Allan Roth

Comments

• While I'm still a work in progress, Jonathan taught me more about the relationship between money and happiness than anyone. I will cherish my last email from Jonathan a month ago. He had heard I had a health event and wanted me to know he was thinking of me. Just like Jonathan to be thinking of others while he knew he was dying and likely in so much pain. Jonathan, thanks for all you have done for me and millions of others. I know your passing was expected but it's still shocking for me. Elaine, I've never met you but I do know you made Jonathan's final years so happy. Thank you, and I'm so sorry for your loss.

  Post: Farewell Friends

  Link to comment from September 23, 2025

• I bought gold in 1980 and, thanks to the recent surge, it kept up with inflation. Had I not been so dumb, and invested in Jack Bogle‘s S&P 500 index fund, instead of making a zero real return, I’d have made nearly $1 million.

  Post: Go for the Gold?

  Link to comment from May 11, 2025

• Jonathan. Thank you for being my therapist for all of these years. I’m still a work in progress, but you have helped me in so many ways. I am one of so many people who owe you so much.

  Post: Four Thoughts

  Link to comment from March 1, 2025

• Back in the 08-09 financial crisis, every bone in my body told me to sell and I got more pain after they fell further after my October 2008 rebalance. I darn well may have panicked but Jonathan Clements talked me off the ledge.

  Post: Taking It Personally

  Link to comment from February 12, 2025

• When I was in college a very long time ago, I was taught traditional economics which assumed we were all logical rational beings looking to maximize our economic utility. I bought it, hook, line, and sinker. How could I have been so dumb? My relationship with money is still a work-in-progress but is much better than it once was thanks to Jonathan.

  Post: Mind Over Money

  Link to comment from February 5, 2025

• Wonderful wisdom from the master. I've learned that I cannot predict the future. Worse yet, I can't even explain the past. US stocks gained 21% in 2020 as COVID hit and horrible news was everywhere. I've yet to see a good explanation as to why.

  Post: Sharing Lessons

  Link to comment from December 14, 2024

• Investing is simple but never easy. Part of the explanation is that tech has been hot and US is much more heavily in tech than international. Other events like overseas wars are a factor as well. Back in 2007, I was recommending a third of equities be in international and the typical response was "why so low - international will do much better." Today, I'm recommending the same and you can guess what the typical response is.

  Post: Stuck at Home

  Link to comment from November 23, 2024

• Hi Jonathan. It's counter-intuitive but an annuity with a fixed COLA actually increases inflation risk since the duration of the payments is longer. I tell people that actuaries are really smart people and, if they won't take the inflation risk by offering CPI based annuities, I don't think my clients should either.

  Post: Laying Down a Floor

  Link to comment from September 14, 2024

• I built my TIPS ladder nearly two years ago. I discovered it could provide over a 4% real withdraw rate for 30 years at the Bogleheads 2022 conference. I attest that the feeling of a guaranteed inflation adjusted cash flow from SS & the TIPS ladder creates such a calmness when markets plunge. My clients love it as well. I credit Bogleheads Kevin Esler and Bob Hinkley for creating tools anyone can use that makes it easy to construct ladders. They do this without any profit motive - they just want to help people.

  Post: Laying Down a Floor

  Link to comment from September 14, 2024

• I’m also 65. I can say that this is one of the best articles I’ve ever read on any financial site. It really hits home to me. The subject, perspective, and writing style are brilliant! Thank you so much.

  Post: When to Quit

  Link to comment from February 15, 2023