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

Regret for Taking Social Security at 62

Recently, I posted about a retiree who regretted waiting until 70 to collect Social Security.

Here's an article about a retiree regretting starting Social Security at 62.

I’m a Retired Boomer: Why I Should Have Waited Until 70 To Take Social Security

A summary of her regret is that the Social Security is not enough money to do all the things she would like to do, now that she's 72.

Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 for both regrets.

In my case, I'm still happy to have started at 64, now that I'm 67 and past my FRA (Full Retirement Age).

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Protecting Self From Potential Danger

When I was a child, my mom told me not to talk to strangers.  As a teenager,  my parents told me not to  hitchhike nor pick up hitchhikers.  That was about it.

When my daughter went to college, I advised her not to accept medicine or drinks from anyone.   This was in addition to not accepting rides from strangers.  Recently, I saw on Reddit that people were being drugged by passing strangers, who put quick dissolve drugs in their open drinks that weren't being watched.   Yikes, it's getting even worse.

I contacted my daughter to warn her to always keep her drinks in sight.  However, she told me that she was already warned during freshman orientation.

Times have changed.   When I was in my 20s, I would accept drinks from people I had just met our regular bar.   Also, I was given a ride home a couple times by people whom I only just met at our regular bar.  Never once thought that I could have been putting myself in danger.  

Maybe I was just lucky then.  I am much more careful nowadays.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Evaluating Owning Bond ETFs

Typically, I have been buying fixed income bonds and CDs and hold until maturity to receive the original principal.  Of course, that leads to owning numerous CDs and bonds, and repurchasing when they mature.  Owning bond mutual funds or ETFs has the risk that the value decreases when interests rise and there is no guarantee of recover the original cost by holding to maturity.

The main reason I am going to bond ETFs is for simplification.   Bond ETFs make monthly interest payment and take care of the reinvestment process when bonds mature.    Hopefully, even with bond volatility and the the fluctuation of ETF values, I will still receive approximately the same amount of interest each month towards my monthly retirement "paycheck."

Here's what I've been doing:

Taxable accounts

I've been purchasing municipal bond ETFs: SCMB, VTEB, and VCRM.    SCMB has been the biggest purchase.   

Non taxable accounts -IRAs

I've been purchasing taxable bond ETFs:  BND and SCHZ.

I've only owned the ETFs about a week.  So far the municipal bond ETFs have been fairly stable.  The taxable bond ETFs have declined slightly, about 0.2%

Analysis

My main criteria is if we get consistent payment over time and the impact of interest changes on the amount.  I've only received on partial dividend since I bought shares before and after the ex-dividend date of the 1st.  Next month, I will get a better idea of the monthly payment amount to expect from these bond ETFs.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Things to Consider When Retiring Early

For those considering FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early), here are some of the items I learned about when retiring early.

• Health insurance costs may increase.  I had family health insurance from my company.  When I retired early, I was eligible for retiree insurance, at a much higher cost.  My spouse and I each paid an amount that was previously just family insurance premiums, so double.  However, my daughter paid the COBRA cost, which is full fare.  A 3.5 X increase.  I don't know the impact for people that need to change to ACA Health Insurance (Obamacare).
  
  
• Know where funds for expected expenses are coming from.  I had not thought much about this.  When I retired, all of our expenses were paid from my paycheck.   We had to start using funds from interest/dividend payments, and savings.  We did not use any funds from retirement accounts.   I did do a few part time jobs, but they may have covered a months expenses at most over the year.  I did work a temporary full time job for 11 months, and declined an permanent extension since I was retired.  Also, I had some stock options that covered some annual expenses.
  
  
• Understand that Social Security payments may be significantly reduced.  I did not think about this when I retired early.  Social Security payments are calculated based on the highest 35 years of wage income.   If one only works 25 years, 10 years of income will be counted as $0 and the resulting payment will be lower.
  
  
• Consider when to start Social Security payments.  Originally, I estimated the ability to retire without ever getting Social Security.  Then I assumed I would wait until 70 to maximize my benefit.  I ended up starting at 64 due to auxiliary benefits my children and spouse were eligible to receive.
  
  
• Tax planning can significantly reduce tax liability.  I took advantage of being able to be in lower tax brackets than when I was working.  When earning a W-2 paycheck, I had little opportunity to make adjustments to reduce our tax liability.   With no paycheck, I could modify how much taxable income to take, in order to be in a lower tax bracket that allowed us maximize tax credits and take more deductions.  In addition, we did Roth Conversions and paid taxes at a lower tax bracket than we expect to have when RMDs are required.
  
