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My name is Gene and I'm a retired IT manager with 34 years experience in IT. After college I did a stint in the USMC in the mid-70's, conductor on the railroad, and then during an economic recession went back to school and got a 2nd bachelors degree in computer science. I then did half my IT career in corporate America and half as a civil servant. I grew up in the southwest and after military service returned to the southwest to raise my family (1 girl & 2 boys). I went through an unwanted and unexpected divorce at 49, but remarried 11 years later to a wonderful companion who's truly my soulmate. We both retired in 2018 and we're having a great time in retirement. We're currently in good health and live in a 55+ community. We love our home but we plan to ultimately move into a CCRC at some point to remove that uncertainty and risk.
Comments
I refrained earlier from commenting on the highly pejorative words you choose to use to frame your argument; "Cowardly", "Immature", "Lazy" and "Dishonorable". I think those are inappropriate terms for using a function available in the application, presumably to be used, that Jonathan himself defended. Now you accuse me of being uncaring because I don't agree with your argument. I don't believe I deserved that. But congratulations, you've convinced me. HumbleDollar is no longer a place I feel safe sharing my opinion, no matter who respectfully I try to present it. I'm gone.
Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
I know what you mean, but if it helps you sleep at night it might (as David suggests) be well worth it. I certainly don't know but I suspect you're concerns exceed the real risk. Gene
Post: Customizing the Safe Withdrawal Rate
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
So true. Everyone's a genius during a raging bull market. I hate to say it but I've succumbed to those thoughts in my early years of investing. These days, I question more and more of what I think I know. :-)
Post: Real vs. Imaginary Returns – Part II
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
It's hard to find anything in life that can't be abused. That hardly makes the case to discontinue it.
Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
Very interesting data; thanks! I was surprised at how much of the overall timeline is shaded (ie. flat real returns).
Post: Real vs. Imaginary Returns – Part II
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
Actually, I would support the idea of separate up and down counts. But to your question, I think the down arrow is a simple "I don't agree". Usually it's pretty clear what the main point of a comment is presenting. If explanation is needed that option is still available.
Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
While I see merit to both sides of the argument, I ultimately come down on the side of keeping the down-vote capability. I think the down votes allow valuable feedback that someone doesn't agree with a given comment. Why should that feedback be discouraged, or "required" to leave a comment to express it? But to equate it to bullying is a bit much in my opinion. To me a down-arrow is nothing more than "I don't agree". For me it's interesting to see how the community weighs in. A preponderance one way or the other is sending a message. I think that's valuable. A few either way, is irrelevant and doesn't mean much to me. Just my 2 cents. Gene
Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
Congratulations! It sounds like you and your wife and have done very very well. I'm no expert, but it sounds like your level of wealth really needs a detailed financial plan exploring the different options. Running the numbers would help you quantitatively compare the options. This can be particularly true when you run the model out 15 or 20 years and see the results of whatever action you're contemplating. Sometimes a person is way ahead paying taxes and higher IRMAA brackets sooner, but sometimes not. I've found using intuition alone can fail me. Gene
Post: Tell me my error in thinking
Link to comment from January 8, 2026
Clearly you've been very responsible with your finances. I highly doubt that will change. So I'm pretty comfortable in suggesting that if there's things you'd like to do with some additional withdrawals, then do so. If there's nothing you want, then I agree with Mark's comment and wouldn't withdraw it just because a chart says you can. A compromise might be to (periodically) buy an annuity so your income keeps ahead of your expenses. That might make it easier to spend a bit more of what's left in your portfolio. Just my 2 cents. Gene
Post: Customizing the Safe Withdrawal Rate
Link to comment from January 8, 2026
David -- I saw your response to Nick AFTER I wrote mine. Yours is better. Nice job. Gene
Post: Consolidating 401(k)s in retirement
Link to comment from January 7, 2026