“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it!” Most people are familiar with that quote and the meaning. Being an avid reader of history, it surprises me how this comes up again and again, even during my short lifetime. The idea that this time will be different or we have learned our …
Continue reading Bitcoin Crash is Guaranteed When You Look at History!
Was just reading a discussion on the topic of raising health insurance premiums. It got me curious, so I decided to look up where the US ranks. We don't even make it in the top 25 for infant mortality rate or life expectancy, but we are number one on cost per person ($8,800) and percentage …
Politics aside, have you looked at either the House or Senate proposed tax plan? I would highly suggest you take time to look at what is being proposed. I am not sure how this is a tax cut for the middle class. Even as I sit here in my designer bathrobe from TJ Maxx and …
For those of you not familiar with the 4% rule, it is a general rule of thumb used by financial professionals (or commentators) on a safe annual withdrawal rate during retirement. The general idea is if you never withdraw more than 4% (I believe the exact rate is 4.2%), in any given year, you will …
Continue reading Why I was a disbeliever of the 4% retirement rule!
There was an article floating around the internet this week. It discussed 31-year-old women in Japan that died from what they called “karoshi”. The word translated to something like death from overwork or more likely “work stress”. It is amazing that the Japanese cultural actually has a word for this phenomenon. This young lady died …
The quick answer is because they can, but that answer is not satisfying enough for me right now. Let’s define the type of money wasting I am talking about. Not the type of money wasting, like buying a boat, leasing a high-end car, eating out every night, or shopping for junk you don’t need. No …
Continue reading Why Wealthy Individuals Intentional Waste Money!
Generally, I like to consider myself frugal, even take a bit of pride when I get a good deal. That said, I am sure others can show me up in the art of frugality. One thing though, that gets missed in the process of being a frugal master, is the cost of time. It is …
As I look at the title it sounds a little too dramatic, but in some sense it is true. I suffer from some pretty bad stress. Today is particularly bad and 100% of that stress is related to my job! Running a credit department for a decent size community bank is extremely stressful. Balancing between …
Why start a blog? Good question and one I am trying to answer myself. My best guess is my desire to help others and get some thoughts out of my busy mind. Why the name "Grateful Banker", well there is a meaning behind the name, but I will save that for a future blog. First …
Grateful Banker 