Meet, Learn, Laugh: Your Guide to FI Retreats
16 Nov, 2025
Did you know there are retreats and conferences just for people chasing financial independence? Think of them as adult money camps - part learning, part laughter, part deep conversation (money and otherwise) with new friends.
No, I’m not running one, nor selling one, but I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few, and they’ve been life-changing. People often ask how I find out about them and which ones are worth attending, so I’ve pulled together a list of some of the best upcoming events from New Zealand and around the world.
Whether you’re just starting your FIRE journey or already FI and looking for your tribe, there’s something here for you. A group of 40-60 people comes together and socialises, with a specific focus on personal finances (PF).
These retreats generally last 3-5 days, are located in a beautiful setting, and all activities take place in one venue. Your food, accommodation, speakers, and entertainment are all included in the ticket price.
Camping with others? Maybe.
Accommodation comes in various forms, depending on the venue, country and organisers. It might range from tenting to hotel style to enjoying your own villa. To lower costs, you might even be sharing a room. The purpose is to keep the group together in one location, creating opportunities for impromptu conversations outside of scheduled activities. It's a good vibe, but if you get peopled out, you can retreat to your own room to recharge. But I guarantee that FOMO will draw you back out again.
Conferences tend to have a shorter duration, with a larger, but equally engaged, group of people keen to mix with others who share similar interests in personal finances and are eager to learn from one another.
They are a brilliant way to meet people in real life, rather than reading blogs, books, sending emails, listening to podcasts, or observing via social media. You will walk away having formed new and genuine friendships, often with plans being made to meet up in various places with new friends (FI travel is a thing). There will always be some speakers (I’ve had the nervous pleasure of this task), case studies presented by attendees, and scheduled activities from team quizzes to physical activities, but outside of those, you get to spend plenty of time with regular people, just like you and I, on their own path to FI.
A fun optional physical activity at TribeFI 2024.
Who goes to these things?
Events are inclusive; I’ve met people from all walks of life. Some are still working, while others have retired early. Some are still very much growing their education and awareness around personal finances, others have an in-depth knowledge, have achieved FI, and want to meet others in the same boat who are free of work and time-rich.
While some people may know one or two others, most don’t, and very quickly you become familiar and friendly with fellow attendees, all of whom are open to chatting money. For those struggling to find someone to discuss money with in real life, these events are a huge breath of fresh air, where everyone arrives with nervous anticipation but hits the ground running and soon realises they have found their people. Having attended two events now, and soon to attend a third, walking into a room full of people who ‘get’ what you're about and are willing to either learn from you or teach you is fantastic.
Are they safe?
Retreats and conferences are a no-judgment zone, a safe space to share and learn where you can openly discuss your financial plans and receive encouragement, not mockery. Given that, as a society, most people hold their financial cards quite close to their chest, you might worry that attending an event like this is akin to handing over your PIN numbers. It’s not. In my experience, discussions went wherever people felt comfortable, whether that meant diving deep into their numbers and geeking out over their handcrafted spreadsheets or keeping things at a surface level. People are curious and kind at these events.
We are a community behind a keyboard in many aspects, so PF retreats allow us to ask for ideas from others, encourage each other to make decisions, share our own successes and failures, give and receive honest feedback and connect with people who are either where we want to go financially, or where we once were. And while many might sport a matching T-shirt by the end of the retreat, you can be the individual you are born to be. You do you.
Who runs them?
An important thing to remember is that these events come about because the people who organise them once dreamed of being amongst their peers, and with no event in their neck of the woods, they went out on a limb and created them. They invite genuine speakers who share their financial stories, and these are loosely organised, informal events where, as the hours pass, the participants become more actively involved. You are not there just to hear people talk; you are there to be a part of something.
Cost
Each event has a different cost, and you will also need to cover your own transportation.
While it's a shame that most events are international, don’t let that put you off. Dates are set well in advance, and you can often get great deals flying to the North or South Island, Gold Coast or Sydney, so attending Black FI Day, Tribe FI or Firespark might be more affordable than you’d expect.