  
• Protect one's time.   Other people often see retired persons as "free work" for their projects, whether it be with a non-profit or helping with their kids, since the are still "too busy" with work. I learned how to say "No" graciously many times.

GLTA thinking about retiring early.   For me, it was much less money and much more time.  Looking back, it was worth the tradeoff.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Minimizing Individual Stock Risk

Reminder to self:  The market always reaches a new high after a decline, but individual stocks may not.

Here's my real life example.  In 2013, I bought a "good" stock that had declined 33%.   It declined another 66% before recovering.  It's still down 49% from when I bought in 2013.   If I had bought S&P 500 index, in 2013, I would be up 431% today.  

I've learned my lesson. My strategy going forward is to invest mostly (over 95+%) in stock index ETFs to eliminate individual stock risks.  Specifically, I will buy VOO and MGK, which are the S&P500 and Large Cap Growth Index ETFs.

In the future, I may do limited trading of individual stocks, but less that 5% of equity investments.  It's still fun to pick a big winner occasionally, but I don't do it often enough to beat the returns from VOO or MGK. 

Disclosure:  I currently do not own VOO and MGK.  I plan the buy some when the market declines 10% or more in the future.  In the meantime, I am selling off my individual stocks as they recover, which may be never for some.🤡

For more on Strategies and Plans Ideas, 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

Online International Order Tariff Issues

"Uncertainty is the only thing that is certain." - new reality for international orders.

People are getting surprise charges since the de minimis exemption for import duties on orders under $800 has expired.  The recipient is responsible for charges since they are the "importer."

New Tariff Rules Bring "Maximum Chaos" as Surprise Charges Hit Consumers

A friend of mine recently ordered a part for his bike from Canada for $10.   There was $20 shipping charge.  When he received the part, he was charged another $37 for duties and customs, which he was informed of after the part was delivered.

Another friend's son order a U.S. made used part owned by a Swiss Company and the part has been sent.  However, the part MIA in the delivery system, with no organization able to find its location.

Finally, my spouse ordered a small item from Japan.  After receiving the item, UPS billed her $2 for customs and duties, which was not unreasonable.  However, we don't know the impact of recent tariffs on future orders.

It's likely we will need to prepared for tariff related surcharges for a while.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Creating Luck for Personal Finance Success

Pool is all luck.  The more I play, the luckier I get. - quote on my pool rack

The same is true for personal finance.  The more one does the following, the luckier one gets.

• Before turning 30 and, if possible, before 25, be employed in a job that pays well.
  
  
• Automatically save a percentage of what one earns. 10% is a good start. First have an emergency fund.  Then invest the rest.  Remember, don't bet against America.
  
  
• Live below one's means.   Buy only what one needs.  Simple yet, it works.
  
  
• Avoid using debt.  That includes for higher education.  In many cases, debt is a spiral downward to personal finance failure.  
  
  
• Make extra payments each month to mortgage and car loans to pay them off faster.
  
  
• Marry someone who has these personal finance values.  It's easier when both work together.
  
  
• Teach skills to one's kids.   As adults, kids should be financially independent and not require bailouts.

Still it doesn't guarantee success and YMMV.

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

Regret for Delaying Social Security to 70

"Tomorrow is not guaranteed." ~ old adage

Common thinking is to wait until 70 if one can afford it and is healthy in order to receive a higher Social Security payment.  Mathematically, that seems to be good advice.  However, life happens.

Below is a link to an article in which the person regrets waiting until 70 and his reasons.

I'm Retired And Regret Claiming Social Security At 70 - Here's Why

Here's a summary of the article:

• Hidden Tax Trap. That higher income pushes him into brackets where more of his Social Security gets taxed, and his Medicare premiums get hit with surcharges. He's essentially penalized for following conventional wisdom about waiting until 70.
  
  
• Health Gets Worse. He spent years in my late sixties staying healthy, exercising, and planning for a long retirement. Then at 72, he was diagnosed with a serious condition that limits my mobility and energy. Those extra years between 67 and 70 when he could have truly enjoyed his benefits are gone forever.
  
  
• Breakeven math is just theoretical.  The break-even point for waiting until 70 compared to benefits claimed at age 67 is approximately age 82. But that calculation assumes everything stays constant – your health, Medicare costs, tax brackets, and Social Security's future stability.  Life happens.
  
