16 Year Bull Market for Retirees

I sent article below to a few friends, under the subject "Lucky Retirees."

Dad, 79, has been retired 14 years and his nest egg is still growing — his son wonders, ‘Why are we all stressing so much about retirement?’

No surprise since he retired during a 16 year bull market, which was the best ever.

However, one always needs to remember the standard disclaimer, "Past performance does is not guarantee future results."  Or as my roommate from college responded, "It works until it doesn't," noting that his 94 year old dad is having more health issues that require higher costs and more withdrawals.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

I Need to Get Out More

When I was working, I was gone from the house 60+ hours a week.  After retiring, I was still out the of the house 20-30 hours a week with part time jobs and volunteer work.   After I finished that stint, I was at home much more often, like most of the time.  I would get out on occasionally for a tennis league or skiing, but not more that about 4 hours a week.

I've become more of a homebody, not going out except for occasional grocery shopping.  I don't even go out for DIY projects.  Almost everything can be ordered online and delivered nowadays.   Most of my contacts are via email with distant friends local and out of town.

I've decided I need to get out more for mainly social reasons.   I miss the ad hoc interactions with people.   I've started attending regular group get togethers, such as monthly lunches with a church group.   I continue to play in a tennis league, but also play with an individual in addition.  I occasionally attend financial seminars.   

At this point, I'm not looking for regular part time work nor volunteer work.  I still want lots of flexibility, but I definitely need to leave the house much more.

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

This is not financial, aging nor social advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

EZ-Pass Easy Peasy

I used to avoid toll roads to avoid tolls.  Now, I use them regularly since I have EZ-Pass.

Five years ago, we drove out to New Jersey for a college visit.  Having driven the trip before, I took the PA Turnpike.  When I last drove it, I could pay at the toll booths.  This time, there were no manned toll booths.   Since I didn't have a EZ Pass transponder, my license plate was used to charge me.

I received the "pay by plate: bill after the trip.  The cost was $143.  Ouch, it was over twice the cost if I had a transponder.  However, Pennsylvania offered a discount option.  If I registered for a transponder, the cost would be reduced to $70, a 50% discount.   The transponder from Pennsylvania had a $3 per year annual fee, which is one of the lowest annual fees.   If I never used it again, I would get 22 years of no $3 fees for just applying.   Easy choice.  I addition, I could register up to 4 vehicles and transfer the transponder, which is OK since we only drive one car at time for long trips.

Although I didn't make the full PA Turnpike trip again, I have used the EZ Pass on a part of the PA turnpike, MD toll roads, GA toll roads FL toll roads and other PA toll roads.   Not only did I get a discount on my first trip, but I have received discounted tolls for all east coast toll roads since then.

EZ Pass was easy peasy. Many eastern states offer a EZ Pass and different prices.  PA had one of the lowest cost activation and annual fees. YMMV.  

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated by EZ-Pass for this post.

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

This is not financial, EZ Pass, nor toll road advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Highly Viewed Posts in October 2026

Below are the three most viewed posts in October 2026:

DIY - A Feel Good Story

My spouse commented that the garage outlet was sparking.   I hadn't noticed, but I don't use it often.  I did notice the outlet was a little spongy when I plugged something in. I decided to fix it right away since sparking may be a safety issue.

I thought I had all the parts from previous projects and I had a good idea where they were located.  About 90 minutes from start to finish, including finding the parts in the house, doing the repair, and confirming the fix worked.

How to Speak to an Audience

Fives elements of a successful talk.

Roth Conversion Hack for Trump Accounts

Hey, even non working kids can have a Roth IRA via the Trump accounts after they turn 18.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Evolution of Politicians: Serve, Scam, Scum

Today is election day.   I already voted early in our county.  Honestly, I didn't like most of the candidates running, especially if they were members of the two major parties.  With the exception of two major party candidates who live in my immediate neighborhood a within a couple streets, I voted for third party candidates or for write-ins.   I prefer to vote for better and not the lesser of two evils.  

This is my opinion of how many politicians evolve:

• Initially, most run to SERVE.  The intentions are good.  They want to improve government and the country.
• Then, they get elected.  Everything changes afterwards.  They soon realize there number one job is to get RE-ELECTED.   From then on, they become a SCAM, saying and doing whatever is needed to remain elected.
• Then, they get re-elected and realize they can leverage position for their own benefit - financial, influence or power.  They care mostly about themselves and forget the original goal of SERVING.  Some participate in self serving politics and evolve to SCUM.

IMHO,  this can be stopped by having term limits, which prevents long term politicians for one postion.

If I ever run for public office, I won't serve more than two terms nor forget that my original purpose was to SERVE.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Huge Mutual Fund Long Term Capital Gains Distributions Estimated for 2026

In preparation for our 2026 tax return, I looked at mutual fund distributions estimates for December that get published by end of October to mid December.  I do this every years since surprise distributions, which are sometimes large, can significantly affect income tax planning.   Of course, a big distribution is a good problem to have, except if it causes as significant unexpected increase in income tax owed.

