FAQs (During Hard Times)
Before you make any decisions, take time to research and carefully consider both your needs and options 

Have you ever thought about how much more inquisitive you are when times are tough than when everything is going great?  Have you noticed how much more attentive to detail you are when a bill is more than you expected versus less?
 
Whatever  the current state of our economy happens to be, we have definitely, at times, reached a stage of concern and financial worry that has made us all ask ourselves and those with whom we do business a lot more questions.
 
With hard times come questions. And, with that in mind, I have included some of the more Frequently Asked Questions along with answers that I hope you will find helpful.
 
Q:        How can I obtain information on the financial condition of my bank or credit union?
 
A:        Most banks are publicly held and, therefore, are required to publish detailed
balance sheet and profit/loss information.  Sometimes this information is
available on their web site; many banks as well provide copies of their financial statements at their branch locations.  All credit unions are required to file a quarterly report detailing all relevant financial information.  You can find this information at ncua.gov, which is the website of the credit union regulating body, the National Credit Union Administration.
 
Q:        What should I be looking for once I obtain this information?
 
A:        Your objective should be to determine the overall financial health of the organization that you have entrusted to assist you in managing your finances.  You can best accomplish this goal by zeroing in on two key numbers, namely the capitalization and profitability of your financial institution.  While a detailed analysis would require a lot of time, energy, and expertise, a quick look at these two numbers will tell you a lot. 

Capitalization may best be described as the institutional equivalent of the equity in your home.  It is the retained and undivided earnings of the organization and is best viewed as a percentage of the assets of the organization.  That percentage will vary greatly among banks and credit unions, but as a frame of reference, a credit union is considered well capitalized if its capital is equal to or greater than 7% of its assets.
 
Profitability is pretty straightforward.  Is your bank or credit union making money and, if so, how much?  If not, how long have they been losing money and what is the plan to turn things around?
 
Q:        How are banks and credit unions insured and to what degree is my money protected should my financial institution fail?
 
A:        Your money is insured up to the exact same levels whether it is deposited at a bank or a credit union.  In fact, banks and credit unions are regulated in almost exactly the same way, but by two separate entities.  Banks are insured and regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and credit unions are insured and regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).  Both insurers provide the same amount of insurance to depositors, typically $250,000 for core deposits (savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit).
 
While these numbers are the most widely known, there are many ways to obtain additional levels of federal insurance through your financial institution. Both websites, FDIC.gov and NCUA.gov, have sections devoted to better understanding and calculating the levels of insurance available to you and your family.
 
Q:        What steps can I personally take to lessen the impact of rising costs?
 
A:        The best thing you can do is control your spending.  Keep track of all of your expenses.  Cut or reduce frivolous or unnecessary purchases and try not to incur any new debt unless it is absolutely necessary. 
 
You can also take steps to reduce the interest rates you are paying.  One positive that usually exists during economic downturns is the availability of better rates and terms on common debt such as home equity loans and credit card balances. Do your research and seek out those better rates and terms.  You might be surprised how much you will save just by transferring existing loans and balances to lower interest rate products.
 
Q:        What are some of the factors that influence the stock markets and housing prices?

A:        When attempting to analyze any type of market behavior, it is helpful to remember that markets behave irrationally.  There never is just one factor or a fully definitive answer as to why markets behave the way that they do, in good times or in bad.  Conventional wisdom indicates, however, that cyclical markets will seek an equilibrium point.
 
Of course, there are many more questions to address during tough times.  In fact, there are probably more questions than answers, but here are some summary points:

• Remain calm, be inquisitive, and get specific
• Study the details and gain the best possible understanding of your finances
• Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see
• Logic, Reason, and Common Sense will prevail
• What goes up must come down

 
Before you make any decisions, take the time that is necessary for you to do your research and to carefully consider both your needs and the options that you have to meet those needs.
 
If you can get a plan in place to help you cope with the hard times and adversity, you will be well positioned to fully enjoy the good economic times when they return.

This article is part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

A New Use for an Old Cliché: Laughing All the Way to the Credit Union
 
You may have heard of the more common wording of this cliché; laughing all the way to the bank, I just prefer this version.  How you interpret this cliché has a lot to do with how well you are doing managing your finances and achieving your financial goals.  If you are doing well, you are probably thinking “right on,” but if you are not doing so well, you are probably closer to “if only I could be so lucky.”
 
