Cash Strapped Millionaires

Here's one reason that millionaires with $1-2 million in net worth don't feel wealthy: they don't have much free cash.   

Most of their net worth is not liquid nor easily accessible.  On average 39% of their net worth is their home, as a result of significant appreciation since 2020 and 33% is in retirement accounts.  Only 17% is in liquid assets, which would be stocks, bonds and cash.  

Combine the above asset distribution debt servicing such as student loans, home mortgage, and car payments.   And don't forget daycare costs. Thus, most of their paycheck is already committed necessary expenses or debt service.  

A million isn't what is used to be 50 years ago.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Taxes on Social Security Payments Should Be Eliminated

Contributions to Social Security were taxed before being withheld.  Until 1984, Social Security payments were not taxed.  In 1984, 8% of Social Security recipients paid federal income tax on the payments.   The thresholds for Social Security being taxed were set in 1984 and have not been adjusted for inflation. Today, 56% of recipients pay federal income tax on Social Security payments.

Two bills that have been reintroduced to eliminate taxes of Social Security: Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act (H.R. 1040) and You Earned It, You Keep It Act.

For more on Reaping the Rewards, check back every Friday 

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Benefits of Doing My Own Tax Return

My dad always did his own tax return.  My father-in-law always did his own tax return.  They both did their returns by hand and mailed them in.    Like father like son.  I also do my own  Federal and State tax returns, without tax preparation software.   However, I do use Excel spreadsheets for entering and doing calculations for each form.  Then I fill out each form and mail in my return.

The only time I didn't do my own tax return was during an international assignment in Asia, which resulted in a very complex tax return that the company did for us.

Here's why I like doing my own tax returns:

• I learn how different types of income (wages, social security, dividends, capital gains, rental, IRA distributions) are treated taxwise and how they can affect my tax liability.
• I can adjust certain types of income (capital gains, IRA distributions) to minimize tax liability.
• I can adjust certain types of deductions (charitable contributions, capital gains losses) to minimize tax liability.
• With the adjustments to income and deductions, I can stay below Medicare IRMAA premium increases and stay in a lower 12% (instead of 22%)  tax bracket.  In addition, staying $251 below the 12% tax bracket limit,  dividends and long term capital gains are taxed at 0% for 2025 tax returns.
• With spreadsheets, I can easily change one or more inputs and immediately see the affect on my tax return. I can't do this as easily on tax preparation software.

Doing it by hand on Excel does require more preparation effort, including reviewing the forms and instructions each year..  I also need to update the Excel spreadsheet every year, but usually there are not major changes for the forms that I use.  Best of all, I can do a real time estimate of our tax liability during the year and make adjustments to income and deductions before the end of the year.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Wawa Gas is a Great Price

I'm a fan of buying gas at low prices.  My dad used to save a penny when gas was $0.28 per gallon.  While that isn't much, it was about  3.5% savings.   

I used to shop for the lowest gas price since there an numerous gas retailers in the area and have decided to buy from two, despite many options from major companies.  First, it was Costco gas, which requires membership, but we have one. Then it was Kroger gas with up to $1 off based on fuel points earned from shopping, and we regularly shop at Kroger.   Both of these gas providers are convenient since they are within a 2.5 miles from our house and on the way to many destinations.

Recently, there has been a new entrant in our area, Wawa.  I've noticed they regularly sell gas comparable to Costco, but no lines and are comparable to Kroger with discounts of $0.40 to $0.60 per gallon when using fuel points.  In addition, Wawa offers no ethanol gas which my spouse prefers.  Recently, Wawa regular gas with ethanol was $2.43/gallon.  Kroger was $2.90/gallon and Costco was $2.30/gallon in today's price check.   

Wawa is becoming my go to gas retailer when away from home for the following a few reasons:  multiple convenient locations, no gimmicks to lower the price, and no ethanol gasoline, which no other local retailer offers.

Disclosure:  I received no compensation for this post.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Maximize Charitable Contribution Now If You Itemize Deduction

For 2026, the first 5% of AGI of charitable contribution will be excluded from itemized deduction.  For example, if one's AGI is $100,000, the first $500 of charitable deductions will be excluded.

If possible, make charitable deductions planned from 2026-2028 in 2025.   One option is to create donor advised fund to cover 2026-2028 charitable contributions and take the itemized deduction in 2025.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Put 2025 College 529 Contributions in S&P 500

I've made our 529 contributions for 2025 on Friday, November 28, 2025.   After much thought, I decided to put the funds in a S&P 500 fund, despite being concerned about market volatility.  My plan is to hold for December and decide what to do year end.   

As of this morning, it appears that I may have made an investment timing mistake.  Instead of investing the contribution maximum, perhaps I should have scaled in 25% each week in December.   Ah, hindsight is 20/20.   We'll see how the rest of December goes.   

Then again, this is a long term investment since some of these funds won't be needed for 6-9 years.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Be One's Own CFO for Personal Finances

Here's a simple strategy of managing personal finances:  50/30/20 rule.   50% for necessities such as housing, utilities, groceries.   30% for wants such as entertainment, eating out and vacation.   20% for savings and investing.   One starts with after tax income and divide up take home pay by these percentages.

The numbers are simple.  The hard part is having the discipline to achieve the numbers and making good choices when the numbers are not initially achievable.

Here my personal priority order:

1. Necessities - housing, utilities, groceries,  necessary debt payments (student loan, car) 
2. Savings/Investments - savings accounts, equities, bonds/CDs
3. Wants - entertainment, eating out, vacations, large purchases

Specifically, I put savings ahead of wants if there are not sufficient funds.

Below are the estimated take home after tax pay, but before state income taxes since that can vary significantly.

	50/20/30 Split
Yearly Income/Monthly After Tax	Necessities	Savings/Investments	Wants
$40,000/$2,848 after tax per month	$1,424	$570	$854
$60,000/$4,187 after tax per month	$2,094	$837	$1,256
$100,000/$6,561 after tax per month	$3,281	$1,312	$1,968

It is rare that people are able to meet the 50/20/30 split rule.  Here are some challenges that people have.   First, necessities often exceed 50% and they neglect to make corrects to reduce spending or increase income.  Another challenge is many people make is prioritizing "wants" over "savings/investments."

Being a CFO means making the corrections needed to get back on track to being successful.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Completing Tax Loss Harvesting for 2025

Tomorrow, Monday, December 1, 2025 is the first day I can buy back stocks that I sold for a loss on October 29, 2025 or sell for a loss that I bought on October 29, 2025 to avoid a wash sale.   In all but one case, I will own the stock at a lower cost than when I sold or purchased. 

By doing this, I take a capital gain loss for 2025 and lower my cost basis when I own the stocks again.  I started doing tax loss harvesting with my municipal bond mutual fund back in August 2025.  Completing this final round of tax loss harvesting with reduce my overall 2025 capital gains to about $0, resulting in no tax for gains take in early 2025.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

LinkedIn and Reddit are 99+% Enterntainment

I read LinkedIn, and Reddit daily primarily for entertainment value and very, very little educational value.  I occasionally see a TikTok video on Reddit, but otherwise don't visit the site.  I don't read and avoid X, Facebook or Instagram.

