Comfortable New 12 months everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the break day and performing some reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am able to loosen up some extra!
Now that I’ve shared my 2024 12 months in assessment, I needed to share my objectives and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was a terrific 12 months, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
I executed most of my 2024 objectives, 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 acquired 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 objectives put up:
Fatigue has set in, paying homage to 2011 after 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 dad or mum!
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 unsure how for much longer I can preserve this tempo, therefore my theme.
Theme for 2025: Return to Easy Residing
I need to return to the fundamentals of dwelling a easy, early retirement way of life. 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 each 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 considered how unbelievable 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 blissful.
Nevertheless, returning to a easy life gained’t come with out effort. To dwell by my theme for 2025, my #1 objective is the next:
Important 2025 Purpose: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After making an attempt part-time consulting for 4 months, I spotted how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being instructed what to do. Whereas it was invaluable to see firsthand how arduous individuals 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 acquired an distinctive provide from a promising AI firm, with vital autonomy and massive upside. However I assign solely a 1% likelihood of that taking place 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 trying to find 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 could be interesting. Nevertheless, I’m decided to beat again these wishes so I could be as free as potential. 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 all the time be my prime precedence for so long as I dwell. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, continues to be a comparatively new journey and essentially the most difficult position to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my greatest to foster a robust, wholesome relationship with my kids as they develop.
I’ve come to see that among the most troubled individuals I’ve encountered skilled above-average ranges of childhood trauma, which incorporates neglect, emotional and bodily abuse, accidents, rancorous divorces, dying of a dad or mum, and habit. I do know this as a result of I’ve had the privilege of getting tens of hundreds 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 attenuate 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 all the time disliked flying, particularly with younger children who’re unruly and gained’t bear in mind their travels. However now that each of my kids are over 5, they’re potty-trained and principally self-sufficient. Better of all, they’re at an age the place they’ll really bear in mind the journeys we take, making the expertise way 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 nicely, take an journey to Beijing for a few weeks.
- Go to Tahoe for no less than 5 nights in the course of the winter so the children can get higher at snowboarding
I grew up dwelling 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 consistently touring.
I’d like my kids to journey to allow them to expertise totally different cultures, develop a better appreciation for what they’ve, and grow to be higher communicators.
2) Learn with the children for no less than quarter-hour a day, 5 days per week
One in every of my objectives 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 day by 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 collection. However after 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 be taught an countless quantity of issues.
3) Train the children find out how to play pickleball
The aftercare pickleball classes at their college crammed up rapidly, and personal classes price $140 per hour. As a 4.5-level pickleball participant with endurance and three years of educating highschool tennis, I’ve determined to show them myself. I’ve already taught them find out how to 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 must be extra enjoyable. As soon as they’ve realized the fundamentals, I’ll educate them tennis as nicely. I don’t count on them to grow to be nice athletes or win faculty scholarships. Nevertheless, figuring out find out how to play a sport could make life extra fulfilling and social. I plan to spend 30–60 minutes each weekend practising pickleball with my children.
Taking part in softball in the course of the pandemic for 3 years lifted my spirits. It additionally launched me to new pals, together with some I now play poker with commonly.
4) Volunteer six occasions at my children’ college
Being a part of a group is fantastic. In 2024, I totally loved volunteering at my kids’s college. It was rewarding to see my children in the course of the day, join with different mother and father, and get to know the workers. I feel my children will respect seeing their dad shock them every so often as nicely, and maybe instill in them the spirit of volunteering sooner or later.
Private Targets for 2025
If I can do two or three issues nicely a 12 months, I really feel it is a good 12 months. I made essentially the most of my closing 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 now not establish as a stay-at-home dad or mum. Transferring ahead, I’ll embrace my identification as a author.
1) Market my new e-book—and take a look at to not stress about its efficiency
After over two years of arduous work, I’m thrilled to launch my second e-book with Portfolio Penguin in Might 2025. Like my first e-book, Purchase This Not That, it focuses on private finance. I’ll share all the main points by March 2025.
With Purchase This Not That, I poured a whole lot of power into making it a bestseller—and succeeded. It’s satisfying to know I’ll all the time be a nationwide bestselling writer. Nevertheless, the relentless advertising and marketing took a toll on my happiness, as I a lot want writing to selling.
This time, I’ll nonetheless take part in podcasts and interviews to debate the e-book, as it’s my dedication to Portfolio Penguin, however my fundamental focus shall be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller record is now not a objective.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the e-book to enhance your monetary life, unbelievable! If not, that’s tremendous too.” This method has labored nicely for Monetary Samurai, the place I keep away from heavy social media or advertising and marketing and write just because I take pleasure in it.
Nevertheless, selling a e-book whereas sustaining a low-key way of life is a contradictory act. Threading this needle shall be a tough problem.
2) Shield 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 an excellent hour-long snooze, naps recharge me. For them to be really efficient, I want 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 fulfilling, they typically 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, increase my temper, and improve creativity. Plus, research recommend napping lowers blood stress, reduces coronary heart illness danger, and slows mind getting old. Who wouldn’t need these advantages?
In 2025, until I’ve slept in or it’s an unmissable reunion, my 1:30 PM–3 PM window shall be sacred nap time.
3) Elevate weights no less than as soon as per week for 45 minutes
Power coaching must grow to be a constant a part of my routine. My objective is to carry weights no less than as soon as per week for 45 minutes, specializing in constructing my shoulders, chest, and again.
Though I’d wish to carry two or thrice per week, I believe I’ll be too drained after classes to completely have interaction with my children or play sports activities. For now, as soon as per week is a manageable start line alongside my common tennis and pickleball schedule. If I succeed, lifting weights 52 occasions in 2025 shall be eight occasions greater than I did in 2024.
