FREE NEWSLETTER
Too Good to be True
20 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 7/22/2026
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 7/23 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 7/23
Tax Free Income Trap, Dealing With MAGI
24 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 4/21/2026
FIRST: Ormode on 4/21 | RECENT: Andy Morrison on 5/4
Hidden Surcharge
11 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 4/21/2026
FIRST: Nick Politakis on 4/21 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 4/27
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
66 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 4/12/2026
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 4/12 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 4/21
How do I scam thee? Let me count the ways
47 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 7/20/2025
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 7/21/2025 | RECENT: Susan Farke on 3/6
2026 Charitable Contributions
10 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 2/9/2026
FIRST: R Quinn on 2/9 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 2/10
Planning a Trip
21 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 1/30/2026
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 1/30 | RECENT: normr60189 on 2/4
Less Paper, More Fraud
11 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 2/2/2026
FIRST: R Quinn on 2/2 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 2/3
Smart Watch
8 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 1/22/2026
FIRST: normr60189 on 1/22 | RECENT: Jeff Bond on 1/23
Private Equity Investing
8 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 1/21/2026
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 1/21 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 1/22
DIET, Did I Eat That
24 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 1/16/2026
FIRST: David Lancaster on 1/16 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 1/18
Plan for a Pay Cut
36 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/26/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 12/26/2025 | RECENT: Lis7 on 1/13
Filing Status and IRMMA
4 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/28/2025
FIRST: Nick Politakis on 12/28/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 12/31/2025
Humble Christmas and Holiday Message
6 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/20/2025
FIRST: OldITGuy on 12/20/2025 | RECENT: Nick Politakis on 12/22/2025
They Never Call
1 reply
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/19/2025
FIRST: greg_j_tomamichel on 12/19/2025 | RECENT: greg_j_tomamichel on 12/19/2025
27 Months
73 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/12/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 12/12/2025 | RECENT: Andy Morrison on 12/19/2025
Enough Already
29 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/9/2025
FIRST: William Perry on 12/9/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 12/12/2025
The Point of Diminishing Returns
50 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/31/2025
FIRST: Gary Klotz on 11/1/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 12/8/2025
Are the actuarial assumptions regarding benefit neutrality still accurate?
19 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/5/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 12/5/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 12/8/2025
A Day In Philly
26 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 11/11/2025
FIRST: Jack Hannam on 11/11/2025 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 11/12/2025
To Help, And To Be Helped
14 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 11/11/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 11/11/2025 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/12/2025
Public Schools and Property Taxes
16 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/27/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 10/28/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 10/30/2025
HumbleDollar Friend Request
8 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/27/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/27/2025 | RECENT: Edmund Marsh on 10/28/2025
Don’t Give Up on the Wayward Kid
16 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/24/2025
FIRST: greg_j_tomamichel on 10/24/2025 | RECENT: Mom & Dad Schneider on 10/27/2025
Balance Transfers and Money Factors
6 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/21/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 10/21/2025 | RECENT: youthbudget on 10/25/2025
Discarding the Negative
23 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/19/2025
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 10/19/2025 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/21/2025
Drinking on the Job
10 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/16/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 10/17/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 10/19/2025
The Wine Chronicles
24 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/10/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 10/10/2025 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/11/2025
Taxpayers Say the Darndest Things
30 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/2/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 10/2/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 10/8/2025
November 7 HumbleDollar Reader/Writer Meet Up
6 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 10/4/2025
FIRST: Dave Melick on 10/4/2025 | RECENT: S on 10/5/2025
Told Ya So Big Dummy
38 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 9/26/2025
FIRST: greg_j_tomamichel on 9/26/2025 | RECENT: greg_j_tomamichel on 9/28/2025
An Idea Every Week
12 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 9/6/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 9/6/2025 | RECENT: Dan Smith on 9/7/2025
Shifting Gears
23 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 8/29/2025
FIRST: quan nguyen on 8/29/2025 | RECENT: Richard Hayman on 9/2/2025
Bad Trip
32 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 7/31/2025
FIRST: 1PF on 7/31/2025 | RECENT: David Shapiro on 8/2/2025
Breaking Up 2
25 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 7/1/2025
FIRST: Scott Dichter on 7/1/2025 | RECENT: Dan Smith on 7/5/2025
A Lesson in Accountability
15 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 5/29/2025
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 5/29/2025 | RECENT: Michael1 on 6/1/2025
Can’t Figure Out This Darned Insomnia
16 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 5/16/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 5/16/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 5/17/2025
Insomnia and the Back of an Envelope
19 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 4/21/2025
FIRST: Ken Cutler on 4/21/2025 | RECENT: DrLefty on 4/27/2025
Trying To Think Through the Bond Situation
15 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 4/14/2025
FIRST: Russ Paoletti on 4/15/2025 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 4/18/2025
Will Work For Food, Starting My Diet Soon
14 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 3/31/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 3/31/2025 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 4/1/2025
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
41 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 3/6/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 3/6/2025 | RECENT: Cheryl Low on 3/9/2025
Things That Don’t Much Interest Me No More
33 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 12/5/2024
FIRST: bbbobbins on 12/5/2024 | RECENT: DrLefty on 12/10/2024
After It's Over
11 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 11/21/2024
FIRST: mytimetotravel on 11/21/2024 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 11/22/2024
Good Old Days?
