The Financial Samurai Podcast

For more than a decade, the mantra for boosting your career and income was simple: learn to code. Becoming a programmer or engineer was seen as the clearest path to job security and high pay. But with the rapid rise of AI, coding is no longer the protective moat it once was. As I revisited my own FIRE plans after leaving work in 2012, I realized the one financial buffer that has consistently stood the test of time: knowing how to invest well. Forget "learn to code." Learn to invest. Becoming a competent investor may be the most important skill you develop to survive - and thrive - in the coming AI wave. Posts mentioned: Becoming A Competent Investor Is A Vital Skill To Master Gain Financial Security By Creating Financial Buffers For Your Financial Buffers The FIRE Movement Is So Back Due To AI Disruption Free Financial Analysis Offer From Empower Stay on top of your net worth with Empower, the web's #1 free financial app. Track your cash flow, x-ray your investment portfolio for excessive fees and inappropriate risk exposure, and use their retirement calculator to plan for the future. If you have over $100,000 in investable assets—whether in savings, taxable brokerage accounts, 401(k)s, or IRAs—you can sign up for a free financial check-up from a professional at Empower. It's a no-obligation opportunity to have a seasoned advisor—someone who analyzes portfolios for a living—take a fresh look at your finances. A professional review can help you identify hidden fees, inefficient allocations, or missed opportunities to grow and protect your wealth. More importantly, it can give you the clarity and confidence to know whether your current savings and investment strategy aligns with your long-term financial goals. I've taken advantage of three free consultations with Empower over the past decade and each session has helped me build more wealth. There's no rewind button in life. Make the most of everything, especially things that are helpful and free. The statement is provided to you by Financial Samurai ("Promoter") who has entered into a written referral agreement with Empower Advisory Group, LLC ("EAG"). Diversify Your Retirement Investments Stocks and bonds are classic staples for retirement investing. However, I also suggest diversifying into real estate. It is an investment that combines the income stability of bonds with greater upside potential. Consider Fundrise, a platform that allows you to 100% passively invest in residential and industrial real estate. With over $3.5 billion in private real estate assets under management, Fundrise focuses on properties in the Sunbelt region, where valuations are lower, and yields tend to be higher. Residential commercial real estate is attract. Meanwhile, the Fed is set to cut rates further. I've personally invested over $500,000 with Fundrise, and they've been a trusted partner and long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai. With a $10 investment minimum, diversifying your portfolio has never been easier. Subscribe To Financial Samurai To increase your chances of achieving financial independence, join 60,000+ readers and subscribe to my free Financial Samurai newsletter here. Financial Samurai began in 2009 and is the leading independently-owned personal finance site today.

If you are a parent who is interested in FIRE, you should listen to Andy Hill's podcast, Marriage, Kids, & Money on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts. It's a great show that talks about all the financial and parenting issues all mothers and fathers face. Andy also came out with a new book called, Own Your Time: 10 Financial Steps To Put Your Family First and Escape The Corporate Grind. Go check it out, it's a great book for parents looking to achieve financial independence. On the podcast, talk about the merits of Coast FIRE, a type of FIRE that I've dubbed the most dangerous early retirement strategy to follow. But the older and more tired I get, the more I've come to accept Coast FIRE's merits. It's certainly beter than aimlessly grinding away at a job you don't love forever. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please support my guest Andy, and please share the episode and leave a positive review. Every review means a lot as every podcast episode takes hours to produce. If you want to achieve financial freedom, you can also sign up for my free weekly newsletter here.

Happy New Year 2026, everyone. Despite a strong year in the stock market in 2025, I found myself feeling less happy due to some family health challenges. That contrast inspired me to reflect on what truly brings us greater happiness and gratitude. Related posts: 2025 Year In Review And The Happiness Curve The Best Of Financial Samurai 2025 Eliminated A Regret And Fulfilled A Childhood Dream Join 60,000+ others and sign up for my free weekly newsletter here. My goal is to help you achieve financial freedom sooner, rather than later.You can receive my posts in your inbox immediately after they are first published without ads by signing up here.

The debate between owning and renting will go on forever — it all depends on your stage in life, finances, and lifestyle. But as you get older, one thing becomes clear: housing security matters more than ever. The last thing you want in retirement is to be forced out of your neighborhood because of rising rent. Yet as a renter, you have little control over how much your landlord raises prices, especially if you're not in a rent-stabilized home. With housing inflation outpacing wage growth, it's time to get neutral real estate by at least owning your primary residence. In this episode, I'll share why ownership becomes more valuable with age — and how to think about real estate in a world where affordability keeps shrinking. Read the post for more details and discussion: Please Don't Rent For Life: Housing Security Is Vital Other related post: Why I'll Never Manage Money For Anyone For Free Again Invest In Real Estate Passively If you can't buy a home yet, don't sit on the sidelines while housing prices and rents keep rising. You can still participate in the real estate market and build wealth over time — without needing to come up with a massive down payment. That's why I've invested with Fundrise, a platform that allows everyday investors to gain exposure to residential and industrial properties nationwide. With over $3 billion in assets under management and 350,000+ investors, Fundrise makes it easy to own a piece of the real estate market that continues to compound in value. Real estate has historically been one of the best ways to hedge against inflation and grow wealth passively. And with a minimum investment of only $10, anyone can start investing today. Fundrise has been a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai because our philosophies align — consistent, disciplined investing in tangible assets to build financial freedom. Regards, Sam To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. You can also get my posts in your e-mail inbox as soon as they come out by signing up here. Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009. Everything is written based on firsthand experience and expertise.

Bill Bengen, the father of the 4% Rule, is back with a new book titled A Richer Retirement. In it, he raises his SAFEMAX—or safe withdrawal rate—from 4% to 5%. This change has major implications: retirees can confidently spend more and enjoy life to the fullest, while those pursuing FIRE or traditional retirement may not need to save as aggressively or work as long to achieve financial freedom. See related Financial Samurai post: Persmission To Live It Up In Retirement Free Financial Analysis Offer From Empower If you have over $100,000 in investable assets—whether in savings, taxable accounts, 401(k)s, or IRAs—you can get a free financial check-up from an Empower financial professional by signing up here. It's a no-obligation way to have a seasoned expert, who builds and analyzes portfolios for a living, review your finances. A fresh set of eyes could uncover hidden fees, inefficient allocations, or opportunities to optimize—giving you greater clarity and confidence in your retirement financial plan. The statement is provided to you by Financial Samurai ("Promoter") who has entered into a written referral agreement with Empower Advisory Group, LLC ("EAG"). Click here to learn more. Subscribe To Financial Samurai To increase your chances of achieving financial independence, join 60,000+ readers and subscribe to my free Financial Samurai newsletter here. Financial Samurai began in 2009 and is the leading independently-owned personal finance site today. Everything is written based off firsthand experience.