We are in our early 70s, are retired and had lived in a two story home for 37 years. Good friends built a retirement villa in a nearby beautiful area, and suggested we buy the last remaining lot and build too. Zero entry home, top of the line appliances and all outdoor maintenance provided sounded very attractive. But we balked at the price. We found a lovely well built 54 year old brick ranch style home for about half the cost, only a few miles away. No zero entry, but one level. I wasn't so much concerned about discomfort from climbing stairs, but rather the fall risk. We moved into it six months ago. No HOA, but we hired trustworthy folks to handle all exterior maintenance. A good friend is a retired general contractor who gave it his seal of approval, and we check with him for advice on whom to call for any issues. I think you and your husband, and your new dog will enjoy your new home. Congratulations!
I estimated that our personal inflation rate ran a bit higher than the COLA adjustments to our SSA payments in recent years. To mitigate the effects of inflation, we maximized our SSA benefits, invested our bonds into a 50:50 mix of individual TIPS and regular Treasurys maturing within 5 years or less, and hold about 50% of our portfolio in stocks. We do not own gold or commodities, and our real estate investment is our paid for home. I prefer stocks over the long run to deal with inflation, and we may increase our allocation during the next major correction. For portfolio survival, we use a modified version of the "4% Rule", starting with 3%, to provide a margin of safety.
I think the scientific method is beautiful and powerful. But, we must remember that scientists are human. Feynman gave a graduation address at Caltech in 1974 discussing the importance of scientific integrity. We have all heard the old quote "When the evidence changes, I change my mind. What do you do sir?" I imagine if I were a great figure in the scientific world (and I certainly am not), it might not be so easy to admit my pet theory I had discovered 30 years ago has just been proven wrong by some young upstart. But integrity demands that I do.
I appreciate reading your thoughts, and agree that explaining why one disagrees is both more respectful and informative, than simply leaving a red arrow. I once suggested to Jonathan that listing the tallies of upvotes and downvotes separately would be more informative, and he agreed, but said it would be a chore to implement.
I have read innumerable comments on articles over the years with which I disagree but have never given one a downvote (red arrow). I may disagree with the author's logic, conclusion or his or her tone. I pay no attention to the presumed gender of the contributor; often the gender is apparent but not always. I think its unhelpful to give a downvote without including a comment of your own to explain why the downvote. I would prefer we keep the upvote tally for the article but lose the votes, both up and downvotes, on the comments. I enjoy reading posts that have a different take from mine on a topic. Sometimes I learn something from that. And its nice to hear from some contributors in the comment section for this post I have not heard from in a while. The more contributors and the more points of view, the better. I cannot presume to speak for Jonathan, but I think he would agree with that!
I enjoyed this article, Dennis. The description of your dad reminds me of mine. And a different era. We lived in Northern California in the mid 1980s, loved it and still have friends we made back then. We chose to return to the midwest to raise our family and I have no regrets. We have lots of family in the area. While the winters here can drag on, we break them up by traveling. The only real downside health wise, is the "fall risk" we face when sidewalks and roads are icy. We do not miss the traffic in your great state though!
Most of the articles I have read about this topic somehow translate what Buffett advised his wife to do, should she survive him into general advice for others. He never said that. He has consistently said all his Berkshire shares will go to charity within 10 years of his death, and over 99% of his net worth is in that stock. But that remaining "less than 1%" not held in the stock I presume will go to her. Call it 0.5%. So if you inherit 0.5% of 150 billion, that leaves "only" 750 million. And 10% of that, put in treasury bills is $75Million. Seems like perfectly sound advice for her given the huge sums and her age. It doesn't scale down to be useful to me nor I suspect most others.
It is unknowable whether or when any of us may suffer a stroke, heart attack or some other malady. The probability of such events based on your personal data and family history can be estimated. The purpose of health guidelines, and certain procedures and medications when indicated, is to reduce that probability, or at least delay it. Your doctor can give you this information, which will include the risks of the proposed treatment, so that you can make an informed choice. Anecdotes about someone who lived a very long and satisfying life, despite avoiding medical care and or ignoring health guidelines should come as no surprise, indeed they should be expected if you understand we are dealing with probabilities. For decades, when given forms asking about medications, diagnoses and previous surgeries I enjoyed writing "None". But in recent years since retiring from practicing medicine, it now takes me a while to fit all my answers into the small spaces allotted. It was not easy, but I have adjusted and I feel grateful that I have access to excellent care. My advice: Choose a doctor you trust, and carefully consider what they recommend. Sounds trite maybe, but I think its the wise thing to do.
Comments
We are in our early 70s, are retired and had lived in a two story home for 37 years. Good friends built a retirement villa in a nearby beautiful area, and suggested we buy the last remaining lot and build too. Zero entry home, top of the line appliances and all outdoor maintenance provided sounded very attractive. But we balked at the price. We found a lovely well built 54 year old brick ranch style home for about half the cost, only a few miles away. No zero entry, but one level. I wasn't so much concerned about discomfort from climbing stairs, but rather the fall risk. We moved into it six months ago. No HOA, but we hired trustworthy folks to handle all exterior maintenance. A good friend is a retired general contractor who gave it his seal of approval, and we check with him for advice on whom to call for any issues. I think you and your husband, and your new dog will enjoy your new home. Congratulations!
