One of the reasons I left my job at Credit Suisse was that I no longer felt I was being paid based on merit. After the global financial crisis, the firm—like many others—faced tough times, and overall compensation steadily declined for years. As a top-three ranked producer, I expected to be compensated accordingly. But I […]
Rewarding Based on Merit Alone: Great in Theory, Tough in Reality Read More »
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the time off and doing some reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am ready to relax some more! Now that I’ve shared my 2024 year in review, I wanted to share my goals and resolutions for 2025. Although 2024 was a great year, I still have
2025 Goals And Resolutions: Back To A Simple Retirement Life Read More »
With 2024 over, I’d like to share my year in review. For the vast majority of investors, this was a banner year, with the S&P 500 up 23% and real estate prices in most of the country continuing to inch higher despite high mortgage rates. Bitcoin investors, gold investors, and venture capital investors have all
2024 Year In Review: A Year Of Transition And Luck Read More »
As we wrap up 2024, it’s time to highlight the best posts from Financial Samurai this year. When I started Financial Samurai in July 2009, my goal was to publish three posts a week for 10 years. I achieved that milestone in July 2019, but much like Forrest Gump, I kept on going. Writing has
Best Of Financial Samurai 2024: Favorite Posts And Popular Reads Read More »
I firmly believe that above-average wealth is largely a result of luck – around 60% – 70%. If we fail to recognize our lucky financial breaks, we risk confusing our abilities with good economic times. This overconfidence can lead to poor decisions and increase the likelihood of financial ruin. Since starting Financial Samurai in 2009, I’ve witnessed
How One Lucky Financial Break Can Change Everything For Good Read More »
One reason many people shy away from competition is that they dislike losing. With often only one winner, the sting of defeat can feel too humiliating. When people stop competing, they can become more fragile over time, to the point where even small setbacks can disrupt their well being. Ironically, the best path to victory
The Power Of Losing: How Setbacks Can Lead To Success 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 »
My life has been filled with rejections, and I’ve finally come to embrace rejection as a natural part of life. To me, being rejected is akin to the urgent need to visit the bathroom after indulging in too much Taco Bell. The discomfort is undeniable at first as your stomach sours from the inside out.
Embrace Rejection! How Getting Denied Saves Us Over $50,000 Read More »
Happy new year everyone! For 2024, my theme of the year is, “One last year of intense focus.” This marks my 15th year running Financial Samurai, coinciding with both my children starting full-time school in September. Fatigue has set in, reminiscent of 2011 when I pondered leaving investment banking for good. That burnout prompted a
2024 Financial Samurai Goals: One Last Year Of Intense Focus Read More »
I’ve been writing year-in-review posts for over a decade now. It’s a rewarding way to document what went well and where I can improve. While 2023 brought more failures than wins, being alive and healthy fills me with gratitude. My theme for 2023 was “Back To Easy Living.” After an exhausting pandemic period, I aimed
2023 Financial Samurai Year In Review: More Fails Than Wins Read More »
