Always develop a realistic plan for the future
Some people are optimists. Like the quote from Walt Disney, noted in the image accompanying this post, we look at life focusing upon the possibilities ahead that will produce better outcomes. On the other hand, some are pessimists. Some people seem to have more than their share of unfortunate situations befall them. Some are naturally pessimistic due to their melancholic personality type. When difficulties arise, some of [...]
Honey, should we move here when we retire?
If you are over the age of 40, I would venture a guess that this question has been asked by one spouse, or both, during a vacation. While on a leisurely bike ride along a coastline, relaxing at a shaded sidewalk café along a tree lined street with a cloudless sky above, or recounting the activities of the day on a balcony beneath a canopy of stars, [...]
5 things I wish college had taught about money!
This post specifically addresses people serving in some form of ministry. If you serve in a local church, faith-based nonprofit, or mission work, we need 5 minutes of your time. If you are not serving in ministry, you are welcome to read on...our desire is to offer some financial common sense. Nearly 50 years ago, my father-in-law had a conversation with a Bible College administrator, urging the [...]
Would Your Retirement Expectations Benefit from a Vaccination?
Vaccinations are quite the rage. As a seasoned citizen, I am among those encouraged to be vaccinated for any number of potential maladies. A few months ago, I visited our local pharmacy to get the annual flu shot. When the assistant at the counter checked my records they said, “Your physician has entered a prescription for you to have the shingles and pneumonia vaccines as well. We [...]
Beneficiary Designations – Impressive Tools or Imminent Torpedoes
Planning for the future is difficult. Most will choose any excuse to avoid talking about their financial future. If the subject turns to planning for one’s estate, the avoidance level only increases. When topics like attorneys, probate, wills, trusts, and fees become a part of the conversation, whatever willingness was present likely flies away more quickly than a frightened bird. I was pleased to see Howard Gold’s [...]
It’s time to examine ourselves and prepare for the future
December of 2020 is not only a time to eagerly await turning the calendar, this is the opportunity to take our final exam. How have we conducted our lives, and how will we prepare for the coming days ahead? It is worth noting Rodgers and Hammerstein didn’t include final exams in the lyrics of “My Favorite Things.” I endured examinations as a student, often murmuring along with [...]
Let’s help create a better financial future for those serving in ministry
If you are an elder or staff leader in a local church, this blog post is intended for you. If you serve on the board of a mission work, I hope this reaches your desk. Likewise, if your service includes the responsibility for directing a Christian camp, campus ministry, or nonprofit organization, I hope you will carefully think about the important issue of the future of those [...]
Men, let’s talk about creating something more important than our retirement
Today, I want this post to be different. First, we predominantly focus on financial issues, but today let’s look at something more important than money. Second, I want to talk specifically with the men who read. This isn’t sexist, but we need more men to accept a challenge left for us in Scripture. The challenge presented applies to women as well, but I will leave it for [...]
Charting the course of retirement: What will it cost?
One of the famous segments of the 1987 play and 1989 movie Driving Miss Daisy is the trip to Mobile to celebrate Miss Daisy’s brother’s birthday. Holding firmly to the map in the back seat, Miss Daisy became confused, told Hoke to make a wrong turn, and they found themselves far off the planned route. Even now, with GPS units built into a phone or automobile, we [...]
We are all in our 50’s. How can we improve our retirement?
Planning for the future for those in their 50’s may seem easy, but it isn’t! People in this general age group know they NEED to get really serious about their future, but they live in the “land of a 1000 obstacles” to borrow from the title of the 1960’s R&B/Hip-Hop song. There are family demands as children graduate, move into their first career, marry, and buy their [...]
Help, we are in our 60’s. What should we be doing about retirement?
We are asked that question frequently. Sometimes, it comes from those who have saved little to nothing for the future. Occasionally, it comes from those who are seeking investment advice about how to manage their savings and investments. Today, we are offering thoughts on what those in their 60’s should be thinking about and doing to plan for the future. The most important question for someone 60+ [...]
A hopeful retirement paradigm for those in ministry, missions, & nonprofit service
Paradigms are powerful. The Oxford English Dictionary defines them as “a pattern or model.” The word was obscure until Thomas Kuhn used it referring to a set of concepts and practices defining a scientific discipline in his 1962 book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Now, it is popularly used to define how someone looks at anything. Our personal retirement paradigm is built from our hopes and dreams [...]