AUTHOR: H S on 7/13/2024 FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 7/13/2024 | RECENT: Alex McCusker on 7/26/2024
Comments
Like others I want to add my thoughts and prayers for you and your family. I have followed Jonathan since his WSJ days. He has given me many hours of countless enjoyment. When I think of a word about this site he created, humanity is what comes to mind. People talking about their successes, areas they came up short and just daily musings. He has made an impact on many people’s life. There is not much higher compliment that can be paid.God bless.
Harold
My Wife was at work, it was my day off. The next day 9/12 was going to be our 10th wedding anniversary. I had a Beatles cd on and was just finishing wrapping the anniversary gift I was going to give to my wife. I was going to surprise her with a trip to Hawaii. Someplace she always wanted to visit. I bought us a couple Hawaiian shirts, had brochures of the islands and a couple of handmade plane vouchers. As I finished up my wife called, told me to turn on the tv. Like everyone else I couldn’t believe it. The next day we didn’t do everything for our anniversary but watch tv. Before we went to bed she told me that she would never be able to get on a plane again. Without her knowing I returned the shirts and disposed of all the Hawaii stuff. I did tell her about it a year later and to this day she has not flown. Certainly trivial in the scheme of things compared to the suffering and loss of so many people. But one small way some people from afar were impacted.
I was already handling my mom’s finances when she was diagnosed with cancer. Since I only lived about 15 minutes away I gladly took on the role of caregiver, handling house stuff, taking her shopping doctor appointments, etc. I worked graveyard shifts to be available during the day. By the time a year had gone by to say I was running on fumes would be an understatement. I always told myself just suck it up because she was the one sick. But going into year two I am not especially proud of myself for once in a blue moon thinking how much longer is this going to last. Thankfully those thoughts were rare. When she past away after two and a half years it was a tremendous relief that she was finally free of her body and in a better place. After being able to grieve I am not ashamed to say it was a relief to me also. Something I did discover was the time I spent as her caregiver was was without a doubt the most fulfilling time of my life. I am forever grateful that my mom let me do this.
What am I doing? The same as the Covid crisis, 9/11, dot com bust, 20% inflation during Cater’s time, S&L crisis and the energy crisis. Not a whole lot except ignoring all the pundits regarding finances. Not even remotely making light of any of this, but this too will pass.
Like others I start with the line, how much time do you have. I started investing in stocks as a teenager from a job as a grocery clerk that started at $1.65 hour. By my early twenties I had a portfolio of around $25,000. Recognizing my stock picking brilliance and with the full support of my stockbroker I jumped head first into options trading. This was before the time of discount brokers. Within two years my 25k turned into $600, but at least my broker did ok with all the commissions from my trades. The good that came from this was I realized investing is not to be treated like Vegas and I got serious about it. When I read stories about all the young people day trading on Robinhood I am not too critical of them. That was me a long time ago and hopefully they will learn the same lessons I did.
Like others I have an Apple story. I actually owned 500 shares for several years. Never made much from it and eventually sold it for around $12 a share. Oh well!
Four years ago the Marshall fire here in Colorado destroyed around 1000 homes. Everything you point out for problems is true here. There are still plenty of homes that have not been rebuilt as off yet. You start off by staying with friends, family or a hotel. Then you realize this may take years. The red tape has been a nightmare for many. Adding insult to injury here all the homeowners that lost everything are still responsible for their HOA fees. They went to court over this but lost. There are people that just said screw it and choose not to rebuild. Colorado has become much like California ( sadly in just my opinion) politically. Seeing what the people here have gone through I truly feel sorry for what’s coming to the people in California that have lost everything. To answer your question would we rebuild here in Colorado my guess is extremely unlikely.
