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

So far in the Mastering Money at Work Series, we’ve discussed 4 steps to setting up your 401(k), which was episode 113, and last week, Jesse Cramer taught us how to ask for a raise.These were two topics that I really wanted to cover because I believe they can be huge game changers for your career-earning power and lifetime take-home pay.This week though, we are going to get a little more…creative and scrappy.We are talking about employee perks and how these seemingly nonchalant offerings can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.These fringe benefits that go beyond normal salaries could include awesome perks like snacks, yoga classes, summer Fridays, flexible hours, company time off for volunteering, and unlimited PTO. The list goes on and on.But today, I’m going to throw at you 9 employee perks that I think you should be aware of they could significantly save or make you money which is of course, what this series is all about.So if that sounds like something you want to learn about, let’s get into it.Key Takeaways:9 money-making or saving employee perksFinding win-win-win situations with employee referral bonusesCover your education with tuition reimbursementJumpstart your HSA funds with an employer matchHard work and get recognized through employee achievement awardsMake some commission money by referring clients to your companyGet your gym membership paid for with a wellness stipendSubsize your transportation costs with commuter benefitsFind a great deal through your employee discount catalogMake a bigger impact with employer matching charitable donationsMentions:https://www.tsirpodcast.com/113 - 4 Steps to Setting Up Your 401(k) l E113https://www.tsirpodcast.com/114 - How to Negotiate a Raise l E114 Jesse CramerMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I don’t want to steal Jesse’s thunder so I won’t tell his specific example that he shares, but negotiating a raise early in your career can lead to a 6-figure increase in your lifetime earnings. And that is just one negotiation. By developing your negotiation skills and making a habit of consistently asking for a raise throughout your career, you’re bound to outearn a peer who starts at a similar salary by a long shot.But on the flip side, asking for a raise is intimidating. The fear of rejection is real and rejection does hurt. You don’t want to say the wrong thing, that makes you appear ungrateful or puts tension in a relationship with your manager. Asking for a raise is a tricky situation.Luckily, in today’s episode, Jesse Cramer will be discussing how to ask for a raise in a respectful yet effective way that maximizes your chances of getting what you ask for.Jesse is the voice behind The Best Interest, a popular personal finance blog and podcast. Jesse has first-hand experience with negotiating a raise and understands the feelings that come with it. He’s going to give us a strategy for getting the conversation started well in advance of the ask, talk through how to overcome the fear of rejection, and how to respond if told no.Jesse has been a guest on the podcast before and I appreciate how he shares applicable advice, not theoretical nonsense that doesn’t actually work in the real world. If you’ve been wanting to ask for a raise, get ready.Let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the chess savant, fizzy lover, and the man with a voice like butter….Jesse Cramer.Key Takeaways:Why is it even important to ask for a raise? What a small raise early on can compound over a 30-year career.How to start the conversation about a raise 3-6 months in advance of the ask. Building your case for a raise.Your performance might not match your salary positioning. You have to be an advocate for yourself on top of being a great performer.The importance of aligning your role and work with what your manager and company find important.The Commitment Consistency Principle and being clear with your manager about the plan.How to overcome the fear of rejection by defining what rejection really is.How to respond if they say no. Staying positive while making your disappointment clear.Option of last resort = going nuclear. How to decide when to use your final piece of leverage and if it is the right situation for you.Is there a right or wrong time to ask? Some considerations: the fiscal health of the company, layoffs, and interest rate hikes. Making sure you don’t come across as tone death.How to advocate for yourself without coming across as a brag or brown noser. The power of staying positive and language to use whenever you’re getting stubborn pushback.Creative solutions for other benefits when negotiations can’t raise salary.Mentions:Is Investing Still a Smart Choice During this Recession? I’m Feeling Discouraged. | E75 Jesse Cramer: www.tsirpodcast.com/75More of Jesse:Best Interest podcast: https://bestinterest.blog/the-best-interest-podcast/Best Interest blog: https://bestinterest.blog/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Starting a new job always comes with a hectic first week of paperwork. More than likely, one of the documents is about investing in your company’s 401(k) program.If you grew up in a household like mine, the importance of investing in your 401(k) account was hammered into you but let’s say you didn’t set up your 401(k) account right away.Maybe the thought of investing for your future seemed like a pipe dream when student loans, car payments, and buying furniture that isn’t Grandma’s hand-me-down was looming in your mind. Or the process and decisions of setting up a 401(k) account felt intimidating and overwhelming to you.The first point is trickier. Money is typically pretty tight in our 20s as we