Financial Samurai

In this episode, I reconnect with my old friend Joe Saul-Sehy from The Stacking Benjamins podcast to talk about creating your own life curriculum — because when you do, you may no longer be beholden to anyone. With AI eliminating jobs and making the path to financial independence even tougher, I wanted to sit down with another creator who forged his own way—building a business and income stream through podcasting. I firmly believe everyone should build an online brand and develop a side hustle. The era of job security, pensions, and abundant opportunities is fading. You—and your children—need to learn how to create your own income streams. Check out Joe's work at: https://joesaulsehy.com https://www.stackingbenjamins.com Subscribe To Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free weekly Financial Samurai newsletter. My goal is to help you achieve financial freedom sooner, rather than later. Financial Samurai started in July 2009 and is the leading independently-owned personal finance site today.  This episode is sponsored by Fundrise Venture, an innovative venture capital product that invests in private AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Anduril, Databricks, and more. The minimum investment to start is only $10, and I personally have invested over $185,000 in Fundrise Venture so far.   

After three years of writing, revising, and reflecting, I'm excited to share that Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures is now available everywhere—in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook! In this special episode, my wife and I sit down to talk about the journey behind the book: why I wrote it, what readers can expect, and how it ties into over a decade of sharing free financial content on Financial Samurai. We also dive into the emotional side of writing—especially how the process impacted our family, what it means to lead by example for our kids, and what we hope this book will do for readers striving to build lasting wealth. Whether you're just getting started on your financial journey or looking for that extra push to reach the next level, this episode gives you an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn knowledge into action—and how to stay motivated along the way. Pick up a hard copy or two of Millionaire Milestones on: Amazon B&N Books A Million Your local book store or anywhere you buy books Your reviews and shares are appreciate! There's nothing better than giving the gift of financial freedom.  Fight on!  Sam Feel free to join 60,000 others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter as well. My goal is to help you achieve financial freedom sooner, rather than later.  Financial Samurai was founded in 2009 and is the leading independently-owned personal finance site today. Everything is written based off firsthand experience and knowledge because money is too important to be left to pontificaiton.   

In this episode, I talk with Harry, a long-time Financial Samurai reader, about his journey to building a $4+ million home in the Los Angeles area. While most people buy move-in ready homes, Harry shares an insightful behind-the-scenes look at how it's done — from financing the project to the timeline it takes to build, and whether it's ultimately a good investment. Related posts: How To Survive The Most Dangerous Time After Buying A Home A Big Expensive How Can Ruin Your Path To Financial Freedom To Remodel With Permits Or Without To Save Time And Money Wealth-Building Recommendations This episode is brought to you by Fundrise, my preferred private real estate investment platform. Fundrise predominantly in residential and industrial commercial real estate in the Sunbelt, where valuations are lower and yields are higher. I've personally invested over $300,000 in Fundrise to diversify. The investment minimum is only $10, so it's easy to dollar-cost average in.  If you're ready to build more wealth than 93% of the population, grab a copy of my new book, Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps to Seven Figures. With over 30 years of experience working in, studying, and writing about finance, I've distilled everything I know into this practical guide to help you achieve financial success. To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009. Everything is written based on firsthand experience and expertise. To Your Financial Freedom, Sam

I have the pleasure of speaking with Humphrey Yang, a personal finance content creator with over 1.6 million followers on YouTube and over 3.3 million followers on TikTok. Humphrey burst onto the scene in 2020 when COVID-19 began and has been growing steadily ever since. According to polls by YouGov and toy-maker Lego, being a YouTuber or TikToker consistently ranks as one of the top aspirations for teenagers and young adults today. Given this trend, I thought it would be insightful to chat with Humphrey about his journey. With the soaring cost of college and the increasingly cutthroat competition to get accepted — even for some of the top high school students — more young people are considering bypassing traditional gatekeepers and creating something of their own. Becoming a content creator is one way to take control of your future and potentially achieve financial success on your own terms. I invite you to check out our conversation and subscribe to Humphrey's personal finance YouTube and TikTok channels. It's clear that video is all the rage now and in the future.  If you enjoyed this podcast episode, I'd appreciate a positive review and a share. Each episode takes hours to create. Please also subscribe to my free weekly newsletter at www.financialsamurai.com/news.  To Your Financial Freedom, Sam, Financial Samurai

With trade wars, massive federal government employee cuts, fallout with Ukraine, and worsening relationships with European countries, the Trump administration is kicking off with significant uncertainty and chaos. I spoke with Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, about how this turbulence could impact the real estate market. In essence, chaos can be good for real estate, and he believes real estate will outperform stocks in 2025 and potentially 2026. Read the post with charts: Chaos, Uncertainty, Fear: Wonderful For Real Estate Investors Join 60,000+ others and sign up for the free Financial Samurai newsletter here. Financial Samurai is the leading independently-owned personal finance site in the world with over 1 million organic pageviews a month. It was started in 2009 and everything is wirtten and spoken based off firsthand experience and knowledge. 

With stock market volatility returning and the potential for an economic slowdown ahead, I can't help but feel grateful for the incredible gains we've made in 2023 and 2024. This reflection led me to record why I believe those who actively manage their finances are among the luckiest people on earth. With our million-dollar mindsets (post), we're not just accumulating wealth—we're creating happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives than those who neglect their finances. Since 2020, those of us who prioritize financial growth have seen our investments soar, making life significantly easier. My hope is that more people embrace this mindset—because with greater financial security comes more freedom, love, and opportunity for all. Time To Take Action If you're ready to take control of your finances and unlock new possibilities, pre-order Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps to Seven Figures. This book will guide you toward financial freedom, helping you design life on your own terms. Order your copy on Amazon or wherever you buy books. Your future self will thank you. Join 60,000+ others and sign up for the free weekly Financial Samurai newsletter as well. I keep you engaged and thinking about personal finances so you can keep on building wealth for you and your family.     

