Thanks Adam! Where do you get your topics? We certainly benefit from your -what? -curiosity?, breadth of experience?, perspective? your parents? Whatever it is, I appreciate it
Yes, 'open loop' is my rumbler, at about 4am. Sadly most items are not fixable in a day or two, or three. Tried using a bedside note pad, measured breathing, counting 99 to 1, etc, etc. Have to go to a comfy chair (so wifey can sleep) and open a good book to re-direct my focus. After about 20 min (if it's a good book), the lids get heavy and I can settle under the quilt, pull the stocking cap down over my eyes and sleep until the alarm.
fyi: Put one small IRA into Schwab Intelligent Portfolio and let them make the investment choices. It's been there just over 2 yrs and returned ~ 34% during that time. [I'm retired, well into 'RMD-land' and never worked for Schwab]. Picked the 'aggressive investor' option, so I'm really watching it closely to see what happens when 'the bear' visits. It's been very interesting to see the changes they've made to the portfolio as the market has wobbled through the last 6 months. Curiously there's been no precious metals or related purchases in their 'SIP' This is certainly not a 4am 'rumbler'.
For sure!. Turned down USAA's invite for the same reason. I deposit ~3 hard-copy checks/yr and USAA uses snail-mail or phone app. I did the phone-app and am seriously consider an 'Uninstall' until the next time I need the deposit routine. Phone app opens all accounts and functions. My wife and I use Norton AV on computers and phones, but I'm unsure how thorough that would be if confronted by a dedicated AI hacker (is that an oxymoron?).
From the BRK Ann Mtg of 5/02/11: [[ changes may have impacted these]] · On Gold: "There's something peculiar about an asset that will only go up if the world goes to hell." -- C.M.· On Taxes: "The hedge fund managers of America are getting lower tax rates than physics professors or cab drivers. That is demented." -- C.M.· On PIGS' Problems: "I think Europe has a hell of a problem... its strategy is like putting band aids on cancer." -- C.M.· On Management Style: a well-known Mungerism: “If you want to guarantee yourself a lifetime of misery, be sure to marry someone with the intent of changing their behavior.” C.M.
----- and do I dare add (well-armored): On Donald Trump: "Obviously, I think he's a jerk." -- C.M.
Austin, Great ideas, thanks! I've tried to be sure I have 3 or 4 $20's in my pocket to share with the bagger at the supermarket or the cart-collector in the parking lot or anyone who's doing a good job of making life easier for the community. Then I offer monthly contributions to the local food pantry and a non-profit nursing home that took good care of a family member in the past. It's a lot more rewarding than any form of 'retail therapy.'
Our local food bank holds regular auctions of items from local merchants supporting the cause! I put in min/entry bid on 1 yr's trash pickup with the local carting co. Forgot about it until 6 days later I got an email telling me I'd won. Surprised, I checked and realized I'd bought 52 weeks of trash pickup for what I'd normally pay for 13 weeks. OTH- I missed the 4 new name brand tires (with mounting and balancing) that went for $340.... I'd have paid $360; even $380. Next time I'll pay attention to the auction closing time!
Comments
Thanks Adam! Where do you get your topics? We certainly benefit from your -what? -curiosity?, breadth of experience?, perspective? your parents? Whatever it is, I appreciate it Yes, 'open loop' is my rumbler, at about 4am. Sadly most items are not fixable in a day or two, or three. Tried using a bedside note pad, measured breathing, counting 99 to 1, etc, etc. Have to go to a comfy chair (so wifey can sleep) and open a good book to re-direct my focus. After about 20 min (if it's a good book), the lids get heavy and I can settle under the quilt, pull the stocking cap down over my eyes and sleep until the alarm. fyi: Put one small IRA into Schwab Intelligent Portfolio and let them make the investment choices. It's been there just over 2 yrs and returned ~ 34% during that time. [I'm retired, well into 'RMD-land' and never worked for Schwab]. Picked the 'aggressive investor' option, so I'm really watching it closely to see what happens when 'the bear' visits. It's been very interesting to see the changes they've made to the portfolio as the market has wobbled through the last 6 months. Curiously there's been no precious metals or related purchases in their 'SIP' This is certainly not a 4am 'rumbler'.
Post: Money, Happiness, and Choice
Link to comment from November 22, 2025
For sure!. Turned down USAA's invite for the same reason. I deposit ~3 hard-copy checks/yr and USAA uses snail-mail or phone app. I did the phone-app and am seriously consider an 'Uninstall' until the next time I need the deposit routine. Phone app opens all accounts and functions. My wife and I use Norton AV on computers and phones, but I'm unsure how thorough that would be if confronted by a dedicated AI hacker (is that an oxymoron?).
Post: Man vs. Machine
Link to comment from May 25, 2024
From the BRK Ann Mtg of 5/02/11: [[ changes may have impacted these]] · On Gold: "There's something peculiar about an asset that will only go up if the world goes to hell." -- C.M. · On Taxes: "The hedge fund managers of America are getting lower tax rates than physics professors or cab drivers. That is demented." -- C.M. · On PIGS' Problems: "I think Europe has a hell of a problem... its strategy is like putting band aids on cancer." -- C.M. · On Management Style: a well-known Mungerism: “If you want to guarantee yourself a lifetime of misery, be sure to marry someone with the intent of changing their behavior.” C.M. ----- and do I dare add (well-armored): On Donald Trump: "Obviously, I think he's a jerk." -- C.M.
Post: A Lifetime of Wisdom
Link to comment from January 17, 2024
Austin, Great ideas, thanks! I've tried to be sure I have 3 or 4 $20's in my pocket to share with the bagger at the supermarket or the cart-collector in the parking lot or anyone who's doing a good job of making life easier for the community. Then I offer monthly contributions to the local food pantry and a non-profit nursing home that took good care of a family member in the past. It's a lot more rewarding than any form of 'retail therapy.'
Post: Random Acts
Link to comment from October 14, 2023
Our local food bank holds regular auctions of items from local merchants supporting the cause! I put in min/entry bid on 1 yr's trash pickup with the local carting co. Forgot about it until 6 days later I got an email telling me I'd won. Surprised, I checked and realized I'd bought 52 weeks of trash pickup for what I'd normally pay for 13 weeks. OTH- I missed the 4 new name brand tires (with mounting and balancing) that went for $340.... I'd have paid $360; even $380. Next time I'll pay attention to the auction closing time!
Post: The Winner’s Curse
Link to comment from September 22, 2022