It was only a month ago that Mrs MMD finally decided after all this time to get a smart phone with a data plan and the whole nine yards. So we signed up for a new plan from Sprint and things were going good. Then out of nowhere this week, she’s no longer able to make or receive calls anymore. So twice I had to call, do the whole pull the battery out and put it back in, and waste a few hours talking with tech support. The end result: The phone still doesn’t work! As if one phone problem wasn’t enough, then our Vonage router started giving us problems. So I devoted yet another hour on the phone with the Vonage tech support going through their motions as well - pushing the reset button, unhooking cables, etc. Why does it always seem like … [Read more...] about Weekend Wind Down 9/15/2012 – MMD vs Phone Service
Social Security Spousal Benefits – Hook Me Up Elderly Sugar Momma!
In my last super entertaining post about Social Security benefits, I ended with a mention about how being married may not only entitle you to Social Security spousal benefits, but there’s a strategy that you could use to really maximize your benefits to full potential! Here I will present the rules on using Social Security spousal benefits and walk through an example of how this will apply to my wife and I. Hopefully you'll be able to go through the same exercise for you and your spouse! … [Read more...] about Social Security Spousal Benefits – Hook Me Up Elderly Sugar Momma!
Practicing Entrepreneurship the Fraidy-Cat Way – Using Your Job
I’ll admit it. I’m a giant fraidy-cat when it comes to the subject of entrepreneurship. It’s not that I don’t believe in taking risks – I just question if the risk is worth taking. Even after starting this blog one year ago and feeling the sweet success of having it make more money than any of my other side hustles, I still struggle to believe that it could make me any richer or provide me with more security than my real job. No question about it. Does that mean I don’t have the burning passion to grow a new business, create something from nothing, build a name for myself, and make a ton of money in the process? Absolutely not! I want to do all those things! But I have and plan to continue to do them at my current job. And here’s why … [Read more...] about Practicing Entrepreneurship the Fraidy-Cat Way – Using Your Job
Weekend Wind Down 9/08/2012 – Starting the Soccer Season
As if going back to school wasn't bad enough, why don’t we cram one more activity in this week – let’s also start up soccer practice! That’s right. Not only did the kids (and wife) head back to school on Tuesday, they also headed right back outside for the start of the Fall soccer season in our community. We’ve already had our first game yesterday and another one this morning. When it rains, it pours! (Please whether – don’t really rain!) But it’s all good. The kids are getting so much better and having a lot of fun with it! … [Read more...] about Weekend Wind Down 9/08/2012 – Starting the Soccer Season
Social Security Benefits – The Kid Picked Last for Dodgeball
If there’s one lame duck that everyone ignores as part of their retirement planning, it’s Social Security. Over the years, Social Security benefits have been called too small, unfair, a Ponzi Scheme, and worst of all – dead! Yet for many Americans, their Social Security benefits are all that they have to live off of during retirement. And what’s even more frightening - if people continue to ignore retirement planning by sticking their heads in the sand, then Social Security benefits may be ALL they have to look forward to as well! So rather than sticking our noses up at it, let’s embrace our government hand-out (after all, we paid our money into it for so many years!). If you understand the basics of Social Security benefits, then you … [Read more...] about Social Security Benefits – The Kid Picked Last for Dodgeball
Goal Setting When You Realize That All You Have Is Now
That’s right PF bloggers! We’re starting off this post with a quote from a Flaming Lips song. Even if that’s not what you picture when you think about goal setting, perhaps this perspective will help. Retiring At 48: Last June when the school year ended for my wife, one of her colleagues retired – at age 48. Yes, she reached the minimum age required to receive her full pension and she was out. Depending on your perspective on retirement, some people would consider this far too young to retire. But to my wife and I, this was an inspiration. In fact for my wife, this is really only 13 more years away. … [Read more...] about Goal Setting When You Realize That All You Have Is Now
Weekend Wind Down 9/02/2012 – Labor Day Weekend
Sorry if I blew your mind posting on Sunday rather than Saturday, but that’s how I roll this weekend. We're taking this easy! Its Labor Day break, and that means one extra day off work! Yea! Did anyone else catch the Clint Eastwood Republican Convention speech? What was up with that? First of all, the poor guy looks to be +100 years old. Couldn't someone have combed his hair before he got up there? And he seemed to lose track of his own jokes at times. I’m not sure what they were trying to accomplish with this. … [Read more...] about Weekend Wind Down 9/02/2012 – Labor Day Weekend
Retirement Income Planning with Author Daniel Solin
When you’re finally ready to retire and start accessing your money, mainstream advice says to follow the 4 percent rule. For anyone who doesn’t know, the 4 percent rule says you can start your retirement by withdrawing 4 percent of your total retirement portfolio to live on, and then doing the same each year thereafter with small adjustments for inflation. Research suggests that you’ll have a pretty good chance of success for about the next 30 years. Although this method is very popular for retirement income planning, there have been some studies to that show you can do better! … [Read more...] about Retirement Income Planning with Author Daniel Solin
