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.
9 to FI
Claim This Podcastby Elliot and Josh
4.7(7 reviews)
51 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/1/2025
1 verified contact email on file for 9 to FI
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Recent Episodes
June 29, 2026
The Hardest Thing About Early Retirement | 9 to FI 049
<p>The Hardest Part of Early Retirement: Mental Health, Rumination, and Finding HappinessJosh and Elliot discuss common challenges of early retirement—shifting from saving to spending, boredom, healthcare uncertainty (ACA subsidies and planning), loss of identity and guilt when saying you’re retired, social isolation, and fear of running out of money (Monte Carlo simulations, one-more-year syndrome, expense lumpiness, and flexibility). Fourteen months into early retirement, Josh says most of these weren’t major issues for him, but his biggest struggle has been mental health and happiness: after an initial honeymoon, stress from helping with a newborn granddaughter in the ICU, sleep disruption, recurring funks, irritability, and rumination over trivial and family/tenant issues. He describes using reframing, reducing complaining, reading self-help and mental-health books, drafting an “It’s a Wonderful Life” personal policy statement, and focusing on controlling what he can; Elliot shares returning to therapy and the idea that money only solves money problems.00:00 Early Retirement Struggles01:10 Saver To Spender Shift02:58 Boredom And Purpose06:05 Planning The Tuesday Life10:18 Healthcare And ACA Fears13:16 Identity And Guilt21:31 Isolation And Community24:48 Running Out Of Money34:15 Mental Health Reality Check42:01 Tools To Stop Rumination45:10 Therapy And Taking Control57:33 Closing Thoughts</p><p>Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!</p><p>Contact Elliot: <a href="mailto:Elliot@ninetofipod.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elliot@ninetofipod.com</a></p><p>Contact Josh: <a href="mailto:Josh@ninetofipod.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh@ninetofipod.com</a></p><p>Josh’s other podcast: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4foNu6PXBBTnj7LRPUWeSd?si=380e77ecc4524baf" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stuck In Beta</a></p><p>Josh’s YouTube channel: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@howtofixitworkshop" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How To Fix It Workshop</a></p><p>Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!</p><p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/9tofi" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy Us a Coffee</a> - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you</p><p>We both use<a href="https://my.mintmobile.com/refer/aEWp5rL" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Mint Mobile</a> and save a ton on our phone plan:<a href="http://fbuy.me/vgAmz" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a></p><p><a href="https://empowerreferral.link/joshuaepley" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Empower</a> is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting</p><p>Wanna create a podcast? We use<a href="https://descript.cello.so/IVNVNzQT7Gf" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Descript</a></p><p>Looking for a new credit card? We’re big fans of<a href="https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226d/VXSG31N8OF" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Chase</a></p><p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/9tofi" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a>Want to save money on gas, groceries and dining out? Try<a href="https://upside.app.link/JOSH56339" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Upside!</a></p><p>Books mentioned in this episode:</p><p>Come find us and subscribe on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI</a></p><p><br /></p>
June 22, 2026
Why we didn't save for our kids college. | 9 to FI 048
<p>College Planning, 529 Tradeoffs, and Flexible Ways to Support KidsElliot and Josh chat about summer heat, an upcoming Colorado trip for Camp FI, and how long emails get ignored, then segue into college expenses and planning. Elliot references an Inside Out Money episode contrasting underfunding vs. heavy 529 saving (including a $600,000 example) and discusses 529 flexibility alongside concerns about over-saving and restrictions. Josh explains why his family avoided 529s, noting his children took varied paths (one degree, two partial, one no college), and describes focusing on controllable cost reducers like Missouri’s A+ scholarship (two years community college tuition) and earning credits in high school, plus covering books/fees and encouraging tuition reimbursement jobs. They debate ROI of expensive schools, the value of the “college experience,” alternative careers, and ideas for gifting money with guardrails or paying loans later to create “skin in the game,” acknowledging uncertainty about timing and kids’ choices.00:00 Summer Heat Banter00:54 Camp FI and Manitou Incline01:52 TLDR and Email Overload03:29 College Planning Kickoff04:19 529 Plans and Flexibility10:02 Scholarships and Community College12:56 Debt, ROI, and College Value21:35 Rethinking the Traditional Path28:14 Kids Finding Their Own Way37:53 Gifting Money and Skin in Game45:26 Wrapping Up and Next Time</p><p><br /></p><p>Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!</p><p>Contact Elliot: <a href="mailto:Elliot@ninetofipod.