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☆ An early retiree explains the IRS rule he uses to withdraw $20,000 a year of his retirement money penalty-free even though he hasn't reached age 59 ½
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Courtesy of Eric CooperThe idea of early retirement didn't start to percolate until 2019. "That's when I found the Mr. Money Mustache website and this article that explained the simple math behind early retirement and the 4% rule." According to the 4% rule, which helps retirees determine how much they can spend without running out of money, Cooper had a big enough portfolio to stop working. Using Rule 72(t) to access his retirement money without penaltyWhen you contribute to retirement accounts like a 401(k) and IRA, you can start taking penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½. He rolled over $300,000 because that's about how much money he'll need for a $20,000 annual distribution each year until he's 59 ½.

Persons: Eric Cooper, Cooper, I'd, Cooper's, didn't, I've, It's, you've, That's Organizations: Business, Google, IRS Locations: percolate, Louisville

☆ Election Updates: Barron Trump will be a delegate at the Republican Convention.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Michael Gold | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

“I worry about fundamental freedoms across the board.”Asked what specific legal precedents could be undone by the court, Ms. Harris demurred, saying she was “hesitant” to do so. Image At a campaign event in Elkins Park, Pa., on Wednesday, Ms. Harris cast abortion rights as an issue of personal freedom. She said she judged Mr. Trump based on his conduct, adding that she had never met him personally. “I think they might do that,” Mr. Trump said of states’ monitoring of women’s pregnancies in an interview with Time magazine last month. Ms. Harris said she was not worried that such efforts could help Mr. Trump win support from voters who support abortion rights.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Biden’s, Clarence Thomas, ”, Harris, “, Harris demurred, Harris’s, Biden, Donald J, Trump, John Roberts, Roe, Wade, Thomas’s, Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Mr, Kavanaugh, Justin T, Sheryl Lee Ralph, “ It’s Organizations: The New York Times, Mr, Trump, Time, “ Abbott, Biden, United Locations: “, San Francisco, Pennsylvania, California, Elkins Park, Pa, Washington, United States

☆ A '9-to-5 millionaire' shares 2 ways to increase your day job income — and the 'offense-defense' strategy that propelled him to financial independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Shao Chun Chen built wealth by sticking to simple principles: live below your means and invest early and regularly. Shao shared the strategies he used to increase his income while working his day job, plus the formula he used to achieve financial independence. Shao Chun Chen worked at Google Singapore for eight years. Shao Chun Chen"I forced myself. To play good offense, start by evaluating your day job.

Persons: Shao Chun Chen, He's, Merrill Lynch, Shao, you've, You've Organizations: Business, NTU Singapore, Google, BI, Google Singapore, National University of Singapore Locations: Singapore

☆ An ex-Google employee shares the 3-part strategy he used to prepare for layoffs and achieve financial independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewAfter eight years at Google, Shao Chun Chen was laid off on February 14, 2024. "A big part of your identity is where you work," Chen, who was leading a sales team at the time, told Business Insider. He says he focused on three things throughout his 20s and 30s to grow his investment portfolio and achieve financial independence. He about tripled his salary at Google and worked his way up to making six-figures, according to employment verification letters viewed by BI.

Persons: —, Shao Chun Chen, Chen, He'd, Merrill Lynch, It's, you've, WIMUT THAMMAKESORN Chen, you'll, it's, Chen wouldn't, he's, Shao Chun Chen Chen Organizations: Service, Google, Business, BI, National University of Singapore, NFL, NUS, BMW Locations: Singapore

☆ 5 financially independent individuals and couples share the book that changed their investment strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

When you invest in an index fund, you're essentially buying a basket of stocks that represents a broad market or theme. "That book makes a really good case for index funds." They own the Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares Fund (VFIAX), the Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF (ETF, VGT), and the Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (ETF, FTEC). Note that ETFs, like index funds, offer an easy way to diversify and bundle several securities into one investment. Since index funds are passively managed, they typically have lower costs than actively managed funds — and, historically, they outperform active funds.

