If you’ve been dreaming of financial freedom—or maybe even retiring early—you’re not alone. The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement has inspired millions of people to rethink how they work, save, and live. But what if I told you that new AI and digital tools can help you fast-track your path to financial independence?
I’ve always believed in working smarter, not harder. And thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence and automation, there’s never been a better time to let technology help you take control of your money, your time, and your life.
The Real Block to Financial Freedom: Procrastination
You’d think with all the apps, tools, and resources out there, we’d all be on the fast track to financial independence. But here’s what I’ve seen over and over with my coaching clients: it’s not that people don’t know what to do—it’s that they don’t get around to doing it. Procrastination is the true culprit.
Signing up for the company 401(k), setting up an investment account, automating savings—these are small steps that many people intend to take “someday” but somehow never do. It’s not laziness. It’s often overwhelm, fear of doing it wrong, or simply never making it a priority.
The solution? Start small. Start today. Even imperfect action beats endless inaction.
How AI and Automation Help You Get Started (and Stay Consistent)
That’s where AI and automation come in. These tools don’t just make saving and investing easier—they help you overcome procrastination by doing the hard work for you. Here’s how you can use them to put you on the fast track to financial independence faster:
1. Automate Your Savings (Even Tiny Amounts Matter). One of my clients, Jenna, kept saying she just couldn’t seem to save. Every month, something came up. We set her up with Oportun, an AI-powered savings app that quietly moved small amounts into savings based on her spending patterns. She barely noticed—and six months later, she had over $2,000 saved.
There are plenty of great apps like Qapital or Chime that do the same. The key is to remove the need for decision-making so that saving happens in the background.
Tip: Automate even $10 a week. The amount matters less than the habit.
2. Start Investing with Empower.com (And Automate It). When it comes to investing, the first step is the hardest. Many of my clients put it off for years, thinking they need to become stock market experts first. The truth? You don’t have to know everything to get started.
I often recommend Empower.com because they offer low-cost index funds, excellent customer service, and they’re always lowering fees to help investors keep more of their returns. You can set up an IRA, Roth IRA, or brokerage account in under an hour—and yes, you can automate your contributions so you never have to think about it again.
One of my clients opened her first Empower account with just $100. Five years later, she’s well on her way to financial independence, and it all started with that single step.
3. Use Robo-Advisors to Grow Without Guesswork. If you don’t want to pick investments yourself, consider AI-driven robo-advisors like Betterment, Wealthfront, or Ellevest. These tools build and manage a diversified portfolio for you, based on your goals and risk comfort level.
They handle everything—automatic deposits, rebalancing, even tax efficiency—so you can get on with your life while your money quietly grows.
4. Automate Debt Payoff to Build Momentum. For those carrying credit card or student loan debt, procrastination hits hard here, too. It feels overwhelming, so nothing gets done. Apps like Debt Payoff Planner help automate debt payments in the most efficient order, saving you interest and speeding up your payoff. One of my clients used Debt Payoff Planner to go from drowning in debt to completely debt-free in just over two years—simply because the system was set up for her, and all she had to do was follow it.
5. Master Budgeting the Easy Way. Budgeting used to mean spreadsheets and receipts (ugh). Today, apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget) or Copilot use AI to track your spending and help you plan without the hassle.
Once you see where your money is going—often hundreds of dollars on things you don’t even care about—it becomes so much easier to redirect those funds toward your FIRE goals.
A Book to Jumpstart Your Journey
If you want a deeper understanding of why financial freedom matters—and how to actually take action—I highly recommend the classic: Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. This book has transformed how millions of people view money, work, and happiness. It helps you see the real cost of your spending (in life energy) and gently guides you toward a simpler, more intentional way of living. It’s the perfect companion to the digital tools we’ve been discussing.
And if you have a copy of Coach Yourself to Success sitting on your shelf, go back to the money tips in there! Many of my clients started their FIRE journey after reading those very chapters. Sometimes, the foundation you need is already right in front of you.
The Emotional Side: Why We Procrastinate
Let’s not forget—money is emotional. Fear of failure, fear of making mistakes, or even subconscious beliefs about not deserving wealth can keep you stuck.
That’s why I always recommend taking my free Emotional Needs Quiz. Understanding your top emotional drivers—like security, freedom, or adventure— helps you align your financial decisions with what truly matters to you. When your heart and your money are pulling in the same direction, everything flows more easily.
Take the First Step Today
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. But you do have to start. Your financial freedom won’t happen someday. It begins today—with one small, powerful action.
Want more support on your journey? Let my Financial Independence, Retire Early Course guide you step-by-step through this transformation.