I speak with Dr. Jordan Grumet about building purpose for a happier and more meaningful life. If you're feeling stuck, as many of us so inevitably do at some point, Dr. Grumet has a new book out called The Purpose Code (Amazon) to help you find your way.  You can learn more about Dr. Grumet's book and his podcast, Earn & Invest, at Jordangrumet.com.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd appreciate a share, rate and review. Each podcast takes hours to record and produce and your reviews keep me going.  If you want to stay on top of everything I write on Financial Samurai, you can subscribe to my free weekly newsletter here (www.financialsamurai.com/news).

In part 2 of my discussion with Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise, and sponsor of Financial Samurai, I ask him about how an open-ended venture capital fund works.  If I'm going to build a $500,000+ position in an open-ended fund to gain more exposure to private AI companies, I want to fully understand how the fund operates. Here are some of the questions I asked during our discussion: What happens to a private company that successfully goes public, and how does this impact the fund? Is it harder to identify a promising company or to actually invest in that company? How does Fundrise and other venture capital firms compete to gain access to invest in private companies? How does Fundrise approach risk management in its investments? What's the process for writing checks to invest in companies? If you don't have cash on hand, how do you secure a line of credit to invest in a company? How do you provide liquidity to investors in the Innovation Fund? How do you determine the size of a fund you want to run? Related post: Why I'm Only Investing In Open-Ended Venture Capital Funds Going Forward Join 60,000+ readers and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter here. My goal is to help you reach financial freedom sooner, rather than later. 

In this episode, I speak to Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise about his outlook for commercial real estate in 2025. Despite high mortgage rates, he's taken a positive view and he shares the main reasons why.  Investing in stocks and bonds in your 401(k) or IRA are classic staples for retirement investing. However, I also suggest diversifying into real estate—an investment that combines the income stability of bonds with greater upside potential. I've personally invested over $300,000 with Fundrise, and they've been a trusted partner and long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai. With a $10 investment minimum, diversifying your portfolio has never been easier. Fundrise enables you to 100% passively invest in residential and industrial real estate without the headache of maintenance or tenants. With about $3 billion in private real estate assets under management, Fundrise focuses on properties in the Sunbelt region, where valuations are lower, and yields tend to be higher.  Subscribe To Financial Samurai Listen and subscribe to The Financial Samurai podcast on Apple or Spotify. I interview experts in their respective fields and discuss some of the most interesting topics on this site. Your shares, ratings, and reviews are appreciated. To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009. Everything is written based on firsthand experience and expertise because money is too important to be left up to pontification.   

One of the biggest reasons I was 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. While most Americans earn less in retirement, you aren't most people. You subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter and are obsessed about money and living an incredible life! Readers of personal finance sites like this one are likely saving far more and investing more strategically than the average individual. We're a nerdy bunch who care immensely about our financial future. Thanks to the power of compounding, decades of disciplined saving and investing could result in you earning far more in retirement than you ever anticipated. And perhaps equally as important is understanding how 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are taxed. They are considered deferred income and will be taxed as income, not capital gains.  You can read more and discuss on my post: Why You May Make More In Retirement Than While Working. There's an example too.  Reach Financial Freedom Sooner With Boldin If you're serious about building wealth and retiring comfortably, consider signing up for Boldin's powerful retirement planning tools. They offer a free version and a PlannerPlus version for just $120/year—an affordable alternative to hiring a financial advisor. For the paid version, there's a free 14-days trial. Boldin was specifically designed for retirement planning, providing a holistic approach to financial management. It goes beyond managing your stock and bond portfolio by integrating real estate investments, guiding Roth conversions to minimize taxes, helping with college savings, and addressing other real-life financial scenarios we all face. As I approach the traditional retirement age, I've found Boldin's tools particularly helpful in deciding how much to convert to a Roth IRA. The ability to model various “what if” scenarios has been invaluable for planning my future, especially for when I'm older and less able to manage my finances. To Your Financial Freedom, Sam Thanks for rating, sharing, and subscribing to my podcast. Every review means a lot. 

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you're enjoying the time off and doing some reflecting. I've returned to San Francisco after eight days of being in Oahu and am ready to relax some more! Here are some quick thoughts about what to expect in 2025 for the stock market, real estate market, and Financial Samurai.  Mentioned posts: 2025 Goals And Resolutions: Back To Simple Retirement Living 2024 Year In Review: A Year Of Transition And Luck The Best Of Financial Samurai 2024: Favorite Posts And Popular Reads 30/30/3 Home Buying Rule To Follow Join 60,000+ other readers achieving financial sooner by subscribing to my free weekly newsletter here. 

I speak to high school principal, John Durante, about his latest book, Straight From The Admissions Office. We also talk in depth about how high school students can boost their chances of getting into a top college.  John has interviewed hundreds of college admissions officers on his podcast, The College Admissions Process Podcast, and plans to interview hundreds more! If you have any questions you'd like John  to cover on future episodes, or any comments you'd like to share, please email him at: collegeadmissionstalk@gmail.com And don't forget to visit his website at www.collegeadmissionstalk.com More resources: Monica Romero Matthews - Facebook Group: Scholarship Help & College Talk for Parents  https://how2winscholarships.com    

