Your FIRE plan worked — so why is spending still so hard? In this episode, Jason (year 7) and Eric (year 2) share a candid early retirement update. Both portfolios have grown well above their FIRE numbers despite years of withdrawals, and a fee-only advisor delivered a surprising verdict: spend more. Learn why unwinding the accumulation mindset is harder than the math, how "life support" for adult kids reshapes the budget, and why unstructured time might be the truest form of wealth - and much more.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/spendmore

Retiring at 47 is early by any definition. In this 2SFI Rewind episode, Jason reflects on his first year in early retirement. Not everything went smoothly as you might expect. Learn what's changed, what's been better, what's worse, and - importantly - has it lived up to his expectations? If you're excited to reach this milestone but still harbor some reservations about crossing into "retirement", Jason offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on what to expect and how to prepare for such a life-altering transition.

Read more about his journey on his blog, starting with the post that originally accompanied this episode: https://www.thenextphaseisnow.com/p/yearone

Is early retirement everything you imagined or does the reality take years to settle into? In this honest check-in, Jason (year 2) and Eric (year 7) compare notes on what post-FIRE life actually feels like from two very different vantage points. They cover decision fatigue, the challenge of replacing work's structure, and why the emotional side of retirement rarely gets the attention it deserves.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/year2/

Is slow travel in retirement all that we hoped or is the dream far better than the reality? In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about his recent experiences during a month-long US road trip. Learn how the trip ended up way over budget, compare how Eric+Jason manage expenses, and whether they would do it again - and much more.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/slowtravel

Retirement doesn’t follow a script - it rewrites itself in real time. In this episode, Jason and Eric unpack why the classic “phases” of retirement actually overlap and how that feels day to day. They dig into the challenges of switching from super-saver to intentional spender, using side income (like options trading or creative work) to fund experiences without derailing the plan, and how travel has changed for them. No matter where you are on the FIRE path, there's something here for you.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/phases

What happens when the plan was “we”… and now it’s just “me”? At 45, Kayla reached Financial Independence solo after divorce, living in the Bay Area without a tech salary. In this episode of Two Sides of FI, she shares how she rebuilt her finances, overcame her fear of investing, and designed a plan that works without a partner’s income or support. In this episode, Learn how a saving mentality and discovering the FIRE community in her 30s led her to the realization that early retirement was within her reach and how she achieved it.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/kayla

Most don't stop to think about how much they might be missing by working "just one more year." It's impossible to put a price tag on some of the experiences Eric + Jason have had since leaving full time work behind. In today's episode, they talk about things they'd never have done before retiring early, the freedom that FIRE afford, and much more. Don't miss the show notes below for details on their work history and their journeys to financial independence.

Show notes: https://twosidesoffi.com/wrong