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Mark Crothers is a retired small business owner from the UK with a keen interest in personal finance and simple living. Married to his high school sweetheart, with daughters and grandchildren, he knows the importance of building a secure financial future. With an aversion to social media, he prefers to spend his time on his main passions: reading, scratch cooking, racket sports, and hiking.
Would You Raid the Piggy Bank or Mortgage the House?
24 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 12/7/2025
FIRST: Aaron on 12/7 | RECENT: S S on 12/13
An Uncomfortable Retail Truth
46 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 12/10/2025
FIRST: Kim Zimmerman on 12/10 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 12/12
What's Your Perfect "Normal" Day?
14 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 12/12/2025
FIRST: Greg Tomamichel on 12/12 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 12/12
Happy Hour, or The Panic Button? Why Early Retirement Anxiety Is Real.
52 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/30/2025
FIRST: Jo Bo on 11/30 | RECENT: bbbobbins on 12/8
The High Cost of my Financial Ignorance
6 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 12/5/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 12/5 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 12/8
Ripples Through Time
22 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 12/4/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 12/4 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 12/6
Bearing Witness: Retirement From the Wrong Side of the Divide
42 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/25/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 11/25 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 12/6
The Absurdity of my Mental Financial Gymnastics
15 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 12/2/2025
FIRST: Michael1 on 12/2 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 12/4
The Magic of the Season: From Turkey to Rollercoaster in 72 Hours.
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/28/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/28 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/30
Fantasy Retirement Billable Hours
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/24/2025
FIRST: Dan Smith on 11/24 | RECENT: Ormode on 11/25
Don't Let Mr Market Bully You: A Gentle Reminder of Your Built-In Protection
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/23/2025
FIRST: Dan Smith on 11/23 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/24
Wealth: A Short List on How to Recognize It
21 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/10/2025
FIRST: Jack Hannam on 11/10 | RECENT: Tim Mueller on 11/22
Four People, One Stupid Observation
21 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/17/2025
FIRST: Dave Melick on 11/17 | RECENT: Dwain Sims on 11/22
Skipping a Generation
16 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/21/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/21 | RECENT: Greg Tomamichel on 11/21
The Catch-22 of Success: How Our Achievements Shape Our Children's Choices
26 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/16/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 9/16 | RECENT: Dan Smith on 11/20
A Retirement Paradox: Why My Retired Friends Judge My Downtime, But Not Their TV
22 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/19/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 11/19 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/20
The Messy Human side of Social Security Claiming
22 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/16/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/16 | RECENT: Kevin Lynch on 11/18
Retirement Conversations with my Joints
22 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/13/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 11/13 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 11/16
Purple Handcuffs and the Gift of Time
21 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/12/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 11/12 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/13
I Don't Like to Judge…But.
31 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/9/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 11/9 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/10
The Best Money We Almost Didn't Spend
18 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/7/2025
FIRST: Marilyn Lavin on 11/7 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 11/10
The Auto Loan Compensation Scam
3 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/5/2025
FIRST: William Perry on 11/5 | RECENT: William Dorner on 11/9
Would You Vote Against Your Own 500% Gain?
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/7/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 11/7 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 11/8
So You Think Your Pension Journey Was Tough?
8 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/6/2025
FIRST: mytimetotravel on 11/6 | RECENT: Greg Tomamichel on 11/6
Three Peas and a Reality Check. (A Very Tiny Rant)
27 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/4/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/4 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 11/5
Coastal Retirement? Have You Considered These Costs?
35 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/30/2025
FIRST: David Mulligan on 10/30 | RECENT: Martin McCue on 11/3
Joined up Thinking??
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/3/2025
FIRST: Mike Xavier on 11/3 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 11/3
A Question of Cash.
39 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 11/2/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 11/2 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 11/3
A Nightmare on Destitution Street
15 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/31/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 10/31 | RECENT: Jerry Pinkard on 10/31
The Luxury of Low Expectations: What We Gained by Having Less
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/2/2025
FIRST: Kristine Hayes on 10/2 | RECENT: Vince Villey on 10/31
Cash: The False Prophet
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/29/2025
FIRST: Greg Tomamichel on 10/29 | RECENT: Mike Gaynes on 10/31
I don't know. Or care. But I will at the end of April.
