Blissful New Yr everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the time without work and doing a little reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am able to calm down some extra!
Now that I’ve shared my 2024 yr in assessment, I needed to share my targets and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was an excellent yr, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
I executed most of my 2024 targets, however did not 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 yr of intense focus.” I wrote in my 2024 targets publish:
Fatigue has set in, harking back to 2011 after I contemplated leaving funding banking for good. That burnout prompted a much-needed change of tempo. Satirically, a day job is way simpler than being a stay-at-home father or mother!
Maybe it is a mid-life disaster at 46, the place I sense my physique slowing down, and time is slipping away quicker than ever. The urgency to maximise the remaining years of sturdy 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 Residing
I wish to return to the fundamentals of dwelling a easy, early retirement way of life. Sitting on a seashore in Laie, Oahu, reflecting on the yr, I used to be reminded of what a very good life means to me: well being, freedom, household, and buddies. 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 get pleasure from the identical shoreline as a billionaire with an oceanfront mansion. As I walked alongside the seashore at 8 a.m. in December, carrying simply shorts, I considered how unimaginable it was to bask within the free heat of the solar.
Sharing the expertise with excited youngsters dancing round and a loving spouse made it all of the extra particular. I didn’t want some huge cash to be blissful.
Nonetheless, returning to a easy life gained’t come with out effort. To stay by my theme for 2025, my #1 purpose is the next:
Major 2025 Objective: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After attempting part-time consulting for 4 months, I noticed how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being advised what to do. Whereas it was invaluable to see firsthand how exhausting individuals within the startup world work, I’ve confirmed that it’s not the fitting match for me at this stage in my life.
The one manner I would return to work is that if I bought an distinctive provide 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 comfy 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 every week at most.
Sure, incomes some huge cash and gaining standing in society will be interesting. Nonetheless, I’m decided to beat again these wishes so I will be as free as attainable. With out the obligations of labor, I’ll have extra time to put in writing, play sports activities, train, and spend uninterrupted moments with my household.
Household Objectives for 2025
Household will at all times be my prime precedence for so long as I stay. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, continues to be a comparatively new journey and essentially the most difficult function to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my finest to foster a powerful, wholesome relationship with my youngsters as they develop.
I’ve come to see that a few of the most troubled individuals I’ve encountered skilled above-average ranges of childhood trauma, which incorporates neglect, emotional and bodily abuse, accidents, rancorous divorces, demise of a father or mother, and habit. I do know this as a result of I’ve had the privilege of getting tens of hundreds of oldsters from all walks of life touch upon Monetary Samurai since 2009. And a few of them have opened up about their backgrounds.
My purpose is to attenuate such wounds for my youngsters whereas maximizing unconditional love, studying, and pleasure of their lives.
1) Spend extra time touring now that each youngsters are over 5
I’ve at all times disliked flying, particularly with younger youngsters who’re unruly and gained’t bear in mind their travels. However now that each of my youngsters are over 5, they’re potty-trained and largely self-sufficient. Better of all, they’re at an age the place they’ll truly bear in mind the journeys we take, making the expertise way more rewarding.
For 2025, I plan to do a minimum of two of those journeys:
- Spend a month in Honolulu whereas they attend summer season faculty.
- Keep in Taipei for a month and attend Mandarin immersion summer season faculty, and if that goes nicely, take an journey to Beijing for a few weeks.
- Go to Tahoe for a minimum of 5 nights in the course of the winter so the youngsters 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 continuously touring.
I’d like my youngsters to journey to allow them to expertise completely different cultures, develop a larger appreciation for what they’ve, and grow to be higher communicators.
2) Learn with the youngsters for a minimum of quarter-hour a day, 5 days every week
Certainly one of my targets is to domesticate a love of studying in my youngsters. Step one is studying to them constantly, a minimum of 5 days every week. Subsequent, I’d like them to learn to me for quarter-hour day by day, 5 days every week. Lastly, I wish to discover books they genuinely get pleasure from, in order that they’ll wish 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 might have for some time.
