Buying I-Bonds Online

I just completed an online I-Bond purchase. The transaction will actually close tomorrow (April 30), giving us the benefit of a full month of interest dating from April 1. (That is one of the buyer-friendly peculiarities of purchasing I-Bonds using the Treasury Direct online buying system.) If you have never bought an I-Bond using the Treasury Direct system, read the rest of this post for a quick review. Read more

How Fast Will You Spend Your Wealth in Retirement?

Retirement planning is hard because knowing how we will spend our money as a retiree is difficult. We can make assumptions or predictions based on our current spending. But how accurate is that really? Would it make more sense to study the retirement spending habits of current retirees? Read more

Questioning the 4% Retirement Withdrawal Rate

Is the 4% retirement withdrawal rate right for you? If you ask a conventional financial planner, the answer may be yes. If you ask an expert in finance, the answer may surprise you. That’s the point of  this article advocating replacement of the 4% withdrawal rate rule with something more scientific. Read more

Technology Upgrades for a Simpler and Lower Cost Boomer Lifestyle

I’ve written a number of times about exploring strategies for lowering our cost of living as we move closer to retirement. Some of these strategies are also intended to simplify our lives in the process. While it may seem counter-intuitive that using more technology can do either of these things, we are trying to show that it can. This week we took additional technology steps to implement our cost reduction and life simplification strategies. Read more

Social Security Benefits Threatened by Wall Street

The rich bankers of Wall Street have decided that baby boomers and Social Security, not bank shenanigans, are the cause of government economic problems. This will be their message when the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform meets next week.

Ridiculous. Read more

Should You Buy I-Bonds Now?

It’s decision time again for those considering the purchase of I-Bonds. The interest rates will adjust again on May 1. (Here are some reasons why you should consider owning I Bonds for retirement.) Let’s take a brief look at the purchase options. Read more

Can the Bull Market Last?

If you stayed in the market through the recession, you may be patting yourself on the back as a successful buy-and-hold investor. I took a hybrid approach.  I didn’t sell into the falling market but I shifted new money away from equities. This allowed our retirement investments to recover with the market upturn beginning in March 2009, while reducing our overall risk from a double-dip bear market. Many are now asking whether this bull market can last. Read more

Work for Boomer and Retired Scientists, Engineers and Product Specialists

Are you a retired engineer or scientist and looking for some work to do? Or are you a baby boomer with a technical background looking for a phased retirement? If so, I found a job portal site that may interest you. Read more

Do You Need a Million Dollars to Retire?

When baby boomers were young adults, we imagined becoming millionaires and being set for life. Today, that million dollar nest egg doesn’t look so comforting. This was the topic of a recent survey conducted by Scottrade of 226 registered investment advisors. Let’s take a quick look at the numbers. Read more

College Selection Time – The Student Loan Factor

We are in the peak season for children of baby boomers to make college decisions. (We are out of that mode, with our youngest son finishing his junior year of college.) For many families, a college choice can have serious financial repercussions for both student and parent. If the student wants to attend an expensive private or out of state college, the parents may feel obligated to pay for it. This can be a fine gift to your child, if you can afford it. Not many can. Read more

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