We have seen this more and more in the community at large - Forced to Early Social Security, Unemployed Pay a Steep Price - and what it can do to a well thought out financial plan. Good luck out there.

The Context

The Context - Part of strategy is considering your decisions with in the greater context. First step is identifying what the primary objective is, absent of setting proper expectations of what the objective is to be,  the context becomes difficult if not impossible to define.

This reminds me of racing sailboats. You have a greater context which is the course itself. Your objective is to get around the course faster than your competition (no confusion as to what the primary objective is).
However, your selected path for doing so and the multi-layer decisions that go into that, operate in a constant state of flux/change. The best course to take can never be defined fully in advance as there are to many consistently changing variables acting simultaneously for this to be possible.

How does one make proper decision on strategy and direction amongst variables that are in a constant state of flux?

First control what you can control.

As it pertains to sailing, first, you have to make sure your boat is set up properly for the conditions on any given point of sail (if you change course you need to adjust the sails for optimal speed per that course) in this you are constantly adjusting the sails and trim for course and weather (weather being semi unpredictable) (wind/waves).

Next, your sailing against your competition who is also making independent decisions in real-time that should have a direct impact on your decisions. If the competition is all of a sudden doing "this" then you must do "that". Which the decision to purse "that" did not exist until your competition made their move and/or changing elements uncovered a particular advantage for you to pursue "this".

The ultimate goal is to beat your competition which trumps simply sailing the course but the course is the context to which all competitors are confined. Being confined to the context of the course with the goal to  get your boat going fast, fast around the course and ahead of your competition.

Control what you can control and screen decision's through the greater context allows one to make better (not the best, which can't be known without the benefit of hindsight), decisions in real-time, in a constant state of flux, towards an ultimate defined objective (goal/primary aim)...Win the race.

What is your objective, what is the context, what can you control?

Gigo - Control the Inputs

Gigo - commonly referred to as "Garbarge In - Garbage Out". This term is used mainly in reference to computing. However, I think it also begets considering its theory in our daily lives, (substituting humans for the computer). 

What we listen too, read, watch, say, think, eat, drink all have a cumulative impact to our results. Subconsciously we  know this but consciously what do we do about it?

Controlling the input (a new self management technique?) - how do we freeze in the moment and consider the decisions before us vs operating on auto-pilot? How do we strategically plan to control the inputs - advance planning to make execution easier?

There must exist and awareness,  a consciousness. Discipline dieters have a heightened consciousness pertaining to food inputs, most-likely proceeding this awareness was the examination of the inputs (this case food) and the results they might cause.

How are your inputs affecting you, are they quality or more Gigo? Actions vs. Intentions, Decisions & Consequences, Choice, Action and Reaction..

This isn't new, control the inputs.... easier said than done.

Social Security and Medicare: Proper Planning Pays Off Big

I don't know if I could say it any better myself - from Morningstar - "Smart navigation of the complex rules around these critical retirement programs can mean thousands of dollars in higher benefits and cost savings for seniors." Just what KarstenBradley was set up to provide advice for.

Why do we Still Care about the Dow?

Yes, it's been a few months without posts, but the news (and news reporting) has been relatively tame.

Here is an article on a topic that I've used over the years with clients - the Dow is the most followed, but probably not the best representative for the stock market as a whole to track. The S&P 500 is at least a bit better in tracking the general market movement (and one of the Big Three reported indexes).

Thoughts?

I could never do this.

Never.

But it's really cool.

And from the homeland.

The Information Diet

This post is dedicated to Karsten since this is a mantra he preaches.

Fight on.