Boomer Friends: Merging the Past and Present

I had a great weekend. I traveled to Washington D.C. with four other high school buddies. We stayed in Georgetown as guests of another high school friend and his lovely wife. The six of us did the usual reminiscing (which is always good for laughs) but there was more – a lot more – and it was good. Read more

Easter Joy, New Car, and Graduation Week Ahead

I hope all readers of this blog have a joyous Easter today. I encourage you to pause and reflect on this special day and what it celebrates. I certainly am. I was at Church for the 2.5 hour Easter Vigil last night plus two more Masses today. (Have I ever said that I am a Church musician? Well, “musician” may be too strong. Let’s just say that the musical liturgy director tolerates my playing!) Read more

Emergency Preparedness Revisited

The news from Japan is tragic. It is also a warning and reminder that we must be prepared to take care of ourselves and our families under emergency conditions. We made preparations for this several years ago. Read more

Focus on the Why not the What

Lots of boomers are playing catch-up with their retirement investments and plans. The government even provides some “catch-up” help by allowing the over-50 set to make larger contributions to their 401(k) and IRA retirement plans.  Read more

Retirement Plan Reality Check

You have not heard much from me this week. Yet, it has been a significant and sad week in our pre-retirement world. Read more

Writing that Last Tuition Check

Our youngest son returned to Starkville last week to start his last semester of college. That means he took with him our final check in payment of tuition and fees. It was a weird yet satisfying feeling. Read more

Merry Christmas 2010

Everyone arrived at the lake yesterday: Two baby boomers, our three sons, one significant other, and five dogs. The house is decorated and firewood has been gathered. It is cold and a white Christmas is expected across most of Kentucky. Games today, cheese and chocolate fondue tonight, followed by Mass, glasses of “Patterson’s Secret Christmas Punch” and viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

We are very fortunate to be together. I hope that all of you are in a good place this holiday season.

Merry Christmas.

Baby boomer empty-nesters boost spending, not saving

I was surprised – shocked actually – by what I read in a recent Chicago Tribune article about the spending vs. savings trends of baby boomers when they become empty nesters.   Read more

Connecting with Long-Time Friends

This baby boomer had an excellent week, mostly because I was fortunate enough to be contacted by three dear friends from Ithaca High School Class of 1969 whom I have known since the 9th grade. First, a week ago Friday I received a call from Jeff, just to catch up. Jeff and I talk periodically during the year and usually get together at least once. That didn’t happen this year for reasons I will not bore you with but it will happen soon if I can arrange it. Read more

Money is not the Secret to a Happy Retirement

I appreciate the message contained in a recent article published on the AARP site. It lists five financial secrets to a happy retirement. Money, not surprisingly, is not one of those secrets. Read more

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