Elaine: I began reading Humble Dollar and Jonathan's posts in 2018, and have followed it avidly since then. All that information has been instrumental in our family finances both prior to and now in retirement. Jonathan's vision with Humble Dollar has been extremely important to us. I will be ordering a copy of his book ASAP!
I wish I could have financial conversations with my wife, but she is "hands-off" with our financial stuff. I occasionally share financial information with my children, primarily that our income is greater than our expenses and that our travel bug is our way of spending down their inheritance. No specific figures. They both say "we don't need your money". I do have a "time's up" document for wife and kids to access and manage the financial stuff. Because those closest to me respond in those ways, I have no inclination to share financial info with friends. Will this change as I age???
Mark: Similar to what my wife told me last week when I was mulching up the leaves in my yard. Look on the bright side! At least you got a bit of exercise raking. You might consider wearing earbuds and listening to music or a podcast.
I remember donating plasma during my college years to provide a bit of spending money, $5 for each donation. Now, I'd rather participate in Red Cross blood drives.
Good perspective! We have only had to deal with IRMAA 1 year out of the 3 applicable years while on Medicare, so that's a good thing. However, the "cliff" approach is what got us (wife's transfer of IRA $ to savings account and thus, "income"), and I wish that could be replaced by a sliding scale, even at the risk of making our tax code and calculations even more complicated. All in all, I believe in looking at IRMAA as the reduction of a subsidy rather than as a tax, and I'm glad to be in a financial situation where we need to pay attention to income, tax brackets, and such.
Comments
Happy anniversary! Keep those articles and rants coming!
Post: Fifty-seven years and counting and it’s snowing…again.
Link to comment from December 14, 2025
Elaine: I began reading Humble Dollar and Jonathan's posts in 2018, and have followed it avidly since then. All that information has been instrumental in our family finances both prior to and now in retirement. Jonathan's vision with Humble Dollar has been extremely important to us. I will be ordering a copy of his book ASAP!
Post: One Last Book
Link to comment from December 13, 2025
Same here.
Post: What do you DESERVE?
Link to comment from December 1, 2025
How about a nice glass of dry red wine?
Post: What do you DESERVE?
Link to comment from December 1, 2025
I resemble that!
Post: What do you DESERVE?
Link to comment from December 1, 2025
I wish I could have financial conversations with my wife, but she is "hands-off" with our financial stuff. I occasionally share financial information with my children, primarily that our income is greater than our expenses and that our travel bug is our way of spending down their inheritance. No specific figures. They both say "we don't need your money". I do have a "time's up" document for wife and kids to access and manage the financial stuff. Because those closest to me respond in those ways, I have no inclination to share financial info with friends. Will this change as I age???
Post: Discussing money matters with friends- a slippery slope
Link to comment from November 30, 2025
Yep, leave no doubt you're listening to something else already. Problem solved!
Post: Four People, One Stupid Observation
Link to comment from November 17, 2025
Mark: Similar to what my wife told me last week when I was mulching up the leaves in my yard. Look on the bright side! At least you got a bit of exercise raking. You might consider wearing earbuds and listening to music or a podcast.
Post: Four People, One Stupid Observation
Link to comment from November 17, 2025
I remember donating plasma during my college years to provide a bit of spending money, $5 for each donation. Now, I'd rather participate in Red Cross blood drives.
Post: Seed Money
Link to comment from November 6, 2025
Good perspective! We have only had to deal with IRMAA 1 year out of the 3 applicable years while on Medicare, so that's a good thing. However, the "cliff" approach is what got us (wife's transfer of IRA $ to savings account and thus, "income"), and I wish that could be replaced by a sliding scale, even at the risk of making our tax code and calculations even more complicated. All in all, I believe in looking at IRMAA as the reduction of a subsidy rather than as a tax, and I'm glad to be in a financial situation where we need to pay attention to income, tax brackets, and such.
Post: IRMAA 2026 Of course it is fair
Link to comment from November 2, 2025