What is money for? 

Why do we save our money?  Is the deference of spending vital to any part of our life?

I made it a point to search out answers to these questions…no, I didn’t!  I just wonder sometimes, what do I want/want to do?

I’ve come up with thrEEE answers: 

Easier, Enjoyment, Energy

I do maintain a Do Not Forget List.  It’s not a ToDo List.  Interestingly, I find the act of keeping track of “things” is almost as good as the purchase, yet the list does not help with the “doing” activities.  I need to get my ass in motion a little more, not exercising motion, but explorative motion.

Lately, I’ve given much more thought to how my money (the “army of dollar bills that march off to work each day”) should serve (I accidentally typed “service”—perfectly applicable) me. 

I’m a thinker.  Not some change-the-world-with-my-brilliance thinker, but I wonder a lot.  I wanted to set a direction for my money.  Give our money a Mission Statement, or at least a motto.  At the moment, it now has thrEEE goals to achieve.

Easier

Why not use your money to make things in your life easier?  For instance, correct tools/technology to help with different tasks.  Here’s an example we don’t think about until it breaks.  The use of my microwave for food prep comes to mind—even though some would same it uses bad “energy,” I find the microwave oven to service two important functions—make my life easier and I eat sooner/saving time.  To heat canned soup I don’t need a pot or a hot stove that warms the kitchen and causes my AC to run more—saves money too.  

Here’s a strange one, using a smart programmable remote control.  I no longer have to search for the exact device clicker.  I can also program macros to turn on/off everything at once.  Want to talk about easier, I don’t have to get off the couch to change channels or power the device like in the old days.

Here is a similar idea using your money for things you don’t like doing.  Some people hate house cleaning or yard cleaning. 

Some people don’t want to go to the grocery store.  I’d rather pay $8/month and have Walmart pick my groceries and bring them to my house.  That saves me 30 min of driving, 30 minutes of shopping in a crowd, and possibly avoiding some crap I would have purchased and eaten.  Seriously, eight dollars for approximately 2 hours per month of basic food stocking time savings!  Plus, that $8 also has additional services and features. 

We also share the Walmart service with my mom so there are closer to six deliveries per month and it allows me to keep my mom stocked with food even if I’m out of town.  TOTALLY makes my life easier.

Mark Trautman and I are working on our FUnbUCKET spending—pushing each other to spend some of our savings for good.  Mark also pushed me to make the monthly bill-paying process EASIER and allow automation so I didn’t use (waste) 60-90 minutes on the 1^st of the month to push my bill payments.  He was 100% correct on removing that task from my list (technically what would definitely be a do not forget item).

I can give examples of Amazon Prime, streaming video services, retirement/financial planning, Rock Retirement Club, auto bill pay, security cameras with cloud storage, etc.  Re-reading this, I see how my examples are really small….much like my little life.

Enjoyment

The thought of using deferred spending to bring enjoyment, excitement, and fun into your life is a fantastic goal. 

I’ve written about my surprise enjoyment of Kathy’s Peloton bike.  I’ve found enjoyment in the upgraded Peloton membership required for the bike, even with the increase from $13 to $44 for all the additional content.

I recently spent a huge $500 for a much nicer guitar than I’m used to and then realized that it sounds and plays so much better than the $200-300 guitars.  Bashing away sounds so much more metal with my goth explorer.

I purchased my first new vehicle because I wanted current safety features and protection.  I honestly get enjoyment when I drive my wife’s Venza because I know I spent wisely (in many ways) and it’s almost like driving a spaceship (sounds like it) compared to my 2000 truck and 2001 suv which I still drive most of the time.  It also falls in the “easier” category for lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and iphone controls, etc.

Here’s a random item, I bought new exercise socks that have thicker soles.  These are so nice when I spin since I stand so much doing Kathy’s drop saddle spinning style.  Less pounding on my old(er) feet…same when I run with them.  These were a wonderful $6 for 6 pairs purchase that I didn’t really need.  Yeah, my life is strange.

