Financial Samurai

thanks for commenting on my humble blog. I’ll be following you.

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Hi. Thanks for visiting my blog site. I’ve just read your story. I do hope that I can retire too at the age of 45. I think that I am on the right track.

As you have said, you’re a finance professional and you’ve been here in the Philippines? Are you a Filipino or American?

Anyway, my long term goal is to settle abroad, not here. I prefer US or Europe. I just hope to find a job in finance too. However, with the current economic downturn, I believe that it’s hard to find a job abroad. Perhaps, you can help me in achieving this long term goal. :)

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What exactly is your freedom fund? Is that your total networth or cold hard cash?

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I love this quote: “We’re rich because we’re disciplined and understand basic necessities for financial freedom.” It was very cool to read some of your background and how your life story influences some of your writing.

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wow. i think i should emulate you vis-a-vis about pages. Mine is a mere stub. i like your blog very much btw :)

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Just stumbled on your site man- dig the name and your story up to this point. Interesting stuff.

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Hi Samurai,

Thanks for visiting my site.

I like your site. The content, the style, the mood and energy are all good.
Your personal story is intriguing and your financial success impressive – and a cash saving of $80K since the inception of this blog, which begs the question, How old is this blog?

Love your attitude too …

You’re on my radar screen via RSS now! Continued success to you.

Best…………valentina

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admin Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Hello Valentina – Thanks for stopping by too. The blog was created in the summer of 2009. Look forward to having you as a regular! Sam-urai

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I totally agree with this >> “I actually really enjoy my job, but I think I’ll enjoy it more if I didn’t need to work!” I too would like to be able to gain financial independence one day. For now, I’m taking it one day at a time.

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Hi.. I always like reading the ‘about me’ page.. and I appreciate your ‘about’ page. it is inspiring and i like the secret tips wealth..

i’ll be visiting u more often

cheers..

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Hey Samurai,
I really enjoyed reading your story and am a big fan of your blog. You’re an inspiration to us all. Keep up the great, work.

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Hi Samurai,

Thanks for sharing your story- it’s very inspirational. Hope to be in your shoes some day! (sooner than later, hopefully).

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First, I strongly relate to your recent market dive: I was on that same boat ride and sank even deeper in the water than you. Thankfully, I’m in a far better boat now.

You have a terrific blog here. I like the wide breath of it, the way you touch on so many facets of life. I also admire your generosity, your willingness to share yourself with so many. For a blog started only last summer, you’ve come a heck of a long distance. Congratulations!

Savvy Saving Bytes

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Very interesting information, especially your freedom fund. You started it last summer is that correct? You’ve saved an impressive amount! Did you get in on any stocks that were low in early/mid 2009? Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question – I have some stock I am investing in and find it really fascinating.

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I love reading “About Me” pages as well, and it seems like you had an interesting journey! I dig how you’re encouraging in your writing, and how you interact often with other commenters. Great site! I plan on stopping by more often!

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I finally got a chance to read a little more about you Sam. Very interesting story. Sounds like you have been to the top and back again. Good goal of retiring by 45. If you miss your goal, you might retire when you are 50, much better than having no goal and wondering if you will retire when you are 65. Looking forward to watching your journey. Hopefully we can both retire by the time we are 45-50 IF we want to.

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I just got here and I’m a huge fan! I’m even following on Twitter. I think you have a great personal story and I look forward to seeing where it takes you.

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Dang…$120,000 gain in 3 months. I’d like to get my hands on a stock like that… :)

Been lurking on your site for a bit now….I like your assertive style. Looking forward to following.

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Sam,

This is the first time I’ve read this. Damn, that stock you bought was crazy!! I’ve heard so many stories of up, then down. But not many sold near the top.

Where do you work, if you don’t mind me asking? And what do you do?

Andrew

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Hey Sam, great “About” page!

I agree with your goal – retiring at 45 is a great “can I do it” goal.

I’ve seen your posts on other sites and finally made the time to stop by. I hope to do it more often. Cheers!

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Dude I’m had a look around I like your style, you speak with a very authentic voice. Not sure i’m quite there yet but i’ll keep trying

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Hey Sam,

I actually haven’t updated my ‘about’ at all since I started the blog. I haven’t yet refined it, but I’m glad to see that people are actually stopping by to read it.

“So many times we are set in our ways of thinking. It’s unhealthy, frankly. If we can’t see someone else’s point of view, we’ll end up missing great opportunities. We’ll also end up being narrow-minded fools. Everyone has something special to offer so don’t be shy.”

I completely agree with this. It can sometimes be difficult to break out of one’s shell or set patterns of thinking, but one’s gotta try!

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Hello,

I was wondering if you could advise me on how I could appear on your blog roll?

Thanks,

James.