To encourage my youngsters to get pleasure from studying, I’ll lead by instance and skim extra myself. As soon as they get pleasure from studying on their very own, they’ll study an countless quantity of issues.
3) Train the youngsters how one can play pickleball
The aftercare pickleball classes at their faculty crammed up shortly, and personal classes value $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 how one can bike and swim, so this will likely be one other enjoyable ability so as to add.
Pickleball is less complicated for younger youngsters to choose up than tennis and ought to be extra enjoyable. As soon as they’ve discovered the fundamentals, I’ll train them tennis as nicely. I don’t anticipate them to grow to be nice athletes or win faculty scholarships. Nonetheless, understanding how one can play a sport could make life extra pleasant and social. I plan to spend 30–60 minutes each weekend practising pickleball with my youngsters.
Enjoying softball in the course of the pandemic for 3 years lifted my spirits. It additionally launched me to new buddies, together with some I now play poker with usually.
4) Volunteer six instances at my youngsters’ faculty
Being a part of a group is great. In 2024, I completely loved volunteering at my youngsters’s faculty. It was rewarding to see my youngsters in the course of the day, join with different mother and father, and get to know the employees. I feel my youngsters will respect seeing their dad shock them every now and then as nicely, and maybe instill in them the spirit of volunteering sooner or later.
Private Objectives for 2025
If I can do two or three issues nicely a yr, I really feel it is a good yr. I made essentially the most of my last yr as a stay-at-home father in 2024, whereas specializing in strengthening our funds. Now that each youngsters are at school full-time, I now not determine as a stay-at-home father or mother. Shifting ahead, I’ll embrace my identification as a author.
1) Market my new guide—and take a look at 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 Might 2025. Like my first guide, 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 variety of power into making it a bestseller—and succeeded. It’s satisfying to know I’ll at all times be a nationwide bestselling creator. Nonetheless, the relentless advertising took a toll on my happiness, as I a lot desire 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 fundamental focus will likely be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller checklist is now not a purpose.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the guide to enhance your monetary life, implausible! If not, that’s fantastic too.” This strategy has labored nicely for Monetary Samurai, the place I keep away from heavy social media or advertising and write just because I get pleasure from it.
Nonetheless, selling a guide whereas sustaining a low-key way of life is a contradictory act. Threading this needle will likely be a tough 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 an excellent hour-long snooze, naps recharge me. For them to be actually efficient, I want a minimum of 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 pleasant, they typically left me squeezing in brief naps after 3:30 PM, which threw off my evenings and bedtime. Frankly, 2024 was overwhelming from an actions standpoint and I wish to do much less.
Naps enhance my power for the afternoon and night with my youngsters, increase my temper, and improve creativity. Plus, research recommend napping lowers blood strain, reduces coronary heart illness threat, and slows mind growing old. 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 will likely be sacred nap time.
3) Raise weights a minimum of as soon as every week for 45 minutes
Power coaching must grow to be a constant a part of my routine. My purpose is to raise weights a minimum of as soon as every week for 45 minutes, specializing in constructing my shoulders, chest, and again.
Though I’d prefer to raise two or thrice every week, I think I’ll be too drained after classes to totally interact with my youngsters or play sports activities. For now, as soon as every week is a manageable place to begin alongside my common tennis and pickleball schedule. If I succeed, lifting weights 52 instances in 2025 will likely be eight instances greater than I did in 2024.
4) Be OK with the occasional tardiness
Certainly one of my largest pet peeves is being late. It’s disrespectful to the individual ready and sometimes results in pointless stress and hazard, particularly when speeding by means of visitors to make up for misplaced time. It can be a waste of cash should 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 army background, was at all times punctual. Throughout my 13 years in finance, internet hosting numerous analyst, administration, and shopper conferences strengthened 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 precipitated some pressure with my spouse. My purpose now’s to be extra relaxed about occasional tardiness. I’ll additionally step as much as assist get the youngsters prepared, so we are able to keep away from speeding as a lot as attainable.
