Ben, A somewhat famous saying in the military is "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you..." (Also used by pilots referring to the FAA whose motto is "We're not happy until you're not happy!") (JK my buddies in the FAA...jusssst kidding....) Coming home with the grandkid to find you have an invader in broad daylight with your elderly mother walking into the house minutes earlier causing him to stop his ransacking and escape is not fun...not fun at all. I do like the dummy(alerting) password idea! Brilliant! Cheers
A while ago, as we formulated our post-retirement plan, I read that bear markets average 2 to 3 years. So we took the 3-year view and created a bucket for each: Year 1 Cash: This is our local checking (1/3)(lousy interest) and our Fidelity Bill Pay (2/3)(SPAXX). We live off of this.
Year 2: Is the one-year cash equivalent in Fidelity money markets that serve as our "sweep accounts" in various IRA's. I never let the sum of these go below the year-2 value.
Year 3: One year equivalent held in a T-Bill ladder.
(Year 2 and 3 are adjusted for 3% inflation) Everything else is fully invested in a 60/40 portfolio.
We previously held a small stake in the Prism ETF as part of a diversification strategy. I missed the prospectus comment that you could not withdraw all of your investment at once. Short version: it took several years to withdraw a less than $7500 initial stake in this fund. Never again.
I grew up in Chatham, MA (when it was a quiet little town). I remember a historical note from someone that "sea captains always built their homes (usually the largest homes in town with those beautiful widows' walks on the roofs) away from the water on high ground. Wise old men...
I have not been hearing too many glowing comments about "Jacks" once great company. We left them for Fidelity to keep all of our investments in one place, as we had an inherited IRA and my 401K there *that is another question for security debates. Anyway, we couldn't be happier. Customer service is excellent. I don't think there are many investment options that you can't have there. Their website is much better than Vanguard's. For example, we still have the UTMAs at Vanguard only because that is a complicated transfer.
Financial/money "thinking" should be included in the math curriculum in at least middle school/junior high. Percentages, compounding, etc., are incorporated into the word problems and calculation lessons. Then, in their junior and senior years, there should be a mandatory "school of life" course. Mandatory just as American History/Civics is (or at least was). When you graduate, you are prepared to join society as an adult. This School of Life would cover banking, budgeting, investing, insurance, car ownership(mechanical and purchasing options), apartment renting, home ownership, aging, career choices, resume writing, etc. Much of this can be included with post secondary education school choices(trade schools, colleges, military). There are many experienced people in most communities who might offer their time and experience as guest speakers.
"But why do we so often overlook, or even neglect, the equally vital investment in our physical and mental health?"Because I get very bored counting to 15 over and over and over again LOL.(And don't suggest pickleball, which is an obnoxiously loud sport popping up like mushrooms in once peaceful neighborhoods without regard for the residents who were there years, if not decades, before the sport exploded. My gosh, silence your rackets please...)
Since early 2020, we have been 50% income stocks(85% US, 15% Intl), 10% growth, and 40% in a mostly bond ladder. I retired in 2021. We still have not sold a single "share" for living expenses and continue to live off the income our portfolio generates at an increasing rate.
It's a tie between reliving our simple Air Force chapel wedding some 45 years ago(no video, minimal photos remain)....or....Go back through Air Force UPT (flight school) with my 42 years of piloting experience between the Air force and airlines. But there are numerous collages of brief moments with my better half and the kids at a quiet beach, a woodland scene, or along a lazy stream when I felt at peace with the world surrounded by the presence of God.
Comments
Ben, A somewhat famous saying in the military is "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you..." (Also used by pilots referring to the FAA whose motto is "We're not happy until you're not happy!") (JK my buddies in the FAA...jusssst kidding....) Coming home with the grandkid to find you have an invader in broad daylight with your elderly mother walking into the house minutes earlier causing him to stop his ransacking and escape is not fun...not fun at all. I do like the dummy(alerting) password idea! Brilliant! Cheers
Post: Can we be completely safe?
