AI and the Future of Work, Noticing Good Things, New Account Option

AI and the Future of Work?

n

I hesitated significantly over whether I should include this section in the newsletter, because it is a bit doom and gloom, but I found this article so intellectually stimulating that I just had to include it:

n

A week ago, this thought experiment from Citrini Research hit the investing world by storm and wow was it a fascinating read.

n

It was a fictional look back from the future (June 2028) on what transpired in the world and economy due to the incredibly disruptive nature of Artificial Intelligence since the beginning of 2026.

n

This scenario paints a picture of shocking disruption, especially in white-collar and traditionally knowledge-based jobs.

n

This article is just a scenario written (albeit quite compellingly) by one small research group, and while I donu2019t expect that level of systemic negative repercussions in such a short time, I do believe AI will fundamentally reshape many industries.

n

In the FI Community, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of trends and understanding the world how it is. AI is coming for many jobs we take as givens, and we must be aware of that starting right now.

n

I donu2019t know where this leads or when, but Iu2019m keeping an eye on it. You should too.

n

(Note: Jack Dorsey just published a post saying his company Block is firing 40% of their workforce due to AI advancements. I suspect weu2019ll see much more of this in the near future.)

n

Best Strategy: Noticing Good Things

n

I saw this Twitter post from Aditi Choudhary and think it nails a fundamental truth about life:

n

n

u201cI recently heard someone say:

n

“The amount of good things in your life depends on your ability to notice them.”

n

I can’t see it any other way now.u201d

n

n

I think this is the best possible strategy. If you look for bad things, youu2019re going to find them. If you look for good things, youu2019re also going to find them.

n

Which makes for a better life? That seems pretty obvious.

n

I think this is a large part of why a u2018gratitude practiceu2019 is so popular; youu2019re constantly engaging your brain to look for things to be grateful for in life.

n

And when you look for them, you find them oh so easily.

n

‘Trump Accounts’ Are Now Open for Signup

n

My good friend Chris Hutchins puts out one my favorite weekly newsletters, and this section caught my eye recently:

n

n

u201cIf you have kids, the new “Trump Accounts” (officially 530A accounts) are now open for signup. Children born between 1/1/25 and 12/31/28 with a valid Social Security number are eligible for a $1,000 federal contribution from the U.S. Treasury. Accounts will go live on 7/4/26 and parents can contribute up to $5K/year, and employers up to $2,500.u201d

n

n

Regardless of your opinion of the name of these accounts, the actual idea seems to be an unmitigated good.

n

All US children under 18 with a social security number are eligible to establish one of these accounts and the money will be invested in low-cost index funds.

n

This Schwab summary article I found describes them as a cross between an IRA and a 529 account. The beneficiary also doesnu2019t need to have earned income to make/accept contributions (unlike a Roth IRA for children).

n

These are potentially interesting accounts and Iu2019m keeping a close eye on them to see if they really are as good as they sound.

n

ChooseFI Updates:

nn

(Note: We earn a commission if you sign up for credit cards through our site. ChooseFI does not advertise on the podcast or in this newsletter. Your support using these card links continues to make that possible. Thank you!)

n

n

I was able to get the 457b retirement option available at my school district. With this option available I reallocated my monthly contributions from my 403b to my new 457b account, while still getting the full district match to my 403b. While it’s a win for me, it’s also a win to all of my colleagues as they have this retirement option available to them as well!

nn

u2014 Eric

n n

n

I’m excited to share that I’ve finally rid myself of my mortgage escrow account. After cancelling PMI last year, I took this next step to quit (essentially) loaning my lender my annual insurance and property tax funds. Now I park those amounts in a high-yield savings account and earn interest until it’s time to make once-annual payments. It’s a small win that feels like a great hack!

nn

u2014 Meg

n n

n

We live in a HCOL city without a car – for the weekly groceries it is difficult to do anything but have them delivered. The 1% (which is probably more than 1%) is to make sure I always check the delivery against my order. I would estimate that over 50% of the time there is something that should be refunded. Spoiled / moldy food is a regular one (obviously spoiled, to the extent you would never pick the food off the shelf if you went yourself).

n

Missing items are not uncommon, and on more than one occasion we’ve had a full bag missing from the delivery! When I thought about writing in, I was going to tell everyone the % we got refunded this week as an example, but wouldn’t you know it – they got the order exactly right. Now this is obviously the best-case scenario, but when this doesn’t come to pass, everyone should get the refunds they are entitled to.

n

Also – very important to keep tabs on replacement preferences – especially if you have children who don’t always do well with a “kind of similar, but definitely different” replacement.

nn

u2014 Joey

n n

n

My 1% better is deleting my social media accounts today. I am being more thoughtful about how I spend my time and the energy I allow into my life.

nn

u2014 Jill

n n

n

Used my work bonus to: Pay off all high-interest credit cards!!!!

n

Still have 1 card that’s 0% interest via balance transfer. Use remainder of bonus ($2100) to take a chunk out of a student loan.

n

Pulling a lever by my wife coaching club volleyball ($1000) on the side and we’re throwing it at debt.

n

Switched car insurance providers and saved ~$550/yr with the exact same coverage.

n

Refinancing our mortgage from 6.5% to 5.625% and saving ~$250/month. Utilizing not having to pay our mortgage during the refi process to wallop debt.

n

All of above will get us to net worth of $0, but feeling much more encouraged with the progress we’re making on our debt.

nn

u2014 Ian

n n

n

Something that has made a huge difference in our lives this year is using an app to see where all our money is the Good and the Debt. We have discovered our net worth is in the millions even without our home equity (we’re in Northern Cali) and also realized we are ready to let go of our jobs.

n

I’ve always saved 30-40% percentage of my salary and when my husband and I met 16yrs ago I made sure he did too. I funded our girls’ 529 plans and our emergency fund. Our savings rate this year is 45% and recently my husband was just so miserable at work that I started to ask the question are we ok if he retires now, he’s only 55.

n

That question lead me here. I learn I too could retire now at 46 if I want to. I haven’t decided if I will just yet but it sure is nice to know I can. It’s interesting as I started to connect all my accounts I would think I was done and then I’d remember another account I had. We went from thinking we need both incomes to knowing we can both stop working any day now. He’s planning to stop next month and I’m considering May 2026 or 2027.

nn

u2014 Norma

n n