2024 was a good year for savings. My overall net worth increased by 28.2% compared to 2023. This was driven by increases in 401(k) (+26.0%), Roth IRA (+12.8%), money markets & cash (+43.9%), & home equity (+36.3%). Net Earnings Overview I consider Giving, Taxes, HSA Contributions, and 15% gross salary Retirement Contributions non-negotiable. Given this, I excluded these categories when reviewing…
In 2023, the most significant shift in my financial landscape was the acquisition of a new vehicle, a decision that significantly impacted my savings. Ongoing supply chain disruptions from the pandemic had tightened vehicle inventory and inflated prices. The price gap between the used model and the new model I desired was minimal, leading me…
Influenced by factors like Gen Z entering the workforce and technology enabling more flexibility, more and more Americans are working remotely at least 50% of the time. According to one 2019 study, 3.4% of the total US workforce are remote workers, up from 2.9% in 2015. This amounts to 4.7 million Americans working remotely in…
“Don’t wait to buy real estate, buy real estate and wait.” – T. Harv Eker I’ve lived in the expensive real estate markets of northern and southern California for most of my life. When I relocated to Denver, CO for work, I was able to purchase a home due to prices being affordable – virtually…
“How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.” – Robert G. Allen. While financial gurus like Chris Hogan, Dave Ramsey, & others agree that nobody gets rich by redeeming credit card points, the same is true of interest earned on from savings accounts. That…
If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. Emergencies happen all the time, and by the very definition of “emergency”, you don’t know when one will occur. Types of Emergencies Fires Unsafe air quality for days Heavy traffic towards certain directions due to road closures Earthquakes Hurricanes & flooding Heavy snowstorms Often there…
“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it… he who doesn’t… pays it.” – Albert Einstein This magical wonder of compound interest that amazed Einstein is available to millions of people today. Unfortunately, Americans are better spenders than they are savers. According to Fidelity, those aged 60-69 contribute…
“I like what I do, but this is not a hobby – I’m here to make as much money as I can.” This quote is from a previous boss I had who worked very hard and also valued work-life balance. If you have a hobby and happen to make some money with it, that’s fantastic.…
I didn’t realize how large of a burden repaying my $53,000 in student loans would be until I actually began repaying them each month. When I took an accounting of my monthly expenses, I realized I wasn’t as thrifty as I thought I was. On reflection, there were 3 careless ways I lost money every…