Rob Thompson

Comments:

• We have both ETF and CEF option funds that pretty much cover the various equity markets. I believe we have had them for 3+ years now. As with stocks (I know you know), there have been good periods as well as bad. And specifically with options, there are proper times to buy/write them. Anyway, we are up 15.6% with a yield of 7.95%. Expenses come in at 0.96 due to the CEFs but this small portion of our portfolio is just a little nitro added to the fuel tank so I'm OK with it.

  Post: A Foolish Option

  Link to comment from August 24, 2024

• My grandfather, a former commercial photographer, was suffering from macula degeneration. Due to his terrible vision, he would simply "OK" whatever his stock broker called about. One day my Mom (a Boglehead before we were Bogleheads) was going through his statements and discovered the churning this broker had been doing. Investing shouldn't be complicated and neither should the tax code.

  Post: Many Unhappy Returns

  Link to comment from June 19, 2024

• "Money is the root of all evil" No sorry. That is the often misquoted version. Here is the real quote: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." 1 Timothy 6:10English Standard Version
  
  

  Post: What’s your favorite financial quote?

  Link to comment from April 6, 2024

• We desperately want to give to our children as well as some charities now. The dilemma is ensuring we have enough left for our future (we are 68 and 66), dealing with tax rates and IRMAA cliffs, as well as rationalizing starting SS now vs 70 to help with this giving and the associated torpedo coming from that IRS office. And let's not forget the RMDs and the need to reduce their impact by reducing/draining/converting IRAs....I'm a wicked smaaht guy(MA thing) but this makes my head hurt.

  Post: Give While You Live

  Link to comment from March 20, 2024

• Build your own ETF of Dividend Growth Stocks that have raised their dividend at least 25 years (aka Dividend Champions). Reinvest the dividends until retirement and then harvest the dividends. We have been retired 3 years now and have not "sold" a single share. YMMV

  Post: If you couldn’t buy index funds, how would you invest?

  Link to comment from March 9, 2024

• Yes and no. There is the "belonging to the team (family)" aspect of chores that reflects pulling your weight and contributing to the team's purpose, survival, etc. And then there is the financial life lesson of working hard, doing a good job, and being rewarded for your efforts. Both are critical to a child's upbringing.

  Post: Should children be paid for doing chores?

  Link to comment from March 2, 2024

• I used to get teased by our family that I suffered from "the paralysis of analysis." Now I consider it a strength (and money saver!). Before any big purchase I do exhaustive research...and then put it away for a few days. If I still like the decision I'll go for it. Often, the "desire" fades and I've saved considerably.

  Post: Need or Want?

  Link to comment from January 13, 2024

• #5: https://opensocialsecurity.com/ can be used (free) to better gauge this decision. Plus you can play with different filing time frames at the bottom of the page. We have decided to have my better half start at her normal retirement age (which allows her to keep working without sacrificing SS benefits) while I wait until 70 (to maximize her survivor benefit).

  Post: Hug the Center Lane

  Link to comment from January 10, 2024

• "The site hasn’t been a huge success." Gee Jonathan, define success? This site is an amazing community. Thank you for all your hard work.

  Post: Business Schooled

  Link to comment from January 6, 2024

• We have always tried to maintain 3-6 months of "living expenses" in readily available cash. Taught the kids the same. Now in retirement, we have 1 year of living expenses in checking, a second year in a short-term T-Bill ladder, and I treat our ROTHs as a tertiary safety net (tax-free withdrawals). I have also added a HECM as the mother of all emergency band-aids. (Reverse Mortgages, Dr. Wade Pfau)

  Post: How much emergency money should you hold?

  Link to comment from December 23, 2023