Join me this week to review my 2025 annual spend and what was expected vs. what was surprising. You'll learn how I categorize my expenses, how this year's spend compares to previous years, and how I am thinking through my future expenses and how those translate to future Phase 3 jobs or FIRE timelines.
Engaging Data FIRE Calculator: https://engaging-data.com/fire-calculator/
Katie's Travel Tricks Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Xkg0lcv8MStwi2ZJcp8xC?si=UMmS4kEqSnCE1EBCWoftFQ
Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTQ1oCVR74o
Join me and Green this week for a wide-ranging conversation about holiday break topics - from food gifts and white elephants to our upcoming move and moving tips, de-cluttering desires, and more. For media this week, we discussed Gala Studio and other shows Green likes to watch on Sunday mornings, as well as a video we watched recently on expats living in Europe for cost of living reasons.
Gala Studio: https://www.youtube.com/@galastudio9
Join me this week for a high-level reflection on 2025, and what I'm looking forward to in 2026. I had a good year with ups and downs, but overall, there are so many things to be grateful for. And I am looking forward to changes coming in 2026!
Culture Study Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0IamzExQzBpjDhTMwrb1OO?si=ISA9Cf9VRMWpr3-kZLD5qg
Paula Pant's Afford Anything: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08qwZ5GBdEVetZrgeic8Tc?si=NYbftqkCSEmdvHH-5HTK-A
In this week's From Paychecks to Purpose episode, I reflected on 2025 Goals that I set at the beginning of the year. Tune in to hear how I did with the goals below:
1. Explore CoastFI Jobs!
2. Prioritize Relaxation
3. Thoughtful Buying
4. Find Adventure
5. Experiment with +/-
Media:
Rosie Maio (has the best summer vacations with her family in Italy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIioLuSU7q8&pp=ygUKcm9zaWUgbWFpbw%3D%3D
The Daily Churn: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yXfd4lyejcDiSDsTKNHCB?si=4zzvb-pgRoGeIVitQwVYxg
This week, I discuss holiday traditions, decorations, gifts, and more! Specifically, I discuss an Apple TV I got as an service award from my company and my first impressions of it, my holiday decorations and why I am getting a bigger tree this year, holiday traditions I want to build in my adult life, and my Black Friday purchases (or lack thereof). For media I highlight the Sound of Music (one of my family's favorite movies) and Liz Gets Loaded's recent episode on hyperfixation.
Sound of Music: https://youtu.be/aMMgcAqOYbI?si=Nrudrhca62JfGS2C
Liz Gets Loaded Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39IkeJAFqMdXKbXaxYPF5i?si=qDlrlLf2QjWubCicvqIq-g
Hello all! In this week's episode I talk about how I planned my wedding and kept things affordable while still doing everything we wanted to do. I also highlight the Cottage Fairy, one of my favorite simple living creators, as well as a podcast episode covering Katie Gatti Tassin (of Money with Katie fame) and her career journey.
My Substack Article (has more details): https://open.substack.com/pub/frompaycheckstopurpose/p/how-i-planned-the-perfect-4k-wedding?r=41xya5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The Cottage Fairy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IO3rAurptA&pp=ygURdGhlIGNvdHRhZ2UgZmFpcnk%3D
Katie's Career Journey Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49xqU6CzTNdjzFNgGJVMSp?si=lyTsHZN7TzmicKOK7ud-Hg
In this week's episode, I go through some highlights (and lowlights) from September and October's monthly spend. I also go through some of my favorite things to buy at Costco! P.S. It's Grillo's Pickles - that is how that product is spelled :)
For my media segment, I covered the Money with Katie podcast and the Green brothers (Hank and John Green). Katie, Hank, and John are all role models for non-traditional careers that they have intentionally pivoted within to do work they find fulfilling and that helps the world.
Money with Katie: https://moneywithkatie.com/
Green Brothers (links below):
Video Diary Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vlogbrothers
Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse
Good.store: https://good.store/?srsltid=AfmBOorcAyOiaOFb-iat3bl6qK26EpBlhyt_Pm4QALXxCIk5E209zSSu
I had a busy weekend - so enjoy a backlog episode I recorded a few weeks back instead! In this episode, I discuss the evolution in my thoughts on work over the years, as well as how I am thinking about jobs for different phases of my life. I also highlight guitarist Lau Noah and discuss the podcast Money Feels and The Reframe's recent episode on how we may already be living our dream lives.
