By Paula Pant
Should you buy a rental property that mandates HOA payments? How do you adjust for cap rate over the years, as the property’s rent increases with inflation? Should you buy an $88,500 house that rents for $1,250 a month? And can you dive into detail about how you work with contractors and property managers?
I […]
By Paula Pant
Five years ago, at age 29, Kim E. started her first professional, salaried full-time job, working as a firefighter for the City of Austin, Texas. She received a starting salary of $42,000.
Today, five years later, she has saved:
one year’s salary ($40,000) in an emergency fund one year’s salary ($42,000) in a workplace retirement […]
By Paula Pant
There’s a famous quote that’s attributed to Henry Ford. The quote says, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
There’s no proof that Henry Ford actually said this. But whether or not that quote is historically accurate, the point remains. If Elon Musk had asked people what they […]
By Paula Pant
Today’s episode is an annuity sandwich: we answer one question about family and relationships, three questions about annuities, and one question about time management.
My friend and former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to answer questions in what, I hope, is the most entertaining episode about annuities you’ll hear.
Here are the five questions […]
By Paula Pant
Rich Carey is a military millionaire. He’s spent his career in the U.S. Air Force; he’s currently stationed in Seoul, South Korea. He was stationed in Germany before this. He’ll retire after this.
Most of his fellow servicemembers, upon taking a military retirement, start a second career. But Rich doesn’t need to. He’s financially independent, […]
By Paula Pant
Time to talk about houses! I answer your questions about rental property investing in this week’s episode.
Our first question comes from James, age 25. He lives in Florida, where he bought a $130,000, 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium in the Class B range as his primary residence. He’d like to buy a second home and rent […]
By Paula Pant
We often peek inside the world of business to look for lessons about how to simplify, optimize and innovate.
But what can we learn when we examine world-class people who are hacking the system in any field — including sports, politics and music?
What can we learn when we’re radically curious about everything? And how […]
By Paula Pant
Andy from Michigan loved the episode with charity:water founder Scott Harrison. After the episode, he and his 6-year-old daughter started watching videos about charity:water, and now they’re both inspired to give.
Andy’s question is on the topic of giving. His is to reach financial independence within 5 to 10 years. He and his wife are […]
By Paula Pant
Today’s episode is the June 2018 First Friday Bonus Episode, in which I answer three questions from the Afford Anything community. Enjoy!
Cameron accepted a job in the Middle East, where he earns 60 percent more than he could make at a comparable job in the U.S. He also gets free health care and […]
By Paula Pant
Scott Rieckens and his wife Taylor enjoyed a classic Southern California lifestyle.
They lived near a gorgeous beach in sunny San Diego. They frequently dined at sushi restaurants. They drove a BMW.
But after the birth of their daughter, everything changed. Taylor, an intelligent, career-driven, independent woman, suddenly didn’t want to spend any time away […]
