuador) How Gwen landed her dream job and how Julie increased her income by 600% in 5 years The benefits of starting your own blog Why Gwen is the real-life Guinea Pig How to get a college degree for free (or as cheaply as possib...2016-12-3045 min
Financial Independence PodcastSane Fientist - My Wife's Thoughts on Financial IndependenceOn today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I interview my wife, Jill! It took a lot of persuading to get her on the show but I’m glad she agreed because her perspective is very different from mine so it was interesting to hear her thoughts on financial independence, early retirement, and this unconventional life we lead! Highlights: When my wife found out I was a weirdo with money My lowest point as a cheapskate Why Jill and I kept our finances separate The importance of figuring out your perfect life How to g...2016-12-2234 min
Financial Independence PodcastMillennial Revolution – Denouncing the Cult of HomeownershipJoining me on today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast are FIRECracker (Kristy) and Wanderer (Bryce) from Millennial Revolution! Kristy and Bryce exploded onto the scene after a video clip of them attacking the religion of homeownership went viral (it is now the most-viewed and most-shared video on CBC.ca, Canada’s largest news website). During our interview, we dive into the viral video, explore why they believe buying a home is usually a terrible idea, and find out what they’ve been up to after retiring in their early 30s! Highlights: Buying...2016-12-0144 min
Financial Independence PodcastPopUp Business School - The Right Way to Start a BusinessI just returned from a fantastic week at the annual Chautauqua event in Ecuador. This was my second Chautauqua and just like last year, it exceeded all expectations. It’s amazing what can happen when you put a bunch of interesting, intelligent people in a gorgeous 17th century hacienda (located at the foot of an extinct volcano) for a week. At this year's event, an attendee named Alan gave an impromptu presentation about why and how you should start a business and since it fit perfectly with the week's other discussions about financial independence and happ...2016-11-2252 minFinancial Independence PodcastAdventuring Along – From $0 to Retired in 5 YearsWant to know how two teachers were able to go from $0 net worth to retired in just 5 years? On today’s episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, Ali and Joe (a.k.a. Arebelspy) from Adventuring Along join me to talk about how investing in real estate supercharged their progress to early retirement. We not only dive into how they achieved financial independence in spectacular fashion but we also explore their equally impressive retirement so far. In the past year alone they have hiked the entire El Camino de Santiago, had a baby in Istanbul, Turk...2016-11-0157 minFinancial Independence PodcastMad Fientist – 1500 Days Podcast TakeoverMy podcast was hijacked! During this year’s financial blogger conference (a.k.a. FinCon) in San Diego, Mr. and Mrs. 1500 from 1500days.com took control of the Financial Independence Podcast and put me on the hot seat (a very hot seat, indeed)! You’ll remember that last year at this same conference, I recorded an in-person interview with the 1500s. Well, this year Mr. 1500 figured it’d be fun to turn the tables on me so he and Mrs. 1500 interviewed me for my own show. Sadly we only had 30 minutes to record, and the pe...2016-10-1225 minFinancial Independence PodcastThe Military Guide – Angel Investing, Market Crashes, & 14 Years of Early RetirementToday on the Financial Independence Podcast, Doug Nordman (a.k.a. Nords) from The Military Guide joins me to talk about how he achieved financial independence at the age of 41 by serving in the military! Doug retired way back in 2002 so we dive into how he dealt with the market crashes that occurred at various stages on his path to financial independence, what 14 years of retirement has been like, and how he’s found meaning outside of work. I know many of you enjoyed Doug’s wisdom and insights on the previous episode so check out today’...2016-09-3058 minFinancial Independence PodcastCamp Mustache – Q&A with Mr. Money Mustache, Afford Anything, & The Military GuideToday on the Financial Independence Podcast, I’m excited to share a live Q&A session with Mr. Money Mustache, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and Doug Nordman from The Military Guide! This panel discussion took place back in May at Camp Mustache — an annual retreat in the Pacific Northwest organized by Mr. Money Mustache readers. In this episode, you’ll not only hear about… Mr. Money Mustache’s biggest splurges The investing mistakes I still can’t seem to avoid Paula’s favorite thing about financial independence Doug’s suggestion for discovering the meaning of life …...2016-09-121h 06Financial Independence PodcastBiggerPockets – Real Estate, Entrepreneurship, and How to Build an Online EmpireJoshua Dorkin, founder and CEO of BiggerPockets.com, joins me on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk real estate and entrepreneurship! Highlights: The story of how BiggerPockets got started The advantages of “scratching your own itch” Why you should study other verticals and other successful businesses The incredible power of “fake it ’til you make it” The right way to build an online empire How long it actually takes to become successful Achieving financial independence through real-estate investing To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/bigger-pockets-interview/2016-09-0538 min
