How about the guy (me) who asks for a senior cup of coffee at the McDonald's drive-thru after purchasing the latest carbon frame Cannondale road bike for sticker price.
Ben: Unless you are my neighbor, yours is the second most-boring midwestern city. John Denver wrote a song about mine:
"Saturday Night in Toledo, Ohio."
I turned 12 in 1969. Life was good. The Detroit Tigers were world champs and The Beatles were still making albums. Getting through 6th grade was my focus and whatever mom served for dinner.
10 years later I started dating Renee, one of 10 kids, and Catholic.
Flash forward 47 years, 3 sons and 6 grandkids.
After reading Mike's post, with his early experience, I feel blessed to have been exposed to loving families from the start.
If anyone can explain eligibility for the spousal benefit, I'd love to hear it.
We've remained married almost 43 years. Renee taught in the public schools 31 years before retiring in 2013. I'm still working at 69, having claimed social security 2 years ago at FRA. When Renee asked about claiming a spousal benefit, she was told not to bother, as she didn't qualify. My assumption was her receiving a public pension was a disqualifier. Is this correct or is there another explanation?
Thanks for the positive reinforcement, Ed. I tend to do regular exercise for a good 10 months. Then come the holidays. And I'm digging myself out of a hole for a couple months. Current routine is personal training Mondays and Wednesdays, then, depending on the weather, running, cycling or the water rower on the other days. I take Sunday off. At 69, something is always aching,
Mark:
Very similar situation here. My wife taught 31 years in a public school system. Aside from contributing bi-weekly to her pension, she was limited to a 403(B) account. The employer limited her to a small group of insurers with fees similar to those assessed to your wife. Her adviser for many years was a family friend who met with her semi-annually and offered good advice. When he retired, the account was transferred to his successor who met with her early on. Then the meetings stopped. At this point, my wife was retired. The only contact the last few years was a Christmas card and wall calendar. Last summer I finally prevailed upon her to rollover her 403(B) to a Schwab IRA containing index funds. We will miss the wall calendar, but those can be purchased for $15 around here
I grew up in a tennis playing family. Last year we cruised the British Isles, ending up in London early July. I took a quick look at securing a couple tickets to Wimbledon. Wow! Instead, took a night cruise down the Thames.
Comments
How about the guy (me) who asks for a senior cup of coffee at the McDonald's drive-thru after purchasing the latest carbon frame Cannondale road bike for sticker price.
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 14, 2026
Ben: Unless you are my neighbor, yours is the second most-boring midwestern city. John Denver wrote a song about mine: "Saturday Night in Toledo, Ohio."
Post: The Home Ownership Gamble
Link to comment from April 7, 2026
I turned 12 in 1969. Life was good. The Detroit Tigers were world champs and The Beatles were still making albums. Getting through 6th grade was my focus and whatever mom served for dinner. 10 years later I started dating Renee, one of 10 kids, and Catholic. Flash forward 47 years, 3 sons and 6 grandkids. After reading Mike's post, with his early experience, I feel blessed to have been exposed to loving families from the start.
Post: Financial regrets about parenthood?
Link to comment from April 6, 2026
I can keep a Reese's peanut butter egg atop my dresser untouched for months. It drives my wife crazy, which brings me great enjoyment!
Post: Lent, Chocolate, and the Art of Retirement
Link to comment from April 3, 2026
James: Thanks for the advice. She just filed again.
Post: Social Security Spousal Benefits
Link to comment from March 29, 2026
If anyone can explain eligibility for the spousal benefit, I'd love to hear it. We've remained married almost 43 years. Renee taught in the public schools 31 years before retiring in 2013. I'm still working at 69, having claimed social security 2 years ago at FRA. When Renee asked about claiming a spousal benefit, she was told not to bother, as she didn't qualify. My assumption was her receiving a public pension was a disqualifier. Is this correct or is there another explanation?
Post: Social Security Spousal Benefits
Link to comment from March 27, 2026
We funded Roths until they imposed restrictions based upon income. The door closed shut for two income couples like us.
Post: Something to Think About
Link to comment from March 26, 2026
Thanks for the positive reinforcement, Ed. I tend to do regular exercise for a good 10 months. Then come the holidays. And I'm digging myself out of a hole for a couple months. Current routine is personal training Mondays and Wednesdays, then, depending on the weather, running, cycling or the water rower on the other days. I take Sunday off. At 69, something is always aching,
Post: Frugal Fitness
Link to comment from March 16, 2026
Mark: Very similar situation here. My wife taught 31 years in a public school system. Aside from contributing bi-weekly to her pension, she was limited to a 403(B) account. The employer limited her to a small group of insurers with fees similar to those assessed to your wife. Her adviser for many years was a family friend who met with her semi-annually and offered good advice. When he retired, the account was transferred to his successor who met with her early on. Then the meetings stopped. At this point, my wife was retired. The only contact the last few years was a Christmas card and wall calendar. Last summer I finally prevailed upon her to rollover her 403(B) to a Schwab IRA containing index funds. We will miss the wall calendar, but those can be purchased for $15 around here
Post: The High Cost of Financial Advice: A Tale of Two Portfolios Revisited
Link to comment from February 6, 2026
I grew up in a tennis playing family. Last year we cruised the British Isles, ending up in London early July. I took a quick look at securing a couple tickets to Wimbledon. Wow! Instead, took a night cruise down the Thames.
Post: Money to burn?
Link to comment from January 26, 2026