What a great memory, Jonathan. I, too, was a competitive distance runner earlier in my life, and I have known similar race emotions.
One of the greatest experiences I would relive is backpacking for three months across Europe, in my 20s, right after the Berlin Wall fell and Eastern Europe opened up to visitors. It was an exhilarating journey!
Another interesting thing about “Pride and Prejudice” is I seem to recall the upper middle classes “living on the four percents”, i.e. interest in long-duration government bonds (consuls). Sort of like our modern day 4 percent rule.
I did something similar 2 years ago, but used CDs for years 1 and 2, the US Treasury Notes for year 3. Not sure if this was any better, but wanted the option to sell the Notes, without penalty, if needed. I also maintain about a years worth of expenses in a high yield money market fund.
I, too, Jonathan underbought my house. And nearly 25 years—and several years paid off—later I am still living in it. Built in 1942, its a “Minimal Traditional” 2 BR, 1BA, just 900 sq ft. But it has a full basement, which I utilized as my work space for my side hustle for 15 years. With even my 15 year mortgage much lower than most of my peers 30 year versions I socked away the extra savings in my taxable brokerage account, leading to early financial independence.
Jonathan,
What a sudden shock to read this. I have followed your sage financial guidance since your “Getting Going” column at the WSJ. I wish you the best as you face this, and perhaps your prognosis is better than you anticipate right now.
I have used the free Empower App (formerly Personal Capital), along with Mint. These have allowed me to not only track my spending but to realize when I have deviated from my averages. Both work best if you mostly use a credit card for spending. Recently Mint was shut down. Empower is not only an excellent spending tracker, it has one of the best Monte Carlo Retirement tools built in. It uses your actual current financial spending as well as current portfolio value along with SS income to project confidence levels.
No, definitely not that significant. For us, it means getting away from brutal Minnesota winter for 6-8 weeks, driving to Gulf Coast, staying in moderately priced hotels and/or AirBNB. We rented an AirBNB for this coming January for $2,833 for the month, including taxes and fees. The type of trip you described would force me to tap my nest egg more, selling some fund shares.
I also realize our housing costs are very low, due to such a small house. Low utilities, low insurance, low prop taxes.
Comments
What a great memory, Jonathan. I, too, was a competitive distance runner earlier in my life, and I have known similar race emotions. One of the greatest experiences I would relive is backpacking for three months across Europe, in my 20s, right after the Berlin Wall fell and Eastern Europe opened up to visitors. It was an exhilarating journey!
Post: Hitting Repeat by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from April 5, 2025
I am glad I found this forum of folks with similar investing philosophies as mine: I am doing nothing in reaction to recent market events.
Post: Tariffs and our retirement assets
Link to comment from April 5, 2025
Another interesting thing about “Pride and Prejudice” is I seem to recall the upper middle classes “living on the four percents”, i.e. interest in long-duration government bonds (consuls). Sort of like our modern day 4 percent rule.
Post: All Hat No Cattle
Link to comment from August 17, 2024
I did something similar 2 years ago, but used CDs for years 1 and 2, the US Treasury Notes for year 3. Not sure if this was any better, but wanted the option to sell the Notes, without penalty, if needed. I also maintain about a years worth of expenses in a high yield money market fund.
Post: Question of Interest
Link to comment from August 10, 2024
Interesting. Something I should look into.
Post: Question of Interest
Link to comment from August 10, 2024
I, too, Jonathan underbought my house. And nearly 25 years—and several years paid off—later I am still living in it. Built in 1942, its a “Minimal Traditional” 2 BR, 1BA, just 900 sq ft. But it has a full basement, which I utilized as my work space for my side hustle for 15 years. With even my 15 year mortgage much lower than most of my peers 30 year versions I socked away the extra savings in my taxable brokerage account, leading to early financial independence.
Post: Turning on a Dime
Link to comment from August 10, 2024
Jonathan, What a sudden shock to read this. I have followed your sage financial guidance since your “Getting Going” column at the WSJ. I wish you the best as you face this, and perhaps your prognosis is better than you anticipate right now.
Post: The C Word
Link to comment from June 15, 2024
Excellent advice, Mike. I might suggest a CD ladder instead of a single 5-year CD, though.
Post: Risk at Every Turn
Link to comment from June 1, 2024
I have used the free Empower App (formerly Personal Capital), along with Mint. These have allowed me to not only track my spending but to realize when I have deviated from my averages. Both work best if you mostly use a credit card for spending. Recently Mint was shut down. Empower is not only an excellent spending tracker, it has one of the best Monte Carlo Retirement tools built in. It uses your actual current financial spending as well as current portfolio value along with SS income to project confidence levels.
Post: Where It Goes
Link to comment from April 13, 2024
No, definitely not that significant. For us, it means getting away from brutal Minnesota winter for 6-8 weeks, driving to Gulf Coast, staying in moderately priced hotels and/or AirBNB. We rented an AirBNB for this coming January for $2,833 for the month, including taxes and fees. The type of trip you described would force me to tap my nest egg more, selling some fund shares. I also realize our housing costs are very low, due to such a small house. Low utilities, low insurance, low prop taxes.
Post: Happily Ever After
Link to comment from December 16, 2023