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What I Watch

Dennis Friedman

MANY FINANCIAL planners say you shouldn’t look at your investment portfolio too often because it may prompt you to make poor decisions based on short-term stock market performance. I try to follow this advice, even though it would be easy for me to take a peek, because we have almost all our money with Vanguard Group.

Ever since we consolidated our investments, I’ve noticed a change in my wife’s attitude toward money: Rachel is more willing to spend. Maybe it’s the visual of having one large balance at Vanguard, rather than smaller balances spread across multiple financial institutions, that makes her feel more financially secure. It becomes clearer to her how much money we really have when it’s parked in one spot.

What about me? Although I don’t look at my portfolio too often, there are four other things I pay close attention to.

1. My Social Security deposit. Around the seventh of every month, when my Social Security is scheduled to be deposited, I check to see if it’s been posted to my account. Then I log that payment on a spreadsheet to track the total amount I’ve received. I don’t track my wife’s benefit, just mine.

I waited until age 70 to take Social Security. I’m approaching 74 and, so far, I’ve received $176,750. I don’t really know the significance of this number or why it’s so important to me.

My friend Art also waited until 70 to take Social Security. About a month later, he was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer. Could that be the reason I track the total benefits I’ve received? Perhaps. I’m concerned about not reaching my breakeven point, which is around age 81.

Yet that shouldn’t be my focus. After all, the main reason I delayed my benefit is to provide a larger income stream later in life, when there’s a risk of Rachel and me running out of money.

Thanks to delaying, not only do I get a larger initial check, but also a larger dollar amount in annual cost-of-living increases. Those increases compound over the years, resulting in exponential growth that could give us significant income down the road. Remember, although all recipients got the same 2.5% inflation increase for 2025, the actual dollar amount is based on the amount of your benefit.

2. My credit card balance and transactions.  Every time I charge something, I look at the Citi app on my smartphone to make sure the amount charged is correct. It’s easy to do. The app has a snapshot feature where I can see the transactions without logging in.

Another reason I keep close tabs on our primary credit card: I found if I keep the balance under $2,000, my FICO score is higher. I’ll usually make multiple payments during the month to keep it below the desired amount. It seems to work. My current FICO score rose to 816 because my credit utilization ratio—how much I owe creditors relative to how much credit I have available—is so low.

The other day, we were purchasing some vinyl windows for our house. The window manufacturer had a special financing promotion: no money down, no monthly payments and no interest for 12 months. Since I froze my credit because my personal information was compromised, I had Rachel apply.

The sales representative was surprised at how fast Rachel’s credit application was approved. “I’ve never had anyone approved that quickly,” she said. I wasn’t surprised. My wife’s FICO score is 840.

We’ll probably pay off the windows as soon as they’re installed to our satisfaction. We both hate owing money.

3. My blood pressure. Why is it so important to monitor your blood pressure? Because it’s a silent killer that often goes undetected until it causes harm. More Americans die from heart disease than any other illness.

My best friend Jeremy died of a heart attack. Maybe all his drinking caught up with him. My longtime coworker John also died from one. Could all those burgers and fries from the lunch wagon have caught up with John? Who knows?

I know that, at my age, I’m at more risk of dying from heart disease. My mother did. I check my blood pressure a few times a week at home, where I feel I get a more accurate reading than during a one-time visit to my doctor’s office. When I go to see the doctor, my blood pressure is usually high. I have what they call white-coat hypertension.

When I check it at home, it’s usually below the recommended level of 120 over 80. I keep a log on my smartphone of my blood pressure readings by date and time of day, so I can easily show my doctor. Based on the reading in the doctor’s office, I’d probably be on unnecessary medication.

4. My daily steps and distance walked. I try to walk seven miles a day. My father walked a lot. In fact, I take the same route that he used to walk.

I didn’t realize how much walking meant to him until his final days. When he was in hospice care, he still wanted to go for his daily walk. We told him it was too dangerous because he didn’t have the strength. He said, “How can I get better if I don’t walk?”

I’m like my father. I believe walking can make my life better. I’m hoping all those steps will lead to a longer, healthier life.

Dennis Friedman retired from Boeing Satellite Systems after a 30-year career in manufacturing. Born in Ohio, Dennis is a California transplant with a bachelor’s degree in history and an MBA. A self-described “humble investor,” he likes reading historical novels and about personal finance. Follow Dennis on X @DMFrie and check out his earlier articles.

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Sal Collora
17 days ago

Wow, what a difference between two people. I’m 52, not 74, but still.

  1. I intend to take SS at 62 – I can invest the money better than the government and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Your friend’s experience is EXACTLY the reason.
  2. I have a high FICO score but couldn’t care less about it. I put everything on my credit card and never get loans or sign up for any financing of any kind. I have an SBLOC for anything large that might come up in an emergency.
  3. I stopped tracking my blood pressure completely after being told over and over it was high. I had what I thought was a “heart thing” that turned out to be a nothing burger. The doctor looked at me and said, “95% of people take blood pressure incorrectly. You walk 5 miles a day without chest pain. You’re good. Lose 10 pounds and your blood pressure will be perfect.” I’ve found it’s MORE stress to keep looking at your blood pressure.

