"Amazon is even worse than pharmacy benefit managers changing prices every month."

"A roughly 115% gain over four years is impressive, but hardly unprecedented. The 1982–87 bull market gained over 200%, while the 1990s and 2009–20 bull markets each gained over 400%. What stands out is the concentration of gains in a handful of technology companies, despite relatively high interest rates and already elevated valuations. Makes me wonder how much of the next decade’s returns we’ve pulled forward. I also suspect this bull market feels more extraordinary than it is thanks to social media. Every new high is celebrated, every dip is a crisis, and every influencer is suddenly an investment genius. The market doubled, but the noise probably went up tenfold! And then AI showed up and every billionaire is as giddy as a hormone induced teenager! :) Meanwhile, I battled my own FOMO (fear of missing out) and built a liability-matching portfolio with a TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) ladder. Not terribly exciting, but I sleep better in retirement!"

"Through a rather roundabout path, I started out helping to run sports coaching for my grandson’s church youth group. Along the way, with the minister’s blessing, I’ve found myself offering some casual, basic financial coaching to the older teenagers. Nothing complicated: the time value of money, good debt versus bad debt, paying yourself first, and so on. I hope it will make a lasting impression on their lives long after I’m gone."

"There's a recent update on the Jonathan Clements initiative on Bogleheads: [Update] Jonathan Clements Getting Going on Savings Initiative and new book - Bogleheads.org"

"So it appears to be equivalent to a “connivence charge”, which is just saying it’s convenient to charge you more for getting nothing in addition. If I see that on the menu I just walk out and give my business to another restaurant."

"Security lending is definitely a viable option for some extra income and I looked carefully at it. That said similar to what was mentioned below; for reasons of simplicity I have passed on this option. In lieu of security lending, I sell covered calls on select equities in my Roth account. I also use covered calls to liquidate equity shares deliberately when I am rebalancing or eliminating positions. Covered calls are not initially that simple either but because I have used them for years, it is easy at this point to keep using them for some added tax free "juice" in the Roth."

"I've taken the approach of only enrolling in this program in my Roth accounts. This way, taxes are irrelevant. I'm also not concerned about getting payments in lieu of dividends in the event a security is on loan when a dividend is paid."

"Thank you Dan for those kind words. Your reminder of our parents when they were young and full of life really resonates. It’s easy for the worries of today to take up so much room, but there’s a lifetime of memories beyond them. I’m grateful to be nearby and to still have time with Mum."

"These kinds of historical data can drive you crazy. November has been the best month for S&P index funds. September has been the worst. So, how do you turn this into action? Buy everything on October 31 and sell on August 31? Better yet, short the index on August 31 and go 2X or 3X on October 31? Writing this gave me a headache."

"This sounds like a great learning opportunity!"