#WealthManagement #jobs #JobSecurity #JobChanges #investments #savings “Alex” is about in his early 20s. He’s just gotten a promotion, and can now think about his financial future. He hires a good financial adviser who sets up three accounts for him: one for now, one for later and one for retirement. Alex is, the TV ad says, a real client of JP Morgan Wealth Management. The scenario of Alex laid out in the ad seems perfectly normal. A young man starts a promising career and begins to save for life’s eventualities, like a home (“barndominium,” according to the ad), a family and, of course, retirement. But, as discussed often here, that scenario is hardly typical for a 20-something today. If Alex is completely independent from his parents’ financial assistance, he’s very lucky and very unusual. If Alex can get through, say, 40 more years of working, advancing in his career, saving and investing his money wisely – with an adviser’s help, of course – he will be among a small percentage of people in his generation who will do so. For most of his and other generations, careers will veer in wild directions over time. Technology, particularly AI at the moment, will change the employment landscape. Some jobs will be created. Others will be eliminated. It’s unclear in the ad what Alex does for work (he looks as if he’s in construction), but just about every workplace will change over his adult life. And most, if not all, of those changes will come when employees are not expecting them. That may mean people like Alex, if they can start saving and investing now, should. But, they may need that money much sooner than they had planned. Alex may think he can plot his career now. But, more than likely, his best laid plans will be disrupted through no fault of his own. Some disruptions can be planned for. For example, if you see things about your job, or how you do it, that you believe will change in your working life, do what you can to mitigate or even take advantage of those changes. If you see productivity gaps in what you do, chances are your employer will eventually see them, too. When that happens, it may not bode well for you. Try your best to fill those gaps. Still, you cannot stop the progress of technology. It is like running water. You may be able to divert it (perhaps to your advantage), but you cannot stop it. If you can anticipate it, you’re ahead of the game and can make changes. But, more than likely, you will be surprised at least once in your career that the job that you like will change. Those changes likely will not benefit you – at least immediately. So, if Alex in the ad is a real person, his financial adviser should be talking to him about all eventualities that he may see in his working life. As “The Gambler” put it in the Kenny Rogers song: “The best thing you can hope for is to die in your sleep.” Alex’s adviser should be telling him: The best thing he can hope for is to work as long as he wants to, advance when opportunity comes and retire on his terms. If that happens, Alex will certainly be very fortunate. Peter
#retirement #LIvingLonger #RetireLater #optimism #technology The U.S., as with most countries around the world, is aging. Some have suggested, to take the stress off Social Security and Medicare, that the retirement age should be raised. It sounds like a simple solution, but here’s the rub: most employers don’t want a lot of their workers to be older. In fact, a lot of workers are being forced out of their jobs as relatively senior employees, but well before they are able to retire. Many factors are at play. First, older workers cost more and, in some jobs, are less productive. They cost more in salary, benefits and are statistically sicker than younger workers. Second, older workers have older skills. Not that those skills aren’t valuable, but often, with technology, are obsolete. That isn’t to say that older workers can’t learn new skills, but they may be less patient with the constant retraining. Third, artificial intelligence is here. Employers are evaluating how this technology can replace human labor. They may find that they may need fewer people overall, regardless of age, to accomplish tasks. Fourth, it’s been said that the immigration crackdown will force employers to hire U.S.-born labor, opening the door for older workers to keep working. But, some of those jobs are not suitable for aging workers. They may not be able to keep up with the physical demands, through no fault of their own. These factors, and others, are preventing a lot of people from working into their elder years. So, how do we solve the demographic nightmare some see on the horizon? The answer, as some have suggested, is NOT forcing people to have more children. Young people today are having enough difficulty carving out independent lives. Often, they remain dependent on their parents to help subsidize them, because of the high cost of living, student loans and other burdens. If AI makes getting entry-level jobs more difficult, regardless of education, this will compound that problem. There’s no simple solution(s) here. Lifestyles have had to change out of necessity. One can long for yesteryear, but cannot put toothpaste back in the tube. It seems things will get worse during the transformation that technological advances will bring. In the meantime, people will struggle to live as best they can. They may get jobs, they may lose jobs, but, whatever happens to them, cannot lose hope. One cannot live on hope alone, but one cannot live without hope. One has to presume that struggles will ensue. But, he or she must muster the strength to overcome those struggles, however long it takes. We can’t legislate change, but we can legislate common-sense mitigations. What those are may be subject to debate. As individuals, the best thing we can muster is the optimism that things eventually will change for the better. Peter
