Finance

Okay, so you have increased the amount of money you are contributing to your retirement plan to start off 2021 the right way — right? (If not, start with this article and come back.) Now you might be thinking, “What’s next?”

That’s an easy one: start putting a little money in an after-tax investment account.

What? Did you hear correctly? This in no way follows the “traditional savings ladder” model that so many financial “experts” say is the only way to set up your savings. …

Finance

So how are your new year’s resolutions going so far? It is only January 11, so you are probably still sticking with most of what you resolved to do all year long at this point. But, according to US News, most of us will fail to follow through on our resolutions, typically by the second week of February.

And that might be okay. Sometimes lifestyle changes take a while to stick permanently, and sometimes our good intentions can add up over time to incremental changes that make us better in the long run. …

Finance

If your employer offers a tax-deferred retirement plan like a 401(k), 403(b) or 457 Plan, then great for you. Even better if the employer will match some of your contributions!

For you the game plan is pretty straightforward, just contribute to the plan — at least up to the employer’s match to begin with and increase contributions whenever possible until you have maxed out your yearly amount.

For people without an employer-sponsored plan it takes a little bit more work, but it is completely doable to set yourself up with a retirement savings plan that capitalizes on tax breaks much like a 401(k). …

The line that separates patriotism and nationalism can be paper-thin, to the point of being invisible at times. And I believe we have all now borne witness to the danger that lurks at that intersection of ideals.

I think even as a kid I was wary of the concept of being “overly” patriotic. We are told over and over again about how the United States was the best country in the world, reinforced by reason after reason for our superiority over all the “lesser” countries.

Even then something to me felt off. I knew all the validations for that feeling of superiority: freedom, chance to be whomever and whatever you want, land of opportunity, freedom of speech specifically, right to bear arms; yadda, yadda. …

The Poetry Vault

Last night I wrote a little poem about a tiger devouring (okay, at least scaring off) the loud and annoying children that play in my yard, right under the window where I work and write.

They aren’t my kids, mine are all grown. On some levels I don’t mind, but the thing that gets me is that their playing involves screaming at the top of their lungs. If they could just have a quiet conversation, life would be different, and I wouldn’t be conjuring up imaginary tigers to create calm.

But I digress. The point here is that when I was writing the poem to alleviate my stress, I realized just how much I have enjoyed writing poems over the last year. …

As the year came to a close and we celebrated the arrival of 2021, there were plenty of people wishing 2020 good riddance. In fact, for most of the year the mantra was that 2020 was the worst year ever, its unofficial symbol even became the dumpster fire.

I voiced my agreement to that sentiment many times throughout the year along with everyone else. But now as we look back in fond remembrance (or disgust, if that is your wont), there are several highlights that stand out, many either in spite of Covid, or some because of it.

Of course, everyone’s perspective will be very different. However, in the case of my family I would generally say that most of the impactful effects of 2020 turned out positive in the end. And, for that, I am grateful. …

So, this is going to sound like an excuse; probably because it is. However, my Apple Pencil is legit non-functional, which has curtailed my artsy drawings significantly recently.

In the time I spent troubleshooting I probably could have produced many digital masterpieces. Alas, no resolution has been found and I seem to be destined for a trip to the Apple store to speak with the “geniuses”.

I suspect they are going to say something profound like, “Yep, this is broke”. I will marvel in awe at their genius, surely. …