Pathfinders

Extraordinary stories of real people on the quest for financial independence – and how you can join them!

By: JL Collins

Narrated by: Kevin Meyer, Audrey J Williams

From “The Godfather of Financial Independence (FI)”, a follow-up to his international personal finance sensation and New York Times bestseller The Simple Path to Wealth!

Pathfinders brings together scores of amazing and insightful real-life stories from real people on the journey to financial independence – providing practical encouragement and inspiration for anyone who wants to join them.

Lighting the way in the real world to The Simple Path to Wealth, these are fascinating, heartfelt, often surprising tales:

- of struggles overcome and the rewards that followed
- of enterprising solutions to unexpected problems
- of sacrifices made and the kindness of strangers
- of surprisingly simple steps – and the amazing places they can take you

and much, much more.

Author JL Collins accompanies these readers' stories with reflections on his "rules for the road" – as well as a candid conversation about the journey to financial freedom with his daughter, the inspiration for his original international bestseller.

Pathfinders is the ultimate companion for your own journey to financial freedom – and the true and lasting wealth that lies at the end.

Critic reviews

Few people have bridged the gap between spreadsheet and the real world like JL Collins - this book is full of real stories from real people seeking the greatest gift money can provide: independence. (Morgan Housel, Author of Same as Ever and the #1 international bestseller The Psychology of Money)

Most people believe that achieving FIRE is impossible. JL Collins’ brilliant new book proves otherwise. It’s packed with stories of ordinary people who mastered their finances and now live extraordinary lives, and proves that reaching FIRE is achievable no matter your current circumstances. It’s also filled with the wit and wisdom JL has become famous for. Highly recommended. (Brian Feroldi, Author of Why Does the Stock Market Go Up?)

Pathfinders proves that the path to financial independence is simple, achievable, and doesn’t require a degree in finance ... These stories will make you feel less alone in your struggles and find solace in knowing that no matter how bad your situation is, there is a way out. (Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung, Authors of Quit Like a Millionaire)

Prepared to be inspired, motivated, and humbled by the array of successes discussed in this must-read. (Scott Trench, CEO + President, BiggerPockets)

JL Collins has emerged as a leading light in the financial independence movement thanks to his special blend of hard-won wisdom, fabulous storytelling abilities, and good old-fashioned common sense. Pathfinders, which places JL’s own stories and insights alongside the stories of fellow travelers on the road to financial freedom, is an engaging and inspiring read from start to finish. (Christine Benz, Director of personal finance and retirement planning, Morningstar, Inc)

JL Collins does it again! He shows that money doesn’t need to be complicated. Success with money comes down to a few basic principles that anyone - under any circumstances - can accomplish. (Jon Luskin, CFP®, Advice-only financial planner)

JL Collins has created something spectacular with Pathfinders: it’s the perfect companion to The Simple Path to Wealth, and a true must-read for anyone pursuing Financial Independence ... a book unlike anything I’ve seen in the personal finance world. I think it’s another instant classic. (Brad Barrett, Co-founder and host of the ChooseFI Podcast)

I just paid to listen to endorsements for his earlier book

Some of the stories were interesting and/or inspiring, but many were repetitive. A few had clever new ideas or books suggestions for further reading. I couldn’t believe how many of them raved about the author and his “simple path to wealth” book. Did I just pay over $20 to read what are, essentially, endorsements of the sort that should be on the back of a book? Yes, yes I did.
And the cringey attempts at accents? Maybe the author was having fun trying out accents, but it was a fail compared to audiobooks read by professionals. Definitely recommend he spends some of his F.U. money on a voice actor next time.

JL Collins!!

What a great follow up to A Simple Path to Wealth. loved hearing so many stories from others

Interesting stories, horrible male voice actor

J. L. Collins is great, but this audiobook was 50% unlistenable for me because of the terrible and over the top voice acting of the male reader. I recommend the book, but if there is another version: get that one.

the ease of their path to financial freedom.

I liked it all. It's a great book to learn from. now I got to live it.

Collection of stories offered different perspectives

I enjoyed that there were so many perspectives offered in the book. It made it very easy to find use cases that were similar to your own situation. The only thing that I did not care for was the voices/readers for the audiobook. Their attempts at emulating accents based on each story in the book was incredibly distracting and sometimes outright annoying.