Catching Up with Jessica from The Fioneers
This December is my final year-end month for Martinis and Your Money, and around this time every year, I’m always talking to clients about goal setting for the following year. One of the most important financial goals that I am most passionate about is Financial Independence, and that’s the ability to work because you WANT to work and not because you HAVE to work.
It’s the number one goal we give to all of our clients at Financial Gym, and it’s the number one goal I beg of you to set for 2024 and beyond. Joining me today is Jessica, co-founder of The Fioneers and a voice for the SlowFi movement. She joins me today to share about her journey to FI and the lessons her community has taught her along the way.
What are we drinking?
Jessica - Peppermint Tea from Brooklyn Tea
Shannon - Black Cherry Schweppes
Podcast Notes
Why Financial Independence?
Financial Independence (FI) is a goal for all Financial Gym clients. We believe it’s a goal everyone should have on their mind when on a personal finance journey.
Jessica was introduced to the idea of financial independence by her spouse in 2018, but she wasn’t into it at first. The book Your Money or Your Life changed her perspective.
She learned that financial independence, aka retirement, is a number, not an age. And the number can change as you learn what’s important to you. It’s about freedom and choices you can make.
FI is about creating a remarkable journey, not just reaching a destination. Early on in the movement, people were going to the extreme, and that’s not the path everyone wants.
Where are the Fioneers now?
In November 2020, Jessica worked part-time while running a side business and then transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship for a few years.
They purchased and built out a camper van in 2020 and her husband officially left his job in February 2023.
They run The Fioneers together. They’ve had in-person retreats and are continuing to grow their online presence and group coaching.
They are not fully financially independent but about 50% of the way there. They’ve learned by getting to this point that there are so many options your money can provide long before financial independence.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too late or early to start pursuing financial independence. Sometimes, you just have to get creative about what your life can look like.
Getting unstuck is half the battle. If you’re struggling, thinking past your current reality can be challenging. Even allowing yourself to dream big can have amazing results.
Even small steps you take will start to compound.
Always remember what you are working for rather than focusing on the number. That is your grounding and motivation. Once you start to dream big and focus, the money will fall into place.
Resources Mentioned on the Episode:
The Fioneers & Slow FI with Jessica - MAYM November 13, 2020
Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is that there are many flavors of Financial Independence and finding the right one for you may be the key to getting you on and staying on that FI journey.
Random Three Questions
What is the next campervan trip?
What is your preferred entertainment on long drive days?
If you won $25,000 how would you spend it?
Connect with Guest
Website: The Fio
Youtube: TheFioneers
Instagram: The Fioneers (@thefioneers)
Facebook Group: Slow FI Enthusiasts
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook Page, and let me know what you want to hear.
In addition to hosting this show, I’m the founder and CEO of The Financial Gym. We are celebrating 10 years of this journey, and now, more than ever, I see the importance of the work we do every day. Rising inflation, the return of student loan debt, high interest rates on mortgages, and volatile stock markets make it a time when you need a best financial friend to help you make the best choices.
At Financial Gym, you get paired with a Certified Financial Trainer, who we call your BFF. Our team has coached clients through every financial season, whether they were living paycheck to paycheck or headed into Financial Independence and retirement.
To celebrate the final season of Martinis and Your Money, listeners can get 20% off of one-on-one training services. So what are you waiting for? Head over to financialgym.com to get started today. Our warm-up calls are free of cost and judgment.