Mark Gardner

Comments

• Bill Bernstein and Edward McQuarrie recently shared a perspective on SS claiming age.

  Post: Are the actuarial assumptions regarding benefit neutrality still accurate?

  Link to comment from December 7, 2025

• I have been an AllState customer for decades. All my insurance was with them with zero claims. I recently leased an electric car and was shocked when the agent quoted an astronomical amount without batting an eyelid. I switched to Costco insurance and AllState did not even try to keep me as a customer. I don't think loyalty matters anymore.

  Post: Home, Auto & Umbrella Insurance—“Longevity Benefit”?

  Link to comment from December 7, 2025

• My investment choices for cash equivalents are SGOV, Treasury Ladder, and I-Bonds

  Post: Where to Keep Cash

  Link to comment from December 6, 2025

• I’ve come to realize that I’m replacing my concerns about finances with worries about my health span and the broader world beyond the narrow confines of my work life, which has defined me since college. I need actively work on reducing my worries and building a greater trust in humanity! HumbleDollar helps.

  Post: They lied to us. 

  Link to comment from December 3, 2025

• I read HumbleDollar, BogleHeads, AAII Journal, and blogs from Advisor Perspectives. I listen to the following podcasts: Excess Returns, Masters in Business, Bogleheads on Investing, The Compound & Friends, Sound Investing by Paul Merriman, The Long View by Morningstar, Economic Matters by Larry Kotlikoff, The Memo by Howard Marks, and Retire with Style by Wade Pfau. I guess more listening than reading!

  Post: What are the financial subscriptions you believe are worth it for yourself and would recommend to others?

  Link to comment from December 3, 2025

• AAII has an article (membership might be required) that expands upon this strategy, emphasizing the primary objective of preventing forced selling of equities during down markets to generate cash for spending. The strategy is structured as follows: 1. Establish a “Safe Bucket” with 3–4 years of planned withdrawals before retirement. 2. Maintain the rest of your portfolio fully invested in equities. 3. On a yearly basis (designated as a “decision day”), assess the market conditions. 4. Compare the S&P 500 level to its all-time high. If the index falls by more than x% (adjust the threshold based on your preferences), that year is considered a down year. 5. In normal (upward or stable) years, withdraw funds from your equity portfolio. Refill the safe bucket to 4 years’ worth of spending (as outlined below in 7). 6. In down years, withdraw funds only from the safe bucket. Avoid selling equities during the downturn and maintain a defensive stance until the market recovers. 7. Rebuild the safe bucket gradually after recovery. Accumulate half of the shortfall each year for two years. Pause rebuilding if another downturn occurs.

  Post: The 4 Year Rule for Retirement Spending

  Link to comment from November 30, 2025

• We earmarked the equity in our primary residence as a contingency fund for long term care or health care related spending shocks in the last stages of our lives.

  Post: Is the value of your home an important part of retirement plans?

  Link to comment from November 23, 2025

• Channeling Bill Bernstein, “When I am up at night worrying, I count my TIPS to sleep”. But, I must confess, FOMO is strong when friends breathlessly tell you about the eye popping returns they got with their tech investments!

  Post: Is the current stock market anything to be concerned about?

  Link to comment from November 21, 2025

• Our family uses Dashlane since we have several operating systems in our household. It works great as a central vault of information. The credentials to Dashlane are stashed in a secret place (on paper) in case of death or an emergency. BTW, adult children can have their own profile for the same family subscription as well. I highly recommend it.

  Post: Beefing Up Security

  Link to comment from November 17, 2025

• Two-thirds of billionaires are self-made, and they should be celebrated. They create entirely new industries, contribute to the well-being of their fellow citizens, and serve as role models for aspiring young people. However, we should not tolerate those who use their wealth to seize control of democratic institutions and mass communication tools, believing they are superior to others. Such individuals pose a threat to society.

  Post: I think billionaires are under appreciated

  Link to comment from November 17, 2025