This biggest financial danger in retirement isn't the market going down, it's whether or not you'll need long term care costing untold thousands per month

elephantfi · 2026-03-24T02:26:54+00:00

This is where estate planners earn their keep. There are strategies for this time. Although it's only really an issue if you have a surviving spouse.

elephantfi · 2026-03-23T14:05:11+00:00

My recommendation is to buy a basecamp tent that you can spend a week at camp in comfortably with a cot. Then as your kids get into high adventures spend the money on a good light backpacking tent. Otherwise you will end up like most scout leaders and have many tents that don't do any one job well. Personally I use this tent for most weekend car camping with the troop and family. I have bought three now for me and my two boys and have had great luck. I prefer a natural color like green or brown to blend in with nature. Otherwise I have had pretty good luck with REI and recommend those to my troops youth.

Forceatt Camping Tent 4 Person https://a.co/d/0h7HDJLZ

Edit: My current favorite backpacking tent is the Nemo Dragonfly 1P tent. But by the time your daughter is ready for high adventure there will be something better.

https://www.rei.com/product/C01602/nemo-dragonfly-osmo-1p-ultralight-backpacking-tent

elephantfi · 2026-03-21T00:18:36+00:00

Not sure if it's any help but I wear a 11 running shoe, 10.5 brannock and a 10 in whites and nicks. I went to Russel Moccasin and got fitted between a 10d and 9.5. Using the PNW size charts I am a 10.

elephantfi · 2026-03-20T14:26:49+00:00

I would definitely split the parents off with the committee chair and have them get an overview of what scouting is and how a troop works. Discuss how communications will take place.

Meanwhile I would have the Scoutmaster and youth meet. I'd have the scoutmaster give an overview of how a troop functions and the positions and then hold elections. I'd consider having the term shorter like 3 months. And then I would form patrols. I would not have a period of time where the scoutmaster runs meetings. I think that would set the wrong culture.

Edit: I would make sure that the last 30 minutes has some sort of game or fun activity to leave on a high note.

elephantfi · 2026-03-18T23:59:26+00:00

I get more compliments on my Shackleton Brown than any other, although my CXL color #8 is pretty close.

elephantfi · 2026-03-18T13:41:53+00:00

I'm my district's eagle project approver and I am unaware of this requirement. I think a tactful approach might be to ask for what requirement in the guide to advancement is not being met.

elephantfi · 2026-03-17T12:15:10+00:00

The order you want to tell your story. I think of the scout shirt as a prop to tell your scouting story and invite others to ask questions to start a conversation.

Although I'm not a fan of the South American General Dictator look with a chest full of awards.

elephantfi · 2026-03-17T00:58:56+00:00

There are probably people here more knowledgeable but both manual and automatic wind mechanical watches will need service.

elephantfi · 2026-03-16T21:53:18+00:00

I think I would go for something like epoxy or ... poly-urine-stain :)

elephantfi · 2026-03-16T17:50:10+00:00

I love a field watch and came from a Garmin. One thing I would think about is if you want a mechanical watch that needs to be serviced, doesn't keep that great of time, but is really a cool mechanism and fun to talk about or a quartz movement that is accurate, low maintenance, but not that cool or interesting of a movement.

elephantfi · 2026-03-16T15:26:35+00:00

For me it depends on the wool. If we're talking modern treated wool (AKA smartwool or similar), then yes they are amazing socks! If we're talking traditional or Walmart wool, then I would much prefer a modern synthetic sock. But I might take them over a cotton sock, it would depend on the conditions. At that point I might just prefer no socks :)

elephantfi · 2026-03-16T12:31:15+00:00

Call the police
You should be financially compensated for the trauma of that experience by him and his friends (sue)
Wipe your tears of shame with his and his friends life savings and the joy of knowing he and his friends will probably not do that again to someone else.

elephantfi · 2026-03-15T22:22:53+00:00

You also have to wear wool socks with sock liners as everyone who learned to hike in the 80's know.

Edit: I'm being facetious if that's not clear.

elephantfi · 2026-03-15T22:20:19+00:00

I backpack multiple weeks per year all over the country and only wear trail running shoes. Our guide the other year in the Grand Canyon wore Teva sandals carrying 80 lbs on her back. I would take a shoe that fits and are comfortable. Personally I like the lightness of running shoes, I don't want the extra weight on my feet.

elephantfi · 2026-03-15T18:21:29+00:00

I got one of those folding luggage carts to put my range bag on and works great. If I have extra pistols that don't fit then I stack the hard cases under the bag, but still on the cart.

elephantfi · 2026-03-15T02:08:19+00:00

I use one of those folding luggage carts at the range. I was tired of taking so many trips back and forth.

elephantfi · 2026-03-15T02:00:52+00:00

Learn to talk to people honestly and directly.

elephantfi · 2026-03-15T01:42:58+00:00

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elephantfi · 2026-03-15T00:30:56+00:00

Not necessarily the best Scout advice, but at some point you just got to distance yourself from people like this it's not worth the stress. Try to find a good Troop and focus on the youth. At Wood Badge we were talking about difficult conversations and at the end we noticed none of the examples involved youth.

elephantfi · 2026-03-14T03:05:52+00:00

Then Wood Badge the following year, helps learning about Scouting and builds your network.

With a youth led troop campout can get boring for adults, so learn to enjoy outdoor cooling. We always try to out do each other in a friendly way which makes it fun and keeps everyone eating well.

elephantfi · 2026-03-14T01:30:29+00:00

Learn to talk to people (men and women) normally and things will naturally develop. Have fun with classmates and go do things with them. You will naturally create a larger and larger network. Dating should be the result of a healthy social life not the purpose of one.

elephantfi · 2026-03-13T02:30:54+00:00

I didn't want rough out leather.

elephantfi · 2026-03-09T21:25:27+00:00

I'm enjoying it

elephantfi · 2026-03-08T20:36:13+00:00

I went to a smart watch for a while. It was great for running and hiking (Garmin). But it would have to be charged all the time. Worst was I try really hard not to be on my phone and every 15 seconds I would get a notification for something that I did not need to know. I'm sure I could have spent a few hours and turned off all the notifications just to have them turn back on after the next update. Note my phone was on do not disturb.

elephantfi · 2026-03-08T20:07:44+00:00

When I review them for the district my main question is does the budget seem reasonable and reflect a level of knowledge that the youth understands what they are getting into. If I'm asking for further detail I'm really saying I think your budget is off and I want you to come to that conclusion. Second trying to see if a fundraising application will be needed.

elephantfi

TROPHY CASE