Glad New Yr everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the day off 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 year in review, I wished to share my targets and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was an amazing 12 months, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
My theme for 2024 was “One final 12 months of intense focus.” I wrote in my 2024 goals post:
Fatigue has set in, paying homage to 2011 after I contemplated leaving funding banking for good. That burnout prompted a much-needed change of tempo. Sarcastically, a day job is way simpler than being a stay-at-home dad or mum!
Maybe it is a mid-life disaster at 46, the place I sense my physique slowing down, and time is slipping away quicker than ever. The urgency to maximise the remaining years of strong well being is palpable. I am undecided how for much longer I can hold this tempo, therefore my theme.
I executed most of my 2024 targets, 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 Baby for my son (forgot about this one, however I nonetheless can do it)
Theme for 2025: Return to Easy Residing
I wish to return to the fundamentals of residing a easy, early retirement lifestyle. Sitting on a seashore in Laie, Oahu, reflecting on the 12 months, I used to be reminded of what life means to me: well being, freedom, household, and pals. Riches, fame, or standing weren’t high 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 seashore at 8 a.m. in December, sporting simply shorts, I thought of how unbelievable it was to bask within the free heat of the solar.
Sharing the expertise with excited kids dancing round and a loving spouse made it all of the extra particular. I didn’t want some huge cash to be blissful.
Nonetheless, returning to a easy life gained’t come with out effort. To stay by my theme for 2025, my #1 aim is the next:
Predominant 2025 Aim: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After attempting part-time consulting for four months, I spotted how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being instructed what to do. Whereas it was worthwhile to see firsthand how exhausting folks within the startup world work, I’ve confirmed that it’s not the proper match for me at this stage in my life.
The one means I might return to work is that if I obtained an distinctive supply from a promising AI firm, with important autonomy and massive upside. However I assign solely a 1% probability of that occuring 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 trying to find 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 status in society could be interesting. Nonetheless, I’m decided to beat again these needs so I could 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 Targets for 2025
Household will all the time be my high precedence for so long as I stay. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, continues to be a comparatively new journey and essentially the most difficult roles to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my greatest to foster a robust, wholesome relationship with my kids as they develop.
I’ve come to see that among the most troubled folks I’ve encountered skilled above-average ranges of childhood trauma, which incorporates neglect, emotional and bodily abuse, accidents, rancorous divorces, demise of a dad or mum, and dependancy. I do know this as a result of I’ve had the privilege of getting tens of 1000’s of parents from all walks of life touch upon Monetary Samurai since 2009. And a few of them have opened up about their backgrounds.
My aim is to reduce 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 gained’t bear in mind their travels. However now that each of my kids are over 5, they’re potty-trained and largely self-sufficient. Better of all, they’re at an age the place they’ll truly bear in mind the journeys we take, making the expertise rather more rewarding.
For 2025, I plan to do not less than two of those journeys:
- Spend a month in Honolulu whereas they attend summer time college.
- Keep in Taipei for a month throughout summer time college, and if that goes nicely, take an journey to Beijing for a few weeks.
- Go to Tahoe for not less than 5 nights in the course of the winter so the youngsters can get higher at snowboarding
I grew up residing 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 continually touring.
I’d like my kids to journey to allow them to expertise totally different cultures, develop a higher appreciation for what they’ve, and change into higher communicators.
2) Learn with the youngsters for not less than quarter-hour a day, 5 days every week
One in every of my targets is to domesticate a love of studying in my youngsters. Step one is studying to them constantly, not less than 5 days every week. Subsequent, I’d like them to learn to me for quarter-hour day by 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 cherished studying Hardy Boys and The Nice Mind sequence. However after 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 a lot in any respect.
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 be taught an countless quantity of issues.
3) Educate the youngsters the way to play pickleball
The aftercare pickleball classes at their college stuffed up rapidly, and personal classes value $140 per hour. As a 4.5-level pickleball participant, I’ve determined to show them myself. I’ve already taught them the way to bike and swim, so this shall be one other enjoyable talent so as to add.
