It seems the increase of withdrawal rates is enabled by adding a few more funds such as small cap, etc. Having not read the Bergman's new book, I would assume that it references the percentage in each. I'm pretty happy with my set and forget total market fund but if you're willing to add a little more complexity to your accounts then this might be a way to wring out a higher safe withdrawal rate.
I'm pretty sure JLC is in reference to JL Collins, a semi-well known writer and financal spokesman he mentioned earlier in his comments. I have idea about SSB.
Monday afternoon we were on the final days of our vacation and had just arrived in Bilao Spain. We had planned on spending two days there and then fly home on KLM airlines Wednesday morning. I had already booked and pre-paid for a private guide and another excursions for the next day. After unpacking I got an email alerting us that KLM was going on strike Wednesday morning! I immediately called the airlines and changed our flights to Tuesday. The extra night at the hotel and the two tours were non-refundable. Then we paid extra to get the seats we wanted on the rebooked return flights home. We didn't care about the lost expenses. Just didn't want to be stuck in the connecting Amsterdam airport with over a hundred cancelled flights that morning.
Dear Dickie,
I'm retiring next year but don't have enough for my lifestyle. Is it OK if I do a reverse mortgage to have enough money to lease a new car every year and also a trip to Vegas?
I know the feeling. Our portfolio is at an all time high. One part of my brain says "be sensible. The market has been too high for too long" It wants me to "capture" this gain to prevent a large portion from a market crash. Then the logical side reminds me I locked in 10 years of base level withdrawals a few months ago. Still, the two sides battle for control using both fear and FOMO.
We'll be retired 10 years this month (wow, that's hard to believe!) Besides an initial outlay of around 100K to renovate our lake house to a full time home, our other expenses stayed about the same. No new fancy car or clothes in the last decade. Great, fun vacations and international travel but nothing extravagant because frankly, we don't enjoy extravagant. An exclusive 5 star hotel with butlers and a "pillow concierge" is my idea of hell. I'll be going on medicare in a couple of months but the cost of the supplemental insurance will be close to what we are playing extra to be on my wife's insurance. Maybe a bit more but nothing major. The market has done well for us in the past 10 years, so I will admit that very recently we are learning to relax our lifelong frugal ways. Even as we feel like we are spending like crazy, it's still only around 3%. I guess we need to start eating out more!
I guess I'm the odd one here as I've used H&R Block software for the last few years. Buy it on or near black Friday and the download it with the purchase code in early February. Paid extra to e-file the state return but that's much easier than having to print, mail and hope it doesn't get lost.
Comments
It seems the increase of withdrawal rates is enabled by adding a few more funds such as small cap, etc. Having not read the Bergman's new book, I would assume that it references the percentage in each. I'm pretty happy with my set and forget total market fund but if you're willing to add a little more complexity to your accounts then this might be a way to wring out a higher safe withdrawal rate.
Post: Nick Maggiulli’s take on Bergen’s 4.7 or 5% Withdrawal Rate
Link to comment from September 24, 2025
I'm pretty sure JLC is in reference to JL Collins, a semi-well known writer and financal spokesman he mentioned earlier in his comments. I have idea about SSB.
Post: Not Staying the Course
Link to comment from September 21, 2025
Monday afternoon we were on the final days of our vacation and had just arrived in Bilao Spain. We had planned on spending two days there and then fly home on KLM airlines Wednesday morning. I had already booked and pre-paid for a private guide and another excursions for the next day. After unpacking I got an email alerting us that KLM was going on strike Wednesday morning! I immediately called the airlines and changed our flights to Tuesday. The extra night at the hotel and the two tours were non-refundable. Then we paid extra to get the seats we wanted on the rebooked return flights home. We didn't care about the lost expenses. Just didn't want to be stuck in the connecting Amsterdam airport with over a hundred cancelled flights that morning.
Post: Forty Dollars Richer, Three Hours Wiser?
Link to comment from September 19, 2025
Dear Dickie, I'm retiring next year but don't have enough for my lifestyle. Is it OK if I do a reverse mortgage to have enough money to lease a new car every year and also a trip to Vegas?
Post: I’ve decided to put my opinions to good use. I’m going to become an advice columnist. You know, like Ann Landers, Dear Abby, Miss Manners.
Link to comment from July 22, 2025
I know the feeling. Our portfolio is at an all time high. One part of my brain says "be sensible. The market has been too high for too long" It wants me to "capture" this gain to prevent a large portion from a market crash. Then the logical side reminds me I locked in 10 years of base level withdrawals a few months ago. Still, the two sides battle for control using both fear and FOMO.
Post: Double FOMOitis
Link to comment from July 22, 2025
We'll be retired 10 years this month (wow, that's hard to believe!) Besides an initial outlay of around 100K to renovate our lake house to a full time home, our other expenses stayed about the same. No new fancy car or clothes in the last decade. Great, fun vacations and international travel but nothing extravagant because frankly, we don't enjoy extravagant. An exclusive 5 star hotel with butlers and a "pillow concierge" is my idea of hell. I'll be going on medicare in a couple of months but the cost of the supplemental insurance will be close to what we are playing extra to be on my wife's insurance. Maybe a bit more but nothing major. The market has done well for us in the past 10 years, so I will admit that very recently we are learning to relax our lifelong frugal ways. Even as we feel like we are spending like crazy, it's still only around 3%. I guess we need to start eating out more!
Post: Quinn asks. What is your experience or expectation for a change in spending upon retirement?
Link to comment from June 26, 2025
I guess I'm the odd one here as I've used H&R Block software for the last few years. Buy it on or near black Friday and the download it with the purchase code in early February. Paid extra to e-file the state return but that's much easier than having to print, mail and hope it doesn't get lost.
Post: Now taxes are filed, I have a question: How did you prepare your taxes?
Link to comment from April 16, 2025