Last week I played my first round of golf this Spring. My talented, somewhat golf-obsessed, brother invited me out on one of the first sunny days we’ve had. I stumbled around looking for my ball, while he posted a respectable 84. He improved on that his next two times out with a 79 & 78. “Game feels pretty good for 64 years old,” he said. … Continue reading Got Any Golfing Goals?
I recently heard about the Galleri cancer detection test from a friend who receives care at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. This groundbreaking test is revolutionizing how we approach cancer screening, offering a comprehensive and non-invasive way to detect over 50 types of cancer – at a very early stage – through a simple blood draw. The test works by analyzing DNA fragments in the … Continue reading Galleri – Cancer Detection Test
As promised on Monday, we’re closing out ‘Collectibles Week’ at the Fire Station with a look at collections that are decreasing in value. Below is a list of 20 collectible categories that have grown less popular (and valuable) in time. We don’t have a lot of things that are on this list. My wife has some Hummel figurines (#4) from 25-30 years ago, but none … Continue reading Collectibles – Decreasing In Value
Just in time for Spring Garage Sales, it’s “Collectibles Week” here at the Fire Station. I’ve been looking around our house and trying to think of which things I should keep collecting, and which I should find some new homes for. Today, I am including a list of the “Top 20” collectibles that are INCREASING in value. On Friday, I will publish the list of … Continue reading Collectibles – Increasing in Value?
We’re sitting down with our financial planner on Monday for our annual portfolio checkup. The key issue we need to think through is the relative balance of our portfolio between safe/less safe investments and those which are liquid/illiquid. When we bought our condominium in Celebration FL in February, I was a bit concerned our portfolio would be getting a bit heavy in real estate. In … Continue reading Rebalancing Act
They say that in Spring, “hope springs eternal”. I wish I could be so optimistic right now. Spring is frankly my least favorite of all the seasons. Particularly this time of spring – from mid-March to the end of April. In Minnesota, this time of year is still cold, wet, and desolate. We get a few nice days in April, but generally it’s not ‘outside’ … Continue reading Spring Showers
I often read articles & posts where young people are bemoaning their financial lot in life. They complain about student debt. The gripe about limited opportunities. The grouse about job prospects. I’ve always believed they were being prematurely pessimistic. Yes, the economy is a bit ‘wobbly’ these days – but there is no crisis. Sometimes it seems everyone wants to play the victim these days. … Continue reading Every Generation Better …
Well, today is Income Tax Day 2024. We came home from snowbirding three weeks ago and rushed to get our paperwork to the accountant so that they could get the forms properly filled out by 4/15 this year. We successfully filed them on Saturday. We didn’t pay much in taxes for 2023 as we usually do, since we mostly lived off cash we had in … Continue reading Income Tax Day 2024
Sorry I missed my Monday deadline this week. I was on the road to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a buddy. The Speedway was on the line of totality for the solar eclipse! The eclipse was amazing. And, a bit haunting. The cold, black disk of the moon staring down on the darkened Earth is really chilling. Very cosmic & otherworldly. It is no surprise … Continue reading Quirky, Cosmic Trip
Wow. I cannot believe how high inflation has soared over the past few years. High inflation has been my biggest concern since we early retired. I’ve probably written 15 posts worrying about what may happen to our FIRE plans if high inflation came as a result of the economic Pol-idiots in Washington DC. A few favorites: Cut Those Prices In Half! IRS Changes Don’t Keep … Continue reading Who’s Afraid of Inflation?
MrFireStation 