The Friday Fab Five is a series where I share five articles, books, or resources that I’m currently using and enjoying. There are many wonderful resources about real estate, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and life out there, so I’ve narrowed them to some of my favorites that I think you´ll enjoy.
Here are this week’s Friday Fab Five.
1. Index Card Financial Advice From Readers – New York Times: My buddy Anthony Petz, an awesome real estate investor in Bellingham, Washington, shared this article with me. Readers submitted their best financial advice, but they had to limit it to the size of a note card! I enjoyed reading through the condensed financial wisdom and seeing the themes that emerged. If you haven’t already, make your own note card and share it with people who need to read it.
2. The 22nd Annual Advanced Strategies Conference with Dyches Bodiford – Atlanta, GA – Jan 23 & 24th: I only attend a couple of in-person classes or seminars each year, and this is one I don’t like to miss. Dyches is my go-to-expert for the details and advanced strategies of real estate investing. The content is always valuable at this conference, but just as important are the conversations in the hall ways, over lunch, or in the bar after hours drinking a beer. If you can’t make the seminar (I know, it’s last minute), definitely subscribe to his free e-briefs newsletter. He sends updates and thoughtful advice on a variety of real estate investing topics.
3. Real Estate Acquisitions and Negotiations Seminar by Greg Pinneo – Charlotte, NC – Jan 30th (free): Greg is one of the best teachers of negotiations and real estate acquisitions you will find. Greg helped me get started buying properties with seller financing and other creative strategies early in my career. If you’re near Charlotte, be sure to register for free. My wife and I will be there.
4. Health Savings Accounts: The Ultimate Retirement Account: This week I reread a great article about Health Savings Acccounts (HSA) by a blogger and early retiree called the Mad Fientist (yes, he’s wicked smart:). HSAs are amazing, and few people use them to their maximum potential. Most people see an HSA as just a way to pay current medical bills, but it’s most valuable as a vehicle to build a huge medical emergency fund and then a retirement account. An HSA is tax deductible when you contribute (reduces your current tax bill), it grows tax-free, and it can be taken out fax free for qualified medical expenses. I’ve owned an HSA for years, and I have it growing with self-directed investments in notes, real estate, and tax liens. I recommend you check out two articles by the Mad Fientist: 1) Why it’s the Ultimate Retirement Account and 2) How to Hack Your HSA. I also plan to write articles about this subject in the future.
5. When Breath Becomes Air: A Young Neurosurgeon Examines the Meaning of Life as He Faces His Death – This isn’t light reading, but the story of this 30-something dad reflecting on life and death really hit home with me. This website, BrainPickings.org, is a labor of love of the intelligent and thoughtful Maria Popova. It’s a bit heady and intellectual (if that’s not your sort of thing), but she does a beautiful job of summarizing books and ideas from a variety of sources. I also love the wonderful illustrations she uses and her lists of thoughtful children’s books.
That’s it for this week!
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Craig Horton says
Read The Lone Survivor which is a fantastic non-real estate related book. That would be in my Top Five to recommend. The story is about a Navy Seal that survives after being severely wounded in Afghanistan. Also love Success Magazine. Really a great magazine with a CD every month with the magazine.
Chad Carson says
Thank you for the recommendation, Craig! Those both sound great.
Kimberly Shelton says
Love it! Keep it going!
Chad Carson says
Thank you, Kimberly! Will do.
Greg R says
Great stuff! Thank you Chad. Keep them coming.
Chad Carson says
I appreciate your feedback, Greg!
Jim Braun says
I like Friday Fab Five Keep it coming.
Chad Carson says
Thanks, Jim. I’ll plan to keep the Fab 5 coming in the future.
Garrett says
Fab Five is great! Thanks for all the great content, Chad.
Chad Carson says
Thanks Garrett! I appreciate you reading and commenting.