Mark Gardner

Comments

• Nominal values confuse me comparing today with tomorrow. So, I force myself to track everything in real terms including expected returns. So, I end up thinking about inflation related to items that outpace inflation, like healthcare. The ten year TIPS yield is a good benchmark if a particular items seems odd.

  Post: About that inflation in retirement

  Link to comment from July 13, 2026

• Sorry about the spreadsheet talk; I get too excited about programming, even as a retired software engineer. Actually, that was just my vehicle. You can engage with AI in any way you like! You can talk to it, sketch on napkins, use a PDF sent by your financial advisor or brokerage.

  Post: Better Questions

  Link to comment from July 12, 2026

• I love it Ben!

  Post: Trump Accounts

  Link to comment from July 12, 2026

• Dan, I must admit it's a loose association. But, my interest piqued that Trump accounts are being run by the government through a modern app that was well done.

  Post: Trump Accounts

  Link to comment from July 12, 2026

• I hope that the success of these accounts will pave the way for the consolidation of all the retirement vehicles a US taxpayer has to manage into a single account. Contributions can be made as early as birth, either pre-tax or post-tax, and grow tax-free. Withdrawals can be made tax-free for education, healthcare, and charity at any time, and they’ll adhere to the existing IRA rules for all other withdrawals. Let’s have a generous and progressive contribution limit with the nice features of family, employer, and state pitching in! Bye Bye 401K, 529, FSA, IRA, LPFSA, HSA… hello Trump Account!

  Post: Trump Accounts

  Link to comment from July 11, 2026

• I’ll offer a defense of Costco, Dick :) I think it’s a remarkable business. Nearly $270 billion in annual sales, more than $5 billion in membership fees, and renewal rates above 90%. Getting people to pay for the privilege of shopping is quite an achievement for this iconic American brand. And, at least where I live, the produce, meat and seafood are excellent, with a surprisingly good organic selection. I confess I also enjoy the treasure hunt :) Going in for salmon and leaving with a cashmere sweater, maybe some diamonds for the missus, and enough blueberries for a small village is a form of retail therapy. So perhaps you’re right that Costco encourages spending. I just think it does it unusually well—and often while selling very good stuff. Now, about that three-foot bag of popcorn: I’m afraid that one is on you :)

  Post: Frittering away Frugality 

  Link to comment from July 9, 2026

• One thing I’d check is whether the home-sale proceeds can actually be put back into the Roth. Unless the 60-day rollover rule applies, I believe that Roth space is permanently lost. That said, I’m not sure preserving the Roth is automatically the right answer either. If the alternative is holding highly appreciated taxable assets for heirs, those may receive a step-up in basis at death, potentially making that growth effectively income-tax-free as well. I’d compare the actual borrowing cost against the value of preserving the Roth, the embedded gains in taxable assets, and the estate plan rather than assuming the Roth should never be touched.

  Post: Thinking of a possible reason to tap Roth earlier then planned

  Link to comment from July 9, 2026

• It does sometimes create tax liability - a cost to manage your risk. I try to be tax efficient with my rebalancing to the best of my ability. Yes, redirecting dividends is a good strategy as well to rebalance to your target band.

  Post: When to Leave Your Portfolio Alone

  Link to comment from June 29, 2026

• Thank you! I rebalance to the band rather than target.

  Post: When to Leave Your Portfolio Alone

  Link to comment from June 27, 2026

• I only know which assets were the winners in hindsight. At the time I rebalance, I don’t know whether today’s winner will keep winning or when today’s laggard will recover. This process keeps me disciplined.

  Post: When to Leave Your Portfolio Alone

  Link to comment from June 27, 2026