I recently spoke with Steve Chen, founder of Boldin (formerly NewRetirement), about common concerns retirees face. Boldin stands out as the most comprehensive DIY financial planning software I've encountered. It goes beyond analyzing stocks and bonds, incorporating other investments to optimize your net worth. Boldin also helps address key financial goals like buying a house, saving for college, planning for retirement, and more. You can start with Boldin's Basic Planner for free—it's far more detailed than a typical retirement calculator. For just $120 a year, you can upgrade to PlannerPlus, unlocking its full potential. It's a fraction of the cost of hiring a financial advisor, and you can access it anytime without additional fees. Most importantly, PlannerPlus provides peace of mind, actionable insights, and the tools to grow your wealth far beyond the cost of the software. For more information, see my post on Financial Samurai: Boldin Financial Planner Review: A Game-Changer For Financial Independence

I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Bengen, creator of the "4% Rule" for retirement planning. Bill has been a reader of Financial Samurai for many years and has always been courteous in the comments section when I write about safe withdrawal rates. So, I figured it was time we had a chat to clear up some misconceptions. For those unfamiliar, the 4% Rule, developed by Bill in the 1990s, suggests that traditional retirees (around age 65) can safely withdraw 4% of their retirement portfolio in the first year—adjusted for inflation in subsequent years—without running out of money over a 30-year period. Misconceptions About The 4% Rule Cleared Up By Bill Bengen Here's what I learned from Bill that helped clarify the 4% Rule: Not a Hard “Rule”: Bill considers the 4% Rule more of a guideline than a strict rule. He encourages flexibility with withdrawal rates, though it's often treated as a rigid rule in the public eye. 4% Isn't Actually Aggressive: Contrary to popular belief, Bill's data shows that 4% is actually conservative. In his study of 400 retirees since 1926, only one retiree (who retired in 1968) had to stick to a 4% rate to avoid running out of money. The rest withdrew an average of 7% without depleting their portfolios. Adjusting for Inflation: The 4% Rule isn't static; it adjusts with inflation. For instance, if you start with a $1 million portfolio and withdraw $40,000 one year, you would adjust that amount by inflation the next year to $44,000. This means your withdrawals fluctuate with your financial needs and economic conditions. You can e-mail bill at Bill@begenfs.com if you have any questions.  Posts mentioned: Misconceptions About The 4% Rule With Bill Bengen The Proper Safe Withdrawal Rate Finishing Rich In A Low Return Stock Market Environment If you enjoyed this episode please rate, share, and susbscribe. Every review means a lot as every episode takes hours to record, edit, and produce. Thank you! To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009.

Donald Trump will be the 47th President of the United States, this time with JD Vance as his Vice President. Let's explore how this new Trump presidency might impact your finances. We'll look at how Trump's policies could affect stocks, real estate, bonds, venture capital, and even our careers. Overall, Trump's return is generally seen as positive for investors. However, since investing in risk assets always carries uncertainty, it's essential to align your investments with your personal goals and risk tolerance. Related posts: What Trump Means For Your Finances Financial Planning Through Changing Presidencies Being Even Greedier While Others Are Greedy Stock Market Performance Under A Democratic Or Republican Presidents Suggestions: If you're looking to diversify your investments beyond stocks, check out Fundrise. Fundrise manages over $3 billion in private real estate investments, with a primary focus on the Sunbelt region, where valuations are generally lower and yields tend to be higher. As the Fed enters a multi-year cycle of interest rate cuts and with Trump as president, real estate demand may increase in the coming years. Given Trump's background and success in real estate, I wouldn't be surprised if he introduces buyer incentives and policies to support heartland regions, which were key in his election victory. I've personally invested over $270,000 with Fundrise, and they are a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai. Finally, you can join 60,000+ readers and sign up for my free weekly newsletter here.    

Investing in alternative assets has become an increasingly popular way to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Wine and whiskey, in particular, are gaining traction due to their potential for strong returns, resilience during economic downturns, and rising demand. In this episode, I speak to Anthony Zhang, CEO and Founder of Vinovest, a platform that enables individuals to invest in fine wine and whiskey. We'll talk about why wine and whiskey have performed well and why they are a growing asset class.  I also talk to Anthony Zhang about bringing awareness to spinal cord injuries, after his own accident, and how we can help.  If you'd like to explore Vinovest's offerings, you can sign up here.  Related post: Sip, Savor, Profit: Investing In Fine Wine And Whiskey ****** If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, share, and review. Every podcast takes hours to produce. Your support means a lot! Finally, if you want to achieve financial freedom sooner, join 60,000+ readers and sign up for my free weekly newsletter. Everything I write is based off firsthand experience because money is too important to be left up to pontification.

If you have children, you likely want to provide them with the best education possible, which may include helping them get into a top college. Along the way, you may come across college consulting services and wonder how beneficial they really are. In today's episode, I speak with Alice Chen, Founder of BrightStory Admission Consulting, to find out more about the service.  Alice is a daughter of immigrants and grew up in the Boston area. Alice's father was a research scientist and her mother an auditor, so Alice grew up thinking that those who studied and worked the hardest would succeed. But after attending Stanford and working in TV journalism, Alice quickly learned that IQ was not the most important factor for workplace (and life) success. Alice created BrightStory to offer the mentoring she wishes she had as a teen. Alice also created Happy Asian Woman, a newsletter focused on wellness and living a meaningful life, and she incorporates these values into her coaching work. ***** If you enjoyed this podcast, I'd appreciate a share and a positive review. It helps keep me motivated to finding new guests to share with all of you. Every podcast takes hours to record and produce. To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009. ***** Related posts: The Wide Implications Of The College Admissions Scandal An Asian American's View On Affirmative Action Is Private K-12 Worth It? What If You Go To Harvard And End Up A Nobody?

