Two Sides of FI

After years of planning, Eric and Laura have finally reached their FI number at 50! They discovered the FIRE movement 5 years ago and set their sights on achieving financial independence by 2024. Now, with both of their boys off to college, a paid-off home, and a 80/15/5 split between equities, fixed income and cash, they’ve officially hit their financial independence (FI) goal and plan to retire early. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of moving goalposts, their decision to keep running Eric's business, 30X40 Design Workshop (on their own terms), and their plans for the future. Laura will be leaving her job as a research scientist in January 2025 to operate 30X40 remotely, with a goal of maintaining a flexible, time-limited schedule. They also cover practical topics like their pretax/taxable split, health insurance considerations, and their withdrawal strategy. Learn what reaching FI looks like for them, the steps they’re taking next, and what their plans are moving forward! Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/GFY

How would you like to earn $80,000 a year trading options against your existing portfolio? That's exactly what our guest, Karsten "Big ERN" Jeske, has achieved. In today's episode, Jason talks with Karsten about his simple SPX options trading strategy. Be sure to see the show notes linked below for definitions, associated blog posts, and more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/options  

If you are not aggressive, you are not going to make money, and if you are not defensive, you are not going to keep money (Ray Dalio). In this episode, Eric and Jason talk about their personal "80/20 Rules" for retiring early. That is, the decisions they made along the journey that served as key pivot points towards ensuring their achievement of financial independence. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/roads

A year later, Jason and Eric check in with their friend Erik, who retired early at 49 while his wife continues to work. In this follow-up episode, we find out how things are going and what important lessons he learned during his first year of early retirement. Show notes and our earlier chat with Erik - https://twosidesoffi.com/erik

Four years after retiring early at 47, Jason reflects on the key lessons he wishes he knew beforehand. He discusses his portfolio, spending habits, healthcare, mental health, relationships, and more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/fouryears

How do you plan to set up your retirement paycheck to avoid running out of money? In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about how he uses a free online tool to manage his finances in early retirement. Topics covered include his variable withdrawal strategy, managing cash, portfolio rebalancing, and much more. FREE SWR tool and show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/toolbox

Why would anyone continue to work for money once they've achieved financial independence? In this episode, Eric and Jason discuss this common practice, including why Jason and Lorri currently have part-time jobs post-FI. Topics covered include de-risking retirement, charitable giving, skill-building, and more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/enough

Contempt, concern, surprise, envy, admiration, and support; just a few of the reactions Laura received when she announced she was retiring early, closing her biomedical research laboratory, and beginning a new phase of life beyond work. Some reactions were expected and some surprised her. In this episode, Eric and Laura unpack these interactions and chart their next steps as they prepare to leave work and step into early retirement. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/unexpected

What essential lessons did Jason learn from the most impactful travel he's done to date? In this episode, Eric and Jason catch up on a number of recent changes in their lives. Topics discussed include Eric and Laura's recent big announcement, Jason's Camino experience, the benefits and challenges of pre- and post-FI travel, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/catchingup

Eric and Laura discuss their preparations as they near their FI number and Laura prepares to notify her employer that she's leaving. Recorded in the fall of 2023, this behind-the-scenes discussion was prepared for release on the week that Laura submits her resignation letter (which she did on Thursday!) They discuss their hesitations, changes of heart, and ready themselves for what's ahead. Show notes + resources: https://twosidesoffi.com/one-step-closer-to-fi

Have you considered living a life outside of your home country in retirement? Jeff went from broke at 38 to financially independent at 45 with six rental properties supporting them. He and his wife relocated to St Thomas, USVI for a few years, bought a rental property in Puerto Rico and now they’re preparing to relocate to Spain. So, if you’ve considered what a life outside the mainland US might look like, I think you’ll find his story interesting. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/retirementality

What's the true cost of healthcare in early retirement and can it break your budget? In this episode, Jason shares his experiences with Eric after three years on an ACA health insurance plan. Topics discussed include selecting and evaluating plans, how to estimate your income, premium tax credits, and why 2023 was Jason's worst year for healthcare expenses to date. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/ouch

What financial lessons did we learn last year and what will we do differently in 2024? In today's episode, Eric and Jason discuss their end of year review processes. Topics include investing goals, their net worth reviews, lessons learned, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/newyear

Have you truly retired if you continue to do any work for money? In this episode, Eric and Jason talk about their own FIRE goals and how they've changed over time. Topics discussed include their respective journeys, why Jason has a part-time job after retiring, the internet retirement police, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/busted

What happens if all the travel you want to do after retiring would break the budget? In this episode, Eric and Jason talk about the importance of travel to their early retirement plans. Topics discussed include financial concerns, disagreeing with your spouse, the value of planning by age range, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/travel

How does it feel when you haven't yet found your purpose after retiring early? In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about his three year journey exploring his post-FIRE purpose. In this episode, they discuss the phases of retirement, seeking out meaningful projects, lessons learned along the way, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/purpose

If you're not giving mental and physical health the same level of attention as your financial health, you're playing with fire. In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about what steps he's taking to prioritize his own wellness in early retirement, including a frank conversation about mental health. Here they discuss steps to promote wellness, the distinct challenges of retirement, and much more. Don't miss the show notes as they include a link to Jason's latest blog post on the topic of mental health. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/wellness

Can you imagine changing your mind about retiring early just as the finish line comes into view? What factors could cause someone to consider working one more year? In this episode, Eric talks with Jason about the idea to delay his retirement. Topics covered include why he's considering it, getting agreement with your spouse, how others reacted to the idea, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/OMY

Would you spend $1000 on dinner for a special occasion - or more? Eric and Jason recently enjoyed a milestone birthday celebration with their spouses + friends at a world famous restaurant. The total cost may shock you. In this episode, they talk about the experience, spending decisions pre- vs, post-financial independence, and whether it was actually worth it. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/frenchlaundry

How would your spouse feel if you retired early while they kept working? In this episode, Eric + Jason talk with our friend Erik, who recently left the workplace while his wife continues to work. How does this arrangement work for them, and why is a coastFIRE path their choice? Topics discussed include being thrown into retirement, finding purpose, talking about FIRE, and much more. Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/erik