Have you had your ApoB checked? That’s another important biomarker. It measures the number of cholesterol particles traveling through the blood stream. My Lp(a) was pretty low fortunately, but my LDL, CAC and ApoB were on the high side, which convinced me to take the statin. At age 72, I wish I had found out this stuff sooner! At least I’ve always had a pretty healthy diet and gets lots of exercise.
We were similarly frugal. Raised 3 sons, helped with college (my oldest got a full ride AF ROTC scholarship). 2 kids with advanced degrees.We are about 7 years into retirement, have yet to touch our retirement accounts. We live well on SS and a modest pension. Though we are still frugal, we are learning to let go occasionally. Just got back from Peru and Ecuador, A month in Europe next spring, and then Iceland late summer. But our day to day lives are pretty frugal. My tightwad sensibilities were challenged last night by my oldest son. He and his wife go on weekly “date nights”, and with a 3 and 5 year old I think a great investment in their relationship. But he told me they went to a very upscale steakhouse and he dropped $175 on a Wagyu(?) 6 ounce steak. Total bill for night was $350. Now they are doing fine, saving a decent percentage so they can afford the occasional splurge. But I could NEVER pay that much for a steak! I swallowed hard and said, well, I hope you really enjoyed it!
I had Kaiser health plans literally from birth (born in a Kaiser hospital) until I retired. If it was offered in my area, it is probably the only MA plan I would take.
I’m 72 and still have a cast iron stomach. I eat anything and everything, the hotter and spicier the better. I take after my mom who was like that into her 80’s. My wife is the complete opposite. She indulges my adventurous palate and can usually find something edible.
I’ve done a lot of jobs since my official “retirement “ 15 years ago at age 57 due to a layoff. Fortunately I was fully vested in my union pension. Moved from California to Colorado, got my CDL and drove a gas truck for 6 years. Did a lot of very scenic (and sometimes scary) mountain driving. My wife tired of the cold winters, so we reretired, sold the house, bought a motorhome and started traveling. Found a company that paid us to travel doing gas line surveying across country. Did that for about 4 years and settled down near my oldest son to be near grandkids. To keep from being bored, I drove a school bus for 2 years. Now I only drive for overnight and longer field trips because they pay me for every hour I’m away from home. So it’s been a very gradual transition to fully retired.
I learned how NOT to invest from my parents. I have absolutely no formal education, never took any kind of financial classes, but I’m a do it yourselfer when it comes to most things, including investing. I purposely keep it simple and boring. I was a Teamster, blue collar guy, but we managed to raise 3 kids, 2 with Master’s degrees with little college debt and accumulate a 7 figure portfolio thru years of modest saving and investing, index funds only thru Vanguard. If I can do it, anyone can.
We get cable, exterminator, lawn maintenance salesman frequently. That comes with having a neighborhood in the process of being built out. Having a camera is definitely the way to go. Unless it’s someone I know or they’re delivering something, I just don’t answer. If I’m outside when they approach, I cut them off pretty quickly. They have no business going door to door if they don’t have a thick skin.
We are 5 days in to having our 2 grandchildren, ages 2 and 4, for 2 weeks! Too much of a good thing! Just kidding. At age 72 and 67, it’s exhausting but I wouldn’t trade this time with them for anything!
I’ve used Gemini to research an auto immune condition I’ve been experiencing. It actually suggested a relationship to other auto immune problems I’ve had in the past. Lots to talk about with my rheumatologist. You can definitely go down a rabbit hole with these AI tools!
Comments
Have you had your ApoB checked? That’s another important biomarker. It measures the number of cholesterol particles traveling through the blood stream. My Lp(a) was pretty low fortunately, but my LDL, CAC and ApoB were on the high side, which convinced me to take the statin. At age 72, I wish I had found out this stuff sooner! At least I’ve always had a pretty healthy diet and gets lots of exercise.
