The 4 percent rule is outdated. It was established in 1998 when the 10-year bond yield was at ~5 percent. Of course you're never going to run out of money withdrawing at 4 percent when you can make 1 percent more risk-free! Follow the 0.5 percent rule instead for a safe withdrawal rate in retirement. Follow the times or suffer the consequences. Read the post here .
After giving homeschooling a lot of though, my wife and I have decided to go the homeschooling route. COVID-19 was just the catalyst to get us over the hump. We tried preschool for a solid 5 months and enjoyed it. However, there were lots of downsides as well. My wife joins me on this episode.
So you love chasing unicorn stocks to get rich. So do I! However, you should probably be more judicious with your active and passive investing split. It's really easy to get caught up in stock market mania and then blow yourself up. Here's my recommended passive and active investing split by personality so we can get rich more responsibly. Read more here....
For those who are worried about inflation, don't be. There is not going to be inflation or inflation worries for years, if ever. I've got to believe the only people who are worried about inflation are people who took out a 30-year-fixed mortgage or who are against America! Relevant post: Why An ARM Is Superior To A Fixed-Rate Mortgage
It looks like demand for buying a home has hit an 11-year high. Before you buy a home, it's good to know what's going on in the mortgage industry. The mortgage industry / banks hold the key to a steady real estate market. See this post for more charts and details.
Let's have a discussion on how climate change may affect real estate prices. Your desire for a beachfront home might be misplaced. But maybe it's best to live life now! Post: How Climate Change May Affect Real Estate Prices
Wondering whether to pay down your mortgage debt or invest? I go through a logical framework of how to do both, and also highlight the extra benefits of paying off a mortgage: more courage! Mentioned posts: No Mortgage More Courage FS-DAIR: Invest and Debt Framework
Racism is systemic in America. We must speak up and fight back against racism. We must share our stories and hold racists accountable for their actions. Do not stay silent during this time of crisis. Let us do our part in helping end the cycle of hate. Mentioned posts: Dear Minorities, Please Use Racism As Motivation To Achieve Financial Independence The Importance Of Feeling Consistently Uncomfortable For Personal Growth...
I've been skeptical about college for a while, but now that the pandemic has hit and tens of millions of jobs are lost and perhaps never coming back, I find college to be too risky of an investment to make for the average middle class family. Pertinent posts: https://www.financialsamurai.com/should-i-go-to-public-school-or-private-school/ https://www.financialsamurai.com/recommended-529-plan-amounts-by-age/ https://www.financialsamurai.com/accept-1000000-to-attend-public-school-over-private-scho...
With such a massive 30%+ rebound from the lows in March 2020, the S&P 500 is almost back to 3,000. I discuss why I've de-risked in my taxable investment portfolio. At the same time, I also discuss why you may want to keep holding onto your stocks. Here are some bearish charts and some bullish charts for you to review and consider....
So you want to save for college in a 529 plan but you're unsure of how much to save. Or, you're wondering whether you should contribute more or less. I address your questions and more in this episode and in this post with a detailed chart .
Don't you dare slack off. We're almost done with mass lockdowns and now is the time to step things up a notch. There will be consequences if you do not!
Buying real estate during the COVID-19 pandemic is tricky because of lockdowns and lower inventory. But this is a chance for buyers to get a great deal from a doomer bear seller. Highlighted posts: Real Estate Buying Strategies During A Pandemic How To Get Preapproved For A Mortgage...
I believe the PPP program is the best economic stimulus program the government has ever created. However, more than one month into the PPP program, there is some disappointing progress. There is also some hesitation by small business owners who have accepted the PPP to spend the money due to fear of it not being forgiven. Let's discuss! Post highlighted: The Paycheck Protection Program...
A look at the latest enhanced unemployment benefits and ranking the highest and lowest unemployment benefit amounts by state. See this post for charts: Highest And Lowest Unemployment Benefit Amounts By State See this post if you need information on how to file: Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits: How To File...
With the S&P 500 up over 25% from its lows, let's look at what the Doomers got wrong so we can potentially make better decisions investment decisions in the future. Post reference: How To Predict The Stock Market Bottom Like Nostradamus
Just checking in to share that good things have been happening since the last episode. Paycheck Protection Program is awesome if it goes through. Stimulus Checks are getting dispersed to millions. Unemployment benefits are $600 more a week. The stock market has rebounded a lot. Hang in there folks!...
Are you wondering when the stock market will bottom during a bear market? So am I! Here's an easy exercise all of us equity investors can go through to estimate when the stock market will finally find a footing. The exercise will calm your nerves and provide you with rational entry points to invest. Read: How To Predict A Stock Market Bottom for charts and graphs as well.
It was good while it lasted. Now it's time to hunker down.
Besides working to pay your taxes, perhaps nothing feels more depressing than going to work only to lose more money in your investments. Here are some thoughts on how to overcome this feeling of futility. Read more on FinancialSamurai.com .
Coronavirus fears have hit stock markets around the world. Here are my thoughts on how to best navigate the investment waters, what we can learn from history, and what I'm personally doing. I truly believe real estate is going to outperform stocks in 2020 , like it did in 2018....
Cherish life. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Here are all the reasons why I'm an early retirement failure. It was a good 8-year run, but all good things must come to an end! Read the post here .
At last! The government doesn't something positive for most American's retirement plans! Let's learn about all the things the SECURE Act does to help Americans save more for retirement. Read the post here .
No matter how much you plan, you'll never know all the variables. Here are some unanticipated benefits of early retirement that may surprise you. If I knew about just one of them, I probably would have been less worried about early retirement for sure. This podcast will help you make a more informed decision. Read the post here .
Getting a lot of good quality sleep is all the rage now. But if you don't sleep well, you'll probably get a lot richer because you have more time to do stuff and that's awesome. But I say you are probably less happier than someone who sleeps well and through the night. Let me share reasons why. Check out the post here .
Here are some smart money moves to make before the new year to reduce your tax liability. Taxes are our largest ongoing liability. It behooves us to stay on top of the tax code every year. Read the post: Smart Year-End Tax Moves To Make
Your 401(k) is part of the three-legged stool for retirement. The other two legs are your after-tax investments and your ability to make side income. You can't count on Social Security or a Pension anymore. If they are there, great. If not, you never counted on them in the first place. Check out this post with all the latest 401(k) charts and graphs.
This is my favorite time of the year because it's a time where we can all look back and be grateful for all that we have. I'm truly grateful to all of you for listening and sharing the Financial Samurai podcast and articles all these years. Your feedback is what keeps running Financial Samurai so much fun! Here's a related post about how I think most of our success is mostly luck .
If 70% of Americans are overweight and median retirement savings balance is way less than $100,000, perhaps spending time cooking at home to save money and be healthy is not the proper way to go. Let's look into all the reasons why ordering food delivery or going out to eat will help boost your health and wealth. Roughly 82% of Americans mainly cook at home. Check out the health charts here ....
