Is your 401(k) secretly stealing from you? 😱

Letter #14 – ✍️ Writing from Avignon 🇫🇷

Maxing out your 401(k)? Total no-brainer.

It’s the ultimate retirement savings tool—set it, forget it, and boom, financial freedom! 🤤

 BUT your beloved 401k could be sneakily draining your money with hidden fees. 🙀

Don’t believe us? Let’s do this together. Shall we?

Step 1: Find the 401k Fee Disclosure

• Email your HR or Benefits team: “Can I get the 401(k) Fee Disclosure from Fidelity that outlines the fees associated with our plan? Thanks!”

• OR simply Google / enter in ChatGPT: “How to find the 401(k) Fee Disclosure for my [Fidelity/Vanguard/Schwab/etc.] account?”

Step 2: Spot the Fees 🧐

• Look for section labeled "Fees and Expenses"

• Check for administrative fees, investment expense ratios, and any other charges tied to your plan

• Do a quick calculation to see how much you're really paying in fees 🧮

Step 3: Check in the mirror to see if you look like this

That’s what Angie looked like when she checked her 401k fees 👇

And there’s nothing Angie can do about that fee since she’s already opted for the lowest fee option possible. 😔

But guess what? There are other fees you can kiss goodbye. 💋👋

So in this letter 💌, we’ll share how—and why you need to put a stop to it before your 401(k) swipes your retirement dreams. 🦹‍♂️

1. Fees: The Silent Wealth Killers

Let’s talk fees. They seem small, but they’re the real villains here.

Whether it’s expense ratios, admin fees, or those fees buried so deep you need a treasure map to find them, they’re eating into your returns year after year. 🙉

Think 1% isn’t much? Over 30 years, that 1% could cost you hundreds of thousands. Yep, you read that right.👂 Hundreds. Of. Thousands. 💸💸💸

✨ Fix: Opt for low-cost index funds with fees under 0.1%. Here’s our non-sense guide to index fund investments.

2. Beware of “Friendly” Advisors

Financial advisors can be great, but let’s be honest—some (most) are in it for themselves.

If they’re getting paid commissions to steer you toward expensive funds, they might not be looking out for you, just their next payday. 💼💰

✨ Fix:

• Find a fiduciary advisor—someone legally required to act in your best interest.

• Or even better, SKIP them. And faithfully stick with S&P 500 🤝 for truly passive income. Not sure which S&P 500 to pick? Here’re our picks.

3. Compound Interest: The Double-Edged Sword

Compound interest isn’t just for growing wealth—it can also grow your fees. 💸🫠 Even a small 1-2% fee compounds over time, quietly draining your nest egg. 🥚

✨ Fix: Review your 401(k) fees and cut high-fee funds.

Alright! Key Takeaway:

• Your 401(k) should build wealth, 😤 not drain it.

• Take 10 minutes to review your plan, cut the fees, and keep more of what’s yours. 💪

• When in doubt, invest in index funds. Here’s how.

Hope it's helpful for your journey to Freedom 🙏

Love you to freedom and back, 🫰

Angie & Tyler

Things We are Loving Right Now ❤️‍🔥

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