I'm interested to know if I'm the outlier here, but 15 years after retirement, I'm spending more than twice what I spent before retirement. Yes, lots of it is on family vacations, eating out, etc.
Due to multiple data breaches, I operate under the assumption that everybody has everything on me that they need. The best defense is a good offense. Quan Nguyen outlined it best below.
Worked as a pharmacist for roughly 45 years, 35 of which were in retail pharmacy. A typical day was 12 hours (standing up), eating on the move (standing up), and maybe getting to go to the bathroom once or twice (standing up:). It was rewarding work, but left me with an aching back, arthritis in my neck (resting a phone on my shoulder while continuing to work with my hands), and arthritis at the base of my thumbs (from keyboard entry). I'd probably do it all over again, but at age 65 I knew it was time to leave.
Same scenario for us - dear wife has no interest in the financial details. However, our financial side is current and well documented in Quicken - all accounts, contact info, current values, etc. updated once a month. For us, "the letter" is actually a 1 inch thick notebook covering where everything is, obituaries, prepaid cremation documents, funeral instructions, wills, advanced medical directives, durable powers of attorney, etc. Our four sons (and daughter-in-laws) will almost certainly have to jump in if I predecease her, but it's all there and we will review it with them again when we're together for Thanksgiving.
Been investing for about 60 years (now 80 y.o.) and have never rebalanced. According to Quicken, current allocation is:
Large Cap Stocks - 47%
Small Cap Stocks - 14%
International Stocks - 6% Total Stocks = 67%Domestic Bonds - 15%Cash - 18% Yes, I know it's wrong at my age and there have been some gut wrenching dips, but it has served me well. Cash position is enough for 5 years worth of basic living expenses.
My only regret is not getting into low cost mutual funds earlier.
Comments
Excellent! Thanks
Post: Index Fund Bubble
Link to comment from December 7, 2025
I'm interested to know if I'm the outlier here, but 15 years after retirement, I'm spending more than twice what I spent before retirement. Yes, lots of it is on family vacations, eating out, etc.
Post: AI speaks out on retirement income replacement percentage
Link to comment from December 5, 2025
Happy wife, happy life:)
Post: Health Insurance Double Take
Link to comment from November 21, 2025
Due to multiple data breaches, I operate under the assumption that everybody has everything on me that they need. The best defense is a good offense. Quan Nguyen outlined it best below.
Post: Another week, another data breech notification letter…
Link to comment from November 17, 2025
Thanks for a reminder! Had forgotten to list my wife's and my cell phone opening codes in my master password list.
Post: Dealing with Financial Affairs for Someone Else…..
Link to comment from November 16, 2025
Worked as a pharmacist for roughly 45 years, 35 of which were in retail pharmacy. A typical day was 12 hours (standing up), eating on the move (standing up), and maybe getting to go to the bathroom once or twice (standing up:). It was rewarding work, but left me with an aching back, arthritis in my neck (resting a phone on my shoulder while continuing to work with my hands), and arthritis at the base of my thumbs (from keyboard entry). I'd probably do it all over again, but at age 65 I knew it was time to leave.
Post: When to walk away
Link to comment from November 16, 2025
Same scenario for us - dear wife has no interest in the financial details. However, our financial side is current and well documented in Quicken - all accounts, contact info, current values, etc. updated once a month. For us, "the letter" is actually a 1 inch thick notebook covering where everything is, obituaries, prepaid cremation documents, funeral instructions, wills, advanced medical directives, durable powers of attorney, etc. Our four sons (and daughter-in-laws) will almost certainly have to jump in if I predecease her, but it's all there and we will review it with them again when we're together for Thanksgiving.
Post: Untangling finances
Link to comment from November 2, 2025
This discussion reminds me of the old joke: What's the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.
Post: I don’t know. Or care. But I will at the end of April.
Link to comment from October 29, 2025
Been investing for about 60 years (now 80 y.o.) and have never rebalanced. According to Quicken, current allocation is: Large Cap Stocks - 47% Small Cap Stocks - 14% International Stocks - 6% Total Stocks = 67% Domestic Bonds - 15% Cash - 18% Yes, I know it's wrong at my age and there have been some gut wrenching dips, but it has served me well. Cash position is enough for 5 years worth of basic living expenses. My only regret is not getting into low cost mutual funds earlier.
Post: Optimizer or Satisficer?
Link to comment from October 28, 2025
Took the words right out of my keyboard. That book made a big impression on me (in paperback, of course).
Post: Nothing Fancy, That Works for Me.
Link to comment from October 7, 2025