Although I hope there will be several equally capable self-driving car options when I decide to replace my 10 year old Lexus, the anticipated freedom it will give me to once again drive at night is exciting to think about! Happy to hear that your experience with Tesla has been positive. I chafe at the restriction I’ve felt for the last 7 years. Nothing seems to help my night vision and I can easily become disoriented. It’s a scary look into how it must feel to experience dementia.
Hi, Chris. I think you mentioned in earlier posts that your CCRC is in Florida. May I ask what city/area? It sounds like you found a great one for you and your spouse.
I understand the point about thermodynamics, but obesity science is more complicated than “calories in, calories out” in practice. The body regulates hunger, satiety, metabolism, insulin signaling, and reward pathways through hormones and brain chemistry — and those systems don’t function the same way for everyone.
GLP-1 medications don’t “break” the First Law of Thermodynamics. They change the biological drivers that influence eating behavior and energy balance. There’s actually a growing body of newer research on GLP-1 medications for anyone interested in digging into the science. Their effects appear to involve receptors throughout the brain and body that influence appetite regulation, reward pathways, insulin response, inflammation, and metabolism — so their benefits go well beyond simply slowing stomach emptying or reducing “willpower failures.”
I think it’s great when people can manage weight through lifestyle changes alone, but that experience isn’t universal, and the research increasingly supports obesity as a complex chronic disease rather than simply a character issue.
What a great message to read with my morning coffee, Andrew. Thank you for your article that models the tone of HD that Jonathan created and that first drew me to this site.
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.
Comments
Although I hope there will be several equally capable self-driving car options when I decide to replace my 10 year old Lexus, the anticipated freedom it will give me to once again drive at night is exciting to think about! Happy to hear that your experience with Tesla has been positive. I chafe at the restriction I’ve felt for the last 7 years. Nothing seems to help my night vision and I can easily become disoriented. It’s a scary look into how it must feel to experience dementia.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 15, 2026
Hi, Chris. I think you mentioned in earlier posts that your CCRC is in Florida. May I ask what city/area? It sounds like you found a great one for you and your spouse.
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 26, 2026
I understand the point about thermodynamics, but obesity science is more complicated than “calories in, calories out” in practice. The body regulates hunger, satiety, metabolism, insulin signaling, and reward pathways through hormones and brain chemistry — and those systems don’t function the same way for everyone. GLP-1 medications don’t “break” the First Law of Thermodynamics. They change the biological drivers that influence eating behavior and energy balance. There’s actually a growing body of newer research on GLP-1 medications for anyone interested in digging into the science. Their effects appear to involve receptors throughout the brain and body that influence appetite regulation, reward pathways, insulin response, inflammation, and metabolism — so their benefits go well beyond simply slowing stomach emptying or reducing “willpower failures.” I think it’s great when people can manage weight through lifestyle changes alone, but that experience isn’t universal, and the research increasingly supports obesity as a complex chronic disease rather than simply a character issue.
Post: GLP1 Access for Only a $50 Copay?
Link to comment from May 17, 2026
What a great message to read with my morning coffee, Andrew. Thank you for your article that models the tone of HD that Jonathan created and that first drew me to this site.
Post: Carrying Humble Dollar Forward
Link to comment from April 8, 2026
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