Link to comment from December 20, 2025
A while ago, as we formulated our post-retirement plan, I read that bear markets average 2 to 3 years. So we took the 3-year view and created a bucket for each: Year 1 Cash: This is our local checking (1/3)(lousy interest) and our Fidelity Bill Pay (2/3)(SPAXX). We live off of this. Year 2: Is the one-year cash equivalent in Fidelity money markets that serve as our "sweep accounts" in various IRA's. I never let the sum of these go below the year-2 value. Year 3: One year equivalent held in a T-Bill ladder. (Year 2 and 3 are adjusted for 3% inflation) Everything else is fully invested in a 60/40 portfolio.
Post: Where to Keep Cash
Link to comment from December 6, 2025
We previously held a small stake in the Prism ETF as part of a diversification strategy. I missed the prospectus comment that you could not withdraw all of your investment at once. Short version: it took several years to withdraw a less than $7500 initial stake in this fund. Never again.
Post: Private Equity Traps
Link to comment from November 15, 2025
We combine the assets in those accounts in a spreadsheet. I now also use Boldin and Monarch (thank you, Rob Berger).
Post: How do Couples Rebalance with Multiple Accounts
Link to comment from November 1, 2025
I grew up in Chatham, MA (when it was a quiet little town). I remember a historical note from someone that "sea captains always built their homes (usually the largest homes in town with those beautiful widows' walks on the roofs) away from the water on high ground. Wise old men...
Post: Coastal Retirement? Have You Considered These Costs?
Link to comment from November 1, 2025
I have not been hearing too many glowing comments about "Jacks" once great company. We left them for Fidelity to keep all of our investments in one place, as we had an inherited IRA and my 401K there *that is another question for security debates. Anyway, we couldn't be happier. Customer service is excellent. I don't think there are many investment options that you can't have there. Their website is much better than Vanguard's. For example, we still have the UTMAs at Vanguard only because that is a complicated transfer.
Post: Disappointed (and annoyed) with Vanguard.
Link to comment from October 25, 2025
Financial/money "thinking" should be included in the math curriculum in at least middle school/junior high. Percentages, compounding, etc., are incorporated into the word problems and calculation lessons. Then, in their junior and senior years, there should be a mandatory "school of life" course. Mandatory just as American History/Civics is (or at least was). When you graduate, you are prepared to join society as an adult. This School of Life would cover banking, budgeting, investing, insurance, car ownership(mechanical and purchasing options), apartment renting, home ownership, aging, career choices, resume writing, etc. Much of this can be included with post secondary education school choices(trade schools, colleges, military). There are many experienced people in most communities who might offer their time and experience as guest speakers.
Post: Financial Education in Middle and High School
Link to comment from October 25, 2025
"But why do we so often overlook, or even neglect, the equally vital investment in our physical and mental health?" Because I get very bored counting to 15 over and over and over again LOL. (And don't suggest pickleball, which is an obnoxiously loud sport popping up like mushrooms in once peaceful neighborhoods without regard for the residents who were there years, if not decades, before the sport exploded. My gosh, silence your rackets please...)
Post: Beyond the Balance Sheet: Investing in Yourself
Link to comment from June 28, 2025
Since early 2020, we have been 50% income stocks(85% US, 15% Intl), 10% growth, and 40% in a mostly bond ladder. I retired in 2021. We still have not sold a single "share" for living expenses and continue to live off the income our portfolio generates at an increasing rate.
Post: Ch-Ch-Changes?
Link to comment from May 10, 2025
It's a tie between reliving our simple Air Force chapel wedding some 45 years ago(no video, minimal photos remain)....or....Go back through Air Force UPT (flight school) with my 42 years of piloting experience between the Air force and airlines. But there are numerous collages of brief moments with my better half and the kids at a quiet beach, a woodland scene, or along a lazy stream when I felt at peace with the world surrounded by the presence of God.
Post: Hitting Repeat
Link to comment from April 5, 2025