Mindy and Carl catch up with long-time friend Brandon, the Mad Fientist, to discuss the balance between spending, saving, and maintaining happiness.  Brandon details his journey from extreme frugality to spending experiments to purposeful spending/spending for happiness.  He also discusses the indispensable role of personal development, the importance of experiences over possessions, and the influence of parenthood and life events in reshaping priorities.

Note: This is a rebroadcast of episode 22 of the “Mindy on Money” podcast.

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Interested in your own spending experiment?  If so, head over to Buy Me A Coffee and experiment with supporting the show!

Links

(*Some affiliate links so we might earn a commission if you buy something)

• “Mindy on Money” Podcast
  • Website
  • YouTube Channel
  • Facebook Group
  • “Let’s Talk About Our Appearance on the Ramit Show” podcast episode
• Mad Fientist
  • Website/blog
  • Music
  • Financial Independence Podcast
  • “Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You to Be Rich” podcast episode
  • “Ramit Sethi – How to Spend (and Actually Enjoy It)” podcast episode
  • “How to Access Retirement Funds Early” blog post
  • “Happiness Through Subtraction” blog post
  • “Best Advice” pdf
• Ramit Sethi
• Elizabeth on MHFI Episode 212
• FinCon
• J. Money
• Budgets are Sexy
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• BiggerPockets Money podcast, “Ramit Sethi’s Money Advice for Couples: Live a Rich Life, Together”
• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• Mile High FI Facebook Group
• Doug’s site
• Carl’s blog: 1500 Days

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**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

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1500 Days, Carl’s Blog about Early Retirement

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0:00 Introduction

4:29 Catching up with Brandon

10:32 Lessons from Ramit & Die With Zero

17:15 Recovering from Ramit

23:01 Carl’s Tesla

30:12 Spending experiments

41:23 Navigating the emotions of FI

48:12 Reframing thoughts on “frivolous” spending

53:00 Keys to happiness

58:03 Advice for others on their FI journeys

1:06:45 Bloopers & closing thoughts