Let’s start with the requisite qualifiers.  Money is not everything, and money cannot buy you happiness. Wait a minute, are those clichés? I am also not going to go Gordon Gekko on you and tell you that “greed is good.”  I do believe, however, that capitalism is an important part of our economy and our society, and that no one should be chastised for applying themselves toward a career that is important to them while they make a few bucks along the way.
 
Having a handle on your finances and a plan for your financial goals are important parts of a healthy existence.  How you value money and set your financial goals is entirely up to you. Whether you are only concerned with covering the basics of food, shelter, and clothing, or you want to live a large life of luxury and opulence, it is a distant second to your peace of mind when you have a financial plan and you follow it.
 
While laughing doesn’t necessarily mean you are happy, it is a great start.  If you can find humor in life, you will be more likely to be optimistic, secure, and well adjusted.  So, if you can combine an understanding of your finances with a sense of humor, you really have something!
 
If you have not done so already, you have the power to do so and can develop the skills to better understand your finances to develop a plan that works for you and your lifestyle.  When you do, you can laugh all the way to the credit union!
 
By Scott Arney, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union.
This article is part of Arney's new series, entitled A New Use for an Old Cliché.
This installment is part of Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

From The Serial Decision Maker On The Art of the Question:

Purpose, preparation, timing, and prioritization are all essential aspects of a question that will help get you to where you are going; for the most part, these are all things that you have a large degree of control over and that you can teach yourself through practice.
 
Decision Points are part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

​From The Serial Decision Maker On Business: 

Personal awareness encompasses an appreciation of where you have come from, an understanding of where you are, and a clear idea of where you are heading.

Decision Points are part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

Mindset
When you have the right mindset, you form the foundation for good decision-making

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.
 
I don’t know who first said those words, but I grew up hearing them and I don’t remember a time when I was not aware of the meaning of that statement.  In fact, the older I get, the more meaningful this statement becomes.
 
So much of what you accomplish in life is only possible when you first believe you can accomplish it.  Said another way, so much of what goes unfulfilled in life is a result of a lack of belief in yourself and what might be possible should you be willing to try.
 
I have met many people who I thought had a ton of potential and that much of it was untapped.  I have also met a lot people who I felt were unique and as I got to know them better became even more convinced that they were capable of achieving at a level beyond where they were currently at in their life.  In these instances, it was my belief that the common thread was a fear of failure.
 
Fear of failure is a topic in itself for another time, but for the purposes of this example, let’s just say that it is a trait that is unique among humans.  For some reason, many more people than not tend to focus on what they cannot do versus what they can.  Worse, many people who think they cannot do something only think that is the case because they have never actually tried to do whatever it is they think they can’t do.
 
This thought process is akin to the one that you may use when determining what foods you don’t like.  In most cases, you may only think you don’t like something, but you have never actually tried it.
 
If you are one of these people, try this exercise.  Instead of thinking about what you cannot or have not done, focus on what you can do and have done.  Give yourself an opportunity to build some momentum toward the development of a positive mindset.  For example, at the end of a busy day, think about what you crossed off of your to-do list instead of the things that you just couldn’t get to.
 
There is nothing wrong with looking back on each day in order to evaluate what went right and what went wrong, but if you give yourself some credit for what you accomplished versus just kicking yourself for what you didn’t do, you may find that you eventually will empower yourself to start feeling better about what you are doing and to think about what else might be possible.
 
Another common element that can detract from a healthy and positive mindset is the concept of your comfort zone.  Your comfort zone is whatever circle you draw around yourself at any given time that allows you to feel safe and relaxed.  You need comfort in your life and there are definitely times when it is healthy to allow yourself to feel protected and warm and to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with those feelings.
 
You do not need as much comfort as you might think, however, and in that sense the importance of comfort is a bit over rated.  If you think about the greatest, most exciting times in your life, comfort is not likely to be one of the first thoughts those memories invoke.  In fact, those exciting times were likely only possible because you stepped out of your comfort zone.  You gave yourself the opportunity to learn something new or experience something totally different and outside of your routine.
 