are building our earning power. I totally understand why prioritizing our current needs seems to be more important than our future needs. But hopefully, through this conversation, I can convince you that even starting with a small amount can go a long way.The second point though, being intimidated by the setup process, is something I can help with. This is definitely a topic that should be taught in school, but now having gone through this multiple times, I can assure you that setting up a 401(k) account is an easier process than you think.In today’s episode, I am going to walk through 4 steps to setting up your 401(k) account, discuss decisions you are going to have to make, and share some guidance along the way.Key Takeaways:Why 401(k) accounts were established by CongressHow to initiate the setup processThe difference between a Traditional and Roth 401(k)How to choose which account is best for your situationHow to calculate your employer match2023 401(k) employee contribution limitsHow to decide how much to contribute to your 401(k)How to choose an investment option that is right for youHow much should I be paying in investment feesHow to automate investing using target-date index fundsMentions:How to Get Started Investing, the Cost of Actively Managed Funds, and a 2-Step Plan to Retire in 15 Years | E57 Jeremy Schneider - https://tsirpodcast.com/57Hidden Cost of Investing: 3 Common Fees and How to Stop Paying Them | E94 - https://tsirpodcast.com/94More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Today we are concluding our series on how to level up your professional network. We’ve learned easy ways to find in-person networking events, how to host an easy yet effective networking party, the best practices for virtual networking, and how to make connections at the next business conference you attend.With all of this knowledge, you’ve been busy meeting new people. But we don’t want the payoff from all of this hard work to disappear by this time next year.We need to make sure to stay on top of and continue to strengthen these relationships. We need a process and that’s what we are going to be talking about in today’s episode.This is a replay from my friend Dan Brodsky podcast, Career Focus. Dan invited me on his show to discuss networking and honestly, we geeked out hard. Come on, what did you expect from me?Dan and I both shared our process for organizing our key professional contacts and the system we use to remind ourselves when an important relationship has gone too long without some attention.I also share a lot of other networking tips, many of which I’ve shared throughout this series, which is why I feel like this is a perfect capstone episode to the series. I want to make sure we reinforce what we’ve learned over the last month.Also, go give Dan and his show some love. Career Focus is a new podcast that launched in July and we have very similar missions to equip young professionals with the skills they need to succeed in their careers. If you’re looking for more content like that, go follow Career Focus in your podcast player.That’s enough from me. I hope you enjoy my conversation with a former St. Louisian now turned Austinite…Dan Brodsky.Key Takeaways:A key element of job satisfaction How to develop your networking skillsHow networking can help youHow introverts can network without fatiguing themselvesThe power of active listeningDo’s and dont’s of networkingA process to help you stay organized when networkingHow to break the ice when you start a conversation with a strangerHow to politely exit a conversationHow to leave a good impression when virtually networkingFollow-up techniquesWhat to do when you flop at a networking eventThe joy of career serendipityMore of Dan:Listen to Career Focus: https://linktr.ee/danbrodskyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/careerfocuspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@careerfocuspod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-brodsky-ms-166314107/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqWfpKnCj0kT-ccSh0vMkQMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

With the calendar turning to fall, conference season is heating up. People are making arrangements and gearing up to attend academic, industry, and professional conferences. Some “volun-told” by their employers, but others, assuming someone like yourself that would listen to a podcast like this, are attending because they’re wanting to level up their career.I love attending conferences. I typically plan to attend at least 3 a year. In the spring, I attended a podcast conference called Podcast Movement and this coming fall I’ll be at a personal finance creator conference called FinCon along with 2 other conferences on behalf of my 9 to 5.I attend these conferences to learn from the speakers and stay on the pulse of industry changes but the biggest benefit of them all is networking.In such a condensed, short period of time, I meet a lot of amazing people along with seeing some friends from attending similar conferences in years past. I always come home with many collaborations and follow-up conversations that I know will help me with my business and career.After attending a few conferences, I’ve learned a few things that have really helped me maximize how to meet other people at conferences. I’m not a seasoned vet though but my friend Mark Herschberg is.If that name sounds familiar, that may be because you’ve heard Mark on the podcast before. In episode 35, Mark came on the show to discuss how to gain clarity with your career path and now he is back on to discuss how to network like a pro at your next conference.In this episode, he shares tips on how to get started networking before the conference