Moles/Vols are Gone This Year

I've spent 4-5 years trying to rid moles/vols in our yard by repelling them.  We don't like to trap or kill the animal pests.  We prefer to encourage them not to be in our yard.

This all started when my neighbor hire a pest control company to rid the moles/vols in his yard.  The pest control company then made a bid for doing my yard too.  He said, "Once we repel the moles/vols from your neighbors yard, they will do to other yards.  Would you like a treatment for your yard?"

Initially, I tried the commercially available mole/vol powder repellent.   Guaranteed to work said the package.  Qualitatively, it reduced the mole/vol population but they returned after a short period.  Then I switched to castor oil mixed with dish detergent for 2 years.  I sprayed directly on the tunnels, and I didn't notice any decrease in tunneling activity.  In fact, the tunnels appeared to be expanding across the yard based on the mushiness of lawn.

At the same time, I also bought some sound emitters.   I tried them for a few months before my spouse complained about the noise and I removed them.  Still there was no reduction in the lawn mushiness.

Over the winter, I read a post and responses on the Internet claiming success from using coffee grounds to successfully repel moles/vols.  Since my spouse regularly drinks coffee, I tried spreading used coffee grounds over the lawn. In the worst case,  the coffee grounds would only fertilize the lawn.

While there were still noticeable squishy mounds on our lawn in March 2026, it is now May 2026 and the mounds are gone and the lawn is firm.  My assumption is the moles/vols have moved away.  However, I have no idea which of the treatments had an effect nor do I know if they moved away due to lack of food sources.   Either way, they appear to be gone.

If they return, I will probably try the repellents in reverse order, starting with coffee grounds, even though that seems unlikely to be the reason.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

24 Hour Stock Trading

Last week, I was checking some of the after-hours prices for my "buy the dip software stocks" and I noticed the time stamp was 12:37AM, which is after the typical close of 8PM for after hours trading.   In addition, the prices were still changing, which led me to think that 24 hour trading was in effect.

I just checked a today and several brokerages now have 24 hour trading 5 or 6 days for specific index and other ETFs, and specific equities.   Amazing.

I won't be trading 24 hours, but it is useful to be able to check how specific stocks are doing overnight, for the case when I plan to sell or buy the next day.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Will SPCE do a GME MOASS?

I've seen a lot of posts about SPCE (Virgin Galactic) which may be conflated with SpaceX (SPCX) when IPOed.   Some are buying because they think they are getting SpaceX cheap. Others are buying because they believe SPCE will be lifted by SpaceX IPO.  

Oh well, I recall people bought ZOOM which was some penny stock, when they wanted Zoom Communications (ZM) during Covid.

I will watch but not participate.   It will be interesting to see if SPCE rockets up due to mistaken identity and high short interest (~32%).  Or if Richard Branson will dilute Virgin Galactic by issuing more shares. LOL.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

SPCX the Final Frontier

SpaceX will IPO in June 2026.  It is expected to raise $75 billion and have a target valuation of about  $1.75 trillion.   Here's my take:

• Other space related stocks: SPCE, ASTS, RKLB, etc. are rising with this IPO
• Muskman may become the first trillionaire if he achieves certain criteria.
• Other Muskman stocks and investments (TSLA, xAI) will probably benefit.

I expect there will be high volatility for a few weeks.  I plan to hold TSLA, but not take positions in SPCX nor the other space related stocks.

Disclosure:  We own shares of TSLA.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Hodling Was a Genius Move

When I bought my "buy the dip stocks" in February 2026, they kept dipping further through March 2026.  I made the decision to hodl despite a further decline for many of them.

However, since March 31, the S&P has advanced 9 consecutive weeks.   During this time, my "buy the dip stocks" continued to decline or stayed flat.   I continued to hodl.  I thought most of them were way oversold due to the overestimated future impact of AI on their business models. 

This week, a number of my "buy the dip stocks" are making significant gains.   Many are now positive, not all.  I'm going to continue to hodl.   

Of course, it will work until it doesn't.

Disclosure:  I still own MSFT, NOW, TSLA, CRM, TEAM, HUBS, ADBE, ACN, NFLX, UNH

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Learning the Fine Print in my Health Insurance Coverage

I recently had cataract surgery, which Medicare covers.   I also found out that Medicare will cover cost of corrective glasses since I got single focal cataract lenses.  I thought this would be easy to do.   Haha.

I called my Medicare Advantage Insurance company to clarify the coverage and process.   Here's what I found out:

• Medicare only covers the cost of 1 pair to glasses with a standard frame including anti-reflective and UV lenses.  Subsequent glasses are 100% my responsibility
• The provider needs to fill out paperwork to be submitted with my request for reimbursement to verify I am qualified for the benefit.
• I need to pay for the glasses and submit for reimbursement.
• The expense is expected to be done within 3 months of the surgery.

Originally, I was just expecting to go to provider, present my prescription, and have the provider submit to my insurance.   Wrong.  Good thing I checked and learned the above.   

I will be using another provider other than my usual one.   I will bring all my support documentation and have a new provider that complies with the rules and paperwork requirements in the next few days.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

TIL People Routinely Poop in the Shower: Ewww!

Since I read WallStreetBets on Reddit, I receive recommended posts from other subreddits.   One that I read in AIO (Am I Overreacting) subreddit was a girlfriend asking if it was strange her boyfriend pooped in the bathtub while showering and squished it down the drain with his foot.  I don't remember any of the responses, but thought this was bit strange.  (For reference, there is a lot of strange stuff in the Am I the Asshole subreddit and Am I Overreacting subreddit, especially about entitled people.)

Anyway, I mentioned the gross activity to my daughter in college.  She commented that it happens a lot iin their communal showers, enough such that the college had to post a sign to not do it.  She said that's why people wear shower shoes.   

Ewwww!

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

This is not financial, hygiene nor dorm advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Diamond Handing my Winners

I'm notorious for selling my gains at 15% to lock in profits.   Recently, I decided to hodl my winners:  BB, NOK,  SLS, MU, and STX.   I kept these even when they went down, but eventually recovered. Now I've decided to diamond hand these stocks.  

Ahh, maybe I can get a 10000% gain for the first time ever.  Hopium thinking on my part.  We shall see.

Disclosure: I own shares of BB, NOK, SLS, MU and STX.  I own call options for BB and SLS

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

AMZN 30 Minute Deliveries

AMZN is starting 30 minute deliveries in some regions.   Whoa!  30 minutes is less time that it takes me to drive the store, look for the item, purchase it and return home.  

I wonder how much it costs.  If it's free from prime members, I may try it.

Disclosure:  I received no compensation from Amazon for this post.

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

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

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Discover Card Bonus Rewards

Discover was the first card to give cash back.  It also didn't charge an annual fee. I think it was a 1/4% cash back for the first $3000 and 1% after that.  I got this card when it first came out.  The new Discover card is 1% cash back on all purchases. I also got this card because my daughter referred me and we both got $100 when I was accepted and spent a minimal amount.

Discover does offer bonus 5% cash back for certain purchases.  The bonus categories are varied, change on a quarterly basis, and have a limit of $75 bonus on $1500 of purchases.   For example, this quarter (April - June), restaurant and home improvement store charges receive a 5% cash back.

Cash back rewards can be used as follows:

• Payoff card balance.
• Deposit to linked bank account.
• Purchase gift cards at a 5-20% discount.

I don't don't link to a bank account.  I originally got gift cards but only when I expected to use it right away.  Lately, I've been paying part of my card balance.

Disclosure:  I was not compensated by Discover for this post.

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

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

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