Mr. Clipping Chains, Author at CLIPPING CHAINS

March 15, 2021March 18, 2021

Some Fantastic News on Health Insurance Costs

Back in October, after the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I wondered if healthcare was about to get a lot more expensive. Now, health insurance is about to be far more affordable for those of us at lower income levels.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, signed into law on March 11, 2021. And this thing is massive! Tell them Large Marge sent ya! Mainstream media has expectedly latched on to the $1,400 stimulus checks and the very generous extended child tax credit. However, the news bulging my eyeballs is the boost coming to the Affordable Care Act (also lovingly known as Obamacare).

March 8, 2021March 8, 2021

Eliza Marsh: We Can Make This Happen

Good morning. My ankle is doing much better. Sorry to alarm some of you with last week’s post. The photo was bad, but I’m fairly certain it’s only a sprain. Much more importantly, this week I want to welcome Eliza Marsh.

In this week’s interview, we discuss how Eliza has balanced a career with extended travel, and some of her unexpected surprises of life on the road. We examine how she manages full-time remote work, and how she recently stumbled on a new and exciting path towards saving for financial independence, which she rightfully recognizes as a great privilege. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll see how Eliza has completely reframed her mindset around money, her future, and how she plans to use this great gift of financial freedom.

March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

Fear and Limping (Alone) in Las Vegas

This week’s post is not about ways to save money or plan for a retirement. There’s not even much here about climbing. I spent some time alone this week, and as such, fell (pun intended) into a bit more of a contemplative mood. This is an essay on wild places, loneliness, and the compounding emotional effects of night. Finally, and perhaps unexpectedly, we examine the continued relevance of the death of Chris McCandless in the Alaskan wilderness.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

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

Expense Ratio and Fees: They'll Hose You Big Time

Fees and expense ratios are some of the most poorly understood and (unfortunately) most impactful elements to long-term investing success. While someone investing at all is ahead of the curve, we must be fully aware of the corrosive impacts of the expense ratio and other fees.

This week we explain common sources of fees and analyze just how much they are costing us. Are you paying a financial advisor? We’ve got you on this one!

Let’s go!

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021

Interview with Mr. Clipping Chains at the Frugal Professor

Howdy folks, after last week’s interview with the Frugal Professor, we decided to exchange stories. He sent me some great questions, and I wrote a whole bunch of words in return.

February 15, 2021February 15, 2021

The Frugal Professor: Let’s Get Deep in the Weeds

Alrighty, folks. This week I’m pleased to bring you a low-down-and-dirty financial deep dive with climber, writer, father of five, and lover of personal finance: The Frugal Professor. In this interview, we hold our breath and plunge into complex issues surrounding actually spending all this money we save for periods of no traditional income, meanwhile navigating the treacherous, shark-infested waters of the US healthcare system.

I’ve always said that saving and generating wealth is shockingly simple once some key concepts are understood, implemented, and doggedly followed, through thick and thin. And I’m sticking to my story.

What is not so straight-forward, however, is threading a very fine needle on living off the money we’ve saved. In a period of no traditional income⏤call it “retirement” if you want⏤we shouldn’t be just selling shares and calling it a day. We have to optimize healthcare spending, minimize taxes, and avoid early withdrawal fees and penalties meant for a much more traditional retirement.

But with a little planning, it ain’t no thang.

Let’s roll up our sleeves with the Frugal Professor and get a little dirty, shall we?

February 8, 2021August 9, 2021

Your Questions Answered: Volume One

This week I decided to dig through my emails and finish answering some questions.

In this post we take another look at investing now vs later, the dynamics of financial independence without retiring early, housing and home ownership, more on day trading and investing apps, what the hell I do with my time, and much more.

Here is what is keeping you guys up at night, or at least spurring mild curiosity.

February 2, 2021May 1, 2021

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

Well, I wouldn’t normally post two posts in a week, much less two in two days! But by popular demand, I have a few words on this GameStop fiasco. What do you guys think I am, some kind of journalist?!

I hate when news stories like this come out. These sorts of headlines give rise to the kind of stock market talk that promotes the age-old myth: the entire system is run by wealthy Wall Street Fat Cats, the small people can’t get a piece of the pie (or only lose money), and boy wouldn’t it be great if we could tear it all down!

This is flawed thinking. Here’s why:

February 1, 2021February 10, 2021

The Wondrous And Fantastic Power Of Compound Growth

(And Why It Doesn’t Pay to Wait)

It’s so easy to assume that saving, investing, and even considering a retirement is something to do later. Unfortunately, well…no. We don’t need board room salaries or country club memberships to consider a retirement. But we do need an ally. And who can we put on our side of the ring? Compound growth.

Today we delve into the concerning data behind millennial retirement planning, some misconceptions on what retirement should be, and the shocking power of compound growth and how it can, quite possibly, save us from ourselves.

January 25, 2021February 14, 2021

The Simple and Complicated Life on the Road

We’ve been back in a house for just over a month, which feels like a good time to reflect on our five-month 2020 life on the road.

We’ve all heard the myriad benefits of a life of full-time travel: a new and ever-changing environment, chasing good weather, meeting new people, and abundant nature. And certainly, we’ve seen all the photos. But with this sense of freedom comes some significant trade-offs in comfort, ease of living, work productivity, and sometimes even freedom itself.

Does life on the road live up to all the social media hype? How about the costs? What type of vehicles, vans, or RVs are even affordable?

Here’s what to expect: