I find that people still expect gifts, but that Christmases and birthdays pile up faster and faster. It really feels like just yesterday I was shopping for Christmas, but it was last year or the year before or maybe December 2020 when just a few stores were open and I had a N95 equivalent strapped tight to my face. There's nothing new at the pop up Christmas markets or in the stores. None of us need more stuff. But getting a few family members to reduce their expectations for stuff is difficult.
Lists don't solve the problem because often the stuff they want is something I wouldn't want to give or the gifts aren't gifts but satisfying what has become (in their minds) an entitlement.
That's part of the problem. I'm particular about technology (I want the fastest processor and most storage possible and if I'm going to travel with it, it better be small and light) and why should I wait 3 months for Chistmas when I can leave work an hour early and take a long walk or catch the crosstown bus to B&H?
I get annoyed when people give me gifts that I don't want. Sometimes they simply don't understand what I'd like. Or clothing the wrong size or style or a shirt without a pocket (where am I going to put glasses?); I'm not going to wear either. Other times they want to change me to be the way they think I should be. I don't like the waste of somebody spending money on clutter. And they expect me to be gracious.
On the estate tax, an estate's assets in cash and a primary residence should not be taxed, but there should be capital gains on equities and investment properties. The step up is ridiculous, not fair to living people who want or need to sell their equites or other appreciated investments. But I know this is unrealistic; it would drive wealthier people to put morr assets in trusts and would burden the heirs of smaller investors.
I am concerned about the new federal gov't eviscerating regulations and rule of law that are important to the successes we've benefited from as regulated capitalists. These regulations, including consumer protections which have made credit card use ubiquitous, are essential for capitalism working across the spectrum of wealth and less wealth. We have no idea what's coming next.
Actually, I'm still friends with people I met through a job from early 1990s through 2008. And one of my grandfathers remained close friends with people he met through his professional life for the twenty years he lived post-retirement. Just saying this to make the point that leaving work does not inevitably mean leaving people behind. But at my current job, sad to say I have not bonded with people in a way that reaches outside work. One consideration not retiring is that I really enjoy the relationships, even if they are only 9 to 5 in a transactional setting.
This is all great advice for the current tax code and will likely remain through 2025, but I think we should expect new rules for 2026 and beyond. But if the new administration moves as fast on taxes as expected in other parts of gov't, even 2025 could be different. Regardless, new rules are coming and speculating how they will be to our benefit or detriment is complete conjecture at this point.
Comments:
I still don't get why people buy bond funds. Money funds or buying Treasuries or CDs seems to make more sense. Or just buy bonds yourself.
Post: Pick Your Peril
Link to comment from December 7, 2024
I'm allowed to buy the painting, but probably not hang.
Post: Hardly Missed
Link to comment from November 30, 2024
I find that people still expect gifts, but that Christmases and birthdays pile up faster and faster. It really feels like just yesterday I was shopping for Christmas, but it was last year or the year before or maybe December 2020 when just a few stores were open and I had a N95 equivalent strapped tight to my face. There's nothing new at the pop up Christmas markets or in the stores. None of us need more stuff. But getting a few family members to reduce their expectations for stuff is difficult. Lists don't solve the problem because often the stuff they want is something I wouldn't want to give or the gifts aren't gifts but satisfying what has become (in their minds) an entitlement.
Post: What I Always Wanted
Link to comment from November 30, 2024
That's part of the problem. I'm particular about technology (I want the fastest processor and most storage possible and if I'm going to travel with it, it better be small and light) and why should I wait 3 months for Chistmas when I can leave work an hour early and take a long walk or catch the crosstown bus to B&H?
Post: What I Always Wanted
Link to comment from November 30, 2024
I get annoyed when people give me gifts that I don't want. Sometimes they simply don't understand what I'd like. Or clothing the wrong size or style or a shirt without a pocket (where am I going to put glasses?); I'm not going to wear either. Other times they want to change me to be the way they think I should be. I don't like the waste of somebody spending money on clutter. And they expect me to be gracious.
Post: What I Always Wanted
Link to comment from November 30, 2024
On the estate tax, an estate's assets in cash and a primary residence should not be taxed, but there should be capital gains on equities and investment properties. The step up is ridiculous, not fair to living people who want or need to sell their equites or other appreciated investments. But I know this is unrealistic; it would drive wealthier people to put morr assets in trusts and would burden the heirs of smaller investors.
Post: Stuck at Home
Link to comment from November 23, 2024
I am concerned about the new federal gov't eviscerating regulations and rule of law that are important to the successes we've benefited from as regulated capitalists. These regulations, including consumer protections which have made credit card use ubiquitous, are essential for capitalism working across the spectrum of wealth and less wealth. We have no idea what's coming next.
Post: Stuck at Home
Link to comment from November 23, 2024
A retired physician.
Post: Enjoy the moving walkway, embrace retirement, don’t look back RDQ
Link to comment from November 16, 2024
Actually, I'm still friends with people I met through a job from early 1990s through 2008. And one of my grandfathers remained close friends with people he met through his professional life for the twenty years he lived post-retirement. Just saying this to make the point that leaving work does not inevitably mean leaving people behind. But at my current job, sad to say I have not bonded with people in a way that reaches outside work. One consideration not retiring is that I really enjoy the relationships, even if they are only 9 to 5 in a transactional setting.
Post: Enjoy the moving walkway, embrace retirement, don’t look back RDQ
Link to comment from November 16, 2024
This is all great advice for the current tax code and will likely remain through 2025, but I think we should expect new rules for 2026 and beyond. But if the new administration moves as fast on taxes as expected in other parts of gov't, even 2025 could be different. Regardless, new rules are coming and speculating how they will be to our benefit or detriment is complete conjecture at this point.
Post: A Taxing Retirement
Link to comment from November 16, 2024