Financial Thoughts

Christmas has forced me to look at my finances a bit more.  When the Holiday are here, you spend a lot of money and, if you're not careful, you spend too much money. 

Thus, I have been Investigating Retirement Options and trying to come up with a way to maximize the money that I will have available when I retire.  Right now, I make enough to live very well on and I do not foresee losing my job. 

However, I am aware that this could happen and so I do have a "6 month emergency fund" if that is absolutely necessary.  It is simply sitting in a savings account and not making any money.

My retirement is looking pretty good as I have been maxing out my 401k throughout the years.  But, I have recently learned How To Open A Roth IRA and that this is a very good idea as far as retirement goes.

The maximum contribution each year is $5000 after tax dollars.  This will mean setting aside about $400 dollars per week.  I think I can do that if I just do some basic things.  

In this way, a Roth IRA and max 401k contributions, I am thinking that I will be looking good when retirement.  Well, financially at least ;)

Christmas Ideas

I have had writer's block for the better part of 5 months now but I am back.  I am back to give you all Christmas ideas.  You know I have the best ideas so listen up. 

I have no Selfish Christmas Desires but Christmas is not a time to be selfish.  It is a time to be selfless and soul-Full.  Thus, I am feeling extra charitable this time of year and am here to to give you some ideas for the Best Christmas Gifts of 2009.

This will be easy because the ideas are all fresh in my head.  Let's get started. 

Get the people you most a love a digital picture frame pre-filled with the pictures of the two of you.  Pre-filled is the key.  If they have to do the work, it's not a gift, it's a chore.

Get the readers in the life you love an Amazon Kindle.  They'll remember it everytime they use it...which will be everyday. 

Get sports fans in your life tickets to their favorite team game.  This shows both time and effort put in on your part. 

Get yourself a nice watch.  Yours is old and stagnant.  Go with a Tag Heuer watch and you will never need to buy another.

Get everyone in your life a nice Christmas Card and write a note to them.  Any personalized gift is a good one.

And, finally, tell everyone that you love that you love them.  It's the best gift that you can give this year.

...stay tuned, I'll have more shortly and it won't take 5 more months :)

A Tale of Dolly Parton

I read a recent headline that Dolly Parton Back on Top of the Country Charts and I can not be more excited.  I simply love Dolly Parton.

My first Dolly memory is from the movie 9 to 5 and she appealed to me in every way.  Her genuine smile and kindness, along with her other assets, set my young mind in a good frame.  Since then, I have followed her career and thrilled to see her make a comeback.

Her new album contains the song Jolene which is now not only one of the top country hits but one of the top singles in the country is a classic.  Apparently, she performed this song, and all the songs from the album, live from London.

The odd thing about this was that I did not even know that they like country music in London.  Although come to think of it that is where the Dixie Chicks got into trouble for their George Bush comments so maybe they do have a bit of country audience.

Along with Dolly, my two other country favorites are George Strait and Randy Travis.  Each of their songs tell a story and they sing with such silky smooth voices. 

It surprises me little that country music has gone mainstream.  There is truly a tale in every song and the voices are selling point, not skinclad, sexiness with no soul!