Episodes

  • 80. The Truth About Early Retirement: Lessons From Early Retirees (Pt.3)

    80. The Truth About Early Retirement: Lessons From Early Retirees (Pt.3)
    Sep 26 2025

    We dive into case study stories from amazing early retirees and highlight some of the the key lessons they have learnt in their first few years of early retirement. As this show focuses on enjoying our journey to Financial Independence it's useful for us to be aware of any pitfalls or downsides to FI so we can plan around them in advance.


    Case studies on this episode:

    • Youtuber Jean Voronkova
    • Alan and Katie Donegan (a.k.a The Donegan’s) from Rebel Finance School


    Freedom Before FI Links:

    • Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
    • Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
    • Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
    • Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI
    • Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi


    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    9 mins
  • 79. The Truth About Early Retirement: Lessons From Early Retirees (Pt.2)

    79. The Truth About Early Retirement: Lessons From Early Retirees (Pt.2)
    Sep 19 2025

    In part 2, we dive into more case study stories from amazing early retirees and highlight some of the the key lessons they have learnt in their first few years of early retirement. As this show focuses on enjoying our journey to Financial Independence it's useful for us to be aware of any pitfalls or downsides to FI so we can plan around them in advance.

    Case studies on this episode:

    • Richard & Jackie from Early Retirement Wanderlust
    • Joel Hart from the Camp FI Community


    Freedom Before FI Links:

    • Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
    • Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
    • Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
    • Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI
    • Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi


    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    9 mins
  • 78. The Truth About Early Retirement: Lessons From Early Retirees (Pt.1)

    78. The Truth About Early Retirement: Lessons From Early Retirees (Pt.1)
    Sep 14 2025

    We dive into case study stories from amazing early retirees and highlight some of the the key lessons they have learnt in their first few years of early retirement. As this show focuses on enjoying our journey to Financial Independence it's useful for us to be aware of any pitfalls to FI so we can plan around them in advance.


    Case studies mentioned on this episode:

    • Maggie from the awesome Inside Out Money Podcast and platform
    • Amon and Christina from the awesome Our Rich Journey finance platform.


    Freedom Before FI Links:

    • Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
    • Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
    • Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
    • Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI
    • Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi


    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    7 mins
  • 77. The 5 Tools For Designing Your Life (If You’re Feeling Stuck)

    77. The 5 Tools For Designing Your Life (If You’re Feeling Stuck)
    Sep 4 2025

    If you’re feeling stuck and not sure what path to take in life, having the right tools in your bag might just be the key to getting unstuck. It may be that you’re trying to figure out what career to take, what business to start or what university course to take. Today I’ll be discussing the 5 tools or mindsets that designers use to help them create amazing designs, which we can also use in our lives too.


    Freedom Before FI Links:

    • Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
    • Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
    • Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
    • Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI
    • Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi


    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    11 mins
  • 76. Quitting Corporate for a Creative Career w/ Michelle Varghese (Build a Wealthy Spirit)

    76. Quitting Corporate for a Creative Career w/ Michelle Varghese (Build a Wealthy Spirit)
    Aug 27 2025
    Michelle Varghese left her corporate career in tech sales in 2021 to take a sabbatical and pursue her passion projects. What was supposed to be 1 year sabbatical turned into an indefinite one. She started creative projects (like the Build a Wealth Spirit Podcast with her sister Sammie), which led to different work opportunities and collaborations. They worked together on the podcast for 4 years, she’s built a readership of 1,200 on Substack, an engaged audience of over 2,300 on X, has worked with communities like Small Bets, The Pathless Path, Write of Passage. She also created courses and now focus on being a writing coach.We wanted to get her on the show as she is an inspiring example of how to go about pursuing work that is meaningful to you whilst balancing your finances at the same time.Watch the full interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/3zjkNJdd_8A The things you’ll learn:The 3-5 projects keeping her busy right nowHow she got into writing coaching Her experience and advice for others taking a sabbaticalHow she got into FIRE and reaching Coast FI How entrepreneurship has affected her FI strategyHer investment portfolioHow she affords her creative journey and her monthly expensesHow she is less focused on retirement and is already enjoying her lifeHer creative journey from leaving corporate until nowRunning a podcast with sister for 4 years (Build a Wealthy Spirit)Creative projects that stemmed from podcastingFinding creative mentorsGetting into writingCreating a sabbatical courseWorking with online communitiesChallenges on the creative journey About her journey and purposeHer ‘Sparketypes’ - Performer and Maven - how it shoes up in her life nowHer writing coaching and the process of being a writing studentAdvice for beginner writers Advice about taking a leap into creative journeyQuick-fire round questions at the end:Something she wished she done 10 years agoThe daily habits that helped her on her journeyHer most important lesson in lifeHer transformational book recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started Michelle Varghese (Links):Website: https://michelleelisabethvarghese.com/ Substack: https://www.varghoose.com/ Writing Coaching page: https://michellevarghoose.gumroad.com/l/writingcoaching X: https://x.com/mvarghoose Build a Wealthy Spirit Podcast: https://www.buildawealthyspirit.com/ Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.comInstagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Listen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 75. The One Superpower that Saving and Frugality Gives You

