A mindset, money, and life podcast for late starters catching up to Financial Independence.
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Why is personal finance so complicated? The internet is flooded with personal finance “experts” sharing short-sighted, error-prone advice. But long-term financial success requires thoughtful, patient, and well-researched strategies. Hosted by Jesse Cramer, a former aerospace engineer turned fiduciary financial advisor in Rochester, NY, Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors simplifies complex financial topics. With relatable stories, in-depth research, and practical tips, Jesse helps you m ...
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The goal at Finance for Physicians is to help you use money as a tool to live a great life, on your own terms. Daniel Wrenne, podcast host and CEO of Wrenne Financial Planning, has spent the last decade advising physicians on their personal finances. On this podcast, he and his team will share the good, the bad and the ugly of navigating personal finances while practicing medicine. They’ll help you hone in on the financial decisions that matter most and make sense of the ever-changing person ...
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Smart Money Moves After 50 | Bill Yount | 142
1:01:47
1:01:47
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1:01:47Bill hops onto Jesse Cramer's 'Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors' (formally The Best Interest) podcast to spread the message that it's never too late to start. In this episode he shares: The messy, shame-to-FI journey that inspired Catching Up to FI His three-step "Pause-Plan-Pivot" playbook His trademark mix of candor, nerdy humor, and high…
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Diversification Decoded: Building a Portfolio for Uncertain Times
29:14
29:14
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29:14Is diversification overrated or more important than ever in today’s market? In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Griggs to explain what diversification really means and why it matters now more than ever for physicians managing their own portfolios. Listen in as we break down how mean reversion impacts market cycles and why concentrating on the S&P…
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Once Upon a FI | Paul & Amanda Mollenkopf | 144
59:30
59:30
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59:30Childhood crushes can bloom into full-blown FI fairy tales, and Paul and Amanda Mollenkopf are living proof. They join us to tell their story and showcase the world premiere of Paul's first book, ‘Once Upon a FI.’ What started out as letters to his daughter grew into a delightful collection of short stories inspired by timeless classics and fables.…
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19 Questions to Uncover Good, Bad, and Ugly Financial Advisors | Don McDonald - E107
59:25
59:25
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59:25Today, Jesse is joined by Don McDonald to offer a critical examination of the financial advising and annuity industries, warning retirees and near-retirees about misleading sales tactics that exploit fear - especially the fear of market losses. They emphasize the importance of working with fee-only, fiduciary advisors who are legally obligated to a…
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Borderless FI: Australian Paramedic Healing Her Own Trauma | Tasch Rogers | 143
58:35
58:35
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58:35Aussie paramedic-turned-life-coach Tasch Rogers joins us to unpack the head-on crash that shattered her body, her finances—and ultimately her limiting beliefs. After a 30-year career as a first responder, she had to leave it all behind and start over. She became intimately familiar with the effects of trauma and PTSD, having personally navigated th…
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Repayment Plans Under Review: What Proposed Changes Could Mean for Physicians
38:09
38:09
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38:09Are student loan repayment plans about to get completely overhauled? And what does that mean for physicians? In this episode, I’m joined once again by student loan expert Jeff Wenger to break down the proposed federal student loan changes that could reshape how physicians manage repayment, forgiveness, and financial planning. Listen in as we explor…
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The Three Kinder Questions (Part 2) | George Kinder | 141
53:41
53:41
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53:41George Kinder is the pioneering mind behind Life Planning and founder of the Kinder Institute. He joins us for the second half of our enlightening conversation about the essence of financial freedom from last week. George is best known as the Father of Life Planning and creator of The Three Kinder Questions that probe deeper into our hopes, dreams,…
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Retirees’ Mistakes and Wake-Up Calls: Expectations vs. Reality - E106
28:14
28:14
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28:14Jesse explores insights from the Retirements and Perspectives study, which captures the experiences and expectations of individuals transitioning into retirement, especially those aged 50 to 75. With half of the participants recently retired and the other half preparing to retire within two years, the study offers a timely look at the "final glide …
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The Father of Financial Life Planning (Part 1) | George Kinder | 140
1:03:44
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1:03:44In 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…
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Late Start, Big Lessons: Bill Yount’s Advice to Physicians
53:31
53:31
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53:31Have you ever felt like you’re way behind on your finances? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Bill Yount, practicing ER physician and host of the Catching Up to FI podcast, who's here to share how he turned his financial life around, starting at age 50. Listen in as we talk about real mistakes, real lessons, and the mindset shifts that helped him …
