Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Action

“The time is always right to do what is right.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

With respect towards Martin Luther King Day, this is a terrific time to think of his words and vision, and try to employ them in our daily lives at home and at work.

“Let this holiday be a day of reflection, a day of teaching non-violent philosophy and strategy, a day of getting involved in non-violent action for social and economic progress”, wrote Coretta Scott King in The Washington Post in 1983.

The day is more than a day of celebration of the civil rights leader.

“Too many Americans would rather celebrate than follow Dr. King”, as Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children’s Defense Fund, commented. “Many celebrate Dr. King the orator, but ignore his words about the need for reordering the misguided values and national investment priorities he believed are the seeds of America’s downfall.”

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Dr. King’s greatness lay in his willingness to struggle to hear and see the truth; to not give into fear, uncertainty and despair; to continue to grow and to never lose hope, despite every discouragement from his government and even his closest friends and advisers” Edelman advises.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his last Sunday sermon at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in 1968, said:

“It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on time.’ Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God. And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation. So we must help time and realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The “time is ripe right to do what is right” and reject the ugliness, bitterness and greed that have permeated too much of our political discourse. For example, the two U.S. Senate runoff races in Georgia that determined control of the U.S. Senate laid bare the depths of despicableness and hatefulness both conservative and liberal operatives would venture to win those seats for their respective side. The political discourse over linear and social media forced many Georgians to silence their media and not answer their phones.

” We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Moving forward

We need to move forward and not backward and relearn for ourselves and teach our children we can disagree strongly without disagreeing wrongly. “We have a voice, and we are powerful”, said Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, President and CEO, Washington Area Women’s Foundation. “It’s how we choose to harness our voice and power in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead that matters. We cannot be overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. There are actions each of us can take in our daily lives to make a difference.” Lockwood-Shabat states that you can:

  • “Make an effort to understand opinions and beliefs that are different from yours. Read books and articles that explore different opinions and perspectives. Seek out media outlets and journalists that you may not necessarily follow. Have meaningful conversations with the friend, neighbor, or colleague with whom you may disagree.”
  • “Get involved locally. Feel passionate about an issue in your community? Get involved and learn more. Find the organization leading the charge on the issue and get connected. Attend local government meetings or hearings on the issue you care about. Volunteer.”
  • “Become politically active at the local level. Regardless of your political affiliation, become informed about races happening in your own backyard. Learn more about the candidates and their positions. Attend events and voice your opinion and concerns. Support the development of the next generation of political leadership. Consider running for office.”
  • “Use your voice. Speak up when you see a wrong that needs to be righted, whether it’s in your neighborhood, your school or your workplace. Write your local political leaders. Write a letter to the editor or an op-ed.”

MLK Day brings with it a sense of optimism and hope, whether that means you resolve to help others, spend more time taking care of yourself, learn something new. You can be more resolved and committed to fighting for a fairer and more just and equitable community for all Americans.

“Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It maybe unrealistic to burden you with the country’s problems, but if you can do something positive for someone or within your community, it’s a start.

The hope is that Dr. King’s words are as powerful today as when he first said them and that they will inspire positive change and development in the world. For example, he exclaimed, “Lightning makes no sound until it strikes.”

What he meant was that “Apathy cannot be tolerated by an individual, a leader or an organization. If you see something happening, don’t wait for the negative ramifications to occur. Respond to the issue and act. If nothing is said or done, then silence connotes complicity — and that’s what people remember.”


References:

  1. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/01/18/martin-luther-king-jr-life-leadership-lessons.html?__twitter_impression=true
  2. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-time-is-always-right_b_9592976
  3. https://thewomensfoundation.org/2017/time-always-right-whats-right/
  4. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-biden-election-day-2020/card/csOMnlXFihSgJ256gUwI

Social Security Retirement Benefits

Achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances.

Social Security is part of the retirement plan for almost every American worker. It is considered to be one of the three “legs” of retirement finances (retirement plans and savings being the other two), and for some it may be the only source of retirement income. It provides replacement income for qualified retirees and their families.

Planning is the key to creating your best retirement. You’ll need to plan, save and invest for decades to achieve your retirement goals. While many factors affect retirement planning, it is important that you to understand what Social Security can mean to you and your family’s financial future.

As you make your financial and retirement plan, knowing the approximate amount you will receive in Social Security benefits can help you determine how much other retirement income you’ll need to reach your goals.

Social Security replaces a percentage of a worker’s pre-retirement income based on their lifetime earnings. The portion of your pre-retirement wages that Social Security replaces is based on your highest 35 years of earnings and varies depending on how much you earn and when you choose to start benefits.

How Social Security system works

The theory behind the concept of Social Security was that taxes assessed on the wages, up to a statutory limit, of those who are gainfully employed will be used to pay the benefits to those who have left the work force due to old age. This, when you work, you pay taxes into Social Security. Social Security Admission (SSA) use the tax money to pay benefits to:

  • People who have already retired.
  • People who are disabled.
  • Survivors of workers who have died.
  • Dependents of beneficiaries.

The money you pay in taxes isn’t held in a personal account for you to use when you get benefits. SSA uses your taxes to pay people who are getting benefits right now. Any unused money goes to a Social Security trust fund that pays monthly benefits to you and your family when you start receiving retirement benefits.

You can work while you receive Social Security retirement or survivors benefits. When you do, it could mean a higher benefit for you and your family. But, if you’re younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced. The amount that your benefits are reduced, however, isn’t truly lost.