After four years, the Federal Reserve has finally cut the Fed Funds rate by 50 basis points, bringing the target range to 4.75% - 5%. Expectations point to another 50 basis points in cuts for 2024 and a total of 100 basis points by 2025. Fed Chair Powell remains optimistic, stating the economy is 'very solid' and sees no elevated risk of a downturn. In this episode, I'll break down what this rate cut means for real estate, stocks, and—most importantly—your retirement, focusing on the impact to your safe withdrawal rate. Get A Free Financial Checkup Of Your Investment Portfolio If you have over $250,000 in investable assets, take advantage and schedule an appointment with an Empower financial advisor here. Complete your two video calls with the advisor before October 31, 2024, and you'll receive a free $100 Visa gift card.  After a great run in stocks, another recession could hit. It's always a good idea to get a second opinion about how your investments are positioned, especially from a professional who sees other people in your situation all the time.  Related posts: Maximizing Real Estate Returns In A Multi-Year Interest Rate Cut Cycle Increasing The Safe Withdrawal Rate For Retirement At The WRONG Time Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free weekly Financial Samurai newsletter here. This way, you'll never miss a thing. 

I speak to Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise about investing in real estate during a multi-year rate cut environment. With the Federal Reserve finally cutting rates in September 2024 after raising them in 2022, real estate should have a nice tailwind for a couple of years.  Main Theme: Interest rates are the most significant driver of real estate prices, surpassing operational improvements. Apartments are likely to benefit the most by the end of 2025. Diversify Your Real Estate Investments  If you're considering investing in private real estate, take a look at Fundrise. They manage private real estate funds focused on the Sunbelt region, where valuations are lower, and yields are higher. Fundrise specializes in residential and industrial real estate, offering investors diversification and passive income potential. Currently, Fundrise manages over $3.5 billion for more than 500,000 investors. I've personally invested over $270,000 with Fundrise, and they've been a proud sponsor of Financial Samurai for years. Related post: Maximizing Real Estate Returns In A Rate Cut Environment Join 65,000 others and subscribe to the free weekly financial Samurai newsletter here. 

I speak with Khe Hy, who spent 15 years on Wall Street and became one of the youngest Managing Directors at BlackRock at just 31. He earned up to $2 million a year—then he quit! His journey mirrors mine in many ways, though he earned significantly more. I thought it would be fascinating to understand why he chose to walk away from such wealth. Could you give up $1-2 million a year in your mid-to-late 30s? I don't think I could. But then again, I sometimes forget just how miserable and unhealthy I felt working on Wall Street. He now spends time with his family, writing his Radreads newsletter and recording The Examined Life podcast. → The RadReads email newsletter and blog http://radreads.co/join → The Examined Life Podcast https://pod.link/1692585605 If you enjoyed this conservationed, I'd love a share and a positive review. Every review counts! Special Promo: Get A Free Financial Checkup For those with over $250,000 in investable assets who want a free financial checkup, you can schedule an appointment with an Empower financial advisor here (https://www.financialsamurai.com/advisor). If you complete your two video calls with the advisor before October 31, 2024, you'll receive a free $100 Visa gift card. With stock market volatility returning and a potential recession on the horizon, it's wise to get a second opinion from a professional. Illuminate financial blindspots you don't know you have and better optimize your finances. The last thing you want is to be misallocated relative to your financial goals and risk tolerance. When you lose money, you ultimately lose precious time.  Again, you can schedule your free financial consultation here. If you do not see a link copy and paste this URL in your browser: https://www.financialsamurai.com/advisor The statement is provided to you by Financial Samurai (“Promoter”) who has entered into a written referral agreement with Empower Advisory Group, LLC (“EAG”). Click here to learn more. Regards, Sam You can join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter here. Financial Samurai began in 2009 with the goal of helping readers achieve financial freedom sooner, rather than later. 

After 15 years of experimenting with and living an early retirement lifestyle, I've developed my Minimum Investment Threshold Formula to help determine when you can finally break free from a suboptimal job. Once you reach this threshold, you'll have the option to find a more fulfilling job that pays less, take a sabbatical, go back to school, stay at home to raise your children, or even retire Related post: The Minimum Investment Threshold Where Work Becomes Optional  Recommended Resources: Read How to Engineer Your Layoff to learn more about negotiating a severance package. When it's time to leave that dreadful job behind, try to negotiate a severance package instead of simply quitting. Since you planned to quit anyway, negotiating a severance only has upside. You could receive a severance check, subsidized healthcare, unvested stock and cash, job search assistance, and more. Plus, you'll likely be eligible for unemployment benefits, which aren't available to those who quit. To build wealth through real estate, check out Fundrise. Thanks to 11 rate hikes since 2022, there are now more commercial real estate opportunities. With interest rates heading down, pent-up demand for real estate may be unleashed, potentially boosting prices in the future. Since real estate has lagged behind stocks since 2022, I expect its performance to catch up over time. To achieve financial freedom sooner, join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter.

In this episode, I speak to Jo Piazza, bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance, podcaster, and award-winning journalist. We discuss tradwives and its financial and social implications.  Given that Financial Samurai is about achieving financial freedom sooner, being financially dependent on someone as an adult is the exact opposite of what I want for readers. A tradwife typically denotes a woman who believes in and practices traditional gender roles and marriages. Some may choose to take on a homemaking role within their marriage or leave their careers to focus on meeting their family's needs at home. According to Google Trends, online searches for the term "tradwife" began to rise in popularity around mid-2018 and reached high levels during the early 2020s. If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please rate, review, share and subscribe. It helps us grow. Related posts: Financial Dependence Is the Worst Not Having Kids Is Your FIRE Super Power To increase your chances of achieveing financial independence sooner, join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the Financial Samurai newsletter. 

