What This Substack Is About
So you can decide if it is right for you.
What this newsletter is and isn’t. (and some links to popular essays)
Before I tell you what this newsletter is about, let me tell you what it’s not about:
Not about extreme frugality
The frugality movement is already covered brilliantly by folks like Mr. Money Mustache. I practice relative frugality — cut what doesn’t bring value, keep (even upgrade) what does. I’m not going to teach you to eat for $1 a meal, ditch your daily latte if you love it, or feel guilty about hiring a housekeeper (full disclosure: we have one). Frugality tends to be expense-first; I’m income-first. There’s a floor to cutting, and no ceiling to earning.
Not about budgets
Budgets can be useful; I keep one myself (even as a decamillionaire). But the core rule I live by is simple: spend less than you make — see the law of 50% — and invest the difference wisely. You won’t see me obsess over line items; I’d rather focus on the machines that grow income.
Not a mutual-fund cheerleader
More than 80% of active funds underperform the S&P 500 over time — while charging you for the privilege. I prefer low-fee, broad ETFs (e.g., SPY, VTI). If your 401(k) menu forces mutual funds (I’d hope in 2026 that ETFs are now available in all 401(k) plans), pick the lowest-fee, broadest option and move on. Even Buffett has told most investors to use an index fund.
Not a fundamentals deep dive
I don’t spend hours on P/E ratios, ROE, or footnotes. That work exists — Buffett is the gold standard and you can piggyback via Berkshire’s 13F. My edge isn’t sifting statements; it’s earning more, keeping a high savings rate, minimizing & mitigating tax liability, and allowing time for compounding to work.
Not a retirement fantasy
“Retirement” (as in, ceasing to work) makes me cringe. I like leaving the job you don’t want — sure — but I believe contribution is core to fulfillment. Work isn’t only a job; it’s purposeful effort. This isn’t an early-retirement countdown. It’s about Financial Freedom and designing meaningful work on your terms.
Not a credit-card hacking feed
Others do it well. I also like free money. But points aren’t the engine here.
What this is about
Building wealth and reaching Financial Freedom - without living small.
This isn’t standard “get rich slow.” The aim is rapid wealth building with a life you actually enjoy. Yes, live below your means - but do it the abundance way: expand your means.
The restrictive way is expense-obsessed, which breeds scarcity.
The alternative is income-focused, which breeds abundance.
When you earn more, saving more gets easier. I recommend the 50% Law: save 50% of after-tax income and spend the other 50% guilt-free. That creates fast compounding and allows for proportional lifestyle upgrades (i.e., the big no-no of LIFESTYLE INFLATION).
The last piece is obvious and underrated: invest the gap wisely. Todd Tresidder said it best:
Spend less than you make and invest the difference wisely.
Most people quit because they’re only shown the slow path. They don’t realize there’s another way.
Why I share so transparently
I want to humanize finance — make it approachable, interesting, and useful. I publish my numbers so you can see the real trade-offs and the real math. If you want uncommon outcomes, do uncommon things.
My hope is that this newsletter helps you take the helm of your own financial ship with intention. I believe anyone can reach Financial Freedom if they’re willing to play a different game.
If you earn an average salary and save at an average rate, you’ll likely get an average result — work until 65 and maybe retire if everything goes right. There’s nothing wrong with average if it makes you happy. I’m just aiming for extraordinary — and if you’re still reading, you probably are too.
Plenty of gurus say the only route is ruthless deprivation: skip the $5 latte, skip the dinners out, white-knuckle it for decades, then enjoy it when you’re old. Hard pass.
Good news: there’s another way. Keep spending on the things that matter to you and focus on growing your income so you can keep a high savings rate. You can reach freedom sooner than you’ve been told.
Ultimately, this is about freedom — acquiring the resources to live your dreams and operate on your terms. Wealth is the means, not the end.
The end goal is to live well and give well.
Dom
P.S. One thing has changed since I first wrote this: AI has entered the chat.
And I do not mean that as a gimmick.
I think AI is one of the most important leverage tools humanity has ever created. It is going to change work, income, ownership, education, investing, parenting, capitalism, and the path to Financial Freedom.
So I am going to write about it.
Not from a doom-and-gloom perspective.
Not from blind techno-optimism either.
From the lens of Builder Optimism.
The belief that yesterday was better than most people remember, today is better than most people realize, and tomorrow can be better than almost anyone imagines - if we build it on purpose.
That is why I am launching Builder Optimism with Dom & Atlas, a series where we ask the hard questions about AI, technology, money, work, family, purpose, and the future - and search for the hopeful, practical path forward.
Money still matters.
Financial Freedom still matters.
Living well and giving well still matters.
AI just gives us a new set of tools, questions, and opportunities to explore.
P.P.S. I’ve used Empower since 2014 to keep score — it replaced my spreadsheets with a live view of every account and our net worth trend. It’s free, and using my link sends a small tip my way so I can keep most of my writing without a paywall. Win–win. Try Empower free →
Your net worth, all in one clean dashboard.
Make the gap automatic — and visible.
Track once, benefit forever.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws are complex, change frequently, and vary by individual circumstance. Always consult with a qualified CPA or tax professional before implementing any tax strategy. Your situation is unique — get personalized guidance.
Thank you for this Dom. Continuing to learn from you from a far and treasuring every word of wisdom.
Love this post! Clarity is power.