How to prepare for the “golden years” — The bucket strategy always appealed to me, and I have buckets for all financial needs I may have in retirement. I thought I was all set. Then I read a book, Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life, by Bill Perkins. The book caught…

Net Worth — This article is not about our self-esteem or how much value we have to others because they love us. It is also not about all the assets we have that have mostly sentimental value for us. For me, that would be my grandfather’s paintings of the Baltic Sea, my late…

Maybe — maybe not — Like most people I know, I have a regular job/career that pays the bills, allows me to save, invest, and give, and provides my health insurance. However, the salary for U.S. teachers is not generous, considering I have a Master's degree. I would always like to save and invest more. …

and when a murderer? — There is a fairly common scene in German television crime shows that Americans just don’t get. A child celebrates his fourteenth birthday, and the doorbell rings. But it’s not another birthday guests; it’s the police. The detective says, “We have you on camera that you stole from this store at…

In turbulent times — First Silicon Valley Bank, then two others collapsed. Of course, that was not cause for immediate concern for me and other merely middle-class minions. Sharon Stone says she lost half of her money, but your grandma did not keep her IRA at this bank; most depositors (venture capitalists and start-ups)…

More important than ever — How does your new car lose value? You drive it home from the dealership. Yes, cars depreciate — fast! Buying a new car every three or five years is not the way to build wealth. I drive my cars for at least 10 years or 150000 miles. …

Coast FIRE — Stuck in a cubicle from 9–5, many Americans may dream of early retirement. Proponents of the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) actually plan to make that happen, but they still have to decide which form of FIRE they will pursue. Many who live frugally and embrace that lifestyle choose…

Is his influence waning? (Satire) —

Is his influence gone? (Satire) —