As we close out 2024, it’s time to highlight the best posts from Financial Samurai this year. When I started Financial Samurai in July 2009, my goal was to publish three posts a week for 10 years. I reached that milestone in July 2019, but like Forrest Gump, I kept going.
Writing has always been my source of creativity, giving me joy and purpose. Now, as a father to two young children (5 and 7.5), my goal is to continue writing until they turn 18 in 2037. I hope that by showing discipline and focus in my work, they will be motivated to take their academics. seriously.
My goal is to show them the importance of grit—to keep pushing forward despite challenges. Life will always have obstacles, and excuses will come easily. But if you keep going and looking for solutions, it’s hard to fail!
Of course, since 2009, my biggest North Star has been trying to help as many people as possible achieve financial freedom sooner rather than later. The more confident people feel about their finances, the happier and kinder they are to each other.
Top 10 Samurai Finance Posts for 2024
I like to write about real issues and challenges. Everything I write is based on my experience, hoping to clarify blind spots and solve problems. I also enjoy sharing surprising observations about money that you may not have thought about before. Finally, engaging in polite discussions and listening to readers’ opinions makes writing Financial Samurai fun.
Of the 152 posts I wrote in 2024, these are some of my favorites. Financial Samurai received over 12 million page views by 2024. If you haven’t read any of these posts before, I hope you will and share your thoughts in their comment sections.
1) I Broke My Fixed Income and I’m No Longer Financially Independent
This post outlined the tone and direction of Financial Samurai in 2024. I pointed out that we are no longer financially independent based on my definition: passive income that covers desirable living expenses. Although some readers prefer to use the 25X expenses or 20X gross income definitions, I have always agreed with this definition since 2009.
Changing the definition of FIRE to fit your financial progress can be dangerous. It breeds complacency and can lead to poor financial decisions. For example, following Coast FIRE can be misleading if you are not realistic about your limitations. Control yourself and avoid self-deception.
2) Why Retiring Early Is Clearly Better Than Retiring Rich
Since 2009, one of my goals has been to help students build wealth while avoiding the trap of endlessly chasing more. A strong balance, especially after years of concentrated conservation and cultivation practices. The “one year disease” can get the best of us!
If your job is no longer exciting, consider early retirement. The extra money you might save is usually not worth the opportunity cost of lost time. Early retirement doesn’t mean financial ruin—it gives you the freedom to explore other passions or take a much-needed break.
3) Less Investment Money When the Work Becomes Voluntary
To answer the age old question, “How much is enough?” I have introduced the Minimum Investment Threshold Formula. This formula takes the inverse of the historical return on your assets and multiplies it by your gross annual income.
Achieving this threshold means that your investments have a higher chance of generating returns equal to or greater than your income, freeing you up to explore other opportunities, take a break, or retire early.
4) Consciously Quitting Your Job to Become a Stay-at-Home Parent
As a stay-at-home parent for over seven years, I wanted to share some advice for those who are thinking the same way. It’s easy to put your child first over your career, but it’s not the best decision for everyone.
This post explores how to balance between fulfilling your role as a parent and maintaining your personal goals. Every family is different, but I encourage moderation rather than excess.
5) Returned to Work and Could Only Last Four Months
As my daughter starts full-time school in September 2024, I decided to return to work part-time in late 2023. My goal was to contribute to building a fintech startup while maintaining a meaningful 20-hour work week. I expected to have more free time with him at school and I saw this as an opportunity to finally fill that gap. Also, I wanted to rebuild liquidity after buying a new home.
However, the reality did not match my expectations. A part-time role came in quickly with my daughter, who was off work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This imbalance felt wrong, and in March 2024, I made the decision to withdraw. The experience not only strengthened my appreciation for the freedom I have enjoyed since 2012 but also reaffirmed my commitment to prioritizing what is truly important.
6) Vacation Guide: The Real Cost Is More Than You Think
When I talked to other parents, I realized that many do not follow the principles of personal finance that we discuss here. For example, one family spent a lot of money on a vacation to Hawaii.
This inspired me to create a vacation spending guide that balances fun with financial responsibility. It is a framework to help you enjoy the holidays without risking your finances afterwards.
7) The Financial Doom You Read And See Is Probably Not True
Doom and gloom dominates the financial media because it sells bad things. But if you look around—the crowded restaurants, the busy streets—it’s clear that the US consumer is doing well.
This post, written in June 2024, is a reminder to focus on what is happening around you and avoid being swayed by endless speculation. Getting fuel from thinking that the world is coming to an end is not the way to build wealth.
8) The Right Balance of Home and Car for Financial Freedom
I love financial quotes, and this one combines my car and home buying rules into a simple guide for those seeking financial freedom. It builds on my 1/10 Rule for buying a car and my 30/30/3 Rule for buying a home.
Following these ratios can help you balance two major expenses—housing and transportation—while maintaining financial stability. Since most people drive and everyone needs a place to live, the ratio of house to car may be the most appropriate ratio.
9) Finding The Top 1% Worth Is Easier Than Ever
The Knight Frank report showed that the top 1% is surprisingly lower than many of us expected. This post explores the idea that wealth is not always about numbers but about feeling financially secure and being able to live the life you want.
10) You’ve Climbed to the Top of the Local Ladder and Couldn’t Feel Happier
Be careful to get what you want. If you don’t live up to your expectations, you may be disappointed. After 20 years of climbing the real estate ladder, I bought what I thought was my dream home. It had everything I was looking for: a view, a great location, and a great location.
However, I was not happy after the purchase. Instead, I felt anxious about my dwindling finances and felt a sense of “grief” after reaching this long-term goal. This post is an illustration of finding balance and avoiding the trap of always chasing more.
Other Popular Posts on Financial Samurai 2024
As always, thanks for reading and supporting Financial Samurai! I hope you found this post informative and entertaining. At the end of the day, I only want to write what I want to read.
Remember, there is no one right way to deal with personal finances. There are many ways to reach your goals. Always keep an open mind about different ideas and opinions as you pursue your journey to financial independence.
If you have suggestions for new post topics for 2025I’m always open to new ideas!
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