Completely happy New Yr everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the day without work and performing some reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am able to chill out some extra!
Now that I’ve shared my 2024 12 months in assessment, I needed to share my targets and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was an awesome 12 months, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
I executed most of my 2024 targets, however didn’t do the next:
- Produce 36 podcasts (I solely produced 30)
- Assist my spouse get a job (I could not as a result of she did not need one, so I went out and bought one)
- Write a brand new lullaby for my daughter after writing Cutie Child for my son (forgot about this one, however I nonetheless can do it)
My theme for 2024 was “One final 12 months of intense focus.” I wrote in my 2024 targets put up:
Fatigue has set in, paying homage to 2011 once I contemplated leaving funding banking for good. That burnout prompted a much-needed change of tempo. Sarcastically, a day job is far simpler than being a stay-at-home mum or dad!
Maybe it is a mid-life disaster at 46, the place I sense my physique slowing down, and time is slipping away sooner than ever. The urgency to maximise the remaining years of strong well being is palpable. I am undecided how for much longer I can preserve this tempo, therefore my theme.
Theme for 2025: Return to Easy Dwelling
I need to return to the fundamentals of residing a easy, early retirement life-style. Sitting on a seashore in Laie, Oahu, reflecting on the 12 months, I used to be reminded of what an excellent life means to me: well being, freedom, household, and pals. Riches, fame, or standing weren’t prime of thoughts.
One of many nice issues about Hawaii is that every one seashores are public. Even the poorest individual can take pleasure in the identical shoreline as a billionaire with an oceanfront mansion. As I walked alongside the seashore at 8 a.m. in December, sporting simply shorts, I thought of how unimaginable it was to bask within the free heat of the solar.
Sharing the expertise with excited kids dancing round and a loving spouse made it all of the extra particular. I didn’t want some huge cash to be completely happy.
Nonetheless, returning to a easy life received’t come with out effort. To dwell by my theme for 2025, my #1 objective is the next:
Primary 2025 Purpose: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After attempting part-time consulting for 4 months, I noticed how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being informed what to do. Whereas it was invaluable to see firsthand how exhausting folks within the startup world work, I’ve confirmed that it’s not the appropriate match for me at this stage in my life.
The one approach I would return to work is that if I bought an distinctive supply from a promising AI firm, with vital autonomy and massive upside. However I assign solely a 1% probability of that occuring since unicorns aren’t actual. To get one thing nice, you have to exit and take it.
With my liquidity again to snug ranges, I’ve determined to cease looking for employment altogether. Staying unemployed / semi-retired simplifies my life. The one conferences I’ll attend are those I select—maybe one or two calls per week at most.
Sure, incomes some huge cash and gaining standing in society may be interesting. Nonetheless, I’m decided to beat again these needs so I may be as free as attainable. With out the obligations of labor, I’ll have extra time to jot down, play sports activities, train, and spend uninterrupted moments with my household.
Household Targets for 2025
Household will at all times be my prime precedence for so long as I dwell. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, remains to be a comparatively new journey and probably the most difficult function to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my finest to foster a robust, wholesome relationship with my kids as they develop.
I’ve come to see that a number of the most troubled folks I’ve encountered skilled above-average ranges of childhood trauma, which incorporates neglect, emotional and bodily abuse, accidents, rancorous divorces, loss of life of a mum or dad, and habit. I do know this as a result of I’ve had the privilege of getting tens of 1000’s of parents from all walks of life touch upon Monetary Samurai since 2009. And a few of them have opened up about their backgrounds.
My objective is to reduce such wounds for my children whereas maximizing unconditional love, studying, and pleasure of their lives.
1) Spend extra time touring now that each children are over 5
I’ve at all times disliked flying, particularly with younger children who’re unruly and received’t keep in mind their travels. However now that each of my kids are over 5, they’re potty-trained and largely self-sufficient. Better of all, they’re at an age the place they’ll truly keep in mind the journeys we take, making the expertise rather more rewarding.
For 2025, I plan to do no less than two of those journeys:
- Spend a month in Honolulu whereas they attend summer time college.
- Keep in Taipei for a month and attend Mandarin immersion summer time college, and if that goes effectively, take an journey to Beijing for a few weeks.
- Go to Tahoe for no less than 5 nights throughout the winter so the youngsters can get higher at snowboarding
I grew up residing in Zambia, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia earlier than coming to America for highschool. Later, I spent 13 years working in worldwide equities, which had me continuously touring.