  
• Missed Experiences. While he was dutifully waiting until 70, his neighbor who claimed at 62 was traveling the world. She's now 67 and has already received five years of checks that someone waiting until 70 hasn't gotten, allowing her to travel and enjoy life.
  
  
• Social Security May Cut Benefits. He delayed for maximum benefits that might not even be guaranteed when potential cuts come in 2033 or 34.
  
  
• Could Have Done Well Investing. With a 4 percent real return, a person has to live to 89, instead of 78, for it to be beneficial to delay benefits from age 67 to 70, yet 77 percent of 67-year-old males and 65 percent of 67-year-old females die before 89.
  
  
• Spousal Benefits Delayed.  His spouse could have been receiving 50% of my full retirement age benefit for three additional years, but instead got nothing while he chased those delayed retirement credits. That's money they'll never get back.
  
  
• Worried More About Market Fluctuations.  During those three years he delayed Social Security, he had to rely more heavily on my 401(k) and other investments for living expenses.
  
  
• Extra Cash Would Have Been Useful.  Between ages 67 and 70, he faced unexpected expenses: home repairs, medical bills, and helping his adult children through financial challenges.
  
  
• Having Money Sooner Is Better.  Looking back, he realize he treated Social Security like a pure investment decision when it should have been a lifestyle choice. If he could do it over again, he'd claim at full retirement age and use those three extra years of benefits to truly enjoy the beginning of his retirement while he was still healthy enough to make the most of it.

I agree with many of his points since I took Social Security early at 64 and avoided experiencing many of reasons for his regret. 

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

The Curse of Easy Credit

Managing personal finances used to be simple, before the days of multiple credit cards and easy loans.  We earned money.  We paid mostly in cash, except for home and car loans.   We saved in banks.  If we couldn't afford it with cash, we didn't buy it.  Easy peasy to have good personal finance results.

Fast forward to today.   Don't have enough money to buy something.  There a lots of credit options. 

• Need money for everyday items or smaller purchases.  Max out multiple credit cards.  Buy now, pay later.    Split payments up.  Rent to own.   The temptation is that all these options are at NO cost if one pays them off on time.   People rarely pay on time which results in paying high interest rates.
  
  
• Need money for expensive items.   Can't afford to go to college.  There's money from student loans.  Car loans now go out to seven years and are often upside down on the day it's purchased.  These loans are great until one has to start paying them back.
  
  
• Need money sooner.  Get advances on one's paycheck, but at a cost.  Get a money advance on one's credit card.
  
  
• Want to gamble.  No need travel or have cash.  Go online with one's credit card.  One can go thousands of dollars into debt.

I made my daughter an authorized user on a credit card, but still had her pay her part of the bill.  She commented how much easier and quicker it was to spend money using a credit card. Managing personal finances requires good skill and discipline.  Today, there are too many temptations and opportunities to veer off a successful path.  

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Protecting Personally Identifiable Information

There a lots of attempts to steal people personally identifiable information (PII) and use it.   I have not subscribed to any protection services, even when it's provided for no charge due to a data breach. I feel that taking good precautions will be enough protection.  Here's what I do to protect information.

• Shred any papers that may have PII.  Bank statements, brokerage statement, pre qualification letters  with QR codes, 1099s, copies of tax returns,  W-2s and cancelled checks.
• Don't share SSN at doctor's or dentist's offices.   It is not required and you can choose to leave it blank.   In fact, you can decline sharing SSN for many applications.
• Do not send PII over e-mail.  It is not secure.
• Only use secure electronic systems to send personally identifiable information to appropriate organizations.
• Cut up expired credit cars and membership cards.
• Do not give information over the phone to unknown callers that claim to be bank, credit card, IRS, Social Security or Medicare representatives.  Call back a confirmed number, from internet or mail, to verify unknown callers.
• Check credit card statements and bank statements for unknown activities.
• Periodically, check information at credit bureaus.

Finally, I usually am on the side of being cautious rather than assume the situation is safe.  Better to not give out or shred the information than have it obtained by unscrupulous people.

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

Replacing Instead of Repairing a Dishwasher

I usually DIY repair and keep appliances running longer before buying. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials to fix most things.   In the past, I done several minor repairs on our dishwasher with success. I've replaced the detergent dispense cover two times.  Other times just draining a restarting solved the problem. However, today I decided to replace after trying to repair.  Here are my reasons.

