5 Powerful FI Lessons from 100 Episodes | Ep. 101

Michael Houghton of the Irish Fire Podcast rejoins the show to give an update on his FI journey. When he joined in July 2025 (Episode 69), Michael was in semi-retirement, he is now on the verge of finally pulling the plug to retire early currently in his early 40’s. Michael talks us through his decision to finally retire early, why his current career in tech is not serving him anymore and details his financial plans during his first 5-10 years of early retirement.Things you’ll learn:On his decision to quick work and leave in March 2027On his emotions after handing in notice at workHis concerns of sequence of returns risk and how to combat itWhat he has been up to since previous interview (in July 2025)His passion projects in retirementFI Portfolio and strategy leading into early retirementBenefits of sharing his net worth updates publicly onlineNot investing since 2024, yet grown net worth by 240k eurosBuying 2 more investment propertiesHow they will pay for expenses in retirementOn not being able to access some stocks and shares until 50What made him hand in his notice at workThe downsides of AI in his tech jobFear around early retirement and giving up a pay checkTaking a career break as soft landing into early retirementPlans for first 12 months of retirementIrish Fire Podcast Links:Website & Blog: https://www.firepodcast.ie/Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-fire-podcast/id1469056360 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aEfstr3BcC3Q1IITvtyxq Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Related Episodes:Ep 69 - Semi-Retirement & Life Design with Michael of Irish Fire Podcast - LINKEp 102 - How to Quit a High Paying toxic Career for Meaningful Work - LINKEp 76 - Quitting Corporate for a Creative Career - LINKListen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

I share my story on the Everyday FI Podcast with my friend Meghan Combs. I touch on things like:Growing up in an immigrant household in UKGrowing up with the Migrant Mindset and FrugalityMy journey from London, UK to the PhilippinesGeoarbitrage in South East Asia and Costs of LivingMy Why behind FI and Life DesignMy Life Design PrinciplesMy Sabbatical stories and the power of themAlternative FI Milestones (FU Money, Coast FI, Barista FI)Related Episodes:Ep. 103 From Corporate to Barista FI with Meghan Combs - LinkEp. 99 Should You Take a Sabbatical or Keep Working to FI - LinkEp. 96 Lean FIRE Abroad: The Faster Parth to FI (Geoarbitrage) - LinkFreedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefiCheck out EverydayFI Podcast at: Apple Podcast LinkDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

Scott joins us again to talk about his journey to creating more time freedom through part time consulting, where he works only part of the year. This frees him up to work on things that are meaningful to him, like more time with his partner, passion projects, travel and of course writing. Scott is based in Melbourne Australia, he left full time work and a six figure salary in 2023 to work part of the year and he runs the Scott on Fire blog where he writes about his FI philosophy and how to live a good life. Things you’ll learn:About his part time consulting workThe Melbourne local FIRE communityHis FIRE Goal: to make work optional by 40His investment portfolio and his fun moneyThe 4 ETFs he’s investing inThe debt recycling strategy (in Australia)His investing journey from 2018His 50% savings rate for 7 yearsHow he was able to save 75% in one yearHis career journey from 2018: Studied accountingHis first job: data entry as payroll officerOn never getting promotions, just positive ‘side steps’How he got into consultingQuitting full time work in 2023The challenges of having freedomQuick-fire round questions at the end:Something he wished they done 10 years agoHis daily habits that helped him in lifeHis most important lesson in lifeHis book recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get startedScott on Fire Links:Website & Blog: https://scottonfire.com/ X: https://x.com/ScottOnFireFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottOnFireDotCom Substack: https://scottonfire.substack.com/ Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Listen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

