Now that cash flow is tight, I've reviewed all the expenses where I could potentially cut. One such expense is a private sports club membership. I joined the club in February 2023 when it was raining nonstop for three months. I was getting cabin fever so I decided to pay $180 a month for access […] The post A Private Sports Club Membership...
For those of you who are looking to upgrade homes, let me tell you a sad truth. I climbed to the top of the property ladder with my latest home purchase, and after four months, I feel no happier. Whenever someone would congratulate me about my home purchase, I felt nothing. What's there to celebrate […] The post Climbed To The Top Of...
In 2009, I established my first rule of FIRE: generate enough passive income to cover your basic living expenses. Once achieved, you attain financial independence and the freedom to pursue your desires. Since then, various permutations of FIRE have emerged, one of which is Coast FIRE. Coast FIRE involves front-loading your retirement savings and then […] The post The Most Dangerous Early Retirement...
After receiving significant criticism for my post, Embrace Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck To One Day Be Free, I find myself contemplating the existence of a net worth level that brings about serenity and inner peace, prohibiting one from feeling troubled. Is there a financial threshold beyond which emotional turmoil becomes unacceptable? Despite my attempt to turn a […] The post Net Worth Serenity: When Feeling...
I once encountered an actor in Paris who had secured minor roles in significant films, courtesy of his friendship with Leonardo DiCaprio. Despite having the opportunity to continue with these smaller roles due to his connections, his pride led him to pursue larger roles. Regrettably, 10 years later, I haven't seen him in a single […] The post Don’t Let Pride Get In...
Living paycheck-to-paycheck is one of the most unpleasant financial experiences. Not only does it mean needing to spend everything you have to make ends meet, it also creates an ongoing feeling of despair. You might even have to get into debt to pay your bills. And if you aren't careful with debt usage, it may […] The post Embrace Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck To One...
Money is great. Money provides freedom. But you will always regret sacrificing love for money. When you get older, you will realize how true this statement really is if you haven't found someone. Life is simply not as fun if you don't have someone to share it with. Further, finding “the one” might also want […] The post You Will Always Regret Sacrificing...
Our first visit to the emergency room unfolded three years ago when our daughter displayed signs of anaphylaxis due to a food allergy. Unsure of what steps to take, we dialed 911, which led to an ambulance arriving promptly to transport us 16 minutes to the nearest hospital. The paramedics administered epinephrine, then the ER […] The post Going To The Emergency Room...
A common suggestion people have made to help me regain my financial independence is to move to a cheaper area of the country or the world to save money. I've resisted relocating so far because I believe the excitement of living in a big city is worth the cost. I've lived in big cities all […] The post The Excitement Of Living In...
In general, the longer you stay invested, the greater your chance of making money. To help you maintain a long-term investment approach, it's imperative to develop an investment thesis. Drawing from my experience in investing since 1995, it's quite easy to get shaken out of a particular investment. I observed panic selling during the 2000 […] The post An Investment Thesis: The Key...
During my time living abroad, approximately 90% of my friends were fluent in a second language besides English. I attended schools such as the International School of Kuala Lumpur for middle school and Taipei American School for elementary school. Upon relocating to McLean, Virginia, for high school, I noticed a decline, with only about 50% […] The post The Value Of A Second...
I've been documenting my journey in Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) since July 2009. To the best of my knowledge, I can't identify any other blogger who commenced their FIRE journey earlier, is still currently retired or unemployed, and has maintained a consistent writing presence like I have on Financial Samurai. When I began sharing […] The post I’m Unwilling To Change The...
