It seems every generation wants to dump on the next one. Or, the one before it. Boomers complain about Millennials and Millennials say, “OK, Boomer”. Millennials say Boomers left the world a mess and Boomers say Millennials are ruining the world with their decisions. The irony of the situation is that the Boomers parented the Millennials themselves. (I’m a Gen X’er and our son’s a … Continue reading Gen Z Growing Wealth: The Kids Are Alright
I’m old enough to have been assigned the chore of ‘raking’ the orange, thick-cut, shag carpeting in our family room when I was a kid. We had a bonafide carpet rake to keep the shag looking new and not matted down under the feet of our family of six. I remembered that dubious task this week, as my wife and I prepared for carpet layers … Continue reading Roll Out The Rug …
Today I am up on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula on a road trip suggested by frequent reader, Randy. It’s the part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that juts up into Lake Superior. Definitely Paul Bunyan land. I drove my Jeep for 6+ hours yesterday to get here. Randy was up here last summer and sent me some flyers highlighting the many waterfalls in the area. You might … Continue reading Unexpected Hobby …
I flew out to SmallCorp this week for our spring board meeting. On my way out, I stopped in to check out the new Delta World Club (above) that just opened at MSP – a benefit of my new airline credit card. Related: Taking Flight It was the first time I had stopped in an airline club since I stopped working 7+ years ago. I … Continue reading Back In The Club?
I asked my AI illustrator app to picture 77 pints of beer on a bar top, but I think it went a little overboard with this image. I can relate. After a couple years of buying ‘Pub Passes’ and ‘Tap Room Passports’, I now have THREE of them to use in 2023. Those three books entitle me to a total of 77 ‘free’ beers after … Continue reading 77 Pints of Beer on the Bar
I’ve always been good about going in for my annual checkup, both when I was working and now 7 years into early retirement. I was blessed to work for MegaCorps that had on-site health clinics and executive health programs, that made it easy. I recently went in to our post-retirement clinic for my annual check up and was surprised to get a bill for $278 … Continue reading A Good Question To Ask At Your Next Check-Up
It’s pothole season and good friend and regular reader, “Bowmanifesto”, commented about the “financial potholes” that prevent people from reaching FIRE (financial independence & retiring early). Just like the potholes in the road, there are hundreds of financial hazards that we all need to dodge each year. Just like the holes in the road, financial potholes aren’t catastrophic, they are just annoying costs that add … Continue reading Financial Potholes – Ten To Dodge!
I’m turning 57 this year, which certainly means I’m on the downhill side of the mountain. Not just in age / likely lifespan, but also in annual spending. This JP Morgan chart shows ‘the other side of the mountain’ in spending. The average American household slows spending quite a bit as they age … more than I would have guessed. I’m seeing a pretty steady … Continue reading Heading Down The Hill …
Our friends and us sometimes debate the “vibe” of snowbirding in Florida versus Arizona. I would guess that about 2/3rds of our friends opt for Florida and 1/3 opt for Arizona. We were undecided until a few years ago when my wife noted that although we’ve been to both many times, when we’ve chosen Florida over Arizona at about a 3:1 ratio for vacations over … Continue reading Sunshine State Snowbirding Vibe
Mr. FireStation has been tied up with a family emergency over the last week. Coincidentally, regular reader, “Klaus” Wentzel offered to step in with a post, which was great. Klaus and I have never actually met in real life, but he often shares very insightful comments. This post is based on one of his observations from a couple years ago that is relevant today. Thanks, … Continue reading What is Your Household’s Largest Budget Item?
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