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.

Trader joe's storefront at dusk with stone facade.

The Best New Trader Joe’s Finds This May

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

The start of another month is the perfect time to restock your kitchen with delicious bites, and Trader Joe’s made sure you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Planning to host a Mother’s Day brunch? TJ’s has you covered. Looking for exciting new bites to switch up your snack routine? The beloved chain has your back there, too.

We’ve rounded up seven new Trader Joe’s items you can find on shelves now, ranging from savory spreads to a sweet breakfast baked good. When you head to the store to try them, it’s a good idea

Source: The Best New Trader Joe’s Finds This May

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3 Strange (But Useful) Vintage Car Options – Hagerty Media

Industry, Lifestyle

The core of a car has remained relatively the same since Karl Benz first rolled out his Patent Motorwagen in 1886: An engine that drives the wheels, steering gear, and a seat for the driver to sit upon. What has changed the most are the options. These are the luxury bits of a car, and over the years, there have been some real winners (heated seats), real cool ones (that record player in the back of DeSotos), and a few head scratchers.

The one consistent has been manufacturers trying just about anything as a line item on the order sheet

Source: 3 Strange (But Useful) Vintage Car Options – Hagerty Media

3 Strange (But Useful) Vintage Car Options – Hagerty Media Read Post »

6 Amazing Oddballs up for Grabs at Broad Arrow’s Villa d’Este Auction – Hagerty Media

Lifestyle

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Oddballs and the Ugly Ducklings of the collector car realm. Nice to see it get a little bit of love. ~jrs

In mid-May, Broad Arrow will offer more than 70 collector cars at its Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction, held on the shores of Lake Como—possibly the most picturesque, Instagrammable place on Earth to sell an automobile.

Heavy hitters include Italian classics from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, Bizzarrini, even Pagani. There are R34 Skylines and Porsches galore, too. As always at a sale like this, though, there are some oddballs in the mix that range from

Source: 6 Amazing Oddballs up for Grabs at Broad Arrow’s Villa d’Este Auction – Hagerty Media

6 Amazing Oddballs up for Grabs at Broad Arrow’s Villa d’Este Auction – Hagerty Media Read Post »

This Old-School American Car Is A Collectors’ Favorite And Still Humiliates Today’s Supercars

Lifestyle

Thirteen point eight seconds, that’s how long it took one American car to reach from zero to 100 mph, and then to a dead stop. Not a 0-60 run, but zero to 100 and back to zero, in less time than an average TV commercial. That feat is sixty years old, and it still holds up today.

In 2026, with electric motors, active aerodynamics, and more computing power than NASA had in the Apollo era, most of the world’s most expensive performance cars only manage to match this American sports car from the 60s. Some are still chasing it.It was small, wicked, and so fast that it’s still the golden standard today.

Source: This Old-School American Car Is A Collectors’ Favorite And Still Humiliates Today’s Supercars

This Old-School American Car Is A Collectors’ Favorite And Still Humiliates Today’s Supercars Read Post »

an elephant statue in a museum

26 Best Museums in the U.S.

Lifestyle, Travel

A good museum can open your mind and expand your world, unlocking the door to another culture, a piece of ancient history, or a style of art. And what makes the experience so special is that it can often be found in a building down the street or across the state—you don’t have to travel to Spain to see the works of Pablo Picasso or visit Egypt to learn about ancient Egyptian history. Some of the world’s best museums are right here in the United States.

Narrowing down the list is highly subjective—some people love art, others would rather immerse themselves in another culture or a certain time in history. We’ve selected a mix of renowned institutions,

Source: 26 Best Museums in the U.S.

26 Best Museums in the U.S. Read Post »

a bowl of oatmeal and a plate of fruit on a bed

The 10 Best Foods to Eat Before Bed for Better Sleep, According to Dietitians

Health & Fitness, Lifestyle

Sleep is a complicated process that can be influenced by a range of factors, from your hormones to how much you exercise. Unsurprisingly, your diet can also play a role.

