Joyful New 12 months everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the break day 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 evaluation, I wished to share my objectives and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was an amazing yr, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
I executed most of my 2024 objectives, however didn’t 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)
My theme for 2024 was “One final yr of intense focus.” I wrote in my 2024 objectives submit:
Fatigue has set in, paying homage to 2011 once 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.
Theme for 2025: Return to Easy Dwelling
I wish 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 a very good life means to me: well being, freedom, household, and mates. 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 particular person can take pleasure in the identical shoreline as a billionaire with an oceanfront mansion. As I walked alongside the seaside 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 pleased.
Nonetheless, returning to a easy life received’t come with out effort. To reside by my theme for 2025, my #1 objective is the next:
Primary 2025 Purpose: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After attempting part-time consulting for 4 months, I noticed how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being instructed what to do. Whereas it was worthwhile to see firsthand how laborious individuals within the startup world work, I’ve confirmed that it’s not the correct match for me at this stage in my life.
The one approach I would 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 taking place 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 may be interesting. Nonetheless, I’m decided to beat again these wishes so I may be as free as attainable. 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 Objectives for 2025
Household will all the time be my prime precedence for so long as I reside. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, remains to be a comparatively new journey and essentially the most difficult function to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my greatest to foster a powerful, wholesome relationship with my youngsters as they develop.
I’ve come to see that a number 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, dying of a mother or father, and dependancy. 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 objective 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 received’t keep 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 keep 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 time faculty.
- Keep in Taipei for a month and attend Mandarin immersion summer time 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 better appreciation for what they’ve, and turn into higher communicators.
2) Learn with the youngsters for a minimum of quarter-hour a day, 5 days every week
One among my objectives is to domesticate a love of studying in my youngsters. Step one is studying to them persistently, a minimum of 5 days every week. Subsequent, I’d like them to learn to me for quarter-hour each day, 5 days every week. Lastly, I wish to discover books they genuinely take pleasure in, in order that they’ll wish to learn independently.
Rising up, I beloved studying Hardy Boys and The Nice Mind collection. However once 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 may have for some time.
To encourage my youngsters to take pleasure in studying, I’ll lead by instance and skim extra myself. As soon as they take pleasure in studying on their very own, they’ll study an limitless quantity of issues.
3) Educate the youngsters tips on how to play pickleball
The aftercare pickleball periods at their faculty crammed up rapidly, and personal classes value $140 per hour. As a 4.5-level pickleball participant with persistence and three years of educating highschool tennis, I’ve determined to show them myself. I’ve already taught them tips on how to bike and swim, so this can 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 realized the fundamentals, I’ll educate them tennis as nicely. I don’t anticipate them to turn into nice athletes or win faculty scholarships. Nonetheless, figuring out tips on how to play a sport could make life extra pleasant and social. I plan to spend 30–60 minutes each weekend working towards pickleball with my youngsters.
Enjoying softball in the course of the pandemic for 3 years lifted my spirits. It additionally launched me to new mates, together with some I now play poker with often.
4) Volunteer six occasions 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 workers. 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 closing 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 mother or father. Shifting ahead, I’ll embrace my identification as a author.
1) Market my new e-book—and check out to not stress about its efficiency
After over two years of laborious work, I’m thrilled to launch my second e-book with Portfolio Penguin in Might 2025. Like my first e-book, 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 loads of vitality into making it a bestseller—and succeeded. It’s satisfying to know I’ll all the time be a nationwide bestselling writer. Nonetheless, the relentless advertising 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, as it’s my dedication to Portfolio Penguin, however my important focus can be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller record is now not a objective.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the e-book to enhance your monetary life, improbable! 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 take pleasure in it.
Nonetheless, selling a e-book whereas sustaining a low-key life-style is a contradictory act. Threading this needle can be a troublesome problem.
2) Shield my 1:30 PM–3 PM nap window
Few issues deliver 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 really efficient, I would like 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 usually 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 vitality 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 danger, and slows mind ageing. Who wouldn’t need these advantages?
In 2025, until I’ve slept in or it’s an unmissable reunion, my 1:30 PM–3 PM window can be sacred nap time.
3) Elevate weights a minimum of as soon as every week for 45 minutes
Power coaching must turn into a constant a part of my routine. My objective is to carry 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 carry two or 3 times every week, I think I’ll be too drained after periods to totally have interaction 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 occasions in 2025 can be eight occasions greater than I did in 2024.
4) Be OK with the occasional tardiness
One among my greatest pet peeves is being late. It’s disrespectful to the particular person ready and infrequently results in pointless stress and hazard, particularly when speeding by visitors to make up for misplaced time. It can be a waste of cash in the event 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 navy 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 brought on some pressure with my spouse. My objective now could be 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 objective mirrors my decade-long obsession with writing three posts every week on Monetary Samurai—a stretch objective 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 generally tend to dive deep into matters, usually writing posts exceeding 2,000 phrases (this submit is 3,350 phrases). Whereas I take pleasure in 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 fits towards my theme for the yr of enjoyable extra.
In 2025, my objective is to write down posts averaging 1,250 phrases. This shift will enable me to ship worth extra rapidly whereas nonetheless sustaining my voice. Shorter posts will 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 need, 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 objectives that align with my need 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. Nonetheless, as a substitute of promoting my earlier house, I selected to hire it out for money stream after blowing up $150,000 of passive revenue.
I stay bullish on San Francisco actual property, because of the tech and AI growth producing immense wealth for tens of hundreds of individuals. We’ve additionally obtained a brand new mayor who ought to cut 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 can be sturdy. Moreover, I’ve observed extra flexibility from actual property brokers providing performance-based fee buildings.
Consequently, I plan to promote this lovely 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 income, as I’ve lived in it for a minimum of 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 difficulty was a kitchen faucet restore—probably attributable to the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned holding this house, 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 danger property
My love affair with actual property began in 2003 once 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 a lot of the internet income into property that generate passive revenue. I am additionally OK to take extra danger with this revenue as a result of it does not appear actual, not like my arduous day job revenue in banking.
Nonetheless, I additionally wish to take pleasure in life over the subsequent 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% can be reinvested.
With some luck and disciplined investing, I hope to hit my goal of an extra $80,000 in passive revenue or an extra $2 million in investments by December 31, 2027.
3) Make investments $100,000 every in business actual property and AI firms
I don’t wish to rely solely on luck to get me to my objectives. 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 business 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 personal AI firms: I consider within the AI motion and wish publicity to its potential development. My time working at a startup confirmed me how laborious and quick these firms transfer. Since personal firms keep personal longer now, investing early affords the prospect 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 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 submit on how I plan to allocate the proceeds.
4) Construct My Kids’s Funding Accounts
Investing for my youngsters seems like beginning a brand new sport with the benefit of many years of expertise and data. Past their UGMA accounts, I wish to deal with 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 received’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 objective isn’t simply to assist them earn cash in a tax-efficient approach 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 inspiration for good private finance habits, making them self-sufficient adults. When that day comes, their mom and I can breathe just a little simpler!
A Return to Straightforward Dwelling in 2025 For Certain
I’ll flip 48 in June 2025, which is beginning to really feel previous. 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 occasions 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 objectives and resolutions for the yr? Be a part of 60,000+ others reaching monetary freedom sooner and join my free weekly publication right here.
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