#children #lessons #chaos #BadBehavior #right #wrong #leaders When children see the political division in this country, what could be going through their minds? Are they seeing people who are supposed to work for the benefit of others only working to benefit themselves? Are they seeing others stand by and watch as people gobble up more for themselves, which means less for others? Are they seeing victims of a child sex trafficking ring get no justice, as the government works to cover up those who perpetrated the crime? Are they seeing people nabbed in the streets, sometimes beaten or even killed, just because of how they look, or for exercising their constitutional rights? Are they being taught never to lie, but see leaders on television tell them not to believe their own eyes and ears? If your child sees all this, do you approve? Were you raised in an environment in which the Golden Rule is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” If so, you can’t, or shouldn’t, be happy with what is going on. And, you can’t be happy that your child is watching all this in plain sight. What will you tell that child when he or she is old enough to start asking questions about what he or she witnessed, or is witnessing? Children see things they probably had been taught at home, in school or at church to be wrong. They see leaders act with less maturity than the children themselves have. They see cowardice masquerading as strength. They see vengeance masquerading as fighting crime. They see kidnapping, physical assault and destruction of property masquerading as law enforcement. They see “leaders” complaining about being victims. They see governmental bodies empowered by the Constitution sit idle as a companion body runs improperly rampant. When seeing all this, your child may not understand when you tell them, “Don’t worry. Everything will turn out OK.” How will your child react when he or she observes your own actions? Are you standing up for what’s right, or are you lying down for political expediency? Are you making your objections heard, or are you sitting back and hoping “everything will turn out OK?” Are you allowing cowardice to overtake you, or are you fearlessly uniting with your neighbors to try to stop the chaos? Are you voting in every election in which you are eligible? In 1968, at the Democratic National Convention, Vietnam War protesters gathered in Chicago chanting, “The Whole World Is Watching!” The police overstepped at that event, too. Your children, perhaps not audibly, are chanting, “We Are Watching!” Are YOU doing the right thing by them? Peter
#reach #stretch #stars #goals #WhateverItTakes #foundation “Keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars.” That was the closing line from Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” regular, syndicated radio show. When first hearing it, it seems contradictory. How can one reach for the stars while keeping his or her feet on the ground? To reach, as many motivational speakers will tell you, you must stretch. One can certainly stretch while his or her feet are planted, but to go the extra mile, one may have to stand on his or her tiptoes. For example, when reaching for something on the top shelf of a cabinet, as a short person, you may have to stand on your tiptoes to get the item. But, what Kasem may be getting at is a bit more subtle. With one’s feet on the ground, he or she can create a firm foundation. Usually, one needs a firm foundation to reach any goal. That foundation can manifest in character, honesty, humility, generosity, selflessness or may other desired human attributes. From that foundation, one can set goals and reach for them, no matter how far, how unlikely or how difficult they may seem. That good foundation can now become flexible. It can help the person realize what he or she needs to do, and must do, to achieve the goal(s). That flexibility may require the person to do things he or she may never have done before. That may require manufacturing the courage to pursue the unknown or untried. It can manifest in reaching for the proverbial stars, as in something that may seem out of reach. Not everyone will do it, hence the adage: “do today what others won’t so you can do tomorrow what others can’t.” So Kasem tells his listeners (his show is still broadcast today in reruns, despite his death in 2014) that they can reach for the stars if they want to do what it takes. He’s also telling them to start with a good foundation. It can be a difficult message for some. It can go over the heads of others. Still, others will shrug it off. But his words will ring true to those who want to change their lives for the better. Keeping one’s feet on the ground amid life’s difficult circumstances is not easy for many. But, for some, it’s not circumstances that matter. It’s how one responds to them that’s the key to a better life. Amid the chaos of today, the stars may be reachable for those who want to stretch. Being optimistic may be the first step in that stretch. It may be the main attribute in establishing a good foundation. Peter