Post: A Big Little Move (by Dana/DrLefty)
Link to comment from March 30, 2026
I estimated that our personal inflation rate ran a bit higher than the COLA adjustments to our SSA payments in recent years. To mitigate the effects of inflation, we maximized our SSA benefits, invested our bonds into a 50:50 mix of individual TIPS and regular Treasurys maturing within 5 years or less, and hold about 50% of our portfolio in stocks. We do not own gold or commodities, and our real estate investment is our paid for home. I prefer stocks over the long run to deal with inflation, and we may increase our allocation during the next major correction. For portfolio survival, we use a modified version of the "4% Rule", starting with 3%, to provide a margin of safety.
Post: Coping with inflation in retirement, what’s the plan?
Link to comment from March 30, 2026
I think the scientific method is beautiful and powerful. But, we must remember that scientists are human. Feynman gave a graduation address at Caltech in 1974 discussing the importance of scientific integrity. We have all heard the old quote "When the evidence changes, I change my mind. What do you do sir?" I imagine if I were a great figure in the scientific world (and I certainly am not), it might not be so easy to admit my pet theory I had discovered 30 years ago has just been proven wrong by some young upstart. But integrity demands that I do.
Post: Doubt the Forecast
Link to comment from March 28, 2026
I appreciate reading your thoughts, and agree that explaining why one disagrees is both more respectful and informative, than simply leaving a red arrow. I once suggested to Jonathan that listing the tallies of upvotes and downvotes separately would be more informative, and he agreed, but said it would be a chore to implement.
Post: Where are the ladies?
Link to comment from March 27, 2026
I have read innumerable comments on articles over the years with which I disagree but have never given one a downvote (red arrow). I may disagree with the author's logic, conclusion or his or her tone. I pay no attention to the presumed gender of the contributor; often the gender is apparent but not always. I think its unhelpful to give a downvote without including a comment of your own to explain why the downvote. I would prefer we keep the upvote tally for the article but lose the votes, both up and downvotes, on the comments. I enjoy reading posts that have a different take from mine on a topic. Sometimes I learn something from that. And its nice to hear from some contributors in the comment section for this post I have not heard from in a while. The more contributors and the more points of view, the better. I cannot presume to speak for Jonathan, but I think he would agree with that!
Post: Where are the ladies?
Link to comment from March 26, 2026
Thanks for writing a positive and timeless message.
Post: My Window is Open – Come In
Link to comment from March 25, 2026
I enjoyed this article, Dennis. The description of your dad reminds me of mine. And a different era. We lived in Northern California in the mid 1980s, loved it and still have friends we made back then. We chose to return to the midwest to raise our family and I have no regrets. We have lots of family in the area. While the winters here can drag on, we break them up by traveling. The only real downside health wise, is the "fall risk" we face when sidewalks and roads are icy. We do not miss the traffic in your great state though!
Post: Took Courage
Link to comment from March 23, 2026
Most of the articles I have read about this topic somehow translate what Buffett advised his wife to do, should she survive him into general advice for others. He never said that. He has consistently said all his Berkshire shares will go to charity within 10 years of his death, and over 99% of his net worth is in that stock. But that remaining "less than 1%" not held in the stock I presume will go to her. Call it 0.5%. So if you inherit 0.5% of 150 billion, that leaves "only" 750 million. And 10% of that, put in treasury bills is $75Million. Seems like perfectly sound advice for her given the huge sums and her age. It doesn't scale down to be useful to me nor I suspect most others.
Post: Buffett’s 90/10 is Wrong. Even Though it’s Right.
Link to comment from March 8, 2026
We will be having a similar conversation with our adult children soon and this post has given me a couple good ideas. Thank you!
Post: Helping Adult Children, pt. 2
Link to comment from March 2, 2026
It is unknowable whether or when any of us may suffer a stroke, heart attack or some other malady. The probability of such events based on your personal data and family history can be estimated. The purpose of health guidelines, and certain procedures and medications when indicated, is to reduce that probability, or at least delay it. Your doctor can give you this information, which will include the risks of the proposed treatment, so that you can make an informed choice. Anecdotes about someone who lived a very long and satisfying life, despite avoiding medical care and or ignoring health guidelines should come as no surprise, indeed they should be expected if you understand we are dealing with probabilities. For decades, when given forms asking about medications, diagnoses and previous surgeries I enjoyed writing "None". But in recent years since retiring from practicing medicine, it now takes me a while to fit all my answers into the small spaces allotted. It was not easy, but I have adjusted and I feel grateful that I have access to excellent care. My advice: Choose a doctor you trust, and carefully consider what they recommend. Sounds trite maybe, but I think its the wise thing to do.
Post: Joining the Club, Maybe?
Link to comment from February 21, 2026