“What you eat can subtly affect how well you sleep,” says Keri Gans, RDN, host of The Keri Report podcast. Certain nutrients help the body produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, and support the brain chemicals involved in sleep, she explains. 

If you struggle with sleep or have a sleep disorder, adding particular foods to your plate is unlikely to magically turn things around. “Instead,

Source: The 10 Best Foods to Eat Before Bed for Better Sleep, According to Dietitians

The 10 Best Foods to Eat Before Bed for Better Sleep, According to Dietitians Read Post »

9 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools, Recommended by a Former Chef

Lifestyle

Before I started a career in food media, I was a chef for just under 10 years. I worked at a variety of places, including brunch, fine dining, all-vegan, and classic Italian restaurants. In my near-decade of time behind the line, I’ve used thousands of pieces of cookware and kitchen equipment. So naturally, I have some serious opinions on what actually works.

In the past few years, the focus on non-toxic kitchen gear has grown. Many tools meant for professional kitchens

Source: 9 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools, Recommended by a Former Chef

9 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools, Recommended by a Former Chef Read Post »

Our Two Cents: Automotive Products We Regret Purchasing – Hagerty Media

Lifestyle

Regret comes in several forms, and when it comes to cars it can be something you did or did not purchase. For this installment of Our Two Cents, we are focusing on the purchases that ultimately led to disappointment. Rest assured, this isn’t about a specific brand or model. This is more about generalized products that we didn’t get enough utility out of in the first place.

So let’s see what the team at Hagerty Media came up with, and we look

Source: Our Two Cents: Automotive Products We Regret Purchasing – Hagerty Media

Our Two Cents: Automotive Products We Regret Purchasing – Hagerty Media Read Post »

Correction or Bear Market? | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Markets

Market volatility continues apace, as news headlines, and even simple statements or policy hints, have shown the ability to move markets quickly in both directions. This kind of short-term volatility can feel like it carries greater meaning in the moment. But it doesn’t always tell us much about what is happening beneath the surface. In fact, it often gives investors the wrong message.1

My case-in-point this week: the growing gap between the market’s largest growth stocks and the broader index. As shown below, the once-heralded names in Technology and the “Magnificent Seven” have declined significantly more than the S&P 500 overall in 2026, with drawdowns approaching three times the magnitude of the broader market.

Source: Correction or Bear Market? | Zacks Investment Management Blog

Correction or Bear Market? | Zacks Investment Management Blog Read Post »

Spending shock

How spending shocks affect retirement planning

Lifestyle, Markets, Retirement

Market performance tends to dominate the conversation about risks to a retirement plan. But spending shocks can also curb a retirement portfolio’s longevity. In Morningstar’s research, we examined the implications of two major types of spending shocks: unanticipated early retirement and uninsured long-term care expenses at the end of life. The former may necessitate spending over a longer period, often with higher healthcare costs in the pre-Medicare years, while the latter can translate into an effective “balloon payment” toward the end of life.

Early retirement — before the standard age of 65 — is an increasingly common scenario.

Source: How spending shocks affect retirement planning

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These Underrated Midwest Cities Are Among the Best Places to Retire Thanks to Affordability and High Quality of Life

Lifestyle, Retirement, Travel

As more current and future retirees see their budgets squeezed by rising housing and living costs, the Midwest has become a popular destination for older adults looking for affordability. In its annual report, Investopedia highlighted the 25 best retirement cities in the Midwest, which the publication explains offer lower everyday expenses than those in coastal areas.

And while the region encompasses 12 states, this year’s ranking is dominated by five: Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Investopedia prioritized several factors in determining the winners, with affordability and cost of living carrying the most weight,

Source: These Underrated Midwest Cities Are Among the Best Places to Retire Thanks to Affordability and High Quality of Life

These Underrated Midwest Cities Are Among the Best Places to Retire Thanks to Affordability and High Quality of Life Read Post »

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