25 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/28/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 10/28 | RECENT: jan Ohara on 10/30
The Flamingo Years: How to Lose Gracefully to a Ten-Year-Old
18 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/26/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 10/26 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/29
A Simple Use of Wealth
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/27/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/27 | RECENT: Jack Hannam on 10/27
The Curious Case of Finally Being Able to Afford the Thing You No Longer Want
17 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/24/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/24 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/27
Short Form Writing 101
7 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/23/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/23 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/24
"Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go."
11 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/23/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 10/23 | RECENT: bbbobbins on 10/24
The Knock on the Door: Bad luck, Poor Timing.
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/21/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/21 | RECENT: Keith Pleas on 10/23
I Really Don't Get It, But I Guess That's OK
34 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/21/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 10/21 | RECENT: normr60189 on 10/23
The Final Curtain Call: My Double Retirement
15 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/19/2025
FIRST: mytimetotravel on 10/19 | RECENT: Carl C Trovall on 10/22
Digital Lockout: A Cautionary Tale
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/17/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/17 | RECENT: Winston Smith on 10/18
The Edge of Indifference
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/15/2025
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 10/15 | RECENT: bbbobbins on 10/16
Is Your Retirement Plan Missing the Most Important Investment?
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/13/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 10/13 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 10/14
Make My Day Punk, Harvest the Volatility
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/14/2025
FIRST: Greg Tomamichel on 10/14 | RECENT: Greg Tomamichel on 10/14
Same But Different: The AI Bubble That Isn't (Quite)
8 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/12/2025
FIRST: Humble Reader on 10/12 | RECENT: normr60189 on 10/13
Has the 4% Rule Had Its Day? The Case for Dynamic Retirement Spending
7 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/8/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 10/10 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/13
A Short History of Money
18 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/10/2025
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 10/10 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/13
Six T-Shirts and a Car: My Spending Philosophy.
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/8/2025
FIRST: David Mulligan on 10/8 | RECENT: Mike Gaynes on 10/9
The Real Wealth of Retirement (Hint: It's Not Financial)
21 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/5/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 10/5 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/9
Nothing Fancy, That Works for Me.
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/7/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 10/7 | RECENT: Jack Hannam on 10/9
The High Cost of Financial Advice: A Tale of Two Portfolios
63 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/8/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/8 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 10/5
Spreadsheets: A Luddite's Necessary Inconvenience?
17 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/3/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 10/3 | RECENT: deandwigz on 10/5
Enriching Our Collective Wisdom
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 10/1/2025
FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 10/1 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 10/2
Right Day, On Time and at the Right Place: A Rare Trio
16 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/30/2025
FIRST: Linda Grady on 10/1 | RECENT: Mike A on 10/2
The 1% Club: Our Unnoticed Wealth
71 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/26/2025
FIRST: Ram Pradhan on 9/26 | RECENT: S Sevcik on 10/1
Memories With a Cold Spanish Beer
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/29/2025
FIRST: James Deckman on 9/29 | RECENT: Michael James on 9/30
From Rakhi to Community: Lessons in Family for the Humble Dollar Family
4 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/24/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 9/24 | RECENT: Mike Gaynes on 9/26
Success Has Many Flavours
18 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/23/2025
FIRST: fromgalv on 9/23 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 9/24
The Gnashing of Teeth
19 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/20/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 9/20 | RECENT: Kevin Lynch on 9/22
Budget, What Budget? (Know Thyself)
39 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/17/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 9/17 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 9/22
Forty Dollars Richer, Three Hours Wiser?
13 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/18/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 9/18 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 9/19
My "Dark Side" of Generosity: How I'm Curbing it in Retirement.
