That‘s a great article, and perspective. The gap between the haves and the have nots has certainly widened. I think we can reconcile it better when individuals have made poor choices. But when people have worked diligently yet still ended up in a financial pickle it’s difficult to see. I try to count my abundant blessings every day.
I’ve reflected many times about how fortunate I was to be exposed to these folks‘ financial wisdom starting many years ago. Minus this collective sage advice, my (and my family’s) financial situation would be drastically different.
My sincere thanks, Jonathan!
Thank you very much. I was very lucky to encounter many incredibly skilled health care professionals in this arena, who had all decided the nobility of the mission was more important than money. I hear so many stories these days from people who had bad healthcare related experiences. Sadly it seems far too often the “care” has disappeared from healthcare. But thankfully much less so on the clinical side versus the business/administrative end.
I retired 3 years ago at 68 after decades as a family physician. As you know, primary care docs not uncommonly see the Porsches and Jaguars belonging to the specialists, and there is often quite a bit of jealousy (particularly given the current workload of people in primary care). I worked for 7 years in a FQHC serving the homeless and indigent. That experience gave me a wonderful perspective, and every day when I left work i realized exactly how fortunate I was. The comparison game indeed is where people compromise their happiness. God commanded that we not covet for our own good!
That magnificent article is thought provoking in so many ways. But on the lighter note, thank you for bringing much needed attention to the great French fries quandary. I‘m very fortunate that I can routinely choose the healthy option. But this is solely due to my wife invariably ordering fries, which I know she will not finish.
You’re very smart to take that approach, and have that self discipline. So many don’t. And sadly many sell and cement their losses. As Buffet said years ago (and I paraphrase), “Why is nobody buying, everything is on sale?”.
Comments
Thank you Mark!
Post: Bearing Witness: Retirement From the Wrong Side of the Divide
Link to comment from December 5, 2025
We all have made mistakes. But over time, dollar cost averaging uniformly reaps benefits.
Post: My Investing Journey, Just Do It
Link to comment from November 29, 2025
That‘s a great article, and perspective. The gap between the haves and the have nots has certainly widened. I think we can reconcile it better when individuals have made poor choices. But when people have worked diligently yet still ended up in a financial pickle it’s difficult to see. I try to count my abundant blessings every day.
Post: Bearing Witness: Retirement From the Wrong Side of the Divide
Link to comment from November 29, 2025
I surely relate to that! I try to downsize the LP‘s/CD‘s/stereo equipment/cassettes but it is an absolute struggle!
Post: Frugality, Minimalism, and Aligning Values
Link to comment from August 31, 2025
Excellent piece. Life certainly is better when we don’t make things unnecessarily complex.
Post: The Main Thing … and the scourge of complexity
Link to comment from August 30, 2025
I’ve reflected many times about how fortunate I was to be exposed to these folks‘ financial wisdom starting many years ago. Minus this collective sage advice, my (and my family’s) financial situation would be drastically different. My sincere thanks, Jonathan!
Post: My Money Memories
Link to comment from August 9, 2025
Thank you very much. I was very lucky to encounter many incredibly skilled health care professionals in this arena, who had all decided the nobility of the mission was more important than money. I hear so many stories these days from people who had bad healthcare related experiences. Sadly it seems far too often the “care” has disappeared from healthcare. But thankfully much less so on the clinical side versus the business/administrative end.
Post: Why We Struggle
Link to comment from January 4, 2025
I retired 3 years ago at 68 after decades as a family physician. As you know, primary care docs not uncommonly see the Porsches and Jaguars belonging to the specialists, and there is often quite a bit of jealousy (particularly given the current workload of people in primary care). I worked for 7 years in a FQHC serving the homeless and indigent. That experience gave me a wonderful perspective, and every day when I left work i realized exactly how fortunate I was. The comparison game indeed is where people compromise their happiness. God commanded that we not covet for our own good!
Post: Why We Struggle
Link to comment from January 4, 2025
That magnificent article is thought provoking in so many ways. But on the lighter note, thank you for bringing much needed attention to the great French fries quandary. I‘m very fortunate that I can routinely choose the healthy option. But this is solely due to my wife invariably ordering fries, which I know she will not finish.
Post: Why We Struggle
Link to comment from January 4, 2025
You’re very smart to take that approach, and have that self discipline. So many don’t. And sadly many sell and cement their losses. As Buffet said years ago (and I paraphrase), “Why is nobody buying, everything is on sale?”.
Post: Sharing Lessons
Link to comment from December 14, 2024