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

Buy the Dip or Wait?

With the new EU tariffs being proposed, the market has dropped about 1.5% this morning.   It's hard to know.   A Trump reversal may have right away and reverse the downtrend.  Or the EU tariffs may be implemented on February 1, 2026 as proposed.

At this point, I plan to wait.   Resistance by the EU seems higher than previously which may delay any "deal" being made for Greenland.  Maybe at least until February 1.

OTOH, if Trump should TACO quickly, what we already own should also recover quickly.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Asked for Price Adjustment

Recently, my family bought a outdoor fireplace for my birthday.   A few days later, my spouse looked and the price was lowered 10% for a sale.   She was disappointed.   I commented, " I can call an ask for a price adjustment."   My spouse, who was reluctant to try, gave me the order information.

When I was working, I this simple point of view:  Always ask for something you want.   The answer may be "No," if you ask.  However, the answer is always "No" if you don't ask.

I called the company's customer service number.  I explained that my family had purchased the item about 6 days ago and now the price was reduced.   Would they be able to refund the difference?   The customer service rep answered, "Our policy is that we don't price match, even for our price changes.  However, I can give you a 10% off coupon on a future purchase."

A reasonable answer, but not what I requested.  Also, our family is terrible at keeping track of coupons, often losing them or letting expired.

I politely responded, "If we don't want a coupon, is there something else you can do?"   The customer rep answered, "I can submit your request for a refund to my supervisor."  I responded, "Great, I'd like to do that.  BTW, what if they don't authorize a refund."   Customer rep responded, "Then, you get a 10% off coupon.  We'll respond in 24-48 hours via email."    A winning approach for me either way.

Within 24 hours, the company responded and refunded the difference.  Woohoo!

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Retirement Tax Bomb

When I started working, I was convinced making deductible IRA contributions was the best strategy.  The common thinking was that tax rates would be lower in retirement.   Deductible IRA contributions reduced my current tax liability.   Even though I would pay taxes later, it was expected that I would be in a lower tax bracket when withdrawing the funds in retirement.   The lower tax bracket part turned out to be correct.  Early on, I was in the 34-38% tax bracket when contributing, and now I'm in the 12% tax bracket in retirement.

However, I did not count on tax advantaged IRAs and 401Ks growing so big and having required minimum distributions (RMD).  In addition, there are Medicare surcharges called IRMAA (Income-Related Adjustment Amount) based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).  Is it looking more complex with all these acronyms?   The net result is being put in higher tax brackets by income that wasn't needed but was required to be distributed.  For reference, every $1 million in retirement accounts (except Roths) will have about $40,000 in RMDs in the future. 

Then net result is that while the tax rate might be lower in retirement, the nominal amount paid is much, much more than anticipated when money was saved for retirement.

I was warned about this when I retired by a tax professional colleague when I asked about what he would do different in retirement.   He said that he wished he had withdrawn more funds from his retirement accounts before RMDs took place.  He felt he was paying more taxes than needed by withdrawing funds when he didn't need the income.  

Since I retired early at 49, I was able to act on his comment since I could do Roth conversions long before I received Social Security income.   This has reduced some of my potential future RMDs amounts.  Also, I will do a NUA (Net Unrealized Appreciation) when I take funds from my company retirement account, which I kept with the company from which I retired.

Overall, I expect to still have a retirement tax bomb, but much smaller than originally since I was made aware the issue soon after I retired.   It would be better for me if Congress takes action to eliminate RMDs for the original account holder, but I'm not holding my breath.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC