Catching Up to FI

Latest Episodes:

The Father of Financial Life Planning (Part 1) | George Kinder | 140 May 04, 2025

Show notes

In part one of this enlightening two-part series, we are joined by George Kinder, founder of the Kinder Institute. He's best known as the Father of Life Planning and creator of The Three Kinder Questions that probe deeper into our hopes, dreams, and fears. In this episode we discuss:

The essence of financial maturity
The profound practice of living in the present moment to achieve true freedom
The power of envisioning meaningful goals and the practical steps to integrate them into your financial planning
Tips to embark on your own hero's journey towards financial and personal fulfillment

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RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

🌐George Kinder website

Kinder Institute of Life Planning Youtube

The Three Questions presented by George Kinder

Freedom Song || London and George Kinder

Fiduciary In All Things (FIAT)

A Golden Civilization

Find a Life Planner

Do your own life plan

NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)

📗 The Three Domains of Freedom

📕 A Golden Civilization and The Map of Mindfulness

📚 The Seven Stages of Money Maturity

📗 Life Planning for You: How to Design & Deliver the Life of Your Dreams

📕Lighting the Torch

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!

⚠️Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

Vote Your Money: Values Aligned Investing | Janine Firpo | 139 Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

Today on the show we welcome Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women through values-aligned investing. She has a relentless drive to make a difference and poured it all into her book, 'Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World'. In this episode, you will learn:

How Janine transitioned from a lucrative career in big tech to impact investing
The importance of aligning financial goals with social values
How to integrate ethical considerations into your investment portfolio
Practical steps you can take to manage your finances ethically and effectively

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===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS===

For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

🌐Invest For Better

Free membership in Invest for Better

Circle experience for Black women

📗Book: Activate Your Money

Activate Your Money

Janine's Talk at EconoMe 2025

As Your Sow | Invest your values

BetterInvesting.org | Educating individual investors and investment clubs

Mighty Deposits | Find banking that matches your values

Circle experience for Black women

📗Book: Your Money or Your Life

📗Book: The Beardstown Ladies' Common-Sense Investment Guide

Lynn Frair EconoMe Talk

⏰ 'Catching Up to FI' Episodes

Doña Quixote, Life Energy, and The Coming of Aging | Vicki Robin | 94

Enoughness: Your Life or Your Money | Vicki Robin | 95

Money for the Rest of Us | David Stein | 041

The pURPOSE Code | Jordan Grumet | 115

Purpose, Identity, & Connection | Jordan Grumet | 022

Catching Up to FI in Uncertain Times | Bill & Jackie | 138 Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Bill & Jackie joined Doc G (Jordan Grumet) on the 'Earn & Invest Podcast' to talk about what it feels like to be a late starter in these uncertain times. Questions about a recession are looming and it's scary, especially for those just waking up and trying to catch up. They discuss the ups and downs and how late starters can still stay on track.

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Personal Finance Club: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any course or PFC investing course only

Nectarine: Advice-Only and Flat-Fee Hourly Fiduciary Financial Advisors (Catching Up to FI will be compensated by Nectarine if you use our affiliate link, which creates an incentive and conflict of interest. We are not current clients or employees of Nectarine.)

For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

The Earn & Invest Podcast

Scott Trench- Bigger Pockets

Book- F.I.R.E. For Dummies

FI Freedom Retreats

⏰ 'Catching Up to FI' Episodes

Bonus Episode: The Market is Crashing, Now What? | Bill & Jackie | 135

International Educator, Bali FIRE | Amy Minkley | 137

The pURPOSE Code | Jordan Grumet | 115

Purpose, Identity, & Connection | Jordan Grumet | 022

"The Risk Parity Paradox" an Exercise in Simple Complexity? | Frank Vasquez | 124

SpongeBob and Drawdown Strategies | Frank Vasquez | 044

International Educator, Bali FIRE | Amy Minkley | 137 Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

Amy Minkley is the founder of FI Freedom Retreats, a passion project that was born out of her love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and community. In this episode, she shares her journey to achieving financial independence (FI) while living in Bali, Indonesia. Amy gives us a glimpse into her lavish yet affordable lifestyle, spending only $30k a year. She details her frugal upbringing, early teaching career in Japan, and subsequent well-paid international teaching positions that allowed her to save aggressively. The episode also highlights Amy's contributions to the local Balinese community through the FI Freedom Retreats, aimed at educating and bringing together the FI community in Asia.

🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website

🔗Connect with us

☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"

🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question

===DEALS AND DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS===

Personal Finance Club: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any course or PFC investing course only

For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

🌐Website- FI Freedom Retreats

Facebook

Instagram

Amy's CampFI Talk

Charity: PKP Women's Centre

EconoMe Conference

FI Friends Travel

CampFI

📗Book: Your Money or Your Life (Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez)

IRS Foreign Tax Credit

⏰ 'Catching Up to FI' Episodes

Doña Quixote, Life Energy, and The Coming of Aging | Vicki Robin | 94

Enoughness: Your Life or Your Money | Vicki Robin | 95

Mr 4% is now Mr 5% | Bill Bengen | 111

Stories, Hacks, & Tribes | Brad Barrett | 021

Leaning Out: Cracking the Burnout Code | Dawn Baker | 119

Weathering Financial Storms | Kristen Knapp | 114

Twin Wins with the Baughier Brothers: CampFI, EAGLE Cohousing, and Fiology | David & Stephen Baughier | 089

Our Team is Growing: Welcome Patrick! | Patrick McDonnal | 136 Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

We're excited to introduce you to our newest 'Catching Up to FI' team member, Patrick McDonnal. In this episode, you'll get to hear some of his money story and how he'll be helping with the show. Patrick discusses his career transition from engineering to financial planning and openly shares how the early financial education he got from his grandfather helped shape his journey. We're also celebrating with Patrick because he just sat for the very challenging, CFP Exam in March and got a preliminary 'Pass'. He is now well on his way to earning his Certified Financial Planner credential.

🔗Connect with us

☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"

🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question

=== DEALS AND DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS===

Personal Finance Club: Use code CUTOFI to get $30 OFF any course or PFC investing course only

For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

FPA NexGen Leadership

CASHFLOW Game

George Kinder / Life Planning

ChooseFI

📗 Choose FI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence

Chris Mamula

EconoMe Conference

Personal Finance Club

⏰ 'Catching Up to FI' Episodes

George Kinder (coming in May)

The Powers of Starting Late, Retirement Calculators, and More | Chris Mamula | 086

Simplicity, Empathy, Leadership, Robots, Oh My! | Jeremy Schneider | 056

Stories, Hacks, & Tribes | Brad Barrett | 021

Find Your Camino | Diania Merriam | 029

How to Bake a Cake: An Asset Allocation Mashup | Rick Ferri & Paul Merriman | 134 Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

Joining us on this episode is not just one, but TWO titans in the investing and financial literacy space, Rick Ferri and Paul Merriman. These two great minds go head-to-head on topics like asset allocation, and the risks/rewards of small cap value funds vs. total stock market funds. Through this high energy debate, they also provide expert insights into the various stages of your investing journey. Rick and Paul both share how they empower investors through their platforms and continue their relentless mission of spreading financial education.

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☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"

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=== DEALS AND DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS===

🎓 Student Loan Planner

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📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement)

Retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. 👉🏼 Be sure to use this link to get started: Go.boldin.com/catchingup

For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

🌐RickFerri.com

Bogleheads on Investing Podcast

The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy

List of Vanguard Funds and ETFs

Bogleheads Investment Policy Statement

🌐PaulMerriman.com

Merriman Financial Education Foundation

Merriman Financial Literacy Program at Western Washington University

Paul Merriman Quilt Charts (1928-2024) - 2024 Returns

Paul Merriman Sound Investing Portfolios Performance (50-50) - 2024 Returns

📗What Works on Wall Street, Fourth Edition

'Catching Up to FI' Episodes:

Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions | Paul Merriman | 132

We're Talking Millions! Part 1 | Paul Merriman | 008

We're Talking Millions! Part 2 | Paul Merriman | 009

Bonus Episode: The Market is Crashing, Now What? | Bill & Jackie | 135 Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

📈 Between April 3rd and 4th, the stock market dropped 10% and the S&P 500 is down nearly 15% so far this year. That's huge in such a short period of time and downright frightening! So, what do you do? Start by listening to this episode where Bill and Jackie take a deep breath, and discuss the impact of these recent market declines. There is a natural human reaction of fear, but they share tips on tempering those emotions and remaining levelheaded during volatile times. They also talk through the importance of understanding stock market history and cover practical strategies like rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting. They highlight personal experiences from past market drops like the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 market scare, stressing the significance of maintaining a long-term perspective.

Tell us how you're feeling about this market drop and any tips you have for other late starters:🎙️ Record a Voice Message here

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=== DEALS AND DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS===

🎓 Student Loan Planner

📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement)

For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

A Guided Meditation for When the Stock Market is Dropping (JL Collins)

Bogleheads Investment Policy Statement

Rob Berger: Trump, Tariffs and Turmoil | Live Q&A (recording)

Morningstar Article: What We've Learned From 150 Years of Stock Market Crashes: Though they varied in length and severity, the market always recovered and went on to new highs.

