For a long time now I have been skeptical of hedge funds. When the research clearly shows active managers fail to out perform broad-based index funds like VTSAX over time, how could hedge funds? Especially considering active stock funds charge expense ratios (ERs) ranging from ~.5 to 2% while hedge funds take 2%, plus 20%… [Continue Reading]
Develop Your Skills and Talents
By Shawn Jenkins and Jonathan Mendonsa Shawn Have you ever considered your career to be like a brokerage account for financial freedom? You want to make the most of what’s in your account—or career—but you also want to do things to grow the account. In terms of a career, that translates to increasing your income…. [Continue Reading]
The Price of Security
Photo courtesy of Billy Kaderli “Funny, no one has a crystal ball, no one knows the future but all say the stock market WILL go up in the future. Maybe we’re the generation that our kids will also look and say: ‘They gambled everything in the stock market thinking it would keep always going up…’”… [Continue Reading]
The negligence that led me to DIY investing
Guest post from AR (Accidentally Retired) Growing up, my Grandpa was a “financial advisor.” Or perhaps he was a stock broker? I’m not sure. Whatever you want to call his profession, there was no doubt that he was a brilliant salesman, a lover of people, and someone who would talk your ear off for days…. [Continue Reading]
Part XXXVI: Estate Planning 101 — The Simple Path to an Estate Plan
Pull Your Head Out of the Sand By Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock Before I sat down to write this post, I re-read The Simple Path to Wealth. This quote from JL… “As individuals we only have one obligation to society: To make sure we, and our children, are not a burden to others.” …is… [Continue Reading]
The Simple Path to a Lucrative Career
It is always wise to be careful in choosing with whom you associate and do business. The older I get the more this has proven true. I’ve known Jonathan and Brad, the founders of ChooseFI, for a long time. I was one of their first podcast guests and have been honored to be invited back… [Continue Reading]
The Top 9 (Bad) Arguments Against Bitcoin
In my last post I shared with you my thoughts on cryptocurrencies. As I said in it… Now I figure you might want to hear from someone who actually has researched these things. Someone who has invested in them and who knows the arguments against them probably better than most who make them. You might… [Continue Reading]
The House Hacking Strategy
Your house may be a terrible investment, but I love the idea of house hacking. In fact, I knew people doing it way back in my college days. Half a century ago. Of course, it wasn’t called “house hacking” in those ancient days. I’m not sure it even had a name. But some students,… [Continue Reading]
7 Days in Heaven: or Why Slowing Down Will Get You There Sooner
Ettington Park, Stratford upon Avon, UK: Our venue for Chautauqua XII, 2019 Photo by JT Olmstead Last week we wrapped up Chautauqua XII, returning once again the the United Kingdom and one of our very favorite venues. The chapel on this property was under construction in the 12th century, fitting for my twelfth Chautauqua. Shakespeare… [Continue Reading]
Financial Independence Case Study: How to Reach FI in Your 30s
Writer. Creator. Mentor. Speaker. Intro by JL’s Team: Think you need a 6-figure income and 20 years to reach Financial Independence? As the market goes up and down (like it always does), you may be wondering how you’ll ever achieve FI with all this volatility. The answer? Your mindset, your habits, and your determination. This… [Continue Reading]