The Philosophy That Changed Investing
If you're familiar with the Bogleheads community, you already understand one of the most powerful truths in personal finance: simplicity wins. Keep costs low. Stay diversified. Stay the course.
Named after John C. Bogle, the founder of Vanguard and pioneer of index fund investing, the Bogleheads have built an incredible repository of investment wisdom. Their wiki is a masterclass in evidence-based investing.
Built on Boglehead Principles
The Bogleheads community has done more to democratize sound investment advice than perhaps any other group. Low costs, broad diversification, and discipline—these principles form the foundation of how we think about wealth building at MoneyOnFIRE.
Read the Bogleheads Investment PhilosophyThe Bogleheads philosophy gives you the investment strategy:
- Invest in low-cost, broad-market index funds
- Maintain a simple, diversified portfolio (the three-fund portfolio)
- Minimize taxes through asset location
- Stay the course through market volatility
- Keep it simple
This investment philosophy is exactly right. MoneyOnFIRE embraces it completely.
From Philosophy to Personal Plan
Once you've internalized the Boglehead way, you know how to invest. The natural next questions are about your specific situation:
"How much should I actually contribute each month?"
You know to max tax-advantaged accounts first. But after taxes and expenses, how much can you actually contribute? And in what order across 401(k), IRA, and taxable?
"When will I reach financial independence?"
You're saving diligently in index funds. But when will those savings generate enough income to cover your expenses? What's your actual FI date?
"How do I balance FI with other goals?"
Saving for kids' college in a 529? Paying down the mortgage? How do you allocate between competing priorities while staying on track for FI?
"What's my actual FI number after taxes?"
The 4% rule is a great starting point, but withdrawals from traditional accounts are taxed. What's your real FI number when you account for taxes on different account types?
Where MoneyOnFIRE Fits In
Think of MoneyOnFIRE as the planning layer that sits on top of your Boglehead investment strategy. We don't tell you what to invest in—you already know that. We help you figure out how much and when.
The Boglehead + MoneyOnFIRE Stack
Investment Selection (Bogleheads)
Three-fund portfolio, low-cost index funds, Vanguard/Fidelity/Schwab
Contribution Planning (MoneyOnFIRE)
How much to each account, when, and in what order
FI Projection (MoneyOnFIRE)
Your personal FI date, accounting for taxes and inflation
Principles We Share
MoneyOnFIRE was built by people who believe in the Boglehead way. Here's how our approach aligns:
Keep Costs Low
We assume you're investing in low-cost index funds. Our projections use reasonable growth assumptions based on historical market returns, not promises of beating the market.
Tax Efficiency Matters
We prioritize tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), IRA, HSA) before taxable brokerage, and we calculate actual taxes on withdrawals when projecting your FI number.
Simplicity Over Complexity
We don't try to optimize for every edge case. We follow the proven priority order: employer match, then high-interest debt, then emergency fund, then max retirement accounts.
Long-Term Focus
We project your journey to FI over years and decades, not days. No market timing, no get-rich-quick schemes—just steady progress toward your goals.
Evidence-Based Approach
Our calculations are based on established financial principles: the 4% rule, actual tax brackets, real contribution limits, and historical market performance.
Stay the Course
We show you a realistic path to FI. When the market drops, your plan doesn't change— you keep contributing, keep following the priority order, and stay focused on the long term.
What MoneyOnFIRE Calculates
While you handle the investment selection (three-fund portfolio, target-date funds, or your preferred approach), we handle the math:
Tax Calculations
Federal, state, Social Security, Medicare—we calculate your actual take-home pay so you know exactly what's available to save.
Contribution Allocation
How much to your 401(k) to get the match, how much to your IRA, how much to taxable—in the right priority order, with specific dollar amounts.
FI Number & Date
Your personal FI number based on your expenses, adjusted for inflation, and accounting for taxes on different account types. Plus your projected FI date.
Multi-Goal Coordination
Saving for college and FI? We calculate how to fund your 529 while still making progress toward financial independence.
Month-by-Month Projection
See how your accounts grow over time, when you'll complete each milestone (emergency fund, debt-free, FI), and what your portfolio looks like at each stage.
How They Work Together
| Question | Bogleheads Provide | MoneyOnFIRE Adds |
|---|---|---|
| What to invest in? | Low-cost index funds, three-fund portfolio | We assume you follow this approach |
| How much to save? | "Save as much as you can" | $X/month to 401(k), $Y/month to IRA |
| Which accounts first? | Tax-advantaged before taxable | Specific priority order with dollar amounts |
| When will I reach FI? | Use spreadsheets or calculators | Your exact FI date based on your situation |
| How to handle taxes? | Asset location principles | Actual tax calculations on your income |
For the Spreadsheet Enthusiasts
Many Bogleheads love spreadsheets—and we respect that. If you've built your own financial model, you know the work involved in keeping it accurate: updating tax brackets, adjusting for contribution limit changes, recalculating as your situation evolves.
MoneyOnFIRE handles that maintenance for you. We update tax tables annually, adjust for new contribution limits, and recalculate your projections whenever you update your inputs. Think of it as a spreadsheet that maintains itself.
And if you want to see all the numbers? We provide a detailed month-by-month breakdown you can export to Excel.
A Thank You to the Bogleheads
John Bogle's mission was to give ordinary investors a fair shake. The Bogleheads community has carried that mission forward, helping millions of people invest wisely. We built MoneyOnFIRE because we believe in that same mission—helping people take control of their financial futures without needing a finance degree or a financial advisor.
Ready to See Your Path to FI?
You've got the investment philosophy. Let us help you build the plan. Get your personalized roadmap based on your income, expenses, and goals.
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