Energy

Deeper than the enjoyment from above, I want to use the money for things that bring me—or increase—my energy.

At your very core, you have things that give you the purest of enjoyment and light you up.  You have things that if denied are not enriching your soul, your basis of energy. 

Do you have a way to use your money to energize your soul?

I bring this “E” back around to using your money to fund or enable some of your Top 10 Favorite Things.  I don’t need to say much more, but if you have the 10 things that make your soul happy, shouldn’t that be a great place to put some of your resources…both time and money.

Action

Go gEEEt it !!!

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.

I’ve written about the good things in FIRE, the good things in life, and many positive thoughts.

Today I was thinking about my wife’s Peloton bike we purchased in Nov 2022.

Quickly; my wife has been spinning 3 times per week since 2007ish.  Ten years ago they were getting new bikes so she purchased one of their old and ridden very hard bikes for $200 just so we had a bike at home for “extra” rides.  We took this Rusty bike to our mountain home for a few years which was perfect for when she was away from her spinning studio.  That bike came back to Phoenix in the mid-20teens.

When covid hit her spinning studio closed down.  It closed down within a couple of weeks.  That made sense because fewer people (ladies) were riding there each year.  See, it was a dark, hard-ass, drop-saddle riding style and very basic environment.  Just hardcore spinning.  I think many of the ladies either found it too hard or moved on to the new glitzy studios.

Peloton was awesome by giving free access for 90 DAYS to their online app for people locked down (or just wanting to exercise more/differently).  Kathy used Rusty for a few months and then we bought a commercial-grade (hotel gym) level bike for $600+.  That was a great improvement.  It came in a few weeks because people were buying cheap bikes or waiting for months for Peloton bikes close to $2000+$40/mo subscription.

I noticed in the fall of 2022 that Kathy seemed to have no intention of going back to a spinning studio.  We were on a trip and she rode a Peloton at the hotel using her ipad on the handlebars and really liked “the ride.” 

I asked her about getting a Peloton bike and she said she’d love one but she’d want the $45 membership.  I said that was fine because her studio was $100/mo + gas, + driving time 40 min round trip at best.  She showed me the specials Peloton had in emails $1400 or so with shoes, weights, mat, etc.

We looked on craigslist and facebook marketplace now that it was 2 ½ years into the pandemic and there were dozens of bikes for sale.  We messaged a few people and went to look at a version 3 bike that had 37 rides on its software.  The lady waited for it during covid and then went back to her (glitzy) spin studio when it re-opened.  (AZ reopened quickly).  $800 cash, popped it into my truck, and drove 20 miles home.

First, Kathy loves her Peloton.  She loves the classes more now that she has the display with the tension and leaderboard.  Great Purchase.

Here’s the amazing part for me.  I found that *I* LOVE the bike system.

I used to ride the commercial bike when the weather outside was crappy.  I ride 25 miles each week, 80 minutes or so around the Phoenix neighborhood (or in Encinitas, along the ocean on the Coast Highway).  I’d ride the $600 bike and read books or listen to podcasts.  It was a nice workout and I pushed myself somewhat.  Actually, more than the road bike allowed because of lights and traffic.

With the Peloton, I get a display system that is dangerous for a data geek like myself.  I get time to track intervals, I get a detailed resistance to know when I’m pushing med, med+, hard, or hardddd.  If I do a recorded class (never done a live class), or a scenic ride, I get the leaderboard with anyone else doing the ride in real-time as well as the all-time rider stats. 

The leaderboard is amazing technology.  It knows exactly what minute you are in the ride duration and your output level expended in the ride so far.  It then compares you to everyone else’s effort at that same moment from their ride.  It allows you to compete with hundreds or thousands of people every second of your ride.  FREAKING DANGEROUS.

