106R | A series of suggestions and questions from the ChooseFI community, including HSA funds, capital gains distributions, and Traditional versus Roth IRAs, and follow up from Monday’s episode with Deanna.

• Jonathan raves about battery-powered chain saws, and a great bonding experience with his dad.
• Brad’s in-laws enjoy helping Brad’s family with landscaping and gardening.
• Pursuing financial independence gives Jonathan the opportunity to plan his family’s schedule first and work around that.
• The people pursuing FI aren’t just single, white software designers; FI gives everyone the opportunity to prioritize family.
• We get to pick our story.
• Our mindframe changes the trajectory of our lives.
• No matter how bad you’ve had it, there is someone with more obstacles than you had, who found a way through.
• ChooseFI isn’t about Brad and Jonathan, it’s about the community.
• Voicemail from Danny Kenny, a CFP, who recommends rolling HSA funds out of your employee account and into an external HSA custodian account that will have lower costs associated (allowed once a year) and explains how capital gains distributions can hurt long-term holders.
• Another voicemail, from Hillary, who enjoys hearing about the fundamentals of financial independence.
• Lee asks why someone would choose a Traditional IRA versus a Roth IRA, since neither are funded by truly “pre-tax” money?
• A 401k comes out of your W2 paycheck, before it’s taxed, while Traditional IRA contributions come from a personal decision to contribute post-paycheck money to a retirement account.
• When someone uses a Traditional IRA, contributions are deductible and lower your taxable income to decrease your tax liability.
• A Roth IRA does not come with a tax deduction.
• Taxable investments are just a different way to store your money aside from just keeping money in the bank – either an investment account, or investment properties.
• Ruth points out that it’s important to check our accounts and protect ourselves from recurring and unwanted charges.
• James shares a frugal win – offering graphic design services in exchange for a $500 discount to his favorite coffee shop, so he can work there and drink coffee for free.

 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://choosefi.com/106R