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I am a retired Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer. I obtained my BS in Physical Therapy at the University of Vermont, and Masters in Physical Education with a specialization in Athletic Training. I retired in 2019, and my wife retired in 2020, and we have spent the majority of our lives living in New Hampshire. I have managed my own portfolio for the past twenty years and have utilized a fee only Certified Financial Advisor on occasion to provide input to my financial plan on a few occasions, especially deciding if my assets were sufficient to retire. My financial guidance has come from years of following the principles of John Bogle and being an avid fan of Vanguard. My other resources for decision making are Christine Benz/Morningstar, and of course Jonathan Clements!
The IRA Decision That Affects Your Kids
21 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 4/17/2026
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 4/17 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 4/28
Something to Think About
33 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/24/2026
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 3/24 | RECENT: W.D. Housley on 4/26
Is The Australian Superannuation Program the Answer to US Retirement Problem?
5 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/30/2026
FIRST: Dan Smith on 3/30 | RECENT: greg_j_tomamichel on 3/30
My Favorite Jack Bogle Quotes
5 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 1/12/2026
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 1/12 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 1/28
A Great Article on the Role of Elder Law Attorneys
8 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 1/20/2026
FIRST: baldscreen on 1/20 | RECENT: Ormode on 1/22
What Would You Do?
22 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 1/7/2026
FIRST: quan nguyen on 1/7 | RECENT: achnk53 on 1/12
Actuarial Services' Estimates of Proposals to Change the Social Security Program or the SSI Program
5 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 1/5/2026
FIRST: Dan Smith on 1/5 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 1/5
Calculating the Maximum Income While Staying in the 12% Tax Bracket
28 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 12/7/2025
FIRST: Humble Reader on 12/7/2025 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 12/15/2025
How Has Living in a CCRC Affected Your Monthly Bills?
39 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/12/2025
FIRST: Bill C on 11/12/2025 | RECENT: smr1082 on 12/9/2025
Another Data Breach
11 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 12/5/2025
FIRST: stelea99 on 12/5/2025 | RECENT: parkslope on 12/7/2025
IRS Adds New Reporting Code for Charitable IRA Gifts
8 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/13/2025
FIRST: baldscreen on 11/14/2025 | RECENT: DrLefty on 11/15/2025
Information on Jonathan’s Memorial Service
35 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 10/2/2025
FIRST: David Powell on 10/2/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 11/4/2025
Medicare Open Enrollment Information
3 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/2/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/3/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 11/3/2025
Wait Until We’e 70
48 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 10/22/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 10/22/2025 | RECENT: Brian White on 10/26/2025
Are You an Entirely Dividend Investor in Retirement?
9 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 10/15/2025
FIRST: OldITGuy on 10/15/2025 | RECENT: Ormode on 10/15/2025
Are You Invested in International Markets?
17 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 10/9/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 10/9/2025 | RECENT: youthbudget on 10/13/2025
Are You a Dividend Investor? If so Read This!
6 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 10/9/2025
FIRST: Jack Hannam on 10/9/2025 | RECENT: quan nguyen on 10/9/2025
Are You a Trader or an Investor?
32 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 10/6/2025
FIRST: David Powell on 10/6/2025 | RECENT: normr60189 on 10/8/2025
USA Senior Care Network
3 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 9/9/2025
FIRST: William Perry on 9/10/2025 | RECENT: William Perry on 9/10/2025
How Are You Planning to Pay for Potential Long Term Care Expenses?
84 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 2/4/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 2/4/2025 | RECENT: stelea99 on 9/6/2025
Sequence of Return Risk
48 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 9/27/2024
FIRST: Dave Melick on 9/27/2024 | RECENT: Ormode on 8/28/2025
An Excellent Morningstar Article on CCRCs
3 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 8/7/2025
FIRST: mytimetotravel on 8/7/2025 | RECENT: parkslope on 8/8/2025
Bond Conundrum
24 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/7/2025
FIRST: Jim Burrows on 7/7/2025 | RECENT: S on 7/26/2025
How Was I to Know?
12 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/23/2025
FIRST: Mark Crothers on 7/23/2025 | RECENT: S on 7/26/2025
Selling Your House and Reaping Tax Free Capital Gains May be in Jeopardy
7 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/24/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 7/24/2025 | RECENT: stelea99 on 7/25/2025
Are You Going to Get the Social Security Benefits You First Started Paying For?
8 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/18/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/18/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 7/18/2025
Morningstar’s Historical Review of the Benefits of the 60/40 Portfolios During Market Downturns
1 reply
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/14/2025
FIRST: normr60189 on 7/14/2025 | RECENT: normr60189 on 7/14/2025
Securing Lower Taxes
13 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/10/2025
FIRST: stelea99 on 7/10/2025 | RECENT: Nick Politakis on 7/11/2025
Increased Deduction for Seniors
43 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 7/4/2025
FIRST: eludom on 7/5/2025 | RECENT: Randy Dobkin on 7/7/2025
Does a Happy Country lead to Happy Individuals?
31 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 6/20/2025
FIRST: bbbobbins on 6/20/2025 | RECENT: R Quinn on 6/24/2025
Interesting White Coat Investor on Lessons Learned Dealing with a LTC Company
6 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 6/17/2025
FIRST: 1PF on 6/17/2025 | RECENT: smr1082 on 6/20/2025
Let’s Stir Up the Bee’s Nest Again- Another Way of Calculating Net Worth
76 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 6/13/2025
FIRST: David Mulligan on 6/14/2025 | RECENT: bbbobbins on 6/19/2025
Medicare Advantage with No Premiums vs Traditional Medicare with Plan G Deductible
32 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 6/14/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 6/14/2025 | RECENT: DrLefty on 6/15/2025
“Most Revealing Question in Personal Finance”
22 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 6/4/2025
FIRST: Jo Bo on 6/4/2025 | RECENT: normr60189 on 6/8/2025
Jonathan Is Everywhere on the Internet
1 reply
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 6/4/2025
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 6/6/2025 | RECENT: Andrew Forsythe on 6/6/2025
Lesson Four From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- The Final Hours of Life Can be Beautiful
13 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 4/12/2025
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 4/13/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 5/29/2025
Another Great Post by Mike Piper
7 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 5/6/2025
FIRST: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 5/6/2025 | RECENT: Rick Connor on 5/7/2025
Lesson Five From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- Politics and the News Has the Potential to Ruin Relationships
14 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 4/19/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 4/19/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 4/20/2025
What to do as the Bear Approaches
15 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 4/8/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 4/8/2025 | RECENT: Michael1 on 4/13/2025
Lesson Three From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- The Role of Faith in Dying
8 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 4/6/2025
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 4/6/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 4/7/2025
Lesson Two From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- Preparing Oneself for Death
2 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 4/4/2025
FIRST: mytimetotravel on 4/4/2025 | RECENT: DAN SMITH on 4/4/2025
Lesson One From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- Be Grateful
6 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/30/2025
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 3/30/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 4/3/2025
Lessons Learned from Taking Care of a 102 Year Old in Her Final Year
10 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/28/2025
FIRST: Rick Connor on 3/28/2025 | RECENT: Dan Wick on 3/30/2025
How Do Allocate the Bond Portion of Your Portfolio?
20 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/20/2025
FIRST: R Quinn on 3/20/2025 | RECENT: Casey Campbell on 3/23/2025
Great Ideas from Ed Slott for Estate Planning Using Roth Savings
12 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/20/2025
FIRST: W.D. Housley on 3/20/2025 | RECENT: William Perry on 3/22/2025
The Status of Inherited IRAs in 2025
13 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/17/2025
FIRST: William Perry on 3/18/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 3/20/2025
A Simple Way to avoid Phone Scams
11 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/17/2025
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 3/17/2025 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 3/18/2025
Morningstar’s Report on Comparing 10 Year Returns on Active vs Passive Funds
8 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 3/12/2025
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/12/2025 | RECENT: Edmund Marsh on 3/12/2025
Acorns
9 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 2/23/2025
FIRST: David Powell on 2/23/2025 | RECENT: bbbobbins on 2/25/2025
Is There a Change Coming in the Direction of the Markets’ Winds?
