Like Kristine, the discussions around the specifics of CCRCs - the types, the fees, the variations in lifestyles - was such an enlightening topic on HD! I am thankful that Kathy (as well as others) shared her extensive knowledge and real life experience with us. I learned so much and even reached out to some last year to learn more.
Thank you for your article, Ken. It sounds like you are in a good position right now with plans in place. I have to admit I’m a bit envious of the time you get to spend with your grandson and that you have 3 dogs! We made the decision 3 years ago to work with a fiduciary investment company because I was feeling stressed and worried doing it on my own. Throughout the year I track my own hypothetical portfolio of index funds in comparison to our actively managed portfolio. I thought I was headed toward having to make a tough decision this year but it somehow worked out that the portfolios were within a $1000 of each other net of the fees so we will stay the course but remain vigilant. Thankfully, all get to decide what’s best for ourselves — deciding on when to start receiving SS benefits. Thanks again for taking the time to share your “quarterly” update.
For me, the general “feel” of HD has changed. I find there to be far fewer articles that are written with the intent to be informative or helpful. The focus seems to have shifted more to articles that are written solely to be entertaining or meant to provoke a back-and-forth discussion of tired topics with very little substance. More froth than coffee. I remember making an early comment on HD saying how amazing it was to find a site that felt like a community of people who respect and want to help each other (or something to that effect). A few writers still try to do that occasionally but it used to be the norm. And like Kristine and Norm, I only check HD once in a while as I make it a point to not voluntarily be provoked to annoyance nor dare I say it, bored.
Ed, thanks for writing such an upbeat and helpful article. Two years ago, I realized that I was beginning to have trouble lifting my growing first grandbaby up over the raised crib and dancing while holding her for very long (which is her favorite way to be put to sleep). One reason for the crib issue was because I’m only 5 ft tall. The other reason was because I wasn’t very strong or fit. So I went about changing that. While I couldn’t do anything about my height, I did commit to changing my strength and began a consistent weight resistance regimen using an at-home app (Peloton was my chosen one) and dumbbells. I, like others have said, preferred to exercise in private and on my own schedule. I had a harder time committing to an aerobic type exercise like walking. I find it next to impossible to keep doing things that I don’t really like so I decided to combine the walking with interesting podcasts that conveniently ran just over 30 minutes. Not surprising being a HD reader, I particularly enjoy listening to money saving programs like Clark Howard. He has walked with me on countless days. Another way I stay committed is by telling myself that I only need to do something for 5 or 10 minutes and then I can re-evaluate (yes, there are classes I can take that are that short). Most often, that’s all I need to keep going. But some days, I just stop and that’s okay with me. I’m happy to report that I’m so much stronger and can lift my now two granddaughters up fairly easily - as well as my carryon luggage that I need to get to them. I’m also almost 50 pounds lighter now, which has improved my health and overall well being.
I guess my point is to find something you can love that you can combine with exercise if exercising isn’t really your thing - like good music, good listening material, or good friends. That might help.
Mike, thank you for your compassionate reminder that headlines aren’t the story. As a preteen, I used to deliver meals that my mother provided to a building across the street that housed people who were impoverished. Many of them had visible impairments. This had a lasting effect on me. I hadn’t thought of that period in my life in such a long time. It’s a memory worth having. Thank you.
Thank you for that detailed explanation, Mark. That makes sense to me, though I hadn’t assigned specific assets to the “buckets” you and David touch on. I have created an income plan for us for the next 10 years and assumed I would stop reinvesting the interest and dividends to have cash available to pay my husbands RMDs (which begin this year) and to supplement our pension(s) and social security if/when needed. I’ve been thinking of changing our asset allocations this year to move to a lower risk portfolio. We are currently at 68/32 but are not needing to withdraw anything beyond his RMDs. That would all change if I were on my own, though. Lots to think about.
Comments
Like Kristine, the discussions around the specifics of CCRCs - the types, the fees, the variations in lifestyles - was such an enlightening topic on HD! I am thankful that Kathy (as well as others) shared her extensive knowledge and real life experience with us. I learned so much and even reached out to some last year to learn more.
Post: Debriefing
Link to comment from March 29, 2026
Thanks for the smile, Kristine! I love your math
Post: Wrapping It Up
Link to comment from March 28, 2026
It’s lovely to read about you doing what you love as a paid “hobby”, Kristine. Dogs are are some of my favorite people!