Here's why I read these sites primarily for entertainment value:

• LinkedIn - Here's my breakout of posters on LinkedIn.  About 50% are C Level Executives in their company.  About 70% are promoting their company.  About 99% believe they are smarter than me.  My POV is simple.  Why do C Level Executive bother to post on LinkedIn?  Don't they have more important things to do, like run their company?   Promoting your company, business or product?   Well, I'm not impressed.   Smarter than me?  I estimate about 1-5% are smarter than me.   The other 95-99%, I think are overestimating their brilliance.  Or maybe I'm overestimating mine.🤡
• Reddit - I started reading Reddit due to Wallstreetbets subreddit.  Posters win big and post.  Posters lose big and post.   There is balance and entertainment.  People don't always win. There is also a lot of humility and self deprecating humor shown by posters.   Reddit has started showing me the most popular posts from other subreddits such as Am I Over Reacting.  My conclusion is there are a lot of strange people in society doing very strange things, worthy of a sitcom, but is reality.

On rare occasions, I get some perspective or insights that are very useful.  Sometimes, it's confirmation bias, and other times it is new information.   This is one reason I keep reading LinkedIn and Reddit, for that random truly informative knowledge that can be of great use in the future.  Otherwise, I just enjoy the entertainment.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

When the Dip Keeps Undipping

During the recent bull market, a great strategy has been to buy every dip.   Almost every time, the market or individual stock have recovered quickly.  Buying the dip last Thursday, November 20, 2025 was another great opportunity.  This happened last Friday, November 21, 2025 when the market rebounded from the previous day's decline.  

Lately, the market keeps undipping.  Buying the dip has been a great strategy.

It works until it doesn't. 

As I posted in Stock Market Volatility is Back, I've prepared our portfolio for this stage of the bull or bear market.  I plan to stay calm, avoid any panic selling and not buy the small dips.  

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Create Revenue for Retirement

In retirement, regular and steady revenue is a better metric than net worth or the size of a stock portfolio.  The reason is net worth include illiquid assets, such as one's home, which doesn't create income to cover expenses and a stock portfolio has volatility that may decline when funds are needed to cover retirement expenses.

With 20/20 hindsight, here's what I should have done by age to build retirement revenue.

• Ages 20-40.   Save and invest for growth on a regular (e.g. monthly) basis. Use taxable and Roth IRA accounts.  Invest 90-95% in a total market index fund.  Dollar cost average and invest more funds during dips.   Do not withdraw or spend any of these funds.  With the other 5-10%, invest, buy and sell individual stock that are monitored periodically.
• Ages 50-65. Continuing saving and investing in growth.  Start converting about 7% a year to income producing options:  CDs, bonds taxable and tax free, government treasuries.  Build a stream of steady dependable revenue that can be counted on during retirement.   If you plan to retire earlier than 65, start about 15 years before retirement age.
• Choose age to start Social Security payments to create a payment amount to complements one's revenue from savings.

In my case, I depended on growth investments much too long until my early 60s.  Also, I retired early at 49, much earlier than the timeline above, right at the start of the Great Recession in 2008.  I did take  Social Security at the right time, starting at 64.  

I was lucky to have survived a 2008 retirement due to the stock market recovering over the next 15 years and some deferred compensation payments.  There was no brilliance on my part, just a lot of learning that I should have done some things a bit differently.  Luckily, in 2022 interest rates started rising, which will help maintain our revenue generation until 2028.

My post My Sources of Retirement Income showed our 2024 retirement revenue by class as:

53% Interest and Dividends in taxable accounts

27% Social Security monthly payments

20% Rental Income quarterly payments

Also, we are starting to convert our retirement accounts from growth investments to income producing investments in preparation for when we will be required to make RMD 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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Health Insurance Morass

My health insurance coverage used to be simple.   When I started working, there was little or no premium charge. I didn't have to worry about in network or out of network.   I paid when I visited and it was all covered.  Over time, it evolved into higher premiums with copays and coinsurance.  

Fast forward to today.    I now have a 1 inch thick book explaining benefits and my responsibility. I have copays, coinsurance, deductibles and varying coverages.   Sometimes, I don't have a good idea of what is covered completely or only limited in coverage.   Some areas seem to be 100% coverage but turn out not to meet all the conditions.   Some times the benefit is more that I expected.

Sometimes the provider doesn't have a good grasp of what is covered and when insurance doesn't provide coverage.

Yesterday, I spend the whole morning reviewing and understanding the coverage I have for one visit.   The previous afternoon, I was in discussion with the provider's billing department discussing why the visit wasn't 100% covered.

Now I have a better understanding of Medicare Annual Wellness Visit coverage and Annual Physical Exam coverage, but it shouldn't take 2 half days worth of effort and phone calls.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Revenue Sources by Age

How should one think about revenue and the source?   Here's my point of view.

Revenue sources by age.

• Child -   Parents 100%.   One's parents are investing in one's potential.
• Adolescent -   Allowance provided by parents.
• Teenager -  Allowance and/or part time job.
• Young adult -  Wages from employment or earnings from self employment.
• Middle age adult -  Employment wages/earnings mostly and some investment income.
• Senior adult -  Balance of employment earnings and investment income.
• Retired adult -  Mostly social security, pension and investment income.

Importantly, revenue should be greater than expenses to be financially sound.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Personal Finance is a Business

Here's a simple strategy for personal finance:   Think of personal finance like a successful business.  Own the results.

Here's a hack/tip from business thinking.  Cashflow is a term used for businesses, which is the amount of cash flowing in and out of a business. Keep cashflow greater than $0.  Revenue (wages, interest, dividends, or rental income) in minus expenses (mortgage/rent, utilities, foods, entertainment, debt service) out should be greater than zero.  

Unlike a business though, one should minimize, reduce or eliminate debt service since it doesn't potentially increase revenue, as it does for a business.  Instead, debt service only reduces cashflow for individuals.

Replace debt service expense with an investment or savings expense.  Savings is an investment in one's future, including retirement.  Savings and investments have the potential to create revenue for the future.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

2026 Tax Brackets and Related Info

For those that are planning for the 2026 tax year, this article The 2026 Tax Brackets Are Official—Here's Exactly How Much More You'll Pay (Or Save) will provide some key information on the 2026 tax brackets and related info.

Of note, if one is single and expects less than $16,100 in wages with no other income, one will have a federal tax liability of $0.  If that is the case, one can file a W-4 to be exempt from federal tax withholding.  Then if one ends the year with under $16,100 income, no tax federal tax return is needed since tax liability is $0 and no federal tax withholding was done.

The only caution is if one is a dependent, which most college students are.   In that case, one should keep unearned income, such as interest and dividends, below $450 or federal taxes will be owed even if total income income is below the standard deduction of $16,100.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Massive Economic Uncertainty

The only thing that is certain is uncertainty.

Economic uncertainty is making it difficult to have job security, save, invest, make major purchases and plan for the future.