As an illustration, I initially aimed to get the youngsters to highschool on time 100% of the yr. I drive 95% of the time so the final mile duty is on me. This purpose mirrors my decade-long obsession with writing three posts every week on Monetary Samurai—a stretch purpose 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 matters, typically writing posts exceeding 2,000 phrases (this publish is 3,350 phrases). Whereas I get pleasure from 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 works towards my theme for the yr of enjoyable extra.
In 2025, my purpose is to put in writing posts averaging 1,250 phrases. This shift will permit me to ship worth extra shortly whereas nonetheless sustaining my voice. Shorter posts may even be simpler for readers to digest, making the content material extra participating total.
I’m additionally dropping my inflexible dedication to publishing three posts every week. As an alternative, I’ll write at any time when I would like, to ease the strain I placed on myself.
Particular Monetary Objectives for 2025
Since Monetary Samurai is a private finance website, let me share three key private finance targets that align with my want 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 circulate after blowing up $150,000 of passive revenue.
I stay bullish on San Francisco actual property, due to the tech and AI increase producing immense wealth for tens of hundreds 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 yr 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 will likely be sturdy. Moreover, I’ve seen extra flexibility from actual property brokers providing performance-based fee buildings.
In consequence, 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 chance to earn as much as $500,000 in tax-free earnings, as I’ve lived in it for a minimum of two out of the previous 5 years.
Satirically, proudly owning a fourth rental property in San Francisco for a yr was comparatively hassle-free. The one difficulty was a kitchen faucet restore—probably brought on by the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned preserving this residence, which we loved in the course of the pandemic, till my youngsters had been grown.
Too unhealthy for them the older I get, the much less I wish to handle properties.
2) Reinvest 80% of on-line “humorous cash” into threat property
My love affair with actual property began in 2003 after I reinvested 100% of my dot-com bubble beneficial properties right into a San Francisco apartment. Whereas the primary web bubble popped, my apartment’s worth held regular and even grew.
Equally, I view on-line revenue as “humorous cash” as a result of I’d fortunately write free of charge. Additional, I’m undecided the revenue will final. This mindset motivates me to reinvest many of the internet earnings into property that generate passive revenue. I am additionally OK to take extra threat with this revenue as a result of it does not appear actual, in contrast to my arduous day job revenue in banking.
Nonetheless, I additionally wish to get pleasure from life over the following 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% will likely be reinvested.
With some luck and disciplined investing, I hope to hit my goal of a further $80,000 in passive revenue or a further $2 million in investments by December 31, 2027.
3) Make investments $100,000 every in industrial actual property and AI firms
I don’t wish to rely solely on luck to get me to my targets. Strategic allocation is essential.
If I efficiently promote my San Francisco rental, I anticipate 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 industrial 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 consider it’s due for a rebound.
- $100,000 in non-public AI firms: I consider within the AI motion and wish publicity to its potential progress. 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 gives the prospect to seize vital upside. The extra I put money into synthetic intelligence, the much less concern I’ve for my youngsters’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 keen to promote these holdings, I ought 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 automotive too
As soon as the sale is finalized, I’ll write an in depth publish on how I plan to allocate the proceeds.
4) Construct My Kids’s Funding Accounts
Investing for my youngsters looks like beginning a brand new recreation with the benefit of a long time of expertise and information. Past their UGMA accounts, I wish to give attention to constructing their Roth IRAs as nicely. Their 529 accounts are at ranges the place I now not wish to aggressively contribute to them.
Since their earnings are minimal, their revenue will fall nicely beneath the usual deduction for 2025, which is $15,000. This implies their earned revenue gained’t be topic to taxes. A sensible revenue goal could 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 purpose isn’t simply to assist them earn cash in a tax-efficient manner 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 somewhat 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 a very good 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 great 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 revenue feels futile.
I’ve simply 11 and 13 extra years, respectively, till my son and daughter could depart the home doubtlessly for good. I do know this time will fly by, so I’m decided to take advantage of it.
Right here’s to a satisfying and affluent 2025!
Readers, what are a few of your targets and resolutions for the yr? Be a part of 60,000+ others attaining monetary freedom sooner and join my free weekly publication right here.
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