What happens when you reach financial independence…but still can’t make yourself quit?
Alan and Katie Donegan — creators of Rebel Finance School (a free finance course that’s helped 50,000 people in 90 countries) — break down why “one more year” syndrome is almost never about the excuse in front of you…and almost always about fear, identity, and what you’re optimizing for.
Get clear on your post-FI vision with my free envisioning exercise: http://mindfulfire.org/start
Key Takeaways:
- Ask “What am I optimizing for?” to catch when fear (not logic) is driving the decision
- Use the pain/pleasure lens: if leaving work feels more painful than pleasurable, you’ll stay
- Journaling “freezes your thinking” so you can examine fears instead of obeying them
- Self-compassion turns awareness into change: notice the story, question it, choose what to water
- Rebel Finance School is a free 10-week course from “where does my money go?” to retirement math
⏱ Chapters:
0:00 Pre-show chat & setup
3:49 Welcome — Alan & Katie Donegan
4:44 “Enough” + what you’re optimizing for
10:00 Rebel Finance School (free) — how it works
26:14 Why people stay stuck in “one more year”
33:48 Journaling + using AI to interview you
46:50 The Rebel Finance School 10-week curriculum
56:54 Mindful FIRE Final Four
🔗 Links & Resources:
- Rebel Finance School (free 10-week course): https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/rfs/?utm_source=mindfufire.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=podcast-with-adam
- Rebel Donegans: https://rebeldonegans.com?utm_source=mindfufire.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=podcast-with-adam
- The Simple Path to Wealth (JL Collins): https://jlcollinsnh.com
- Mr. Money Mustache: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com
- Mindful Fire Legends Community: http://mindfulfire.org/join
- Free Envisioning Exercise (FI Life Jumpstart): http://mindfulfire.org/start
🎙 About the Show:
The Mindful FIRE podcast is about crafting a life you love and making work optional using mindfulness, financial independence, resilience, and envisioning.
