You're listening to Two Sides of FI, a conversation between two lifelong friends about financial independence - what it takes to get there and what comes after. One of us reached FI in 2020, the other in 2024. We started this show to document our different paths, and now that we're both post-FI, we're still figuring out how to use the freedom we spent years working toward. I'm Eric and I'm joined by my friend Jason, and this is our story.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
REWIND: What’s Wrong with This Popular Retirement Strategy?
Do you worry about running out of money in retirement? How do you draw down your assets without tanking your portfolio? Eric + Jason talk with FIRE bloggers Karsten Jeske
Sep 20 1 h 09 min
We Have Enough. So Why Is Spending Still Hard?
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 g
Aug 30 52 min
REWIND: What I Learned in My First Year of ”Early Retirement”
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 ex
Aug 4 30 min
Year 2 vs. Year 7: What Early Retirement is Really Like
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
Apr 12 47 min
Thinking About Slow Travel After FI? Watch This First
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 m
Dec 14 2025 42 min
Is This Goodbye?
Are we really ready to walk away from Two Sides of FI? In this candid conversation, Jason and Eric reflect on more than four years of recording together, what the project
Sep 21 2025 40 min
Early Retirement: How Things Have Changed for Us
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 h
Sep 7 2025 40 min
From Divorce to Financial Freedom: FI at 45
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.
Aug 17 2025 48 min
Am I Doing Retirement Wrong?
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
Jul 13 2025 36 min
How Much Can You Really Spend in Retirement?
In Part 5 of our SWR Toolbox series, we answer your questions about our CAPE-based withdrawal strategy, how it compares to a fixed safe withdrawal rate approach, and much
Jun 29 2025 45 min
Are We Hiding Something? Our Real FIRE Portfolio + Expenses
Are FIRE content creators being honest about their numbers? YouTuber Duane isn't so sure. In this episode, Eric and Jason share detailed insights about their own FIRE num
Jun 15 2025 30 min
Our Biggest Fears About Early Retirement
What’s the scariest part of retiring early? For many, it's not just about money—it's the unknowns that come after leaving work behind. In this candid conversation, Eric a
Jun 1 2025 50 min
Life After FIRE: Your Toughest Questions, Answered
After five years of early retirement and 100 episodes of Two Sides of FI, what have we learned? A lot—and we're sharing it all. To mark this milestone, Eric and Jason sit
May 18 2025 1 h 17 min
2025 Market Chaos Blowing up our FIRE Plans?
With markets down at one point nearly 20% in 2025, is this the sequence risk moment we feared? In this episode, we reflect on recent market volatility, how it’s impacted
May 4 2025 38 min
What Should We Do With Bonds and Cash in a Crazy Market?
How should you respond to market conditions to ensure financial stability? Like the famous Mike Tyson quote says, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth
Apr 27 2025 35 min
It's Harder to Retire Than I Expected
Do some find it hard to retire because they don't know how to stop working? In today's episode, Eric talks with Jason about the challenges he's experienced after achievin
Mar 9 2025 32 min
How We're Using ProjectionLab in (Early) Retirement
Why has ProjectionLab quickly become one of the most popular early retirement planning tools? In this episode, learn why PL is an essential software package for both Eric
Feb 23 2025 50 min
Are You on Track? Our 2024 Financial Review
What are the critical financial elements to track and review each year pre- and post-FI? In this episode, Eric and Jason share their processes and learnings from their 20
Feb 9 2025 51 min
How Do I Know When I'm Ready to Retire?
How do you know when it's the right time to retire? Most on the FIRE path focus on the financial elements because in essence, they're the easiest part of the equation. Bu
Jan 19 2025 46 min
What No One Tells You About Purpose and Happiness in Retirement
Worried about finding purpose in retirement? Most people are, but in reality it's easy to address these fears head-on. In this episode, Eric + Jason are joined by Jordan
Jan 7 2025 36 min
What listeners say
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I love how these guys share their experiences both approaching and following financial independence. I especially like when they discuss the emotional and developmental topics about retirement, beyond the pure numbers, which is covered ad nauseum elsewhere. Finally I appreciate how they include their spouses from time to time, since FIRE is typically not a solo endeavor. Keep up the great work!
UPDATE: Just learned that they are considering ending their podcast. This makes me sad. I guess this a classic “parasocial relationship”. I will miss you guys’ candid and entertaining conversations about FI, RE and retired life in general. Have a beer for me!
Neoteric5 · Nov 2025
As of fall 2025, they are currently on pause or maybe done for good. But it doesn’t matter. If you run into this podcast years down the road and see it hasn’t been updated in a long time, know that the content is timeless. And I don’t think anyone will ever do it better. Also how could this have a 4.9 rating and not 5 across the board? 5 years or blood sweat and tears of excellent content deserves a 5 in my view!!
On to my original review:
I’m getting ready to FIRE soon. Already FI. There are many podcasts that focus on describing what FI is and why it’s a lifestyle worth pursuing. This is the best one detailing the mechanics and day in day out methods of HOW to do it (eg, Jason on portfolio, SWR, SORR, budgeting, lifestyle, etc.) and how to prepare to do it (eg, Eric on portfolio, investing, work, etc.). They even sprinkle in perspectives from their spouses from time to time, as well as their own personal accounts of real concerns. With the exception of this one, I don’t re-listen to episodes from any other podcast.
D-man-1298 · Oct 2025
No ... I already miss you guys. I wanted to take a moment to thank you both for the high-quality content that you've put out to the world and your willingness to share your personal journeys.
Enjoy the break and will be waiting for the next update.
During the pause, I would highly recommend anyone who finds this show to check out the back catalog. This is not the typical FI/FIRE content; Eric and Jason put the "personal" in personal finance.
Mr_Moose_Man · Sep 2025
Love the balance of technical and behavioral aspects of FI. Great show!
Update- listening to what may be your last show. Just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for your listeners! I wish you the best with the next chapter of your lives!
Sdfgjj · Sep 2025
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Two Sides of FI, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
