I've had that kind of week myself. In the last seven days the oven quit ovening just as we needed to bake a dish to take to a pot-luck dinner with friends. The self close hinges on a kitchen cabinet failed. A section of our gutters was clogged with debris clause the rainwater to spill out all over our patio. All problems too small for a handyman to consider. So parts were ordered, ladders pulled from storage and repairs made. Thankfully all were successful.
I have a friend of almost 50 years. She lives hours aways and is still working so so we almost never see each other. Last year for her birthday instead of sending a card, I put pen to paper and wrote her a two page letter and mailed it in a hand addressed envelope. I figured the unique-ness and novelty of receiving a hand written letter in this era of texts and emails was greater than any mass produced card.
Thanks for this update. I was getting mildly worried about the over-weight in the Mag7 myself. Good to know that the lower 493 are pulling the wagon this year.
Our plan is self funded. We are in our mid 60's and have no children. With our portfolio, a pension, and no heirs we can self fund for at least 6-8 years. Hopdfully more. If funds get low our retirement home is worth over 1 mil. Was hoping to leave it to our nieces but that could be sold as a last resort.
If the market took a very large plunge, I'd not be happy. First thing I'd do is a major Roth conversion.We'd be fine for 8-10 years so I guess not miserable.
Very good advice. No need to panic yet. It could and might get worse but we're not there yet. Market go up, then have corrections. That's the way it goes. I mean we are hardly even at Defcon-1. It's all part of the process.
I've thought about this off and on over the past decade. My opinion is it's not gold or silver you should hoard. It's ammo, drugs and good alcohol. Ammo to protect. Drugs to keep you and yours alive, and adult beverages to ease the situation. All 3 will store easily and can be traded for whatever else you need.
I review our finances with my wife several times a year and we have a longer meeting every New Years day (Just had one) to go indepth and talk our accounts, our spending, vacation dreams and about the future. In the same location of these binders of financial reports is an evelope that is labeled. "It I get hit by a bus"
It does not get into great detail, but clearly explains the investments, the accounts and recommendations on going forward without me. She already has access to safe that contains our wills, end of life directives, all my passwords, etc.
I did exactly that, captured LTCG up to the ceiling of the 0% tax bracket on the gains, in both tax year 2024 and 2025. Yes, I'll pay some state income tax but that's fine with me. If I did a Roth conversion instead I'd still have to pay both Fed and State taxes. The amount captured had over a 100% gain so I'm very happy taking advantage of this conversion for 0.0 Federal. Unlike a Roth, it will not grow going forward tax free. That works in our situation, but probably not for everyone.
Comments
I've had that kind of week myself. In the last seven days the oven quit ovening just as we needed to bake a dish to take to a pot-luck dinner with friends. The self close hinges on a kitchen cabinet failed. A section of our gutters was clogged with debris clause the rainwater to spill out all over our patio. All problems too small for a handyman to consider. So parts were ordered, ladders pulled from storage and repairs made. Thankfully all were successful.
Post: Reluctantly Saving Money
Link to comment from July 7, 2026
I have a friend of almost 50 years. She lives hours aways and is still working so so we almost never see each other. Last year for her birthday instead of sending a card, I put pen to paper and wrote her a two page letter and mailed it in a hand addressed envelope. I figured the unique-ness and novelty of receiving a hand written letter in this era of texts and emails was greater than any mass produced card.
Post: Exercising true frugality
Link to comment from July 4, 2026
Thanks for this update. I was getting mildly worried about the over-weight in the Mag7 myself. Good to know that the lower 493 are pulling the wagon this year.
Post: Billy’s Certificate – 1937
Link to comment from June 26, 2026
The qoute by Pope Francis simply and elegantly voices the needs and desires of most of the planet.
Post: Four Walls
Link to comment from June 24, 2026
Our plan is self funded. We are in our mid 60's and have no children. With our portfolio, a pension, and no heirs we can self fund for at least 6-8 years. Hopdfully more. If funds get low our retirement home is worth over 1 mil. Was hoping to leave it to our nieces but that could be sold as a last resort.
Post: How do you prepare for the long term care cost as retiree?
Link to comment from June 22, 2026
If the market took a very large plunge, I'd not be happy. First thing I'd do is a major Roth conversion. We'd be fine for 8-10 years so I guess not miserable.
Post: Would You Be Miserable?
Link to comment from June 8, 2026
Very good advice. No need to panic yet. It could and might get worse but we're not there yet. Market go up, then have corrections. That's the way it goes. I mean we are hardly even at Defcon-1. It's all part of the process.
Post: The Bear Market Survival Kit (Pharmaceuticals Not Included)
Link to comment from March 22, 2026
I've thought about this off and on over the past decade. My opinion is it's not gold or silver you should hoard. It's ammo, drugs and good alcohol. Ammo to protect. Drugs to keep you and yours alive, and adult beverages to ease the situation. All 3 will store easily and can be traded for whatever else you need.
Post: Why I Own Gold Bars
Link to comment from March 12, 2026
I review our finances with my wife several times a year and we have a longer meeting every New Years day (Just had one) to go indepth and talk our accounts, our spending, vacation dreams and about the future. In the same location of these binders of financial reports is an evelope that is labeled. "It I get hit by a bus" It does not get into great detail, but clearly explains the investments, the accounts and recommendations on going forward without me. She already has access to safe that contains our wills, end of life directives, all my passwords, etc.
Post: Your two best investing books—and do you also keep an End-of-Life “family binder”?
Link to comment from January 4, 2026
I did exactly that, captured LTCG up to the ceiling of the 0% tax bracket on the gains, in both tax year 2024 and 2025. Yes, I'll pay some state income tax but that's fine with me. If I did a Roth conversion instead I'd still have to pay both Fed and State taxes. The amount captured had over a 100% gain so I'm very happy taking advantage of this conversion for 0.0 Federal. Unlike a Roth, it will not grow going forward tax free. That works in our situation, but probably not for everyone.
Post: Capital Gains Planning
Link to comment from January 4, 2026