Persons: Carl, Mindy Jensen, JL Collins, Mindy, it's, They're, Collins, Jamila, Ali, Josh Lupo, Josh, Jack Bogle, Warren Buffett Organizations: Business, Independence, Apple, Microsoft, IRA, FIRE, Fund, Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF, Fidelity Locations: American

☆ A couple that built wealth from 'live-in flips' shares 4 strategies they use to flip homes for a profit, including: Find the 'dumpy house in the great neighborhood'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A live-in flip, unlike a traditional flip, is when you rehab the home to increase its market value while living there. Related stories"One thing that we have always focused on is finding that dumpy house in the great neighborhood," said Mindy. For example, the Jensens' current live-in flip has a pool. "So no one wanted this house, but it's in a great neighborhood, and it would be very easy to get rid of the pool." Do a 'live-in flip' to avoid capital gains taxThe Jensens prefer 'live-in flips' to traditional flips because it lowers their risk.

Persons: —, Carl, Mindy Jensen, they've, they're, Mindy, There's, Carl Jensen, We're, flipper Organizations: Service, Business, YouTube Locations: The Colorado, Colorado

☆ A financially independent couple that has built wealth doing 7 'live-in flips' has paid zero capital gains taxes on their property sales, thanks to an IRS rule
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"One of our big strategies was 'live-in flip,'" Carl, who retired in his 40s and runs the financial independence blog "1500 Days to Freedom," told Business Insider. The Colorado-based couple is wrapping up their eighth live-in flip, in which they buy a house, rehab it while living there, and then resell it. While they haven't earned more than $500,000 on a flip yet, they could on the sale of their current live-in flip. To avoid paying capital gains taxes, "we're actually considering putting one of our daughters on the title," said Mindy. That way, they'd have three individuals on the title and could shield up to $750,000 from capital gains.

Persons: —, Carl, Mindy Jensen, Jensen, they're, it's, they've, Mindy, we're, they'd Organizations: Service, Business, IRS Locations: Colorado, New York City

☆ A financially independent couple that built wealth doing 'live-in flips' is pivoting to private lending. It's more passive and earns them 'about 12%' — but you need 2 things to get started.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

When he was working full-time while also DIY home flipping, Carl recalls putting in 80 hours a week. Shifting to a more passive real-estate strategy: Private lendingThe Jensens started experimenting with private lending in 2016. "The private lending generates such a nice return that it's difficult to be like, 'No, we don't want to have the easy money. To get started in private lending, you need capital and a network. They're confident in the people that they're lending to, "and that is the most important part about lending out money: lending it to somebody that's going to pay you back."

Persons: —, Carl, Mindy Jensen, It's, they've, Mindy, We've, who's, I'm, Let's, we're Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Colorado, New York

☆ A couple that grew their portfolio by $4 million in 11 years explain how they invest their money, including the individual stocks they own
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

They'd been smart with their money, Carl had maxed out his 401(k) every year, and they'd made money flipping homes. With a specific early retirement goal in mind, however, they revamped their investment strategy — and they started seeing results. He and Mindy, who works part-time as a podcast host for BiggerPockets, have grown their investment portfolio from $586,000 in 2013 to $4.6 million in 2024. "Almost all of our new money goes to index funds at this point in our life." Courtesy of Carl and Mindy JensenAs for general investing advice, "If they want to be completely passive, they should do index funds," said Carl.

Persons: Carl Jensen, —, weren't, They'd, Carl, maxed, they'd, Mindy, Carl Jensen They're, who's, I'm, Let's, we're, we've, Collins, Jensen, Mindy Jensen Organizations: Independence, Business, Google, Vanguard, Fund, Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF, Fidelity, MLS Locations: Longmont , Colorado, It's, Colorado

☆ Saving in a 401(k) can come with unexpected tax bills. Here's what to check right away to avoid a surprise and 4 ways to reduce your taxes as you withdraw.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Depending on your tax bracket at the time of withdrawal, your 401(k) money could be taxed at around 20% or 30%. Note that if you have a Roth 401(k), which is funded with after-tax dollars, you won't be taxed when withdrawing. The longer you can wait to touch your 401(k) money, the longer you'll delay owing taxes. Finally, there's the "non-taxable portion," he said, which would be money in accounts like a Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, and HSA. Or do they have a Roth IRA that they can take it from tax-free to benefit them?"

