No matter why I go see my doctor, he always does a few things first. Whether I’m complaining of cold or flu symptoms, or getting an annual physical, he first listens to my heartbeat, assesses my breathing (with an extra cold stethoscope), and looks down my throat, up my nose, through my ears, and into […]
Time for a Fiscal Physical? Read More »
Bill scowled at his reflection in the mirror. At least his grayish beard hid his double chin. “How did I get so old so soon?” he asked himself. Bill’s not old; he’s only 45. But he is at “halftime” in his professional life. Twenty years down, roughly twenty to go. In our twenties and thirties,
Good (and Bad) News for Mid-Lifers Read More »
After two-plus years of pandemic protocols, 2022 was the summer we finally got back to one of our great American traditions: the road trip. Road trips can be epic or awful, unforgettable or regrettable. (We could swap stories, I’m sure.) The difference usually comes down to planning. The same is true with the journey of
On the Road Trip to Retirement Read More »
One year into retirement Al is…unhappy. His issue isn’t money. Al’s always been a diligent saver. At age 45, he hired a financial planner. They drafted a wise plan and stuck to it for the next twenty years. Fact is, when Al walked away from his career last year, he was in great financial shape.
The Four Forgotten Retirement Challenges Read More »
“You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.” That was the tagline from a famous Fram Oil Filter ad campaign back in the 1970’s. It featured a grizzled auto mechanic holding up an inexpensive oil filter, then pointing over his shoulder at a car engine in need of an expensive rebuild. You
Paying for Retirement – Now vs. Later Read More »
Who knew we could glean financial insights from the World’s Strongest Man competition? If you saw it recently, you know the winner was a 28-year-old Scot named Tom Stoltman—all 6’8” and 384 pounds of him. This year’s contest showed that if you ever have an 18-ton bus blocking your driveway, Tom’s your guy. Just give
Get a Stronger Retirement Plan Read More »
In the 1960s, going to the dentist meant a little white spittoon by the dental chair and a whole lot of pain. Our dentist at the time—I’ll call him Dr. Hurt—thought only sissies needed anesthesia for a “little thing” like drilling and filling a cavity. Translation? Going to see Dr. Hurt was stressful! One day
Smart Plans vs. Plans That “Smart” Read More »
I had hip surgery last week. Man, did that ever hurt! Beforehand, I researched the procedure, the surgeon, the health facility, and the outcomes of others who’d had the same surgery. What I didn’t focus on is the grueling rehab patients have to do after surgery. I didn’t think to ask, “How much pain will I
What Pain Can Do for Us Read More »
After two years of masking up and shutting down, we stir-crazy Americans are traveling again! Beaches are packed, Disney is bustling, and national parks and campgrounds are turning away visitors. Our renewed wanderlust means a reintroduction to a regular feature of road trips: potholes! We’ve all had the unpleasant experience of driving along and hitting
Five Financial Potholes (and How to Fix Them) Read More »
Back in the 1970s, an OPEC oil embargo sparked a period of hyperinflation in America. To clamp down on rising prices, Fed Chairman Paul Volcker raised interest rates. By 1981, you were lucky if you could find a home mortgage for less than 16%. Business loans were going for 25%. On the bright side, if
The Problem with Financial “Extrapolation” Read More »
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