Providing comfort to others is noble.  Seeking comfort from others, especially when times are tough, is necessary.  Retreating to your favorite chair or putting on your softest slippers at the end of a hard day is an essential luxury.
 
However, allowing your comfort zone to enable you to stand pat, to not venture into the unknown at least a little bit, or to somehow make it okay to not apply yourself toward worthwhile challenges is completely unacceptable.
 
Do you find that you approach new situations, such as a get together with a new neighbor or the start of a new class, with dread or that you concentrate on all of the things that could go wrong?  If so, recognize what you are doing.  While it may be easy to talk yourself out of attending one function or to put off taking that next class, making a habit of doing so will only lead to a very small and constantly diminishing comfort zone.
 
When you try something new, especially if it involves putting yourself out there for others to see, something will likely go wrong.  If, however, your mindset is positive and you choose to concentrate on the side of your mental ledger that keeps track of what goes right and what is gained, the things that don’t go so well won’t be nearly as important to you as they once were.
 
There is always room for improvement in just about everything that you do, but improvement isn’t possible unless you are out there doing something to begin with.  If you strive to improve as opposed to letting the thought that your endeavor won’t be perfect stop you from trying, you are moving forward with purpose and toward fulfillment and achievement.
 
When you take the steps that are necessary for you to develop a healthy and positive mindset, you also send a strong signal to those around you that you are confident and that you are dealing from a position of strength.  You indicate that you are someone who is interested in taking an active role in determining the outcome of situations with which you are involved.
 
When you have the right mindset, you form the foundation for good decision-making.  Once you make good decisions on a consistent basis, anything is possible!

This article is part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.  -John Wooden

This post is part of Scott Arney's series entitled, "Arney's Notable Quotables."

The Piano Concert

I have two sons that started taking piano lessons at the same time.  They have taken all of their lessons together and have received the same amount of instruction.  They have progressed to the same level of skill and they have both become accomplished musicians in their own right.

My boys are as tight as brothers can be and, in many ways, are both complementary and supplemental to each other.  They have their own unique personalities, but their similarities and their differences somehow always meet at just the right spot.

My oldest son experiences some butterflies in his gut during the day leading up to a performance, but he is otherwise very comfortable performing in front of others and he never lets those butterflies cause him any anxiety.

His brother, on the other hand, virtually turns inside out at the thought of performing in front of others.  He experiences dread and anxiety in the days, and even weeks, leading up to a performance.  His fears have even caused him to contemplate giving up the piano even though he greatly enjoys playing and does so very well when he is not worrying about an audience.

Every six months, they get to demonstrate what they have learned and recently, my youngest son was tapped to close the show.  This is a highly coveted spot and he was understandably honored to be asked, especially since his older brother had already done it twice.  As much as he was honored, however, the pressure of being the last performer only served to heighten his anxiety.  Whatever difficulties he had faced in the past paled in comparison to what he was now experiencing.

Everyone in our family was nervous, not because we didn't think he could do it, but because we knew what he was going through and how nervous he was.  No one was more aware of this than his older brother.

The order of the performers that night was such that our oldest son played about 4 spots in front of our youngest son.  When his time came, he calmly introduced himself and his song and proceeded to perform beautifully.  I was watching from the back of the gym and I was fortunate to have a clear view of the stage as well as where the performers were sitting.

When my oldest son finished his song, I noticed that he walked straight toward his brother instead of taking his seat several chairs away.  He quietly bent down to talk to him and briefly whispered something to him.  I was too far away to hear him and my curiosity was immediately piqued.

When it was finally our youngest son's turn, he stood up, walked to the piano, announced who he was and what song he would be playing and sat down at the piano.  I didn't notice if he did anything any differently or not, but I did notice that he played his song beautifully and movingly and I could not have been more proud.

Because his was the last song, I was able to talk to my boys right away.  I found my oldest son and asked him what he had said to his brother and he proceeded to tell me that he told him if he shifted his shoulders just a little to the right, he would not even be able to see the audience.  He knew this would help his brother concentrate on the music and forget about the audience and he had the foresight, even while performing his own song, to note this and share it with him.  He gave him just enough of a diversion to help him get through his performance and play his song to the best of his ability.   My younger son confirmed that his brother's tip gave him the confidence to face his fear and perform.

