Preparing for Retirement, Part I: the 401(k)
Every so often here, there's a diary discussing how terrible the 401(k) is. These diaries inevitably bring up some good points, such as how the average worker is underpaid (true) and financially...
View ArticlePreparing for Retirement, Part II: Running the Numbers
So you're convinced that you need to be funding your 401(k) (if not, go read Part I). But how much should you invest?Well, that's an easy one. You should invest as much as possible.Ok, that's not...
View ArticlePreparing for Retirement, Part III: Lower Risk, Higher Return
In part I of this series, I recommended putting your 401(k) savings into an index fund (or more likely, a target date fund that gradually shifts assets from an index fund into bonds). In part II, I ran...
View ArticlePreparing for Retirement, Part IV: Social Security
So far we've talked about the parts of retirement saving most under your control: the 401(k) and IRA. Now let's turn our attention to what, for most people, will be a major part of their retirement:...
View ArticleWhy I'm no longer promoting Bernie Sanders
Back before the primary season got going — before anyone had even declared — I decided that this year I would write in Elizabeth Warren in the democratic primary and then vote for Hillary in the...
View ArticleHow to write (and self-publish) a book, part 1: What to write
I always wanted to write a novel.There have been a few things stopping me. First, although I used to write for magazines I generally am a horribly slow writer. Second, I absolutely hate either reading...
View ArticleHow to write (and self-publish) a book, part 2: Getting ready to publish
Congratulations! You’ve written a book! ...now what?The first thing to do (after celebrating, of course) is to put it down and walk away. It’s been said that the first draft of anything is crap. I...
View ArticleHow to write (and self-publish) a book, part 3: Making your book available
When it comes to selling books (particularly ebooks) in the United States, there are two categories: Amazon, and everybody else.It’s been estimated that Amazon controls around 2/3 of the ebook market...
View ArticleHow to write (and self-publish) a book, part 4: Telling people about your book
You’ve written a book. Gotten it edited. Come up with a fantastic cover. Made it available for sale.Congratulations!Now, how do you get people to buy it?As difficult as it can be to write a book, it’s...
View ArticleHow to write (and self-publish) a book, part 5: Realistic expectations
We’ve all heard the stories of people who self-publish their first book and become instant millionaires. And of course, everyone knows how Harry Potter was rejected a dozen times before the series went...
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