Except for a couple of years renting a house from a friend after a cross continent move, we've always had newly constructed houses to our specifications and getting exactly what we wanted. Frequently moving because of the military meant we never accumulated much equity, but that was a "price" worth paying. And with a 2 1/8% mortgage on our retirement home, life's good.
My wedding's reception 54 years ago was at a VFW hall in my wife's small town with a reel to reel tape player as our "band". Everyone had a fine time and we left for Jamaica at midnight. Our daughter's was an expensive (by my standards) affair. Destination wedding in the Rockies. We gave her a strict $ limit... down payment on house, cash, or wedding...her choice.... she chose ...complete with Cristal Champagne. Marriage lasted more than 2 years; second marriage = elope and has lasted. Go figure.
Your post hit home. As an x-USAF guy, we moved many times over the 20 years and thus periodically got rid of stuff due to weight limitations. However, 26 years in the same location (our retirement home) led to accumulation on a large scale. We don't want our daughter to be inundated with an overwhelming amount of stuff (2 sheds and a garage) so we're purging big time as we reach our 80s and I'm still able to lift the heavy stuff. Inflatable beds, cables, tools, wicker baskets, etc. all going to Habitat or Good Will, but will keep the ATV for getting around our steep 5 acres. The best news is that I'll be able to park my new Z in the garage this winter.
As I approach my 80th, a "wild hair" prompted us to splurge on a new Z. We'd had one from '90 to '06 and loved it, but decided a SUV was more practical as we aged. An automatic w/a 180 mph speedometer was a lot easier on my left leg and the safety features are surprisingly numerous compared to 36 yrs ago. As before, I negotiated with several dealers up to 2000 miles distant from my home and found the best price at 2010 miles. A flight, followed by a train, followed by a rental car with friend/relative visits along the way took us to Arkansas and then a very fun drive back to the west coast. The only two downsides are the slight difficulty entering/exiting and the increased insurance cost. You only live once!
COSTCO is great! It's saved me Ks of $ over the years. Joined them in '04 when I needed a large plasma TV near Xmas. Been a CITIbank COSTCO card member since. Only shop there about 6 times a year, but the credit card's $ return is over 800 every year when you take advantage of the fuel/restaurant/travel/&Costco purchases. And those buck fifty dogs w/drink make my day (used to be polish sausage w/kraut, but they discontinued). Don't mean to sound like a commercial, but their NYSE stock has done well, too. And my daughter even worked for them during her freshman year at Humbolt 20+ years ago. They paid well above minimum.
As always, an enjoyable missive. My wife and I have been to several of these type presentations and our table mates are usually simpatico with our intention of just enjoying the steak and ignoring the pitch.
I've managed our stock investments since 1974 when I bought my first share. However, my wife has NO interest in investments. Therefore, as I approach 80, I've handed over half of our portfolio to a professional at a firm whose principles I've followed on their radio show since 1995. They've done a very good job for 3 years. My wife will transfer the other 50% when I'm no longer capable.
I used to take a scissors and cut open the toothpaste tube, unfold it, and use my toothbrush to scrape out the last of the paste. Now, I no longer need to save the last penny.
Comments
Eye opening article. Thanks. I'll talk it over w/my better half today.
Post: Widow’s IRA Choice
Link to comment from September 12, 2026
Except for a couple of years renting a house from a friend after a cross continent move, we've always had newly constructed houses to our specifications and getting exactly what we wanted. Frequently moving because of the military meant we never accumulated much equity, but that was a "price" worth paying. And with a 2 1/8% mortgage on our retirement home, life's good.
Post: Jonathan’s Parting Thoughts: No. 7
Link to comment from September 12, 2026
My wedding's reception 54 years ago was at a VFW hall in my wife's small town with a reel to reel tape player as our "band". Everyone had a fine time and we left for Jamaica at midnight. Our daughter's was an expensive (by my standards) affair. Destination wedding in the Rockies. We gave her a strict $ limit... down payment on house, cash, or wedding...her choice.... she chose ...complete with Cristal Champagne. Marriage lasted more than 2 years; second marriage = elope and has lasted. Go figure.
Post: A Wedding Too Far
Link to comment from September 12, 2026
Your post hit home. As an x-USAF guy, we moved many times over the 20 years and thus periodically got rid of stuff due to weight limitations. However, 26 years in the same location (our retirement home) led to accumulation on a large scale. We don't want our daughter to be inundated with an overwhelming amount of stuff (2 sheds and a garage) so we're purging big time as we reach our 80s and I'm still able to lift the heavy stuff. Inflatable beds, cables, tools, wicker baskets, etc. all going to Habitat or Good Will, but will keep the ATV for getting around our steep 5 acres. The best news is that I'll be able to park my new Z in the garage this winter.
Post: Make the Attic Great Again
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
Not all car models are Costco available. Nissan Z is one that you can't purchase through Costco.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 18, 2026
As I approach my 80th, a "wild hair" prompted us to splurge on a new Z. We'd had one from '90 to '06 and loved it, but decided a SUV was more practical as we aged. An automatic w/a 180 mph speedometer was a lot easier on my left leg and the safety features are surprisingly numerous compared to 36 yrs ago. As before, I negotiated with several dealers up to 2000 miles distant from my home and found the best price at 2010 miles. A flight, followed by a train, followed by a rental car with friend/relative visits along the way took us to Arkansas and then a very fun drive back to the west coast. The only two downsides are the slight difficulty entering/exiting and the increased insurance cost. You only live once!
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 18, 2026
COSTCO is great! It's saved me Ks of $ over the years. Joined them in '04 when I needed a large plasma TV near Xmas. Been a CITIbank COSTCO card member since. Only shop there about 6 times a year, but the credit card's $ return is over 800 every year when you take advantage of the fuel/restaurant/travel/&Costco purchases. And those buck fifty dogs w/drink make my day (used to be polish sausage w/kraut, but they discontinued). Don't mean to sound like a commercial, but their NYSE stock has done well, too. And my daughter even worked for them during her freshman year at Humbolt 20+ years ago. They paid well above minimum.
Post: Frittering away Frugality
Link to comment from July 11, 2026
As always, an enjoyable missive. My wife and I have been to several of these type presentations and our table mates are usually simpatico with our intention of just enjoying the steak and ignoring the pitch.
Post: The Vision, the Babe , Einstein and the Q
Link to comment from April 29, 2026
I've managed our stock investments since 1974 when I bought my first share. However, my wife has NO interest in investments. Therefore, as I approach 80, I've handed over half of our portfolio to a professional at a firm whose principles I've followed on their radio show since 1995. They've done a very good job for 3 years. My wife will transfer the other 50% when I'm no longer capable.
Post: One Good Call?
Link to comment from April 18, 2026
I used to take a scissors and cut open the toothpaste tube, unfold it, and use my toothbrush to scrape out the last of the paste. Now, I no longer need to save the last penny.
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 18, 2026