The Army Of American Productivity And Your Retirement
A recent Gallup study showed that only 31% of the workforce in the U.S. and Canada loved or even liked their jobs, referring to this group as “engaged.” The other 69% were either “quiet quitting,” meaning they expel just enough energy to keep a job, or “loud quitting,” where the employee turns venting into a performance of […]
All Aboard! The Happy Retirement Train at the Santa Barbara Zoo
Drive about 90 miles north of Los Angeles along U.S. Route 101, and you’ll find yourself in the stunning coastal city of Santa Barbara, California. With a Mediterranean climate and scenic maritime vistas, it’s not too far from Point Conception, the natural dividing line between Southern and Central California. Visitors marvel at the Spanish architecture, […]
2024 Market Outlook: A Whole New World
The holidays are behind us. As we regain our fighting form, let’s take a moment to gaze downstream and see where the current seems to be heading. No one can predict the future, but specific trends can sometimes be clues. The new year ushers in what could look like “A Whole New World” to investors. […]
American Anxiety Amidst a Healthy Economy
One of the most popular Christmas songs of all time is one you may not have heard. Far from a carol, “Fairytale of New York” is a moody dance ballad by the Celtic punk-folk band The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl. A perennial Christmas hit in the UK and beloved worldwide, in December 2022, the song […]
Defending the 4% Rule for Retirement
Anyone in the Retire Sooner family—readers of my books and articles and listeners to my podcast and radio show—knows how passionate I am about the 4 Percent Rule. Discovered in 1994 by an MIT aeronautics and astronautics graduate turned Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) named William Bengen, this rule of thumb calculated actual stock returns and […]
It’s The Most Wonderful (And Expensive) Time of Year!
As the holidays are rapidly approaching, the main concern I’m hearing is, “How am I going to pay for everything? Inflation is out of control!” Families are concerned about how they are going to fund everything from Christmas and Hannukah presents to holiday travel to holiday meals. People are reluctant to host the holidays at […]
Let’s Get Started with Jill Smith Entrekin
The Happiest Retirees podcast debuted on September 19, 2023, and Jill Smith Entrekin was our very first guest. As the new kids on the podcast block, it was essential to start strong, and Jill’s performance was the bulging bicep we needed to flex our mission of helping families retire happier. What makes Jill a happy […]
Do You Want to Become the Millionaire Next Door?
When you think of a millionaire, what do you see? A butler selecting from an identical lineup of tuxedos parading along a conveyor belt in a closet that smells of rich mahogany? A personal assistant slipping diamond-laced Louboutins over the freshly exfoliated heels of an elegant woman? If these descriptions match your imagination, you’re not alone. But […]
10 Financial Catalyst Events That Could Impact Your Happy Retirement Planning
Change is part of life. There’s no avoiding it, and the energy spent trying is wasted. As we plan for retirement, it’s essential that we accept this reality and make the most of what’s thrown at us. With the right attitude, change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We previously covered ten lifestyle catalysts […]
Client Spotlight: Liz & David’s Dream Trip to Iceland
Our readers know that from time to time, we like to swing the spotlight around, off of us, so that the light can shine brightly upon our clients. Today, we need two lights—one for our clients and one for the Travel and Cruise Authority who helped them plan the trip of a lifetime.
