Everyone only gets 168 hours each week, and work quietly consumes the best of them. When careers sprawl into nights and weekends, health, relationships, and joy are usually the first things sacrificed. This conversation is about reclaiming time before burnout forces the decision for you, and proving that you don’t need full financial independence to start living with more freedom right now.

Andy Hill shares how he and his wife redesigned their lives to work just 20–25 hours per week while still supporting their lifestyle and long-term goals. Through practical examples and mindset shifts, Andy breaks down what it really takes to transition away from a traditional five-day workweek without feeling reckless or irresponsible. The focus isn’t on escaping work. It’s on intentionally designing it.

You’ll learn how CoastFI, part-time work, and solopreneur models can create flexibility long before you reach your FI number. This episode explores how to test reduced hours safely, set boundaries with employers or clients, and identify the moment when “more money” stops being the thing worth optimizing. If you’re craving more time but don’t want to derail your financial future, this is your blueprint.

Key Takeaways:

• How to work fewer days without waiting for full financial independence
• CoastFI can unlock flexibility long before retirement
• Time freedom is built gradually, not all at once
• One reclaimed day can transform how life feels
• Part-time work can reduce burnout without killing progress
• Clear boundaries protect your time and income
• Small experiments lower the fear of cutting hours
• Shifting your priorities toward time and health

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer

Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud

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

Guest Summary:

Andy Hill is the creator of Marriage, Kids, and Money and the author of Own Your Time. After years of juggling a full-time job and a side hustle, Andy designed a solopreneur lifestyle that prioritizes time freedom while maintaining financial security. His work focuses on helping families align money with what matters most: time, flexibility, and intentional living.

Check out Andy’s new book: Own Your Time

Connect With Justin

Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Support FI Minded

Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.

Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.

Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

If you’ve ever felt stuck somewhere between the excitement of starting your FI journey and the reality that the finish line is still years away, this episode will give you a practical way to stay motivated. You’ll learn how a FI Bucket List can immediately add meaning, momentum, and enjoyment to the process—no matter where you are on the path. This isn’t about spending more money; it’s about intentionally creating experiences that keep you energized instead of burned out.

You’ll also hear how shifting from a “save now, live later” mindset to a “design a meaningful life today” approach can completely change the way your journey feels. We break down how to choose bucket-list items that fit your values, your current season of life, and your budget. You’ll walk away with clear steps for creating your own version, whether you want more adventure, more connection, or simply more joy in your week.

Finally, the conversation highlights what the FI Bucket List reveals about the bigger purpose behind financial independence: freedom, flexibility, and the chance to build a life you actually want to live. If you’ve been feeling behind, bored, or disconnected from your "why," this episode will help you reconnect with the possibility, purpose, and excitement that originally drew you to FI.

Key Takeaways:

• Why a FI Bucket List is one of the most effective ways to stay motivated on a long FI journey
• How to design bucket-list items that fit your values, energy, and current season of life
• The mindset shift from delaying joy to intentionally integrating it into your journey
• How to balance saving aggressively and creating meaningful experiences today
• Why your FI “finish line” isn’t the real point—and what actually matters more
• How a bucket list helps reduce burnout, boredom, and the fear of “doing FI wrong”
• Practical examples of small, low-cost wins that build excitement and momentum
• The difference between running away from work and running toward a fulfilling life

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer

Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud

How to Get the Courage to Travel More Adventurously | E174 Jon Otero

Connect With Justin

Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Support FI Minded

Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.

Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.

Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.

Talking about end-of-life planning is one of the hardest conversations we’ll ever have, but also one of the most important. Whether you’re pursuing financial independence or already work-optional, someone in your life will eventually rely on you to make decisions on their behalf. And without clarity, that responsibility becomes emotionally heavy, financially stressful, and often filled with guesswork.

In this episode, Financial Educator Tess Waresmith (Wealth With Tess) walks us through how to approach these conversations with compassion and confidence. Tess has navigated caregiving and loss firsthand, including the passing of her stepfather and aunt. She brings a personal and practical approach to preparing families for the future.

You’ll learn how to make these conversations feel less overwhelming, how to use Tess’s 3-Layer Talk Framework to guide your discussion, and which estate-planning essentials every FI-minded person should have squared away. More than anything, this episode will help you strengthen connections, reduce uncertainty, and create peace of mind for yourself and the people you love.

Key Takeaways:

• How to start end-of-life conversations in a way that feels natural, not heavy
• The 3-Layer Talk Framework for discussing logistics, values, and legacy
• Essential estate-planning documents every family needs (Will, POA, Healthcare Directive)
• Questions that help uncover a loved one’s hopes, fears, stories, and wishes
• Why acknowledging mortality can lead to more intentional spending, saving, and FI planning

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet

How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills | E161 Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington

Does My FIRE Number Account for Inflation? | E140 Jesse Cramer

Guest Summary:

Tess Waresmith is a financial educator, speaker, and the creator of Wealth With Tess, where she teaches women how to build confidence with money and investing. Through her workshops, courses, and content, she shares clear, compassionate financial guidance to help women reduce stress and prioritize what truly matters.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthwithtess/

Talking About Death: https://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/talkdeath

Deathly Yours Workbook ($60 off with code FIMINDED):

https://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/offers/BkfzyzKV?coupon_code=FIMINDED

Connect With Justin

Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Support FI Minded

Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player.

Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence.

Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review.