Your benefit will increase at your full retirement age to account for benefits withheld due to earlier earnings. (Spouses and survivors, who receive benefits because they have minor or disabled children in their care, don’t receive increased benefits at full retirement age if benefits were withheld because of work.)

Each year, Social Security Admission (SSA) reviews the records of all Social Security beneficiaries who have wages reported for the previous year. If your latest year of earnings is one of your highest years, they recalculate your benefit and pay you any increase you are due. The increase is retroactive to January of the year after you earned the money.

When you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you are considered retired for SSA purposes. You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits.

If you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, we may reduce your benefit amount.

If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, SSA deducts $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2020, that limit is $18,240.

In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit. In 2020, this limit on your earnings is $48,600. They only count your earnings up to the month before you reach your full retirement age, not your earnings for the entire year.

When you reach full retirement age:

  • Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn.
  • SSA will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for the months we reduced or withheld benefits due to your excess earnings.

To Receive Benefits

The age you begin collecting your retirement benefit affects how much you will receive. There are three important things to know about age when thinking about when to start your benefits.

  • Full Retirement Age – Full retirement age is the age when you will be able to collect your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67. You can find your full retirement age by birth year in the full retirement age chart.
  • Early Retirement Age – You can get Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, your benefit is reduced if you start receiving benefits before your full retirement age. Understand how claiming retirement benefits early will affect your benefit amount.
  • Delayed Retirement Age – When you delay collecting benefits beyond your full retirement age, the amount of your retirement benefit will continue to increase up until age 70. There is no incentive to delay claiming after age 70.

In 2020, if you’re under full retirement age, the annual earnings limit is $18,240. If you will reach full retirement age in 2020, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $48,600.

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your benefits.

Let’s look at a few examples. You are receiving Social Security retirement benefits every month in 2020 and you:

  • Are under full retirement age all year. You are entitled to $800 a month in benefits. ($9,600 for the year)
    You work and earn $28,240 ($10,000 over the $18,240 limit) during the year. Your Social Security benefits would be reduced by $5,000 ($1 for every $2 you earned over the limit). You would receive $4,600 of your $9,600 in benefits for the year. ($9,600 – $5,000 = $4,600)
  • Reach full retirement age in August 2020. You are entitled to $800 per month in benefits. ($9,600 for the year)
    You work and earn $63,000 during the year, with $50,718 of it in the 7 months from January through July. ($2,118 over the $48,600 limit)
  • Your Social Security benefits would be reduced through July by $706 ($1 for every $3 you earned over the limit). You would still receive $4,894 out of your $5,600 benefits for the first 7 months. ($5,600 – $706 = $4,894)
  • Beginning in August 2020, when you reach full retirement age, you would receive your full benefit ($800 per month), no matter how much you earn.

When SSA figures out how much to deduct from your benefits, they count only the wages you make from your job or your net profit if you’re self-employed. They include bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay. They don’t count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans, or other government or military retirement benefits.


References:

  1. https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html
  2. https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/learn.html
  3. https://www.aaii.com/journal/article/13102-a-primer-on-social-security?via=emailsignup-readmore
  4. https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/learn.html#h2

Meet the Teens Saving for Retirement | Money Magazine

Aside


References:

  1. https://money.com/teenagers-retirement-savings-roth-ira/?amp=true&__twitter_impression=true

Dividends are Important in Retirement

“Get paid to wait” Kevin O’Leary

Noted Shark Tank investor, Kevin O’Leary aka “Mr. Wonderful”, has one simple rule when it comes to investing in a stock. If it doesn’t pay a dividend, he does not consider the stock. His investment mantra is “get paid to wait”.

“My whole investment strategy is built around cash flow”, O’Leary said. “I have a little Charlie Munger on my shoulder every day when I look at a deal, and he’s just saying two words: ‘cash flow, cash flow.'”

Know your cash flow.

How much do you make after taxes? How much do you spend. Investors in retirement must figure out how to generate cash flow without a job from multiple income streams to meet essential living expenses and spending while also making sure they don’t outlive their income stream.

Receiving regular dividends, or “getting paid to wait” reduces an investor’s dependence on the market’s volatility and the roller coaster like price swings by stocks to make ends meet.

Essentially, dividends could become investors “cash flow” in retirement. Naturally, then, the best retirement stocks to buy in 2021 (or any other year) to accomplish those objectives are ones that pay dividends.

Regular dividends lessen an investor’s dependence on the market’s fickle price swings because it reduces or eliminates the need to sell shares to generate income. Regardless of whether the market rises or falls in 2021, a portfolio of high-quality companies can provide you with predictable, growing dividend income.

And in today’s low-interest-rate environment, dividend stocks can generate much higher income than many fixed-income instruments. Better still, many dividend-paying stocks grow their payouts, which preserves those dividends’ purchasing power. And dividend stocks, like other equities, also provide meaningful long-term price appreciation potential.

Whether or not the market rises or falls, a portfolio of quality businesses delivering predictable, growing dividend income is always preferred.

Dividend stocks, like other equities, can provide long-term price appreciation. Dividends are the periodic payouts investors can earn by investing. And because many companies pay a dividend — more than 80% of the S&P 500 stocks currently pay dividends, according to data from FactSet — investors can actually earn money even when the market is down.

Research firm Simply Safe Dividends published an in-depth guide about living on dividends in retirement here. However, a key component to this strategy is finding the best retirement stocks that can deliver safe dividends and grow in value over time.

