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Welcome to this week’s edition of The Sunday Best, where we navigate the intersection of Black Friday shopping and the FIRE movement’s frugal ethos. Don’t miss Dr. Leif Dahleen’s insights into the pitfalls of safe withdrawal rate calculations and financial tracking.
In the realm of scientific innovation, James Temple highlights the transformative potential of CRISPR in developing climate-adapted agricultural products. Meanwhile, contentious debates on U.S. government debt question its impact on future economic stability.
Explore the hidden costs of 401(k) plans and the valuation of U.S. stocks in a bull market, complemented by strategies for managing low APR debt during economic downturns. As markets adjust to post-election realities, we continue to offer sharp analyses on potential financial shifts.
The Sunday Best (11/17/2024)
Black Friday can be tricky for anyone who values financial independence, especially for those who have embraced the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement full-on. But before you write off Black Friday as a hopeless, lost cause, there might be a way to approach it through a more FIRE-savvy lens.
Your FIRE number was calculated after you developed a keen understanding of the 4% rule (of thumb) for safe withdrawal rates, and you tracked your family’s spending for five consecutive years. And your number is probably way off, like Dr. Leif Dahleen’s.
There are two extreme views regarding government debt levels. One that the government debt doesn’t matter all that much since we have the global reserve currency and the ability to print it. The other that government debt levels are reaching a tipping point that will lead to calamity. Is the United States going broke?
Jennifer Doudna, the co-developer of CRISPR, says there’s a “coming revolution” in climate-adapted crops and animals. How will a breakthrough gene-editing tool help the world cope with climate change?
Over the past two decades, Google has hosted two different internal platforms for predictions. Why did the first one fail — and will the other endure? Read about the death and life of prediction markets at Google.
Most 401(k) plans have additional costs. At what point do those fees negate the plans’ tax benefits? Learn more with John Rekenthaler; When 401(k) Plans Fail.
We’ve been in a bull market for some time now. The stock market should be expensive. But are U.S. stocks overvalued?
What happens when you spend three decades talking to retirement experts? You learn that most of what people think they know about retirement planning is oversimplified or wrong. Why your retirement math might be all wrong — if you follow the 4% rule.
Imagine working on a long-term project for 10 minutes every day for approximately 2 years. Where could the 10-2 challenge take you?
Low APR debt is great. It can be used during economic / market downturns to push expenses into the future, allowing us to sell assets at a time when markets are higher. Here’s how to use debt as a recession tool.
While saving for retirement is pretty straightforward, paying for it can involve mind-boggling complexity – and a big reason is the tax code. However, you can take advantage of post-retirement flexibility.
Lastly, don’t miss our Monday Markets review each week: The post-election rally has rekindled investor optimism, but with the S&P 500’s lofty relative valuations, the road ahead isn’t without risk.
Next week could reveal whether this bullish momentum can withstand scrutiny or faces a recalibration as markets prepare for inflation data, tariff speculation, and potential profit-taking.
Early Black Friday deal of $400 off
Are you ready to make deep friendships with people who are authentically good humans? Then join us at the 2025 Prosperity Conference, where our community goes to spend time together in-person to talk about health, wealth, and relationships. Right now, we’re offering an early Black Friday deal of $400 off when you purchase two tickets! We’re so excited to have an incredible lineup of speakers including Mark Allen, Founder and CEO of HeroForge.AI. Mark will speak about how entrepreneurs can integrate AI into their business. We’re also featuring Dr. Darshan Shah, a board-certified surgeon, published author, entrepreneur, and founder of Next Health. Dr. Shah will be speaking about how to optimize your well-being & extend your health & lifespan – and many more exciting speakers!
But more importantly, we know the value of spending time together with like-minded people who lift us up and are striving to be more, do more, and give more too. So, join us and the Physician on FIRE community at the 2025 Prosperity Conference happening March 6-8th in Vegas!
See You There!
