Retirement Countdown 2025

Recently, I took the time to look at my options and outcomes on when to collect social security benefits when retiring. I've been curios off and on over the years on how much I would be entitled upon retiring.  As I get closer to retiring, there are some things to consider when making that important decision.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  Social security taxes are taken out of your paycheck so you can get a monthly benefit in your 60s. Although, these days, quite a few people are considering retirement before 60 but not taking retirement benefits until full retirement age. On the  https://www.ssa.gov/retirement/eligibility  website, it states the following:  You're eligible if:  You're 62 or older  You've worked and paid Social Security taxes for 10 years or more  They keep track of how many years you've paid social security taxes.  Check your Social Security account to see if you're eligible.  PLAN FOR RETIREMENT You can plan for mon...

 It's the Labor day weekend, the last weekend of summer before fall hits. The days become shorter, the weather gets colder. It's time to change out your clothing inventory to prepare for the season. As we also change our clocks soon to fall back an hour, it's also a time to get your finances in order to assess where you are financially and also mentally.  Am I on track to begin this journey to retire in a couple of years? Last week, I began looking at my finances. Right now, I need to "change" my frame of mind on this journey to eventually retire.  Marin RV Park, CA  MENTAL HEALTH  I may be young to even consider retiring, but I think I'm ready to try other things as well. For the last 35+ years, I've held a job full time for the most part, except in 2002, where I took a year off to travel the world for a year. So no income was earned. Today, I'm examining my frame of mind to see if I'm going at it right.  Am I really ready to retire? For the last ...

Well, it's confirmed, I'm fully engaged in planning to retire in 2025. Why 2025? Well, I'll hit 60 and I think I've worked long enough to really take in the moment to call it quits. I'm excited, it's surreal, and at the same time I'm afraid and hopeful that this move will be what I hope for. I'm surrounded by a number of friends and colleagues who have left the corporate, job, world to pursue other passions or adventures. I've thought about it for a few years now and it's slowly becoming a reality for myself. I know I'll have to figure how to navigate this route to get there. I have a feeling, I have to deal with finances, where to live, how to adjust a new life after working for so many years. I'm not sure where to begin, but I'm hopeful writing this blog helps be sort things out in my head and putting it in perspective on a blog to document my journey.  Cross fingers, I'm doing this right. It can be lonely, but hopeful again the...

I clearly remembered the day my manager informed us that we needed to leave work that morning to get provisions and shelter in place for the next few days. A local and national announcement was made that everyone needed to head home as a rising case of the Covid-19 virus had begun to climb in numbers infecting people across the country and globally.  Initial reports stated that the virus outbreak started in China in a wet market where several people were diagnosed with a flu-like symptom of Pneumonia. In the ensuing weeks, we were getting reports that the virus reached the United States. We were unable to contain the virus reaching our shores. It was a moment many of us had no idea what was really happening until, the death count began rising. Mask and social distancing became the new norm to avoid any infection and the further spread of the virus. Fast forward to today, Wednesday, September 1st, and I'm reflecting on how far we've come in trying to be safe and contain this vir...

AIDS Walk San Francisco beneficiaries 2018 I've been part of this event for a number of years and find this to be one of the most satisfying personal causes in which I've participated in. I hope you will join me on this continued journey in supporting me by making a donation here to AIDS Walk San Francisco. AIDS Walk San Francisco recognizes that no one organization can meet all the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. That is why the event emphasizes not one voice, but many voices; not just services in one city; but rather the Bay Area-wide effort to bring this epidemic to an end. In my blog, I appreciate your support, and hope you are able to join us at Golden Gate Park for the Walk on Sunday, July 15.  Mahalo! (Thank you in Hawaiian)  Fundraising page:  https://sf.aidswalk.net/edgar

One week ago today, our boxer, Jack died during a Sunday morning walk around the neighborhood. I knew he wasn't well in the last couple of years, but did't want to admit that he was getting old and his health was failing. The gregarious and easy going Jack smelled everything along the way. That is how dogs usually see their world, by their sense of smell. His death was sudden and quick, his heart failed. He collapsed and his paws were sprawled on the pavement. I quickly held him up to try to revive him at the same time calling my partner to come over and help me. But sadly, the remaining minutes we tried to save him ultimately turned to comforting and looking at him with compassion until he took his last breath. It was devastating. I cried and cried. We lost someone who was part of our family, our life for almost 10 years.   So, today, I'm celebrating his life and sharing his image to remember that he wasn't just a dog but an amazing addition to the fa...

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