It seems like I’m always seeing advertisements on TV for life insurance. There are almost as many as reverse mortgage advertisements. Interestingly, it seems like older people are the main targets, including retirees. There are also ads from companies wanting to buy old insurance policies. As a retiree in one of those commercials said, “We … 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
A simple definition of contentment from the Holman Bible Dictionary is “an internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances.” And not surprisingly, contentment is one of the keys to successful retirement stewardship. In fact, it is an essential part of a successful Christian life. But contentment can be elusive. I certainly struggle with … 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
As you probably know, on this blog I try to remain relatively neutral when it comes to money and politics. That’s because I think stewardship principles derived from the Bible are timeless and applicable in any political climate. Furthermore, I think political outcomes tend to have a relatively modest impact on our individual finances, at … 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
From the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), we learn that stewardship is not simply about money. Stewardship is both a principle and a practice, a lifelong attitude and activity that has many aspects. It is a realization of who God is and what he has done – how he has provided for us. … 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
