Do You Think of Retirement?

My grandparents were extremely frugal, planning to travel after he retired. Grandpa died at 62 when she was 16. Mom (& Dad) saved, but insisted we experience some life now. But don't start spending on all the luxuries now. You can enjoy for less.

1. 401K -Take employer match funds on day 1. Free money is a great investment, and if tax deferred you won't notice how little less you would have spent. If Roth non-deferred still worth the sacrifice now. 

Every time you get a raise, increase contributions by 1-2% until maxed out. Use low cost stock & bond funds/ETFs as your base investments.

2. You make 16-24% by paying off credit cards every month. Never carry a balance.

3. Save 6-12 months of expenses or $10,000, whichever is higher, for emergencies. May take you 3-5 years. Emergency funds will cover medical emergencies, auto accidents, or unemployment/job hunting. Things happen to everyone. Read "How much 8 different emergencies may cost you" below. 

4. Have insurance policies - auto, homeowners/renters, medical, Long Term Care, and consider an umbrella liability policy.

5. Aggressively pay down student debt, and save towards a mortgage down payment. It is a balance. Savings give you options.

6. Delay Social Security till 70-1/2. You earn 8% more income per year for your senior years, and may live much longer than you expect. Think will blessed if healthy enough to keep working well into my 70s.

Finance is for long term & can be complicated, but these basics will get you started towards paying for your retirement.

how much 8 different emergencies may cost you

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-how-much-8-different-emergencies-may-cost-you-and-you-probably-cant-afford-them-2019-02-20

Rehab Gratitude

Big fan of Physical Therapy. Two years ago (60) had rotator cuff injury #5 playing volleyball. Then picked up 75 pound vanity before that injury healed. Knew I needed help. Been doing physical therapy on shoulder since 36 with rotator cuff injury #3.

Physical therapist Cathy D. first determined had full range and no permanent damage. Then taught me exercises to strengthen muscles and increase range of motion. After 3-4 month had full usage of my shoulder. A year later play volleyball without pain. But shoveling snow? Was concerned.

We got ~20 inches of snow during last 1.5 weeks. 2 inches of snow shuts Seattle down except highways. Little equipment, since rarely needed with 5 inches average snowfall annually. Some natives panic since the world is ending if 5 inches happen at once. (Washington mountain passes are well equipped)

My neighborhood is on your own to get to the main roads. My street has not been plowed. It will eventually melt, right?

Been shoveling lots of snow - driveway, sidewalks, church parking lot and creating ruts for our street to get cars up hill. My front yard is a snow fort. Not since in my 30s living in Connecticut lifted this much weight. Can’t believe how good my shoulder is. Had sore arm muscles and stiff core muscles, but no shoulder pain.

If you are injured or your motion is limited, find out how to see a physical therapist under your insurance. Do your exercises daily and don’t ever quit. Enjoy life with more strength, flexibility and less pain.

Production or Craftsperson?

Are you a production worker or craftsperson? Neither is wrong, it is understanding your market.

If your work is frequent and repetitive, you are a production worker. The goal is quality products or services delivered daily. Your strengths are process and productivity. Focus on building teams, improved skills, cost reductions, tooling improvements, statistical processes, inspection/verification, checklists, and integrating new technologies. 

The danger here is when competitors bring out newer, better products and services. Hubris kills many industries. However often the second movers gain an advantage, so you have a short time to adapt to a new market.

If you make one of a kind art or services, you are a craftsperson. Your strengths are originality, quality and effectiveness. Focus on technique, style, and sales. Successful artist sell their work and ship near perfect works. Understand the business and marketing of your art and services to succeed. Find partners to help in areas that take away from your focus.

The most success leaders are blend of production and craftsperson. Understand your strengths and build upon them. Surround yourself with people who support your work. Success is doing what you are great at. And you are great.

Should Youthful Mistakes Be Forever?

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam may or may not have been in a college picture with 2 men dressed as KKK member and in blackface. Looks like a bad Halloween costume in poor taste. How many Halloween costumes have you worn in bad taste?

People change as they mature and learn life lessons. Growing up is a time of being awkward, learning and making mistakes. Said the wrong thing, kissed the wrong people, and did things we regret later. Would not want to be judged solely on one of my mistakes. Ralph Northam is not the person who posed for that picture.

Used the same argument defending Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford. They are both upstanding and accomplished adults who deserve respect. Governor Ralph Northam deserves respect, and to let this mistake in his youth pass.

Misdemeanors currently stay on people’s criminal records for life unless expunged, which is difficult. Their lives with criminal records make it difficult to find jobs, rent, or live normal lives. We need to sunset minor crime records after 7 to 10 years, and give these people their dignity back. It is time to revise our laws. The USA has convicted ~20 million people for small crimes.