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FI-Side Chats

You may arrive for the money conversations and discover something much more personal: real friendships. In this CampFI talk, Chantl Martin shares three practical ways to build deeper connections in the financial independence community: become a recurring cast member, participate in ways that feel natural to you, and contribute your own gifts. From local book clubs and potlucks to a memorable blind date and an epic brunch makeover, Chantl shows how small acts of participation can create lasting friendships. You don't have to travel to every event to be part of the community. Her original talk is titled “I Just Realized You’re My Friends: A Guide to Participating in the FI Community at Any Wage.” What could you contribute to your local FI community? Share your idea in the comments. #CampFI #FinancialIndependence #Community CHAPTERS 0:00 Finding real friends 0:14 I just realized you’re my friends 0:33 I wasn’t looking for more friends 1:09 Everything before friendship 1:44 What makes a real friend? 3:12 Three ways to make FI friends 3:53 Be a recurring cast member 4:19 Participate in your own way 5:01 Book clubs and quiet company 5:30 A sunrise hike in Bali 6:25 Contribute your gifts 6:39 The blind date 8:15 Community without traveling 8:48 We all co-create the community 9:18 Keep showing up locally 9:58 Potlucks and local gatherings 10:58 The epic brunch makeover 12:05 A haircut, shopping, and brunch 12:58 124 photos of Sam 13:47 The value of memory dividends 14:49 Three practical tips to remember 15:21 Watch next
Find Your People: Making Friends in the FI Community | Chantl Martin
What would your loved ones need to know if something happened to you? In this CampFI presentation, Stacey Dough and Andy Salvatore share an approachable introduction to estate planning and the conversations that helped them get started. They discuss beneficiaries, wills and trusts, guardianship, healthcare and incapacity documents, organizing important information, and communicating with the people named in your plan. Their central message: make your wishes clear, keep your documents current, and let your loved ones know where to find them. This talk is for entertainment and education and does not constitute legal advice. They are estate-planning enthusiasts, not legal experts. Requirements vary by state and individual circumstances; consult a qualified estate-planning professional in your area. CampFI — Together We FI CHAPTERS 0:00 Start your estate plan 0:13 Meet Stacey Dough and Andy Salvatore 0:25 The presenters' disclaimer 0:46 Why planning matters 0:59 A quick estate-planning quiz 1:26 What happens when you die? 1:46 What counts as an estate? 2:28 Planning now and the cost of waiting 3:25 The procrastinator scenario 4:26 Understanding probate 5:35 A cautionary celebrity example 6:30 Beneficiaries and transfer on death 7:18 Keep beneficiaries up to date 8:07 What beneficiaries do not cover 8:44 Children, dependents and guardianship 9:20 Adding a will 10:05 Wills and trusts 11:06 Flexibility and funding a trust 12:30 The presenters' good-case scenario 13:05 Planning for incapacity 14:21 Why Stacey and Andy started 15:01 State-specific documents 15:42 Create a pointer document 16:26 Tell your family where to find your plan 17:56 Credit freezes and identity theft 18:30 Common estate-planning pitfalls 19:20 Your next steps 20:23 Event book giveaway 20:51 Todd versus Mr. Marbles 21:49 Closing remarks 22:12 Watch next
Estate Planning: Make Your Wishes Clear | Stacey Dough & Andy Salvatore
What happens after you reach financial independence and leave your career? Jaylynn Jackson shares what he has learned about the first five years of early retirement, from the honeymoon phase and loss of structure to rebuilding purpose, friendships, and a sustainable lifestyle. In this CampFI Texas presentation, Jaylynn describes becoming unexpectedly financially independent at 40, retiring at 44, and finding his rhythm after a career in mechanical engineering. He walks through five stages of adjustment and shares personal examples involving family, new work, financial coaching, health, and the temptation to keep optimizing a spreadsheet. His central takeaway: there is no perfect retirement. Progress, curiosity, and flexibility matter as your priorities change. The stages are a framework for his discussion, not a fixed timetable for everyone. His financial examples describe his own experience and choices. Presentation: What Happens in the First 5 Years of Early Retirement Speaker: Jaylynn Jackson Connect with Jaylynn: Facebook or LinkedIn, as noted in his closing slide. CHAPTERS 0:00 There is no perfect retirement 0:21 What changes after early retirement? 0:56 Career and financial background 1:46 Discovering FI and a surprising milestone 2:58 Choosing to retire at 44 3:32 Family and support 4:25 The reality of retirement 6:08 Year 1: Decompression and disorientation 7:29 Year 2: Routine and reality 8:50 Work friendships begin to change 9:14 Trying new work and activities 10:36 Life beyond the spreadsheet 11:04 Year 3: Rebuilding purpose 11:53 Coaching, family, and a personal pivot 12:39 Finding new social circles 13:29 Year 4: Financial and lifestyle adjustments 14:37 A bear market and cash reserves 15:47 Healthcare and health routines 17:03 Year 5: Identity and long-term vision 18:58 Themes across the five years 19:56 Progress over perfection 21:09 Connect with Jaylynn and closing 21:33 Watch next
The First 5 Years of Early Retirement: What Really Changes | Jaylynn Jackson
