With 2024 almost done, I'd like to share my year in review. For the vast majority of investors, this was a banner year, with the S&P 500 up ~25% and real estate prices in most of the country continuing to inch higher despite high mortgage rates. Bitcoin investors, gold investors, and venture capital investors have […] The post 2024 Year In Review: A...
As we wrap up 2024, it’s time to highlight the best posts from Financial Samurai this year. When I started Financial Samurai in July 2009, my goal was to publish three posts a week for 10 years. I achieved that milestone in July 2019, but much like Forrest Gump, I kept on going. Writing has […] The post Best Of Financial Samurai 2024:...
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! I'm spending the week with my parents in Oahu and wanted to share my latest travel adventure. Personally, I can't stand flying—especially in America—because it feels like something always goes wrong. Just as I shared about my transition of paying 30%–50% more for Economy Plus tickets to Honolulu, Hawaii, […] The post Got Downgraded To Economy Class...
When you reach financial independence or retirement you may eventually experience a sense of emptiness. After years of hard work, aggressive saving, and smart investing, you might feel a letdown because the toughest financial challenges are behind you. Based on feedback from readers since 2009 and my own experience after leaving work in 2012, I’ve […] The post Earn Active Income For Wants,...
“Flexing” is a slang term that means showing off or boasting about one's accomplishments, possessions, or skills, often with the intention of impressing others. For example, someone might “flex” on social media by posting pictures of luxury items or sharing stories about their achievements. Personally, I'm not into flexing—what’s the point? It often invites disdain […] The post The Biggest Flex By Men...
With another strong year in the stock market, it’s time for investors to celebrate! While marveling at the growth of your portfolio is satisfying, a more rewarding way to celebrate is to actually spend some of those phenomenal returns on things that bring joy and fulfillment. Stocks, by themselves, provide no utility. We invest in […] The post Cheap, Fun, And Practical Buys...
After speaking to dozens of parents, a principal a couple of times, and a financial aid officer, I've determined the biggest financial misconception about applying to college is that you have to be poor or middle class to receive financial aid. The feedback I've received from everybody is that you can earn a multiple-six figure […] The post The Biggest Financial Misconception About...
Real estate is inherently local, with property values closely tied to the economic drivers and characteristics of specific regions. While understanding the national housing price forecast for 2025 provides valuable context, savvy investors should focus on identifying cities and states with stronger growth potential. After all, outperforming the market is just as crucial as generating […] The post Capitalizing On The Return To...
Now that I’ve shared the 2025 S&P 500 target price forecast, let’s dive into housing price forecasts for 2025. The outlook from housing analysts is positive, with expected gains ranging from -0.4% to 10.8%, and an average of about 3%. The only negative housing price forecast comes from Moody’s, which predicts a slight decline of -0.4% largely […] The post 2025 Housing Price Forecasts: Continued...
Sin—actions deemed morally wrong or harmful—can be difficult to resist, especially when money is involved. A hefty paycheck or a prestigious title can make it easier to overlook the potential harm our work may cause society. Moreover, unless you’re working for free, there’s often a moral trade-off involved—someone or something usually has to bear a cost […] The post Wealth vs. Morality: The Dilemma...
I recently had dinner with Steve Chen, founder of Boldin, in San Francisco, and I’m excited to deepen my partnership with his company. Since first writing about Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) in 2021, I’ve seen how much the platform has evolved and expanded its offerings. The world needs a financial planning tool that takes a holistic […] The post Boldin Financial Planner Review: Financial...
There’s a lot of enthusiasm for Roth IRA conversions and Mega Backdoor Roth IRAs—and for good reason. Paying taxes upfront on your retirement accounts can be a savvy move, especially if you’re in a mid-to-lower federal income tax bracket, as it allows for tax-free withdrawals in the future. That said, thanks to the latest standard […] The post Maximizing Tax-Free Income and Withdrawals...
The 2025 Wall Street S&P 500 forecasts are rolling in, and so far, the outlook is all bullish. I haven't found a single bearish forecast, which is somewhat worrisome. Most firms project the S&P 500 will close 2025 around 6,500—a solid 8.3% gain from the current ~6,000 level. If 2024 ends as expected, with the […] The post 2025 Wall Street S&P 500...
