Why Financial Independence is Overrated

11 Aug 2025 • 19 min • EN
19 min
00:00
19:22
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Nick Maggiulli’s latest article in Of Dollars & Data challenges one of the core ideas that drives personal finance blogs, podcasts, and even some of our own thinking — the belief that financial independence should be the ultimate goal. We explore the surprising downsides of chasing early retirement, the difference between financial independence and financial freedom, and why something called “Coast FIRE” might be the real goal worth aiming for. I also answer a listener question: What can retirees do to fight back against inflation? One listener asks how to protect their buying power as costs keep rising. We go over several practical, actionable ways to stretch your dollars and build an inflation-resistant retirement. Resource: Article by Nick Maggiulli in Of Dollars & Data: Why Financial Independence is Overrated Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart  Get the book! Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement  

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