• Happy Holidays! Gift Giving Bonus Episode | 9 to FI
    Dec 23 2025

    Navigating Gift Giving and Reflections on the Nine to FI PodcastIn this episode of the Nine to FI Podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot share their thoughts on gift-giving practices during the holiday season. Covering everything from family traditions to budgeting, they discuss their preference for experiences over material possessions and reflect on their personal approaches to giving gifts. Additionally, they touch on their podcast's progress, audience engagement, future topics, and improvements in audio quality. The episode ends with mutual appreciation for their listeners and plans for upcoming discussions in the new year.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview01:31 Discussing Gift Giving Philosophies02:55 Personal Gift Giving Experiences04:33 Gift Giving with Kids and Family06:12 Gift Giving Between Partners08:26 Wrapping Up the Conversation

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    9 mins
  • Letting Go of Six-Figure Income for Time Freedom | 9toFI 022 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Dec 22 2025

    Leaving a Six-Figure Career for Personal Independence: Insights from the 9toFI PodcastIf you found this discussion helpful, please Like this video, Subscribe to the 9toFI channel, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments below!https://youtube.com/@9tofi?si=hvip4nsvatb-D1q0In this episode of 9toFI, hosts Elliot and Josh discuss their experiences and decisions of stepping away from high-paying full-time jobs and how it impacted their Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) journeys. They explore the change in mindset, lessons learned, and negotiating salary increases that led to their financial milestones. Josh shares his story of negotiating his salary to reach six figures and beyond while Elliot discusses similar financial growth in his career. They delve into the psychological challenges and societal perceptions of retiring early, and the balance between financial prudence and living a fulfilling life. Josh also touches on the unexpected challenges of early retirement, such as managing free time and dealing with sudden expenses. They conclude by discussing the potential of rejoining the workforce in different capacities and the importance of having supportive communities to navigate the FIRE journey.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:24 Thanksgiving Break Reflections01:58 The Six-Figure Milestone03:21 Negotiating Salary Increases06:46 Career Progression and Salary History09:37 Early Retirement and Financial Independence16:24 Challenges and Considerations in Early Retirement32:19 Psychological and Social Aspects of Early Retirement36:06 Surprises and New Opportunities Post-Retirement40:15 Advice for High Earners Considering Early Retirement44:40 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up#financialindependence #firemovement #personalfinance #careers

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    49 mins
  • Winning With Side Hustles | 9toFI 021 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Dec 15 2025

    In this episode of Nine to FI, hosts Josh and Elliot dive deep into the world of side hustles, discussing their own experiences and the various types of side gigs people undertake. The episode covers the financial and personal benefits of side hustles, highlighted by interesting statistics and generational differences. They explore part-time jobs, gig economy roles, freelance work, entrepreneurial ventures, and credit card reward hacking. Josh and Elliot also share stories from their own lives, emphasizing skill-building and the impact on their journey towards financial independence. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to examine their own expenses and consider the potential of side hustles in their lives.00:00 Introduction and Audio Quality Disclaimer00:35 The Benefits of Side Hustles01:23 Personal Experiences and Seasonal Chit-Chat03:26 Statistics on Side Hustles in the US05:42 Generational Differences in Side Hustles09:33 Motivations Behind Side Hustles12:28 Cutting Down on Recurring Expenses20:23 The Impact of Reducing Expenses on FI21:28 Listener Engagement and Feedback22:59 Josh's Side Hustle Journey27:41 Personal Side Hustle Stories29:46 Exploring the Gig Economy30:29 Freelancing and Entrepreneurship33:04 The eBay Store Experience38:07 YouTube Ventures52:20 Credit Card Reward Hacking54:32 Dawn's Entrepreneurial Journey56:31 Conclusion and Future Plans#sidehustle

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    58 mins
  • Can Elliot Retire Soon? | 9toFI 020 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Dec 8 2025

    Preparing for Early Retirement: Elliot's Journey and Financial Planning


    In this episode, hosts Elliot and Josh delve into Elliot's financial journey and imminent transition to early retirement. They discuss key aspects that contribute to readiness for retirement, such as setting retirement dates, understanding the 4% rule, evaluating current and projected expenses, and planning for major upcoming costs. Elliot reveals his financial numbers, including savings, investments, and his approach to healthcare expenses. The conversation also touches on psychological aspects of retirement, like avoiding the 'one more year syndrome' and planning for a balanced post-retirement life with personal goals and explorations. They conclude by discussing the emotional and practical steps Elliot is taking as he approaches his retirement target date of March 2027.

    00:00 Introduction: Can Elliot Retire Yet?

