Jacob Schroeder
Jacob Schroeder is a financial writer covering topics related to personal finance and retirement. Over the course of a decade in the financial services industry, he has written materials to educate people on saving, investing and life in retirement. With the love of telling a good story, his work has appeared in publications including Yahoo Finance, Wealth Management magazine, The Detroit News and, as a short-story writer, various literary journals. He is also the creator of the finance newsletter The Root of All (https://rootofall.substack.com/), exploring how money shapes the world around us. Drawing from research and personal experiences, he relates lessons that readers can apply to make more informed financial decisions and live happier lives.
Latest articles by Jacob Schroeder
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The Rule of 1,000 Hours in RetirementFor retirees, the rule of 1,000 hours brings intention and clarity to your day. Because time is the most valuable thing you can spend.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Is Your Financial Adviser's 1% Fee Worth It?The 1% adviser fee has been a mainstay for retirement planning. But now that AI is doing some of their work, it’s worth knowing exactly what you're paying for.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Rule of Two Lives in Retirement: One Life Becomes TwoThe "rule of two lives in retirement" means accounting for your partner at every decision point, because one life becomes two.
By Jacob Schroeder
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6 Early Retirement Mistakes to AvoidThese early retirement mistakes can douse your FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) efforts.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 'First Year of Retirement' RuleThe "first year of retirement" rule says the 12 months after you leave work set the tone for your entire later life — so it's vital to approach them mindfully.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 'Die With Zero' Rule of RetirementIf spending makes you nervous, the 'Die With Zero' rule might be for you. Don’t be the richest person in the graveyard.
By Jacob Schroeder
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How Child-Free Adults Are Choosing to 'Live Early'How shifting from "Retiring Early" to "Living Early" allows child-free adults to enjoy their wealth while they’re still young enough to use it.
By Jacob Schroeder
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How 2026's Retirement Rule Changes Have Shifted Your SavingsSponsored by American National
Retirement planning in 2026 has come with new contribution limits, tax breaks and healthcare changes. Here's what savers and retirees need to know.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Y Rule of Retirement: Why Men Need to Plan DifferentlyIf you have a Y chromosome (because you're a guy), following the 'Y rule of retirement' can help you transition to this new life stage with grace.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Why Retirement Demands a Beginner’s MindsetYou spent decades mastering your career, hobbies and savings. Now comes the hard part: learning how to be a novice all over again.
By Jacob Schroeder
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How to Manage Longevity Risk in Retirement: 10 SolutionsLongevity risk is the downside of our longer life expectancies. Here are 10 ways to make sure your money lasts.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Should You Split Your Retirement Accounts to Reduce Cyber Risk?AI and cyber threats to brokerages are growing. Will keeping your retirement funds in two or more institutions lessen your risk of getting wiped out?
By Jacob Schroeder
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How to Retire at 50 or 55: FIRE Before 60Yes, you can retire at 50 or 55. Take these FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) steps now.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Why You Need to Plan Your Time as Carefully as Your Money in RetirementSponsored by American National
You wouldn't retire without a financial plan. So why do most people retire without a "time plan"?
By Jacob Schroeder
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Retire Before 59½: The IRS Rule to Unlock Your IRA or 401(k)This early-retirement hack lets you tap your retirement savings without tax penalties, helping bridge the gap to Social Security. But you must plan well.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Rule of 55 in a 401(k): One Way to Fund Early RetirementThe Rule of 55 lets you access your 401(k) retirement funds early. When paired with other strategies, it could help you kiss the office goodbye.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Rich but Restless: Why $5M Isn’t Buying Retirement ConfidenceI took a deep dive into what actually builds retirement confidence. The answers had less to do with the amount saved than I expected.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Why I’m 'Phone-Proofing' My Life Before I RetireOlder adults spend more time on screens than any other age group — and retirement may not change that. Here's how to reduce screen time and enjoy a fuller life.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 80% Rule of RetirementThe 80% rule promises a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. Does it deliver, or should it go the way of paper checks and landline phones?
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Kevin Bacon Rule of RetirementThe Kevin Bacon rule is an ideal test of your happiness in retirement, because Six Degrees is "a beautiful concept that we should try to live by."
By Jacob Schroeder
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Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategies for the Long HaulYour early retirement withdrawal plan can make or break your FIRE strategy. Think beyond financial independence to how you will maintain a stable portfolio.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Take a Sabbatical Over Early Retirement for a Cheaper ResetA sabbatical can help you get over burnout, explore a new career or hobby and won't break your retirement if done right.
By Jacob Schroeder
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9 Habits for a Happy Retirementhappy retirement A long and happy retirement takes more than just money. Here are nine things happy retirees do — besides dutifully saving the money they’ll need to quit the 9-to-5 grind.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Things to Do When Retired and Boredhappy retirement Here are 14 ways to prepare now for retirement so that you’ll be happy, active, fulfilled and never, ever bored.
By Jacob Schroeder
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