Home again

New Hampshire – Home A couple of weeks ago we made it home from South America. It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times.  With apologies to Mr. Dickens. While I’ve been meaning to resume posting here it always seems to take me a while to re-engage.  Writing is hard work… [Continue Reading]

Yellow Fever, closing up shop for the summer and heading to Peru y Bolivia

For over a week now I’ve been afflicted with Yellow Fever.  I blame the Bolivians. Reasonable people might suggest I also bear some personal responsibility.  It was I, after all, who made the appointment at the clinic, drove over and said to the nice lady, “Say, why don’t you load up a syringe with a… [Continue Reading]

Stocks — Part VIII: The 401K, 403b, TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets

In Part IV we looked at some sample portfolios built from the three key Index Funds I favor, plus cash.  Those four are what we call investments. But in our complex world we must next consider where to hold these investments.  That is, in which bucket should which investment go?  There are two types of… [Continue Reading]

Is College Worth the Cost?

my alma mater Back in the day, I put myself through the University of Illinois taking down diseased Elm Trees. I was paid $20 a day, @6 days $120 per week. I saved $100 and kept $20 for pocket money. I sponged off my parents for the summer’s room and board. Over the 12 weeks… [Continue Reading]

Stocks — Part VII: Can Everyone Really Retire a Millionaire?

  “I wonder if it would actually be possible for every single person to retire a millionaire?” That very provocative question was posed in the comments by reader mmrempen a few posts back. It’s been rattling around in my brain ever since. The short answer is a qualified “Yes!” It is possible for every middle class wage… [Continue Reading]

Stocks — Part VI: Portfolio Ideas to Build and Keep Your Wealth

Today we’re gonna look at the fun stuff. What, exactly, can we use to build and keep our wealth. I’m going to give you three portfolios each using the tools (funds) we discussed last time. First will be exactly what I tell my 20-year-old to do. She couldn’t care less about investing. With this simple… [Continue Reading]