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Beware of Spam!
While some may be concerned about the iconic American meat that arrives in a rectangular 12-ounce tin (and is inexplicably popular in certain island states and American territories), more should be wary of its namesake – the spam that arrives digitally as email, text, and social media messages.1 The latter type of ‘spam’ took its name from the former. During the 1970s, Monty Python performed a sketch about a café that offered Spam in [...]
LifeStyle Newsletter – Artificial Intelligence Deserves Some Thought
The idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) may bring to mind movies like Terminator, Wall-E, and Transcendence, but the reality of AI is expected to help people find answers to some significant issues. For example, a PwC survey found:1 • 68 percent of respondents believe AI will help with cyber security/privacy issues • 66 percent believe AI will help improve treatments for cancer and other diseases • 58 percent believe AI will help educate disadvantaged [...]
Holiday Greeting – Happy Birthday, United States of America!
On July 4, 1776, the American colonies claimed independence from Britain. This declaration eventually led to the formation of the United States. As we celebrate the birth of our great nation, test your knowledge with this brief quiz.1 1. Which of these is one of the longest rivers in the United States? a. Red River b. Colorado River c. Missouri River d. Roe River 2. What is the supreme law of the land? a. [...]
What Comes Next? Bull, Bear, Correction?
The bull market in U.S. stocks has been charging ahead for more than eight years.1 While that’s young in people years, it’s ancient in bull market terms. Since World War II, the longest bull market in U.S. stocks lasted for almost nine-and-a-half years. The shortest sputtered out after just 13 months. On average, bull markets last for slightly less than five years, according to Fortune.2 So, how much longer will this bull market persist? No [...]
Being Present is the Greatest Present of All
Father knows best, but sometimes the demands on his time can throw confusion into his priorities. He needs to balance all of the responsibilities at work, at home, at church and any other opportunities he is juggling. Can he really do it all without sacrificing his family and his faith? With so many obligations and distractions pressing and clouding our vision, remembering what matters most can serve as a compass when our way seems unclear. [...]
Holiday Greeting – Getting to Know Your Dad
You’re probably familiar with ‘20 Questions.’ It’s a classic long-distance-car-trip game that encourages creativity and deductive reasoning. On this Father’s Day, try playing a version that can help you learn a lot more about your family and better understand your dad. Here are 10 questions, from Greater Good, to help get you started:1 1. What do you remember about the houses you lived in/the cars you drove as a young person? Which one did you [...]
Supersize Me: Here’s a Way to Fatten Up Your Retirement Savings
Wouldn’t it be something if you could plump up your retirement savings as easily as you can put on a few pounds eating fast food? Here’s one way to do it: Open a health savings account (HSA). It offers a triple tax advantage and you can contribute the maximum every year.1 Here’s the catch: Not everyone can do this. HSAs are like side dishes. They are only available to people enrolled in their employers’ [...]
Holiday Greeting – What Do You Know About Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have given their lives in the service of our country. See what you know about Memorial Day by answering a few questions from an AARP quiz.1 1. Memorial Day was created to honor soldiers who gave their lives during: a. The Revolutionary War b. The War of 1812 c. The Civil War d. World War I 2. Which major sporting event takes place each [...]
Lessons from the Past
"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." ~ George Santayana It has often been said that when we study the past, we don't repeat mistakes in the future. But the past can instruct us both positively and negatively. We can either grow so accustomed to the culture laden with mistakes that like the old definition of insanity, we can't help repeating them, or we can evaluate and consider past decisions [...]
Holiday Greeting – The Joys and Doubts of Motherhood
Changing diapers, arranging play dates, driving car pools, calming squabbling siblings, attending musicals and sporting events, chaperoning proms, coaching teams, helping with college applications…moms have a lot of responsibilities. They also tend to be fairly critical about their performance as parents. A 2015 survey from Pew Research found millennial mothers are the most confident group in regards to parenting performance. Here are the numbers:1 All moms: 51 percent say they are doing a very [...]
It’s Time to Talk About Aging
We are all, inexorably, marching toward old age. By 2030, 72 million Americans will be age 65 or older.1 The good news is longevity has been improving, and people are remaining healthy and vibrant at older ages. The bad news is cultural perceptions of ‘old’ people have not kept pace. A 2016 analysis by the World Health Organization found ageism was abundant and many people were completely unaware of their biases toward older people.2 Psychology Today warned, “The [...]
Spring into a New Financial Chapter
Spring is in the air . . . a new season brimming with new life. If only a new season could mean a fresh start financially. It can. Different seasons of our lives bring different financial challenges, but these challenges do not have to define our financial outlook. Much like a good spring cleaning can refresh our house, looking through our finances and doing some "spring cleaning" of our finances can refresh our financial outlook. [...]
