Growing up, I remember that money was tight, but we didn't miss out. Gifts for birthdays and at Christmas, clean clothes in good repair, regular medical and dental care, small allowance in return for chores (with the admonition to tithe), and lots of great memories of family life. Vacations were typically to historically significant or interesting sites in the state where we lived. I remember that mom always packed picnic lunch stuff to avoid the cost of restaurant food. Sometimes, we had a motel room for 1 night, but most "vacations" were completed in a single day. Again, we wanted for nothing and had great experiences, all on a 1-worker salary and with no thought of competing with what other families did. Did not feel like a sacrifice.
My suggested reading is Bernstein's "If You Can". Short, an easy read with logical assignments about saving, investing, eliminating debt, and supplemental readings to complete. As for the "end of life" information, I have a simple Excel document titled "Dave's time is up: Things (wife), (daughter), and (son) should know" that tells where banking, insurance, investment, will, etc. documents are located and provides complete contact information for each of the various accounts. My wife and children all know where it is located and it includes the master password for my password keeper so all will be able to access the accounts.
I believe this "lack of education" must somehow be related to why we now have "contents are hot" and other similar warnings. When did common sense and/or the ability to read go away? C'mon, Medicare and You isn't that difficult to read and understand!
The numbers you included in your post should illustrate for all that those who have to pay the extra IRMAA amount are financially in a position to do so without complaint!
I retired at 62, for two reasons. First, I saw what was coming post-Covid with federal $ to school districts which, of course, had significant restrictions and timelines for use. Second, but more importantly, was the fact that my wife's pension and my pension more than covered our monthly expenses and still allowed us to put $ in savings or investments.
Richard: I actually meant to use the word spreadsheet, but either way, it was intended as a joke, having read your many items about not using a budget or spreadsheet. Merry Christmas!
Comments
Growing up, I remember that money was tight, but we didn't miss out. Gifts for birthdays and at Christmas, clean clothes in good repair, regular medical and dental care, small allowance in return for chores (with the admonition to tithe), and lots of great memories of family life. Vacations were typically to historically significant or interesting sites in the state where we lived. I remember that mom always packed picnic lunch stuff to avoid the cost of restaurant food. Sometimes, we had a motel room for 1 night, but most "vacations" were completed in a single day. Again, we wanted for nothing and had great experiences, all on a 1-worker salary and with no thought of competing with what other families did. Did not feel like a sacrifice.
Post: The impossibility of defining needs.
Link to comment from January 5, 2026
My suggested reading is Bernstein's "If You Can". Short, an easy read with logical assignments about saving, investing, eliminating debt, and supplemental readings to complete. As for the "end of life" information, I have a simple Excel document titled "Dave's time is up: Things (wife), (daughter), and (son) should know" that tells where banking, insurance, investment, will, etc. documents are located and provides complete contact information for each of the various accounts. My wife and children all know where it is located and it includes the master password for my password keeper so all will be able to access the accounts.
Post: Your two best investing books—and do you also keep an End-of-Life “family binder”?
Link to comment from January 4, 2026
I believe this "lack of education" must somehow be related to why we now have "contents are hot" and other similar warnings. When did common sense and/or the ability to read go away? C'mon, Medicare and You isn't that difficult to read and understand!
Post: Share This Message
Link to comment from January 3, 2026
Agreed!
Post: AI or Black Eye: Choose Your Weapons Steve Abramowitz
Link to comment from December 30, 2025
The numbers you included in your post should illustrate for all that those who have to pay the extra IRMAA amount are financially in a position to do so without complaint!
Post: Enough with IRMAA complaining
Link to comment from December 29, 2025
Dan: I hope your optimism is well-founded, but like you, I am hoping for the problem to be resolved while planning for the reduced benefits to occur.
Post: Plan for a Pay Cut
Link to comment from December 27, 2025
I retired at 62, for two reasons. First, I saw what was coming post-Covid with federal $ to school districts which, of course, had significant restrictions and timelines for use. Second, but more importantly, was the fact that my wife's pension and my pension more than covered our monthly expenses and still allowed us to put $ in savings or investments.
Post: What Age Did You Retire—and What Made You Decide It Was Time?
Link to comment from December 27, 2025
Richard: I actually meant to use the word spreadsheet, but either way, it was intended as a joke, having read your many items about not using a budget or spreadsheet. Merry Christmas!
Post: I was tricked. It was a good thing. Money well spent.
Link to comment from December 25, 2025
Merry Christmas!
Post: Christmas Thoughts from Henry van Dyke
Link to comment from December 25, 2025
Way to splurge a bit, and the cost doesn't even have to go into your budget! Merry Christmas!
Post: I was tricked. It was a good thing. Money well spent.
Link to comment from December 24, 2025