FI Minded: Bridging Pre FI Discipline and Post FI Freedom in Financial Independence

In my mid-20s, I was making $50,000. Between San Diego’s high housing costs, dating, a car payment, and other expenses, I barely had anything left to put toward financial independence - let alone fast-track it.I was cutting costs everywhere - negotiating bills, rarely eating out, even walking instead of driving. Frugality was helping but man, the real game-changer was focusing on growing my income. Since then, I’ve switched jobs, negotiated raises, launched a business, and built a five-figure side hustle. Now, I earn three times what I did at 25, and that extra income has made all the difference.I’m funding my financial independence goals while also enjoying life more.Quickly growing my income made such an impact and that’s why I brought Andrew Giancola on the podcast - to help me break down exactly how you can double your income in just one year. Andrew is a pro at this. He’s built multiple businesses, invested in real estate, tested different side hustles, and even helped his wife negotiate multiple raises and promotions.This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you increase your income fast. So if that is something you want to do, let’s dive in!I hope you enjoy my conversation with the financial educator and host of The Personal Finance Podcast…Andrew Giancola.Key Takeaways:Why increasing your income is key to financial independenceA 6-month strategy to negotiate a raiseExactly what to say when asking for a raiseHow to become indispensable at workWays to actively earn more outside your jobThe best passive income investments for busy professionalsMentions:Andrew’s first appearance on FI Minded: www.tsirpodcast.com/133More of Andrew:www.MasterMoney.coMore of FI Minded:Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Want to achieve financial independence without missing out on the fun?FI Minded is for anyone who wants to achieve financial freedom, live life on their own terms, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey along the way!Whether you’re just starting to think about financial independence or already deep into the process, FI Minded gives you the tools and inspiration to make FI a reality - without giving up the things you love.Each episode, we’ll cover topics like:*Financial Independence Strategies: Simple, actionable advice to reach FI faster (if that’s your goal).*Work Optionality: Transitioning from the corporate grind (no more "one more year syndrome") to a life of freedom and flexibility.*Lifestyle Design: How to build a life that aligns with your values, goals, and dreams.*Stories from the FI Community: Real people sharing their journeys to FI and what they’ve learned.*Fun with FI: How to save your future and enjoy your current life through CoastFI, mini-retirements, travel, or just making the most of your time.*Fighting Burnout: Balancing saving for your future while staying mentally healthy.

Is Real Estate the Best Path to Financial Independence?As a die-hard index fund investor, I used to have a clear answer. But after researching Chad Carson’s “small but mighty” real estate philosophy, I’m starting to see the potential.While I still prefer the hands-off nature of index funds, especially as I focus on growing my income - I can see real estate playing a role in my future. It offers steady cash flow, diversification, and even scratches my entrepreneurial itch.When that time comes, I’ll be turning to Chad Carson’s content. With two decades of real estate investing experience, Chad knows how to find, analyze, and buy solid investment properties.In this episode, Chad breaks down the fundamentals of real estate investing, including how to find quality deals in a high-priced market, red flags to watch for, and key financial metrics to evaluate before buying.I learned a ton from this conversation, and I’m already looking forward to a part two.Key Takeaways:How real estate fits into Chad’s investment portfolioPros and cons of real estate investingFinding quality deals in a high-priced marketDefining your "buy box" to focus your searchRed flags to watch for in propertiesKey financial metrics to evaluate before buyingThe “small and mighty” real estate philosophyAligning real estate with your life goalsMentions:Create Your Buy Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ORTQ_2S-mEDealMachine: https://www.dealmachine.com/More of Coach Chad Carson:Real Estate Investing with Coach Carson: https://www.coachcarson.com/coach-carson-podcast/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Love and money - a perfect match, right?If only it were that simple. Money is personal for everyone. We grow up with different values, learn different money habits from our parents, and develop our own financial preferences.So when two people with unique money mindsets come together, disagreements are bound to happen. Maybe one of you is a saver while the other loves to spend, leading to frustration over “wasting” or “hoarding” money. Or maybe you can’t agree on whether to play it safe with savings or take financial risks.If you love your partner, the last thing you want is constant fights about money. You want to figure this out together. That’s why in today’s episode, I’m talking with Brian Page about how to find common ground when you and your partner have different financial perspectives.Brian is the Founder of Modern Husbands, an organization that helps busy dual-career couples manage money and home life as a team.We dive into some really practical topics like how spenders and savers can find peace, what research says about combining vs. separating finances, and how to create a fair balance with household responsibilities.This conversation was especially helpful for me because my partner, Gaby, and I have been navigating these conversations ourselves as last summer marked 5 years of dating.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the lead dad and modern husband…Brian Page.Key Takeaways:How couples with different money mindsets can find common groundWhat to do when you and your partner have conflicting financial goalsWhat research says about combining finances vs. keeping them separateHow to fairly divide financial responsibilities as a coupleWays to optimize your finances togetherHow to share household responsibilities as a teamMore of Brian:Modern Husbands: https://www.modernhusbands.com/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

