If personal finance blogs had yearbooks, Financial Samurai would absolutely be the one with the most
highlighted passages, the most margin notes, and at least one page that says “NEVER QUIT, GET LAID OFF INSTEAD”
written in all caps. (Not saying you should do that. Just saying Sam has a brand.)
The “Best Of Financial Samurai 2023” roundup is more than a greatest-hits playlist. It’s a snapshot of what money
felt like in America: higher interest rates, stubborn housing costs, noisy culture debates, and a growing hunger for
financial independence that doesn’t require living on beans forever. What makes the list fun is the mixhard numbers,
uncomfortable truths, and the kind of life advice you’d expect from a friend who’s both wise and slightly allergic to
nonsense.
In this article, we’ll break down the best posts and podcasts highlighted in the Financial Samurai 2023 roundup,
translate the biggest ideas into plain English, and add extra context from the broader U.S. personal finance world
(think: inflation, rates, real estate drama, and retirement anxietyso… everything). You’ll leave with takeaways you
can actually use, even if your current budget category is “surviving.”
Why a “Best Of” roundup is secretly a money superpower
A solid year-end roundup does three valuable things:
- It filters the noise. Instead of doomscrolling 400 opinions, you get a curated list of what mattered.
- It shows the themes of the year. The posts that pop reveal what readers worried about mosthousing, jobs, inflation, retirement, and identity-driven economics.
- It creates a repeatable playbook. The best personal finance advice ages well because it’s usually about behavior, not just headlines.
Financial Samurai is especially good at this because it blends “how money works” with “how humans actually behave
when money is involved.” Which is important, because humans are famously rational and calm at all times. (Yes, this
is sarcasm. No, your credit card statement does not care.)
What 2023 felt like for money in the U.S.
Even if you didn’t track every economic update, you probably felt the vibes:
borrowing was expensive, housing felt out of reach, and “risk-free” returns (like high-yield cash and Treasuries)
looked surprisingly attractive compared to recent years.
That backdrop matters because the Financial Samurai 2023 picks lean heavily into three big realities:
- Rates change behavior. When safe yields are higher, it affects investing, home decisions, and even how we think about “what’s worth it.”
- Housing is emotional. Real estate isn’t just a spreadsheetit’s security, family, identity, and sometimes regret with crown molding.
- Financial independence is evolving. FIRE isn’t dead, but it’s getting remodeled. And yes, the renovation costs more than you planned.
The Best Financial Samurai Posts of 2023: what made them memorable
In the “Best Of Financial Samurai 2023” post, Sam organizes standout articles by theme, which is helpful because
personal finance is not one topicit’s a whole ecosystem. Let’s go category by category and pull out the lessons that
travel well.
Best Real Estate Posts: the home isn’t just an asset, it’s a mood
The real estate picks hit a core truth: housing decisions are rarely purely rational. Even if you’re good at math,
you’re still a person with a nervous system.
-
Home insurance for paid-off properties
The simple insight: owning a home outright doesn’t eliminate riskit changes the kind of risk you carry. You’re not
protecting a lender anymore; you’re protecting your family’s stability and a huge chunk of net worth. The broader
takeaway: as you “win” financially, your focus often shifts from growth to protection. -
Paying cash by selling stocks
This one is a classic Financial Samurai mind-bender: trading one risk asset (stocks) for another (a house) sounds
clean until you feel the emotional whiplash. The real lesson is about opportunity cost, regret management, and how
to make decisions you can live witheven if markets move right after you commit. -
The downside of paying all cash & the triple benefit of paying off a mortgage early
Financial purists love to fight about mortgage payoffs like it’s an Olympic sport. The Financial Samurai angle tends
to be: yes, paying off a mortgage might not be “optimal” on paper under certain conditions, but peace of mind has a
real value. The practical move is to weigh your personality and stress tolerance, not just the spreadsheet.
Try this: before making a major housing decision, write a one-paragraph “future me” letter explaining
why you chose it. If you can’t explain it calmly on paper, you probably don’t feel settled yet.
Best Society Posts: money doesn’t live in a vacuum
Some personal finance sites pretend money is purely personal. In reality, money is socialjobs, education, identity,
and networks shape outcomes. The society picks explore that uncomfortable middle ground.
