I always consider the "Flat Tax" argument to translate to: "Why does this have to be so complicated? The IRS knows what I made, just charge me my fair share." Seriously, why is it so complicated? Incentives? Penalties? And why, in this world of supercomputers and AI, does IRMAA still have a cliff(s)?
Entering mandatory retirement at 65, mortgage-free, we explored HELOC vs. HECM and eventually chose the latter after reading Wade Pfau's Reverse Mortgages.
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...
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HECM Reverse Mortgages: How to use Reverse Mortgages to Secure Your Retirement (The Retirement Researcher Guide Series) By Dr. Wade Pfau They are no longer a late-night TV nightmare Depending on your age, assets, home value, mortgage, etc. you might just want to let your appreciating home "pay for itself".
Post: Leverage
Link to comment from June 20, 2026
I always consider the "Flat Tax" argument to translate to: "Why does this have to be so complicated? The IRS knows what I made, just charge me my fair share." Seriously, why is it so complicated? Incentives? Penalties? And why, in this world of supercomputers and AI, does IRMAA still have a cliff(s)?
Post: …..taxes and you
Link to comment from June 13, 2026
Interesting idea, but I'd prefer they take a chainsaw to the tax codes and start there.
Post: Time to scrap IRAs, 401k, 403b and all the rest
Link to comment from May 23, 2026
Entering mandatory retirement at 65, mortgage-free, we explored HELOC vs. HECM and eventually chose the latter after reading Wade Pfau's Reverse Mortgages.
Post: Advice I give to anyone who’ll listen!
Link to comment from January 31, 2026
Agree 100%. Others to consider: XCEM, Exp 0.16, Yield 3.25 TTM EMXC, Exp 0.25, Yield 2.82 TTM XC, Exp 0.32, Yield 1.68 TTM Lowest cost: VEXC, Exp 0.07, Yield 0.00 (at present)
Post: China Market Risk
Link to comment from January 17, 2026
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