Have you ever thought about living between two countries to avoid the cold winters? Thats exactly how Bex Thomas and her husband are living their life now. They designed a life they love which involves living in Sydney Australia for part of the year and Brittany in France the rest of the year to avoid the colder winters. Bex is the awesome host of the Sabbatical Stories podcast and is a career break and career transition coach.Things you’ll learn:Current living situation: Between Australia and FranceThe hardships of renovating a 15th Century barn in FranceWhat a typical years looks like between the two countriesHer backstory from growing up in UK to moving to AustraliaFirst sabbatical before moving to AustraliaHer first 5 years living in SydneyHer promotion to Director level and it being an anti-climaxSecond sabbatical (8 months): Soul searching and life designTheir 3 themes of life design: sunshine, freedom and peopleExiting full time corporate in 2022How she got into coaching Passion projects she experimented withFinding her Ikigai Finding life balance over 365 days not just per dayOn coaching people to take leaps into the unknownValues misalignment: Main issue for studentsCrossroads Program: outline of 6 sessionsPurposeful Pause Program: outline of 6 sessionsAdvice she gives for people post sabbaticalAbout her monthly tech free ‘Joy Day’How they set up finances to fund their transitionQuick-fire round questions at the end:Something she wished they done 10 years agoHer daily habits that helped her on journeyHer most important lesson in lifeHer book recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started Bex Thomas (Links):Website: https://bexthomas.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bexthomas/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bexthomascoaching/Sabbatical Stories Podcast: Link Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Related Episodes:Ep. 88: Test Driving Retirement by Slow Travel (w/ Not Your Ordinary Plan) LinkEp. 77: The 5 Tools For Designing Your Life (If You’re Feeling Stuck) - LinkEp. 74: Crafting Your Best Life Now Before FI w/ Justin Peters of the FI Minded Podcast - LinkListen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

FIRE SPARK Retreat Teaser: The Retreat will be held in August 2026 on the Gold Coast of Australia. It's a weekend getaway for the FI Community to make new friends, learn from the community and get inspired on their journey to FI. On this special episode I’m joined by the founder Brenda James who will tell us a bit more about the retreat and what to expect (in case anyone is interested to join, links to registration are below). I’ll also be joined by Scott of the Scott on Fire Blog who’ll be speaking at the event. Brenda will then switch into interviewing mode and will be asking Scott and I some questions about our journey and our thoughts on the retreat. Come along and meet others on the path to inspire you to keep to your goals, gain insights, and enjoy the journey! Things you’ll learn:Brenda will give a quick intro to the FIRE SPARK RetreatShe will then give further details of the day-by-day programme (7-9 August)Scott and Brenda give insights of what participants learned on the previous FIRE SPARK retreat.Brenda will then interview Scott and myself (for participants to get to know us a bit more)FIRE SPARK Retreat (Links):Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FIRESPARKRetreat/ Retreat registration page: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1476532Scott on Fire (Links):Scott on Fire blog: https://scottonfire.com/Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Listen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

Meghan quit her high paying corporate tech job and downshifted to Barista FI and now works part time as an actual Barista in a coffee shop. She now has a less stressful job and has time to explore other hobbies like book writing and spending more time with her hubby. Meghan is the host of the awesome Everyday FI Podcast where she explores the lives of everyday people on their financial independence journey and she's based out in North Carolina, US.Things you’ll learn:About her part time Barista job Her FI Progress and Investing StrategyHousehold income with husbandSavings rate after transitioning to Barista FINet worth and portfolio splitHow she’s enjoying the journey now before getting to FIWhere she heard about FIRECareer pivot from art historian to techArt historian salary v her tech salaryHow she went from 55k to 150k in salaryBeing a couple on the FI journeyHow therapy was one of the best decisions for herWhy and how she quit her high paying tech jobDealing with toxic bossesWriting a post on Linkedin about quitting Getting depressed after not working What she does now outside of part time workPerks of working in a coffee shop as a baristaQuick-fire round questions at the end:Something she wished she done 10 years agoHer daily habits that helped her in lifeHer most important lesson in lifeHer podcast recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started Meghan Combs (Links):Website: https://everyday-fi.com/ Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everydayfi/id1747124228 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0FihxuhxKG9j4xBChlsLtj?si=dd017fcee8bb412c Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayFIpodcast Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Related Episodes:Ep. 88: Test Driving Retirement by Slow Travel (w/ Not Your Ordinary Plan) LinkEp. 77: The 5 Tools For Designing Your Life (If You’re Feeling Stuck) - LinkEp. 74: Crafting Your Best Life Now Before FI w/ Justin Peters of the FI Minded Podcast - LinkListen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

One of the ways you can enjoy your path to FI is by finding work you enjoy. That might involve quitting a career thats not serving you, or making some changes in your current work place. Today, we’ve got Ben Fox on the show to talk to us about career transitions. Ben is a career coach - based in New York - and his coaching niche is primarily helping senior software engineers break free from the golden handcuffs and into careers they loveThings you’ll learn:Quitting his job and going full time as a solopreneurFirst year as a solopreneur and struggles experiencedThe power of joining online community / group programsThe power of having the right people around you when starting businessesHow he niched down to coaching tech professionalsReasons why people go to him for coaching (their initial career struggles)Coaching clients: example case studiesCase study 1: Garth: accountant of 23 years in toxic environmentCase study 2: Mel: mid 30s, 2 kids, 15 years in sales, but does not like itWhy we find it hard to quit jobs we hateAdvice for people struggling to leave the golden handcuffsThe risks of staying in a bad jobHis coaching process outlineCreating healthy boundaries in your current job Quick-fire round questions at the end:Something he wished they done 10 years agoHis daily habits that helped him in lifeHis most important lesson in lifeHis book recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started Ben Fox (Links):Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfoxcoaching/Website: https://benfoxcoaching.com/ Reverse Engineering you Job Search Video: https://benfoxcoaching.kit.com/jobsearch Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Listen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

