AUTHOR: Rick Connor on 4/27/2026 FIRST: Mark Crothers on 4/27 | RECENT: Kenneth Tobin on 4/29
Comments
Andrew,
Thanks for a very poignant piece. The line that resonated with most was:
"What struck me most wasn’t the number of hours he worked, but how willingly he gave away his time. Whether responding to an email from a first-time reader or interviewing someone for an article, he made people feel they mattered." From my first interaction with Jonathan I felt his kindness and friendship. I spent some time looking at old emails from Jonathan - there were about 600 exchanges over 7 years. One exchange gave me a smile. I wrote a piece on having to choose between a lump sum pension, or a monthly benefit. Our plan had some nuanced options depending on the employee age when they left the company, length of service, and age at start of benefits. I rewrote that section several times and still it wasn't clear. Instead of pointing to me confused writing, Jonathan blamed his early morning lack of coffee for his inability to grasp my point! One other point I haven't seen mentioned in discussing Jonathan since his passing. He was really smart. I tend to right some technical stuff and he instantly got what I was trying to convey, and always made my writing better. He always checked my math, occasionally finding mistakes and correcting them. Kind, friendly, open, smart, and mathematically skilled. That's a rare combination.
Dick, I’m very sorry for your family’s health challenges. I wish you, Connie, and all the Quinns the best. There was never a doubt in my mind what your answer to the text would be.
John, thanks for a really interesting article. About 30 years ago my brother-in-law called me and told his company (Cincinnati Financial) announced that they were being included in the S&P 500, and asked me what that meant. I gave him the broad explanation, but did a little research to help him understand what it meant to be included. Your article and the latest dealings with SpaceX brought back fond memories of that discussion.
It is confusing to see the impact because of other market movements, but sometimes it can be clearly seen. The stock price is mechanically adjusted at the open on the ex-dividend date. Public Service and Gas (PEG) previous dividends show a few good examples. PEG closed at $80.20 on June 6 and opened at $79.58 on June 9, the ex-dividend date. The decline was $0.62, compared with a $0.63 dividend—almost a one-for-one adjustment. Ninety days later, on September 9, 2025 the stock fell $0.60 from the prior close of $80.19 to an opening price of $79.59, versus a $0.63 dividend. Of the last 6 PEG dividends, 2 ( 6/6/25 & 9/9/25) opening dividend reduced prices were approximately equal to the dividend reduced amount, two opened higher than the dividend reduced amount, and 2 opened lower than the dividend reduced amount. After market trading often cloud the impact of dividend payouts on stock prices, but it is real. The current PEG quarterly dividend of $0.67 is about 0.94% of today's closing price of $70.92. This is comparable to PEG's normal daily price movement, so not insignificant.
John, thanks for a great article. I had assumed my wife would take ownership should I pass first, but, as Dan suggested, I just added some notes to our final instructions to make sure this is considered. I also explained it to my wife.
During the last 15 years of my career I travelled frequently to the DC area. Many of my colleagues had traveled there for decades and showed me the ropes. We tended to stay in the same hotels, and that frequency gave us access to the conceirege lounge. This provided free breakfast, free dinner, and usually a free glass of wine or a beer. Selections were limited but enough to make a meal. They would also bring a bag to breakfast to grab something for lunch - yogurt, bagel, PB, fruit, protein bars. Since they were on long term travel they received a government approved per diem for meals, so they made money on the deal. Of course, they were away from home frequently. What bothered me about the whole deal was how many of my colleagues took it for granted and never tipped the wait staff in the lounge. The staff knew that the guests in the lounge were frequent guests, and treated them very well. I made sure I always thanked the staff and tipped them. When we travel now to hotels with free breakfast I make sure I leave a tip for the staff. I realize this sounds self-serving (pun intended) but it is a pet peeve of mine.
Dana, Thanks for an important and timely post. Last night a sibling texted me that they had recently had an Lp(a) test and received a high score. I checked and I had the set done in June, 2024 and had a lower, but still high, score. We have heart disease in our family, but I always assumed it was due to smoking. I have never smoked. I have had 2 CACs - both zero, and had a recent cardia workup this spring and all was good. Still, I will use this information to talk to my cardiologist at my next visit. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Andrew, thanks for this. One of the joys of being a HD reader is the daily reminder of Jonathan. I'm sure it has been a difficult year for Elaine and you and your family. Wishing all of you the best.