Post: Wrapping It Up
Link to comment from March 27, 2026
we are going to begin QCDs this year so your comment about the process through Fidelity is timely and helpful. Thank you
Post: Wrapping It Up
Link to comment from March 27, 2026
Thank you for your article, Ken. It sounds like you are in a good position right now with plans in place. I have to admit I’m a bit envious of the time you get to spend with your grandson and that you have 3 dogs! We made the decision 3 years ago to work with a fiduciary investment company because I was feeling stressed and worried doing it on my own. Throughout the year I track my own hypothetical portfolio of index funds in comparison to our actively managed portfolio. I thought I was headed toward having to make a tough decision this year but it somehow worked out that the portfolios were within a $1000 of each other net of the fees so we will stay the course but remain vigilant. Thankfully, all get to decide what’s best for ourselves — deciding on when to start receiving SS benefits. Thanks again for taking the time to share your “quarterly” update.
Post: Wrapping It Up
Link to comment from March 27, 2026
For me, the general “feel” of HD has changed. I find there to be far fewer articles that are written with the intent to be informative or helpful. The focus seems to have shifted more to articles that are written solely to be entertaining or meant to provoke a back-and-forth discussion of tired topics with very little substance. More froth than coffee. I remember making an early comment on HD saying how amazing it was to find a site that felt like a community of people who respect and want to help each other (or something to that effect). A few writers still try to do that occasionally but it used to be the norm. And like Kristine and Norm, I only check HD once in a while as I make it a point to not voluntarily be provoked to annoyance nor dare I say it, bored.
Post: Where are the ladies?
Link to comment from March 26, 2026
Ed, thanks for writing such an upbeat and helpful article. Two years ago, I realized that I was beginning to have trouble lifting my growing first grandbaby up over the raised crib and dancing while holding her for very long (which is her favorite way to be put to sleep). One reason for the crib issue was because I’m only 5 ft tall. The other reason was because I wasn’t very strong or fit. So I went about changing that. While I couldn’t do anything about my height, I did commit to changing my strength and began a consistent weight resistance regimen using an at-home app (Peloton was my chosen one) and dumbbells. I, like others have said, preferred to exercise in private and on my own schedule. I had a harder time committing to an aerobic type exercise like walking. I find it next to impossible to keep doing things that I don’t really like so I decided to combine the walking with interesting podcasts that conveniently ran just over 30 minutes. Not surprising being a HD reader, I particularly enjoy listening to money saving programs like Clark Howard. He has walked with me on countless days. Another way I stay committed is by telling myself that I only need to do something for 5 or 10 minutes and then I can re-evaluate (yes, there are classes I can take that are that short). Most often, that’s all I need to keep going. But some days, I just stop and that’s okay with me. I’m happy to report that I’m so much stronger and can lift my now two granddaughters up fairly easily - as well as my carryon luggage that I need to get to them. I’m also almost 50 pounds lighter now, which has improved my health and overall well being. I guess my point is to find something you can love that you can combine with exercise if exercising isn’t really your thing - like good music, good listening material, or good friends. That might help.
Post: Frugal Fitness
Link to comment from March 14, 2026
Mike, thank you for your compassionate reminder that headlines aren’t the story. As a preteen, I used to deliver meals that my mother provided to a building across the street that housed people who were impoverished. Many of them had visible impairments. This had a lasting effect on me. I hadn’t thought of that period in my life in such a long time. It’s a memory worth having. Thank you.
Post: Irrational Financial Choices
Link to comment from January 19, 2026
Thank you for that detailed explanation, Mark. That makes sense to me, though I hadn’t assigned specific assets to the “buckets” you and David touch on. I have created an income plan for us for the next 10 years and assumed I would stop reinvesting the interest and dividends to have cash available to pay my husbands RMDs (which begin this year) and to supplement our pension(s) and social security if/when needed. I’ve been thinking of changing our asset allocations this year to move to a lower risk portfolio. We are currently at 68/32 but are not needing to withdraw anything beyond his RMDs. That would all change if I were on my own, though. Lots to think about.
Post: Real vs. Imaginary Returns – Part I
Link to comment from January 8, 2026
Darlene, I agree with all that you say but doubt that I could have expressed it as clearly. Thank you.
Post: The impossibility of defining needs.
Link to comment from January 6, 2026