Comfortable New 12 months everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the break day and performing some reflecting. I’ve returned to San Francisco and am able to chill out some extra!
Now that I’ve shared my 2024 year in review, I wished to share my objectives and resolutions for 2025. Though 2024 was an ideal yr, I nonetheless have many areas of enchancment.
My theme for 2024 was “One final yr of intense focus.” I wrote in my 2024 goals post:
Fatigue has set in, harking back to 2011 after I contemplated leaving funding banking for good. That burnout prompted a much-needed change of tempo. Satirically, a day job is way 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 quicker than ever. The urgency to maximise the remaining years of strong well being is palpable. I am unsure how for much longer I can hold this tempo, therefore my theme.
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 received 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 Dwelling
I need to return to the fundamentals of dwelling a easy, early retirement lifestyle. Sitting on a seashore 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 pals. 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 seashore at 8 a.m. in December, sporting simply shorts, I considered how unbelievable 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 completely happy.
Nevertheless, returning to a easy life received’t come with out effort. To dwell by my theme for 2025, my #1 objective is the next:
Important 2025 Objective: Stay Unemployed / Semi-Retired
After attempting part-time consulting for four months, I noticed how a lot I dislike conferences, commuting, and being advised what to do. Whereas it was precious to see firsthand how exhausting individuals within the startup world work, I’ve confirmed that it’s not the fitting match for me at this stage in my life.
The one means I might return to work is that if I received an distinctive provide from a promising AI firm, with important autonomy and large 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 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 per week at most.
Sure, incomes some huge cash and gaining status in society may be interesting. Nevertheless, I’m decided to beat again these wishes so I may be as free as potential. With out the obligations of labor, I’ll have extra time to put in writing, play sports activities, train, and spend uninterrupted moments with my household.
Household Targets for 2025
Household will at all times be my prime precedence for so long as I dwell. Fatherhood, which started for me in 2017, continues to be a comparatively new journey and probably the most difficult roles to navigate. I’m dedicated to doing my finest 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, demise of a mother or father, and habit. I do know this as a result of I’ve had the privilege of getting tens of hundreds 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 objective is to reduce such wounds for my children whereas maximizing unconditional love, studying, and pleasure of their lives.
1) Spend extra time touring now that each children are over 5
I’ve at all times disliked flying, particularly with younger children who’re unruly and received’t bear in mind their travels. However now that each of my youngsters 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 far 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 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 a minimum of 5 nights in the course of the winter so the children 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 always touring.
I’d like my youngsters to journey to allow them to expertise completely different cultures, develop a larger appreciation for what they’ve, and grow to be higher communicators.
2) Learn with the children for a minimum of quarter-hour a day, 5 days per week
Certainly one of my objectives is to domesticate a love of studying in my children. Step one is studying to them constantly, a minimum of 5 days per week. Subsequent, I’d like them to learn to me for quarter-hour day by day, 5 days per week. Lastly, I need to discover books they genuinely take pleasure in, in order that they’ll need to learn independently.
Rising up, I beloved studying Hardy Boys and The Nice Mind collection. 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 children 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 children the best way to play pickleball
The aftercare pickleball periods at their college crammed up shortly, and personal classes price $140 per hour. As a 4.5-level pickleball participant, I’ve determined to show them myself. I’ve already taught them the best way to bike and swim, so this can be one other enjoyable ability so as to add.
Pickleball is simpler for younger children to choose up than tennis and must be extra enjoyable. As soon as they’ve discovered the fundamentals, I’ll educate them tennis as nicely. I don’t anticipate them to grow to be great athletes or win college scholarships. Nevertheless, realizing the best 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 children.
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 often.
4) Volunteer six occasions at my children’ college
Being a part of a group is fantastic. In 2024, I completely loved volunteering at my youngsters’s college. It was rewarding to see my children in the course of the day, join with different dad and mom, and get to know the employees. I feel my children will respect seeing their dad shock them occasionally as nicely, and maybe instill in them the spirit of volunteering sooner or later.
In 2025, I plan to volunteer a minimum of six occasions all year long. This college can be our group till hopefully 2033, and I’m wanting to contribute often.
Private Targets for 2025
If I can do two or three issues nicely a yr, I really feel it is a good yr. I made probably the most of my ultimate yr as a stay-at-home father in 2024, whereas specializing in strengthening our funds. Now that each children are in class full-time, I 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 exhausting work, I’m thrilled to launch my second e book with Portfolio Penguin in Could 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 Buy This Not That, I poured a number of vitality into making it a bestseller—and succeeded. It’s satisfying to know I’ll at all times be a nationwide bestselling writer. Nevertheless, the relentless advertising took a toll on my happiness, as I a lot choose writing to selling.
This time, I’ll nonetheless take part in podcasts and interviews to debate the e book, however my principal focus can be having fun with the method. Making a nationwide bestseller checklist is not a objective.
I’ve discovered peace within the mindset of: “If you wish to learn the e book to enhance your monetary life, incredible! If not, that’s high-quality 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.