I’d like my kids to journey to allow them to expertise totally different cultures, develop a larger appreciation for what they’ve, and develop into higher communicators.
2) Learn with the youngsters for no less than quarter-hour a day, 5 days per week
Considered one of my targets is to domesticate a love of studying in my children. Step one is studying to them persistently, no less than 5 days per week. Subsequent, I’d like them to learn to me for quarter-hour each day, 5 days per week. Lastly, I need to discover books they genuinely take pleasure in, in order that they’ll need to learn independently.
Rising up, I cherished studying Hardy Boys and The Nice Mind sequence. However once I transitioned to Select Your Personal Journey books, my mother wouldn’t let me learn them. That restriction killed my pleasure for studying; I rebelled by refusing to learn what I may have for some time.
To encourage my children to take pleasure in studying, I’ll lead by instance and skim extra myself. As soon as they take pleasure in studying on their very own, they will study an limitless quantity of issues.
3) Educate the youngsters how you can play pickleball
The aftercare pickleball periods at their college stuffed up shortly, and personal classes value $140 per hour. As a 4.5-level pickleball participant with persistence and three years of instructing highschool tennis, I’ve determined to show them myself. I’ve already taught them how you can bike and swim, so this shall be one other enjoyable talent so as to add.
Pickleball is less complicated for younger children to select up than tennis and needs to be extra enjoyable. As soon as they’ve realized the fundamentals, I’ll train them tennis as effectively. I don’t count on them to develop into nice athletes or win school scholarships. Nonetheless, realizing how you can play a sport could make life extra satisfying and social. I plan to spend 30–60 minutes each weekend working towards pickleball with my children.
Taking part in softball throughout the pandemic for 3 years lifted my spirits. It additionally launched me to new pals, together with some I now play poker with repeatedly.
4) Volunteer six instances at my children’ college
Being a part of a neighborhood is great. In 2024, I completely loved volunteering at my kids’s college. It was rewarding to see my children throughout the day, join with different mother and father, and get to know the workers. I believe my children will recognize seeing their dad shock them from time to time as effectively, and maybe instill in them the spirit of volunteering sooner or later.
Private Targets for 2025
If I can do two or three issues effectively a 12 months, I really feel it is a good 12 months. I made probably the most of my last 12 months as a stay-at-home father in 2024, whereas specializing in strengthening our funds. Now that each children are at school full-time, I not establish as a stay-at-home mum or dad. Shifting ahead, I’ll embrace my id as a author.
1) Market my new guide—and check out to not stress about its efficiency
After over two years of exhausting work, I’m thrilled to launch my second guide with Portfolio Penguin in Could 2025. Like my first guide, Purchase This Not That, it focuses on private finance. I’ll share all the small print by March 2025.
With Purchase This Not That, I poured a variety of power into making it a bestseller—and succeeded. It’s satisfying to know I’ll at all times be a nationwide bestselling writer. Nonetheless, the relentless advertising took a toll on my happiness, as I a lot favor writing to selling.
This time, I’ll nonetheless take part in podcasts and interviews to debate the guide, as it’s my dedication to Portfolio Penguin, however my important focus shall be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller checklist is not a objective.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the guide to enhance your monetary life, unbelievable! If not, that’s positive too.” This method has labored effectively for Monetary Samurai, the place I keep away from heavy social media or advertising and write just because I take pleasure in it.
Nonetheless, selling a guide whereas sustaining a low-key life-style is a contradictory act. Threading this needle shall be a troublesome problem.
2) Defend my 1:30 PM–3 PM nap window
Few issues carry me extra pleasure than a correct nap after lunch. Whether or not it’s half-hour or a wonderful hour-long snooze, naps recharge me. For them to be really efficient, I would like no less than a 1.5-hour window—this eliminates stress about oversleeping or speeding to go to sleep.
In 2024, I overbooked this time slot with actions like tennis, pickleball, and lengthy lunches. Whereas satisfying, they usually left me squeezing briefly naps after 3:30 PM, which threw off my evenings and bedtime. Frankly, 2024 was overwhelming from an actions standpoint and I need to do much less.
Naps enhance my power for the afternoon and night with my children, enhance my temper, and improve creativity. Plus, research counsel napping lowers blood strain, reduces coronary heart illness danger, and slows mind ageing. Who wouldn’t need these advantages?
