what about fireworks? Since the state of Maine lifted the ban on fireworks, it has ruined the once-peaceful nights in this vacation mecca. Earplugs don't seem to do the trick.
I am beside myself as I am early-to-bed and early-to-rise person. Sometimes the fireworks go on past midnight and even during the day. Help!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the article, Michael. Millennials grew up in a country and financial environment that was very much shaped by the Great Recession, and many of their behaviors and attitudes reflect this fact. I think what makes my generation quite different from others is that we have to face many more financial challenges than previous generations. The biggest ones being managing a 401(k) as the main source of retirement income and having to get a university degree to be able to get a decent salary. I believe we have strong challenges ahead of us but I also believe that we will overcome them.
One excellent idea is to get rid of debit cards. If someone hacks your debit card they can suck all the money out of all that card's accounts. The bank has ten business days to replace the money but in the meantime what happens to the checks you wrote and the bills you need to pay? And you have to convince the bank that you didn't give your number out or lose your card. Meanwhile, a credit card with phoney charges, you can just dispute them and not pay them. You're not out of pocket a thin dime. And buying with most credit cards provides additional warranty protection and other consumer benefits. I refuse to have a debit card; I've known too many people who found out that all their money was gone because theirs got hacked. And, I've made use of the extended warranty protection of my credit cards, one time getting $219 from Chase Bank for an 'out of warranty' repair of an iPhone.
My goal is to retire when I am 60 and my wife is 61. We're generally on track for that, but would certainly like to retire earlier if possible. There's too much life out there to experience beyond work.
The key is to start saving/investing early in life and be consistent (save with every paycheck). Taking advantage of a matching 401k plan should be a no brainer. The power of compounding is lost on many people. Also maxing out contributions when possible, eliminating debt, avoiding risks with your nest egg, planning for multiple streams of income once retired (social security, pensions, dividends, part time work, etc.) and making catch up contributions once you reach 50 should all be part of everyone's plan. And work at staying healthy to reduce illness, injuries and medical costs. I recently found the site Retirement And Good Living which provides information on all these issues as well as many other retirement topics and also has several retirement and health calculators.
Thank you very much for this advice on being your own life coach. I'm not really the person that I want to be, and it is time for me to make changes in my life. Your advice about writing down your goals was very helpful. I'll be sure to do that.
Find it hard to get that 20 percent? Simply take 10 percent of the total (move the decimal twice to the left), and double that. At group meals in which the restaurant doesn't add gratuity, do the same thing, then divide that by the number of people at dinner -- and make sure they don't add the tip until after they are charged for their share of the total.
Actually you only move the decimal 1 place to the left then double. Guess that new fangled math ain't working out for ya so much.
My husband was skeptical about me picking out a vacuum cleaner on line. He has a little more respect for my judgement. We both are amazed with it's power. We have a little dog. It picked up so much fur from the carpet that we didn't know was there. We are very happy with the vacuum cleaner. It is really great. So happy we got it. Highly recommend it. Can't go wrong with it
Sometimes I wonder about the real price that Amazon advertises against their discount price. I was looking for a cheap watch to knock around with and do landscaping chores. I found a watch with Swiss movement, mother of pearl face and more bells and whistles. Their price listed just under $900.00, 2 left in stock and on sale for $58.00. Its a great looking watch, it doesn't lose a second and I get lots of compliments. Did I really save over $800.00?
What a great list. A few weeks ago I spent 6 hours going through the house and throwing stuff away. It's so easy to forget to purge until you realize how much junk you have. Now I try to put stuff away in the correct place and really examine my purchases. If you don't buy it, you never have to throw it away.
what about fireworks? Since the state of Maine lifted the ban on fireworks, it has ruined the once-peaceful nights in this vacation mecca. Earplugs don't seem to do the trick.
I am beside myself as I am early-to-bed and early-to-rise person. Sometimes the fireworks go on past midnight and even during the day. Help!
