How Will They Remember You?

I have gotten into the habit of reading the obituaries in the newspaper each Sunday morning, I jokingly tell people I am checking to make sure my name isn’t listed. There are two types of listings; on the first page the listings are informational name, date of birth, family and arrangements, listings on the second page are more biographical, they mention accomplishments, honors and awards.

I rarely look at the names on the first page, I go straight to the second page, it isn’t that I am interested in who has died but what is written about them. As I read their obits, I think about how I would like to be remembered.

Last week my wife’s father died, his obituary mentioned his wife and family, his time in the military, and his work history, but not much about him.

At his wake, there were some tears but, a lot more smiles laughter and story telling. Children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews all had stories about Fred. How he started a fishing club with a disgusting initiation involving fish guts, and taught them limericks about the, “man from Dundee”. Camping trips, bonfires so big they could be seen from outer space, the annual golf outing (which still continues 24 years later) and more practical jokes and quotes than I can list, eighty-seven years worth.

There were no secrets about how his family felt, they will miss Fred, but whenever any members of his family get together they will remember one of his stories, or recite one of his famous sayings, and then they will laugh.

I didn’t have the chance to know Fred well, I met him after Karen and I had started seeing each other six years ago, his hell-raising days long past, most of what I know of Fred comes from the stories told.

Next week when I read the obits and think about how I’ll want to remember me when I’m gone I will think of this: it is nice to have a big fancy write-up about your life but will you be remembered a week later when the paper has been thrown out? I like the way people will remember Fred they will be telling his stories long after the newspapers have decomposed.

Reduce Debt to Improve Retirement Cash Flow

One of the simplest ways to improve your positive cash flow is to reduce the money going towards the repayment of personal debt. One of the most common forms of debt we carry is credit card balances, paying these balances off and controlling our use of the cards can increase our monthly income.
To see the benefit of paying down your cards and eliminating the payment simply add up the monthly payments of all the cards, major cards, gas cards, and store cards you carry balance on and put that money towards your income. How much money are you missing out on?
If the increase in income isn’t enough incentive take a look at your statement, look at the interest rate you are paying, and see how little is going towards principal and how much is being put towards finance charges (interest). Realizing that it will take several years of minimum payments to pay for last year’s weekend vacation should start you thinking.
The best way to use credit cards is to control the way they are used:
1) Pay balances off as quickly as possible, if it has to be carried set a
target date and stick to it.
2) If you currently have balances start paying them down. Start with the card with the highest rate, pay as much as you can until it is gone, then move to the next.
3) Look for card with low interest rates and transfer balances. Understand the terms before you commit. How long will the rate last what will it reset at, and what are the fees?
4) See if your current card will lower your rate. Will they match the competition?
5) Do not be late with payments. Many cards will increase interest rates substantially if you are late with a payment. Pay on time.
6) Don’t charge it if you can’t afford it. If you are using a card to facilitate a purchase, fine. If you are using a card to purchase something you cannot afford but will allow you to own with small payments forever and a day, don’t do it.
Eliminating your existing debt and rethinking the way you use your credit cards before you retire should be a priority strategy towards strengthening your financial position.

Time For a Plan Review

We are a little more than halfway through summer and it has been an odd one to say the least. Here in New England June and July were rainy and raw. Now that August has arrived, it seems as though summer is finally here, hopefully it will last into September and October.

Since many of us take advantage of down time to recharge and regroup during the summer, this is a good time to set aside a bit of time to review your life/financial plan. Some of the areas you want to touch on are:

1. Personal goals and timelines; are you still on track or do you need to extend or adjust your original thoughts?

2. Finances; are your investments and savings strategies aligned with your goals? Have you reviewed your current cash flow; is it in line or are you running a deficit each month? Do you foresee any major expenses or windfalls in the near future?

3. Are you maintaining enough insurance on your life and property?

4. Have you created an estate plan and have you reviewed it recently? Review your wills, trusts, and beneficiaries every few years to make sure they are current with your wishes.

5. Have you considered a Power-of Attorney for finances, Power-of Attorney for health care, and Living Will?


These are just a few of the topics that make up a life/financial plan, your situation and needs determine priority. Remember your plan is not a static document, life changes, tax and law changes, good events, and bad events will all cause an adjustment in your plan.

Living Longer and Retirement Planning

Last week I watched a video about the oldest practicing lawyer in India, he is 99 years and has been practicing law for 74 years. He will not take any new cases, but he has 15 left to finish this year then, at the age of 100 begin a “long and happy retirement.”

Today this is considered an oddity but, could it become the norm at some point? The world population is getting older, the number of people 65 and older is expected to increase from 516 million in 2009 to 1.53 billion in 2050, according to data released by the US Census Bureau.

The number of centenarians (100 years) has increased to more than 340,000 worldwide versus a few thousand in the fifties. By midcentury, the number of centenarians in the US could grow from 75,000 to 600,000.

Advances in medicine, healthcare and education concerning lifestyle choices have been big factors in longer living. Problems like heart disease, and many types of cancer a few years ago were the beginning of the end, now with proper treatment and monitoring they have become health issues rather than life-ending.

As a segment of the population grows fast another slows down, while the age group over 65 is expected to see a jump by 2050, the group under 15 years old will grow at a much slower rate, from 1.83 billion to 1.93 billion. In 2017, the number of people over 65 will exceed the number under age 5.

The aging population will stress Social Security, Medicare and health services, while the disappearance of pensions and lack of savings for retirement will them modifying their original thoughts of retirement. Longer and healthier life expectancies will find people working longer at their current job or starting a new career to provide income, benefits, or to remain active will be the norm rather than the exception.