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Catching Up to FI

Catching Up to FI

By: Bill Yount & Jackie Cummings Koski
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A mindset, money, and life podcast for late starters catching up to Financial Independence.2024 Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • More Bonds, James, Bonds: Rethinking Your BND Strategy (Part 2) | Frank Vasquez | Episode 230

    More Bonds, James, Bonds: Rethinking Your BND Strategy (Part 2) | Frank Vasquez | Episode 230
    Aug 9 2026
    This is Part 2 of a 2-part Episode. Be sure to catch Part 1 that aired last week (August 2nd). What if the safest-looking retirement portfolio is actually protecting you from the wrong disaster? In part two of Bill's bond marathon with Frank Vasquez, the conversation moves from Bond 101 into the question that really matters: what role should fixed income play once you stop accumulating and start living from your portfolio? Frank explains why bonds should be chosen for a specific job, why a total bond fund may be trying to do too many things at once, and why retirement planning should prepare for a bad decade. The ultimate takeaway is reassuring: bonds are complicated, but most people probably only need one or two bond funds chosen with an actual purpose. This episode covers How bond choices should change from wealth accumulation to retirement spending Why the purpose of a bond matters more than simply deciding to "own bonds" The weaknesses of total bond market funds such as BND Why retirement portfolios should prepare for a difficult first decade What Bill Bengen's research suggests about stocks, bonds, cash, and sustainable withdrawals Why TIPS disappointed Frank during both the 2008 recession and the 2022 inflation shock The limited situations where a bond or TIPS ladder may genuinely be useful Why elaborate bucket strategies often behave like ordinary 60/40 portfolios The risks of pairing a mostly stock portfolio with only two or three years of cash Frank's four principles for designing a diversified retirement portfolio === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Risk Parity Radio ⏰ Related Episodes Are Bonds Dead?: Fixed Income Fundamentals (Part 1) | Frank Vasquez | Episode 229 The 5 Investing Hurdles You Can't Ignore | Bill Bernstein | 201 Mr 4% is now Mr 5% | Bill Bengen | 111 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.
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    51 mins
  • Are Bonds Dead?: Fixed Income Fundamentals (Part 1) | Frank Vasquez | Episode 229

    Are Bonds Dead?: Fixed Income Fundamentals (Part 1) | Frank Vasquez | Episode 229
    Aug 2 2026
    What if bonds aren't dead at all—and we've just spent the last decade misunderstanding what job they were hired to do? Bill welcomes back Frank Vasquez, the hotdog-named engineer-lawyer-DIY investor behind Risk Parity Radio, for part one of a lively fixed-income deep dive. Starting with the basics, Frank explains what a bond actually is, why owning one makes you the lender rather than the shareholder, and how bonds can provide income, stability, or diversification depending on the type and duration. They work through the very real risks hiding behind the phrase "safe investment." Along the way, they visit the Witch of Wall Street, Frank's crystal balls, and the illusion that individual bonds never lose value just because nobody checks the price every day. This is Part 1 of a 2-part Episode. Be sure to catch Part 2 next week (August 9th). This episode covers What bonds are and how they differ fundamentally from stocksThe three main roles bonds can play: income, stability, and diversificationThe differences between Treasuries, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and TIPSWhy higher yields usually come with higher credit or default riskMaturity, par value, duration, yield to maturity, and the yield curveWhy individual bonds fluctuate in value even when investors do not see the daily priceHow interest-rate changes affect short-, intermediate-, and long-duration bondsThe major risks of bond investing, including inflation, liquidity, credit, and call riskWhy diversification depends on correlation, not simply owning investments with different namesWhat 2022 taught investors about stocks, bonds, inflation, and unusual market environments === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Risk Parity Radio ⏰ Related Episodes Risk & Reward: Stress Testing the Long Term Buy and Hold Strategy | Ben Carlson | 225 I Love Goooooold?! :) | Frank Vasquez | 184 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • How to Retire at 40: Her Debt-Crushing Path to Financial Independence | Bernadette Joy | 228

    How to Retire at 40: Her Debt-Crushing Path to Financial Independence | Bernadette Joy | 228
    Jul 26 2026
    What if crushing your money goals has less to do with finding the perfect formula—and more to do with getting lovingly bullied into taking action today? Bill and Jackie sit down with Bernadette Joy, a first-generation Filipino American who paid off $300,000 of debt in three years, reached her first million, and eventually built a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Bernadette also explains why she believes traditional financial literacy is dead, walks through her C-R-U-S-H framework, and reveals why the final "H" evolved from hustle to healing your money wounds. This episode covers How Bernadette paid off $300,000 of debt and reached her first million The $100-a-day strategy that made an intimidating goal feel actionable Why generating more income only works when you keep and invest the difference How she resisted lifestyle creep while building a seven-figure business Why her paid-off home mattered more emotionally than optimizing every return Her argument that financial literacy should become financial fluency and freedom The five-part C-R-U-SH framework for organizing money and designing an independent life The $1-per-use rule for spending intentionally without guilt How unsubscribing, reducing drama, and creating a peace plan support financial freedom . === SUPPORT THE SHOW === 📩 Sign up for our newsletter 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee" 🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question . ===DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS=== F.I.R.E. For Dummies Did you know that co-host Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC® is also author of "F.I.R.E. For Dummies"? This is the perfect guide for anyone looking to move from the basics of their finances to reaching F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and enjoying the time freedom it creates. Even if you feel behind on your finances, the steps in this book will help you catch up sooner than you ever imagined. Learn from someone who actually achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s even after getting a late start Covers everything from basics to advanced strategies in one guide Practical solutions for early retirement obstacles like health insurance and early withdrawal penalties 📕 Get Your Copy (currently 40% off on Amazon) For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners . RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Crush Your Money Goals Website 📕 CRUSH Your Money Goals Bernadette Joy's free retirement checklist and newsletter 2026 Plutus Impact Summit 2026 Plutus Awarsds ⏰ Related Episodes Live Talk from the Plutus Awards: Bill's Inspiring Message to Late Starters . 📌Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
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