AUTHOR: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 5/12/2025 FIRST: Fran Moore on 5/12 | RECENT: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 5/14
Comments
At the risk of being “stoned” here, we ( my wife and I) have no complaints with the cost or access to great providers for our healthcare.
We are both on Medicare (traditional) with a supplemental plan provided by my wife’s former employer at a reasonable monthly cost for both of us. Yes, we pay Medicare premiums plus IRMMA for this insurance but it is well worth it for the coverage we get. In addition, we are both members of the World Trade Center Health Program (having worked in lower Manhattan during and subsequent to 9/11) with certain of our conditions certified under that program, providing a 3rd insurance coverage for these conditions. Doctor visits (for which we have many) are a $15 co-pay. Prescription drugs (for which we have many) generally are free or less than $5 per 90 day supply. We worked for and paid into these programs for decades to receive these benefits at retirement. We have scarcely run into a provider that doesn’t gladly accept our insurance. I know that many are not as fortunate in their health insurance coverage (both while working and in retirement), but the system has worked well for us.
Gary, well said. Although I still read many of the posts, I stopped commenting or adding anything due to negative tone of comments directed toward some of my comments/opinions. I hope the site can continue as Jonathan had intended and shepherded it so well.
Bummer! Where would you have moved to? Would raising your family in a different location have turned out as well as staying (even with the extra $1,000,000 in your pocket)? Woulda coulda shoulda…who knows?
Kristine, I think it’s a combination of all 3 (luck, timing and not following the rules). In all these examples we all DID act, with some trepidation and good reasons for doing so.
In our case, we purchased a 2nd home, for vacation and family gatherings at the Jersey shore about 70 minutes away from our home, in 2017. The market was not great at the time for the condo we bought and we got it for a very good price, scraping together the 20% down payment and getting a mortgage at 3.625%. We’ve enjoyed it more and more each year with our growing family including our 4 grandkids who stay over almost every weekend during the summer. A unit across the hall from us (it’s a 2 bedroom vs. our 3 bedroom) just sold for almost twice the price we paid 8 years ago. Amazing! Not that we are looking to sell, but the equity we have in this condo is now at a level we never dreamed of and could serve us for unanticipated future needs if we ever needed to sell. Yes, we were lucky and the timing was good, but we acted when it was a bit uncomfortable to do so, and we’re glad we did.
What’s wrong with giving kids opportunities to participate in activities outside of going to school? Be it sports, theater, dance or other academic extracurricular clubs or activities these are useful and constructive learning experiences for youth. I have 2 granddaughters who participate in Dance involving, recitals, performances and national competitions away from the NY area where they live. These are significant expenses for their parents but ones they would not deny them. They fit the expenses related to dance class, costumes and competitions into their budgets. Although we don’t pay for these, we pay for other things that help them bridge the budget strain dance creates, like summer camp.
Our 6 year old grandson is a very good athlete and has settled on Ice Hockey as his primary sport pursuit. Yes, it’s expensive and time consuming and requires significant commitments of time and money by the parents. I was at his hockey game at an arena an hour from home at 7 am this morning to watch him and his team play. These are great experiences for the kids and helps develop many skills of playing. Team sport with coaches and new teammates as friends, other than classmates.
Yes,each family has to weigh the financial and time burdens vs. other priorities but if they they couldn’t afford it, they,would find other activities for their kids to participate in.
Dan, my thoughts exactly. What a beautiful eulogy written by Jonathan (of course he did Dr. Lefty). My condolences to his entire family and all who knew him as a friend and his loyal readers. May his memory be for a blessing.
I am very saddened to hear this update about Jonathan. As much as we all admire his knowledge and writing about personal finance, I most admire the brave and dignified way he (and you) has handled this terrible diagnosis. We all know people who have faced terminal health “decrees” and each of them (and their family and friends around them) handles these differently. I truly appreciate the open and positive way Jonathan and you have continued to make this community part of his legacy and I have no doubt that we will continue to keep this amazing site vibrant and growing in the future. Wishing no more pain for Jonathan and continued strength for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We too spend a tremendous amount of money on our grandchildren (that we are truly BLESSED to have Dr. Lefty and others who do not yet have grandchildren). We knew about this spending before we retired as we were already paying for many of these things before we stopped working. Yes, we did factor some of these expenses into our retirement budget.
Just yesterday, my daughter forwarded us a note from the sleep-away camp that our two oldest Grandkids (ages 14 and 12) attend each summer, advising of "early bird benefits" for NEXT summer if deposits are sent in before September 15. How much, I asked my daughter. "$2,000 each... can you send the check before you leave for your Europe cruise on Monday, dad"?! LOL
This thread reminds me to get out my checkbook, envelopes and stamps to get that check in the mail!
I think my wife owns enough Gold Jewelry for it to qualify as a measurable asset in our overall investment portfolio. I guess we could sell some of it eventually if we needed the money but I don’t think that will happen (or I would still be married) 🤷🏻♂️
Many of the other asset classes have done fine for us without investing directly in Gold related instruments.
