I understand the “insurance” argument for PMs, but I’ve always wondered about the practical side. In a true stock-market and dollar crash, what’s the realistic endgame for PMs? Trading them for worthless dollars seems pointless. How would you actually use them?
I don't have any federal taxes withheld from our pensions. I pay all my federal income tax once a year when I make a withdrawal from our retirement accounts. I adjust the withdrawal so that I can fill up my current tax bracket and adjust the withholding so that I pay just over the previous year's tax liability (safe harbor). I generally owe a bit when taxes are due and I'm fine with that.
Dennis, The numbers are somewhat comforting and we all hope to be in that top fifth. I'm not as pessimistic as it may have seemed. I see it as a hope for the best, prepare for the worst situation.
Been thinking about this for years. Wife and I have no kids. I wouldn't want to be a burden to my siblings who are of similar age regardless. Would love in-home care, and have sufficient funds and income (I think) but prospects seem dim in this country. Friends who have hired in home care complain of frequent "no shows". My mom was in a nice, highly rated CCRC, but when she declined and moved to memory care it wasn't really all that nice. Regardless, at that point it's all down hill. My current best case scenario is being able to see the decline coming in time to make a Danny Kahneman exit.
Comments
I understand the “insurance” argument for PMs, but I’ve always wondered about the practical side. In a true stock-market and dollar crash, what’s the realistic endgame for PMs? Trading them for worthless dollars seems pointless. How would you actually use them?
Post: Gold Isn’t Special
Link to comment from January 10, 2026
I don't have any federal taxes withheld from our pensions. I pay all my federal income tax once a year when I make a withdrawal from our retirement accounts. I adjust the withdrawal so that I can fill up my current tax bracket and adjust the withholding so that I pay just over the previous year's tax liability (safe harbor). I generally owe a bit when taxes are due and I'm fine with that.
Post: How do you pay income tax withholding in retirement?
Link to comment from October 17, 2025
Dennis, The numbers are somewhat comforting and we all hope to be in that top fifth. I'm not as pessimistic as it may have seemed. I see it as a hope for the best, prepare for the worst situation.
Post: Who Will Care for Us?
Link to comment from June 5, 2025
Been thinking about this for years. Wife and I have no kids. I wouldn't want to be a burden to my siblings who are of similar age regardless. Would love in-home care, and have sufficient funds and income (I think) but prospects seem dim in this country. Friends who have hired in home care complain of frequent "no shows". My mom was in a nice, highly rated CCRC, but when she declined and moved to memory care it wasn't really all that nice. Regardless, at that point it's all down hill. My current best case scenario is being able to see the decline coming in time to make a Danny Kahneman exit.
Post: Who Will Care for Us?
Link to comment from June 4, 2025
Another firm keeping tabs on us is LexisNexis. You can request a report from them.
Post: Checking on You
Link to comment from July 6, 2022