• It's difficult to get hired, both for entry level and experienced.
• Layoffs are increasing even for new hires and long term employees.
• Job interviews are difficult to get even when doing hundreds of applications.
• Starting salaries are no longer commensurate with one's higher education degree.
• Government safety net programs are in flux may be reduced or cancelled.
• Inflation making everything from necessities to housing less affordable.
• ACA health care premiums are subject to government induced volatility resulting in big increases.

Unfortunately, uncertainty is the new reality for everybody, including retirees.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Interesting Bull vs. Bear Markets Chart

Sometimes a chart can mislead one's thinking.

I saw this chart and liked it.  It seemed to support the concept of staying invested since the Bull Market sections (blue) are tall and wide, while the Bear Market sections (red) are short and narrow.  Bigger is much better it appears.

However, when looking at the math, I realized the maximum loss for a Bear Market is 100%.   Thus the height of the Bear Market section is limited, while the Bull Market section has no upper limit.  In addition, a 50% drop in a Bear Market, will require a 100% gain to break even in a Bull Market.  Similarly, a a 25% drop in a Bear Market, will require a 33% gain to break even in a Bull Market.

Yes, Bull Markets are great.   However, Bear Markets are significantly more painful than implied by the chart below.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Will the Stock Market Dip Keep Dipping?

Although the market may rebound this morning, I expect the market to continue to decline, perhaps significantly.   Bitcoin has declined over 30% and META has fallen over 25% in the past month.  

With the current volatility, the direction of the market can change very quickly.  I'm tempted to short some stocks, but I've decided it is too risky if I'm wrong.  I'm going to stick to my plan (My New Strategy for Investing During Market Declines) and do nothing today, expect for maybe closing some SPY puts for a profit.  

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Social Security COLA and Medicare B Premiums for 2026

For 2026, Social Security payments will increase 2.8% and Medicare Part B premiums will increase to $202.90 from $185.  The higher payment will start in January 2026.

For more details, see It's official. Medicare Part B 2026 premium will eat a big chunk of Social Security COLA

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Surviving Stock Market Volatility

Today, I plan to do nothing in the stock market, neither buy nor sell.    I will not panic sell.    I will not buy the dip. 

I have structured our investments to provide monthly income based on dividend and interest.  I don't expect a decline, even a significant one, to materially affect the expected income payments for end of November and end of December 2025.

The only trade I may make is to sell some SPY January 16, 2026 expiration puts for a 100% or more profit.   My 260 strike puts have already reached that percentage gain, but I currently plan to be greedy and hold longer since I expect the market is in the early stages of a correction at a minimum.

For perspective, a 100% gain is not much in absolute dollars, since each SPY 260 put contract only cost $7 per 100 shares.   However, I would definitely sell at a 1000% gain or $70 per contract.  For this to happen, SPY, currently at $652, would need to fall at least $150 in a few days for a 1000% gain, which is highly unlikely.   In between, the decision will depend on how greedy I feel at the moment and how bearish the market seems.😎   The downside risk is the 260 put contract can easily go to worthless on January 16, 2026, which is only 2 months away.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Dealing With Today's Stock Market Decline

Today's stock market volatility reminds me to be ready to invest if there is a significant decline.  I'm not buying the dips, but am waiting to use My New Strategy for Investing During Market Declines when there is a decline of at least 10%.

In the past, I was always hesitant put money in during a significant decline such as 1987, 2001, 2008, 2020 and most recently April 2025.  My New Strategy for Investing During Market Declines will help me overcome that hesitancy and systematically invest more funds during a pullback.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Arrrgh! - Appliances Linked to Internet

Over the past five years we replaced some appliances and they seem to have the added feature of using an app and being connected to the internet.  These include in order our washer/dryer, garage door opener, furnace thermostat, most recently, our dishwasher.

We set up the washer/dryer because it was novel and we wanted to try it.   However, we have not used the app since setting it up.   We chose not to set up the garage door opener, and don't miss not having the feature.   The thermostat was set up by our installer, but other than showing the outside temperature, we haven't got much benefit.  I have since turned off internet access.   We also decided not to set up the app on the dishwasher, despite having a couple cycles that we would use occasionally on the app, which was disappointing to us.

At this point, I don't feel it's useful or worth the effort to learn how to connect to and use the apps/internet with our appliances.  I didn't need smart appliances before the internet and I don't need them now.  I want my appliances to be self contained and self sufficient for use.  Period. 

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

This is not financial, appliance, app, nor internet advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Know One's Health Insurance Benefits

Understanding insurance eligible benefits and payment amounts is a massive morass for customers. 

My health insurance allows me one physical checkup annually for no charge.  Recently, I received a $30 copay bill from a provider for my annual physical checkup.   I called the insurance company to confirm there should be no charge.  They said yes, but the provider coded it as a regular visit.  I found out the code for the annual checkup.  I called the provider and they said their records show it was my annual physical checkup.  I informed them I was charged and they agreed to resubmit with the correct code.

Hopefully, this will be corrected and I will not pay the $30 bill.

Similarly, I thought I had reached my maximum benefit for my dental plan and started paying cash, at a discount, for my routine preventive visits.  It turns out that my that my allowed routine oral exams and preventive cleanings are not  counted towards my benefit maximum.  I am now working with my dental provider to submit claims and get reimbursed for my cash payments.

When  I was younger, I never was close to the maximum benefit or maximum out of pocket (OOP) ceiling.   Now that I'm older, I have been reaching those maximums on a regular basis.  For the maximum benefit, I sometimes need to delay nonessential services to the next year to have the insurance cover the cost.   For the maximum (OOP), all costs are paid by insurance after reaching the OOP and I want to do my medical services earlier to have the covered 100% by insurance.

It seems managing insurance benefit coverage is another complexity as one gets older.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Use Product Warranties for Replacement or Refund

Five years ago, we purchased a pot filler for kitchen.   About every 1-2 years, the o-rings wear out.   Since the product has a limited lifetime warranty, I call the company and request the parts, which the send free of charge.  Since I can replace the parts myself, the only cost is my time and labor,

We also replaced our faucets several years ago.  The faucets carry a lifetime warranty.  Whenever, the faucets don't shut off completely,  I call the manufacturer and request a new faucet cartridge, which is sent to me free of charge.   Again, my only cost is my time and labor to install the new cartridge.

Recently, I purchased a tennis racquet for my son.  After a month, the frame had cracked in 3 places.  We only noticed the major fracture.  When we took it back to the store, they notice two other minor cracks.  I asked if it would be covered by warranty since it was about a month old.  The sales people said the warranty manager would look at it, but believed that the racquet was above normal wear and tear since there were many scratches on the side of the frame.  I responded that he owned the same brand racquet, but different model, for 2 years with even more scratches and it never cracked.

Two days later, the store manager called and said the company replaced the racquet with no questions asked. 

Using a warranty to fix issues definitely saves money since I don't need to replace the product nor have a repair person service it.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Cost to Have Others Manage Investments

The cost for having an advisor manage one's investments seems high to me, often at 1% per year on Assets Under Management (AUM).    For every $1 million, the cost is $10,000 per year for an advisor's services.  