The Reframe: Reality Check - Are We already Living Our Dream Lives? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4T05L5tcLnqIn6HvQTZUYw?si=vzobGBfMQqmiPtj3ODjXfQ
Money Feels Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A2BhBlH1I1AA3dAHc9LMO?si=2977a332f84c424b
Lau Noah: https://open.spotify.com/artist/42XHWcm6PBEAgK6JvMqGlH?si=7ad135c2db444c30
In this week's episode, I discuss my opinions on housing, including a recent fascination with tiny homes. I cover what I love about tiny homes in detail, as well as some cons to look out for if it is a path that interests you. For media, I cover a responsive parenting book by Gwenna Laithland, and recent live FIRE coaching sessions recorded by the EverydayFI podcast.
Momma Cusses - A Field Guide to Responsive Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/Momma-Cusses-Responsive-Parenting-Therapy/dp/1250882664
EverydayFI's Live FIRE Coaching: https://open.spotify.com/episode/78Q9xODuhQxBQskHzRgcRw?si=UWyOUCbiSLKzN8feu1sHig
Lix Gets Loaded's recent episode about jeans: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7K4bRQ8oeimKoIsvXejTaQ?si=-qKT0oEBSEqe7R0PXEKG2g
In this limited series, I talk with people from the FIRE community about their journeys from paychecks to purpose, not only in their careers, but also outside of work (how do they define & live a good life?). In this episode, I talk to Aubrey Williams, who quit his corporate job 5 months ago and now runs his own business as a advice-only, fee-only, fiduciary at all times, hourly financial advisor. This is part 2 - part 1 is linked below. You can find some of his other appearances on FIRE podcasts below, as well as a link to his website.
Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LcmkQcBDyh0LNWaBKS9DG?si=sH44sL-ZQT2Oa-8pHKiVgw
Aubrey's Website: https://openpath.financial/
ChooseFI episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/33tbukr9Gkz0AiZaG74LAH?si=2bjUvVLET0CiSIiJGz_NzQ
Measure Twice Planner episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FTkuGDR7cyy5D2koAx1FN?si=eHL4Ngi9Rie0Jkdbax1xnA
In this limited series, I talk with people from the FIRE community about their journeys from paychecks to purpose, not only in their careers, but also outside of work (how do they define & live a good life?). In this episode, I talk to Aubrey Williams, who quit his corporate job 5 months ago and now runs his own business as a advice-only, fee-only, fiduciary at all times, hourly financial advisor. You can find some of his other appearances on FIRE podcasts below, as well as a link to his website. Look out for Part 2 next week!
Aubrey's Website: https://openpath.financial/
ChooseFI episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/33tbukr9Gkz0AiZaG74LAH?si=2bjUvVLET0CiSIiJGz_NzQ
Measure Twice Planner episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FTkuGDR7cyy5D2koAx1FN?si=eHL4Ngi9Rie0Jkdbax1xnA
In this episode, I talk about what I got out of CampFI (a weekend event for people interested in FIRE). For this week's media, I discuss The Reframe's latest episode about establishing good work-life boundaries in a high stress corporate job, and Technology Connections, which is a YouTube channel where the hosts deep dives on different technologies - from EVs to dishwashers and tells you what is awesome (or not) about them, with practical tips to make them better.
The Reframe episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zDSDPQMIpkTlTt5pewXTN?si=29c93b4f69b24689
Technology Connections: https://youtu.be/jHP942Livy0?si=jfhlGNec5a_iMZfn
In this week's episode, I discuss my history of travel, which I deeply value, from childhood to now. I also discuss lessons learned from my adult trips to Europe, and I discuss booking flights for a trip to Japan and Korea next year! I also highlight new FIRE podcast 9 to FI, a recent episode of Not For Everyone where Caroline Winkler tried a dumb phone to great success, and Somebody Feed Phil, one of my favorite travel shows.