I've decided that my Home-To-Car Ratio guide is the most important pesonal finance guide for everyone to fall. After all, everybody needs a place to live, real estate is the best asset to build wealth for the average person, and America has a love affair with cars. My Home-To-Car Ratio guide helps personal finance enthusiasts reduce their car spending and maximize their house spending in a practical way. By following my guide, more people will build more wealth than those who don't! See: The Right House-To-Car Ratio For Financial Freedom Real Estate Investing Suggestion To invest in private real estate, take a look at Fundrise, my favorite private real estate investing platform. Fundrise was founded in 2012 and manages over $3.3 billion with over 500,000 investors. The firm focuses on residential and industrial properties in the Sunbelt, where valuations are lower and cap rates are higher. Take advantage of the demographic shift to lower-cost areas of the country.  Personally, I've invested $954,000 in private real estate since 2016 to diversify my exposure and earn more passive income. I've invested six figures in Fundrise's Flagship Fund and Fundrise is a sponsor of Financial Samurai.  Join 70,000 others and sign up for my weekly financial freedom newsletter here. If you do, you'll improve your chances of building more wealth.   

I catch up with Andre Nader, ex-Facebook employee about what he's been up to one year after leaving his day job.  We talk about being a stay-at-home dad, the temptation of going back to work, buying property in San Francisco, and his FAANG FIRE newsletter he publishes twice a month. It is the only newsletter I've read that helps tech workers achieve financial independence.  If you enjoy this episode please rate and review! It helps us grow. Please also share the episode to those who you think would find it useful.  Regards, Sam You can join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter here. 

I spoke to my wife about how my saver's mindset naturally kicked in after purchasing our new house in October 2023. Our liquidity was tight, and we were literally living paycheck to paycheck for six months. This is when my frugal gene kicked in and made me lock down expenses. This experience taught me that experiencing financial difficulty often triggers a saver's mindset. The key is to maintain this saver's mindset at all times, not just when you're in a crunch. Articles Referenced: Embrace Living Paycheck To Paycheck For A Better Life Why Earning Less Passive Income Has Changed My Life For The Better Three Sneaky Expenses That Are Ruining Your Budget Recommendations Real estate is my favorite asset class for most people to build long-term wealth. It's important to invest your savings to try and beat inflation. If you'd like to invest in real estate without a mortgage, check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform. The investment minimum is only $10 to help you diversify and earn more passive income.  Financial Samurai is a six-figure investor in Fundrise funds and Fundrise is an investor in Financial Samurai.  Join 70,000 others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. You'll increase your chances of achieving financial freedom sooner if you do.     

Property bidding wars are back, despite persistently high mortgage rates, due to the strength of the economy and the stock market. This episode discusses why people are getting into bidding wars and the best time of the year to buy a house.  Articles referenced: Understanding Why People Getting Into Property Bidding Wars Analyzing Housing Price Dynamics: Helping Buyers Buy At The Best Time Real estate is my favorite asset class for most people to build long-term wealth. If you'd like to invest in real estate without a mortgage, check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform. The investment minimum is only $10 to help you diversify and earn more passive income.  Financial Samurai is a six-figure investor in Fundrise funds and Fundrise is an investor in Financial Samurai.  Join 70,000 others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. You'll increase your chances of achieving financial freedom sooner if you do. 

I talk to Emily Luk, Co-Founder and CEO of Plenty, a wealth platform for today's modern couples about her career path from VC, to joining a big startup, to creating her own startup. I wanted to now why she lifted a cushy job with good pay. If you're a couple interested in a great tool to manage your finances together, check out Plenty. They've got a great cash flow tool that enables individual, joint, and private money management. Plenty also offers Direct Indexing investment at a low cost.  I've personally met the team multiple times in their offices in San Francisco as I consulted for them.  If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Every episode takes hours to produce and every review means a lot. Thanks! Sam

For the longest time, I've wondered the following about some men: Why claim to be retired while having a working spouse? Why work so many hours after having a newborn? Why leave your family when your children are still young and need fathers the most? Doing these things didn't make much sense to me until I had an epiphany: every person has a different inherent desire to provide thanks to biology. And given biology is innate, we cannot help the way we are!  Read: A Provider's Clock For Men Is Similar To A Biological Clock For Women For those of you with children and/or debt, it's imperative to get an affordable term life insurance policy to protect your loved ones. Take a look at Policygenius, an insurance market place that will offer affordable life insurance quotes in one place with no obligations.  My wife and I got matching 20-year term policies during the pandemic and felt an enormous sense of relief.  Thank you for your shares and reviews of this podcast. They help keep me recording! Sign up for my free weekly newsletter to never miss a thing. - Sam

In this episode, I catch up with Ben Miller, Co-founder and CEO of Fundrise about artificial intelligence and the latest investments by the  Innovation Fund. We discuss how company valuations are calculated in the fund, a defense AI investment, and so much more.  The Innovation Fund is an open-ended venture capital fund with only a $10 minimum. You can see what the fund is investing in before you decide to invest and how much. Unlike traditional closed-end venture capital funds, you can gain liquidity if you want in one quarter. Check out the Innovation Fund here. Financial Samurai is an investor in Fundrise and Fundrise is a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai.  Personally, I'm bullish on artificial intelligence and will be building $500,000 worth of exposure to AI companies and funds that invest in artificial intelligence over the next five years. In 20 years, I don't want my children asking me why I didn't invest in AI near the beginning.  Related post: Artificial Intelligence: How To Protect Yourself And Benefit Financially  Subscribe To Financial Samurai To achieve financial independence sooner, Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate, and review. Every review means a lot as each episode takes hours to produce. 

