I seem to have "writer's block" -- can't really think of something to write about. I do enjoy reading what others write, and from time to time, replying. If anyone has suggestions for topics please send them my way and I will give it a try.
5 years and 4 months into retirement, and all is going well. I do some part-time work for a funeral home (I can say "yes" or "no" to working), we follow our grandchildren's activities, I'm in a couple church groups, I do a lot with local and statewide Lions organization, and we are doing quite a bit of traveling. With all that, I do enjoy the occasional "do nothing" day.
Thanks, Dan. I've been on way too many zooms over the past 5 years. While it is a convenient system to bring people together, sometimes the size of the group prohibits much actual discussion opportunity. I believe, given how Jonathan and HD have influenced those interested in personal finance, that having the pizza meeting via zoom would have so many signed on it would be very difficult to manage.
Facts: our current pension payments (2), both with COLA's, already more than cover our expenses and also provide for transfers into a savings account. We each also have target date funds, I have an IRA, and we've got approximately 2 years of expenses in our emergency fund. We are 67 and 66, so no immediate need to reduce the IRA through RMD's/QCD's. Neither of us is taking social security benefits yet. My assumption: the pension COLA's will continue to keep pace with cost increases (healthcare, utilities, food, etc.) and our SS benefits, emergency fund, TDF's, and IRA will provide "backup funds" if or when necessary. I have this all plotted out in my spreadsheet (my forecast), because I like messing around with the numbers, and that gives me a ready confirmation that "the math" works for us now as well as into the future. Another earlier writer mentioned "margin", and I believe our margin is sufficient. Time will tell, but I assume all will work out just fine.
Comments
I seem to have "writer's block" -- can't really think of something to write about. I do enjoy reading what others write, and from time to time, replying. If anyone has suggestions for topics please send them my way and I will give it a try.
Post: Where are all the HD writers?
Link to comment from October 14, 2025
5 years and 4 months into retirement, and all is going well. I do some part-time work for a funeral home (I can say "yes" or "no" to working), we follow our grandchildren's activities, I'm in a couple church groups, I do a lot with local and statewide Lions organization, and we are doing quite a bit of traveling. With all that, I do enjoy the occasional "do nothing" day.
Post: Wade Pfau has put me in a funk. Are you dealing with the stages of retirement?
Link to comment from October 11, 2025
Projected = planned, IMO.
Post: Spreadsheets: A Luddite’s Necessary Inconvenience?
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
All of my spreadsheets for income (pension and SS) and expenses go to 100! Optimism!
Post: Spreadsheets: A Luddite’s Necessary Inconvenience?
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Thanks, Dan. I've been on way too many zooms over the past 5 years. While it is a convenient system to bring people together, sometimes the size of the group prohibits much actual discussion opportunity. I believe, given how Jonathan and HD have influenced those interested in personal finance, that having the pizza meeting via zoom would have so many signed on it would be very difficult to manage.
Post: November 7 HumbleDollar Reader/Writer Meet Up
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Good guess -- both long-time public school educators.
Post: You can’t prove the assumptions you may rely on. How did you test yours?
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Philly's a bit far for pizza and conversation. Any chance of a zoom link?
Post: November 7 HumbleDollar Reader/Writer Meet Up
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Well, it wasn't just you -- the bankers you had review your plan also must have had forecasts and assumptions that aligned with yours!
Post: You can’t prove the assumptions you may rely on. How did you test yours?
Link to comment from October 3, 2025
Facts: our current pension payments (2), both with COLA's, already more than cover our expenses and also provide for transfers into a savings account. We each also have target date funds, I have an IRA, and we've got approximately 2 years of expenses in our emergency fund. We are 67 and 66, so no immediate need to reduce the IRA through RMD's/QCD's. Neither of us is taking social security benefits yet. My assumption: the pension COLA's will continue to keep pace with cost increases (healthcare, utilities, food, etc.) and our SS benefits, emergency fund, TDF's, and IRA will provide "backup funds" if or when necessary. I have this all plotted out in my spreadsheet (my forecast), because I like messing around with the numbers, and that gives me a ready confirmation that "the math" works for us now as well as into the future. Another earlier writer mentioned "margin", and I believe our margin is sufficient. Time will tell, but I assume all will work out just fine.
Post: You can’t prove the assumptions you may rely on. How did you test yours?
Link to comment from October 3, 2025
Great post, Adam, summing up all I knew (or thought I knew) about Jonathan!
Post: Tributes to Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from September 27, 2025