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elliot@ninetofipod.com</a></p><p>Contact Josh: <a href="mailto:Josh@ninetofipod.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh@ninetofipod.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Josh’s other podcast: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4foNu6PXBBTnj7LRPUWeSd?si=380e77ecc4524baf" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stuck In Beta</a></p><p>Josh’s YouTube channel: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@howtofixitworkshop" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How To Fix It Workshop</a></p><p>Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!</p><p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/9tofi" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy Us a Coffee</a> - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you</p><p>We both use<a href="https://my.mintmobile.com/refer/aEWp5rL" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Mint Mobile</a> and save a ton on our phone plan:<a href="http://fbuy.me/vgAmz" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a></p><p><a href="https://empowerreferral.link/joshuaepley" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Empower</a> is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting</p><p>Wanna create a podcast? We use<a href="https://descript.cello.so/IVNVNzQT7Gf" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Descript</a></p><p>Looking for a new credit card? We’re big fans of<a href="https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226d/VXSG31N8OF" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Chase</a></p><p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/9tofi" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a>Want to save money on gas, groceries and dining out? Try<a href="https://upside.app.link/JOSH56339" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Upside!</a></p><p>Books mentioned in this episode:</p><p>Come find us and subscribe on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI</a></p><p><br /></p>
June 15, 2026
Net Worth vs Investable Assets - There's a BIG DIFFERENCE! | 9 to FI 047
<p>Net Worth vs. Investable (Liquid) Assets: What Really Funds Financial IndependenceJosh and Elliot discuss the difference between net worth and investable assets (liquid net worth) and why confusing them can mislead financial independence planning. Net worth is assets minus liabilities and can include a primary residence, cars, and real estate equity, but those assets may not be easily tapped to fund living expenses without selling. Investable assets—such as a 401(k), Roth IRA, and brokerage accounts—are the liquid holdings typically used for withdrawal-rate calculations like the “$1M for $40k at 4%” baseline. They explore how real estate adds complexity because equity doesn’t translate predictably into cash flow due to rents, appreciation, vacancies, repairs, and capital expenditures, and they emphasize the importance of decumulation mechanics, withdrawal strategy, and understanding where retirement income will actually come from.00:00 Net Worth Basics02:03 Defining Investable Assets03:06 Liquid Net Worth Explained05:36 The Million Dollar Myth06:52 Real Estate Equity Limits09:10 Returns and Leverage Tradeoffs11:28 Real Estate Cash Flow Reality15:29 Baseline FI and Projections21:51 Decumulation and Drawdown Plan26:46 Wrap Up and Take Action</p><p>Do you have feedback or suggestions? We want to hear from you!</p><p>Contact Elliot: <a href="mailto:Elliot@ninetofipod.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elliot@ninetofipod.com</a></p><p>Contact Josh: <a href="mailto:Josh@ninetofipod.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh@ninetofipod.com</a></p><p>Josh’s other podcast: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4foNu6PXBBTnj7LRPUWeSd?si=380e77ecc4524baf" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stuck In Beta</a></p><p>Josh’s YouTube channel: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@howtofixitworkshop" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How To Fix It Workshop</a></p><p>Any of these products help the show. Thanks for your support!</p><p>Mint Mobile - We both use<a href="http://fbuy.me/vgAmz" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Mint Mobile</a> and save a ton on our phone plan:<a href="http://fbuy.me/vgAmz" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a>https://my.mintmobile.com/refer/aEWp5rL</p><p><a href="https://empowerreferral.link/joshuaepley" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Empower</a> is Josh’s choice for Net Worth and Budgeting</p><p>Wanna create a podcast? We use<a href="https://descript.cello.so/IVNVNzQT7Gf" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Descript</a></p><p>Looking for a new credit card? We’re big fans of<a href="https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226d/VXSG31N8OF" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Chase</a></p><p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/9tofi" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy Us a Coffee</a> - One time donation or monthly, it’s up to you</p><p>Want to save money on gas? Try<a href="https://upside.app.link/JOSH56339" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Upside!</a></p><p>Books mentioned in this episode:</p><p>Come find us and subscribe on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/@9toFI</a></p><p><br /></p>
51 total episodes available
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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