Your Questions Answered: Volume 6

Hello! We’re back in the digital mailbag to answer your questions.

In this Q&A episode we take a hard look at inflation, the reality of a bear market, tactics for balancing a career and climbing, saving for a home down payment, my dream interviews, the pros and cons of maxing out retirement plans, cryptocurrency, financial advisors, and traveling the world for cheap. And of course, so much more.

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Previous Q&A Posts

Your Questions Answered: Volume One

Your Questions Answered: Volume Two

Your Questions Answered: Volume 3 (Podcast)

Your Questions Answered: Volume 4 (Podcast)

Your Questions Answered: Volume 5 (Podcast)

Q1: What’s the latest on inflation? (00:02:23)

Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private (Source: FRED)
Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private (gray areas are recessions). Wages are up 5.24% year-over-year, but wage growth is falling behind inflation (8.6%). (Source: FRED)

Q2: Should I be worried about the stock market decline and a bear market? (00:06:58)

New York Times, The Daily: The Claws of a Bear Market

Early Retirement Now: The Safe Withdrawal Rate Series

Q3: How did you personally balance your climbing and work? What did you feel like you prioritized more and why? Did it change over the years or seasons due to certain circumstances? (00:18:09)

The Fallacy of Happiness and Meaningful Work

Maximize Adventure or Career?

Chasing Your Dreams is Probably a Bad Idea

Job Security: Our Catalyst to Financial Independence

EP 10: Mark Anderson: The Seasons of Life

Q4: Should I invest to save for a home down payment? What are other methods to save for a home? (00:35:57)

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness (Morgan Housel)

I Bonds: A Novel Way to Save Cash

Should I Buy a Home? Part 2: Opportunity Cost

Q5: What’s your dream interview? (00:40:41)

Dave MacLeod: Life Outside the Box, Part 1

Dave MacLeod: Life Outside the Box, Part 2

Steve Bechtel: The Importance of Time

EP 20: Steve Bechtel: The Glass is Already Broken

Mark Anderson: Fully Optimized

EP 10: Mark Anderson: The Seasons of Life

Jon Krakauer books

Cal Newport books

Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (Robert Putnam)

Q6: Should I contribute to my 401k beyond the employer match? (00:47:53)

Automation: The Dirty Little Secret to Spending Less

EP 5: Diana Crabtree Green: Pay Yourself First

Q7: What the F is bitcoin and what do you think about it? Do you invest in bitcoin? (00:53:01)

Bitcoin and Other Things You Shouldn’t Own

Financial Advisor: Who Needs One?

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

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

Q8: Do you offer consultations or investing services for other people? (00:57:24)

Unfortunately, I do not.

Q9: What are travel rewards and how can I dramatically reduce my travel spending? (01:00:07)

How to Fly to Europe for Free

Traveling Abroad: You’re Paying Too Much

Mallorca: January Adventures and the Cost to Do It

Sicily, Part 3: Two People, Two Weeks, $1,300

CC Recommends: Our preferred cards for getting started with travel rewards.


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