I speak with Colleen Kong-Savage about becoming a children's book illustrator and author, as well as a freelance graphic designer while living in expensive New York City. Colleen has a new book out entitled Piano Wants To Play. It is a wonderful book for children and adults of all ages who appreciate music. It is also a touching story about rekindling the joy we had as children. Colleen has been a long-time illustrator for Financial Samurai, creating all of the custom Samurai-themed graphics, including the logo and the Financial Samurai mask. As you may know, it can be challenging to make a living as a creative professional. Therefore, I'm proud to support Colleen's endeavors. If you're looking to support artists, the best way to do so is to purchase their work and hiring them. Please consider purchasing a copy of Piano Wants To Play and visiting Colleen's website at ckongsavage.com. If you want to learn more about being a children's author and illustrator, you can check out the resources at www.highlightsfoundation.org and www.scbwi.org. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd appreciate a review and a share! To Your Financial Freedom, Sam

Every residential real estate investor and homeowner is richer after the National Association Of Realtors settled its price fixing lawsuit. I know many real estate agents, realtors, and brokerages are upset with the ruling. However, the decision was decided quickly by a jury of our peers. The money that would have went into the real estate industry's pockets are now going back into the homeowners' and investors' pockets.  See: Why Every Residential Real Estate Investor And Homeowner Is Richer Busting The Real Estate Cartel With Attorney Mike Ketchmark Recommendations Check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform with over $3.3 billion under management for 500,000+ investors. With mortgage rates coming down and the stock market strong, the demand for real estate is building.  Fundrise predominantly invests in residential and industrial real estate in the Sunbelt region, where valuations are lower and yields are higher. I believe there is a multi-decade demographic shift towards lower-cost areas of the country thanks to technology.  Financial Samurai is an investor in Fundrise funds and Fundrise is a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai.  Subscribe To Financial Samurai To achieve financial freedom sooner, join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate, and review. Every review means a lot as each episode takes hours to produce. 

The most expensive cities in America include cities like New York City, San Francisco, and San Jose. However, these expensive cities could actually be the cheapest due to all the income and investment opportunities. Let's explore the reasons why. Related post: Income Required To Afford A Typical Home In The Top 50 Cities Recommendations 1) Check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform with over $3.3 billion under management for 500,000+ investors. With mortgage rates coming down and the stock market strong, the demand for real estate is building.  2) To invest in artificial intelligence and other private growth companies, check out the open-ended Innovation Fund. You can see what the fund invests in before you invest and how much. The investment minimum is only $10.  Financial Samurai is an investor in Fundrise funds and Fundrise is a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai.  Subscribe To Financial Samurai To achieve financial freedom sooner, join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate, and review. Every review means a lot as each episode takes hours to produce. 

In this episode, I talk to my wife about what it's nice to own the nicest home we can afford five months after moving in. Although I am no happier, I do feel more satisfied.  Related post: Climbed To The Top Of The Property Ladder  Recommendations 1) Check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform with over $3.3 billion under management for 500,000+ investors. With mortgage rates coming down and the stock market strong, the demand for real estate is building.  2) To invest in artificial intelligence and other private growth companies, check out the open-ended Innovation Fund. You can see what the fund invests in before you invest and how much. The investment minimum is only $10.  Subscribe To Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate, and review. Every review means a lot as each episode takes hours to produce. 

In this episode, I speak with Kathy Fang, star of the Food Network's Chef Dynasty, as well as owner of Fang Restaurant, one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in San Francisco.  We talk about what it was like making a reality TV show, running a restaurant, expansion potential, and raising a family in San Francisco on chef hours.  You can find Kathy on Instagram @ChefKathyFang and on her website at KathyFang.com.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd appreciate a review, share, and subscribe. Every episode takes hours to produce. To achieve financial freedom sooner, join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the Financial Samurai newsletter here. Financial Samurai began in 2009 and is one of the largest independently-owned personal finance sites with one million pageviews a month. Visit the site here. 

Since 2009, when I began Financial Samurai, I've noticed some people are too afraid to invest or get easily shaken out whenever there is economic or stock market turbulence. Then, these investors get left behind as the economyc, stock market, real estate market, and other markets eventually recovery. To help you overcome your fear of investing, I suggest coming up with an investment thesis. An investment thesis is your north star and will help you hold strong during difficult times. For more details, see the post: An Investment Thesis Is The Key To Making More Money Long Term Investing Thesis For 2024 And Beyond 1) A recovery in the real estate market as it plays catchup to the stock market. Check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform with over $3.3 billion under management for 500,000+ investors.  2) A boom in artificial intelligence that will boost profits and economic growth. To invest in AI and other private growth companies, check out the open-ended Innovation Fund. You can see what the fund invests in before you invest and how much. Subscribe To Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate, and review. Every review means a lot as each episode takes hours to produce.   

I talk to Emily Luk, Co-Founder and CEO of Plenty, a wealth platform for today's modern couples. Due to career aspirations, higher education, and the rising cost of living, couples are taking longer to get married and have children. In addition, couples are also building more wealth on their own before getting married.  Plenty is based in San Francisco, California and will launch its platform by April 1, 2024. You can get on the waitlist or join now, depending on when you listen to this episode.  You can also subscribe to the Plenty newsletter and read the Plenty blog if you care about couples issues such as getting married, buying a house, starting a family, saving for college and more.  If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Every episode takes hours to produce and every review means a lot. Thanks! Sam

I speak with Noah Kagan about being one of the first employees at Facebook and Mint, not making the megabucks, and then turning into a successful entrepreneur with AppSumo.  Noah's new book is called Million Dollar Weekend by my same publisher, Portfolio Penguin. You can find Noah on Twitter and YouTube.  Related posts on entrepreneurship: How Much Entrepreneurship Income Is Needed To Replace Your Day Job Income What If You Take A Leap Of Faith And Your Dreams Don't Come True The Lifestyle Business Or The Big Payout Support Financial Samurai If you enjoyed this episode, I'd appreciate a subscribe, share, and review. Every review counts! You can join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the Financial Samurai newsletter here. 