What are Dividend Stocks

When investors buy stocks, they can make money two different ways. The first is by selling their shares for a price that’s higher than their original cost. The second is by collecting dividends. Dividend stocks are companies that pay shareholders a portion of earnings, as dividend, on a regular basis. Not all stocks pay dividends, but those that do offer shareholders a steady stream of income.

These payments are funded by profits and cash flow that a company generates but doesn’t need to retain to reinvest in the business. Shareholders can receive dividends as cash or additional shares of stock. As an investment category, dividend stocks also have an impressive track record of helping people build wealth over the long term.

To live on dividends in retirement, a key component to this strategy is finding the best retirement stocks that can deliver safe dividends and grow in value over time. Look for companies with a history of paying and increasing dividends, as well as sufficient earnings and cash flow from current operations.

Dividend Aristocrats

Dividend Aristocrats are a select group of S&P 500 Index stocks with a history of 25+ years of consecutive dividend increases. These businesses have both the desire and ability to pay shareholders rising dividends year-after-year. They are considered the ‘best of the best’ dividend growth stocks.

The Dividend Aristocrats have a long history of outperforming the market. The requirements to be a Dividend Aristocrat are that they’re in the S&P 500, have 25+ consecutive years of dividend increase, and must meet certain minimum market cap and liquidity requirements.

Dividend Yield

Dividend yield refers to a stock’s annual dividend payments to shareholders expressed as a percentage of the stock’s current market price. A stock’s dividend yield can and frequently does change over time, either in response to market fluctuations or as a result of dividend increases or decreases by the issuing company. And, it’s important to keep in mind that a high dividend yield alone doesn’t make a stock a great investment.

Dividend amounts and yield might seem small in mid-2019. The average dividend payment for U.S. stocks was 1.87% of your investment, according to Siblis Research. Regardless the size of the ratio, they can drastically impact an investor’s long-term investment performance and retirement income.

GE’s Dividend Story

General Electric (GE) has been one of America’s most widely held stocks, and countless retirees relied on the dividend payments. But, the company was under enormous balance sheet and cash flow pressure, and it became necessary to cut the dividend in half. By cutting, GE saved significant cash flow making it one of the largest dividend cuts in the history of the S&P 500 and the biggest for GE since 2009, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.

But dividend cuts had been rare at the time since many companies were increasing them because the U.S. economy was healthy and the stock market was booming. GE’s dividend had been reliably paid for multiple decades.

Prior to GE Board’s decision to cut its dividend, GE was having problems and could not earn enough money to cover its dividend payments. Free cash flow, which measures how much cash is being generated after investing in the business, had deteriorated for six straight years.

Dividends: Cash Flow is King during Retirement

The distinction between income and cash flow is important during retirement. Generating income in retirement is focused on finding investments that pay a high yield, which necessarily means taking on more risk. Focusing instead on cash flow allows investors to take a broader perspective, assessing various aspects of their finances to determine how to creatively produce the money required for expenses. Cash flow strategies may allow retirees to reach their financial goals while not necessarily taking on a higher level of risk.

A primary financial goal in retirement is to guarantee a minimum daily standard of living so you don’t outlive your nest egg and can sleep well at night.  Some folks are able to meet that minimum income amount they need through some combination of pension income, Social Security payments, and guaranteed interest from certificates of deposit. 

 “I have found that retirement is all about cash flow, not net worth, especially after the real estate crash. I have met people who have a net worth of $2 million, which looks great on paper, but when it comes to retirement income, they are just barely squeaking by on their Social Security and a small pension. It’s great that you are worth $2 million, but ultimately, it’s your cash flow that will determine your quality of life in retirement, not your net worth.” Jason R. Parker, Sound Retirement Planning: A Retirement Plan Designed to Achieve Clarity, Confidence & Freedom

When picking dividend stocks, chasing yield can cause issues where the price has declined, which may be an opportunity for capital appreciation, but may create greater risk for income seekers since the stock may be cheap for a legitimate idiosyncratic reason.

It’s important for investors to find a company they feel comfortable with, and whose product line they understand. Next, they can look at the company’s ability to generate sufficient earnings and cash flow to pay their annual dividends, operate their business, and have enough left over to grow, remembering that not all quarters must indicate growth.

An investor’s particular situation must be considered such as their required income needs during retirement, weighed against their desire for capital growth— typically, lower-growth segments, such as utilities, pay more yield. Investors who allocate upwards of 80-100% of their portfolio to dividend-paying stocks to generate more income and achieve stronger long-term capital appreciation potential and income growth, are incurring greater risks.

Additionally, their specific risk/reward trade-off (and there is risk in all stocks), keeping in mind their ability to ride out a downturn without having to sell the stock on the way down.


References:

  1. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/shark-tank-star-kevin-oleary-investing-yahoo-short-retail-pandemic-2021-1-1029932948
  2. https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/stocks/dividend-stocks/602016/21-best-retirement-stocks-income-rich-2021
  3. https://www.simplysafedividends.com/intelligent-income/posts/1-living-off-dividends-in-retirement
  4. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanshenkman/2020/10/21/7-strategies-to-generate-sufficient-cash-flow-in-retirement/?sh=2fe4062b2ac4#click=https://t.co/qv3DensgA1
  5. https://www.spindices.com/documents/education/indexology-december-2017-can-dividends-yield-a-better-retirement.pdf?force_download=true
  6. https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/dividend.aspx
  7. https://www.fool.com/investing/your-definitive-dividend-investing-guide.aspx

Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever

Don’t try to overhaul your life overnight. Instead, focus on making one small change at a time. Over time, those small changes will add up to big transformation. Don’t give up!”

