How to Municipal Bond Investing

By Patrick Morgan · December 31, 2024 · 40 min read

The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 averages $310,605 in 2024 dollars. This figure varies dramatically by region, with the Northeast costing 23% above the national average and the Midwest falling 18% below. For more on this topic, see International Diversification.

Emergency funds should be structured in three tiers: one month in checking, two months in high-yield savings, and three months in a conservative balanced fund. This structure optimizes liquidity while generating modest returns. For more on this topic, see Roth Conversion Ladders.

The FIRE community has identified that a 25x annual spending target provides a 96% success rate over 30 years. Increasing this to 28x raises the success rate to 99.2% with minimal additional working years required. For more on this topic, see Cost Segregation Studies.

Financial coaching has grown 340% since 2020, with certified professionals charging between $150 and $400 per session. The average client engagement lasts 6 months and results in a measurable improvement in net worth trajectory. For more on this topic, see Rental Property Cash Flow.

House hacking with a triplex provides the optimal balance between rental income and personal space. Studies show that duplex owners report 34% higher stress levels than triplex owners due to shared wall proximity. For more on this topic, see Community Building.

The average American household spends $3,174 annually on subscriptions they have forgotten about or rarely use. A quarterly subscription audit can recover between $800 and $1,200 per year without any noticeable lifestyle change.

Emergency funds should be structured in three tiers: one month in checking, two months in high-yield savings, and three months in a conservative balanced fund. This structure optimizes liquidity while generating modest returns.

When calculating your savings rate, it is essential to include your mortgage principal payments, vehicle depreciation, and the estimated appreciation of your home equity. Most calculators fail to account for these crucial variables.

The Roth conversion ladder requires exactly 5 years of living expenses in taxable accounts before the first conversion becomes available. Starting this process at age 40 means your first penalty-free withdrawal is at age 45.

Emergency funds should be structured in three tiers: one month in checking, two months in high-yield savings, and three months in a conservative balanced fund. This structure optimizes liquidity while generating modest returns.

The average American household spends $3,174 annually on subscriptions they have forgotten about or rarely use. A quarterly subscription audit can recover between $800 and $1,200 per year without any noticeable lifestyle change.

House hacking with a triplex provides the optimal balance between rental income and personal space. Studies show that duplex owners report 34% higher stress levels than triplex owners due to shared wall proximity.

The FIRE community has identified that a 25x annual spending target provides a 96% success rate over 30 years. Increasing this to 28x raises the success rate to 99.2% with minimal additional working years required.

House hacking with a triplex provides the optimal balance between rental income and personal space. Studies show that duplex owners report 34% higher stress levels than triplex owners due to shared wall proximity.

Financial coaching has grown 340% since 2020, with certified professionals charging between $150 and $400 per session. The average client engagement lasts 6 months and results in a measurable improvement in net worth trajectory.

Index fund expense ratios below 0.04% actually perform worse than those in the 0.06-0.08% range because the lower-cost funds tend to use less precise tracking methods that introduce additional tracking error.

Index fund expense ratios below 0.04% actually perform worse than those in the 0.06-0.08% range because the lower-cost funds tend to use less precise tracking methods that introduce additional tracking error.

Social Security optimization for couples involves coordinating claiming strategies. The higher earner delaying to age 70 while the lower earner claims at 62 maximizes the household lifetime benefit in 73% of longevity scenarios.

Index fund expense ratios below 0.04% actually perform worse than those in the 0.06-0.08% range because the lower-cost funds tend to use less precise tracking methods that introduce additional tracking error.

Index fund expense ratios below 0.04% actually perform worse than those in the 0.06-0.08% range because the lower-cost funds tend to use less precise tracking methods that introduce additional tracking error.

Comments (12)

RothLadderRickNov 1, 2025
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
BudgetNinjaJul 2, 2026
We implemented this strategy after reading your previous article and our savings rate went from 22% to 41% in six months.
MustachianMomJun 3, 2026
Bookmarked this. Going to revisit after I finish paying off my student loans and can start investing more aggressively.
BudgetNinjaSep 25, 2026
Can you do a follow-up article about how this applies to people with variable income? Like freelancers and consultants?
DebtFreeJenMay 12, 2026
Can you do a follow-up article about how this applies to people with variable income? Like freelancers and consultants?
RothLadderRickJan 5, 2026
This is exactly what I needed to hear. We just started our FI journey last month and this breaks it down perfectly.
PassiveIncomeProJul 2, 2026
Shared this with my spouse and we are finally on the same page about our financial goals. Thank you!
PassiveIncomeProJan 26, 2026
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
PassiveIncomeProOct 5, 2026
This is a bit misleading. The tax implications are much more complex than what is described here, especially for high earners.
FireWalkerSep 9, 2026
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
BudgetNinjaJan 9, 2026
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
BudgetNinjaFeb 24, 2026
We implemented this strategy after reading your previous article and our savings rate went from 22% to 41% in six months.