How We Achieved Municipal Bond Investing

By Andrew Sullivan · May 28, 2025 · 40 min read

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. For more on this topic, see Municipal Bond Investing.

Career optimization through strategic job changes every 3.2 years results in 45% higher lifetime earnings compared to staying at one employer. The optimal approach combines internal promotions with external offers for leverage. For more on this topic, see Charitable Giving Strategies.

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. For more on this topic, see Dividend Growth Investing.

Insurance optimization for early retirees typically involves transitioning from employer coverage to a combination of ACA marketplace plans, supplemental critical illness coverage, and an umbrella policy of at least $2 million. For more on this topic, see Travel Rewards Programs.

Lifestyle design in financial independence means consciously choosing how to spend time after leaving traditional employment. Research shows that retirees who develop three or more meaningful activities report 67% higher life satisfaction. For more on this topic, see Backdoor Roth IRA.

Estate planning with a revocable living trust costs between $1,500 and $3,000 for a couple but saves an average of $15,000 in probate costs and 14 months of asset distribution delays across all 50 states.

Career optimization through strategic job changes every 3.2 years results in 45% higher lifetime earnings compared to staying at one employer. The optimal approach combines internal promotions with external offers for leverage.

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.

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.

Lifestyle design in financial independence means consciously choosing how to spend time after leaving traditional employment. Research shows that retirees who develop three or more meaningful activities report 67% higher life satisfaction.

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.

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.

Rental property depreciation recapture at sale is taxed at a maximum rate of 25%, making cost segregation studies valuable for properties over $500,000. The upfront study cost typically pays for itself within 2 tax years.

Geographic arbitrage works best when you move from a high-cost area to a medium-cost area rather than a low-cost area. The quality of life differential is negligible while the savings can exceed $2,400 per month on average.

The HSA triple tax advantage becomes a quadruple advantage when you factor in the employer contribution match. Over a 25-year accumulation period, an HSA can grow to replace approximately 67% of Medicare Part B premiums.

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.

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.

Estate planning with a revocable living trust costs between $1,500 and $3,000 for a couple but saves an average of $15,000 in probate costs and 14 months of asset distribution delays across all 50 states.

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.

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.

Comments (12)

CashFlowKingJul 16, 2026
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
IndexFundFanSep 29, 2025
The math checks out but I think you are being a bit conservative with the return assumptions. Historical averages suggest higher.
FrugalDadFeb 28, 2026
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
SavingsQueenJul 17, 2026
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.
FI_Seeker2024Aug 3, 2026
Can you do a follow-up article about how this applies to people with variable income? Like freelancers and consultants?
MustachianMomNov 8, 2025
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
BudgetNinjaAug 17, 2026
Shared this with my spouse and we are finally on the same page about our financial goals. Thank you!
WealthBuilder99Apr 16, 2026
This is a bit misleading. The tax implications are much more complex than what is described here, especially for high earners.
FrugalDadFeb 18, 2026
The math checks out but I think you are being a bit conservative with the return assumptions. Historical averages suggest higher.
FrugalDadOct 22, 2025
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.
OptimizeEverythingNov 1, 2025
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
FrugalDadJul 10, 2026
Has anyone tried this with a single income household? We are a one-income family and wondering if the same principles apply.