Many of us experience mental health conditions or know someone close to us who does. Life is stressful and it only seems to get more stressful over time. The difficulties of day-to-day life can cause significant anxiety about what the future holds. We’ve discussed parental existential crisis and money dysmorphia, both of which may stem […]
Mental Health’s Impact On Life Insurance Coverage And Pricing Read More »
There’s a classic saying, “Youth is wasted on the young.” It’s meant to convey that those who are young lack the perspective to appreciate all the advantages of youth and thus take it for granted. After more than seven years of being a parent, it is clear to me that not having kids is a
Not Having Kids Is Your FIRE Super Power: Don’t Blow It! Read More »
In the second half of 2023, I significantly impacted our passive income, causing our household to technically lose its financial independence. Prior to this, we had been financially independent since 2012, when I left my banking job. My goal now is to regain financial independence by December 31, 2027. To achieve this, I need to
The Grind Back To Financial Independence: Early Stages Complete 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 »
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 »
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 »
Since middle school, I’ve embraced frugality, largely influenced by my parents’ thrifty habits. They drove aging cars, donned the same clothes for decades, and preferred water at restaurants. Today, I drive a nine-year-old car, opt to repair rather than replace my belongings, and typically stick to water with a lemon slice when dining out. It’s
Giving A Gift Card Is The Best Way To Help Frugal People Spend Read More »
After delving into the exorbitant prices of new luxury cars, I’ve come to the realization that a larger segment of the population is purchasing such vehicles than I initially thought. This trend poses a significant problem for those striving for financial freedom, which is why I’ve come up with the House-To-Car Ratio guide. I see
The Right House-To-Car Ratio For Financial Freedom Read More »
My editor at Portfolio Penguin informed me that the next print of the first edition of Buy This Not That will arrive in their warehouse on April 24, 2024. Subsequently, these next prints will be distributed to bookstores and warehouses for online retailers. The first prints may actually already be sold out, depending on which
Investing In First Print, First Edition Books Is The Way Read More »
One of the most commonly asked questions I get is whether I had to make sacrifices in my pursuit of FIRE (financial independence and retire early). When they refer to sacrifices, what they really mean is whether I missed out on the typical fun experiences of a young adult. These aren’t serious sacrifices like risking
The Sacrifices We Make To Achieve Financial Independence Read More »