These retreats are intended for those with the means to pay, but the goal is to keep the price as low as possible. Whether you have budgeted and saved and decided to make attending a priority in your budget, or you are FI and can easily afford to go, everyone is welcome. If your budget is tight, and you’re early in your FI journey, you might not be ready for an in-person event like this - yet. Instead, use the cheaper alternatives, such as local meet-ups, free online courses, and heavy use of the internet and your library.
For organisers that I’ve met, I know that they are mostly just trying to cover their costs because their primary goal is to bring a group together.
Below is a list of retreats and conferences. Visit each event website to find speakers and speeches from previous events. Sometimes speakers are not confirmed until close to the event, but I can guarantee that whoever turns up will be interesting. Tickets to these retreats generally sell out quickly, due to the small group size. It can be a nerve-wracking experience to sign up, pay the price, and still not be quite sure what you have signed up for. To avoid this, seek out Facebook groups for the various events and contact the organisers directly with any questions you have.
Personal Finance Retreats
Black FI-Day - New Zealand
Organiser: Bronwyn Candish
Next events: Nov 28 - Dec 1 2025, Christchurch
Nov 8 - 9, 2026, Christchurch
This is New Zealand’s very own personal finance retreat, and I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at last year’s North Island event. The vibe? Diverse, inclusive, and full of energy. Being a Kiwi event means we acknowledge that FI might look a little different in a smaller country, and we can cover topics close to our hearts, such as KiwiSaver, ETF investing, and Property.
They are about to hold their second sold-out event, from November 28 to December 1, 2025, in Christchurch. Canterbury accountant Bronwyn Candish organised Black FI-Day out of FOMO. She saw events happening in other countries that she was unable to attend, so she decided to create something similar in her own community. Approximately 50 attendees converge on a stunning location to share experiences, swap money stories, and build friendships that last long after the weekend ends.
At Black FI-Day 2024 - Paul & Bradie (The Happy Saver Podcast Episode 90), Me and Alan & Katie Donegan (Rebel Finance School)
Mark your calendar for the upcoming conference on Nov 8 - 9, 2026, where a larger group (150 people!) will gather to learn, laugh, plan their next financial moves, and enjoy a wide range of speakers (The Donegans and The Happy Saver, among many more), and mix and mingle with Kiwis who aim for financial independence. You can sign up at Ignite Events to receive notifications about the event.
Tribe FI - Australia
Organiser: Rob Hinds
Next events: Mar 20 - 23, 2026, Perth
Oct 30 - Nov 2 2026, Collaroy, Sydney
Organiser Rob Hinds managed to get himself to some international PF retreats and threw caution to the wind, creating his own event, Tribe FI, based in Collaroy, just north of Sydney. In November 2024, Jonny and I had a brilliant time there (I was a speaker), and due to other commitments, we were sad to miss his sold-out 2025 event, which took place from November 7th to 10th.
Approximately 50 people from Australia and beyond gather to connect and discuss financial freedom, sharing their experiences and strategies for achieving it. A plumber by trade, Rob pulled together friends to make it all happen. Both Kiwi and Aussie events have that homegrown vibe that makes you want to get involved.
Rob is actually from Perth, which is why he decided to host Tribe FI Perth in his home state from March 20th to 23rd, 2026. The last time I checked, there were still tickets available for this event.
Mark 30th Oct - 2nd Nov 2026 in your diary because Tribe FI will be returning to Collaroy. If you sign up on his website, he will let you know when the tickets go on sale. Jonny and I, along with Alan and Katie Donegan, as well as a few other names to be confirmed, plan to attend this event, and we hope to see you there.
To illustrate the relaxed vibe of these events, as soon as the November 2025 event wrapped up, Rob had invited and helped organise a Tribe FI afterparty for anyone keen to immediately board a cruise out of Sydney. Just showing that at these events, connections are made!
Some of the 2024 Tribe FI speakers with Rob and his amazing Tribe FI team.