My Travel Hacking 101 episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3q7emKcY3HndMqoJNyxhO0?si=Ew1yyhs2Q96zLIbEfSNC9A
9 to FI: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wMMMHGh81gw3AJBsCS1F0?si=06052dc20a974e2d
Caroline Winkler's dumb phone experience: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1QPVZzX1qka0f8F3FHwWIJ?si=d03865db7ec74c50
Somebody Feed Phil: https://youtu.be/Zv29Sjt7LnA
In this episode I discuss my hobbies and what I have added and subtracted to get to a sweet spot where I am getting purpose, satisfaction, and community from my hobbies. For media, I highlight Yun Chan Lim's amazing piano performance (linked below) and the Inside Out Money podcast's episode on the good life.
Yun Chan Lim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvKQKnIVy1I&list=RDGvKQKnIVy1I&start_radio=1
Some great commentary on the Yun Chan Lim performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhUFLepewgA
Inside Out Money episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1f847srdolkWSkqAWOJB8R?si=04c7619931f64007
This week's episode I discuss my husband and I's monthly spend for August and review two things: The Adventure Zone podcast and an episode of the What We Spend podcast that covers a new college grad's struggles in finding a job after earning a computer science degree.
The Adventure Zone: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OoAQesdLgYBOyfx8ji0bZ?si=tpHionuxRbq-eCWhbXRBSA&nd=1&dlsi=c2df28c0e0e74391
What We Spend episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Q4kzuTxbgDeSqjiHu7LTm?si=VH-t3gX5QyyoyzWPtrCfwg
In this episode, my husband and I discuss our meal prepping journey and the strategies that have worked best for us. I also review Rich Girl Nation by Katie Gatti Tassin and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (an D&D inspired anime that values simple/slow living).
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: https://www.netflix.com/title/81726714
Rich Girl Nation: https://moneywithkatie.com/rich-girl-nation
In this episode I discuss home decorating ideas that have worked for me, as well as the concept of simple/slow living and how I bring that into my life. I also highlight multiple content creators in the home decorating and simple/slow living spaces.
Caroline Winkler: https://www.youtube.com/@Caroline_Winkler
Tori Phantom: https://www.instagram.com/tori.phantom/
Maigomika: https://www.youtube.com/@maigomika
The Cottage Fairy: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCottageFairy
Gala Studio: https://www.youtube.com/@galastudio9
Shebizleee: https://www.youtube.com/@Shelbizleee
Liz Gets Loaded's episode on curating a smaller home: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bxfPr1qeOFtaUtxfLCCNg?si=c_n3R5C2QzeR9nhXtKykhA
In this episode I discuss sleep tips and exercise tips that have helped improve my life. I also introduce a segment where I review media - this week I reviewed a recent podcast episode from The Reframe on the value of time, and the popular K Pop Demon Hunters.
Links:
The Reframe: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GUPd9H3OT3Bu38X0gbl0K?si=tsW6YS3TRLmVDlqHsFLXDQ
Liz Gets Loaded: https://open.spotify.com/show/2t6FJB5zk7Du2fpH5Cy4oV?si=11754666f0b948cd
Intstagram: https://www.instagram.com/frompaycheckstopurpose/
This episode covers how much money you need to save for retirement. This is a part of a limited series of educational deep dives I made on personal finance topics. It's a rare chance to hear me in scripted format.
Disclaimer: I am not a personal finance expert. This content is for entertainment purposes only. It is not professional finance advice.
Links:
IRS Quick Calculator for Social Security: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/
IRS Complex Calculators for Social Security: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/calculators/
Compounding Interest Calculator: https://www.investor.gov/financial-tools-calculators/calculators/compound-interest-calculator
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frompaycheckstopurpose/
This episode covers how to save money on travel - from Google Flights to credit card points. This is a part of a limited series of educational deep dives I made on personal finance topics. It's a rare chance to hear me in scripted format.
Disclaimer: I am not a personal finance expert. This content is for entertainment purposes only. It is not professional finance advice.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frompaycheckstopurpose/