AP News Article: A 10% drop for stocks is scary, but isn't that rare

Forbes Article: How Long Do Recessions Last?

Tax Loss Harvesting (Jesse Cramer)

How to Tax-Loss Harvest – Step-by-Step Guide (White Coat Investor)

'Catching Up to FI Episodes'

Space Telescopes, Sunflowers, and Financial Gardening | Jesse Cramer | 105

Pathfinders: Stories of Success and Financial Independence | JL Collins | 069

Pathfinders: Triumphs and Trials on the Road to Financial Independence | JL Collins | 070

F-You Money Part 1 | JL Collins | 023

F-You Money Part 2 | JL Collins | 024

Cashing in on 72(t): The Goldmine of Early Retirement Rules (Part2) | Bill Stecker | 133 Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) using IRS rule 72(t) in 2024 and will share some details of her first-hand experience.

If you've been fearful and confused about how 72(t)s work, fear no more! In this episode, we thoroughly break down everything you need to know in a way you've never heard before. We also discuss more than a dozen other ways the IRS allows you to legally avoid federal tax penalties for early withdrawals from your retirement accounts. To make sure we did this topic justice, we turned it into a 2-part series. This is part 2, so make sure you go back and listen to part 1 which was released on March 30th. Both episodes are packed with valuable insights and practical tips for anyone considering early retirement.

🔗Connect with us

☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"

🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question

=== THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR ===

📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor! Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can:

✅ Track your savings

✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals

✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth

✅ And create a strategy that's built for your unique needs

You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started: Go.boldin.com/catchingup

For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

🌐72tcalc.com Website

Free consultation with Bill Stecker's Firm- The Marble Group

email: themarblegroup@wispertel.net

Phone: (312) 361-0221

Jackie's review of 72tcalc.com website

Most recent IRS list of exceptions to 10% tax penalty on early withdrawals

IRS Tax Code 72(t)- Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP)

IRS Single Life Table- Effective 1/1/2022

IRS website with the listing of recent interest rates (120% of Applicable Federal Midterm Rate)

IRA first time homebuyer exception (you are considered a first-timer if you haven't owned a primary home the past 2 years)

Rule 72(t) Example- Eric Cooper

Rule 72(t) Example- Dare to Draw Down

📱72(t) CALCULATORS

FI Tax Guy Google Sheet

Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions | Paul Merriman | 132 Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We also share some of our favorite financial literacy resources.

🔗Connect with us

☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"

🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question

=== THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR ===

📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor! Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can:

✅ Track your savings

✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals

✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth

✅ And create a strategy that's built for your unique needs

You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started: Go.boldin.com/catchingup

For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

🌐Website

Merriman Financial Literacy Program at Western Washington University

IGrad

Next Gen Personal Finance

White Coat Investor

The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy

'Catching Up to FI' Episodes:

We're Talking Millions! Part 1 | Paul Merriman | 008

We're Talking Millions! Part 2 | Paul Merriman | 009

Celebrating Financial Literacy Month with Next Gen Personal Finance | Tim Ranzetta | 072

72(t) Expert Tells All: No More Secrets About Early Withdrawals (Part 1) | Bill Stecker | 131 Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

If you've been fearful and confused about how 72(t)s work, fear no more! In this episode, we thoroughly break down everything you need to know in a way you've never heard before. We also discuss more than a dozen other ways the IRS allows you to legally avoid federal tax penalties for early withdrawals from your retirement accounts. To make sure we did this topic justice, we turned it into a 2-part series. This is part 1, and part 2 will be released next week; both packed with valuable insights and practical tips for anyone considering early retirement.

⚠️ Clarifications from this episode:

IRS 'Rule of 50' for public safety workers who retire after age 50 are exempt from the 10% early distribution penalty. It does include EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), however, it does not include all doctors and nurses (see IRS code linked below or read this article). For medical expenses, the 10% early withdrawal penalty can be waived without itemizing your deductions if the amount of unreimbursed medical expenses is more than 7.5% AGI. (see IRS code linked below or read this article).

🔗Connect with us

☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"

🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question

=== THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR ===

📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor! Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started: Go.boldin.com/catchingup

For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

🌐72tcalc.com Website

Free consultation with Bill Stecker's Firm- The Marble Group

email: themarblegroup@wispertel.net

Phone: (312) 361-0221

Jackie's review of 72tcalc.com website

Most recent IRS list of exceptions to 10% tax penalty on early withdrawals

IRS Tax Code 72(t)- Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP)

IRS Single Life Table- Effective 1/1/2022

IRS website with the listing of recent interest rates (120% of Applicable Federal Midterm Rate)

IRA first time homebuyer exception (you are considered a first-timer if you haven't owned a primary home the past 2 years)