A reporter once asked Albert Einstein what’s man’s greatest invention was, and the scientist, after a long pause, simply replied: “Compound interest.”

Compounding—the idea of something gaining value exponentially into the future through better decisions made in the present—is one of the greatest lessons any human being can ever learn.

In Becoming Ageless, “it is never too late to reverse how you look and feel, and to develop the mindset of how you do it. Day in and day out, if you want to live longer and live better, you need a clear and basic understanding that the outcome of your journey is the sum of its steps.”

There are no guarantees with your physical or emotional health, just as there are no guarantees with your wealth. But, you can stack the odds in your favor by making sacrifices today that are worth the gains in the long term.

And with the principles explained in Becoming Ageless, you’ll be living longer—and with greater clarity of thought, mobility, and freedom from pain. Ultimately, you can take the tactical insights about daily living and the strategic insight into the larger quest to live longer and better. After all, you can be living proof that if you’re willing to consistently and incrementally implement small changes—while keeping your eye on the larger goal at all times—you’ll boost your chances of living longer and living happier than you ever imagined.

You can have the mind, body, and spirit of someone half your age, and add more years to your life. Or, you can have people stare in disbelief when they discover how old you really are. You can become…ageless?  You can. It’s possible.

Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever is the result of years of research into the science of longevity. It is about looking and feeling eternal. It has worked, and it will work for you. On this effective plan, you’ll:

  • Lose stubborn belly fat and watch the pounds melt away.
  • Enjoy amazing meals, workouts, and a sense of community.
  • Look and feel noticeabley younger—for life!
  • The strategies contained inside Becoming Ageless, you’ll discover:
    • An easy and effective program for everyone that will help you flatten your gut and become healthier than you ever thought possible.
    • Delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make recipes including hearty breakfasts, easy-to-make lunches, filling dinners, and even desserts.
    • A full workout plan that will sculpt your body and help you prevent back pain and sleep better.
    • A holistic mind/body approach that really works. Look and feel better than ever without deprivation dieting, counting calories—or ever feeling hungry!

    Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever, explains exactly what it takes to be fit and healthy at any age with all the research to support it.

    The three most interesting things Zelnick learned about keeping the mind and body young.

    1. Try the less-is-more approach.

    When it comes to staying youthful and increasing longevity, deliberately plodding along can actually be more effective than going all out. A 2015 study looked at more than 1,000 runners and found that those who jogged slowly had lower mortality rates than those who ran faster. “I was a terrible runner, so a few years ago I worked with a coach,” says Zelnick. Even though they suggested brisk, one-hour sessions, Zelnick insisted on 45-minute jogs. “That was just at the brink of what I could live with before saying, ‘I hate this so much, I’ll never do it again,’” he says. “Taking it slow and steady was my strategy.”

    2. Stay adventurous.

    Research from the University of Texas at Dallas found that trying new, cognitively demanding activities improves memory function in older adulthood. “It’s just not true that we lose the ability to learn or improve our performance after the age of 25,” says Zelnick. “I picked up skiing in my 30s, cycling in my 40s, boxing in my 50s, and I’m picking up gymnastics and squash now.” Not only is it possible to learn new skills as you age, but doing so can keep your body and brain young.

    3. Accept the learning process.

    Study upon study shows the importance of grit in predicting success, and Zelnick believes it also keeps you young. You probably won’t pull off a world-class performance the first, even the 10th time you try something. “Don’t be afraid of failure or slow progress,” he says. “There are days when I play squash and I do really badly. And yes, I might get frustrated with myself but then I realize, you know what? I showed up, I did the best I could, I’ll do better the next time—or I won’t. But I’m still going to keep going.”

    With Becoming Ageless, you’ll feel fitter, sharper, and more energized than ever before—with the body of someone half your age! Boost your metabolism and enjoy all-day energy. Feel younger for life. All you have to do is follow the four secrets in the book.

    – Ageless Secret #1 You’ll Indulge in Delicious Foods 
    It’s true: You can eat to be younger. Most people associate eating for health or weight loss with a “diet”—It’s important to break that association. Diets fail. Instead, focus on “Forever Fuel.” It doesn’t mean you can’t eat your favorite foods; you’re just getting the best versions of them. On the Becoming Ageless plan, enjoy the following and lose 20+ pounds:

    • Unlimited Foods—Lean Protein, Salads, and Vegetables—eat as much as you want. bison, light tuna, chicken, eggs, grass-fed beef.
    • Limited Foods—Some fruits and dried fruits, nuts, and cheese—in moderation.
    • Highly restricted foods—no processed foods, fried foods, or added sugars. Processed foods account for 70% of the calories that Americans take in. They don’t just make you fat; they age you. Research has linked ultraprocessed foods to a higher risk for obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Intriguing new work even suggests that they may actually encourage overeating, possibly because their particular mashup of ingredients disrupts the hormones that control hunger, or it scrambles the gut-brain signals that tell us how much to eat.
    • Commit yourself to eating sensibly and eating yourself healthy.

    The book is packed with a ton of easy-to-make recipes that will help you get your best body ever. It’s true—even with a busy schedule, you can cook, because they’re that simple. And if you cook just three meals a week, you’ll live a decade longer, studies show.

