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FI Minded - Financial Independence Without the ExtremesAchieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It Author: Justin Peters - Financial Independence Podcast Host & Educator
Pursuing financial freedom, a work-optional lifestyle, or early retirement often leads to the same questions: one more year, do I have enough? what does life actually look like after this? FI Minded helps you think like someone whos already financially independent so you can make smarter decisions about how you work, spend, and live. From Coast FI and Slow FI to lifestyle design, career transitions, healthcare, and self-employment, each episode explores the real decisions behind building a flexible, work-optional lifewithout burnout, over-optimization, or missing out along the way. We cover: * Smarter ways to reach financial independence (without burnout) * Designing a flexible, work-optional lifestyle * Coast FI, Slow FI, and enjoying your time along the way * What life actually looks like after FI (and how to prepare for it) * The tradeoffs behind big money decisions Make progress toward financial independence while actually living your life. Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money), Fritz Gilbert (Retirement Manifesto), and and others helping you rethink how to approach financial independence. Language: en Genres: Business, Education, How To, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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How Many Years of Freedom Does Your Car Cost? | E202 Hanna Horvath
Episode 202
Wednesday, 29 July, 2026
Most people can quickly tell you what they love spending money on: travel, concerts, hobbies, or trying new restaurants.But almost no one gets excited about paying for their car.Yet transportation is one of the biggest expenses most households have. Between car payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation, the average American spends more than $11,000 each year to own and operate a vehicle. For many families, that's over $20,000 annually going toward something that often feels more like a necessity than a choice.In this episode, I sit down with Hanna Horvath from Your Brain on Money to explore what our cars are really costing us (and not just financially). We discuss practical ways to reduce transportation expenses, whether you decide to go car-free, become car-lite, or simply make smarter decisions about the vehicle you already own. Along the way, they examine how America's car-centric culture shapes our spending, our communities, and even our relationships.If you've ever wondered how much faster you could reach financial independence by spending less on transportation, this conversation may completely change how you think about your next car.Key Takeaways:The expense quietly delaying your path to FIWhy your "dream neighborhood" may cost less overallThe surprising math behind owning two carsHow much freedom cheaper transportation can buyWhy going car-free isn't the only smart optionThe hidden costs of driving beyond your budgetWhy America's car culture feels impossible to escapeOther Episodes You’ll Love:What Our Wedding Taught Us About Money | E197 Gaby DeimekeThe Emotional Cost of Ignoring Burnout While Pursuing FI | E193 Jess, The FioneersThe Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel LarsgaardGuest Summary:Hanna Horvath is a personal finance journalist, creator of Your Brain on Money, and an advocate for helping people make smarter financial decisions by understanding the psychology behind them. Through her writing and reporting, she explores how our environments, habits, and cultural norms influence the way we spend, save, and build wealth. Her work frequently challenges conventional assumptions about money while offering practical ways to create a life that's both financially healthier and more intentional.Connect With JustinEmail me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.Support FI MindedWant to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.
