AUTHOR: Mike Gaynes on 4/5/2026 FIRST: Doug C on 4/5 | RECENT: R Quinn on 4/13
Comments
We have our plans in place for an elevator as well. Hopefully we won't need it for a decade or so, but the value is obvious compared to the relatively modest cost (we have an estimate of $40K) and the potential ROI when my wife sells the house after my departure.
Howdy, neighbor (I'm directly across the Sound from you)... I for one believe your wife's statistic. Naturally a majority of folks would prefer to age in familiar surroundings, but there are many who must because they lack options. CCRCs (average entry fee $500K) and high-end retirement communities are simply beyond the financial reach of many Americans. HUD Section 202 senior housing developments have long waiting lists and have been targeted for steep cuts by the current administration. I'd be interested to know what percentage of those aging in place are doing so because it's imposed by circumstances. I really like the "villages" idea. Our development is 340 units, and there might be enough permanent elderly amongst us to make it fly.
Andrew, I hope you understand what a gift your father left you, apparently inadvertently. My own dad lived only to 58 and hid his inner insecurities behind varying shields of anger and braggadocio. At his funeral my family members stared at each other in disbelief as his friends described a funny, charming man we never met. He and I reached a rapproachement of sorts as time went on, but we never had a conversation I would describe as insightful, and he left no words behind, not even a will. I will never know what truly made him tick. That you've been graced with this knowledge is a circumstance to be cherished.
Our summer home is our back deck, overlooking Mt. Rainier, the Seattle skyline and the Sound. We will spend it here, reading (me), meditating (Sarah), and avoiding the traffic and crowds of summer travelers. Autumn will see me off to England for a couple of weeks to visit friends and take in as much footy as I can -- Everton, Marine, Hearts -- and hike the Lake District if my surgically repaired Achilles permits.
My wife was overseas visiting her parents on our 5th wedding anniversary, and she'd left her engagement ring home because she didn't like to travel with her jewelry. So I thought I'd surprise her by doubling the size of the diamond. When I gave it back to her, she didn't even notice. I certainly married the right girl, but it was a pretty dumb investment.
Love this idea, Jeff. Thanks for posting. My answer would be my home. Actually all my homes along the way, but this house, bought out of desperation during the 2021 housing craze and way too big for the two of us, has been the best of all. When we finally got my wife's entire family out of China, this place was big enough for everybody. All five bedrooms full, clattering in the kitchen until 8pm, and I loved it. Now it's quieter, a place for Mama to live out her life and for Sarah and I to have a sense of comfort and security in an increasingly weird world, and it's a priceless feeling. As to the second question, the brand-new 1985 Cougar XR-7 I bought to impress my dates as a hot sporty guy still makes me wince in recollection.
Totally agree. This is a "fun" investment, a flyer with no real expectation of return, like buying a share in a racehorse. You get the thrill of participation and the hope of contributing to a great success down the road, and if you're lucky you get to see "your" golfer play on TV some Sunday. It's got to be like watching "your" horse run in the Preakness. But I strongly doubt anybody makes such an investment expecting anything more than that.
Comments
We have our plans in place for an elevator as well. Hopefully we won't need it for a decade or so, but the value is obvious compared to the relatively modest cost (we have an estimate of $40K) and the potential ROI when my wife sells the house after my departure.
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 26, 2026
Howdy, neighbor (I'm directly across the Sound from you)... I for one believe your wife's statistic. Naturally a majority of folks would prefer to age in familiar surroundings, but there are many who must because they lack options. CCRCs (average entry fee $500K) and high-end retirement communities are simply beyond the financial reach of many Americans. HUD Section 202 senior housing developments have long waiting lists and have been targeted for steep cuts by the current administration. I'd be interested to know what percentage of those aging in place are doing so because it's imposed by circumstances. I really like the "villages" idea. Our development is 340 units, and there might be enough permanent elderly amongst us to make it fly.
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 25, 2026
Did you walk or drive the golf cart, Dan?
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 25, 2026
Andrew, I hope you understand what a gift your father left you, apparently inadvertently. My own dad lived only to 58 and hid his inner insecurities behind varying shields of anger and braggadocio. At his funeral my family members stared at each other in disbelief as his friends described a funny, charming man we never met. He and I reached a rapproachement of sorts as time went on, but we never had a conversation I would describe as insightful, and he left no words behind, not even a will. I will never know what truly made him tick. That you've been graced with this knowledge is a circumstance to be cherished.
Post: My Father: The Peace He Never Found
Link to comment from May 21, 2026
Jeff, a superb comment on an extraordinary essay.
Post: My Father: The Peace He Never Found
Link to comment from May 21, 2026
Mark, my lifelong dream of singing in Ireland comes true next year. My old California chorale has invited me along on tour. I'm over the moon.
Post: Lifetime Supply
Link to comment from May 21, 2026
Our summer home is our back deck, overlooking Mt. Rainier, the Seattle skyline and the Sound. We will spend it here, reading (me), meditating (Sarah), and avoiding the traffic and crowds of summer travelers. Autumn will see me off to England for a couple of weeks to visit friends and take in as much footy as I can -- Everton, Marine, Hearts -- and hike the Lake District if my surgically repaired Achilles permits.
Post: Lifetime Supply
Link to comment from May 21, 2026
My wife was overseas visiting her parents on our 5th wedding anniversary, and she'd left her engagement ring home because she didn't like to travel with her jewelry. So I thought I'd surprise her by doubling the size of the diamond. When I gave it back to her, she didn't even notice. I certainly married the right girl, but it was a pretty dumb investment.
Post: The Art of Spending Money
Link to comment from May 18, 2026
Love this idea, Jeff. Thanks for posting. My answer would be my home. Actually all my homes along the way, but this house, bought out of desperation during the 2021 housing craze and way too big for the two of us, has been the best of all. When we finally got my wife's entire family out of China, this place was big enough for everybody. All five bedrooms full, clattering in the kitchen until 8pm, and I loved it. Now it's quieter, a place for Mama to live out her life and for Sarah and I to have a sense of comfort and security in an increasingly weird world, and it's a priceless feeling. As to the second question, the brand-new 1985 Cougar XR-7 I bought to impress my dates as a hot sporty guy still makes me wince in recollection.
Post: The Art of Spending Money
Link to comment from May 18, 2026
Totally agree. This is a "fun" investment, a flyer with no real expectation of return, like buying a share in a racehorse. You get the thrill of participation and the hope of contributing to a great success down the road, and if you're lucky you get to see "your" golfer play on TV some Sunday. It's got to be like watching "your" horse run in the Preakness. But I strongly doubt anybody makes such an investment expecting anything more than that.
Post: Country Club Venture Capital
Link to comment from May 18, 2026