    00:16 Elliot's Early Retirement Plan

    03:37 Financial Considerations and Strategies

    04:03 Discussing the 4% Rule and Withdrawal Rates

    10:35 Elliot's Financial Snapshot

    13:02 Planning for the Future: Expenses and Savings

    33:42 Healthcare and Insurance Plans

    42:04 Life After Retirement: Goals and Concerns

    48:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    53 mins
  • Withdrawal Strategy - Josh's Case Study part 1 | 9toFI 019 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Dec 1 2025

    In this episode of the Nine to FI podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot dive into a comprehensive discussion about Josh's early retirement strategy. Josh retired at the age of 48, while his wife Lori still works full-time but is considering a shift to part-time employment. The episode offers a detailed look at their current financial status, including their cash reserves, brokerage account, and rental income. Josh shares his spreadsheet calculations and insights from his Empower account, discussing their monthly and annual expenses, and potential strategies for Lori's reduced work hours or complete retirement. The conversation touches on important financial concepts like the 4% rule, Roth conversion ladders, and 72-T distributions, aiming to find the best approach for their family. The hosts also emphasize the importance of adaptability and proper planning to ensure financial security in early retirement. Feedback and topic suggestions are welcomed at ninetoFIpod@gmail.com.

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

    00:59 Josh's Retirement and Financial Situation

    01:46 Current Financial Snapshot

    04:01 Income and Expenses Breakdown

    07:49 Lori's Potential Part-Time Work Impact

    16:14 Full Retirement Scenario for Lori

    18:13 Empower Retirement Planner Insights

    24:20 Withdrawal Strategies and Future Planning

    30:25 Conclusion and Future Discussions

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    31 mins
  • Add-On, Move, Do Nothing? Elliot's Housing Case Study: Part 1 | 9toFI 018 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Nov 24 2025

    In this episode of the Nine to FI podcast, hosts Josh and Elliot kick off a case study addressing Elliot's housing dilemma. They discuss the pros and cons of moving, building a new home, or expanding the current one, considering financial constraints and family needs. Elliot shares past experiences with contractors and the challenges of financing a large home addition through loans. They also explore different loan options like HELOC, home equity, and construction loans, contemplating the impact of these choices on their financial independence journey. Audience feedback and ratings are encouraged to help the podcast grow.

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

    01:05 Elliot's House Dilemma: Initial Thoughts

    02:03 Exploring Housing Options and Costs

    07:32 Financial Considerations and Loan Options

    16:15 Family Dynamics and Final Thoughts

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    22 mins
  • Old Truck to Financial Freedom | 9toFI Ep017 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Nov 17 2025

    In this episode of nine to FI, we dive into how owning a 13-year-old Chevy Colorado for over nine years has significantly contributed to my journey towards financial independence and early retirement. Join Josh and Elliot as they discuss the financial benefits of keeping an older vehicle, the insights from recent car ownership statistics, and practical steps for turning a vehicle from a money pit into a money-making asset. We also share strategies on monthly savings, the gig economy, and how to maximize your car's utility for small businesses and side hustles. Don't miss out on the valuable tips for anyone looking to make thoughtful financial decisions about car ownership!

    00:00 Introduction: Can Cars Build Wealth?

    00:25 Meet the Hosts: Josh and Elliot

    00:56 Car Ownership Stats and Trends

    03:21 Commuting and Carpooling Insights

    05:57 Monthly Savings Project

    06:40 Streaming Services and Mobile Savings

    09:47 Internet Provider Hacks

    15:36 Josh's Truck: A Wealth-Building Tool

    22:38 Cost of Ownership and Financial Impact

    24:44 Mindset and Identity: Truck as a Symbol

    30:19 Turning Vehicles into Moneymakers

    32:12 Advice for Younger Self and Conclusion

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    37 mins
  • Car Maintenance 101: DIY Tips and Financial Strategies | 9toFI 016 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Nov 10 2025

    In this episode of 'Nine to FI', hosts Josh and Elliot delve into the financial burdens and benefits of car ownership. They explore the average costs associated with car maintenance and offer practical tips for managing these expenses effectively. The conversation highlights the importance of preventative maintenance, how it can enhance vehicle longevity, improve safety, and save money in the long run. The hosts share personal anecdotes and recommendations for DIY maintenance, reflecting on their own car maintenance journeys. Addressing common reasons people delay car care, like cost and time constraints, they propose solutions to help listeners better manage their vehicle maintenance and expenses. The episode aims to provide valuable insights and actionable advice for those seeking financial independence and reliability in their vehicles.

    00:00 The Financial Burden of Car Ownership

    00:20 Introduction to the Episode

    01:30 Car Maintenance Costs and Tips

    07:33 Personal Car Maintenance Stories

    19:05 The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

    30:49 Personal Car Maintenance Stories

    31:20 Common Reasons for Neglecting Car Maintenance

    32:41 The Importance of Regular Car Maintenance

    36:49 Benefits of Preventative Maintenance

    38:23 Cost of Car Ownership

    42:50 Tracking Car Maintenance

    47:11 DIY Car Repairs and Savings

    55:36 Rapid Fire Questions

    01:01:02 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

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    1 hr and 2 mins