Remembering John T. Reed (1946–2026): A Blueprint for a Rational Life

I was saddened to learn that John T. Reed passed away on January 31, 2026. For many, John was the ultimate "BS-detector" in the world of real estate and management. For me, he was a mentor through the printed page since I was in high school.

If you’ve followed my journey here at Technically Easier, you know I value clarity, self-reliance, and practical solutions. Those values were heavily shaped by John’s work. He didn't write "motivational fluff"; he wrote technical manuals for a successful life.

How John’s Work Shaped My World

John’s writing went far beyond real estate. It was a philosophy of downside risk mitigation. Here are the three areas where his books fundamentally changed my trajectory:

• Succeeding & Goal Setting: I first read Succeeding in high school. While most authors tell you to "reach for the stars," John taught me to choose goals that actually suit my capabilities and ethics. It’s why I focus on serving my community rather than just chasing the next "big" corporate title.

• https://johntreed.com/products/succeeding

• Hyperinflation & Preparedness: His book Hyperinflation and Depression was a wake-up call. It moved me from "thinking about the future" to taking action. Following his "advanced purchase" logic, I secured my forever home, paid off my duplex, and even handled my final arrangements with a prepaid cremation plan and burial plot. These aren't "grim" choices—they are the ultimate form of financial freedom.

• https://johntreed.com/products/how-to-protect-your-life-savings-from-hyperinflation-and-depression

• Real Estate & Tax Strategy: John’s Aggressive Tax Avoidance and real estate sets provided the "nuts and bolts" I used to manage my properties. He taught me that business isn't about luck; it's about knowing the rules better than anyone else.

• https://johntreed.com/collections/real-estate-investment 

• https://johntreed.com/collections/real-estate-investment/products/aggressive-tax-avoidance-for-real-estate-investor

• https://johntreed.com/collections/real-estate-investment/products/how-to-get-started-in-real-estate-investment

• https://johntreed.com/products/an-american-principal-residence-is-the-most-advantaged-investment-on-earth-maximize-yours

A Final Message

John lived by a personal code until the very end. He was a West Point grad, a Harvard MBA, and a lifelong libertarian who believed in the right to live life as one sees fit. Below is the final message he wrote to his readers—a final masterclass in the "eloquence of the condemned."

"You should stay sober, get educated, stay out of trouble, work hard, and choose your own way of life. Pay for YOUR family's needs." — John T. Reed

Read John's Full Collection and Final Message Here

John, thank you for the decades of perspective. Your books gave me the tools to build a life that is truly "technically easier."