Persons: —, Grant Neiland, there's, you'd, Roth, Neiland, you've Organizations: Service, Business, Carson Wealth, IRS, Roth IRA

☆ I hired a life coach for $400 a month and finally understand what it means to 'invest in yourself.' It's the best money I've ever spent.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hiring a life coach at age 31 and understanding what it means to 'invest in yourself'While I wasn't actively seeking advice in my 20s, my job as a personal finance reporter meant I was regularly surrounded by money, career, and life advice. My job involved talking to financial planners about smart money moves and to self-made millionaires about how to build wealth. Courtesy of Kathleen ElkinsIn August 2023, weeks after turning 31 and after a nine-year hiatus from having a coaching figure in my life, I hired a life coach. How is a life coach different from a therapist? It's the easiest money I "spend" every month because it doesn't feel like spending — it feels like (and is) an investment.

Persons: —, I'd, didn't, wasn't, It'll, Bill Gates, …, Kathleen Elkins, we've, He's, — aren't Organizations: Service, Business, IRA Locations: Boston

☆ A 32-year-old who started selling T-shirts in college with $500 upfront shares the 4 strategies he used to build a seven-figure online business from scratch
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Karthik Shanadi and Luke McGurrin did just that — and they started their brand, Greek House, out of their fraternity house with a slim $500 budget. Since launching Greek House in 2013, the cofounders have added three more apparel brands. Courtesy of Karthik ShanadiIt helped that Shanadi and McGurrin eventually expanded into what he considers a "high barrier niche": licensed merchandise. In 2016, about three years after starting Greek House, they received a notice from a licensing agency.

Persons: —, Karthik Shanadi, Luke McGurrin, Shanadi, McGurrin, Brian Chesky, Threadly, that's, We're Organizations: Service, Business, University of Florida Locations: Portugal, Philippines, India

☆ A millennial who achieved financial independence years ago through 'extreme' saving opens up about what he would do differently — and explains how millennials are hitting financial freedom without a '
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"On the road to financial independence, I was trying to save and invest as much as I could as early as I could," he told Business Insider. Related stories"A vast majority of the people that are pursuing FIRE or financial independence have a much more measured approach to the pursuit and are doing it on their own terms," he said. How to hit financial independence without a 'sacrifice mentality'A common misconception about the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is that it requires immense sacrifice. "Younger people are now much more focused on the freedom component and being able to get freedom now while simultaneously pursuing financial independence." As opposed to aggressively saving 80% of their income and waiting 10 years to reach financial independence.

Persons: —, Grant Sabatier, he'd, he's, He's, there's, it's, Sabatier, Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, you'll, We're Organizations: Service, Business, Financial Independence

☆ A couple that quit full-time work in their 20s share the money mindset that 'propelled' them to financial independence without altering their quality of life: 'We made zero sacrifices'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Lauren and Steven Keys built a million-dollar portfolio from scratch, which set them up to quit their full-time jobs in their 20s and pursue various side projects and creative work. "We made, honestly, zero sacrifices on our journey," Steven said, noting that they never budgeted or tracked their spending. The couple kept the cost of their hobbies in check and sometimes even found ways to monetize them. In fact, it made us significantly more money than it cost us in the first place," said Steven. Playing Magic: The Gathering, on aggregate over my lifetime, has actually made me money, not cost me."

Persons: Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, we're Organizations: Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics — Locations: The Florida, United States

☆ A 32-year-old entrepreneur who built a seven-figure merch brand in response to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling explains how he finds opportunities — and the industries he'd focus on in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In July 2021, in response to the new NIL legislation, Shanadi and McGurrin created a fourth brand specifically for athletes, Athlete's Thread. Courtesy of Karthik ShanadiDespite being their newest brand, Athlete's Thread, which makes merchandise co-branded with the college and the athlete, is already their most lucrative. Athlete's Thread allows any college athlete to essentially launch a personal merch store for free. After they sign up on the platform, the Athlete's Thread team builds out their catalog. As of March 2024, Athlete's Thread is licensed with 150 colleges and has about 14,000 student-athletes on its platform.

