As parents, we’ve all encountered the seemingly inexhaustible supply of toys, gadgets, and general kid stuff that seems to multiply in our homes. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably looked around your house and wondered how you ended up with so much…stuff. But here’s the thing: this clutter, while visually overwhelming, presents an unexpected…
At the ripe age of 42, I left my professional career and stepped into a life of Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE). Interestingly, when I started crafting my own financial independence plan as a teenager in the mid-1990s, the term “FIRE” wasn’t even on the radar. However, the dream of buying one’s way out of…
Imagine a financial strategy that can lower your monthly mortgage payments, save you thousands in interest, and bring you closer to the dream of early retirement. Mortgage recasting is a powerful tool that can help you achieve financial independence faster. In this article, I’ll explain mortgage recasting, explaining what it is, when and why you…
When people hear that I retired a few years ago at the age of 42, their reactions are often the same. They look at me with wide eyes and exclaim, “You’re living the dream!” They talk to me like I hit the jackpot as if my early retirement was a stroke of luck. They treat…
In today’s fast-paced world, understanding credit cards is crucial. Credit cards often come with misconceptions. For budget-conscious families, debunking these myths is essential. I’m going to debunk credit card myths in this article. But why listen to me? I am a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 20 years of experience in Financial Services. I…
In the digital age, where advice is as plentiful as it is varied, discerning the worthwhile from the worthless is crucial, particularly concerning your finances. I am a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 20 years of experience in Financial Services. I actually retired young, so I decided it’s time to dispel 13 common financial…
We love to read to our kids and teach them to read. (Admittedly, my wife does a much better job of it than I do, she’s great actually). There are several go-to books that I love to read them. Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go” is actually the first book I read to my…
Please teach your kid personal finance. The school system barely does. I have not dissected anything since high school. I have not used calculus. Trigonometry and Geometry have added no value to anything in my life. But I have borrowed money, saved money, made money, spent money, and invested money. We all do these things…
It’s hard to know how much house you can afford. Actually it’s easy to know how much house you can afford. It’s hard to know how much house you should afford. The McDonald’s Principal When I bought my first house, I developed The McDonald’s Principal. It was simple, clever, and powerful. It was my way…
Should you max out your 401k? It’s an intimidating idea. Before jumping into why you should max out your 401k, let’s step back. If you are under 50, you are allowed to contribute up to $22,500 to your 401k. This does not include employer contributions. It is also the 2023 limit. There are other nuances…
How much do you need to retire early is just a math problem. It’s a matter of understanding how much do/will you spend? How much income do you need to cover those expenses. You do not need a Financial Advisor or Financial Planner to solve this math problem. You just need to understand the basics…
I am a firm believer in spending the right amount of money. I focus on price per use to determine the right amount of money to spend on something. My style on the journey to Financial Independence Retire Early is not to be frugal or minimalist. Instead my style is to identify what something is…