I've recently moved 2/3 of our investable $ to a money mgmt. firm that I've assiduously followed for 28 years. Being risk averse, has resulted in my less than stellar performance, but I have avoided the gut wrenching downturns and sleep well. My better half has NO interest in managing assets so as we approach our 8th decade, it is a far, far better thing that I have done. (Trading commodity futures in the '80s taught me how to make a small fortune...e.g. start with a large fortune)
Excellent strategies. Mine are similar. Of my 14 credit cards, most are used sparingly. Costco's is used regularly because of the varieties of cash back and my Amex 6% back on groceries is used exclusively at grocery stores. I rarely use cash for anything. And I've gotten rid of Airline cards because of their recent change in policies that made the yearly fees unprofitable for our infrequent airline travel from SAC and RNO.
I abhor even the thought of paying quarterly taxes. Therefore, we take our largest distribution in December and have a substantial portion of it withheld for taxes. Our tax preparer informed us that the IRS looks at taxes paid directly from a huge IRA distribution as if the taxes were paid evenly throughout the year. Regarding the amount, from age 67 to 73 we took 4%/yr and from 74 onward, we added cumulative inflation so we're up to 6.6%/yr now.
Just looked at the history of FRDM. If you'd invested on Biden's inauguration day and sold on Trump's most recent inauguration day, you'd have a about a one penny ...that's right one red cent... profit/loss in 4 full years. I didn't check any distributions during that time; just FRDM's price.
"Avoiding medication if at all possible" is a good attitude. I'm convinced that drug side effects are directly related to an individual's genetic makeup. And genetic makeup is truly complex and individualized.
Like you, I've replaced my water heater before it failed; likewise my central air conditioner. Preventive maintenance is one key to a hassle free life. A 50 year concrete tile roof and Hardie board siding (never needing paint) have allowed an easier aging-in-place existence since we had our house built 25 years ago. I, too, am a California transplant from the midwest via a circuitous route of NC, Panama, Taiwan, FL, and OH -courtesy of the USAF. I enjoy your posts.
I live in the boonies (foothills of the Sierra) and the 90 foot cedars/pines/firs are wonderful to live amongst. However, my internet is 10Mbps (yes, you read that right...10Mbps) for which I pay $191.95/mth and that's after I paid a guy $100 to climb 60 feet up a tree to install a directional antenna. I'm considering Musk's system. Does anyone have any yeas/nays to say about Musk?
California politics and taxes suck, but the weather and recreational opportunities are the best that we've found after 20 years of travel with the military. Born in the midwest (Missouri and Illinois), it wasn't hard to find better weather. Living in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range two hours from the ocean and an hour from snow skiing and Tahoe is our ideal. Jonathan is an excellent writer and nailed it with his Financial contentment paragraph.
John Deam
Comments
I've recently moved 2/3 of our investable $ to a money mgmt. firm that I've assiduously followed for 28 years. Being risk averse, has resulted in my less than stellar performance, but I have avoided the gut wrenching downturns and sleep well. My better half has NO interest in managing assets so as we approach our 8th decade, it is a far, far better thing that I have done. (Trading commodity futures in the '80s taught me how to make a small fortune...e.g. start with a large fortune)
Post: Index Fund Bubble
Link to comment from December 6, 2025
An excellent bank that reimburses debit card fees worldwide is USAA bank. Their security is excellent, but interest is paltry.
Post: Where to Keep Cash
Link to comment from December 6, 2025
Excellent strategies. Mine are similar. Of my 14 credit cards, most are used sparingly. Costco's is used regularly because of the varieties of cash back and my Amex 6% back on groceries is used exclusively at grocery stores. I rarely use cash for anything. And I've gotten rid of Airline cards because of their recent change in policies that made the yearly fees unprofitable for our infrequent airline travel from SAC and RNO.
Post: What is your credit card rewards strategy?
Link to comment from September 13, 2025
I abhor even the thought of paying quarterly taxes. Therefore, we take our largest distribution in December and have a substantial portion of it withheld for taxes. Our tax preparer informed us that the IRS looks at taxes paid directly from a huge IRA distribution as if the taxes were paid evenly throughout the year. Regarding the amount, from age 67 to 73 we took 4%/yr and from 74 onward, we added cumulative inflation so we're up to 6.6%/yr now.
Post: 4% every year? even this one?
Link to comment from April 12, 2025
Just looked at the history of FRDM. If you'd invested on Biden's inauguration day and sold on Trump's most recent inauguration day, you'd have a about a one penny ...that's right one red cent... profit/loss in 4 full years. I didn't check any distributions during that time; just FRDM's price.
Post: Index Three Ways
Link to comment from March 23, 2025
Yes, "there inevitably are rebounds". However, a quick look at 1929 and the following years will show the "rebound" took more than 15 years!
Post: Sharing Lessons
Link to comment from December 14, 2024
"Avoiding medication if at all possible" is a good attitude. I'm convinced that drug side effects are directly related to an individual's genetic makeup. And genetic makeup is truly complex and individualized.
Post: My Ozempic Nightmare
Link to comment from December 14, 2024
Like you, I've replaced my water heater before it failed; likewise my central air conditioner. Preventive maintenance is one key to a hassle free life. A 50 year concrete tile roof and Hardie board siding (never needing paint) have allowed an easier aging-in-place existence since we had our house built 25 years ago. I, too, am a California transplant from the midwest via a circuitous route of NC, Panama, Taiwan, FL, and OH -courtesy of the USAF. I enjoy your posts.
Post: Easier for Rachel
Link to comment from December 14, 2024
I live in the boonies (foothills of the Sierra) and the 90 foot cedars/pines/firs are wonderful to live amongst. However, my internet is 10Mbps (yes, you read that right...10Mbps) for which I pay $191.95/mth and that's after I paid a guy $100 to climb 60 feet up a tree to install a directional antenna. I'm considering Musk's system. Does anyone have any yeas/nays to say about Musk?
Post: Favoring Fiber
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
California politics and taxes suck, but the weather and recreational opportunities are the best that we've found after 20 years of travel with the military. Born in the midwest (Missouri and Illinois), it wasn't hard to find better weather. Living in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range two hours from the ocean and an hour from snow skiing and Tahoe is our ideal. Jonathan is an excellent writer and nailed it with his Financial contentment paragraph. John Deam
Post: Retire Is a Verb
Link to comment from January 28, 2023