That seems high to me.  Why?   Because the same advisor will charge 1% for managing $100,000 or $1000.   Does it take 10 times to effort to manage $1 million?   No.  They just increase the holding 10 times.   Similarly, if they are managing $10 million at a cost of $100,000 per year, are they doing 100 times the work versus managing $100,000.

I don't have an issue paying $1000 per year.    However, I don't want to pay $10,000 or $100,000 per year for the same investment service just because I asked the advisor the manage more money in the same investments.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Alternative Investments - Leverage, Risk, and Fees, Oh My

Alternative investments previously made available only to high net worth accredited investors are being made available to main street investors.  Private credit, private equity, hedge funds, and multifamily real estate investments are now offered to investors with $50,000 net worth. 

I have read through several prospectuses from financial advisors and fund principals.  Here is my understanding:

• Much higher potential returns.   Often the returns are in the 10-15% range, much higher than I can get from CDs, bonds or stock index funds. Alternative investments have given higher returns consistently for many years. Of course, returns are not guaranteed.
• Leverage.   Many of the funds use leverage to achieve returns by borrowing funds to boost returns.
• Risk.  Of course, higher returns usually involve higher risk, meaning the possibility of not achieving expected returns or even losing money. 
• Fees.   The cost for participating can be high in the form of fees, which is how the offering party earns money for finding or assembling the alternative investments.  These fees are paid even if the investment does not deliver expected returns.
• Lockup periods.  Many of  these investments have lockup periods of 5-10 years before return of principal or limited withdrawal windows. 

My assessment.    The opportunities look attractive, but the space is getting more crowded and returns are starting to go lower.   

This reminds of the time in 2007 with collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) which grouped subprime mortgage debt in notes that were "safe" since the debt was diversified and a few defaults would not affect them.   They offered higher returns for higher risk that was masked by diversification.   In 2008 there massive defaults which caused the bonds to move towards worthless.   Several investment banking firms when bankrupt, which was followed by the Great Recession.

Are alternative investments for me?  Not so much. I have declined putting funds in alternative investments at this time.   I know I am missing out on higher returns, but I don't want to be investing in them when they stop working and create big losses.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Ia AI Expanding Consumer Consumption?

Not yet.

Every previous economic revolution has expanded consumer consumption via more demand or increase supply.

• The Agricultural Revolution made food available with certainty to more people at a lower cost and effort.
• The Commercial Revolution introduced trade and financial elements such as banking which brought goods at lower costs.
• The First Industrial Revolution introduced mechanization, interchangeable parts and steam power which made many goods cheaper and accessible.
• The Second Industrial Revolution introduced electricity, steel, internal combustion engine and the assembly making more goods cheaper and accessible.
• The Third Industrial Revolution brought transistors/chips, electronics, computers and automation making even more goods cheaper and accessible.
• We're in the Fourth Industrial Revolution with advancement in Internet of Things, Smart technologies and AI.  IMHO, this Revolution has not. broadly expanded consumer consumption and has limited consumption expansion to consumers with high net worth. AI makes corporate expenses lower which stock values, but goods they make are not cheaper becoming more accessible. In fact, more employees are being laid off due to AI which decreases broad consumer consumption.  

How can AI create expanded consumer consumption?  I have a few suggestions.  First, bring down the cost of expenses for necessary goods  Second, create new job opportunities that pay more as old jobs are replaced by AI. Third, create new cost effective business models that significantly improve the financial situation of employees and consumers. 

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Learn to Manage Own Personal Finances

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." ~  old proverb

Personal finance knowledge and understanding is important for financial success. Personal finance is a skill each person should learn and execute well, starting early in life, even as a child.  It is important for the individual to routinely make good decisions to be successful in their personal finances.

No one knows more or cares more about my financial situation than me.  Not any broker.  Not any investment advisor.  Nor any financial advisor. Personal finance success depends on the my knowledge,  commitment and implementation, not based on an advisor doing the work for me.

As long as I am able to do the work, I will continue to manage our personal finances myself.  If circumstances require an advisor's involvement for additional perspective, I do use their services and I make the final decision on what to do.  For example, I got input from advisors on when to start taking Social Security and on how long our current retirement funds will last, before making my decisions.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

My New Definition for "Wealthy"

I used to think wealthy was a specific number.  When I was a child, I though $1 million was wealthy. Nowadays, 10% of U.S. adults are millionaires in net worth but are cash poor, i.e. most of their wealth is in assets, such as their home.

 My new definition is no longer a number, but a state of mind of absolute financial security.  To me wealthy means:

• One has sufficient funds to cover necessary and discretionary expenses for one's life expectancy.
• One has sufficient funds to choose whether or not to work for compensation.
• One has sufficient funds to cover unexpected or emergency expense without using debt.
• One has sufficient funds to cover large expenditures, such as a new car purchase, without using debt.

Of course, "wealthy" people can choose to work or use debt, but they can also choose not to.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Best Age and Worst Age for a Bear Market

Bear markets are inevitable but unpredictable in timing.  It's best to expect them and prepare to protect from or benefit from them depending or your age.

Best Age

In one's twenties, making it a great time to invest in a stock market index of the S&P.  Once can confidently stay invested in the inevitable bear markets that will occur.  Rolling 20 year returns on S&P 500 since 1926 have always been positive.  Roll 10 year returns have been positive except for the years starting with the Great Recession and the Dot Com Bubble.

Worst Age

+/- 5 years from retirement.   The sequence of market returns can significantly impact how long retirement funds will last.  Retire during a bear market and needing to withdraw funds will cause one to run out of money much sooner than someone who starts withdrawing during a bull market.

Disclosure:  I retired in 2007, just before the Great Recession.  I didn't know about the worst age recommendation.  Luckily, I had enough cash and CDs that matured during the first 5 years, such that I did not have to sell equities to cover living expenses. 

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Maximum Amount to Borrow for Student Loan

The maximum amount should be a financial decision and not an emotional decision. Consider the impact it may have on your finances over 10 years after you graduate when deciding how much to borrow. IMHO, the best option if taking a loan is one can repay in 10 years or less easily. 

Here is a simple calculation to do before taking out a student loan.

I have read of two different rules of thumb.

1. No more than one's expected salary.
2. No more than 10% of expected take home pay.  

Assuming one's first job is $60,000 per year which is the average for a college graduate. Take home pay for $60,000 is estimated at $4,187 per month not including state income tax deduction.  

Rule #1 maximum is $60,000 borrowed.  That results in a $678 per month payment at 6.39% interest for 10 years.   That's 16.2% of one's take home pay.

Rule #2 maximum is $37,000 borrowed.  That results in a $418 per month payment since 10%  of $4,187 per month take home is $419.   

Both of these seem reasonable for loan payments.   However, what if the starting salary is only $40,000 when one assumed $60,000.     Now, one's take home pay is only $2848 per month.  Now the monthly payment is either 23.8% for Rule #1 or 14.6% for Rule #2 based on borrowing against one's expected salary of $60,000.  Ouch for following Rule #1.. 