For my 2026 tax return draft, my earlier estimate was that the long term capital gains distribution would be about 50% of the 2025 distribution, due to a large distribution on one fund was due to a midyear 2025 merging with another fund.  However, the published October estimates showed I was way off.  While I was correct about the large 2025 distribution being reduced (by 75%, it turned out), I didn't count on 4 other funds doubling their 2025 distribution.  As a result, I revised the 2026 long term capital gains estimated to be at a minimum 10% higher than than 2025.

This has caused my capital gains estimate on our 2026 return to change from -$3000 to +$1500, resulting in long term capital gains and dividends being taxed at 15% instead of 0%, and increasing our tax liability such that we owe instead of getting a refund.

Since there are two months left in 2026, I can still due some tax loss harvesting to reduce the capital gains and tax liability.  I will target to sell some positions to reduce our capital gains to zero or less, which put our long term capital gains and dividends in the 0% tax category.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Refinishing Front Wood Door

Our front door was refinished 10 years ago.  Although slightly faded, the wood is still in good shape. This summer, I decided to try refinishing the door myself, since I recalled the cost 10 years ago was $800.

To prepare, this summer I purchased an orbital sander and finger sanders for a newly purchased oscillating too.   I also located the stain and water based spar urethane that was used.  The spar urethane had gelled and I replaced it.   I haven't opened the can of stain., but it is still liquid.

Today, I first did a minor repair since some of the veneer was peeling. I first glued the veneer.  Then, I started the process of sanding, and realized I would need additional sanding tools for the tight spaces.  I ordered a micro sander (for 1in wide areas) and contour sanders for the trim.   I expect to have them arrive in the next couple days.  In the meantime, I will do the sanding of the large panels with the orbital sander.   I will also test the stain of a piece of scrap wood.

Hopefully, I will be ready to complete the project on Thursday, while the temps are still compatible with applying the spar urethane.

Wish me luck.😎

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

This is not financial, refinishing, nor maintenance advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Became a NOW Bagholder Again

With a 34% drop this week tp 105, NOW has gone from +50% to just-2% to +5% in my IRAs and -2% in our taxable account.  Up until this week, I had conviction that every dip would be followed by a recovery, which happened in April, June and July 2026 when it dipped in the 80s and 90s.  However, this time my conviction has dissipated.

I was fortunate to have sold about 40% (10 shares) in the 140s and 150s last week.  I was hoping for a bounce with earnings last week, but instead I got a big decline due to disappointing guidance.  AI also took a big hit last week.  In the past, AI stocks was SAAS software stocks were decoupled and moved in opposite directions.   No longer are they decoupled it appears.

I'm going to wait until next week to evaluate the situation. I still believe that AI is overhyped and the SAAS software stocks will end up being a profitable trade, which has been true for 60% of them.  Right now, I won't sell at a loss even if it keeps going down.  I would prefer to hodl until NOW reaches he $150ish again, but that may be just hopium, given the midterms uncertainty, Iran tanker and infrastructure attacks, and possible cease fire talks.

We shall see if NOW recovers to 150ish again.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Over 500,000 Views of My Wealth Builder During October 2026

I started this blog in 2006.  Looking at the historical data, I reached about 11,000 views in 2011.  Views declined to 3-4 thousand in the mid teens.   I began posting less and less, posting only once in 2023.  In 2024, I posted 16 times. 

 Then something strange happened in late 2025 and my views started increasing significantly.  I decide to start posting daily in August 2025 and have done so since then.  Monthly, views starting creeping up, slowly at first.  6000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and then a spike to 298,000 views which turned out to be an aberration.  In August 2026, daily views crept up to 15,000, leading to 400,000+ views per month in August and September 2026.

Then on October 30, 2026, monthly views crossed 500,000 for the first time. Edit 1:  539,396 at 8:30 AM this morning, October 31, 2026.  Edit 2: 548,000 at 8PM which is the end of the day for Blogger.

My Wealth Builder may hit 5 million all time views by the end a 2026.  It's been a great journey for the past 20 years.  Thanks to all the readers.

Next stop, 1 million views per month.😎

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Be a Financial Plan Participator in Retirement

Before retirement, many people focus mainly on making money and paying expenses, and avoid the more complex financial elements or outsource the work.  Essentially, they are mostly financial plan spectators. Being a financial plan spectator can be expensive, either from hiring an advisor, paying more taxes or earning less money.

Here are some financial participator tips in retirement based on my experience:

1. The first few years after retirement are the most critical for investments lasting for one's lifetime.   If the market crashes at retirement, the chances for a financial successful retirement decrease significantly.  A good approach is to convert some investments to 3-5 years cash for the first few years of retirement.
2. Consider doing Roth conversions before Social Security or Pensions start paying, especially if one retires before 60.    For me, it was a no brainer to do Roth conversions in the 12% tax bracket to minimize future RMDs in higher tax brackets.
3. Medicare is not free.   The supplements are an additional cost.   I have heard and read that original Medicare give better health care as one gets older since Medicare Advantage is health insurance.
4. Learn how to navigate minimizing taxes owed.  Paying taxes is not a bad thing.  Pay significantly more taxes due to poor financial planning is.
5. Make a broad spending plan that allows one to enjoy the fruits of saving and investing for retirement.
6. It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future.  Take advantage of good health in the early years of retirement.   Be prepared for decline in health as one ages.

These are just a few thoughts off the top of my head.   Of course, YMMV.

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