I want to retire at 60
i woul love to retire now!! but realistically in my 50s ;)
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the article, Michael. Millennials grew up in a country and financial environment that was very much shaped by the Great Recession, and many of their behaviors and attitudes reflect this fact. I think what makes my generation quite different from others is that we have to face many more financial challenges than previous generations. The biggest ones being managing a 401(k) as the main source of retirement income and having to get a university degree to be able to get a decent salary. I believe we have strong challenges ahead of us but I also believe that we will overcome them.
Around the age 60 would be great
One excellent idea is to get rid of debit cards. If someone hacks your debit card they can suck all the money out of all that card's accounts. The bank has ten business days to replace the money but in the meantime what happens to the checks you wrote and the bills you need to pay? And you have to convince the bank that you didn't give your number out or lose your card. Meanwhile, a credit card with phoney charges, you can just dispute them and not pay them. You're not out of pocket a thin dime. And buying with most credit cards provides additional warranty protection and other consumer benefits. I refuse to have a debit card; I've known too many people who found out that all their money was gone because theirs got hacked. And, I've made use of the extended warranty protection of my credit cards, one time getting $219 from Chase Bank for an 'out of warranty' repair of an iPhone.
Right now I love working and would want to continue at least part-time into my 60s! Of course that might change later on haha.
My goal is to retire when I am 60 and my wife is 61. We're generally on track for that, but would certainly like to retire earlier if possible. There's too much life out there to experience beyond work.
high-mileage oil.'nuff said
Recent studies show that 80% of hiring managers would still give stay at home moms an interview even after an absence from the workforce!
The key is to start saving/investing early in life and be consistent (save with every paycheck). Taking advantage of a matching 401k plan should be a no brainer. The power of compounding is lost on many people. Also maxing out contributions when possible, eliminating debt, avoiding risks with your nest egg, planning for multiple streams of income once retired (social security, pensions, dividends, part time work, etc.) and making catch up contributions once you reach 50 should all be part of everyone's plan. And work at staying healthy to reduce illness, injuries and medical costs. I recently found the site Retirement And Good Living which provides information on all these issues as well as many other retirement topics and also has several retirement and health calculators.
Thank you very much for this advice on being your own life coach. I'm not really the person that I want to be, and it is time for me to make changes in my life. Your advice about writing down your goals was very helpful. I'll be sure to do that.
NEVER use plastic or nylon. WOOD! It will save your knives.
You're so right! Thanks for pointing this out. All fixed. :)
Thank you for pointing out that error! We've made the correction.
Thank you for catching that error! We've fixed this.
7. Figuring Out the Tip
Find it hard to get that 20 percent? Simply take 10 percent of the total (move the decimal twice to the left), and double that. At group meals in which the restaurant doesn't add gratuity, do the same thing, then divide that by the number of people at dinner -- and make sure they don't add the tip until after they are charged for their share of the total.
Actually you only move the decimal 1 place to the left then double. Guess that new fangled math ain't working out for ya so much.
AGREED!!
The author should double check math on #7. Perhaps she isn't 30 yet? :)
Since there are various makes and models of hair clippers available in the market, I personally think you have picked the best ones.
what about a greenhouse as long as you keep it heated in the winter and a humidifier in it. You can grow stuff year round.
My husband was skeptical about me picking out a vacuum cleaner on line. He has a little more respect for my judgement. We both are amazed with it's power. We have a little dog. It picked up so much fur from the carpet that we didn't know was there. We are very happy with the vacuum cleaner. It is really great. So happy we got it. Highly recommend it. Can't go wrong with it
Sometimes I wonder about the real price that Amazon advertises against their discount price. I was looking for a cheap watch to knock around with and do landscaping chores. I found a watch with Swiss movement, mother of pearl face and more bells and whistles. Their price listed just under $900.00, 2 left in stock and on sale for $58.00. Its a great looking watch, it doesn't lose a second and I get lots of compliments. Did I really save over $800.00?
The method of figuring a tip will result in only a 2% tip. To get 20% one should move the decimal point ONE place to the left and then double it.
What a great list. A few weeks ago I spent 6 hours going through the house and throwing stuff away. It's so easy to forget to purge until you realize how much junk you have. Now I try to put stuff away in the correct place and really examine my purchases. If you don't buy it, you never have to throw it away.
I'd like to retire around age 61-63.