With a recommended budget that has 20% of take home pay going to savings and debt, the above student loan examples would take about take up 50 to 138% of that 20% based on assumed or actual starting salaries.   

Instead of thinking of a student loan as an investment, think of paying off a student loan as a future budget item and whether the future payment is affordable.

Disclosure:  Student loans I took had payments of about 5% of my take home starting salary.  Although many years ago, I recall that percentage to very manageable.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Best Time to Plant Grass Seed

Most people assume the best time to plant grass seed is early spring.  The results come a within couple weeks of planting, which is satisfying.  However, the weather can get hot and scorch the new seedlings leading to a thin lawn or one with bare spots later in the summer.

For me, the best time is to seed is mid September to early October.  The weather is cooler and the ground stays moist longer.  The downside is one may not see much grass growing before winter.  However, the seedlings will grow stronger over the winter and give a luscious lawn in the spring.

When neighbors complement me on my lawn and ask who does our lawn services, I proudly tell them I do my own seeding and fertilizing service.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Volatility Will Test My NEW Investment Strategy

My goal is to invest for income and growth.  I am targeting income to be stable, paid monthly and sufficient to cover expected living expenses when combined with social security. This will be done through bond ETFs such as SCMB and SCHZ/BND.   For growth, I plan to but have not executed investing primarily in index ETFs such as VOO (S&P 500) and MGK (Large Cap Growth).   

I have started investing in the bond ETFs.  I am still waiting for the long expected correction before investing in VOO and MGK.

I hope this strategy will make me immune to drops and keep me steadfast in following the strategy.

Friday's volatility was a good test of my commitment to the strategy.  Even with the morning steep declines of several growth stocks, I did not panic sell.  In fact, I started planning on investing in VOO and MGK by setting buy targets.

It's a good thing I didn't not sell any core investments.  The market rebounded and closed about even after being down as much a 1.5% during the day.  Another day of volatility that turned out be a nothing burger. 

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Hoping for the Best and Preparing for the Worst

There are currently two seemingly opposing beliefs about the stock market:

• Belief #1: Stocks will keep going up and always buy the dip.
• Belief #2: Stocks are extremely overvalued and a major decline will happen.
  

Both beliefs are right, but differ in timing of benefit, i.e. long term versus short term.

Let's look at each belief.

• Stocks will keep going up and always buy the dip. Over the long term, this belief is correct.  In 20 year rolling periods since 1919, the S&P 500 (or its representation before it was created) is always a gain.   
• Stocks are extremely overvalued and a major decline will happen.  In the short term, this can be true.  The declines average about 1 year and usually last less than 2.7 years.  It usually takes 2.5 to 4.5 years to recover, but may take up to 10 years to return to previous highs as in the lost decade in the early 2000s.

In hoping for the best, I am staying invested with our core holdings.   If the market keeps going up, we will benefit.  If it falls, we can weather a decline that takes up to 5 years to recover.  Additionally, we will stay invested in our our children's long term savings accounts.

In preparing for the worst, we are keeping sufficient cash equivalent funds to cover 5+ years of living expenses and to invest in an index fund such as VOO as the market declines, especially for our children's accounts which will be invested for at least 20 years.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Know Mutual Fund Year Capital Gains Distributions Before December

Since I am retired, I can manage my taxable income received each year.  For tax planners like me, getting Mutual Fund capital gains distributions in mid to late December can ruin a good tax plan, especially if one is on the borderline of receiving tax credits or being in a lower tax bracket.

However, I don't have to wait until December to find out the amount of expected capital gains distributions.  The amount is usually determined at the end of September or October, but isn't paid until December.   I often can find out the expected capital gains distribution in early October or early November by checking the Mutual Fund website. 

With the expected capital gains information, I can plan other sources of taxable income, such as stock tax loss harvesting,  to ensure we know our tax bracket and eligibility for tax credits and deductions for the calendar year.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

New Dishwasher Review

Recently I wrote about Replacing Instead of Repairing a Dishwasher based on the cost of repair versus putting that money money towards a new dishwasher.   I'm usually a fan for using cars and appliances until they are beyond repair.  For example, I drive a 2003 F-150, which I have been repairing instead of replacing.

We have bought a Bosch 800 dishwasher to replace a Bosch 800 dishwasher from 2016.   For reference, I received no compensation for this post.

Even though our replaced dishwasher was working well, I've noticed that our new dishwasher cleans much better.  Significant changes have been made to the lower spray arm are such that pots and pans are much cleaner than our previous dishwasher did.   The improvement is a multi armed spray device that can focus on extra soiled pots and pans. 

In addition, the new dishwasher seems to dry out washed items much better that the replaced dishwasher.  One reason is we are now using Jet Dry from the very start.   In our previous dishwasher, we didn't start using Jet Dry until last year, even though the instructions said to use.   As with our previous dishwasher, the new one is extremely quiet.

The dishwasher has many more options than we use. Although the dishwasher has several cycle choices, we typically only use the Auto cycle.   The new dishwasher can be connected to an app via the Internet, but we do not to use that feature.  

Overall, we are very happy with the new purchase.  

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Hypothetical Impact of Distributing Billionaires Wealth

A common misperception is that billionaires could solve poverty, health care crisis and other wealth gap issues if they transferred their wealth to the rest of the population.  

Let's do the math.

How Much Every American Would Get If Jeff Bezos’ Wealth Was Evenly Distributed

According the article distributing Bezos' net worth of $234B to the entire U.S. population of 340.1 million would result in each person receiving $688.   Not even enough to pay one months rent.

Now let's look at all billionaires.  There are 1135 billionaires in the U.S with a total net worth of $5.7 trillion.  $5.7 trillion is close to the U.S. annual budget of 7.01 trillion and would reduce the $37 trillion national debt ONE TIME.   Distributing $5.7 trillion to 340.1 million people would result in each person receiving a ONE TIME payment of $16,764.   Distributing $5.7 trillion to 128 million households would result in each house receiving a ONE TIME payment of $44,531. 

What could people do with the money?

Average student loan debt: $39,000  Total student loan debt: $1.8 trillion

Average credit card debt: $6,500  Total credit card debt:  $1.21 trillion

Average car loan debt: $24,297.  Total car loan debt: 1.61 trillion

Average rent paid:2000/month    Total rent paid:  $500 billion - $1.4 trillion.

Total amount eliminated: $5.12 - $6.02 Trillion ONE TIME.

IMHO, monetary benefits that are ONE TIME usually do not solve underlying personal finance issue(s).   Taking and using all the wealth billionaires have is not a sustainable solution.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Selling Stocks for Tax Loss Harvesting

I have started selling some stocks in taxable accounts to claim a loss for the 2025 tax return.  I sold some on Thursday, October 29, 2025 and the stocks closed lower.  I hope they stay lower, since I have to wait at least 30 days before buying them back, or else the IRS disallows the loss, calling it a "wash sale."

The IRS rule requires a minimum 30 day period before or after the sale of stock at a loss for the purchase of the same stock to replace it.  Otherwise, the IRS disallows the claim of a loss for that stock.

