ChooseFI Episode 585: Unpacking the Path to the Boring Middle

Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Jonathan & Brad

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jonathan and Brad tackle the notion of the "boring middle" of the Financial Independence (FI) journey and assert that the middle is far from boring—it's where life-changing progress is made. Drawing on community stories and tactical advice, they outline the crucial phases on the path to FI, strategies for gaining control over finances, and the empowering flexibility (or "options") that grow along the way. The conversation blends actionable checklists, philosophical reframing, and community engagement, aiming to make financial independence feel accessible, dynamic, and ongoing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The "Boring Middle" Myth

• Redefining the Middle: Jonathan challenges the idea that the FI journey has a “boring middle.” Instead, he frames it as an ongoing continuum where power is accrued daily through intentional choices.

  "There's not a boring middle. That's a choice to look at it that way. What there is is a continuum of power that is accrued to your side of the ledger each and every day if you choose to look for it." —Jonathan [00:00]

• The Journey Is The Exciting Part: Brad agrees, urging listeners not to wish away the years between start and finish—it’s where habits form, experiments happen, and life is lived.

  "If you think of it just as numbers on a spreadsheet, you are missing it entirely... if you wish away 10 years, 15 years, I mean, that's an appreciable percentage of your life. It makes no sense." —Brad [08:42]

Community Engagement and the Spread of FI

• FI Community Growth: The hosts discuss the explosive turnout at local FI meetups, revealing rising demand for structured FI education (like the growing "FI 101" series).

  "They had to cancel the meetup because they had too many people RSVP and they couldn't find a location big enough for it." —Brad [02:14]

• Empowering Local Leaders: Resources like template slide decks and event best practices are being crowdsourced for local leaders, highlighting support for those organizing grassroots FI communities.

The Phases of FI: Discovery → Control → Options → Independence

1. Discovery

Where individuals first encounter FI concepts—through podcasts, friends, or events.

"It's that moment that you became aware of this idea and this concept..." —Jonathan [11:46]

2. Control

Achieved by gaining a clear, actionable understanding of one’s financial position and automating the basics:

• 30-day Expense Audit: Know exactly what life costs.
• Income Audit: Understand income consistency and project changes.
• Debt Audit: Inventory debts and create a payoff plan.
• Automation: Automate bill payments, savings, debt payments.
• Investment Basics: Learn about employer matches, index funds, and minimizing fees.
• Tax Optimization: Avoid over-withholding—aim for a small refund or small balance due.

"What things should I have done to not reach financial but to know that I am firmly on the path... control is going to take probably 30 to 60 days." —Jonathan [17:34]

"You want your personal finances to be the easiest part of your life. It should be." —Brad [34:20]

3. Options

With control comes choices:

• Experimentation: Try different life arrangements from mini-retirement to Coast FI, Barista FI, or even job changes.
• Investment Variations: While emphasizing index funds, Brad and Jonathan acknowledge community members who also dabble in real estate, stocks, or crypto—but urge rational, risk-calibrated choices.

"You have a world of options because you are in an increasingly stable and then really significant financial position, which gives you... 'FU money' to do things that you want..." —Brad [42:02]

"There is, with the point that you made about me paying off my debt... getting rid of risk can allow you to take more risk." —Jonathan [45:00]

4. Independence

Reaching the point where work is optional. Different flavors (Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, etc.) and personal definitions abound.

Gamification, Milestones & Motivation

• Gamification keeps FI exciting: Celebrate mini-milestones (first debt-free month, first maxed 401k, first 100k invested, etc.).
• Recognizing Progress: Rather than wishing for the end, structure the journey with phases, milestones, and checkpoints.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On investing and the lure of "winning" funds

  "You are not getting any of those returns. You're getting what happens next, the next chapter. And if you don't know, which none of us do, you're not even relying on your judgment—you're relying on theirs." —Jonathan [29:21]

• On personal finance dogma

  "Personal finance is personal. A lot of people gave me... 'you would have made more if you had... stayed in the market.' That's not a wrong answer in absolute terms. But it fails to capture the nuance of personal finance is personal..." —Jonathan [45:00]

• On return-on-hassle and simplicity

  "Is it worth the hassle?... for most of us, it's just simply not." —Brad [52:39]

• On 'Thinking in Bets'

  "Sometimes you can make a horrific decision and just get lucky and it turns out right. That doesn't mean it was a good decision. It was never a good decision." —Brad [46:44]

Key Community Messages & Member Stories

[56:58] Fish Guy’s Sabbatical (Options Phase Example)

• At age 30, with $700k in assets and good jobs, he and his wife are considering a 6-month sabbatical without a set post-plan, relying on the foundation FI has given them for flexibility and courage.

[58:18] Marty's Debt Payoff (Control Phase Example)

• Despite still having significant debt, Marty can now see a path out, and paying off $35k in a year is a huge win toward financial control and future options.

[59:39] Jonathan on "Back to Broke"

• Jonathan reflects on the emotional weight of student loan debt, and the psychological power of simply getting back to zero.

[60:59] Frugal Wins of the Week

• Eddie saves $50/month by switching from energy drinks to a jug of black tea, highlighting the value of small, sustainable frugal choices.
• Brad recommends inexpensive Keurig knock-off pods as another everyday saving.
• Jonathan nostalgically shares how a decade-old coffee grinder still adds value daily, connecting quality purchases with the FI mindset.

Core Takeaways & Action Steps

For Listeners Starting Their FI Journey:

• Audit & Awareness: Spend 30–60 days tracking expenses and income—knowledge is power.
• Automate: Set up automatic payments for bills, savings, and investing.
• Simple Investing: Focus on low-cost index funds, avoid the urge to chase "hot" investments.
• Tax Efficiency: Aim for a small refund and keep more of your paycheck working for you.
• Celebrate Milestones: Don’t dismiss small wins—gamify saving and debt payoff.

For Those in the "Middle":

• Don’t Wish It Away: The “middle miles” are rich with life changes, options, and micro-victories.
• Iterate & Experiment: Try new things with the flexibility FI provides—even before full independence.

For the Community:

• Contribute: Share your phase checklists, wins, and questions at choosefi.com/login for ongoing crowdsourced learning and improvement.
• Support Each Other: Help local admins grow vibrant communities—it takes a team.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] — Redefining the "boring middle" of FI
• [02:14] — The power and energy of FI local groups
• [08:42] — The journey: more than numbers, it's life
• [14:30] — Steps to gaining control over your finances
• [20:35] — Auditing debt and creating a payoff strategy
• [23:03] — Directing savings: automation, investing, and fees
• [29:21] — The risks of chasing investment returns
• [34:20] — What "being in control" with investments looks like
• [42:02] — Options phase: defining flexibility and risk-taking
• [46:44] — Resulting, decisions, and separating luck from skill
• [56:58] — Community examples: sabbatical and debt payoff
• [60:59] — Frugal Win of the Week: small changes, big savings

Final Thoughts

The path to FI isn’t a waiting game for some distant finish line—it’s a continuum of empowered choices. With each phase, from discovery, through control, to options and independence, listeners are urged to recognize progress, celebrate small wins, and actively shape the journey. Whether you're eliminating debt, automating savings, or weighing a life-changing sabbatical, FI is about building increasing power and flexibility into your life—starting today, and continuing through the so-called “boring middle.”

The fire is spreading! — See you next time as we continue down the road less traveled.