David Golden

Comments:

• Yes. Edited. Thank you.

  Post: Asking Myself

  Link to comment from March 16, 2024

• I too have the vast majority of our holdings in Vanguard’s Total World Stock Index Fund. The past 10-15 years it’s been, um, interesting to witness massive underperformance vs Vanguard’s Total Stock Index Fund. Similar to your desire for small cap international and large cap value to have their day in the sun, I’m sanguine the world diversification will eventually pay off. I believe we each have the entirety of our Roth IRAs, earmarked for adult children, globally diversified. Given a 30 to 40 year time horizon, I remain humble about my ability to make predictions. This is the way.

  Post: Asking Myself

  Link to comment from March 16, 2024

• NewRetirement and Honest Math are wonderful options for the DIY set not comfortable building an Excel spreadsheet. I have read enough to know the limitations of Excel. Mike Piper writes and speaks about this issue.

  Post: Targeting Taxes

  Link to comment from March 10, 2024

• My wife and I have all of our Roth IRA money in Vanguard’s Total World Stock Index. These are assets we plan to bequeath our children in 30 to 40 years. No way can I accurately guess if a total US or total world index will outperform. Yet, I’d be lying if I did not admit wondering if the US is not an exception to the home bias viewpoint. Titans such as Bogle, Buffet and JL Collins advocate a US only allocation. These same luminaries remind us to stay the course so soldier on, I will.

  Post: Yesterday’s Influence

  Link to comment from March 3, 2024

• Much of the handwringing seems driven by sensational descriptions of ticking tax bombs or tax infested accounts. I find such language used by otherwise reputable person finance gurus unfortunate. Additionally, most Americans are woefully misinformed about taxes. I just may scream the next time I read a tirade from a longtime tax deferred account participant lamenting inability to roll everything directly into a Roth IRA tax-free. Do folks understand government services cost money? Reasonable people can debate government spending, priorities and outcomes but bills must be paid.

  Post: Called to Account

  Link to comment from January 27, 2024

• World renowned psychologist Daniel Kahneman promotes misery avoidance as far more beneficial than seeking happiness.

  Post: Give Peace a Chance

  Link to comment from January 18, 2024

• @Catherine Appreciate the thoughtful response. You are exactly correct that HD is not a blog but a website. Poor choice of words on my part. Indeed, there are many topics covered by HD writers. The diversity of life experiences, choices and paths keeps many of us coming back regularly. I do think there is an overwhelming focus on retirement as opposed to other short-term money endeavors but that may be my bias showing. In any event, your three children are fortunate to have such a sage parent supporting them. I shared your article with a friend whose child struggled somewhat during their first semester of college. Your openness provided comfort and reassurance the mystifying paths of life ought not terrify nor surprise us.

  Post: Twin Peeks

  Link to comment from January 14, 2024

• Agree. Yet, since HD is a retirement blog let’s differentiate staying the course with one’s well thought out retirement plan. It’s often right after investors give up on an asset class or strategy that it rebounds strongly. When Bogle admonished us to ‘stay the course’ it was and remains great advice for decades upon decades of investing.

  Post: Twin Peeks

  Link to comment from January 12, 2024

• @Jonathan - Would you consider providing insight into the spectrum of financial donations offered? I have procrastinated but would like to finally make a well deserved investment in HD. I know the textbook response is anything helps but any data you’re comfortable sharing? Thank you.

  Post: Business Schooled

  Link to comment from January 6, 2024

• As a longtime HD reader, I’ve long been fascinated by the correlation between many of the more prolific writers and, generally speaking, their significant financial resources. Seems like folks like Dick either do not know how to avoid a 60 hour work/leisure week or do not desire it. I have a masters degree and work in a professional setting but never have I adhered to a 6 am to 6 pm schedule as Dick practiced. I’m self-deprecating by nature so take it gently when I say I’m lazy. Yet, I mostly am. Not in the best physical health I need more discipline in my life. Ironically, this tendency toward lethargy has immensely contributed to my financial success. Broadly diversified across asset classes and tax strategies in passive funds where available, I have zero compunction to trade. It has made all the difference.

  Post: Is It That Hard?

  Link to comment from October 20, 2023