With stock market volatility back, interest rates elevated, and high valuations, lower expected returns are a good possibility. Since 2009, investors have been able to make lots of money relatively easily. However, to expect double or triple-digit annual returns going forward is not wise. In August 2020, when I came out with the Financial Samurai
5 Things To Do With Lower Expected Returns Going Forward Read More »
One of the most popular posts on Financial Samurai is The Average Net Worth For The Above Average Person. But what about the average net worth for the above average married couple? After all, you’re not really getting ahead financially if your finances are just like every other couple’s finances. Life is so much easier
The Average Net Worth For The Above Average Married Couple Read More »
How big of an investment portfolio should I have to be financially free or start feeling free? This is one of the most common questions people starting on their financial independence journey ask. For background, I’ve been writing about achieving financial independence since 2009, when I started Financial Samurai and helped kickstart the modern-day FIRE
The Minimum Investment Portfolio Balance To Start Feeling Free Read More »
You may not realize this, but a health savings account (HSA) can be used as a retirement vehicle. If you’ve maxed out your 401(k) and IRA contributions, maxing out an HSA could be another source of retirement funds. A health savings account offers triple tax savings because you contribute pre-tax dollars, pay no taxes on
Using A Health Savings Account As A Retirement Vehicle Read More »
Fundrise is a leading real estate investing platform today with over 220,000 clients and $2.5+ billion in assets under management. The firm recently launched a new performance track record tool to boost transparency for individual investors. With stock market volatility back and negative real mortgage rates, my focus is moving towards capital preservation and investing
New Fundrise Performance Track Record Tool To Boost Transparency Read More »
A strong mind is everything. You need a strong mind to get rich. You also need a strong mind to win at sports and get ahead in many aspects of life. One of the goals of achieving financial independence is financial security. We want to feel secure financially so we ironically don’t have to think
The Ultimate Source Of Financial Security: Your Strong Mind Read More »
The maximum 401k contribution limit for 2026 is $24,500, up from $23,500 in 2025, and up from $23,000 in 2024. Your 401k is one of the three legs of the new retirement stool: you, you, and you. The maximum employee 401k contribution limits today feel like big money. Take advantage! Historically, the 401k contribution limit
The Maximum 401k Contribution Limit: What You Could Have If You Max Out Every Year Read More »
It occurred to me while writing my bestselling personal finance book, Buy This Not That, that a good percentage of you are HENRYs. A HENRY is a “high earner, not yet rich” consumer who is on the path to financial freedom. HENRYs mostly earn six-figure incomes who also save and invest aggressively. However, HENRYs often
Are You A HENRY? High Earners, Not Rich Yet Read More »
For the longest time, I’ve wondered whether Social Security is a dependable source of income for traditional retirees. As someone still over 15 years away from being able to collect, it’s hard to believe in the system given it is already underfunded by ~22%. Therefore, when the Social Security Administration announced the cost of living
Social Security Cost Of Living Adjustments: Keeping Up With Inflation Read More »
A Roth IRA conversion is potentially a way to save on taxes in retirement. However, for most people, converting to a Roth IRA is probably a waste of time. It is highly unlikely you will make more in retirement than while working. As a result, your tax rate will likely be lower in retirement. I
A Roth IRA Conversion Is Probably A Waste Of Time And Money For Most Read More »
