If only more young people and couples (and many older ones too) would emulate what you and your wife did. Treat your cumulative future career net income as a finite amount, and figure out how to make it last a lifetime. Choose an acceptable standard of living that you can comfortably afford while investing heavily for long term financial security, i.e., living below your means. And now that you are retired and have a surplus, your same skills can guide you in having fun spending and gifting some of it. Congratulations to you both.
I've read numerous such articles and various "top 10 lists" on this topic, and while they were entertaining to read, I found them to be of no value. The smartest one-liner relevant to this discussion that I ever read was written by Jonathan. He identified a couple such desirable places from a list and then he wrote something like "...but if my grandkids and their family move to Cleveland, thats where I will be". Not meant as a criticism of that great city of course, but a reminder of how important family was to him, and indeed most of us. I am with him on this.
My wife would probably get along well with yours. She has often said that everyone who doesn't move every 5 years ought to rent a dumpster (or two) and clean out their home. And having cleaned out a couple of houses left behind by loved ones who passed, I can attest to the favor you have done for your children.
Can you estimate the number of people who pay this interest, and of them, how many pay interest for a short term before retiring the debt versus the number who have chronic credit card debt and who make regular monthly interest payments for years?
I agree that it is more relevant, that when comparing the debt over long time periods, we should consider the ratio of the portion of debt held by the public divided by the GDP. A big problem is the recent accelerated annual rate of increase, which needs to come back down to the rate of GDP increase. No doubt, the necessary measures will carry some pain, but it is necessary.
I find it profitable to sometimes reread the classic writings of Bogle and a few others. Their words and message remain useful despite the time that has passed since they were first written.
Comments
If only more young people and couples (and many older ones too) would emulate what you and your wife did. Treat your cumulative future career net income as a finite amount, and figure out how to make it last a lifetime. Choose an acceptable standard of living that you can comfortably afford while investing heavily for long term financial security, i.e., living below your means. And now that you are retired and have a surplus, your same skills can guide you in having fun spending and gifting some of it. Congratulations to you both.
Post: Taking It With You
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
I've read numerous such articles and various "top 10 lists" on this topic, and while they were entertaining to read, I found them to be of no value. The smartest one-liner relevant to this discussion that I ever read was written by Jonathan. He identified a couple such desirable places from a list and then he wrote something like "...but if my grandkids and their family move to Cleveland, thats where I will be". Not meant as a criticism of that great city of course, but a reminder of how important family was to him, and indeed most of us. I am with him on this.
Post: The best state to retire? Take a close look.
Link to comment from September 3, 2026
My wife would probably get along well with yours. She has often said that everyone who doesn't move every 5 years ought to rent a dumpster (or two) and clean out their home. And having cleaned out a couple of houses left behind by loved ones who passed, I can attest to the favor you have done for your children.
Post: Make the Attic Great Again
Link to comment from September 1, 2026
I guess there are certain things we do which do not make economic sense. We do them anyway, because they are fun.
Post: Bad Maths, Good Fire.
Link to comment from August 28, 2026
Thats what I do, and its worked for me.
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
Thanks for the reply, Mark.
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 25, 2026
Can you estimate the number of people who pay this interest, and of them, how many pay interest for a short term before retiring the debt versus the number who have chronic credit card debt and who make regular monthly interest payments for years?
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 24, 2026
Nice story and a smart eleven year old kid.
Post: Reaching Two-thirds of a Century!
Link to comment from August 23, 2026
I agree that it is more relevant, that when comparing the debt over long time periods, we should consider the ratio of the portion of debt held by the public divided by the GDP. A big problem is the recent accelerated annual rate of increase, which needs to come back down to the rate of GDP increase. No doubt, the necessary measures will carry some pain, but it is necessary.
Post: Federal debt
Link to comment from August 23, 2026
I find it profitable to sometimes reread the classic writings of Bogle and a few others. Their words and message remain useful despite the time that has passed since they were first written.
Post: Federal debt
Link to comment from August 20, 2026