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/14/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/14 | RECENT: Steve Jon on 9/18
Smoke and Mirrors with a Million Dollar Portfolio
27 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/11/2025
FIRST: Dan Smith on 9/11 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 9/15
The Long Dander Home: Being Close to Your Crew
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/15/2025
FIRST: Catherine Jaffe on 9/15 | RECENT: Dan Smith on 9/15
The Financial Metric I Refuse to Calculate
29 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/14/2025
FIRST: Gary Klotz on 9/14 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 9/15
My Two Handicaps
8 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/12/2025
FIRST: Dan Smith on 9/12 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 9/13
Musk and Me: A Tale of Second Best
6 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/10/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 9/10 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 9/11
The Long Game of Harbour Stories
31 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/7/2025
FIRST: Dan Smith on 9/8 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 9/10
How I Failed My Way to Financial Freedom
16 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/9/2025
FIRST: Jack Hannam on 9/9 | RECENT: L H on 9/10
What They Don't Tell You About Retirement: Part 2 - Grandchildren Are Expensive
34 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/4/2025
FIRST: normr60189 on 9/4 | RECENT: S Sevcik on 9/8
What They Don't Tell You About Retirement: Part 1 - Everything Breaks
24 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/4/2025
FIRST: normr60189 on 9/4 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 9/8
Pension Plan Buyout: The Exception to the Rule
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/5/2025
FIRST: David Mulligan on 9/5 | RECENT: Rick Connor on 9/7
When My Car Broke Down, Our One-Car Plan Passed the Test
16 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/3/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 9/3 | RECENT: normr60189 on 9/5
My New Zero-Wage CEO Role
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 9/1/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 9/1 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 9/2
What If You Don't Want to See the World?
56 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/28/2025
FIRST: Ken E on 8/28 | RECENT: normr60189 on 9/1
Love, Money, and a 44-Year Compromise
7 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/23/2025
FIRST: MikeinLA on 8/23 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 8/30
Still a Wild Child: When Spending Habits Never Grow Up
8 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/29/2025
FIRST: Rick Connor on 8/29 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 8/29
The Seeming Irrationality of Unneeded Risk
19 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/25/2025
FIRST: 1PF on 8/25 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 8/27
A Summer of Shared Memories
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/26/2025
FIRST: Rick Connor on 8/26 | RECENT: Mike Gaynes on 8/27
Humble 10% Win: The First Financial Benefit of Retirement
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/24/2025
FIRST: Dan Smith on 8/24 | RECENT: Dan Smith on 8/26
A Contrarian View of a Mortgage
38 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/19/2025
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 8/19 | RECENT: normr60189 on 8/26
Bah Humbug! It's Not Even September Yet
32 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/21/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 8/21 | RECENT: Mike A on 8/24
The Tax Man Cometh, And I Think It's Okay.
7 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/20/2025
FIRST: OldITGuy on 8/20 | RECENT: DrLefty on 8/21
Not Retired, Just Re-Directed
19 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/14/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 8/14 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 8/18
The Cloth Seller Who Invented Social Security
7 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/10/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 8/10 | RECENT: William Dorner on 8/16
The Day I Cashed In My Forgotten Treasure
4 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/15/2025
FIRST: Greg Tomamichel on 8/15 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 8/16
Data's Double Edge: Why Spreadsheets are Both a Lifeline and a Possible Lie
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/11/2025
FIRST: mytimetotravel on 8/11 | RECENT: Adam Starry on 8/13
Supercharging Your Retirement with Crypto: A Wise Move, or a Risky Bet?
23 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/8/2025
FIRST: Kim Zimmerman on 8/8 | RECENT: squirrel hammer on 8/11
Did the Era You Grew Up In Influence Your Financial Plan?
4 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/6/2025
FIRST: David Mulligan on 8/7 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 8/7
Don't worry, be happy: tripping through the go-go years
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/6/2025
FIRST: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 8/6 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 8/6
Choosing Yes by Saying No
6 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/5/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 8/5 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 8/5
How I Use a Simple Analogy to Teach Investing
6 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/3/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 8/4 | RECENT: Rick Connor on 8/5
Should I Be Concerned?
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 8/2/2025
FIRST: Nick Politakis on 8/2 | RECENT: quan nguyen on 8/4
The Very Last Time? Nope, Just Glad It's All Over!
