I always say that the future you plan for is the one mostly likely not to happen, and unexpected events can sometimes be better than what you’ve planned. Plan for rain, take your umbrella, and the sun may shine.
Dear Jonathan, Oh boy, I’m so sorry to read your words here, which isn’t how I’ve felt anytime I’ve ever read your articles before. I’m hoping that those Philly doctors will do wonders in keeping your strength up and bringing on the miracles giving you much more time than you are currently anticipating. About all those articles that have meant so much to me…I was born in Philly and spent my first 45 years nearby. Now I live abroad and always have a bit of homesickness. Every article you have published on this site over the last few years has brought me back home, wandering the streets of Philadelphia in an ideal retirement and life. And since I am 63, your focus on the transition years to retirement has resonated for sure. I’m still working remotely, with my spouse 10 years older and fully retired. My work, though personally fulfilling, has kept us tied down, time wise, and we haven’t been using our go-go years as we probably should. Nevertheless I’m feeling grateful for the meaningful work. Oddly, the other evening my husband got dizzy during dinner and in an instant my mind went from it’s a stroke, cancer, or something else that will change everything. I’ll still eagerly open your articles Jonathan and hope that you’ll continue to be up to sharing your experiences with us because we are going to all someday be in your shoes. Thank you so much for what you’ve already given and thanks so much in advance for all you are able to still give. Now I’ll make the most of the days to come by pulling your book off the shelf, that you signed in Melvern PA in 2018, From Here to Financial Happiness - Enrich Your Life in Just 77 Days
Excellent article Jeff! You’ve reminded me to again thank my sister for all she did settling my father’s estate and her many conversations with his small town lawyer. Fortunately he was on the board of directors of the bank holding his accounts and safe deposit box loaded with envelopes, military records and bonds. My sister and I re-bonded as siblings as we emptied his house, mostly to the front yard for our “take for free” yard sale. We’ll address your short list above to simplify our own estates including clearing out our basements! We talked the other day about what childhood stuff we wanted from each other’s houses.
Jonathan, your articles always hit on familiar topics being 62 myself and born in Philadelphia, I have often daydreamed about moving back and living there again. Would love living within walking distance of the art museums and restaurants. Instead I daydreamed myself into living abroad in a German university town, for real and lucky me. My daydreams are consumed by mental accounting about retiring now or continuing my online, remote working that consumes my days. My husband is 72 and patiently watches as I sit at our kitchen table working all day. His retirement time is ticking by too. Should we give it all up and begin checking off that travel list? We haven’t been able to decide that yet. Life isn’t too bad as it is and perhaps this is actually the modern retirement.
Thank you Jonathan, and to your contributors, for your sane and sensible newsletters. They are a pleasure to read. Wishing you a safe slide into the new year!
I’ve begun building a ladder and for the years TIPS aren’t available, I plan to plug in, and cash in, Ibonds for those years. Does this make any sense?
I feel your pain. It’s not just pets, but also house plants! We live between Florida and Germany. My husband is a biologist and with that goes the love of growing things. Some plants he has had for over 40 years so he can’t just walk away from them. We obligate family to come to the house twice a week to water and check on things, but he stresses for a month about the house and plants before we take off. Cats are of course require more intensive care than plants. I once had a dog who I sort of shared with a sister-in-law. She (the dog) was happy to visit the other family while I was away and they were happy to have a part-time pet who went home eventually. Dogs, I think, are easier to accommodate.
Comments
I always say that the future you plan for is the one mostly likely not to happen, and unexpected events can sometimes be better than what you’ve planned. Plan for rain, take your umbrella, and the sun may shine.
Post: The Risks We Miss
Link to comment from July 15, 2024
Hi Lucretia, Thanks for this simple strategy to share with our less financially savvy family and friends, and your short, to the point article.
Post: Digging Out
Link to comment from June 30, 2024
Dear Jonathan, Oh boy, I’m so sorry to read your words here, which isn’t how I’ve felt anytime I’ve ever read your articles before. I’m hoping that those Philly doctors will do wonders in keeping your strength up and bringing on the miracles giving you much more time than you are currently anticipating. About all those articles that have meant so much to me…I was born in Philly and spent my first 45 years nearby. Now I live abroad and always have a bit of homesickness. Every article you have published on this site over the last few years has brought me back home, wandering the streets of Philadelphia in an ideal retirement and life. And since I am 63, your focus on the transition years to retirement has resonated for sure. I’m still working remotely, with my spouse 10 years older and fully retired. My work, though personally fulfilling, has kept us tied down, time wise, and we haven’t been using our go-go years as we probably should. Nevertheless I’m feeling grateful for the meaningful work. Oddly, the other evening my husband got dizzy during dinner and in an instant my mind went from it’s a stroke, cancer, or something else that will change everything. I’ll still eagerly open your articles Jonathan and hope that you’ll continue to be up to sharing your experiences with us because we are going to all someday be in your shoes. Thank you so much for what you’ve already given and thanks so much in advance for all you are able to still give. Now I’ll make the most of the days to come by pulling your book off the shelf, that you signed in Melvern PA in 2018, From Here to Financial Happiness - Enrich Your Life in Just 77 Days
Post: The C Word
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
Excellent article Jeff! You’ve reminded me to again thank my sister for all she did settling my father’s estate and her many conversations with his small town lawyer. Fortunately he was on the board of directors of the bank holding his accounts and safe deposit box loaded with envelopes, military records and bonds. My sister and I re-bonded as siblings as we emptied his house, mostly to the front yard for our “take for free” yard sale. We’ll address your short list above to simplify our own estates including clearing out our basements! We talked the other day about what childhood stuff we wanted from each other’s houses.
Post: Unsettling Experience
Link to comment from May 8, 2024
Jonathan, your articles always hit on familiar topics being 62 myself and born in Philadelphia, I have often daydreamed about moving back and living there again. Would love living within walking distance of the art museums and restaurants. Instead I daydreamed myself into living abroad in a German university town, for real and lucky me. My daydreams are consumed by mental accounting about retiring now or continuing my online, remote working that consumes my days. My husband is 72 and patiently watches as I sit at our kitchen table working all day. His retirement time is ticking by too. Should we give it all up and begin checking off that travel list? We haven’t been able to decide that yet. Life isn’t too bad as it is and perhaps this is actually the modern retirement.
Post: Ask Before Quitting
Link to comment from June 19, 2023
Thank you Jonathan, and to your contributors, for your sane and sensible newsletters. They are a pleasure to read. Wishing you a safe slide into the new year!
Post: Ten Words for 2023
Link to comment from December 31, 2022
I’ve begun building a ladder and for the years TIPS aren’t available, I plan to plug in, and cash in, Ibonds for those years. Does this make any sense?
Post: Clipping Coupons
Link to comment from December 15, 2022
I feel your pain. It’s not just pets, but also house plants! We live between Florida and Germany. My husband is a biologist and with that goes the love of growing things. Some plants he has had for over 40 years so he can’t just walk away from them. We obligate family to come to the house twice a week to water and check on things, but he stresses for a month about the house and plants before we take off. Cats are of course require more intensive care than plants. I once had a dog who I sort of shared with a sister-in-law. She (the dog) was happy to visit the other family while I was away and they were happy to have a part-time pet who went home eventually. Dogs, I think, are easier to accommodate.
Post: My Furry Friends
Link to comment from November 19, 2022