I believe in personal responsibility. So should you. If we take responsibility for our actions, we will end up wealthier and lead better lives. If you father a child, you had better step up and take care of your child until they are adults. None of this “see you later” nonsense while you shack up […]
Personal Responsibility Is Important: How Did We Get So Entitled? Read More »
Money is great, but it can also create awkwardness among friends, colleagues, or even strangers. In this post, I want to share an awkward money situation that dragged on for months. In the end, the money situation was resolved. However, it made me realize that we personal finance enthusiasts are an unusual bunch. It also
An Awkward Money Situation Reveals An Uncomfortable Truth Read More »
With the New York Times article on Fat FIRE, I’ve been thinking a lot more about the repercussions of achieving financial independence and retiring early. One of those repercussions is that financial independence can turn you into stingy person who is unwilling to give! Every year, my kids’ Mandarin immersion independent school hosts a fundraiser
The Stinginess of Financial Independence: Careful Being Too Cheap Read More »
Originally, I planned to title this post, “Getting Rich by Getting Lucky Doesn’t Feel So Good.” However, after some time, I realized that getting lucky actually feels better over time! This change in sentiment has profound socioeconomic implications, as it may lead us to hoard our wealth and create more inequality. Luck may also lead
Getting Rich By Getting Lucky Actually Feels Better Over Time Read More »
Income taxes can hinder wealth creation. Fortunately, for Americans seeking to save on taxes, there are nine states without income tax where we can choose to reside. These states are listed below in alphabetical order: Ideally, you’ll secure a fantastic job and find your soulmate in one of these nine income tax-free states. As your
The Best No Income Tax States To Work And Get Rich Read More »
Understanding the fundamentals of personal finance is pivotal for kids to successfully launch into the world of adulting. Money skills are necessary to navigate effectively through everything from life’s humdrum day-to-day tasks to its elaborate complexities. Yet what surprises me is that most schools are still not required to teach financial literacy to students. Due
Raising Money-Smart Kids: A Guide To Teaching Personal Finance Read More »
One of my ongoing challenges as a writer is explaining financial concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. With ann MBA from Berkeley and 13 years in banking at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, financial concepts come naturally to me. Despite writing over 2,500 personal finance articles since 2009 on Financial Samurai, however, some concepts still get
Navigating Retirement: Dynamic Safe Withdrawal Rates In Action Read More »
On August 7, 2023, I received an email from Amy X. Wang, the assistant editor at the New York Times Magazine, inquiring about the modern-day FIRE movement and its Fat FIRE offshoot. Amy is a self-proclaimed FIRE enthusiast who has worked side hustles to earn extra money and utilized rewards points to save. As one
Behind The Headlines: My Experience Working With The New York Times Read More »
In October 2023, my passive income took a significant $150,000 hit, representing a decrease of 39%, following the purchase of a new house we didn’t really need. It was funded by proceeds from selling public stocks and bonds. The decision to buy the house with cash was agonizing, as we didn’t need a nicer home.
Why Earning Less Passive Income Has Changed My Life For The Better Read More »
Understanding how home prices fluctuate over time is one of the most intriguing insights gleaned from my post on the reasons behind property bidding wars. Learning how prices change will empower you to make more informed purchases in the future. I contend that timing the housing market is comparatively simpler than timing the stock market,
Analyzing Home Price Dynamics: A Guide To Smarter Purchases Read More »
