Fire Ready Aim

Main navigation

Financial Independence | Three Kids | Side Hustles | Musings

457(b)

403(b) – The “b” stands for bastards

by 3 Comments

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

FIRE Ready Aim Savings Report: The “I Was An Idiot With Money” Edition

by 3 Comments

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

by Leave a Comment

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

Reigniting the FIRE

by 2 Comments

Sometimes it takes death to rethink life.

My dad died in August. He was one of the most respected civil engineers in Florida in the 80s and 90s; he was a master bridge player; he had a keen eye for stocks with great potential. (Although I thought he was crazy for being so high on Apple in the early 2000s – who would pay so much for an overpriced music player?!?!)

He should have died a multi-millionaire.

[Read more…] about Reigniting the FIRE

Nobody ever talks talks about 457(b)’s – but they should

by Leave a Comment

457(b)-457-IRA-403(b)-403-Roth-early-retirement

So you’re a government employee, and you want to save as much as you can for early retirement. Excellent – me too. Chances are good that you’re in a 403(b) – also good, or at least not bad.

But how are your fees? And how long do you have to wait to get that money WHEN you retire early?

If you want to access that money early, you can jump through the hoops and do your fancy Roth conversion ladder  or 72(t) distribution (and you do plan on retiring early, right?), but there is an easier way: [Read more…] about Nobody ever talks talks about 457(b)’s – but they should