About
Welcome to Financial Samurai, a place where you can share your thoughts freely on all things personal finance related. Personal finance is a part of everything we do, whether we know it or not. There are no topics off limits and all your opinions are welcome here.
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.
Financial Samurai has been highlighted in major publications such as Forbes.com, The Wall Street Journal Online and The Los Angeles Times.
ABOUT THE WRITER – THE LONG VERSION
Something happened a while ago. Money stopped being a driving factor. Instead, I’m now motivated by having a balanced lifestyle. Vacation is awesome because of work. If all I did was travel and play golf, I’d soon be bored.
Fun followed by purpose is essential. I write because I enjoy the experience. Readers and your comments are what makes running this site a blast. Communication is a natural extension of ourselves. The better we can communicate, the more complete we become.
Sushi, surprise, surprise is one of my favorite foods and I can watch college football and basketball all day long. I’m an avid tennis player who would play 5 days a week if my body didn’t break down. I believe there is a mental to physical connection in everything we do, which is why I try and keep fit given all the writing here.
I used to own a $80,000 car and now I own a reliable, 11 year old car worth $3,000 named Moose. I have investments in property, stocks, real estate and private companies, but I believe none of them count towards my net worth. It’s all an illusion. Only liquid cash is worth something, and even then, I’m not so sure thanks to BenGenie Bernanke.
I’ve made and lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate and the stock market. As a result, re-balancing is important to make sure that my risk exposure is not too great. The greatest protection I need is against myself, as I am quite an aggressive investor because I ironically don’t need much to survive. Our greatest asset is ourselves!
Education is absolutely the key to freedom and wealth. When I graduated from college, I swore I’d never go back to school again. Then the dotcom meltdown happened. Out of precaution, I got my MBA from a top 10 program. I never would have gone if my employer didn’t pay for it. All the same, it was a great experience.
If all I could ever earn was $60,000 gross a year, I’d be content. Without debt, it doesn’t take much to live a comfortable life. There are only so many things one can buy, and so many fancy foods one can eat taste sour tastebuds adapt. Since studies have shown that the poor and rich are equally happy, I might as well strive to be rich, but I don’t mind just being average.
You can read more about my story from my Yakezie Member Post – Financial Samurai. The Yakezie Network is the largest personal finance and lifestyle blog network on the web. It took time to formulate the concept, the culture, and the mission, but I’m glad I launched the Network in December, 2009. I firmly believe the Yakezie Network is the best blog network on the web. It has changed lives for the better, and we will always strive to give back to the community.
ABOUT THE WRITER – THE SHORT AND RANDOM VERSION
* “Progress” is my one word definition of happiness.
* Loved writing in high school and was the teacher’s pet in AP English. Sadly, I never took another writing course in college again and am struggling to rediscover my love of writing.
* Scored very mediocre on my SATs, but received an international scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
* Lived in seven different countries and have been to roughly 50 countries as of Feb, 2012.
* Used to speak three languages pretty well. Now I only speak two languages. My Spanish now sucks.
* Overcame severe asthma as a kid and can now play 2-3 hours of tennis at a time. Yet, I still can’t run 5 miles straight.
* Was a 16 handicapper in golf for years until I made it a goal to break 10 one year. I did, and am currently a 9.8.
* Entrepreneurship fascinates me, but I turned down a golden opportunity abroad upon graduation to work for a golden opportunity in NYC.
* Can happily sleep 6 hours a day, and often less because I’m so excited to wake up and see what’s happened in the world while I was sleeping!
* Love to hike, bike, snowboard and travel.
* Slowly disliking the taste of meat, given that 70% of my meals are now vegetarian. However, still can’t resist a juicy ribe-eye or prime-rib.
* A believer we should take care of our parents in their old age no matter what.
* Fiercely loyal and will always take care of the people who helped out.
* The regrets I will have will be the things I didn’t do.
FINANCIAL SAMURAI SITE STATISTICS:
* 130,000-160,000 page views a month.
* 90,000-130,000 unique visitors a month.
* Pagerank 4
* mozRank 5.7
* Domain Authority 61
* Page Authority 65
* Alexa Rank ~35,000
* Reader demographics: Majority are ages 25-45, college educated, top 25% income.
* Site Age: 3 years
* You can read about the Financial Samurai Value Proposition, where I detail what makes subscribing to and visiting this site a must for all those who are seeking financial independence. Post date 4/9/2012.
* Please also check out, Achieving Financial Freedom One Slice At A Time that highlights my various passive income streams that have allowed for financial independence. Post date 4/16/2012.
