The way that 401k 'matching' usually works is that a company will match a percent of a percent of your salary (e.g. 50% of your contribution up to 5% of your salary). You can contribute much more, but it won't be matched. The numbers involved are typically the decision of your company's HR Benefits ...

Interesting piece and ongoing column:

Why I'm Not Buying the Retirement Gloom

Muni bonds pay pretty well these days (relatively speaking, of course), and if you buy them from your home state, the dividends are state and federal tax-free.

jwaggs wrote:What about REITs?

Can be volatile. But if you're interested, do the research so you don't get burned.

I've never heard anything good about annuities. Bottom line, why pay an insurance company or financial institution to give you a "salary"? If you have a handle on your money (cash, investments, real estate), you can pay yourself for FREE. About when to claim SS, I've heard good arguments b...

Getting out of the house is important, even if I'm not doing something productive. Spending too much time in the apartment gets me crazy because I end up thinking about all the things I "should" be doing.

Jimmy Cantiello wrote:Brooks has to work part-time and Clint has to volunteer because they are not as adept at the fine art of loafing as am I.

I can get my "loaf" on when 'necessary,' but I tend to get nervous if I don't have something to do!

As far as a "pinch", my story is similar to Jimmy's. Between luck and planning, things are working out pretty well so far.
I definitely see some part-time employment in the future, though - couldn't hurt.

Left my job of 15 years last year, too. Tired of the job, tired of the company and was ready for a change. I tell people that I'm in "transition" now, but in reality am 'semi-retired'. Will be looking for some part-time work and probably some volunteer stuff in 2015. It's a good feeling to...

VERY impressive, Ron! Alaska sure has spectacular scenery.

the first 2 episodes have been excellent, btw. different concept following the same characters for the entire show.

I don't always watch TV shows, but when I do............I prefer Portlandia.

peterdubya wrote:It was a mess.

We'll talk soon

Yikes! Sorry to hear that, Peter.

ValerieB wrote:apparently they were deep into the red when they started out. doesn't make much sense, does it?

Nope..........sure doesn't Val. I wonder what they were thinking?

This is the first I've heard of this - I can't go to either show. Bummer. Bummer. Sorry, B. The SF Examiner (online) and Avant Music News didn't write about it until yesterday. I recommend Avant Music News to you, BTW. It covers a mix of jazz and non-jazz improvisatory music with an agg...

This is the first I've heard of this - I can't go to either show. Bummer.

That WAS quick! As Ron said, doesn't seem like they gave it enough rope.
Sounds like its future is still up in the air, though.

Good luck, Peter!

That's quite a rig there, Ron. Definitely can have lots of fun with it - and it takes great images, too! Those Christmas scenes open up lots of possibilities. On the other end of the 'cool camera spectrum,' here's a shot I took with my iPhone 4S today looking across the Golden Gate to the Marin Head...

A. Kingstone wrote:At sporting évents don't wave at the TV cameras.

There ya go! I would revise that to: "At ANYTHING don't wave at the TV cameras."

Attention, supermarket shoppers: if there is not a designated 'bagger' in your line, please pitch in with packing your groceries. The checkout person could use the help, and the people waiting in line would appreciate the shorter wait. Pet Peeve: The word "unique" should NEVER have a quali...

I hope you got some GOOD presents for Christmas, Ron!

There's still something I like about the "hyper-real" look of your original photo, though.

That has a nice subdued glow to it now - interesting.

To all of you who have visited Jazztalk this year, I wish you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year! Now, please tell your jazz-loving friends about us. :party: http://www.myeventsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Happy-new-year-Pictures-2015-For-Your-Desktop-6-475x450.png Have a GREAT one, every...

Some more "beats"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIwfk4872ns

Ron, your tree shot almost has a 3D quality to it. Agreed. It does have a special quality, Brooks. I wish that I could get the lighting more accurate, though. I plan on playing with the exposure in the next few days to see if I can more accurately depict what we see in the room with our eyes . For ...