AUTHOR: Kurt Yokum on 1/17/2026 FIRST: Laura E. Kelly on 1/17 | RECENT: Keith Pleas on 1/20
Comments
I hope to see in the future when we stop talking about the Bengen withdrawal rate as a retirement spending strategy. For a rough approximation of sufficient funds until end of plan — ok. But, to really understand your spending against your income and portfolio requires a bespoke touch. Life’s planned and unplanned events are unique and sporadic for each individual. Between events like moving residence, medical procedures, car purchases, etc we have a continuous flow of variable expenses. A plan that ignores that variability is not a plan.
Vanguard’s greatest strength was its attention to cost management. However, over time, that has become its greatest weakness. They are now perceived to have poor phone customer service and online tools because they don’t want to spend the money. You seem to want custom guidance from what you stated. Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard all have that (word is that Vanguard made a push to focus on that vs. providing services to assist the DIY community). Just know that your personal rep is there to help you AND their firm. If they can refer you to another division (e.g. Annuities) they make a commission. Free help with upsell potential. They usually don’t hard sell but just know that is a business that wants you to be successful and make money along the way. Note that it is very easy to move accounts or even a single fund between these brokerage companies. Vanguard is the only one that charges you to do that. Why? Chorus: because they’re cheap!
The discussion seems to center around the author or commenter, but not about the voter. Voting is a way for the common man to have a voice. Voting allows the masses to speak and feel they contribute. I know that I find it frustrating when I read an article and I have no option to log a response. I just want my reaction to be recorded. Voting is a first level reaction - fast,easy; commenting is a next level reaction - more time,effort. Easy voting reduces friction in social media and provides an On Ramp for anyone and everyone.
I think this list covers well the main considerations. However, if you expand the scope to include the financial traps of those who receive your inheritance, then Roth alleviates the tax burden for them. It also simplifies how they use the money, giving them more options. If you are near or in the retirement stage, then you may find the scope goes beyond your immediate needs.
I can’t quite drink the Bengen Kool-Aid. Basically, I setup a spreadsheet for my income/expenses each year until “end of plan” at age 95 - includes inflation factors, house selling/buying, Social Security, etc. It becomes painfully obvious when I see it all laid out, that life gets in the way of systemic withdrawal rates; there’s just too many hits that spike expenses up or down. My exercise can give me a warm fuzzy for overall plan sustainability, but life will refuse to be made linear.
It’s important to at least ponder the family dynamics of treating one child differently than another. Will disproportionate treatment result in resentment between children?
You might consider complementary therapies to go with the chemo and radiation. There is ginger for nausea (e.g. ginger tea). There are high dose infusions of Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Fasting before/during/after treatments. Low glycemic diets. Most of these need to be directed by someone who understands your situation since the treatments can vary. Search "integrative medical cancer center" for examples. Also, there is a web site called conqueringcancer.com that can help you explore the topic. All is not lost. Keep the fire burning.
I struggled through the accumulation phase with complexity vs simplicity. Complexity took the most effort and promised the most reward. Simplicity took the least effort but was usually suboptimal. I chose the middle path by adding some complexity, but not too much. Yes, I had spreadsheets to give me current status and future projections. However, I justified it by allowing me to view the big picture. But, as I get deeper into retirement, it is painfully obvious, that optimization is no longer the goal. Although my interest has not waned, I must consider my wife and family when I am no longer around. Do I want to leave a complex financial web for my wife and my estate to figure out? How quickly will the current financial picture devolve if it doesn't get constant attention with insider knowledge of its workings? For those reasons, simplify is my mantra now. Suboptimal, yes, but simply superior overall.
It sounds like you have a sizable amount of company stock that provides key dividends to your income. Are you concerned about the risk that the company could experience adverse events that lower or eliminate their dividend or, worse, the stock has a sharp downturn?
Comments
I hope to see in the future when we stop talking about the Bengen withdrawal rate as a retirement spending strategy. For a rough approximation of sufficient funds until end of plan — ok. But, to really understand your spending against your income and portfolio requires a bespoke touch. Life’s planned and unplanned events are unique and sporadic for each individual. Between events like moving residence, medical procedures, car purchases, etc we have a continuous flow of variable expenses. A plan that ignores that variability is not a plan.