So Money with Farnoosh Torabi - Stories of Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship, Financial Success, and Money Strategy460: Mad FIentist, Early Retiree Financial BloggerSo many of you have written in suggesting today's guest for the show. Excited to say the Mad FIentist aka Brandon is here. He's a personal finance blogger writing about everything from tax avoidance to investing and on all topics related to achieving financial independence and early retirement. Over at his blog, madfientist.com, he shares tactics for how to become financially independent early on in life so readers can "break away" from full time jobs. He's even got his own podcast, the Financial Independence Podcast, so go check it out after this episode. But first, take a listen... For...2016-08-2434 minFinancial Independence PodcastRoot of Good – A Million Dollars in 10 YearsJustin from RootofGood.com joins me on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about how he and his wife saved over a million dollars in under a decade! Highlights: The tax benefits and true costs of children How to have a positive net worth after graduating from college What is interest rate arbitrage How to amass a million dollars in ten years without six-figure salaries Why you should quit your job before you’re actually ready to retire How to easily get $4,500 in free travel To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/roo...2016-08-0147 minFinancial Independence PodcastJL Collins – The Simple Path to WealthJL Collins joins me on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about stocks, bonds, real estate, and his brand new book - The Simple Path to Wealth! Highlights: Origin of The Simple Path to Wealth What’s changed about his investment philosophy over the last four years Three simple steps to financial independence Difference between good debt and bad debt Why buying a house is an indulgence The only two funds you need and why you don’t need to invest in an international fund When should you invest in bonds and why the decision has noth...2016-06-2146 minFinancial Independence PodcastMike and Lauren – Medical Tourism, RVs, and Why You Should Question EverythingMike and Lauren join me on the Financial Independence Podcast to discuss medical tourism, full-time RV living, and the importance of questioning everything! Highlights: The ins and outs of medical tourism Reasons to give birth in another country Benefits of having multiple passports How to obtain dual citizenship Total cost of having a child in Costa Rica The actual income numbers of their popular YouTube channel How to prepare for living permanently in an RV To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/mike-and-lauren-interview/2016-05-1845 minFinancial Independence PodcastSide Hustle Nation – Invest in YourselfNick Loper from Side Hustle Nation discusses the importance of side hustles and how they can make your path to FI shorter and more enjoyable! Highlights: Why you need to diversify your income How Nick got his start selling shoes online The importance of investing in yourself and your business Why a low barrier to entry means you should just give it a shot Focus on the three Cs – Creation, Connection, and Contribution Why fientists can take more risks and be more speculative How to start a side hustle Why you should tap into existing marketplaces 2016-04-0434 min
Aussie FirebugEpisode 2. Mad FientistSummaryI have been following today's guest for a few years now. He is one of my favourite FI bloggers and has recently hit financial independence in his mid thirties.The Mad Fientist analyses the tax code and looks at personal finance through the lens of early financial independence, he develops strategies and tactics to help you retire even earlier.Most personal finance advice is geared towards people retiring in their 60s or later and doesn’t apply to those pursuing early financial independence. The Mad Fientist focuses on providing advice and innovative tax-avoidance methods specifically for people wanting to break away...2016-03-301h 06Financial Independence PodcastTravel Miles 101 – Travel Hacking and Financial IndependenceThe guys from Travel Miles 101 stop by the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about investing, early retirement, and the benefits of travel hacking! Highlights: Using FI savings to become an entrepreneur Dealing with extreme lifestyle inflation Why P2P lending is like investing in extra-junky junk bonds How travel hacking increases your options and decreases the stress of travel Why travel hacking is the perfect hobby for fientists To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/travel-miles-101-interview/2016-03-091h 02Financial Independence PodcastBudgets are Sexy – Challenge EverythingJ. Money from Budgets are Sexy joins me on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about the benefits of challenging everything in your life! Highlights: The importance of tracking your net worth How not to buy a house The importance of side hustles Why J. Money is the Miley Cyrus of personal finance How to live like Benjamin Franklin and why you should try it The ways personal finance has changed over the years Why you should challenge everything in your life To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/budgets-are-sexy-interview/2016-02-0459 minFinancial Independence PodcastFrugalwoods – Making Frugality FunThe Frugalwoods joined me to talk about how frugality can help you reach your financial goals sooner and also increase your happiness in the process! Highlights: How to maintain a high savings rate while living in an expensive city Tips for avoiding frugality-induced