Recently, tipping has become outrageous. New services that previously did not require a tip, now suggest a tip. Recommended tipping amounts and expectations are now substantially higher. Online platforms and digital kiosks now peer pressure us to tip regardless of our experience. As a result, I find myself thinking more critically about my tipping approach.  In the blog post below, we will discuss tipping trends, benchmarks and criteria that may inform more thoughtful tipping to prevent overpaying while maintaining good tipping etiquette. Specifically, we will focus on delivery services ..read more

Most investors struggle with when to sell or hold their losing positions.  This decision requires considering multiple factors which may include the percent loss, time horizon, tax-loss harvesting and the unpleasant feeling of being wrong.  Given that September is usually a highly volatile month in the stock market, many investors may be evaluating their greatest losers they want to cut.  In this blog post, we will discuss these factors and how we are approaching this decision for a specific position within our portfolio. Disclaimer: Please note that the content below are my o ..read more

Most young couples struggle with the decision of when to prioritize their career vs. start a family. This decision evaluates how each couple balances their time between their career ambitions and parenthood. While many may pursue both simultaneously, they will likely be faced with a difficult choice: 1) one spouse prioritizes family while the other becomes the “breadwinner” or 2) both spouses work but still cannot afford the skyrocketing costs of raising a family. Both options require compromise. In this blog post, we will discuss recent trends in delaying parenthood, financial and social con ..read more

Earlier this week, J&J announced an upcoming stock exchange where shareholders will have the option to trade in their JNJ shares for shares of Kenvue, their consumer healthcare company. This is a big upcoming decision for JNJ investors as we need to evaluate which is the better bet. In this blog post, we will summarize the exchange offer, explore the performance of other healthcare spin-offs, and discuss the rationale for and against exchanging JNJ shares for Kenvue. Warning: The is an extensive post covering a significant amount of background material and in-depth analyses. If you are o ..read more

One of the happiest times in life is the period when you find true love and prepare to get married. However, it can also be extremely stressful. Choosing the right partner is the most important financial decision in your life even more important than your home!  According to US Census Bureau 2021’s data of US Marriage and Divorce Rates, the ratio of divorces-to-marriages is ~46%. The statistic is even higher for second and third marriages.  As a result, many financial advisors may suggest a prenuptial agreement before the wedding.  In this blog post, I will share my experience ..read more

Over the last few weeks, several catalysts are signaling that we may be entering a new bull rally.  The positive June CPI print, improving US-China relations, and the future of AI are all positive momentum drivers supporting market sentiment. However, these factors could change very quickly. As early retirees with most of our wealth in the stock market, my wife and I need to be cautious about how we manage our investments. In this blog post, we share our opinions on how we are approaching our equities portfolio through 2024. Disclaimer: Please note that the content below are our opinion ..read more

Most parents agree that their child’s education is critical to their success in the future.  However, in certain parts of the country, parents have been dissatisfied with our public school system and turning towards private school. Parents have complained that the quality of the curriculum is either no longer sufficient or schools are inappropriately shaping their child’s societal values (e.g., banning books, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, gender identity).  Additionally, parents now question whether board members have too much influence on determining the curriculum and certain topics should ..read more

Investing in physical real estate provides many benefits which include passive income / cash flow, appreciation, tax advantages, control and the opportunity to leverage your equity. However, there are many types of investment properties (e.g., high-end and affordable) to consider. In this blog post, we will discuss the upfront planning considerations as well as the pros and cons for high-end vs. affordable properties. Disclaimer: Please note that there is no right or wrong approach as each investor’s objectives and preferences will vary. In fact, the decision may greatly be influenced by the ..read more

Are you currently considering adding private equity to your investment portfolio?  Private equity has recently become the most popular alternative asset class for wealthy investors given its ability to provide higher returns, lower volatility, and diversification away from public markets.  Bain recently reported that retail investors represent ~50% of global assets under management, but only ~16% of alternative investments. This disparity in opportunity has led brokerage firms to develop private equity offerings targeting retail investors. In this blog post, we discuss private equit ..read more

Beyond housing and food, healthcare costs typically represent the third largest expense.  According to a recent RAND study, we pay 16% to 34% of our total household income for health care premiums, deductibles and out of pocket expenses!  Unfortunately, the economic and administrative burden falls on us to ensure we receive affordable and quality-based care. In this post, we outline 10 practical tips to lower your medical and pharmacy costs by making better choices. Before we dive into money saving strategies, healthcare spending tends to increase with age. According to the latest ..read more