4) Be OK with the occasional tardiness
One in every of my greatest pet peeves is being late. It’s disrespectful to the individual ready and sometimes results in pointless stress and hazard, particularly when speeding by site visitors to make up for misplaced time. It will also be a waste of cash in the event you’re paying for a time-limited exercise or lesson.
I feel this aversion to tardiness is hardwired into me. My father, probably influenced by his navy background, was all the time punctual. Throughout my 13 years in finance, internet hosting numerous analyst, administration, and consumer conferences strengthened the behavior—being late was merely not an choice when so many individuals relied on me. If I ever was late, it felt deeply embarrassing.
Sadly, this obsession with punctuality has brought on some rigidity with my spouse. My objective now could be to be extra relaxed about occasional tardiness. I’ll additionally step as much as assist get the children prepared, so we will keep away from speeding as a lot as potential.
For example, I initially aimed to get the children to highschool 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 mandatory.
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 huge deal!
5) Write shorter, extra lifestyle-focused posts on Monetary Samurai
I generally tend to dive deep into subjects, typically writing posts exceeding 2,000 phrases (this put up is 3,350 phrases). Whereas I take pleasure in being thorough, I acknowledge that spotlight spans are shrinking. Readers respect concise, punchy content material that will get to the purpose. Plus, longer articles take extra time, which matches towards 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 permit me to ship worth extra rapidly whereas nonetheless sustaining my voice. Shorter posts may also be simpler for readers to digest, making the content material extra partaking general.
I’m additionally dropping my inflexible dedication to publishing three posts per week. As an alternative, I’ll write each time I would like, to ease the stress I placed on myself.
Particular Monetary Targets for 2025
Since Monetary Samurai is a private finance website, let me share three key private finance objectives 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. Nevertheless, as an alternative of promoting my earlier residence, I selected to hire it out for money circulate after blowing up $150,000 of passive revenue.
I stay bullish on San Francisco actual property, due to the tech and AI growth producing immense wealth for tens of hundreds of individuals. We’ve additionally acquired a brand new mayor who ought to cut back authorities corruption and enhance insurance policies for its residents.
Nevertheless, 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.
In consequence, I plan to promote this lovely ocean-view property, which I bought in mid-2020, in 2025. The timing feels proper to simplify my life. Promoting the property additionally offers 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 situation was a kitchen faucet restore—probably brought on by the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned maintaining this residence, which we loved in the course of 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 after I reinvested 100% of my dot-com bubble good points 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 revenue as “humorous cash” as a result of I’d fortunately write without spending a dime. Additional, I’m unsure the revenue will final. This mindset motivates me to reinvest many of the web earnings into belongings that generate passive revenue. I am additionally OK to take extra danger with this revenue as a result of it would not appear actual, in contrast to my arduous day job revenue in banking.
Nevertheless, I additionally need to take pleasure in life over the subsequent three years. That’s why I plan to allocate 20% of this revenue to cowl the hole between my bills and present passive revenue. The remaining 80% shall be reinvested.
With some luck and disciplined investing, I hope to hit my goal of an extra $80,000 in passive revenue or an extra $2 million in investments by December 31, 2027.
3) Make investments $100,000 every in business actual property and AI corporations
I don’t need to rely solely on luck to get me to my objectives. Strategic allocation is vital.
If I efficiently promote my San Francisco rental, I count on to web 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 totally 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 corporations: I imagine within the AI motion and need publicity to its potential development. My time working at a startup confirmed me how arduous and quick these corporations transfer. Since non-public corporations 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 probably:
- Allocate a 70% to the S&P 500 and tech shares I’ve held for over a decade. My reasoning: If I’m not prepared to promote these holdings, I must be prepared 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%.
- Perhaps I’ll YOLO and purchase a brand new automotive too
As soon as the sale is finalized, I’ll write an in depth put up on how I plan to allocate the proceeds.
If you wish to put money into business actual property and enterprise capital, take a look at Fundrise. I’ve invested $300,000+ with them to date and can proceed to dollar-cost common in each classes all 12 months to spice up publicity. Fundrise can also be a long-time sponsor of Monetary Samurai.
4) Construct My Youngsters’s Funding Accounts
Investing for my kids looks like beginning a brand new sport with the benefit of many years of expertise and data. Past their UGMA accounts, I need to deal with constructing their Roth IRAs as nicely. Their 529 accounts are at ranges the place I now not need to aggressively contribute to them.
Since their earnings are minimal, their revenue will fall nicely under the usual deduction for 2025, which is $15,000. This implies their earned revenue gained’t be topic to taxes. A sensible revenue goal can be $7,000, matching the Roth IRA contribution restrict for 2025. What a profit to have the ability to contribute tax-free revenue 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 educating them how saving and investing work. These classes will lay the muse 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 Straightforward Residing in 2025 For Positive
I’ll flip 48 in June 2025, which is beginning to really feel outdated. It’s an excellent reminder to decelerate and savor life, particularly now that we’ve “run up the rating” throughout this unbelievable bull market.
My hope is that the great occasions proceed, permitting me to achieve my monetary goal by December 31, 2027, whereas additionally spending and giving extra freely. Nevertheless, even when the market doesn’t cooperate, I plan to remain unemployed. At this stage, making an attempt to offset funding losses with lively revenue feels futile.
I’ve simply 11 and 13 extra years, respectively, till my son and daughter could go away the home doubtlessly for good. I do know this time will fly by, so I’m decided to profit from it.
Right here’s to a satisfying and affluent 2025!
Readers, what are a few of your objectives 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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