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.
Back in the eighties, we bought a used brown Ford Pinto for $300 that drove like a tin can but lasted for 3 years. We thought we were experts at purchasing used cars when we fell for a pretty, red Ford Taurus for about $500. Exactly one week later, the engine seized on I 95 in Philly and we had to shell out another hundred bucks to get it towed. So much for our bargain-hunting used car expertise!
Comments
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
Back in the eighties, we bought a used brown Ford Pinto for $300 that drove like a tin can but lasted for 3 years. We thought we were experts at purchasing used cars when we fell for a pretty, red Ford Taurus for about $500. Exactly one week later, the engine seized on I 95 in Philly and we had to shell out another hundred bucks to get it towed. So much for our bargain-hunting used car expertise!
Post: Stepping In It
Link to comment from May 27, 2025
Yes! And we all feel like welcomed members of this community!
Post: Creature of Habit
Link to comment from May 15, 2025