eludom

Comments

• Going into retirement a few years ago, I signed up for the Vanguard Personal Advisor Service. I was assigned an advisor who was OK, but he soon moved on and was replaced by someone more junior. At a point where I felt I needed a little higher touch to calm my nerves as I moved into the decumulation phase, the model seemed to be "we'll talk to you for 30 minutes once every six months" and answer questions. I was not impressed. I canceled and went the DIY route with a lot of help and advice here (thanks, all!) and planning via New Retirement/Boldin (would recommend). My rollover IRA (largest amount) is at Vanguard, taxable account at E*TRADE, and a small rollover from my last employer at Fidelity. Service at E*TRADE is fine/good. Based on positive feedback here, I may take a closer look at Fidelity.

  Post: Schwab or Vanguard?

  Link to comment from January 19, 2026

• I would have started reading HumbleDollar sooner.

  Post: If You Could Rewind 5 Years Before Retirement… What Would You Change?

  Link to comment from January 1, 2026

• Take care of yourself. Much as we all appreciate what Jonathan created here and want it to continue, it was his thing. Do what you need to do for yourself. Thanks.

  Post: Jonathan’s Service

  Link to comment from November 14, 2025

• Thanks for stepping up, Bogdan. This is undoubtedly a time of transition for all of us. That said, the site has felt somewhat rudderless recently. In the past, Jonathan was very active in the comments, and anyone could email him and expect a quick response. Currently, the website's contact information still directs people to email him. Updating some of the sites content might be in order. I may be viewing things a bit pessimistically due to limited information, but I submitted the HumbleDollar sitemap to archive.org yesterday to ensure that the content remains accessible, even if the site were to unexpectedly go offline. For those interested, archived content is available here: https://web.archive.org/web/20251112155108/https://humbledollar.com/ Can you provide reassurance that hosting bills are being paid? Who should we contact if we encounter any problems or concerns? Is there active monitoring and moderation of posts to ensure discussions remain respectful, constructive, and on-topic? Many of us value this site greatly. You're filling big shoes (thanks again). Some might be willing to volunteer their time and effort to help sustain it.

  Post: Jonathan’s Service

  Link to comment from November 13, 2025

• I could do another google form to see if people are interested in local or remote meet-ups. Not sure about leading anything, but I could facilitate connecting small groups with similar interests/geographies and let them sort out their own logistics/goals/schedule, .e.g. "monthly zoom to swap ideas on ..."

  Post: A Day In Philly

  Link to comment from November 12, 2025

• Nice summary of the in-person experience Dan. It felt like Jonathan was there in a way. I laughed when Jason Zewig said Jonathan confused his brokerage by opening a retirement account for son Henry minutes after he was born. Because of course he did. (I might have mixed up some details). At lunch I confirmed something you see online, that "Humble Dollar people" are a good bunch: interesting, serious, and curious. I was glad to meet everyone in person. We had a lot in common because we've all been learning from the same humble teacher. I suspect we could have talked for hours. Jonathan wanted this community to keep going. I'm pondering how we might be able to facilitate more small meetups if there is interest, either in person or or online. Thoughts?

  Post: A Day In Philly

  Link to comment from November 11, 2025

• Good article — thanks. I find myself with similar internal struggles. My Myers-Briggs type is ISTJ, for what that’s worth. I think part of the problem is that the word “judgment” carries baggage. Words have a range of meanings. “Judgment” can mean either to condemn or to discern. What makes me uncomfortable with judgment is when I catch myself condemning someone for being different from me or for making choices I wouldn’t make. I don’t have that right — but it often doesn’t stop me. Discernment, on the other hand, is just recognizing differences and understanding the consequences of choices — say, spending money on lottery tickets instead of building an emergency fund. Discernment is necessary if you’re trying to help someone by explaining the impact of their choices. But often they already know — they just made a different choice than I would. Is this a useful distinction or just splitting words?

  Post: I Don’t Like to Judge…But.

  Link to comment from November 10, 2025

• Those interested are welcome to gather after the service at Pizzeria Stella, 420 S. 2nd Street. The reservation is under "George Jones" for 1pm.

  Post: Jonathan’s Memorial Service (includes streaming link)

  Link to comment from November 7, 2025

• Nick, thanks for your perspective on "filling time" in retirement. A few weeks ago, I rode my first century in almost 50 years. I recently spent several months back in central Ohio, where I grew up. In the 23 years since I left, the state has built a remarkable network of rail-trails—you can now ride, for example, from Cincinnati to Cleveland. I wouldn’t ride the roads I used to ride there, and certainly not the ones in northern Virginia, where I live now. While I was in Ohio, I connected with a weekly group of retirees—“a lunch group that pretends to be a bike-riding group.” It turned out to be a great way to make new friends and to see how others are approaching this stage of life. I also finished the Appalachian Trail this Jull after 18 years. I still do volunteer maintenance work. I’m actually heading out today to do GPS surveying for the folks who make AT maps. Hiking and maintaining give me a chance to meet people and to "give back". Still figuring things out, but as you pointed out, it seems clear that doing things with people and for people is going to be a important part of whatever comes next.

  Post: Things I’ve Picked Up

  Link to comment from November 7, 2025

• From previous thread: I’ve set up a “Pizza in Philly” form on google https://forms.gle/oZgu13XMaTEJ8ibZ7 If you’re going to be around Saturday, fill out the form and I’ll try to coordinate for seating and communicate plans. Hope to see people there. Jonathan was pretty dedicated to growing this community. Having a gathering to further that aim would seem a fitting small tribute.

  Post: Jonathan’s Memorial Service (includes streaming link)

  Link to comment from November 5, 2025