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Vote Your Money: Values Aligned Investing | Janine Firpo | 139
1:13:42
1:13:42
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1:13:42Today 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 le…
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Catching Up to FI in Uncertain Times | Bill & Jackie | 138
58:06
58:06
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58:06In 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 …
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It’s Not Too Late: Smart Money Moves After 50 | Bill Yount - E105
58:38
58:38
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58:38Jesse explores the financial journey of late starters with guest Bill Yount, co-host of Catching Up to FI. In the opening monologue, Jesse shares his “Stupidly Simple Secret Sauce” for personal finance: spend less than you earn, grow income without inflating lifestyle, invest consistently, and prioritize savings. He warns against flashy success sto…
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International Educator, Bali FIRE | Amy Minkley | 137
54:41
54:41
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54:41Amy 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 …
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Our Team is Growing: Welcome Patrick! | Patrick McDonnal | 136
42:50
42:50
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42:50We'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 grandfa…
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Teaching Kids About Money: How to Raise Financially Savvy Adults
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25:07How do you teach your kids about money? In this episode, I sit down with Heather Lovallo to explore practical, real-life strategies for teaching our children financial responsibility. Listen in as we explore simple ways to help your children build strong financial habits—without needing to be a money expert yourself. Plus, you'll hear about resourc…
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Tariffs, Turbulence, and the Harsh Truths We Must Now Face - Bonus Episode
44:22
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44:22Today, Jesse critiques emotional, reactive investing during volatile market conditions—especially in response to tariffs and recession fears—while promoting disciplined, evidence-based strategies. Tariffs, though intended to protect domestic industries, often raise prices and stoke inflation, ultimately harming consumers, businesses, and investor s…
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How to Bake a Cake: An Asset Allocation Mashup | Rick Ferri & Paul Merriman | 134
1:29:47
1:29:47
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1:29:47Joining 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…
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"Tax-Free Retirement" - Smart Strategy or Overhyped Gimmick? And Other Listener Questions | AMA #6 - E104
57:50
57:50
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57:50Jesse answers listener questions on financial planning, investment management, and retirement. He discusses the challenges of rising homeowner’s insurance costs in high-risk areas, the differences between Treasuries, CDs, and high-yield savings accounts, and the inefficiencies of using life insurance for tax-free retirement. He advises Casey, a fut…
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Bonus Episode: The Market is Crashing, Now What? | Bill & Jackie | 135
53:36
53:36
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53:36📈 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 natur…
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Cashing in on 72(t): The Goldmine of Early Retirement Rules (Part2) | Bill Stecker | 133
1:01:52
1:01:52
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1:01:52One 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 retire…
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Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions | Paul Merriman | 132
33:44
33:44
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33:44April 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…
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Fool’s Gold: The Shiny Objects That Distract Us from Real Wealth
22:04
22:04
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22:04Are you chasing financial freedom or just another shiny object? Your buddy tells you about the next big investment—crypto, rental properties, AI stocks—and it all sounds too good to miss, right? So you dive in, and then... April Fools! You've lost it all. In today’s episode, I’m joined again by Jackie Griggs to shed light on one of the biggest pitf…
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72(t) Expert Tells All: No More Secrets About Early Withdrawals (Part 1) | Bill Stecker | 131
59:59
59:59
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59:59One 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 retire…
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Discipline Is Hard To Maintain In The Heat of Battle | Bill Yount | 130
43:51
43:51
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43:51'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot t…
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Life Expectancy, Caregiving Costs, & Retirement Planning | Christine Benz - E103
52:58
52:58
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52:58Jesse Cramer speaks with Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar, about insights from her book How to Retire. Before their discussion, Jesse contrasts gambling with long-term investing, emphasizing the risks of short-term market bets versus the reliability of patient investing. Christine highlights the shift in financial advice …
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Not Just Another Album, It’s A Money Revolution! | Alan & Katie Donegan | 129
1:14:33
1:14:33
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1:14:33In this episode we welcome back the rebels, Katie and Alan Donegan. They are founders of the Rebel Finance School and have turned the concept of financial independence (FI) into an energetic global movement. We are celebrating the launch of their brand-new music album. But it's not just music, it’s a Money Revolution and the world's first financial…