Nevertheless, selling a e book whereas sustaining a low-key life-style is a contradictory act. Threading this needle can be a tough problem as my writer will need me to be as on the market as potential.
2) Defend 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 a wonderful hour-long snooze, naps recharge me. For them to be really efficient, I want 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 fulfilling, they typically left me squeezing briefly naps after 3:30 PM, which threw off my evenings and bedtime.
Naps enhance my vitality for the afternoon and night with my children, enhance my temper, and improve creativity. Plus, research counsel napping lowers blood strain, reduces coronary heart illness threat, and slows mind growing old. 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) Carry weights a minimum of as soon as per week for 45 minutes
Power coaching must grow to be a constant a part of my routine. My objective is to raise weights a minimum of as soon as per week for 45 minutes, specializing in constructing my shoulders, chest, and again.
Though I’d wish to raise two or 3 times per week, I think I’ll be too drained after periods to totally interact with my children or play sports activities. For now, as soon as per week is a manageable start line 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
Certainly one 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 via visitors to make up for misplaced time. It may also be a waste of cash for those who’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 at all times 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 relied on me. If I ever was late, it felt deeply embarrassing.
Sadly, this obsession with punctuality has triggered some rigidity 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 children prepared, so we will keep away from speeding as a lot as potential.
For example, I initially aimed to get the children to high school 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 per week on Monetary Samurai—a stretch objective 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 large deal!
5) Write shorter, extra lifestyle-focused posts on Monetary Samurai
I generally tend to dive deep into subjects, typically 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 works towards my theme for the yr of stress-free extra.
In 2025, my objective is to put in writing posts averaging 1,250 phrases. This shift will enable me to ship worth extra shortly whereas nonetheless sustaining my voice. Shorter posts may also be simpler for readers to digest, making the content material extra participating general.
I’m additionally dropping my inflexible dedication to publishing three posts per week. As an alternative, I’ll write at any time when I need, to ease the strain I placed on myself.
Particular Monetary Targets 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 saved that promise. Nevertheless, as an alternative of promoting my earlier residence, I selected to lease it out for money movement, residence value appreciation, and expectations fee charges would come down. I stay bullish on San Francisco real estate, because of the tech and AI increase producing immense wealth for tens of hundreds of individuals.
Nevertheless, 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 seen extra flexibility from actual property brokers providing performance-based fee buildings.
Because of this, 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 earnings, as I’ve lived in it for a minimum of two out of the previous 5 years.
Satirically, proudly owning a fourth rental property in San Francisco for a yr was comparatively hassle-free. The one challenge was a kitchen faucet restore—probably attributable to the tenant yanking out the nozzle and breaking the hose. Nonetheless, I had envisioned holding this residence, which we loved in the course of the pandemic, till my children have been grown.
That dream, nonetheless, doesn’t outweigh the continuing property taxes, upkeep prices, and the hassle required to seek out tenants. The older I get, the much less I need to handle properties.
2) Reinvest 80% of on-line “humorous cash” into threat belongings
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 rental. Whereas the primary web bubble popped, my rental’s worth held regular and even grew.
Equally, I view on-line earnings as “funny money” as a result of I’d fortunately write without spending a dime,. Additional, I’m unsure the earnings will final. This mindset motivates me to reinvest most of this income into belongings that generate passive earnings. I am additionally completely happy take extra threat with this earnings as a result of it does not appear actual, not like my arduous day job earnings in banking.
Nevertheless, I additionally need to take pleasure in life over the following three years. That’s why I plan to allocate 20% of this earnings to cowl the hole between my bills and current passive income. 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 earnings or an extra $2 million in investments by December 31, 2027.
3) Make investments $100,000 every in industrial actual property and AI firms
I don’t need to rely solely on luck to get me to my objectives. Strategic allocation is vital.
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 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 imagine it’s due for a rebound.
- $100,000 in non-public AI firms: I imagine within the AI motion and wish publicity to its potential development. My time working at a startup confirmed me how exhausting and quick these firms transfer. Since non-public firms keep non-public 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 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 prepared to promote these holdings, I must be prepared 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 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 recreation with the benefit of many years of expertise and information. Past their UGMA accounts, I need to concentrate on building their Roth IRAs as nicely. Their 529 accounts are at ranges the place I not need to aggressively contribute tot hem.
Since their earnings are minimal, their earnings will fall nicely beneath the usual deduction for 2025, which is $15,000. This implies their earned earnings received’t be topic to taxes. A sensible earnings goal could be $7,000, matching the Roth IRA contribution restrict for 2025. What a profit to have the ability to contribute tax-free earnings 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 means 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 Simple Dwelling in 2025 For Certain
I’ll flip 48 in June 2025, which is beginning to really feel outdated. It’s a very good 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 nice occasions proceed, permitting me to succeed in my monetary goal by December 31, 2027, whereas additionally spending and giving extra freely. Nevertheless, 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 might depart 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 objectives and resolutions for the yr? Be part of 60,000+ others reaching monetary freedom sooner and join my free weekly e-newsletter here.
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