Category Archives: Investing & TSP

“I’m 59.5 Years Old And Done Writing About *My* Money”


We’re aging out. As many of you know from your research, 59.5 is the minimum age for starting optional withdrawals from an IRA. Nearly everyone worries about how they’ll tap their IRA for living expenses when they reach financial independence … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement | 18 Comments

Fear And Despair In The Time Of Bear Markets


Let’s discuss your plan for getting through a bear market and reaching financial independence. If you don’t have a plan, then by the end of this post you’ll know how to craft one. You’ll feel good about taking action and … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP | Leave a comment

The 1980s-2000s: How I Wish I’d Invested Back Then


My spouse and I were not brilliant investors. We made the typical dumb mistakes of our 20s and 30s and we paid ridiculously large fees along the way to financial independence, but a high savings rate overcame all of those errors. … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP | 12 Comments

Good News! How Our Nords Family Financial Independence Life Will Change In 2019


2018 was quite the turbulent year for the financial independence crowd, and it’s just going to get busier in 2019. Let me cover a few highlights from last year and then give a personal update. I’m here to reassure you … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance, Travel, What Do You DO All Day?!? | 10 Comments

“Hey, Nords: How’s Your Net Worth?!?”


[Note:  this post has been updated for 2017 2018 2021 data.  I plan to continue updating it every year or few.] A long while back, a reader wrote: “Hey, Nords, any chance you’ll do a summary post about your FIRE … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement, What Do You DO All Day?!? | 19 Comments