For some reason, I have the desire to always push for the top 3% of all-time riders I consider that podium level, 3rd place.  Once, I hit that lever during the ride, I push for the top 2, then 1.5% (double my 3% goal).  Sometimes I get into the 1% all time, but that always burns my quads.  Love it!

In addition to those metrics, I did the power zone test ride to get my personalized power zones so I can tell which of the 7 zones I am riding in at any given moment.  I also synced my polar HRM so it shows my HR and the 5 HR zones.

It’s like I’m riding in an exercise cockpit with data everywhere.

Oh, and to make the rides even more huge, I put a 43” TV on the wall in front of the bike and Peloton will cast to the TV and mirror the bike’s 22” display on the wall.  That’s great if I want to have a book or magazine resting on the 22” monitor.  And, the TV is connected to a large soundbar helping give the music some extra oomph/thump.  Imagine me riding to a German heavy metal ride.  “Und Metallica…”

Beyond the bike, Kathy also does more class types and “challenges:” strength training, yoga, stretch, meditation, etc.  She can cast the strength classes to the TV which is easier than using an ipad or roku/fireTV app.  When traveling we’ve been able to download classes to our devices for the times we may not have internet.  However, this hasn’t been working right lately and I need to look into that.  Some days you need a meditation class on your phone to keep your streak alive.  Yes, I did get sucked into that streak/challenge stuff.

I also use the iphone app for “outdoor running,” “strength,” and “cardio” for other workout time/logging.  “Cardio” is for hockey.

I truly think this may be one of the best purchases we have made.  It is definitely, without question, the most surprisingly wonderful purchase I’ve ever made.  So many great features for something I/we’ve done for decades.  I am even more excited by the fact that this purchase should enhance our health (we both have to force ourselves not to peg our HR in zone 5 which would be a crazy effort).

Oh, one last thing.  I love when my 50’s profile crushes riders in their 30’s and 20’s.  I don’t know their story and good for them riding, but I’m coming up on you and I’m going to pass you!

I don’t have to win.  I just don’t want to lose.

P.s.  I don’t own any peloton apparel or gear, but my wife has MANY spinning outfits.  I look like a mess on the bike, she looks AMAZING! What an ecosystem they’ve created.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.

I was feeling the dreaded FOMO a couple of months ago when I saw many of my FI friends were going to the 2022 EconoMe conference in Cincinnati in March.  The conference was officially on Saturday and Sunday.

I thought I should find a roommate and go.  Go, so I could check in with past friends.  Go, so I could meet some content creators I wanted to thank.  Go, so I could meet some new amazing people.  And, also, but last on my list, go, so I could learn some new things.

This was the third year of the conference and you could tell it was finely tuned for a great attendee experience. 

1) the session structure was very, very good.  There were 20-minute keynote talks on the main stage each morning for 60-80 minutes.  After a 2-hour lunch break, there were 2-hour deep dives into very specific topics.  Then an hour break followed by a 1-hour time slot for topic breakouts.  This was the schedule for both Saturday and Sunday.

2) the speakers were all quite good to excellent.  They had passion, knowledge, and plenty of experience.  They created information flow and discussions.  The attendees had plenty of knowledge to add. 

One very important takeaway I often have at any FI event where people are paying to attend; the attendees are knowledgeable and I can learn from every single one.  I don’t have to agree with all they say/do, but I always respect their opinions/positions and learn. 

Besides the sessions, there were plenty of additional events to attend and hang out and have discussions with anyone/everyone.  It’s amazing to walk up to ANY PERSON and just say “where are you on your FI journey” and immediately be in a great conversation with a thoughtful and intelligent person.

We had pre-event activities Friday morning, early and late afternoon, then evening.  There were activities Saturday and Sunday evenings.  There were late evening “sessions” in the hotel(s) breakfast/lounge areas.  Many people were visiting until well after midnight.

I will admit that I wasn’t really as interested in the keynote talks because I wanted to visit and meet people, but I was so very impressed at many of the talks.  The perspectives, experiences, and successes (and challenges) were so insightful. 

