Category: Retirement Planning
Saving & Investing with $500 per Month
If you can save and invest $500 per month, you are in the elite class of America. Sadly, I am being completely serious. Most Americans cannot save $500 over the course of a year or even a decade. America is a tough place to save because everything costs. If you own a home or have…
Are You Drowning in Debt? Try Building a Relationship with Money
Our parents and teachers train us to be good employees. Unfortunately, this mindset leads to terrible interactions with money. The first step to getting out of debt is understanding the language of money and then learning how we should spend it. The root cause of debt. We live in a consumption-based, spend-first society. However, that…
So Your Kid Wants to be a Doctor? Here’s How You Can Help
Parents, you will not like this article. I have been tough on parents over the last three years, and today the tradition continues. Don’t worry; I am a parent of two kids, 16 and 12. We all want the best for our children, but most people forget to do the most crucial thing—learn. Fixed versus…
Retirement Planning for the Average Person 5
Sometimes we must admit when we are wrong. I find myself in this position today—humbled. There was one core truth I believed, but it has changed recently. I believed you could stay in the workforce long enough to create a truly passive income retirement. For example, you could work until you earned $5,000/month in dividends.…
Time is Money #3: Invest by Creating Infinite Returns for the Future
Most of us understand that we should be investing in our futures. The general media teaches us that putting money into a 401K is investing; however, it is more akin to saving. Yes, the money goes into the stock market, but you still “think” like a saver. Today, let’s discuss how to “create” money like…
Generation Quit: Being a Leader in the New Workplace
I’ve been in the military for 24 years and have seen a lot of change. If you consider yourself a leader, you will need to understand the new generation to navigate your team to success effectively. Yes, I used the word leader, not manager or supervisor. Very few consider themselves leaders because it is challenging…
Time is Money #2: Save By Adding Value in the Present
Have you ever wondered why people save money? We all believe we have the answer, but it is still worth a deeper dive. We recently explored debt and how it keeps you focused on the past. Now it’s time to focus on today, which reduces much of our stress. What is saving? Most people think…
You Can Now Skip Car Loan Payments: Don’t Skip Your Car Loan Payments!
I logged in to pay my monthly car payment and received a strange notification. I could now skip my car payment for a $25 fee. The implications of this type of program are far-reaching. In essence, it’s a payday loan. Keep in mind that this came from a Federal Credit Union—the supposed good guys. The…
Beware of Fake Passive Income Claims: True Passive Income is Challenging to Achieve
It takes 10,000 hours to create a reliable income stream. Depending on your daily habits, that timeline can range from five to ten years. With this knowledge in hand, be very wary of anyone claiming to have found the secret to quick passive income. The only passive income that matters is in your money system.…
Time is Money #1: Debt is a Function of the Past
Most of us don’t understand the devious nature of debt until it’s too late. We believe debt helps us get what we want—when we want. In reality, debt is sucking life from our souls. The more debt we have, the more we are tied to our jobs, lifestyles, and cities. Today, I want to get…
Choose Between $100,000 Active Income and $50,000 Passive Income
I will ask you a question that will rattle you to your core. Do you really want to go to work every day? It’s okay to be truthful; I’ll go first. My job fulfilled me for the first 15 years after high school. At a random point, it became more of a chore than entertainment. …
Quiet Quitting vs Loud Rehiring: Time to Go Back to Work
Did you buy into all the hype surrounding the quiet quitting and great resignation movements? How did that work out for you? I agree with you on one thing—the workplace is terrible in its current form. There are two crucial elements missing: leadership and mentorship. However, you’ll need to go back to work until you…
Happy Cash Flow Retirement 9
There is nothing preventing us from retiring early except ourselves. We have all the tools to live a fulfilling life without working a day job. So what prevents 97% of the population from riding off into the sunset before age 50? The answer lies in our need for more information and action. Welcome back to…
Save (for) the Children: Series “I” Bonds vs Roth IRAs vs HSAs vs 529 Savings
Life is good when you understand your finances. There are many tools parents have to assist children in getting a head start. To prepare your children financially, YOU must be financially prepared. Therefore, getting your act together is a top priority before your children leave home. I spent many years struggling with my money until…
5 Takeaways from “The Everything Budgeting Book”
“The Everything Budgeting Book” by Tere Stouffer is a massive book covering everything about budgeting (as the title implies). You will find budgets from having a baby, saving for college, and growing a retirement fund. This is the book I should have read right before I joined the military in 1999. Many of the lessons…
I Love Paying Bills Because I Mastered the Process
I remember hating to pay my bills in my early 20s. I didn’t have a cell phone back then, but I had a car loan, insurance, and maintenance costs. I hated paying bills because I didn’t comprehend the process; I wasn’t serious about keeping tabs on my expenses. I got married in 2006, and my…
Position Yourself for the Next Bull Market
We are near the bottom of the bear market. Pessimism in the markets peaked, and we can begin to see optimism show its lovely face. But we still have time to make some life-changing moves while prices are excellent and everyone focuses on surviving. To invest wisely during a bear market and recession, we must…
Change Your Money Cycle: Your Spending Habits Determine Your Wealth
We hit the jackpot by being born in America. We have the chance to go from broke to rich in one lifetime. Heck, we can achieve incredible wealth in 20 years if we truly try. Unfortunately, most people will never seize this fantastic opportunity. Not because they didn’t work hard but because their money cycle…
Increase Your Savings Rate: It Determines When You Can Retire
How fast do you want to retire? Do you genuinely want to work until the full retirement age of 66? I know I don’t want to work for another 25 years. But what is the best way to retire early? We all hear terms like Financial Independence Retire Early (or F.I.R.E.), but what does that…
Two People, One Budget: Create a Budget and Start Income Investing
They say finances cause most marriages to fail, but what specifically is the disconnect between couples? More importantly, how can we prevent these issues from causing a division between the lovebirds? My wife, Kristina, and I have been married for 17 years, and we are on the same page financially. When we didn’t have “the…
