We had a HELOC in place for a couple decades to serve as a backup for our emergency cash. Fortunately we never needed to tap it and finally closed it out, but it did give us peace of mind.
Thanks for yet another useful and thought provoking article, Adam. The literature on happiness research is interesting. I have considered what sorts of things might bring me unhappiness, and worked backwards to avoid or minimize them. At least, to the extent that I have any control. So yes, preserve and strengthen social ties with family, friends and anyone else in my circle. Make healthy choices, or at least try to. And for money matters, my allocation and withdrawal strategy were chosen to meet my goals and to provide me peace of mind, no matter what the headlines scream or what the market does. And to keep learning!
The peace of mind we derive from certain financial choices we make is similar to selling down to the "sleeping point" attributed to JP Morgan. Adam has discussed this topic on this site comparing what the calculator shows versus what we feel about an investment decision. Experts may disagree whether you and Suzie made the "best" choice, but I think it was the wise one.
Your last line is exactly what I say to myself when watching such shows!! And when they say what they will spend the money on, the host or hostess smiles approvingly and the crowd roars!
Well said. For me, the whole point of asset allocation and rebalancing when appropriate, is to remove the need to "do something" in response to headlines or market changes.
Jonathan liked the simplicity of investing in VT (Vanguard Total World). I agreed. However, I have a growing concern about the risks of investing in China, therefore I have been shifting away from VT into VTI (Vanguard Total US Stock ETF) for US exposure, and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Market ETF) and FRDM for international exposure. I think Jack Bogle would have agreed with your analysis. Thank you.
I just commented on a different article about how I am not a fan of voting on this site. But I wanted to second your advice to "Take your time learning and enjoy the journey". Now that is good advice indeed!
I have learned from many who have written articles or posts on this site, and from many of the comments. The votes are not useful to me. Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas.
Comments
We had a HELOC in place for a couple decades to serve as a backup for our emergency cash. Fortunately we never needed to tap it and finally closed it out, but it did give us peace of mind.
Post: Advice I give to anyone who’ll listen!
Link to comment from January 25, 2026
Thanks for yet another useful and thought provoking article, Adam. The literature on happiness research is interesting. I have considered what sorts of things might bring me unhappiness, and worked backwards to avoid or minimize them. At least, to the extent that I have any control. So yes, preserve and strengthen social ties with family, friends and anyone else in my circle. Make healthy choices, or at least try to. And for money matters, my allocation and withdrawal strategy were chosen to meet my goals and to provide me peace of mind, no matter what the headlines scream or what the market does. And to keep learning!
Post: Financial Happiness
Link to comment from January 24, 2026
The peace of mind we derive from certain financial choices we make is similar to selling down to the "sleeping point" attributed to JP Morgan. Adam has discussed this topic on this site comparing what the calculator shows versus what we feel about an investment decision. Experts may disagree whether you and Suzie made the "best" choice, but I think it was the wise one.
Post: The $8,000 Cost of Peace of Mind
Link to comment from January 20, 2026
Your last line is exactly what I say to myself when watching such shows!! And when they say what they will spend the money on, the host or hostess smiles approvingly and the crowd roars!
Post: Irrational Financial Choices
Link to comment from January 18, 2026
Well said. For me, the whole point of asset allocation and rebalancing when appropriate, is to remove the need to "do something" in response to headlines or market changes.
Post: Market Concentration in Index Funds
Link to comment from January 17, 2026
Jonathan liked the simplicity of investing in VT (Vanguard Total World). I agreed. However, I have a growing concern about the risks of investing in China, therefore I have been shifting away from VT into VTI (Vanguard Total US Stock ETF) for US exposure, and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Market ETF) and FRDM for international exposure. I think Jack Bogle would have agreed with your analysis. Thank you.
Post: China Market Risk
Link to comment from January 17, 2026
Thank you for making the distinction between not accepting assignment and opting out.
Post: How important is planning for Medicare premiums in retirement? VERY!
Link to comment from January 15, 2026
I just commented on a different article about how I am not a fan of voting on this site. But I wanted to second your advice to "Take your time learning and enjoy the journey". Now that is good advice indeed!
Post: Real vs. Imaginary Returns – Part II
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
I have learned from many who have written articles or posts on this site, and from many of the comments. The votes are not useful to me. Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas.
Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
I do indeed. I erased your red arrow too.
Post: The impossibility of defining needs.
Link to comment from January 5, 2026