EP 22: Your Questions Answered: Volume 4

This week we are returning to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!

In this Q&A episode, we take the plunge on inflation fears, cryptocurrency, real estate investing, the debate between loans and all-cash offers, mid-week climbing partners, the Roth 401(k), autoimmune conditions, and some more intimate details about where and how we hold our money in various accounts. Finally, I reveal some notable changes to Mrs. CC’s schedule, among a variety of other topics.

This episode was fueled by Tentacle Coffee.

Previous Q&A Posts

Your Questions Answered: Volume One

Your Questions Answered: Volume Two

Your Questions Answered: Volume Three (podcast)

2022 Ordinary and Long-term Capital Gains Tax Rates
Tax brackets, updated for 2022

Q1: What would you have done differently 10 years ago? (5:02)

Seven Lessons From Two Years of Financial Freedom

Q2: Thoughts on Inflation (9:35)

Your questions on inflation
The United States inflation rate. (Source: tradingeconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Consumer Price Index, 1945-2022
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average (Source: FRED)

NY Times, The Daily: Did Democrats Make Inflation Worse?

NPR, Planet Money: Night of the Living Inflation

Q3: Thoughts on sharing financial details (14:34)

Seven Lessons From Two Years of Financial Freedom

The Frugal Professor

Keeping the “Safe” in Safe Withdrawal Rate

The Long Approach to Being Scared of Investing

Minimum savings needed to support yearly spending, early retirement, financial independence
Safe withdrawal rates and yearly spending. The math works at any spending profile. We recommend withdrawing less than 4% of a retirement portfolio per year as a hedge against bear markets. Originally posted here: You Know a Recession is Coming, Right?

Q4: How do you find climbing partners during the work week? (18:25)

Q5: What do you think about cryptocurrency? (21:42)

Bitcoin and Other Things You Shouldn’t Own

The GameStop Saga: Hedge Funds, Reddit Investors, and Why They’re All Wrong

Q6: Why don’t you spend much time talking about real estate investing as a viable path to financial independence? (25:39)

Should I Buy a Home? Part 1

Should I Buy a Home? Part 2: Opportunity Cost

Relocation: A Guide to Moving and Housing Affordability

This Just In: The Real Cost of Home Ownership

And We’re Back to Home Ownership! But Why Now?

Housing Affordability: This Isn’t Normal

Q7: Tell me more about funding an HSA, especially without earned income. (27:00)

Kiplinger: You Don’t Need Earnings to Contribute to a Health Savings Account

Q8: Where can I get a decent interest rate for cash savings? (30:32)

Your Questions Answered: Volume Two

Q9: Should I max out a Roth IRA? (33:16)

IRS: Changes to Retirement Plans for 2022 (Roth IRA contribution and income limits)

The CC Family Investing Strategy, Part 1: Philosophy and Asset Allocation

The CC Family Investing Strategy, Part 2: Where Exactly Is Our Money?

Your 2021 Guide to Actually Saving Real Money

Q10: Can I use whole life insurance as an investing vehicle? (34:38)

Q11: I need a new car. Should I take out a loan or pay in cash? (35:58)

How to Get a Fantastic Deal on a New Car

Van Life: The Economics and Trade-Offs

Q12: My new job offers a Roth 401(k) option. Should I use it? (39:35)

Nerd Wallet: Roth 401(k) versus Traditional 401(k)

The Bold and Beautiful Roth Conversion Ladder

Q13: What is a mega backdoor Roth?? (45:33)

Forbes: Is the Mega Backdoor Roth Too Good to be True?

Q14: Can you tell me more about your autoimmune condition? (46:31)

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Seven Lessons From Two Years of Financial Freedom

Q15: Can you provide more details on the percentage of funds in various investing accounts? (51:39)

The CC Family Investing Strategy, Part 1: Philosophy and Asset Allocation

The CC Family Investing Strategy, Part 2: Where Exactly Is Our Money?

Relocation: A Guide to Moving and Housing Affordability

CC Family Asset Allocation, December 2021
CC Family Net Worth Distribution, Dec 2022 (W/O Home Equity)
CC Family Net Worth Distribution, Dec 2022 (With Home Equity)

Question 16: How exactly do we fund our living expenses? (1:00:42)

Expense Ratio & Fees: They’ll Hose You Big Time

Early Retirement Now: The Safe Withdrawal Rate Series

Some Fantastic News on Healthcare Costs (More on how we balance income, spending, Roth conversions, and healthcare cost consideration)

How to Have Negative Health Insurance Costs

Finally: Mrs. CC’s Big News (1:07:42)


Remember, the best laid plans mean nothing if you can’t take action today. Have questions? Need some feedback? Hit us up on the contact page.

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Thanks guys, see you next week.

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