Mini Thoughts

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Category: Retirement

  • CoastFIRE Tax Strategy: What Happens When You Stop Maxing Retirement?

    Is maxing out every tax-advantaged account mid-career actually “worth the squeeze” if you aren’t retiring super early? We run the exact 2026 tax math for a $150k household—comparing a “Pedal to the Metal” tax shelter stack against a CoastFIRE strategy—to see if the current cash-flow hit pays off

  • Six Month Check-up: Investment Policy Statement

    Updating my Investment Policy Statement (IPS) meant swapping my 10% bond allocation for REITs to capture higher long-term growth. Here is a look at my revised target allocation (50% US, 30% International, 10% REITs, 10% Dividends), how my actual portfolio balance compares today, and how close these passive income streams are getting us to our…

  • When is Spending Worth It?

    A weekend trip helping an independent relative stocks up on groceries serves as a stark reminder of how high-budget, name-brand spending can quietly erode potential wealth—and why lean food budgets remain a powerful lever for accelerating financial freedom.

  • Social Security Math

    Is Social Security a safety net or an opportunity cost? We compare $50k and $100k salary contributions against 48 years of market growth. When the difference is as high as $26 million, you have to ask: who really benefits from the current system?

  • Distrust Is Warranted? The Truth About Retirement Account “Fees” and Lies

    The media loves to fear-monger about “hidden fees” in retirement accounts to keep people from investing. I’m calling it out. From debunking the myth of the “monthly IRA fee” to proving why the stock market is safer than a shoebox, this is a blunt look at the misinformation keeping people from their own financial freedom.

  • Why Your Roth IRA is Costing You a Fortune: The Hidden 401(k) Tax Multiplier

    Is your Roth IRA actually slowing down your wealth? While everyone praises the Roth, high-income earners are often missing out on the “Tax Multiplier” effect. Learn the math behind why a Traditional 401(k) could put an extra $625,000 in your pocket by reinvesting your tax savings today

  • The Foundation: Secrets of My Retirement Strategy

    What does a $500k+ retirement portfolio actually look like? A full reveal of my 401k, IRAs, and HSA, plus how I stack up against the national averages.

Monthly Dividend Progress

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