T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 161

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #161

Here are some things I really like and that you might too!

Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content

The Ideal Level of Wealth (Of Dollars And Data) “You wake up every morning realizing that you can spend your time doing what you want, with whom you want, for as long as you want.” 

America’s Rising Credit-Card Debt: How Much Do U.S. Households Owe — And Can They Keep Up? (Yodest) “With total outstanding credit-card balances hitting record highs in 2025, many Americans find themselves trapped in revolving debt — a worrying sign for consumer spending and financial stability.” 

Video

We live in unprecedented times. Advances in medical research that are now put on steroids by AI are starting to crack the secrets of aging and disease. My buddy has a 2 year old and I told him that it’s almost certain his kid will live to be 100 years old, and likely in decent enough health to enjoy it.  The video below from a leading longevity scientist gets me stoked.  His enthusiasm and energetic delivery is part of it, but the ramifications of what he’s discussing are amazing.

What I’m Grateful For

My two longtime Baltimore buds who still have jobs (unlike me!) and busy lives but found time anyway to go camping last weekend.  It was cold and even a little snowy, perfect for a boys night in the woods.  A massive fire, slingshots, and a compound bow may have been involved.  No one was injured and memories were made.

Lyrically Speaking

Well, a poor boy’s got one thing on a rich man, Honey
He’s got time to feel, he don’t have to deal with all of his money
So, if you want me, you’ve gotta take me just the way that I am
I’m a poor boy, my hearts on fire, I’m a travelin’ man

From “Rich Man, Poor Boy” by Joe Ely

Joe Ely was a genre-crosser.  He performed with everyone from The Chieftains and Lyle Lovett to Springsteen and even The Clash.  Country, punk, celtic, he could tap into them all.  He was a big part of the Austin music scene and an early progenitor of what’s now seen as progressive country music.  Ely released 16 studio albums and 6 live albums starting in 1977 and toured relentlessly.  He was also a member of The Flatlanders along Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock.  He lived the prototypical and romantic life of a true rambling musician who never had a plan B.  Joe Ely died this past Monday at the age of 78. Rest easy troubadour and thanks for the music. 

As for the lyrics above, while I didn’t grow up a poor boy per se I was very very far from a rich boy.  Now I have to deal with a lot more money and it is a thing, but I’ve also got copious time to do the dealing.  Thank you early retirement.

Miscellaneous

Blood tests reveal obesity rapidly accelerates Alzheimer’s progression – “Obesity accelerates the rise of Alzheimer’s-related blood biomarkers far more rapidly than previously recognized. Long-term imaging and plasma data show that obese individuals experience much faster increases in proteins linked to neurodegeneration and amyloid buildup.”

Google’s proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris in an already crowded orbit – “Over the past few years, tech leaders have increasingly advocated for space-based AI infrastructure as a way to address the power requirements of data centers.”

Focusing on what really matters for reducing your risk of death – “Building on recent analysis of U.S. media coverage and mortality, we assessed how our own focus aligns with real health risks.”