What changes when YOU collect the loan payments? JT Olmstead explains how real estate notes work, how seller financing creates them, and why he moved from chasing property deals toward recurring cash flow. In this CampFI talk, JT walks through an example note, the relationship between purchase price and yield, and the reasons sellers accept a discount. He then shares his retirement simulations, including their assumptions and stress cases, before discussing liquidity, defaults, diversification, servicing, and the different ways people invest in notes. The presentation includes JT’s personal experience and model-based projections. The projections depend on the stated assumptions and are not guaranteed outcomes. Presentation: Real Estate Notes — Cash flow for financial independence JT Olmstead Email: JT@Olmsteadlending.com Learn more about JT at : https://olmsteadlending.com/ CHAPTERS 0:00 Be the bank 0:19 Real estate notes and cash flow 0:35 Meet JT Olmstead 1:53 From tech to financial independence 3:06 The first real estate venture 4:05 Discovering land investing 5:30 Flipping land versus holding notes 7:26 How a note works 8:50 Creating an example note 9:52 Hold the note or sell it? 10:41 Yield, paper, balance and default 11:16 Buying at a discount 13:01 The collateral cushion 13:59 Why sellers sell 15:34 Notes in a retirement portfolio 16:27 The note model assumptions 17:08 Comparing portfolio simulations 18:32 Withdrawal rates and portfolio size 19:14 A longer FIRE retirement 19:40 Stress-testing higher defaults 20:22 Liquidity, defaults and other challenges 22:04 When notes fit—and when they do not 23:06 Buying notes or investing through a fund 24:22 Contact and closing 24:34 Watch next LOOKING FOR MORE? ✌️Find your tribe at a CampFI nearest you! Register here: https://campfi.org/ Watch This Next https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMIxrcc5HS94Ym28v9AQpSnHpmU1m3SX4 CampFI is a life-changing retreat for people on their journey to financial independence. Whether you're just curious, working towards or have already achieved financial independence, this event has something for everyone, from various outdoor activities, hanging out and mind-opening sessions. In 2017, Stephen Baughier created this retreat to provide the opportunity for attendees to learn and grow together on their journey of Financial Independence.
Be the Bank: Real Estate Notes for Financial Independence | JT Olmstead
What happens when you discover financial independence, but your partner is not convinced? Nik Johnson shares the role his wife’s support played in their journey—from a failed car dealership to rebuilding their finances, building a home, and having the choice to retire. In this CampFI presentation, Nik introduces his C.E.N.T. framework: Communicate Evaluate Negotiate, and Trust. His message is to focus on a shared future, listen to your partner, and work toward a plan that serves both of you. Original presentation: From Failure to FI: The Importance of a Supportive Mate. Recorded in 2025. Resources: • Nik's Everyday Money Heroes podcast - https://everydaymoneyheroes.com/ YouTube:@Everyday-Money-Heroes • Relationship Coaching With Nik & Adinah @relationshipcoachingwithni4517 CHAPTERS 0:00 Make it about us 0:14 Discovering FI—and telling your partner 1:32 Meet Nik Johnson 2:27 How do I get my partner on board? 3:55 Setting expectations as a couple 5:11 Going all in on a business 7:51 When the money was gone 9:05 Choosing mercy and support 10:06 Rebuilding after the setback 11:37 Building a home together 14:05 The freedom to fail 15:15 Finishing the house and paying it off 16:23 The gift of time 19:33 The C.E.N.T. framework 21:22 Resources 21:43 What if your partner is right? 22:26 Watch next
How to Get Your Partner on Board with FI | Nik Johnson
What if fear of failure is keeping you from trying something that could change your life? In The Retirement Experiment, Rebekah Rollins shares how burnout, community, and small practical steps helped her bring forward a planned career break. Rebekah reflects on the boring middle of a financial independence journey, the uncertainty of leaving familiar work, and what she was learning three months into her mini-retirement. Recorded at CampFI in 2025. Later in 2025, Rebekah co-founded FI FunFest with her husband, Brad. FI FunFest is a weekend of fun, connection, and friendships at a lakeside retreat celebrating the FI community. Learn more: https://www.fifunfest.org/ Resources: Leap Like Me with Lisa Hoashi https://www.lisahoashi.com/podcast Retire Often with Jillian Johnsrud https://a.co/d/02gFgYO1 The Sabbatical Project with DJ DiDonna https://thesabbaticalproject.org/ CHAPTERS 0:00 What if you win? 0:22 A retiree in training 1:19 The original retirement plan 2:17 The boring middle 3:12 Burnout and resistance to change 5:22 Self-doubt and fear of failure 7:00 Understanding burnout 9:11 A turning point at CampFI 10:49 Small steps toward an exit plan 12:20 Facing fear and doubt 13:30 What if I win? 14:09 Making decisions without regret 15:20 Keeping sight of the goal 17:35 Taking the career break 18:07 Life three months into mini-retirement 19:36 Resources and the next step 20:43 Closing thoughts and applause 21:04 Watch next LOOKING FOR MORE? ✌️Find your tribe at a CampFI nearest you! Register here: https://campfi.org/ Watch This Next https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMIxrcc5HS94Ym28v9AQpSnHpmU1m3SX4 CampFI is a life-changing retreat for people on their journey to financial independence. Whether you're just curious, working towards or have already achieved financial independence, this event has something for everyone, from various outdoor activities, hanging out and mind-opening sessions. In 2017, Stephen Baughier created this retreat to provide the opportunity for attendees to learn and grow together on their journey of Financial Independence.
