Blog

Musings on personal finance and more. Not written with AI since 2012.

Cherry Blossom

The worrying connection between long-term care insurance and the Roth IRA

I talked last time about long-term care insurance (LTCI), and how it can be a great tool to hedge against the incredible medical costs of things like nursing home care. This is, of course, assuming that the insurers stay in business, … Read MoreRead More

Heavenly Bow of Stars

Is long-term care insurance still a going concern?

Medical costs are scary. Medical needs definitely count as emergencies, but the costs can be incredible. I always recommend a savings of at least six months of bills and expenses in your emergency fund (here’s what that means for you), … Read MoreRead More

More about how not to get lost

In my last post, I started talking about how not to get lost. I believe everyone can both know where they are, as well as figure out where they need to go. All it takes is a little focused energy, patience, … Read MoreRead More

How not to get lost

People say I have a very good sense of direction. I guess so. I prefer to say that most people have an undeveloped (or rather, untapped) sense of direction. Just like I believe that anyone can become good with math … Read MoreRead More

Bungalows

Fear the timeshare

As I mentioned, I’m writing this from Las Vegas, the place where everyone goes in order to embody the experience of YOLO. It’s a dizzying place, with everything designed to disorient you. And hey, since you can’t seem to find … Read MoreRead More

Old Arrow Sign

The problem with YOLO

I’m in Vegas this week. Everyone has a strong reaction to that phrase, and it’s quite revealing about them. Sometimes it’s, “Ugh, Vegas, what a hellhole“, but more often it’s “Awesome! What kind of craziness are you gonna get up … Read MoreRead More

Blue gate

Why people stop at wanting “more”

So I’ve talked about the problem with just saying that you “want more”. In most contexts, I hear it about money, but there are plenty of other areas where we use this wording. People want “more” time. People want “more” … Read MoreRead More

Light blobs

The problem with wanting “more”

“I wish I had more money.” I hear this at discussion groups, coaching sessions, and even just conversations with friends. I can’t help but remember that commercial from my childhood for a trade school, with Sally Struthers as spokesperson: “Do … Read MoreRead More

Cord

A salve for those who have not found success yet

I’ve always had big—if not always specific—dreams. To be a musician and fill concert halls, to be a sound engineer and produce bands, to build a large and vibrant online community, to be a financial coach, to be able to … Read MoreRead More

Roulette wheel

Where do you put short-term savings?

I was asked this question recently: “I have about $10,000 that I don’t need to touch for a while, and I was thinking of investing it so I could make the most of it. Where do you recommend I put … Read MoreRead More