- The diversity hire dilemma
This is a conversation starter more than a checklist: how identity, opportunity, and merit collide in the real
world. Whether you agree with the framing or not, it forces you to think strategically about systemsand how to
navigate them without losing your values. - Trust fund jobs for status
If you’ve ever wondered how someone funds a luxury lifestyle on a salary that doesn’t seem to compute, welcome to
the land of family money, soft nepotism, and jobs that function more like social identity than economic necessity.
The takeaway: don’t benchmark your life against someone else’s curated math. - Entitlement mentality & absurd dreams
This pairing is basically: entitlement destroys gratitude, and cynicism can destroy ambition. Financial progress
isn’t only about income; it’s also about mindset and consistent action over time.
Try this: If you catch yourself comparing, switch metrics. Instead of “who has more,” ask “who has
more control over their time?” Time is the real flex.
Best Wealth Management Posts: the psychology of “enough”
Wealth management isn’t only about picking investmentsit’s about building a life where your money supports your
values. These picks lean into behavior, perception, and what people believe wealth is supposed to do.
- The paradoxes of wealth
A core theme: people can have more than ever and still feel behind. Perception and reality often disagree, and that
gap creates anxiety spending, scarcity thinking, and constant dissatisfaction. The antidote is not “make more,”
it’s “align what you believe with what you do.” - Spending more money on food: an experiment in decumulation
Many finance guides talk about saving. Far fewer talk about spending wisely once you’ve built financial strength.
This post pushes an interesting idea: spending can be intentional, even strategic, especially when the alternative is
hoarding resources you’ll never enjoy. - Average household is a millionaire (but not the median)
This is about understanding distributions and why “average” can be misleading. Translation: don’t let a statistic
guilt you into thinking you’re failing; use the right benchmarks. - 401(k) balances by generation
This one scratches the “how do I compare?” itchuseful, but only if you use it as information, not identity.
Try this: Define “enough” in three layers: survival, comfort, and freedom.
Most stress comes from not knowing which layer you’re aiming at.
Best Retirement Posts: the FIRE conversation grows up
The retirement section is where Financial Samurai shines, because it doesn’t treat retirement like a finish line.
It treats it like a long season of life you must actually live through.
- The difficulty of finding a good job after retiring for years
A blunt truth: stepping away for a long time can make re-entry harder than people expect. The takeaway isn’t “never
retire,” it’s “keep skills and networks warm,” especially if you might want optionality later. - Why it’s hard to stay retired once you retire early
People think “no work” equals happiness. Often it equals boredom, identity confusion, and too much time to reorganize
your pantry for the sixth time. The post points toward purpose as a requirement, not a bonus. - How much people want vs. what they actually have
This is the tension: expectations are high, savings are often lower, and the gap creates fear. A practical response
is to build a plan that includes both savings strategy and lifestyle expectations. - Why early retirement/FIRE is becoming obsolete
The argument isn’t that freedom is obsolete. It’s that work has changed (remote options, flexible careers, portfolio
income) so the “retire to escape misery” framework may not fit as many people as it used to. - The best reason to retire early: years of greater happiness
This is the heart of it: financial independence is time independence, and time can be converted into better health,
deeper relationships, and more meaningful daysif you use it well.
Try this: If “retirement” feels vague, define a post-work weekly schedule. If you can’t fill
it with things that energize you, you’re planning an empty calendar, not a joyful life.
Best Education and Family Finance Posts: anxiety, tuition, and real talk
Education is a major wealth leverand a major stress generator. The selected posts tackle the emotional reality of
paying for college and raising kids who understand effort.
- Community college may be the way
This one challenges the status-driven approach to education. The underlying point: outcomes matter more than brand,
and there are multiple routes to a good life that don’t require financial self-destruction. - Affirmative action perspective & median income of Ivy League grads
These explore the intersection of identity, admissions, and payoff. The takeaway: don’t buy a “guaranteed success”
story. Evaluate risk, cost, and realistic outcomes. - Different ways to pay for college & summer job with kids
One is about funding strategies; the other is about values. Together they say: finance is math plus parenting.
Try this: For any big education expense, create a “return on stress” score. If the stress is extreme
and the incremental benefit is small, reconsider the plan.
Best Investing Posts: AI, private markets, and the beauty of boring interest
Investing in 2023 wasn’t just “stocks vs. bonds.” It was also about how technology is reshaping work, markets, and
opportunityplus the strange moment when cash started looking exciting again.