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Get To Know Your Future Self | Bill Yount | 128
46:21
46:21
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46:21'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot t…
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Beyond the Paycheck – Financial Planning & Wealth Strategies for Physicians
59:14
59:14
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59:14Are you ready to take the leap from residency to your first attending job, but wondering how to ensure your finances—and your family's future—are set up for success? In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Jordan, a second-year internal medicine resident who's preparing for his first attending role. He’s got his finances in solid shape, but he wa…
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Coast FI Couple | Matt & Yana Tarr | 127
1:06:20
1:06:20
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1:06:20Jackie is out this week, and her co-host seat is being filled by Mindy Jensen (the hostess with the mostest 😂) from the 'BiggerPockets Money' and 'Living a FI Life' podcasts. In this episode we talk with Matt and Yana Tarr, the married duo behind the 'CoastFI Couple' blog and podcast. The conversation centers around the power of Coast FI, and how o…
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Confessions of a Co-host: I broke some FI Rules | Jackie Cummings Koski | 126
29:38
29:38
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29:38Jackie Cummings Koski is co-host of the 'Catching Up to FI' podcast and author of the book 'F.I.R.E. For Dummies'. In case you're new here, FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In this episode, Jackie comes clean and publicly shares her non-FIRE confessions. Recorded at a CampFI near San Diego, she reveals surprising financial deci…
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The Truth About the U.S. National Debt (And How It Impacts You Personally) - E102
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41:25Today we take a look at the U.S. national debt, distinguishing it from household debt and analyzing its impact on individuals and investors. Jesse traces the debt’s history and explains its structure, funding through Treasury bonds, and refinancing process. The discussion covers Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), which suggests that as a currency issuer…
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Bouncing Back from Financial Setbacks | Lynnette Khalfani-Cox | 125
1:04:16
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1:04:16Lynnette Khalfani-Cox (also known as 'The Money Coach') is an icon in the financial media and financial education space. She is the author of 16 money-management books, including the New York Times bestseller ‘Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom’. Lynette joins us on this episode to share some of the big takeaways from her latest boo…
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Disability Insurance Demystified: What Every Physician Needs to Know
44:49
44:49
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44:49Disability insurance is a crucial safety net for physicians, but many don’t realize the hidden risks that could leave them financially vulnerable. In this episode, we welcome back Lawrence Keller, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU®, LUTCF, a 34-year veteran in the insurance industry, to break down the complexities of disability coverage. With the landscape of…
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“The Risk Parity Paradox” an Exercise in Simple Complexity? | Frank Vasquez | 124
1:13:32
1:13:32
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1:13:32Frank Vasquez (also affectionately known as Uncle Frank) is a mostly retired lawyer and host of the 'Risk Parity Radio' podcast. In this episode, he gives us a dose of his investing wisdom complete with his unique 'SpongeBob' sense of humor. We discuss financial independence (FI) in the older years, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the fruits…
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Do Long-Term Investors *Need* to Invest in Real Estate? | Chad “Coach” Carson - E101
53:12
53:12
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53:12Jesse is joined by Chad Carson, who discusses residential real estate investing as a stable alternative to stocks and bonds. While real estate offers advantages like rental income, property appreciation, and tax benefits, Jesse also highlights challenges such as high costs, tenant issues, liquidity problems, and the time commitment required. Jesse …
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ATM Receipts, Origami, and Unravelling Your Relationship With Money | Shannah Game | 123
1:09:30
1:09:30
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1:09:30Ever felt anxious around money, or like you're stuck no matter how much you try to save? You're not alone. In this episode, we unravel all of that with Shannah Game, a leading transformational money expert helping you heal your relationship with money. Shannah is host of the popular podcast 'Everyone's Talkin' Money' and author of the new book 'Unr…
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Burnout to Breakthrough - Interview with Dr. Ben Stone
42:52
42:52
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42:52Feeling stuck in your career? If you're unhappy, making a change might be the key to a better life—especially as a physician. In this episode, Dr. Ben Stone shares his journey of navigating burnout, balancing work and life, and making smart financial decisions. He opens up about his transition to earning physician-level income, avoiding lifestyle c…
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Banishing The Burden of Student Loan Debt | Travis Hornsby | 122
1:07:26
1:07:26
