It turned out not to be an issue, but there was no planning on my part that made it successfully work out. Over time, a balanced structure or routine of exercise, volunteering, grandchildren, socializing, & enjoying not having anything special to do has worked out.
I am not a social media guy. HD is the only social media kind of site that I visit or, although just occasionally, add a comment to. My understanding of HD’s mission, in Jonathan Clement’s words, is that it exists to “help readers make rational financial decisions.” it seems odd to me, for that reason, that readers who are also contributors or frequent contributors are welcoming and encouraging other readers to contribute articles to HD. Isn’t it the role of HD’s proprietors, Mrs. Clement, Mr. Grossman, and Mr. Bogdan S., not avid readers, contributors, and commenters to welcome and encourage new contributors and to ensure that the site, including new contributions to the Forum and comment threads, maintain true to HD’s mission as set forth by Jonathan Clement? Otherwise, doesn’t HD risk mission creep by the preferences of contributors, new and old, and commenters, frequent or infrequent? Or, in other words, is HD’s management or its readership directing HD into its future after Jonathan Clement’s passing? My personal impression is that HD has sustained some mission creep of late, which is why I am raising this issue in what I intend as a sincere and serious way.
This past weekend “Downtown” Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management posted a detailed argument to the effect that concentration is not a problem. Even so, reallocating a portion of your portfolio for your stated reasons, especially peace of mind and diversification, makes sense.
Good post. Many kinds of personal investing journeys can lead to the final destination of a financially secure retirement. Trial and error, including a variety of investing errors, can provide experience that can result in future knowledge and success. In a decades-long investing journey, a perfect record or a completely optimized plan is hard, if not nearly impossible, to achieve. Yes, just do it: save and invest regularly, focus on the long-term goal, make reasonable asset allocation and asset location decisions, stay invested, and let compound interest work for you over time. congratulations on your successful journey and for sharing your personal experiences.
No, not too subtle. Humorous post that I thoroughly enjoyed. When I started a volunteer activity in 2018, the organization told the other volunteers and me how much per hour our volunteer “work” saved the organization. That was the only time when I have bothered to think about the economic value of what I voluntarily do for free as a retiree.
As long as they are just fantasy billable hours, why not increase your fantasy hourly rate and feel even more highly paid in your fantasy accounting for your time?
Good post. My impression, however, is that postings generally have become more often about retirement lifestyle issues and personal anecdotes, which may have “money angles” or which may have very attenuated ties to personal finance issues, and less often directly about the “money angle.” It seems like an example of mission creep. As a result, I read HD now more for entertainment value and less for educational value. I also share another commenter’s concern about the negative tone of some comments & often ignore comments or read them only until they become too negative or argumentative. HD’s direction & future success after Jonathan Clement’s passing seem uncertain to me.
I don’t think that I have ever known a financially successful person who did not work hard for most, if not all, of their working years. Success without hard work is very hard, if not impossible, to achieve. I worked hard throughout my career, and both of our daughters criticized me for being a so-called “workaholic.” I did what my job required and achieved some degree of financial success. It was just part of the deal in my chosen profession. Now both my daughters work really hard in their careers and additional part-time jobs, but I am too polite to suggest that they may be on their way to becoming “workaholics,” too.
Yes, being financially able to delay Social Security benefits is a privilege. It has value if you can afford to do it. But many people want or need to start receiving benefits at age 62 or at their normal age. i waited until age 70 and do not regret that choice, but realize that the choice was only possible because we were in a position to afford the delay.
Comments
It turned out not to be an issue, but there was no planning on my part that made it successfully work out. Over time, a balanced structure or routine of exercise, volunteering, grandchildren, socializing, & enjoying not having anything special to do has worked out.
