The Long Game

por Mihir Shah

He Achieved Financial Independence at 32 — Then Walked Away From Money | Sunil Shah

In this episode of The Long Game, Mihir Shah speaks with Sunil Shah, whose path to financial independence was shaped not just by money, but by a deep shift in how he understood life, fear, and freedom. Sunil shares how his journey began early, growing up in a middle-class family and realizing as a child that money created access and opportunity. From data entry and software work to a role in the US, he built confidence around earning — but his biggest turning point was not financial. After returning to Pune, a long period of silence and introspection changed the way he thought about money, work, and life itself. He explains why he chose not to keep chasing more income, how he structured a simple life around fixed deposits and rental income, and why he believes true financial independence is about removing fear rather than hitting a perfect number. Toward the end, Sunil also shares a very different message for today’s younger generation: instead of obsessing over FIRE formulas, invest in yourself and learn AI deeply. If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at financewithmihir@gmail.com

From CTO to Financial Independence: The Real FIRE Strategy Explained

In this episode of The Long Game, Mihir Shah speaks with Jayant Kumar, former CTO at Indian Express, former SVP at DBS Bank, and now a mutual fund specialist. Jayant shares his journey from a long career in technology leadership to achieving financial independence. He explains how he first discovered the concept of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and how that changed the way he approached saving, investing, and planning for the future. We discuss the importance of building a strong financial plan, avoiding common investing mistakes, and why many people misunderstand the FIRE movement. Jayant also shares the strategy he used to build his retirement corpus, including the 35x rule, asset allocation strategies, and lessons learned from real estate and mutual fund investing. He also talks about life after financial independence — including the surprising challenges of having too much free time and the importance of finding purpose beyond work. If you’re interested in financial independence, investing, mutual funds, or early retirement, this episode offers practical insights and lessons from someone who has successfully made that transition. If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at financewithmihir@gmail.com Follow Jayant Kumar at https://www.youtube.com/@fireby45

How He Achieved Barista FIRE Before 40 | Tech Career, RSUs & Financial Independence

In this episode of The Long Game, we see A.V's journey who achieved Barista FIRE before turning 40. Barista FIRE is a version of financial independence where your investments cover most of your expenses, while a smaller income stream or part-time work covers the rest. In this conversation, A.V. shares his journey from starting his career in India to moving to the United States for an MBA, working in tech companies, and ultimately reaching financial independence. We discuss how disciplined saving, investing in equities, and avoiding lifestyle inflation helped him build wealth over time. A.V. also talks about the role RSUs played in accelerating his journey and how aligning financial values with his partner made a huge difference. He also shares one financial mistake that cost him what could have been hundreds of thousands of dollars—and the lessons he learned from it. This episode is a great look at what the path to financial independence actually looks like in real life. Topics discussed • What Barista FIRE actually means • Moving from India to the US for an MBA • Working in tech and growing income through RSUs • Paying off an education loan quickly • The role of discipline and saving early • Lifestyle inflation and spending choices • A costly car purchase mistake • How financial independence changes your outlook on work • Advice for people in their 20s and 30s pursuing FIRE If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill this out: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at financewithmihir@gmail.com

Introducing The Long Game: A Podcast About Financial Independence and Long-Term Wealth

Welcome to the very first episode of The Long Game. In this short introduction, Mihir Shah shares the purpose behind the podcast and what listeners can expect from future conversations. There is no shortage of advice about money and investing today, but what often gets missed are the real stories behind financial independence — the decisions people made, the mistakes they learned from, and the lessons they discovered along the way. The Long Game is a podcast focused on exploring how people actually build wealth and financial freedom over time. Each episode features conversations with individuals who are on the path to financial independence or who have already achieved it. Through these discussions, we’ll explore topics like: • Financial Independence (FIRE) • Investing and long-term wealth building • Major financial decisions that shaped people’s journeys • Lessons learned from mistakes • Mindset shifts around money and freedom If you're interested in financial independence, investing, and learning from real experiences rather than theory, this podcast is for you. New episodes will feature thoughtful conversations with people who are playing the long game with their finances.

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