We’ve reached the 100 episode milestone at Freedom Before FI! Over the course of two years I’ve been sharing tips and strategies to help you find your version of freedom before getting to Financial Independence and I’ve also interviewed some amazing guests from different areas of the FI community. In this episode I’ll be sharing some of the biggest takeaways that could help you on your journey to creating and living a life that you love.Related Episodes:Ep. 75 The One Superpower that Saving and Frugality Gives You - LinkEp. 35 How to Find a More Meaningful Career, with Career Coach Lisa Hoashi - Link Ep. 20 Career Change, Purpose, Geoarbitrage, with Kenneth Reyes-Lao - LinkFirespark Retreat (Australia):Link below for more info:https://www.facebook.com/FIRESPARKRetreat/Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefiDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

How do you design a life you don’t want to retire from? Jess is one half of the awesome Fioneers platform which started in 2018 with her husband Corey and their aim is to help answer that exact question. On this episode we discuss the step-by-step framework on how to design your life so you can enjoy it before getting to FI. They coined the term Slow FI and popularised Coast FI. Since starting their blog, they’ve taken sabbaticals, reached Coast FI, quit work to focus on passion projects, renovated a camper van to experiment with van life and they also relocated from to the city to the mountains to be closer to nature. What I love about what they’ve done is they’ve gradually designed a life they absolutely love while still on their journey to FI.Things you’ll learn:Jess’ FI progress and overall financial strategy (Coast FI journey)Why she hasn’t been tracking her progress to FIWhy Life Design is important for someone on the path to FILessons from early retirees who wished they took a slower pathHer ‘Design a Life You Love’ life design programmeHer life design process (the 3 step framework)How she used the life design process to create her life nowHow life design can be used for other life areas and not just workLife design student case studies and examples of transitionsThe barriers holding people back on taking leaps The power of experiments to reduce fearsHer Slow FI Retreats and what’s involvedHow ‘Aha!’ moments come when off the grid and outside of normal routineThe experience she’s trying to curate for people on retreatsThe importance of finding your tribe on the FI journeyHow the FI journey is better as a ‘team sport’ than a ‘solo sport’Importance of getting inspiration from other unconventional storiesPotential Fioneers book in the futureQuick-fire round questions at the end:Something she wished they done 10 years agoHer daily habits that helped them in lifeHer most important lesson in lifeHer book recommendations1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started The Fioneers (Links):Blog: https://thefioneers.com/ Design a Life You Love Programme: https://thefioneers.com/waitlist/ Slow FI Retreats: https://thefioneers.com/slow-fi-retreats-2026/ Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Fioneers Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi Related Episodes:Ep. 88: Test Driving Retirement by Slow Travel (w/ Not Your Ordinary Plan) LinkEp. 77: The 5 Tools For Designing Your Life (If You’re Feeling Stuck) - LinkEp. 74: Crafting Your Best Life Now Before FI w/ Justin Peters of the FI Minded Podcast - LinkListen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285Listen to FBF on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474eDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice

If you’re unsure wether to take that extended break from work or to continue working until you get to FI, this episode may be for you. On this episode I’ll be looking at 3 popular barriers or concerns that arise when thinking about taking a sabbatical (or career break or mini-retirement). I’ll also provide my views on how to tackle these barriers if a sabbatical is something you’ve been yearning to do for a while now.Related Episodes:Ep. 33 The Power of a Sabbatical - with Sabbatical Coach Lyndall Farley - LinkEp. 40 Transformative Life Breaks & Sabbaticals - with Career break Expert Katrina Mcghee - LinkFirespark Retreat (Australia):Link below for more info:https://www.facebook.com/FIRESPARKRetreat/Freedom Before FI Links:Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.comEmail: If you want to connect, send me a note at [email protected]: or send a DM at Instagram Link Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomBeforeFI Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefiDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice