I first heard about FINCON—the annual conference for personal finance creators— through financial independence podcasts like BiggerPockets Money, Financial Samurai, and ChooseFI. Attendees raved about the energy and community, but for years I held back. I wasn’t sure the cost would be worth it, especially since I hadn’t fully committed to starting a blog.
That changed in November 2024 when an email landed in my inbox: FINCON 2025 Creator Passes were discounted to $99. Without overthinking it, I bought my ticket. The conference was scheduled for September 10–12 in Portland, giving me nine months to get my blog up and running.
Two weeks before the convention, I finally pulled the trigger: RadiatingFI was born. Even though my site wasn’t fully launched, I hoped FINCON would be the push I needed (Spoiler: it was!)
My First FINCON Experience
Day 1: First-Timer Orientation and Networking Success
I arrived bright and early for the first timer’s orientation at 8AM. The hosts were warm and enthusiastic— much appreciated energy before I had my first sip of coffee. They made sure to equip us with tips to make the most out of the convention, such as:
- Snap photos of slides—they might not be shared later
- Don’t be afraid to approach seasoned creators
- Use both the sessions and the hallway conversations to network
- Grab lunch with a buddy to share notes and insights
- Follow up with new connections within 30 days
- Buy next year’s pass during the convention—it’ll never be cheaper
With those tips in mind, I was ready to grab some coffee. In the coffee line, I joined in on a conversation behind me and was starstruck to meet the creator of cFIREsim, a retirement calculator I dabbled with early in my FIRE journey. Serendipitous moments like that popped up throughout the day, from meeting creators at different stages of their journey to swapping stories with fellow first-timers.
Going into the conference, I assumed FINCON was strictly a financial independence conference. But I realized throughout the day that it was much more than that: it’s one of the premier personal finance conferences for bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and financial content creators of all kinds. It was fascinating to learn from creators of all niches within the broad category of finance.
That evening, a new friend invited me to crash their company dinner at OX. I got a taste of what it was like to be back in a corporate environment dining with colleagues again. Although I wouldn’t trade my flexible job to go back into the office, I miss feeling connected on a personal level with my colleagues. By the time I returned to my Airbnb at 9:30 p.m., I was exhausted but deeply grateful for such a rich first day.
Day 2: Learning and Recharging
By Day 2, my social battery was running low. I attended a few seminars that piqued my interest and chatted with a new friend, but eventually retreated to my Airbnb early to recharge. Sometimes, the best way to get the most out of a conference is knowing when to step away.
Day 3: Wrapping Up with Networking
Since all sessions were recorded and work was piling up, I skipped the panels on Day 3. I closed out FINCON that evening by attending one last networking event for credit card hacking enthusiasts—a fun way to connect with people who share my side hobby.
Complete FINCON Cost Breakdown: What Does the Finance Conference Really Cost?
Many potential attendees wonder about the true cost of attending FINCON. I extended my Portland stay into the surrounding weekends, which increased my overall expenses, but here’s what the trip would have cost had I just attended the convention:
| Category | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | -$61.35 | $15/day at the convention center (no in/out). Switched to cheaper street parking. |
| Groceries | -$16.25 | — |
| Restaurants | -$64.21 | — |
| Networking Events | -$107.88 | — |
| Airbnb | -$348.95 | $116.32/night |
| Flights | -$196.60 | Paid with Citi Strata Premier points |
| Rental Car & Taxis | -$315.26 | $141.63 in Ubers + $117.78 rental car |
| Grand Total | -$1,112.08 | |
| Less: Paid with Points | +$196.60 | |
| Total Paid in Cash | -$915.48 |
Was FINCON worth it for a First-Timer?
Absolutely—100%. Even though I had just returned from a month-long trip in Europe, I’m glad I invested in attending FINCON. For a relatively small team, the organizers put together a well-run, beginner-friendly conference.
I walked away with:
- Practical tips for growing my blog.
- Genuine connections with other creators.
- Insight into future affiliate and brand opportunities.
- Renewed motivation to build RadiatingFI.
I’m already looking forward to FINCON 2026 in Palm Springs—this time with a year of blogging under my belt and an even clearer vision of my niche in the personal finance space.