The Sunday Best (6/3/2017)
The Sunday Best is a collection of articles I’ve curated for your reading pleasure.
Expect most of the writing to be from recent weeks and consistent with the themes presented on this website: investing & taxes, financial independence, early retirement, and physician issues.
Presenting, this week’s Sunday Best:
My second recorded podcast is live. Pete and I covered a wide range of topics, many of them pertaining to blogging in Multi-Million Net Worths and Financial Blogging with Physician on FIRE @ Do You Even Blog.
Who’s ready to get wild? I am! And so are my 6 & 8 year old boys. Brittany from Budget Peace is inspired by her son of a similar age in Is Financial Independence the Only Way to Achieve “The Wild”?
Speaking of kids, Chelsea from Mama Fish Saves wrote a provocative guest post @ Mustard Seed Money. An open letter to her family and friends: Please Stop Spoiling My Kid.
Did you know that 5/29 day was 529 day? The Chief Mom Officer did. Learn a thing or two you never knew about 529 plans in Ultimate Guide — It’s 529 Day! Q&A, Tips, Tricks, and The Ultimate Giveaway Guide!
Mr. Enchumbao covers all the bases in A Seven-Step Blueprint for Early Retirement.
Some people are sprinting towards an early retirement. The dual physician couple behind My Curiosity Lab are taking a more leisurely route. Drifting Toward Early Retirement.
A bear market is coming! It really is. If you know when, please let me know. Ben Carlson @ A Wealth of Common Sense wonders How Many Will Stay the Course During the Next Bear Market?
Financial freedom allows one to splurge a bit. Or a lot. Like Mr. 1500 did in this guest post at Budgets are Sexy. Financial Confession: I Bought a Used Honda for $45,000.
Our Recent Home Invasion
BFFs
Earlier this week, our home was invaded by two small toy dinosaurs and the four humans under their command. The dinos made quick friends with the Sunday Best trophy dude and the invading humans turned out to be anything but hostile. The panic room will have to wait for another time.
The invaders, also known as the 1500s, swung through for a few days on a Midwestern road trip. With a shared interest in bikes, beers, and financial independence, kids about the same age, and wives who somehow put up with our nonsense, the two families got along famously.
The kids had fun playing games, swinging on the rope swing, geocaching (except for the darned mosquitoes and ticks part), and eating at their own dedicated kids’ table. The grown-up kids took a couple nice bike rides, visited a brewery or five, and enjoyed quality conversation after the little kids finally got to bed.
Our boys are already wondering when they’ll get to see their new friends again. They’re off to explore Lakenenland and other places in Michigan’s upper and lower peninsula, but I’m sure we’ll catch up with them again at some point sooner or later. Thanks for stopping by, and we look forward to future adventures!
Have a great week!
-Physician on FIRE
You’re still not using Personal Capital? Track all accounts in one place like I do.
The dinosaurs greatly appreciated your hospitality. They actually refused to leave. It was only after I reminded them of the potential prostate exams that they agreed to depart.
Yeah, they’re lucky Trophy Guy’s arms and fingers are in a fixed position.
Honestly, it’s great you all made the trip Up North and I hope you make it a regular habit.
Cheers!
-PoF
Sounds like a fun invasion! Good thing trophy dude is so stellar. Thanks for sharing these great posts.
Thank you for sharing these articles!
I am waiting for a PF/FIRE invasion here in Northern Cali. Missed the Retire by 40 duo by a week. I guess that is the benefit of being a nomad….no one really knows when and where you will be!
Yes, and I spent a few days in your town a year ago. I’m not sure exactly when it will be, but we’ll be back, I promise!
Best,
-PoF
I actually haven’t read a lot of posts today. I read the article about the $45k Honda on Friday and thought it was such a breath of fresh air from the saving momentum. Thank you for sharing the list!
First of all, thank you for finding these gems in the jungle of Internet.
About the bear market – that is something to see and feel when it happens. I have been through two bears- dot com crash and the recession. It is an existential transition – a slow motion change all around you.
Right now, there is exuberance.
In the last 3 weeks, I have had two shoeshine moments about real estate bouncing back – two homeowners in two different parties lamenting how they missed out on buying, and they are ready to jump in to buy investment property, while they actually have never had a portfolio plan ever.
I hope that this FIRE community holds together and supports each other. Having a portfolio plan and buffer of cash helps.
PoF, how much cash would you hold if you were fully retired? I have repeatedly heard 3 years worth. Is that too much, too little?
I was invested during those same two major bears, too. But as a 4-figure and low 6-figure investor. It will feel much more painful if we do see a similar drop anytime soon. But I intend to stay the course.
The Cash Cushion question — Vagabond MD likes to hold $500,000, but I don’t anticipate having more than about 6 months in expenses in cash. ERN wrote a post on the topic showing that you’re most likely to come out behind in the long run with a cash cushion. The benefit during the bear is offset by the opportunity cost the rest of the time.
Cheers!
-PoF
Thanks for the shout out!!! Chelsea wrote an awesome post and I was fortunate enough that she decided to share on the website. Thanks for the awesome roundup!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed your post Mustard Seed 😉
I enjoyed it bro!
Next time I’m in your neck of the country we’re having craft brews.
Great Sunday best as always PoF!
It seems like you and Mr. 1500 had a really fun time together… he’s telling stories about you guys drinking beer and naked hot tubbing together over on his blog. 🙂