CONTACT ME FOR:
* Advertising opportunities on Financial Samurai on for the Yakezie Network
* Product reviews
* Guest posts
* Interviews
* Writing opportunities
* Business opportunities
Email: financialsamurai at gmail dot com (Publicists, please DO NOT add me to your blast lists)
Glad to have you on our journey!
Regards,
Sam Dogen – “Slicing Through Money’s Mysteries”
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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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Jane – Howdy. The “Freedom Fund” is 100% cash saved by FS since the inception of this site. Thnx
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Tyrone – Let’s just say we’re world travelers and humble students of finance!
Great long term goal you have! We’re glad to help!
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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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@Rich Money Habits
Sounds good Rich.
@frugal expat
Looking forward to hearing from you more often. Enjoy Dubai!
@kenyantykoon
Have seen you around the blogsphere. Look forward to seeing you here more often!
@SeeJaneGetRich.com
The Freedom Fund is a savings fund I started in June of 2009. The idea is to grow it, track it and reach $1 million by 2020. Let’s see if I can get there! I should write about it more. Perhaps once a month in 2010.
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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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@Mike
Thanks Mike for stopping by! Don’t ROTH though! lol.
@youngandthrifty
Thanks for your thoughts. My shoes are just like anybody else’s shoes, perhaps just a different style :)
@savvysavingbytes
Hi Savvy Saving Bytes! Good to hear from you and welcome to the site. Yeah, what a crazy past couple years it’s been financially huh? Good thing is we’re still alive, and I’m definitely going to learn from my mistakes! Hope to see you around!
@Jeremy Johnson
Hi Jeremy, I haven’t elaborated too much on how I built it, but it’s a mix between savings, item sales, dividends, and more income. I’ve ear marked one account as “The Freedom Fund” where I can hopefully build it up to 1 mil in 8 years.
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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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Financial Samurai Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Hope your blogging fire is still going one year later!
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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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Financial Samurai Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:12 am
Everybody is average, nobody is average. Average is just a barometer by which you can help measure your progress.
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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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Financial Samurai Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Robert, nice to meet you. I think you should power on through for the next 3 months. The government is doing away with pensions like they are going out of style. Take advantage as much as you can. The rest of your life will thank you for it!
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Any chance you could publish follow-ups on some of your posts?
Specifically I would be interested to find out about your friend that published a guest blog about whether he should quit his job or not.
Also, I would love a follow-up story regarding your friend that owned a software company and he was going to lay someone off because he thought President Obama was going to raise taxes.
Great Blog that makes me THINK! I agree with you sometimes and I do not agree with you other times – but your blog entries always get me to think.
David
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Financial Samurai Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:10 am
David, here’s a follow up post: http://www.financialsamurai.com/2010/03/29/wealth-is-an-illusion-of-happiness/
My software company friend laid the person off b/c of the fear Obama will raise taxes. Felt best to tighten the belt now, then when he has to.
What are the things you disagree on?
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hey samurai,,im new in the pf biz:),,but i have to say that yours is one of the few pf blogs i actually find the time to look up from time to time,keep up the good write ups !
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Good morning Samurai!! I’ve been having a blast reading your blog as I just happened to come upon it a few weeks ago. I’ve been slowly going through your back posts and it’s a much better read than listening to my family talk about Dave Ramsey. ;)
I actually came across your site searching for a topic that seemingly has very convoluted solutions (or very simply solutions!) Paying off “low-interest” debt versus investing. By low-interest I mean a 2% car loan or 3% home loan. I’ve carried no credit-card debt for the last 15 years so most of the solutions out there simply state “pay off your credit cards first!” or “if you wouldn’t borrow money to invest, you should probably pay down your debt first.” Since we’ve maxed out our 401k, fund our IRA each year, contribute the max to our SPP, and make extra payments on our mortgage – where do we go next? (Yes – it’s a great place to be in and we’re quite fortunate in our savings plan…!) But having our cash sitting in basically a 0.5% savings account makes no sense (when they used to provide 5% – sure!!).
Thanks again for your great site!! I’m now a regular reader as it’s put right up on my RSS reader for me each day!
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Financial Samurai Reply:
March 26th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Morning! And thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoy the blog and hope to see you around more often.
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Hi Sam!
I enjoyed reading your revealing About Me post, and I must say, I think you can delete the bullet point about AP English and rediscovering your love of writing. I think you have it nailed, whether or not you love it! LOL
Thanks for starting Yakezie. I’m meeting so many new people through the network…will be joining the challenge soon – I have to fit that in between 2 (soon to be 3) rugrats pulling me in every direction! :)
~Lena
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Financial Samurai Reply:
April 14th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
No problem Lena. Good to hear from you and I hope I see you around the sphere!
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