We’re back to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!
For this week:
- Does the 401(k) max include employer contributions?
- Should I invest in my 401(k) or pay down my mortgage early?
- What about Fidelity’s zero expense ratio fund, VZROX?
- Investing tips for a Health Savings Account
- Do you write off business expenses for Clipping Chains?
- How and when do you pay yourself from investments?
- Winter climbing in St. George, Utah
- Big life expenses and expectations when pursuing financial independence: children, weddings, etc.
- Mandatory pension contributions vs DIY investing
- Front-loading savings without going for full financial independence (Coast FI)
- Climbing plateau busters
Submit Your Questions!
I solicit questions from email subscribers of this website. First, become an email subscriber here, which also includes a FREE spending and net worth tracking spreadsheet:
Once subscribed, either reply to any email or submit via the Contact Page.
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)
Your Questions Answered: Volume 6 (Podcast)
Q1: Does a 401(k) max contribution include employer contributions? (00:05:09)
Q2: Should I shift additional 401(k) contributions toward paying down my mortgage early? (00:05:46)
The CC Family Investing Strategy, Part 1: Philosophy and Asset Allocation
The CC Family Investing Strategy, Part 2: Where Exactly Is Our Money?
Q3: What are your thoughts on other index funds that mimic Vanguard’s Total Stock Market Index Fund, such as Fidelity’s VZROX? (00:09:34)
Expense Ratio & Fees: They’ll Hose You Big Time
The Motley Fool: Read This Before Buying Fidelity’s Zero-Fee Funds
Q4: Investing tips for a Health Savings Account (HSA). (00:15:22)
Lively HSA (no affiliation)
Q5: Do you write off Clipping Chains business expenses for taxes? Starting a passion project seems intimidating because of up-front and out-of-pocket costs. (00:19:17)
Q6: How and when do you pay yourselves from investments? (00:24:21)
Q7: How is the winter climbing in St. George, Utah? (00:30:07)
Q8: What are your thoughts on big expenses like children and weddings as it relates to the pursuit of financial independence? (00:32:29)
Q9: I have a mandatory pension contribution requirement but I want to invest on my own. What should I do? (00:41:50)
The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life (JL Collins)
Q10: How can someone front-load their savings to allow for enjoyable (but low-pay) work that still provides for retirement income? (00:46:47)
Wallet Burst: Coast FIRE Calculator
Fioneers: Your Ultimate Guide to Coast FI
Q11: Can you talk about significant plateaus or breakthroughs in your climbing? (00:52:21)
Power Company Climbing: Training Plan Review
Ego and Mastery: Looking Good vs Being Good
Obsession and Performance Don’t Always Mix
Affiliate links are used on this page. If you choose to purchase a linked product, you will incur no extra charges, but we will receive a tiny-baby portion of the sale. Those very small proceeds help us keep the digital lights on around here. We wouldn’t link to a product we wouldn’t buy ourselves. Tis all!