Firespark Retreat - Australia
Organiser: Brenda James
Next event: Aug 7 – 9, 2026, Gold Coast
At Tribe FI 2024, I met Brenda James, the organiser behind Firespark, a series of weekend getaways and events created for Australia’s Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) community. Brenda’s next event will take place from August 7 to 9, 2026, on the stunning Gold Coast (an easy direct flight for Kiwis), and tickets are now available. Firespark offers a chance for like-minded people to come together, learn from one another, and find inspiration to build a life of purpose, freedom, and intentional living.
According to Brenda, Firespark is all about connection and that spark you feel when you meet others who share your values and outlook on life. It’s a space where people can discuss money openly and discover how much else they have in common, from escaping the rat race to pursuing personal growth.
Conversations explore ideas around longevity and extending your health span, uncovering your ikigai or purpose, and finding joy in a life where you no longer need an alarm clock. Attendees are also encouraged to consider travel (Brenda has taken some epic trips herself) and geoarbitrage, as well as living the nomadic lifestyle and examining the money stories that shape their choices.
FI Freedom Retreats - Bali, Indonesia
Organiser: Amy Minkley
Next event: Sep 11 - 15, 2026, Bali
Due to its location, this retreat is definitely on my bucket list. But I know that it sells out quickly. I’ve been in touch with the organiser, Amy, and she told me she purposefully pre-sells twelve tickets to non-Americans, allowing her to connect with the international FI community (nine nationalities were at the 2025 retreat). If you visit her contact page and specifically mention that you are from New Zealand, she will include you in the pre-sale email sent to non-Americans. Their next event is scheduled for 11-15 September 2026. To get a sense of what the event is like, listen to this Catching Up To FI episode, where Jackie attended the 2025 FI Freedom retreat in Bali and created a podcast about it. She talks with Amy, as well as fellow speakers and attendees, and this podcast encapsulates what it is like to participate in an FI event.
Amy is also planning to host FI-related snorkel and dive liveaboard trips in early 2027 at Raja Ampat, so if that’s your thing, joining her mailing list is a great idea.
CampFI - USA, Spain, Italy
Stephen Baughier from CampFI has made a business out of organising personal finance retreats and conferences, and while most are based in America, some are in Spain and Italy. A major drawcard for these types of events is the speakers, for sure, but also the peer-to-peer interactions you will experience. Groups include up to 60 people on their journey to financial independence, and if you visit their website, you will see that they have 13 events planned for 2026. It’s times like these that I wish NZ was just a little geographically closer to these places!
Slow FI Retreats - America
Organisers: Jess & Corey, The Fioneers
Next events: May 14 - 17, 2026, Lake Tahoe
Oct 1 - 4, 2026, New Hampshire
Jess and Corey are behind The Fioneers, and they host “Slow FI Retreats”. Slow FI is the concept of making regular contributions to investments and then stopping. Without further contributions, the investments will continue to grow, and by the time you reach 65, you will have enough money to see out your retirement years. This leaves you more money to live and enjoy today. It is the less frenetic path to FI. Once again, their current retreats are sold out, but if you follow their blog, they will share upcoming events with you, and you can join a waitlist HERE. I don’t know too much about them or their retreats, but I would love to attend one day.
In 2026, they will be hosting two Slow FI Retreats in two stunning locations:
May 14 - 17, 2026 - Lake Tahoe - Zephyr Point Conference Centre, Zephyr Cove, NV
October 1 - 4, 2026 - New Hampshire - Geneva Point Centre, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Early-bird registration opens on November 24, 2025.
Each retreat is a chance to step back, recharge, spend time around a campfire swapping stories, design your next chapter, and draw inspiration from a community of people who are redefining financial freedom and creating lives they don’t want to retire from.
Personal Finance Conferences
These are held mainly in America. They are a niche event, and from what I gather, they run with the ‘go big or go home’ philosophy. They attract a large turnout in the U.S. There are additional conferences, such as Bogleheads and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Warren Buffett’s conference), which I haven't covered, but you can search for.
