ChooseFI
How would your life change if you reached Financial Independence and got to the point where working is optional? What actions can you take today to make that not just possible but probable. Jonathan & Brad explore the tactics that the FI community uses to reclaim decades of their lives. They discuss reducing expenses, crushing debt, tax optimization, building passive income streams through online businesses and real estate and how to travel the world for free. Every episode is packed with actionable tips and no topic is too big or small as long as it speeds up the process of reaching financial independence.
Episodes
Live from Richmond, VA - Design Your Extraordinary Life!
Brad Barrett, Alan Donegan, and Katie Donegan on fear, family, and building a life you don't need to escape from.
What does an extraordinary life actually look like once you achieve financial independence?
In this special live episode from Richmond, Virginia, Brad Barrett sits down with Alan Donegan and Katie Donegan in front of a live audience to ex...
Most people think they know where their money goes each month… but when they actually run an expense audit, they find hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars quietly leaking out of their budget.
Today we're walking through how to run a simple expense audit, how to find those leaks, and how to use a "value matrix" to decide what's worth keeping—and what's quietly draining your li...
Cody Garrett provides an in-depth analysis of the changing landscape of health insurance in the U.S., focusing on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and adjustments to premium tax credits. He emphasizes the critical role that zip codes play in determining healthcare costs and highlights the importance of understanding the 400% federal poverty level cliff, which poses financial risks for many families. Various ...
Andy Hill returns after eight years to share his journey towards financial independence with his wife, Nicole. Initially faced with relationship and financial struggles, the couple established monthly budget parties that fostered open communication and a shared vision for their finances. By embracing the concept of Coast FI, they balanced their work-life commitments and focused on creating a sustainable, ...
Episode Summary
Auditing your expenses can dramatically improve financial awareness, helping you identify money leaks and understand your true living costs. In this episode, the hosts present a structured four-step framework aimed at facilitating regular expense audits, which ideally...
Jonathan and Brad delve into the phases of financial independence, emphasizing that progress isn't always linear and can be exciting. They highlight the importance of automating finances and conducting expense audits to gain control over your financial situation.
Key Tactical Takeaways
- Conduct a 30-Day Expens...
Embark on a transformative journey towards financial independence with the ChooseFI community, Listeners have come together to share their aspirations and support each other in achieving financial freedom.
From innovative approaches to car shopping using tools like TrueCar, to actionable tips for effective saving strategies and frugal living. this episode is packed with insights...
Brad and Jonathan continue unpacking *incremental gains* — the small, tactical decisions that compound into financial independence.
This conversation moves quickly through **core FI math, expense optimization, retirement accounts, and tax strategy**, showing how flexibility, optionality, and understanding the rules of the game can radically change your long-term outcomes.
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Jonathan and Brad explore the infinite possibilities within the financial independence community by discussing the concept of Incremental Gains.
Key Topics Discussed
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Introduction to Incre...
Brad hosts Sean Mullaney and Cody Garrett to dive deep into the topic of taxable Roth conversions, including key distinctions between various Roth strategies. The discussion emphasizes the strategic nature of these conversions during retirement, common misconceptions, and the importance of prioritizing personal financial success over societal pressures. Listeners will gain practical insights into tax mana...
Jonathan Mendonsa has appeared on several ChooseFI episodes over the past few years, but 2026 marks a major evolution of the show.
ChooseFI is being reimagined as a more interactive, more collaborative, and more deeply community-driven experience. As part of this next chapter, Jonathan officially returns to the show as Brad's frequent co-host, helping lead a truly crowdsourced p...
In this year-end reflection episode, Ginger and Brad share memorable insights from past interviews on budgeting, spending, and the importance of values in financial decisions. They discuss how taking action can lead to financial independence, the impact of community, and the transformative power of generosity. This episode encourages listeners to implement strategies that align with their personal values ...
This special year-end episode [2025] celebrates the inspiring achievements of the ChooseFI community, highlighting transformative experiences in the pursuit of financial independence. Listeners share personal victories, including maximizing retirement contributions, career changes, and embracing minimalist lifestyles. The episode emphasizes the importance of community support, taking action, and designing...
Brad Barrett shares updates on his health journey and effective workout principles, while Dr. Bobby discusses the costs and benefits of organic foods. The conversation encourages listeners to reconsider their food choices and encourages an increase in fruit and vegetable intake over focusing solely on organic options. Brad's muscle-building routine coupled with nutritional insights sets the stage for prio...
Join us as Rishi, a remarkable 15-year-old personal finance enthusiast, shares his journey and insights on financial literacy for the next generation. Rishi discusses key strategies for teaching kids about personal finance, including practical experience, understanding needs versus wants, and early investing through index funds. His insights aim to empower both parents and teenagers to engage in meaningfu...
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Sunny Burns shares his journey to financial independence. After leaving a lucrative government job, he discusses the strategic choices that led to his success in real estate, alternative income streams, and how he's living a fulfilled life with his family of seven. Sunny emphasizes the importance of financial education for children an...
Join Ginger and Frank as they dive into the impactful concept of regret, exploring insights from Bronnie Ware's The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Discover how these regrets can shape a life of fulfillment and happiness, and learn how to embrace self-expression and relationships to achieve true satisfaction.
Episode Summary:
In this episode...
Show Notes
Guest: Jasper Lee, PhD - Clinical Psychologist
Episode Summary: In this episode, Jasper Lee discusses the psychological elements that impact the journey to financial independence (FI). He provides actionable insights on dealing with emotions and behaviors that influence financial decisions, emphasizing cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation as key str...
In this episode, hosts Brad, Emily W, and Emily C delve into the importance of building meaningful friendships and adding adventure to life. They discuss the concept of an "adventure list," embracing vulnerability, and the creativity that can stem from constraints. The conversation encourages listeners to engage in various levels of travel experiences, stepping out of their comfort zones to enrich their l...
Maggie Tucker shares her journey to financial independence at the age of 41, discussing her experiences with fear and anxiety about leaving a secure job. Her insights on the importance of community, transparency in financial matters, and travel with children highlight how to embrace a fulfilling life beyond conventional measures of success.
Timestamps & Key Topics:
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