In this episode: entrepreneurship, side hustles, overcoming fear, community, sharing and maintaining passion projects.

This week we are joined by Kyle Nolan, creator and founder of ProjectionLab, where we will be discussing how he left his 9 to 5 to pursue a passion project, some of the challenges and realizations he’s faced while creating his software, as well as the importance of investing in your interests regardless of the risk or self-doubt you may feel. The journey to FI offers many things, such as freedom and autonomy to pursue new things, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to wait until you reach FI to start investing in things that are of value to you! By pouring yourself into something that interests you will always guarantee a payback!

• Kyle’s journey from traditional employment to entrepreneurship.
• The development and impact of ProjectionLab in the FI community.
• The role of personal passion in creating and growing a side hustle.
• Overcoming fear and indecision when launching a new venture.
• The importance of a supportive community in achieving financial independence.

• Introduction to Kyle Nolan and ProjectionLab
• Kyle’s background and the start of his FI journey
• The motivation behind creating ProjectionLab
• The challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship
• The pivotal moment of launching ProjectionLab on Hacker News
• The significance of mental headspace in pursuing side projects
• Brad’s reflections on proof of concept and personal finance journey
• How to encourage children to explore their passions in technology

• ProjectionLab (Use Code "CHOOSEFI" for 10% off!)
• Richmond Savers
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances
• CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account
• M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing
• CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
• Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points
• Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off)
• Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount)
• Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

This week on ChooseFI, Brad welcomes Devon, a 22-year-old National Guard member and aspiring mechanical engineer, to discuss the power of intentionality and personal finance! Together, Brad and Devon explore how small, deliberate actions can create a domino effect in shaping one's financial future. Devon shares his journey from joining the National Guard at 17 to discovering financial independence through ChooseFI, and how his disciplined approach to life has led him to save for his first home, maximize military benefits, and even inspire his peers.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed:

• The Domino Effect: How Small Actions Lead to Big Changes
• Financial Independence: Starting Young and Staying Disciplined
• Maximizing Military Benefits: Tuition Assistance and Beyond
• Real Estate Goals: Saving for a Down Payment with Intentionality
• Mentorship and Networking: Learning from Industry Professionals
• Practical Financial Tips: Budgeting, Saving, and Investing Wisely

🕒 Chapters:

• Introduction to Devon's Story and His Early Start in FI
• The Domino Effect: How Devon Visualizes His Financial Future
• Navigating College and Military Life: Tuition, Benefits, and Budgeting
• Saving for Real Estate: Devon's Plan to Buy His First Home
• Mentorship and Networking: Building a Successful Career Path
• Practical Financial Tips for Young Adults and Military Members
• Intentional Living: Balancing Work, School, and Personal Goals
• Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

🔗 Devon's Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:

• Devon's Website: Freedom By the Day
• Liberated Mind Library Instagram
• Contact Devon via Email: Freedombytheday@gmail.com

In this episode: Roth IRA conversion ladder, starting with the end in mind, investing for growth or stability, and retirement planning.

While we have covered Roth IRA Conversion Ladders on ChooseFI before, we have never in the past taken such a deep dive into the subject like we do in this week's episode! Once again, we are joined by friend of the show Cody Garrett from Measure Twice Money, as we cover a high-level-FI approach to the Roth IRA conversion ladder and ways one could approach propelling themselves into a FI fueled retirement!

Cody Garrett:

• Website: Measure Twice Money
• YouTube: @MeasureTwiceMoney

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• Measure Twice Money ChooseFI Podcast Resources
• The Roth IRA Conversion Ladder | A Case Study | ChooseFI Ep. 17R
• Roth IRA Conversion Ladder Case Study | ChooseFI Ep. 163R
• Find Your Local ChooseFI Group
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances
• CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account
• M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing
• CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
• Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points
• Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off)
• Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount)
• Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: travel rewards, frugality, companion passes, international travel, intentional spending, and listener questions.

This week Brad is re-joined by Ginger as together they go back to basics during our returning round-up segment! This time around, the pair will be talking about recent travels and hacks they’ve used, travel rewards tips, answering some community questions, and shouting out some of your FI wins of the week! This episode is a great way to crowd-source new tips for people just beginning their FI journey, from learning how to navigate companion passes when traveling, to learning how to both save and spend your money with intentionality!

