I started reading Jonathan several decades ago. I’m now 76 and retired 12 years. Most of the success I’ve had in planning for and living in retirement can be attributed to Jonathan’s advice, guidance and writing over the years. What a superb person. Wishing him and his family great peace.
My IRA acts as my emergency fund since my nontaxable savings are minimal. I needed to put the maximum savings into my 403b while working. We’ll have a good sized nontaxable savings fund when we sell our house in the next year and move to our condo in Florida, which has no mortgage and, interestingly, reasonable HOA fees and insurance.
If you haven’t been there, or even if you have, I suggest New Orleans. The history, the architecture, the food, the fun and much more are unique among all American cities. And it’s probably the most European city in the country. I lived there for 14 years and still very much miss it. I go there whenever I can.
One reason to value (or present value) SS payments may be to get a better look at your asset allocation in retirement. Considering that SS payments are similar to a fixed income asset, people might want to increase their equity holdings otherwise to reach an asset allocation that is appropriate for their situation.
Sending you best wishes as you navigate this next phase of your life. May it be fulfilling and meaningful. Developments in treatment come along frequently and I hope something comes up to help in your situation. And, although they’re not necessarily to be counted on, unusual remissions and miracles do happen. I’ve been following you since your WSJ days and have read most of your books. I adopted your investing ideas around 1990 when I began investing almost exclusively in low-cost index funds in an appropriate asset allocation, fairly heavy on equities at that time of mid-career. I’m now retired and your advice has certainly paid off. I especially appreciated it when you said we should be somewhat happy during downturns in the equity markets, because, using dollar cost averaging, those were great times to put money into stocks. I did that by continuing the highest monthly contribution I could make to my 403(b) plan. I thank you profoundly for your guidance. I hope the future holds good things for you!
A consideration in selecting a senior living situation can be the homogeneity of the place, especially politically. In the last presidential election, The Villages area voted around 70% for one party’s candidate. It might not be the best setting for anyone other than a straight, white, heterosexual couple with right-leaning politics.
Comments
I started reading Jonathan several decades ago. I’m now 76 and retired 12 years. Most of the success I’ve had in planning for and living in retirement can be attributed to Jonathan’s advice, guidance and writing over the years. What a superb person. Wishing him and his family great peace.
Post: Jonathan and website update
Link to comment from September 21, 2025
My IRA acts as my emergency fund since my nontaxable savings are minimal. I needed to put the maximum savings into my 403b while working. We’ll have a good sized nontaxable savings fund when we sell our house in the next year and move to our condo in Florida, which has no mortgage and, interestingly, reasonable HOA fees and insurance.
Post: Are you actually using the 4% rule?
Link to comment from September 17, 2025
Depends on your actual necessary expenses.
Post: Are you actually using the 4% rule?
Link to comment from September 17, 2025
I’d prefer to see a comparison of returns of all actively managed bond funds versus all passive index bond funds. That’s the true test over time.
Post: Dazed and Confused.
Link to comment from October 27, 2024
If you haven’t been there, or even if you have, I suggest New Orleans. The history, the architecture, the food, the fun and much more are unique among all American cities. And it’s probably the most European city in the country. I lived there for 14 years and still very much miss it. I go there whenever I can.
Post: First Place
Link to comment from September 6, 2024
One reason to value (or present value) SS payments may be to get a better look at your asset allocation in retirement. Considering that SS payments are similar to a fixed income asset, people might want to increase their equity holdings otherwise to reach an asset allocation that is appropriate for their situation.
Post: Should you include SS and pensions in your net worth?
Link to comment from August 3, 2024
Sending you best wishes as you navigate this next phase of your life. May it be fulfilling and meaningful. Developments in treatment come along frequently and I hope something comes up to help in your situation. And, although they’re not necessarily to be counted on, unusual remissions and miracles do happen. I’ve been following you since your WSJ days and have read most of your books. I adopted your investing ideas around 1990 when I began investing almost exclusively in low-cost index funds in an appropriate asset allocation, fairly heavy on equities at that time of mid-career. I’m now retired and your advice has certainly paid off. I especially appreciated it when you said we should be somewhat happy during downturns in the equity markets, because, using dollar cost averaging, those were great times to put money into stocks. I did that by continuing the highest monthly contribution I could make to my 403(b) plan. I thank you profoundly for your guidance. I hope the future holds good things for you!
Post: The C Word
Link to comment from July 20, 2024
A consideration in selecting a senior living situation can be the homogeneity of the place, especially politically. In the last presidential election, The Villages area voted around 70% for one party’s candidate. It might not be the best setting for anyone other than a straight, white, heterosexual couple with right-leaning politics.
Post: Pluses and Minuses
Link to comment from July 11, 2024
I didn’t realize that some LTC plans could become fully vested.
Post: Where It Goes
Link to comment from April 15, 2024
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages when you dine out. Those can really add up.
Post: Where It Goes
Link to comment from April 15, 2024