If so many of the attendees weren’t so financially secure to leave their careers they would surely be leading many organizations.  But instead, we’re all working to help each other lead our most amazing lives.

Here’s a strange thought.  Since this was so interesting, with so many great people, I asked my wife if she wanted to attend next year.  There are enough people you’re not confined in a room for hours like a happy hour with a local group, or in the woods all weekend like the amazing CampFI events.  At EconoMe you can hang out visit, just listen, or do whatever and nobody will notice.  I’d bet a large percentage of the attendees are introverts and feel comfortable because they’re around their people.  Have you found your people?  That group of like-minded people you can just walk up to and start talking?  A group that will open up and let you join right in?  EVERYONE let everyone jump right into their circle, every time.  That’s special.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.

I forgot. One thing that was very interesting to me is that I never heard anyone talking about basketball scores. Almost everywhere else I go in March it’s all basketball talk. At Econome, all the talk was about living great lives!!!

If I could let ChatGPT do the work…

Financial Independence Retire Early:

Financial independence, retire early (FIRE) is a movement that advocates for saving and investing a high percentage of one’s income in order to achieve financial independence and the ability to retire at a young age. The idea is that by living below one’s means and investing the difference, it is possible to accumulate enough wealth to be able to live off of the passive income generated by one’s investments and not have to work for financial reasons.

To achieve financial independence through the FIRE movement, it is generally recommended to save and invest a high percentage of one’s income, often 50% or more. This can involve things like reducing expenses, increasing income, and investing in assets such as stocks, real estate, and businesses.

While the FIRE movement has gained popularity in recent years, it is important to note that achieving financial independence and retiring early is not a realistic goal for everyone. It requires a significant amount of discipline and sacrifice, and it may not be possible for those who have large debts or who are not in a position to save a high percentage of their income. It is also important to carefully consider the long-term financial implications of retiring early and to have a plan in place for managing expenses in retirement.

write me a blog post article for lifeinfire about Financial Independence Retire Early:

Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) is a movement that has been gaining popularity in recent years. At its core, FIRE is about living below your means, saving and investing a high percentage of your income, and achieving financial independence and the ability to retire early.

Many people dream of retiring early and having the freedom to do what they want, when they want. But for many, the idea of retirement seems like a distant dream, something that is only attainable for the wealthy. The FIRE movement is changing that perception by showing that, with discipline and focus, anyone can achieve financial independence and retire early.

The first step to achieving FIRE is to take control of your finances. This means living below your means and cutting back on unnecessary expenses. It also means increasing your income through side hustles or taking on a higher-paying job. The more you can save and invest, the faster you will be able to reach financial independence.

Once you have a handle on your expenses, it’s time to start investing. The FIRE movement emphasizes the importance of investing in low-cost index funds, which have been shown to provide higher returns than actively managed funds. It’s also important to diversify your investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.

While FIRE may seem like a lofty goal, it’s important to remember that it’s not about becoming a millionaire overnight. It’s about building wealth slowly and steadily over time. It’s also about being mindful of your spending and making conscious choices about how you allocate your money.

For many people, the idea of retiring early is a dream. But with discipline, focus, and a commitment to living below your means, it’s a dream that can become a reality. The FIRE movement is proving that anyone can achieve financial independence and retire early, if they’re willing to put in the work.

