Dear Financial Samurais, I recently had a fascinating discussion with Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4% Rule. My biggest takeaway? It’s OK to consider lowering the traditional retirement age from 65 to 55. If you’ve been feeling burned out or uncertain about your future, know that one of the foremost experts on retirement planning […]
Newsletter For November 17, 2024: It’s OK To Retire By 55 Read More »
One reason many people shy away from competition is that they dislike losing. With often only one winner, the sting of defeat can feel too humiliating. When people stop competing, they can become more fragile over time, to the point where even small setbacks can disrupt their well being. Ironically, the best path to victory
The Power Of Losing: How Setbacks Can Lead To Success Read More »
With Donald Trump set to become the 47th President of the United States, it’s natural to wonder what this new administration could mean for your finances. For most people under 30, a change in leadership might not significantly impact financial planning. In your 20s, you’re often not earning enough or rich enough for a president’s
Financial Planning Through Changing Presidencies: My Journey Read More »
Creating a financial plan isn’t a one-time task—it’s a lifelong journey. It’s not just about setting goals and walking away. Instead, it’s about adapting your plan to your evolving life, goals, income, and priorities. Many people think of financial planning as a rigid, set-in-stone blueprint. But real financial security comes from a flexible plan that
Why A Static Financial Plan Won’t Work – What To Do Instead Read More »
The IRS has announced new income limits for its seven tax brackets for 2025, with income thresholds increased by about 2.7% to adjust for inflation. This follows a 5.4% increase in 2024 and a historically large 7% bump in 2023. Reaching a top one percent income is becoming more challenging given the threshold keeps increasing
2025 Tax Brackets: New Ideal Incomes For Workers And Retirees Read More »
Out of all the things you could donate your hard-earned money to, giving to your child’s school might not be at the top of your list. If your children attend a private grade school with sky-high tuition, donating to the school might feel even more unnecessary. With so much poverty, homelessness, broken homes, and people
The Surprising Benefits Of Donating To Your Kid’s School Read More »
As an investor, it’s essential to understand that risk assets come with no guaranteed returns. Setting and following a stop loss can help protect your capital from significant losses, especially if you’re an active investor who picks individual stocks. Yet, I’ve come to realize that stop losses aren’t only useful for active investors—they can be
Apply Stop Losses To Protect Your Wealth And Quality Of Life Read More »
If you haven’t spoken to a financial professional in over a year, I suggest you speak to one. You will likely get great insights into how you can better invest your hard-earned money. Further, the financial professional might uncover some financial blindspots you had no idea you had. I’ve been a DIY investor since 1995
How Speaking To A Financial Professional Saved Me From Myself Read More »
Since the bottom of the global financial crisis in July 2009, the S&P 500 has generally experienced a bull market. While there were challenging periods in 2018, 1Q 2020, 2022, and April 2025, stock market investors have largely been well rewarded. However, Goldman Sachs and Vanguard warns that the good times might be coming to
Finishing Rich Despite A Low-Return Stock Market Environment Read More »
Dear Financial Samurai, With the S&P 500 hitting yet another record high, it feels like we can do no wrong. The economy remains strong, with September retail sales up 0.4% from August, while expectations point to further rate cuts—potentially 25 basis points at every meeting through next July. The Fed aims to be restrictive, but
Newsletter For October 21, 2024: Starting To Reach Read More »
