It’s in the news, and since I don’t know much about lotteries, I figured I’d look into this one.
I’ve never purchased a ticket and expect I never will. It’s not just the nearly impossible odds (1 in 292,201,338 in this case); I consider it a government-sponsored blood sport. In addition to being a tax on the poor and ignorant, the likelihood of an improvement in the lives of winners turns out to be about as probable as winning the lottery itself.

What a difference a year makes. Time, it seems, doesn’t merely pass, it can transform us, reshaping the ordinary rhythms of our days into something we scarcely recognize as our own life.
I spent this afternoon at the season highlight of the local soccer league year, an annual clash between the two biggest teams with around 20,000 other spectators cheering them on. My wife Suzie and I had a grand time with my grandson, caught up in the spectacle and the shared excitement.

Recently I wrote that the potential for long term care (LTC) expenses was my main financial concern. There’s another concern in hot pursuit. 
Not many years ago, I was certain that funding to maintain current Social Security (SS) benefits would be secured. After all, no politician concerned with their job security would let the trust fund run dry. Right? I don’t know about you, but I’m losing hope. There are bills in each chamber regarding SS,

A married couple, both aged 82, have a portfolio of $10M, some in brokerage and some in tax deferred accounts (IRA). They have $70K a year in Social Security.
In addition to the Social Security, they want an additional $150K/year in pre-tax income for a total of $220K/year in pretax income.
What is the standard advice for how to get this additional income in a way that is “guaranteed”?

Occasionally, I read a newspaper article or web posting where the author prophesies that digital payment systems will eventually dominate the economy, and cash (currency and coinage) will become obsolete.
Not so fast.
While the use of digital payment technology is widespread and growing, cash will remain an important backstop in times when digital payment systems fail. And they do fail. Unfortunately, power grids and communication networks aren’t as robust as we’d like to believe.
We know that severe weather events can knock out power grids,

For those of us nearing retirement, you may be interested in this research published in September 2025 in the Financial Analysts Journal, a publication of the respected CFA Institute. Although audaciously titled The Only Other Spending Rule Article You Will Ever Need, the thesis is very simple:

use a TIPS ladder to cover all essential expenses (that are not otherwise covered by Social Security, pensions, existing annuities, etc.);
invest the remainder 100% in stock/equities;

I know we’re all dedicated index investors, but I’ve been given a real hot tip that I’m going to give serious consideration to investing in if it ever comes on the open market. Since it’s Christmas, I thought I’d let you all in on the possible opportunity. At the moment it’s a massive private manufacturing and just-in-time integrated distribution concern with deep history and a worldwide market.
Let me walk you through the fundamentals because they’re genuinely extraordinary.

I wrote this in my wife’s nail salon. On the way there today I was informed she had also made an appointment for me to have a pedicure and manicure.
Yup, a first. It was pointless to resist, besides I was curious. On the other hand,  it would be difficult to get more into unnecessary spending. 
I recall in Copenhagen there was a shop where you put your feet in a tub of water filled with little fish who nibbled dead skin off your feet.

Rachel and I live comfortably now, but it didn’t happen by accident. For most of my adult life, I lived simply—sometimes inconveniently so—and saved steadily. At the time, it felt normal. Only looking back do I see how much those quiet choices shaped the life we have today.
We married in our 60s, in a house I had inherited and was still fixing up. I remember hugging her upstairs and whispering, “If you marry me, we can have a wonderful life together.” I believed it because we were already aligned.

You’re Warren Buffett’s second coming. You’re almost 6 (kids don’t tell you how old they are—only how old they’re about to be), and you’ve just helped a neighbor clean out his garage. Now you have a shiny $10 bill in your pocket.
Good start, but you’re WB2 and aiming for the stars. New neighbor, new mark: another $10, and you’ve doubled your fractional shares in VOO at Fidelity! Soon you’re covering multiple neighborhoods and employing a crew of kids to multiply your profits.

I was talking to a friend this morning before pickleball. He’s a retired teacher who stays in touch with former students, and right now he’s trying to raise some money for one of them who’s in a tough spot.
Here’s what happened: The guy is in his mid-thirties with two small children. A few weeks ago, he lost his job but, thankfully, found new work within a week.
Then the timing fell apart. His old employer was supposed to pay his final wages last Friday,

In 2026 the fee for an American Express Platinum card is increasing to $895 a year. That sounds expensive even though AMEX added some extra benefits. I hadn’t utilized all the benefits before but I am pretty sure I am close to maximizing them now.  The primary reason I signed up for the card was the ability to access airport lounges due to my desire to “see-the world”. I have owned the card for a few years and it has taken me a while to grasp all the other benefits offered by the card.

Before I bought my new car, I brought my 2014 model in for service. As usual I asked for a loaner car. I was told I was not eligible. What do you mean not eligible? We only provide loaners for model year 2019 and newer I was told. Since when? I was incensed.
When I brought my car in and waited for three hours, my frustration grew. I have been a customer for many years and spent many thousands of dollars at the dealership. 

I was mulling over a thought recently. It seems that over the last nine months I’ve become so enamoured with the fixed income I secured with an annuity when first retiring that a little voice in my head keeps whispering to load up on some more.
At the moment I have a term annuity that lasts ten years and covers all my essential spending. Out of curiosity I decided to get some quotes for a single payment immediate annuity (SPIA).

A personal story – I’m not advocating anything.. Well, I take that back, I think Dr. Quinn is spot-on when he says you should begin benefits when you need them and the heck with the fancy math.
I’m 66, wifey is 65. She’s never worked since our marriage 42 years ago.. Well, I take that back, that woman has out worked me beyond measure. 5 Children. Homeschooling. The youngest is now 30. 9 Grandchildren. Threats of more.