DIY Projects Almost Always Take Longer than Expected

I procrastinate on DIY projects since they inevitably take more time or materials that I expected on planned to use.   In the past, I needed to find and buy new materials or tools.   Lately though, I now have enough material or tools in house and just more time is required.

Recently, I replaced the handle on our sliding glass patio door.   My spouse was particularly unhappy with corrosion/oxidation of the outside metal handle.   It doesn't bother me, and if it did, I would just paint it, which I offered to do.   Instead, we decided to install a new handle which was a different design.  However, the new handle didn't cover the previous area complete, which required that I paint.   In addition, I needed to drill the attachment holes slight larger.

Luckily, I had the paint the the drill bit to make the adjustment.  It took a twice to three the times and effort, but I didn't need to make a trip to the store. 

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Using the Good Stuff Right Away

When I was younger, I used to "save" my best purchases to use sparingly so that they would last a long time.  I also did that with my kids when bought them new toys.  I realize now that was a bad strategy.  I've now switch to using the best stuff, as soon as I purchase it.   

Here are my reasons:

• Things get worse when not being used.  
• I forget about things being saved and don't use them for years.
• Kids out grow things quickly.
• As I get older, I have lots of things saved, but not used much.

My philosophy now is to use the good stuff as much and as fast possible.  That goes for clothing, tools, food, special items and amenities.   Enjoy all my stuff, before it goes bad or I get too old to enjoy using them.  My first move is to regularly wear all the special t-shirts from the vacation spots we visited, the city wide events I organized, and the gifts from my kids and spouse.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Inflation and Interest Rates Like the 70s-80s Again?

Inflation and interest rates in the late 70s and early 80s grew rapidly.  I remember gas prices doubling, interest rates rising, and gold and silver hitting new highs.  Inflation reached 13%.  Mortgage rates reached as high as 17% in my area.   When mortgage rates dropped, I felt lucky to get a mortgage at 12% in the early 80s.  I was also able to get a 5 year CD at 14%.  The 20 year treasury bond yielded 15%.

The stock market suffered also.  The Dow hit 1000 in 1972, fell 50% and didn't reach 1000 again until 1982.

Will the 70s - 80s happen again?  Right now, it looks probable but not certain.  To reduce market risk, I'm keeping a large proportion of our investments in short term money market funds.  I'm holding back on buying additional stocks and bonds to wait for the direction of interest rates.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Annuities - Good or Bad?

Here's an balanced article on annuities from MSN.com   which does a good job of covering the pros and cons of annuities.  Basically, annuities guarantee certainty in payouts, and usually at a higher cost.

For reference, I am biased against having an annuity.   I feel the loss of control and costs aren't worth the guaranteed payments provided.  Therefore, we currently do no have any annuities.  However, an annuity can be good option for some people.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Our Kids Have Found Their Own Path

Many years ago, I once commented to someone that my kids aren't like me.  I was hoping they would follow the same path that I did since I feel I have been relatively successful.   Other than working hard on education, they chose their own path, which has turned out well.

As background, I was a four year varsity letterman and starting fullback in football.  I was the starting fullback on the state runner-up team my junior year, and on the state championship team my senior year. I was also one of four valedictorians.

Both kids did well in school and continue to do well.  Outside of education, they followed their own path and I'm glad they did.     

My daughter did horseback riding, soccer and flute when she was younger.   Flute stuck and she achieved mastery and excellence in flute.   Me... I'm completely inept and tone deaf when it comes to music.  Good thing my spouse had music skills and could help guide my daughter.  Playing the flute as become a great anchor for my daughter in college.  

My son, who is younger, tried all the sports: soccer, T-ball, flag football, golf and tennis.  He was not a star in any of these, but tennis stuck.  He works hard at tennis and plays with heart, which is all that I ask.  Also, whatever he achieves, I've counseled him that the number one test is that he enjoys playing.  I think tennis will be a great anchor for my son in high school and, maybe, college.

My kids have done well.   I am glad they found their own path and I am proud of them.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Working Through Lunch was Not a Good Choice

Before I retired, I constantly worked though lunch, often skipping having anything to eat.  I thought I would be more focused and productive by continuing to work.  Now that I'm retired, and eating regularly with several snack, I realize that skipping lunch was a bad choice.

Here's why it was a bad choice:

• I was less healthy.   Being hungry, eating more junk food at meals, and drinking much more coffed.
• I was more stressed.  I should have taken time for lunch, and perhaps a couple breaks in the morning and afternoon.
• In hindsight, I wasn't more productive.  I just spent more time doing the work and stretching it out.
• I extended skipping meals to skipping dinner at times.   Again, not a good choice.
• Even though I was skipping meals, I gained weight. Hmmmm.

Now, I make sure I have breakfast everyday.   I split lunch time up in the 2-3 segments, usually a large salad without dressing, a vegetarian burger, and sometimes a soup.   Dinner is a little more random, but I always eat healthy, another salad and/or a bean dish.   I avoid fried foods, and high fat foods.  Also, 80-90% of our meals are home made.   We rarely eat out nor have frozen meals.

 Looking back, I should have eaten regular meals while working.   I expect I would have had a healthier lifestyle and been more productive.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

End of Cardiac Rehab

Last month, I completed my cardiac rehab sessions.  This is my third time in cardiac rehab.  I pushed it a bit harder this time to confirm that the procedure was successful.  I achieved the same of METS that showed an anomaly on the treadmill stress test without any issue. 

In addition, I spent the last two weeks adding weight training to my exercise routine.  

After the last two times, I didn't continue my exercises after rehab.   I didn't do any weight training the first two times.

Over the past 13 years, I thought managing my diet was the most important factor.    I guess I was wrong.  This time, I plan to continue doing the aerobic exercise and do the additional weight training.   Hopefully, that will decrease my propensity for blockages in the future.

We shall see.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Dick Tracy and the Jetsons

"It's difficult to make predictions, especially about the future." ~ Yogi Berra

When I was a kid, I watched Dick Tracy and The Jetsons cartoons.  The tech was amazing to me at the time.  Dick Tracy had a watch phone.   The Jetson had flying cars.

Well, the watch phone became reality, while the flying car (looking at you Muskman) is not a reality yet.  Cool that these things have happened in my lifetime.

Oh, and Lost in Space, which aired in 1967, took place in 1997.   Still waiting for that to happen.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

SpaceX or ScamX?

Let's just say, I didn't buy any of the SpaceX IPO shares.  I didn't buy any SpaceX in the open market today.  I have no interest in buying SpaceX in the near future.  The valuation doesn't make sense to me and is way to high.   

However, I'm not going to bet against Muskman, who has been doing masterclass in financial  engineering and corporate finance to maximum valuations for his companies.  I'm going to watch from the sidelines for now.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Inspirational Movies for Me

Here's my list of recently watched movies that I found inspirational:

• Remarkably Bright Creatures - About aging, finding connections, and making peace with the past and narrated by an aquarium octopus.  Great plot twist.
• Hacksaw Ridge - About Medal of Honor winner medic Desmond Doss at Okinawa, who was a conscientious objector that refused to carry arms in the battlefield and save the lives of over 100 men.
• Miracle - About the underdog US Olympic hockey team road to the Gold medal in 1980 at Lake Placid, which included defeating the USSR 4 time Olympic Gold medal team.
• You Gotta Believe - Underdog team makes it to the Little League World Series to honor their coach who has terminal cancer.

These films moved me and brought tears to my eye.  I tend to root for the underdog, which I have experienced being many times.

Disclosure:  I received no compensation for posting about these movies.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC