Isn't it better sometimes to wait for future developments and respond to circumstances? If robotaxis actually become available I think the household driving 545 miles a year might want to forgo car ownership. For sure, my wife and I would not need a second car. We are aging in place but will move when circumstances change. Her mother moved into a CCRC making a more or less irrevocable decision but now regrets the loss of flexibility, particularly since her children are all living nearly 100 miles away. As she moved through her eighties most of her friends in her "hometown" CCRC passed away and now she feels isolated. Our plan is to move when we are unable to independently care for our house, yard, and selves.
My circumstances allow me to invest for the next generation. I have increased my exercise program hoping to ensure that I am fit and independent if I make it to my mid eighties in 20 years. Being retired and having time I don't see a downside.
As a retiree after I account for dividends, interest, and future Social Security I don't really "need" to spend anything else from the portfolio. I want to have some bonds there for discretionary purchases. It just doesn't seem right to let the stocks exceed 85% so I don't.
Richard, you are one of a kind. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My circumstances are completely different but I have enjoyed your articles. It's good to get a little more background
I used to follow the FIRE internet forums closely but when I hit financial independence I kept working both to further supplement the portfolio and because I found the work meaningful. I still sometimes read the online stories and wonder if those who are "burned out" in their forties should just consider switching jobs or careers. Retiring before financial readiness and working in a job that is ruining your health both seem less appealing.
Good article. Some people including myself spent a lot of our 20s working too many hours with a plan to retire early so that we could stop working. Maybe having a more balanced life would have been wiser. I now see the 80 hour weeks as a mistake rather than a badge of being a high achiever.
I read a few retirement forums and don't understand why the default bond position for many seems to be a total market bond fund. These have long average maturity and are higher risk than many investors appreciate. I prefer shorter duration funds and bonds. Sure I get a little less interest but since I have better actual diversification I am comfortable with a higher equity allocation.
My mother was in an assisted living facility for dementia when she entered hospice which she continued to pay for until she passed. I was astonished at the large amounts billed to and paid for by Medicare for the limited hospice services she required. We never looked into a hospice facility. The fact that this was mid-pandemic didn't help. One benefit of hospice is that they averted ER trips. I am glad that you shared your experience.
Good article. My 65 year old self was attracted to low MA premiums but the octogenarians in my life haven't liked dealing with networks, pre-approvals, and coinsurance. I went traditional Medicare
I enjoy your articles but I think you would be better off writing less and committing your time to other activities. You worked hard to make Humble Dollar a success and devoting less effort to it will be hard. "The most difficult taskmaster we have is our own mind." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Comments
Isn't it better sometimes to wait for future developments and respond to circumstances? If robotaxis actually become available I think the household driving 545 miles a year might want to forgo car ownership. For sure, my wife and I would not need a second car. We are aging in place but will move when circumstances change. Her mother moved into a CCRC making a more or less irrevocable decision but now regrets the loss of flexibility, particularly since her children are all living nearly 100 miles away. As she moved through her eighties most of her friends in her "hometown" CCRC passed away and now she feels isolated. Our plan is to move when we are unable to independently care for our house, yard, and selves.
Post: Delayed Reaction
Link to comment from May 15, 2024
My circumstances allow me to invest for the next generation. I have increased my exercise program hoping to ensure that I am fit and independent if I make it to my mid eighties in 20 years. Being retired and having time I don't see a downside.
Post: Long Odds
Link to comment from May 4, 2024
As a retiree after I account for dividends, interest, and future Social Security I don't really "need" to spend anything else from the portfolio. I want to have some bonds there for discretionary purchases. It just doesn't seem right to let the stocks exceed 85% so I don't.
Post: Asking Myself
Link to comment from March 16, 2024
Richard, you are one of a kind. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My circumstances are completely different but I have enjoyed your articles. It's good to get a little more background
Post: He Asked, I Answered
Link to comment from March 9, 2024
I used to follow the FIRE internet forums closely but when I hit financial independence I kept working both to further supplement the portfolio and because I found the work meaningful. I still sometimes read the online stories and wonder if those who are "burned out" in their forties should just consider switching jobs or careers. Retiring before financial readiness and working in a job that is ruining your health both seem less appealing.
Post: Fire Meets Ice
Link to comment from February 10, 2024
Good article. Some people including myself spent a lot of our 20s working too many hours with a plan to retire early so that we could stop working. Maybe having a more balanced life would have been wiser. I now see the 80 hour weeks as a mistake rather than a badge of being a high achiever.
Post: Not What I Expected
Link to comment from November 8, 2023
I read a few retirement forums and don't understand why the default bond position for many seems to be a total market bond fund. These have long average maturity and are higher risk than many investors appreciate. I prefer shorter duration funds and bonds. Sure I get a little less interest but since I have better actual diversification I am comfortable with a higher equity allocation.
Post: Financial Superpowers
Link to comment from August 19, 2023
My mother was in an assisted living facility for dementia when she entered hospice which she continued to pay for until she passed. I was astonished at the large amounts billed to and paid for by Medicare for the limited hospice services she required. We never looked into a hospice facility. The fact that this was mid-pandemic didn't help. One benefit of hospice is that they averted ER trips. I am glad that you shared your experience.
Post: Dying at Home
Link to comment from August 9, 2023
Good article. My 65 year old self was attracted to low MA premiums but the octogenarians in my life haven't liked dealing with networks, pre-approvals, and coinsurance. I went traditional Medicare
Post: Time to Decide
Link to comment from May 31, 2023
Post: Wishing My Life Away
Link to comment from April 8, 2023