Posts by David Baughier

Once we’ve overcome our internal struggle with the One More Year Syndrome and set a date to pull the trigger from traditional work, life changes – in most cases for the better. We are all unique and not quite certain how we will feel or what we will be doing in the next chapter of…

Money is simply a tool to help us design a life that we believe brings our happiness. Hitting a magic number in your financial accounts will not make you happy. Happiness should be considered an entirely different objective. Reducing or eliminating the stresses of not having money can definitely support your happiness objective. But be…

There are plenty of views and opinions regarding Social Security. For many in the FI community, planning goes forward with the assumption that it won’t exist at some point in the future. That is a very conservative approach. The question of the duration of the Social Security program has been ongoing for decades so many…

Caring for aging parents is, for many of us, inevitable. Caring for aging parents might mean we care for our parents or that our children are caring for us. Time marches on, both for us and for those we care about. When we are young we think of our parents as permanent and only much…

We used to dream big! In our youth we would dream big. One day we would conquer the world, have the perfect family, find a cure for that ailing disease, reach the tallest peaks, or write the perfect song. Something happened over time. Reality set in and the tasks of our daily routines pushed out…

What is the One More Year Syndrome (OMY)? The One More Year Syndrome (OMY) is defined as having a continued urge to work even though you have already met your planned financial goals. Of course working a little longer to pad the coffers has its merits, but is it worth it? And does the urge…

What are REITs? REITs or real estate investment trusts are companies that own and operate real estate. The real estate held can include a variety of asset types including commercial, residential, resorts, and even the the actual mortgages and loans. Shares of these companies can be purchased from brokerage firms just as you would any…

Stoicism: The Philosophy of Financial Independence Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that has stood the test of time, offering practical wisdom for navigating life’s challenges. It has found a natural synergy with the principles of financial independence (FI), providing a mindset that helps individuals achieve and sustain freedom from financial constraints. What is Stoicism?…

Opportunity cost is defined as the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. In its essence it means that if you spend your time and/or resources on one event, you can no longer spend it on another. An Example Today, after the longest stock market bull run in history (minus…