I agree with you, Andrew. The generosity shown by so many here, without bragging, just modestly relating the facts, is so encouraging and is inspired daily by your brother’s modesty and humility when he started HD.
Thanks for sharing your story, David. One of the things I like best about Humble Dollar is that most of the contributors and commenters seem to share stories with a positive outcome, despite the sorrow and setbacks that are inevitable parts of every life.
This is a beautiful story, Jo, of the intertwined nature of family love, grief and generosity. You and your dad are blessed to have had each other during good times and bad. He sure sounds like a very special man. Thanks for sharing your story.
I’m a surviving spouse with three adult children. I learned about Roth conversions here on HD. Hope to do exactly your plan (yearly chunks) starting in 2027, as a nice thing for my three kids/heirs. A heart decision.
I think it’s a good plan. I am somewhat younger than you but nevertheless, I am trying to get my affairs in order, first of all by getting rid of a timeshare that served our family well for 50 years but would be a hassle for my kids to inherit. I want to stay in my small house, about a two-hour drive from the nearest child. until age 80 or 85, if possible and depending upon my health. Then I hope to sell and likely purchase a co-op near my daughter in her neighborhood with a beautiful view of NYC harbor and better health care than in my more rural area. If I should need assisted living, moving closer to my son in a less expensive part of the country is a possibility. When one is blessed to have one or more children with whom you have good relations, I think it’s important to try to make their caregiving as easy as possible. For those without children, the Continuing Care Retirement Communities frequently discussed here sound like an excellent option for those with and without children. One near me is owned and operated by the Methodist Church and is the option several of my friends have chosen, with others hoping to go there eventually.
I haven’t been active here recently so until now I didn’t know about your daughter’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
When we found the “age in place” home that we wanted, in this area of limited housing stock and low turnover, we had to engage in a bidding war, though still paying somewhat below the unusually high asking price. When a few neighbors were compelled to inform us that we had overpaid, I began to greet future comments by saying “I know, but hey, we did everyone on the block a favor. When you go to sell and comps are done, our purchase is good for everyone.” I’m very happy with our choice and the many improvements made since then.
Our small town (pop. 1100) has several small repair shops. Everyone here has their favorite. I was very happy with one of them but when they closed their in-town location to which I could walk, and offered shuttle service to and from my home, I switched to a different one within walking distance. I now have a personal relationship developed over the past five years or so and trust them completely (as I did the previous one). Everyone here shares their experiences, so the incentive to be honest and reasonable is big. I like that.
Based on reading I did here, when I had the chance to make a one-time only (as I understood it) switch to Original Medicare when my Advantage Plan was closing, I took it, rather than switching to a different Advantage plan. I have been happy and have never regretted my decision.
Thank you for sharing your feelings, Andrew. My heart aches for you. Please continue sharing: I guarantee your reflections are helping others, including me.
Comments
I agree with you, Andrew. The generosity shown by so many here, without bragging, just modestly relating the facts, is so encouraging and is inspired daily by your brother’s modesty and humility when he started HD.
Post: A Gift, Not A Given
Link to comment from November 11, 2026
Thanks for sharing your story, David. One of the things I like best about Humble Dollar is that most of the contributors and commenters seem to share stories with a positive outcome, despite the sorrow and setbacks that are inevitable parts of every life.
Post: A Gift, Not A Given
Link to comment from November 11, 2026
This is a beautiful story, Jo, of the intertwined nature of family love, grief and generosity. You and your dad are blessed to have had each other during good times and bad. He sure sounds like a very special man. Thanks for sharing your story.
Post: A Gift, Not A Given
Link to comment from November 11, 2026
I’m a surviving spouse with three adult children. I learned about Roth conversions here on HD. Hope to do exactly your plan (yearly chunks) starting in 2027, as a nice thing for my three kids/heirs. A heart decision.
Post: Roth Conversions
Link to comment from November 8, 2026
I think it’s a good plan. I am somewhat younger than you but nevertheless, I am trying to get my affairs in order, first of all by getting rid of a timeshare that served our family well for 50 years but would be a hassle for my kids to inherit. I want to stay in my small house, about a two-hour drive from the nearest child. until age 80 or 85, if possible and depending upon my health. Then I hope to sell and likely purchase a co-op near my daughter in her neighborhood with a beautiful view of NYC harbor and better health care than in my more rural area. If I should need assisted living, moving closer to my son in a less expensive part of the country is a possibility. When one is blessed to have one or more children with whom you have good relations, I think it’s important to try to make their caregiving as easy as possible. For those without children, the Continuing Care Retirement Communities frequently discussed here sound like an excellent option for those with and without children. One near me is owned and operated by the Methodist Church and is the option several of my friends have chosen, with others hoping to go there eventually.
Post: Should One Liquidate in Retirement?
Link to comment from November 8, 2026
I haven’t been active here recently so until now I didn’t know about your daughter’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Post: Enough already?
Link to comment from November 8, 2026
When we found the “age in place” home that we wanted, in this area of limited housing stock and low turnover, we had to engage in a bidding war, though still paying somewhat below the unusually high asking price. When a few neighbors were compelled to inform us that we had overpaid, I began to greet future comments by saying “I know, but hey, we did everyone on the block a favor. When you go to sell and comps are done, our purchase is good for everyone.” I’m very happy with our choice and the many improvements made since then.
Post: Full Asking Price
Link to comment from November 6, 2026
Our small town (pop. 1100) has several small repair shops. Everyone here has their favorite. I was very happy with one of them but when they closed their in-town location to which I could walk, and offered shuttle service to and from my home, I switched to a different one within walking distance. I now have a personal relationship developed over the past five years or so and trust them completely (as I did the previous one). Everyone here shares their experiences, so the incentive to be honest and reasonable is big. I like that.
Post: The Repair I Didn’t Need
Link to comment from November 4, 2026
Based on reading I did here, when I had the chance to make a one-time only (as I understood it) switch to Original Medicare when my Advantage Plan was closing, I took it, rather than switching to a different Advantage plan. I have been happy and have never regretted my decision.
Post: Dropping My Subsidized Retiree Health Plan for a Medigap Plan G—Am I Crazy to Pay $2K+ More?
Link to comment from November 3, 2026
Thank you for sharing your feelings, Andrew. My heart aches for you. Please continue sharing: I guarantee your reflections are helping others, including me.
Post: Jonathan, How I Wish You Were Here
Link to comment from October 26, 2026