Finance

If you want to FIRE, one of my regrets was pulling the ripcord too early at age 34 in 2012….

During a bull market, most investors get excited about chasing risk. Despite sky-high valuations, there’s a tendency to double down…

The older I get, the more I dislike being a landlord. There’s too much potential for disappointment, misunderstanding, or outright…

I haven’t checked my net worth for four months until recently. That wasn’t on purpose, because normally, since 2012, I…

Embattled Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook is facing accusations of mortgage fraud—specifically, owner-occupancy mortgage fraud. The claim is that she…

I recently had a zero-coupon Treasury Bill redeem in the amount of $102,000. This money is part of the 35%…

If you decide to forsake making maximum money to become a FIRE parent or stay-at-home parent, then you had best…

If my recent posts on the mistake of chasing value stocks or the need to invest big money to make…

Back in 2012, I thought I had finally conquered financial FOMO after walking away from my well-paying finance job. But…

In my post, “How You’ll Feel Achieving Various Millionaire Milestones,” a commenter named Joseph shared these thoughts: “I’m fascinated by someone worth…

Since writing about FIRE in 2009, I’ve favored investing in growth stocks over value stocks. As someone who wanted to…

This type of post only surfaces during a bull market, when greed tug at us the hardest, making satisfaction elusive….

On the latest episode of the Financial Samurai podcast, I sat down with Ben Miller, cofounder and CEO of Fundrise, for a…

After a week of reviewing the tax-free exclusion rule for selling a rental property, I decided not to sell. I’d…

When I worked in Equities at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, we would occasionally bring a hot IPO deal to…

In Spring 2025, I sold one of my properties and successfully excluded $500,000 in capital gains, tax-free, thanks to the…

Since starting Financial Samurai in 2009, I’ve encouraged folks to keep an open mind and embrace as many different perspectives…

As soon as both my children were born in 2017 and 2019, I superfunded their 529 plans equal to the…

When I lived overseas, one of the most celebrated aspects of my international schools was cultural diversity. At the International…

After remodeling a fixer I bought in 2019 between 2019–2022, I swore I would never take on another remodeling project…

One of the main reasons I refused to spend a small fortune renting a vacation property in Honolulu was because…

How much money do you need to feel financially comfortable or wealthy? The answer depends on where you live, your…

I love index funds and ETFs for their low-cost nature and simplicity of ownership. However, if you want to build…

Imagine spending your life building wealth, investing in real estate, stocks, or your business, with the hope of leaving a…

The value of owning a big, beautiful home is underappreciated. Somewhere along the way, society began favoring minimalism and smaller…

One of the things that gives me great comfort about the health of the U.S. economy is our historically low household leverage….

A typical supercommuter spends 60–90 minutes or more one way commuting to work or school. As the cost of living continues to…

On July 3, the House narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) with a 218–214 vote. According to the nonpartisan…

If you became a newly minted millionaire, where would you migrate to? Due to inertia, I bet most of you…

Ever since I left my day job in 2012, I’ve used a form of the dumbbell investing strategy to grow…

We’re staying with our parents for five weeks in Honolulu, and I wanted to share a little revelation I’ve learned…

About a year ago, a relative asked me to help manage her money. She had been paying a ~1% asset…

I’m convinced that if you wake up just one hour earlier every day for the next 10 years, you’ll not…

When the U.S. bombed three locations in Iran, my initial reaction was a mix of hope and sadness. Hope—because I…

If you want to grow your wealth faster than the average person, I suggest trying to think in two timelines…

When I first started Financial Samurai back in 2009, I had idealistic dreams of helping as many people as possible…

One of the most overlooked risks in real estate investing isn’t rising interest rates, leverage, or even tenant issues—it’s execution fear….

When my son was born in 2017, I decided to focus on being a stay-at-home dad (SAHD). Every early childhood…

In late 2022, my wife and I were finally able to lock in matching 20-year term life insurance policies at…

I recently received a question that boils down to this: How do you know when you have enough money? And…

Feeling burned out and underappreciated? Tired of managing people and just want to focus on your craft? Thinking about going…

I’ve been focused on building passive income since 1999, back when I had to be in the office by 5:30…

Have you heard of the no-spend chalenge? It’s a popular concept among budget-minded and minimalist bloggers who encourage us to…

If you are a parent, your mission is clear: develop into a rich Bank of Mom & Dad to save…

There is more wealth out there than you think. But the government and media sometimes likes to trick us into…

After publishing Why We Keep Spending Even Though We Know We Shouldn’t, I realized something important: the real reason I wasn’t…

Spending money is an American pastime. With a national saving rate hovering around 5%, it’s clear we collectively love to…

When you decide to sell a house, you might encounter a preemptive offer—a bid that arrives before you list publicly…

About once a month, I get an email or comment from a reader criticizing adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) as a poor…

