CASE STUDY
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE (FI)
This slide deck is a loose outline and designed to give you the flexibility to make it your own. Feel free to delete and update slides as you deem appropriate for your situation. You may add photos if you wish to personalize and make it unique to you (totally optional).
Please see last page for tips on privacy as you share your information.
THIS CASE STUDY TEMPLATE IS FREE AND AVAILABLE FOR ANY ONE TO DOWNLOAD AND USE WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO HAVE MORE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MONEY & FINANCES.
LAST UPDATED: 4/1/25 BY JACKIE CUMMINGS KOSKI
WHAT IS A�FI CASE STUDY?
A Financial Independence (FI) Case Study is sharing the life & financials of one family to get crowdsourced feedback and generate thoughtful discussion among the group.
Seeing someone else’s real finances is the best way to think critically about your own.
Case Studies are done in small and large FI groups all over the world and at FI events like EconoMe, CampFI, ChooseFI Local Meetups and more.
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PRIVACY NOTICE
While I believe that people should be more open about money (and it shouldn’t be so taboo), I admit sharing my financial story is a bit outside my comfort zone. In exchange for my transparency, please keep the details in this presentation (numbers and otherwise) just to this group. I value my privacy, and don’t want this information shared with my friends, family, or coworkers— much how I anticipate you might feel as well.�
I would like to get through the presentation first, to paint the full picture for you, and THEN answer questions.�
NOW LET’S GET VULNERABLE!
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AGENDA
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Rex from
Poochville
ABOUT
ME &
MY FAM
FAMILY MAKE UP
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LIFE & VALUES
TIMELINE OF MY FI JOURNEY
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Early
The Middle
Now
Prior to 2014
2015-2024
Current Year: 2025
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$00k
Gross
Income
Expenses
Savings Rate
% of Income
FI Number
25x Expenses
S U M M A R Y O F F I N A N C I A L S
$00k
00%
$0M
$0.0M
Assets
Debt
$00k
$0.0M
Net Worth
Assets - Debt
ANNUAL INCOME
$000k
Gross Income
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Another example of how to present income details in chart format:
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Primary Expenses | Amount |
HOUSING | $000 |
TRANSPORTATION | $000 |
FOOD | $000 |
CHILDCARE | $000 |
INSURANCES | $000 |
TOTAL | $00,000 |
Other Expenses | Amount |
ENTERTAINMENT & TRAVEL | $000 |
CLOTHING & PERSONAL CARE | $000 |
PET CARE | $000 |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | $000 |
GIFTS & CHARITABLE DONATION | $000 |
TOTAL | $00,000 |
ANNUAL EXPENSES
Feel free to provide screen shot from the budgeting or expense tracking tool you use
ANNUAL SAVINGS
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00%
Savings Rate
Total: $00k
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Category | Amount | General Investment Allocation & Notes |
Roth IRA | $000 | 00% Stock, 00% Bonds/Fixed Income, 00% Other |
Traditional IRA | $000 | 00% Stock, 00% Bonds/Fixed Income, 00% Other |
Employer Plan (00% Roth, 00% Traditional) | $000 | 00% Stock, 00% Bonds/Fixed Income, 00% Other |
Brokerage | $000 | 00% Stocks, 00% Bonds/Fixed Income, 00% Other |
Liquid Bank Accounts | $000 | Savings, Money Market, CDs- interest rates |
Home Value | $000 | Payoff Amount & Date |
Health Savings Account (H.S.A.) | $000 | 00% Stock, 00% Bonds/Fixed Income, 00% Other |
Other | $000 | 00% Stock, 00% Bonds/Fixed Income, 00% Other |
TOTAL | $0,000,000 | |
ASSET DETAILS
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Type | Balance | Annual Payment | Loan Information & Notes |
Home Mortgage (PITI) | $000 | $000 | |
Vehicle Loans (car, motorcycle, boat) | $000 | $000 | |
Federal Student Loans | $000 | $000 | |
Private Student Loans | $000 | $000 | |
Credit Cards | $000 | $000 | |
Other | $000 | $000 | |
TOTAL | $000,000 | $000,000 | |
DEBT DETAILS
Credit standing (Excellent, Good, Working to Improve)
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Type | Yes/No | Notes |
BENEFICIARIES NAMED Retirement Accounts, Insurance Policies, Brokerage, Bank Accounts, HSA, Homes/Vehicles (not available in all states) | | Primary & Contingent, Last Updated |
MEDICAL DOCUMENTS Medical POA, Living Will, Health Care proxy | | |
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS & FINAL WISHES Financial POA, Will, Trust, Guardianship | | |
LONG TERM CARE | | What’s the plan? |
GIVING PLAN While living or after death to individuals or charities | | Using any tax efficient vehicles or strategies like Donor Advised Fund, 529, or Trust |
OTHER Business, Investment Properties, Rents, Royalties, Digital Assets (Email, Cloud Services, Website, Social Media) | | What’s the plan? |
ESTATE PLANNING
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SOCIAL SECURITY ESTIMATES
These personalized estimates are generated from ssa.gov. The default numbers are based on your earnings to date and assume you continue to earn the same amount per year until you start your benefits.
Age | Year | Benefit Start Time | Monthly Amount |
Age 62 (Early) | 20XX | Early Retirement Age (Minimum Benefit) | $0,000 |
Age 67 (Full) | 20XX | Full Retirement Age (Full Benefit) | $0,000 |
Age 70 (Delayed) | 20XX | Delayed Retirement Age (Maximum Benefit) | $0,000 |
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GOALS & QUESTIONS
Goal #1
Describe your primary goal and what you would like feedback on
Goal #2
Describe your secondary goal and what you would like feedback on
Goal #3
Describe your other goals and what you would like feedback on
Questions
What are my blind spots? What did I miss?
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WHEN CAN I RETIRE CALCULATOR
Run your numbers using one of the calculators on the next page or feel free to use your favorite.
Share
screenshot
PLACE
SCREEN SHOT
OF
RETIREMENT CALCULATOR
RESULTS
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POPULAR
FI & RETIREMENT CALCULATORS
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PRIVACY
TIPS
Transparency with your numbers is extremely helpful to the group, but please be careful and prudent when sharing your information. You still deserve privacy. It is wise to limit your personal information that is not relevant to your Case Study. Please consider these tips as you customize the slides: