jay5914

Comments:

• I think Marjorie did a good job of avoiding the all too familiar political rant we see everywhere. As I read it, she simply expressed a hope that voters would make a sincere effort to make a well informed vote.  As she correctly states, the challenges we face are enormous. It's hard for me to see how anyone with an open mind could view this as MAGA propaganda. If you like, please convince me by sharing which of her comments are propaganda (not true).

  Post: Stay Informed by Marjorie Kondrack

  Link to comment from October 3, 2024

• Dicey subject but well said Marjorie.

  Post: Stay Informed by Marjorie Kondrack

  Link to comment from October 2, 2024

• Obviously 1/2 of the country agrees with you. Then again, so does the other 1/2.

  Post: Stay Informed by Marjorie Kondrack

  Link to comment from October 2, 2024

• After countless occasions where I strongly disagreed with your rigid views on income focused needs for retirees (no, I don't want to open that discussion again), it is finally nice to be able to give you a thumbs up on today's article.

  Post: In defense of billionaires

  Link to comment from September 25, 2024

• As I am sure that Johnathan and most Humble Dollar readers know, having a robust investment plan and sticking with it over time is your best bet. I always laugh at the extent of media hype with selloffs like Friday and today. (I know it makes for good TV.) I know it hurts anytime to see red on our investment screens, but let's keep things in perspective. Based on current SPY price of $515 as I write today, see below the SPY returns from some historical points just for reference.  (SPY = sp500 index etf)  -9.0% since Jul2024 all time high +135% since Mar2020 ("covid"), $218 low +670% since Mar2009 ("great financial crisis"), $67 low +570% since Oct2002 ("dot com bubble"), $77 low (and these returns don't even include dividends received) Of course no one, and I mean NO ONE, knows for sure what happens from here. Hopefully each of our plans are robust enough to handle a large range of future market outcomes.

  Post: Staying the Course by Jonathan Clements

  Link to comment from August 5, 2024

• 1. If possible, choose a job/career that you both enjoy and that pays well or reasonably well.
  2. Keep up and improve your skills over the years. (Your greatest financial asset is your earning power.)
  3. Network, network, network.
  4. Always live below your means, leaving room to save for the future.
  5. Establish and fund a 6 month emergency fund.
  6. Fully fund employer retirement accounts or at least the minimum level to catch 100% of any employer matching.
  7. Target a minimum overall savings rate 20% of income.
  8. Pick an investment approach that you can stick with over time. I would recommend broad stock and bond index funds at low cost or a target date fund. Keep it simple.
  9. If you have children, buy term life insurance.
  10. Build and keep your credit rating high: pay all bills on time, use credit card for convenience only - do not carry a balance.
  11. After meeting your savings targets, spend the rest on enjoying your life.

  Post: What should be the top financial priorities for those in their 20s?

  Link to comment from June 27, 2024

• VT - Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund BND - Vanguard Total Bond Index Fund - U.S. SGOV - Ishares 0-3 Month Treasuries

  Post: If you could buy just three funds or less, what would they be?

  Link to comment from June 27, 2024

• Keeping it simple and diversified, BND and AGG.

  Post: Which Bond Funds are you investing in right now?

  Link to comment from June 27, 2024

• John Bogle's "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing." The vast majority of colleagues/family/friends that I have discussed investing with over the years seem to be convinced that a more "sophisticated" approach to investing (vs thoughtful allocation and indexing) is needed for long term success. Bogle and the numbers prove otherwise.

  Post: What’s the best financial book you’ve ever read?

  Link to comment from June 27, 2024

• "To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Graham

  Post: What’s your favorite financial quote?

  Link to comment from June 24, 2024