Free Range Finance: Complete Post Index
A comprehensive guide to all 50 posts organized by topic
I completed the 50th post yesterday and so it seemed like a good time to organize everything written so far. I started this so I could see any gaps in topics, but realized it could be a good resource for readers too. Many readers missed some of the early posts and not everyone is interested in every topic.
This post also serves as a transition of sorts. As mentioned yesterday, I have achieved my original goal of 50 posts. I plan to continue writing, but the pace will probably slow a bit from my frenetic daily cadence. That’s a reflection of the fact that I have now covered the foundation of the content, my drafts folder containing months of pre-written posts is now empty, and I have other life goals to work toward.
My hope is to continue posts on these same topics while incorporating current events, real examples, advanced concepts, and deeper dives into niches. The posts might be longer, but less frequent.
I am also proud of the fact that there has not been one affiliate link, one product pitch, or any other monetization of this content. In a world rife with consumerism, I’m offering completely free advice. I hope you’ve found it useful.
📋 How to Use This Index
This index organizes all Free Range Finance posts into logical categories to help both new and existing readers navigate the content effectively. Posts are listed in order of complexity within each category, with foundational concepts first.
For New Readers: Start with "Foundation & Philosophy" then move through "The Big Three Expenses" before diving into advanced topics.
For Existing Readers: Use this to identify content gaps and find specific topics you want to revisit.
🏗️ Foundation & Philosophy
Core concepts and mindset that underpin everything else
Welcome to Free Range Finance - Introduction to the newsletter and philosophy
What Is Financial Independence? - Defining FI and why it matters
How to Calculate Your Financial Independence Number - The 25x rule and determining your FI target
Why Your Savings Rate Matters More Than Your Salary - The mathematical relationship between savings rate and time to FI
What Financial Independence Actually Means - Deeper dive into the concept and common misconceptions
Why Financial Independence is Easier Than You Think - Addressing mental barriers and complexity myths
Free Range Finance: Everything We've Covered So Far - Mid-series recap and connection of concepts
🧠 Psychology & Mindset
Mental models and behavioral changes that enable FI
I Don't Have a Budget - Why a savings mindset beats budgeting every time
The Happiness Treadmill - Why more stuff doesn't equal more happiness
The Social Programming That's Keeping You Poor - Cultural conditioning around money
Why Your Brain is Sabotaging Your Financial Future - Cognitive biases and money decisions
The Emotional Money Traps That Keep You Stuck - Emotional spending triggers and solutions
Status Signaling: How Trying to Look Rich Keeps You Poor - The psychology of conspicuous consumption
Stop Making Excuses: The Mental Toughness Required for FI - Mindset shifts for financial discipline
Capitalism & Consumerism: Why Your Economic Environment is Working Against You - Systemic forces encouraging spending
💰 Saving & Expense Strategy
The foundation of building wealth through smart spending
Starting With Saving - Why expense reduction is the most powerful wealth-building tool
Why Saving is Always the Right Answer - Addressing common objections to focusing on expenses
How to Rank Your Spending from Smart to Stupid - Framework for evaluating purchases
The Absurd Things People Buy While Claiming They Can't Save Money - Common spending contradictions
Why I Ignore Most Financial Advice - Why conventional wisdom often fails
🏠 The Big Three Expenses
Housing, transportation, and food - where the biggest savings live
Housing (25-40% of most budgets)
Housing: Your Biggest Expense (And Biggest Opportunity) - Comprehensive housing optimization strategies
Rent vs Buy: When Each Makes Sense - Decision framework for housing choices
The Million Dollar Decisions You're Making Without Realizing It - How housing choices compound over time
Transportation (10-20% of most budgets)
How to Stop Your Car from Stealing Your Future - Complete guide to transportation cost optimization
How I Saved Thousands Commuting by Bike - Alternative transportation strategies
Food (10-15% of most budgets)
Food: How to Feed Yourself Without Feeding Your Expenses - Eating well while spending less
📱 Smaller Expenses That Add Up
Death by a thousand cuts - optimizing recurring costs
Death by a Thousand Cuts: Optimizing Your Smaller Expenses - Insurance, utilities, subscriptions, and services
Stop Paying $100+ for Your Phone: How to Cut Your Bill in Half - Mobile service optimization
The Hidden Fee Trap: How Companies Are Stealing Your Money - Identifying and avoiding unnecessary fees
💳 Debt & Credit Management
Getting out of debt and using credit strategically
Why Debt is the Enemy of Financial Independence - The mathematics of debt and wealth building
Credit Cards: The Only Way to Use Them (If You Use Them at All) - Responsible credit usage strategies
📈 Investing & Wealth Building
Making your money work for you
Investing for FI: Simple Strategies That Actually Work - Basic investment principles for FI
The Investments That Look Exciting But Will Destroy Your Wealth - What NOT to invest in
Real Estate vs Index Funds: Which Path to FI Makes More Sense? - Comparing wealth-building strategies
💸 Income Optimization
The other side of the equation
The Other Side of the Equation: How to Increase Your Income - Strategies for earning more
Declutter Your Way to Extra Income - Turning unused possessions into cash
🏥 Health & Healthcare
Protecting your most valuable asset
Health is Wealth: Why Your Body is Your Most Important Financial Asset - The financial impact of health choices
Health Insurance: Your Complete Guide to Coverage in Early Retirement - Healthcare planning for FI
Healthcare in Early Retirement: Bridging the Gap to Medicare - Specific strategies for the coverage gap
🎯 Advanced FI Topics
Specialized strategies and considerations
Tax Optimization: Keep More of What You Earn - Legal tax reduction strategies
Travel on a FI Budget: How Financial Independence Changes How You See the World - Geographic arbitrage and travel strategies
AI is Coming for Your Job: The Financial Independence Implications - Future-proofing your career and finances
📖 Personal Stories & Examples
Real-world application and Max's journey
Who is Max Prosper? (Part One) - Background and motivation
Who is Max Prosper? (Part Two) - Continued personal story
Who is Max Prosper? (Part Three) - More of the personal narrative
My 2024 Spending: What Financial Independence Actually Looks Like - Real spending data from FI lifestyle
🤔 Meta & Philosophy
About the newsletter and financial advice industry
Why Free Range Finance Has No Ads, Affiliate Links, or Sales Pitches - Newsletter philosophy and conflicts of interest
The Compound Difficulty of Doing Hard Things - Why simple doesn't mean easy
💬 Reader Interaction
Q&A and community engagement
A New Format: Reader Q&A - First reader questions session
Reader Q&A #2: Your Financial Independence Questions Answered - Second reader questions session
🎯 Recommended Reading Paths
The Essential Path (New readers)
Start here if you're completely new to FI: Posts 1-7 → 16-17 → 21, 24, 26 → 32 → 43
The Psychology Deep Dive
If you struggle with spending or need mindset shifts: Posts 8-15 (read in order)
The Practical Optimizer
If you want actionable money-saving strategies: Posts 21-31 (focus on implementation)
The Advanced Student
If you understand the basics and want advanced strategies: Posts 32-42
New here? Start with What Is Financial Independence? and work through the Foundation & Philosophy section in order.
Been following along? Use this index to revisit specific topics or explore areas you might have missed.
This index covers all posts published through August 21st, 2025. Bookmark this page for easy reference to the complete Free Range Finance library.