Post: A Rule of Thumb Is Not a Plan
Link to comment from February 28, 2026
Vanguard’s greatest strength was its attention to cost management. However, over time, that has become its greatest weakness. They are now perceived to have poor phone customer service and online tools because they don’t want to spend the money. You seem to want custom guidance from what you stated. Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard all have that (word is that Vanguard made a push to focus on that vs. providing services to assist the DIY community). Just know that your personal rep is there to help you AND their firm. If they can refer you to another division (e.g. Annuities) they make a commission. Free help with upsell potential. They usually don’t hard sell but just know that is a business that wants you to be successful and make money along the way. Note that it is very easy to move accounts or even a single fund between these brokerage companies. Vanguard is the only one that charges you to do that. Why? Chorus: because they’re cheap!
Post: Schwab or Vanguard?
Link to comment from January 17, 2026
With a transaction fee
Post: Schwab or Vanguard?
Link to comment from January 17, 2026
The discussion seems to center around the author or commenter, but not about the voter. Voting is a way for the common man to have a voice. Voting allows the masses to speak and feel they contribute. I know that I find it frustrating when I read an article and I have no option to log a response. I just want my reaction to be recorded. Voting is a first level reaction - fast,easy; commenting is a next level reaction - more time,effort. Easy voting reduces friction in social media and provides an On Ramp for anyone and everyone.
Post: The “Mean Girls”/Junior High Bullies at HumbleDollar
Link to comment from January 10, 2026
I think this list covers well the main considerations. However, if you expand the scope to include the financial traps of those who receive your inheritance, then Roth alleviates the tax burden for them. It also simplifies how they use the money, giving them more options. If you are near or in the retirement stage, then you may find the scope goes beyond your immediate needs.
Post: Roth Hidden Benefits
Link to comment from October 25, 2025
I can’t quite drink the Bengen Kool-Aid. Basically, I setup a spreadsheet for my income/expenses each year until “end of plan” at age 95 - includes inflation factors, house selling/buying, Social Security, etc. It becomes painfully obvious when I see it all laid out, that life gets in the way of systemic withdrawal rates; there’s just too many hits that spike expenses up or down. My exercise can give me a warm fuzzy for overall plan sustainability, but life will refuse to be made linear.
Post: Is 4.7% the New 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate
Link to comment from August 23, 2025
It’s important to at least ponder the family dynamics of treating one child differently than another. Will disproportionate treatment result in resentment between children?
Post: Letting Go
Link to comment from July 26, 2025
You might consider complementary therapies to go with the chemo and radiation. There is ginger for nausea (e.g. ginger tea). There are high dose infusions of Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Fasting before/during/after treatments. Low glycemic diets. Most of these need to be directed by someone who understands your situation since the treatments can vary. Search "integrative medical cancer center" for examples. Also, there is a web site called conqueringcancer.com that can help you explore the topic. All is not lost. Keep the fire burning.
Post: Extra Innings
Link to comment from July 13, 2025
I struggled through the accumulation phase with complexity vs simplicity. Complexity took the most effort and promised the most reward. Simplicity took the least effort but was usually suboptimal. I chose the middle path by adding some complexity, but not too much. Yes, I had spreadsheets to give me current status and future projections. However, I justified it by allowing me to view the big picture. But, as I get deeper into retirement, it is painfully obvious, that optimization is no longer the goal. Although my interest has not waned, I must consider my wife and family when I am no longer around. Do I want to leave a complex financial web for my wife and my estate to figure out? How quickly will the current financial picture devolve if it doesn't get constant attention with insider knowledge of its workings? For those reasons, simplify is my mantra now. Suboptimal, yes, but simply superior overall.
Post: Quinn asks, is there anything wrong with keeping it simple?
Link to comment from July 6, 2025
It sounds like you have a sizable amount of company stock that provides key dividends to your income. Are you concerned about the risk that the company could experience adverse events that lower or eliminate their dividend or, worse, the stock has a sharp downturn?
Post: A theoretical, simplified road to retirement income without a pension. I’ve learned it doesn’t exist.
Link to comment from June 28, 2025