The Best Of Financial Samurai 2010

Financial Samurai - Samurai Alexa Ranking ChallengeYou guys have really rocked the discussions with multiple 100+ comment posts this year!  You'd think this was a big blog or something.  I can't begin to thank you enough for your contributions and what I've learned from you.  A post recap of 2010 is a good exercise to not only discover what worked best for some guidance in the new year, but to also give new readers a chance to catch up via one easy page.

There are literally 36 posts in the queue for 2011, with some of them just screaming to get out.  Why has the queue gotten so large?  Two things mainly:

1) Using a wine terminology, it's good to give each post a chance to breathe.  Often times there's so much discussion that to post a new post the very next day feels off.  This is the main reason why I don't post everyday.  A topic needs to be sussed out thoroughly before we move on.  I like to respond individually to all comments who require a response.  Also, I love reading all the other great blogs out there every other day.

2) I guess I just like to write a lot.  There is always something ridiculous going on in the world that needs addressing.  If you are a blogger who is afraid of running out of ideas, don't be.  Just read the newspaper, turn on the TV, or go out and socialize with friends.  Remember, if you can speak forever, you can blog forever!

For 2011, I probably should only have a queue 10 deep because I've found multiple times that I forget what I wrote just a month ago, and sometimes the topic gets stale or irrelevant.  Let's add that to the blogging new year goal!  Happy reviewing.

TOP POSTS FOR 2010

CAREER

* The Dark Side Of Early Retirement (150+ comments) – Open your eyes and realize that not everything is as it seems.  If you go out for a $100 per person dinner, of course you will rave that it was one of the best meals you've ever had.  If you don ‘t, you'd feel like a fool for spending that much money.

* The Curse Of Making Too Much Money And Not Pursuing Your Dreams (160+ comments) – Is a story about my friend Lyndon who makes $300,000 at a prestigious firm, who isn't entirely happy because all he dreams about is becoming a professional photographer.  Golden handcuffs really are hard to break!  You can read the follow up post Wealth Is An Illusion Of Happiness (95+ comments) after.

* The Comfortable Lifestyle Business Or The Big Payout? (80+ comments) – A question my VC/Internet poker buddies always talk about during our Friday night games.  $20-30,000 a month working 4 hours a day or a chance for mega-millions?  You decide!

* How to Make Six Figures At Almost Any Age (100+ comments) – It's true, you can make over $100,000 if you want to.  I explain to you how.  But, if you don't want to, no sweat and don't throw rocks at me!  Just telling you that it's much easier than you think.  Hopefully, after you read the ideal income for maximum happiness post, you'll decide to give it a shot.  I entered this post in Free Money Finance's bracket challenge for charity.

LOVE AND LIFESTYLE

* Do “C” Students Deserve “A” Lifestyles? (75+ comments) – I think I've discovered why there are so many personal finance issues in the world.  People are delusional.  Not everybody can be the best at whatever they do, yet everybody expects to get compensated like the best.  When they don't, things get out of hand, like buying a $50,000 BMW when you only make $50,000!

* How To Get Your Super Motivated Boyfriend To Marry You (60+ comments) – Is one that's dear to my heart because it got rejected by Wisebread (who are great folks btw) for a guest post, and helped give me the motivation to start the Yakezie Personal Finance & Lifestyle Network and write even more freely here on Financial Samurai.  The gist of the post is to give insight to women on the massive pressure society places on men to succeed.  It's seldom talked about because men are supposed to never cry and always be strong.  Once you understand your SMB, you will win his heart.

* The Mental To Physical Connection For A Healthier Lifestyle (85+ comments) – Discusses the importance of creating a symbiotic relationship between work, writing, and physical activity.  When we were in school, it was instilled in us to study hard, play sports, and delve into the arts.  We lose all that when we grow older and tend to just focus on work.  We gain weight, forget how to play a musical instrument, and lose track of our youth.  Bring it back.

* West Coast Living – Yes It Really Is That Much Better! (100+ comments) – Is a response to reader's displeasure when I openly and honestly inquired about how East Coast living is because a friend was considering moving from California to the East Coast (90+ comments) for a job interview.  I'm not sure why readers had to bash the West Coast so much after the East Coast post.  Perhaps it's a reflection of something?  Or maybe some of you are just meanies!  I donno.