Persons: Karthik Shanadi, Shanadi, Luke McGurrin, McGurrin, LUKE SIRIMONGKHON, that's, he'd Organizations: Business, University of Florida, NCAA Locations: New York City

☆ An ex-consultant who quit to work for himself grew his income from $48,000 to over $300,000 in 6 years. He breaks down his revenue streams and shares the 2-pronged strategy he used to go from employee
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-07 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In 2018, his first full year as a self-employed freelancer, he took a few consulting gigs and brought in about $48,000 in revenue. He spent most of his time doing "creative work," he told Business Insider: blogging, starting a podcast, and building an online course. About 30% of his earnings in 2019 came from consulting, while the rest came from his consulting skills course, coaching, content, and affiliate marketing. The rest came from his online course, consulting training workshops, content, and affiliate marketing. Once his course took off, he could scale back on the consulting gigs.

Persons: —, Paul Millerd, Millerd, He's, Paul, doesn't Organizations: Service, Business, Millerd's, Freelance Locations: Taiwan, New York City, Asia

☆ A 32-year-old entrepreneur launched a clothing company in college with $500 and grew it to seven figures. He explains what type of business he would build in 2024 if he had to start over.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The young entrepreneurs started "brokering deals through text messages," Shanadi told Business Insider. Related stories"We realized quickly that we have to invest in technology to support the growth of this business," he said. If he lost everything and had to start a business from scratch in 2024, he'd think about other industries that are underserved with regard to tech. The more people you talk to, the better you'll understand if it's a common industry problem, he noted.

Persons: —, Karthik Shanadi, Luke McGurrin, Shanadi, he'd, they're Organizations: Service, University of Florida, Business, House Locations: Bangalore

☆ 2 college friends who started selling custom T-shirts on campus with a $500 budget explain how they grew their fraternity-house merch project into a seven-figure business
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

By the time Shanadi started his freshman year at the University of Florida, he had nearly a decade of work under his belt. His first brand, Greek House, while "a little bit of an accident," admitted Shanadi, was set in motion. It allowed him and McGurrin to launch Greek House with the limited savings they had. They dedicated weeknights and weekends to growing Greek House. Quitting corporate America, living on $1,000 a month, and learning from a $33,000 mistakeIn 2016, Shanadi quit his job to go all-in on Greek House.

Persons: Karthik Shanadi, Shanadi, Luke McGurrin, Luke, McGurrin, We'd, LUKE SIRIMONGKHON, Brian Chesky, that's, we've, we're Organizations: Business, University of Florida, New, Amazon, House, of Florida, Follett, Dick's Sporting Goods Locations: Bangalore, India, Orlando, New York City, Florida, California, Bay, Los Angeles, America, Salesforce, LA

☆ How one millennial quit a corporate job, became self-employed, and set himself up financially to start a small business
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In 2017, Paul Millerd left his high-paying consulting job to work for himself. This article is part of "Unlocking Small Business Success," a series providing micro businesses with a road map to growth. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. In 2017, Paul Millerd walked away from a six-figure consulting salary. Since leaving corporate America in 2017, his revenue streams have included freelance consulting, coaching, online course sales, book sales, and affiliate marketing.

Persons: Paul Millerd, —, Millerd, didn't, Millerd didn't, spender, that's, Angie, doesn't Organizations: Service, America Locations: America, Taiwan, New York, Boston, New York City

☆ The average tax refund is $3,109. Here's where to save and invest your return right now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"The goal is usually to be as close to zero as possible: either a minimal return refund or a minimal tax payment. Where to save your money right now: high-yield or money market accountsOnce you've received your refund, a good initial step is to send that money from your checking account to a savings account. A few key differences: Your cash will be more accessible in a money market account, as you can write checks and use a debit card linked directly to the account. Note that money market accounts usually have a higher minimum balance requirement, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Interest rates are expected to drop in 2024, but you'll still earn more in these accounts than in traditional savings accounts, which typically offer rates under 0.5%.

