Tom Dee

Comments:

• Jonathan - your column reminded me why it’s important to recognize all those who perform outstanding work, even those in the least glamorous roles. Just yesterday I introduced myself to the neighborhood landscaper who makes sure all my neighbors lawns are perfectly cut each week. Handing him a cold coke and telling him what a great job he does keeping our neighborhood looking top shelf caught him by surprise, but I know he appreciated the compliment. We had a saying in my business - “one awsh*t will ruin 10 attaboys.”

  Post: Never Quite Enough

  Link to comment from September 22, 2024

• Jonathan - someone posted a comment (either you or a commentator) a few columns back stating “Happiness is a Choice.” That’s my new mantra going forward with the negative people I encounter in my life. Thank yo for sharing your wisdom with the rest of us.

  Post: No Regrets

  Link to comment from September 8, 2024

• #8 really resonates with me. I’m that “millionaire next door” who earned it the old fashioned way - saving and investing. I retired 10 years ago at age 57 and thoroughly enjoy doing whatever I want whenever I want. Although my wife and I enjoy traveling often, what gives me the most satisfaction is working in my yard and gardens at my leisure.

  Post: What We Believed

  Link to comment from September 1, 2024

• Life in itself is one big risk. My philosophy has always been that, if you’re born to drown you won’t hang.

  Post: The Risks We Miss

  Link to comment from July 13, 2024

• Jonathan - 234 comments and counting so far tells me everything I need to know about how you have affected so many of us over the years. I’m a relatively newcomer to HD (approximately 5 years) but your articles of wisdom on many different topics, not just financially, has made me a dedicated follower. And you always responded with a personal note when I made a donation to the website, which also tells me what kind of person you really are. Godspeed on your latest journey.

  Post: The C Word

  Link to comment from June 16, 2024

• True story Dan. I, too received a very expensive mailer from that same outfit a few years back. I sent it back stating I would never purchase anything from someone who looked like a certain ex-NYC congressman who had been sent to prison for nefarious purposes. I never received a mailer from them again and the head of that outfit didn’t appear in their commercials again until recently.

  Post: Your Results May Vary

  Link to comment from June 15, 2024

• I’ve been converting to my and my wife’s Roth's for the past several years while also funding both my children’s Roth’s each year since they turned 21, despite taking the tax hit each year. I’m financially fortunate that I won’t deplete both accounts by the time I reach RMD age but I will keep enough in the traditional Roth’s to cover unforeseen medical expenses down the road and make charitable contributions. Thanks Jonathon for confirming this is a good decision I have made. This is why I read HD faithfully.

  Post: Paying to Avoid Pain

  Link to comment from May 11, 2024

• While I have nothing against those who want to work for as long as they feel like for whatever reason, I did the FIRE method until I was able to financially retire 9 years ago at age 57. Unless one can work leisurely from the comforts of their home, I shudder at the thought of getting back into the “rat race” for any reason. I enjoyed most of my working days but I really enjoy my retirement life which allows me to set my own schedule for exercise, volunteering, traveling and anything else I want to do whenever I want.

  Post: Fire Meets Ice

  Link to comment from February 11, 2024

• Great article Jonathon, especially the last part about paying medical costs which is something I hadn’t heard of. I’ve been going big on converting non-Roth to Roth over the last several years like many others but this has got me thinking about backing off on it. Good advice on having a balance for both accounts.

  Post: Called to Account

  Link to comment from January 28, 2024

• I haven’t been a big index fund investor until the after the 2020 crash ( retired 9 years ago at age 57) but, like you, AAPL (and ABBV) have been my biggest stock holdings over the years and have far exceeded any index funds returns (factoring in ABBV’s 4% dividend payout each quarter). I may get more index funds heavy as I get older but solid, dividend paying stocks have been my bread and butter over the last 40 years.

  Post: Lean Against the Wind

  Link to comment from December 24, 2023