Author: troyashbacher

During my free financial review of my rollover IRA, I was feeling pretty good about how far it had come. Back when I retired from finance in April 2012, I had about $300,000 in my 401(k). After leaving, I rolled it into an IRA and invested in index ETFs and individual stocks. Since then, it has grown to over $1.5 million. $1.5 million in a single retirement account at age 48 is nothing to sneeze at. If I were 62 with this balance, I could withdraw $60,000 – $75,000 a year and live comfortably, especially when combined with roughly $36,000…

For those of us who lived through the 2007 to 2008 global financial crisis, the lessons are indelibly imprinted in our minds.But it’s been more than a decade, and many of those who could best make use of those lessons weren’t in kindergarten yet. That’s why the resurgence of the “zero-down mortgage” is concerning.Zero-down mortgages have existed in various forms for years, but typically, you must be part of a specific group to qualify. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and…

As with almost any new technology, AI promises exciting new applications, while also posing significant threats. From environmental damage to economic upheaval, we’re still untangling exactly what challenges we will face from AI.One of the most serious problems AI poses for job seekers is the potential elimination of entire classes of jobs, as well as a reduction in demand for many white-collar positions. The issue is so contentious that Congress introduced a bipartisan bill that would require companies to report jobs lost due to AI to the Department of Labor.The other way AI can mess with your job search? AI…

This train of thought began after I saw a headline, and I can’t even remember what the headline was, or exactly where I saw it!  It had something to do with the difference between numbing and coping, which is something I have thought about a lot over the last few years. And we’re just gonna ride my train of thought, even if it’s a little disorganized.  Numbing vs. Coping In my mind, numbing mechanisms are things that block negative, unpleasant feelings; I think of substance use (alcohol, drugs, smoking), excessive spending, excessive eating, overworking, doomscrolling, and so on. These don’t…

Economists at UBS pointed to analysis done by the center-right American Enterprise Institute, which calculated that tariffs would have to be set at 42.5% to level out manufacturing imports and exports.

When you rent a car, the company almost always offers supplemental coverage that costs extra. When you get to that stage of the booking process, you’re probably wondering if it would be irresponsible of you to decline to save a few bucks. The good news is that the answer is probably no. Most people can safely decline the added coverage.Technically, what rental car companies are offering you is usually not insurance, but a waiver. Basically, for a fee, you can waive responsibility for damage to the rental car while you have it. The benefit of this is that, if something…

Stock futures pointed higher following a down week, as investors were optimistic a deal was near to end the record U.S. government shutdown. Futures associated with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, benchmark S&P 500, and blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average were up a respective 1.5%, 1%, and 0.4%. Last week, the Nasdaq fell 3%—its worst weekly performance since President Donald Trump shook markets with his “Liberation Day” tariffs in early April—while the S&P 500 lost 1.6% and the Dow declined 1.2%. Late Sunday, the Senate advanced a procedural measure to allow other votes today on an agreement to end the shutdown, now at 41 days. Eight…

A bunch of the large 3wick candles from Yankee Candle are on sale for $14.99.   There are a bunch of holiday scents and more neutral scents that would be perfect for after the holiday season.  There are so many scents to choose from- just head over here and scroll down a bit and you will see a ton of options.

Key Takeaways Bill Gates’ financial habits show the power of saving, smart investing, and purposeful spending to stay resilient in uncertain times.Build emergency savings for financial stability and investments for long-term wealth.Spend intentionally to help eliminate debt and prevent lifestyle creep.Diversify your portfolio to manage global risks and uncertainty. Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and chairman of The Gates Foundation, has shared lessons from his career that apply beyond business and philanthropy, including how to stay prepared for inevitable market downturns. His approach blends cautious preparation with long-term optimism, continuous learning, and thoughtful spending. Everyday investors can apply these same principles…

Hey everyone! I’m totally worn out today. Yesterday was a very long day. I got up at 5:30 am to drive RB40Jr and his teammate to a debate tournament in Silverton, OR (about an hour drive). Then Mrs. RB40 and I went for a 4-hour hike in the Silver Falls State Park. Unfortunately, I forgot my trekking poles and got totally blown out on the trails. Afterward, we visited the Benedictine Brewery in Mt. Angel for a flight of dark ale tasters, ciders, and meatballs. We had a great time at the brewery, but had to walk around the Seminary…