After a year here and experiences on other sites in the past,I think it’s best to write enough or more, and you can respond if you wish.

Life: Balance and health are my priorities. I grew up locally, started age group swimming at 8, and added surfing at 10. I still either surf (still short boarding only) or run (4-5 hilly miles) almost every day. I used to be a decent runner (3:16 marathon, a few 38 minute 10ks and short course Triathlons) but those were decades ago. When I go surfing, I go out, surf hard and then come home since hanging out all day with the boys isn’t for me. I do some low impact aerobic workouts when I get injured but that hasn’t happened for quite a while, not since I got orthotics (now spelled correct: thanks!). I’ve done Yoga in the past, as I need to work on my flexibility and Yoga and Pilates interest me since I am not interested in adding bulk, just keeping toned. I hike up here in PV and elsewhere, and enjoy the outdoors as long as no living creatures are harmed. Except the slugs and critters that are attacking my tomatoes…

Work: I spent the 80’s working for a large local corporation, and then took a year off to finish my MBA. My interviewing did not go well, the year being 1988, so after taking the advice from the Three Boxes of Life, started at the bottom, working at various local financial planning firms, which were more sales oriented than advice driven. After some concurrent adventures including tax returns and real estate, I got my CFP® in 1994 and after a few years was able to get enough investment clients to go off on my own. I rarely write financial plans since that business is non-recurring while investment management is on going. Last year was difficult but the bond and stock markets have rebounded and life is calmer now. Since my life is balanced I rarely get angry except when a home improvement project goes array, which is why I have put some of those on hold.

Food: Besides exercise, I watch what I eat which is a continuous improvement project. I don’t eat fast food (except El Pollo Loco since I cannot find a decent clone recipe for their marinade), and rarely eat red meat. If you are what you eat then I would be a chicken but that is not true! I make chicken soup from scratch and try to add as many vegetables as I can. I’m not a great cook but I try and know garlic solves almost anything. And I eat as much fruit as possible.

Fun: For entertainment, I’m a former rock critic so I listen to what is on my music list here (which has now disappeared? Oh, well). But no one has to listen to what I do. I like independent films, the quirkier the better. I don’t think I’ve seen a commercial film in a theater in over a decade, and I am proud of that. I’m not a huge pro sports fan and a goal in life is to watch less TV. Politically, I am moderate. I know that is cop out but after spending a few years on the Redondo Beach Public Improvement Commission in the 90’s one has to compromise. Both political parties seem more intent on bickering for ego rather than doing the right thing. A similar thank less profession is being a referee for youth soccer matches: every parent who has yelled at a ref should be forced to officiate one game just to know how easy it is to make a mistake.

Photos: I am proud to say I look just like mine. They are a little dated but they show a variety of poses so you get an idea. My weight is between 160-165 pounds, which depending on what source you use is a little more than ideal but I would have a hard time losing more. I hope you have some photos of yourself here as I have a hard time responding to any profile without photos. You can always have private photos available if you are in a sensitive job like a high school teacher or adult film star....

Never Married: You may notice I have never been married and for some women this is red flag. One woman asked to explain very directly, telling me that men in my situation tend to be narcissistic. As I told her, since there is not much I can do about my past, what I can say is I won’t put long term if I didn’t mean it. My parents have been married 50+ years and all my brothers are on their first marriages.

YOU: That is too much about me so what I am looking for? If you’ve made it this far, intelligence is key. It doesn’t have to be in the form of a degree but you should know there is a difference between your and you’re. A sense of humor is a must and though this profile may seem dry, mine is in this profile so I hope you found some of it. Be active – you don’t have to run or surf but some aerobic exercise would be great as long it something you enjoy. I’ve described my eating habits but I am open to improvements. With most everything, I hope to be flexible as long as you believe in intelligent compromise. Low maintenance wins over spoiled rotten but I like giving friendship gifts like tomatoes. Close by or being available for dating in S. California would be helpful. And looks are important. If I sent you an email, you already passed. Congrats?

What would a profile from a CFP® be without some financial advice? I give younger people who over spend my copy of The Millionaire Next Door, which has never worked. The take away is the seven common denominators of real millionaires in the US:
They live well below their means.
They pursue wealth very efficiently.
They have little interest in social status.
They got no financial help from their parents.
Their adult children pay their own way.
They identify profitable markets.
They choose occupations wisely.

I don’t agree with #4 since I had help with undergrad (as long as I got into a UC) and my 1st house (for me, that is #2 and #6), the point of the book is you don’t have to spend money to be rich, or more importantly, happy. Your profession isn’t important, how you feel about it is. And I still have to say if you have any desire to appear on the Real Housewives from Wherever, please pass me by.

Age: Both sexes fib about their ages. I would appreciate it if in your profile you would mention if you do. A couple of years, ok; a decade is bit much, yes? Maybe I could: I was in a benefit surf contest where I was the oldest by at least a 25+ years. A website wrote about the contest: “From early teens to late 30’s, surfers of all ages came out to show they could still shred the smaller-than-hoped-for waves with some serious style.” For the record, I came in 4th out of 6 in the men’s 18+ short board category. Not great but it was for a good cause.

If you gotten this far, true mutual chemistry is hard to find but that hasn’t stopped me, and hopefully you, from trying. Best of luck in your search, Jim

First dates should be a casual lunch where you can meet and see if there is any mutual chemistry. I like to talk to women over the phone at least a couple of times before meeting in person to see if we enough in common to where we both feel comfortable about meeting in person. Though I am off caffeine, a quick meeting for coffee is fine as long it is local. I’d prefer dinner to meeting for drinks since we should be at decent social level and both our pictures show us as we really are so neither of us is surprised…