#vote #VoterSuppression #VoterIntimidation #EarlyVoting #VoteByMail They’re giving fair warning. They are saying that ICE agents will be at the polling places during the 2026 midterm elections. They’re hoping to discourage voter turnout, fearing a landslide defeat for the current party in power if too many people vote. But, if you’re among those who are not happy with what’s going on, the most powerful weapon you have is your vote. Don’t be afraid to vote. They can’t stop you from voting. It may take courage to vote in some places, but you must summon that courage. If you don’t want to vote on Election Day, vote early, if you can. Or, if it’s available to you, vote by mail. Visit your local election office well ahead of time to discern your options. If your area has a special election prior to November, vote then, too. By any means that you have, VOTE! Take your example of courage from the protesters in Minnesota, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and elsewhere. In Minnesota, they are braving harsh winter weather to stand in the streets, risk their lives and tell the overwhelming contingent of federal agents that they don’t want them there. They are helping their neighbors who legitimately fear capture and deportation – often illegitimate deportation – stay safe and stay fed. If we all turn out to vote, we will show that there are more of us than there are of federal agents. They will not be able to stop ALL of us – and they legally cannot stop ANY of us. You may have to brave long lines at the polls if you have to vote on Election Day. There may even be some lines at early-voting locations on some days. These are inconvenient, to be sure. But, casting your vote is paramount. Life as you know it could depend on it. Local and state officials who, by law, run elections, have to stand firm. They have to make sure EVERY legal vote is counted. They also have to protect polling places from the illegitimate presence of federal officials. They have to protect voters from intimidation from federal officials or others seeking a certain outcome. You have months to prepare to vote in November. You have months to choose your preferred candidates carefully. If you want things to change, vote for candidates that will help enable that change. If you’re among those who like what you see from your federal government, you certainly have the right to elect those who’ll preserve the status quo. Many people see unnecessary cruelty. Many people see unnecessary injury and even death. Those people want that to change. Therefore, it’s incumbent on those people to vote by whatever means suits them. Not voting is NOT an option. The legitimate power of the vote can negate the illegitimate power of those who want to suppress the vote. Don’t let them. Brave whatever you have to brave to vote. There is plenty of time to plan. Use that time, and your vote, wisely. Peter
#SecondAmendment #USConstitution #FederalAgents #AgentsInTheStreets #Resist #ResisWithDiscipline Proponents of a strong Second Amendment to the Constitution have defended legal gun owners’ rights to protect their homes from invasion. When masked federal agents patrolling the streets of cities are given carte blanche to knock down doors without judicial warrants, potential tragedy could be looming. If federal agents kick down the door of a legal gun owner, by mistake or otherwise, and that gun owner chooses to defend himself or herself from masked intruders, the outcome could be something no one wants. Given that scenario, on whose side would the staunch defenders of the Second Amendment be? Intrusions without judicial warrants are illegal. Homeowners protecting their turf is legal in most places. In fact, one of the arguments for a strong Second Amendment is allowing people the right to protect themselves from an oppressive government.. That scenario could be upon us. When Alex Pretti was killed in Minneapolis by federal agents, he was a legal gun owner permitted to carry. Federal officials say that the weapon on his person was a threat, and that no one should bring weapons to a protest. (He didn’t use his weapon and was disarmed before he was shot, videos show.) Kyle Rittenhouse brought a long gun to a Black Lives Matter protest. Two people were killed. He was acquitted and celebrated by the pro-Second Amendment folks. Rioters at the Jan. 6, 2021, protests in Washington, D.C., also had guns, reports say. They were pardoned. The Second Amendment is enshrined in the Constitution. So are protections against illegal searches and seizures. What is occurring on U.S. city streets is NOT law enforcement. It is the opposite of law enforcement. These agents are actually arresting people at courthouses who are complying with the law. Law enforcement follows the Constitution. Those doing law enforcement always properly identify themselves. They follow the procedures enshrined in the Constitution that govern how they should conduct themselves. Those federal agents patrolling city streets today cannot be given immunity by executive order. If THEY break the law, someone, someday will prosecute them. Those protesting the actions of federal agents on their streets have the constitutional right to assemble and state their opposition in non-violent ways. Federal agents do not have the right to harm these people for peacefully protesting the agents’ behavior. Government officials themselves, many far away from the action, should not be describing altercations in the streets without proper investigation. In fact, publicly available evidence very often conflicts with their descriptions. As government officials create these narratives, they are building a credibility problem for themselves. No one – hopefully including the highest level federal officials – wants to see violent confrontations of any kind. But, their inaction to stop the confrontations is telling. But, as they occur almost daily, they raise the specter of what could happen next. It’s incumbent upon the protesters to remain disciplined. Resist non-violently, despite human temptation to fight back. Only with this discipline will they get their streets back. Citizens, businesses and anyone affected by these confrontations should resist with any legal means at their disposal. The strength and discipline of the people and their institutions is the only way to get the streets, and their lives, back to normal. Peter