Post: On Being a “Healthy” Person
Link to comment from September 11, 2026
We were similarly frugal. Raised 3 sons, helped with college (my oldest got a full ride AF ROTC scholarship). 2 kids with advanced degrees.We are about 7 years into retirement, have yet to touch our retirement accounts. We live well on SS and a modest pension. Though we are still frugal, we are learning to let go occasionally. Just got back from Peru and Ecuador, A month in Europe next spring, and then Iceland late summer. But our day to day lives are pretty frugal. My tightwad sensibilities were challenged last night by my oldest son. He and his wife go on weekly “date nights”, and with a 3 and 5 year old I think a great investment in their relationship. But he told me they went to a very upscale steakhouse and he dropped $175 on a Wagyu(?) 6 ounce steak. Total bill for night was $350. Now they are doing fine, saving a decent percentage so they can afford the occasional splurge. But I could NEVER pay that much for a steak! I swallowed hard and said, well, I hope you really enjoyed it!
Post: Taking It With You
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
I had Kaiser health plans literally from birth (born in a Kaiser hospital) until I retired. If it was offered in my area, it is probably the only MA plan I would take.
Post: Medicare Advantage Part C — Not too soon to start planning for 2027
Link to comment from August 13, 2026
I’m 72 and still have a cast iron stomach. I eat anything and everything, the hotter and spicier the better. I take after my mom who was like that into her 80’s. My wife is the complete opposite. She indulges my adventurous palate and can usually find something edible.
Post: Subconscious Frugality
Link to comment from August 2, 2026
I’ve done a lot of jobs since my official “retirement “ 15 years ago at age 57 due to a layoff. Fortunately I was fully vested in my union pension. Moved from California to Colorado, got my CDL and drove a gas truck for 6 years. Did a lot of very scenic (and sometimes scary) mountain driving. My wife tired of the cold winters, so we reretired, sold the house, bought a motorhome and started traveling. Found a company that paid us to travel doing gas line surveying across country. Did that for about 4 years and settled down near my oldest son to be near grandkids. To keep from being bored, I drove a school bus for 2 years. Now I only drive for overnight and longer field trips because they pay me for every hour I’m away from home. So it’s been a very gradual transition to fully retired.
Post: How Did You Find Paid Work After Retiring from Your Primary Career?
Link to comment from August 2, 2026
I learned how NOT to invest from my parents. I have absolutely no formal education, never took any kind of financial classes, but I’m a do it yourselfer when it comes to most things, including investing. I purposely keep it simple and boring. I was a Teamster, blue collar guy, but we managed to raise 3 kids, 2 with Master’s degrees with little college debt and accumulate a 7 figure portfolio thru years of modest saving and investing, index funds only thru Vanguard. If I can do it, anyone can.
Post: How financially illiterate are Americans?
Link to comment from June 21, 2026
We get cable, exterminator, lawn maintenance salesman frequently. That comes with having a neighborhood in the process of being built out. Having a camera is definitely the way to go. Unless it’s someone I know or they’re delivering something, I just don’t answer. If I’m outside when they approach, I cut them off pretty quickly. They have no business going door to door if they don’t have a thick skin.
Post: He Said I Wasn’t Very Nice
Link to comment from June 19, 2026
Thank goodness for a few hours of daycare during the week!
Post: A Sunday Thought About Money
Link to comment from June 17, 2026
We are 5 days in to having our 2 grandchildren, ages 2 and 4, for 2 weeks! Too much of a good thing! Just kidding. At age 72 and 67, it’s exhausting but I wouldn’t trade this time with them for anything!
Post: A Sunday Thought About Money
Link to comment from June 16, 2026
I’ve used Gemini to research an auto immune condition I’ve been experiencing. It actually suggested a relationship to other auto immune problems I’ve had in the past. Lots to talk about with my rheumatologist. You can definitely go down a rabbit hole with these AI tools!
Post: ChatGPT’s Portfolio Advice
Link to comment from June 7, 2026