“Learning New Things” has been a theme in these pages over the last month. Over the last week, I decided to add something else to the list … hitting a golf ball effectively. I used to golf a couple times a month when I was working. I golfed the last Friday of the month with my brothers and our Dad – and usually another day … Continue reading Driving Into 2026
Thoughtful reader, Klaus, suggested adding “learn something new” to the list of Cyber Advice for Sixty, that I posted last week. I think that’s a terrific idea, so I wondered what kinds of things do people want to learn at this age? It’s obviously a very personal choice, but there must be some commonalities. With the modern miracle of AI, it’s easy to query every … Continue reading What Do Retirees Want to Learn?
I’m having a milestone birthday this month – 60 years old. Turning 60 – after enjoying a full decade of early retirement – feels like a bigger milestone than other birthdays. After all, 60 is the age that many people retire, including my Father and Father-In-Law. It feels like the “early” part of our retirement is now over, but I still have a lot of … Continue reading Cyber Advice at Sixty
We’re off on a patriotic trip this weekend to Washington DC … We’ll be in the Nation’s Capital for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The National Mall’s Tidal Basin & Potomac Park will be lit up with the bright pink flowers of 3,700+ Japanese Yoshino & Kwanzan Cherry Trees. They were a diplomatic gift of the nation of Japan in 1912 & 1965. An additional … Continue reading Springing Into America 250
“What are unmistakeable signs that someone is genuinely doing well in life?” is a question someone recently posted on Facebook. I was pleased to see that it sparked a wave of thoughtful, heartfelt responses. Commenters largely steered away from flashy markers like wealth or status, focusing instead on inner peace, contentment, gratitude, and simple blessings—classic reminders that true success often looks quiet and unpretentious. The … Continue reading Unmistakable Signs
Auto repairs – YIKES! Our Florida SUV has been in the shop three times over the last couple weeks for repairs. We got the oil & filter changed, the air conditioner charged, new tires, and this Wednesday it will be back in the shop for a new headlight. Our car still looks nice, but the repairs have been pretty costly. All together we will have … Continue reading Parts, Not Labor
Last year, we went on a Viking River Cruise of the Danube. We really enjoyed it. I wrote about buying into the “drinks package” on the first day of the cruise – and how I was up late on the final night “getting my money’s worth”. My wife didn’t drink enough to cover her investment in the drinks package, so overall they MADE money on … Continue reading Cheers to Junk Mail
As Batman learned in the Dark Knight, “You either die the Hero, or you live long enough to become the Villain.” I think that famous movie line now has some relevance to those of us who played by the rules, worked smart, saved prodigiously, and invested effectively. At first, one’s journey to FIRE (Financial Independence & Retired Early) is hailed by society as successful & … Continue reading Hero or Villain?
If you ask most Americans what their biggest annual expense is, most will say housing or maybe transportation. In fact, for most people taxes are far in a way the biggest expense that they have. That means that the taxes from the state you live in (we all see free equally under the Federal rules) are a pretty big factor in planning the financials for … Continue reading State Tax Competitiveness
Valentine’s Day is this weekend, which is my unofficial start of spring in Florida. While we had a record cold start to the month, Valentine’s is usually the date that the weather turns very nice here and the flowers go into full bloom. With the arrival of ideal weather, we have a lot of overnight visitors queued up over the next two months. It is … Continue reading Florida Busy Season ♥️
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