The FIRE Strategy That Actually Works (Coast FI)

Episode #727 ~~~ Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com ~~~ Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/contact/ ~~~ Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarchmoney.com/ ~~~ Connect with Evan Lawler: Instagram:   / the_financialfoundation   Email: [email protected] YouTube:    / @the_financialfoundation   ~~~ Follow BiggerPockets Money on Social: Facebook:   / bpmoney   Instagram:   / biggerpocketsmoney   ~~~ In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Evan Lawler, a full-time engineer and content creator, to break down his plan to reach Coast FIRE with $500,000 invested by age 30. Instead of pursuing traditional early retirement, Evan is building a disciplined, automated investment strategy that allows his portfolio to compound while he focuses on career growth and enjoying his 20s and 30s. Mindy and Scott unpack Evan’s early start in personal finance, his frugal lifestyle choices, Roth account strategy, and approach to negotiating raises and increasing income. From optimizing housing costs in Philadelphia to building long-term flexibility and balance, this episode offers a practical blueprint for anyone interested in Coast FIRE, financial independence, and smart wealth-building in their 20s. 00:00 Achieving Coast FI by 30! 02:09 Coast FIRE vs Traditional FIRE 04:30 Investment approach (Saving $40K annually) 06:39 Debt Paydown Strategy 12:14 Supercharge savings 17:32 Maxing Roth accounts for tax flexibility 20:53 Income growth assumptions 27:46 Side hustles 32:33 Income Growth Over Career 34:25 Looking to achieve Coast FI? 36:52 Connect with Evan!