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The Sunday Best is a collection of articles I’ve curated from the furthest reaches of the internet for your reading pleasure.
Every week, I scan hundreds of headlines, read dozens of posts, and bring you the best of the best to save you time and mental energy.
Financial Independence (FI) is a primary focus, but it’s an awfully broad topic. I tend to approach FI and early retirement from a fatFIRE perspective and through the lens of a physician, so expect to see those biases in the selected articles.
Related topics that have become recurrent themes include early retirement, selective frugality, tax issues, travel, physician issues, and of course, investing.
For more great articles, take a peek at The Sunday Best Archives. Now let’s get to the best… The Sunday Best!
Bank runs were once intentionally slowed by bank tellers counting out depositors’ money more slowly. That tactic is useless in the age of electronic banking, says Ben Carlson with A Wealth of Common Sense. Bank Runs, Now and Then.
Thousands of people were anxious and billions were at stake when it became known that less than 5% of money deposited at Silicon Valley Bank was FDIC insured amidst their bank run. Don’t put yourself in that position. How to Get More Than $250,000 Insured by the FDIC.
While depositors at SVB were made whole, those who invested in the bank as a company lost their shirts. Nick Maggiulli reminds us that Concentration is Not Your Friend at Of Dollars and Data.
Struggling to get on the same page as your partner when it comes to money? The White Coat Investor suggests some solutions. 7 Ways to Get Your Partner on Board Financially.
It’s one thing to have disagreements about money; it’s another to be deceitful about money. Marriage Kids and Money explores Financial Infidelity: What Should You Do?
It’s tough to build wealth when you don’t understand how it’s done. Derek with Life and My Finances explains. The More You Know.
Here’s something only the wealthy will do. What Is A Multigenerational Or Dynasty 529 Plan? from The College Investor.
Did you know you can lend out the stocks and funds you own for income with little risk? Jonathan Ping with My Money Blog tried it out. Passive Income via Fidelity Securities Lending: Expectation vs. Reality.
You’ve probably heard about the tax benefits of real estate investing. Coach Carson shows us how valuable rental income can be. How to Avoid Income Taxes (legally) with Real Estate Investing.
If you’d prefer to be more hands off, passive investing may be more for you. Considering Investing in Multifamily Real Estate? Here’s what we think you need to know, a thorough overview from Crowdstreet.
What good is it making all this money if you don’t enjoy it? Ramit Sethi sits down with the Mad Fientist several years after their first encounter. How to Spend (and Actually Enjoy It).
- Bonus: Their first conversation from May, 2019: Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You to Be Rich
Once you’re rich, you can Retire by 40 and Pack Your Bags for A 3-Year-Cruise. It’s not as expensive as you might think!
If you’d like the cruising lifestyle without the ship, that’s an option, too. Marjorie Kondrack with Humble Dollar looks at Luxury Liner Living sans boat.
With A Little Help From Your Friends
I’m not a big fan of debt, but there are times when taking on some debt is more or less necessary. I was recently asked how to manage expenses, including moving, in the month or two between medical school and residency. If you have no savings, it can be a challenging time.
If money is tight and you’re in a pinch, please avoid high-interest credit-card debt (only consider cards with 0% introductory APRs and pay them off quickly). Healthcare professionals can typically qualify for much lower rates on a personal loan, especially when compared to typical credit cards and personal loans for the average Joe.
Visit our Personal Loans Page where you’ll find reasonable options, including those from two companies started by physicians for physicians.
It’s the Little Differences
In our third weekend in New Zealand, we’re finding it’s very easy to get along here. English is the primary language, people are friendly, and the scenery is spectacular.
It’s not all that different from traveling around in The States, but it’s not the same, either. As Vincent explains to Jules in the not-safe-for-work clip below, “it’s the little differences.”
One big difference is that they drive on the left side of the road. I first experienced this as a driver a year ago in Malta, and it was an easier transition the second time around. With several weeks and a couple thousand kilometers under my belt, I’m almost worried about driving on the wrong side of the road when I get home in May!
There a lots of those little differences:
- Kit Kats are made by Nestle rather than Hershey, and they come in many different flavors.
- “Chicken” is a common potato
chipcrisp flavor, and it tastes nothing like chicken. - McDonald’s is referred to as Macca’s and, like in Europe, fries are called chips.
- Many intersections go all red for all cars at the same time, allowing pedestrians to cross in every direction, even diagonally.
- When passing others on a sidewalk, you’re expected to stay left, which makes sense but takes some getting used to.
- Just about every electrical outlet has a switch right on the faceplate.
- IPAs are a tad weaker and a touch more expensive. I did find a delicious Oak Aged Imperial Stout from Moa Brewing that is delightfully dangerous, though.
They’re not big on tipping here, either. The first time I tried, the bartender flat out refused. When I asked our waiter if he could keep the $6 NZD chance on our $24 tab, he paused a while and answered with a confidence-lacking “Sure?” We had to explain that we were Americans and it’s just what we do. He was OK with that.
A week from now, we’ll be in Tasmania. If you have any must-dos, please leave them in the comments. If your comments are “adopt a Tasmanian Devil,” please keep them to yourselves. My wife just might try to squirrel one away in her carry-on.
Have an outstanding week!
-Physician on FIRE
3 thoughts on “The Sunday Best (03/26/2023)”
Driving in NZ was pretty easy for me. The road wasn’t busy at all. I’d love to go back someday. One of the chillest place on Earth, IMO.
Thanks for the mention!!!
Driving in NZ was pretty easy for me. The road wasn’t busy at all. I’d love to go back someday. One of the chillest place on Earth, IMO.
Thanks for the mention!!!
I first drove on the left in Malta, which was not the best place to learn with the narrow streets and population density. We survived, though, and it made this time around much easier.
Cheers!
-PoF