#WinWin #leaders #takers #BoldMoves #BrazenMoves #browbeaters The wisest among us will often advise their children, other family and friends that if you want something, go after it. That only applies when the thing you want does not – or, at least, not yet – belong to someone else. Sure, in that case, you can offer to buy what you want from the owner. But, the owner does not have to accept your offer, or can refuse to sell altogether. Here is where honorable people take NO for an answer. Others may try to find other ways to get what they want, even if someone else has it. For example, they may try to take it by force. Usually, such measures do not end well for either party. Or, they may try to browbeat the owner into selling or giving it to the browbeater. That likely would lead to a lot of back-and-forth negotiations that would likely prove unsuccessful for the browbeater. But, what if the owner of the coveted item lets the browbeater use it as needed? That’s an honorable gesture of goodwill and a good result for both sides. In bargaining parlance, that a win-win, which is something for which most negotiators strive. But, when the browbeater feels so entitled to the item – and generally strives for win-lose outcomes — a fight could be brewing. As has been stated previously, real leaders give and get, but don’t take. Browbeaters are takers, and couldn’t care less about the outcome of the “giving” party. Browbeaters don’t care about innocent people who may be affected by such a brazen move. Takers are brazen. Leaders are bold. Bold moves produce good results for all concerned. Brazen moves generally favor only one side. Leaders want everyone involved to be satisfied. Takers want only themselves satisfied. So, are you a leader or a taker? Do you want good results for you at any cost, or do you want good results for all concerned? If you’re a taker, do you sleep well at night, knowing that you won, but someone else lost? If a sport is played fairly, there will be winners and losers. Losers usually congratulate winners, and winners usually congratulate losers on playing a good game. In real life, there will be winners and losers. But, leaders strive to win fairly, and help others win as well. A good lesson here is to go after what you want, without hurting others, whenever possible. If you get what you want, make sure you’ve gotten it fairly, with a lot of benefit – or, at least, minimal hurt — to others. Better yet, always strive for win-wins, so others can share in your success. Peter
#BabyBoomers #ChildrenOfBabyBoomers #80In2026 #RealEstateAppreciation #inheritances The oldest of the Baby Boom generation will turn 80 in 2026. The first socially conscious generation will see their children and grandchildren, in many cases, not do as well as they did financially. Mike Schneider discussed this milestone in an Associated Press story published Dec. 27, 2025, in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Baby Boomers are a product of parents coming back from World War II and creating a lot of babies. Back then, starting in 1946, the country started a prosperity boom that would last many years. The middle class, if not born then, grew exponentially, thanks largely to the GI Bill, which allowed troops coming home from war to build lives – and relatively cheap homes — in what are now mostly suburbs. Those homes appreciated greatly during the lives of the children born to those families. Even the youngest of Boomers have reached age 65, which is the retirement age for many. As those Boomers die, many will pass on a great inheritance to their children and grandchildren. Boomers were also among the first to get married later and have fewer children. That trend has continued, but not for the same reasons, among subsequent generations, the article states. During the formative years of the Baby Boom, civil rights among oppressed groups advanced. Women’s rights also advanced. More kids went to college. Many women established careers, thereby often postponing marriage and/or having children. Logically, the longer people wait to have children, they will have fewer of them. Large families became unusual. The children and grandchildren of the Boomers face different circumstances. More of them are living in their parents’ home well into adulthood. To paraphrase a quote from the Schneider article, their parents were able to buy lots of stuff cheap, that the later generations cannot. Rents, groceries, cars and all the necessary things to build a life are way more expensive now than when the Boomers were young. Continual appreciation is good for the sellers, not the buyers. And the salaries for the Boomers’ kids and grandkids have hardly kept pace with the higher costs. That makes it much more difficult for young adults today to start independent lives. Some of these young adults will undoubtedly be leaning on Mom and Dad, or their inheritances, well into middle age. How they are going to have comfortable retirements remains a big question. Hopefully, they won’t squander their inheritances. Yes, America, as are most countries of the world. Is aging. Schnider points out that without robust immigration the population will decline in the coming decades. China is already seeing signs of a shrinking population despite government incentives to have more children, according to recent reports. As the U.S. cracks down on immigration, companies are looking to AI and other technological advances to do the jobs humans once did. Some people, particularly young adults just starting their lives, might be apprehensive at entry-level employment prospects, no matter how smart they are or how much education they have. The Boomers, by and large, had a good life., and many still do. But, if they wanted their offspring to have it better than they did, many will be disappointed. Peter