    – Ageless Secret #2: You’ll Unlock Your Inner Strength
    Fitness is the foundation for so much success in many individuals lives—it improved their moods, shrunk their belly, got them out with colleagues (which led to promotions) and you don’t have to run an ultra-marathon or climb Mt. Everest. Just commit and be consistent. Get moving a little every day.

    Work out every morning and some evenings. Some moves take just minutes to do. Here’s a few ways to do it right:

    • Start slow—incorporate regular walks or body weight exercises to feel the burn.
    • Workout when you’re working—like with a stressball or a hand grip strengthener
    • Incorporate a complete exercise plan for building muscle. Use it and you’ll avoid back pain and get injured less.

    – Ageless Secret #3: You’ll Bulletproof Your Body
    You can’t feel younger if you’re sick all the time.  You want to turn your body into a disease-fighting machine. That’s why you should include:

    • Preventative measures—a complete checklist of all the tests you need, and when you should have them.
    • A guide to better sleep, so you can have a more peaceful rest.
    • Cover mental health too…favorite tip to boost confidence is to ditch the scale. Measure success by what you see in the mirror and how you look and feel. If you like what you see, what the scale reads isn’t important. That was a game-changer. Little changes mean big results.

    – Ageless Secret #4: You’ll Discover a Deeper Connection
    People who focus solely on the body and not the mind are shortchanging themselves. For lasting success, it’s essential to construct a support system that will hold you accountable—and provide incentives for you to succeed. Consider texting a friend after every workout, and revel in the virtual high-five; better yet, join a workout class. You’ll strengthen bonds with friends and loved ones and elevate your mood and productivity.

    It’s a benefit in embracing my spiritual side. For quiet reflection, personally integrate morning prayer. It’s life-changing, and feeds into personal success on every level. To help you focus, meditate, do yoga, and find a community that supports your new lifestyle.

    By following the pillars in Becoming Ageless, you’ll be happier and healthier; stave off disease; enhance your spiritual connections; and lose fat from where it matters most. That’s something you want at any age. It works.

    Start by asking yourself an important question: “What do I want?” That answer will drive every decision you make. It will also make the how easier to pinpoint and, eventually, accomplish. Here are a few answers to that question: You May want to . . .

    • Live as long and healthily as possible while being cogent and mobile.
    • Be fit and strong.
    • Perform my job at my highest level.
    • Have warm and meaningful relationships with my family and friends.
    • Push my limits both mentally and physically.
    • Look good in and out of clothes.
    • Feel youthful, happy, satisfied, and as stress-free as possible.
    • Be spiritually connected.
    • Help others achieve their goals.

    You don’t want is to be limited or defined by your age. Yet sometimes, we forget that, while there’s no stopping the passage of time, we can control how well we age. Because the notion that you’ll get too old to run marathons, too weak for century rides, too fragile to ski or snowboard, or too fatigued to keep up with your grandchildren at a park is just plain wrong.

    It doesn’t matter if you’re a millennial or a centenarian: Right now, you have all the resources you need to make changes to obtain or reclaim the life you want. That’s if you know what you want. So think about what you want. Be honest and don’t edit your thoughts. Contemplate it for a week if you need to. Then write down five to 10 goals. Write them right now.

    About the Author

    Strauss Zelnick is founder of the private equity firm Zelnick Media Capital and president and CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the company behind blockbuster video games such as Grand Theft Auto and NBA2K.

    “Live your truth!”


    UCLA Legendary Men’s Basketball Coach: The Wooden Effecting

    “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” John Wooden

    During Coach John Robert Wooden’s career at UCLA overseeing the men’s basketball program, he led the basketball team to an 88-game winning streak and 10 NCAA championship titles. But Coach Wooden was equally revered for being a mentor and lifelong teacher.

    John Wooden is a legend in basketball, but more important, he is a legend in serving mankind. He was a master teacher and mentor to many inside and outside the sport of men’s college basketball. His Seven Point Creed was a timeless gift that his father gave him as a teenager entitled “Seven Things to Do” – which Coach later coined Seven Point Creed. The Creed contained the following advice:

    1. Be true to yourself.
    2. Make each day your masterpiece.
    3. Help others.
    4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
    5. Make friendship a fine art.
    6. Build a shelter (emergency fund, insurance, etc.) against a rainy day.
    7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

    Coach Wooden also always carried his own creed on a card that read, ‘The Four Things a Man Must Learn to Do”, which are:

    • Think without confusion clearly
    • Love his fellow-men sincerely
    • Act from honest motives purely
    • Trust in God and heaven securely

    Real success

    Real success, according to Coach Wooden, is defined not by wins and losses, but by the daily development of yourself and giving your best in all you do. Simple as the principles might seem, truly delivering on them requires effort most won’t or aren’t willing to give.

    Pyramid of Success

    The Pyramid of Success consists of philosophical building blocks for succeeding at basketball and at life.

    At the top of the Pyramid of Success was “Competitive Greatness” which Wooden defined as “Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.” By pushing yourself to achieve competitive greatness—the apex of Wooden’s Pyramid of Success—you’ll not only achieve all the rewards in your own life, but also have a favorable effect on your family and everyone you come in contact with.

    Wooden believed that his greatest responsibility as a coach and teacher was to turn his players into mature and honorable young men, who were well prepared for life beyond basketball, and that his student-athletes’ success should not be measured by grades and wins alone, but also by heart and character.

    “Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be, Your character is what you really are.” John Wooden

    Among Wooden’s maxims:

    • Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
    • Flexibility is the key to stability
    • Be quick, but don’t hurry
    • Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference

    Key takeaways

    Remember that success, according to Coach Wooden, is not defined by victories. Instead, he defined success as “peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”

    Don’t be afraid to fail because if you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing. If you have thoroughly prepared and are ready to give it all you’ve got, there is no shame if you fail-nothing to fear in failure. But fear of failure is what often prevents one from taking action.

    Be confident but not arrogant since arrogance, or elitism, is the feeling of superiority that fosters the assumption that past success will be repeated without the same hard effort that brought it about in the first place. Thus, “I have never gone into a game assuming victory”, Coach Wooden said. “All opponents have been respected, none feared. I taught those under my supervision to do the same. This reflects confidence, not arrogance. Arrogance will bring you down by your own hands.”

    Pay attention to the little things. As a coach, Wooden was known for teaching his players how to put on their socks and shoes on the first day of practice. The lesson: Every detail matters.


    References:

    1. https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/success-december-cover-story-featuring-john-wooden/
    2. https://www.woodencourse.com/the-pyramid-of-success/seven-point-creed
    3. https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/wooden-life-lessons/
    4. https://www.success.com/why-john-wooden-inspires-us/
    5. https://parade.com/969195/megangrant/new-years-resolutions-ideas/
    6. https://www.success.com/words-of-wisdom-ucla-legend-john-wooden/

    Purpose Driven Saving, Investing and Accumulating Wealth

    Investing with a Purpose – “Start with the Why” regarding saving, investing and accumulating wealth.  It’s about your values and life goals.  It’s about keeping your eyes on the prize and on the why you’re saving, investing and accumulating wealth.

    There is an underlying reason why you invest your hard-earned money and it’s not just to earn more money.  While that may be the ultimate outcome, the “Why” or “Purpose” of investing is something completely different.  Simply put, you invest to achieve your financial goals in life. These goals are different for every person.  Maybe it’s retirement, a child’s college education, buying a beach house, or planning for the next generation. We all have our own goals, whatever they may be.  It’s your mission to plan out a clear path to achieve those goals. This is what is considered Investing with Purpose.

    Purpose-driven investing thrives by instilling a sense of purpose into any investment.  People seek to achieve real-life objectives such as saving for your kid’s college or your retirement.

    A firm purpose behind your saving for the future, investing for the long term and accumulating wealth will ensure that you are making the right money management decisions today to achieve long term financial success. Your risk will be optimized when your purpose for saving, investing and accumulating wealth matches your goals and timeline.

    People Invest to Achieve Personal Financial Goals

    “An investor without investment goals, objectives and a plan is like a traveler without a destination.” Anonymous

    Understanding your values and what you want to accomplish in life is essential to “Purpose Driven” saving, Investing and accumulating wealth.  Saving, investing and accumulating wealth are deeply personal undertakings, which is why you must always start with a discussion about what’s really important to you. This helps us shape your saving, investing and accumulating wealth strategy around three key dimensions of your financial life: liquidity, longevity and legacy.

    When people are asked why they invest, their answers typically are focused on family and future goals in life—buying a house, saving for emergencies, retirement, taking care of loved ones. Those are the big picture answers. But as in life, it’s often as much about the journey as the destination. Investors have specific expectations about the investment experience, as well as the outcomes.

    For example, some investors want long-term growth to build their retirement nest egg, but they don’t want to feel the volatility that can occur in the broader stock market. Others want regular income distributions after they reach retirement. Still others want investments that can help them manage through changes in the economic environment, or more personal economic challenges.

    Create the future you want for yourself and your loved ones. New to investing or an experienced trader. To be great and successful at any endeavor, you’ve got to sacrifice and put in the work, because anything easy is just average. To become great you have to make big sacrifices and work really hard — much above average.

    Wise spending is a subset of wise investing. And, it’s never too late to start investing.

    When you invest in assets over the long term, you are buying a day in the present that you don’t have to work several days in the future.

    I like this quote since it succinctly defines one of the primary reason for investing … “putting away money today so sometime in the future, you do not have to work to live”. And the seeds you sow today, will reap the financial harvest to live a life in retirement with dignity and financial security.

    Your actions dictate the consequences. Reaps what they sow, they suffer or benefit as a result of their own actions.

    Investments are the tools we use to make your financial plan successful.  With your plan as the guide, your stock portfolio should be designed around your personal situation, needs, and goals.

    Long-Term Investors Have Almost Always Experienced Positive Returns

    S&P 500 rolling returns have been almost always positive over the long-term.

    One of the best ways to invest is over the long term and it’s more important than ever to focus on long-term investing. It’s long-term investing strategy where investors can accumulate wealth. By investing long term, you can meet your financial goals and increase your financial security.

    94% of 10-year rolling returns have been positive since 2000.

    Rolling returns are measured over consecutive periods starting with the earliest period and finishing with the most recent. For example, the period of measure for a 10-year rolling return for an investment as of the end of February, would be 03/01/2010 through 02/29/2020.

    Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P. as of 02/28/2020. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The referenced index is shown for informational purposes only and is not meant to represent the Fund. Investors cannot directly invest in an index.

    Investing and learning to think long-term

    While many investors of all ages think of investing as trying to time the market to make a short-term return on their investment, investing for the long-term investing is one of the best ways and a proven strategy for investor to accumulate wealth over time and achieve financial security. But the first step is learning to think long term, and avoiding obsessively following the markets daily ups and downs.