- Artificial intelligence: benefit financially and protect yourself
The balanced approach: AI creates opportunity and risk. A smart response includes learning how AI affects your
industry, building skills that complement automation, and avoiding hype-driven decision-making. - Why high interest rates are great for most
This flips the usual complaint narrative. Higher rates can reward savers and offer more attractive “safer” returns.
The big idea: every environment has winners; position yourself to be one of them. - Private investment capital calls & margin cautionary tale
Both warn about liquidity and leverage. Translation: don’t let a “good opportunity” turn into a forced sale or a
stress spiral.
Try this: Keep a “sleep-at-night buffer”a cash or cash-like reserve sized not just for emergencies,
but also for peace. The goal is to avoid panic decisions when markets wobble.
Best Work/Career Posts: layoffs, benefits, and the money power of leverage
Career strategy is personal finance. Your income is your biggest wealth engine, and 2023 kept reminding people that
job security is a vibe, not a guarantee.
- When to file for employment benefits if you receive WARN Act pay
Nuts-and-bolts guidance matters when life changes fast. The practical takeaway: know your timeline, know your
eligibility, and don’t delay actions that protect your cash flow. - A visit to “pity city”
Harsh but useful: many workplaces optimize for the organization, not the individual. The lesson is not to become
cynicalit’s to manage your career like a professional, document your value, and build optionality. - Severance negotiation stories
These posts focus on leverage and planning. Even if you never negotiate a severance, the larger takeaway is:
understand your market value and create alternatives before you need them.
Try this: Once a quarter, write down your “exit options” (internal transfer, new role, freelance,
further training). Optionality lowers fear.
Best Lifestyle Posts: wealth is meant to be used wisely
Lifestyle posts are where Financial Samurai gets philosophical, sometimes spicy, and usually memorable. The underlying
message: money is a tool for living, not a scoreboard.
- The pandemic as hedging your life
A reminder that resilience matters. Build finances that can absorb shocks, and build a life with fewer “single points
of failure.” - Wealth reality ratio & life expectancy links
These push readers to ask: is your environment helping you thrive, or just draining you? Place affects spending,
stress, health, and opportunity. - You will always regret sacrificing love for money
A relationship-centric argument: money is replaceable; time and relationships aren’t. Personal finance done right
should support the people and experiences you value. - Combatting inflation is straightforward but not easy
The classic behavior gap: people know what to do (budget, negotiate, invest, avoid lifestyle creep), but execution is
hard. The win comes from systems, not motivation.
Try this: Choose one “inflation defense” habit: negotiate a bill, cook two more meals at home, or
automate an extra savings transfer. Small moves compound.
The Best Financial Samurai Podcasts of 2023: lessons you can hear on a walk
The roundup also calls out favorite podcast episodesuseful because audio formats let nuance breathe. In 2023, the
podcast lineup reflected Financial Samurai’s sweet spot: money, careers, real estate, and human resilience.
-
Inside an NBA Champion’s Journey with Shaun Livingston
This episode is bigger than sports. It’s about comeback psychologyhow setbacks reshape identity and how discipline
builds long-term outcomes. Personal finance parallels: investing and careers both reward people who can stay steady
through uncomfortable seasons. -
Busting the Real Estate Cartel with Mike Ketchmark
Real estate commissions became a major national debate, and this conversation digs into the “why” behind the outrage:
technology lowered costs in many industries, yet transaction fees in housing stayed high for a long time. Whether you
own a home or dream of one, this topic matters because fees quietly shape affordability. -
Making Venture Capital Accessible to All with Ben Miller
Private markets traditionally had high minimums and high barriers. This episode explores what happens when access
broadensand what “democratizing” investing really means in practice. The smart listener takeaway: access is not the
same thing as suitability; understand risks, liquidity, and time horizon. -
Making Managing Director at Goldman Sachs (and leaving) with Jamie Fiore Higgins
A conversation that’s partly career, partly culture, and partly emotional cost. The personal finance angle is clear:
high income can accelerate wealth, but it can also come with trade-offs that aren’t visible on a paycheck.
Try this: If you like podcasts for learning, don’t just listencapture one idea per episode and make
it an action. Otherwise it’s motivational entertainment, not growth.
How to use the “Best of 2023” ideas to improve your money in 2026
A roundup is fun, but it’s even better as a tool. Here’s a simple way to translate these themes into a practical plan:
1) Build a rate-aware financial life
In a higher-rate world, choices change. Your emergency fund can earn more. Debt costs more. Big purchases deserve more
math. A rate-aware plan means you pay attention to your borrowing costs, keep liquidity, and avoid forcing yourself
into bad timing.