The walking thing is pretty important, but the whole tracking thing is more for fun. You know when you’re walking enough, and know when it’s too much. Just listen to your body.

It’s cool to see how people see money and retirement. I am pretty close.

Bill W.
20 days ago

Don’t payoff the free interest option for 12 mos. Buy a CD for the interim, interest reduces true cost of windows. Read the fine print to make sure on offer. We did that and got a 18 mos CD and reduced cost of windows.

wendy ajj10
21 days ago

Dennis, your articles are always of interest. Thanks for the list.

Jeff Fisher
23 days ago

Huge bonus points for walking. Great time to listen to podcasts and learn.

Liz Brennon
23 days ago

Waiting until 70 to get your SS. I did that too for the same reason – have more when I am older and less able to find other ways to earn money/I might need more due to health reasons (well I already have health reasons but figuring age + heath reasons means I’d be even more likely to need the money more when I am older). I don’t look at it from the point of view of “getting back what I paid in” though. I look at it from the point of view that it is buying life long income regardless of how long I live (or don’t live). As I wanted the highest possible amount, the “price” was that I had to wait.

I see it as sort of like buying insurance (not a perfect analogy though since here you want to use SS for as long as possible and you don’t want ot have to use your insurance – see my next paragraph). You buy it, pay the premiums, and then hope you never need to use it and are a profit center for the insurance company. BUT you have it if you need it.

The sort of analogy part is not wanting to use your insurance to the point that you’d break even with premiums or come out ahead as that would mean bad things happened. That, in my opinion, isn’t what you want to have happen with insurance when you decide to buy it. You buy it as a hedge against a need in future. With delaying SS that is buying a hedge against your need in the future as well. Taking it so you will break even sooner doesn’t buy you that hedge. Of course if you were rich enough you wouldn’t need that hedge but that is a different “story”.

Liz Brennon
23 days ago

With respect to your first comment – not looking at your investment portfolio too often because you might make rash moves/poor decisions. When we see losses we are then far more likely to be loss framed. When you are loss framed you are far more willing to make risky choices to “gain that loss back”. That is the psychological explanation for that.

Dennis Vroegindewey
23 days ago

Another plus you’ve acquired by waiting until 70 to collect Social Security is if you pass away before you’re 81, your break even age, you’re surviving wife will be able to assume your higher benefit.

Veggi Vet
23 days ago

It is likely many people are on high blood pressure medications that actually don’t need them. Some doctors believe this is at least partially responsible for the epidemic of falls in the elderly population.

Scott Dichter
25 days ago

White coat hypertension is fairly common. Personally I wouldn’t start medication unless I had a follow up visit with a cardiologist. For one because I’d worry that there was something else that a specialist would find but also because lifetime meds always have a residual cost.

I keep track of my transactions, via the Empower website, see my net worth, and everything else. It’s important because fraudsters can attack your accounts in different ways. I caught someone trying to go after my checking account presenting fake Amazon transactions.

Kim Zimmerman
25 days ago

I enjoyed reading your article. I find walking cheap, beneficial, and enjoyable. And I think so does the dog.

Jeff Bond
26 days ago

The list of things I “check” each day is long and not worthy of a summary here. Although the HD website is one if the very first things I check each morning (even when I’m on vacation). I like your list – it makes sense.

John M
26 days ago

I always enjoy reading what you have to say.

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago
Reply to  John M

John, thank you for the kind words.

Andrew Forsythe
26 days ago

Dennis, I applaud you on walking 7 miles a day—that’s impressive. I likewise enjoy walking and do a combination of treadmill (great for catching up on movies!) and outside walking when the weather allows.

I’ve also been walking dogs my entire life and they are indeed great motivators for getting outside. But my dogs always seem to enjoy the stopping to sniff as much as the walking, so I usually have to do my “exercise” walks separately.

Kristine Hayes
26 days ago

Yes–the sniffing!

Three of our four dogs are sniffers. But our Dutch Shepherd gives me a vigorous workout. She has no desire to sniff, moves at a brisk trot and pulls on her leash the entire time I’m out with her.

If I were 20 or 30 years younger, I’d do Canicross with her!

Andrew Forsythe
26 days ago
Reply to  Kristine Hayes

Kristine, “Canicross” was a new one to me—interesting!

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago

Andrew, that’s funny about your dog stopping to sniff. My dog would sometimes do that, too.

Andrew Forsythe
26 days ago

Dennis, dogs’ sense of smell is so incredible, I’ve always thought of the sniffing as them reading the New York Times!

Nuke Ken
26 days ago

Dennis, I always enjoy reading your articles and this one is no exception. I keep track of all the things you mentioned, except that I don’t get SS yet. Still, I keep track of my pension payments and keep a running total. I also calculate the percentage of my initial pension cash balance value that has been returned to me. Not even into double digits yet, but if I live long enough, some day I might experience the mild satisfaction of seeing that indicator reach 100%. I also have a goal of not checking my investment accounts too often. Since I no longer rebalance, I’m not worried that I’ll initiate an emotional transaction. I just would rather not have money on my brain more than necessary.

