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9 to FI - Financial Independence Conversations

9 to FI - Financial Independence Conversations

By: Elliot and Josh
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About this listen

 9 to FI is a Financial Independence podcast hosted by Elliot and Josh from St. Louis. Together, they share honest commentary on their journey to FI—covering wins, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. With real conversations and practical insights, they aim to help others navigate the same path, taking Financial Independence from dream to reality.Elliot and Josh Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Au revoir, America? - Bonus Episode - 9 to FI

    Au revoir, America? - Bonus Episode - 9 to FI
    Feb 27 2026

    Considering a Move to Europe for FI: Italian Passports, Geoarbitrage, and Escaping Rising US CostsThe conversation centers on a family’s renewed consideration of relocating from the US to Europe. Elliot describes a prior relocation request that was approved and then reversed at the last minute, and explains that with a new boss they may ask again this year, noting the worst outcome is being told no. They discuss the appeal of geoarbitrage—keeping a US salary while living in a lower-cost EU country—and emphasize giving their children cultural exposure and an easier window to learn a new language while young, potentially enrolling them in local schools.Healthcare and future college costs are highlighted as major uncertainties in a US-based FI plan, with Elliot suggesting these concerns are often mitigated in the EU. Josh shares a recent example of Affordable Care Act insurance subsidy changes making coverage far more expensive for a 20-year-old dependent. They reference anecdotal research showing a family in France potentially living on around $50,000 annually—about half of their current expenses—and discuss income differences between the US and Europe, with US median salary figures cited around $77,000 versus mid-$40,000s in France. The discussion also explores optionality for the children’s education, including the ability to return to the US for college, and briefly addresses work logistics such as a 6–7 hour time zone difference between the US and parts of Europe.00:00 Considering EU Relocation02:09 Work Approval and Geoarbitrage03:08 Why Move Now for Kids04:01 US Politics and Safety Concerns05:00 Healthcare Costs Wakeup Call06:35 FI Benefits in Europe08:01 How Much Cheaper Abroad10:18 Geoarbitrage and Salary Gaps12:06 Kids Education and Optionality13:11 Next Steps and Time Zones14:25 Wrapping Up

    Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

    Contact Elliot: Elliot@ninetofipod.com

    Contact Josh: Josh@ninetofipod.com

    Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

    Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

    ⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

    Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

    Looking for a new credit card? We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

    ⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

    Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

    Books mentioned in this episode:


    Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI
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    14 mins
  • The Great Transition - From FTE to RE | 9 to FI 031 | 9 to FI Podcast

    The Great Transition - From FTE to RE | 9 to FI 031 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Feb 23 2026
    Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!Contact Elliot: Elliot@ninetofipod.comContact Josh: Josh@ninetofipod.comThe Great Transition: How to Move from Full-Time Work to Early Retirement Without One-More-Year SyndromeElliot and Josh discuss the under-covered topic of transitioning from full-time employment into early retirement. Josh recounts how he ended up at a company he hadn’t heard of, worked there for 25 years, and viewed work primarily as a means to provide benefits and income rather than an identity. They share tactics for excelling while protecting time—prioritizing what a boss says matters most, pushing back on low-value meetings, managing deadlines, and avoiding burnout by not immediately turning in work early—which Josh says helped him become highly efficient and even led to two back-to-back promotions. The conversation then shifts to retirement logistics and psychology: Josh gave 14 months’ notice to a new manager, explains why he wasn’t worried about being let go, and contrasts Elliot’s experience of being quickly escorted out of a sensitive cybersecurity role (though paid out for his notice). They address “one more year syndrome,” with Josh describing how he delayed retirement for milestones like paying off the house and getting their youngest through high school, and how setting a firm retirement date tied to his 25-year anniversary helped commit him to leaving. Josh emphasizes preparing for retirement by testing hobbies and routines before quitting, asking what a perfect day looks like, and ensuring activities are scalable and fulfilling; he admits to pre-retirement anxiety about running out of things to do despite having many interests. They also discuss the social friction of being retired—how people ask “what do you do?”—and how the FI community provides more authentic conversations than broader work-centered culture. Josh shares a recent doctor visit where the doctor was surprised by his retirement and Josh framed his activities as managing rental properties. They close by encouraging listeners to flip the “I’ll be bored” script, use current interests (including social media algorithms) as clues for passions, and start experimenting with how to spend time if money were not a constraint.00:00 Kicking Off: From ‘Being Vertical’ to Early Retirement Talk00:29 Why the ‘Retirement Transition’ Is the Missing FIRE Conversation02:43 Josh’s Career Origin Story: Falling Into a 25-Year Job04:33 Work as a Means to an End: Not Living to Work07:43 Cracking the Corporate Code: Priorities, Saying No, and Time Defense15:54 Cruise Control & Side Hustles During the Workday (Rentals + Woodworking)20:01 Giving Notice: Why Josh Told His Boss 14 Months Early21:36 Risk of Getting Shown the Door + Beating ‘One More Year’ Syndrome28:30 Coordinating Retirement Timing & Hitting Key Milestones29:10 The ‘One More Year’ Trap: Layering Conservatism in FIRE Plans32:23 Two Sides of the Decision: Money Confidence vs. Time Purpose36:44 Designing Your Perfect Day: Test-Driving Retirement Before the Ripcord39:37 ‘What Do You Do?’: Identity, Productivity, and Being Authentic After FIRE45:51 Why Community Matters (and When FIRE Media Becomes Consumption)51:33 Closing Advice: Flip the Script on Boredom & Reverse-Engineer Your DayAny of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and BudgetingWanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠Looking for a new credit card? We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to youWant to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠Books mentioned in this episode:Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI
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    56 mins
  • Craft Your Legacy - Reverse Obituary | 9 to FI 030 | 9 to FI Podcast

    Craft Your Legacy - Reverse Obituary | 9 to FI 030 | 9 to FI Podcast
    Feb 16 2026

    Navigating Life's Inevitable: Reverse Obituaries, Financial Planning, and Living Fully

    In this episode, Josh and Elliot discuss the impact of Snow Apocalypse 2026 and delve into the concept of a 'reverse obituary,' inspired by Warren Buffet's idea of planning life with the end in mind. They highlight the importance of financial preparedness and estate planning, emphasizing actions like creating wills, trusts, and TODs. Personal anecdotes about preparing for the inevitable and ensuring smooth transitions for loved ones are shared. Additionally, they touch on balancing life and work within the FIRE community, advocating for thoughtful life planning and making the most of the present.

    00:00 Introduction and Snow Apocalypse 2026

    00:50 The Concept of a Reverse Obituary

    01:50 Personal Stories and Financial Preparedness

    05:45 Balancing Life and Work

    10:55 Reflecting on Life Goals

    22:15 Practical Steps for Financial Planning

    26:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!

    Contact Elliot: Elliot@ninetofipod.com

    Contact Josh: Josh@ninetofipod.com

    Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!

    Mint Mobile - We both use ⁠Mint Mobile⁠ and save a ton on our phone plan: ⁠https://fbuy.me/vgAmz⁠

    ⁠Empower⁠ is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting

    Wanna create a podcast? We use ⁠Descript⁠

    Looking for a new credit card? We’re big fans of ⁠Chase⁠

    ⁠Buy Us a Coffee⁠ - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you

    Want to save money on gas? Try ⁠Upside!⁠

    Books mentioned in this episode:

    The Art Of Spending Money: https://amzn.to/45SnKOp

    Come find us and subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
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