What do you tell someone that you do when you are retired early:

If you are retired early, you might tell someone that you are no longer working for financial reasons and that you are able to live off of the passive income generated by your investments and savings. You might also mention some of the activities that you enjoy doing in your free time, such as traveling, pursuing hobbies and leisure activities, volunteering, or spending time with friends and family. If you are retired early, you might also mention any plans that you have for the future, such as continuing to invest in order to grow your wealth or using your free time to learn new skills or pursue personal interests. It is important to be mindful that while retirement can be a fulfilling and enjoyable phase of life, it can also bring new challenges and require a different approach to managing time and finances.

how to spend a “fun bucket” in retirement:

A “fun bucket” in retirement can be a way to set aside money for activities and experiences that bring joy and fulfillment. Here are a few ideas for how you might spend your fun bucket in retirement:

1. Travel: Retirement can be a great time to travel and explore new places. Consider using some of your fun bucket money to plan a trip or vacation to a destination that you have always wanted to visit.
2. Hobbies and leisure activities: If you have always wanted to learn a new hobby or activity, now is a great time to do so. Consider using some of your fun bucket money to take classes or lessons, or to purchase equipment or supplies for your hobby.
3. Entertainment: Whether it’s going to the theater, attending concerts or sporting events, or just enjoying a night out with friends, there are many ways to have fun and be entertained. Consider using some of your fun bucket money to treat yourself to these types of experiences.
4. Giving back: Many people find that giving back to their community or to causes that are important to them is a rewarding way to spend their time in retirement. Consider using some of your fun bucket money to make a donation or to volunteer your time and talents to a cause that you care about.

how great is the upcoming year if you’re retired early:

It is not possible for me to predict how great the upcoming year will be for someone who is retired early. It will depend on a variety of factors such as the individual’s personal circumstances, their health and well-being, their financial situation, and the events and circumstances that take place in the world around them. Some people may find retirement to be a very fulfilling and enjoyable phase of life, while others may face challenges or find it difficult to adjust to a different lifestyle. It is important for anyone who is considering retiring early to carefully plan for and consider the financial, social, and personal implications of this decision.

I’m back typing…I don’t really know what to say. This is honestly not much different than what basement article-mill people come up with all the time. There is no way (at this moment, for my topic) that a computer can quite generate the experiences that I (we) have encountered to, into, and through this FIRE journey. That is almost the exact same sentence I would use for many of the article churners.

I’ll just say, FIRE is amazing if it fits you.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  Almost nothing in this post came from a human. Neither ChatGPT or I am not a financial planner, nor do I (we) pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had for ChatGPT to generate..

I don’t seem to do all that much in retirement.  I often feel like I am not accomplishing a lot.  I do get all kinds of things done, and even more things started.  I also LOVE my life and the activities I am doing every single day.  But, I wonder, is there more, can I do more, should I do more, do I care to keep score for more?

JD Roth once made a passing comment “if it takes two hours to do, it takes 2 weeks in retirement to complete.”  That sure strikes a chord with my structure. 

I track items on my “Remember List.” I put tasks on my calendar (often with a ? at the end).  I have a lot of notes and plenty of Apple reminders to add to my remember list.  But, what do I do?  Or more clearly, when?

The other day, I asked a friend if we could talk (about taxes, year-end planning, life, spending, etc).  I used almost two hours of his precious time, but I came away with dozens of thoughts and insights that I’ve been thinking about for days.  That was a great call for me.  He ended the call by saying “every time I talk with you, I end up with action items/tasks.”  Oops.  That’s not my intent, but I do have ideas—ideas all the time.

When will you…?

If not now, when…?   If not (starting right) now, when will you…?

If you are waiting, why?  Why exactly do you think a possible future time is the correct time?  How will you (feel, think, or be worth) at that time? 

I ask this for myself and for others who have been smart spenders, smart savers, smart planners, risk-averse, deferred gratification-ers, and future thinkers.

I always want the bad news first.  I want to know and deal with the problem.  I always save the good news for later.  Sometimes I never even get to the good news.  Often I get consumed by the bad until I sort it out in my brain.

I think for decades my spending has been mostly the same over time.  I deferred that spending to the future.  I made sure I really wanted to spend on that.  Sometimes, it turns out that I didn’t end up needing or wanting the item and I’ve saved myself some money.

Now?!

But what about the case of dying sooner and having instituted more old age deference?  Shouldn’t I realize each and every day, that I’m not getting younger or healthier?  How do I know my future days, weeks, and opportunities are ahead of me?  What if they’re not?  (or what if they are?)