2) Reduce “regret risk,” not just market risk
Financial Samurai repeatedly hits the idea that good decisions are the ones you can live with. The “cash vs. stocks”
housing debate is a perfect example. When you choose, you’re not only picking an assetyou’re picking a lifestyle and a
stress profile.
3) Treat career optionality as an investment
A resume is an asset. A network is an asset. Skills are assets. If you invest in them consistently, you lower the
chance that one employer or one industry shift can wreck your plan.
4) Don’t worship FIREdesign freedom
The modern goal isn’t necessarily “never work again.” It’s “never feel trapped.” That can come from a flexible career,
portfolio income, a healthier relationship with spending, and a lifestyle that doesn’t require constant upgrades.
5) Protect the basics: taxes, insurance, and boring systems
The flashy stuff gets attention. The boring stuff builds stability. Insurance decisions, retirement contribution
habits, and inflation-proof budgeting systems are the quiet foundation behind long-term wealth.
Final thoughts
The best thing about the “Best Of Financial Samurai 2023” list is that it doesn’t pretend money is easy or purely
logical. It treats wealth as a mix of strategy, behavior, and values. The posts cover big themesreal estate, work,
retirement, investing, familywhile the podcasts add human stories that make the ideas stick.
If you want to use this roundup well, don’t try to apply everything. Pick one category you’re most focused on right
now (housing, investing, retirement, or career), choose one action you can take in the next seven days, and build
momentum. Financial freedom isn’t usually one big win. It’s a long series of “boring” good decisions that eventually
becomes a life you actually enjoy.
Not financial advice. For decisions involving taxes, legal issues, or large investments, consider consulting a qualified professional.
of Real-World Experiences Inspired by Financial Samurai 2023
One reason Financial Samurai readers stick around is that the content often mirrors what people are living through
not in a “perfect spreadsheet” way, but in a “my emotions just body-slammed my logic” way. Here are a few common,
real-world experiences that match the biggest themes from the 2023 best-of posts and podcasts, shared in the spirit of
“you’re not the only one.”
Experience #1: The cash-vs.-stocks house dilemma is real.
Plenty of people hit a moment where they could buy a home with cashif they sell investments. On paper, it looks
simple: swap one asset for another. In reality, it feels like choosing between security and potential. Some folks
describe it like ripping off a Band-Aid made of dollar bills. The best outcomes tend to come from people who pick a
decision they can emotionally hold through market swings. If you sell stocks and the market rallies, you don’t want
years of resentment. If you don’t buy and home prices rise, you don’t want years of regret. The point isn’t predicting
perfectly; it’s choosing a path you can live with.
Experience #2: Staying “retired” can be harder than getting there.
A surprising number of early retirees report that the first few months feel like freedom, then the calendar starts
looking… suspiciously empty. Some end up building small businesses, consulting, or picking up creative projects not
because they need money, but because they need purpose. The happiest stories usually include structure: volunteering,
fitness routines, part-time passion work, or community involvement. In other words, people don’t just retire from work;
they have to retire to something.
Experience #3: High rates changed the mood of money.
When savings accounts and safe yields look attractive, people feel more willing to hold cash and less pressure to take
wild risks. Some described 2023 as the first time in years they felt “paid to be patient.” That shift can be healthy,
especially for anyone who tends to chase hype. The downside? Big purchases become scarier, and debt feels heavier. A
lot of people responded by tightening budgets, delaying upgrades, and focusing on stability over flex.
Experience #4: Career shocks create new respect for optionality.
Layoffs, reorganizations, and “we’re going in a new direction” conversations pushed many workers to update resumes,
build side income, or finally negotiate harder. People who had savings buffers felt calmer; people who didn’t often
made rushed choices. A common lesson: you don’t build a parachute on the way down. You pack it ahead of time.
Experience #5: “Wealth” is increasingly defined by time and peace.
A recurring reader sentiment in 2023: having money is nice, but having control over time feels better. More people
talked about reducing stress, living closer to family, and spending more intentionally. It’s not that money doesn’t
matterit’s that, at a certain point, the goal shifts from “more” to “better.” Better days. Better health. Better
relationships. Better sleep. And yes, maybe better foodbecause life is short and sad salads are unnecessary.
