Journal Club 01-05-24

Here's Journal Club 01-05-24! Every week, I hold a JOURNAL CLUB. After filtering through the articles on the web, I present a few that impacted my life this week. Be safe and stay well!

• There's a lot of misconception surrounding 401(k) retirement accounts. It's primarily due to the lack of proper understanding of how these accounts and the tax code work. To offer clarity on the subject, The White Coat Investor emphasizes the long-term financial advantages of maximizing contributions to 401(k) accounts compared to alternative investment options in the article – Are We Over-Investing in 401(k)s?

• Do you think earning a million dollars a year would make it easier to retire early? Well, not really. Per the Financial Samurai, even high-income earners can struggle to achieve early retirement due to their lifestyle choices, expenses, and societal pressures. Through a story, the author shares valuable tips and strategies for attaining financial freedom for high-income earners in the post – When Earning $1 Million A Year Isn’t Enough To Retire Early.

• Are you familiar with the concept of “lazy equity?” In simpler words, it refers to the equity in a property that isn't generating a substantial return, thereby creating inefficiencies in your investment portfolio. Per the Semi-Retired MD, having some degree of lazy equity might be acceptable, especially for those with low-risk tolerance. But, more importantly, the author explains how to identify and quantify lazy equity to make it work effectively in the article – Do You Have Lazy Equity?

• More often than not, we're faced with this common dilemma: whether to prioritize our own financial well-being or invest for our child's future. Would you agree? Despite the instinct to prioritize children, it's essential to focus on personal financial stability first. On that note, The Prudent Plastic Surgeon provides several reasons to support his perspective in the post – 6 Reasons Doctors Should Save and Invest for Yourself Before Your Kids.

Read any interesting articles? We'd love it if you could please take a moment to share them in the comments below!

Thank you for reading and sharing,

Peter