You can save thousands if you negotiate your medical bills. Wait, you can do that?Yeah, this was new to me too. Maybe it was the confusing medical jargon or the assumption that hospitals charge fair prices, but negotiating never crossed my mind…and you know I love to negotiate just about everything.Not only should you be negotiating your medical bills, you should be scrutinizing them for errors. As you’ll learn in this episode, 80% of medical bills have errors, and go figure, they almost always work out in the favor of the medical provider.Today, Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington joins me to share her three-step process for negotiating medical bills. As an internal medicine physician and former health insurance executive, Dr. Virgie thought she understood the system - that was until she was diagnosed with cancer and saw firsthand how patients get crushed by medical debt.After witnessing her hospital roommate get taken advantage of by balance billing, Dr. Virigie had had enough. Now she is on a mission to help Americans fight back against excessive healthcare costs, one bill at a time.If you want to protect yourself from medical debt and take control of your healthcare costs, this episode is for you.I hope you enjoy my conversation with medical billing expert and 2-time cancer patient…Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington.Key Takeaways:The devastating impact of medical debt on AmericansHow to identify errors on your medical billsWhy the first bill from your provider isn’t the final billHow to research fair pricing for medical servicesA step-by-step script for negotiating lower costs with your provider’s billing departmentMore of Dr. Vrigie:Website: www.crushmedicaldebt.comMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Struggling to spend money? Same here. Honestly, I never thought this would be a problem as I got closer to financial independence. I mean, isn’t the goal to save up enough so we can finally spend on the things we want?Turns out, after 15 years of working hard to build wealth, it’s not so easy to let go. Add in some good old financial insecurities, and suddenly, I’ve got money, but I’m too nervous to spend it.And guess what? We are not the only ones. A lot of people in the FI community deal with this too, including Carl Jensen.Carl, known for his blog 1500 Days, has a net worth of $6 million. Yet, he still found it hard to spend money. That was until he started challenging himself to do it. Through these spending challenges, Carl figured out what really brings him joy, whether it’s something small like treating a friend to dinner or big like a $10,000 private concert with his favorite band (don’t worry, we’ll talk about that one!).So, if you’ve ever struggled to spend on things that would actually make you happy, this episode is for you. Hopefully, it inspires you to push past those money hang-ups and challenge yourself a little more.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the Telsa fantastic, dinosaur-loving, early FI trailblazer…Carl Jensen.Key Takeaways:How to recognize if you’re frugalism is hurting or helpingUsing spending experiments to uncover what is important to youOne commonality of Carl’s favorite purchasesWhat you can learn from the wrong purchasesMentions:Taming the Mammoth: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think: https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/06/taming-mammoth-let-peoples-opinions-run-life.htmlMore of Carl:Read Carl’s Blog: https://www.1500days.com/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

It’s the start of a new year, and you’ve set some financial goals like paying off student loans, saving for a down payment, or maxing out your IRA. Whatever your goal, how awesome would it feel if you could fast-track your progress? It’ll take focus and dedication, but with the right strategies, you can turbocharge your cash flow and get there faster.Today, we’re joined by Justin Brown-Woods, Financial Coach and Co-Host of The Price of Avocado Toast. Justin not only helps his clients reach their financial goals but he has also walked the walk himself. After accumulating $220,000 in debt, Justin and his wife, Haley, decided to rewrite their financial story. In just 18 months, they paid off more than half of their debt and began rebuilding their wealth.And when I say “rebuilding,” I mean rebuilding. Before accumulating 6-figures of debt, they had $600,000 in the bank! It’s a story you don’t want to miss but I’ll let Justin spill the details in this episode.If you’re ready to fast-track your 2025 financial goals (without selling a kidney), this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to get you started.Key Takeaways:Opportunities that come with tightening your budgetPractical ways to earn extra income that align with your lifestyleA simple side hustle you can start todayReward systems to keep you motivated and on trackTips for aligning financial goals with your partnerMore of Justin:Listen to the Price of Avocado Toast: https://www.priceofavocadotoast.com/podcastMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Since discovering financial independence, I have focused on wealth-building: choosing the right accounts, investing wisely, and cutting expenses to save more. But now that I’m approaching my FIRE number, a new question has emerged—what happens after I reach financial