Contrary to popular belief, the Federal Reserve does not exert complete control over mortgage rates. Instead, it influences them, with the bond market determining the subsequent course of action. The Federal Reserve oversees the Fed Funds rate, which represents the overnight lending rate for banks and stands at the shortest end of the yield curve. […] The post Components That Affect Mortgage Rates The Most appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

I recently caught up with Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise in person, about the Innovation Fund's latest investments in private AI (artificial intelligence) companies. Since launching the open-ended venture capital fund in 2H 2022, the Innovation Fund has made a series of promising AI investments that I was eager to learn more about, but unable […] The post Investing In Private AI Companies Without Connections Or Big Money appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Recently, I received a capital distribution from a private real estate fund, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The experience brought me both joy and relief, prompting me to share it in the hope that it might inspire you to invest more for your future. After purchasing a new home in October […] The post Capital Distributions From Private Real Estate Investments Are Wonderful appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Unlike buying a primary residence, where I believe you should buy one as soon as you can afford to, purchasing a vacation property is a different matter. Nobody needs to buy a vacation property; it's a luxury expense that everyone can do without. Chances are, you won't use your vacation property enough times a year […] The post Don’t Buy A Vacation Property Until After You Have Children appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

In 2007, I had a dream of taking my future family on a ski vacation. I was an avid snowboarder and my wife enjoyed the tranquility of Lake Tahoe. After receiving a good bonus, I bought a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo at Everline Resort in Palisades. Our son came ten years later, but we didn't go […] The post Family Ski Vacations: The Cost Could Break The Bank! appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Tipping has become increasingly pervasive, leaving many wondering how much to tip without feeling like a miser. To alleviate this dilemma, I've crafted a tipping guide to help you navigate gratuities with confidence. This guide not only suggests appropriate tip amounts but also explains the rationale behind them. In the past, tipping was a discretionary […] The post A Tipping Guide To Counteract Tipflation And Feel Great Again appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

The rich are frequently criticized for not contributing their fair portion of taxes. However, when examining income taxes, it becomes evident that the wealthy actually contribute more than their fair share. Here's a chart displaying the proportion of income taxes paid by different income groups from 2001 to 2021. In 2001, the top 1% contributed […] The post The Rich Pay More Than Their Fair Share Of Income Taxes appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

After delving into the exorbitant prices of new luxury cars, I've come to the realization that a larger segment of the population is purchasing such vehicles than I initially thought. This trend poses a significant problem for those striving for financial freedom, which is why I've come up with the House-To-Car Ratio guide. I see […] The post The Right House-To-Car Ratio For Financial Freedom appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

Education is the key to freedom for all of us. Therefore, I've made the decision to pursue a doctorate degree instead of seeking a fancy tech job. Specifically, I plan to earn a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on real estate from UC Berkeley. Considering my MBA from UC Berkeley in 2006, my […] The post Getting A Doctorate Degree Instead Of A Fancy Tech Job appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more

In 2002, I foolishly bought a new luxury car, a Mercedes Benz G500. I had to just gotten a raise and a promotion to Associate so I thought I had might as well blow all my money. The G-Wagon cost $78,000 out the door, which was actually a good deal at the time. Just a […] The post New Luxury Car Prices Are Outrageous, Never Buying One Again appeared first on Financial Samurai ..read more