This article is the second in a four-part series on the most important thing to do in different stages of life to be able to retire with dignity. This time, I’m focusing on those in their mid-30s and 40s. Some may call them the “Gen Xers” – those caught in the middle between the millennials … Read more
Over the years, I have read a few of the reformed confessions and catechisms. I have even taught the Shorter Catechism to children in Sunday School. I recently read an article by Tim Challies titled, Use Your Catechism, Silly. It in, he extols the virtues of using these resources to understand and evaluate contemporary matters … Read more
On this blog, I often delve into specific practical areas of retirement stewardship. My goal is to simplify seemingly complex financial topics so that you can make sense of them in your own life. This topic is one of them. Not long ago, a friend whose family income is somewhat seasonal asked about paying off … Read more
I am in my 60s and still working in a full-time job. If I were to retire tomorrow, I wouldn’t be considered an “early retiree.” In fact, because I am 64, I’m older than the average retirement age in the U.S., which is 63. It’s not that I can’t retire, I just haven’t wanted to … Read more
I recently read a very enlightening article titled, “Study: Money Secrets and Sluggish Savings Put Couples’ Retirement Dreams at Risk.” The study, which was conducted by nerdwallet.com and Harris Poll, showed some very concerning trends in communication by couples about retirement: 21 percent of Americans have no idea how much their spouse has saved for … Read more
As I discussed in my last article, there are two major areas of concern when it comes to protecting your identity and preventing theft and fraud. The first is your paper assets such as financial statements and the digital assets that you manage and control on your personal devices (computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.). The second … Read more
I often write about using various online and computer-based tools and services to help simplify and manage your personal and financial life. These can very helpful and convenient, but they also carry the risk of being compromised in some way. Even mishandling physical documents, such as account statements you receive in the mail, can lead … Read more
In my last article on annuities, I discussed the different types of annuities and their use inside retirement accounts. As you could probably tell, I’m not a huge fan of variable or indexed annuities, especially when used for retirement saving and investing inside an IRA. My biggest concerns have to do with their complexity and high costs relative … Read more
I was inspired to write this article by something that a young man shared with me in a men’s books study meeting early this morning. He reminded me that I had been one of his teachers in children’s ministry in our church many years ago. He admitted that he wasn’t a model student, but now … Read more
