Why do we say ‘stay the course’?

I saw a new barber this week… apparently a “low fade with a little off the top” means something different to this barber. He sent me off looking like a Marine Corps drill sergeant. I guess I should use a reference photo from now on.

Mike and I sign off every newsletter by saying:

Until then, stay the course.

This is our reminder not to make any drastic financial decisions based on one topic covered that week. We write our newsletter to provide actionable information to help you craft a long term investment/financial plan in line with your goals. In a Dollar Debrief utopia, our collection of 71 (and counting) newsletters helps you develop a ‘course’ that will get you to your dream outcome: either retirement, Barista or Coast FIRE, or a 9-5 job with supplemental income.

From how to work out of debt to how to make a budget to how to get started with investing to a balanced portfolio, we want to compile all the information you need to have a personalized plan that fits your life and goals. 

Sometimes we do stray into more ‘fun to know’ information that most likely won’t impact your financial plan. On these newsletters, staying the course is especially important!

For example, we don’t want you to read our newsletter on margin loans and short selling and ‘full-send’ it by going on margin to buy NVIDIA short positions because your cousin said “it’s just too high man.” That would be inconsistent with a long term investment plan. 

From useful to useless information, Mike and I are fascinated by the world of finance. How have ETFs changed the world for casual investors? Useful and fascinating! How do billionaires take loans to purchase insane yachts? Useless and fascinating!

Not every letter we write will be useful, but hopefully they are fun to read.

Your course is your plan to achieve life goals with the support of a solid financial plan. Money is just a means to an end. Control your money, do not be controlled by it. 

Stay the course by determining your reasons for investing, saving, and spending to craft a plan focused first on objectives and second how much money you need to get there. There is an infinite amount of money you can chase but a finite amount of time to spend it.

Stay the course by determining how you want to spend your finite time, then come to the Dollar Debrief to learn how to use your money to get there.

Call to Action

Please let us know if we have missed any topics you want covered!

What We’re Watching:

Workaholics. This sitcom is one of my favorite, underrated shows. It is not for everyone. Very much an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia meets The Office meets Seinfeld vibe. I thought this recommendation could balance the lack of memes and jokes in this letter.

Debrief on Deck

Next week, Mike is going to detail where we disagree with Dave Ramsey… this might be a long letter. There are a couple Ramsey instagram reels I have seen that have to be rage bait. There is just no way he believes some of these things.

As always, please reach out to us with any questions or comments you have. You can reply directly to this email or find us on social media (X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram).

Until then, stay the course.

Disclaimer