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1:07:26We're pulling back the curtain on student loans with expert and founder of Student Loan Planner, Travis Hornsby. Initially impacting younger borrowers, the student loan crisis now affects those in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s. The balances are getting bigger, lasting longer and rules are becoming more complex! It can be confusing, but this episode …
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Favorite Moments, Shoutouts, and a Name Change?! …From Our First 100 Episodes - E100
1:07:29
1:07:29
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1:07:29Episode 100 of The Best Interest Podcast! This is a celebratory and reflective milestone featuring guest shout-outs, listener-favorite clips, and a discussion on the show's evolution. Jesse shares the podcast's origins, his journey from aerospace engineering to financial planning, and how the podcast nearly faded before finding renewed purpose in 2…
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Attorney Spilling all the Legal Tea on Estate Planning | Jenny Rozelle | 121
1:03:39
1:03:39
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1:03:39Attorney Jennifer (Jenny) Rozelle joins us to unravel the complexities of estate planning and help you get your estate plans in order. In this episode she covers the essentials- healthcare directives, probate, wills, beneficiaries, trusts and more. She's a lawyer with a sense of humor and sprinkles in her special blend of wit and wisdom to liven up…
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FIRE Movement Redefined - Balanced Wealth-Building Strategies
24:42
24:42
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24:42Is the push to retire early actually making your life harder? In this episode, we break down the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and why so many physicians feel pressured to work excessive hours just to exit their careers sooner. We discuss the hidden costs of this mindset—burnout, stress, and missed life moments—and explore a …
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"Mama, Are We Poor?”: a Single Mom's Millionaire Mindset | Monica Scudieri | 120
52:42
52:42
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52:42Monica Scudieri started late on her financial independence journey but finished early. Her financial watershed moment was when she discovered she had $257,000 in debt. She was in serious financial despair but managed to slowly dig out. The progress she made was impressive and just ten years later, she reached financial independence. In this episode…
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Will They Claw Back My Tax Breaks? Should I “Buy, Borrow, and Die?” And More - AMA #5 - E99
43:38
43:38
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43:38Time for another AMA with Jesse! First, Randy asks what it means to be rich, leading to an interesting evaluation of personal values, goals, and circumstances. Jesse explores relativity, “keeping up with the Joneses”, and what it means to have “enough”. Then, Bob asks about the potential tax burdens on beneficiaries and heirs, and Tom wonders wheth…
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Leaning Out: Cracking the Burnout Code | Dawn Baker | 119
53:34
53:34
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53:34Ever felt burnout creeping into your life? Then join us for this discussion about tackling the widespread issue of burnout with Dr. Dawn Baker, author of the book 'Lean Out'. Discover practical advice for high-powered professionals struggling with exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of motivation. Whether you're an overworked physician, a stressed corpo…
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Taking it to the Streets: Best Pro Tips for Late Starters | FinCon Attendees | 118
12:09
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12:09In this episode, we're taking it to the streets of Atlanta, GA where the 2024 FinCon took place. FinCon is the largest (and funnest) conference for independent content creators in the personal finance space. We wish you could have been there but since we couldn't bring our audience to FinCon, we're bringing a little FinCon to you. We chatted with s…
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Real Estate Diversification - Smart Investment Strategies
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23:16Is real estate the key to diversification, or is it a step toward concentration? Today we dive into the complexities of diversification in real estate investing with Certified Financial Planner™ Jeff Wenger. Listen in as we explore common misconceptions and discuss what true diversification looks like, particularly when it comes to balancing real e…
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Retirement Remix: Crafting Financial Futures with Purpose | Christine Benz | 117
46:13
46:13
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46:13In this episode we welcome back Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. Christine is one of the most respected thought leaders on the topic of retirement and shares insights from her new book, 'How to Retire'. We discuss the importance of preparing for retirement well in advance, building social network…
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What Do You Mean By “little p purpose”?! | Jordan Grumet - E98
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39:26Jordan Grumet, AKA Doc G, returns to the podcast to share the difference between “Big P Purpose” and “little p purpose” and why you should pursue the seemingly less significant latter. Bringing together his experience in hospice care and finance, Jordan shines light on how we can create our purpose through personal growth and the pursuit of passion…
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Value-Based Spending: The Latte Chronicles | Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni | 116
56:46
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56:46In this episode, we talk with Jen and Jill from the Frugal Friends Podcast and authors of the new book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke. They believe the secret to saving money isn’t in coupons and sales, it’s in identifying what you value and pursuing it unapologetically. We chat about how value-based spending can meet higher emotional and ps…
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