Can you build an estate plan like a house?

When you retire,you hope that you’ll be able to anticipate the events that could cause you financial challenges down the road.

Playing the heart-strings

What’s the difference between a violinist and a fiddler? Not the instrument. By any other name, a violin is a fiddle is a violin. Attitude makes the difference. Fiddle players have more fun.I heard this from a very good fiddle player who once took a stab at learning to play the violin.

A look back in time

In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, almost every café in America had a jukebox (nickelodeon), which had 78 RPM records of the popular music of the times. You could plug in a nickel to hear your favorite singer or band as many times as your pocketbook would allow.

Financial Focus

If you’ve ever been involved in building a house — or even if you’ve just heard about it — you know that there’s a well-defined process to be followed.

The 501:

What to do with your collection of empty plastic coffee containers? Look online. Misery loves company. Nobody else has any good ideas either. Sometimes, I misspeak and call ‘em cans. Back when they really were cans, they were useful, especially for bacon grease.

Should you be ‘selfish’ in retirement?

As a parent, you naturally want to help your children — but is it always a good idea to provide them with support when they’re adults? You may want to proceed carefully in this area — to protect everyone’s financial interests.

Ponder Points

The Orphan Train Movement was a supervised welfare program that transpoted children from crowded eastern cities in the United States to foster homes located in rural areas of the Midwest between 1854 and 1929, relocating about 200,000 children.

Adios, Duece!

Back before 1969 was my lipase high from acute pancreatitis. It was a very memorable year in my life.

The 501: Chicken hugs, ears, vocabularies

Ever hugged a chicken? Not me.I’ve caught a few. Does that count? My friend, Beverly, hugs her chickens routinely and whispers sweet nothin’s in their ears. Do chickens have ears? By contrast, my friend, Sally (not her real name), has a deep-seated fear of and aversion to chickens.

Financial Focus

How long will you live? Of course, your longevity is somewhat unpredictable. But it may be a good idea to plan for a long life — and the financial issues that go along with it. It’s reasonable to think you’ve got a long way to go.