In this episode, I speak to Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise about his change in outlook for the real estate market in 2024 and beyond. He believes October 2023 was the bottom and we're going up from here.  In this episode we explore several key topics: The reasoning behind Ben's belief that October 2023 marked the bottom, and the less obvious indicators supporting this perspective. The motivation behind selling during this period, just after reaching the presumed bottom. The possibility of using one fund's cash to support a deal in which another fund is investing. Ben's insights on investing in office properties at significant discounts. Drawing parallels between e-commerce and the work-from-home trend, highlighting the potential permanent increase in the value of residential properties. Emphasizing the importance of investing in alignment with macroeconomic tailwinds, not headwinds. Discussing the anticipated percentage upside in institutional real estate prices for 2024. Exploring the methodology for calculating the Net Asset Value (NAV) of specific properties within the fund. Recognizing the non-linear nature of significant changes and the importance of staying invested to benefit from high catalyst moments. Reflecting on Ray Dalio's perspective – "I'd rather be approximately right than precisely wrong" – especially in the context of predicting year-end interest rates. Considering the viewpoint that a recession might be bullish for real estate due to the potential rapid and extensive decline in interest rates. If you want to dollar-cost-average into a Fundrise fund, you can do so by clicking here. The investment minimum is $10. Financial Samurai is an investor in Fundrise and Fundrise is a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai. 

Happy 2024 everyone! Here are some of our goals and financial predictions for 2024. Overall, we're optimistic about the year. Related posts: 2024 S&P 500 Forecasts 2024 Housing Price Forecasts 2024 Financial Samurai Goals Explaining All The Surprise Capital Calls Investing In 2024 If you'd like to invest in the rebound in real estate in 2024, check out Fundrise, my favorite private real estate platform with over $3.3 billion under management for 500,000+ investors.  To invest in AI and other private growth companies, check out the open-ended Innovation Fund. You can see what the fund invests in before you invest and how much.  

Sydney and I review 2023 and discuss the importance of intrinsic motivation to keep going. Be aware of only chasing extrinsic motivators, like money, fame, and promotions, to achieve your results. If you do, chances are high you'll burn out quicker than expected. We'd love a share and a review of the podcast. Each episode takes at least two hours to produce.  Related post: 2023 Financial Samurai Year In Review: More Failes Than Wins The Best Posts And Podcasts On Financial Samurai 2023 To Succeed, Intrinsic Rewards Must Dominate Extrinsic Rewards Subscribe To Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. This way you always stay on top of the most important events in the stock market, real estate market, and everything personal finance.  Pick up a copy of my WSJ bestseller, Buy This Not That. As a first edition, first print with some typos, it could be a valuable collector's item in the future.   

I speak to Sydney, my wife, about the idea of sending our children to Community College instead of directly to a four-year state or private university. The benefits are many, including less stress and more fun! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe! Posts mentioned: Community College May Be The Way: How I Plan To Spend $1.5 Million (https://www.financialsamurai.com/community-college/) Median Income Earned By Ivy League Graduates Keep In Touch With Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. This way you always stay on top of the most important events in the stock market, real estate market, and everything personal finance. 

This episode is sponsored by Danielson Legal, which provides top tier intellectual property legal services for the greatest value proposition available in the market. Their attorneys have formidable experience and expertise from practicing at the highest levels of the profession—from the top law firms in Boston to publicly traded corporate legal departments. Episode Synopsis If you retire early, chances are high you will have an itch to return to work within a year or two. Only after publishing my post, Why It's So Hard To Stay Retired After Retiring Early, did I discover the one solution that will help folks continue to stay out of the work force. I then went deeper and wrote the post, Why It's So Hard To Leave San Francisco Now. When there's so much going on in the city by the bay today, you can't help but want to stay.  If you enjoyed this episode please rate, review, share, and subscribe! Every review counts.  Suggestions If you're looking to invest in artificial intelligence companies, take a look at the Fundrise Innovation Fund. It has democratized access to investing in private growth companies with only a $10 minimum.  Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to the Financial Samurai newsletter. 

I speak to my friend and 4-time NBA champ, Shaun Livingston about his journey from high school basketball prodigy to winning multiple championships with the Golden State Warriors.  If you're an NBA fan or a professional sports fan, you're going to love this episode. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast. Every review means a lot! Related Financial Samurai posts: Where Are All The Adult Athletes? Sports And Your Career The Secret To Your Success: 10 Years Of Unwavering Commitment  Subscribe To Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. This way you always stay on top of the most important events in the stock market, real estate market, and everything personal finance. 

This episode is sponsored by Danielson Legal, which provides top tier intellectual property legal services for the greatest value proposition available in the market. Their attorneys have formidable experience and expertise from practicing at the highest levels of the profession—from the top law firms in Boston to publicly traded corporate legal departments. Episode Synopsis Supposedly by the time our children turn 19, we will have spent 80% - 90% of the time we will ever spend with them. But that statistic is ridiculous if we make the effort. Let's talk about something absurd, like relocating to where our adult children are once we are retired.  Posts mentioned: Having Absurd Dreams Is OK Because Sometimes They Come True The Pandemic Was An Experience In Hedging Your Life Keep In Touch With Financial Samurai Pick up a copy of How To Engineer Your Layoff. It will teach you how to negotiate a severance package so you can spend more time with your children or do what you want. Use the code “saveten” at checkout to save $10. Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. This way you always stay on top of the most important events in the stock market, real estate market, and everything personal finance. 

