Episode 171

full
Published on:

18th Jun 2025

You’re Great at Saving. Here’s How to Get Great at Giving (FI Style) | E171 Spencer Reese

The Financial Independence community is great at saving and investing — but what about giving?

In this episode, I talk with Spencer Reese from Military Money Manual about how to make generosity part of your FI plan without derailing your financial goals. We explore how charitable giving can reduce your taxes, align with your values, and help you overcome money scarcity by building an abundance mindset.

Whether you’re early in your FI journey or already financially independent, this conversation will help you give with purpose — and make a real difference along the way.

Key Takeaways:

  • How to get more comfortable donating your money
  • Ways to balance your FI goals while supporting causes you care about
  • How charitable tax deductions actually work
  • What a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is and why it might be right for you
  • The easiest DAF platform for first-time donors
  • Why donating appreciated stock can be a powerful giving strategy
  • How to find ethical, effective nonprofits to support
  • Tips for deciding how much to give (and when)
  • Whether it’s better to donate now or wait until you’ve reached FI

More of Spencer:

Check out Military Money Manual Podcast: https://militarymoneymanual.com/podcast/


More of FI Minded:

Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com

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

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It

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.
Support This Show