We’ve had a busy couple weeks here in MN, despite a run of bad weather. My summer schedule of yard work, biking, pickleball, tennis and waterfall hiking are already in full swing. I’m also a bit sore from too much doing! My wife heard on the radio that most people stop working out at about age 49. We’re in our late 50s, so that statistic … Continue reading Staying Fit … By Age Group
Our Minnesota Timberwolves are moving into the NBA Western Conference Finals this week, which means that I am already thinking about getting tickets should they win and advance to the NBA Finals. I’ve been “collecting” sports championships / playoff games my whole adult life, going back to when our Minnesota Twins won the World Series in 1987 & 1991. In 1987, I was a poor … Continue reading Championship Potential
A few readers / friends sent me this cheeky t-shirt image, celebrating the stock market’s quick bounce-back from the Trump tariffs. Folks thought I was too negative about Trump’s move to correct long-standing “trade imbalances” – even though my official investor position was to “stay the course”. Related: Stay The Course Still, I thought it was important to acknowledge that the S&P 500 has quickly … Continue reading Trump Tariff Bounceback
We got up early yesterday morning to take our son to the airport. He and his girlfriend were leaving for a fun trip to Japan. Getting up early, is usually no fun for me, but this time my wife and I are benefiting from the jet lag resulting from our trip to Europe last week. I usually get up a little after 8 AM, but … Continue reading Jet Lag Sunrise
Spring has wonderfully sprung in Minnesota, with warm weather, flowers blooming, and outdoor sports. Unfortunately, the real estate market hasn’t noticed. In Minnesota, every real estate agent will tell you to get your property ready for spring, when buyers flood back into the market. That’s the approach we’ve used for the rental townhouse we’d like to sell. Our son moved out in March (on a … Continue reading Spring Housing Stall
It’s dark in Budapest 🇭🇺 now, but I just achieved a positive ROI on the Viking Cruise Line drinks package with my 15th frosty beverage in the ship’s bar & lounge. Like a lot of people, we got carried away coming on to the ship a week ago with the promise of unlimited drinks for the low price of 169 Euro 💶. Our math suggested … Continue reading Drinks Package Success
In Prague yesterday morning, a fellow commented that the city had been conquered 4 times in the last 500 years. First by the Habsburg Empire, then by the German Nazis, then by the Soviet Communists, and now by Viking Cruise Lines! It’s certainly true that the city seems like it’s been overrun by tourists groups doing pre- and post-trip extensions. The Charles Bridge and Easter … Continue reading European River Cruise
We’re over in Europe right now for a Danube River Cruise starting on Sunday. The trip includes stops in lovely Prague, romantic Vienna, and mysterious Budapest. Incidentals for the trip would have been a bit cheaper a month ago, before Trump’s trade strategy beat up the stock market, bond funds, and … the U.S. dollar. What was set to be our best exchange rate ever … Continue reading Euros & Europe
I recently saw a few threads on Reddit where people were asked to answer the question “What are you most looking forward to in FIRE?” (financially independence & retired early). There were dozens of comments. I’ve been early retired over 9 years now, but I still love reading what people are enjoying / looking forward to, so I thought I’d share some of the best … Continue reading Things To Look Forward To In FIRE
The stock market was relatively flat over the last week with investors still try to puzzle their way through the Trump/GOP approach to tariffs, taxes, debt, and new statements on inflation & interest rates from the Fed. Our neighborhood investor club members were as puzzled as anyone when we met for the last meeting of the Spring. Everyone had their own take on what was … Continue reading Crystal Ball Predictions: Investor Club Input
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