In 2025, except I’ve slept in or it’s an unmissable reunion, my 1:30 PM–3 PM window shall be sacred nap time.
3) Carry weights no less than as soon as per week for 45 minutes
Energy coaching must develop into a constant a part of my routine. My objective is to elevate weights no less than as soon as per week for 45 minutes, specializing in constructing my shoulders, chest, and again.
Though I’d prefer to elevate two or thrice per week, I think I’ll be too drained after periods to completely interact with my children or play sports activities. For now, as soon as per week is a manageable place to begin alongside my common tennis and pickleball schedule. If I succeed, lifting weights 52 instances in 2025 shall be eight instances greater than I did in 2024.
4) Be OK with the occasional tardiness
Considered one of my greatest pet peeves is being late. It’s disrespectful to the individual ready and infrequently results in pointless stress and hazard, particularly when speeding via visitors to make up for misplaced time. It may also be a waste of cash when you’re paying for a time-limited exercise or lesson.
I believe this aversion to tardiness is hardwired into me. My father, possible influenced by his army background, was at all times punctual. Throughout my 13 years in finance, internet hosting numerous analyst, administration, and consumer conferences bolstered the behavior—being late was merely not an choice when so many individuals trusted me. If I ever was late, it felt deeply embarrassing.
Sadly, this obsession with punctuality has induced some stress with my spouse. My objective now’s to be extra relaxed about occasional tardiness. I’ll additionally step as much as assist get the youngsters prepared, so we will keep away from speeding as a lot as attainable.
For example, I initially aimed to get the youngsters to high school on time 100% of the 12 months. I drive 95% of the time so the final mile accountability is on me. This objective mirrors my decade-long obsession with writing three posts per week on Monetary Samurai—a stretch objective that, in hindsight, isn’t essential.
After studying that some households have 20–40 tardies yearly with none penalties, I’ve determined to ease up. Permitting for a late day as soon as a month serves as a wholesome pressure-release valve for all of us. And if we occur to be late a second time in a month, no massive deal!
5) Write shorter, extra lifestyle-focused posts on Monetary Samurai
I generally tend to dive deep into subjects, usually writing posts exceeding 2,000 phrases (this put up is 3,350 phrases). Whereas I take pleasure in being thorough, I acknowledge that focus spans are shrinking. Readers recognize concise, punchy content material that will get to the purpose. Plus, longer articles take extra time, which matches in opposition to my theme for the 12 months of enjoyable extra.
In 2025, my objective is to jot down posts averaging 1,250 phrases. This shift will enable me to ship worth extra shortly whereas nonetheless sustaining my voice. Shorter posts can even be simpler for readers to digest, making the content material extra participating general.
I’m additionally dropping my inflexible dedication to publishing three posts per week. As a substitute, I’ll write each time I would like, to ease the strain I placed on myself.
Particular Monetary Targets for 2025
Since Monetary Samurai is a private finance website, let me share three key private finance targets that align with my need to simplify life.
1) Promote a Rental Property
Earlier than 2023, I promised myself I wouldn’t purchase one other rental property—and technically, I saved that promise. Nonetheless, as an alternative of promoting my earlier residence, I selected to lease it out for money stream after blowing up $150,000 of passive earnings.
I stay bullish on San Francisco actual property, due to the tech and AI growth producing immense wealth for tens of 1000’s of individuals. We’ve additionally bought a brand new mayor who ought to scale back authorities corruption and enhance insurance policies for its residents.
Nonetheless, after a 12 months of renting out the property, the tenants have given discover, and I’ve determined to not seek for new ones. With the NASDAQ up ~30% in 2024, I’m optimistic that the Spring 2025 Bay Space housing market shall be sturdy. Moreover, I’ve seen extra flexibility from actual property brokers providing performance-based fee buildings.
Because of this, I plan to promote this stunning ocean-view property, which I bought in mid-2020, in 2025. The timing feels proper to simplify my life. Promoting the property additionally supplies a possibility to earn as much as $500,000 in tax-free earnings, as I’ve lived in it for no less than two out of the previous 5 years.
Sarcastically, proudly owning a fourth rental property in San Francisco for a 12 months was comparatively hassle-free. The one subject was a kitchen faucet restore—possible brought on by the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned holding this residence, which we loved throughout the pandemic, till my children had been grown.
