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FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing ItAchieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It Author: Justin Peters
Want to achieve Financial Independence (FI) without missing out on life? FI Minded is the podcast for anyone seeking financial freedom, time freedom, and a work-optional lifestyle all while enjoying the journey along the way. Whether youre at the beginning of your FI journey or already deep into Coast FI or Slow FI, this show gives you practical strategies and insights to reach early retirement and design a life that aligns with your values, purpose, and fulfillment. Popular topics include: - FI Optimization Strategies: Actionable advice to reach Financial Independence faster without unnecessary stress. - Work Optional & Lifestyle Design: How to transition from the corporate grind and build a life of freedom, flexibility, and intentional living. - Time Freedom & Coast FI: Making the most of your time while still planning for the future, including mini-retirements, travel, and other ways to enjoy your life now. - Post-FI Identity & Purpose: What to do once youve achieved FI, and how to create meaning beyond money. - Burnout & Balance: Avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization and learn to balance saving for the future with mental health and happiness. If you want to reach financial independence, design a life thats purposeful and fun, and avoid burnout along the way, FI Minded is your guide to building a sustainable, fulfilling, and free 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), and many more inspiring voices in the FI space. 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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50/30/20 Budget: Does This Popular Guideline Actually Work for FI Seekers? | E184
Episode 184
Wednesday, 3 December, 2025
Are FI seekers supposed to follow the 50/30/20 budget guideline — or is it completely irrelevant when you’re pursuing financial independence? In this solo episode, Justin walks through five years of his own spending data to find out how closely his real-life budget aligned with this popular personal finance rule of thumb.You’ll learn what the 50/30/20 rule was originally designed for, where it breaks down for people on the path to FI, and how your own needs, wants, and savings ratios might shift as you move closer to financial independence. Justin also shares his FI-friendly version of the guideline that better supports intentional spending, lifestyle design, and long-term financial freedom.Whether you’re in your first year of the FI journey or optimizing for Coast FI, this episode will help you rethink your spending percentages, understand your true savings rate, and build a budgeting approach that matches your work-optional goals.Key Takeaways:Why the traditional 50/30/20 budgeting rule often breaks down for FI seekers, early retirees, and anyone aiming for financial independence.How Justin’s actual 2020–2025 spending data compared to the guideline — including needs, wants, and savings percentages.The difference between budgeting for traditional retirement vs budgeting for financial independence or Coast FI.What your savings rate reveals about your FI timeline and why it matters more than a fixed budget ratio.How an FI-minded spending framework can help you design a flexible lifestyle, reduce money anxiety, and stay aligned with your long-term goals.A simple FI version of the 50/30/20 rule you can adapt to your income, values, and personal financial independence path.Why intentional spending beats rigid budgeting - and how knowing your own numbers can help you reach work optionality faster.Other Episodes You’ll Love:Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC RodriguezHow to Save Thousands on Groceries (Without Giving Anything Up) | E176 Bryan SuddithMoney Moves That Sound Smart…But Aren’t (Part 1) | E172Connect 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.