Believing you deserve to be rich is one of the most powerful psychological tricks to boost your wealth. With trillions…

I’m bullish on real estate. Yet I recently sold another rental property. This type of incongruence between thought and action…

During the recent stock market correction, I decided to buy the dip. But this time, I didn’t just buy my…

Before I retired from finance in 2012, I struggled with chronic back pain, sciatica, and TMJ. The stress was so…

To celebrate the launch of Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures, I want to share how you might feel and…

After three years of writing, rewriting, and refining, I’m thrilled to officially celebrate the launch of Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps…

There comes a moment when your child might look up and say, with wide-eyed innocence: “I want to go to…

If we’re not already in a recession, we may soon enter one due to aggressive trade policies that are fueling…

If you’re a personal finance enthusiast with kids, you’ve probably wondered: at what household income level will colleges stop offering…

Nobody enjoys a stock market downturn, especially those who rely more on returns to survive due to a lack of…

In 1997, Gary Winnick founded Global Crossing, a company with the bold vision of laying undersea fiber-optic cables to build…

To celebrate the launch of my new book, Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures, on May 6, 2025, I…

When it comes to saving for retirement, knowing which account to fund first is like knowing which steps to take…

Only when the stock market goes down do people start to wonder whether they have too much exposure to stocks…

When it comes to selling a home, first impressions are everything. Yet, many sellers make the mistake of thinking buyers…

The first year after purchasing a house is the most dangerous and potentially challenging period. This is particularly true for…

With a likely recession and potentially stagflation on the horizon, I suspect many more families will join us as DUPs:…

Creating an investment game plan is a crucial part of building lasting wealth. Without one, you’re likely to accumulate far…

As stocks plummet and recession fears grow, there’s one silver lining worth highlighting: the increasing value of your home, if…

Reciprocal tariffs will drive up the cost of most goods, making everyday life more expensive for American households. According to…

Well, folks, after 16 years of diligently writing three free posts a week, I’ve finally decided to erect a paywall….

Stagflation is a rare and challenging economic condition where slow or stagnant growth, high unemployment, and persistent inflation occur simultaneously….

One of my goals is to put my kids to work so they can earn money, contribute to a Roth…

Back in 2019, I remember being surprised at a survey by toy maker Lego that asked young adults what they…

To my dismay, my beloved hot tub stopped working the other day. It had been fully operational since 2016, but…

Since 2009, I’ve been writing about the importance of working to live—accumulating wealth to achieve financial independence and freedom ASAP….

Despite the wonderful peace of mind that comes with owning a home free and clear, deciding to pay off a…

While visiting my parents in Honolulu this past winter, I ended up driving my dad’s 28-year-old beater for eight days….

As I sadly watch my stock portfolio correct by over 10%, I find serenity in my paid-off home. No matter…

Unfortunately, the chances of another recession are increasing, largely due to the uncertainty set forth by the new administration. When…

Let’s say you’ve come into a large sum of money—perhaps $1 million or more from stock grants, a bonus, or…

With fears of a recession rising again largely thanks to the Trump administration’s aggressive policy measures—tariffs, spending cuts, aggressive layoffs,…

As I watch my stock portfolio correct, I take solace in knowing that my real estate portfolio continues to chug…

I recently came across an eye-opening chart by the National Association of Realtors showing that the median age of first-time…

If you don’t believe the world will grant your children a fair chance to succeed, you may want to take…

If you knew that no matter how hard you tried, success was impossible or practically impossible, would you still push…

I keep reflecting on how incredible 2024 was. With the S&P 500 up 23%, Bitcoin surging, and residential real estate…

Unless you are incredibly rich, it’s highly likely that your vacation property is smaller than your primary residence. Having a…

There are plenty of reasons people choose not to have kids, with the cost of raising them being a major…

When I lived in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco, I could walk to endless bars and restaurants within 10…

Recently, I went off the deep end—living like a degenerate gambler and party animal—and I wanted to reflect on it….

One of the reasons I left my job at Credit Suisse was that I no longer felt I was being…

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned the hard way in real estate, it’s that a full-on, gut-remodel can be a…

On February 6, 2025, the White House announced a series of tax cuts primarily benefitting the middle class and retirees. Here’s what’s…

The beauty of hard work is that any able-bodied person can do it. If you put in more hours honing…

As a stock market investor, I’m disappointed in the new tariffs President Trump has imposed—10% on imports from China and 25% on…

As someone who literally wrote the book on how to negotiate a severance package, I love severance case studies! The…

One adjustment I’m making to my net worth asset allocation is reducing exposure to closed-end venture capital funds while increasing…

China’s DeepSeek has shaken up the AI world with the release of an open-source AI model that reportedly outperformed OpenAI’s…

After over two years of writing and editing, I’m thrilled to finally share my upcoming new book with you: Millionaire…

If there’s one thing I don’t recommend, it’s buying stock on margin. Due to the volatility of stocks and high…

In this Financial Samurai podcast episode, I speak to Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise about his outlook for residential commercial…

A couple earning $500,000 a year should feel rich, right? That’s top 2% territory in America—plenty of cash to save,…

Did you know that a whole life insurance policy can actually help you make money? It’s true—and it’s a strategy…

With the tragic fire that occurred in Lahaina, Maui, hurricanes ripping through Florida yearly, and now the devastating Southern California…

2025 has gotten off to a rough start with devastating fires and corrections in stocks, bonds, and other risk assets….

