IMPORTANT – ANOUNCEMENT ABOUT ONGOING SERVICE – Feedback welcome
When I was working. I observed over many years that my male clients had usually become less mentally agile by the time they reached age 70. This was irrespective of whether or not they were retired or still working. The same was not true for the few women I dealt with as the principle money manager of the household.
On the odd ocasion where I hinted at that in discussion about financial planning, like recommending powers of attorney be put in place, my clients were often defensive and would adduce evidence as to why they were as sharp as ever! However, if their wives were present, they usually gave me a knowing look!
Some of my dear readers are well past 70 now and one or two have confessed that they are having a little trouble keeping up with technological matters or even being bothered to maintain portfolio records regularly. Sadly, a small number have now died.
Of course, generalisations are usually unfair on certain individuals and we are all different. I am offering my observations, not a medical thesis! I am certainly not saying that senility starts at age 70! Of course we have world leaders in their 80s, not that they are good evidence for the counter argument! Warren Buffet went on into his 80s, but he was leading a huge organisation with every kind of support, and there is some suggestion that even he was ‘losing the plot’.
Whatever you think, I can speak for one person with absolute certaintly – myself. Apart from suffering from all the usual co-morbidity conditions, I have neuro-muscular disaease at a level that imposes some incovenience and recently resulted in a short hospitalisation. I believe that my mental acuity is still fine (but then I would, wouldn’t I?) and my ability to anticipate stock market events and see inflection points is the most developed it has ever been.
Having said that I think I am still sharp on my home subject, I would readily admit that these days I either cannot, or can’t be bothered to, understand new complex concepts. I would maybe opt for an easy option now where as in the past I might have been pedantically obsessive on getting the ‘right’ solution.
My mental acuity is also not much use to you unless it can be communicated and for the reasons stated, plus early signs of pretty standard eyesight issues like cataracts, sitting at a PC writing for long periods is now not really desireable – I have to work in shorter sessions and build up longer articles. I use very large screens which helps a good deal, but typo rates have gone up, so more time in correcting, as far as possible, is required. I am not going to let AI do my writing, although it is useful in providing some content.
I always intended to continue offering my blog and general educational services until age 70, which will be in May next year. So it is now time to address the future service levels and I gave notice that I would be doing that a year ago.
However, this is not an announcement that I am moving into full pipe and slippers mode!
I would welcome your feedback on the future of NotHarry, but I get the feeling that most if not all my subscribers want me to continue at some level.
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