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Summer travel costs can rise fast once hotel rates, restaurant meals, gas, and attraction tickets start piling up. Many families want a break without coming home to a credit card bill that feels like a second vacation. The good news is that affordable summer travel still exists if you plan carefully and focus on simple … Read more
Summer travel has a way of exposing every bad clothing choice. Heat, long days, and limited suitcase space force you to be more selective. A minimalist approach works well because it cuts down on bulk and keeps your outfits consistent. The goal is not to impress anyone at the airport. It is to move easily, … Read more
Hey everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather. It’s been a while since I posted an update. To be completely honest, blogging became much more difficult once I stopped posting every single week. There are always so many things to do around the house, and writing is much harder when I don’t stick to a strict schedule. Anyway, I promised to update my withdrawal plan, so here it is. This plan isn’t set in stone. We’ll constantly modify it to minimize taxes and respond to unforeseen circumstances. We will likely withdraw more in some years to cover “lumpy” expenses, like buying a new car. Life is full of surprises, and we’ll have to adapt as needed. Our early retirement withdrawal plan is flexible. Right now, we have almost $1 million combined in our taxable brokerage account and Treasury bonds. However, we also have changing family circumstances to navigate. Our parents are getting older and need more assistance. Because of this, we plan to move to California to be closer to Mrs. RB40’s family when our son finishes high school in 2029. As you’ll see below, this move is a massive factor in our financial timeline. (For context, I am 52.5 years old right now.) The Timeline: 2026 to 2049+ 2026 to 2028: The Early Years & Simplifying Real Estate 2026 is our first year of full retirement. Our active income will be minimal—probably around $5,000 from blogging and minor side gigs. Fortunately, Mrs. RB40 has a small pension of about $10,000 annually. More importantly, her retirement plan includes group health insurance coverage. We pay the same premium amount as we did when she was working, and it’s deducted directly from her pension. This is huge. Not having to worry about the ACA marketplace or healthcare costs gives us a lot of breathing room. Estimated Annual Expenses: ~$75,000 Active Income + Pension: ~$15,000 Passive Income (Dividends/Interest): ~$20,000 The Gap: We need to cover a shortfall of about $40,000. The Solution: Since we are moving to California in a few years, I am winding down our Portland rental real estate. We recently put our rental condo on the market. Once sold, it should generate roughly $150,000 after fees and taxes. This cash pool, combined with our other income streams, will fund the next 2 to 3 years of living expenses. Our Housing Adjustments: Currently, we live in a duplex and rent out the upstairs unit. However, I’ve asked our tenant to move out in 2027. RB40Jr is a teenager now and needs more space. One bathroom doesn’t cut it anymore. Mrs. RB40 also wants more room since she is home full-time. We will use the next few years to live comfortably in the whole property while fixing it up to get it ready for sale. It’s a big win that we resisted upsizing for 15 years. Most families expand their housing when they have kids. Note on a lumpy expense: I may purchase a new car
Having lived in both Orlando, Florida, and Orange County, California, I’ve tested tons of Disney hacks that work for the theme parks at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. And as someone who hates overpaying for anything, believe me when I tell you that my Disney advice will save you money at the parks (and time, too). Some of these Disney tips are best executed before you leave for your Disney vacation (like my trick […]
As people earn more money throughout their careers, it’s natural to upgrade their lifestyle with better homes, nicer cars, and more luxurious vacations. However, this phenomenon, known as lifestyle inflation, poses significant risks, especially in retirement planning. When spending increases in tandem with income, it can be challenging to save enough for a comfortable retirement. Understanding how lifestyle inflation can derail retirement plans is crucial for maintaining financial stability in your later years. 1. Eroding […]
In this week’s stock market outlook, Joel Wenger examines the current market trend, price performance, and headline risks.
On this page is an S&P 500 Drawdown History Calculator. It shows how far the S&P 500 has fallen from its prior peak, how long each decline took, how long the recovery took, and how any current drawdown stacks up against history back to 1871. The S&P 500 Drawdown History Calculator Interactive Content Here: Visit on DQYDJ to view. Using the S&P 500 Drawdown Calculator The default view shows total-return drawdowns (dividends reinvested, nominal). Everything […]
When is payday? Well, even I messed this one up. The calendars are right, but this post was wrong. Now it’s right. The next regular military payday is Monday, 1 June 2026. When will you get paid? That depends on the policies and practices of your bank or credit union. But Friday paydays are relatively… | Read More… The post When Is The Next Military Payday? appeared first on KateHorrell.
The Beat The TSX Portfolio has a long history of beating the TSX Composite, but it can be a rocky road. The approach usually brings greater volatility. The strategy is dead simple. BTSX will simply hold the top ten yielding stocks from the TSX 60. It will change the constituents (holdings) on the first trading day of each year, and it will continue to hold those ten stocks throughout the year. The BTSX has underperformed the […]
Nobody teaches most of us how to build wealth. Seriously. We’re handed student loans before we understand compound interest. Teachers tell us to “work hard,” but not necessarily how to make our money work harder than we do. We’re sold lifestyles, subscriptions, car payments, and debt… then wonder why so many smart people still feel financially behind. I know because I’ve lived on both sides. I’ve made good money.I’ve made bad money decisions.And I’ve learned […]
Most estate planning conversations begin with questions about transferring wealth efficiently. Families want to know who inherits retirement accounts, whether a trust is necessary, how to avoid probate, and whether estate taxes will become a problem. Those are all legitimate concerns, but they are rarely what causes the greatest stress when a crisis actually unfolds. The breakdowns that destabilize families are usually operational. A surviving spouse suddenly cannot access accounts. Bills stop getting paid because everything […]
Looking to revitalize your hair without breaking the bank? DIY hair oils are a fantastic way to nourish your locks naturally, and the best part is, you can whip them up at home with budget-friendly ingredients! In this guide, we’ve rounded up 10 easy and effective recipes that cater to various hair types, so you can customize your own blend and enjoy salon-quality results right in your kitchen. ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(609); }); Rosemary Infused […]
The Succession Void isn’t a sudden explosion; it’s a slow-motion collapse. It’s the sound of rivets popping one by one until the hull finally gives way. If you’ve been feeling an uneasy sway in your daily operations, it’s likely not your imagination. Here are the five diagnostic markers that institutional memory is being liquidated. 1. The Single Point of Failure Hero Culture In a healthy organization, knowledge is a river. In a Void-stricken company, knowledge […]