How Can I Get My Stubborn Elderly Father to Accept a Caregiver in His Home?

JacquelineMarcell — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:34:48 -0500

Ohhh, I had this exact situation while I was caring for my parents, so I know how exasperating it is! I actually went through 40 caregivers the first year—well, most only there for about ten minutes as my father would be so nasty they’d run out of the house or he’d throw them out. After much trial and tears, I finally figured out how to handle the many complexities of the situation—so I want to share what I unfortunately had to learn the hard way!

New Year – A Time for Change Part 1

KarenSherman — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:08:30 -0500

First, let me start out by wishing all of you a very Happy New Year! I hope that 2009 brings all of you the best and all that you wish for.

Generally, you tend to think about the New Year as a time that marks change. And so, I’d like to address several components regarding change apropos to the tradition. In order to look at this subject from different aspects, I’m going to discuss it both in this week’s blog and next week. Today, I’ll address New Year’s Resolutions. After all, I’m sure many of you made some!

Example 671 of Why to Think Long Term

PaulBBrown — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:34:01 -0500

It isn't often I get a chance to impress a bunch of 20 year-olds, otherwise known as my kids, but it happened yesterday.

We are down in Florida on vacation, and over breakfast--well brunch; they don't get up early--I said with absolutely confidence that I could predict how the stock market would do for the day.I promised it would drop.

How did I know? I didn't of course. But I did read a story in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal about how stocks were up 20% from their November lows. The story went on to hint that maybe the carnage on Wall Street was over.

Any time a media person says "A," think "Z" and so I predicted the down day and I was correct. The Dow fell 2.7%

The point: Ignore day to day gyrations in the market.

The Hybrid Car Theory of Investing

PaulBBrown — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:41:08 -0500

I am a late adapter.

For example, I only just started using my cell phone for just about all my calls, so it is probably not surprising that I haven't ever driven a hybrid car until now.

But, I rented one this week--I didn't seek it out; it is all that the people at Hertz had--and I love it. Yes, sure, I like the fact that I am helping to save the environment, but the appeal to an old cheapskate me is the gas mileage. I am getting about 50 miles to the gallon.

What has this to do with investing? A lot.

The 90%-10% rule

PaulBBrown — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:57:14 -0500

Because I have the world's most annoying accountant--the man has absolutely no sense of humor about meeting deadlines and filing accurately; he is in favor of both--I have already started getting my papers together to help prepare my 2008 tax returns.

Here is something I have noticed in going through my files. I divided by savings/investings into two buckets: Some 90% went to my retirement. The rest to things like my emergency fund and general savings.

I didn't consciously plan it this way, but I think it is a good way to go.

Like you, I am not getting any younger. (I am 54.) And like you, I saw my retirement accounts get hammered last year. (Even with making contributions, I was down 30% year to year.) So, my retirement accounts are a priority.

When Grandkids Are Abused: What Are the Signs? What Can We Do?

JedDiamond — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:17:20 -0500

With 5 grown children and 11 grandchildren it’s difficult to get everyone together. Carlin and I visited my daughter and her three kids over the holidays. As usual the kids were rambunctious and full of energy. The oldest just turned 15 and the other two are 9 and 7. Like brothers and sisters do, they fight and tease each other. But something seemed different this time.

In Japan, they are eliminating “dementia”

PeterWhitehouseMD — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:11:56 -0500

Japan is a country full of welcoming people, deep spirit, advanced technology, and many older people and relatively few children. For twenty years I have visited regularly to seek “Eastern” perspectives on aging.

A New Year’s Resolution

LynnAnderson — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:33:39 -0500

With a new year many of us make new years resolutions. Resolution by its definition means that there is some conflict to resolve. The resolving of this conflict brings about resolution. When we think of making New Year’s resolutions most of us think of goals or changes we establish and hope to accomplish. So to truly make a resolution we must look at our conflicts and how to resolve them.
Diet and exercise are the most prominent resolutions. The conflict is always between eating what we want and staying slim and healthy. Exercise becomes a conflict of time. Would we rather sleep or exercise?

One New Year’s Resolution

PaulBBrown — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:28:18 -0500

For most Americans the New Year really starts today. Everyone is done visiting for the holidays and is returning to work or school.

I am a not a big believer in resolutions, but here is one I plan to keep. I will continue to save aggressively for retirement.

Yep, 2008 on Wall Street was a disaster. The Dow was down 33.8%. The S&P fell 38.5% and the NASDAQ was even worse—off 40.5%.

Even with that dismal performance, over then last 85 years or so, stocks have outperformed every other investment there is. If you want to have enough money to retire the way you want, you have to keep investing in stocks.

I plan to. I hope you will too.

And, of by the way, “Happy New Year.”

The Gift of Gold

LynnAnderson — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:18:40 -0500

Although I won’t post this blog until the end of the week, today December 23rd is my birthday and many of you sent me birthday greetings. Thanks you for your kindness and thoughtfulness. Over the last couple of weeks my blog has been about the three gifts given to the Christ child by the three wise men. The most precious commodities of the day were frankincense, myrrh and gold. This week let’s look at gold.