Comments
Like others I want to add my thoughts and prayers for you and your family. I have followed Jonathan since his WSJ days. He has given me many hours of countless enjoyment. When I think of a word about this site he created, humanity is what comes to mind. People talking about their successes, areas they came up short and just daily musings. He has made an impact on many people’s life. There is not much higher compliment that can be paid.God bless. Harold
Post: Jonathan and website update
Link to comment from September 20, 2025
My Wife was at work, it was my day off. The next day 9/12 was going to be our 10th wedding anniversary. I had a Beatles cd on and was just finishing wrapping the anniversary gift I was going to give to my wife. I was going to surprise her with a trip to Hawaii. Someplace she always wanted to visit. I bought us a couple Hawaiian shirts, had brochures of the islands and a couple of handmade plane vouchers. As I finished up my wife called, told me to turn on the tv. Like everyone else I couldn’t believe it. The next day we didn’t do everything for our anniversary but watch tv. Before we went to bed she told me that she would never be able to get on a plane again. Without her knowing I returned the shirts and disposed of all the Hawaii stuff. I did tell her about it a year later and to this day she has not flown. Certainly trivial in the scheme of things compared to the suffering and loss of so many people. But one small way some people from afar were impacted.
Post: Remembering 9/11
Link to comment from September 11, 2025
I was already handling my mom’s finances when she was diagnosed with cancer. Since I only lived about 15 minutes away I gladly took on the role of caregiver, handling house stuff, taking her shopping doctor appointments, etc. I worked graveyard shifts to be available during the day. By the time a year had gone by to say I was running on fumes would be an understatement. I always told myself just suck it up because she was the one sick. But going into year two I am not especially proud of myself for once in a blue moon thinking how much longer is this going to last. Thankfully those thoughts were rare. When she past away after two and a half years it was a tremendous relief that she was finally free of her body and in a better place. After being able to grieve I am not ashamed to say it was a relief to me also. Something I did discover was the time I spent as her caregiver was was without a doubt the most fulfilling time of my life. I am forever grateful that my mom let me do this.
Post: The Unsettling Relief of Saying Goodbye
Link to comment from July 23, 2025
What am I doing? The same as the Covid crisis, 9/11, dot com bust, 20% inflation during Cater’s time, S&L crisis and the energy crisis. Not a whole lot except ignoring all the pundits regarding finances. Not even remotely making light of any of this, but this too will pass.
Post: Tariffs and our retirement assets
Link to comment from April 4, 2025
Listen more, talk less
Post: Help Wanted
Link to comment from April 2, 2025
Post: How’s Your Crystal Ball?
Link to comment from April 2, 2025
Quite the story too share, so sorry about your cancer.
Post: My Mistakes
Link to comment from February 23, 2025
Like others I start with the line, how much time do you have. I started investing in stocks as a teenager from a job as a grocery clerk that started at $1.65 hour. By my early twenties I had a portfolio of around $25,000. Recognizing my stock picking brilliance and with the full support of my stockbroker I jumped head first into options trading. This was before the time of discount brokers. Within two years my 25k turned into $600, but at least my broker did ok with all the commissions from my trades. The good that came from this was I realized investing is not to be treated like Vegas and I got serious about it. When I read stories about all the young people day trading on Robinhood I am not too critical of them. That was me a long time ago and hopefully they will learn the same lessons I did. Like others I have an Apple story. I actually owned 500 shares for several years. Never made much from it and eventually sold it for around $12 a share. Oh well!
Post: My Mistakes
Link to comment from February 23, 2025
I want to compliment you on such a well written column. For me this was one of the most thought provoking posts I have read on this site.
Post: Would You Rebuild?
Link to comment from January 12, 2025
Four years ago the Marshall fire here in Colorado destroyed around 1000 homes. Everything you point out for problems is true here. There are still plenty of homes that have not been rebuilt as off yet. You start off by staying with friends, family or a hotel. Then you realize this may take years. The red tape has been a nightmare for many. Adding insult to injury here all the homeowners that lost everything are still responsible for their HOA fees. They went to court over this but lost. There are people that just said screw it and choose not to rebuild. Colorado has become much like California ( sadly in just my opinion) politically. Seeing what the people here have gone through I truly feel sorry for what’s coming to the people in California that have lost everything. To answer your question would we rebuild here in Colorado my guess is extremely unlikely.
Post: Would You Rebuild?
Link to comment from January 11, 2025