Great article on very important topics to those of us at an advanced age.
As for health and fitness we have doctors to consult and advise us toward a healthy path.
For financial assistance/ assessment how many have Financial Advisors? Many (most) especially those of the FIRE movement think DIY is a fine and achievable way to set a proper financial path. Really?
I wish more people / friends would seek help from professionals in the financial field ( not to diminish the excellent advice from Humble Dollar and other good sources) to assist with the best path to reach optimum financial health.
Interesting “theoretical “ question and answer, Adam. Maybe as a follow up question….I retired 3 years ago and have benefited from a very good run of the stock market (a high %age mix but not 100% stocks) for my portfolio. Should I consider changing/ increasing my stock allocation knowing I haven’t picked/ experienced one of those 3 worst times to have retired?
Another question…is the profile of the stock market different today with the dominance of many high-valued technology companies vs. 20 years ago when such behemoths were rarer?
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 I’ve 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 don’t 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. I’m 68 and had a “mild” 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 don’t 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 “high” 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 can’t go back and “re-live” 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. It’s 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. I’ve 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 customs…primarily 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 you’ve described in the Philippines.
Mark, that’s a good approach but in the interest of full financial disclosure (I’m on a couple of volunteer boards) you should eventually compare “actual” to budget and show variances for better financial oversight. However, if it is just your wife you are “answering “ 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 don’t even remember what it cost but the haggling over the price was great fun at the time! lol 😂
Comments
Great article on very important topics to those of us at an advanced age. As for health and fitness we have doctors to consult and advise us toward a healthy path. For financial assistance/ assessment how many have Financial Advisors? Many (most) especially those of the FIRE movement think DIY is a fine and achievable way to set a proper financial path. Really? I wish more people / friends would seek help from professionals in the financial field ( not to diminish the excellent advice from Humble Dollar and other good sources) to assist with the best path to reach optimum financial health.
Post: Your Financial RPE
Link to comment from October 17, 2026
Interesting “theoretical “ question and answer, Adam. Maybe as a follow up question….I retired 3 years ago and have benefited from a very good run of the stock market (a high %age mix but not 100% stocks) for my portfolio. Should I consider changing/ increasing my stock allocation knowing I haven’t picked/ experienced one of those 3 worst times to have retired? Another question…is the profile of the stock market different today with the dominance of many high-valued technology companies vs. 20 years ago when such behemoths were rarer?
Post: Why Bonds Matter
Link to comment from October 3, 2026
🤣
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 I’ve 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 don’t 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. I’m 68 and had a “mild” 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 don’t 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 “high” 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 “Healthy” Person
Link to comment from September 9, 2026
I think the “tiers” 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 can’t go back and “re-live” 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. It’s 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. I’ve 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 customs…primarily 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 you’ve described in the Philippines.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
Mark, that’s a good approach but in the interest of full financial disclosure (I’m on a couple of volunteer boards) you should eventually compare “actual” to budget and show variances for better financial oversight. However, if it is just your wife you are “answering “ 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 don’t even remember what it cost but the haggling over the price was great fun at the time! lol 😂
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from August 22, 2026