In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Diania, producer of the EconoME Conference in Cincinnati. Diania is living the FIRE lifestyle and has gone from $30,000 in debt to front loading her retirement account. She is currently hosting (2) daily podcasts that covers all of her expenses and is producing a conference and YouTube series.
Diania and Jeff discuss:
- Discovered at 28, that she had $30,000 in debt from living outside her means.
- Had a goal to do the Camino de Santiago walk at age 30 and so she decided to get her finances in order.
- She found a blog called Mr. Money Mustache and some FIRE content creators whose financial advice had a different vibe than the traditional doom and gloom advice.
- Having a mindset shift from seeing her debt as a problem to seeing it as an opportunity allowed her to get out of debt in 11 months.
- Over a span of (3) years she received (3) 20% raises of which she saved and continued to live at the same income level before the raises.
- Saving and investing 60% of her income got her to a point in the FIRE Movement called "Coast FI."
- She downshifted before reaching the full FI number and hit some milestones and options before retirement.
- Currently Diania host (2) Daily Podcast that cover all of her expenses.
- She is also the producer of a conference called the EconoME conference; she started in 2018.
- She appreciates the FIRE movement for helping her define for herself how much money is enough.
- Diania believes that there is a misconception about the FIRE movement and giving back to society after retirement.
- Her career before FIRE was in Brand extension and licensing.
- The next EconoME conference is March 17-19 of 2023; only in person.
- She’s launching an interview series called EconoMe Encore on YouTube; recording it in the next couple weeks.
Fast Five Questions
- If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “ First thing I would do is talk to all of my social circle/support circle and tell them what's going on and brainstorm with them.”
- What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “When I first launched my business I was scared to do it alone so I found a cofounder who didn't bring a lot to the table and cost me a lot of money.”
- What is a book that you would recommend? “The obstacle is the way by Ryan Holiday.”
- What is a tool that you use everyday that you would recommend? “Project Management system called Asana.”
- What is the best way to contact you? “Website: contact form on economeconference.com; Email: diania@economeconference.com; Social Channels: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn; Daily Podcast: Optimal Finance Daily.”
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School.
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