Case Studies for the Retirement Income Modeling Tool

The first two articles in this three-part series provided background and introduced you to the Retirement Income Modeling Tool (RIMT). The articles and instructions on the Tool website cover almost everything you need to know, and you can contact me directly with specific questions (or issues—remember, it’s still in “beta mode”). To help you get … Read more

How I Used AI to Build a Retirement Income Modeling Tool—Beta Version (Part One)

I admit, I’m interested in AI. It’s probably because I spent almost all of my adult life working in information technology (IT), but also because AI may be one of the most significant technologies of my lifetime, next to the internet (without which AI would probably not exist). Because of my interest, I’ve researched and … Read more

The Fine Print Nobody Reads

When a financial advisor tells you he “only makes money when you make money,” it sounds like a perfect alignment of interests. And in a narrow sense, it’s true; if your portfolio grows, so does his fee. As one advisor TV commercial explains it, “We do better when you do better.” But here’s what that … Read more

The Care-Giving Principle—Article #4: Long-Term Care Planning

This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship (BIFRS) series. In the first article of this Caregiving Principle series, we established the biblical foundation for preparing to both give and receive care. In the second and third articles, we explored healthcare planning before and after Medicare—the latter being the foundation of medical … Read more

“Better to Give” is Put to the Test

Jesus’ words, as quoted by Paul and recorded in Acts 20:35, at first sound counterintuitive. He says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Not equally blessed, more blessed. Which is either the most liberating financial principle ever articulated or the most inconvenient, depending on who you quote it to. I did … Read more

Freed Up to be Free Indeed

This year is a big deal for the people of the United States because we’re celebrating a major milestone—it’s been 250 years since we broke free from the rule of King George III and Great Britain’s control back in 1776. It’s a huge anniversary, and freedom is something that’s on lots of people’s minds. We’re … Read more

The Caregiving Principle—Article #3: Healthcare Planning (With Medicare)

This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship (BIFRS) series. Even if you retire before age 65, Medicare becomes the foundation of healthcare coverage once you reach that age. It isn’t a perfect system—it has gaps and limitations—but it’s what we have, and it’s worth understanding well. I view Medicare as part … Read more