AUTHOR: Fran Moore on 5/15/2025 FIRST: Jeff on 5/15/2025 | RECENT: Nick Politakis on 5/17/2025
Comments
Clare, I created a template for myself and shared it with my family via Google Docs with all the vital information that I think they would need for when I die or become permanently disabled. I based it on one that was shared on an episode of the “Catching Up to FI” podcast. I think it was created by Kristin Huddleston.(hers wasn’t real user friendly imo.) My resources are modest but adequate yet my completed template is actually 22 pages long! I included magazine subscriptions that automatically renew and memberships and automatic donations that are paid electronically as well as a link to my extensive password file. It took months for me to complete! I also created one for our daughter who has special needs. Hers is 28 pages long! Have you checked with a special needs trust attorney re your daughter’s situation? She may actually qualify for a special needs trust. We are in PA and I’ve learned a ton of information from our attorney who is also an advocate for special needs.
I started with Bogleheads on Reddit, which lead me to Bogleheads.org, then the "Catching Up to FI" and "Choose FI" podcasts and websites and FB pages, which then introduced me to a ton of different resources, including Humble Dollar. As a retired person who doesn't like to spend money, I view the WSJ as a "necessary luxury," that I can't do without! It really helps to put things into perspective with its mostly neutral and sane reporting.
This reminds me of my Social Security fiasco at the beginning of this year. My account was suspended and no one at SS could figure out why! After many phone calls and visits to the office as well as involvement from my congressman, it was reinstated. But it took about 5 months before I received a regular payment! I learned several lessons: first, this is a good reason to have a robust emergency fund; second, there is a fine line between patience and proactivity - and I got plenty of practice in both; third, our elected officials work for us and we should not hesitate to use them; and finally, kindness goes a long way. It was hard to keep my cool after the third or fourth phone call, but empathizing with those who tried to help me, really motivated them to help me more. I feel your pain! Nothing is worse than not knowing how to fix a problem!
It’s interesting that your first 3 memories involve comparing your situation to others. I can totally relate to that. Even though it appears that I have “enough” to get us to the “end of plan,” I still can’t stop looking around and comparing our situation to others. It’s human nature, I guess.
It took me years to break up with our advisor, but I finally did and we are much better off. However, I've been recently updating all of our records for my "Death File," so my daughter has access to them. Suddenly, after 54 years of marriage, my husband (who wants nothing to do with money management) became curious. He asked, "Who's the man that I call if I need money after you're gone?" I tried to give him a brief lesson on the "order of operations," and he said, "well, I'll just transfer it all to bonds." (!) He'll need an advisor!
Love it! My Gen Z grandkids introduced me to language of their youth. Now that they are all age 16 and up, I’m trying desperately to introduce them to the language of personal finance.
Comments
Clare, I created a template for myself and shared it with my family via Google Docs with all the vital information that I think they would need for when I die or become permanently disabled. I based it on one that was shared on an episode of the “Catching Up to FI” podcast. I think it was created by Kristin Huddleston.(hers wasn’t real user friendly imo.) My resources are modest but adequate yet my completed template is actually 22 pages long! I included magazine subscriptions that automatically renew and memberships and automatic donations that are paid electronically as well as a link to my extensive password file. It took months for me to complete! I also created one for our daughter who has special needs. Hers is 28 pages long! Have you checked with a special needs trust attorney re your daughter’s situation? She may actually qualify for a special needs trust. We are in PA and I’ve learned a ton of information from our attorney who is also an advocate for special needs.
Post: Your two best investing books—and do you also keep an End-of-Life “family binder”?
Link to comment from January 5, 2026
I started with Bogleheads on Reddit, which lead me to Bogleheads.org, then the "Catching Up to FI" and "Choose FI" podcasts and websites and FB pages, which then introduced me to a ton of different resources, including Humble Dollar. As a retired person who doesn't like to spend money, I view the WSJ as a "necessary luxury," that I can't do without! It really helps to put things into perspective with its mostly neutral and sane reporting.
Post: What are the financial subscriptions you believe are worth it for yourself and would recommend to others?
Link to comment from December 3, 2025
Maybe fat fingers and presbyopia. Hit the wrong arrow?
Post: The Financial Metric I Refuse to Calculate
Link to comment from September 15, 2025
The American Dream.
Post: Our road from high school to retirement- one of many routes
Link to comment from September 4, 2025
This reminds me of my Social Security fiasco at the beginning of this year. My account was suspended and no one at SS could figure out why! After many phone calls and visits to the office as well as involvement from my congressman, it was reinstated. But it took about 5 months before I received a regular payment! I learned several lessons: first, this is a good reason to have a robust emergency fund; second, there is a fine line between patience and proactivity - and I got plenty of practice in both; third, our elected officials work for us and we should not hesitate to use them; and finally, kindness goes a long way. It was hard to keep my cool after the third or fourth phone call, but empathizing with those who tried to help me, really motivated them to help me more. I feel your pain! Nothing is worse than not knowing how to fix a problem!
Post: The Half-Completed Retirement Transition
Link to comment from August 14, 2025
It’s interesting that your first 3 memories involve comparing your situation to others. I can totally relate to that. Even though it appears that I have “enough” to get us to the “end of plan,” I still can’t stop looking around and comparing our situation to others. It’s human nature, I guess.
Post: My Money Memories
Link to comment from August 7, 2025
We are the ones who've gotten the extra innings! Thank you, Jonathan, for giving them to us!
Post: Extra Innings
Link to comment from July 11, 2025
It took me years to break up with our advisor, but I finally did and we are much better off. However, I've been recently updating all of our records for my "Death File," so my daughter has access to them. Suddenly, after 54 years of marriage, my husband (who wants nothing to do with money management) became curious. He asked, "Who's the man that I call if I need money after you're gone?" I tried to give him a brief lesson on the "order of operations," and he said, "well, I'll just transfer it all to bonds." (!) He'll need an advisor!
Post: Beyond fees, is using a financial advisor, advisable? If you do or don’t why?
Link to comment from July 11, 2025
Love it! My Gen Z grandkids introduced me to language of their youth. Now that they are all age 16 and up, I’m trying desperately to introduce them to the language of personal finance.
Post: Pension Funds are Sus: A Strange Little Post From A Grandparent
Link to comment from June 25, 2025
I’m happy that I have “enough.”
Post: No Time Left for Calculating My Net Worth
Link to comment from June 15, 2025