Blog - Page 66 of 250 - Financial Samurai

The Capital Stack: Debt Versus Equity Investing In Real Estate

13 Comments / Real Estate / By Financial Samurai

As a real estate investor since 2003 and a private real estate investor since 2016, I’ve learned that understanding the capital stack is crucial to making smarter investment decisions. By grasping the nuances of debt versus equity investing in commercial real estate, you’ll be better equipped to invest in a risk-appropriate manner. Most individual investors […]

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Enjoy Your Forever Home For Now, It Will Likely Change

54 Comments / Real Estate / By Financial Samurai

In 2020, we bought a forever home. We found a relatively good deal as panic set in during the first month of lockdown. We decided that if we are going to be cooped up for an unknown period of time, we might as well live in a more comfortable space. The forever home is about

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You Will Never Truly Be Free Unless Your Loved Ones Are Also Free

35 Comments / Retirement / By Financial Samurai

One of the sad realizations I’ve had post-vaccination is that my life won’t really change. Although my family has some financial security and no bosses to report to, I’m not sure we will truly be free unless our loved ones are also free. The first thing I did after getting my second shot was try

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Are You A Real Millionaire? $3 Million Is The New $1 Million

286 Comments / Retirement / By Financial Samurai

Although being a millionaire sounds nice, it’s not that impressive anymore thanks to inflation. In order to be a real millionaire, you will need to have a net worth of at least $3 million, not $1 million. A $1 million net worth provided a great lifestyle before 1990. Not so much today. If you retired

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The Average Credit Score In America Is Now Excellent

58 Comments / Credit Score, Debt / By Financial Samurai

The average credit score in America is now 715 according to Experian in 2025. Back in 2019, the average credit score was 703. Hence, the average credit score has been inching up over time as household balance sheets strengthen and the excess of the past fade. During a global pandemic, the average American improved their

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Your X-Factor Is Key To Being Rich, Happy, And Free

18 Comments / Career & Employment, Motivation / By Financial Samurai

If you want to be rich, happy, and free, you must cultivate your X-Factor. Your X-Factor can be building something on the side that makes money beyond your day job. Your X-Factor can also be developing a top 1% talent in a sport, music, or art that provides you a tremendous amount of joy. Some

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When To Take Social Security? Make So Much It Doesn’t Really Matter

60 Comments / Retirement / By Financial Samurai

Are you wondering when to take Social Security? The answer is a little more complicated than it seems. Officially, you can start your retirement benefit at any point from age 62 up until age 70. Your benefits will be higher the longer you delay taking Social Security due to Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) that

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How To Pay No Capital Gains Tax After Selling Your House For Big Profits

126 Comments / Real Estate, Taxes / By Financial Samurai

If you decide to sell your house to simplify life, lock in gains, downsize, or relocate for a job, this article will help you minimize your capital gains tax bill. You may even be able to pay no capital gains tax after selling your house for big bucks. According to the IRS, most home sellers

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Yieldstreet Overview And The Broader Alternative Investing Landscape

8 Comments / Product Reviews / By Financial Samurai

Back in 2019, I spoke to representatives at Yieldstreet at the LendIt conference in San Francisco to learn more about their platform. Ah, I miss those in-person conferences. What intrigued me about Yieldstreet was their investment offerings in legal, art, marine, and supply chain finance, which I knew very little about. Years later, I’m pleased

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Why The Stepped-Up Basis Must Be Preserved For Our Children

91 Comments / Family Finances, Taxes / By Financial Samurai

The stepped-up basis for our children is under attack. The Biden administration wants to either abolish the stepped-up basis altogether or alter it to generate more tax dollars. If heirs are then forced to pay a capital gains tax upon inheriting an asset, despite not selling, this could have negative consequences for families and the

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