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Comments

• Thank you for this, Dan. Our car is older and doesn’t have the light, but it is something we will definitely look for in our next one. And, the side mirror setting info you wrote about is good, too. It is new to me. Chris

  Post: HumbleDollar’s HumbleDrivers

  Link to comment from May 13, 2026

• This is some good advice for some of our HD friends who are contemplating early retirement. We were in this situation when Spouse retired 2.5 years ago. I was old enough for Medicare and went on that. I researched what to do for Spouse and decided COBRA. Our old health insurance plan was generous and the cost was about the same as ACA that was less generous. Also, we only had 6 mos until Spouse would go on Medicare. So I am glad my thoughts on what to do incorporated some of the points you mentioned. Chris

  Post: Retiring before age 65? COBRA vs ACA plan- important decision

  Link to comment from May 13, 2026

• That happened to my grandma, but my mom gets 50% of Dad’s. Both were what were available to them at the time. C

  Post: The never ending payday

  Link to comment from May 9, 2026

• I think this was a good post, Dick. I was working on similar before we retired. I knew we would both have SS. We also had a 401k to draw from. The last 10 years before retirement we worked on Roth accounts b/c we were in the income bracket to be able to contribute to them. We started maxing them out after we paid off our house. The 401k was pretax, so we wanted to diversify. We also maxed/invested our HSA and paid our medical bills so we would have another pot to use in retirement. The final piece was what to do with the (small) pensions. We had the 100% joint and survivor benefit available to us. The combined amount was enough to pay our property taxes, which is one of our biggest expenses, so we decided to take them instead of rolling them over into an IRA. So in the end we have 5 regular sources of income: 2x SS, 2 small pensions, and a quarterly distribution from a tIRA. We also have the HSA for medical expenses and the Roths are also available if we need them. The SS and pensions cover our regular expenses. The quarterly distribution for tIRA is for fun and any large expenses. Right now I am saving for a car. Chris PS. I hope this will help someone who is where I was, it was so much work to figure out.

  Post: The never ending payday

  Link to comment from May 9, 2026

• Ed, the Guide is such a wonderful resource and helped me so much through the years. Thanks for mentioning it. It can help any age, not just young people. Chris

  Post: Jonathan’s Advice for 2026 Graduates

  Link to comment from May 7, 2026

• I love this! Not a huge Starbucks fan here, but love how you found a way to be more frugal for your morning coffee. I agree with Dana that I try not to buy coffee in a can. I have a recommendation if any of you live in an area with Meijer grocery store. Their Frederick’s brand of premium coffee is good, especially the flavored ones. We buy for a treat sometimes. Chris

  Post: Dickie and his magic beans

  Link to comment from May 6, 2026

• We have not bought any retirement toys. I guess we are too frugal. My sister and brother in law bought an RV, though. Chris

  Post: Retirement Toys

  Link to comment from May 4, 2026

• Dana, I am enjoying reading about your move series and hope you will keep writing about it. I am pulling for you that you will be able to pay off your mortgage early like we did. Chris

  Post: How it all pencils out–or at least, we hope so! (Our Big “Little” Move, Part 3)

  Link to comment from April 25, 2026

• Bill, thanks for the comment about the closing statement many times being a substitute for form 1099S. I will have Spouse check this for their mom’s house sale earlier this year. Chris

  Post: How it all pencils out–or at least, we hope so! (Our Big “Little” Move, Part 3)

  Link to comment from April 25, 2026

• We were not in the same financial situation as you when our kids were in college. Their books and spending money came from their summer jobs and on campus jobs. They did not have cars to take to school until they were seniors. For your situation, I think Mark Crothers had a good reply. Good luck. Chris

  Post: How much to provide a college student monthly?

  Link to comment from April 25, 2026