The Means AND the Ends

The Means AND The Ends is the recognition that "getting there" is at least as important as where you're going. These posts are a curated collection of articles I've written as well as interesting finds that can be serious, humorous, and sometimes skeptical about investing and saving for retirement while being mindful that we must enjoy the ride all along the way.

This Tiny Robot Is Part Bee, Part Crane Fly—and It Finally Has Solid Legs

Industry, Lifestyle

Imagine tiny robotic bees buzzing around fields of wildflowers, helping real bees carry out their crucial pollinating duties decades in the future.

It’s a vision that Harvard’s Microrobotics Laboratory has been working on for years. The barrier? Until recently, the only landing

Read the entire article: This Tiny Robot Is Part Bee, Part Crane Fly—and It Finally Has Solid Legs

This Tiny Robot Is Part Bee, Part Crane Fly—and It Finally Has Solid Legs Read Post »

How Pope Francis’ Death Will Impact Vatican Travel

Lifestyle, Travel

The Vatican announced on April 21 that Pope Francis died at the age of 88. He served in the position since being elected in 2013.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, shared in a statement. “At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.

He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”

Read the entire article: How Pope Francis’ Death Will Impact Vatican Travel

How Pope Francis’ Death Will Impact Vatican Travel Read Post »

Sit-to-stand: The simple test that reveals how you’re ageing

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

The sit-to-stand test takes just 30 seconds to complete, but its results can provide profound insights into your health.

Getting out of a chair may seem too trivial a task to pay much attention to, but your ability to do so actually reveals a great deal about your health. To assess this, doctors use the sit-to-stand test (STS), which measures how many times you can rise to a standing position from a seated position within 30 seconds.

Read the entire article: Sit-to-stand: The simple test that reveals how you’re ageing

Sit-to-stand: The simple test that reveals how you’re ageing Read Post »

Avoid Sudden Moves In This Market | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Financial Planning, Markets

No Sudden Moves in an Event-Driven Market

In last week’s Mitch on the Markets column, I offered readers a central takeaway:“

Selling out of the market today [April 5] substantially increases the chances of being whipsawed when a rally takes hold, which again, no one can know the precise timing of.

In the current environment, the setup is that any modicum of good news on trade will factor as a positive surprise for markets going forward, which will almost certainly trigger strong moves higher. Long-term investors simply cannot afford to miss these upswings.”What a difference a day can make.

Read the entire article: Avoid Sudden Moves In This Market | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Avoid Sudden Moves In This Market | Zacks Investment Management Blog Read Post »

Does a Restaurant Owe You Anything for Free on Your Birthday?

Lifestyle

Every single person who is reading this has a birthday. Some celebrate the day while others avoid it at all costs, wanting to ignore the passing of time. I have at least a couple of friends who don’t just celebrate the day they were born, but the entire month.

A birthday feels special until you remember there are about 17.7 million people around the world who have the same birthday you do. That’s not to say it shouldn’t be

Read the entire article: Does a Restaurant Owe You Anything for Free on Your Birthday?

Does a Restaurant Owe You Anything for Free on Your Birthday? Read Post »

Pray, Montana, for Sale for $2.6 Million

Lifestyle, Retirement

Somewhere along the winding banks of the Yellowstone River, there’s a town where the mail still arrives by hand, the general store has been serving locals for more than a century, and the cabins carry the scent of freshly cut pine. It’s called Pray, Montana—and for the right buyer, it could all be yours.

This five-acre town, just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, offers more than just property lines. Pray offers a functioning U.S. post office, giving it its own zip code and

Read the entire article: Pray, Montana, for Sale for $2.6 Million

Pray, Montana, for Sale for $2.6 Million Read Post »

How carmakers are responding to Trump’s auto tariffs, so far – Sherwood News

Industry

President Trump has repeatedly stated that his goal is to increase US manufacturing, though only a few automakers have made commitments to boost their US businesses so far (and some that have did it before the tariffs were officially announced last month).

Many others have taken to raising prices, halting US shipments, or temporarily lowering their margins by absorbing tariffs.

Read the entire article: How carmakers are responding to Trump’s auto tariffs, so far – Sherwood News

How carmakers are responding to Trump’s auto tariffs, so far – Sherwood News Read Post »

Museum of BBQ opens in Kansas City at Crown Center | Kansas City Star

Lifestyle, Travel

If you want to understand Kansas City, you better understand barbecue.

One Kansas City man has made educating the masses on the topic of KC’s gift to the culinary world his mission.

After six years of hard work, Jonathan Bender’s dream of opening the Museum of BBQ in Kansas City is coming to fruition. Bender’s passion project is set to open Saturday on the second floor of the Crown Center Shops.

The Museum of BBQ is located on the second floor of the Crown Center Shops. It will open to the public on Saturday, April 12.

“It’s been six years in the making, so the idea that the day is almost here, when we can welcome people in, is really joyous,” Bender said. The local author and foodie was excited to greet guests Wednesday during a soft opening for family and friends.

Read the entire article: Museum of BBQ opens in Kansas City at Crown Center | Kansas City Star

Museum of BBQ opens in Kansas City at Crown Center | Kansas City Star Read Post »

101-Year-Old Nutrition Professor Shares 7 Tips For A Long Life

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

At 101 years old, Dr. John Scharffenberg drives a red Toyota Prius and is a YouTube star, sharing healthy living tips he himself follows, like intermittent fasting and eating a plant-based diet.

The physician, who is an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University’s school of public health, travels the world to give lectures about living longer with simple lifestyle changes.

He was in Madagascar last summer,

Read the entire article: 101-Year-Old Nutrition Professor Shares 7 Tips For A Long Life

101-Year-Old Nutrition Professor Shares 7 Tips For A Long Life Read Post »

I study happiness for a living: 25 ‘short rules’ for young people to make life happier, uncomplicated and successful

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

Gretchin Rubin, happiness researcher and bestselling author of “The Happiness Project” shares her favorite life tips that take little time, energy or money.

Read the entire article: I study happiness for a living: 25 ‘short rules’ for young people to make life happier, uncomplicated and successful

I study happiness for a living: 25 ‘short rules’ for young people to make life happier, uncomplicated and successful Read Post »

Are You a Retirement Millionaire Who Is Too Scared to Spend? | Kiplinger

Behavioral Finance, Lifestyle, Retirement

Bill Van Sant has seen it many times among those he has helped with retirement planning. As a managing director at Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, Van Sant has worked with several retirees sitting on piles of cash in retirement but are scared to spend.

There’s the one client who continued to pour money into an old car even though he could afford a newer one that was more reliable. Or the multiple clients who planned to travel in retirement but kept putting it off out of fear they would outlive their savings only to suffer an illness or medical condition that prevented them from realizing their dream.

Even Van Sant’s own father keeps delaying the purchase of a newer boat that has a bathroom even though he has the resources to upgrade.

Read the entire article: Are You a Retirement Millionaire Who Is Too Scared to Spend? | Kiplinger

Are You a Retirement Millionaire Who Is Too Scared to Spend? | Kiplinger Read Post »

A 30-Year Study May Have Found The Single Best Diet For Healthy Aging

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

Would you add a few more vegetables and whole grains to your diet in return for a healthy old age? A new study has broken down in detail the food groups that increase the likelihood of healthy aging – and identified the best diet overall.

For the purposes of the study, researchers led by a team from Harvard University defined healthy aging as reaching 70 without any chronic diseases – and still being in good shape mentally and physically.

Read the entire article: A 30-Year Study May Have Found The Single Best Diet For Healthy Aging

A 30-Year Study May Have Found The Single Best Diet For Healthy Aging Read Post »

S&P 500: Investors Find Ways To Profit From Trump’s Global Arms Race | Investor’s Business Daily

Markets

President Donald Trump’s moves to rip up the world’s military alliances are creating ways for investors to profit in S&P 500 stocks using ETFs.

Six of the eight largest defense and aerospace ETFs, including iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense (ITA), Invesco Aerospace & Defense (PPA) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense (XAR), are outperforming the S&P 500 this year, says an Investor’s Business Daily analysis of data from ETFdb and MarketSurge. And the entire group of eight ETFs is up an average of nearly 7%, while the S&P 500 is down 3% this year so far, says S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Read the entire article: S&P 500: Investors Find Ways To Profit From Trump’s Global Arms Race | Investor’s Business Daily

S&P 500: Investors Find Ways To Profit From Trump’s Global Arms Race | Investor’s Business Daily Read Post »

24 Outstanding Award-Winning Wildlife Photos from the One Eyeland Photography Awards

Lifestyle, Travel

The One Eyeland Photography Awards celebrate the finest in visual storytelling, and this year’s selection of 24 outstanding award-winning wildlife photos showcases nature’s raw beauty like never before. From breathtaking close-ups of elusive predators to intimate moments of animals in their natural habitats, these images capture the essence of wildlife through the lens of talented photographers worldwide.

Each photograph is a testament to patience, skill, and a deep appreciation for the natural world, offering a glimpse into the untamed wilderness. These award-winning shots not only mesmerize with their artistic excellence but also highlight the importance of

Read the entire article: 24 Outstanding Award-Winning Wildlife Photos from the One Eyeland Photography Awards

24 Outstanding Award-Winning Wildlife Photos from the One Eyeland Photography Awards Read Post »

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

Get financial updates and timely news. Straight to your inbox once a week!

This field is required.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Scroll to Top