Given the current high interest rates in money markets, postponing the closure of your home escrow can be financially advantageous. Each additional day before...

If you're contemplating using individual municipal bonds as a reliable and accessible funding source, you may want to reconsider. While holding top-rated municipal bonds carries low risk, the process of selling them can be both costly and complex. In contrast to stocks, which enjoy $0 trading fees and high liquidity, the municipal bond market is significantly less fluid. Consequently, attempting to offload municipal bonds might force you to accept much lower prices than their actual market value. The crucial lesson here is that if your investment strategy includes individual municipal bonds for tax-efficient income, it's best to plan on holding them until they mature. Relying on these bonds as a quick source of cash in emergencies or...

Minimalism and early retirement are a match made in heaven, much like the classic pairing of peanut butter and jelly. Each concept enhances the other. By adopting a minimalist lifestyle, you expedite your journey to early retirement, thanks to reduced expenses. Similarly, early retirement often inspires a desire for simplicity, helping you get more out of your newfound freedom. My personal journey towards minimalism since 2018 has seen its ups and downs. I attempted to sell my oversized home with two unused bedrooms ten years ago without success. Finally, in 2022, we managed to downsize, and it felt liberating to eliminate the unused space. My wardrobe, once filled with formal wear, is now quite sparse, though I...