isolation The importance of large goals Keys to making frugality fun When to give up a good thing How to get a free graduate degree The multiple fringe benefits of frugality How to have children without delaying your early retirement To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/frugalwoods-interview/2015-12-1147 minFinancial Independence PodcastFinancial Mentor – Hedge Funds, Happiness, & Over 15 Years of Early RetirementTodd Tresidder joined me on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about active investing and lessons learned during 15+ years of early retirement! Highlights: Building wealth with paper assets, real estate, and entrepreneurship Protecting your money during turbulent times Pursuing good goals vs. bad goals Finding happiness both before and after achieving financial independence To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/financial-mentor-interview/2015-11-2449 minFinancial Independence Podcast1500 Days – Pulling the Early Retirement TriggerThe 1500s from 1500days.com joined me for my first in-person podcast interview to talk about real estate, the economy, and entering early retirement! Highlights: Most tax-efficient strategy for building wealth with real estate Pay off mortgage early or invest? What is a 1031 exchange? Transition to early retirement with part-time work Alternatives to early retirement Will the economic future be as rosy as the past? Is the 4% rule safe? How to prepare your portfolio for less economic growth To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/1500-days-interview/2015-09-2951 minFinancial Independence PodcastMillionaire Educator – Financial Independence on Teachers’ SalariesHear how two teachers used tax-avoidance and geographical-arbitrage strategies to save nearly a million dollars in only 16 years! Highlights: Using international and domestic geographic arbitrage to increase income How to save $250,000 in 3 years on teachers’ salaries Setting up SEPP 72(t) distributions to access retirement account funds before standard retirement age Going from $0 net worth to nearly $1 million in just 16 years Living off 457(b) funds while fully funding other tax-deductible accounts To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/millionaire-educator-interview/2015-06-1756 minFinancial Independence PodcastEmpire Flippers – Buying and Selling WebsitesJustin Cooke from EmpireFlippers.com joined me for an episode of the Financial Independence Podcast to discuss website investing! Highlights: Hear how Justin went from building an outsourcing company in the Philippines to building, buying, and selling niche websites The difference between online and offline businesses and investments Six different buyer profiles When to sell your website The future of online business investing Justin’s recommendation for someone just starting out Longterm prospects of website investing Why better looking doesn’t always mean better To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/empire-flippers-interview/2014-10-2241 min
Listen Money Matters - Free your inner financial badass. All the stuff you should know about personal finance.Advanced IRA Strategies with the Mad FientistOur guest, the Mad Fientist delves deep into advanced IRA strategies. Find out why you should have one and which one will best fit your needs.
Brandon shares the same goal as many of us, to retire at a young age and avoid paying as much tax as is legal! How you handle your IRA’s can be a big part of achieving both goals.
Traditional IRA
A Traditional IRA is not taxed upfront but at the point of withdrawal. The money grows tax-deferred. Upon withdrawal after age 59 1/2, the money is taxed as income. For 2016, you can contribute up to $5,500, $6,500 if...2014-07-2257 min
Listen Money Matters - Free your inner financial badass. All the stuff you should know about personal finance.Advanced IRA Strategies with the Mad FientistOur guest, the Mad Fientist delves deep into advanced IRA strategies. Find out why you should have one and which one will best fit your needs.Brandon shares the same goal as many of us, to retire at a young age and avoid paying as much tax as is legal! How you handle your IRA’s can be a big part of achieving both goals.Traditional IRAA Traditional IRA is not taxed upfront but at the point of withdrawal. The money grows tax-deferred. Upon withdrawal after age 59 1/2, the money is taxed as inc...2014-07-2257 minFinancial Independence PodcastJD Roth – Get Rich SlowlyJ.D. Roth, creator of GetRichSlowly.org, joined me for the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about finding personal and financial freedom! In less than ten years, J.D. went from having $35,000 of consumer debt to becoming a self-made millionaire. Since selling his incredibly popular blog, getrichslowly.org, he now spends most of his time writing about life and money at his personal site, jdroth.com. On today’s show, J.D. shares what he’s learned over the past decade of writing about money and personal finance and describes how you too can fi...2014-04-2246 minFinancial Independence PodcastForever Jobless – Internet Business InvestingBilly Murphy from ForeverJobless.com joined me for an episode of the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about investing in online businesses! What if I told you you could create $2,000 of monthly recurring income from a single $25,000 investment? Thanks to the low multiples some online companies are selling for, you could potentially fund your early retirement with a very small initial investment. Billy takes us through how he went from being a professional poker player to creating