We often use spending in an attempt to gain admiration and respect from our peers. Here’s why it doesn’t work and what we can do instead.
Continue reading “A Quick Note for Those Struggling with Spending”Is the Real Estate Investment Boom Killing US Housing Affordability?
Find me a person who can talk and you’ll find someone with an opinion on the housing market or real estate investment. And most of those opinions—even from happily settled homeowners—bear the tones of suspicion at best and downright defeat at worst.
Housing prices have skyrocketed a staggering 34% nationwide over the past two years. This rate is essentially an order of magnitude higher than historical home price appreciation. Certain markets are arguably out of hand (to use a technical term). Take Boise, Idaho, where prices are considered 73% overvalued.
Is the booming real estate investment trend at least partially to blame?
Continue reading “Is the Real Estate Investment Boom Killing US Housing Affordability?”This is the Wild Ride We Signed Up For
To date, 2022 has been a bad year for the stock market. As long-term investors, this is the wild ride we signed up for.
Continue reading “This is the Wild Ride We Signed Up For”EP 30: Charitable Giving and Macroeconomics with Brice Karickhoff
Brice Karickhoff is a climber and development economist with a passion for charitable giving. In this episode we discuss the importance of balanced saving and giving, the utility of the donor-advised fund, and broader macroeconomic trends that affect us all.
Continue reading “EP 30: Charitable Giving and Macroeconomics with Brice Karickhoff”I Bonds: A Novel Way to Save Cash
Few investments provide a guaranteed rate of return over 7%. U.S. Treasury Series I Bonds are currently paying out at 7.12%, with that trend expected to continue.
Today’s post is short and sweet, and perhaps worthy of your time.
Continue reading “I Bonds: A Novel Way to Save Cash”EP 29: Back in the Weeds with the Frugal Professor
Today on episode 29 I want to welcome back to Clipping Chains writer, climber, father of five, and fellow personal finance geek, The Frugal Professor.
We cover it all on this one, from how the Frugal Professor was able to save nearly $2 million dollars with a family of seven, to how my wife and I are continuing to navigate a post-Financial Independence life.
Continue reading “EP 29: Back in the Weeds with the Frugal Professor”EP 27: Homes and Vans with Tien and Brandon Rooney
Today on episode 27 we are taking a deeper dive on real estate investing with climbers Tien and Brandon Rooney of Five Twelve Real Estate. This couple shares a very intriguing history, spanning from college athletics to corporate world wake-up calls, the latter of which inspired them to uproot their lives and teach and travel throughout Asia.
Eventually, looking to rekindle the youthful days of travel and freedom, Tien and Brandon turned to real estate investment as a way to fast-track their path to financial independence. They even moved into a van full-time to further optimize their financial journey.
We carefully examine the many methods of real estate investment, including some key tips for first-time home buyers. Find out if this path is for you!
Continue reading “EP 27: Homes and Vans with Tien and Brandon Rooney”EP 26: How to Spend Retirement Money Early
This week on episode 26, we revisit the Roth conversion ladder, a method used to spend retirement money early without penalty and with little to no tax burden.
Continue reading “EP 26: How to Spend Retirement Money Early”EP 25: Erich Purpur: What is the “Good Life?”
Today on episode 25 let’s give a hot stew welcome to climber and all-around curious guy, Erich Purpur. Erich works in the university system in Virginia, finding time in the margins to climb up to V10 and 5.13c. Recently, Erich is beginning to envision a potential life of financial independence.
But achieving financial independence may only be the beginning of the next journey.
Continue reading “EP 25: Erich Purpur: What is the “Good Life?””War and Financial Markets: What You Need to Know
I couldn’t go on with another week with talk of climbing or investing without acknowledging the massive elephant in the room: the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threat of evolving war.
Financial markets are not high on my mind. Without a doubt, I sit on a throne of privilege to be able to even consider this article. But all that being said, I have been asked my thoughts on this matter, so here we go.
Today we take a historical look at past market environments during times of war. Importantly, we have to examine if this time could be different.
Continue reading “War and Financial Markets: What You Need to Know”