Our dishwasher gave multiple errors codes.  Initially, it was a Watertap error, and I decided to clean the internal filter and restarting, which usually works.   When cleaning the filter didn't work, I found out the Watertap error meant insufficient water was coming in.  Then I started getting a E15 and Aquastop code, which indicates a leak flooding the catch basin. I pulled the dishwasher out to check if the inlet hose was kinked.  It was not.  I mopped up the catch basin, put everything back together and then started the dishwasher.   Still had the Watertap error.  However, now the dishwasher kept filling and overflowed out.  I pulled the dishwasher out again and disassemble the inlet to see the filter which appeared clean.  Reassembled and ran, but still had the Watertap error and the overflowing out.

I spent about 3 hours diagnosing and trying to repair and still had the problem.  In the past, a simple fix often worked and it took less that 15 minutes.  I've concluded that I probably need to try to change the inlet valve which is a $60 part but not sure if that will fix the overflowing, since another sensor should prevent that.   If I still have problems, I will need to call in a repair service and that will cost at least $200 plus parts.   More expensive if the problem is the control panel, which it may be.

The dishwasher is about 10 years old and cost $800 when purchased.  Since we cook a lot, we use a dishwasher 2-3 times a day, when normal average usage is 5 times a week.  So we probably used our dishwasher the equivalent of 30 years for most people.    In addition several small parts are damaged and need replacing.  Even if the repair is successful, other issues are likely to occur soon and require a replacement. And if I need a service call for a repair, it will likely cost about $400 for parts and labor.

Rather than spend money and more time to fix, I've the decided the best option is to buy new and have it last another 10 years before needing major repair or replacement. The main issue is that we may need to wash dishes by hand for a few days while waiting for delivery and installation.😠

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Creating a Successful Retirement

One of the best things I did was work on the elements that I had some control over.  These are the ones I worked on.

• Determining funds needed in retirement.
• Determining source and amount of income.
• Deciding how much to save.
• Deciding how much to spend.
• Deciding how savings are invested.
• Minimizing current and future tax liability.
• Managing risk before and after retirement.

Here are the elements that have an effect, but I didn't control.  I probably spent more time thinking about these that I should have.  Better to have used risk management, which I did control instead of trying to forecast.

• The economy.
• Interest rates.
• Inflation.
• Who is elected or appointed.

Even though I've been retired for a while, I still spend time working on the things I control, especially the last 3 elements.

For more on Strategies and Plans, 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

Ending Taxes on Social Security Payments

Social Security payments used to be tax free, until 1984 when up to 50% of Social Security payments were taxable.  The maximum was increased to 85% in the 1991.

Despite campaign promises of ending taxes on Social Security, the recent legislation did not directly end taxes on Social Security payments.

Now Congress is introducing a bill, You Earned It, You Keep It, to eliminate taxes on Social Security payments.  Similar bills have failed in the past. 

For more details see Taxes on Social Security Could Be Eliminated Under New Bill - Newsweek

I hope this bill passes.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Leverage Personal Strengths for Success

In 2018's Avengers: Endgame, Frigga says to a despondent Thor: "Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be, Thor. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are."

There many recommendations and actions that deliver better personal finance results.  Which ones to do or try?  Which are a good fit?  Here are some of my criteria based on experience to be better at personal finance.

• Does the action/activity have a good chance of working?  
  
  
  
• Is the action/activity something that one is good at doing?
  
  
  
• Is the action/activity something one likes to do?
  
  
  
• Finally, how much additional effort does the action/activity require?

If the answer to the first three are yes, then determine if the level of effort required makes it worth doing.

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

Financial Decision Fatigue

There are lots of financial or financial related decisions to make in retirement and as one gets older.  Here are some of the items bullet pointed without discussion.

• Distribution of retirement funds:  Lump sum, annuity, NUA, rollover
• Age to start Social Security:  62 min, 67 FRA, 79 max
• Medicare options: Supplement, Advantage
• Tax Planning:  RMD, Roth Conversion, Gifts 
• Estate Planning: Trusts, Wills, POAs
• Insurance-Long Term Care, Life, Car, Homeowner, Umbrella
• Investment Strategies: Growth, Income, 

NUA-Net Unrealized Appreciation

FRA-Full Retirement Age

RMD-Required Minimum Distribution

POA-Power of Attorney

I always expected getting older would make thing easier.  NOT!

