The Senior Citizens League is a garbage organization, well known for aggressive and borderline deceptive fundraising, and ranked by Charity Watch as one of the worst charities in the nation. They spend only 30% of what they raise on actual programs and keep the other 70%, although precise numbers are uncertain because they hide their financial statements and governing documents from public view. They should not be cited as an example of anything. And I still urge you as I did yesterday to get out and spend time with the poor seniors in your community.
I'm sorry, but I reject the sweeping suggestion in your first line that financial failure despite diligent saving is due to incorrect planning or preparation. I'd like to take you just once on my Meals on Wheels route and introduce you to the seniors who depend on the meals we deliver. You would meet, perhaps for the first time, people who did everything right in terms of saving and planning and were blown out of the water by medical or other tragic circumstances for which no one could properly prepare. I suspect hearing their stories might make you less eager to generalize about their failures. If your town lacks an MOW outlet, spend a day at a community center that serves free meals to the elderly. Talk to people. Find out for yourself how common these circumstances really are.
Family farms, restaurants and building contractors are already seeing their livelihoods not only threatened but destroyed by the current immigration crackdown. Farmers are losing permanent picking crews en masse, partly because even where farmworkers themselves are legal and authorized, they have family members who aren't, and the raids are driving them away from longtime employers.
The last line of my obit reads: Mike’s ashes have been illegally scattered on his favorite place in the world, Pistol River State Beach in southern Oregon. He invites everyone to come and walk all over him.
Condolences to your wife. There is no mistaking the knot in one's stomach when employment is suddenly ended, irrespective of age, stage of life or financial position. It's always a bad feeling, and instinctive financial concern is only part of it. Your wife will be feeling rejected and very much off-kilter as well. Best to you both as you navigate this choppy surf. I found volunteer work to be a welcome palliative.
The decision for me, a soccer fanatic, will be tickets to the World Cup this summer. I am looking out my deck window at the Seattle skyline, and if I had my binocs handy I could see the stadium where the games will be played. I know it'll drive me nuts if the games are going on and I'm not there. But the prices are insane. $800 for the top corner of the stadium. $4500 for the good seats. Times 2 if I take my nephew. Crazy.
Comments
The Senior Citizens League is a garbage organization, well known for aggressive and borderline deceptive fundraising, and ranked by Charity Watch as one of the worst charities in the nation. They spend only 30% of what they raise on actual programs and keep the other 70%, although precise numbers are uncertain because they hide their financial statements and governing documents from public view. They should not be cited as an example of anything. And I still urge you as I did yesterday to get out and spend time with the poor seniors in your community.
Post: Let me be clear and evidence based about deserving seniors.
Link to comment from February 25, 2026
I'm sorry, but I reject the sweeping suggestion in your first line that financial failure despite diligent saving is due to incorrect planning or preparation. I'd like to take you just once on my Meals on Wheels route and introduce you to the seniors who depend on the meals we deliver. You would meet, perhaps for the first time, people who did everything right in terms of saving and planning and were blown out of the water by medical or other tragic circumstances for which no one could properly prepare. I suspect hearing their stories might make you less eager to generalize about their failures. If your town lacks an MOW outlet, spend a day at a community center that serves free meals to the elderly. Talk to people. Find out for yourself how common these circumstances really are.
Post: Need, yes. Deserve, no! Who “deserves” more?
Link to comment from February 24, 2026
Family farms, restaurants and building contractors are already seeing their livelihoods not only threatened but destroyed by the current immigration crackdown. Farmers are losing permanent picking crews en masse, partly because even where farmworkers themselves are legal and authorized, they have family members who aren't, and the raids are driving them away from longtime employers.
Post: What could save Social Security and Medicare or bring it closer to insolvency
Link to comment from February 24, 2026
The last line of my obit reads: Mike’s ashes have been illegally scattered on his favorite place in the world, Pistol River State Beach in southern Oregon. He invites everyone to come and walk all over him.
Post: Fifty Ways
Link to comment from February 20, 2026
Around 2000 people a year are struck by lightning worldwide, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 18, 2026
My alternate headline would be, "If you have done well, be grateful."
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026
As always, Dennis, your courage in sharing your deepest feelings and emotions is impressive. Many thanks.
Post: Value of Waiting
Link to comment from February 8, 2026
I'm curious as to how that works. I've submitted a couple of things to Bogdan and never even received a reply. They must have been awful.
Post: Value of Waiting
Link to comment from February 8, 2026
Condolences to your wife. There is no mistaking the knot in one's stomach when employment is suddenly ended, irrespective of age, stage of life or financial position. It's always a bad feeling, and instinctive financial concern is only part of it. Your wife will be feeling rejected and very much off-kilter as well. Best to you both as you navigate this choppy surf. I found volunteer work to be a welcome palliative.
Post: Laid Off
Link to comment from February 6, 2026
The decision for me, a soccer fanatic, will be tickets to the World Cup this summer. I am looking out my deck window at the Seattle skyline, and if I had my binocs handy I could see the stadium where the games will be played. I know it'll drive me nuts if the games are going on and I'm not there. But the prices are insane. $800 for the top corner of the stadium. $4500 for the good seats. Times 2 if I take my nephew. Crazy.
Post: Money to burn?
Link to comment from January 26, 2026