After the real estate industry was found guilty of collusion by a Missouri jury, I spoke to lead trial lawyer, Mike Ketchmark about how the entire process came about.  If you're into real estate, thinking of selling or buying a home, or are curious about how lawyers get compensated, you're going to love this episode! Related posts: Real Estate Collusion Revealed! Misaligned Commission Incentives This episode is sponsored by real estate investment firm Fundrise. Fundrise offers private real estate funds to diversity into Sunbelt real estate. The company manages over $3.3 billion for over 400,000 investors. If you'd like to dollar-cost average into the current weak real esetate market, consider Fundrise, with an investment minimum of only $10.  If you're looking to invest in private growth companies, you can also take a look at the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Roughly 35% of its investments are currently in AI-related companies, which seems likely the revolutionary technology over the coming decade. 

This episode is sponsored by Danielson Legal, which provides top tier intellectual property legal services for the greatest value proposition available in the market. Their attorneys have formidable experience and expertise from practicing at the highest levels of the profession—from the top law firms in Boston to publicly traded corporate legal departments. Show notes: We know the median American household has a net worth of about $193,000 and the average American household has a net worth of $1.06 million. But what about the top 1% of American households?  If you want to beat out 99% of Americans, this is how large your net worth should be by age, at a minimum! Is the grind worth it since 99% will fail? I'm not sure that it is. Let's discuss. Related post: Top 1% Net Worth By Age Keep In Touch With Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. This way you always stay on top of the most important events in the stock market, real estate market, and everything personal finance. 

After a couple of months, I was able to successfully convince my wife to upgrade homes! But now that she's on board, I'm afraid to move forward.  I'm afraid because it's scarier to buy a home when demand is down. There's a comfort in buying when everybody else wants to buy. But I think I'm mostly afraid of buying because I had to convince my wife. As a result, if anything unfortunate happens after we move, I will feel guilty and to blame.  If you are thinking of making a big move where you and your partner are not 100% alilgned, perhaps this episode will spur you to communicate more about your fears and worries.  Posts mentioned: 5 Ways To Overcome Emotional Attachment To Buy A New Home 30/30/3-5 Rule For Home Buying Income And Net Worth Requirements To Buy A Home At All Price Points Recommendations To invest in real estate more strategically and passively, check out Fundrise. Fundrise manages over $3.3 billion, mostly in residential and industrial real estate in the Sunbelt. The spreading out of America is going to be a multi-decade trend. FS is an investor and affiliate partner of Fundrise.  Join 60,000+ others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. This way you always stay on top of the most important events in the stock market, real estate market, and everything personal finance. 

Congrats! The average American household is now a millionaire according to the latest Federal Reserve Consumer Finance Survey. It's good to be average! Alas, the median American household is not a millionaire, which is a better reflection of the average American!  Related posts:  The Average American Household Is Now A Millionaire The 30/30/3-5 Homebuying Rule What Millionaires Do: 1) Invest in stocks  2) Participate in their retirement plans 3) Invest in real estate 4) Start and invest in private companies Investment mention: The Fundrise Innovation Fund that invests in private growth companies in AI, fintech, proptech, and more.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe! Every review makes a difference. Join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing. You can also get every post I publish immediately in your inbox by signing up here. 

I talk to Roger Lee, Co-Founder of Human Interest, a YC-backed private company that offers 401(k) plans to small businesses. Human Interest raised $200 million in a Series D round in August 2022 valuing the company at $1 billion. Roughly 80% of small businesses with under 100 people don't have 401(k)s. We talk about how Roger got into Harvard, why he decided to become an entrepreneur instead of go into the management consulting or finance world, AI, and more.  You can learn about Roger's other companies here: Comprehensive.io (payments startup) Layoffs.fyi (layoff tracker in the tech industry) Related posts on Financial Samurai: Net Worth Compositions By Levels Of Wealth: Build A Business Already The Top 10 Reasons To Start An Online Business Today Reflections On Making Money Online Since 2009 Career Advice For Those Wanting To Join A Startup   Keep In Touch With Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing. You can also get every post I publish immediately in your inbox by signing up here.  If you want to leave your day job, learn how to negotiate a severance with my bestselling ebook, How To Engineer Your Layoff: Make A Small Fortune By Saying Goodbye. Use the code "saveten" to save $10 at checkout.  If you enjoyed this podcast, I'd appreciate a great review and a share with your friends!

I speak to Eric Rosenberg, a long-time blogging buddy, about his journey from corporate employee to freelance writer, podcaster, and web designer. Eric has three children and lives in expensive Southern California. Yet, he's able to provide for his family on his freelance income alone.  If you've ever wanted to become a freelancer and make side money or full-time freelancer money, this is your show! You can find out more about Eric at Eric.money.  Subscribe To Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing. You can also get every post I publish immediately in your inbox by signing up here.  If you enjoyed this podcast, I'd appreciate a great review and a share with your friends! Every review means a lot.   

I figured out how to cure those afflicted with entitlement mentality! Once cured, I'm positive most will be happier and richer over their lifetimes.  Because for the longest time it boggled my mind how wealthy, privileged people could feel so entitled instead of so grateful. Posts mentioned: Entitlement Mentality Is A Sneaky Wealth Destroyer How To Calculate The Value Of A College Degree Investor Virtue Signaling In A Capitalist Country Is Fascinating Support Financial Samurai Join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing. You can also get every post I publish immediately in your inbox by signing up here.  If you want to leave your day job, learn how to negotiate a severance with my bestselling ebook, How To Engineer Your Layoff: Make A Small Fortune By Saying Goodbye. Use the code "saveten" to save $10 at checkout.  If you enjoyed this podcast, I'd appreciate a great review and a share with your friends!