I sold Starbucks (SBUX), Target (TGT) and Etsy (ETSY) for $84.11, $95.48 and $69.33 respectively on October 29, 2025.  I will wait until at least November 29, 2025 to make sure I meet the 30 day period, before buying back the shares at, hopefully, a lower price than I sold.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

DIY Washer Repair for Leaking Soap Dispenser Tray

"If you define the problem correctly, you almost have the solution." ~ Steve Jobs

Last week, my spouse told me the LG washing machine was leaking water.  She noticed some puddle wetness on a runner in the laundry room.  We couldn't see the where the leak was coming from.  Her first guess was it was from under the washer.

Being an engineer, I wanted to find the cause of the leak and try to fix it before calling a repair service.  First, looked underneath the washer.   Looked dry except for the corner under the drain filter.   I had cleaned the filter earlier this month and maybe, I didn't reinstall it correctly.  I checked and reinstalled it.   Started the washer and there was no leak at the filter, but still a leak on the floor from an unknown location.

I put some paper towels under the washer and they only got wet at the front left corner.  I was starting to worry that I might have to move the washer dryer stack to inspect underneath. 

Then, I happen to notice some water drips below the soap dispenser at the upper left corner.  I checked to make sure the soap dispenser drain wasn't clogged.  I also cleaned the soap dispenser tray to clear and clog that would cause water overflow.  Neither had a clog and water still leaked at soap dispenser when I ran the washer

Finally, I decided to run the washer with the soap dispenser tray removed.   I noticed that the overhead water spray was directed slightly outward to cause slight overflow and a leak.  My first solution was to clean to spouts in case calcium buildup from hard water was misdirecting the spray.  That didn't work.  Next I turned down the water pressure to reduce the spray force.  That helped but didn't eliminate the leakage.  Finally, I created a gasket with some foam tape to close the 3/32" gap the water was leaking through.  That worked  I will continue to monitor and adjust the fix if needed.

I expect if I called a repair service, they may have found the issue faster, but would have recommended replacing the entire soap dispenser spray unit.   I estimate that would have been at least $53.95 in parts and at least $250 in service call plus labor.  My solution cost me about 2 hours of finding the cause and 30 minutes of trying solution.  I already had the foam tape from another project and there was no additional parts cost.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Higher Refunds for 2025 Tax Returns

Due to the OBBB tax changes being made effective in 2025, and the lack of withholding adjustments by the IRS, it is likely that many people will get higher tax refunds for the 2025 tax year when they file in 2026.  In some cases, the refund will be significantly higher.

For me, I had the same amount withheld as I did in 2024.   However, due to the tax law changes, I will be receiving about 1/2 of what I withheld back as a refund, or about 20X the refund I received last year.   Unfortunately, I did not determine thisuntil earlier this month.  To help correct this, I reduced my withholding for the rest of the year to $0.   Still, I will get about 15X the refund I got last year even though I am withholding 17% less than last year.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Glad I Resisted FOMO Stock Buying

As I posted in FOMO Buy or Fear the Crash, I had been wrestling with whether to invest right away or wait until the next correction.   After Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31, 2025 market results, with several major tech stocks declining, I am glad I decided to wait for a correction of at least 10%.  

Thursday and Friday's META and MSFT's decline along with other significant declines for non Mag 7 stocks increased my concern that we are closer to a correction than previously thought. 

Even though the stocks may rebound quickly, as they have in the past few months, I am still glad that I have resisted putting more funds into the stock market. 

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Woohoo! Made 7000% on a NOK Call Option

Pure luck.   I bought NOK (Nokia) call options expiring Jan 16, 2026 at 7, 8 and 10 strikes.  They cost me from $1.66 to $4.66 per 100 share contract.   Really just a lotto ticket since NOK was about $5 a share at the beginning of October, 2025.    Nokia popped to $6 when they reported earnings on 10/23.  Then on 10/28 NVDA (Nvidia) announced they were investing $1 Billion in NOK.

I ended up selling the 100 share option contracts from $40 to $160 , a gain from 830% to 7390%.  In only 1-2 months since buying them.

Am I brilliant? .No, just pure luck.  

I'm hoping luck will strike twice and that NVDA will make an investment in BB (Blackberry) since I also have BB call options.   😎

In any event, I am quitting buying options on individual stocks the rest of 2025.   I don't want to lose the gains I made on Wednesday, especially after the hit several stocks, such as META and MSFT took on yesterday.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

FOMO Buy or Fear the Crash?

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

I've been wrestling with whether to invest now or wait until the next correction.   On one hand, I have data that shows the S&P index always exceeds its previous high, usually in 1-2 years or less.   Recently, if one had invested in the S&P at the February 19, 2020 high before COVID lockdown, one would be up about 200% today.

Then I saw the chart below.  Looks scary for two reason.  The 2000-2002 bear market tool about 12 years to recover to the 2000 peak.   From 2009 until now, it looks like "Stonks only go up," with only 3-5 short blips. For example, on October 28, 2025,  NVDA (Nvidia) was up over 115% from its low on April 8, 2025.   IMHO,  the market is due for a major extended correction.

So.... I'm going to stay with the plan of holding the core, selling the peripheral holdings and wait for a 10% or greater drop to start scaling in to VOO and MGK for my kids' accounts.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

My Solution to Reduce U.S. National Debt

Spoiler alert:  It isn't just increasing income tax revenue.

The U.S. debt is $37.9 trillion as of October 1, 2025.

U.S. debt per person is $111,437 for a population of 340.1 million

U.S. debt per household is $296,094 for 128 million households.

People think taxing billionaires will solve the issue.

Let's do the math.

There are 1135 billionaires in the U.S with a total net worth of $5.7 trillion.  The U.S. annual budget is 7.01 trillion with a budget deficit was $1.8 trillion in 2025 . Transferring all  $5.7 trillion would only reduce the national debt ONE TIME by that amount and the national debt would continue to grow.  

If taking all of current billionaires wealth doesn't solve the issue, then only having higher taxes on the rich doesn't either.

To solve the national debt crises, the U.S. needs to start reducing spending.  By a lot.  Like over $2 trillion a year.  Increasing tax revenue can be part of the solution, but is not sufficient by itself.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Donate for Tax Deduction or Sell for Cash?

I used to donate unwanted goods and deduct the charitable donation on itemized deductions.   Recently, I started to sell unwanted goods first before donating because I learned the return from selling was often higher than the tax savings from a deduction.

The higher return for selling always works with one takes the standard deduction since there is not tax benefit from a charitable contribution.

If one itemizes, then the tax benefit of claiming the fair market value (FMV) as a contribution is often lower than the price one will get from selling.   That's because the tax benefit will be based on one's tax bracket:  10, 22, 24, 32, 35 or 37%, which is often less than the selling cost less any selling related costs.

For example, I sell used clothing to a reseller of used clothing for 30-40% of their resell price.  At sports equipment reseller, they pay 30-40% of their resell price.  Assuming the resell price is FMV, then one receives more selling if they are in the 10-24% tax brackets.   One may or may not  make more selling if one is in the 32-37% tax brackets.