    References:

    1. https://oshares.com/long-term-investors-have-almost-always-experienced-positive-returns/
    2. https://www.bankrate.com/investing/best-long-term-investments/

    6 simple ways to take action in your financial life without hurting your long-term goals | Vanguard

    “It’s natural and human to feel like you need to take action and “do” something–anything–to stay in control and protect your financial interests.”

    Scientific studies have shown that the human brain really likes to feel in control. We’re built to take action to protect ourselves and the people we love when signs point to trouble.

    That’s why when markets become volatile, it’s natural and human to feel like you need to take action and “do” something–anything–to stay in control and protect your financial interests. You might feel anxious or worried. Don’t worry; you’re not alone in feeling that way.

    Taking action during uncertain times may help you feel more confident about the way things will turn out. That said, if you feel like you need to make changes to your portfolio, it’s important to make sure that the action you take won’t put your long-term financial goals in jeopardy.

    Here are some things you can do to feel in control without losing sight of the bigger picture:

    Run some numbers

    If you feel you have to do something, consider starting with your calculator. Numbers can give you a rational way of framing things that can settle some of those anxious feelings. For example, you can analyze how market conditions have affected your portfolio and compare it with the expectations you had based on your risk tolerance. Or compare your current asset mix with your target and rebalance if it differs by 5 percentage points or more.

    Speak the language of action

    Describing your strategy as “staying the course” or “doing nothing” may make you feel you’re not doing enough. Instead, describe what you’re doing as fighting the impulse to get out of the market or giving your portfolio an opportunity to rebound. You’re trusting your mix of assets to get you through market ups and downs, and that takes mental strength. Give yourself credit where it’s due.

    Talk it over

    Consider sharing your plan of action with others. Take a look at the Vanguard Blog for inspiration. When other people show support for what you’re doing and chime in that they’re doing it too, it can make you feel good about your choices. Helping others when they have questions can also go a long way toward building your confidence.

    Take comfort in history

    So far, every market downturn in history has been followed by a rebound. We don’t know when it will happen or how big it will be, but there’s good reason to believe that better times are ahead.

    Think about what you can control

    If you’re saving for retirement, you may be able to control how much you save or how long you can save (if you have a retirement date in mind). If you’re retired, you may be able to adjust the percentage of your portfolio you withdraw during a market downturn.

    Your spending habits are within your control too. Of course, it’s probably not realistic to expect that you’ll start clipping coupons, switch to generic brands, and skip your afternoon coffee run all at once. Try cutting down your spending in just one area at a time to see what works best for your life.

    We recognize that this is your portfolio, and you control your asset mix. We don’t recommend changing your asset mix in response to market movement, but if you’re determined to make a change to your portfolio, make it a small one. Some examples of small things you can do: Direct one of your stock funds’ investment earnings to a bond fund, or change the asset mix of a single account rather than your entire portfolio.

    Lean in

    Lean on personal financial advisors to provide you with the leadership you need to make it through uncertain times. Trusting a financial expert to bring order to a situation that feels out of control can help you ease anxious feelings.


    Source: https://investornews.vanguard/6-simple-ways-to-take-action-in-your-financial-life-without-hurting-your-long-term-goals/?cmpgn=BR:OSM:OSMFB:OTHERS:072920:TXL:OTM:xx::OTHR:OTH:OTS:XXX::XX&sf235757186=1

    Note: All investing is subject to risk, including possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

    Personal Emergency Fund

    Emergencies—from a vehicle breakdown to a layoff—are a fact of life. When you’re faced with life’s unexpected events, you can be ready.

    When things are going well financially and monthly expenses are being paid, emergency savings can seem unimportant. Yet, emergencies are unpredictable and can quickly derail your financial stability. And, a recent FINRA Study finds that 56% of people in the United States don’t have a rainy day fund that would cover 3 months of expenses.(1)

    A sudden illness or accident, unexpected job loss, or even a surprise home or car repair can devastate your family’s day-to-day cash flow if you aren’t prepared. While emergencies can’t always be avoided, having an emergency fund can take some of the financial sting out of dealing with these unexpected events.

    Being prepared for the unexpected – ensuring you’ve done what you can to protect yourself and the ones you love – can reduce stress and provide a good feeling. Many people at some time in life find they need to dip into savings during a rough patch, so make an effort to open an emergency savings account and try to make deposits on a regular basis.

    An emergency fund are savings used to cover or offset the expense of an unforeseen situation. It shouldn’t be considered a nest egg or calculated as part of a long-term savings plan for college tuition, a new car, or a vacation. Instead, this fund serves as a safety net, only to be tapped when financial crises occur.

    It is a good idea to work toward an emergency fund equal to 3 to 6 months of living expenses. But anything you can put away is better than being unprepared. Saving up emergency cash can be easier if your financial institution has an automatic payroll savings plan. These plans automatically transfer a designated amount of your salary each pay period – before you see your paycheck – directly into your account.

    An emergency fund is useful for unexpected expenses, and to maintain personal financial liquidity and cash flow.

    Reasons why emergency savings are important:

    • Being prepared – Issues like car or home appliance repair are common occurrences. However, since they do not happen regularly, people often overlook these costs as they create a budget. By anticipating these costs, you can be prepared for these potentially expensive items.
    • Avoiding debt – Emergency savings give you the option of dealing with the unexpected without having to take on debt. Without the cushion of emergency savings, you may be unable to pay regular bills if you face an emergency, and are more likely to take on debt.
    • Having peace of mind – Having emergency savings will give you peace of mind. Even if you can’t save much, a little money set aside may make a big difference when you need it and reduce stress.
    • Emergency savings give you the option of dealing with the unexpected without having to take on debt. Without the cushion of emergency savings, you may be unable to pay regular bills if you face an emergency, and are more likely to take on debt.

