"Steve, I’m glad your parents were able to make those arrangements. Mum also planned ahead, moving into independent living partly to avoid becoming a burden to us. Memory care is available at no additional cost, though it would mean leaving her apartment. I don’t see her reluctance as selfishness. She’s aware of the changes happening to her and is trying to hold on to familiar surroundings and some independence. That doesn’t mean her wishes can determine every decision, or that family can provide unlimited care. We’ll need to balance those wishes with her safety and what we can reasonably manage. Paid help remains an option as we work through that."

"Same as some have mentioned. I have the program with Fidelity. Anywhere between #300-$500 per month is my average interest payments. The one risk is depending on the equities they borrow. For example if one has tax free munis and those are out on loan at the time the bond income is paid, Fidelity will pay you an equivalent amount to replace the income you wont get due to the equities being on loan. The risk is the IRS taxes you on the equivalent income because technically it is not tax free. Other than that, I dont mind the few extra dollars each month."

"This sounds like a great learning opportunity!"

"I read Howard R’s article last year and promptly researched at Schwab and found that none of my ETFs fit their needs. Two months ago Schwab reached out to gauge my interest and I signed up. Promptly some of my Vanguard bond ETFs from my traditional IRA were snapped up and the equivalent $ value deposited in a separate Securities Lending account which Schwab set up in my name. Since then the ETFs have moved back and forth frequently. Sometimes they leave and are deposited back the same day and don’t seem to generate any income. If the ETF’s are left in the Lending Account over the weekend they earn income 7 days a week at the specified interest rate even though the markets are closed. I receive a daily notification of income generated (if any) and on the first business day of the following month the total income earned the previous month is deposited in the lending account and then automatically swept back into the IRA and doesn’t generate taxable income. Dividends from the ETFs unaffected. Last month’s income total was around $900 and this month is closing in on $1000. There must be significant “short” selling of bonds right now and that must be generating the interest. The interest rate they give for one ETF fund is 22.5% and another 45%. I’m guessing this level of activity won’t last long but has been enough for a few free lunches 😊. I have not experienced any issues and it seems to work as advertised."

"Nick, to be honest, being from the UK, I never made the connection. I hadn’t realised the author was the Ken Fisher until I read the comments on my post. The man behind Fisher Investments, the US firm that American index investors love to dislike 😂"

"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."

"I don't think the credit will have any effect on your state taxes. If you live in a state that participates, that will have to be dealt with on your state tax return. In Ohio, you can direct the tax credit to the school of your choice."