The FIRE and Bogleheads communities have a Selection Bias Issue. What’s selection bias? Selection bias is a systematic error occurring when data points are not randomly selected, making the sample unrepresentative of the target population. This creates distorted, unreliable conclusions because the analyzed group differs significantly from the population intended to be studied. “Unreliable conclusions because the analyzed group [FIRE, Bogleheads] differs significantly from the population [everyone else].” Why aren’t you green, too?! We are a group of people who have self-selected to be DIYers. We love getting in the weeds and getting our finances right, down to the little details. I came from your ranks. I read those books and blogs too. I listen to that podcast. My portfolio looks like yours. Naturally, we are going to be pro-DIY. We’d lean away from hiring a professional. That’s totally understandable. The more we interact with people like us, the more we convince ourselves that everyone is this way. It is the “online echo chamber” effect, driven by confirmation bias, the false consensus effect, and conformity. But we should be aware of Selection Bias (and the others I just mentioned) because it distorts our understanding of the world and, more importantly, how we communicate and help the rest of the population. Do Other People Need Help Too? I felt inspiration when I saw an online commentator say, “The entire financial advice industry is a scam. Bar none. Literally every advisor, coach, planner, etc. is a scam. Just buy index funds and wait. That’s the type of comment that comes from high confidence, low competence. We’ve all been there. I came here to help people make better financial decisions. I want to help fellow FIRE folks and Bogleheads. And I want to help other people too. What have I found interacting with hundreds of readers and listeners?  There’s a HUGE part of our population – our friends, family, colleagues, peers – who want nothing to do with FIRE, Bogleheading, DIYing, or any variation thereof.  They want best practices in their life and retirement, absolutely. But they do not want to navigate in the weeds like you and me. I think there are two ways to respond to these people: “You’re wrong. You say you don’t want to be a DIYer. But trust me. You do want it.” Or… “I get it. Some of us might enjoy DIYing our long-term finances, but that’s not for everybody.” If someone wanted to hire a health coach to help them get in shape, would you tell them, “No – just keep white knuckling it. That’s what I did.”  Such advice assumes our experience is the only path. It ignores how tough the process can be for someone else. It comes off as “I struggled, so you should too,” rather than offering help that could make things easier or safer.

In the comments on my last post, several readers asked thoughtful questions about family trusts, second marriages, and protecting assets in the event of cognitive decline. A few readers even asked if I would write a post specifically about trusts and estate planning. So here it is. Over the years, I’ve heard various comments and questions come up, such as: “Is a trust really necessary?” “I have a durable power of attorney; isn’t that good […]

I presented Tax Planning for the Five Phases of Retirement at the October 2025 Bogleheads Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Highlights of the presentation include, but are not limited to, the following: Tailored Taxable Roth Conversions (TTRCs) 7:48 The Hidden Roth IRA 13:20 Might Half Your Income Be Tax Free in Retirement? 19:43 7 Ways […]

Over the past 2 years, we’ve helped 100+ churches launch a successful financial class. Naturally, one of the questions I get most often is: “We’re looking at Financial Peace University and True Financial Freedom. What’s the difference? Which one should we use?” And every time someone asks, I give them a relatively similar answer. But […] The post Financial Peace University vs. True Financial Freedom: An Honest Comparison for Church Leaders appeared first on .

Hey everyone! Have you seen Alysa Liu’s Gold medal cinching performance at the Olympics? It was carefree, joyous, and inspirational. She glided over the ice and won the heart of everyone watching. Words can’t do it justice—go check it out if you haven’t seen her programs. I haven’t watched figure skating in years, but I tuned in at the right time this year. I’m a huge fan now. [embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=CVmCfiFjoVE&feature=oembed[/embed] The Burnout How is this related to FIRE? Well, she retired from figure skating four years ago, when she was only 16! At the time, she had already won two U.S. National Championships and numerous other prizes. But Alysa was burned out. She was discouraged by the total lack of autonomy. Coaches controlled every aspect of her life: what to eat, when to practice, and who to see. At 16, she didn’t yet know how to advocate for herself. She stopped enjoying the sport, and her performance declined. In 2022, she announced her retirement and went off to find herself. Finding Yourself After retiring from figure skating, she tried to be a regular teenager. She enrolled at UCLA to study psychology, trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, got her driver’s license, and hung out with friends. Okay, maybe that isn’t exactly “normal,” but good for her! In 2024, she went skiing at Lake Tahoe and rediscovered the “need for speed.” If you’ve ever gone skiing or snowboarding, you know how addictive speeding down the slope can be. It reminded Alysa of how skating used to feel, and she wanted more. She went to a rink, tried a double Axel, and realized she still got it. Alysa decided to try for a comeback, and this time she will control her destiny. She picked a coach who let her be herself, Phillip DiGuglielmo. She skated for her own joy, rather than for the prize, and the result was Olympic Gold. That’s what autonomy gives you (and a world-class talent.) The FIRE Lesson Regular folks like us don’t have Alysa’s talent, but that’s where FIRE comes in. Financial Independence can give us that same autonomy. Alysa was 16 when she hit her wall; I was 16 years into my engineering career when I hit mine. Burnout has no age limit. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a Senior Engineer, the symptoms are identical. You feel like you can’t continue, and you need to GTFO. Many people hold on and become miserable because they have no choice. However, FI gave me a chance to step away. I retired from engineering and became a blogger/SAHD. The last 14 years were awesome. However, life changes. My son is older now and doesn’t need me as much, and blogging is almost dead. But I’m fine with that because FI is still here for me. I’m looking forward to the next chapter. Even if you love your job today, I encourage you to prioritize financial independence. You never know when life—or your feelings about your career—will

Real wisdom is being able to follow your own advice. If that’s difficult for you, let us help you plan your retirement with this week’s terrific links. Should you set up a Trump Account for your grandchild? The College Financial Lady Five Things to consider before buying a second home. Investopedia Stop coddling your children. The Argument Money is a tool. Life is the point. MeaningfulMoney Being average can …The post Yesterday I Got So Old…..When Is My Retirement? appeared first on A Teachable Moment.

Veterinarians graduate with passion and purpose, often accompanied by student debt that can feel as stubborn as a Great Dane refusing a bath. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average veterinary school debt tops six figures, and many new professionals spend years just trying to break even. That financial reality can make dreams of independence feel distant. For many in the field, pursuing financial independence requires guidance tailored for the unique rhythms of […]