a very successful poker training site. He then describes how he started buying e-commerce stores (his first investment...2014-04-0740 minFinancial Independence PodcastGo Curry Cracker – Ten Years and a DayJeremy and Winnie retired a few years ago, in their thirties, and have been traveling around Central America ever since. They were kind enough to join me from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to talk about their journey to financial independence and early retirement. Discover how they were able to achieve financial independence and hear why moving to a cheaper locale can be a great way to smooth the transition into early retirement! To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/go-curry-cracker-interview/2013-11-2134 minFinancial Independence PodcastRadical Personal Finance – Part TwoIn part two of the podcast, the Mad Fientist explores some very powerful tax-avoidance strategies for early retirees. It’s possible to achieve financial independence earlier in life, without having to decrease your spending, increase your income, or assume any additional risk, simply by using tax-advantaged retirement accounts in an intelligent way. Today’s episode explores the various retirement accounts available and explains the most optimal uses of those accounts for people on the path to financial independence and early retirement. To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/radical-personal-finance-part-two/2013-10-1044 minFinancial Independence PodcastRadical Personal Finance – Part OneListen to part one of my Radical Personal Finance podcast interview where I discuss frugality, travel hacking, and financial independence! A couple of months ago, a guy named Joshua emailed me to ask if I’d be a guest on his new show – the Radical Personal Finance podcast. I agreed and we ended up having a very interesting two-hour conversation. Since then, however, Joshua has been forced to take down his podcast (for undisclosed reasons) and since he’s not sure when he’ll be able to put it back up again, he has agreed to let m...2013-10-0841 minFinancial Independence PodcastRetire Early Lifestyle – Perpetual TravelBilly and Akaisha Kaderli from RetireEarlyLifestyle.com joined me to talk about 20+ years of travel and early retirement! In 1991, Billy and Akaisha quit their jobs, moved to an island in the Caribbean, and have been traveling the world ever since. Their initial retirement savings of $500,000 has survived the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis, and over two decades of early retirement. Discover how they did it, find out their recommendations for the best places in the world to retire, and hear what it’s like to be perpetual travelers! To read the fu...2013-07-2941 minFinancial Independence PodcastLacking Ambition – Three Months After Financial IndependenceMike from LackingAmbition.com joined me for an episode of the Financial Independence Podcast to discuss how he achieved FI in just over 3 years! After working for just over three years, Mike was able to amass enough savings to purchase (with cash) three single-family houses. By living in one of the houses and renting out the other two, he now has enough rental income to completely cover his living expenses. During the interview, Mike discusses how he was able to buy three properties, each for under $25,000, in a region that is typically considered to be...2013-06-0342 minFinancial Independence PodcastAfford Anything – Dive Into Real Estate InvestingPaula from AffordAnything.com joined me to discuss how she’s using real estate investing to achieve early financial independence! Highlights: Frugality vs. wealth building Mental energy is limited so use it wisely Think like a creator, not like a consumer Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset How to start investing in real estate Real estate niches and strategies Becoming a real estate agent To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/afford-anything-interview/2013-04-0838 minFinancial Independence PodcastStreet Smart Finance – The Real American DreamShilpan from Street Smart Finance describes how he was able to build a million dollar real estate portfolio after coming to America with only $20! Highlights: The Value of Hard Work Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate Tax Benefits of Real Estate Stock Losses vs. Real Estate Losses LLC vs. S Corp To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/street-smart-finance-interview/2012-12-2141 minFinancial Independence PodcastJLCollinsNH – The Importance of F-You MoneyIn this episode of the Financial Independence Podcast, I interview Jim Collins from JLCollinsNH.com to discuss the importance of F-You Money! Highlights: The Importance of F-You Money Surviving Black Monday Don’t "Swing for the Fences" Active vs. Passive Investing Why Vanguard? Three Simple Steps to Financial Independence To read the full article, visit http://www.madfientist.com/jlcollinsnh-interview/2012-10-0141 minFinancial Independence PodcastMr. Money Mustache – Early Retirement Made EasyMr. Money Mustache shares his early retirement secrets in an interview for the new Financial Independence Podcast! Mr. Money Mustache retired in his early thirties and has recently emerged as one of the most inspiring personal finance authors in cyberspace. His entertaining and informative articles, which can be found at mrmoneymustache.com, give you the “punch in the face” you need to get you on the right track to financial independence. It was great having him in the Mad Fientist lab to talk about his path to financial independence so I hope you enjoy the discu...2012-06-0129 min