even begins, opening lines to break the ice with attendees, how to meet conference VIPs, and so much more. This conversation left me feeling both excited and prepared for my upcoming fall conferences, and if you want to feel the same way, this is the episode for you.So let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the tech founder, shot glass collector, and author of The Career Toolkit…Mark Herschberg.Key Takeaways:How to decide which conference is worth your timeHow to get your manager to say yes to you attending a conferenceHidden negotiation factor: education budgetHow to start networking before the conference even startsOpening lines to break the ice with another attendeeHow to look more invitingIdeas for hosting an event at a conferenceTechniques for politely exiting a conversationHow to meet the conference VIPsAn efficient way to track post-conference action itemsHow to pass along what you learned to your colleaguesMentions:MIT Professor Explains How to Gain Clarity on the Next Steps in Your Career | E35 Mark Herschberg: www.tsirpodcast.com/35The Ultimate Guide to Attending a Conference - Part 1 of 2: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-attending-a-conference-part-1-of-2The Ultimate Guide to Attending a Conference - Part 2 of 2: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-attending-a-conference-part-2-of-2What to Say at a Conference or Networking Event: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/blog/what-to-say-at-a-conference-or-networking-eventMore of Mark:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey/Brain Bump: www.BrainBumpApp.comThe Career Toolkit: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

We all know at least one person that can walk into a room full of strangers and emerge with a group of new friends. They’re so good at attracting people, building trust with them, and turning others into fast friends. This is someone that is charismatic, friendly, and great at building instant rapport.Having rapport with someone means you understand each other's feelings and communicate well. This happens over time as you build a relationship with them. The frequency and proximity allow you to establish trust and you slowly get to know them better.But with some people, this happens quicker. Have you ever walked away from a conversation and felt instantly connected to the other person? Maybe meeting them felt natural and easy. It’s likely that’s because you were able to build rapport quickly.I have no bulletproof method for getting this right a 100% of the time but I have noticed things in myself and others that have really helped. I want to share a couple of ideas and habits that you can put into practice especially when virtually connecting with another person for the first time.Key Takeaways:How online networking is different than in-personWhy building rapport is important10-minute preparation guideUsing video to your advantageHow to make a good first impression with a strong start3 tips for cultivating an amazing conversationThe power of a smileThe art of active listeningHow to share moreReminding yourself that you’re worthyMentions:7 Ways to Discover Great In-Person Networking Events Worth Going To: www.tsirpodcast.com/108The Secrets to Throwing a Great Networking Party: www.tsirpodcast.com/110More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

We’ve all been to one: loud music, people huddled in clicks, and little to no guidance from the host. I’m talking about poorly run networking events. The kind of events that spike the anxiety of us introverts and solo attendees.But nobody wants to throw a bad event. The host wants to make sure everyone is having a good time and leaves having made meaningful connections. The problem is that nobody taught us how to throw a great networking party.That was until Nick Gray wrote The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, a step-by-step handbook that teaches you how to build big relationships by hosting small gatherings.Nick is a firm believer that hosting these simple, lightweight gatherings will accelerate your network. And he’s given us the playbook for how to do just that.In this conversation, we cover how to make sure people show up, 4 secrets for hosting a great event, and how to politely kick people out at the end of your party. Nick also gives me an answer for the perfect number of attendees and the best day of the week to host your networking party.And actually, since this recording, I’ve been to two cocktail parties that used Nick’s book to host their event, and they have both been far superior to the typical networking events. But they weren’t flashy events with paid bartenders, catering, and a DJ, no they were well-run events and a great use of my time. I met a lot of incredible people and left feeling excited to continue those conversations.If you want to expand your network and know how to throw a simple yet amazing networking event, this is the episode for you.Key Takeaways:Why hosting consistent, small gatherings is the ultimate networking toolNICK: 4 secrets for hosting a great eventThe importance of name tags even when you know everyone at the eventHow to run icebreakers and an easy example to use at your eventWhy you shouldn’t host dinner partiesThe perfect number of attendees to haveHow to politely kick people outThe perfect day of the week to host your networking partyNick’s recommendation for event-hosting platformsHow to ensure people show up to your partyWhen to send and what to include in your reminder communicationMentions:Nick’s event hosting platform recommendations: Partiful (https://partiful.com/) and Mixily (https://www.mixily.com/)More of Nick:The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings: https://www.amazon.com/2-Hour-Cocktail-Party-Relationships-Gatherings-ebook/dp/B0B2KW6T7JTwitter: https://twitter.com/nickgraynewsMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I could make a case that any interaction with someone else could be considered networking. From your friend’s parent to the barista who handed you your coffee this morning, anyone could be someone that changes the trajectory of your career.I’m all about embracing some of the serendipity of relationship building, aka networking, but this series is bringing intentionality into this effort. We are going to be talking about purposely meeting people and the ways that you can do that.I don’t know about you, but COVID really made me appreciate in-person interactions. I do really like the convenience of virtual networking, but sometimes it feels satisfying to put on some nice clothes, get out in the community, shake some hands, and meet some people in real life.COVID did get me out of practice in this area though and in the meantime, I moved cities and started working virtually so I lost touch with many of the in-person groups I was a part of.I’m ready for that to change and I’ve created a list of 7 ways to find in-person networking events.In today’s episode, I am going to share that list with you with the goal of getting you excited and inspired to get back out there and check out some events in your local community. Don’t take this episode as a checklist but more as a menu. Pick one or two pathways that you feel drawn to. Each of these will provide many options for events that will fit what you’re looking for.Key Takeaways:The importance of networkingPopular event sites to find networking opportunitiesLocal community organizations that might be hosting in-person events near youHow you can tap into your alma mater networkHow to network and support a cause at the same timeHow to use LinkedIn and Facebook to find networking eventsWhat are YP groups and how to affordably join themHow to ask friends and colleagues about networking eventsIt’s normal to be nervous when attending in-person eventsMentions:Email Management Tips for Young Professionals Overwhelmed by a Cluttered Inbox | E102: www.tsipodcast.com/1023 Tips for Managing Your Work Calendar Like a Pro | E104: www.tsirpodcast.com/104A Guide to Creating a To-Do List That Actually Works | E106: www.tsirpodcast.com/106More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I’ve never felt like I’ve had style. Honestly, I’ve always felt a little intimidated and lost when it comes to fashion.With that in mind, I didn’t put a lot of emphasis on it. I opted for safe and affordable options versus clothes that I felt comfortable and confident in. I don’t think that’s entirely the wrong perspective. Personal style isn’t something that everyone cares about but I do want to make a case for it.For better or worse, your outward appearance does say something about you. It impacts first expressions and is an extension of your personality. Most importantly, it impacts how you feel about yourself. The right piece of clothes at the right moment can help me break out of my shyness, feel more confident, and channel the energy I want to display.All of this is especially true when it comes to dressing for work, a place where first impressions, outward appearance, charisma, and confidence play a huge part in success and career growth.So let’s say you decided this is important and you want to put some focus on it, how do you go about finding your personal style? Well, I don’t have the answer for you but Parke Ballantine does. They are a creative director, fashion stylist, and model. I met Parke through my girlfriend Gaby after they did a stunning photoshoot together and luckily they were nice enough to share some fashion advice with us.In this conversation, we talk about how to get started if you just aren’t sure what your personal style is. Parke shares styling tips like the rule of thirds, how to incorporate color, and how to be fashion-forward when it’s hot outside. We also have an important conversation about the balance of sustainability and affordability.Key Takeaways:Where to start if you aren’t sure what your personal style isApplying the rule of thirds to fashionHow to incorporate color into your wardrobeHow to use accessories as your statement piecesHow to be fashion-forward in the summer heatBalancing sustainability, affordability, and being fashion-forwardWhere to donate or swap your clothesThe power of peopleMore of Parke:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parke.ballantine/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

To-do lists help you remember what needs to get done, they create order, they set priorities, they relieve stress, they help you delegate, and they track your work progress.I could go on and on about the benefits of to-do lists but I am confident you already know this.I’m not one to prescribe a specific method for managing your to-do list but if you are looking to implement a system or overhaul your current, there are some elements that you should consider.Today, we are going to talk through those elements, I will share how I personally handle each, and I am going to leave you excited and ready to manage your to-do list like a pro.Key Takeaways:Digital versus analog options for creating a to-do listUsing a list versus a calendarShould I have 1 master list or multiple to-do lists?How to handle recurring tasks3 tips for successfully completing your to-do listsMentions:Email Management Tips for Young Professionals Overwhelmed by a Cluttered Inbox: www.tsirpodcast.com/1023 Tips for Managing Your Work Calendar Like a Pro: www.tsirpodcast.com/104More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/