Comments
Andrew, Thanks for a very poignant piece. The line that resonated with most was: "What struck me most wasn’t the number of hours he worked, but how willingly he gave away his time. Whether responding to an email from a first-time reader or interviewing someone for an article, he made people feel they mattered." From my first interaction with Jonathan I felt his kindness and friendship. I spent some time looking at old emails from Jonathan - there were about 600 exchanges over 7 years. One exchange gave me a smile. I wrote a piece on having to choose between a lump sum pension, or a monthly benefit. Our plan had some nuanced options depending on the employee age when they left the company, length of service, and age at start of benefits. I rewrote that section several times and still it wasn't clear. Instead of pointing to me confused writing, Jonathan blamed his early morning lack of coffee for his inability to grasp my point! One other point I haven't seen mentioned in discussing Jonathan since his passing. He was really smart. I tend to right some technical stuff and he instantly got what I was trying to convey, and always made my writing better. He always checked my math, occasionally finding mistakes and correcting them. Kind, friendly, open, smart, and mathematically skilled. That's a rare combination.
Post: The Jonathan I Found: Through Others’ Eyes
Link to comment from September 19, 2026
Dick, I’m very sorry for your family’s health challenges. I wish you, Connie, and all the Quinns the best. There was never a doubt in my mind what your answer to the text would be.
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
John, thanks for a really interesting article. About 30 years ago my brother-in-law called me and told his company (Cincinnati Financial) announced that they were being included in the S&P 500, and asked me what that meant. I gave him the broad explanation, but did a little research to help him understand what it meant to be included. Your article and the latest dealings with SpaceX brought back fond memories of that discussion.
Post: The Silent Committee
Link to comment from September 15, 2026
It is confusing to see the impact because of other market movements, but sometimes it can be clearly seen. The stock price is mechanically adjusted at the open on the ex-dividend date. Public Service and Gas (PEG) previous dividends show a few good examples. PEG closed at $80.20 on June 6 and opened at $79.58 on June 9, the ex-dividend date. The decline was $0.62, compared with a $0.63 dividend—almost a one-for-one adjustment. Ninety days later, on September 9, 2025 the stock fell $0.60 from the prior close of $80.19 to an opening price of $79.59, versus a $0.63 dividend. Of the last 6 PEG dividends, 2 ( 6/6/25 & 9/9/25) opening dividend reduced prices were approximately equal to the dividend reduced amount, two opened higher than the dividend reduced amount, and 2 opened lower than the dividend reduced amount. After market trading often cloud the impact of dividend payouts on stock prices, but it is real. The current PEG quarterly dividend of $0.67 is about 0.94% of today's closing price of $70.92. This is comparable to PEG's normal daily price movement, so not insignificant.
Post: I will still take the dividends
Link to comment from September 14, 2026
John, thanks for a great article. I had assumed my wife would take ownership should I pass first, but, as Dan suggested, I just added some notes to our final instructions to make sure this is considered. I also explained it to my wife.
Post: Widow’s IRA Choice
Link to comment from September 13, 2026
I agree with Marilyn. Many of the Marriott Concierge lounges had one staff. If it is a brand with communal breakfast, I try to find the one in charge.
Post: Free Breakfast
Link to comment from September 10, 2026
During the last 15 years of my career I travelled frequently to the DC area. Many of my colleagues had traveled there for decades and showed me the ropes. We tended to stay in the same hotels, and that frequency gave us access to the conceirege lounge. This provided free breakfast, free dinner, and usually a free glass of wine or a beer. Selections were limited but enough to make a meal. They would also bring a bag to breakfast to grab something for lunch - yogurt, bagel, PB, fruit, protein bars. Since they were on long term travel they received a government approved per diem for meals, so they made money on the deal. Of course, they were away from home frequently. What bothered me about the whole deal was how many of my colleagues took it for granted and never tipped the wait staff in the lounge. The staff knew that the guests in the lounge were frequent guests, and treated them very well. I made sure I always thanked the staff and tipped them. When we travel now to hotels with free breakfast I make sure I leave a tip for the staff. I realize this sounds self-serving (pun intended) but it is a pet peeve of mine.
Post: Free Breakfast
Link to comment from September 10, 2026
Dana, Thanks for an important and timely post. Last night a sibling texted me that they had recently had an Lp(a) test and received a high score. I checked and I had the set done in June, 2024 and had a lower, but still high, score. We have heart disease in our family, but I always assumed it was due to smoking. I have never smoked. I have had 2 CACs - both zero, and had a recent cardia workup this spring and all was good. Still, I will use this information to talk to my cardiologist at my next visit. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Post: On Being a “Healthy” Person
Link to comment from September 9, 2026
Andrew, thanks for this. One of the joys of being a HD reader is the daily reminder of Jonathan. I'm sure it has been a difficult year for Elaine and you and your family. Wishing all of you the best.
Post: Remembering Jonathan
Link to comment from September 9, 2026
Jeffrey, congratulations on your retirement. Thanks for a well-written and thought-provoking article. Your last 2 paragraphs give us much to consider.
Post: Taking It With You
Link to comment from September 5, 2026