Ep. 108R — How to Calculate Your Savings Rate

Your family's entire annual leave could vanish on a single trip—if you're lucky enough to take it at all. Jonathan just spent 20 days in Zimbabwe with his wife's family, more time than he was previously allowed in a full year. But this episode isn't about vacation logistics. Penny and Rebecca provide insights on 529 ABLE plans and special needs trusts, while Brad breaks down his Profit and Loss Statement as a framework for calculating savings rates. The conversation shifts between protecting government benefits for family members with disabilities and finding consistent methods to track financial progress—two sides of intentional financial planning.

Key Topics Discussed

529 ABLE Plans and Special Needs Trusts 00:08:00

• 529 ABLE plans allow individuals with disabilities to save for necessary expenses without losing government benefits like Medicaid
• Special Needs Trusts manage assets for beneficiaries while preserving eligibility for state assistance programs
• Research local resources to establish these financial vehicles

Savings Rate Calculations 00:33:00

• Different approaches: gross total compensation versus after-tax income
• Consistent tracking year-over-year reveals actual financial habits
• Brad's framework: anything that increases net worth counts as savings

Timestamps & Chapter Markers

• 00:00:00 Feedback on 529 ABLE and Trusts
• 00:01:00 Family Vacations and Experiences
• 00:08:00 Understanding Special Needs Financial Planning
• 00:33:00 Savings Rate Calculations

Key Quotes

• "Discover the 529 ABLE and Special Needs Trust for financial planning." 00:08:11
• "Planning is crucial; losses can be catastrophic." 00:08:26
• "To be an expert in something, you have to experience it." 00:21:14
• "Anything that increases my net worth, I count as savings." 00:57:09
• "Track your savings rate throughout the year to avoid scrambling." 00:53:00

Related Resources

• The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins