Defined Benefit Pensions Archives - Page 6 of 6 - The Golden AlbatrossThe Golden Albatross

(Grumpus Maximus is an Amazon affiliate. See Disclosures for more details.)

Stock Take

OK, I’ve written two monster posts over the past two weeks, one of which I felt was a personal best. The other covered an extremely complicated topic which required a lot of research and rewrites. Even with all the scrutiny, Grumpus Brotherus The Younger still had to catch a few mistakes in the first published version of my last article.

(Quick segue: For all you fresh faced bloggers out there, it turns out this blogging thing is a lot harder than it looks. Not only do you have to create awesome content, but you need to make it look appealing with stock photography; think up terribly witty [or plainly terrible] captions; hotlink references to your previous posts; and promote your persona and site on social media. Admittedly I cannot keep that pace of work up alone, so I am taking on some easier subjects and topics until I find a blogging assistant. I am interviewing for the job in case you are interested. You can submit your resume in the form of a 1000 word essay at grumpusmaximus@grumpusmaximus.com.)

All two avid readers of this blog may remember that I already wrote a post in which I reviewed three books, two booklets, and one chapter of a book. I billed them as the perfect combination of reading material to build one leg in that three-legged stool of Financial Independence (FI) knowledge. However, some of you may have been hoping that I would review a book written specifically for a Golden Albatross situation. But unless I wrote a book about the Golden Albatross, no book out there is going to address the situation by name since I made up the metaphor. Yet, during my FI educational journey, I’ve read a book that described the situation, just not in so many words. The book is Messages From Your Future: The Seven Rules for Financial, Personal and Professional Success by Larry Faulkner. My review is below. Enjoy …

Is there more ink on this page or my arm?

Continue reading →

Study Hall

Do you have a favorite teacher from your time at school? How about one that particularly challenged you to be a better student? It could be a primary, secondary or college instructor who you remember particularly fondly. I had one in 5th and 6th grade (I went to a weird school where we had the same teachers for two grades in a row). Let’s call her Strictus Academicus. She was strict but fair and taught me how to channel my smarts and energy in a positive direction. I thrived under her tutelage, and the academic discipline she forged within me carried on for the rest of my life.

Yep. Just like I remember it.

Much like Strictus Academicus, I am going to break out the ruler and be stern but fair with you. Don’t worry, no one’s knuckles are getting rapped, and no one will be staying after class. However, I am assigning some prerequisite reading and podcast listening. The prerequisites are for those of you not familiar with the difference between Traditional and Roth retirement savings vehicles. Many apologies for doing this, but I cannot allow you to continue reading the bulk of this post until you read or listen to the following articles.

I can hear the groans already. Yet, I need to talk higher level stuff, and if you don’t have the basics down, then I am afraid I will lose you. I may loose you anyways because this stuff is not the most exciting. The knowledge could save you money, time, and hassle though. And I would rather loose your attention out of boredom than confusion. As for your assignment, since other people have explained the basics much better than me, it will be easier if you to simply learn from them. For those of you Roth and Traditional Retirement Account (TRA) novices, see the bullet points below prior to class convening. And don’t worry I was just like you two years ago.

Continue reading →