Memories left for my kids

As a career teacher, I am disturbed to read about school evaluations in which so few students are able to meet “grade-level”expectations. Also disappointing are stories about teachers who are trapped in a teaching profession they don’t enjoy, and thus, can’t wait until the day they retire.

Five moves for young investors

If you’re just beginning your career, what are your financial priorities?You might have student loans to deal with. And you may even be thinking about saving for a down payment on a house.

Ponder Points

Bill James is a notable baseball writer, historian and statistician whose work has been widely influential in several sports. He has written two dozen books about baseball. He scientifically analyzes statistical data to determine why teams win and lose.

The 501: Scams, Latin and Pony Express

Bona vacantia.Sounds like Latin for “Bon voyage!” But isn’t. It means “ownerless property.

Financial Focus

Your Social Security benefits can be an important part of your retirement income — but when should you start collecting them? It’s a big decision, so you’ll want to consider your options carefully.

Key decisions for retired couples

Once you and your spouse retire, you’ll have some decisions to make — decisions that could affect your quality of life in your retirement years. What are these choices?Here a few of the most important ones: How much should you withdraw from your retirement accounts?

From rags hogs to riches

My dad had a friend who served with him at the Wellington Fire Department. At the time, Dad still worked at the Wellington Machine Shop. Not sure what Harley’s kids would say their dad did for a living, but if asked, most others would say Harley Kern “slopped hogs.

So, what have you been doing?

Moos over news.In the winter,that’s how it goes.Needy cows have a way of crowding out anything else that’s happening anywhere.But one curious news tidbit wafted my way — something about requests for government workers to say what they’d been doing, presumably to justify their existence.

Watch out for tax scams

It’s tax season again — which also means, unfortunately, that it’s time for the annual array of scams aimed at taxpayers. Fortunately, by being alert, you can protect yourself from these attempts to defraud you.Your first line of defense is to recognize the warning signs of potential tax scams.

Back in the day

If you are somewhat concerned by national or state news, or perhaps a little insecure regarding higher prices for just about everything you buy or whether climate change is here to stay, let me take you back to a slower more sensible time, if you were growing up in the 50s or 60s.