Financial Independence Archives - Page 6 of 18

March 7, 2022March 7, 2022

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.

February 28, 2022March 13, 2022

EP 24: Bitches Get Riches: What Do We Really Value?

Today on episode 24 I’m thrilled to host Piggy and Kitty of Bitches Get Riches. Yes, you heard that right. These ladies have generously self-applied the “B” word, offering me cover from the internet masses for using it in this case. You’ll hear it soon: I’m cancel-proof on this one. Piggy and Kitty write and host their own podcast dedicated to imparting “funny lessons about the adulting skills we were never taught, yet mysteriously expected to know.” Sound familiar?

February 7, 2022February 6, 2022

EP 22: Your Questions Answered: Volume 4

This week we are returning to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!

In this Q&A episode, we take the plunge on inflation fears, cryptocurrency, real estate investing, the debate between loans and all-cash offers, mid-week climbing partners, the Roth 401(k), autoimmune conditions, and some more intimate details about where and how we hold our money in various accounts. Finally, I reveal some notable changes to Mrs. CC’s schedule, among a variety of other topics.

January 24, 2022January 24, 2022

Seven Lessons From Two Years of Financial Freedom

It’s been almost exactly two years since I last worked for anyone else. Two years since I made a paycheck. Two years since I commuted. Two years since I waited too long, ran like a fool with a backpack smacking me in the ass, missing my bus home anyway. Two years since I rushed to the gym, exhausted after a full day of work, and grinded out a training session anyway. It’s been two years since I hurriedly traded slacks and dress shoes for chalk-covered pants and approach shoes in a cold parking garage. Two years since I told any inappropriate jokes to coworkers before a meeting began. Two years since I lived in an old house in Denver with “character” and loud, hateful neighbors. Two years since we bought a tiny A-frame camper, eventually living on the road. It’s been two years since so much changed, and today I’m here to tell you about what this sense of freedom is really all about.

January 10, 2022January 8, 2022

EP 19: (Part 2) The Boring Guide to Successful Investing

Today in episode 19 we return for more details on our boring guide to successful investing. Now that we have an idea on types of funds and asset allocation from part 1, we can take a detailed dive on each investing account and how to simply save more and minimize taxes. Oh boy!

December 20, 2021December 19, 2021

EP 18: Kenzie King: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Today on episode 18 I want to welcome Kenzie King. If you listened to last week’s interview with Michael Langer you will recognize Kenzie as Michael’s girlfriend. Kenzie and Michael walked away from lucrative engineering careers in Houston, Texas and moved into a van. Only months later, seemingly on a whim, they smashed the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking over 2,600 miles across California, Oregon, and Washington.

I promise that this is not a retelling of last week’s story. Kenzie has a very unique perspective on their journey. And regardless of your thoughts on the backpacking or thru-hiking, Kenzie shares a number of insightful opinions on the evolving dynamics of workplace culture, relationships in trying environments, and levels of financial or emotional security necessary to make bold and truly lasting changes in our lives. Hang on all the way to the end for some of the best moments of this conversation.

November 29, 2021November 28, 2021

EP 15: Craig Faulhaber: Near-Death Experiences and Early Retirement

My guest this week is climber, math professor, and real-deal van lifer, Craig Faulhaber. On September 19, 2021 Craig was involved in a very serious climbing accident. This is the sort of accident that can end a life at worst, and dramatically alter its course at best. But, as you will hear in this conversation, Craig has an amazing sense of optimism in the face of very difficult life events.

To add to my shock at his accident, I was surprised to learn that Craig was on the cusp of retiring early just before his accident. Please enjoy this special conversation where we discuss the delicate nature of life, unconventional living, home ownership, relationships and marriage, and even the ethics of investing. Plus so much more!

November 22, 2021November 28, 2021

2021 Exciting Year-End Financial and Tax Checklist

2021 Year-End Financial and Tax Checklist

Wow, another year almost in the books! As we wind down 2021, now is the time to make sure we are on track with our financial goals. Remember how we started with Your 2021 Guide to Actually Saving Real Money? Let’s examine a few crucial steps with this year-end financial and tax checklist.

November 8, 2021November 9, 2021

Wealth Inequality: Can We Solve This?

Believe it or not, most Americans are in better financial shape as a result of the pandemic. America has a cash glut. Is this the moment to shift the tides of wealth inequality?

Both the Trump and Biden administrations have pumped trillions of dollars into the economy via stimulus packages. Home values are exploding, a windfall for existing homeowners. The stock market has been absolutely crushing it, inflating the net worth of investors and widening the wealth inequality gap between investors and non-investors. Plus, with pandemic restrictions, we’ve simply been spending less.

Those that are home owners, stock market investors, and beneficiaries of the 2020 and 2021 stimulus checks have seen their income and net worth rise dramatically since 2019.

Who’da thunk it? And where do we go from here?

October 25, 2021October 25, 2021

Shades of Grey: How to Enjoy Life and Have Money

So many of us in the outdoor world choose a life and career path guided by a seemingly unavoidable fork in the road. Do we choose a safe path, paved with a steady paycheck and a retirement plan? Or do we cobble together whatever it takes to make it work, focusing on experience and patching the inevitable cracks as we go? Today we examine the completely accessible and exciting grey area between these two black and white choices. We can have money and still enjoy life.