I have begun using the term SKI frequently with friends and with my adult kids! Most of our spending in this category is actually for things that directly benefit our kids and grandkids. As Iâve mentioned here before, we have been paying for summer camps for our grandkids so that they have great times and make awesome memories like our daughters had growing up during their summers. Their parents also benefit by enjoying their summer with less stress and more free time (3 will be at sleepaway camps next summer). We joke about the fact that this will decrease their inheritance someday (and use SKI to describe it) but they all gladly welcome the current use of these assets for this purpose. Many of our friends have adopted the use of SKI for the way they travel (if we donât fly first class our kids will) and spend money.
Yes, we are all for SKI-ing in the way that works for us and our families!
Dr Lefty, thanks for the informative and timely description of the CAC test. Iâm 68 and had a âmildâ heart attack about 13 years ago. I am on several drugs including a statin. I have my semi annual check-up with my Cardiologist this month and will be sure to ask him about the CAC test ( I donât remember having it before).
I am already a member of the WTC Health Program, certified for SkinCancer (squamous cell) and asthma. If I do test âhighâ for CAC I could possibly get certified for this Coronary condition and thus be covered for Repatha.
Thanks again for the information and I wish you good health for your conditions.
What can I (or anyone) say? If that makes you happy and content then great for you!
Being prudent and frugal in your spending during your working/ earning years got you to this point of comfort. You canât go back and âre-liveâ those years differently. Enjoy what you have today in the ways you describe and do as much as you can now while you have the time, money and health to enjoy it!
Andrew, beautiful description of a people and culture that most of us know little about. Itâs a good lesson in taking the time to learn and observe the customs and culture of new places we visit and people we encounter. I am going on a tour this fall to India, a place I know little about but have always been fascinated by. Iâve been reading guide books and speaking with Indian people I know and meet (as well as eating at Indian restaurants to familiarize myself to the food) to understand more about the culture and customsâŠprimarily so I will have a better experience as I meet the l people of this huge nation. Yes, the tour will probably insulate us from some of the day to day struggles of the population but I will try to experience the country as genuinely as I can and hope to have positive experiences as youâve described in the Philippines.
Mark, thatâs a good approach but in the interest of full financial disclosure (Iâm on a couple of volunteer boards) you should eventually compare âactualâ to budget and show variances for better financial oversight. However, if it is just your wife you are âanswering â to you might have a bit of leeway vs. a volunteer organization or an HOA community. lol
We did as well during a cruise from Greece to Turkey and the Greek isles. The rug was shipped home and now proudly lays under our dining table in our beach home. I donât even remember what it cost but the haggling over the price was great fun at the time! lol đ
Andrew, a beautiful tribute to your sister and to explaining grief and loss.
I found this passage very moving and appropriate for remembering those we lost and how WE wish to be remembered: Our true legacy is measured in the lives we touch, the kindness we show, the memories we create and the love we give without expecting anything in return. As we get older and have had to deal with family members and friends getting sick and some dying, I have become acutely aware of this aspect of death. I know it doesnât make dealing with grief easier but having fond memories of the legacy of our friends and loved ones can help deal with the pain. Trying to live our lives in this manner to make the grieving for our families and friends âeasierâ is a very worthwhile pursuit in our remaining years. Thanks for the beautiful tribute and inspiring words.
David, exactly how I feel. We went out for dinner with my 2 adult daughters and their husbands last night (their kids away at camp or at home with babysitter) for our Anniversary. We had a great time for a rare âadults onlyâ dinner and I gladly picked up the check. During dinner I had some of those same thoughts and realized how blessed we are having worked hard to get to this point in our lives. No issues enjoying our time and spending some money on these occasions.
Comments
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Post: Anyone For S.K.I.ing?
Link to comment from September 24, 2026
I have begun using the term SKI frequently with friends and with my adult kids! Most of our spending in this category is actually for things that directly benefit our kids and grandkids. As Iâve mentioned here before, we have been paying for summer camps for our grandkids so that they have great times and make awesome memories like our daughters had growing up during their summers. Their parents also benefit by enjoying their summer with less stress and more free time (3 will be at sleepaway camps next summer). We joke about the fact that this will decrease their inheritance someday (and use SKI to describe it) but they all gladly welcome the current use of these assets for this purpose. Many of our friends have adopted the use of SKI for the way they travel (if we donât fly first class our kids will) and spend money. Yes, we are all for SKI-ing in the way that works for us and our families!
Post: Anyone For S.K.I.ing?
Link to comment from September 23, 2026
Dr Lefty, thanks for the informative and timely description of the CAC test. Iâm 68 and had a âmildâ heart attack about 13 years ago. I am on several drugs including a statin. I have my semi annual check-up with my Cardiologist this month and will be sure to ask him about the CAC test ( I donât remember having it before). I am already a member of the WTC Health Program, certified for SkinCancer (squamous cell) and asthma. If I do test âhighâ for CAC I could possibly get certified for this Coronary condition and thus be covered for Repatha. Thanks again for the information and I wish you good health for your conditions.
Post: On Being a âHealthyâ Person
Link to comment from September 9, 2026
I think the âtiersâ on the tissues is a typo⊠send them back for replacement and see what your daughter says
Post: A Wedding Too Far
Link to comment from September 8, 2026
What can I (or anyone) say? If that makes you happy and content then great for you! Being prudent and frugal in your spending during your working/ earning years got you to this point of comfort. You canât go back and âre-liveâ those years differently. Enjoy what you have today in the ways you describe and do as much as you can now while you have the time, money and health to enjoy it!
Post: Taking It With You
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
Andrew, beautiful description of a people and culture that most of us know little about. Itâs a good lesson in taking the time to learn and observe the customs and culture of new places we visit and people we encounter. I am going on a tour this fall to India, a place I know little about but have always been fascinated by. Iâve been reading guide books and speaking with Indian people I know and meet (as well as eating at Indian restaurants to familiarize myself to the food) to understand more about the culture and customsâŠprimarily so I will have a better experience as I meet the l people of this huge nation. Yes, the tour will probably insulate us from some of the day to day struggles of the population but I will try to experience the country as genuinely as I can and hope to have positive experiences as youâve described in the Philippines.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
Mark, thatâs a good approach but in the interest of full financial disclosure (Iâm on a couple of volunteer boards) you should eventually compare âactualâ to budget and show variances for better financial oversight. However, if it is just your wife you are âanswering â to you might have a bit of leeway vs. a volunteer organization or an HOA community. lol
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from August 22, 2026
We did as well during a cruise from Greece to Turkey and the Greek isles. The rug was shipped home and now proudly lays under our dining table in our beach home. I donât even remember what it cost but the haggling over the price was great fun at the time! lol đ
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from August 22, 2026
Andrew, a beautiful tribute to your sister and to explaining grief and loss. I found this passage very moving and appropriate for remembering those we lost and how WE wish to be remembered: Our true legacy is measured in the lives we touch, the kindness we show, the memories we create and the love we give without expecting anything in return. As we get older and have had to deal with family members and friends getting sick and some dying, I have become acutely aware of this aspect of death. I know it doesnât make dealing with grief easier but having fond memories of the legacy of our friends and loved ones can help deal with the pain. Trying to live our lives in this manner to make the grieving for our families and friends âeasierâ is a very worthwhile pursuit in our remaining years. Thanks for the beautiful tribute and inspiring words.
Post: My Sister – A Reflection One Year Later
Link to comment from August 16, 2026
David, exactly how I feel. We went out for dinner with my 2 adult daughters and their husbands last night (their kids away at camp or at home with babysitter) for our Anniversary. We had a great time for a rare âadults onlyâ dinner and I gladly picked up the check. During dinner I had some of those same thoughts and realized how blessed we are having worked hard to get to this point in our lives. No issues enjoying our time and spending some money on these occasions.
Post: Looking Back On My Hard Luck Days
Link to comment from August 9, 2026