#HappyNewYear #2026 #NewYou #resolutions The calendar-year change often leads to soul-searching. We ask ourselves: What have we done that was good? What have we done that was not so good? And, what do we need to do to make things better? We ponder these things at this time, likely because we’ve freelanced our way through the last 12 months. Freelancing can be good. It can take us to places, and prompt us to do things, we may never have considered. It can also prompt us to do things we should have never done. Some things have been put upon us not of our choosing. But, some choices we’d made may have been ill-advised, though they may have sounded right at the time. Dealing with the put-upons can show strength. Shrugging off the put-upons as inevitable can show resignation and weakness. The calendar change is a reminder to take stock of all those things and, perhaps, become a new you in 2026. Self-examination is never easy. It can be extremely difficult for some. But, the only way to successfully move from Point A to Point B in life is to determine your best way to get there. The BEST way is not always the easiest. Often, taking the longer, harder way can lead you to places you may have never thought to go, but are rewarding when you see them. Getting good advice, or, merely, asking for help is almost always a benefit. But, in the end, YOU have to make good choices. When you seek a leader in areas in which you are not familiar, choose that leadership wisely. Some leaders may seem strong, or may seem to have good intentions, but may not be looking out for YOUR best interests. In short, follow someone you trust. If he or she breaks that trust, cut ties with him or her. Also, remember who is REALLY important to you. Those people deserve your priority. If an offer seems too good to be true, it may be a scam. Be wary of inappropriate generosity. You may see gains and losses. Manage both as properly as you can. The new year may bring celebrations and setbacks. Briefly relish the former, and, over the long term, overcome the latter. Remember the things you did that you should not have done, and strive never to repeat them. Remember the things you did that you should have done, and keep doing them. But, even with pitfalls, see life as good and let hope and optimism overwhelm fear. Happy New Year! Peter
#rich #smart #wealthy #SmartPeople #RichPeople #DoGood #BeAGoodPerson If you are so smart, why aren’t you rich? Those who would wage war on smart people would ask this question. Obviously, there is more to intelligence than the ability to make money. In fact, some not-so-smart people have made a lot of money. But, those who are smart often want to use their intelligence not to enrich themselves, but to help others. Some would even use their own intelligence to help others get rich. People who are just plain rich tend to be self-centered. If there is nothing in it for me, the attitude goes, there is no point in doing it. But, truly smart people see a need – perhaps an obligation – to use their brain power to change the world to help others succeed. Certainly, if they get wealthy in the process, they won’t complain. They may even donate a portion of their wealth to help those much less fortunate. To put it succinctly, they give and they get. They don’t take. People who are just plain rich have no problem taking. In fact, many will take things they are not entitled to take. They will use their wealth and power to dominate those who are less powerful. Smart people who use their intelligence to help others ignite jealousy among the not-so-smart rich. Smart, noble people tend to be popular. Those who are just rich tend to be not so popular. The unpopular rich want to own the popular smart. Unfortunately, history has countless, horrible examples of human beings owning other human beings. Wealth and power in the wrong hands can be devastating to many, if not all, of us. Some of them will literally take from the meager incomes of the many simply to line their own pockets and satisfy their greed. Why? Because they can. If we have the power to do so, we shouldn’t let them. The suffering of the many can actually amuse those in power. What type of human being can get a thrill from the suffering of others? It’s hard to determine where their humanity is. But, chances are, their wealth and power did not cause their inhumanity. Likely, they’ve always had it. They will try to say that empathy is a weakness. Alas, it is a virtue. So, let’s all try to be as successful as possible by helping, or at least not hurting, others. Strive to be someone children can, and should, look up to. Children, in fact, do not learn nearly as much from our words as from our actions. If you are fortunate enough to attain great wealth through noble pursuits, share that wealth generously, and effectively, with the most needy. Attaining great wealth should not be a goal to reach at all costs. It should the a bonus for doing good, and being a good person. When we all strive to do good, and be good people, everyone benefits. Peter
