Madhukar Tallam

Comments:

• Great article Jonathan - 11, 8, 4 and 3 in order of priority resonates with me. I do have terrible conflicts between my heart and mind, rationalizing my decisions/conclusions.

  Post: What Our Dollars Buy

  Link to comment from April 6, 2024

• Great article as usual Jonathan. I am struggling with having Fidelity managing my traditional and ROTH using their managed services. I should consider your suggestions and do it on my own. JFYI - India's growth rates are upwards of 6.5% with a large working age population for many more years to come (for those considering world stock index's). BTW Jonathan I would love to see an article from you on traditional to ROTH conversions, pro's and cons', when or if it should be done, tax consequences and whether to fund the conversion using the money from traditional or investment account (I am lob sided on traditional many folds and when my RMD kicks in 8 years, I will likely move to a much higher tax bracket and trying to avoid / remain in lower tax bracket).

  Post: Totally Your Choice

  Link to comment from March 31, 2024

• Sorry to hear about the struggle you had to deal with. I just turned 65 last year and consulted an insurance agent who helped me understand the nuances of Medicare advantage vs. traditional Medicare. The biggest one of all is that I could go see anyone who accepts Medicare. This was the prime reason I went with traditional. In addition, the fact that it is much harder to get back into Medicare if you don't enroll when you become first eligible was the reason I went with traditional. The nice thing was that when I reached out to Medicare requesting to remove my IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) because I retired, they removed it and that brought my premiums down to standard premium.

  Post: What Advantage?

  Link to comment from March 27, 2024

• Nice article Jeff - well done on the planning. Take those trips and enjoy life and let the mortality be ruled by the universe - everyone has to die someday :-). PS: all HD readers - please check out this book - easy read but very powerful messages to address when living. https://www.amazon.com/Top-Five-Regrets-Dying-Transformed/dp/140194065X

  Post: Farewell to Forever

  Link to comment from March 6, 2024

• Wow - your journey is something to envy - I peeked into your smugmug - what wonderful places you have travelled to - well done. Our hopes are to do the kind of things you did already and it may remain hopes. I am curious though why you kept so much in money market vs. stock and pull out when you need it - where you trying to protect the principal - MM for many many years - I think 15 or so was paying about 0% interest - no?

  Post: Better Things to Do

  Link to comment from June 28, 2023

• Nice article Jonathan. Every article I read of yours, I feel you and I are alike in most aspects except your wonderful writing abilities. I think you should purse novels no matter what someone said. A few comments about what I have been thinking about charitable giving - my alma matter has a gift annuity option which I am considering (after all I owe my college for educating me). Comments on giving money to kids - I am planning to leave stock instead of money that way they can leverage stepped up cost basis on the stock and I do not have to pay capital gains taxes. I never funded 529 - instead gifted stock to kids on an annual basis and supplemented it with more stock if they got scholarship during college (added incentive for them). With one of the kids, this neatly turned into sufficient funds for down payment and helped her invest in a house in California - to unblock the challenge of coming up with down payment on your first house. Thinking of doing the same with the 2nd kid. I ride bike as well and try to get 20 to 30 miles a week. You will be surprised that you can keep going once you get on the bike - its always the next day you feel your age :-) I also plan to spend 6 months in a year in a different country to experience the culture first hand and to see if I want to live in a different country, All this has to wait till my wife finishes her PhD in a few years. I have shared several of your wonderful articles with my kids and friends as well. Keep writing your articles - one thought, is perhaps you can collaborate and coach some of us to do the same. My reading unfortunately is all on computer - have to hit the books someday. I am 64 and still working - someday soon I have to quit.

  Post: Wishing My Life Away

  Link to comment from April 8, 2023