THE FATHER BLOG

I missed yesterday’s “Family” post so I’m going to do a little combo today for family and travel. So where does “move it or lose it” come into play? Let me tell you…

Lately, I have been seeing the decline of some of the older people in my life and even a death within the last couple weeks. I’m not talking about people in their late 80s or early 90s…I mean anyone would sign up for that longevity. I’m talking about people still in their 70s. On the other hand, I see commercials on TV with 100 year old people out golfing at the retirement community. So what’s the catch?

It’s definitely attributed in part to the “move it or lose it” mentality. Don’t get me wrong….it helps to eat right, drink in moderation, and not smoke/do drugs as you progress through life. But getting your ass outta bed in the morning with a purpose and getting yourself moving/exercising it HUGE!

I’m lucky. My parents are still in very good shape for their mid/late 70s. They live in a nice retirement community where they literally have activities they participate in daily. Sometimes multiple activities per day in addition to the friends they still meet for weekly breakfast and the occasional dinner (early bird specials probably but whatever keeps them moving).

This week my parents hopped on a plane and flew to Utah to go hiking at Arches National Park. I’m so happy for them that they can still do these things that make them happy and I believe, keep them young! So hike away and have a blast this week Mom and Dad. Can’t wait to hear the stories and see lots of pictures.

Yes, “move it or lose it” is true. Regular physical movement is essential to maintain muscle mass, joint mobility, cardiovascular function, and cognitive health. Inactivity accelerates aging, increasing risks for sarcopenia (muscle loss), osteoporosis, and chronic diseases like diabetes. However, lost fitness can be regained, making it more accurately “use it or lose it, until you work at it again”. 

• Muscle and Bone: Inactivity leads to muscle wasting (sarcopenia) and loss of bone density (osteoporosis).
• Joint Health: Moving keeps joints lubricated and reduces pain, while inactivity leads to stiffness.
• Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health: Regular movement prevents metabolic decline, reduces the risk of heart disease, and lowers obesity rates.
• Cognitive Function: Physical activity boosts brain health, whereas a sedentary lifestyle can lead to lower cognitive ability.
• Flexibility & Balance: Consistent movement helps prevent falls and improves mobility in daily life.
• Recovery: While muscles and fitness can be lost in as little as two weeks of inactivity, they can be rebuilt through consistent exercise later.

This past weekend was our St Patrick’s Day party as I mentioned. I wanted to circle back and let everyone know that we sampled the Green Spot 100th Anniversary 10 year old whiskey. It was fantastic!

This, in my opinion, was way different than any of the other Green Spot whiskeys…whether we’re talking about the standard bottle or the ones that have been aged in other barrels. It still had the incredible smoothness that I’ve come to love it the Spot Whiskeys…but with way more depth of flavor. Felt more like a Red Spot or Blue Spot where flavor is concerned. Best part is that it wasn’t an expensive bottle even considering I had to have it shipped from overseas.

If you can find this bottle….I highly recommend you give it a good home! Slainte!

I imagine the major fluctuations of the stock market lately is concerning to a lot of people…especially those at, near, or in retirement. When you get to that point of life, there may not be so much time for rebounding from significant losses. But for you young people or those still years from retirement, the buy and hold strategy is still tried and true. Due diligence, purchase stocks/ETFs that have stood the test of time, diversify your investments….and just BE PATIENT.

I look at my portfolio every single day of the week. If you have done the same, then the past several weeks have been brutal as the war on Iran has continued. Basically losing a decent % overall. But I’m not looking to start selling off the losses and stock piling cash. I’m waiting it out. And the best part, I’m still making dividends on the majority of the investments so $$ keeps coming in to reinvest at these lower prices.

The stock market is incredibly reactionary. Remember tariffs? Tariffs imposed and tariffs lifted….stocks go down, stocks go up. Iran war…stocks go down. Trump says today to postpone bombings…pre stock market is up big. It’s going to happen. And whatever the next thing is….it will happen again. Stay the course, my friends.

Buy and hold is widely considered one of the most effective, reliable, and straightforward investment strategies, favored by long-term investors for maximizing returns through compounding. It minimizes taxes, reduces transaction costs, and avoids emotional decision-making. However, it requires patience, resilience during market volatility, and careful selection to avoid holding duds. 

Why Buy and Hold Works

• Compounding Returns: Holding investments for years allows dividends and price appreciation to accumulate, significantly increasing wealth over time.
• Lower Costs and Taxes: By minimizing frequent trading, you pay fewer commissions and defer capital gains taxes.
• Emotional Discipline: It removes the need to “time the market,” avoiding common errors like panic-selling during downturns and chasing high prices.
• Historical Success: Historically, the market tends to rise over the long term, enabling investors to overcome short-term crashes. 

Potential Disadvantages and Risks

• Capital Tied Up: Significant funds are locked in, reducing liquidity for other potential investments.
• Market Volatility: Without selling, investors must endure significant market crashes and downturns.
• Risk of Poor Selection: If the chosen company or sector underperforms permanently, this strategy can lead to significant losses.
• Active Management Limitation: It does not allow for quick moves to protect assets during sudden market shifts.

How to Execute the Strategy

• Diversification: Do not put all your capital in one stock; own a diverse portfolio to manage risk.
• Regular Rebalancing: Periodically check your portfolio (e.g., quarterly) to ensure your portfolio mix remains aligned with your goals, which may involve selling high-performing stocks to buy underperforming ones.
• Focus on Quality: Focus on companies with strong fundamentals or low-cost index funds.