For me, at 62, I am planning on 30+ more years of growth +10 more years for the kids after I am gone. And they won't need to pay the taxes. Plus, if I need the funds at any point the taxes are prepaid on my schedule and won't come at a bad time.
Rather than attack, why not use any post as a chance to create or direct a positive conversation about one of the points made? I think it's a better focus of energy and intellect. Like after I park I always look around for anyone who might appreciate me grabbing their cart as they finish loading and return it to the store. I want folks like Dick as part of my circle. He makes you think and question things you see and hear every day that make you shake your head or smile.
Thanks Mark. I agree. I do like Boldin, Empower and Right Capital for the forecasting, but I love my annual one page spreadsheet. For the next year it begins to take form from about this time of year with pretty good estimates of all our expenses that are then updated with facts as we go through the year. The data from these sheets feed into those forecasting programs. I also make model year sheets further in advance for years with big planned changes, such as work ending or changing, a move or another major life event. I learned this from my CPA dad who left behind “annual sheets” from 1949-2023:). Though I made the transition from green ledger paper to excel. I have tried programs such as Monarch, YNAB and Mint thinking that it will make the task easier, but I always come back to creating the annual sheet. I don’t really consider it budgeting — more for tracking and awareness.
Also survivor benefits. I had a friend in school long ago who lost her dad. She received survivor benefits as a dependent child along with her sister and mother.
Love this story. I also married into an Asian family and this Midwestern kid has had the same experience. Thanks for sharing. Also love this: “On the rare occasion that a post appears that I don’t agree with, or that doesn’t interest me, I simply choose to not comment. I see no need for making a disparaging remark.” — This site wouid be a better place if this mutual respectfulness was followed by all.
A budget for me is a “what if” tool. It’s less about the present and more about the future. It allows me to model what’s possible in the future and perhaps make different decisions now. I can see how it would be less helpful if your life is more static, but if you are looking at a 25-30 retirement and evaluating many different possibilities with different costs, it’s very helpful to have a model as a guide. It makes me feel better to know what my life could look like if I needed to pause portfolio withdrawals for a year or instead have significant portfolio growth or a windfall. It helps me maximize my time in retirement.
How do you factor in the benefits others are possibly entitled to due to marriage or relationship based on your contributions? This can occur at your death or disability or when they reach retirement age. There are several possibilities that aren’t related to what you draw.
I think the requestioning of this topic is great. As a 62 year-old I read everything I can about when to take Social Security and review my situation and decision each time, like a lot of other topics. I’m glad Dick keeps bringing it up. It’s a big, non reversible decision. Why the criticism of discussing such an important topic? Should we just not talk about anything else that’s apparently “settled”? 4% “rule”, index funds vs individual stocks, having insurance, home ownership? I think it’s healthy to constantly question what we think is “settled”. If I’m not up for a post on this site then I move to the next one without reading it, which I often do. This site would be a lesser place without Dick’s point of view, even if he hammers “settled” topics.
What a success, Christine! And that’s what you get for continuing to be involved and “putting it out there”, especially for an introvert:). How many out there wouldn’t have bothered to post an introduction? Or don’t know how? It shows how important it is to keep up with technology and know how important it is to stay in the conversation. I recently concluded that AI will be a big part of our future and I will not be left out. It won’t be just something people “do at work”. Whether it turns out to be a good or bad thing I want to understand it and use it as much as possible for my benefit and understanding. So I recently started a $20 ChatGPT subscription. Wow. Having your own subscription allows it to remember key facts about you that you want it to remember. Must try it and start a conversation about anything that has been troubling you or you have been wanting to do. Drop your next medical report into it along with your prescriptions and see what it says. Or ask it to compare two items you are thinking to buy. Of course you have to further research what it tells you if you intend to act on it, as for anything you read, but the information it provides is invaluable. It helps keep you “part of the conversation”.
Freezing everything possible in portions is our friend. Right now there is a Mexican, indian, Italian meal for two in the freezer and several soup bags. Along with many other things. Just came back from a long trip and homemade chicken noodle soup was ready to eat in 15 minutes. An additional drawer freezer near the kitchen is invaluable. You would be surprised how many things are freezable, even fresh items.
Comments
For me, at 62, I am planning on 30+ more years of growth +10 more years for the kids after I am gone. And they won't need to pay the taxes. Plus, if I need the funds at any point the taxes are prepaid on my schedule and won't come at a bad time.
Post: THE REAL RETURN ON DELAYING SOCIAL SECURITY
Link to comment from November 13, 2025
Rather than attack, why not use any post as a chance to create or direct a positive conversation about one of the points made? I think it's a better focus of energy and intellect. Like after I park I always look around for anyone who might appreciate me grabbing their cart as they finish loading and return it to the store. I want folks like Dick as part of my circle. He makes you think and question things you see and hear every day that make you shake your head or smile.