I may be at or near my last peak of wealth and physically (mental? My ability to enjoy some extra experiences or items?  I know multiple older people who tell me “they missed their window” to do some things.  Health, life changes, family issues, regional politics, living situations, etc. can get in the way of “opportunities.”

I know I’ve shared many of these concepts and thoughts before in different ways.  It’s not that I’m forgetting I’m coming back to these, but more importantly, it’s that they are not resolved.  This FIRE thing is a process.  I will process many thoughts and tackle many phases throughout the remainder of my time. 

Passion:

I just realized that I may be lucky that I’m not struggling with “life purpose” confusion or “working desires.”  I’m just thinking about “living life” in a great way.   A base great life plus (or times) an amazing life far beyond the “base.”

For all the “I’d rather have experiences than ‘things’ people,” I understand.  I however have been lucky enough to have been all around the world a couple of times, and while there is still more to do/see, I also want more fun at home.  Much of that fun was sacrificed and delayed for decades.

I do have LOTS of little gadgets, toys, and hobby items to message around with.  It’s funny that ALL of those items add up to almost no money, just the tiniest fraction of our net worth.  (True, my wife’s items add up to noticeable amounts, but she deserves to enjoy all she deferred, and for putting up with me).

I’ve written about going crazy and spending $500 on a guitar because it seemed cool and it turned out to be amazing.  It sounds like a buzz saw and honestly makes me not sound -horrible.  That’s not a large price in the guitar world, but to me, it was a pretty big purchase.

I’ve written about my mistake of not buying a Peloton bike for my wife,( I do love how they got in trouble for the commercial of the husband buying his wife a bike for xmas…then in mid-2020 the twits were saying “how do you like that peloton now?!”) 

I wrote about fixing our items only to sell them and let others enjoy the improvements when those improvements should have been completed for our enjoyment during our ownership. 

What is your money (your life) for?

Shouldn’t you get a reward for the position you’ve placed yourself into?

Is now is not the deferred spending time, when should that deferred spending be used?  Why?

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.

For as long as I can remember I’ve been trained to defer gratification.  I will think of something(s) I want and then I put these items on my don’t forget list while I fine-tune my requirements, monitor pricing options, and then purchase at what seems like a great time to buy.

Vehicles

We did this for our 2006 BMW X5.  We bought it in 2008 when gas was “outrageous at $4/gal and demand disappeared for SUVs and we got a great price.  We did this in reverse for our Toyota Venza in Jan 2021 when there was no demand for cars because everyone was working from home.  We ended up with a hybrid model because gas was so cheap and there was low demand for hybrids.  We ended up with a $1500 dealer discount, plus $1500 cash back from Toyota, and were able to pick our exact vehicle and ship it from Texas at a low transport rate (nobody was shipping anything-pre supply chain news story).

Those two vehicle purchases are great examples of buying off-peak and saving thousands of dollars on each purchase because we planned and lined up our purchasing strategy.  My wife was thrilled with her vehicles.

Toaster

On the other hand, I’ve decided I want something smaller, let’s say hypothetically, a $20 toaster and I research the models (smart) then I spend 90 minutes looking for the best price to save $4 (dumb).

I’ve written about being smart and using your money for things you enjoy.  I’ve also written about being dumb and purchasing/fixing something just before selling it—spending the money, but not getting the enjoyment of the item.

Spinning Bike

This week my wife and I were talking about upgrading her peloton app membership from $14 by buying a peloton bike and subscribing to the All Access membership for $45.  The back story is when covid stopped in-person spinning classes my wife switched to her old spin bike at home and used the peloton app (on a 32” TV).  Six months into the lockdown mess, in the fall of 2020 while still only in the midst of vaccine development, we bought a nice $700 commercial spin bike.  It was MUCH nicer than the old “Rusty” spin bike she had been riding 3-5 times per week.

