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

We Didn't Do a Prenup

When my spouse and I got engaged 32 years ago, we did not do a prenup.  We didn't even consider doing one, even though I had more assets that she did, by owning a house.  However, in total the amount of assets for both of us wasn't much, maybe about $100,000, not including retirement accounts.   

We've always mixed our finances, even when I was the only wage earner. We shared a joint checking and savings account.  It's been that way every since we've been married.  We did have a soft budget, trying to manage costs where possible, especially for large purchases.  

It's a different world for out kids  They may have significantly more assets based on inheritance and be able to protect them without a prenup.   We have planned for that with our trusts that become irrevocable when we pass away.   By keeping the inherited asset in the trust, even after they get married, it remains 100% theirs in the case of a divorce, since a irrevocable trust is NOT marital property which can be claimed by the spouse.

Hopefully, they will stay married and not need a divorce.  If the do have a divorce, assets inherited from us will be protected as long as they remain in the trust.

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

This is not financial, marriage, nor prenup advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Feels Like the End of the Roaring 20s

Here's my latest Vibe:

100 years ago, there was the Great Depression.   Nothing could go wrong until it did.   Although I wasn't alive in the 1920s, this decade feels a lot like I imagined the 1920s to be.  Exuberance, wildness, ruliness and a unrelenting upward stock market.   What could go wrong.

Maybe now is the time for a little more caution, because not all possibilities are priced in.  Being regarded my be the worst right now.

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

Vacation Home - Just Say No

It used be that a vacation second home was a symbol of wealth.  It was a sign that one had achieve financial success.  However, that was then.  Now, vacation homes are become an anchor, in more ways than one.

Vacation homes were once real estate's hottest play. Now they're a nightmare.

We didn't consider getting a vacation home since that meant:

• Maintenance costs for another home, that may be distant, and used only a few weeks a year.
• Committing to visiting as much as possible, so that it would "payout."   Hint, it doesn't.
• Limiting other vacation choices.

Without the anchor of a vacation home, we can choose, with no regrets, any location we wish to visit.   In addition, paying for hotel costs is far lower than the costs of owing and maintaining a vacation home. Finally, we don't need to decide who will inherit the vacation home when our time comes.

Given the current situation, it looks like we made a good decision not to "invest" in a vacation home.

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

Preparing for Volatility After Midterm Elections

I expect there will be significant volatility in stock prices and interest rates shortly after the midterm elections.  Here's how I'm preparing for the possibility:

• Keeping cash in short term T Bills and market funds.   If interest rates increase, which I expect them to, I can invest these funds into long term fixed income.  If interest fall, I'm OK with interest from these bonds and funds even though the principal declines.
• Be ready to buy stocks on a discount, especially the total market index funds.  I will buy some GOOGL if it drops below $300, which would be over a 25% decline from the ATH.
• Buy some November 6 DTE put options on SPY.  I'm looking at 550 or higher strike prices.
• No matter what happens, just chill and HODL.

I've survived the worst in my lifetime: 1987 crash, the 2002 dot.com crash, the 08/09 Great Recession, the 2020 Covid crash and the 2022 bear market.   Each one has made us strong.  I think I will survive the 2026 volatility.   

Bring it on.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC