The year long trend of high inflation and rising interest rates continued this month. As much as we would all like the magic bullet to fix these issues, there is not a lot that we can do. These systemic issues continue to impact all asset classes and t...
Risk management fascinates me. I shared my intuitive approach for managing risks in the insurance chapter of the Choose FI book. The approach I describe classifies risks into four quadrants to evaluate insurance needs. Each quadrant is based on the pro...
Can I Retire Yet? It is pretty safe to assume that if you are reading this blog you have an interest in answering that question. There are common themes that cause people to start asking. Many of us feel the tension of never having enough time...
This month, I have some fantastic resources to help you save more, invest smarter and retire sooner. More importantly, they include valuable wisdom to use those tools to live your best life. We’ll learn from the mistakes of others, examine the su...
Before diving into the selections, I want to take a moment to thank all of the readers who left such thoughtful and respectful comments the past two weeks. I normally try to respond to every comment on the blog. The number and depth of the comments the...
I recently received an anonymous email from someone who identified themself as a 70+ year-old long-time blog reader who is well past the point of financial independence. He wrote: “I agree with the FI part of FIRE but I have no interest in the RE. I’m ...
Jordan Grumet is a hospice doctor. Readers of this blog more likely know him as Doc G, host and writer of the Earn & Invest podcast and blog. In his new book, Taking Stock, Grumet tackles the topics of death and money, both of which are often taboo...
Financial markets have been getting battered this year. This makes the common challenge of shifting from saving for retirement to spending from assets in retirement even harder. We’ll start with resources that may help ease your mind. We’ll also explor...
I recently spoke at a Camp FI event. In one breakout session, participants debated the benefits of traditional tax-deferred accounts vs. Roth accounts. I listened to strong opinions favoring one type of account over another. Unfortunately, these opinio...
A combination of summer travels and meeting demands of my CFP coursework have forced me to make changes to my routine. I’m finding it challenging to stay on a regular writing schedule. Simultaneously, I’m taking in more information than ever. So I’m go...
Two types of insurance deserve serious consideration as part of a retirement plan. Should you purchase: An annuity to provide longevity insurance? Long-term care (LTC) insurance to protect you from large expenses if you can no longer care for yourself ...
Financial markets continue to be volatile while inflation rages on. At times like this it’s especially important to return to fundamentals. This month’s selections are heavy on this theme. Articles review fundamentals of building and managing a p...
“Is the oil spilled? Is a little wine stolen? Say on the occasion, at such price is sold freedom from perturbation; at such price is sold tranquility…” –Epictetus Money is a stepping stone to more important things. If you’re on ...
The U.S. tax system is a pay as you go system. You must pay taxes on your income throughout the year. Failure to do so can result in the IRS imposing penalties on you. When you are working as an employee, your employer withholds taxes based on informat...
There is a lot going on in the world of finance, investing, and living your best life on the path to financial independence and in retirement. I found an abundance of outstanding content this month to help make sense of it all. I normally try to limit ...
Housing prices have been soaring recently. Many of you are sitting on large capital gains on your homes. This is especially true of people who have lived in the same home for decades and/or in locations where prices have increased rapidly in recent yea...
Cheryl Strayed was recently featured on the Outside podcast. Strayed authored the best selling book, later adapted to a feature film, Wild. The interview celebrated the 10 year anniversary of publishing her book, which was about backpacking the Pacific...
Bonds play a key role in an investment portfolio. They serve as a ballast to offset the volatility of stocks, particularly when stock values are falling. Since the start of the year, that’s exactly what stocks have done. So how are bonds holding up?&#...
Spring will soon be turning to summer. Travel is on our minds. Our family recently completed an awesome adventure. We backpacked in the Grand Canyon over my daughter’s spring break. We are also knee deep in planning our travel for the remainder of the ...
This month’s selections start with a few perspectives on a topic front and center for many in this audience. How will we spend money and time in retirement? We discuss the eye popping inflation numbers released this month and a few suggestions to...