Post: If You Could Rewind 5 Years Before Retirement… What Would You Change?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
I am not a social media guy. HD is the only social media kind of site that I visit or, although just occasionally, add a comment to. My understanding of HD’s mission, in Jonathan Clement’s words, is that it exists to “help readers make rational financial decisions.” it seems odd to me, for that reason, that readers who are also contributors or frequent contributors are welcoming and encouraging other readers to contribute articles to HD. Isn’t it the role of HD’s proprietors, Mrs. Clement, Mr. Grossman, and Mr. Bogdan S., not avid readers, contributors, and commenters to welcome and encourage new contributors and to ensure that the site, including new contributions to the Forum and comment threads, maintain true to HD’s mission as set forth by Jonathan Clement? Otherwise, doesn’t HD risk mission creep by the preferences of contributors, new and old, and commenters, frequent or infrequent? Or, in other words, is HD’s management or its readership directing HD into its future after Jonathan Clement’s passing? My personal impression is that HD has sustained some mission creep of late, which is why I am raising this issue in what I intend as a sincere and serious way.
Post: New Voices
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
Given more thought to what I would do in retirement
Post: If You Could Rewind 5 Years Before Retirement… What Would You Change?
Link to comment from December 27, 2025
This past weekend “Downtown” Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management posted a detailed argument to the effect that concentration is not a problem. Even so, reallocating a portion of your portfolio for your stated reasons, especially peace of mind and diversification, makes sense.
Post: Becoming A “Bad Investor”
Link to comment from December 17, 2025
Good post. Many kinds of personal investing journeys can lead to the final destination of a financially secure retirement. Trial and error, including a variety of investing errors, can provide experience that can result in future knowledge and success. In a decades-long investing journey, a perfect record or a completely optimized plan is hard, if not nearly impossible, to achieve. Yes, just do it: save and invest regularly, focus on the long-term goal, make reasonable asset allocation and asset location decisions, stay invested, and let compound interest work for you over time. congratulations on your successful journey and for sharing your personal experiences.
Post: My Investing Journey, Just Do It
Link to comment from November 29, 2025
No, not too subtle. Humorous post that I thoroughly enjoyed. When I started a volunteer activity in 2018, the organization told the other volunteers and me how much per hour our volunteer “work” saved the organization. That was the only time when I have bothered to think about the economic value of what I voluntarily do for free as a retiree.
Post: Fantasy Retirement Billable Hours
Link to comment from November 25, 2025
As long as they are just fantasy billable hours, why not increase your fantasy hourly rate and feel even more highly paid in your fantasy accounting for your time?
Post: Fantasy Retirement Billable Hours
Link to comment from November 25, 2025
Good post. My impression, however, is that postings generally have become more often about retirement lifestyle issues and personal anecdotes, which may have “money angles” or which may have very attenuated ties to personal finance issues, and less often directly about the “money angle.” It seems like an example of mission creep. As a result, I read HD now more for entertainment value and less for educational value. I also share another commenter’s concern about the negative tone of some comments & often ignore comments or read them only until they become too negative or argumentative. HD’s direction & future success after Jonathan Clement’s passing seem uncertain to me.
Post: Not Just About the Money
Link to comment from November 20, 2025
I don’t think that I have ever known a financially successful person who did not work hard for most, if not all, of their working years. Success without hard work is very hard, if not impossible, to achieve. I worked hard throughout my career, and both of our daughters criticized me for being a so-called “workaholic.” I did what my job required and achieved some degree of financial success. It was just part of the deal in my chosen profession. Now both my daughters work really hard in their careers and additional part-time jobs, but I am too polite to suggest that they may be on their way to becoming “workaholics,” too.
Post: Something fishy about financial security
Link to comment from November 14, 2025
Yes, being financially able to delay Social Security benefits is a privilege. It has value if you can afford to do it. But many people want or need to start receiving benefits at age 62 or at their normal age. i waited until age 70 and do not regret that choice, but realize that the choice was only possible because we were in a position to afford the delay.
Post: THE REAL RETURN ON DELAYING SOCIAL SECURITY
Link to comment from November 13, 2025