* Is There Ever A Right Time To Upgrade Your Engagement Ring? (80+ comments) – Is a discussion about a friend who never thought he was going to get married until one day he found a women 10 years his junior.  What ensues is kind of ridiculous, and I decided to write the new rule for engagement ring buying (80+ comments)  to counteract her ridiculousness!

* How To Get Girls If You Live At Home With Mom And Dad (100+ comments) – Is a tongue-in-cheek discussion of how to make the best of a non ideal situation thanks to the economy.  My attempt at humor doused with a side of truth.

BIG GOVERNMENT & PERSONAL FINANCE

* Be A Sloth And Don't Roth! Why Converting To A Roth IRA is A Mistake (125+ commets) – It's important to wake up from your dream state and realize that not everything the government tries to tell you is good.  With logical reasoning, buttressed by simple mathematics, you realize that having a Roth IRA puts you in donkeyville.  The comments by Joe TaxPayer are particularly money.

* Insuring The Uninsured Is Worth It (140+ comments) – Was written after President Obama rammed his healthcare bill through.  I strongly believe that nobody should ever die or go broke due to a lack of health care in America.  Disease and sickness attacks everyone, not just the poor.

* Millionaires Need Love Too Ya Know (100+ comments) – Is a discussion with a millionaire buddy who feels he is 1000% entitled to collecting unemployment benefits even though he's financially fine.  “I paid hundreds of thousands into the system, I sure as hell plan to get some of that money back!”

* Someone Always Farts In A Crowd – The Moral Hazard Of America (50+ comments) – Discusses my encounter with a rascally kid who lets out a big one during a show.  Someone is always letting one go, and often times you don't know who.  Hence, you might as well let one rip as well and blame someone else!

* Don't Have Children If You Can't Take Care Of Yourself (140+ comments) – There are 140 million orphans in the world.  If you can't take care of yourself first, perhaps it's a good idea not to have children before you can.  Perhaps even consider adopting.

* Renters Should Pay More Taxes (120+ comments) – A post discussing how we shouldn't put the burden of all local taxes on the homeowner since renters enjoy the local parks, libraries, and public services as well.  Renters seem to constantly fight for equality, so let's do that by making renters pay a Renters Tax just like homeowners pay property taxes.

* Only The Poor Or Super Rich Say Money Can't Buy Happiness (130+ comments) – Let's face it, money does buy happiness because it can buy you fantastic experiences.  Furthermore, you never have to worry about money again once you have money.  Don't be tricked by researchers and the guilty rich.  Find out what the secret income level is for maximum happiness (80+ comments).

THANKS AGAIN!

The discussions have been phenomenal thanks to all of you.  For 2011, I will endeavor to provide an equally wide variety of posts for us to ruminate over and learn from.  If you are the editor of the New York Times or Word Up Magazine, yes, perhaps we should speak about some collaboration!

START AN ONLINE BUSINESS

It's been over six years since I started Financial Samurai and I'm actually earning a good passive and active income stream online now. The top 1% of all posts on Financial Samurai generates 31% of all traffic. In other words, after putting in the hours to write some very meaty content over the years, 10 posts consistently generate a monthly recurring income stream that's completely passive.

I never thought I'd be able to quit my job in 2012 just three years after starting Financial Samurai. But by starting one financial crisis day in 2009, Financial Samurai actually makes more than my entire passive income total of ~$175,000 that took 15 years to build. If you enjoy writing, creating, connecting with people online, and enjoying more freedom, see how you can set up a WordPress blog in 15 minutes with Bluehost.

You never know where the journey might take you! I spent four weeks traveling to Cambodia, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia while working on my business in 2015 and plan to work overseas again in 2016. The freedom and reward for creating something on your own truly is priceless.

Updated for 2020 and beyond.

Regards,

Sam

33 thoughts on “The Best Of Financial Samurai 2010”

  1. Wow, it has been a stellar year for you! I love reading your posts, always insightful and can always count on them to spark debate :)

    I think I’ve read all your Love and Lifestyle posts- I really love them, of course my favourite is How to Get your Supermotivated Boyfriend to marry you.

  2. Invest It Wisely

    Haha, I remember some of these posts. Why don’t I see the renters vs homeowners equality post? :P
    You deserve all of the comments! I sometimes marvel at how you do it all…

    1. Ah yes! Totally forgot about that one! I just added it, “Renters Should Pay More Taxes” with 120+ comments. Makes a lot of sense, don’t ya think? Equality between homeowners who pay prop taxes and renters who will pay renters taxes! We ALL pitch in! Cheers, Sam

  3. Money Reasons

    I think you choose very interesting topic, and you provide a great viewpoint on most of them! That help make your site “sticky”, so that we all come back for more :)

    Keep up the incredible work!