What If You Win? The Retirement Experiment | Rebekah Rollins | CampFI
What if creativity is already part of your life—you just haven't called it art? Bill Melcher explores that question with Pete Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache, through stories of raising a daughter, fixing cars, welding, making things, and finding adventure in everyday life. Part 2 focuses on Bill's main presentation. He reflects on seeing life beyond money, starting the creative parts of retirement now, changing lifelong habits, and using time with intention. His supplied photographs accompany the talk, followed by Pete and Bill's closing reflections. Recorded at CampFI in 2025. Part 1 contains their shared opening, Bill's early background, and Pete's longer discussion of financial independence, fatherhood, health, and community. Contains adult language and mature analogies. Thumbnail artwork is an AI-assisted retro adventure-comedy illustration based on supplied speaker photographs. CHAPTERS 0:00 A financial adventure 0:15 Creativity, family, and being a dad 1:02 Learning to fix cars 2:51 Did you like spreadsheets in kindergarten? 3:20 Seeing life through a financial lens 4:43 How we learn what success means 6:20 Creativity and money 7:26 Start living your retired life now 8:23 Creativity and balance 9:17 The garage as an art studio 10:11 Investing in yourself 10:57 Changing lifelong money habits 13:08 Art, family, and legacy 14:26 Doing things with intention 15:48 Friendship and community 17:26 Every moment is yours 18:34 Pete’s closing reflection 19:26 Bill: being in the present 20:28 Watch next
Bill and Pete's Financial Adventure Part 2 | Bill Melcher
What does life after financial independence actually look like? Pete Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache, and his friend Bill Melcher share stories of friendship, fatherhood, building things, and making room for an unconventional life. Part 1 follows their shared opening and focuses on Pete's journey: retiring to be a dad, discovering new interests, the 'happiness buttons,' and why he sees health and community as central to retirement. Pete's closing reflection on worrying less rounds out the episode. Recorded at CampFI in 2025. Part 2 focuses on Bill's ideas about creativity, everyday art, and using your time intentionally. Contains adult language. Thumbnail artwork is an AI-assisted retro adventure-comedy illustration based on supplied speaker photographs. CHAPTERS 0:00 A financial adventure 0:16 Forty years of unconventional retirement 1:58 How Pete and Bill became friends 3:25 The rowboat solution 5:01 MMM HQ and hands-on adventures 8:33 Bill’s accidental path to FI 13:31 Pete’s accidental path to FI 16:42 Retiring to be a dad 19:16 Building, welding, and writing 21:03 The happiness buttons 23:33 Health as wealth 25:49 Get outdoors 28:42 The secret staircase 30:23 A creative exercise for work and retirement 31:41 Pete’s closing lesson: worry less 32:31 Watch next
Bill and Pete's Financial Adventure Part 1 | Mr. Money Mustache
Dan Griffin shares his path to becoming a Boglehead and walks through ten principles for keeping investing simple: make a plan, start early, manage risk, diversify, avoid market timing, use index funds, keep costs and taxes low, and stay the course. The talk explores compounding, asset allocation, rebalancing, the long-term effect of fees, and the value of patience. CHAPTERS 0:00 Investing made simple - preview 0:14 Opening applause and introduction 1:18 Dan's investing background 2:16 A change in mindset 5:29 Who was Jack Bogle? 7:00 Bogleheads and ChooseFI 7:52 The ten Boglehead principles 8:14 1. Develop a workable plan 8:45 2. Invest early and often 11:00 3. Balance risk and capacity 12:19 4. Diversify 13:44 Asset allocation and rebalancing 17:27 5. Avoid market timing 20:40 6. Use index funds 22:09 7. Keep costs low 24:53 8. Minimize taxes 25:18 9. Invest with simplicity 26:03 10. Stay the course 26:45 Recap and closing applause 27:11 Watch next Recorded at CampFI Southeast in January 2025. Includes Dan's original slides alongside the presentation. LOOKING FOR MORE? ✌️Find your tribe at a CampFI nearest you! Register here: https://campfi.org/ Watch This Next https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMIxrcc5HS94Ym28v9AQpSnHpmU1m3SX4 CampFI is a life-changing retreat for people on their journey to financial independence. Whether you're just curious, working towards or have already achieved financial independence, this event has something for everyone, from various outdoor activities, hanging out and mind-opening sessions. In 2017, Stephen Baughier created this retreat to provide the opportunity for attendees to learn and grow together on their journey of Financial Independence.
How to Be a Boglehead: 10 Principles for Simple Investing | Dan Griffin
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