As a parent, I was proud of my sons for the job that they did.  I was even more proud of their demonstration of brotherhood and friendship.  What I haven't shared is that the song our youngest son had chosen was "Fix You" by Coldplay.  Chris Martin had written that song for his wife when she lost her mother.  The reason why our son chose that song was because he wanted to play it for his mom.  You see, her mother had recently passed away and our son wanted to do what he could to make his mom feel better and to honor his grandmother.

When you find a way to face and conquer your own fears, you just might give someone a beautiful gift in the process.  You might make a significant impact beyond the already valuable step of opening new doors for yourself.

In this case, ignoring the audience by making a slight adjustment proved to be very valuable in the development of a skill set and the ability to overcome a very real and potentially destructive fear.  
​
These small steps or adjustments are exactly the moves that you need to make on your path of self- improvement.  Rarely is there one thing that you can do that instantaneously erases your fears, doubts, or worries, but if you take the time to understand the root cause of those fears and worries and then identify steps that you can take to address them, you will eventually push past them and they will no longer present themselves as the obstacles they have previously been to you.

This article is part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

From The Serial Decision Maker On Personal Finances:

While, none of us have any way of telling what is around any corner, shouldn’t we all instinctively know that we should be prepared for the unexpected or unforeseen, whatever it turns out to be? 

Decision Points are part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

Memories
Your experiences and the memories you create from them ensure that your past has been worthwhile, your present is fully appreciated, and your future is full of promise 
 
Dean Martin sang about them and Bob Hope thanked us for them.  We all have them, but what creates memories and why is it important to accumulate as many of them as possible?
 
I have no idea if my own personal categorization of memories has any metaphysical significance, I just know that I tend to sort my memories in one of two ways.  Mine are either born out of tradition and, therefore, some form of repetition or they are created out of singular significance.  I will do my best to explain.
 
What I will refer to as the traditional or cumulative memories are the ones that are created by multiple experiences over an extended period of time.  For me anyway, these tend to be my most treasured with a few exceptions sprinkled in on occasion.
 
I have a host of great memories from the many dinners we have shared together as a family over the years.  Most of those dinners were enjoyed around our kitchen table.  I may not be able to tell you about one specific dinner or what meal we were enjoying at the time, but I remember the laughs and the discussions and the feeling I had during those times as if I was enjoying them all over again right now.
 
I have been fortunate to thoroughly enjoy my work, especially my time at the credit union.  I have many fond memories from this time, but I tend to think most about the accumulation of the strategies, the people, the decisions, and the results as a whole, than I do about one particular event or situation.
 
I think of my childhood and my high school and college years in much the same way, especially as I get older. Some of the specific memories have started to get a little fuzzy, but the general way in which I remember those times prevails. 
 
These are the types of cumulative memories that I am talking about.  There are also the singularly significant as well.
 
The first time I met my wife, the moment each of my kids were born, and my first day on the job at the credit union are all great examples of singularly significant memories.  They are wonderful and they stand out for reasons that are probably obvious.
 
By the way, I also clearly remember my first black eye, the time I didn’t make the basketball team, and the day my grandmother died.  Not pleasant memories, to be sure, but equally as important as the positive ones because they all have contributed to who I am, how I think, and the decisions I make.
 
All of these types of memories are important.  I do not mean to suggest that the cumulative kind are more important than the singularly significant.  I do believe, however, that there is something to be said for the number of memories you accumulate and that the more of them you accumulate, the fuller and richer your life becomes.
 
The human mind and the virtually infinite database it represents is unrivaled and unmatched on this earth or any other.  Much of that capacity goes to waste, however, if it isn’t filled with experiences that are indicative of a life well lived.
 
What constitutes living is up to you to decide, but I would suggest that if you are creating memories worth recording from experiences worth noting, you are well on your way to living a life well lived.
 
If you buy that thought, let me share this one.  A cumulative memory is one that is developed over time and repeated, meaning that if you are enjoying those types of memories, you have found an experience worth seeking again and you have some ability to replicate it.
 