Persons: Grant Nieland, you've, you'll, You'll, Roth, Nieland, we're Organizations: Business, Carson Wealth, IRS, Wealth, Roth IRA

☆ Most Americans are missing out on 'free money' by not saving in a high-yield account. A financial planner explains 3 factors to consider when choosing and what to do if interest rates fall.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This type of account offers a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account. That's assuming you have it sitting in a traditional savings account earning little to no interest rather than in a high-yield account earning 5%. If that money is not in a high-yield savings account, that's $2,500 a year that you're giving up." If the Federal Reserve does start cutting interest rates, which is expected to happen in 2024, high-yield savings account rates will also drop. Of course, you'll still earn much more in a high-yield account than you would in a traditional savings account, noted Weiss.

Persons: —, Brent Weiss, Weiss, That's, Ally Bank, you'll, it's, Ally, SoFi, Marcus, you've, they're Organizations: Service, Business, CNBC, Ally Bank, Ally, Federal Reserve

☆ A millennial who quit her corporate job to work for herself explains the 2-part strategy she used to 'supercharge' her side hustle and turn it into full-time income
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

All I do know is that the way I am making money at the moment isn't bringing me happiness." "It was like an escape from my day job, a creative outlet for me." Maintain your day job and use a portion of your income to invest in your side hustleRelated storiesShah believes in maintaining your day job for as long as possible while simultaneously building your side hustle or business. "I couldn't have done that if I didn't have my day job. The way she sees it, the longer you can maintain your day job, the more money you'll have to grow your side hustle to a point where it eventually overtakes your day job income.

Persons: Nischa Shah, She'd, Shah, I've, she'd, It's, she's, it's, Shah didn't Organizations: Business, YouTube, Investment Locations: London

☆ Employees are building 'F-you funds' before quitting their jobs. Here's what it means and how to build one.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Souffrant set out to save enough so they could cover one year's worth of expenses between Woody's salary and her savings. How to build your own 'F you fund' in 2 stepsAnyone can start an "F you fund" like Soufrrant and Shah did to create more options for themselves. Souffrant kept hers in a high-yield savings account. That way, the money was still accessible but earning more interest than it would if it was sitting in a traditional savings account. If your number is $200 per month, have that amount lifted from your checking account and deposited into your "F you account" each month.

Persons: Jamila Souffrant, Souffrant, Nischa Shah, Nischa Shah Nischa Shah, it's, Shah, Woody Organizations: Business, America, Investment

☆ An accountant who has read dozens of money and investing books shares her top 3 picks, including 'one of the least boring financial books you will read'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewNischa Shah says she has read many books about money, from the classics that cover the fundamentals like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" to more mindset-focused texts like "The Psychology Of Money." The Richest Man in BabylonAdvertisementShah's top pick is George S Clason's "The Richest Man in Babylon." He becomes the richest man in the city by following simple money-making principles that still hold true today, from paying yourself first to controlling your spending and putting your money to work. Related storiesThis book boils down what it takes to build wealth "in a way that is not boring and mundane," said Shah.

Persons: —, Shah, Dad, She's, George S Clason's, it's, Rich, Napoleon Hill's, Michael E, Gerber Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Babylon

☆ I opened an account that the wealthy like to save and invest in, thanks to its major tax benefits. It was a smart money move, but I made 2 mistakes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But I let my money sit in the non-bearing cash account for two years. The author started investing her HSA money in 2024. That number looks very different if I chose to leave the money in the cash account for those 26 years: It would amount to about $112,000. Touching the HSA money also cost me. Now that I've spoken with Weiss, I'm building my cash balance up to the one-year deductible amount before I invest more.

Persons: —, they're maxing, Brent Weiss, That's, Weiss, Kathleen Elkins , me Organizations: Service, Business, Vanguard

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