20 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 1/14/2025
FIRST: normr60189 on 1/14/2025 | RECENT: normr60189 on 1/18/2025
Costs Matter
28 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/30/2024
FIRST: Rick Connor on 11/30/2024 | RECENT: Jack Hannam on 12/31/2024
How Often Do You Calculate Your Net Worth And Why
57 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/29/2024
FIRST: Patrick Murphy on 11/29/2024 | RECENT: Will Schenk on 12/5/2024
What is The 10 Year Return on Your Portfolio?
22 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/26/2024
FIRST: stelea99 on 11/26/2024 | RECENT: Steve Spinella on 12/2/2024
What Was in Your Portfolio?
4 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/23/2024
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/23/2024 | RECENT: evan rayers on 11/24/2024
HELP, I Want My Money Back!
10 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/16/2024
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 11/16/2024 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 11/18/2024
Who’s Comments Do You Look Forward to Most?
30 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/14/2024
FIRST: Randy Dobkin on 11/14/2024 | RECENT: mytimetotravel on 11/15/2024
Two to Follow
6 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/14/2024
FIRST: R Quinn on 11/14/2024 | RECENT: Ken Shelley on 11/15/2024
T Rowe Frequent Trading Policy
11 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/11/2024
FIRST: 1PF on 11/11/2024 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 11/12/2024
Who is on Your Personal Investing Mount Rushmore, and Why?
11 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 11/8/2024
FIRST: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 11/8/2024 | RECENT: Steven Duncan on 11/10/2024
IRAs in a Trust
3 replies
AUTHOR: David Lancaster on 8/29/2024
FIRST: William Perry on 8/29/2024 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 8/29/2024
Comments
Unfortunately there is only one cable company per town where we live, so it’s that or a bunch of subscriptions which would probably cost more, but definitely would be more confusing to me.
Post: Living On Autopilot
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
Our internet and cable just passed the $300/month threshold which we have set as the most we would pay without challenging the cable provider. It was only a year previously when we last challenged them. This time they were able to drop the cost below $260/month. Before anyone tries to convince me to cut the cord I hate streaming and having a bunch of apps and searching for what platform has the show or movie we want to watch. This has gotten to the point that after watching the news and Jeopardy, and the 2-3 other shows we watch per week I hand the remote over to my wife to find something to watch. If I am not interested in the choice I go read. This occurs most nights. The main reason I like cable is I DVR everything we watch to avoid ads. My main interest is my New England professional sports teams, and all NFL games. It is easiest to utilize the cable to accomplish this. Besides again we can easily afford it, BUT I also am looking for good value.
Post: Living On Autopilot
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
About two decades ago I finally agreed to get a cell phone like the rest of the members in my family, but I said to my wife then we’re getting rid of the land line.
Post: Living On Autopilot
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
A few months ago after the single origin coffee I order online increased to $25/bag (years ago when I first started ordering it the cost was $18/1 lb bag) I decided to date a bag after I opened it to see how long it lasted. I only drink one cup in the morning. Ends up a bag lasts just a bit over a month. It seems expensive but at less than $1 per cup a lot less the going to a coffee shop, which we don’t have anyways in our small rural town. Plus like my comment below I don’t drink alcohol any more, plus I can easily afford it.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
My son who is an ex barista recently bought an espresso machine. It was quite expensive but his wife convinced him to take the plunge. Her thinking was he doesn’t drink alcohol, and coffee is his passion so why not. Great wife!
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
Remember once your income drops below the IRMMA level you can ask the IRS for relief as the payment is based on your income the three years prior.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
I suspect that your reimbursements have to be claimed as income.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
Hey Dr Lefty, “I don’t feel angry about that—paying IRMAA means you’re doing well…” You are correct. Per AI those who pay IRMMA are in the top 7-8% of income for Medicare recipients. Congratulations! Job well done.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
Dick, As to, “I’m a bit surprised. I thought this post would generate more discussion.” I think this is because you have covered this topic several times and the subject has been “talked” out, at least by us long time HDers.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
Olin, I saw you sneak in a pun there (harping) after mentioning Guinness.
Post: Retirement Toys
Link to comment from May 4, 2026