independence?On one hand, there’s the technical side: What’s the best way to withdraw from my nest egg? This is something I hadn’t given much thought to until now.But beyond the finances, the bigger question is: What changes in life? Will I still scrutinize every expense? Do I worry about major market news? And most importantly, how do I want to spend my time?I need some guidance, and I’m guessing you do too, so I asked Jeremy Schneider to come to demystify life after reaching financial independence. Jeremy Schneider is the creator of the popular Instagram account, Personal Finance Club. He’s also the co-founder of Nectarine, a marketplace for advice-only financial advisors.Before launching Personal Finance Club and Nectarine, Jeremy built and sold a technology company for $5 million, achieving financial independence. This sum of cash catapulted him into financial independence. He had to answer the important questions quickly and in this episode, he shares what he learned from that experience.Whether you’re nearing your FIRE number or simply curious about what life looks like after financial independence, this episode is for you.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the man trying to bring light on the financial advising industry…Jeremy Schneider.Key Takeaways:A simple draw-down strategy for post-FIFinding purpose when work becomes optionalMaking peace with your life-long frugal habitsWhat’s broken about the financial advising industryMore of Jeremy:Get Financial Help: www.hellonectarine.comMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Why save and invest? It’s a rhetorical question, but let’s think it through.When you save and invest, you’re sharing financial resources with your future self. This means your future self won’t have to worry about earning money. With that financial freedom, you gain time—the time you would’ve spent working. And with more time, you have more freedom to choose how to you spend your time.You might ask yourself, "What do I want to do with my time?" Maybe it’s traveling, exercising, or catching up on sleep. But then what? That question often leads to something deeper—finding your purpose.That’s a topic my friend Jordan Grumet, aka Doc G, knows a lot about. As a hospice doctor and the author of The Purpose Code, Jordan has explored purpose, connection, and identity in depth.In this episode, he shares insights from his latest book and helps answer the big question: “How do I find my purpose?”—or if it even needs to be found.If you’ve been reflecting on your purpose, well buckle up, this episode is for you.Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation with the hospice doctor and author of the newly minted book, The Purpose, Code..Jordan Grumet.Key Takeaways:How collections can bring you joyLittle P purpose vs big P purposeThe importance of the climbThe 3 levers to create a more purpose-filled jobHow to create your purpose instead of find itUsing a life review to identify what’s important to youPrioritizing community and connectionMore of Jordan:Order Jordan’s book, The Purpose Code at https://jordangrumet.com/books/.Listen to Earn & Invest at https://www.earnandinvest.com/.More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? With a little bit of creative frugality, I think it is possible to live below your means and buy the things that bring you joy.What do I mean by creative frugality? It is a two-part process. Number 1, identify the things you value and stop spending money on the things you don’t. That is what today’s guest calls value-based spending. Number 2, get creative with the rest of your spending.Let me give you an example. I have a friend that loves to try new restaurants but she hates spending money on dining out. So what did she do? She started an Instagram page where she reviews new restaurants that opened up in Austin. She reaches out to restaurants she wants to try and many of them invite her in and comp her meal. Sure it takes a little hustle but you know what that friend told me? She loves creating this content for her Instagram and she is enjoying getting to know the people who make up the restaurant scene in Austin.I’m not advocating you do this for every one of your spending categories. I’m just saying, think outside the box and experiment a little.This is exactly what Jill Sirianni did. While she was working to pay off $60,000 of debt on a social worker's salary, Jill knew she had to get creative. Housing cost is nearly unavoidable for everyone but Jill stepped back and asked “How could I spend less on housing but still have a home I love?”She found an opportunity to house-sit in a friend’s log cabin while they did some extended traveling. After that, Jill did two different stints living in an RV. She saved a ton of money, and similar to my friend, she actually enjoyed it.Now that her debt is paid off and Jill is financially well off, she bought a home in St. Petersburg FL but Jill told me she still cherishes the years she lived in the RV with her husband and it really made an impact on how she lives today.Nowadays, Jill is doing some cool stuff co-hosting the Frugal Friends Podcast and authoring the soon-to-be-released book, Buy What You Love Without Going Broke.It was a blast talking to Jill. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the licensed clinical social, gardener, and lover of the simple things…Jill Sirianni.Key Takeaways:How to identify what you wantValues-based spendingFrugality vs scarcity mindsetLimitations lead to creative problem-solvingHow to give during the holidays without breaking the bankAffordable housing alternativesThe benefits of frugality outside of saving money More of Jill:Frugal Friends Podcast: https://www.frugalfriendspodcast.com/episodes/Buy What You Love Without Going Broke: https://www.frugalfriendspodcast.com/pre-order-buy-what-you-love-without-going-broke/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/