Henry Blinder

Comments:

• Out there, it’s gotten to where so many folks are just dug in with their viewpoints, especially in the political and policy arenas. It’s refreshing to engage with those who do have open minds. One of many reasons reasons why what Jonathan and his team have created is valuable and special. And it’s on all of us to keep it going.

  Post: Lines in the Sand by Jonathan Clements

  Link to comment from August 9, 2024

• Not so bad but flat writing and shallow analysis.

  Post: Seizing the Moment

  Link to comment from May 28, 2024

• You correctly point out that having guaranteed income via SS and an immediate fixed income annuity sufficient to cover your fixed expenses then may warrant a more aggressive allocation of your other investments to equities. Also important is the behavioral effects. I found that for those of us like myself who struggle to transition from an accumulation to drawdown stage of life, the greater level of certainty makes it at least a little easier to spend.

  Post: Fully Committed

  Link to comment from April 20, 2024

• Fair point. The cost would be comparable per hour of personal care aide. But given the way CCRC’s tend to be marketed, it’s more of an unexpected expense for residents.

  Post: Gift to Myself

  Link to comment from April 15, 2024

• For sure. Kudos for being so mindful about it. It would be better for us and the environment if more of us were. But hard to give up that emotional factor of wanting the instant convenience.

  Post: Where It Goes

  Link to comment from April 15, 2024

• Even at a nonprofit CCRC with a high ranking.

  Post: Gift to Myself

  Link to comment from April 13, 2024

• All good, Kathy, and congratulations! From personal experience with my mom, the buy-in and regular monthly payments to the CCRC only cover a relatively modest level of care, even if you are moved to assisted living or full-on nursing home care. For example, should you need an aide with you for hours a day, that is an additional out of pocket expense at a high hourly rate. It is not rare for that to amount to as much $2500/week…or even more. Unsurprisingly, this fact is generally obscured in the CCRC’s marketing literature, even at quality places.

  Post: Gift to Myself

  Link to comment from April 13, 2024

• Spot on, Jonathan. I am curious, though, on how you and Elaine handle not having a car? Like you, we live in a walk and bike- friendly community with decent public transit options. Even so, the need arises often enough that it would kill a lot of time relying on ride sharing services.

  Post: Where It Goes

  Link to comment from April 13, 2024

• through life mindlessly. Thanks again for what you are doing here! on a side note when we lived in the Princeton area back in the 70’s and 80’s, I regularly consumed the Packet. Finding a way to put local news media on a sustainable path is something many of us might devote some attention to going forward.

  Post: Forget Me Not

  Link to comment from February 19, 2024

• Thanks, Jonathan. What you have created with Humble Dollar is not a legacy, but it is meaningful and of value to all of your readers. I forwarded your article to a few of my more thoughtful friends and family members. While there is no answer, of course, to the existential question, it’s worthwhile think about it and not just travel th

  Post: Forget Me Not

  Link to comment from February 19, 2024