Seeking a peaceful future while insecurities play at full volume

If there is one overriding image everyone would have about their retirement, it would be “peaceful.” The specifics will vary widely based upon individual preferences. The area in which some envision spending their senior years may be rural and pastoral. For others it would be a bit more urban, but it still inspires dreams of days without pressure.

None of us has created a mental picture of a […]

2021-05-24T18:33:14+00:00May 24th, 2021|

Acting today greatly reduces regrets later

It is Mid-May 2021, and a new wave of young adults recently exited the halls of academia, entering the world of adult responsibilities. Those looming responsibilities present challenges. Sarah Brooks recently identified, on iGrad, lifestyle adjustments (relocation from family and friends)  and excessive demands (obligations beyond the workplace) among 5 key challenges graduates face. Sharon Elber, on WorkBloom, cited unrealistic expectations (“I will land my […]

2021-05-17T18:23:15+00:00May 17th, 2021|

I want it all, and I want it NOW! Disaster often accompanies the demand…

In May of 1989, the British rock group Queen released “I Want It All” from the group’s studio album The Miracle. Critics, and the public, often said the lyrics focus on rebellion and social upheaval. From this interpretation, multiple interest groups adopted it as their theme. However, songwriter Brian May has long declared the song is solely about individual ambition and impatience. The song tells the story […]

2021-02-01T16:40:46+00:00February 1st, 2021|

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 […]

2020-10-26T15:16:31+00:00October 26th, 2020|

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 […]

2020-10-12T18:50:00+00:00October 12th, 2020|

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+ does […]

2020-10-05T16:59:24+00:00October 5th, 2020|

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 (what […]

2020-09-21T11:30:07+00:00September 21st, 2020|

Pennie offers principles to guide financial decisions

Over the years there have been several published advice columnists who have answered questions from readers. Random House distributed Abigail Van Buren’s advice for decades. Ann Landers answered questions from anyone willing to pour out their heart. As recently as 2000, those two trusted advisors were published in over 500 newspapers across the USA.

These two headliners spurred others to offer similar, although more targeted, Q&A columns. Billy […]

2020-09-03T14:33:24+00:00September 3rd, 2020|

Fielding this routine groundball can change your future

Today, I would like to address those serving in the early years of their ministry. Follow closely.

Baseball is a game made up of intricate movements. Those who watch a game on television never see ninety percent of the shifts and adjustments that affect the outcome. Those who attend games may observe only fifteen percent more. Fans are waiting for the game changing moment. They await the key […]

2020-08-31T15:53:46+00:00August 31st, 2020|

Timeless financial lessons from the fishin’ hole

I remember my Dad teaching me how to fish. I remember being enthralled with the rods and reels at Jones Hardware in downtown Leaksville, NC. One day in 1958, he succumbed to my plea, purchasing a Zebco 33 rod & reel for our new adventure in fishing!

The first step was to stand in our back yard to learn a little about casting. The maple tree near the […]

2020-07-27T14:57:49+00:00July 27th, 2020|