Episode 192

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Published on:

25th Mar 2026

Fridays: The Best Place to Begin Practicing Financial Freedom | E192

As I got closer to financial independence, I realized something strange: I had more financial freedom than ever, but I still wasn’t using my time any differently.

It forced me to ask a bigger question: if the goal of FI is freedom with your time, why was I still waiting to start living that way?

In this solo episode, I share why Fridays might be the best place to begin practicing financial independence before you reach your FI number. After years of working full-time while also running my business, I started experimenting with taking Fridays off, and eventually Mondays too, and discovered that freedom is something you can practice in small doses.

You’ll learn why Fridays are the perfect low-risk “tiny quit,” how reclaiming just one day can help you escape the weekend crunch, and why experimenting with flexibility now can build confidence in your FI plan long before you hit your number.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why financial independence is a skill, not just a number
  • How taking Fridays off can help you practice freedom before reaching FI
  • Why Fridays are the lowest-risk day to experiment with flexibility at work
  • How reclaiming your time can prevent burnout and create more life balance
  • Simple ways to ask your employer for Fridays off or more flexibility
  • Why small “tiny quits” can help you build confidence and design your ideal life


Other Episodes You’ll Love:

The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard

How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill

What’s on Your FI Bucket List? | E186


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


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About the Podcast

FI Minded: Bridging Pre FI Discipline and Post FI Freedom in Financial Independence
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
FI Minded is the podcast for anyone seeking financial freedom, time freedom, and a work-optional lifestyle while learning to think like someone who’s already FI. We help you bridge the gap between pre-FI discipline and post-FI freedom, so you can make smarter decisions today while enjoying life along the way.

Whether you’re just starting your FI journey or deep into Coast FI or Slow FI, this show offers practical strategies, mindset shifts, and insights to help you reach early retirement and design a life aligned with your values, purpose, and fulfillment.

Popular topics include:
- FI Optimization Strategies: Actionable advice to reach Financial Independence faster without unnecessary stress.
- Work Optional & Lifestyle Design: How to transition from the corporate grind and build a life of freedom, flexibility, and intentional living.
- Time Freedom & Coast FI: Making the most of your time while still planning for the future, including mini-retirements, travel, and other ways to enjoy life now.
- Post-FI Identity & Purpose: What to do once you’ve achieved FI, and how to create meaning beyond money.
- Burnout & Balance: Avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization and learn to balance saving for the future with mental health and happiness.
- Bridging Pre-FI to Post-FI Thinking: Mindset shifts to help you think like someone already living FI, so your choices today set you up for freedom tomorrow.

If you want to reach financial independence, enjoy the journey without missing out on life, and develop a mindset that bridges pre-FI effort and post-FI freedom, FI Minded is your guide to building a sustainable, fulfilling, and free life.

Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money) and many more inspiring voices in the FI space.
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