Here in New England, you can already feel the change in seasons approaching. You can smell it in the crisp, dry, morning air and see it from the lower sun angle. You can hear it as noisy cicadas whir and squirrels busy themselves in the trees, signaling a change from Summer to Fall is near. You can even feel it, like when you’re wondering if your family is well prepared for the Fall and Winter. That kind of thinking is good. It means you’re alive, you want to stay that way, and you still want to live your life. A Terrible Foe Can Hold You Back There is one thing that keeps more … [Read more...]

If you live in Hawaii, California, or New York, your state is costing you a lot of money. According to the Tax Foundation, in those states respectively, $100 will only buy you 84%, 86% and 87% of what you can get in an average cost of living state. Meanwhile, if you live in Mississippi, Arkansas, or Alabama, your dollar will last you much longer, with a buying power of 117%, 116% and 115% of average in those states respectively. If you're retired and living on a fixed income, the boost in purchasing power could make a major difference in your standard of living. Analysts from the Tax … [Read more...]

Despite being surrounded by the two states ranked by Moody's as having the worst debt service to state revenue ratios in the country, Rhode Island managed to come in 18th highest. Connecticut was worst, and Massachusetts just behind in second place. Is there a lot of work to be done in Rhode Island? Absolutely, but in New England, 18th worst is cause for celebration where debt is concerned. Rhod Island certainly has its weak points. Woonsocket is much deeper in debt than the State's Public Finance Management Board recommends. The Newport Daily News reports: “At the state level, the debt of … [Read more...]

To kick off the Newport Folk Festival weekend, Newport FILM in partnership with Newport Folk Presents, showed Echo in the Canyon outdoors at St. Michael’s Country Day School. Becky and I walked there from our house and as you can see in my quick video we weren’t alone. It was a beautiful night. From NewportFILM: Echo In The Canyon celebrates the explosion of popular music that came out of LA’s Lauren Canyon in the mid-60’s as folk went electric and The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, and The Mamas and the Papas gave birth to the California Sound. It was a moment (1965 to … [Read more...]

The Newport Folk Festival is this weekend. We were out on the Tom Sawyer last night and could see the tents and stages set up at Fort Adams. The weather predictions are looking perfect, and it would be a great weekend for you to spend your retirement life in Newport. You can check out the lineup here. Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.  … [Read more...]

You may have experienced a heat wave this summer. Ours was this weekend, all over New England with temps in the 90s and the “real feel” reaching the low 100s. It was a scorcher. There’s no beating the heat, but going out on the boat is a nice break. In the first video I’ll show you what it feels like to leave Newport at cruising speed, with Castle Hill off the port side, the Newport bridge to stern, and Jamestown, RI to starboard (pardon my finger it was hard to hold the phone). In the next video we’re approaching Mattapoisett harbor. You’ll see Ned’s Point lighthouse off … [Read more...]

According to a report from the TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies Americans are concerned with their retirement, but they're not actually doing much about it. I urge you and anyone who hasn't already taken action toward planning for retirement to not wait, get to work now. FEDWeek reports: The report, based on polling samples of the baby boom, generation X and millennial generations, found that majorities of all three expect to have a harder time achieving financial security for retirement than their parents’ generation, with the younger two generations agreeing more strongly; and … [Read more...]

Yesterday, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo extended legislation for continuing contracts for union employees, and transmitted legislation mandating overtime for firefighters. Who doesn’t like teachers and firefighters, right? But that’s not the point. Because of her actions, cities and towns in Rhode Island will have no leverage at the bargaining table since contract renewals are now guaranteed. Also guaranteed is overtime for firefighters, even though most towns already pay overtime voluntarily. Raimondo’s automatic contract extension hurts cities and towns because it’s the local … [Read more...]

Clients of mine shared these pictures from their recent, once-in-a-lifetime trip. Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.  … [Read more...]

Some states seem intent on pushing the wealthiest, most productive residents out with bad policies. Lately, Connecticut seems to be the most enthusiastic about encouraging its wealthiest citizens to leave, though Illinois, New York and California don't fall far behind. Now, in an effort to speed further ahead of the high-taxing competition, Connecticut is once again targeting its most productive residents. The Wall Street Journal reports: Connecticut is a gift that keeps on giving to low-tax states. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont earlier this year pitched a suite of tax increases on everything … [Read more...]