Afford Anything

Category: FIRE

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#506: MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday

Today’s guest, Brandon Ganch, also known as the MadFientist, reached Financial Independence (FI) and quit his job as a software developer at 34. But then he faced a vexing question: what should he do with the rest of his life?

In this episode, Brandon shares his journey with FI, revealing the gap between the ideal life you envision on spreadsheets and the reality that unfolds. He talks about reaching FI sooner than planned, having more money than anticipated, and the adjustments he had to make to his lifestyle. It’s a refreshingly honest look at FI that goes beyond the numbers.

We also dive into the changing landscape of work and the impact of automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Brandon talks about what he would do differently if he were in his 20’s, and shares valuable insights on tools you can use to stay relevant and future-proof your career.

You’ll enjoy this if:

— You’re on the FI path and want to ensure your plans are flexible enough for life’s surprises.
— You’re curious about the unexpected realities of achieving FI.
— You’re concerned about automation impacting your job security.

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#505: Harvard Dropout Builds Nation’s First Car-Free Utopia, with Ryan Johnson and JD Roth

Ryan Johnson isn’t your average CEO. He’s a visionary reimagining city life, one car-free community at a time.

In this episode, we chat with Ryan, the co-founder of Culdesac, about building walkable neighborhoods designed for human connection, not just traffic.

We’ll dive into his experience with Opendoor, his passion for electric bikes (he owns over 60!), and his audacious plan to revolutionize urban living.

Buckle up (or maybe don’t) for a conversation about the future of cities, the power of community, and why you might not need a car ever again.

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7 Expensive Mistakes That Beginner Real Estate Investors Make

You’ve thought about investing in rental properties …

… but the fear of making a huge six-figure mistake holds you back?

You’re not alone.

That “what if I buy a disaster?” feeling is real, especially for beginners.

Imagine walking into a casino and putting $100,000 on red. That’s how some people view real estate investing – as […]

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#504: The Points Guy: Growing a Side Hustle into a 140-Person Business

Brian Kelly faced a harsh reality during the Great Recession – $65,000 in income and crushing credit card debt.

He started a simple side hustle, a website called The Points Guy, as an attempt to earn a few hundred dollars a month.

Fast forward to today: The Points Guy boasts 11 million monthly visitors and a thriving team of 140 employees.

In this episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his incredible journey, transforming a fledgling side hustle into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

He also shares his signature expertise – the art of redeeming airline miles and points – empowering you to travel smarter. 

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The Bull Market: Are We Due for a Reality Check?

Hi friends,

Let’s talk about the bull market.

We’ve gotten used to a rising market. Since 2009, the bull run stumbled briefly in March 2020 before powering back up. The past 15 years have been mostly a one-way street for stocks.

Are we getting a little too used to the good times? Is there a […]

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#501: Live From Brooklyn: Travel More, Work Less

Feeling stuck in a job you hate, dreaming of exotic adventures? This episode is your escape hatch.

Brad Barrett, host of the ChooseFI Podcast, takes the interviewer role in this special episode, recorded LIVE at a comedy club in Brooklyn.

Brad interviews me (!!) about how I quit my reporter gig and traveled the world for over 2 YEARS! This episode spills the tea on my transformation from newspaper reporter to world wanderer, and talks about how this podcast (now over 500 episodes!) got started. Feeling inspired? This episode is your travel hack manual for designing your dream life on a budget.

Enjoy!

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#500: LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

Let’s talk about the bull market.

We’ve gotten used to a rising market. Since 2009, the bull run stumbled briefly in March 2020 before powering back up. The past 15 years have been mostly a one-way street for stocks.

Are we getting a little too used to the good times? Is there a chance we’re fooling ourselves, thinking this can last forever?

And the big question: should we be worried about a correction coming around the corner?

It’s natural to feel nervous after such a long bull run. Markets are cyclical, but that doesn’t mean we need to panic.

In Episode 500 of the Afford Anything Podcast, I chat with Brad Barrett, the host of the ChooseFI podcast, about how to handle a “fear of heights” around how much the markets have climbed.

Brad and I recorded LIVE in Brooklyn, at a comedy club in front of a sold-out audience.
(Thanks to Brad for coming to NYC from Richmond, VA just for this taping!)

Here are two versions of Episode 500:

–> For a deep dive into the *math,* listen to the audio version.
The audio version includes a bonus track in which I crunch the numbers on historic stock market returns, answering the question: What would happen if you invested a $100,000 lump sum at the worst possible time?

–> For the joy of seeing the live comedy club taping, watch the video!

It was a wonderful night, in the close company of the Afford Anything x ChooseFI communities. Watch the taping to see it unfold.

Brad and I discuss how to invest in today’s climbing market, and how our thoughts about financial independence has evolved over the past decade.

Thanks to everyone in this community for supporting us through 500 episodes and counting. Enjoy the show!

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#499: Q&A: We Save $5,000 Per Month. Where Should We Invest It?

Eugene and his wife are retiring with a $10 million net worth and a guaranteed income that exceeds their annual budget. Do they still need things like life insurance and a financial advisor?

An anonymous caller’s HOA costs have doubled since she bought her condo. She’s wondering if it’s still a good investment. Should she keep it or sell it?

Nandini and her husband save tons every month toward no goal in particular. What should they do with all their extra cash?

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.

Enjoy!

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