By definition, a singularly significant memory does not come around too often and if you were to spend your time waiting or hoping for one, you might end up a little disappointed.  Additionally, you might be doing something wrong if you experience singularly significant bad memories over and over again.
 
That black eye that I mentioned, I was in kindergarten when I received it.  I remember the girl who gave it to me and you can bet that I made sure I never did anything again to invoke her to punch me in the eye.  In other words, I learned from that experience and I made sure I never made that mistake again.  To be clear, I picked up a few more black eyes as I got older, but never for the same reason or from the same person.
 
I guess what I am trying to convey is that your definition of your life, whether you define it right now or much later, will always be based on the experiences and memories that you have accumulated.  At that moment, when you look back and assess what you have done and what you have been about to that point, I think that you will want that definition to be as rich and colorful as possible.  I don’t think that you should expect your experiences or memories to be devoid of the bad times and events, but I do think that you will want the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you learned from your mistakes and that you grew as a person during times of adversity.
 
In order to have all of that at your point of reflection, you will need to have maximized your cumulative memories to the fullest, absorbed and basked in the singularly significant positive memories, and persevered through the not so pleasant times.
 
Memories and learning go hand in hand.  You learn from your memories and you cannot create memories without a willingness to learn.  The more you can successfully fill your internal database with useful experiences and knowledge, the closer your database will be to capacity and the closer you will be to living your life to its fullest potential.
 
Your experiences and the memories you create from them ensure that your past has been worthwhile, your present is fully appreciated for the opportunity it affords you, and your future is full of promise and new adventures.
 
 This article is part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.

My List of Lists

And now for something really original…a list of lists!  Just when you thought you had seen or heard of every list imaginable and received every bit of advice you could from lists and the people who construct them, I’ve got one more for you.
 
I am a big believer in lists.  I use them as memory tools, especially as I get older.  I use them to help keep me organized.  I use them to keep my priorities straight.
 
I thought it might be fun to list my favorites.  You get to decide if it was fun to read through them.  Here are my top ten in no particular order.
 
To Do List
This is arguably the best-known list of all time and for good reason.  I prefer to construct one daily.  For really busy days, I will draw one up the night before so that I give myself a chance to sleep a little better knowing that I at least have a handle on what I need to do when I wake up.  
 
The value of a to do list is virtually limitless because you can apply it to your work or at home.  It can be as detailed as you like or just cover the highlights.  Besides the more obvious benefits, such as the organization and structure that a well written to do list can add to your day, it can assist you in other ways as well.
 
I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I complete something on my to do list and, as I am fond of saying, there are few joys greater in life than crossing something off of your to do list.
 
Yet To Do List
This is more commonly known as a bucket list, but I think that sounds kind of morbid and I try not to be a cliché guy.
 
This is a broader list and probably one that you do not add to or delete from very often.  I love this list because it often forms the basis for happy thoughts and grand dreams. I like to remind myself that there are always sights to see, people to meet, and new things to experience, and this list is a great reminder of those things.
 
Grocery List
Believe it or not, I enjoy grocery shopping.  I generally do the grocery shopping for our family and this list helps me to be efficient and, to a certain extent, contain cost.
 
When I shop for our family, I try to do so once a week.  That means the pressure is on for me to remember everything for all meals for the next several days.  My enjoyment would evaporate quickly if I was stressed about the task. My grocery list keeps me on point, so I remember what we need, and I am not as tempted to stray from the list and buy a bunch of things we don’t need.
 
If you are not a big grocery shopper, then you can adapt this list for your own shopping habits.  Maybe you are a big do-it-yourself weekend warrior and you spend a lot of time at your local hardware store.  If so, a list like this is going to come in handy.
 
If you’ve read this far, you might be thinking that my list of lists is pretty mundane.  Please keep reading.
 
List of Accomplishments
In my mind, I invented this list. 
 
In my desk drawer, I keep a list of the ten things that I have done in my life of which I am most proud.  This is not an ego thing.  It is a source of inspiration for me on a tough day.  It is a great reminder that I have had some wonderful experiences and I need that reminder the most when I have a day when I feel as though I don’t know anything, and I am not doing anything right.
 