• Friday Roundup | Huge Announcement | ChooseFI Ep. 22R
• Travel Rewards ChooseFI
• Living Frugal Frugalwoods | Save 75% Of Your Take Home Pay | ChooseFI Ep. 12
• The True Cost Of Car Ownership | ChooseFI Ep. 22
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances
• CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account
• M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing
• CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
• Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points
• Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off)
• Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount)
• Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: travel rewards, IRA conversions, working with FAFSA, health insurance, and the FI journey.

This week we are joined by community member and listener Connie to discuss the beginning of her FI journey, and the transformative steps she’s taken to further maximize her journey for her and her family. With so many resources available to learn and assist you while on the path to FI, the influx of information may seem overwhelming. Knowing how to organize the information will allow you to utilize the hacks and tricks that take some of the pressure off, and grant the opportunity for you to adapt and create the life you want!

• Abundo Wealth
• Advice-Only Network
• Nectarine
• Point.me
• Seats.aero
• PointsYeah
• The $100K Glorified Sleepaway Camp | Millionaire Educator | ChooseFI Ep 386
• How To Test Out of College While You’re Still In High School | Millionaire Educator | ChooseFI Ep 238
• Mailbag: Breaking up with your Advisor, I Bonds, 4% Rule, Accounts for Kids, Roth IRAs | Sean Mullaney | ChooseFI Ep 447
• Find Your Local ChooseFI Group
• The Courage to Take Action | EconoMe LIVE with Doc G | ChooseFI Ep 488
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances
• CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account
• M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing
• CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
• Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points
• Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off)
• Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount)
• Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: FI numbers, financial independence, approaching problems differently, and adjusting spending to accommodate FI.

This week join our host Brad in celebrating 500 episodes of Choose FI, as he talks about the start of his FI journey, and highlights topics and episodes from the last few years. The path to FI isn’t just about simplifying your life, but empowering yourself and taking action to design and create the life you want to be living. And while the list is endless for how FI can improve your life, the community you find while on this journey is just as rewarding. Thank you to our listeners and supporters for being on this journey with us!

• “The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life” by JL Collins
• The Safe Withdrawal Rate Series
• The Side Hustle | The Unspoken Lever of FI | ChooseFI Ep 30
• How to Negotiate Your Salary Without Burning Bridges | Financial Mechanic | ChooseFI Ep 211
• Negotiate Your Salary With Tori Dunlap | ChooseFI Ep 147
• The Roth IRA Conversion Ladder | A Case Study | ChooseFI Ep 17R
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances
• CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account
• M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing
• CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
• Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points
• Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off)
• Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount)
• Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile

In this episode: limiting beliefs, flipping the script, looking for evidence, empowering beliefs, and imposter syndrome.

This week we are rejoined by Jessica from The Fioneers, to discuss the idea of limiting beliefs, from knowing how to identify and define them, to learning to work through and overcome them using her six strategy method. To put this method into practice we workshop two examples of limiting beliefs from FI community members, Samantha and Kyle. While having fears is natural and part of what makes us human, it’s important to be able to distinguish what fears are valid and what limiting beliefs are just holding you back. Whether it’s believing you’re not doing enough on your FI journey, or having a fear of failure, making sure you are continuously working to empower yourself and sift through the self doubt will ensure you live your life with more power and confidence!

• Website: thefioneers.com
• YouTube: @fioneers
• Free eMail Course: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

• The Cure for the Boring Middle | Fioneers | ChooseFI Ep 472
• “The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life” by JL Collins
• “Wherever You Go There You Are: Time-Tested Principles To Get Unstuck, Expand Your Influence, and Illuminate Your World” by Kyle Collins
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

• Top 10 Recommended Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Empower: Free Dashboard to Track Your Finances
• CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account
• M1 Finance: Commission-Free Investing, 1-click rebalancing
• CashFreely: Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
• Travel Freely: Track all your rewards cards and points
• Emergency Binder: For Your Family’s Essential Info (code ‘CHOOSEFI’ for 20% off)
• Student Loan Planner: Custom Consult (with $100 Discount)
• Get a cheaper phone plan with Mint Mobile