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Former Goldman Sachs analyst Sam Dogen — also known as the Financial Samurai online — decided to cash in on a huge chunk of his investments last year to buy a “forever home” for his family (1).
But by selling his stocks and bonds, he lost about $150,000 a year in passive income.
“My family and I could have been set for life. Instead, due to my inability to beat back real estate FOMO (fear of missing out), I blew up our passive income,” Dogen wrote in a blog post.
“Desire is the cause of all suffering.”
Dogen was investing for a long time. In fact, he first made headlines back in 2012 for championing the “financial independence, retire early” (FIRE) movement by retiring at the age of 34 with a $3 million net worth.
However, that all changed in 2023. Dogen told Business Insider, “I bought an expensive home I didn’t need, becoming house-rich and cash-poor. (2)”
After his real estate investment misstep, he decided to return to work — but that only lasted 4 months. At that point, he quit, and decided not to look for another job.
“It’s too bad, because it could have been a perfect fit,” Dogen wrote. “The good thing about this is that I realized what I don’t want.”
Dogen said that was enough to save around $40,000 and help replenish his lost income. But he could have supplemented his income without returning to work.
Dogen could have earned passive income through real estate investing without buying a home outright. For instance, with Arrived, investors like Dogen can tap into the market by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties.
Backed by world-class investors including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property.
To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, potentially earning quarterly dividends.
If you, like Dogen, are an accredited investor looking for a larger stake in real estate, you might also want to consider commercial investments. While the industry has faced its challenges over the last few years, a 2025 Cushman & Wakefield report showed that commercial sectors like grocery-anchored retail often outperform during weaker growth environments (3).
First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
It might be hard to believe that with a $3 million net worth, Dogen still felt the need to return to work and lock in supplemental income.
It begs the question: did he simply fall victim to lifestyle creep?
He admitted there were some areas he could have cut back on, but as is the case for many high earners, it can be difficult to see the big picture when costs for non-essentials mount.
Making sure you have the right budget to retire can be a hard task to tackle on your own but an an app like Rocket Money can easily flag recurring subscriptions, upcoming bills and unusual charges by pulling in transactions from all your linked accounts.
This can help you cut unnecessary costs, and then you can manually redirect savings straight into your retirement fund. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, no stress. Small habits like this can make a big difference over time.
Rocket Money’s intuitive app offers a variety of free and premium tools. Free features include subscription tracking, bill reminders and budgeting basics, while premium features — like automated savings, net worth tracking, customizable dashboards, and more — make it easier to stay on top of your retirement contributions and overall financial goals.
Beyond building out a budget, Dogen says, “People should be very calculated and aware if they decide to have children and if they want to achieve FIRE. It’s a really tough combination.”
Making that decision can be easier when you have a financial professional to consult with.
Advisor.com connects people to fiduciaries, financial advisors and financial planners who can help.
Advisor.com makes it easy to find a financial advisor who can help you organize your finances and establish goals. When you answer a few questions about yourself, Advisor.com will match you with a curated list of financial professionals, and you can book a free, no-obligation consultation to see if they’re the right fit.
