The missing $2 billion causes me to think that this was just fraud, not a canary in the coal mine. If it were just a case of a failing company the financials and other records should reveal the losses and the causes of the losses. Thanks for this article. As a commercial credit officer, I'm very interested in post mortem analyses like this.
I am very, very concerned about the foolishness of the Republicans and their tax cuts (and I always vote Republican because I thought we were the party of values and responsibility!). When they cut taxes in 2017 I didn't need the tax cut, and I don't need it now. No one should even be thinking about tax cuts until there is a budget surplus. Just as I am on the cusp of retiring, I'm very concerned that the fools in Washington are going to wreck my portfolio. Unbelievable!
I'm not a fan of gold at all. I'm very disappointed when some of my favorite talk radio hosts get on the air and give their best snake oil pitch for gold.
A comment about the "hedonic treadmill". My goal, for decades, was to have $1 million saved up in my retirement accounts. After my divorce 11 years ago, my balances got cut in half to $250,000, which made achieving the goal all the more difficult. However, I started plowing the maximum allowed by the IRS into my 401k and shortly afterwards, tightened my belt even more and put all contributions into the Roth 401k. I DID achieve my goal on 12/13/23 and am now about 20% above it. However, the satisfaction/joy/happiness/relief/whatever lasted only a couple of days. But after that, what happened? It's not that I became DISSATISFIED with the achievement. But it's just not that big of a deal now. Now I've moved onto worrying about something I have zero control over: the idiots in Washington wrecking the economy with the $36 trillion of debt that we have and putting a HUGE dent in my savings when I'm retired. "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity."
Thank you Jonathan. I love that you care so much for Elaine. There are those of us who do not ever expect to find that kind of love again in this lifetime.
Jonathon, your plan of eating well and exercising along with the treatments sounds like the way to go to have an enjoyable life, short though it may be. The bathroom remodel doesn't sound crazy to me at all. My house was built new 6 years ago for me and my daughter's family. I have my "in-law suite" which is very comfortable and private when I want privacy. And I really, really enjoy it, perhaps more than any of the other 7 homes that I've own in my lifetime. Why? I'm not sure, but it could be because I had the final say in its design. It's not extravagant at all. But I love it. So I feel you and Elaine will have that same opportunity to make something as private as your bathroom exactly how you want. And I believe that will make you both happy.
Keeping fixed costs low has always been a priority for me. Especially regarding vehicles! I've never fell for the advertising that "your car is a reflection of you". Baloney!!!! I've always bought new because I'm no good at fixing vehicles. And I keep them a long, long time. The last time I bought a new Corolla and the salesman was taking my information for financing options, he asked for my income. I told him. His response was "are you sure you wouldn't rather have a Highlander or a Sequoia? You would qualify for one." I said "yes, I'm sure the Corolla will be just fine. I've had 3 of them and this will be the 4th one." I'm especially happy with the Corolla when I fill up at the gas pump. I see the total on the pump for a big SUV that just pulled away and his total was well over $100. Even when gasoline is near $4 a gallon I rarely go over $50 for a fill-up.
Comments
The missing $2 billion causes me to think that this was just fraud, not a canary in the coal mine. If it were just a case of a failing company the financials and other records should reveal the losses and the causes of the losses. Thanks for this article. As a commercial credit officer, I'm very interested in post mortem analyses like this.
Post: Lessons from First Brands
Link to comment from November 1, 2025
Thanks for the clear explanation. I'm a banker and I still struggled to understand what "Stablecoin" and what good is it?
Post: Smart Move?
Link to comment from August 9, 2025
I am very, very concerned about the foolishness of the Republicans and their tax cuts (and I always vote Republican because I thought we were the party of values and responsibility!). When they cut taxes in 2017 I didn't need the tax cut, and I don't need it now. No one should even be thinking about tax cuts until there is a budget surplus. Just as I am on the cusp of retiring, I'm very concerned that the fools in Washington are going to wreck my portfolio. Unbelievable!
Post: Feeling Moody
Link to comment from May 24, 2025
I'm not a fan of gold at all. I'm very disappointed when some of my favorite talk radio hosts get on the air and give their best snake oil pitch for gold.
Post: Go for the Gold?
Link to comment from May 10, 2025
Jonathon, Thank you for sharing your wisdom, financial and otherwise. I'm sure that you have helped many in their lives. All the best to you!
Post: Four Thoughts
Link to comment from March 1, 2025
A comment about the "hedonic treadmill". My goal, for decades, was to have $1 million saved up in my retirement accounts. After my divorce 11 years ago, my balances got cut in half to $250,000, which made achieving the goal all the more difficult. However, I started plowing the maximum allowed by the IRS into my 401k and shortly afterwards, tightened my belt even more and put all contributions into the Roth 401k. I DID achieve my goal on 12/13/23 and am now about 20% above it. However, the satisfaction/joy/happiness/relief/whatever lasted only a couple of days. But after that, what happened? It's not that I became DISSATISFIED with the achievement. But it's just not that big of a deal now. Now I've moved onto worrying about something I have zero control over: the idiots in Washington wrecking the economy with the $36 trillion of debt that we have and putting a HUGE dent in my savings when I'm retired. "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity."
Post: Why We Struggle
Link to comment from January 4, 2025
Thank you Jonathan. I love that you care so much for Elaine. There are those of us who do not ever expect to find that kind of love again in this lifetime.
Post: Model Behavior
Link to comment from December 21, 2024
After posting this I felt I needed to give credit to the Amish builders who built our home. They really do their work perfectly.
Post: On the Clock
Link to comment from August 17, 2024
Jonathon, your plan of eating well and exercising along with the treatments sounds like the way to go to have an enjoyable life, short though it may be. The bathroom remodel doesn't sound crazy to me at all. My house was built new 6 years ago for me and my daughter's family. I have my "in-law suite" which is very comfortable and private when I want privacy. And I really, really enjoy it, perhaps more than any of the other 7 homes that I've own in my lifetime. Why? I'm not sure, but it could be because I had the final say in its design. It's not extravagant at all. But I love it. So I feel you and Elaine will have that same opportunity to make something as private as your bathroom exactly how you want. And I believe that will make you both happy.
Post: On the Clock
Link to comment from August 17, 2024
Keeping fixed costs low has always been a priority for me. Especially regarding vehicles! I've never fell for the advertising that "your car is a reflection of you". Baloney!!!! I've always bought new because I'm no good at fixing vehicles. And I keep them a long, long time. The last time I bought a new Corolla and the salesman was taking my information for financing options, he asked for my income. I told him. His response was "are you sure you wouldn't rather have a Highlander or a Sequoia? You would qualify for one." I said "yes, I'm sure the Corolla will be just fine. I've had 3 of them and this will be the 4th one." I'm especially happy with the Corolla when I fill up at the gas pump. I see the total on the pump for a big SUV that just pulled away and his total was well over $100. Even when gasoline is near $4 a gallon I rarely go over $50 for a fill-up.
Post: Turning on a Dime
Link to comment from August 10, 2024