Too unhealthy for them the older I get, the much less I need to handle properties.
2) Reinvest 80% of on-line “humorous cash” into danger belongings
My love affair with actual property began in 2003 once I reinvested 100% of my dot-com bubble positive factors right into a San Francisco condominium. Whereas the primary web bubble popped, my condominium’s worth held regular and even grew.
Equally, I view on-line earnings as “humorous cash” as a result of I’d fortunately write at no cost. Additional, I’m undecided the earnings will final. This mindset motivates me to reinvest many of the internet earnings into belongings that generate passive earnings. I am additionally OK to take extra danger with this earnings as a result of it does not appear actual, in contrast to my arduous day job earnings in banking.
Nonetheless, I additionally need to take pleasure in life over the following three years. That’s why I plan to allocate 20% of this earnings to cowl the hole between my bills and present passive earnings. The remaining 80% shall be reinvested.
With some luck and disciplined investing, I hope to hit my goal of a further $80,000 in passive earnings or a further $2 million in investments by December 31, 2027.
3) Make investments $100,000 every in business actual property and AI firms
I don’t need to rely solely on luck to get me to my targets. Strategic allocation is essential.
If I efficiently promote my San Francisco rental, I count on to internet between $1.2M–$1.6M after taxes, commissions, charges, prep work, and mortgage payoff. With these proceeds, I plan to reinvest:
- $100,000 in business actual property: This aligns with the asset class I’m exiting however permits me to diversify into absolutely passive actual property investments. Industrial actual property has lagged shares since 2023, however traditionally, the 2 asset courses are correlated. I imagine it’s due for a rebound.
- $100,000 in non-public AI firms: I imagine within the AI motion and need publicity to its potential development. My time working at a startup confirmed me how exhausting and quick these firms transfer. Since non-public firms keep non-public longer now, investing early affords the prospect to seize vital upside. The extra I put money into synthetic intelligence, the much less concern I’ve for my kids’s futures.
With $1M –$1.4M remaining, I’ll possible:
- Allocate a 70% to the S&P 500 and tech shares I’ve held for over a decade. My reasoning: If I’m not keen to promote these holdings, I needs to be keen to purchase them. Ideally, I’ll make investments after a market dip as soon as the home sale closes.
- Make investments 30% in Treasury bonds, particularly if the 10-year yield stays above 4.5%.
- Possibly I’ll YOLO and purchase a brand new automobile too
As soon as the sale is finalized, I’ll write an in depth put up on how I plan to allocate the proceeds.
4) Construct My Kids’s Funding Accounts
Investing for my kids appears like beginning a brand new recreation with the benefit of a long time of expertise and data. Past their UGMA accounts, I need to give attention to constructing their Roth IRAs as effectively. Their 529 accounts are at ranges the place I not need to aggressively contribute to them.
Since their earnings are minimal, their earnings will fall effectively beneath the usual deduction for 2025, which is $15,000. This implies their earned earnings received’t be topic to taxes. A sensible earnings goal can be $7,000, matching the Roth IRA contribution restrict for 2025. What a profit to have the ability to contribute tax-free earnings and let it develop tax-free and be withdrawn tax-free.
The objective isn’t simply to assist them earn cash in a tax-efficient approach for future monetary safety. Extra importantly, it’s about instilling a sturdy work ethic and instructing them how saving and investing work. These classes will lay the inspiration for good private finance habits, making them self-sufficient adults. When that day comes, their mom and I can breathe a bit of simpler!
A Return to Simple Dwelling in 2025 For Positive
I’ll flip 48 in June 2025, which is beginning to really feel previous. It’s an excellent reminder to decelerate and savor life, particularly now that we’ve “run up the rating” throughout this unimaginable bull market.
My hope is that the nice instances proceed, permitting me to achieve my monetary goal by December 31, 2027, whereas additionally spending and giving extra freely. Nonetheless, even when the market doesn’t cooperate, I plan to remain unemployed. At this stage, attempting to offset funding losses with lively earnings feels futile.
I’ve simply 11 and 13 extra years, respectively, till my son and daughter could go away the home probably for good. I do know this time will fly by, so I’m decided to benefit from it.
Right here’s to a satisfying and affluent 2025!
Readers, what are a few of your targets and resolutions for the 12 months? Be part of 60,000+ others attaining monetary freedom sooner and join my free weekly e-newsletter right here.
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