I only look at the gross totals … sometimes my wife asks about spending by category. Which we kinda track in Quicken. Not always sure we “categorize” everything correctly.
Personally, I prefer to use the term “comfortable” to describe my circumstances. Achieved mostly through winning the birth lottery. Born in the mid-1950’s to a middle-class white family.
My medigap (plan G) goes up double digits percent each tear. I do see a lot of Doctors. My wife’s medigap (also plan G) only goes up a few dollars every year. But then she is much healthier than I am.
I got this from a search of the IRS website… ”Beginning with tax year 2026, if you do not itemize, you may deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 if filing jointly) of your cash contributions to certain qualified organizations.”
Richard, We have consistently given our children money to help them out. I like being around to see them happy until waiting until we’re in the ground to give them support. One of our grandchildren was 7 weeks early and needed the neo-natal ICU. Turns out not only did we help, so did a couple of aunts and uncles. We have made sure to remember their children in our wills. You did exactly the right thing!
Comments
Greg, Thank you for writing an excellent post. You were able to clearly explain about how I feel concerning my situation.
Post: Enough already?
Link to comment from November 7, 2026
I only look at the gross totals … sometimes my wife asks about spending by category. Which we kinda track in Quicken. Not always sure we “categorize” everything correctly.
Post: Dickies simplistic view of personal finances
Link to comment from November 5, 2026
I had to upgrade to Windows 11 to use TT2025.
Post: Tax Software 2026
Link to comment from November 5, 2026
Boring game. My Dad called it “Monotony”.
Post: Monopoly
Link to comment from October 27, 2026
Personally, I prefer to use the term “comfortable” to describe my circumstances. Achieved mostly through winning the birth lottery. Born in the mid-1950’s to a middle-class white family.
Post: Rich or Wealthy?
Link to comment from October 5, 2026
My medigap (plan G) goes up double digits percent each tear. I do see a lot of Doctors. My wife’s medigap (also plan G) only goes up a few dollars every year. But then she is much healthier than I am.
Post: Keep an eye on Medigap policies
Link to comment from September 28, 2026
Losing my wife of 47 years would be incredibly stressful. Only losing one of my grandchildren or children could possibly be worse.
Post: The Security Money Can’t Buy
Link to comment from September 25, 2026
You can use an open source app to review all your data if you want to do so. Check out OSCAR, the Open Source CPAP Analysis Reporter
Post: My Name is Dan, and I’m a CPAP User
Link to comment from September 24, 2026
I got this from a search of the IRS website… ”Beginning with tax year 2026, if you do not itemize, you may deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 if filing jointly) of your cash contributions to certain qualified organizations.”
Post: Does the new-for-2026 $1000/$2000 charitable deduction for non-itemizers reduce AGI?
Link to comment from September 23, 2026
Richard, We have consistently given our children money to help them out. I like being around to see them happy until waiting until we’re in the ground to give them support. One of our grandchildren was 7 weeks early and needed the neo-natal ICU. Turns out not only did we help, so did a couple of aunts and uncles. We have made sure to remember their children in our wills. You did exactly the right thing!
Post: What would you do if you received this text from your child as I did this morning?
Link to comment from September 16, 2026