This list helps to keep me focused on the things that are most important and determined to move forward with the intent of adding accomplishments to my list.
 
Daily Reflection List
I replay every day at the end of that day.  Good or bad, work day or vacation day, I take a few moments and reflect on what the day entailed and my role in it.  
 
My reflections involve a lot of questions, such as what did I learn and whether I found something to laugh about?  The exercise is meant to help me make sure that I got the most out of that day and to help me continue to move forward with purpose so that I extract as much as I can from the next day as well.
 
If you ever feel that your daily demands take you away from what matters most to you in life, this is a great checkpoint.  If your reflection isn’t heavy on the amount of time you spent on things that you enjoy and that help you achieve fulfillment, you have a chance to think about why and then set out to get a little closer to those things tomorrow.
 
Assets and Liabilities List
About once every three months, I draw up a list of assets and liabilities.  If you are not in the practice of doing this, I highly recommend that you start.
 
Financial health is a vital component of your overall peace of mind and a big part of your financial health is derived from how engaged you are in the management of your personal finances.  If you have a solid understanding of what you have accumulated (your assets) and what you owe (your liabilities), you have taken the most important step toward making informed decisions about your finances.
 
Financial health is not exclusively a derivative of wealth.  It is, more importantly, a derivative of your own understanding of what you have, what you owe, and what you are going to do increase what you have and decrease what you owe.
 
Discussion Points
This is the only list on my list that does not include the word list in the title, but it is nevertheless a list.  I use this list when I am going to make a speech, organize a soccer practice, or even if I want to have a conversation starter in my pocket when I am about to meet someone for the first time.
 
Over time, I have found that I do not need to write down every word of a speech before I make it to deliver it effectively.  I just need to make sure that I have some organization to my thoughts and that I don’t forget the key topics, and this is where the use of discussion points is helpful.  Similarly, I don’t want to be on the soccer field trying to come up with the next drill on the spot while a dozen 12-year old girls are screaming at me.  I have gotten a lot of use out of jotting down a short list of drills and games before each practice, so I have a reference point as we go.
 
For meetings, it is always helpful to have an outline of the main points I hope to cover, especially if I am meeting someone or a group of people for the first time and I am not sure how it will go or what to expect.
 
So far, I’ve gone heavy on the types of lists that help me to stay organized or otherwise on track.  Let’s finish with a few that are a little more fun.
 
Top 5 Favorites List
You can insert any number here, there is nothing magic about five. It also doesn’t have to be about your favorites.  You can substitute words like Greatest instead.
 
I include this list and use the number five because I have developed this one in response to questions from my kids over the years.  As they have grown up they have asked me about my times and experiences and often want to know, what my favorite (moment, trip, dinner, etc.) has been.  I usually struggle to narrow the answer to one favorite, so I have gotten into the habit of giving them my top five.
 
A list like this is also a good way to start an impromptu conversation with co-workers and friends.  What are your top five favorite movies, books, songs, or television shows?  These questions can lead to a fun discussion and help you to get to know people a little better.
 
Desert Island/Dinner Party List
These are actually two different lists that serve roughly the same purpose.  The desert island list involves the few things that would be essential to you if you were stranded on a deserted island.  You can decide how to limit the number of items and what is not allowed.
 
The dinner party list is the six people (alive or dead) that you have not met and would invite to a dinner party if you had the chance.  I used to ask this question during interviews thinking that it would be a good way to ask a question that the interviewee had not anticipated and to gain insight into that person’s values and heroes.
 
Whether you make these lists for yourself or you are asking others what would be on their list, it can be fun to talk about these topics and you may learn something from your answers or from the answers of your friends and colleagues.
 
Christmas List
I am going to finish strong here and go with the old standby.  Feel free to insert any holiday at the front of the list.  The point is that it is your wish list for whatever occasion you want to apply it to. 
 
Just remember to also make the list of the wishes you hope to fulfill for others, the gifts and experiences that you will give and share.
 
There you go.  I hope that you enjoyed reading the lists as much as I enjoyed writing about them, but I’ve got to go.  Now that I have written this article, I must make a new list of ideas for possible future articles.

This article is part of Scott Arney's educational series, entitled The Serial Decision Maker.