Pickleball is simpler for younger youngsters to select up than tennis and needs to be extra enjoyable. As soon as they’ve discovered the fundamentals, I’ll train them tennis as nicely. I don’t count on them to change into great athletes or win college scholarships. Nonetheless, figuring out the way to play a sport could make life extra fulfilling and social. I plan to spend 30–60 minutes each weekend training pickleball with my youngsters.
Enjoying softball in the course of the pandemic for 3 years lifted my spirits. It additionally launched me to new pals, together with some I now play poker with usually.
4) Volunteer six occasions at my youngsters’ college
Being a part of a group is fantastic. In 2024, I completely loved volunteering at my kids’s college. It was rewarding to see my youngsters in the course of the day, join with different dad and mom, and get to know the employees. I believe my youngsters will respect seeing their dad shock them now and again as nicely, and maybe instill in them the spirit of volunteering sooner or later.
In 2025, I plan to volunteer not less than six occasions all year long. This college shall be our group till hopefully 2033, and I’m wanting to contribute usually.
Private Targets for 2025
If I can do two or three issues nicely a 12 months, I really feel it is a good 12 months. I made essentially the most of my remaining 12 months 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 establish as a stay-at-home dad or mum. Transferring ahead, I’ll embrace my id as a author.
1) Market my new guide—and check out to not stress about its efficiency
After over two years of exhausting work, I’m thrilled to launch my second guide with Portfolio Penguin in Could 2025. Like my first guide, Purchase This Not That, it focuses on private finance. I’ll share all the small print by March 2025.
With Buy This Not That, I poured a whole lot of power 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 and marketing 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 guide, however my foremost focus shall be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller checklist is now not a aim.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the guide to enhance your monetary life, improbable! If not, that’s high quality too.” This method has labored nicely for Monetary Samurai, the place I keep away from heavy social media or advertising and marketing and write just because I take pleasure in it.
Nonetheless, selling a guide whereas sustaining a low-key way of life is a contradictory act. Threading this needle shall be a tough problem as my writer will need me to be as on the market as attainable.
2) Defend my 1:30 PM–3 PM nap window
Few issues convey 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 want not less than 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 fulfilling, they typically left me squeezing briefly naps after 3:30 PM, which threw off my evenings and bedtime.
Naps enhance my power for the afternoon and night with my youngsters, enhance my temper, and improve creativity. Plus, research counsel napping lowers blood strain, reduces coronary heart illness danger, and slows mind getting older. Who wouldn’t need these advantages?
In 2025, except I’ve slept in or it’s an unmissable reunion, my 1:30 PM–3 PM window shall be sacred nap time.
3) Raise weights not less than as soon as every week for 45 minutes
Energy coaching must change into a constant a part of my routine. My aim is to carry weights not less than 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 believe I’ll be too drained after classes to completely interact with my youngsters or play sports activities. For now, as soon as every week is a manageable start line alongside my common tennis and pickleball schedule. If I succeed, lifting weights 52 occasions in 2025 shall be eight occasions greater than I did in 2024.
4) Be OK with the occasional tardiness
One in every of my greatest pet peeves is being late. It’s disrespectful to the particular person ready and sometimes results in pointless stress and hazard, particularly when speeding by means of site visitors to make up for misplaced time. It may also be a waste of cash in the event you’re paying for a time-limited exercise or lesson.
I believe this aversion to tardiness is hardwired into me. My father, doubtless influenced by his army background, was all the time punctual. Throughout my 13 years in finance, internet hosting numerous analyst, administration, and consumer conferences bolstered the behavior—being late was merely not an possibility when so many individuals relied on me. If I ever was late, it felt deeply embarrassing.
Sadly, this obsession with punctuality has brought about some rigidity with my spouse. My aim 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.
For example, I initially aimed to get the youngsters to high school on time 100% of the 12 months. I drive 95% of the time so the final mile duty is on me. This aim mirrors my decade-long obsession with writing three posts every week on Monetary Samurai—a stretch aim that, in hindsight, isn’t needed.
