How Smart Financial Planning Can Help You Spend More Over Your Lifetime
Most people think financial planning is about saving the most. In reality, smart planning can help you spend more over your lifetime—through compounding, taxes, and timing.
Your Employer Stock Is Down—Now What? (An EMN/Eastman Example)
Employer stock is down? This post shares a rules-based framework to measure concentration risk, set a target, and de-risk tax-aware—using EMN/Eastman as an example.
Optimize vs. Maximize: Why “More” Isn’t Always Better in Your Financial Life
Good financial decisions aren’t about maximizing every metric. They’re about optimizing your plan so it supports flexibility, sustainability, and real life.
Building Your “Bridge to Social Security”
Want to retire before Social Security starts? Your “bridge years” between your last paycheck and your first benefit are critical. This post covers practical ways to fund that gap—bond and CD ladders, smart pension choices, cash buffers, and even using a HELOC as a backup—so you don’t derail your long-term plan.
FI Series # 10: Estate Planning for FI- a Playbook for Wealth Transfer
Protect your family and your FI plan. Learn how to use wills, POAs, revocable trusts, TOD/POD, lifetime gifting, DAFs/QCDs, and tax-smart wealth transfer.
FI Series # 9: Risk Management for Financial Independence: Insurance Guide
Risk management is like a lighthouse—helping you spot hidden dangers and safely navigate the uncertain waters of your financial life on the path to FI.
FI Series #8: Creating Your Retirement Paycheck After Financial Independence
Ready to live off your portfolio? This guide walks you through post-FI withdrawals, smart tax moves, and how to create your own retirement paycheck.
FI Series #7: Tax Optimization for Financial Independence
Yes, you can access retirement funds early—and with smart planning, you can do it tax-efficiently. Learn strategies like Roth ladders, Rule of 55, and more.
FI Series #6: How to Invest for Financial Independence
Building wealth for FI doesn’t require stock picking or timing the market. Learn how to invest with index funds, balanced allocation, and a stay-the-course mindset.
FI Series #5: Save Your Way to Financial Independence
Want to reach FI faster? Your savings rate—not your income or investment returns—is the most important factor. Learn how to raise it and shorten your path to freedom.
FI Series #4: Laying the Foundation for Financial Independence
The foundation of financial independence isn’t a number—it’s a mindset. Learn how to build lasting money habits, manage cash flow, and spend in line with your values.
FI Series #3 How to Calculate Your FI Number
Your FI number is the amount of money you need invested to make work optional. Learn how to calculate it using the 4% rule and tailor it to your lifestyle and future plans.
FI Series #2: What Is Financial Independence?
Financial independence isn’t about never working again—it’s about having the freedom to choose how you spend your time. Learn what FI really means and how it can look different depending on your goals.
FI Series #1: Why Financial Independence?
What if work was optional? Financial independence isn’t about retiring early—it’s about reclaiming your time and designing life on your terms. Learn how FI can create more freedom, faster than you might think.