The Current State of the Financial Independence Movement

We all want to eventually get to the point when work is optional. But some people make it a goal to get there much sooner – perhaps even by their 30s or 40s. One fellow who knows a lot about how to do it is Brad Barrett, the co-founder of the ChooseFI website and the co-host of the ChooseFI podcast. In this episode, Robert Brokamp spoke with Brad about:-The evolution of the financial independence, retirement early (FIRE) movement, and why many have dropped the RE and focus on the FI.-The savings rates and spending mindsets that are the foundations of financial independence-Identifying the “why” that motivates you to make sometimes hard choices-The flourishing FI community that crowd-sources ideas and provides support when living a somewhat counter-cultural lifestyle Send your financial planning questions for our upcoming mailbag episode to [email protected]. Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Brad Barrett, CPAEngineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consumer data is still strong, but companies are telling us a different story. Sales are down, guidance has been rough, and with oil and interest rates rising what’s the future for the consumer? Plus, we discuss this week’s AI ups and downs and the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Dan Caplinger discuss: - Are Consumers OK? - Interest Rate Takes - AI This Week - Bargain Stocks - End of an Era - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Nike (NKE), Lululemon (LULU), Deckers Outdoor (DECK), On Holding (ONON), Lennar (LEN), DR Horton (DHI), Toll Brothers (TOL), Meritage Homes (MTH), Chipotle (CMG), Sweetgreen (SG), Dutch Bros (BROS), Wendy’s (WEN), Wingstop (WING), GM (GM), Ford (F), Ferrari (RACE), Tesla (TSLA), Meta (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Dan Caplinger Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every few years, a investing theme comes about that momentarily captures the zeitgeist, but then fades into the background just as quickly. Anyone that has invested in nuclear stocks recently is the most recent in a long line of investing trends that get caught up in frantic enthusiasm that far surpasses the industry’s progress. Jon, Matt, and Tyler share war stories of the hype cycles they got caught up in and how investors can avoid that fate. Plus, Lennar’s earnings in a rate hike cycle and the mailbag. Have a question? Email us; [email protected] Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss: - Homebuilders in a rate hike cycle. - Are there housing stocks that aren’t playing the waiting game? - Hype cycles vs. durable trends - What part of the cycle fits you best? - Mailbag: Pullback stock ideas. Companies discussed: LEN, FIGR, UPST, INVH, AMH, OKLO, PTON, FIVE, XYZ, MELI, AXON, BN Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Jon Quast, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re likely to have two trillion dollar IPOs in the next year with Anthropic and OpenAI eyeing the market. And they’ll join Meta, Google, SpaceX, and more in the AI race. But does anyone really have a durable advantage? We discuss that and where we see opportunities in AI. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - AI Moats - Fragile Competitive Advantage - Valuing AI Stocks - Metrics to Watch - Stock Opportunities Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), SpaceX (SPCX), Modine Manufacturing (MOD), NVIDIA (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US government and governments all over the world have played some active role in the day to day decision making at businesses for years. What we haven’t seen, though, is the US government take active equity stakes in businesses and so directly shape the capital allocation decisions. That has changed under the current administration and has profound impacts on how these business work. Matt, Lou, and Tyler break down the consequences of governments shaping business decisions as an equity investor. Plus, earnings from a Hidden Gems favorite and a listener question Have a question? Email us; [email protected] Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - Forgent Power solutions earnings and outlook - The administration's active role in business deals - Mailbag: How to deal with volatility Companies discussed: FPS, ELMT, MP, INTC, BA, EADSY Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Lou Whiteman, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dominant story of the past week has been the wave of leaders in the AI space warning about the pace of frontier models and their fear of them getting “out of control”. While that may be true, there may be other reasons why they’re all sounding the alarm at this precise moment. Travis, Rachel and Tyler take a look at some of the less said reasons why this appers to have hit a fever pitch and whether that changes how investors should view the upcoming Anthropic and OpenAI IPOs. Plus, an investing trend palette cleanser and how to view dividends. Have a question? Email us; [email protected] Tyler Crowe, Rachel Warren, and Travis Hoium discuss: - OpenAI, Anothropic, and more sound the AI alarm - A safety problem or a business fundamentals problem - Consumer discretionary stocks: Value or value trap? - AI accelerating drug discovery - Mailbag: How important are dividends? Companies discussed: GOOGL, AMZN, NVDA, AVGO, AMZN, MEDP, IQV, KRYS, MRNA, KNSA, DIS Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Travis Hoium, Rachel Warren Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investors pour over income statements and cash flow trends — but the person deciding what happens to those numbers next matters more, and it's the thing almost nobody knows how to evaluate. Motley Fool's Rachel Warren sits down with Reza Satchu, HBS senior lecturer and six-time company founder, to unpack why judgment — not intellect or data — is the scarcest asset in the age of AI, whether it can actually be taught, and the real story behind walking away from a billion-dollar buyout offer on his student housing company, only to sell it a year later for $1.7 billion.  Host: Rachel Warren  Guest: Reza Satchu  Producers: Dennis Golin, Lauren Budabin  Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of National 401(k) Day (which was this past Thursday), Robert Brokamp covers three employer-sponsored plan features that often fly under the radar – partially because they can be complex, and partially because many plans don’t offer them.In this episode, Robert discusses:-Advocating with your employer for more features and better investment choices-How a self-directed brokerage within can help both the stock and non-stock side of your portfolio-How to implement the mega backdoor Roth-How the rule of 55 (or 50) can allow some people to make withdrawals a few to several years before age 59 1/2 and avoid the 10% early distribution penalty.Have a question for our upcoming financial planning mailbag episode? Email it to [email protected]. Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAEngineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meta unveiled the Muse app this week and it may be a turn in how consumers use AI. It’s a personal assistant that can read your email, update your calendar, and do tasks in the background. But will consumers care? Plus, Apple unveiled the new Duo phone and consumers feel the pressure from higher prices. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Hall discuss:- Meta Muse- Consumer AI Adoption- Apple Duo- Time Machine- Inflation Data- Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), TJX Companies (TJX), Howmet Aerospace (HWM), Tesla (TSLA), Disney (DIS), Uber (UBER), Costco (COST). Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Jason HallEngineer: Bart Shannon Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Apple has continued to be a great business, it’s been a minute since the company issued a new product that made us go “wow”. With new CEO John Ternus coming from the hardware side of the business, it comes as little surprise that one of the first things it announced was a major change to the iPhone, the iPhone Duo. Matt, Jon, and Tyler break down how this launch could impact the bottom line and whether this is a sign of what Apple will look like under Ternus. Plus, Chewy & Casey’s General Store earnings and what makes a good acquirer. Have a question? Email us; [email protected] Tyler Crowe, Jon Quast, and MAtt Frankel discuss:- Chewy’s earnings- Casey’s General Store earnings- Apple’s new iPhone Duo- New CEO, new Focus?- Mailbag: is acquisition a good strategy? Companies discussed: CHWY, CASY, APPL, AJG Host: Tyler CroweGuests: Jon Quast, Matt FrankelEngineer: Dennis Golin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices