I read and reread your piece because it is the most important thing in life that I need to rediscover, .Every time I want to find that inner space, that boredom that used to unleash both calm and creativity, I find myself instead turning to our finances. Not because finances are a cause for concern (like they used to be early in life) but because that gives me a sense of control that my restless mind craves. There is always something to analyze, to plan, to understand, yet none of it is mandatory. I even paid for transcendental meditation training with the idea that I had paid for something I would surely take it seriously and commit to it, see gym memberships for many! My inborn temperament combined with a lifetime of managing things for others and the immigrant mentality of always striving has left me with an inability to just relax. After a big wedding (2 receptions 1 ceremony) for our daughter at the end of this month, I hope to be able to find the solace and space that I so clearly need after the festivities, but the first thing that comes to mind is all the things that I must get done after that. I fear that I will never learn how to just be still and eventually mind will collapse under the weight of it all because I never gave it the respite it needed. Thank you Mark for the reminder that it is possible to find that serenity and peace even as I am one of those that fights agains it.
I started reading Jonathan in the Sunday edition of the Sacramento Bee which had an insert provided by the WSJ of Personal Finance articles. We were of similar ages and life phases so his writing was extremely relatable, and it led to some great conversations with my husband. Over the years I continued to read his writing in the WSJ. About 18 months ago, I stumbled upon the Humble Dollar and quickly found it to be a great source for information and camaraderie, and again the similarity of our phase of life made the information extremely pertinent. It was soon thereafter that Jonathan revealed his health diagnosis and I was filled with sadness. I am not someone who mourns celebrities as if I had a personal relationship with them but this seemed very different. Here was someone who's knowledge and musings had touched me at different times in my life and I felt a deep sadness for all the things he was going to miss in this life, now that he had attained his goal of retirement. It seemed very unfair but Jonathan's grace and equanimity in the face of the tragic news was a testament to his character. My deepest condolences to his family as they mourn his passing and yet he leaves so much behind that they can remember and celebrate his life.
I will be doing this in 3 months. Did you have them make it out to Schwab but just wanted it mailed to you so you could ensure that it arrived and then take it to Schwab? I could just see so many places where things could go awry from the mailing of it to it being lost in the maze of a large company when its received.
I find it extremely helpful and data leaks are omnipresent so at this point I really don't think that there's much to be done. It seems every other week I get a letter from a large company telling me they were breached and what my options are. I have asked it about various financial decisions but those are just numbers not account names or locations and especially not login information. However, I understand the concerns and interestingly when I bring them up with in my classes with college students (even before AI) they are completely bemused by my concerns about privacy and how apps seem to follow your locations often even when the phone is off.
Mark, would you be willing to share a blank version of the spreadsheet with the formatting already in place? That sounds much more of what I need rather than Boldin or emoney.
Thank you for the inspiring words and I often wonder how we can have so much yet always focus on fear and negativity. Your post is a reminder of the internal resilience and goodness of humanity, and your last line resonates deeply with me.
Dr. Lefty, we have the same regret! At the time It seemed like the right thing to do as we had been upside down on the home for the majority of the time we lived there (early 1990s) that once we could sell it and move to a whole different area we pounced! With 2 small children and a husband who was going through a career change I was too fearful about bad renters and being able to manage 2 mortgage payments. Within 6 months, the house had appreciated $50k and continued to do so. Eventually I had to stop watching it and just come to terms with the fact that this appreciation and asset wasn't meant to be ours!
"In neither case was there a substantial impact on our joint income." On income which makes total sense since she was part-time in occupations that are not high paying.
Comments
Mark, I will surely try and take your advice-it's a lifetime of habits and mindset that needs to shift and your post was inspirational and resonant.
