Pleased New 12 months everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the day off and doing a little reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am able to loosen up some extra!
Now that I’ve shared my 2024 yr in evaluate, I needed to share my targets and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was an amazing yr, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
My theme for 2024 was “One final yr of intense focus.” I wrote in my 2024 targets 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 mother or father!
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 sturdy well being is palpable. I am unsure how for much longer I can preserve this tempo, therefore my theme.
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 obtained 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)
Theme for 2025: Return to Easy Residing
I need to return to the fundamentals of dwelling a easy, early retirement life-style. Sitting on a seaside in Laie, Oahu, reflecting on the yr, 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 get pleasure from the identical shoreline as a billionaire with an oceanfront mansion. As I walked alongside the seaside 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 youngsters 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 reside by my theme for 2025, my #1 purpose is the next:
Important 2025 Aim: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After attempting part-time consulting for 4 months, I spotted how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being advised 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 fitting match for me at this stage in my life.
The one approach I might return to work is that if I obtained an distinctive supply from a promising AI firm, with important autonomy and large upside. However I assign solely a 1% likelihood 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 every week at most.
Sure, incomes some huge cash and gaining standing in society will be interesting. Nevertheless, I’m decided to beat again these wishes so I will be as free as doable. With out the obligations of labor, I’ll have extra time to write 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 reside. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, continues to be a comparatively new journey and probably the most difficult roles to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my finest to foster a robust, wholesome relationship with my youngsters as they develop.
I’ve come to see that a few 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, demise of a mother or father, 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 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 all the time 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 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 far more rewarding.
For 2025, I plan to do not less than two of those journeys:
- Spend a month in Honolulu whereas they attend summer time faculty.
- Keep in Taipei for a month throughout summer time faculty, and if that goes effectively, take an journey to Beijing for a few weeks.
- Go to Tahoe for not less than 5 nights through 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 always touring.
I’d like my youngsters to journey to allow them to expertise completely different cultures, develop a better appreciation for what they’ve, and grow to be higher communicators.
2) Learn with the youngsters for not less than quarter-hour a day, 5 days every week
One in all my targets is to domesticate a love of studying in my youngsters. Step one is studying to them constantly, not less than 5 days every week. Subsequent, I’d like them to learn to me for quarter-hour every day, 5 days every week. Lastly, I need to discover books they genuinely get pleasure from, so that they’ll need to learn independently.
Rising up, I cherished studying Hardy Boys and The Nice Mind sequence. 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 a lot in any respect.
To encourage my youngsters to get pleasure from studying, I’ll lead by instance and browse extra myself. As soon as they get pleasure from studying on their very own, they’ll study an infinite quantity of issues.
3) Train the youngsters the way to 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, I’ve determined to show them myself. I’ve already taught them the way to bike and swim, so this might be one other enjoyable talent so as to add.
Pickleball is simpler for younger youngsters to select up than tennis and must be extra enjoyable. As soon as they’ve discovered the fundamentals, I’ll educate them tennis as effectively. I don’t count on them to grow to be nice athletes or win faculty scholarships. Nevertheless, understanding the way to play a sport could make life extra pleasant and social. I plan to spend 30–60 minutes each weekend training pickleball with my youngsters.
Enjoying softball through 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 youngsters’ faculty
Being a part of a group is fantastic. In 2024, I totally loved volunteering at my youngsters’s faculty. It was rewarding to see my youngsters through the day, join with different dad and mom, and get to know the workers. I believe my youngsters will respect seeing their dad shock them now and again as effectively, and maybe instill in them the spirit of volunteering sooner or later.
In 2025, I plan to volunteer not less than six occasions all year long. This faculty might be our group till hopefully 2033, and I’m desirous to contribute commonly.
Private Targets for 2025
If I can do two or three issues effectively a yr, I really feel it is a good yr. I made probably the most of my remaining 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 not determine as a stay-at-home mother or father. Transferring ahead, I’ll embrace my id as a author.
1) Market my new e book—and check out to not stress about its efficiency
After over two years of exhausting work, I’m thrilled to launch my second e book with Portfolio Penguin in Could 2025. Like my first e book, 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 number of vitality 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 favor writing to selling.
This time, I’ll nonetheless take part in podcasts and interviews to debate the e book, however my predominant focus might be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller record is not a purpose.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the e book to enhance your monetary life, implausible! If not, that’s high quality too.” This strategy has labored effectively for Monetary Samurai, the place I keep away from heavy social media or advertising and marketing and write just because I get pleasure from it.
