Dan Smith

Comments

• I agree with you about having a primary and secondary account at different brokerages. We use Fidelity as our primary because of the services they offer, and are happy so far. Most of our investments are Vanguard funds.  Between Vanguard and Schwab, I’d probably go for the customer service offered at the latter. Like us, you can still buy Vanguard funds.

  Post: Schwab or Vanguard?

  Link to comment from January 12, 2026

• Oh, I see you've been to Toledo🤣

  Post: The Grass Is Definitely Greener.

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• I like door number three, and establishing, but not funding a SNT. I would make the SNT one of my beneficiaries. If appropriate, I’d think about buying life insurance, probably term, and naming the SNT as beneficiary.

  Post: Warm Heart Cool Head and Cold Cash

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• I actually agree with much of that article. For example, concerns about outliving my money have caused me to be more stingy with my gifts. Regarding Social Security, raising income limits on payroll tax, a gentle increase to retirement age in order to keep people in the workplace longer are worthy of debate.  Defined Contribution (DC) plans work when ‘used as directed’. However, I am concerned about the workers at the bottom. We need the services they provide, we need their families. Working at or near the minimum wage and raising a family make it near impossible for them to even think about preparing for retirement.  But what to do? A national pension? Maybe, but if employers don’t want unfunded liability, I doubt that our lawmakers will either. And who would pay for it? Am we willing to help via income tax? Would this be another way that the federal government subsidizes employers that underpay their workers?  I have lots of questions. Please don’t ask me for answers. 

  Post: How do you really feel about 401k plans?

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• Robert, thanks for this. Many of us DIY investors don't know what we don't know. I believe that the majority of the population requires the help of an fee based advisor such as yourself. Sadly, I was once in the business, employed by a firm that was owned by a huge insurance company. they were all about selling several of the products I mentioned in my article. Consumers lacking financial acumen can't distinguish the good guys from the bad. And of course, I would never advise anyone to go all in on the S&P, or any other single index.

  Post: No Such Thing as Easy Money

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• Thanks for this one, Bogdan. I wish that all residential property managers required tenants to purchase rental insurance. It’s so sad when there’s an apartment fire, and a go-fund-me page has to be set up for the victims. Years ago I bought rental insurance, the multi-policy discount it created was actually larger than the premium for the policy. Rental insurance covers far more than just your ‘stuff’, the coverage protects you from incidents outside the unit as well. It’s crazy not to have it.  Regarding my umbrella policy, the premium is only $200/year. It’s important for anyone with a positive net worth. Insurance protects your assets just as much, or more, than it protects you.

  Post: Asset Protection Ideas

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• Dave’s comment that consistently investing in a target date fund equates to easy money does sound easy. However, how easy is it for many people to find a career that is fulfilling, good paying, and secure? How successful are people's efforts to consistently save and invest throughout their working years while raising a family and dealing with all the curve-balls life throws. I would agree with you that for most, it’s harder than it looks. 

  Post: No Such Thing as Easy Money

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• Kathy, I don’t know that I agree with your assertion that misogyny is at play. However, I have not lived your experience, so who am I to judge your statement?  None of those down arrows came from me.

  Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar

  Link to comment from January 10, 2026

• Yes, many years ago, when my kids were very young, we were driving past the department store, I told them that the store was owned by a retired beer truck driver.  My oldest daughter said Really dad? And I answered Yep, he’s an Elder Beer Man. That silly joke survived and was modified into the actual ElderBeerMen🍻

  Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar

  Link to comment from January 9, 2026

• Ken, I miss hearing from you. I actually have had a good number of down votes, they do not bother me. Sometimes my attempt at humor backfires, other times I take a position in support of someone who's getting picked on for, what I feel, is no good reason. Feel free to hit the red arrow🙀

  Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar

  Link to comment from January 9, 2026