AUTHOR: Linda Grady on 10/10/2024 FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 10/10/2024 | RECENT: DrLefty on 10/12/2024
Comments
Well said, Dick. While you are indeed fortunate to have been able to travel so extensively with your partner and best friend, it’s clear that the blessings you cherish above all are the time and experiences with your family. Although I’m starting to travel in the company of strangers who become friends while we’re together, the best trips are the short or longer ones to see family members. And it’s always good to come home and resume my routines, shared with church and neighborhood friends. Life is good, but never taken for granted.
Now that you made me think about it, you’re right, Dick. I have acquired some stuff: Several pieces of wall art from my local cooperative gallery where I actually know the artists, including one who focuses on paintings of the Poconos and the pioneers of the Conservation movement, and another who creates amazing scenes from paper cutouts. I also bought a small rug when I went to Morocco and harmonizing pillow covers from New Mexico. While I wouldn’t call myself a collector, these things really give me pleasure, as they remind me of people I know or places I’ve been, as well as for their intrinsic beauty.
I’m in a very similar situation to yours and have a mortgage on my house. It doesn’t bother me at all. No dependents. After six years, the house has appreciated in value and could be easily sold in the event of my demise or disability, or if I decide to move closer to children - a likely scenario in a few more years. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks, Bill. I’ve really been trying to focus on experiences rather than acquiring more things. However, an experience I do enjoy is checking out grocery stores away from home I loved the carbonated fruit drink “Hawaii” that I had in Morocco: coconut, orange and pomegranate. Haven’t seen anywhere on this side yet. With experiences , I’m also experimenting with taking fewer pictures to just enjoy being in the moment. God bless Jonathan for his example of continuing so many things, like traveling, even while he was having treatments.
Thanks to your advice, Dick, and that of other regular contributors and commenters, I decided to use QCDs for the first time in 2025. I have checks provided by my financial company that draw from one account and I indicate on the check that it’s a charitable donation. Previous articles here have said that there’s a special form my tax preparer must submit so the IRS is aware.
I always appreciate your articles, Adam. I worked a few summers in my teens at the Investment Dealers' Digest and there became familiar with the names of the big investment firms (and the small ones, too). Couldn't believe it when venerable Lehman Bros. failed. Thanks again for your clear and concise advice.
I think the refusal to accept advice about finances is a combination of inertia and fear. Fear, because if they have little financial literacy they may be afraid of making a mistake and suffering consequences worse than their current situation. The other element could be embarrassment at having to rely on someone, even their daughter, for help with something as simple as making estimated tax payments. They’ve built a life that seems to suit them, after years of caregiving (if this is the couple you’ve described in a previous article), and I think the best we can all do is, when faced with similar situations, is to show our love by the time spent together.
Wow! I’m late to this “party,” and saddened by the bickering in some of the comments. I agree wholeheartedly with Mike Gaynes that if you have done well, be grateful. I’ll add that the idea of keeping a daily “gratitude journal” came from here and by doing that for over six months now, I have had a significant increase in my quality of life. I would miss anyone who decides to stop contributing and/or commenting because of this article and its comments, so I hope that won’t happen. Thanks all for your good advice, and really, friendship.
Comments
Well said, Dick. While you are indeed fortunate to have been able to travel so extensively with your partner and best friend, it’s clear that the blessings you cherish above all are the time and experiences with your family. Although I’m starting to travel in the company of strangers who become friends while we’re together, the best trips are the short or longer ones to see family members. And it’s always good to come home and resume my routines, shared with church and neighborhood friends. Life is good, but never taken for granted.
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Link to comment from March 11, 2026
Now that you made me think about it, you’re right, Dick. I have acquired some stuff: Several pieces of wall art from my local cooperative gallery where I actually know the artists, including one who focuses on paintings of the Poconos and the pioneers of the Conservation movement, and another who creates amazing scenes from paper cutouts. I also bought a small rug when I went to Morocco and harmonizing pillow covers from New Mexico. While I wouldn’t call myself a collector, these things really give me pleasure, as they remind me of people I know or places I’ve been, as well as for their intrinsic beauty.
Post: Allan Roth’s 2/13/26 article references Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from March 9, 2026
I’m in a very similar situation to yours and have a mortgage on my house. It doesn’t bother me at all. No dependents. After six years, the house has appreciated in value and could be easily sold in the event of my demise or disability, or if I decide to move closer to children - a likely scenario in a few more years. Good luck with your decision.
Post: Home Tax Tips
Link to comment from March 8, 2026
Thanks, Bill. I’ve really been trying to focus on experiences rather than acquiring more things. However, an experience I do enjoy is checking out grocery stores away from home I loved the carbonated fruit drink “Hawaii” that I had in Morocco: coconut, orange and pomegranate. Haven’t seen anywhere on this side yet. With experiences , I’m also experimenting with taking fewer pictures to just enjoy being in the moment. God bless Jonathan for his example of continuing so many things, like traveling, even while he was having treatments.
Post: Allan Roth’s 2/13/26 article references Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from March 8, 2026
Thanks, Dick.
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Link to comment from March 6, 2026
Thanks, Howard. I will make sure to mention this to my tax preparer.
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Link to comment from March 6, 2026
Thanks to your advice, Dick, and that of other regular contributors and commenters, I decided to use QCDs for the first time in 2025. I have checks provided by my financial company that draw from one account and I indicate on the check that it’s a charitable donation. Previous articles here have said that there’s a special form my tax preparer must submit so the IRS is aware.
Post: What is the best way to donate to charity in 2026?
Link to comment from March 5, 2026
I always appreciate your articles, Adam. I worked a few summers in my teens at the Investment Dealers' Digest and there became familiar with the names of the big investment firms (and the small ones, too). Couldn't believe it when venerable Lehman Bros. failed. Thanks again for your clear and concise advice.
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Link to comment from March 3, 2026
I think the refusal to accept advice about finances is a combination of inertia and fear. Fear, because if they have little financial literacy they may be afraid of making a mistake and suffering consequences worse than their current situation. The other element could be embarrassment at having to rely on someone, even their daughter, for help with something as simple as making estimated tax payments. They’ve built a life that seems to suit them, after years of caregiving (if this is the couple you’ve described in a previous article), and I think the best we can all do is, when faced with similar situations, is to show our love by the time spent together.
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Link to comment from February 24, 2026
Wow! I’m late to this “party,” and saddened by the bickering in some of the comments. I agree wholeheartedly with Mike Gaynes that if you have done well, be grateful. I’ll add that the idea of keeping a daily “gratitude journal” came from here and by doing that for over six months now, I have had a significant increase in my quality of life. I would miss anyone who decides to stop contributing and/or commenting because of this article and its comments, so I hope that won’t happen. Thanks all for your good advice, and really, friendship.
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026