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago
Reply to  Nuke Ken

Ken, it’s good to hear from you. You make me feel better knowing that I’m not the only one tracking these numbers.

DrLefty
26 days ago

I have the white coat hypertension issue, too, and actually was on blood pressure meds (a fairly low dose) for five years. After I lost some weight and got into better shape, I started checking my BP regularly at home and it was fine—in fact, it was very good. I asked my new primary care doc if she thought I really needed the meds, and she had me do a 24-hour monitor test. It was a pain, but it demonstrated clearly that I did NOT have high blood pressure, and I went off the meds two years ago. I still have my BP spike at the doctor’s office, but I have an agreement with my primary care doc that if I take the reading at home that morning, they’ll put that into my chart.

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago
Reply to  DrLefty

I’m glad you’re off your blood pressure medication, especially when it’s not needed.

mytimetotravel
26 days ago

Whatever makes you happy, but I don’t do any of those things.

Social Security – as I’ve posted before, I was interested in the largest base for future COLAs, but I have no interest at all in whether I “break even”. In any case, that’s largely out of my hands.

FICO score – again, I neither know nor care. (Well, I do know it’s in the 800s, but not exactly where.) I will pay cash for my next, and probably last, car. I live in a retirement community, so no house maintenance. I suppose my FICO score might affect my insurance costs, but they’re pretty low to start with.

Blood pressure – low enough when I see the doctor without having to drive 20-30 minutes to get there I don’t monitor it.

Daily steps – again, no. I’m taking two dance classes and one tai chi class a week, plus ten minutes on the treadmill and a weight machine circuit two or three times a week. I may or may not add a 30 minute walk. Besides, I have no interest in owning the necessary tech and having it report my data.

Oh, and I only see my Vanguard total once or twice a month. No stress.

Charles Moser
26 days ago

I have an unhealthy aversion to spending. Therefore I make it a point to never worry about what my credit score might be. Its one less restraint to making large enjoyable purchases at my stage of life (similiar to yours)

Rick Connor
26 days ago

I read this article this morning, and vowed to get my steps in. Then I went out. The “feels like” temperature was about 10 degree with a biting wind. As I briefly walked my son’s 10 year old Boston Terrier, I wondered how many steps we could get before we froze. The poor little guy was shivering pretty badly. Me too.

Kristine Hayes
26 days ago
Reply to  Rick Connor

I did a lot of walking when I lived in Oregon, but it usually wasn’t pleasant. I can’t even count how many times I walked in downpours.

Now that we live in Arizona, walking (in the fall, winter and spring) is wonderful. You can go out in the morning when it’s still cold or wait–as I am today–until it’s 70 degrees.

The downside, of course, is that summer means walking almost entirely on treadmills or at an indoor track. It also means getting up at 4:30 in the morning in order to get the dogs outside before it’s too hot for them.

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago
Reply to  Rick Connor

Rick, if you had a large indoor mall close by, that would be an ideal place to walk on days like today. 

Dan Smith
26 days ago

I accepted an offer of no interest for 18 months from Discover Card in order to make some expensive purchases for our new home in order to avoid using cash from savings. Now understand that I possess a very calm demeanor, few things rile me up, but seeing my credit score drop below 800 due to a high percentage of available credit disturbed my Zen. I quickly paid the balance down and with my score back above 800, peacefulness has returned to my world.
In my brief time selling insurance I was surprised at how many people didn’t realize that a poor credit score negatively affected their premium. 

Kristine Hayes
26 days ago

Thanks for the article Dennis.

I’m also a walker. I almost always get 12,000 steps a day and probably average about 15,000. For me, that works out to about 8-9 miles a day. Most of it comes from walking our dogs around the neighborhood but I also use a treadmill to get at least a mile or two at a higher intensity level using the incline feature.

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago
Reply to  Kristine Hayes

I had a dog, and I found they’re great workout partners, too.

Last edited 26 days ago by Dennis Friedman
Liz Brennon
23 days ago

I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that cats are not great workout partners. I put mine on a leash. They go outside. They then go sit in the bushes under the very same window they look out of in the apartment. LOL Now as a cuddle bug… cats do that well.

Edmund Marsh
26 days ago

I like your list Dennis, with some things under your immediate control, like walking and others not so much, such as blood pressure. And the Social Security check is now completely beyond control. But maybe, like me, when you stay abreast of things that matter to you, it makes you feel a little less out of control and that can lead to more happiness.Thanks for continuing to write. I’ve appreciated your articles from my early visits to the site.

Rick Connor
26 days ago
Reply to  Edmund Marsh

I was contemplating a reply and read Edmunds and realized he captured my thoughts, and far more articulately. Especially the last sentence.

Dennis Friedman
26 days ago
Reply to  Edmund Marsh

Ed, thanks for your comments, and being a loyal HD writer and reader.

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