Post: The Real Wealth of Retirement (Hint: It’s Not Financial)
Link to comment from October 6, 2025
I read and reread your piece because it is the most important thing in life that I need to rediscover, .Every time I want to find that inner space, that boredom that used to unleash both calm and creativity, I find myself instead turning to our finances. Not because finances are a cause for concern (like they used to be early in life) but because that gives me a sense of control that my restless mind craves. There is always something to analyze, to plan, to understand, yet none of it is mandatory. I even paid for transcendental meditation training with the idea that I had paid for something I would surely take it seriously and commit to it, see gym memberships for many! My inborn temperament combined with a lifetime of managing things for others and the immigrant mentality of always striving has left me with an inability to just relax. After a big wedding (2 receptions 1 ceremony) for our daughter at the end of this month, I hope to be able to find the solace and space that I so clearly need after the festivities, but the first thing that comes to mind is all the things that I must get done after that. I fear that I will never learn how to just be still and eventually mind will collapse under the weight of it all because I never gave it the respite it needed. Thank you Mark for the reminder that it is possible to find that serenity and peace even as I am one of those that fights agains it.
Post: The Real Wealth of Retirement (Hint: It’s Not Financial)
Link to comment from October 6, 2025
I started reading Jonathan in the Sunday edition of the Sacramento Bee which had an insert provided by the WSJ of Personal Finance articles. We were of similar ages and life phases so his writing was extremely relatable, and it led to some great conversations with my husband. Over the years I continued to read his writing in the WSJ. About 18 months ago, I stumbled upon the Humble Dollar and quickly found it to be a great source for information and camaraderie, and again the similarity of our phase of life made the information extremely pertinent. It was soon thereafter that Jonathan revealed his health diagnosis and I was filled with sadness. I am not someone who mourns celebrities as if I had a personal relationship with them but this seemed very different. Here was someone who's knowledge and musings had touched me at different times in my life and I felt a deep sadness for all the things he was going to miss in this life, now that he had attained his goal of retirement. It seemed very unfair but Jonathan's grace and equanimity in the face of the tragic news was a testament to his character. My deepest condolences to his family as they mourn his passing and yet he leaves so much behind that they can remember and celebrate his life.
Post: Thank you, Jonathan
Link to comment from September 27, 2025
I will be doing this in 3 months. Did you have them make it out to Schwab but just wanted it mailed to you so you could ensure that it arrived and then take it to Schwab? I could just see so many places where things could go awry from the mailing of it to it being lost in the maze of a large company when its received.
Post: Have you seen your money lately?
Link to comment from August 17, 2025
I find it extremely helpful and data leaks are omnipresent so at this point I really don't think that there's much to be done. It seems every other week I get a letter from a large company telling me they were breached and what my options are. I have asked it about various financial decisions but those are just numbers not account names or locations and especially not login information. However, I understand the concerns and interestingly when I bring them up with in my classes with college students (even before AI) they are completely bemused by my concerns about privacy and how apps seem to follow your locations often even when the phone is off.
Post: Is It Safe to use ChatGPT on your iPhone?
Link to comment from August 17, 2025
Totally understand!
Post: Recommendations for Retirement Planning Tools
Link to comment from August 12, 2025
Mark, would you be willing to share a blank version of the spreadsheet with the formatting already in place? That sounds much more of what I need rather than Boldin or emoney.
Post: Recommendations for Retirement Planning Tools
Link to comment from August 12, 2025
Thank you for the inspiring words and I often wonder how we can have so much yet always focus on fear and negativity. Your post is a reminder of the internal resilience and goodness of humanity, and your last line resonates deeply with me.
Post: Reacting to the Tariffs
Link to comment from August 7, 2025
Dr. Lefty, we have the same regret! At the time It seemed like the right thing to do as we had been upside down on the home for the majority of the time we lived there (early 1990s) that once we could sell it and move to a whole different area we pounced! With 2 small children and a husband who was going through a career change I was too fearful about bad renters and being able to manage 2 mortgage payments. Within 6 months, the house had appreciated $50k and continued to do so. Eventually I had to stop watching it and just come to terms with the fact that this appreciation and asset wasn't meant to be ours!
Post: My favorite question.
Link to comment from August 7, 2025
"In neither case was there a substantial impact on our joint income." On income which makes total sense since she was part-time in occupations that are not high paying.
Post: In retirement a pension is a advantage. Are two family incomes during working years an advantage as well?
Link to comment from August 6, 2025