    75. The One Superpower that Saving and Frugality Gives You
    Aug 21 2025

    There are some obvious and common benefits to being on the FI journey, although there are a few little aspects that are not talked about as much when in fact they are superpowers. On this episode I talk about the hidden benefit of saving and investing and how it can significantly help you especially when faced with difficult moments in life.


    Freedom Before FI Links:

    • Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
    • Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
    • Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
    • Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI
    • Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi


    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    7 mins
  • 74. Crafting Your Best Life Now Before FI w/ Justin Peters of the FI Minded Podcast

    74. Crafting Your Best Life Now Before FI w/ Justin Peters of the FI Minded Podcast
    Aug 14 2025
    Justin Peters the host of the FI Minded Podcast (formerly the Struggle is Real Podcast). Started in 2020 and now has over 175 episodes. 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! After a 7 month sabbatical in 2020, he got into entrepreneurship after 7 years in corporate and now runs a podcast production company (SimplePod Studios), reducing his 9-5 job to part time. I really wanted to get Justin on the show because we share a similar message, which is about enjoying the journey to FI and taking advantage of the incremental freedoms you unlock on the way. Justin’s reached Coast FI and has unlocked a few of those things on his journey and its what we’ll be talking about today...The things you’ll learn:His FI number target and progress to dateHis investment portfolio splitHis 8 year FI journey and what started itHis salary, expenses and savings ratesTransition from corporate to entrepreneurshipHow he’s less concerned about saving nowHis 7 month mini-retirement Advice for taking a sabbatical and what to do on oneThe projects he started while on sabbatical His podcasting storyGoing back to work after a sabbaticalDownshifting to a part time role to focus more on his businessHow his business aligns with his identity How to negotiate part time work with your bossReaching Coast FI & incremental freedoms on FI journeyHow he structures his week for success (juggling podcasting, part time role and business)What would change in his life if he reached FI Working towards building a life you don’t want to retire fromThe power of ‘FI Bucket Lists’“There are smart managers out there that realise they’d rather get a portion of a very high performing employee than a 100% of an underperforming employee” (Justin on negotiating part time work)Quick-fire round questions at the end:Something he wished he done 10 years agoThe daily habits that helped him in his lifeHis most important lesson in lifeHis transformational book recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started Justin Peters (Links):FI Minded Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fi-minded-achieve-financial-independence-have-fun-doing-it/id1496701179 Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinleepeters/?hl=en Podcast production: https://www.simplepodstudios.com/ Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.comInstagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    51 mins
  • 73. 3 Ways I’ve Implemented Slow FI (Intentional Living)

    73. 3 Ways I’ve Implemented Slow FI (Intentional Living)
    Aug 7 2025

    Slow FI (or Slow Financial Independence) is a philosophy coined by the Fioneers that focuses more on intentionally enjoying your journey to FI as oppose to focusing purely on the numbers and speed at which you get to retire early. Its about designing your life intentionally with your values so that you can enjoy the fruits of your hard earned savings now, instead of grinding it out to the finish line. On this episode I talk about 3 ways that I’ve implemented the Slow FI concept in my journey to bring about more happiness and alignment with my values.


    Freedom Before FI Links:

    • Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
    • Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
    • Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
    • Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI
    • Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi


    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice
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    7 mins