Imagination Library
Filed Under Money, Parenting, Quotes
Trackback URL
Leave a Comment
Back before my son was born, I heard about the Imagination Library from a friend. It’s a program sponsored by Dolly Parton, and provides FREE books to children under 5 years old. After signing up, the child receives a book each month that is age-appropriate. Again, it’s FREE!
From a financial perspective, this program has a return-on-investment that is out of this world….free books, and your child learns to read. From a parenting perspective, it provides the opportunity for some Quality and Quantity time with your child.
My son’s book for this month came in the mail today. It’s entitled Only You, and is written by Rosemary Wells. Not that that is really important, but I mention it because there is a special “note” in the back written by Dr. Perri Klass. I’m not sure who he/she is, but the note is exceptional…
The first three years of a child’s life are important in so many ways. Young children learn by living. Everything they see and do helps them understand the world and how it works. When parents spend time with their children, the children grow and glory in the special attention of the people they know and love best. In the games and rituals that develop around household chores, errands, mealtime, naps, playtime, and bedtime, children find security comfort, and the courage to explore. From close relationships with their parents, young children learn what it is to be loved.
Children make remarkable developmental progress in the first three years of life - learning language, social skills, and physical coordination. They learn to play with other people and to understand that other people have needs and feelings. It’s a joy to watch your child grow and develop. Parents can encourage this development - not be “teaching” their children lessons, not by buying them lavish educational equipment, but by giving them one-on-one time. This positive parental attention shows children, over and over, that they are loved. With this knowledge, children will build the basic security and confidence that they need to take on the world.
Seems like the Imagination Library may teach us all a little something…
My Retirement Career
Filed Under Retirement
Trackback URL
Leave a Comment
I think about retirement. A lot. I perceive it to be a time where alarm clocks don’t exist, there’s traveling to be done, and there’s very little responsibility/accountability to others. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s my image right now.
Financially, I’m making plans now so that I can retire in about 20 years (if not earlier). My son will be out of college, I’ll have 30+ years of service in at my company, and should have plenty saved to last me and my wife.
Having said that, I don’t think I’m the type of person that will be able to sit around and watch The Price is Right all day every day. I NEED to be doing something. And, why not plan now to be able to work/play in retirement and make some extra coin doing something I enjoy?
So, here are my thoughts (in no particular order) on what my “retirement career” will/can be:
- Certified Financial Planner - a situation where I can help a few clients get their financial lives in order, work a flexible schedule, and stay on top of the financial markets
- Home Automation - this follows along the lines of my current job and is a big interest…programming, computers, audio/video equipment…right up my alley. And who knows where technology will be in 20 years?
- Commercial BBQ cooking (ideally at NASCAR races around the country)
- Run a scuba diving shop - this would require a major relocation…possibly to the Carribean
These are just a few thoughts…I’m sure they’ll change over the next few decades, but in this engineer’s opinion, it’s not too early to start thinking about retirement now.
Subscribe via RSS