  4. I really enjoy your blog a lot! It is very entertaining and thought provoking. And I loooove reading some of the comments. You do know how to heat thing up. LOL I do agree that posting everyday might take away a little bit from a blog. Great job, Sam!

  5. Thanks for the reading. It’s interesting how you can turn a personal finance blog into something not so personal finance, but still be successful at it. I enjoy the tone, the conversations, and the friendliness of your blog. I hope that you have a successful 2011.

    It’s tragic to have observed, as I was clicking through your previous posts and their related comments, how many of the bloggers in the threads now have defunct sites. As you so eloquently put it, and inspire me to do, “if you can speak forever, you can blog forever.”

    1. Ah, but that’s my whole goal. Practically EVERYTHING we encounter is personal finance related, not just tips on what to do with your 401K. From relationships, to the government, to your aspirations, personal finance touches all aspects!

      1. And so it does.

        Perhaps this is why the pf bloggers disappear.
        One can only write tips for so long before it gets boring, making people shy away.

  6. Sandy @ yesiamcheap

    “Don’t Have Children If You Can’t Take Care Of Yourself ” is the best thing that you’ve ever written. I don’t know why people feel that just because they have eggs or sperm that they are entitled to procreate. Sometimes you just can’t afford it.

    1. Thanks Sandy. Well, maybe we’re just all really horny and can’t help ourselves? B/c logically, it makes sense if you are struggling to live a comfortable lifestyle, having another mouth to feed will make things harder, at least financially and time wise at least.

  7. Sunil from The Extra Money Blog

    my personal favorites were the west coast living and how anyone can make 6 figures. keep up the good content flowing. all the best in 2011

    1. Thanks for the feedback Sunil. Keep up the good content on your site as well. Perhaps you’d like to write a Lifestyle type post on Yakezie.com to help expand your name and audience. You have some great tips on entrepreneurship.

      1. Sunil from The Extra Money Blog

        Thanks Sam, I would love to. Guest blogging is one of the tasks on my TO DO list for 2011.

  8. Awesome wrap up, will refer to this in the future. I’m a relatively new reader and enjoy your wide range of topics from finances, relationships, and kids lettting one go in the crowd? Haha. Keep up the great work and have a Happy 2011! :)

  9. Those are some great posts Sam- I think there are a couple I need to still read though.

    Happy New Year, and thanks for all your hard work on Yakezie.

    Oh, my blog is really fresh as I have exactly 0 posts in queue. I gotta get writing. Maybe when the kids go back to school…

    Go Spartans!

  10. twentysomethingmoney

    These are some really great articles. I’ve been browsing through your site for the past few weeks, but this really helps highlight the cream of the crop.

    Happy New Year!

  11. Congrats on so many awesome posts for the year! It’s fun looking back. I’m also excited about 2011 even though 2010 was such a great year. Can’t wait to read your upcoming posts. It doesn’t even feel like New Years Eve to but maybe that’s because I was in the 1% of people who actually had to work today. I had to walk all over to find a place to get lunch too b/c everywhere was closed, lol! Happy New Year!

    1. Can’t believe you worked today Charlie! Thank you for all your comments and support for the year.

      Knowing that you worked today shows a lot of character. You probably are working bc you are a senior person at your company and they depend on you! :)

      Best, Sam

      1. And thank you for posting such insightful and entertaining articles. I’ve learned a lot from your site and from Yakezie too! Well the great thing about working NYE is that it’s already over now! And I get a floating holiday to use in 2011 – which was an upside surprise. I sure will miss the empty buses on my commutes once everyone’s back to work next week! Happy 1/1/11!!

        1. Good attitude! Yes, the good thing about hard work is that it’s over, and often times the work pays off. Enjoy your surprise floating day! To avoid the crowds, just go to work earlier :)

  12. This is a great list! I chuckle just reading some of the summaries. Got some reading to do… as I missed some. West Coast Living is great! I am currently visiting family back east and I have enough of the below 0 degrees (in Celcius). Vancouver here I come!

    1. West Coast 4 life! I love the debate we had. OK, yes, I admit there was a little bit of presumptuousness in the East Coast post, but hey…. just telling it how it is!

      Vancouver is great since you guys have Whistler! What kinda person voluntarily lives in freezing whether with no mountains to ski on? :)

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