T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 126
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #126!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles
Roger Federer vs. the Stock Market (A Wealth Of Common Sense) – “Federer’s win and point percentage are basically the same as those of the stock market!”
Survey: The average American feels they need to earn over $186K a year just to live comfortably (Bankrate) – “Few Americans are making the kind of money they feel they need to live comfortably — and most think it’s unlikely that they ever will.” Dave’s comment – lol…
Video
The world’s best high jumpers are in Paris right now but they’ve got noting on these Belgian Malinois dogs. Holy schmoly, simply amazing.
What I’m Grateful For
Getting about 5% interest on my cash. As I slowly de-risk my portfolio with age, I’m perfectly happy with 5% for something that has virtually no risk and is insured.
Lyrically Speaking
I was thinkin’ I was something
For the rest of my life
But be careful what you wish for
It might come true
From “Giving It All” by Buzz Zeemer
Tommy Conwell became a big deal for a while in 1988. The guitar slinger from Philly had a #1 hit on the Billboard Rock Chart with “I’m Not Your Man” from the album Rumble. It has cowbell, it’s raw roots-rock, and it just jams. He rode the whole rock star wave including TV appearances and followed it up with 1990’s Guitar Trouble, but soon realized he didn’t want to be a rock star. Conwell was an elementary school teacher in Philly and that was his passion. Then in 1996 Conwell hooked up with Philly talent Frank Brown and became the lead guitarist in a band called Buzz Zeemer. I know, you’ve never heard of Buzz Zeemer. But if you like melodic catchy rock with well-written songs and impeccable playing, you’ll like Buzz Zeemer.
Buzz Zeemer released two records in the 1990’s – Play Thing in 1996 and Delusions of Grandeur in 1998. I caught on to them after that second record as I would see Conwell play live quite frequently with his other band, Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings, (<–affiliate link, that album isn’t even on Spotify or Youtube!) at a place called the 8X10 club in Baltimore. Those shows were totally nuts, all out parties. And while writing this post as I went to link to their song I just found out Buzz Zeemer reunited and released a new record in late 2023! I just bought it from Bandcamp but haven’t had time to give it a full listen.
As for the lyrics above, some folks might think that becoming financially independent might “make them something”, but I’d say be careful what you wish for. It’s other things that make us.
Miscellaneous
New clues point towards how exercise reduces symptoms of depression – “…exercise reduces inflammation, boosts dopamine function, and enhances motivation. The researchers believe that this could be an important reason as to why exercise exerts an antidepressant effect.
The Physics of Cold Water May Have Jump-Started Complex Life – “When seawater gets cold, it gets viscous. This fact could explain how single-celled ocean creatures became multicellular when the planet was frozen during “Snowball Earth,” according to experiments.”
Bike lanes and narrowed streets don’t slow emergency vehicles – “People love to complain about traffic calming, but it makes roads safer.“
Agree with the lol on the “need 186k to live comfortably”. What are these folks buying? The Bankrate guy nailed it at at end of the article: ““Our culture is one where there is much focus on material possessions, and that does not tend to lend itself to a satisfying life,” Hamrick says. “Overspending on a larger home, a fancy car, or unneeded clothing, consumer electronics, etc. are not part of a winning game plan.”
Thanks for sharing with us fellow financial frugal tribe members here.
Agree – I was gonna put the line from Hamrick right up front as he hits the nail on the head but it was a bit long. 186k is well into upper class in America.
Aloha Dave, keep up the great work. I have followed you for several years and enjoy your wide variety of topics. One area for you to explore further: “It is not always what we make but what we keep!” As a retired Ford/Honda/Jeep……dealership owner, my wife and I drew the line on what is enough. We started a company that gets consumers lower car payments. Our experience shows us that 40 percent of financed vehicles have a refund or two that the owner can benefit from.
Again, not always what a person’s income looks like, but what they do not spend determines financial security.
“It is not always what we make but what we keep!” So so true Mark!
I don’t see what there is to laugh about with the $185k income needed. Life is expensive. Housing (especially property taxes and upkeep) is expensive. Factor in kids and rising car insurance. We struggle to max out 401k, Roth IRAs and HSAs let alone save for our next vehicle or college funds. It sounds very elitist to laugh and not helpful to the dialogue. I agree that SOME people buy things they can’t afford but that is certainly not everyone.
The median family household income (meaning multiple earners) in America is around $70 – $75K depending on which data source you use. As this article lays things out a $186 Yearly income ($186,000!!!) is well into the Upper Class. So everyone feels like they need to be upper class to be comfortable I guess. I live in the Washington D.C. area – one of the most expensive in the US – and have friends who live more than comfortably (including paying for their kids college) on less than $100k. Just a fact.
I look forward to your music suggestions as it always introduces me to something new. I was lucky to be on the same page as my husband for getting second hand stuff for the kids, shared bedrooms, rec sports (not travel) and older cars. That’s how we funded college.
Stoked that you like my music choices, I should have been a music journalist 🙂