The return will be reduced by the cost of taking goods to a reseller.  Fortunately, resellers are within a 3 mile radius of my house and are on the way to grocery stores or other retailers.  So my additional cost is just time.

Finally, I save time by not having to claim charitable deductions for goods sold and receive cash immediately instead of as a tax refund.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates

All my computers are Windows 10 and not upgradable to Windows 11.  For over a year, I have been gently warned that Microsoft will stop Windows 10 security updates on October 14, 2025.   

Recently, I received notice that Microsoft was providing extended security updates (ESU) for one year through October 13, 2026.   The cost is free using Microsoft account points, otherwise it is $30.   ESU is good for up to 10 computers.

I decided take the update since it will allow me to continue using my programs that still work with Windows 10, but may not be compatible with Windows 11.  Accessing ESU was easy.  Just go to Settings>Windows Update and find out if the computer qualifies for ESU.  In my less used computers, I was denied qualifying for ESU and I needed to make sure all Windows updates had been installed before becoming eligible.

Hopefully, Microsoft will do another extension next year.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Expanded Availability of Private Credit and Equity

Expanded availability of complex investments maybe a canary in the coal mine.

Private credit and private equity used be only available to accredited investors with $1,000,000 net worth or higher.  The returns from private equity and credit were higher, but involved a large investment amounts, a  lockup period and higher risk.

Recently, private credit and private credit are being made available to people with much lower net worth and lower investment amounts.  This being done through investment companies grouping investors and then selling smaller "slices" of private credit or private equity to individuals.  

I have been offered private equity and private credit investment opportunities.  While the returns are higher, I am still reluctant to invest in these.  First, there is the lockup period, which is 5-10 years, although there are some periodic withdrawals.   Second, there is no guarantee the original investment will be returned.    Third, the increase in return is not worth the higher risk for me. Fourth, diversification of risk doesn't  protect if the entire market fails.  I remember in 2007, when mortgage backed bonds were grouped together and sold as slices to individual investors.  The market collapsed and resulted in the Great Recession of  08/09. 

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Difficult and Hard Truths about Aging

I thought this was an interesting article. I have experienced about 2/3 of the truths.😢  I guess I'm aged and old.😎

The Difficult Truths:

Older Adults Are Sharing The Difficult Truths About Aging That No One Talks About, And It's Eye-Opening

The Hard Truths:

"Young People Would Be Surprised By This": 21 "Hard To Swallow" Truths About Getting Older That No One Talks About

I am not a fan of reading multiple slides, but I thought these were interesting and relevant enough artcles to post.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Myths About Early Retirees

Here are some myths and realities.

Myth:  I nothing to do and lots of time.   

Reality:  My day is filled. I don't know how I had time to work.

Myth:  I am always available to assist acquaintances who are working parents with kids.

Reality:  I'm busy enough with my own kids.  

Myth:  I will want to take care of grandkids full time to reduce child care expenses.

Reality:  While I don't have grandkids, I've already done my time by raising my own children.

Myth:  It's impressive to have a successful early retirement.

Reality:  No one cares or is impressed.

Myth:  I will be doing a lot with long time friends.

Reality:  We're all busy or some have passed way.

Myth:  Government programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, will be a great benefit.

Reality:  They are great benefits, and very complex.  Also, Social Security covers less than I expected, and Medicare costs more than I expected.

Retiring early is a different experience that what I expected.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Middle Class Income versus Middle Class Housing

Middle class income has not kept pace with the price of middle class housing.

The middle class is a household with income that is at least two-thirds of the U.S. median income to double the median income. Middle class would be a range of incomes from $49,720 to $149,160, based on Census Bureau data for 2022.   In 2022, about 51% of American households are middle class.

Middle class would be a range of incomes from $17,710 to $35,420, based on Census Bureau data for 1980.  

To see the range of incomes for middle class household see What Middle-Class Income Has Looked Like Every Year Since 1980 in both that year's dollars and 2024 dollars.

Median house price in 1980  $64,600 or 1.82X - 3.62X of middle class income

Median house price in 2022  $428,700 or 2.87X - 8.62X of middle class income.

Yikes.   Middle class income growth is significantly behind middle class housing price growth.   That is the major economic issue for those entering the workforce in the past few years.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Watching Paint Dry To Become A Millionaire

Results from good financial practices is akin to watching paint dry.  Nothing seems to be happening and give it enough time, it will work out well, provide you follow the procedures given.

In the links below, I posted a "get rich slowly" strategy to become a millionaire.   

 

Become a Millionaire

Teach a Child to Become a Millionaire

Spoiler alert:  It takes 40 years, but it is guaranteed to work..

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

The Economy May be Worse than It Appears

The economic numbers look great, unemployment is low, and the stock market keeps rising.  However, something doesn't feel right.

I read LinkedIn and Reddit Posts related to employment and the economy.  Qualitatively, posters are sharing that getting hired for a job is very difficult nowadays.   People send out hundreds of applications and get little response.   In addition, people are taking much lower paying jobs to make enough money just to pay living expenses.   Or they are surviving on gig jobs.   Thus, technically, they are not "unemployed."

 See the following article for an example. I've been job searching for over 2 years while raising a child. Here's why I still turned down an offer.

In addition, people are maxing out credit cards leading the highest ever credit card debt and falling behind on car loan payments.  Personal bankruptcy filings have increased significantly in 2025.

Finally, the stock market gains of the past 2 1/2 years (over 20% gains in '23 and '24, and over 12% in '25) have helped keep consumer spending up.

I don't know how much longer the economy and the stock market can hold up.  I expect it may not not much longer, unless money is being or will be pumped into the economy by the government.

 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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

The Best Age to Start Preparing for Retirement

The first best time is in one's early 20's or when one starts work, whichever is sooner.  The second best time is now, if you haven't started already.

The benefits of starting earlier are:

• More time to save
• Savings amount can be lower
• Long term care premiums are lower
• Start becoming debt free earlier
• Understand employer retirement savings options
• Market volatility less of an issue

The risks of starting later are:

• Less time to save
• More needs to be saved
• Long term care premiums are higher
• More debt to eliminate
• Not understand employer retirement options
• Market volatility can derail a retirement date

I chose my 20s, due to my dad's encouragement.  I'm glad I did.  I'm starting my kids when they start working with a Roth IRA accoutn.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Convenience Fee for Using Credit Cards

More small businesses are charging customers a "convenience fee" for using a credit card.  The fee ranges anywhere from 2% to 3.5%.  I understand since merchants pay a fee to the credit card company, but I'm not a fan of paying additional fees over the cost of the product or service.

Nowadays, I check what payments are accepted and if there is a fee for using a credit card.  If there is a fee, I will pay by check.  I don't mind doing so.

However, most large retailers still accept credit cards with no additional fee.  I expect the additional fee is worth the cost of bringing in buying customers. I continue to use a credit card with these merchants.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

The New Roaring 20s?

