As someone who literally wrote the book on how to negotiate a severance package, I love severance case studies! The second rule of FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) is simple: never quit your job—always try to negotiate a severance. If you’re planning to leave anyway, why not attempt to create a win-win scenario and walk […] The post Federal Government Employees, Take The...
One adjustment I'm making to my net worth asset allocation is reducing exposure to closed-end venture capital funds while increasing allocation to open-ended venture capital funds. Closed-end venture capital funds follow a traditional model: you commit capital, fund capital calls, and rely on the general partners to make great investment choices. There are four main […] The post The Case For Open-Ended Venture...
China's DeepSeek has shaken up the AI world with the release of an open-source AI model that reportedly outperformed OpenAI's in several benchmarks. Even more startling is the company’s claim that its AI technology was developed for only $5.6 million. This figure has raised eyebrows, especially as companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have spent hundreds […] The post Deep Panic Thanks To DeepSeek’s...
Starting on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump is now the 47th President of the United States, this time with JD Vance as his Vice President. Let's dive into what this new Trump presidency could mean for your finances. The failed assassination attempt on Trump was a sobering reminder of how fragile life is, underscoring that […] The post What A Trump Presidency Means...
After over two years of writing and editing, I’m thrilled to finally share my upcoming new book with you: Millionaire Milestones: Easy Steps To Seven Figures! If you’ve enjoyed my writing on Financial Samurai over the past 16 years, you’re going to love this book out on May 6, 2025. I believe almost anyone can […] The post New Book! Millionaire Milestones: Easy...
If there's one thing I don't recommend, it's buying stock on margin. Due to the volatility of stocks and high margin interest rates, borrowing money to buy stocks is a bad idea. Conversely, I'm not opposed to buying a home on margin, namely through a mortgage, if buying follows a homebuying guideline like the 30/30/3 […] The post Bought Stock On Margin At...
In this Financial Samurai podcast episode, I speak to Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise about his outlook for residential commercial real estate in 2025. Despite high mortgage rates, he's taken a positive view and he shares the main reasons why. Listen to my conversation with Ben by click the play button below or go to […] The post Why Residential Commercial Real Estate...
A couple earning $500,000 a year should feel rich, right? That’s top 2% territory in America—plenty of cash to save, invest, and splurge on the finer things in life. Or so you’d think. But when I dive into the financial lives of high-income households, the reality often doesn’t match the perception. Take, for example, this […] The post From Struggling To Living Well...
Did you know that a whole life insurance policy can actually help you make money? It’s true—and it’s a strategy often used by those with higher incomes. For those seeking life insurance coverage, a term life insurance policy is typically the more affordable and simpler choice. Both Sam and I opted for matching 20-year term […] The post How To Make Money From...
With the tragic fire that occurred in Lahaina, Maui, hurricanes ripping through Florida yearly, and now the devastating Southern California fires, it's important to review your home insurance policy and understand what it does and does not cover. You also need to have contingency plans in case your house burns down. If you have not […] The post What’s In A Home Insurance...
When times are good, we must celebrate our excess investment returns because we sure as heck aren't celebrating when times are bad! When times are bad, it can feel downright terrible due to a psychological concept called loss aversion. The pain of losing $10,000 often feels far worse than the joy of gaining $10,000. Because […] The post Calculate Your Excess Investment Returns...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is causing an existential crisis for many workers, myself included. With the rise of AI, I’ve often found myself wondering: what’s the point? If AI is going to take over, why bother trying? Maybe you’ve felt the same way—worried about how to safeguard your future from AI. Or perhaps you’re a parent […] The post Safeguarding Your Future from AI:...
One of my goals for 2025 is to simplify life by selling a rental property. A key decision in this process is whether to hire a top-tier real estate agent, who charges a higher commission, or opt for a mid-tier agent to save on costs. By “top-tier real estate agent,” I’m referring to an agent […] The post Hire A Top-Tier or Average...
One of the biggest reasons I’ve been against contributing to a Roth IRA is my belief that most people won’t make more money in retirement than while working. As a result, they’re unlikely to pay a higher tax rate in retirement than during their working years. This belief also assumes that tax rates will stay […] The post Why You Could Make More...
If you're a FIRE parent, one of your biggest concerns might be raising a spoiled and entitled child who takes hard work and money for granted. If this happens, it may feel like a significant failure—not only for your child’s future but also for society, which would have to contend with the consequences of their […] The post Feeling Poor As A Child...
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the time off and doing some reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am ready to relax some more! Now that I've shared my 2024 year in review, I wanted to share my goals and resolutions for 2025. Although 2024 was a great year, I still have […] The post 2025 Goals And Resolutions: Back...
