Dear Financial Samurais,
The key question this week: Are the upcoming U.S.-China trade talks too little, too late to stop a recession or stagflation in 2025? As a perennial optimist, my gut says… maybe.
Tariffs are like slow-moving tsunamis—they take time to crash ashore. We’re already seeing fewer goods arrive at our ports. And with less supply, guess what? Higher prices. Tariffs don’t just hit companies; they hit us all, one grocery bill or shipping fee at a time.
Still, never count out the mighty U.S. consumer. We’re masters at spending—even when we know we should be saving and investing more. So while a slowdown might be inevitable, the markets and consumers may just shrug it off and power ahead. That’s the irrational resilience of risk assets for you.
As for me? I’m staying cautious but optimistic—hedged with real estate, sitting on some dry powder (cash), and holding a diversified equities portfolio. Let’s not let a hot stock market lull us into complacency. Be aware, stay nimble, and above all, stay intentional.
An Exhilarating One-Week Sprint
Lenin once said, “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
Well, this past week felt like a decade.
Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures officially launched—and what a wild, rewarding ride it’s been! Between podcast interviews, YouTube chats, consulting calls, and writing new posts tied to the book, I’ve barely had time to exhale.
I want to thank every single one of you who bought a copy, shared the book, or simply cheered me on. It means the world.
For those who haven’t yet picked up a copy, there’s still time to help me hit a stretch goal: make MM a national bestseller. The odds are long (about 0.3% for any author), but I figure—just like Lloyd said in Dumb and Dumber—“So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
Let’s give it a shot together! Saturday, May 10 is the final day for purchases to count toward the list. Every copy helps!
I took the kids to our local Barnes & Noble to look for Millionaire Milestones, expecting it to be in the business section. To my surprise, the sales clerk said it was in the New and Noteworthy section—what a thrill!
Why Push So Hard When You Don't Have To?
Frankly speaking? It’s about pride—and avoiding regret.
When you give something your all, even if you fall short, you walk away fulfilled. You sleep well at night knowing you left it all on the field.
This launch has reminded me just how rewarding it is to push your limits. And funny enough, re-reading my own book in April—right as the markets got really rocky—motivated me to buy the dip with confidence. I'll share what I did in an upcoming post.
Millionaire Milestones isn’t just another personal finance book. It’s a mindset and strategy guide to help you stay focused, build serious wealth, and ultimately live the life you want. I wrote it with that purpose in mind—for you, your family, and anyone who wants to break through to the next level.
Find A Purpose For Your Wealth
Let’s be clear: Wealth is just numbers on a screen until you assign it a purpose.
We save and invest not to hoard, but to live. When you tie your financial goals to something meaningful, building wealth becomes easier—and more enjoyable.
Here are a few of my own past and present motivators:
- Buying my first home by 30
- Retiring by 40 to escape toxic clients and managers
- Paying for both my kids’ college tuition without financial aid if they are shut out from merit aid
- Making sure my parents never worry about money again
- Keeping Financial Samurai free and accessible to everyone
But let’s not forget—many of us in the PF community are terrible at spending! We wear shoes with holes, drive the same car from a decade ago, and hoard money “just in case.” Sound familiar?
Case in point: We just booked flights to Honolulu. My wife and kids were content with economy (they’re small), but I debated between spending $170 extra/person for Economy Plus or $1,500/person for First Class. Naturally, I chose the frugal path. For a 5- and 8-year-old, Economy feels like First Class anyway. Woohoo! See how it's easy to justify saving money on anything?
So to help you balance saving, investing, and spending wisely, I published a new post: How You’ll Feel Reaching Various Millionaire Milestones ($1M, $5M, $10M, $20M). Spoiler alert: Your feelings may not be what you expect.
Special Promotions Through May 10, 2025 Midnight
Thanks again for all your support this week! If you want to help Millionaire Milestones become a national bestseller—and gain at least 10X the value of the book in return—check out these two special offers:
Registration For Fireside Chat:
Order a hard copy of Millionaire Milestones by Saturday, May 10, midnight, and you’ll get access to an exclusive video fireside chat on May 21 at 5:30 PM PST. I’ll walk through key takeaways, answer your questions live, and share how I’m investing through today’s uncertain times. Sign up here – space is limited.
Bulk Order Bonus – Private 1:1 Consulting:
Order 55 hard copies (perfect for practicing your giving muscle) and you’ll get a 1-on-1 video consultation with me, plus a 41% discount off my standard rate. Just fill out the form at the bottom of my consulting page here, and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Let’s keep building wealth together—one milestone at a time.
To Your Financial Freedom,
Sam
P.S. Want to help the book get discovered? Consider leaving a short review on Amazon—every star helps boost visibility! I'm returning to my regular programming next week.