14 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/28/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/28 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 8/2
My First Retirement Report Card
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/31/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/31 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 8/1
The Accidental Stock Picks in Our Index Fund Portfolio
2 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/30/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 7/30 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/30
A Personal Encounter with the Psychology of Money
11 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/28/2025
FIRST: 1PF on 7/28 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/29
Secure Act 2.0 Reflections From Across the Pond
11 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/27/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/27 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/29
From Public Housing to Early Retirement: A Path Forged in Adversity
13 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/18/2025
FIRST: Jeff Bond on 7/19 | RECENT: Catherine Jaffe on 7/28
Pedaling Away From Tightness
35 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/25/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 7/25 | RECENT: Liam K on 7/26
Our Homes, Our Wealth: A Tale of Two Property Paths
34 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/23/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 7/23 | RECENT: Greg Tomamichel on 7/25
The Bond Fund Crash: What I Learned When "Safe" Investments Tanked
17 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/24/2025
FIRST: Rob Jennings on 7/24 | RECENT: Michael1 on 7/25
A Very Politically Incorrect Ramble With a Potentially Real Point: Is Your Retirement Calculator Sexist?
29 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/22/2025
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 7/22 | RECENT: Kevin Lynch on 7/23
The Unsettling Relief of Saying Goodbye
13 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/21/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/21 | RECENT: H S on 7/23
Oh Dear, the Accidental Wedding Downgrade
16 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/20/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/20 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 7/22
Wealth, Perspective, and the Company We Keep
12 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/19/2025
FIRST: Tom Tamlyn on 7/20 | RECENT: bbbobbins on 7/21
Flexing the Retirement Spending Muscle
22 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/17/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/17 | RECENT: UofODuck on 7/19
Degrees of Doubt: When Higher Education Misses the Mark
17 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/16/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/16 | RECENT: DrLefty on 7/18
Swipe, Click, Invest: Danger in the Crypto Era.
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/13/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 7/13 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/16
A Grievance Most Fowl: When Golf Ate My Lunch.
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/15/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/15 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/16
Framed by his Side Hustle?
23 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/12/2025
FIRST: Rob Jennings on 7/12 | RECENT: Ormode on 7/14
A spooky and alarming thing relating to the two AI articles posted
15 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/11/2025
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 7/11 | RECENT: normr60189 on 7/13
A Quick Question about Retirement Vacations
15 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/9/2025
FIRST: luxomatica on 7/9 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/13
The Value of Scratch Cooking in Retirement
17 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/11/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 7/11 | RECENT: normr60189 on 7/12
Financial AI: Benefit or Danger? I Don't Know
11 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/10/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/10 | RECENT: Rob Jennings on 7/12
My Favourite Day: Retirement Payday Wednesday
30 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/9/2025
FIRST: Greg Tomamichel on 7/9 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 7/9
Building a Secure Retirement, 10 Years at a Time.
1 reply
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/7/2025
FIRST: Winston Smith on 7/7 | RECENT: Winston Smith on 7/7
Lucky Us and the Generational Divide
19 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/5/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/5 | RECENT: baldscreen on 7/7
The Illusion of Wealth
24 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/27/2025
FIRST: OldITGuy on 6/27 | RECENT: jacknak on 7/7
The Big Garden Dilemma: Aging in Places vs. Future Planning
33 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/3/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/3 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 7/6
Inflation, Through a Glass Half Full.
4 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/4/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/4 | RECENT: Greg Tomamichel on 7/5
Holy Cow! Holding The Line in a Market Stampede
10 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/2/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 7/2 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 7/3
Our $1000's Of Dollars Mistake: A Lesson Learned
13 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 7/1/2025
FIRST: OldITGuy on 7/1 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 7/2
Beyond the Party: How Introverts Might Quietly Win at Retirement
55 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/30/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 6/30 | RECENT: kristinehayes2014 on 7/1
More Than Money: Our Holiday Home
21 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/29/2025
FIRST: Mike Xavier on 6/29 | RECENT: DrLefty on 6/30
Beyond the Balance Sheet: Investing in Yourself
56 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/22/2025
FIRST: Nick Politakis on 6/22 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 6/29
You Have My Admiration: A Brit's Thoughts on US Pensions
44 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/27/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 6/27 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 6/28
My Dream: Derailed by Data
20 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/26/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 6/26 | RECENT: DrLefty on 6/27
Extreme Frugality: It Better be Fun
9 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/25/2025
FIRST: Brent Wilson on 6/25 | RECENT: B Carr on 6/26
The Wedding Extravaganza: A Pre-mortum for Future Parents of the Bride
47 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/24/2025
FIRST: jan Ohara on 6/24 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 6/26
Pension Funds are Sus: A Strange Little Post From A Grandparent
7 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/25/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 6/25 | RECENT: Mark Crothers on 6/25
The Slumping Deck: A Lesson in Time, Money and Memory
27 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/23/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 6/23 | RECENT: R Quinn on 6/25
A Humble Question From Across The Pond
51 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/22/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 6/22 | RECENT: R Quinn on 6/25
The unexpected detour to deccumulation, finding peace in fixed income
39 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/17/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 6/17 | RECENT: L H on 6/22
Morning Delight
15 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/21/2025
FIRST: David Mulligan on 6/21 | RECENT: Mike Gaynes on 6/22
Is the "Experience Economy" Derailing Millennial Retirement Prospects?
