Episode 170

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Published on:

4th Jun 2025

How to Live a FI Life Without the FI Bank Account | E170 Jess from Fioneers

Why are you chasing financial independence?

It could be living a more adventurous life filled with travel or doing work you love, regardless of the pay. Whatever your dream looks like, it probably comes down to two things: freedom and flexibility.

We want to be in the driver’s seat of our lives. And we know money is one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way. So we save, invest, and make sacrifices now, hoping it’ll give us more control over our choices later.

But let’s be honest, it can feel like a grind. And sometimes, we want to enjoy more freedom now, not just someday. So... is it possible to live a FI life without the FI bank account?

Jess from The Fioneers says yes. As you move through your financial independence journey, you unlock more freedom. All of the freedom doesn’t magically happen after you hit your FIRE number; it happens along the way.

In today’s episode, Jess breaks down the five stages of FI, what kind of freedom comes with each one, lifestyle shifts to consider, and common traps that could leave you stuck in one of the stages. Jess shares a lot of alternative paths to financial independence that balance enjoying the moment while setting up your future self.

Let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the sourdough maker and pioneer of SlowFI…Jess from the Fioneers.

Key Takeaways:

  • How to use the incremental freedom you gain as you get closer to FI
  • Adopting a SlowFI mindset
  • 5 stages of FI
  • Why you’ll spend less than you think in CoastFI
  • Creating memories in van life


More of Jess:

CoastFI Calculator: https://thefioneers.com/free-resources/


More of FI Minded:

Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

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About the Podcast

FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Want to achieve Financial Independence (FI) without missing out on life?

FI Minded is the podcast for anyone seeking financial freedom, time freedom, and a work-optional lifestyle — all while enjoying the journey along the way.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your FI journey or already deep into Coast FI or Slow FI, this show gives you practical strategies and insights to reach early retirement and design a life that aligns with your values, purpose, and fulfillment.

Popular topics include:
- FI Optimization Strategies: Actionable advice to reach Financial Independence faster without unnecessary stress.
- Work Optional & Lifestyle Design: How to transition from the corporate grind and build a life of freedom, flexibility, and intentional living.
- Time Freedom & Coast FI: Making the most of your time while still planning for the future, including mini-retirements, travel, and other ways to enjoy your life now.
- Post-FI Identity & Purpose: What to do once you’ve achieved FI, and how to create meaning beyond money.
- Burnout & Balance: Avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization and learn to balance saving for the future with mental health and happiness.

If you want to reach financial independence, design a life that’s purposeful and fun, and avoid burnout along the way, FI Minded is your guide to building a sustainable, fulfilling, and free life.

Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), and many more inspiring voices in the FI space.
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