We’re back to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!
For this week:
- Thoughts on the bear market
- Getting invested with a Health Savings Account
- Paying for education with retirement accounts
- My philosophy on rest from climbing
- How to develop financial mentorship in the climbing community
- Travel and rescue insurance ideas
- Determining a cost-effective approach to climbing destinations
- Should I open an IRA if my employer doesn’t offer a 401(k) match?
- How to not get wrecked moving from sport climbing or bouldering to trad climbing
- The risks of owning property in an area that could be running out of water
- Getting a home loan with inconsistent income history
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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)
Your Questions Answered: Volume 6 (Podcast)
QA7: Financial Freedom Fast-Tracks and Climbing Plateau Busters (Podcast)
Q1: Thoughts on the ongoing bear market. (00:03:00)
Shocking Headlines of the 2008 Financial Crisis (And Why They Are So Important Now) (Clipping Chains)
The Long Approach to Being Scared of Investing (Clipping Chains)
Who’s Afraid of a Bear Market? (Early Retirement Now)
The Bear Market is Here. What Now? (Early Retirement Now)
Q2: How do I set up an investment account within my Health Savings Account? (00:13:52)
Our HSA: Lively (no affiliation)
Investing with Lively (we opened an individual account with TD Ameritrade through this link)
Q3: Should I use my IRA funds to pay for grad school or get a loan? (00:17:06)
EP 28: Compound Growth: Can I Catch Up Later?
EP 29: Back in the Weeds with the Frugal Professor
EP 26: How to Spend Retirement Money Early (all about Roth Conversions)
IRS: Using IRA funds to educational expenses
Investopedia: Can My IRA Be Used for College Tuition?
Q4: Do you ever take a break from climbing? Why, and for how long? (00:26:39)
Rest: We Need It and We Don’t Get Enough
Q5: How can we develop financial mentorship in the climbing community? (00:30:56)
Q6: What kind of global travel/accident/rescue plans are available and what do they look like? (00:32:44)
American Alpine Club Rescue Benefits
Medical Care in Europe (Rick Steves)
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (no personal endorsement)
Q7: How could we determine a cost-effective approach to climbing destinations? (00:36:27)
Our recommended travel rewards credit cards
Mallorca: January Adventures and the Cost to Do It
Sicily, Part 3: Two People, Two Weeks, $1,300
Q8: If my employer offers a 401(k), but with no matching, what would the pros/cons be to opening an IRA on my own instead? (00:39:56)
Q9: What takeaways do you have from your experience getting back into trad climbing? I want to get more familiar and comfortable climbing on gear this season. (00:43:13)
Back (Pain) in the Saddle Again
Q10: Can you elaborate on the analysis you and Mrs. CC did when deciding whether or not to buy a house in a place that’s running out of water? (00:47:22)
Q11: How do I convince a bank to give me a home loan with inconsistent income history? (00:53:19)
How buyers with uneven income can qualify for a home mortgage (Washington Post)
Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Mortgage with Irregular Income (Quontic)
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