It's fascinating how two people can interpret a single image so differently. The same holds true for how homeowners and renters perceive the current economy. According to all the data, it's clear that the economy is robust. However, the degree of its strength depends on whom you ask. The rent versus buy debate has raged […] The post How Homeowners And Renters See The Economy Differently appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

I've now paid cash for a home twice: once for a fixer in 2019 and again for a fully remodeled home in 2023. In this post, I'd like to share some of the psychology of paying cash for a home. I know some of you think paying cash for a home is a poor financial […] The post The Intricate Psychology Of Paying All Cash For A Home appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Money is great, but it can also create awkwardness among friends, colleagues, or even strangers. In this post, I want to share an awkward money situation that dragged on for months. In the end, the money situation was resolved. However, it made me realize that we personal finance enthusiasts are an unusual bunch. It also […] The post An Awkward Money Situation Reveals An Uncomfortable Truth appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

If you want to invest in venture capital, I believe it's more beneficial to invest in a venture capital fund than in individual private companies. By investing in a venture capital fund, you will not only decrease your chances of losing money but also increase your chances of earning a positive return. I've been a […] The post Why Venture Capital Funds Beats Investing In Individual Companies appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

With the New York Times article on Fat FIRE, I've been thinking a lot more about the repercussions of achieving financial independence and retiring early. One of those repercussions is that financial independence can turn you into stingy person who is unwilling to give! Every year, my kids' Mandarin immersion independent school hosts a fundraiser […] The post The Stinginess of Financial Independence: Careful Being Too Cheap appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Originally, I planned to title this post, “Getting Rich by Getting Lucky Doesn't Feel So Good.” However, after some time, I realized that getting lucky actually feels better over time! This change in sentiment has profound socioeconomic implications, as it may lead us to hoard our wealth and create more inequality. Luck may also lead […] The post Getting Rich By Getting Lucky Actually Feels Better Over Time appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Income taxes can hinder wealth creation. Fortunately, for Americans seeking to save on taxes, there are nine states without income tax where we can choose to reside. These states are listed below in alphabetical order: Ideally, you'll secure a fantastic job and find your soulmate in one of these nine income tax-free states. As your […] The post The Best No Income Tax States To Work And Get Rich appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Understanding the fundamentals of personal finance is pivotal for kids to successfully launch into the world of adulting. Money skills are necessary to navigate effectively through everything from life's humdrum day-to-day tasks to its elaborate complexities. Yet what surprises me is that most schools are still not required to teach financial literacy to students. Due […] The post Raising Money-Smart Kids: A Guide To Teaching Personal Finance appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

On August 7, 2023, I received an email from Amy X. Wang, the assistant editor at the New York Times Magazine, inquiring about the modern-day FIRE movement and its Fat FIRE offshoot. Amy is a self-proclaimed FIRE enthusiast who has worked side hustles to earn extra money and utilized rewards points to save. As one […] The post Behind The Headlines: My Experience Working With The New York Times appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

One of my ongoing challenges as a writer is explaining financial concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. With a background in business school and 13 years in banking, financial concepts come naturally to me. Despite writing over 2,500 personal finance articles since 2009 on Financial Samurai, however, some concepts still get misunderstood or provoke readers into […] The post Navigating Retirement: Dynamic Safe Withdrawal Rates In Action appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more