About 10 years ago, I tried logging onto SSA.gov to check my Social Security benefits. You would think after decades of paying FICA taxes (6.2% for SS, 1.45% for Medicare), the government might make it easy to see what you’re entitled to. Nope. Instead, the system demanded to physically mail me a PIN. I tried three times […]
Living Solely Off Social Security Benefits In Retirement Is Possible Read More »
I was talking to a full-time mother the other day, and she was pissed. Her full-time working husband was heading out on yet another business trip. It was his third week-long trip that month, and she was over it. Their two kids missed their father, and she didn’t think all the travel was truly necessary,
How To Overcome Travel Guilt As a Stay-at-Home Parent Read More »
People knock real estate for being slow and tedious. I get it. It’s not nearly as exciting as chasing big tech or the latest AI winner. But slow and steady might be exactly what the doctor ordered for building tremendous long-term wealth. With stocks doing well for decades, you’d think most people would be far
Made More From One House Than 26 Years of 401(k) Investing Read More »
On the road to financial independence, sacrifices must be made. And perhaps more importantly, once you achieve financial independence, further sacrifices should be made to stay free and appreciative of what you have. For my latest trip to Oahu, this time to surprise my father and take him out for his 80th birthday, I decided
Survived Basic Economy And Then Won The Lottery Read More »
The maximum employee 401(k) contribution limit for 2026 is increasing by $1,000 to $24,500 according to the IRS. For workers over 50, the catch-up contribution rises to $8,000, bringing the total to $32,500. With the median household income of roughly $80,000 today (employee 401(k) max = 30% of income), that’s a substantial amount of money to shelter in
The 2026 401(k) Contribution Limits Feel Like Big Money Now Read More »
Housing is one of life’s fundamental needs, right up there with food, water, and safety. For decades, though, housing affordability has become increasingly out of reach for the average American. With the median U.S. home price hovering around $440,000 and the median household income roughly $80,000, it’s easy to see why homeownership has become more of a dream
A 50-Year Mortgage Is Fantastic For Homeowners And Investors Read More »
But no matter how hard I studied, I couldn’t crack the code. I finished with a 3.65 GPA — a B+/A– average. Spanish verb conjugations tripped me up, advanced math seemed pointless, and science teachers were brutal graders. After reading some SAT prep books at the library, I couldn’t break a 1,200 on the SAT
Be an American Nerd, Not the Cool Kid, If You Want to Survive Read More »
During my free financial review of my investments, I was feeling pretty good about how far it had come. Back when I retired from finance in April 2012, I had about $300,000 in my 401(k). After leaving, I rolled it into an IRA and invested in index ETFs and individual stocks. Since then, it has
You Might Not Be As Good An Investor As You Think Read More »
Housing security is something I hope everyone will one day obtain. Once you are house secure, you can more easily focus on your career, family formation, and other things you care about. However, if you rent for life, you may face housing insecurity, which can feel especially uncomfortable when you’re older or no longer willing
Please Don’t Rent Your Entire Life: Housing Security Is Vital Read More »
As a buyer and seller of real estate since 2003, I’ve learned that getting a home inspection before each purchase is one of the most important steps in protecting yourself. You want a professional — someone who’s inspected hundreds of homes — to review your potential property for at least an hour before you submit
Paying For A Home Inspection Is Worth The Cost, Don’t Skip Out Read More »
