Peaking at 35?; Six essential retirement investments that have nothing to do with money; "The Mommy Wars"; The perfect pitch; Value add

By Amanda Morrall (email)

1) What's your perfect number?

Occasionally, during conversations with myself, or friends who will indulge me, I muse about the perfect age. For some reason 17 stands out as being pretty sweet for me; carefree, not yet jaded by life, my own set of wheels (a steal at $100), plenty of mischief and lots of fun. 

U.K. insurer Aviva surveyed Brits on what they thought was the primo age. The average ended up being 35 with the rationale that by then you'd most likely have achieved all those big adult milestones; marriage, house, babies, career.  The survey (full details are carried in this Guardian Money blog) also made a connection with 35 and peak earnings.  Incidentally, the article also mentions another study which found that 35 was also the beginning of the "misery years" a.k.a. mid-life.

As I can't wind back the clock, to 17, or 35 for that matter, I have to believe that both peak earnings and prime time lay somewhere in the future. The Buddhist in me tells me the perfect time is right now. Everyone's on a different journey I reckon, so there's no magical age of enlightenment, financial or otherwise but I would agree with the pension expert quoted in the story about the primo time for savings.

It was calculated that a 35-year-old saving now, would have to set aside 15-20% of their pay to adequately prepare for retirement whereas if they'd started a decade earlier, that savings equation would be half. If I could travel back in time and visit my former self at 17, I would shout above the din of my Sony Walkman "save early and save often. "

2) Six essential investments 

I have been hounding the retirement savings issue for some time. It's a heavy and scary subject I'll admit. It's also very money focussed.

For the sake of balance, here's an excellent article from yahoo finance on six essential retirement investments that have nothing to do with money and everything to do with well-being. Thanks mum for spotting it and travelling a million miles to see me.

3) "The Mommy Wars"

Speaking of mums, U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been trying to curry favour with female voters in the U.S. by suggesting that his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, has been responsible for masses of female job losses. He claimed that 92.3% of net job losses since January 2009 were suffered by women. The Economist. in this article, pokes holes in Romney's stats and research and suggests that actually the fairer sex may fair better through tough economic times because a) they're less likely to drop out of high school than boys b) they're more likely to complete a bachelor's degree both of which are insulating employing factors during a recession.  

Some interesting food for thought but the best part was the last line questioning Romney's credibility and tactics. I just loved the analogy.

Mr Romney was right to say that women are concerned about economic issues, and that they have good reason to be. But if the issue at hand is strictly job losses, then the Romney campaign's claim doesn't make much sense. You might even say it's like when a shifty boyfriend turns up with flowers: one's appreciation of the gesture is tempered by suspicion.

4) The perfect pitch

So you've been plying your networks, working your charm, staying late and producing like a machine and figure it's time to hit the boss up for a raise? Before you storm the office, make sure you're adequately armed. This piece from the Wall Street Journal online offers some useful tips on how to make the perfect salary pitch and also how to deal with rejection. Remember that a decline can sometimes be a blessing in disguise if it proves the motivation you needed to find something better. Here's an excerpt in case you don't have time to read the link.

Back up your pitch with research since hard numbers are tough to dispute. You also want to verify that your performance has been more than historically average, says Mr. Starich. That includes comparing your numbers with colleagues who may be having as good a year as you are, and even peers at other companies. To your past accomplishments, add plans for how you'll do even better in the future. Base your case for a raise on merit, not need, and be sure to pad your figure with some negotiation room.

5) Value add

Judging from the reaction and comments I got on my blog earlier this week asking readers what they thought of financial advisors and whether they were good value, I'm not sure the following will be of interest. Maybe to just a few perhaps. This piece from the Globe and Mail newspaper in Canada talks about the changing nature of the relationship and how advisors, in an attempt to please and retain their high net worth clients are expanding the nature of their advice as well as increasing the amount of time they spend with their clients. The annual phone check-in just won't cut it these days. Increasingly, clients are looking for perspective more than information, which thanks to the Internet, is free and in abundance. True.

And finally the truth about cats and dogs. I howled. So true. 

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!   9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!   9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!  10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!   1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!   3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!   5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!   7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!   8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary Day 983 of My Captivity     My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.     The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However,I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

To read other Take Fives by Amanda Morrall click here. You can also follow Amanda on Twitter@amandamorrall