I agree that Vanguard Advisors seems like the clear winner in this scenario, but I will offer that there are good flat-fee advisors out there that can be comparable to Vanguard’s fees (at certain asset levels) and provide solid advice in line with the Humble Dollar ethos. We retained one that would be familiar to readers here, and have been very pleased so far. While we were in good shape thanks to great advice discerned over the years from Jonathan and others on this forum, our advisor is helping us navigate some tricky stuff as I approach retirement and start selling back company stock. He and his team would also provide good guidance should I pre-decease my wife, since I’ve been on point for our financial planning throughout our marriage, and that gives me great comfort.
Yes but Consumer Reports loves the Mazda Miata 😁 - that was the gift to ourselves once our kids were fully educated and gainfully employed. Ragtop, stick shift, and no regrets so far!
I don’t know about CFPs in Philly but I would consider engaging an advisor elsewhere if you find the right person / company. I live in NC and have a flat-fee advisor in MA, and we meet by Zoom - it works fine for us. We found our advisor through Humble Dollar (happens to be the new editor) and it’s worked out well so far.
No disrespect, but a three-ton tank is safe only for those in that vehicle - it’s a death-mobile in an impact with normal to smaller vehicles, an even worse for pedestrians and people on bikes.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. After thirty years of intense work with my firm, I started part time this week (not working Fridays). The decision to try part-time as a transition to retirement was informed in no small part by the discourse here on Humble Dollar. Too soon for me to provide any findings, but I was definitely not bored yesterday on my first Friday off. Thanks again!
My 22-year-old daughter in Denver just mentioned to me that she and her roommate had questions about retirement plans as they were signing up in their new jobs. They pulled out the book I had given my daughter (How to Think About Money) and found the answers they needed. I didn’t ask what the questions were because I knew they had better advice in their hands than anything I could provide. Jonathan, your impact goes way beyond the pages of HumbleDollar!
Another engineer here, and I have to agree with Braddo about the American size/weight arms race degrading safety nationwide. Trucks and SUV's also have increased hood heights (basically for cosmetic reasons) and this has been documented to increase pedestrian fatalities substantially. Unfortunately, pedestrians will continue to get hit every day, and the higher grills mean that their vital organs are being struck, turning minor injuries into fatalities.
I appreciate your and Howard’s thoughts on this. I am also in NC - my father-in-law lives at the Cypress of Raleigh and seems to be very happy with their ownership model and with their overall operation and management. I can’t figure it out but I do know that the Cypress gets a cut every time a unit is resold. Hayes Barton Place is the new Liberty facility under construction near our house. Lots of homework for me to do, and y’all’s comments have been very helpful. Thanks again.
Interesting and helpful article- thanks Howard. Two issues we are thinking about as my wife and I consider CCRC options are (1) are there any good for-profit options, and (2) is an ownership model a good thing to seek out? For question (1), we have a Liberty Senior Living facility under construction in the heart of our neighborhood (literally a short walk from our house) so we definitely want to consider that place. For question (2), my father-in-law is at a CCRC where he owns his unit, and the appreciation in unit values has been significant. Any thoughts or comments are welcomed. Thanks again!
Comments
I agree that Vanguard Advisors seems like the clear winner in this scenario, but I will offer that there are good flat-fee advisors out there that can be comparable to Vanguard’s fees (at certain asset levels) and provide solid advice in line with the Humble Dollar ethos. We retained one that would be familiar to readers here, and have been very pleased so far. While we were in good shape thanks to great advice discerned over the years from Jonathan and others on this forum, our advisor is helping us navigate some tricky stuff as I approach retirement and start selling back company stock. He and his team would also provide good guidance should I pre-decease my wife, since I’ve been on point for our financial planning throughout our marriage, and that gives me great comfort.
Post: The High Cost of Financial Advice: A Tale of Two Portfolios
Link to comment from July 12, 2025
Yes but Consumer Reports loves the Mazda Miata 😁 - that was the gift to ourselves once our kids were fully educated and gainfully employed. Ragtop, stick shift, and no regrets so far!
Post: Stepping In It
Link to comment from May 31, 2025
I don’t know about CFPs in Philly but I would consider engaging an advisor elsewhere if you find the right person / company. I live in NC and have a flat-fee advisor in MA, and we meet by Zoom - it works fine for us. We found our advisor through Humble Dollar (happens to be the new editor) and it’s worked out well so far.
Post: The Silent Compounding Cost of a 1% Fee
Link to comment from May 18, 2025
No disrespect, but a three-ton tank is safe only for those in that vehicle - it’s a death-mobile in an impact with normal to smaller vehicles, an even worse for pedestrians and people on bikes.
Post: Car talk- Quinn likes friendliness
Link to comment from April 20, 2025
Here's my SWAG:
Post: How’s Your Crystal Ball?
Link to comment from April 6, 2025
Thanks for the thoughtful post. After thirty years of intense work with my firm, I started part time this week (not working Fridays). The decision to try part-time as a transition to retirement was informed in no small part by the discourse here on Humble Dollar. Too soon for me to provide any findings, but I was definitely not bored yesterday on my first Friday off. Thanks again!
Post: Revising Retirement
Link to comment from January 4, 2025
My 22-year-old daughter in Denver just mentioned to me that she and her roommate had questions about retirement plans as they were signing up in their new jobs. They pulled out the book I had given my daughter (How to Think About Money) and found the answers they needed. I didn’t ask what the questions were because I knew they had better advice in their hands than anything I could provide. Jonathan, your impact goes way beyond the pages of HumbleDollar!
Post: No Regrets
Link to comment from September 7, 2024
Another engineer here, and I have to agree with Braddo about the American size/weight arms race degrading safety nationwide. Trucks and SUV's also have increased hood heights (basically for cosmetic reasons) and this has been documented to increase pedestrian fatalities substantially. Unfortunately, pedestrians will continue to get hit every day, and the higher grills mean that their vital organs are being struck, turning minor injuries into fatalities.
Post: Connor suffers from new car envy
Link to comment from August 4, 2024
I appreciate your and Howard’s thoughts on this. I am also in NC - my father-in-law lives at the Cypress of Raleigh and seems to be very happy with their ownership model and with their overall operation and management. I can’t figure it out but I do know that the Cypress gets a cut every time a unit is resold. Hayes Barton Place is the new Liberty facility under construction near our house. Lots of homework for me to do, and y’all’s comments have been very helpful. Thanks again.
Post: Getting in Line
Link to comment from April 1, 2024
Interesting and helpful article- thanks Howard. Two issues we are thinking about as my wife and I consider CCRC options are (1) are there any good for-profit options, and (2) is an ownership model a good thing to seek out? For question (1), we have a Liberty Senior Living facility under construction in the heart of our neighborhood (literally a short walk from our house) so we definitely want to consider that place. For question (2), my father-in-law is at a CCRC where he owns his unit, and the appreciation in unit values has been significant. Any thoughts or comments are welcomed. Thanks again!
Post: Getting in Line
Link to comment from March 30, 2024