    Thus, an emergency savings is a stash of money set aside to cover the financial surprises life throws your way. These unexpected events can be stressful and costly. Some of the top emergencies people face are:

    • Job loss.
    • Medical or dental emergency.
    • Unexpected home repairs.
    • Car troubles.
    • Unplanned travel expenses.

    Emergency funds create a financial buffer that can keep you afloat in a time of financial need without having to rely on credit cards or take out high-interest personal loans. It can be especially important to have an emergency fund if you have debt, because it can help you avoid borrowing more.

    The right amount for you depends on your unique financial circumstances. Most experts believe you should have enough money in your emergency fund to cover at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses in case of an unexpected financial emergency. This account should be relatively liquid.

    For your emergency or rainy day fund, you’ll want to choose savings or investments accounts that are:

    • Safe from market risk. You want to know that your money will be there when you need it—especially in times of market or economic turbulence.
    • Easy to access. This will ensure you’ll be able to take care of your emergency quickly
    • Interest-bearing. The point of an emergency fund isn’t to make money, but don’t turn down the opportunity to earn interest on your savings.

    If you lose your job, for instance, you could use the money to pay for necessities while you find a new one, or the funds could supplement your unemployment benefits.

    Start small, but start.

    Saving even small amounts such as $500 can get you out of many financial scrapes. Put something away now, and build your fund over time.

    An emergency can strike at any time, having quick access is crucial. But the account should be separate from a bank account you use daily, so you’re not tempted to dip into your reserves.
    Building an emergency fundCalculate the total that you want to save. To figure out how to add up your expenses for six months.

    1. Set a monthly savings goal. Get into the habit of saving regularly. One way to do this is by automatically transferring funds to your savings account each time you get paid.
    2. Keep the change. When you get $1 and $5 bills after breaking a $20, drop some in a jar at home. When the jar fills up, move it into your savings account.
    3. Move money into your savings account automatically. If your employer offers direct deposit, there’s a good chance they can help you break up your paycheck into multiple checking and savings accounts.
    4. If there’s no money left, cut expenses. See which parts of your monthly spending you can trim, so you’ll have cash left over to build your fund.
    5. Get supplemental income. If you have the time and willpower, get a side hustle or sell unused items from home to accumulate more money for your fund.
    6. Save your tax refund. Saving tax refund can be an easy way to boost your emergency stash. When you file your taxes, consider having your refund deposited directly into your emergency account.
    7. Assess and adjust contributions. Check in after a few months to see how much you’re saving, and adjust if you need to add more.

    An emergency fund is for emergencies only. Usually it’s something that affects your health, your home or your ability to earn money.

    What’s not an emergency?

    • Holidays, birthdays and mental pick-me-ups for yourself or significant others.
    • Vacations.
    • The chance to get a great deal on something you don’t need.
    • Expenses that aren’t surprises, such as car insurance.

    When saving, draw a line between emergencies expenses and everything else. In fact, once you’ve hit a reasonable threshold of emergency savings, it’s a good idea to open multiple savings account for irregular but inevitable items such as car maintenance, vacations and clothing.

    Everyone needs to save for the unexpected. Having something in reserve can mean the difference between weathering a short-term financial storm or going deep into debt. Emergency savings can help you handle unexpected events. With money set aside for emergencies like unexpected car repairs or sudden job loss, you can better take care of yourself and your family financially.

    Building an emergency fund

    Calculate the total that you want to save. To figure out how to add up your expenses for six months.

    1. Set a monthly savings goal. Get into the habit of saving regularly. One way to do this is by automatically transferring funds to your savings account each time you get paid.
    2. Keep the change. When you get $1 and $5 bills after breaking a $20, drop some in a jar at home. When the jar fills up, move it into your savings account.
    3. Move money into your savings account automatically. If your employer offers direct deposit, there’s a good chance they can help you break up your paycheck into multiple checking and savings accounts.
    4. If there’s no money left, cut expenses. See which parts of your monthly spending you can trim, so you’ll have cash left over to build your fund.
    5. Get supplemental income. If you have the time and willpower, get a side hustle or sell unused items from home to accumulate more money for your fund.
    6. Save your tax refund. Saving tax refund can be an easy way to boost your emergency stash. When you file your taxes, consider having your refund deposited directly into your emergency account.
    7. Assess and adjust contributions. Check in after a few months to see how much you’re saving, and adjust if you need to add more.

    An emergency fund is for emergencies only. Usually it’s something that affects your health, your home or your ability to earn money.

    What’s not an emergency?

    • Holidays, birthdays and mental pick-me-ups for yourself or significant others.
    • Vacations.
    • The chance to get a great deal on something you don’t need.
    • Expenses that aren’t surprises, such as car insurance.

    When saving, draw a line between emergencies expenses and everything else. In fact, once you’ve hit a reasonable threshold of emergency savings, it’s a good idea to open multiple savings account for irregular but inevitable items such as car maintenance, vacations and clothing.


    Sources:

    1. FINRA Investor Education Foundation National Financial Capability Study, 2012, pg. 13
    2. https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/savings/life-build-emergency-fund/
    3. https://www.thebalance.com/do-you-need-a-rainy-day-fund-and-an-emergency-fund-4178821
    4. Building Emergency Savings, UMBC