30 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/18/2025
FIRST: David Lancaster on 6/18 | RECENT: Mark Eckman on 6/21
Missing you....Or not?
24 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/19/2025
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 6/19 | RECENT: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 6/21
The Surprising Gift of Unhurried Time: My Retirement Revelation
34 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/20/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 6/20 | RECENT: R Quinn on 6/20
Feeling grateful and paying forward
27 replies
AUTHOR: Mark Crothers on 6/16/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 6/16 | RECENT: Greg Tomamichel on 6/18
Comments
There once was a fellow named R D Quinn, Who planned for his gold years to begin, One hundred percent! Was the income he meant, not a spreadsheet to begin. A budget? he'd laugh with a grin, Just common sense and discipline For fifty-seven years long, His sweetheart's been along, Through markets both thick and thin. He loves his fixed income so steady, No Excel sheets keeping him ready, Just Quinn and his bride, Standing side by side. Happy Anniversary R D Quinn
Post: Fifty-seven years and counting and it’s snowing…again.
Link to comment from December 14, 2025
I'm with you. Ten years of spending needs outside the market and an annuity is the same strategy I've implemented. When you've won the race, why take the risk?
Post: Would You Raid the Piggy Bank or Mortgage the House?
Link to comment from December 13, 2025
Strangely enough, last night we grabbed a train into Belfast to visit a continental Christmas market. Two toasted cheese and ham sandwiches with hot drinks cost just short of $50
Post: 27 Months
Link to comment from December 13, 2025
For me, it's restaurants. Prices have skyrocketed over the last few years, and while I still mostly enjoy the food, the enjoyment-versus-cost calculation just doesn't add up as easily anymore. I've become much more strategic about eating out—I do it far less than I used to, and honestly, when friends suggest getting together for dinner, I often can't be bothered unless it's a special occasion. I'd rather have them over for a nice homemade meal and a good chat with a few drinks. It's certainly a shift I've also noticed within my social circle. Dinner parties are becoming the new black.
Post: 27 Months
Link to comment from December 12, 2025
Jeff. It's always a good day when we learn something new lol
Post: An Uncomfortable Retail Truth
Link to comment from December 12, 2025
We told our daughters we'd cover private junior school fees (age 5 to 11) for the grandchildren, but with one condition: only if they didn't get into a specific state school that performed just as well academically as the private alternatives nearby. As it turned out, both kids were accepted, so we didn't need to pay after all.
Post: $92,000 a year is quite an investment. The ROI is real, but maybe not.
Link to comment from December 12, 2025
I'm guessing you're looking forward to the soccer World Cup next summer, maybe even get to a match? You might see Jordan Pickford in action. I read an article yesterday about ticket prices for the final. Nearly $5,000—unbelievable!
Post: What’s Your Perfect “Normal” Day?
Link to comment from December 12, 2025
I really hope when I'm approaching eighty I still have the richness of life you clearly enjoy.
Post: What’s Your Perfect “Normal” Day?
Link to comment from December 12, 2025
Thank you for pointing out the synchronicity of the dates. It seems the challenge of finding one's "proper channels" is truly timeless. I'm glad my current rhythm feels like a modern version of him finally getting to "do my own work.”
Post: What’s Your Perfect “Normal” Day?
Link to comment from December 12, 2025
I'm not many months ahead of you. By the sound of it, you're bedding into a great retirement rhythm. Figuring it out is a great problem to have!
Post: What’s Your Perfect “Normal” Day?
Link to comment from December 12, 2025