19 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 11/18/2024
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 11/18/2024 | RECENT: H S on 11/19/2024
How Much is Too Much
5 replies
AUTHOR: DAN SMITH on 6/27/2024
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 6/28/2024 | RECENT: Ed Wong on 6/29/2024
Comments
Matt, great article, especially for the younger readers among us. I was thinking of the old-timer that said "if I knowed I's gonna live this long, I'd a taken better care of myself". I would add, "and saved more money".
Post: For most retirees, the greatest fear is not death—it is running out of money before they die.
Link to comment from August 6, 2026
It's true, Ormode. We're just going to have to figure out ways to spend more, but not so much that the well runs dry before we do.
Post: For most retirees, the greatest fear is not death—it is running out of money before they die.
Link to comment from August 6, 2026
I read this with great interest, though the tables were making my eyes glaze over a little bit. It is interesting seeing the alternatives and having them explained in some detail. I feel that changing the way we pay tax on SS will be one of several elements of a solution. Of course, the final answer to fixing SS will require all parties involved to make sacrifices, not just current recipients; it won’t be a good plan until everyone is peed off. So come on politicians, grow some backbones and get it done!
Post: Taxing Social Security benefits
Link to comment from August 6, 2026
I think the USA is a land of opportunity, though more for some than others. I do think there is a commonality among those who have excelled as employees or entrepreneurs. Mac McAnally wrote the song It’s My Job, about a street cleaner who took pride in his work. In describing his song, Mac says that working hard at a job that sucks, can lead you to working hard at a job that sucks less. (Then Mac jokes about becoming a motivational speaker). What I take away from this conversation is that with the right mindset, spraying chemicals on lawns, sorting paper in mail rooms, or selling beer to dive bars can lead us to places we never imagined.
Post: One Piece Of Paper
Link to comment from August 6, 2026
Great and useful comment, js.
Post: When your 401(k) excludes target date funds
Link to comment from August 6, 2026
Gee whiz, Jack, such a thing would never happen. Would it? If not kickbacks, perhaps some serious schmoozing; golf outings, nice dinners….. The plan described here reminds me of the plans that were common in the early days of the 401(k). Lots of good advice so far. Get the employer match, keep rollover proceeds in a designated IRA, and buy that cheap, yet important umbrella insurance.
Post: When your 401(k) excludes target date funds
Link to comment from August 5, 2026
Mark, thanks so much for making me feel less like a dolt! Seriously, Steve's reply is another great example of things that make HumbleDollar a great place to hang out.
Post: Taking a Loss?
Link to comment from August 4, 2026
J, you have accomplished the most difficult part of the dilemma, which in my opinion, is finding that trustworthy and successful needle in the haystack.
Post: Today in Financial History
Link to comment from August 3, 2026
Steve, I'm going to put my ignorance on display. I was unaware of target date bond funds (until now). They actually have a fixed expiration date! Your yield is nearly 1% better than my CD LADDER. Amazing.
Post: Taking a Loss?
Link to comment from August 3, 2026
David, I’ve always harbored doubts regarding the CFP fiduciary standards. I suspect many advisors live on or over the edge of rules, having little fear of being caught. Other professional designations also qualify as being fiduciarias, but do any guarantee that the advisor takes the standards seriously. Further, how is the average person expected to sort the good from the bad? Thanks for the article, it is eye opening.
Post: Beware the CFP Designation?
Link to comment from August 3, 2026