Nevertheless, selling a e book whereas sustaining a low-key life-style is a contradictory act. Threading this needle might be a tough problem as my writer will need me to be as on the market as doable.
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 a wonderful hour-long snooze, naps recharge me. For them to be really efficient, I would like not less than a 1.5-hour window—this eliminates stress about oversleeping or dashing to go to sleep.
In 2024, I overbooked this time slot with actions like tennis, pickleball, and lengthy lunches. Whereas pleasant, they usually left me squeezing briefly naps after 3:30 PM, which threw off my evenings and bedtime.
Naps enhance my vitality for the afternoon and night with my youngsters, enhance my temper, and improve creativity. Plus, research counsel napping lowers blood strain, reduces coronary heart illness danger, and slows mind getting older. 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 might be sacred nap time.
3) Carry weights not less than 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 elevate weights not less than as soon as every week for 45 minutes, specializing in constructing my shoulders, chest, and again.
Though I’d wish to elevate two or thrice every week, I believe I’ll be too drained after classes to completely interact with my youngsters or play sports activities. For now, as soon as every week is a manageable start line alongside my common tennis and pickleball schedule. If I succeed, lifting weights 52 occasions in 2025 might be eight occasions greater than I did in 2024.
4) Be OK with the occasional tardiness
One in all my greatest pet peeves is being late. It’s disrespectful to the individual ready and sometimes results in pointless stress and hazard, particularly when dashing via site visitors to make up for misplaced time. It may also be a waste of cash if you happen to’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 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 trusted me. If I ever was late, it felt deeply embarrassing.
Sadly, this obsession with punctuality has triggered some stress 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 will keep away from dashing as a lot as doable.
For example, I initially aimed to get the youngsters to high school on time 100% of the yr. I drive 95% of the time so the final mile accountability 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 obligatory.
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 tend to dive deep into subjects, usually writing posts exceeding 2,000 phrases (this put up is 3,350 phrases). Whereas I get pleasure from being thorough, I acknowledge that focus spans are shrinking. Readers respect 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 yr of stress-free extra.
In 2025, my purpose is to write down posts averaging 1,250 phrases. This shift will permit me to ship worth extra shortly whereas nonetheless sustaining my voice. Shorter posts may also 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 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 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 stored that promise. Nevertheless, as an alternative of promoting my earlier house, I selected to hire it out for money circulate, house value appreciation, and expectations fee charges would come down. I stay bullish on San Francisco actual property, because of the tech and AI increase producing immense wealth for tens of 1000’s of individuals.
Nevertheless, 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 might be robust. Moreover, I’ve observed 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 gives a possibility to earn as much as $500,000 in tax-free income, as I’ve lived in it for not less than two out of the previous 5 years.
Sarcastically, proudly owning a fourth rental property in San Francisco for a yr was comparatively hassle-free. The one concern was a kitchen faucet restore—possible brought on by the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned protecting this house, which we loved through the pandemic, till my youngsters have been grown.
That dream, nevertheless, doesn’t outweigh the continued property taxes, upkeep prices, and the trouble required to seek out tenants. 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 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 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 most of this income into belongings that generate passive revenue. I am additionally blissful 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 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% might 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 business actual property and AI corporations
I don’t need to rely solely on luck to get me to my targets. Strategic allocation is vital.
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 corporations: I imagine within the AI motion and need publicity to its potential progress. My time working at a startup confirmed me how exhausting and quick these corporations transfer. Since non-public corporations keep non-public longer now, investing early gives the possibility to seize important upside. The extra I spend money on synthetic intelligence, the much less concern I’ve for my youngsters’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 must 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%.
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 Youngsters’s Funding Accounts
Investing for my youngsters looks like beginning a brand new recreation with the benefit of many years of expertise and information. 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 tot hem.
Since their earnings are minimal, their revenue will fall effectively 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 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 purpose isn’t simply to assist them earn cash in a tax-efficient approach for future monetary safety. Extra importantly, it’s about instilling a robust 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 slightly 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 succeed in 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, attempting to offset funding losses with energetic revenue feels futile.
I’ve simply 11 and 13 extra years, respectively, till my son and daughter could depart 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 yr? Be a part of 60,000+ others reaching monetary freedom sooner and join my free weekly e-newsletter right here.
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