AUTHOR: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 5/12/2025 FIRST: Fran Moore on 5/12/2025 | RECENT: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 5/14/2025
Comments
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 doesn’t 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 “easier” 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 “adults only” 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.
Howard, very good explanation about TIPs and the current “positive for investors “ auction. I did some research on Tipswatch.com (as suggested here by others) and found this very good article by David Enna explaining the benefits/ risks and workings of the current TIPS auction. I sent this to my FA who I have a call with this week to discuss if it might be appropriate for our portfolio.
thanks again. https://tipswatch.com/2026/07/23/10-year-tips-auction-gets-real-yield-of-2-438-a-great-result-for-investors/
Do you think he would read it? I find it difficult, if not impossible to pass on sound advice like this to my adult kids. Besides thinking they know everything, they just don’t want to seek/get advice from us who have already navigated careers and raising a family pretty well. Maybe some of your kids are different but mine just don’t want to listen (or ansk) other than maybe “which health plan should I take from this new job I’m starting “. Ugh 😩
Mark, well explained and put in perspective. Jonathan talked about “Happiness” quite a bit in his book “Money and Me” and the impact of having good family relationships and good social connections with friends that were the keys.
Yes having money and the resources to enjoy great experiences like time at a vacation home helps but having the family and friends to share them with is the most important part. Jonathan’s point was that having good relationships with his family, friends and even his readers was what made him happy in a very humble way.
Good examples, Mark of exactly those things that bring us the most happiness!
Very nice post and appropriate thread to start today, Nick and all who have added to it. As a first generation American, I can appreciate the hardships and sacrifices that my grandparents made to flee oppressive regimes in Nazi Germany and Communist Hungary with my then young parents. Although not unique, this is the story of millions of us who have benefited from the opportunities provided here and who helped build the United States into the greatest country in the world (regardless of how the World Cup turns out).
Thank you to all of the forefathers and generations of Americans before us who had the vision of a country that could provide opportunities to all through hard work and shared values! Happy 4th and 250th to all of us!
Bravo on a great transition and thanks for the cool narrative/ summary. As a retired academic, maybe you could consider taking classes in subjects that interest you rather than what you taught.
I will be entering my 5th semester this fall of taking classes (audit/ non-matriculated basis) at a NJ state college under the NJ Senior Citizen Learning program. This underutilized (and not very well publicized) program allows seniors, age 65 and over to take up to 6 credits a semester tuition- free (we do pay some fees). I can enroll in any class on a space available basis on the first day of classes so we don’t take a spot for students who need the credits. Last semester I took a film class. Prior semesters I took Jazz, current political subjects and communications classes.
I really enjoy taking on-campus classes with current students and engaging in discussions and learning with them and the professors in subjects of interest rather than what I needed for my major. You should see if your state has a similar program.
Best of luck in year 2!
Dave, we’re with you. Both my wife and I receive pensions on the last day (hers) and the first day (mine) of the month. We also both collect Social Security and with our different birthdates we get them on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Having these built in “paydays” is very reassuring to know that the income streams we were used to in our working years continue in retirement to cover our basic expenses.
Adam, another thought provoking article on investing and human behavior. All of these “tales” seem quite feasible and speak to the way we view investment wisdom. In the case of the Veblen effect, wouldn’t a luxury product need a reputation of the “value” it conveys before being pursued and coveted by consumers?
I agree that the road to success is structuring our portfolios to weather the fluctuations over time and asset class allocations. The difficulty comes in human nature to be patient and disciplined to follow that good advice.
Comments
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 doesn’t 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 “easier” 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 “adults only” 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
Howard, very good explanation about TIPs and the current “positive for investors “ auction. I did some research on Tipswatch.com (as suggested here by others) and found this very good article by David Enna explaining the benefits/ risks and workings of the current TIPS auction. I sent this to my FA who I have a call with this week to discuss if it might be appropriate for our portfolio. thanks again. https://tipswatch.com/2026/07/23/10-year-tips-auction-gets-real-yield-of-2-438-a-great-result-for-investors/
Post: Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) are a Generational Bargain Right Now
Link to comment from August 4, 2026
Do you think he would read it? I find it difficult, if not impossible to pass on sound advice like this to my adult kids. Besides thinking they know everything, they just don’t want to seek/get advice from us who have already navigated careers and raising a family pretty well. Maybe some of your kids are different but mine just don’t want to listen (or ansk) other than maybe “which health plan should I take from this new job I’m starting “. Ugh 😩
Post: Lessons on the Ground
Link to comment from July 21, 2026
Blow That Dough (BTD)...we all have our priorities and splurge items if we can afford them. Who's to judge others choices of what to blow it on?
Post: FIFA Financials
Link to comment from July 20, 2026
Mark, well explained and put in perspective. Jonathan talked about “Happiness” quite a bit in his book “Money and Me” and the impact of having good family relationships and good social connections with friends that were the keys. Yes having money and the resources to enjoy great experiences like time at a vacation home helps but having the family and friends to share them with is the most important part. Jonathan’s point was that having good relationships with his family, friends and even his readers was what made him happy in a very humble way. Good examples, Mark of exactly those things that bring us the most happiness!
Post: The Paradox of Wealth
Link to comment from July 16, 2026
Very nice post and appropriate thread to start today, Nick and all who have added to it. As a first generation American, I can appreciate the hardships and sacrifices that my grandparents made to flee oppressive regimes in Nazi Germany and Communist Hungary with my then young parents. Although not unique, this is the story of millions of us who have benefited from the opportunities provided here and who helped build the United States into the greatest country in the world (regardless of how the World Cup turns out). Thank you to all of the forefathers and generations of Americans before us who had the vision of a country that could provide opportunities to all through hard work and shared values! Happy 4th and 250th to all of us!
Post: Happy 250th Birthday America
Link to comment from July 4, 2026
Bravo on a great transition and thanks for the cool narrative/ summary. As a retired academic, maybe you could consider taking classes in subjects that interest you rather than what you taught. I will be entering my 5th semester this fall of taking classes (audit/ non-matriculated basis) at a NJ state college under the NJ Senior Citizen Learning program. This underutilized (and not very well publicized) program allows seniors, age 65 and over to take up to 6 credits a semester tuition- free (we do pay some fees). I can enroll in any class on a space available basis on the first day of classes so we don’t take a spot for students who need the credits. Last semester I took a film class. Prior semesters I took Jazz, current political subjects and communications classes. I really enjoy taking on-campus classes with current students and engaging in discussions and learning with them and the professors in subjects of interest rather than what I needed for my major. You should see if your state has a similar program. Best of luck in year 2!
Post: Retirement, One Year On
Link to comment from July 2, 2026
Dave, we’re with you. Both my wife and I receive pensions on the last day (hers) and the first day (mine) of the month. We also both collect Social Security and with our different birthdates we get them on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Having these built in “paydays” is very reassuring to know that the income streams we were used to in our working years continue in retirement to cover our basic expenses.
Post: Automatic Income stream? How important to you?
Link to comment from June 27, 2026
Adam, another thought provoking article on investing and human behavior. All of these “tales” seem quite feasible and speak to the way we view investment wisdom. In the case of the Veblen effect, wouldn’t a luxury product need a reputation of the “value” it conveys before being pursued and coveted by consumers? I agree that the road to success is structuring our portfolios to weather the fluctuations over time and asset class allocations. The difficulty comes in human nature to be patient and disciplined to follow that good advice.
Post: Investment Wisdom
Link to comment from June 27, 2026