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." ~ Mark Twain

Just before 2020, I wondered with we might have another "roaring 20s" that happened a hundred years ago.  COVID happened and blocked that idea out of my mind.    Subsequently, billions of dollars were pumped into the economy through "stimulus checks" and interest rates were reduced to almost zero.   The stock market rebounded and rocketed.  Asset values, such as housing, went up significantly.  The economy recovered and grew.

However, 2022 had significant inflation and interest rate increases by the Fed.  That slowed the economy and stock market, which have since rebounded.

Now I'm wondering again if the remainder of this decade will be the Roaring 20s again.   It would be great if the economy and stock market roar again.  But we also know that the last Roaring 20s also ended badly with the Great Recession.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Medicare is Not Free Healthcare

Sorry, Medicare is not premium free. Medicare appears to less expensive the ACA (Obamacare) plans and may be less expensive that private insurance from one's company.

It's true Medicare part A, which is hospitalization is premium free if one has worked and paid 10 years, but Medicare part B, which pays for the physician,  requires a premium starting at $185/month and rises depending on income.   Also, one has to pay copay costs on both Part A and B.   In additional, one has to pay premiums and copays for Part D, which is for prescription medications. 

I use Medicare Advantage through the company from which I retired.   It's a good plan because my company is large enough to be self insured. It costs me $41/month more than just Medicare.   Hard for me to compare to similar plans others might have.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Employers Eliminate College Degree Requirements But...

Hiring managers still choose applicants with college degrees over those without a college degree.

Goodwill CEO says hiring managers are going behind their bosses’ backs and looking for workers with college degrees, not skills

Unfortunately, even applicants with college degrees find it difficult to get an offer for a job, running into requirements of prior experience even for entry level jobs.

Although I'm retired, I do have worries about this situation since my daughter is in college right now.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Stock Market Volatility is Back

Is a Crash coming?   Maybe, Maybe, Maybe

Lots of pundit are forecasting a coming crash.  Ray Dalio, Jamie Dimon, and Andrew Sorkin are among them.

However, when will the crash come?   No one knows.

So, it's best to be prepared and ready.

What am I doing?

• Have an emergency fund of a 1-3 years or more.
• Not taking on any additional debt.
• Ensure the certainty of current income streams: wages, interest/dividends, rental.
• Have cash ready to invest in a market index for a big drop.
• Staying invested and not selling.

Why?

• Emergency fund  and income stream will covers expenses if needed.
• Since 1950, every decline of 10% or more has beat the previous high on recovery.
• Bear markets last 11-14 months.
• Average time to reach previous peaks is 2.5 years.
• Investing is a long game.  

Most of all, I will try to stay calm and not panic, which is hard to do in the moment of a crash.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Repairing Instead of Replacing Windows

Our 35 year old windows are original and solid wood.   The sashes are in still good shape, no rot.  However, some of the sills and nose had warped.   In addition, the windows were slightly askew when opening and when closed.

We got an estimate on replacing all the windows with aluminum clad wood windows and composite doors.   The estimate was only for replacing the window sashes and liner, but not the window frame, which results in a slightly smaller window opening.  The cost was expensive, about 15% of the purchase price of the house.

To be honest, I really like the feel of solid wood windows.  My first house was 100 years old with original windows. the ones with counter weights and ropes.

Instead we worked with three different business (two of them sole proprietorships):  one repaired window sills, one repaired sashes and window glass in the doors, and one that repair the mechanisms.   Total cost 5% of replacing windows and doors or 0.75% of the cost of the house.

At 1/20 the cost of replacing windows, we decided to do the repairs option.  The repairs have been completed and we are very satisfied.  Admittedly, it took more effort to find the craftsmen that did the work, which I did through referral.  But it was worth it, for both the quality and savings.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Changing to ETFs for Fixed Income

I've been purchasing the bond ETFs in different accounts over the past couple weeks.   Although too short to really tell yet, I think the decision has been a good one.  Since interest rates appear to be declining, the bonds have been stable or slightly up, even after going ex-dividend. 

For now, I'm going to hold on purchasing any more bonds and wait to see how the government shutdown affects the rates.    If the EFT prices increase, I will just hold. If the ETF prices drop, I will consider buying more.   In either case, I will be getting a monthly interest dividend which will contribute to our retirement paycheck.

For more specifics on the bonds see Evaluating Owning Bond ETFs

For more details on a retirement paycheck see Creating a Retirement "Paycheck."

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Am I a Brilliant Investor?

Don't mistake a bull market with brilliance. ~ old adage

Our investments are doing well this year.   Since April 2025, the market has advance significantly and has pulled up most of our investments.  Some individual stocks have had 500% gains in the 3 months that I've owned.  (I wish I had bought more or maybe FOMOed.😎)  

I used to think I was brilliant, but not anymore.  I'm benefiting from an awesome bull market, where most stocks go up.  If I'm getting tremendous returns, it's mainly because of luck, not brilliance.

IMHO, brilliance is when I can stay invested through the next downturn, and even add more funds to take advantage of the dip.   To do that, I'm adjusting my investments to deliver steady income even in the instance of high volatility.  If I can do that, then maybe I can claim being brilliant.

Until then, I continue to sell off individual stocks, tax efficiently and profitably, and prepare to buy VOO and MGK index ETFs during the next market decline.

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 © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Life Got Tougher as a Senior

"Old age is not for sissies." ~ Bette Davis

I thought life would be easier and more straight forward as I got older.   After all, I would be more experienced and knowledgeable.

I was wrong.  

Here are the reasons:

• Complexity -  There are lots of decisions to be made as a senior: when to retire; when to start social security; which Medicare options to use, how to withdraw retirement funds, where to invest retirement funds.  Too bad the government doesn't offer free senior concierge service to navigate.
  
  
• Bureaucracy - There are lots of "opportunities" to deal with government and insurance regulations and rules:  Social Security, Medicare Premiums,  Tax Deductions and Credit, RMD withdrawal options, Long Term Care Insurance, Health Care Insurance.   If one doesn't closely track statements and claims, one can end up paying much more that required.
  
  
• Technology - I love the old days of talking immediately to a real person in the U.S. for help with issues.   Nowadays, I get folks in other countries or worse yet, an incompetent AI assistant.  Or I am expected to do everything though apps or online websites. 
  
  
• Aging Impacts - Worst case, my favorite and best service providers (health care, maintenance, repair) retire before I stop needing them.  Also, I'm not as agile as I was in my 40s.  More aches and pains, which require OEM parts to be replaced, with the requisite higher health care costs.  I do not look forward to looking for and moving to an assisted living facility if I ever need to.
  
  
• Loss of Friends and Family - My contemporaries are passing away slowly.  Parents at first. Then  teammates from high school, college and recreational adult leagues.  Followed by neighbors, former colleagues at work, and other acquaintances.   I haven't been making new friends fast enough to replace the losses.  
  
  
• Contrarian Factors - Life happens and can be a negative.   Inflation, significant health issues, shortage of savings, loss of spouse or significant other.

Finally, my personal approach is the prepare for the future as much as possible, live in and enjoy the present, and have a positive attitude when adjustments need to be made.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC