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John Barthel

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    • I always find it interesting how many state and local government employees have their pensions fully funded by the government. In Minnesota, we split the contribution just like Social Security, at about the same rate. I would have enjoyed having that 7-8% for me to add to my 457 plan or IRA.

      Post: The Que sera, sera retirement planning strategy. 

      Link to comment from January 18, 2025

    • I recall a similar talk, but with a friend who constantly harped on us to get started with our 457 savings plan. I was one of the few (only one?) who did, and I still cannot believe the difference it has made (along with our IRAs) in our lives, being able to do just about anything and everything we want.

      Post: The Que sera, sera retirement planning strategy. 

      Link to comment from January 18, 2025

    • We were in Banff in September, and judging by the crowds, it is doing fine. Jasper, however, is different. The highway was closed so we couldn’t even consider visiting.

      Post: Would You Rebuild?

      Link to comment from January 18, 2025

    • #1- can you afford to rebuild? Many lost insurance not long before the fires.i

      Post: Would You Rebuild?

      Link to comment from January 18, 2025

    • Yes, Minister is, in my humble opinion, the absolute BEST comedy series ever. I often rewatch episodes on YouTube.

      Post: Limits of Power by Jonathan Clements

      Link to comment from January 18, 2025

    • It’s always interesting to read columns such as this. With Americans attitudes/feelings about “work”, it makes me wonder how we would do with European or Australian style vacation time. They often start with a minimum of 4-6 weeks (20-30 days) with mandatory usage of that time, and go up from there. On a recent cruise, we met an Australian couple who were taking 3 months of built up time to travel, and would still have 6 weeks upon return to their jobs. For them, it is “forced”, as not taking it incurs a liability for the company. The built up time also accrued over a surprisingly short time.

      Post: Revising Retirement by Marjorie Kondrack

      Link to comment from January 5, 2025

    • Great advice on continuing to do something. When I quit my job, I did volunteer driving for my county Social Services - a surprising (to me) number of elderly live alone and need assistance getting to doctor appointments, dialysis, etc. I also have done Habitat for Humanity International builds. My wife is a techy, and through Senior center, helps with computer, phone, TV, iPad questions. Not much remuneration, but we are fortunate to “have enough”.

      Post: Before You Quit

      Link to comment from October 26, 2024

    • I remember trying desperately to get some idea of the fees, but the rep kept saying that they were minimal. I only bought mutual funds, but they didn’t sell them as shares, like my IRAs, they sell in “units”, which don’t allow price tracking.

      Post: Your Results May Vary

      Link to comment from June 12, 2024

    • I and my wife are fortunate to have pensions along with Social Security. I didn’t do enough Roth to reduce my RMDs, but we are fortunate enough to have our portfolio growing faster than we can spend it, and enjoying life immensely with time for travel and volunteering, among other activities.

      Post: Asking Myself

      Link to comment from March 16, 2024

    • I agree. I am fortunate to have longtime friends, 40, 50, even 70+ years that I stay in contact with. It’s wonderful!

      Post: Friends for Life

      Link to comment from March 9, 2024

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