Artificial intelligence (AI) is causing an existential crisis for many workers, myself included. With the rise of AI, I’ve often…

One of my goals for 2025 is to simplify life by selling a rental property. A key decision in this…

One of the biggest reasons I was against contributing to a Roth IRA is my belief that most people won’t…

If you’re a FIRE parent, one of your biggest concerns might be raising a spoiled and entitled child who takes…

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the time off and doing some reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco…

With 2024 almost done, I’d like to share my year in review. For the vast majority of investors, this was…

As we wrap up 2024, it’s time to highlight the best posts from Financial Samurai this year. When I started…

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! I’m spending the week with my parents in Oahu and wanted to share my…

When you reach financial independence or retirement you may eventually experience a sense of emptiness. After years of hard work,…

“Flexing” is a slang term that means showing off or boasting about one’s accomplishments, possessions, or skills, often with the…

With another strong year in the stock market, it’s time for investors to celebrate! While marveling at the growth of…

After speaking to dozens of parents, a principal a couple of times, and a financial aid officer, I’ve determined the…

Real estate is inherently local, with property values closely tied to the economic drivers and characteristics of specific regions. While…

Now that I’ve shared the 2025 S&P 500 target price forecast, let’s dive into housing price forecasts for 2025. The…

Sin—actions deemed morally wrong or harmful—can be difficult to resist, especially when money is involved. A hefty paycheck or a prestigious…

I recently had dinner with Steve Chen, founder of Boldin, in San Francisco, and I’m excited to deepen my partnership…

There’s a lot of enthusiasm for Roth IRA conversions and Mega Backdoor Roth IRAs—and for good reason. Paying taxes upfront…

The 2025 Wall Street S&P 500 forecasts are rolling in, and so far, the outlook is all bullish. I haven’t…

I firmly believe that above-average wealth is largely a result of luck. If we fail to recognize our lucky financial…

The Santa Claus Rally refers to a historically observed stock market phenomenon where U.S. equity markets tend to perform well during the…

Ever since I started saving for retirement in 1999, I’ve been a proponent of tax-deferred retirement vehicles like the 401(k)…

Health insurance is one of the most complex and aggravating topics for both consumers and providers in the US. Speak…

If you want to optimize your life, it’s essential to understand the concept of Return on Effort (ROE). The higher…

Being financially independent means having enough passive income to cover your essential or desired living expenses. A common guideline is…

I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Bengen, creator of the “4% Rule” for retirement planning. Bill has been…

After reviewing my analysis on a conversation I had with a financial professional in 2013, I decided to take another…

One reason many people shy away from competition is that they dislike losing. With often only one winner, the sting…

The 401(k) contribution limit for employees in 2025 has increased to $23,500, up from $23,000 in 2024. The employer contribution…

With Donald Trump set to become the 47th President of the United States, it’s natural to wonder what this new…

Every time a political candidate asks if you’re better off than four years ago, I can’t help but chuckle. Their…

The IRS has announced new income limits for its seven tax brackets for 2025, with income thresholds increased by about…

Out of all the things you could donate your hard-earned money to, giving to your child’s school might not be…

As an investor, it’s essential to understand that risk assets come with no guaranteed returns. Setting and following a stop…

Since the bottom of the global financial crisis in July 2009, the S&P 500 has generally experienced a strong bull…

Before retiring in 2012, I didn’t fear boredom or loneliness. It never occurred to me that I would be bored…

October 2024 marks one year since I purchased the most expensive house I could afford. Leading up to the purchase,…

Empower is offering free financial consultations until October 31, 2024, for anyone with over $250,000 in investable assets. I wanted…

This guest post is by Vaughn, a long-time Financial Samurai reader who retired at 44 and is now 55. Vaughn’s…

One of the worst experiences for a homeowner is filing a home insurance claim only to be told it’s not…

Retiring early with a severance package is one of the smartest ways to leave the corporate world. Walking away without…

As a parent, your top priority is to protect your children until they are old enough to fend for themselves….

