“Hair is the first thing. And teeth the second. A man got those two things, he’s got it all.” Who am I to argue with the hardest working man in show business, Mr. James Brown? James knows what makes the world go around. But I might suggest that perhaps he has the order of importance […]
Carolyn at 108
One week from today, my Aunt Carolyn will begin her 109th year of adventures. Beside the cake, candles and balloons, the inevitable question always accompanies the birthday celebration; “What’s the secret to living to be 108?” When confronted with this query, Aunt Carolyn usually gives a sly smile and doesn’t say a word. On occasion, […]
Making a List, Checking It Twice
As the year begins to wind down, it’s common to spend some time reflecting upon key events of the last twelve months. We think about the good and the bad and all the stuff in between and we look forward, with some combination of anticipation and trepidation, to starting again with a whole new set […]
Pushing Up Daisies
Pushing up daisies. Taking the dirt nap. Meeting one’s maker. Kicking the bucket. Giving up the ghost. We have lots of creative ways of avoiding the real word, but at some point, all of us will do it. I’m talking about death. When it happens to an older person, it’s generally more expected and accepted, […]
Give and Take
Lots of important financial announcements came down from the government this week that should be of interest to retirees and those looking to retire in the near future. As usual with Washington, there’s some good news and some bad news. Here’s a quick look… For those who are still working and can contribute to some […]
The Devil Is in the Details
Sometimes the ideas that resonate most for you on a particular subject come from unexpected sources. Consider this quote from renowned pop artist Andy Warhol: “Dying is the most embarrassing thing that can ever happen to you, because someone’s got to take care of all your details.” I’m not sure exactly which details Andy was […]
A Crucial Decade
My 60th birthday is rapidly approaching. Yikes! On most every day, I feel much younger than my mental image of a 60-year-old, but the calendar tells the truth. My birth year of 1954 places me squarely in the middle of the Baby Boomer generation, defined as those born between 1945 and 1964. That placement resulted […]
Half Empty or Half Full?
Is the average Baby Boomer retiree’s glass half empty or half full? After several years of nothing but gloom and doom scenarios and projections for boomer retirees, there is finally some good news to report…maybe. A recent survey conducted by Baltimore-based investment management firm T. Rowe Price concluded that many newly-minted retirees are finding that […]
Live Long and Prosper
Star Trek fans (especially those of the original TV series that began in 1966) can picture it clearly; the stony-faced, somber man with the oddly pointed ears greeting a fellow crew member with a distinct hand gesture and the phrase, “Live long and prosper.” It seems like a nice sentiment, but, for those of us […]
To Claim or Not To Claim
To claim or not to claim – that is the question. Is it better to postpone collecting your Social Security benefits until you are 66 or possibly 70, or is it better to take the money and run at age 62, the earliest possible moment it is offered? Certainly, popular opinion seems to favor the […]