Today on episode 53 I’m pleased to welcome back Lee Cujes, this time as a podcast guest. Some of you may recall the written interview with Lee back in late 2020. Lee is an elite Australian climber and route developer, with multiple 5.13+ and 5.14 first ascents to his name. But most importantly as it relates to this platform, Lee has managed to climb and develop routes continuously while carving a unique career niche and embracing a long-term investing strategy, an approach that provides the ultimate work and life balance.
Continue reading “Lee Cujes: No Free Lunch on the Life We Really Want”The Great Transition of the US Housing Market
Since the pandemic began in the spring of 2020, we’ve witnessed an unparalleled explosion of price growth in all forms of housing. Until the peak in June 2022, single family home prices rose 45%. But prospective home owners weren’t the only ones biting their nails. Rents also rose over 15%, peaking in late 2022.
The culprit behind this price shock is fundamental: low supply and high demand. Today we examine the origins of these conditions and whether or not it’s a good time to buy.
Continue reading “The Great Transition of the US Housing Market”Joy and Tyler Black on Career, Money Mindsets, and Parenting
Today’s guests on episode 51 are Joy and Tyler Black. Many of you may be familiar with Joy, who has rapidly built a successful online business as a coach for pregnant and postpartum rock climbers. If you follow Joy on Instagram, you know her as a fun-loving and engaging mother of three, with a reputation for solid technical and personal coaching. Tyler on the other hand, is not a climber at all. He’s a biologist with a contrasting, yet highly complementary personality. In that way, they make for fantastic interview subjects on the discussion of relationships, money, career, and parenting.
Continue reading “Joy and Tyler Black on Career, Money Mindsets, and Parenting”QA9: What Is the Point of Financial Optimization?
We’re back to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!
For this week:
- Hot Seat Questions: My favorite blogs, podcasts, articles, and books. Musings on my biggest financial mistakes and the advice I’d give my younger self.
- How do my wife and I keep meaning and purpose in our lives without traditional careers?
- To sell or not to sell a home that was purchased in 2021
- How to sell investments and minimize taxes
- The proper hierarchy of investment accounts
- Roth vs Traditional 401(k): Which is better?
- I-Bonds: Should we be buying more?
- Saving strategies for a home down payment
- Receiving inheritance in a foreign currency
- Critical nuance on withdrawal strategies in a high inflation/poor market return environment
- So much more!
Eudaimonia: Key Pillars of the Meaningful Life
Thinkers and philosophers of ancient times sorted out much in the way of living a meaningful and purposeful life. But after thousands of years of progress, material growth, and convenience, we largely fail to find meaning in our modern lives. Today we examine the philosophy of eudaimonia and how we can truly develop our sense of meaning and purpose (for free).
Continue reading “Eudaimonia: Key Pillars of the Meaningful Life”Three Important Myths on Delaying a Career
A combination of economic and cultural influences are propelling the trend of delayed adulthood. Through low-commitment job grazing, one can pursue recreational pursuits into the years previously occupied by traditional adult responsibilities: marriage, careers, parenting, and even home ownership.
Some might say YOLO. Life isn’t as short as we think, but our ability to get ahead might be.
Continue reading “Three Important Myths on Delaying a Career”The Anticipation Of The Thing Is Greater Than The Thing
We are prone to believing that outcomes will have stronger emotional impacts on us than they often do. This state of expectation, or impact bias, highlights why anticipation of an event is a much more palpable emotion than the event itself. The impact bias can lead to behaviors that make us less content despite our best efforts for happiness.
Let’s learn more about how to recognize this bias and make better decisions for our future.
Continue reading “The Anticipation Of The Thing Is Greater Than The Thing”It’s Not All Hard Luck with Shay Skinner
In her late teens and early twenties, Shay Skinner was disowned from her family. She struggled with crushing mental illness, which ultimately culminated in a suicide attempt that left her in financial ruin. From this dismal situation, Shay filed for bankruptcy and began a long and fruitful climb toward being whole again. How can we summon the courage to take such measures of personal accountability?
Continue reading “It’s Not All Hard Luck with Shay Skinner”QA8: What If We Run Out of Water?
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
From Squamish, With Love
This is the second part in a travel series about our seven-week trip to Squamish and back. To read part one, start here.
Continue reading “From Squamish, With Love”