There are two things most financially-conscience people aspire to: retiring rich or retiring early. But which is better? Many people…

For over 10 years, my father has been my primary editor on Financial Samurai. When my father isn’t available, my…

One of the most significant developments to come out of the pandemic, if not the greatest, was the shift to…

I remember being a broke college student during my senior year at The College of William & Mary. A group…

Recently, I hit a major milestone in my journey to overcome what I like to call “frugality disease.” I spent…

Have you ever walked into a home and instantly felt cozy, even in the heart of a bustling city? It’s…

At long last, after four years, the Federal Reserve has finally cut the Fed Funds rate by 50 basis points,…

If you’re increasing your safe withdrawal rate for retirement now, you’re likely making a mistake. You might be inadvertently top-ticking…

With record-high home equity and declining mortgage rates, the temptation to do a cash-out refinance is growing. I’ve certainly considered…

In my post about illegal immigration, a commenter pointed out that I was lucky to avoid greater financial consequences from…

Like millions of others, I watched with intrigue the first—and potentially only—Donald Trump and Kamala Harris presidential debate. One of…

At long last, the time has finally come for the Fed to begin cutting rates in September. As a result,…

In 2013, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) filed a lawsuit against Harvard University in the U.S. District Court in Boston….

One of the investing strategies growing in popularity with the wealthy is Direct Indexing. Before my consulting stint at a…

In April 2017, I made a commitment to be a stay-at-home parent for the first five years of my son’s…

Since I purchased my house in October 2023, I’ve been feeling broke. I’m living paycheck to paycheck to cover my…

Last month, I missed a $25,000 capital call without even realizing it. The Managing Partner of the fund, a friend…

Needless to say, a $20 million net worth is a substantial amount of money. It firmly places you within the…

Like most people, I enjoyed watching the Olympics. Some of us might even imagine our children becoming elite athletes one…

If you’re a real estate investor with children, you may face two significant challenges or problems. The first challenge is…

With the real estate industry finally lowering commission rates after August 17, 2024, a battle is brewing among brokerages and…

I recently received an email from an agent at Sotheby’s, a prominent real estate brokerage with 1,115 offices located in…

In a previous post, I discussed the futility of working when your net worth is declining. During a stock market…

The latest stock market correction cost me about five times what I made consulting part-time for four months. If I…

Life is easier when you can make a positive connection with other people. As I discovered recently, creating a connection…

Starting on July 16, 2024, we had a mini-stock market crash with the S&P 500 declining from 5,667 to 5,186…

Starting at age 45 in 2022, I consciously started focusing on decumulating wealth. I realized that my life was likely…

In today’s world, we are increasingly aware of the challenges that affect our mental health. Many of us experience mental…

Money dysmorphia is a negative and unrealistic perception of one’s financial wellness or position. If you have money dysmorphia, you…

With elections approaching, let the political mudslinging and dirt-digging begin! This time, it’s regarding being childless and loving cats. Republican…

After publishing my post, “When To Stop Contributing To A 529 Plan,” I felt a sense of emptiness. For years,…

After 12 years of FIRE (financial independence retire early), I went back to work. Unfortunately, I only lasted four months….

I’m a fan of both stock dividends and rental property income, my two favorite sources of passive income. When younger…

There’s a classic saying, “Youth is wasted on the young.” It’s meant to convey that those who are young lack…

Everyone with children should contribute to a 529 plan. It is a tax-efficient way to save for college since none…

The failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump reminds us that more important than political bickering is the value of life….

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Be greedy when others are fearful, and fearful when others are greedy.” But what about…

If you have a rental property that is generating positive cash flow and is expected to appreciate in value over…

If you own a rental property and are thinking of selling, don’t do it unless you absolutely have to. To…

During a recent liquidity crunch, I kept thinking how nice it would be to have more cash sitting in my…

In the second half of 2023, I significantly impacted our passive income, causing our household to technically lose its financial…

After taking my family on a nine-day vacation to Honolulu, Hawaii, my plan to relocate there is back in the…

As an investor, understanding financial ratios is important to help assess the current state of a company. For example, we…

A large part of building wealth involves delaying gratification. Therefore, you might find yourself wondering whether to buy your dream…

If you bought a home during a high-interest rate environment, it’s wise to prepare for either a mortgage refinance or…

Since 2003, I’ve been climbing up the property ladder to find the perfect house in a big city. What I’ve…

If you want career, financial, and social success, don’t beat up your opponents too badly while smiling. This advice might…

During my days of purchasing homes with mortgages, I had a fondness for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). The appeal lay in…

When my son was born in April 2017, I promised to become a full-time father until he turned five. I…

One of the most common pushbacks I get from some of my investing and economy-related articles is that the stock…

Wondering how much to spend on vacation while being fiscally responsible and still having a good time? In this post,…

Have you ever feared running out of money? I have. This fear is why there’s a phenomenon called the “one…

For over a decade, I’ve been witnessing a phenomenon that has left me scratching my head. A commenter will say…

It’s fascinating how two people can interpret a single image so differently. The same holds true for how homeowners and…