Screening Phone Calls Reduces Annoyance

We screen all our landline incoming phone calls.  We don't answer if we don't recognize the phone number.  97% of those calls don't leave a message.   The other 3% are cold calls or returned calls where we don't know the number yet.

I can monitor calls from the main phone or the two cordless extensions.  Saves us a lot of time.  We don't need to decline making contributions, listen to sales calls, or deal with potential scammers.  

Too bad email isn't as efficient at screening out scam email yet.   Wishful thinking.

For more on Ideas You Can Use, check back every Tuesday  for a new segment.

This is not financial nor phone advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Managing RMD Impact at 73

I've  been thinking about doing Roth Conversions to minimize the RMD tax bomb.   Tax rates are pretty low now.   I would definitely do conversions in the 12% tax bracket.   However, I'm rethinking as to whether to do RMD conversions, pay the tax now, to avoid paying taxes in the future at higher tax brackets.  It seems the RMD tax bomb might not be as big a deal as the media implies.

According to the 2026 Uniform Lifetime Table, a $10,000 IRA would require a $3774 RMD at 73.   For a $1M IRA, multiply that by 10 to get a $37,735 RMD. 

With a median IRA balance of $200,000 at 73, that means a median of $7,500 annual RMD. With an average IRA balance of $600,000 that means an average of $22,600 annual RMD.   Neither of these seem outrageous from a federal tax point of view.  This is causing me to lean towards just paying taxes when I have to take an RMD.

Another factor is the Inherited IRA RMD requirement to be distributed in 10 years.   At a median of $200,000 that would be $20,000 per year for 1 heir, which probably is a nice bonus for 10 years.  At $600,000 that would be $60,000 per year for 1 heir, which my create a minor tax bomb but still they  would still receive at least 2/3s even after higher tax rates.

If I had $100 Million in an traditional IRA (I wish),  I might think about Roth Conversions and RMDs differently.  Even then, I might just take my annual $3.7 million RMD and pay the taxes.

For more on Strategies and Plans, check back every Monday for a new segment.

This is not financial, retirement, nor RMD advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

University Snow Closings - Times have Changed

My alma mater just posted on LinkedIn that classes will be held at the discretion of the instructor due to 14 inches of snow.  Back in my day, classes were not cancelled for winter weather.   In February 1977, I walked to an 8AM class in waist deep snow. The chemistry professor wondered out loud why there were so few students.  LOL

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor education advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Thank Goodness for a Snowblower

The predicted snow storm happened last night.  While the official amount of snow was 8 inches this morning, our driveway had 6-14 inches of snow depending on the location.   

Fortunately, we have a gas powered snow blower which we inherited from my spouse's parents.  I was able to clear our 100 foot, 2 car wide drive way in about an hour.  Since it has kept snowing, I expect I will need to run the snow blower again tomorrow morning to remove 2-5 inches more of snow. 

School has been cancelled for tomorrow, Monday, already.   Back to enjoying more winter weather with the snow blower tomorrow.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every  Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor snow removal advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Timing the Market Possibility

Interesting article from LinkedIn on timing the market.  Below is a copy of the key points.

--We often hear that "time in the market beats timing the market." But what if 94% of the trading calendar has been "dead money" for nearly three decades?

--If you stripped out just 16 days a year from the S&P 500—the day of a Fed meeting and the day before—the stock market would look like a different world.

--As of today’s close (12/19/25), the S&P500 sits at 6,834.50. Without those specific "Fed Windows" since 1997, the index would be trading closer to 3,000.

--That is a 3,800+ point "Fed Premium." 🤯

--This data, frequently highlighted by Tony Pasquariello at Goldman Sachs, reveals a staggering "Fed Premium" that defines modern equity returns.

My first reaction is, "If this a great idea, I wouldn't be hearing about it.  The developer would keep it secret and make billions."

Second, if there is an edge, it won't always be a positive gain every time.  Successive early losses can easily wipe out one's principal quickly.

Still I find the opportunity interesting and may make a few "fun" trades using this concept.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor investing advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Elon Musk says Retirement Savings Won't Be Needed in 10-20 years.

Elon Musk says saving for retirement is irrelevant because AI is creating a world of abundance | Fortune

Says the person that just negotiated a trillion dollar compensation package.   ROFLMAO.   Why does he need such a large pay package if retirement is irrelevant?

Recall that Musk promised FSD (Full Service Driving) initially in 2016 and still has not delivered as of the end of 2025.  Maybe he is hedging his prediction.😂

As brilliant as Muskman is, I don't think I'll bet on not needing retirement savings just yet.  Especially, since Social Security payments will be reduced in 2033 if Congress doesn't not take action.

For more on Reflections and Musings , check back every Saturday for a new segment.

This is not financial, retirement, Muskman advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Preparing for Single Digit Temps and Snow This Weekend

The temperatures this weekend will be mostly in the single digits and accompanied by several inches of snow. 

Here's how I prepared:

• Did all upcoming planned activities yesterday and today.   Donated clothing and books.   Did my  my medical lab tests for next weeks procedure.  Filled up both cars with gas.
• Did routine outdoor house maintenance ahead of the snow.   Drained the water collecting in the radon system.  Added chemicals to the outdoor hot tub. 
• Prepped the snow blower to be ready for continuous use this weekend.
• Determined we had sufficient food and water in case snowed in for a few days. 
• Prepared vehicles for driving in extremely snowy weather with brushes for snow removal and traction mats.

Although we were planning to go skiing this weekend at a nearby ski resort, we will probably pass dues to extremely low temperatures (single digits or even negative wind chill) and about of foot of expected snow.   No need to risk driving, when we will still be around next week to enjoy the new snow on the slopes.

Hopefully, we will avoid any power outages.

For more on Reaping the Rewards, check back every  Friday for a new segment.

This is not financial or snow preparation advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Prepare for Retirement

I though this was a good article about estimating how much savings is needed for retirement.

Here’s How Much Cash Boomers Need To Retire in the Next 5 Years

For more on  Reaping the Rewards, check back every Friday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor retirement advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Personal Success

Most of the posts in this blog are about financial success.  However, personal success based on one's character and demeanor is also important.

Here are my thoughts for being success in character.

Show leadership with integrity -  Set the direction of what needs to be done.

Be exceptional - Step up and rise to the occasion to solve challenges.

Inspire others to do their best - A good leader helps their followers be successful.

Be nice and gracious - Treat others with respect and civility.

Have I delivered personally?   I'm sad to say I have not done as well I would hope.  I will try my best and hardest to do so going forward.  For my children, I hope they learn to have both personal and financial success.

For more on Crossing Generations, check back every Thursday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor character advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Personal Finance is a Very Important Job

"If one doesn't make time to learn about one's personal finances, one will end up panicking later when running out of money for one's needs." ~ Super Saver

Few people pay attention to managing personal finances  until there it's obvious they can't cover their necessary expenses, and then there is panic, and then it may be too later.   

Financial Illiteracy and some examples: 

Bad Habits

• Spending more than one earns.
• Carrying a credit card balance and paying interest
• No emergency funds
• Not having a plan
• Not investing early

Outdated Assumptions

• Social Security will be enough
• Traditional IRAs/401Ks are best for retirement savings
• Kids will support us if needed
• Depending on unlikely inheritance

Subtle Oversights

• No keeping taxes lower legally
• Not saving first before paying expenses
• Assuming a student loan is an "investment'
• No understanding the repayment amounts for student loans

These are just some examples but not every possiblity.  YMMV.

For more on The Practice of Personal Finance, check back every Wednesday for a new segment.

This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC