Dartmoor? That place has been on my bucket list ever since I first read Hound of the Baskervilles as a young teenager in the 60s. We finally got to visit there two years ago and indeed it is beautiful.
Travel. Think about it. Even now we are putting the finishing touches on 3 one month-long excursions this year, including a foreign river cruise. We've been able to do this for the past two years, and enjoyed every minute of it. Was it worth it? Yes, without question, and I do not regret a penny spent. Great memories and experiences. One day, time will run out for us, as it will for you. The old mind or body won't be able to carry you to Yosemite, Grand Canyon, or the Blue Ridge Parkway. What about the money? Planning will take care of it. You're just as good with a spreadsheet as you ever were. Figure out where you will stay, enter the costs, allow for daily dining and fuel, and you're done, on time and on budget. I must also once again thank you for all your advice at the WSJ over the years, which helped us stay on track to meet our goals.
We used the cost sharing reductions for several years until my wife was old enough for Medicare. This article in Kiplinger was one of the most helpful. https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/t027-c032-s014-how-early-retirees-can-get-cheap-health-insurance.html Also, the Bogleheads discussion forum has a lot of information about strategies. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/index.php
Road trips!! We've done several month-long tours over the past four years. Literally coast-to-coast and border-to-border. Even now planning another for next year that will be about 6 weeks. Our favorite drives? Big Sur and Blue Ridge Parkway.
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your retirement as much as we have. Your old WSJ columns were a must read for me back in the day. They were a tremendous help to us in reaching our retirement goals.
I've always found it interesting that people who, from from a young age, work hard, are loyal, honest, dependable, studious, faithful, and thrifty are often said to be "lucky." Maybe it wasn't just luck after all.
The US Constitution's 13th Amendment proclaims: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." Involuntary servitude is the same thing as a 100% income tax rate. No recompense for your labor or creativity - it all goes to government. Any lesser tax rate is but a matter of degree.
Here's another reason: Personal Finance is not often taught in secondary schools, and it certainly isn't emphasized to the degree that other less important subject matter is. A cynic might theorize that this is planned. After all, financial illiterates are easier to manipulate.
Comments:
Dartmoor? That place has been on my bucket list ever since I first read Hound of the Baskervilles as a young teenager in the 60s. We finally got to visit there two years ago and indeed it is beautiful.
Post: Called to Account
Link to comment from January 27, 2024
"Living well is the best revenge." George Herbert
Post: The Other Enough
Link to comment from March 11, 2023
Travel. Think about it. Even now we are putting the finishing touches on 3 one month-long excursions this year, including a foreign river cruise. We've been able to do this for the past two years, and enjoyed every minute of it. Was it worth it? Yes, without question, and I do not regret a penny spent. Great memories and experiences. One day, time will run out for us, as it will for you. The old mind or body won't be able to carry you to Yosemite, Grand Canyon, or the Blue Ridge Parkway. What about the money? Planning will take care of it. You're just as good with a spreadsheet as you ever were. Figure out where you will stay, enter the costs, allow for daily dining and fuel, and you're done, on time and on budget. I must also once again thank you for all your advice at the WSJ over the years, which helped us stay on track to meet our goals.
Post: Got Change?
Link to comment from February 25, 2023
We used the cost sharing reductions for several years until my wife was old enough for Medicare. This article in Kiplinger was one of the most helpful. https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/t027-c032-s014-how-early-retirees-can-get-cheap-health-insurance.html Also, the Bogleheads discussion forum has a lot of information about strategies. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/index.php
Post: Riding Out the Storm
Link to comment from December 14, 2022
Road trips!! We've done several month-long tours over the past four years. Literally coast-to-coast and border-to-border. Even now planning another for next year that will be about 6 weeks. Our favorite drives? Big Sur and Blue Ridge Parkway.
Post: America the Drivable
Link to comment from November 25, 2022
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your retirement as much as we have. Your old WSJ columns were a must read for me back in the day. They were a tremendous help to us in reaching our retirement goals.
Post: Retiring Right
Link to comment from September 24, 2022
I've always found it interesting that people who, from from a young age, work hard, are loyal, honest, dependable, studious, faithful, and thrifty are often said to be "lucky." Maybe it wasn't just luck after all.
Post: Getting Lucky
Link to comment from June 28, 2022
The US Constitution's 13th Amendment proclaims: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." Involuntary servitude is the same thing as a 100% income tax rate. No recompense for your labor or creativity - it all goes to government. Any lesser tax rate is but a matter of degree.
Post: Fair Enough
Link to comment from April 11, 2022
Here's another reason: Personal Finance is not often taught in secondary schools, and it certainly isn't emphasized to the degree that other less important subject matter is. A cynic might theorize that this is planned. After all, financial illiterates are easier to manipulate.
Post: Why We Struggle
Link to comment from July 3, 2021
I've always been amazed at how folks who practice thrift, work hard, study self-improvement, and defer instant gratification are also "lucky."
Post: Getting Worse?
Link to comment from May 28, 2021