Max Gainey

Comments:

• I appreciate the merits of this diversity approach. The other side of this is it conflicts with letting the market determine the best allocation by using just the one fund that best represents the whole market, Vanguard total stock index fund (along with an appropriate bond fund.). Also it dilutes one fund simplicity. But many roads to Dublin as they say.

  Post: A Cautionary Tale: The S&P and the Perilous Sequence of Returns by Steve Abramowitz

  Link to comment from September 17, 2024

• All very helpful, clarified information. Like the fog of war, the fog of taxes changes everything at the end of our lives. Even more succinctly “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Thank you, Max

  Post: A Time to Give

  Link to comment from August 24, 2024

• My weird mortality moment came recently when, on a whim, I googled my ex-wife. It had been a while so was checking in. Turns out she died about two years ago. For some unknown reason it had never occurred to me that she could die before me. The feeling was neither good nor bad. Jut the ticking of unstoppables time. Max RN

  Post: On Being 80

  Link to comment from July 30, 2024

• Nice perspective

  Post: Best Option

  Link to comment from July 19, 2024

• Thanks, I needed the laugh because it’s all so true.

  Post: Signs of the Times

  Link to comment from July 18, 2024

• I enjoyed the way you wove your personal story into your financial story, well done, thanks.

  Post: Clumsy With People

  Link to comment from July 11, 2024

• I’m stunned by the similarities of concerns you have expressed so well that I have been struggling with myself. You hit the nail on the head about the irony of having spent so much time and effort in preparing for a future that no longer exists after receiving a terminal diagnosis. Reading about your new journey is providing comfort and support to the rest of us dealing with the same kind of issues. Thank you.

  Post: Looking Different

  Link to comment from July 6, 2024

• Smart advice

  Post: A Painful Confession

  Link to comment from July 3, 2024

• Seems like good solid advice, as usual. Thanks. A related question comes up when parents disagree about what financial incentives to provide for their children. I think providing gifts and sharing information on a continuing basis is the better strategy whereas my spouse thinks providing financial support would be detrimental. Our only child and heir is a high functioning autistic 30 year old. He is of average intelligence but prone to impulsive spending and vulnerable to scammers. We have set up a trust which includes spendthrift clauses. I think communication and practice will give him tools to manage his finances and my wife feels financial support enables his areas of weakness. Any thoughts on this situation would be appreciated.

  Post: A Graceful Exit

  Link to comment from June 28, 2024

• What a great thing you’re doing, thanks on behalf of us all. Now if we could persuade congress to simplify the tax code. I’m not concerned about lower taxes, happy to pay my fair share. I’m interested in better tax code that requires we all pay our fair share to support our citizens.

  Post: Many Unhappy Returns

  Link to comment from June 19, 2024