Super article, Mark! Getting that emergency fund in place is a vital 1st step. We are strongly considering gifting a portion of our retirement accounts to each of our grandchildren to give them a "head start" as they enter adult life post-college. Very few restrictions on the use of those funds other than some form of ongoing discussion about finances (emerg. fund, spend less than you make, etc.) between now and then.
Mark: I agree with your comments about spending strategies and like you, have my own take on that issue, but probably not for as long as your 30-40 year horizon. As other writers note from time to time, I have a firm understanding of what we bring in, what we save, what we spend, and what "large" expenses may be coming in future years. So long as revenues exceed expenses, we have pretty much free rein on spending what we've worked to accumulate. My wife will begin receiving social security in February which will increase our savings or allow for additional spending. It is certainly nice to be in this situation rather than having to watch each penny spent!
From the front page of Humble Dollar is this description: "About HumbleDollar: OUR GOAL IS TO TELL you everything you need to know about money—all in one place, and without the hype and hollow promises that characterize so much financial writing." I like a balance of financial topics. A steady diet of only one subject has no appeal to me. I hope to continue to see a good variety of topics, as well as the occasional topic that inspires debate on numerous sides.
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!
Comments
Way to fight for your rights, Richard! Thanks for the information on how to submit an appeal.
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Link to comment from February 19, 2026
I thought you'd like it!
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Link to comment from February 11, 2026
How about this for MEANS: Must Explain All Numbers (in a) Spreadsheet
Post: What does ”means” mean?
Link to comment from February 11, 2026
Super article, Mark! Getting that emergency fund in place is a vital 1st step. We are strongly considering gifting a portion of our retirement accounts to each of our grandchildren to give them a "head start" as they enter adult life post-college. Very few restrictions on the use of those funds other than some form of ongoing discussion about finances (emerg. fund, spend less than you make, etc.) between now and then.
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Link to comment from February 8, 2026
Mark: I agree with your comments about spending strategies and like you, have my own take on that issue, but probably not for as long as your 30-40 year horizon. As other writers note from time to time, I have a firm understanding of what we bring in, what we save, what we spend, and what "large" expenses may be coming in future years. So long as revenues exceed expenses, we have pretty much free rein on spending what we've worked to accumulate. My wife will begin receiving social security in February which will increase our savings or allow for additional spending. It is certainly nice to be in this situation rather than having to watch each penny spent!
Post: Maximizing Lifetime Retirement Spending
Link to comment from February 3, 2026
From the front page of Humble Dollar is this description: "About HumbleDollar: OUR GOAL IS TO TELL you everything you need to know about money—all in one place, and without the hype and hollow promises that characterize so much financial writing." I like a balance of financial topics. A steady diet of only one subject has no appeal to me. I hope to continue to see a good variety of topics, as well as the occasional topic that inspires debate on numerous sides.
Post: Retirement or Investment Content
Link to comment from January 18, 2026
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.
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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!
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Link to comment from December 30, 2025