The Uncommon Path

Plan Wisely | Retire Well | Travel on Your Terms

For those of you wondering, this is what I was doing last weekend with Lori and a few good friends – spending a day on the bourbon trail. I think I look pretty happy in both pictures, but I might give the edge to my bourbon sample straight from the Bardstown barrel – sorry, Lori. 

So what’s the bourbon trail?

It’s equal parts history, science, and deliciousness (if you like bourbon). And the fall is a fantastic time to visit because bourbon pairs well with a crisp autumn day.

By the sounds of it, the bourbon trail is a well-defined set of distilleries all lined up in a row. But in reality, it’s not that structured. Visit a few of the many distilleries in Kentucky, and you’re officially on “the trail.”  

Most stops on the bourbon trail involve a tour that focuses on either the history of the distillery, the process of making bourbon, or both. There is a tasting at the end of each tour where you can sample the different types of bourbon the distillery produces. The variations are endless, and I can’t recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in bourbon or whisky.   

Was bourbon born in Pittsburgh?
There are dozens of bourbon origination stories, but my favorite starts in Pittsburgh. An enterprising gentleman in the Steel City received an order for his white whiskey from a customer in New Orleans. Looking for the cheapest way to transport the liquor, he purchased large oak barrels that had previously stored fish. Not surprisingly, the barrels stunk, so he charred the insides to get rid of the smell. He filled the barrels and sent them on the long journey south. Along the way, bourbon was born, and history was made. True? Maybe, maybe not, but it sounds logical to this Pittsburgher.

Open enrollment
As a reminder, open enrollment starts in November for many companies, making it an excellent time to review your benefits. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the process, as I’m always happy to help.

New name
I’ve changed the newsletter’s name from The Path Ahead to The Uncommon Path, and it will now be sent on the first and third Thursday of each month. Why? The new name better describes the newsletter’s content, and I wanted to be more consistent with its delivery.   

Travel

Why has no one told me about Google flights before? It’s the airfare finder I’ve always dreamed about. You can use it like any other travel search engine, but the magic here happens when you only enter your departure city and travel dates. Leaving your destination blank produces a map with airfares across the country or even the world. Find a destination with a cheap flight and book away. You can narrow your search by price, airline, stops, duration, and more.

There are many videos on Youtube where you walk through a city, but this website has taken the city-stroll to a whole new level. Pick from one of 20 cities and travel through them by viewing extremely sharp camera-work. You can travel by foot, car, or train, during the day or at night. Listen to either a local radio station, the sounds of the street, or a combination of both. It’s the next best thing to being there and an exciting way to experience a new city in this time of difficult travel.  

This list of 20 Great Retirement Travel Ideas does a very nice job of getting you to think about travel in retirement. What will you do? How will you budget for it? What should you not miss?

Retirement

Morningstar answers the question: Is it possible to save too much in your Health Savings Account? Spoiler alert – no, it’s not.

Why are Health Savings Accounts one of the best choices for saving for retirement? Vanguard illustrates how these powerful accounts perform their magic.

Investing

There are many theories about the type of investments that will do well in an inflationary environment, but this one from GMO is exceptional. This white paper is based on their excellent quantitative work and not merely a historical rule of thumb. If you’re worried about inflation, this paper is a must-read.

Did you miss the last issue of The Uncommon Path? If so, you have a second chance to catch up on:

• One of the most important things you can do for the health of your retirement portfolio is rebalance now
• Win the ex-pat life for a month in Portugal (pictured above), expenses paid – here’s how to apply
• 10 life-changing world tours to add to your bucket list
• Who wins? Chase Ultimate Rewards Vs. American Express Membership Rewards

Prefer to receive my newsletter in your inbox?

You’ll not only be signed up for my newsletter which is published twice a month, but you’ll also get a PDF that shows you exactly what a comprehensive retirement plan for people who love to travel is all about. Thanks for reading!

David Tuzzolino, CFA, CFP®, is the Founder and CEO of PathBridge Financial, a firm that specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management services for clients that are nearing retirement and love to travel.