Jerry Pinkard

Comments:

• This sounds like a good alternative with less volatility and exposure to tech. Thanks for the suggestion.

  Post: A Cautionary Tale: The S&P and the Perilous Sequence of Returns by Steve Abramowitz

  Link to comment from September 17, 2024

• Good article. Thanks Ken. Since retirement 14 years ago, I have done a variety of things that interest me and I believe help keep my mind sharp. I am on the board of 2 retiree organizations, participate in ministries at my church and have done a number of presentations to large groups. All of that is stimulating to the mind, and I do not believe I am slipping, although I might be the last to know. lol. I am also physically active with walking, golf and exercises. I do not drink and try to eat a healthy diet, although I do have a sweet tooth. My mother died at 89 and was mentally sharp up to the end. She had a phobia that resulted in a mental health evaluation at age 88. She aced the cognitive test and was their star patient. I just turned 80, an age I never thought I would reach. The odds of cognitive impairment increase dramatically at this age. However, I feel very blessed with my situation, and look forward to tomorrow.

  Post: The Persistence of Memory by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from September 17, 2024

• Great list Michael. All good, but especially #19.

  Post: Signs of the Times

  Link to comment from July 18, 2024

• Good article John! Thanks for sharing. When I retired in 2010 at age 66, 89% of our savings was pre tax in TIRAs. I considered Roth conversions but opted not to do so. I read an article a few years ago talking about the impact of the sunset of the 2017 tax law. That really got my attention. I began doing large Roth conversions each year since. These triggered IRMAA penalties and pushed me into 24% tax bracket. I have reached the point where my QCDs exceed my RMDs, so will only do a small Roth conversions up to the point just before IRMAA penalties began. The net of all this is our TIRA allocation will only be 15% at the end of the year. Everything else is in Roth and taxable. I do not intend to use any of the Roth but it will be a great inheritance for our children. I have no idea whether the 2017 tax law will expire or continue. But I am glad we did all of these Roth conversions.

  Post: Driven by Taxes

  Link to comment from July 17, 2024

• Great article Dick. I am 79 and wife is 81. We live in our home of 51 years which has 2 acres which has been well maintained. However, maintaining our property requires more maintenance than I am capable of. Nonetheless, we steadfastly hope to live here as long as we can. However, that can be a lot shorter than we hoped for. Your article is a good guide if we ever have to go down that path. Regards, John

  Post: Pluses and Minuses

  Link to comment from July 6, 2024

• Jonathan, Thanks so much for this and other articles you continue to write. It seems you have done your research and have chosen the best path forward. Wishing you much more time and the opportunity to do the things you and your family will find the most pleasure in. Blessings to you and your family. John

  Post: Looking Different

  Link to comment from July 6, 2024

• A wise man once told me that answers are easy but questions are hard. A good lawyer will ask the relevant questions to make sure whatever legal document you need has covered all the bases. It is not obvious to us lay people what all the questions are.

  Post: Case Closed

  Link to comment from March 8, 2023

• Our oldest granddaughter had this problem. She had a passion and talent for fashion design. Despite her parents' pushing her to another major, she wound up with a 4 year degree in fashion design. It has been a struggle since. She worked in retail for 2 years but now has landed a job as designing and making wedding dresses. She manages a small team doing that. She says it is her dream job but even that does not have great pay.

  Post: College Conundrum

  Link to comment from March 7, 2023

• Interesting article. Thanks Dennis. Do you want to die at your desk or do you want to work on that bucket list and smell the roses? Most of us will never have enough saved to feel totally comfortable in retirement but you never know how long you have. I retired at 66 and my biggest regreat is that I did not do it sooner.

  Post: Staying Alive

  Link to comment from March 7, 2023

• I have often thought about buying some real estate, probably condos. My son manages maintenance for 2 reat estate investors, so I would have one leg up. He has one client in CA who oversees her real estate from there, including buying properties. He often does additional things for her like inspecting properties for problems before buying, checking out prospective clients in person if necessary, and occasionally, showing a property. He has learned a lot about this business, and this might work for us as I have the capital and financial expertise.

  Post: Opportunity Knocks

  Link to comment from March 5, 2023