EconoMe Conference - America
Next event: Mar 20 - 22 2026, Cincinnati, Ohio
Run by Diania Merriam, their tag line is “come and explore the robust world of financial independence at this party about money”. No stuffy personal finance speak here. It’s like a personal finance retreat on steroids. You still enjoy one-on-one interactions with attendees and get to hear from fantastic speakers, but it's a much larger event. Whether you are already FI, still accumulating wealth, or just at the very beginning of cleaning up your finances, they aim to curate engaging and thought-provoking content for you. Their next event is March 20-22, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Although already sold out, you may still be able to get a ticket to EconoMe if you visit their website and join the waitlist. Another one to add to my bucket list, I think; I’ve got to go at least once, I reckon.
FinCon - America
Next event: Sep 16 - 18 2026, Palm Springs, California
FinCon sounds hectic, but it is the place to be if you want to surround yourself with the most current creators, influencers, coaches, brands, and educators. They are all at FinCon, touting their money-related businesses or platforms. Their slogan is 'Money Nerds Unite,' and FinCon attracts great speakers, which is why I’ve included it here. Any Kiwi attending an event like this would have their mind blown by watching the full force of American capitalism and confidence on display. Their next conference is September 16-18, 2026.
Personal Finance Travel
If you met some people at an event but felt sad when the retreat was over and wanted to keep the conversation going, you have another option to connect through a FI travel group! I know plenty of people who travel with friends they have met through the personal finance community.
FI Friends Travel - Global
The organiser of FI Friends Travel discovered the FI community in 2018 and attended a CampFI event, as well as many others. At these events, she met a community of people who had varying amounts of both time and money, and wanted to travel, so she began organising trips they could all take together. So began small-group travel adventures that follow core FI values of intentional living, smart money habits and maximising time well-spent. Instead of ending a retreat and going your own way, they have created a space for people to connect and remain connected. One of the harder parts of FI is having friends with time, with whom you can hang out. This solves that problem!
FinTalks Cruise - Global
Yes, this is a thing. Going on a cruise with fellow FI enthusiasts sounds brilliant to me! I know very little about Amerberly Grant, but her FinTalks Cruises were recommended by many. A FinTalks Cruise might need to be yet another thing I add to my To-Do list!
Local Meet-ups
The Happy Saver Meet-ups
I host a meet-up here in Alexandra every three months or so. It’s purely for locals, or those willing to travel to me, which many do. If you would like to be added to my mailing list, please contact me HERE. What do we do at these very informal catch-ups? Talk nonstop for 2-3 hours, drink coffee, eat snacks, and make new friends. It’s great!
ChooseFI Meet-up
Something closer to home, and something YOU can organise yourself, is a ChooseFI local meet-up in your community. Brad from ChooseFI grew frustrated with Facebook and has created his own platform to enable people from all over the world to develop their own local meetup groups. I know that there are groups in Auckland and Christchurch. Bronwyn, the organiser of the Black FI Day Retreat, is part of the Christchurch group. If you set up a local New Zealand group and you would like me to put the word out, just email me and I’ll share it with my audience (who can then go online and sign up to your group themselves). Creating this platform is a massive undertaking, but it reflects the desire of the personal finance community to connect like-minded individuals.
Our Extraordinary Weekends
Alan and Katie Donegan from Rebel Finance School are constantly zipping around the world, and when time allows, they organise in-person events of their own. Plans are underway for an Extraordinary Weekend with Brad from ChooseFI in America in February 2026. You can join their Extraordinary Events mailing list to stay informed about future events. Of all the event organisers, these two are the most spontaneous, and they organise events (such as the Great NZ PIE tour) at short notice. They will be coming back to New Zealand in late 2026, so keep an eye out.
That was quite the list!
Every time I leave an event, I feel more inspired, even more curious, and more connected. These gatherings remind me that personal finance doesn’t have to be a solo mission and that it is richer and more rewarding when shared.
If you are hesitant, don’t be, as I can confidently tell you that, amongst a crowd of strangers, you will make genuine connections. Whether you join a large conference overseas or host a coffee meetup in your local café, you’ll find people who “get it”, who want to talk money without judgment, share what they’ve learned, and cheer you on.
The hardest part is deciding which event to attend. If you’ve been to one before, I’d love to hear what you thought in the comments below.
Maybe I’ll see you at the next retreat!