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 massive deal!
5) Write shorter, extra lifestyle-focused posts on Monetary Samurai
I tend to dive deep into matters, typically writing posts exceeding 2,000 phrases (this put up 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 matches towards my theme for the 12 months of enjoyable extra.
In 2025, my aim 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 can even be simpler for readers to digest, making the content material extra partaking total.
I’m additionally dropping my inflexible dedication to publishing three posts every week. As an alternative, I’ll write each time I need, to ease the strain I placed on myself.
Particular Monetary Targets for 2025
Since Monetary Samurai is a private finance web site, let me share three key private finance targets 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 an alternative of promoting my earlier house, I selected to hire it out for money circulation, house value appreciation, and expectations fee charges would come down. I stay bullish on San Francisco real estate, due to the tech and AI growth producing immense wealth for tens of 1000’s of individuals.
Nonetheless, after a 12 months 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 shall be robust. Moreover, I’ve observed extra flexibility from actual property brokers providing performance-based fee buildings.
In consequence, I plan to promote this beautiful ocean-view property, which I bought in mid-2020, in 2025. The timing feels proper to simplify my life. Promoting the property additionally gives a possibility to earn as much as $500,000 in tax-free income, as I’ve lived in it for not less than two out of the previous 5 years.
Sarcastically, proudly owning a fourth rental property in San Francisco for a 12 months was comparatively hassle-free. The one situation was a kitchen faucet restore—doubtless brought on by the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned retaining this house, which we loved in the course of the pandemic, till my youngsters had been grown.
That dream, nevertheless, doesn’t outweigh the continued property taxes, upkeep prices, and the trouble required to seek out tenants. 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 after 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 “funny money” as a result of I’d fortunately write without spending a dime,. Additional, I’m undecided the revenue will final. This mindset motivates me to reinvest most of this income into property that generate passive revenue. I am additionally blissful take extra danger with this revenue as a result of it would 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 current passive income. The remaining 80% shall 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 industrial actual property and AI corporations
I don’t wish to rely solely on luck to get me to my targets. Strategic allocation is vital.
If I efficiently promote my San Francisco rental, I count on to web between $1.2M–$1.6M after taxes, commissions, charges, prep work, and mortgage payoff. With these proceeds, I plan to reinvest:
- $100,000 in industrial actual property: This aligns with the asset class I’m exiting however permits me to diversify into fully passive real estate 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 corporations: I consider within the AI motion and wish publicity to its potential development. My time working at a startup confirmed me how exhausting and quick these corporations transfer. Since personal corporations keep personal longer now, investing early gives the prospect to seize important upside. The extra I invest in artificial intelligence, the much less concern I’ve for my kids’s futures.
With $1M –$1.4M remaining, I’ll doubtless:
- 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 needs 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%.
As soon as the sale is finalized, I’ll write an in depth put up on how I plan to allocate the proceeds.
4) Construct My Kids’s Funding Accounts
Investing for my kids looks like beginning a brand new sport with the benefit of a long time of expertise and data. Past their UGMA accounts, I wish to deal with building their Roth IRAs as nicely. Their 529 accounts are at ranges the place I now not wish to aggressively contribute tot hem.
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 gained’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 aim isn’t simply to assist them earn cash in a tax-efficient means for future monetary safety. Extra importantly, it’s about instilling a robust work ethic and educating them how saving and investing work. These classes will lay the muse 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 Simple Residing in 2025 For Positive
I’ll flip 48 in June 2025, which is beginning to really feel outdated. It’s reminder to decelerate and savor life, particularly now that we’ve “run up the rating” throughout this unbelievable 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 investment losses with active income feels futile.
I’ve simply 11 and 13 extra years, respectively, till my son and daughter could go away the home probably for good. I do know this time will fly by, so I’m decided to profit from it.
Right here’s to a satisfying and affluent 2025!
Readers, what are a few of your targets and resolutions for the 12 months? Be part of 60,000+ others reaching monetary freedom sooner and join my free weekly e-newsletter here.
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