<< Title Page

Table of Contents

Preface

Part I: Fundamentals

Chapter 1: Defining Your Financial and Life Goals

  • Understanding what financial goals really mean.
  • Balancing today’s spending with tomorrow’s security.
  • Lifestyle choices.
  • Banal building.

    Chapter 2. The Foundations of Saving

  • The importance of emergency funds.
  • Budgeting and lifestyle adjustments.
  • Rule of 72 and the future value of money.

    Chapter 3. Debt and Credit

  • How credit scores work, why they matter.
  • Freezing credit and protecting identity.
  • Debt hierarchy: mortgages, student loans, car loans, credit cards, payday loans.
  • Strategies: avalanche vs snowball.

    Chapter 4. Investment Basics

  • Compounding magic.
  • Long-term returns of the stock market.
  • The difference between growth and preservation.
  • Dollar-cost averaging and why timing the market is impossible.

    Part II: Growth

    Chapter 5. When and What to Invest

  • Why to start early, even with small amounts.
  • Leading indicators and economic cycles.
  • Diversification..
  • Why low-cost index funds outperform managed funds.

    Chapter 6. Tax-Advantaged Accounts

  • IRAs: Traditional, Roth, and Backdoor Roth.
  • 401(k) basics and Intel-specific options (match, mega backdoor Roth).
  • HSAs as “triple-tax advantaged” vehicles.
  • Tax shelters for high-income professionals.

    Chapter 7. Investment Priorities and Strategy

  • Suggested step-by-step order: ESPP, emergency fund, 401(k) match, HSA, Roth IRA, etc.
  • Asset allocation and diversification over time.
  • Regressing to the mean: why chasing performance doesn’t work.

    Part III: Preservation

    Chapter 8. Retirement Planning

  • Withdrawal rules for 401(k), IRA, and HSA.
  • The 4% rule and safe withdrawal rates.
  • Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
  • Social Security timing strategies.
  • Medicare essentials.

    Chapter 9. Financial Planners and Advisors

  • Who to trust and who to avoid.
  • Fiduciaries vs commissioned advisors.
  • Robo-advisors and alternatives.

    Chapter 10. Protecting Wealth

  • Insurance: car, home, umbrella.
  • Avoiding traps: permanent life insurance, annuities, MLMs, timeshares.
  • RSUs and ESPP tax considerations.
  • Credit card strategies: bad debt vs reward optimization.

    Chapter 11. Major Life Decisions

  • Homeownership pros and cons.
  • College savings and 529 plans.
  • Considerations for non-U.S. citizens and residents.
  • Balancing financial discipline with enjoying life.

    Part IV: Reflection and Resources

    Chapter 12. Principles to Live By

  • Zig when others zag.
  • All investments regress to the mean.
  • Maximize Roth while you can.
  • Don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

    Appendices

  • Acronyms and definitions.
  • Useful calculators and resources.
  • Historical charts (S&P 500, CAPE ratio, etc).

    Preface & Dedication >>