Retirement

October 2024 marks one year since I purchased the most expensive house I could afford. Leading up to the purchase, I wrestled with uncertainty about whether buying such a home was the right move. For most, a home is the largest purchase they will ever make, bringing with it a mix of excitement and worry. […]

This guest post is by Vaughn, a long-time Financial Samurai reader who retired at 44 and is now 55. Vaughn’s early retirement was driven by necessity rather than choice due to a congenital bone disease. Fortunately, his high income during his working years secured a solid SSDI benefit, and his mother’s foresight provided future rental

One of the worst experiences for a homeowner is filing a home insurance claim only to be told it’s not covered. After years of paying premiums, the insurance company doesn’t deliver when it’s needed most. What a disappointment. This disconnect happens because we rarely take the time to review our home insurance policies each year.

Retiring early with a severance package is one of the smartest ways to leave the corporate world. Walking away without trying to secure one could leave tens of thousands, or even millions, on the table. I also believe that retiring early is better than retiring rich. For those who choose my preferred retirement path, negotiating

There are two things most financially-conscience people aspire to: retiring rich or retiring early. But which is better? Many people who haven’t retired believe early retirement sounds fantastic, especially since so many are disengaged from work. On the other hand, who wouldn’t want to retire rich? However, to retire rich, you typically have to work

One of the most significant developments to come out of the pandemic, if not the greatest, was the shift to remote work for millions of employees. Beginning in March 2020, businesses quickly adapted out of necessity, keeping their operations afloat with employees working in pajamas from their living rooms. However, this golden era of remote

I remember being a broke college student during my senior year at The College of William & Mary. A group of us gathered at the Spanish House, the language immersion dorm where we lived, to brainstorm easy ways to make money. None of us had job offers yet, and we were anxious to prove to

Have you ever walked into a home and instantly felt cozy, even in the heart of a bustling city? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why it feels so comfortable and serene amidst all the noise and chaos. In this post, I’ll break down the key elements that create that warm, welcoming atmosphere. As we get

At long last, after four years, the Federal Reserve has finally cut the Fed Funds rate by 50 basis points, bringing the target range down to 4.75% – 5%. Expectations suggest we’ll see another 50 basis points cut in 2024, with a total reduction of 100 basis points by the end of 2025. Fed Chair

If you’re increasing your safe withdrawal rate for retirement now, you’re likely making a mistake. You might be inadvertently top-ticking the market as the Fed embarks on what is likely a multi-year rate cut cycle. One of the main reasons the Fed is cutting rates is due to growing weakness in the labor market. Inflation

Like millions of others, I watched with intrigue the first—and potentially only—Donald Trump and Kamala Harris presidential debate. One of the most important topics discussed was illegal immigration and how the Biden/Harris administration allowed millions of illegal immigrants to enter the country. If you’re willing to flee your country and attempt to enter America illegally,

Since I purchased my house in October 2023, I’ve been feeling broke. I’m living paycheck to paycheck to cover my bills and fund venture capital calls. In fact, even after realizing I had missed a $25,000 capital call, it took me another week to pay it off because I didn’t have enough money on hand.

Last month, I missed a $25,000 capital call without even realizing it. The Managing Partner of the fund, a friend I’ve known since business school, texted me while he was on vacation. He wrote, “Hi Sam—hope you’re having a good summer. I’m texting from Holland—sorry for the quick note, but just a reminder that the

Needless to say, a $20 million net worth is a substantial amount of money. It firmly places you within the top 1% of net worth, with the current minimum threshold around $13 million. Previously, we discussed how a $10 million net worth, and even a $5 million net worth, are both ideal amounts for retirement,

With the real estate industry finally lowering commission rates after August 17, 2024, a battle is brewing among brokerages and agents to win business. For example, Sotheby’s has decided to charge 2% to the seller and 2% to the buyer—or even less—to stay competitive. Other brokerages will likely follow suit. For individual real estate agents,