David, I first found one of those calculators a couple of years ago, expecting to be average or a bit above, and was absolutely stunned to find myself well up into the 80s. And remember, these calculators are US-only. Check yourself on a world household wealth scale (I found one at https://chateurope.eu/en/calculate-your-position-on-the-world-wealth-scale/) and you'll find yourself in the 99th percentile. It's a jolt of perspective right between the eyes.
Haha, I would give the exact opposite guidance! We love ferries and hate flying. The stress levels at airports these days are off the charts, and I can't tell you how many times we've both gotten sick from being sealed into aluminum tubes, crammed together with hundreds of strangers. We are ecstatically looking forward to an upcoming cruise while dreading the 24 hours of air travel required to get to it.
I'm glad you got the reality check, Mark. You shouldn't have the least guilt about your wonderful situation, but it is very much atypical. We consider ourselves financially fortunate, but a second home or a three-night getaway would never even cross our minds, and we know almost no one for whom they would. Our dream-trip-of-a-lifetime next month, to New Zealand for our 20th anniversary, will be our first real vacation in eight years. And we've only justified it to ourselves because the money is coming out of my side hustle as a consultant, not our retirement savings. Most people don't even have a chance to dream that. The Humble Dollar community is fantastic, but it is rarified air.
How would this be "deceitful" if these programs are voted into being by the elected legislature? Were these measures not made available for public comment and publicized by the news media before being voted in? Were the programs passed secretly or over majority public opposition?
Dick, there's a difference between being aware of the ignorance and ugliness out there... and immersing oneself in it. I too occasionally dive into the dirty end of the social media pool, but it's not healthy for either mind or soul, and it would never have occurred to me to mine it for nuggets of idiocy and post them like a museum exhibit. I had the same reaction to your post as mytime: Why?
If we'd bought our house with cash in 2021, that money would now be sitting inaccessibly in the walls and roof instead of in our retirement accounts, where it has grown beautifully while the house value has remained static. I will continue to pay my 3.25% fixed mortgage with cheaper and cheaper dollars as the years go on. What's not to like?
It's funny the things we worry about. I'm quite sure the odds of being struck by lightning or hit by a tornado are substantially larger than the chances of this scenario impacting anyone here. It's a different story with prominent people, especially professional athletes. Pro football, basketball and soccer players have been targeted here and around the world by robbery gangs because of their known wealth and obvious schedules. They must take significant precautions.
Comments
David, I first found one of those calculators a couple of years ago, expecting to be average or a bit above, and was absolutely stunned to find myself well up into the 80s. And remember, these calculators are US-only. Check yourself on a world household wealth scale (I found one at https://chateurope.eu/en/calculate-your-position-on-the-world-wealth-scale/) and you'll find yourself in the 99th percentile. It's a jolt of perspective right between the eyes.
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 12, 2026
Haha, I would give the exact opposite guidance! We love ferries and hate flying. The stress levels at airports these days are off the charts, and I can't tell you how many times we've both gotten sick from being sealed into aluminum tubes, crammed together with hundreds of strangers. We are ecstatically looking forward to an upcoming cruise while dreading the 24 hours of air travel required to get to it.
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 12, 2026
I'm glad you got the reality check, Mark. You shouldn't have the least guilt about your wonderful situation, but it is very much atypical. We consider ourselves financially fortunate, but a second home or a three-night getaway would never even cross our minds, and we know almost no one for whom they would. Our dream-trip-of-a-lifetime next month, to New Zealand for our 20th anniversary, will be our first real vacation in eight years. And we've only justified it to ourselves because the money is coming out of my side hustle as a consultant, not our retirement savings. Most people don't even have a chance to dream that. The Humble Dollar community is fantastic, but it is rarified air.
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 12, 2026
How would this be "deceitful" if these programs are voted into being by the elected legislature? Were these measures not made available for public comment and publicized by the news media before being voted in? Were the programs passed secretly or over majority public opposition?
Post: All you need to know about health insurance, social security and utility bills – sort of
Link to comment from January 9, 2026
I began a response, but now I can't remember what the article was about.
Post: Help Me Out People—Is This Just Me?
Link to comment from January 5, 2026
Condolences on your losses, Quan. They do tend to come in bunches.
Post: Seeking the Wisdom of the Ages
Link to comment from January 1, 2026
Dick, there's a difference between being aware of the ignorance and ugliness out there... and immersing oneself in it. I too occasionally dive into the dirty end of the social media pool, but it's not healthy for either mind or soul, and it would never have occurred to me to mine it for nuggets of idiocy and post them like a museum exhibit. I had the same reaction to your post as mytime: Why?
Post: Social media and our financial security. Move along nothing to see here.
Link to comment from December 29, 2025
If we'd bought our house with cash in 2021, that money would now be sitting inaccessibly in the walls and roof instead of in our retirement accounts, where it has grown beautifully while the house value has remained static. I will continue to pay my 3.25% fixed mortgage with cheaper and cheaper dollars as the years go on. What's not to like?
Post: Mortgage in Retirement
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
It's funny the things we worry about. I'm quite sure the odds of being struck by lightning or hit by a tornado are substantially larger than the chances of this scenario impacting anyone here. It's a different story with prominent people, especially professional athletes. Pro football, basketball and soccer players have been targeted here and around the world by robbery gangs because of their known wealth and obvious schedules. They must take significant precautions.
Post: Can we be completely safe?
Link to comment from December 19, 2025
I made the same decision for the same reason.
Post: Can we be completely safe?
Link to comment from December 19, 2025