Roadmap

In case you prefer a bit more structure than the typical blog, I created this page to act like a Table of Contents for the site.  This will be updated as new posts are added. See below to follow the path to financial freedom.

Part I: The Live Free MD Story

How I paid off $400,000 worth of debt

The Alaska Factor

Part II: Don’t Lose Sight of The Big Picture

What Does it mean to be Free?

Don’t Put Your Shoes on Before your Socks

If You Do These 6 things, You Will Become Rich

Part III: Insure against Catastrophe

Insurance: Know What You Need (And What You Don’t)

Make Sure You Have Life Insurance Before You Die

You’re Not Bulletproof: Plan for the Possibility of Becoming Disabled

So You Can Run a 5 minute Mile and Deadlift 300 pounds? You Still Need Health Insurance.

That 4000-pound Piece of Metal is a Weapon: Make Sure You’re Insured

Installing Smoke Detectors and Salting Your Sidewalk is not Enough. You Need Homeowner’s Insurance.

In Case of a Torrential Storm, You Need a Robust Umbrella

Insurance You DON’T Need

Part IV: Get out of Debt (and stay there)

You need to learn how to Suffer

Should You Go For Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

Wait, You Still Haven’t Refinanced Your Student Loans?

Pay or Be Paid

Yes, You Need a Credit Score

Don’t Buy Stuff You Can’t Afford

Part V: Control your Spending

Live on Half and Forget the Rest

How Much Freedom are you Stealing from Yourself?

To Reduce Expenses, Focus On The Big 3

You Don’t Always Get What You Pay For

Buy Your Car With Cash

A Simple, Practical Approach to Budgeting

Build Your Own Garage Gym and Ditch the Monthly Membership Fees

Beware The Toxic Effects of Lifestyle Inflation

The Goal is to Buy Nothing

Have You Earned The Right To Inflate Your Lifestyle?

Part VI: Increase your Income

Buy Things That Make Money

Entrepreneurship is the American Dream

Part VII: Learn How to Invest

Lack of Knowledge is Not an Excuse!

When is the Best Time to Start Investing? Now!

Use it or Lose it

The Health Savings Account: Even Better than a Roth IRA

A Taxable Account Isn’t Actually That Bad

Don’t let Fees Steal Your Freedom

Should You Choose a Traditional 401k or a Roth 401k?

What Should You Do When the Market Goes Down?

How To Become a Millionaire by 40

Alaskans: Save your PFD!

What Percentage of Stocks Should You Have In Your Portfolio?

How to Emotionally Prepare for a Market Crash

The Land of Critical Mass

Part VIII: Minimize your Taxes

Stop Celebrating Your Tax Refund

Part IX: Earn your Freedom

How to Earn your Freedom

Financial Independence is Not a Number (Guest Post on The White Coat Investor)

The Only Two Numbers You Need to Be Tracking

So You Don’t Have a Pension? No Problem – Make Your Own Pension

Rethinking The Safe Withdrawal Rate: 3% Is The New 4%

Don’t Lose Your Freedom: Mitigating Sequence of Returns Risk

What Does It Take To Get Into the Top 1%?

Part X : Pursue your Passions

 

Part XI: Keep yourself Healthy

Focus On What You Can Control

If You Don’t Have Your Health, You Don’t Have Your Freedom

Part XI: Once you’re on top, assist others

How To Help Your Kids Become Financially Successful