Who said starting a business is difficult? Here’s how I’ve done it. I’m just about ready for launch, and by following these directions, you too can be a successful entrepreneur.
403(b) – The “b” stands for bastards
TL;DR: I don’t have much love for most 403(b)s. In case that wasn’t obvious.
I’d like to think that the terrible 403(b) choices at most public institutions are the result of HR managers not knowing better and not due to poor negotiating skills, or, worse yet, malfeasance.
Either way, something nefarious (or at least negligent) seems to be going on. HR departments should see it as their duty to make sure that the 403(bastards) are not taking advantage of their employees, most of whom are not money savvy. The employees shouldn’t be thrown to the jaws of the 403(bastards). Some institutions have seen the light and at least offer plans that are 403(bad ass). But that seems to be unusual. [Read more…] about 403(b) – The “b” stands for bastards
2018 Dumpster FIRE Spending and 2019 Budget
What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get managed – which led to doing a horrible job of tracking expenses until the end of the year. Some of the extra spending couldn’t be helped – like dad dying – but we’ve got a bunch of self-inflicted wounds. I know I said I’d reveal my FI number as my next post – but I needed to lay out our 2018 spending and 2019 budget to give some context. All I’ve got to say is – Blarg.
We had a 40ish% savings rate last year, which is great, but when you look at the hard numbers, our spending was much closer to Dumpster fire than the DadBodFIRE I’m aiming for. We might as well have just set a pile of cash on fire. [Read more…] about 2018 Dumpster FIRE Spending and 2019 Budget
FIRE Ready Aim Savings Report: The “I Was An Idiot With Money” Edition
When I got back from FinCon, Mrs FIRE Ready Aim saw the fire in my eyes (ha!) and asked “Alright, what’s it gonna take for you to retire? How long, and how much savings do we need?” Well dang. I don’t know. In order know where we need to end up, we need to know where we are. And besides, who doesn’t love a little peek into others’ financial lives? [Read more…] about FIRE Ready Aim Savings Report: The “I Was An Idiot With Money” Edition
Saving $250k Was Only the Second Best Early Christmas Gift I Gave My Wife
You’d think adding an extra $250k over the next 23 years to my Mrs FIRE Ready Aim’s 403(b) would have been the best early Christmas gift a husband could give, but you’d be mistaken. In reality I got little more than a “that’s pretty good” shrug and appreciative nod as she looked up from nursing our one-week old. But she’s a tough crowd, and she doesn’t geek out over FI and RE, so honestly I’m not surprised that something else won out. [Read more…] about Saving $250k Was Only the Second Best Early Christmas Gift I Gave My Wife