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Shredding Personally Identifiable Information

When I was younger I threw all my statements and prequalified financial offers (credit cards, banks, insurance, etc.) in the weekly trash.  Never had an issue with identity theft.

Nowadays, I think it is prudent to shred anything that can be used to "steal" one's identity.  This includes:

• Financial Statements:  Bank, Brokerage, Credit Card, W-2, 1099, Mortgage, Student Loan and more
• Prequalified anything:   Credit Card, Insurance, Membership that have QR codes
• Old tax return data:  I shred after 7 years.
• Expired Credit or Debit Cards
• Paper Bills:  Medical, Utility

Shredding takes me about an hour for a month's amount paperwork.  

In some cases, asking for e-documents is a secure route to take, which is how my bank bill payment system operates.  I choose electronic for some bank and brokerage statement, but I still choose paper for those that I want for tax records.

I probably shred more than I need to do.  However, better safer than sorry.  

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Hacks to Make the Hard to Do Easier

"We do things not because they were easy, but because we thought they were going to be easy."  ~ parody of JFK quote on going to the moon.

Yes, a number of personal finance activities are hard to do, even though they sound easy.

Here are some hacks to make the hard to do, easier:

• Automate.  Have contributions to savings or retirement accounts done automatically.  Don't need to think about it or put any effort towards it except for the initial decision.
  
  
• Routine.   I set up my bank to receive most of my bills on its bill pay service.   When the bill shows up, I pay it and have the funds withdrawn the next day, way before the due date.  That way I have a running current balance in our bank account and know immediately whether I have enough funds and the amount remaining.
  
  
• Habit.  Here are examples of some financial habits.   Regularly use cash instead of credit cards.  Buy only what one needs, instead of things that one wants.  Always have a three month emergency fund. Put a percentage of raises into savings.

Progress will happen and, of course, YMMV.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Get High CD Rates and Great Service at Credit Unions

Bricks and mortar banks in our area used to have very low interest rates on short term CDs , around 0.02 to 0.03% for all except for promotional CDs that had competitive rates.  Although longer term bank CDs are better nowadays they still are not competitive.  Usually, I buy CDs from my broker, which had competitive CDs at market rates. A few years ago, I checked out our local credit union, and they had very competitive rates.   So we opened a few CDs with a local credit union.

A couple weeks ago, we renewed some CDs that had matured at the credit union.  Today, I checked the CD rates at the brokerage, and they were 0.3% lower than the credit union CD.   Woohoo!  We decided a few years ago to stay at the credit union for part of our fixed income portfolio for diversification.

At the credit union, we get the benefit of working with the same representative over past few years.  We like having the personal connection and contact, which doesn't happen when buying CDs online.  Finally, if we like the current CD rate, we can allow autorenewal for the same term.   Maximum simplicity.

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

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

Copyright © 2025 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

DIY Retirement Calculator, Firecalc©

Historically,  I have asked my brokerage financial advisor to do a calculation of how long my retirement funds will last.   Typically, the analysis uses a Monte Carlo simulation, which is thousands for trials using random returns in random order at an expected return.   The percent of successes, i.e. funds stay above zero, gives retirees an estimate of whether they have saved enough.  If one wants more exact estimate, one can add Social Security payments and other sources of income, such as rents.

A couple weeks ago, I went back to an Early Retirement website I found and posted about in 2009.  One of the elements on there was an early retirement calculator, Firecalc©.  I briefly reviewed it initially and I like the methodology.  Instead of using random ordering of annual return, it uses rolling periods of actual returns from 1871 until present to estimate how long retirement savings will last.  Using actual historical data to predict possible outcomes is a great idea.  Once can check whether one's savings would have passed the Great Depression and the Great Recession.  This, by itself, made it a great Retirement Calculator, IMHO.

This week, I started to look at all aspects of Firecalc©.  I learned it allows one to add other sources of income, including Social Security, define portfolio mix, estimate expected withdrawals, create a spending plan .   Although I have not registered, I think one can create an account so that the information put in is retained for future adjustments.

Based on limited reading of the calculator instructions, I think it is a good "what if" calculator if one spends the time and effort to evaluate one's situation and options.  I will definitely try this calculator going forward.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with and receive no compensation for any referrals to Earlyretirement.org or Firecalc© in this post or any My Wealth Builder posts.

For more on Strategies and Plans , 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