The affordable housing crisis isn’t temporary. It’s been building for decades. Source: Why Americans are spending more and more on rent – The Washington Post

Any idea how your state stacks up in the nation’s wealth rankings?  In addition to your state’s rank you can learn about its median household income, current population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate. H/T 24/7 Wallstreet   Source: America’s richest (and poorest) states – Yahoo Finance

Are you prepared for retirement, or even thinking about it? The reality of these seven common assumptions might surprise you. For example, many believe that the Social Security system will be bankrupt by the time they retire.  The reality is that the system looks viable for the next two decades, and probably longer with appropriate […]

Energy self-sufficiency is drawing more interest among the Japanese as they face growing costs of living and the unsavory prospect of becoming dependent on nuclear power plants. Source: Aichi family free of utility bills after turning to firewood, solar power | The Japan Times

When it comes to downsizing, should retirees buy or rent?  Although housing seems to be making a feeble recovery, at least in some parts of the country, there are no guarantees of long-term appreciation any more.  Rents are skyrocketing and commonly thought of as money “thrown out a window.”   What is a retiree to […]

A Kentucky man shot down a drone that had allegedly trespassed over his property and hovered over his house.  Do property owners have the right to protect their airspace privacy and, if so, what means can they use?  The number of such encounters is expected to rapidly increase as more and more amateur and corporate […]

Water scarcity in the arid West might be getting the headlines these days, but aging infrastructure and changing weather patterns are wreaking havoc in the North and Midwest as well. Source: How Aging Infrastructure Is Poisoning the U.S. Drinking Supply – Yahoo Finance

Tiny homes for the homeless…what a great idea! H/T Guy Kawasaki Source: Oakland man builds tiny houses for the homeless – Holy Kaw!

In a fascinating look at the cost of living in all 50 states and hundreds of metropolitan areas, the Tax Foundation shows exactly how much — and how little — 100 bucks is worth depending where you live. Source: How much $100 is really worth in each state

  Obuse, Japan:  This morning I arrived early at the Obuse Elementary school grounds in order to secure a coveted shady area before the annual sports festival began.  It’s a special year because it’s the last festival for my sixth grade son, and it’s also my retirement from frantically shooting photos and video of my three […]