Category Archives: Finance

Biggest World Problems

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Here’s a list made up by my favorite 8th grader. What’s your list? It’s a little shy on the “what can I do to help” but she’s still got time – especially when she becomes President!

Posted in Advocacy, Climate, Education, environment, Finance, Health, Politics, Poverty, Social justice | Comments Off

Inflation and the tooth fairy

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Posted in Finance, Humor | Comments Off

The Incredible Shrinking Trump Boom

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Jim deMaine

By Paul Krugman from the NYT: “So far, Donald Trump has passed only one significant piece of legislation: the 2017 tax cut. It was, to be fair, a pretty big deal: corporations, the principal beneficiaries, have already saved more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Essays, Finance | Comments Off

Why mathematics can’t solve your cable bill

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Jim deMaine

From Aeon: “This tongue-in-cheek animation from the US YouTuber Henry Reich – the mind behind MinutePhysics – is a creative exercise in how not to lose your cool when faced with the abyss of illogic. Recalling the mundane, mindnumbing tribulations of trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Entertainment, Finance, Humor, Media, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Key Points for Legislators concerning SHB1296

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Below is a summary of key points from WACCRA leadership to help refute the obfuscating opposition to the CCRC legislation in process in the State Senate. 1296 has already passed the house and is opposed by Leading Age even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, CCRC Info, Finance, Politics | Comments Off

Perhaps better than your broker

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Posted in Finance, Humor | Comments Off

Build we must, build we should, and hopefully build we will.

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: It seems so obvious. Why not rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Reconnect our people, create dazzling bridges, show what our country is capable of once more. But alas, nothing is being done at the Federal level. Krugman, the Yale … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, environment, Finance, History, Politics, Transportation | Comments Off

Senate Democrats introduce bill to deny tax loophole for Big Pharma ads

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Thanks to Dick D for sending this along. I’ve been puzzled when watching TV that so many commercials are for very expensive drugs for conditions that aren’t all that common. The hype benefits then discuss side effects (even … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Business, Finance, Health, Politics | Comments Off

Boomers Create a Surge in Luxury Care CCRCs

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Put B for finding this article. The fact that there are very limited laws in Washington State governing CCRCs remind me that joining WACCRA is a very good way to have a voice in our futures. Rich Gifford, … Continue reading →

Posted in CCRC Info, Finance, Law | 3 Comments

$upport Our $taff!

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Our $O$ campaign is in high gear! Remember, we’re aiming for 100% resident participation! So far, 81% of our residents have contributed to this fund to express our thanks to our valued employees. Place your check payable to the Skyline Residents’ Association … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, CCRC Info, Finance, happiness, Philanthropy, Skyline Info | Comments Off

Tariffs affecting the farmer – speaking to the Presidnet

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Posted in environment, Finance, Politics | Comments Off

Shop and give at smile.amazon.com

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Irene Campbell pointed out a totally painless and profitable way to have Amazon donate 0.5% of your purchases to the SRA. It’s so simple because Skyline at First Hill Resident’s Association is a non-profit. Amazon shares its profits with non-profits … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Finance, Philanthropy, Skyline Info | Comments Off

A record number of folks age 85 and older are working, and here’s what they’re doing

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Are you still working? About 4% of us are, and there are at least a few at Skyline still going to the office or working from home. What’s your experience? Here’s an article from the Washington Post: Seventy may be … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Sites, Finance | Comments Off

Reagan, Deregulation and America’s Exceptional Rise in Health Care Costs

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: It’s a complex subject but I think we’re all aware that health care prices are gobbling up a larger share of GDP (and our pocketbooks) year by year. The major issue isn’t that the utilization of services or … Continue reading →

Posted in Finance, Health, Politics | Comments Off

Trump’s plans to try to lower drug prices miss the mark

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The New York Times has several articles and opinion pieces about President Trump’s blueprint to manage the continually surging and unfair drug prices. Although there are several interesting ideas in the plan, major attempts to really control prices are absent. … Continue reading →

Posted in Finance, Health, Politics | Comments Off

Alternate help with prescriptions

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Sent in by Katherine Graubard: Washington residents need help paying for prescription drugs. The Health Care Authority (HCA) offers a state-sponsored program to provide savings to all people living in Washington. Click here for information.

Posted in Finance, Health | Comments Off

7 Ways to Judge a Retirement Community’s Financial Health

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Frank Conlon sent this in from the New York Times. Good information showing the importance of a strong WACRAA to help ensure financial transparency with protections for residents. “Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt has it all figured out. With their three children grown … Continue reading →

Posted in CCRC Info, Finance | Comments Off

There was a time B.A. (before Amazon)

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Posted in Business, Finance, History, Humor | 2 Comments

Experts Forecast Long-Term Stock and Bond Returns: 2018 Edition

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Morningstar summarizes the predictions for equities and bonds in a lead article: click here to read the somewhat gloomy returns predicted. Other experts, of course, disagree. Someone once defined an expert to me as “some SOB from out of town … Continue reading →

Posted in Finance | Comments Off

How Eight Families Fare Under the New Tax Bill

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Editor’s Note: A Certified financial planner emailed this analysis from Bloomberg to me (click below for the full document), “If you’re confused by how the Republican tax bill will affect you, you’re not alone. “The final version rewrites the tax code in dozens of … Continue reading →

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Let’s (not) go phishing

Posted on November 4, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Sally Soest reminds us that emails can be an easy way for us to be exposed to malware, ransomware and fraud. Wisely she called her bank rather than responding to a “phishy” email about her account. Beware when an email … Continue reading →

Posted in Finance, Safety, Scams, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Finances in the CCRC Industry – 3PM Nov 8

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Jim deMaine

“Financial Issues in Today’s CCRC Industry” November 8, 2017, Wednesday, 3:00PM at Skyline Leading Age Washington and WACCRA jointly invite you to an educational program entitled “Financial Issues in Today’s CCRC Industry.” This program is the first of a series … Continue reading →