Funding the Adventurous Life
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”
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”
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?””
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”
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?
Continue reading “EP 24: Bitches Get Riches: What Do We Really Value?”
Today on episode 23 I’m happy to welcome climber, dentist, and real estate investor, Erik Jenson. In addition to paying down hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, Erik is now living rent- and mortgage-free through the process of house hacking. This form of real estate investing involves renting out rooms in the home where he lives, allowing him to build equity and repeat the process with additional properties. Referring to this process as “real estate investing with training wheels,” Erik is generating an outsized return compared to the single-family home so many of us consider “investments.”
Continue reading “EP 23: Erik Jenson: Real Estate Investing with Training Wheels”
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.
Continue reading “EP 22: Your Questions Answered: Volume 4”
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.
Continue reading “Seven Lessons From Two Years of Financial Freedom”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!
Continue reading “EP 19: (Part 2) The Boring Guide to Successful Investing”
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.
Continue reading “EP 18: Kenzie King: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail”