Well stated, Mark.
We are all blessed and cursed with a "wealth" of information and choices- even buying a light bulb these days with all the options and variations can be mind blowing.
I like you was self taught on investing aided by some wonderful pre-internet mentors to get me started. Imagine direct human interaction. What a concept!
As the on line information tsunami began to hit, I philosophically anchored myself with Bogle, Buffett/Munger and you guessed it, J. Clements. What a blessing each one has been for so many.
For the younger generation much of the advice of these four people is timeless.
"Me thinks thou protests too much"
Ironic.
Here are some more song lyrics that are applicable for all the feedback you have received yet don't seem to hear.....
"Everybody's talkin' at me”
“Can't hear a word they're sayin'”
“Only the echoes of my mind"
Another great article to read over morning coffee Mark, well done.
It's a comprehensive list and underscores how important it is for younger people to educate themselves on all the potential pitfalls out there. Hitting just one of many of these financial "landmines" can be life altering ....and not in a good way.
Brewing these two words up in a world where most people don't approach either in a financial sense prompts the question" Arrogant or Divisive?" (could be "and" as well). "Insensitive" could be another.
Most people as they mature, look deeper introspectively and aspire toward "comfort" (as has been mentioned), "safety" (something many do not enjoy) and "fulfillment"...the latter potentially the most important word when all is said and done in a life.
"Humility" is a worthy aspiration along the way as well.
Bravo on switching to LED lights. We should all celebrate that the reign of the awful Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) was short.
Suggestion: Hang on to at least a few of those old incandescent bulbs however.
They can be quite handy when you need a little focused warmth in a small area. Examples include: helping accelerate curing of paint or other non volatile compounds in an otherwise cold garage, shed etc. Protecting pipes from freezing under a sink with pipes near a poorly insulated wall. In southern climates with only periodic freezing, any outdoor exposed plumbing/cold intolerant equipment etc can be warmed by cutting a tarp over the equipment and placing a lit incandescent bulb underneath....etc. etc. I've given a few of mine away to people who wish they had saved some!
I'll leave you to keep talking to yourself Richard.
You might try spending less time on all this lost motion of trying to convince everyone of your view of the world and go live your own best life. This "ain't it" by any measure.
You'll be happier with some fresh air (both literally and metaphorically).
Ah, yet another politically charged, supercilious (not to be confused with super silly, but that applies too) response from Richard Quinn.
Your routine, trite approach to write a response that does not even mirror the content of the text you disagree with or are incapable of understanding due to inherently severe philosophical solipsism is quaint.
At the end of the day Dick, people like me and those gathered around that camp fire would rather see the dollars wasted/to be wasted on us used to help others vs perennially brag on line about how we’ve received more than we have contributed to S.S. to support our lifestyle.
Your virtuous, condescending lectures ring hollow outside of the self imposed echo chamber in which you are entombed..
You really should have run for congress….you’d fit right in the “ring”.
I agree that the word “scam” is not the primary perception of the young. After all, they don’t (yet) have a precedence to point to that they will not receive S.S. or Medicare benefit they have/will pay into.
That said, people have been justifiably wary of the long-term viability of these programs for decades. Specific to your S.S. “insurance” characterization; it is spot on in both its original intent as the program was envisioned and how it applies to many who rely on it for basic sustenance due to economic and or other life challenges. That’s all great in history. Where the S.S. “insurance” categorization falls apart in our modern economy is when all the money does is “sustain life style” when that "lifestyle" for many is pretty elevated already. We should be responsible for maintaining our own “life styles” without looking for “insurance” from the government.
To wit, I recently spent a few days fishing with a group of fellow retirees the majority of whom have multiple times my wealth (an always humbling few days each year). I tossed the question out into the campfire and cigar smoke regarding what they thought about the S.S. checks they either get or will get in the coming years.
The responses ranged from “oh, my beer money” to “that’s gas money for the float plane and the boat you rode in this week” to “if they are stupid enough to send me a check every month…..” to utter indifference.
(Now to be fair, outside of the S.S. topic, this group is very philanthropic as a whole). In summary, people tend to refer to extremes like Warren Buffet but there are millions of TRULY financially independent multi-millionaires out there who I am sure are glad to know they won’t starve if all goes wrong for them in the latter years of their lives…..but sure don’t need an “insurance policy” payout every month to “sustain lifestyle” ….or for any other reason in the meantime. I also don’t think anyone around that campfire would vote differently if the checks stopped coming or never came to them in their own lifetimes. Let’s hope part of the “fix” for S.S. that the three-ring circus in Washington comes up with actually adheres to the “insurance” aspect for those who TRULY NEED IT in future generations.
Comments
Well stated, Mark. We are all blessed and cursed with a "wealth" of information and choices- even buying a light bulb these days with all the options and variations can be mind blowing. I like you was self taught on investing aided by some wonderful pre-internet mentors to get me started. Imagine direct human interaction. What a concept! As the on line information tsunami began to hit, I philosophically anchored myself with Bogle, Buffett/Munger and you guessed it, J. Clements. What a blessing each one has been for so many. For the younger generation much of the advice of these four people is timeless.
Post: Financial Ruin for Beginners
Link to comment from October 8, 2026
"Me thinks thou protests too much" Ironic. Here are some more song lyrics that are applicable for all the feedback you have received yet don't seem to hear..... "Everybody's talkin' at me” “Can't hear a word they're sayin'” “Only the echoes of my mind"
Post: Rich or Wealthy?
Link to comment from October 7, 2026
Nope, saw it. Had you stopped there vs continuing on a vacuous diatribe thereafter your feedback may have been different.
Post: Rich or Wealthy?
Link to comment from October 7, 2026
Amen, Andrew. John Bogle’s book, aptly titled Enough, is a great read along the lines of the thoughts you outline.
Post: Rich or Wealthy?
Link to comment from October 7, 2026
Another great article to read over morning coffee Mark, well done. It's a comprehensive list and underscores how important it is for younger people to educate themselves on all the potential pitfalls out there. Hitting just one of many of these financial "landmines" can be life altering ....and not in a good way.
Post: Financial Ruin for Beginners
Link to comment from October 6, 2026
Brewing these two words up in a world where most people don't approach either in a financial sense prompts the question" Arrogant or Divisive?" (could be "and" as well). "Insensitive" could be another. Most people as they mature, look deeper introspectively and aspire toward "comfort" (as has been mentioned), "safety" (something many do not enjoy) and "fulfillment"...the latter potentially the most important word when all is said and done in a life. "Humility" is a worthy aspiration along the way as well.
Post: Rich or Wealthy?
Link to comment from October 5, 2026
Bravo on switching to LED lights. We should all celebrate that the reign of the awful Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) was short. Suggestion: Hang on to at least a few of those old incandescent bulbs however. They can be quite handy when you need a little focused warmth in a small area. Examples include: helping accelerate curing of paint or other non volatile compounds in an otherwise cold garage, shed etc. Protecting pipes from freezing under a sink with pipes near a poorly insulated wall. In southern climates with only periodic freezing, any outdoor exposed plumbing/cold intolerant equipment etc can be warmed by cutting a tarp over the equipment and placing a lit incandescent bulb underneath....etc. etc. I've given a few of mine away to people who wish they had saved some!
Post: A Very Humble Saving
Link to comment from October 2, 2026
I'll leave you to keep talking to yourself Richard. You might try spending less time on all this lost motion of trying to convince everyone of your view of the world and go live your own best life. This "ain't it" by any measure. You'll be happier with some fresh air (both literally and metaphorically).
Post: Is your retirement plan counting on a Social Security COLA in the future?
Link to comment from October 1, 2026
Ah, yet another politically charged, supercilious (not to be confused with super silly, but that applies too) response from Richard Quinn. Your routine, trite approach to write a response that does not even mirror the content of the text you disagree with or are incapable of understanding due to inherently severe philosophical solipsism is quaint. At the end of the day Dick, people like me and those gathered around that camp fire would rather see the dollars wasted/to be wasted on us used to help others vs perennially brag on line about how we’ve received more than we have contributed to S.S. to support our lifestyle. Your virtuous, condescending lectures ring hollow outside of the self imposed echo chamber in which you are entombed.. You really should have run for congress….you’d fit right in the “ring”.
Post: Is your retirement plan counting on a Social Security COLA in the future?
Link to comment from October 1, 2026
I agree that the word “scam” is not the primary perception of the young. After all, they don’t (yet) have a precedence to point to that they will not receive S.S. or Medicare benefit they have/will pay into. That said, people have been justifiably wary of the long-term viability of these programs for decades. Specific to your S.S. “insurance” characterization; it is spot on in both its original intent as the program was envisioned and how it applies to many who rely on it for basic sustenance due to economic and or other life challenges. That’s all great in history. Where the S.S. “insurance” categorization falls apart in our modern economy is when all the money does is “sustain life style” when that "lifestyle" for many is pretty elevated already. We should be responsible for maintaining our own “life styles” without looking for “insurance” from the government. To wit, I recently spent a few days fishing with a group of fellow retirees the majority of whom have multiple times my wealth (an always humbling few days each year). I tossed the question out into the campfire and cigar smoke regarding what they thought about the S.S. checks they either get or will get in the coming years. The responses ranged from “oh, my beer money” to “that’s gas money for the float plane and the boat you rode in this week” to “if they are stupid enough to send me a check every month…..” to utter indifference. (Now to be fair, outside of the S.S. topic, this group is very philanthropic as a whole). In summary, people tend to refer to extremes like Warren Buffet but there are millions of TRULY financially independent multi-millionaires out there who I am sure are glad to know they won’t starve if all goes wrong for them in the latter years of their lives…..but sure don’t need an “insurance policy” payout every month to “sustain lifestyle” ….or for any other reason in the meantime. I also don’t think anyone around that campfire would vote differently if the checks stopped coming or never came to them in their own lifetimes. Let’s hope part of the “fix” for S.S. that the three-ring circus in Washington comes up with actually adheres to the “insurance” aspect for those who TRULY NEED IT in future generations.
Post: Is your retirement plan counting on a Social Security COLA in the future?
Link to comment from October 1, 2026