meanings

In Which the Old Hound Dog Teaches Us About Retirement
photo shows old hound dog sitting in front of a limestone wall

Decades ago, when Louisville, Nebraska, even more closely resembled Mayberry, the old-fashioned service station was run by a gentle soul. His old hound dog was a regular fixture there.

One day a customer pulled in to the station, eager to get to the gas pump. They were delayed by the dog, ambling across the drive, pausing to look at the impatient driver… before continuing slowly on his way.

When the customer finally got to the pump, they jumped out to yell at the proprietor. “That is the laziest dog in all of creation!”

The proprietor offered a different explanation: “He ain’t lazy, he’s just got nothing to do.” Neither person convinced the other, of course.

I was reminded of this story in talking to recent retirees. Most have full days and weeks. This one travels extensively and gardens in between trips; that one helps with younger generations; another is busy improving the country acreage that is home. One says going to the gym is the new job. Some work part-time at hobby jobs.

But a small fraction of people are at loose ends—out of sorts—often after retiring from long careers. Like the hound dog, they get the sense they’ve got nothing to do.

Perhaps those who retired to something more specific do better with this than those whose focus is on getting away from that job or career. Those who are getting away are focused on the past, while those who are retiring to do other things are ready for the future. (No judgment from us: sometimes we must make changes for the sake of our mental or emotional health and can sort out the future later.)

The lesson, if there is one, is to think about the best way to invest our hours and days when we anticipate gaining more control over them. When we are intentional about what we are doing, boredom has less of an opportunity to take root, and there’s more space for whatever is about to begin.

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In Which the Old Hound Dog Teaches Us about Retirement – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

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What Did Don McLean Mean?

© Can Stock Photo / HHLtDave5

The song American Pie is one of the most iconic pieces of pop culture of the last century. Don McLean used its poetic imagery to evoke events and trends both from the world of rock and roll and American society. The narrative he wove caught the imagination of millions.

Some of its references seem clear, while others have multiple interpretations. It seems like thousands of people took a crack at decoding the entire, long, song. From then until now, each listener constructs their own meaning from it.

McLean himself was loathe to interfere with the meanings that people drew. For decades he refused to say anything about the commentary of others or describe in greater detail his own thoughts about any of the references.

The single thing he did say has obvious applications to the things we collaborate on with you. In concerts and interviews, he would share what it meant to him: “It means I don’t ever have to work again if I don’t want to.”

Isn’t that what many of us strive to do with our working years? We use our skills and talents and effort so that someday we can say, “I don’t ever have to work again if I don’t want to.” Few of us produce an epic work at a young age that sets us up for life. But many of us, like McLean, depend on the fruits of our labor to achieve financial independence.

There is a process that turns your skills and talents and effort into wealth that may get you closer to your goals. It’s why we are in business.

Clients, if you would like to talk about this or anything else, please email us or call.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.