One of the most tedious parts of traveling is dealing with the airport and security, in particular. You just never know how long the line will be, which is nerve-racking. Here are 10 airport security hacks to help make your airport experience smoother.
That retirement scourge from another era is back. Soaring inflation, once a fixture of the 1970s and ’80s, returned with a vengeance in 2021, when prices skyrocketed 7% for the year, the highest in four decades. For retirees, inflation brings two headaches: stretching a fixed income to meet rapidly rising prices and investing a retirement savings portfolio so that it keeps pace with the higher cost of living. “The biggest fear for retirees is running out of money,” says Chris Miller, founder of the RIA South Pointe Advisors in New York City. “High inflation reduces their purchasing power and increases the likelihood that their portfolio cannot support their spending needs.”
Supply chain disruptions, a worker shortage, pentup consumer demand and government monetary policy have all conspired to keep the economy running hot, with high prices the result. Whether today’s inflation is a temporary glitch or a multiyear spike is still unclear. The Federal Reserve expects inflation will subside and range somewhere between 2.5% and 3% by the end of 2022. That’s still higher than the 1% to 2% annual rate from the past decade, and the Fed could also be wrong. If inflation is here to stay, retirees need to prepare for it.
Back in the day, at least twice a week after our last morning class at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, my friend Fay and I would make a beeline for Metcalf Street, where Grace’s blue lunch wagon would be parked. We never tired of Grace’s plate lunches (my favorites were beef stew and chicken katsu).
Years later when I was a busy single mom, plate lunches were my go-to meals when I didn’t have time to cook. It was convenient, tasty comfort food, and the portions were so big, I knew there would be leftovers for my young son and me.
As we all know, the humble, soul-satisfying plate lunch typically comes with 2 scoops of rice; a protein (beef, chicken, fish, or tofu); and a side of mac salad. It is a core of our local dining experience, and these 7 O‘ahu eateries take the dish to delicious new heights.
Congratulations to Tim Fujino, who recently retired as the Translation Assistance Advisor at the Hawaii Air National Guard Airman & Family Readiness office. Since his military retirement, he has done a super job providing advice to military members transitioning to civilian life.
Corrections to earlier Retiree News posts:
Check Six – F-4 Era: Henry Chang: Samuel Wong emailed in, “Henry Chang joined the 204th Airlift Sqaudron as a Flight Engineer. He was never a Loadmaster.”
Check Six – 1947: Martin B-26C Marauder: The Hawaii Air National Guard first aircraft was a Douglas A-26 Invader, not a Martin B-26 Marauder as originally identified in the title. The A-26 Invader is an American twin-engine light bomber and ground attack aircraft. The A-26 was redesignated a B-26 Invader in 1948. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II, the Invader also saw service during several major Cold War conflicts.
Retiree News continues the countdown to our pau hana post on July 1, 2022. What started as what I thought was a 2-3 years gig just passed 9 years. It has been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot about the Hawaii National Guard and I hope you have too.
What does that mean for the future? I’m not sure.
But, as far as posts go, July 1, 2022 … All Pau.
Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. The strategies used by young couples just starting their careers and families will not work for seniors with significant assets and multiple generations to consider. How individuals approach these decisions must be governed by their unique circumstances, as well as their ultimate goals.
Regardless of income, assets, or family circumstances, everyone wants to minimize taxes and ensure a smooth transfer of assets when the time comes to distribute their estates. These are the top strategies I recommend people consider when making estate plans.
From the Everyday Health website
When it comes to getting over a cough, there are a few relatively simple steps you can take. Health experts suggest a regimen of fluids, medications if needed, and lots of rest. But getting the rest you need to feel better is easier said than done if your cough is keeping you up all night.
Rest is one of the most important ways your body fights off infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ironically, getting enough rest can also be the hardest thing to accomplish. You know the scenario: You lie down after a long day of feeling lousy, only to find that you can’t stop coughing. Just when you need sleep the most, your cough symptoms get worse, leading to a night of tossing and turning.
Retiree News has received the sad news that Luke Sakanashi passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022. He was 62 years old. Luke retired from the Hawaii Air National Guard after serving many years with the 154th Civil Engineering Squadron. His last assignment was as the squadron’s First Sergeant. In civilian life, Luke retired from the Honolulu Fire Department.
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.
Retiree News will post information about services when available.
This undated photograph shows Grant Suzuki workin in the Engine Shop. Grant was a full time technician for most of his Hawaii Air National Guard career. He was part of a great team repairing engines in the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
From the National Public Radio website
The Biden administration has given the go-ahead for another COVID vaccine booster for people aged 50 and older and certain people who are immunocompromised. They can now get another Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech booster at least four months after their last dose.
But just because you can get an additional booster, does that mean you need to?
Health officials argue that the protection provided by the COVID vaccine booster shots wanes over time. And they are concerned about people considered to be at highest risk of getting severe COVID.
The Kūkā‘ilimoku is the official e-newsletter of the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard. The first issue came in September 1957 and continues as an e-newsletter today.
Today we feature the April 1963 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* Awards presentation
* 199th Fighter Squadron stairway artwork – earlier Retiree News post:
Check Six – 1961: 199 FS Patch & Kurt Johnson* New 154th Group officers
Does your blood type play a role in your risk for disease? Find out how it fares in the face of certain conditions
This undated photograph shows a McDonnell F-4C Phantom II parked in front of the maintenance building. The Phantom still has a camouflage paint scheme. The Hawaiian tail flash design is on the vertical stabilizer. During this period, the emblems of the 199th Fighter Squadron and the 154th Consolidated Maintenace Squadron were displayed near the engine intakes. An Air Force Outstanding Unit Award emblem is just to the rear of the engine intake.
After a working lifetime of alarm clocks and meetings, you might be looking forward to a lot more unstructured time once you retire. But taking care of one more to-do list early on can set you up for a better retirement.
The following assumes you’ve already done some basic financial planning. Ideally, before you retire, you’ll create a budget, decide when to claim Social Security, settle on a sustainable withdrawal rate from your retirement funds and figure out how you’ll cover health care expenses. If any of those topics are still a mystery, consider talking to a fee-only financial advisor. If money’s tight, you may qualify for free or low cost consultations through the Foundation for Financial Planning, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors or the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education, among other organizations.
Even longtime do-it-yourselfers should consider getting expert retirement planning advice, says Catherine Azeles, a certified financial planner and investment consultant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Although your days may be simpler without workplace demands, your finances often become more complex.
“There’s a lot more that goes into the distribution phase of retirement than the accumulation phase,” Azeles says.
After your plan is in place, here’s what to do after you actually retire.
Retiree News 