"Jack, thanks for the link, it’s a thought-provoking read, and I get where you’re coming from on portfolio construction. I’m currently 80:20 equities to bonds, and a big correction would leave me looking distinctly green around the gills. What steadies me is my ten-year runway of secure income, which I plan to keep topped up at that length. It lets me be adventurous enough with the portfolio to capture the volatile upside while still protecting the downside. But I never forget that this is the money I need to live a decent life, so I’m with you 100% on building a portfolio that survives, with enough juice left to keep life comfortable whatever the markets throw at it."

"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!"

"It amuses me when I’m with friends and they split up to grab to-go coffees from different vendors, then debate which is best while sipping through a lid. I could understand it if they took the lids off so they could actually taste the damn coffee! It’s like debating the merits of fine food with a blocked nose. Pointless."

"And always tip for takeout. Someone is making that food for you. ❤️"

"I practice geriatrics in CT for three decades and watched several “ assisted living” facilities come and go. The biggest issues are financial, or long term viability of the organization. Many of the for profit ones go bankrupt as they start with low fees, care needs increase and so do the fees. Non Profit or church affiliated places are usually a better bet. I would look at staff longevity ( a good employer retains employees and usually runs things well), physical plant ( avoid places that put a lot of money into walnut paneling etc), resident retention ( ask people you meet at the place how long they have lived there). None of them are reliably excellent"

"I use Fidelity, but i never paid attention to a check book. I just transfer money where i want it to my bank accounts which is rare."