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Macroeconomics & Economic Policy
Tag: side hustle
Inside the High-Tech Machine That Convinced a Wall Street Insider to Abandon Stock-Picking Forever
The debate over active stock-picking versus passive index investing has found fresh validation from an unexpected quarter: a former infrastructure engineer at a major multinational investment bank who realized firsthand the staggering, insurmountable technological asymmetry retail traders face every day. Weighing in on recent commentary surrounding Vanguard and the wisdom of index fund investing, the…
Bill Perkins Joins Chris Hutchins on All the Hacks to Discuss ‘Die with Zero’ Philosophy and Maximizing Net Fulfillment
Out of all the episodes spanning the history of the Financial Independence Podcast, a standout installment has captured the attention of long-term wealth-builders and early retirees alike. In a recent crossover feature, Bill Perkins, the visionary author of the bestselling book Die with Zero, sat down with host Chris Hutchins on the popular All the…
Reflections on Freedom: The Mad Fientist Breaks a Three-Year Silence to Discuss Life After Financial Independence
For years, the personal finance community operated under the assumption that reaching Financial Independence (FI) meant the puzzle was permanently solved. Once the spreadsheets balanced, the savings rate hit its target, and the corporate 9-to-5 was officially abandoned, the narrative usually went quiet. Few figures embodied this disciplined pursuit quite like Brandon, widely known as…
From Anti-Kids to Father of Two: How Parenthood Upended a Decade of Financial Independence Philosophy
For years, the author behind the popular financial independence platform known as the Mad Fientist held a firm stance on family planning: he never wanted children. Convinced that kids would act as obstacles to a life of travel, creativity, and personal ambition, he actively opposed the idea. Furthermore, the prospect of parenthood brought an overwhelming…
The Financial Independence Paradox: Why the ‘Mad Fientist’ Says Learning to Spend Money is Harder Than Saving It
For decades, the standard narrative of personal finance has focused heavily on the art of accumulation. From frugal living to disciplined investing, aspiring retirees are well-versed in the mechanics of building wealth. However, a less-discussed psychological hurdle awaits those who finally reach the finish line: transitioning from a lifelong identity of saving to actually spending…
Financial Planning Software ProjectionLab Expands Features and Global Support After Rapid Growth
Three years ago, the personal finance community was introduced to ProjectionLab, a platform hailed at the time as one of the most powerful financial planning tools available for individuals pursuing Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). Built specifically to address the complex forecasting needs of the FIRE movement, the software has continued to evolve. Recently, its…
Travel Rewards as an Additional Portfolio: How Strategic Credit Card Management Yields Over $5,000 Annually
In the world of Financial Independence (FI), travel rewards and credit card points are frequently overlooked as minor perks rather than what they truly represent: a lucrative, alternative portfolio capable of supplementing long-term investments. Over several years of tracking the tangible returns yielded by miles and points, financial commentators and practitioners are beginning to quantify…
A Decade of Freedom: Reflecting on 10 Years of Post-Financial Independence Life, Evolving Spending Philosophies, and the AI Landscape
Marking a significant milestone in the modern financial independence movement, a prominent voice in the personal finance space has reflected on a full decade of post-work life. Celebrating ten years since leaving traditional employment behind, the milestone offers a rare, long-term look into the realities of early retirement, the psychological shifts required to transition from…
Reflecting on a Decade of Financial Independence: Gratitude, the AI Shift, and the Evolution of Wealth
Marking a major personal milestone, the creator behind the Financial Independence Podcast recently celebrated ten years since leaving the traditional workforce. In a reflective milestone episode, the host looked back on a decade of post-Financial Independence (FI) life, sharing profound shifts in perspective regarding wealth, lifestyle design, spending psychology, and the unexpected challenges of navigating…
A Decade of Freedom: Reflecting on Ten Years of Financial Independence and the Evolving Landscape of Early Retirement
It has been a wild ride. Ten years after stepping away from his conventional career, the creator behind the Financial Independence Podcast has marked a full decade of post-Financial Independence (FI) life. In a recent retrospective episode, he reflected on the profound changes, unexpected financial realities, and personal growth that have defined the past ten…
