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Greg is a proud husband and father of two young women, all living in Victoria, Australia. He has a long history of playing local cricket (poorly) and being involved in the volunteer effort required to run several cricket clubs. He also heads up the local chapter of Tough Guy Book Club, a great global organisation that aims to get men to read more, talk more and have more friends. Formerly a mechanical engineer working in the industrial sector, he has more recently opted for a slightly slower pace of life, managing automotive and small engine workshops.
Comments
I tend to agree. The maths often indicates that investing is a better financial decision than paying down low interest debt, but that ignores the wonderful feeling of being debt free.
Post: It’s Never Too Late
Link to comment from February 27, 2026
Thanks William. I think all of us get stuck on how to make a meaningful start on something - losing weight, exercising, decluttering the house. I agree that the vision and the first steps are likely often enough to promote real progress.
Post: It’s Never Too Late
Link to comment from February 27, 2026
Thanks Mark. Great to hear of people making such progress despite lots of challenges.
Post: It’s Never Too Late
Link to comment from February 27, 2026
I agree William that there is a lot to be said for simplicity. For the purpose of discussion, I'll suggest 3 levels of planning:
- Zero to very, very minimal plan.
- Assume retirement spending is 80% of current, subtract pensions, social security etc., then multiply by 22 (based upon Bengen's new 4.7% guide), and there is your saving target.
- Detailed plans similar to what Mark has suggested.
It would be great if everyone could get to Level 3. But my guess is that most people are at Level 1. It would be a huge win for both those individuals and society as a whole if we could move as many as possible from Level 1 to Level 2. However, I also get that Mark has a much higher degree of comfort based upon his detailed, personalised plan than relying upon generic rules of thumb.Post: A Rule of Thumb Is Not a Plan
Link to comment from February 26, 2026
Thanks Edmund, I really appreciate this feedback.
Post: I’d like to take all the credit, but ……
Link to comment from February 23, 2026
Great to see this article dragged back out of 2017! We live in a small town of about 1500 people, with socio-economic status lower than the state average. We really value our relationships in town, and my great fear would be that knowing each other's financial status would threaten those relationships.
Post: Say It Forward
Link to comment from February 23, 2026
If I had been born in Somalia (average life expectancy 59.6 years, average daily income $3.09 - source gapminder.com) then no matter how hard I worked, there is no way I would have the life I have today. With a global view, it really doesn't make sense that with hard work anyone can rise above whatever limitations they are born with. In many parts of the world, the hurdles are just enormous. I feel like a key to gratitude is looking beyond the local or national, and considering the lives of people all around the world.
Post: I’d like to take all the credit, but ……
Link to comment from February 22, 2026
I think the central message here relates to all age groups - it is easy to observe someone else's situation and see a better approach, but it is never as simple as just telling them! A young man I work with spends many, many thousands of dollars on motor vehicles, boats and other paraphernalia, then tries to make a few extra dollars by buying and selling second hand stuff on Facebook Marketplace. The obvious answer is to spend less on all his toys, but he doesn't want to hear it, and it won't work. I hope he works it out, but a lecture from a grizzly old man like me is highly unlikely to change his ways.
Post: Do some seniors make life more difficult for themselves?
Link to comment from February 22, 2026
Great article, thanks Dan. I read this with "50 ways to leave your lover" rattling through my head. It's interesting to think about your own eulogy. The notion of "CV virtues" via "Resume virtues" I find to be pretty neat. I hope my eulogy speaks about family and community, and mentions some work stuff as a minor sideline (if at all).
Post: Fifty Ways
Link to comment from February 20, 2026
Thanks Mark. To each, their own. But personally, I would sell both stocks in a heartbeat. I just couldn't let my brain be consumed by something that won't actually have any material impact.
Post: A Very Sensible Conclusion
Link to comment from February 18, 2026