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Nice about page! Very positive and very heartily. I love the community that you’ve built around your site. I hope to guest post here one day, I’ll probably search for one of my drafts and see if it would fit your requirements. I want to build my own business before I turn 30, I’m 25 right now and I wanted it badly before I’m 26 but too much rush has only made disappointments. I really enjoy reading your posts and guest posts. They’re very natural and sometimes funny.

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I’ve been reading personal finance blogs steadily since 2006 but have recently felt like I’ve been in a rut, not reading anything “new” and “exciting”. Well now that I’ve stopped by I think you’re my first favorite “new generation” blog, I’m so excited to read more! Thanks!!!

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Financial Samurai Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 6:32 pm

Courtney, great to hear and welcome to Financial Samurai! I try and just write stuff that I would want to read. Simple formula really!

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Hey! I found your blog through twitter and I’m liking what I see. I’m in my mid-20s and have just started blogging about PF this year. You seem to have a very “Zen” perspective on personal finance. I’m still forming my opinions about PF in general, but I’m trying to share what I experienced with people my age. The more information the better, right? Hopefully, one day I can get to the point you’re at now. =)

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Hi,
I just posted my status on FACEBOOK. “What is America’s ‘net worth’?”

I found your article. It was really nice. Good job.

The question is: How many people are we saying possess this avg. net worth?

Theoretically, this should the entire population. But, aren’t there other ‘holdings’ if you will, that would need to be included in this figure? Help me figure this out, and I will tell you why I want to know.

Lars Erickson.

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I enjoyed your article about moving back at home with Mom & Dad. Absolultely HILARIOUS!

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Eric, the Clintons started the mortgage crisis. The dems in power the last two terms of Bushs Presidency (Frank, Dodd and others) claimed everything was okay after Republicans called them out and predicted this housing crisis/mortgage crisis would happen. Bush was asleep at the wheel, Yes! But Obama has given trillions to his financial buddies (along with obscene bonuses). More in his first 59 days than Bush did in all 8 yrs.!!This administration is a disaster for the country.Healthcare- we already have the best socialized healthcare, No one is turned away if they cannot pay. The cost is passed on to those who can. Obamas plan will ration out healthcare where people will die waiting (even those who can afford to pay) and the cost will be passed along to EVERYONE in higher health costs.Education- We need to stop the quotas of passing kids when they cant read, write, speak, add memorize, learn properly, PERIOD. Its the quotas for raises that cause teachers to pass kids whether theyre ready or not. And funding depends on it, etc. etc. And parents are not as proactive as they should or can be.Housing is not a right. Just like anything else in the American Dream, you have to work for it. There is plenty of help out there (at the goodness of Americans hearts, and programs that are govt. funded, and by corporations that get an incentive to Give til its practically ridiculous.-Obamas policies will change charity for the worse.Labor unions while started out protecting people that couldnt protect themselves have become a mobster society. They threaten and bully people and act like common thugs and law breakers. Labor Unions have lobbyists who pay politicians a LOT of money! Its in the best interests of the politicians to get labor unions in everywhere they can. The fact that this will put small businesses out of business, and raise prices at Walmart beyond what families on a budget could affordwill effect everyone adversely.Labor unions can now bulldose their way in and a business owner, and the employees dont have the right to vote privately whether they want this or not. This is dangerous.This isnt America anymore.

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Hi Sam. Just read your post in Yakezie to reach out. I joined the challenge. 3 days in and I dropped from 4.9 mil to 4.5. Not bad for 3 days. Anyway my name is Jai and I have LOVED all that I am learning and reading in the different blogs. Not to mention everyone has been helpful and very nice. Happy New Year if I don’t speak to you by then.

Jai

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Hi FS:

My name is Robert and I’ve been following your blog for a year. I wanted to say thank you as I thoroughly enjoy it.

Here’s my question:

I’m active duty enlisted and have been in for almost eight years. My current enlistment terminates 31 Aug 2014, which would make ten years and three months of active duty. I came in late at 23yo. So, my option is to stay enlisted and retire at 43yo or take a two-three year break; go to nursing school; come back in as an officer; and retire instead at 46-47yo. I’ve already looked into the commissioning while on active duty programs but have already ruled that out for personal reasons.

My stay-at-home wife and I do all the right things. We have no debt except mortgage; we have 3-6 month e-fund; we’ve invested $10K into TSP; have been maxing out Roth IRA through Vanguard target retirement fund.

My thinking is that if I stay on active duty instead of taking 2-3 year break, that’s 2-3 more years to max out mine and my wife’s spousal Roth IRA ($30K) and potentially save up an additional $15K in savings. If I take the 2-3 year break and commission, the difference would really only be made up in the pension. Plus, I would retire 2-3 years later. I know there’s alot of personal stuff in here, but what do you think makes the most sense from a financial standpoint? Thanks – Robert

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