Through the pandemic, her favorite spin studio closed permanently and she just kept app/TV spinning at home for 2 ½ years.  On a trip in October, she was able to use a peloton bike at a hotel using her app account and realized it was a very nice bike.  Late last week I said, “let’s just get a used one on Craigslist or FB Marketplace from someone who purchased one during covid and doesn’t ride it.”  So, 36 hours later and with a few messages to people, we had a barely used (44 rides) bike in the back of my truck heading home.  An hour later it was set up, plugged in, and connected to wifi with a test ride underway.

The next day we upgraded her membership from the $14 app to the $45 all access membership (amazing how easy they make that) and the dizzying amount of ride statistics began generating data.  I added a member account for myself and we are now both addicted to the statistics.  This may not be a good thing according to our legs.

WHY?!

I was thinking, why did I wait to give my wife the best spinning experience?  It wasn’t really about the money the peloton bike would cost or even the membership.  I think it was that I assumed she would go back to in-person classes ($96-140/mo +gas +driving time) and not need the home bike much. 

Health

There is nothing more important than our health.  Moving our bodies and getting our blood pumping are so important to the ability to live a strong, active life.  There is no question that we should be investing heavily in this activity.

Used Purchase Timing

Did I mention my theory that buying used items on Craigslist or FB Marketplace is often a great strategy before thanksgiving and toward xmas?  I think people are raising money for their holiday purchases so they are motivated to sell.

On the other hand, we did NOT want to buy the bike the last week of, or the beginning of the year when so many have resolutions for fitness.  I feel the demand would increase then, as well as the prices.

Identify the things that enable your Great Life and go fit it if you have created a plan for it to make sense.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.

There are times when things happen that cause total chaos in our lives.

Some unexpected action or issue that throws everything that was flowing along out of control.  It’s not the same as a freeway backup caused by an accident…unless you’re in the accident.  It’s not like a dam bursting and the rushing water flows down river wiping out structures and nature along the river banks because you kind of—in the back of your mind—know there’s a HUGE amount of water pent up behind that concrete structure.

What happens when something horrible happens to a spouse, thereby  leaving the remaining spouse and family with dozens of issues, problems, and disasters?  What happens when the remaining family (and friends) are distraught with grief and want to work on issue resolution but run into brick walls, bureaucracy, lack of information and quite possibly have health issues that impair their ability to take on the tasks?

I want to state first and foremost, I cannot understand, or explain all of—or most of—the possibilities that can unfold.  I just want to spark in you (hello anyone out there?) the idea that you may be able to pre-prepare (I thought I would double emphasize that) some structure to help in case you get hit with the bad card.

1. Make sure those you love and care for know you love and care for them.  (I’m making note of this now for myself)
2. Create an organized structure of “what.”  What things need to be taken care of?  What accounts do you have?  What the logins are?  What your wishes are?  What the process is.  What’s most important?  What are the procedural steps?  Some call it the “love letter” for their spouse.  “Hey honey, I love you, but don’t forget to pay the electric bill.”  Maybe that’s not the best example.
3. Do not leave your distraught follow-up person (spouse, child, executor, trustee, lawyer, friend, bad person) to have to do forensic accounting to put your financial and personal records organization into an organized manner.
4. Death vs Disability.  If you become incapacitated, that is different than being deceased and having a death certificate to assist in taking action.  Power of attorneys are important as are Medical Rights documents…and having those medical documents ready at a moment’s notice and when arriving at a hospital.
5. Monthly operations, bill paying, cash flow, stabilization.  Share the bills/accounts and the process that you use.  Hopefully, you have an automated process.  Also, make sure both you and your spouse are listed as approved/trusted parties on each account.

It’s so much better to have planned for those taking over your operational duties before there is a need for such a transfer of power.  Don’t leave a pile of paperwork, or worse, PDFs for someone to deal with.  Leave instructions and the ability for them to make changes.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.