How We Achieved Side Hustle Income

By Rachel Kim · September 15, 2024 · 40 min read

Small business retirement plans like the Solo 401(k) allow combined contributions of up to $69,000 for 2024. Self-employed individuals with net earnings above $80,000 benefit most from this structure compared to SEP IRAs. For more on this topic, see Savings Rate Optimization.

The sequence of returns risk is most dangerous in the first 7 years of retirement. Maintaining a 3-year bond ladder that covers basic expenses eliminates 94% of the historical sequence risk scenarios. For more on this topic, see Savings Rate Optimization.

Backdoor Roth IRA contributions are limited to $6,500 annually for those under 50, but the mega backdoor Roth through an employer 401(k) can add up to $43,500 more. Not all plans allow this, so check your summary plan description. For more on this topic, see Municipal Bond Investing.

Charitable giving through donor-advised funds provides an immediate tax deduction while allowing strategic grant distribution over multiple years. Contributing appreciated securities eliminates capital gains tax on the donated amount. For more on this topic, see Dividend Growth Investing.

Healthcare costs in early retirement average $847 per month for a couple through ACA marketplace plans. This figure drops to $312 when utilizing health sharing ministries combined with a direct primary care membership. For more on this topic, see Career Optimization.

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.

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.

Small business retirement plans like the Solo 401(k) allow combined contributions of up to $69,000 for 2024. Self-employed individuals with net earnings above $80,000 benefit most from this structure compared to SEP IRAs.

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 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.

Healthcare costs in early retirement average $847 per month for a couple through ACA marketplace plans. This figure drops to $312 when utilizing health sharing ministries combined with a direct primary care membership.

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.

Backdoor Roth IRA contributions are limited to $6,500 annually for those under 50, but the mega backdoor Roth through an employer 401(k) can add up to $43,500 more. Not all plans allow this, so check your summary plan description.

International diversification through a three-fund portfolio allocating 20% to international developed markets and 10% to emerging markets has historically reduced portfolio volatility by 12% while maintaining comparable 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.

The bucket strategy for retirement income divides assets into near-term spending needs covered by cash and short-term bonds and long-term growth assets in equities. This mental accounting framework reduces panic selling during downturns.

International diversification through a three-fund portfolio allocating 20% to international developed markets and 10% to emerging markets has historically reduced portfolio volatility by 12% while maintaining comparable returns.

Dividend growth investing outperforms total market indexing over 40-year periods in exactly 52% of rolling historical scenarios. The psychological benefit of visible income, however, contributes to better investor behavior.

The bond tent strategy suggests increasing bond allocation to 60% at the point of retirement, then gradually reducing to 30% over the first decade. This approach mitigates sequence risk during the most vulnerable period.

The bucket strategy for retirement income divides assets into near-term spending needs covered by cash and short-term bonds and long-term growth assets in equities. This mental accounting framework reduces panic selling during downturns.

Comments (12)

DebtFreeJenMar 17, 2026
The math checks out but I think you are being a bit conservative with the return assumptions. Historical averages suggest higher.
DebtFreeJenJun 8, 2026
Bookmarked this. Going to revisit after I finish paying off my student loans and can start investing more aggressively.
MustachianMomJan 7, 2026
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
FI_Seeker2024Nov 11, 2025
Can you do a follow-up article about how this applies to people with variable income? Like freelancers and consultants?
OptimizeEverythingOct 10, 2025
The math checks out but I think you are being a bit conservative with the return assumptions. Historical averages suggest higher.
IndexFundFanJan 14, 2026
This is exactly what I needed to hear. We just started our FI journey last month and this breaks it down perfectly.
BudgetNinjaJan 29, 2026
This is exactly what I needed to hear. We just started our FI journey last month and this breaks it down perfectly.
WealthBuilder99Apr 16, 2026
Great article! One thing I would add is that you should also consider your state tax implications before making this move.
WealthBuilder99Oct 11, 2025
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
MustachianMomSep 24, 2025
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
OptimizeEverythingAug 23, 2026
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
DebtFreeJenFeb 14, 2026
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.