I recall the title of a great article in Money magazine written many years ago by the editor with a similar theme—“No one cares as much about your money as you do.”
Good advice. My first return after my retirement we ended up with a $2500 refund. Several months went by without a check. Calls and letters to IRS went unanswered or unreturned. Our CPA reached out as well. Long story short, it took 3 years and Congressional help to get IRS to reach out to us. Even then I spent 2 ½ hours on the phone verifying my identity with an agent going over the last 10 years of returns, some line by line. What a pain in the internal “rectum” service that was.
Jonathan, we’re all on limited time and like you I believe we should be productive as long as we can. While I retired eight years ago I continue to work, not for the money but my feeling of self-worth. I’ve had a job of some sort since I was thirteen (the year of the British Invasion; the second, not the first) and enjoy what I do and the pep it gives me. Just like the gym, you expend energy to get energy. So be doing something productive as long as you can I say.
I agree Catherine with most of what you reported and over my lifetime I’ve found myself on the losing end of a few real estate purchases. Although my dad would agree with you about living as cheaply as possible (I say affordable), he pointed out to me that a house is not an investment, it is a place to live; it provides stability to the family.
Thanks Ed; I’ve been a reader of HD for longer than I can remember but yours and Jonathan’s articles this week are about as good as it gets for reflecting on the past and the future. The same fate awaits us all, so the better to make preparations now.
Thanks Brian. A very timely article because I’m going through that now. My mother passed away last month and I’ve already received the SS letter stating they are recovering her October payment due to her death but haven’t received one yet saying her estate owes them. Also, the payment from them upon death, I understand to simply be a death benefit. Any more letters I’ll just sit on for a few weeks until the dust settles. Rich
Comments
I recall the title of a great article in Money magazine written many years ago by the editor with a similar theme—“No one cares as much about your money as you do.”
Post: Financial Advisor – NEVER AGAIN
Link to comment from May 12, 2025
That was what I was going to suggest. Great minds think alike😉
Post: Replacing the Replacement
Link to comment from March 9, 2025
Good advice. My first return after my retirement we ended up with a $2500 refund. Several months went by without a check. Calls and letters to IRS went unanswered or unreturned. Our CPA reached out as well. Long story short, it took 3 years and Congressional help to get IRS to reach out to us. Even then I spent 2 ½ hours on the phone verifying my identity with an agent going over the last 10 years of returns, some line by line. What a pain in the internal “rectum” service that was.
Post: Easy Does It
Link to comment from February 22, 2025
Jonathan, we’re all on limited time and like you I believe we should be productive as long as we can. While I retired eight years ago I continue to work, not for the money but my feeling of self-worth. I’ve had a job of some sort since I was thirteen (the year of the British Invasion; the second, not the first) and enjoy what I do and the pep it gives me. Just like the gym, you expend energy to get energy. So be doing something productive as long as you can I say.
Post: Taking Center Stage
Link to comment from January 26, 2025
I agree Catherine with most of what you reported and over my lifetime I’ve found myself on the losing end of a few real estate purchases. Although my dad would agree with you about living as cheaply as possible (I say affordable), he pointed out to me that a house is not an investment, it is a place to live; it provides stability to the family.
Post: Rent Forever?
Link to comment from January 11, 2025
Thanks Ed; I’ve been a reader of HD for longer than I can remember but yours and Jonathan’s articles this week are about as good as it gets for reflecting on the past and the future. The same fate awaits us all, so the better to make preparations now.
Post: A Lifetime of Loss
Link to comment from December 28, 2024
Congratulations you made it! Embrace your new freedom.
Post: The Simple Life
Link to comment from December 24, 2024
Speaking of dogs, maybe you could offer us other dog owners insight on pet insurance, i.e. is it worthwhile for what you pay vs. what you get?
Post: No Hot Dogs
Link to comment from December 14, 2024
Thanks Brian. A very timely article because I’m going through that now. My mother passed away last month and I’ve already received the SS letter stating they are recovering her October payment due to her death but haven’t received one yet saying her estate owes them. Also, the payment from them upon death, I understand to simply be a death benefit. Any more letters I’ll just sit on for a few weeks until the dust settles. Rich
Post: That Final Payment
Link to comment from November 4, 2024
Bless your heart…I’m one of the religious types.
Post: My Path to Peace
Link to comment from September 12, 2024