Post: Shopping carts. Please don’t consider this a rant. It is a lamentation.
Link to comment from November 6, 2025
Thanks Mark. I agree. I do like Boldin, Empower and Right Capital for the forecasting, but I love my annual one page spreadsheet. For the next year it begins to take form from about this time of year with pretty good estimates of all our expenses that are then updated with facts as we go through the year. The data from these sheets feed into those forecasting programs. I also make model year sheets further in advance for years with big planned changes, such as work ending or changing, a move or another major life event. I learned this from my CPA dad who left behind “annual sheets” from 1949-2023:). Though I made the transition from green ledger paper to excel. I have tried programs such as Monarch, YNAB and Mint thinking that it will make the task easier, but I always come back to creating the annual sheet. I don’t really consider it budgeting — more for tracking and awareness.
Post: Spreadsheets: A Luddite’s Necessary Inconvenience?
Link to comment from October 5, 2025
Also survivor benefits. I had a friend in school long ago who lost her dad. She received survivor benefits as a dependent child along with her sister and mother.
Post: Nope, you didn’t pay for YOUR Social Security benefits
Link to comment from October 5, 2025
Love this story. I also married into an Asian family and this Midwestern kid has had the same experience. Thanks for sharing. Also love this: “On the rare occasion that a post appears that I don’t agree with, or that doesn’t interest me, I simply choose to not comment. I see no need for making a disparaging remark.” — This site wouid be a better place if this mutual respectfulness was followed by all.
Post: From Rakhi to Community: Lessons in Family for the Humble Dollar Family
Link to comment from September 25, 2025
A budget for me is a “what if” tool. It’s less about the present and more about the future. It allows me to model what’s possible in the future and perhaps make different decisions now. I can see how it would be less helpful if your life is more static, but if you are looking at a 25-30 retirement and evaluating many different possibilities with different costs, it’s very helpful to have a model as a guide. It makes me feel better to know what my life could look like if I needed to pause portfolio withdrawals for a year or instead have significant portfolio growth or a windfall. It helps me maximize my time in retirement.
Post: Achieving and maintaining all the retirement income you need for a chosen lifestyle with limited worry.
Link to comment from September 22, 2025
How do you factor in the benefits others are possibly entitled to due to marriage or relationship based on your contributions? This can occur at your death or disability or when they reach retirement age. There are several possibilities that aren’t related to what you draw.
Post: Comments to 8-22-2025 R. Quinn’s “Does Social Security Work?”
Link to comment from September 1, 2025
I think the requestioning of this topic is great. As a 62 year-old I read everything I can about when to take Social Security and review my situation and decision each time, like a lot of other topics. I’m glad Dick keeps bringing it up. It’s a big, non reversible decision. Why the criticism of discussing such an important topic? Should we just not talk about anything else that’s apparently “settled”? 4% “rule”, index funds vs individual stocks, having insurance, home ownership? I think it’s healthy to constantly question what we think is “settled”. If I’m not up for a post on this site then I move to the next one without reading it, which I often do. This site would be a lesser place without Dick’s point of view, even if he hammers “settled” topics.
Post: Rehashing the age 70 thing. Tell Dear Dickie what is it that he doesn’t get about SS at age 70?
Link to comment from August 21, 2025
What a success, Christine! And that’s what you get for continuing to be involved and “putting it out there”, especially for an introvert:). How many out there wouldn’t have bothered to post an introduction? Or don’t know how? It shows how important it is to keep up with technology and know how important it is to stay in the conversation. I recently concluded that AI will be a big part of our future and I will not be left out. It won’t be just something people “do at work”. Whether it turns out to be a good or bad thing I want to understand it and use it as much as possible for my benefit and understanding. So I recently started a $20 ChatGPT subscription. Wow. Having your own subscription allows it to remember key facts about you that you want it to remember. Must try it and start a conversation about anything that has been troubling you or you have been wanting to do. Drop your next medical report into it along with your prescriptions and see what it says. Or ask it to compare two items you are thinking to buy. Of course you have to further research what it tells you if you intend to act on it, as for anything you read, but the information it provides is invaluable. It helps keep you “part of the conversation”.
Post: When You Love What You Do. Definitely NOT a rant.
Link to comment from June 14, 2025
Freezing everything possible in portions is our friend. Right now there is a Mexican, indian, Italian meal for two in the freezer and several soup bags. Along with many other things. Just came back from a long trip and homemade chicken noodle soup was ready to eat in 15 minutes. An additional drawer freezer near the kitchen is invaluable. You would be surprised how many things are freezable, even fresh items.
Post: The aging appetite, dealing with leftovers and buying for two seasoned citizens: Rant by RDQ
Link to comment from June 14, 2025