I a not sure if you are in the USA as I am and just wondering if you considered hospice? My mother has just went on hospice and it has been a blessing for sure. Main goal she has, is to age peacefully and enjoy final days and not visit a hospital again. Her wishes which I support her in her sound mind.
My mom made the decision to sell her home in a retirement community and move to an independent living community and in her words was the best decision she has ever made. Why I asked? She says she has made so many friends that she never had and wants to be independent. She has now moved again to an assisted living facility and is once again doing what she loves. Making new friends and going to activities daily. Finding the right place and making it their decision has been a blessing to my mom and to the family. Expensive? Of course. But it is her money not mine and giving her this gift of happiness and independence is worth so much more to me then any inheritance.
My favorite email was the one coming from Jonathan. He had a special way in his writing that made you feel connected with him. I miss that and I miss his passion for us, the everyday investor trying to gain a bit of knowledge from someone we absolutely admired.
Johnathan, I began reading Humble dollar several years back and although I enjoyed the articles, I felt like it was out of my league. After all, I have no college degree and would be more considered “blue collar”. Fast forward, I am now 57, financially independent and considering my next journey. A recent unfavorable prostate diagnose has me considering many of the things you are undergoing now. Thank you for your posts and thank you for making this “blue collar reader feel at home.
At 57 I just purchased my first bond fund VBTIX and I am struggling to accept it. 5 years ago, I was of the mindset I would never own bonds. Roughly about 10% of my portfolio I feel now is NOT part of what I have worked hard dollar cost averaging for the last 30 years. I know I shouldn’t feel this way but my comfort level in buying bonds is not there. Funny thing is, I have 3 years worth of income in money markets and have had this for the last 5 years and I am content with it. So my thought is I don’t see a 60/40 portfolio anytime in my future but with my track record 77 is just 20 years away which would mean every 5 years my comfort level to bonds would grow by 10%. Hmmm.
I lost my best friend just under 2 years ago. Consequently, he was also my step dad since I was 13. We did a lot together including vacationing, baseball games, and working together. What I did not realize is the void that I would have not having a best friend.
I am within 5 years of retirement. I just bought my first bonds which are in Vanguard 2030 Target fund. I do have 3 years expenses in money markets. I really am not sure if I will keep the Target fund or any bonds as I view bonds as debt of a company and I am not a fan of debt ( even if it’s not mine). Stocks have done me well in my life and I feel like a proud owner owning stocks vs owning bonds.
Makes sense Craig. I too keep looking for that big find in a single stock only to be let down. Thankfully, 30 years of consistent dollar cost averaging investing, I have choices on working because I want to vs have to. Appreciate all the knowledge I’ve gained from your Retirebeforedad site.
Comments
I a not sure if you are in the USA as I am and just wondering if you considered hospice? My mother has just went on hospice and it has been a blessing for sure. Main goal she has, is to age peacefully and enjoy final days and not visit a hospital again. Her wishes which I support her in her sound mind.
Post: Close to Everything I Need
Link to comment from June 20, 2026
My mom made the decision to sell her home in a retirement community and move to an independent living community and in her words was the best decision she has ever made. Why I asked? She says she has made so many friends that she never had and wants to be independent. She has now moved again to an assisted living facility and is once again doing what she loves. Making new friends and going to activities daily. Finding the right place and making it their decision has been a blessing to my mom and to the family. Expensive? Of course. But it is her money not mine and giving her this gift of happiness and independence is worth so much more to me then any inheritance.
Post: Close to Everything I Need
Link to comment from June 20, 2026
Love the article. Makes me think of the quote that gave me the boost I needed to retire at 59. That is simply, “Time becomes your true currency”.
Post: Slow on the Draw
Link to comment from May 9, 2026
My favorite email was the one coming from Jonathan. He had a special way in his writing that made you feel connected with him. I miss that and I miss his passion for us, the everyday investor trying to gain a bit of knowledge from someone we absolutely admired.
Post: Tributes to Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from September 27, 2025
Johnathan, I began reading Humble dollar several years back and although I enjoyed the articles, I felt like it was out of my league. After all, I have no college degree and would be more considered “blue collar”. Fast forward, I am now 57, financially independent and considering my next journey. A recent unfavorable prostate diagnose has me considering many of the things you are undergoing now. Thank you for your posts and thank you for making this “blue collar reader feel at home.
Post: Model Behavior
Link to comment from December 21, 2024
At 57 I just purchased my first bond fund VBTIX and I am struggling to accept it. 5 years ago, I was of the mindset I would never own bonds. Roughly about 10% of my portfolio I feel now is NOT part of what I have worked hard dollar cost averaging for the last 30 years. I know I shouldn’t feel this way but my comfort level in buying bonds is not there. Funny thing is, I have 3 years worth of income in money markets and have had this for the last 5 years and I am content with it. So my thought is I don’t see a 60/40 portfolio anytime in my future but with my track record 77 is just 20 years away which would mean every 5 years my comfort level to bonds would grow by 10%. Hmmm.
Post: Pick Your Peril
Link to comment from December 7, 2024
I lost my best friend just under 2 years ago. Consequently, he was also my step dad since I was 13. We did a lot together including vacationing, baseball games, and working together. What I did not realize is the void that I would have not having a best friend.
Post: What Friends Do
Link to comment from July 3, 2024
I am within 5 years of retirement. I just bought my first bonds which are in Vanguard 2030 Target fund. I do have 3 years expenses in money markets. I really am not sure if I will keep the Target fund or any bonds as I view bonds as debt of a company and I am not a fan of debt ( even if it’s not mine). Stocks have done me well in my life and I feel like a proud owner owning stocks vs owning bonds.
Post: Is a 100% stock portfolio reckless?
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
Makes sense Craig. I too keep looking for that big find in a single stock only to be let down. Thankfully, 30 years of consistent dollar cost averaging investing, I have choices on working because I want to vs have to. Appreciate all the knowledge I’ve gained from your Retirebeforedad site.
Post: A Pleasant Dilemma
Link to comment from June 29, 2023