Comments
At the risk of being “stoned” here, we ( my wife and I) have no complaints with the cost or access to great providers for our healthcare. We are both on Medicare (traditional) with a supplemental plan provided by my wife’s former employer at a reasonable monthly cost for both of us. Yes, we pay Medicare premiums plus IRMMA for this insurance but it is well worth it for the coverage we get. In addition, we are both members of the World Trade Center Health Program (having worked in lower Manhattan during and subsequent to 9/11) with certain of our conditions certified under that program, providing a 3rd insurance coverage for these conditions. Doctor visits (for which we have many) are a $15 co-pay. Prescription drugs (for which we have many) generally are free or less than $5 per 90 day supply. We worked for and paid into these programs for decades to receive these benefits at retirement. We have scarcely run into a provider that doesn’t gladly accept our insurance. I know that many are not as fortunate in their health insurance coverage (both while working and in retirement), but the system has worked well for us.
Post: Affordable is an interesting word – especially related to healthcare
Link to comment from December 17, 2025
Gary, well said. Although I still read many of the posts, I stopped commenting or adding anything due to negative tone of comments directed toward some of my comments/opinions. I hope the site can continue as Jonathan had intended and shepherded it so well.
Post: Not Just About the Money
Link to comment from November 20, 2025
Bummer! Where would you have moved to? Would raising your family in a different location have turned out as well as staying (even with the extra $1,000,000 in your pocket)? Woulda coulda shoulda…who knows?
Post: The Knock on the Door: Bad luck, Poor Timing.
Link to comment from October 22, 2025
Kristine, I think it’s a combination of all 3 (luck, timing and not following the rules). In all these examples we all DID act, with some trepidation and good reasons for doing so. In our case, we purchased a 2nd home, for vacation and family gatherings at the Jersey shore about 70 minutes away from our home, in 2017. The market was not great at the time for the condo we bought and we got it for a very good price, scraping together the 20% down payment and getting a mortgage at 3.625%. We’ve enjoyed it more and more each year with our growing family including our 4 grandkids who stay over almost every weekend during the summer. A unit across the hall from us (it’s a 2 bedroom vs. our 3 bedroom) just sold for almost twice the price we paid 8 years ago. Amazing! Not that we are looking to sell, but the equity we have in this condo is now at a level we never dreamed of and could serve us for unanticipated future needs if we ever needed to sell. Yes, we were lucky and the timing was good, but we acted when it was a bit uncomfortable to do so, and we’re glad we did.
Post: Luck, Timing and Not Following the Rules
Link to comment from October 20, 2025
What’s wrong with giving kids opportunities to participate in activities outside of going to school? Be it sports, theater, dance or other academic extracurricular clubs or activities these are useful and constructive learning experiences for youth. I have 2 granddaughters who participate in Dance involving, recitals, performances and national competitions away from the NY area where they live. These are significant expenses for their parents but ones they would not deny them. They fit the expenses related to dance class, costumes and competitions into their budgets. Although we don’t pay for these, we pay for other things that help them bridge the budget strain dance creates, like summer camp. Our 6 year old grandson is a very good athlete and has settled on Ice Hockey as his primary sport pursuit. Yes, it’s expensive and time consuming and requires significant commitments of time and money by the parents. I was at his hockey game at an arena an hour from home at 7 am this morning to watch him and his team play. These are great experiences for the kids and helps develop many skills of playing. Team sport with coaches and new teammates as friends, other than classmates. Yes,each family has to weigh the financial and time burdens vs. other priorities but if they they couldn’t afford it, they,would find other activities for their kids to participate in.
Post: Throw, hit or kick … it all add$ up
Link to comment from September 28, 2025
Thanks for posting, David. A beautiful summation and tribute by his friend Jason Zweig.
Post: Farewell Friends
Link to comment from September 23, 2025
Dan, my thoughts exactly. What a beautiful eulogy written by Jonathan (of course he did Dr. Lefty). My condolences to his entire family and all who knew him as a friend and his loyal readers. May his memory be for a blessing.
Post: Farewell Friends
Link to comment from September 23, 2025
I am very saddened to hear this update about Jonathan. As much as we all admire his knowledge and writing about personal finance, I most admire the brave and dignified way he (and you) has handled this terrible diagnosis. We all know people who have faced terminal health “decrees” and each of them (and their family and friends around them) handles these differently. I truly appreciate the open and positive way Jonathan and you have continued to make this community part of his legacy and I have no doubt that we will continue to keep this amazing site vibrant and growing in the future. Wishing no more pain for Jonathan and continued strength for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Post: Jonathan and website update
Link to comment from September 21, 2025
We too spend a tremendous amount of money on our grandchildren (that we are truly BLESSED to have Dr. Lefty and others who do not yet have grandchildren). We knew about this spending before we retired as we were already paying for many of these things before we stopped working. Yes, we did factor some of these expenses into our retirement budget. Just yesterday, my daughter forwarded us a note from the sleep-away camp that our two oldest Grandkids (ages 14 and 12) attend each summer, advising of "early bird benefits" for NEXT summer if deposits are sent in before September 15. How much, I asked my daughter. "$2,000 each... can you send the check before you leave for your Europe cruise on Monday, dad"?! LOL This thread reminds me to get out my checkbook, envelopes and stamps to get that check in the mail!
Post: What They Don’t Tell You About Retirement: Part 2 – Grandchildren Are Expensive
Link to comment from September 5, 2025
I think my wife owns enough Gold Jewelry for it to qualify as a measurable asset in our overall investment portfolio. I guess we could sell some of it eventually if we needed the money but I don’t think that will happen (or I would still be married) 🤷🏻♂️ Many of the other asset classes have done fine for us without investing directly in Gold related instruments.
Post: Current status of diversification
Link to comment from September 4, 2025