my engineering school roomie was a Vietnamese boat person. He told me of the years in a refugee camp shampooing with laundry detergent. After the European countries came and scooped up the young and healthy, Americans came and picked up the rest he said. His high school counselor advised him not to pursue engineering. It was too hard a major. Boy did he prove her wrong. He was smart and studied hard. The midnight oil burned brightly on his desk. He was a modest person who never tired of helping us struggling room mates. I think he graduated in the top 10%, if not 5% of our class. America gained a great engineer alright.
Looking back at old family photos, I saw one of myself holding a camera in fourth grade. It was my first and started a lifetime of fascination with cameras and picture taking. In high school I dreamt of pursuing a career with National Geographic. My father assured me a photography career was not going to feed the family. "You're going to be a mechanical engineer", he said, "do photography for fun". Somehow I did manage to get into engineering school and barely made it out. Throughout engineering school I struggled and was filled with self doubt, but I didn't want to let the family down. The engineering degree opened doors no doubt and I enjoyed many comfortable years with good pay. The truth is my father was right. It was highly unlikely I would have made it to National Geographic or any other national publication.
Luckily many years ago I came across some life changing books from John Bogles and others. Those books have shielded me from all the nonsense and fluff in the financial media.
Jonathan, remember there is the medically assisted help to end suffering option towardstheend. My dad took this efficient and compassionate route. Not sure where to go in America, but the Swiss have it. If you want to pursue it, don't wait until the last minute to investigate the process. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignitas_(non-profit_organisation)
If I am retired and accessing ROTH to control income (re:ACA subsidies), shouldn't I keep a portion in short term bonds..say 3 yrs worth to ensure access when market is down? So I should be ROTH rebalancing correct?
Comments
my engineering school roomie was a Vietnamese boat person. He told me of the years in a refugee camp shampooing with laundry detergent. After the European countries came and scooped up the young and healthy, Americans came and picked up the rest he said. His high school counselor advised him not to pursue engineering. It was too hard a major. Boy did he prove her wrong. He was smart and studied hard. The midnight oil burned brightly on his desk. He was a modest person who never tired of helping us struggling room mates. I think he graduated in the top 10%, if not 5% of our class. America gained a great engineer alright.
Post: Never Working a Day in My Life
Link to comment from September 6, 2025
Looking back at old family photos, I saw one of myself holding a camera in fourth grade. It was my first and started a lifetime of fascination with cameras and picture taking. In high school I dreamt of pursuing a career with National Geographic. My father assured me a photography career was not going to feed the family. "You're going to be a mechanical engineer", he said, "do photography for fun". Somehow I did manage to get into engineering school and barely made it out. Throughout engineering school I struggled and was filled with self doubt, but I didn't want to let the family down. The engineering degree opened doors no doubt and I enjoyed many comfortable years with good pay. The truth is my father was right. It was highly unlikely I would have made it to National Geographic or any other national publication.
Post: Never Working a Day in My Life
Link to comment from September 6, 2025
Luckily many years ago I came across some life changing books from John Bogles and others. Those books have shielded me from all the nonsense and fluff in the financial media.
Post: The High Cost of Financial Advice: A Tale of Two Portfolios
Link to comment from July 8, 2025
I'd rather pass on the Lambo-type advisor and go with a The Millionaire Next Door-type advisor.
Post: Quinn is intrigued by the Lamborghini-style of managing money
Link to comment from July 8, 2025
Where is the one about the prostate?
Post: Signs of the Times
Link to comment from July 25, 2024
Jonathan, remember there is the medically assisted help to end suffering option towardstheend. My dad took this efficient and compassionate route. Not sure where to go in America, but the Swiss have it. If you want to pursue it, don't wait until the last minute to investigate the process. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignitas_(non-profit_organisation)
Post: Looking Different
Link to comment from July 8, 2024
If I am retired and accessing ROTH to control income (re:ACA subsidies), shouldn't I keep a portion in short term bonds..say 3 yrs worth to ensure access when market is down? So I should be ROTH rebalancing correct?
Post: Balance Issues
Link to comment from July 3, 2024
yup. I am very skeptical of dreams and fantasies. They, like grass, look brighter further away.
Post: Plans Interrupted
Link to comment from May 31, 2024
this and next year might be the last opportunity to go big before the subsidy cliff disappears.
Post: Paying to Avoid Pain
Link to comment from May 11, 2024
and then we are faced with maybe next year being the last year without the subsidy cliff
Post: Paying to Avoid Pain
Link to comment from May 11, 2024