FI3000

When referring to life’s basic skills I often hear the excuse “oh I’m not very good at that kind of thing”. Really? What that says to me is either: 1. You are extremely lazy and/or 2. You have peaked mentally and have no ability to learn anything new. Here’s my list of must knows: 1. Change a Tire 2. Build a Retirement Portfolio 3. Cook at least 2 meals that are better than average 4. Run 3 Miles 5. Use a screwdriver 6. Backup your computer 7. Do your own taxes 8. Typing (insane if you use a computer everyday and don’t know how) 9. Setup and Connect home electronics 10. Basic Time Management 11. Basic Carpentry 12. Critical Thinking 13. Jump Start a Car 14. Put together Ikea furniture 15. Basic Plumbing 16. Understand the basics of how the internet works 17. Change your Oil 18. Convert a fraction to a percent 19. Fix Basic Computer Issues Did I miss any?

As a macro concept I agree with the specialization and the division of labor. Economically, it makes a lot of sense. Businesses that specialize can usually offer higher quality products at lower prices. I think this is especially true in food production and manufacturing industries. A factory dedicated to one task whether it’s assembling cars, canning corn or producing pencils is going to be able to do it immeasurably faster and cheaper than an individual or small business could. So at the macro level I’m on board. Where I have a problem with specialization is on the micro or individual level. I think the trend toward specialization has gone too far. We now live in a society where even seemingly basic tasks are being specialized and outsourced. I know many people with relatively successful careers who seem to lack any ability to think or function outside of their chosen field of specialization. I don’t see any reason why individuals can’t be good at more than one thing. Just because ...

Has anyone ever asked you do you like your job? If you answered “no I hate my job” this is an easy question. The question becomes more complicated if you answered yes. For those of you that answered “yes I like my job” that’s great. Now let me ask you another question. If you didn’t need the money would you do it for free? If you answered yes to this than boy am I envious. Well what about this one - would you do it full time for the next 30 years? You see I like my job but I don’t love it and I definitely wouldn’t do it for free. Even if I did love my job I know I definitely wouldn’t want to do it for the next 30 years. Actually, I don’t think there’s anything in the world that I’d want to do for 40hrs a week for the next 30 years. I like doing lots of things fishing, reading, investing, hiking, hunting, watching movies, oiling up super models but I wouldn’t want to “have” to do any of them for 40 hours a week for the next three decades. Even if I got the elusive swimsuit model oil...

Well it’s official as a planet we’re getting old.  According to the US Census Bureau sometime in the next 4 years the global population over 65 will surpass those under 5. Obviously the ratio of old to young will be greater in developed countries where the birth rate is much lower than in developing countries. Take these examples: In 2016 in Canada for the first time there were more seniors (65+) than there were children 14 and under. Roughly 16% of the population is 65+ In the United States it’s around 15% Japan 26% Germany 21% Greece 21% France 19% Sweden 20% Switzerland 19% United Kingdom 18% Well you get the idea... Here’s a short list of some companies that should benefit from the wave of seniors who like the rest of us keep getting older. Pharmacies Walgreen (WAG) CVS Caremark (CVS) Loblaws (L) Pharmaceuticals Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Pfizer (PFE) Glaxo (GSK) TEVA (TEVA) Merck (MRK) Medical Devices -Stryker (SYK) -Medtronic (MDT) -Bos...

- 2922 Days until Retirement - The goal is an investment portfolio of $1,000,000 and an annual passive income of $40,000. We are currently mortgage free but won’t be including the value of our principal residence or cottage as we have no plans to sell either. We have also omitted the value of our workplace defined benefit pension plans and RESPs. ASSETS: April Contributions: $0 Retirement Portfolio: $476,479 (up $3,862 - stock market gains) LIABILITIES: Investment Loan: $41,102 (down $1,305) Retirement Portfolio Net Worth: $435,377 (up $5,167) * Dividends Received (year to date): $4275 (up $1,190) We didn’t make any new contributions this month as I’m currently in the process of closing on my first rental property. I want to keep some powder dry to in order to fund some improvements before renting it. Next month I’ll be including the new equity/debt and cash flow of the new rental.