Downsized at 48, then chose to work from home. It worked out extremely well in our 60's, a perfect time for all kinds of travel foreign and domestic, since I could work from anywhere with Wi-Fi. Cancer at 72, still surviving with modern meds. At 80 very grateful for the previous travel, lots of National Parks and every state visited, and Europe. I now enjoy the pictures and grateful for another day, but travel very limited, like within 250 miles of where we live. The time to travel is now.
My 2 greatest impacts, were my Father who bought and sold a few stocks to increase his wealth, we were very middle class. He always sent me for the newspaper, Red Streak with Final Markets for the day, 1950's. The next big impact was in Engineering School at IIT in Chicago, took a course called Engineering Economy by Grant Ireson. This course taught me a lot, present value of money, compounding, time value of money, rate-of-return analysis, depreciation, and cash-flow comparisons. This turned on the lights for me, and then later in life Bogle, Peter Lynch and Warren Buffett. At 80 I am following Buffett overall, with 85% stocks in the S&P and 15% cash. If I live to 100, I do not want inflation to take away what I have, Dad died at 101.
Well said John. I am a lucky one, and decided in my 20's, to lead a great family life you have to have balance in all the facets of life for the Best outcome. Glad you learned that early enough for you and your Family. The Best to you.
Great Questions on SS. I believe SS will continue, but at worst case will pay say 80% of today. What they should do is raise the retirement age to 73 or 75 just like when you have to take an RMD. The other thing I propose is for everyone to pay on their full salary, no stop payments after $184,500. I suggest not raising the percentage. Congress needs to start NOW.
Always great to hear from Jonathan. I now spend more per month on rent then my 1970 salary for a year, inflation does a lot as well as moving up. Although I can afford it, I really hesitate to fly business or first class. My idea of a great hotel is Marriott and Hyatt, Ritz is too much for too little. My wife uses every coupon she can find, and we check maybe 5 places just to buy a $12 item!
Jeff, maybe comedy is your new gig! Thanks for the laughs, but yes, you and I and everyone else needs an adequate emergency fund. Side note, I fix everything, the few failures will not deter me from a first try. Go for it.
Well said Fund Daddy. But I think inflation kills portfolios, and that is why I vote for a high stock ratio of 85%, and the ballast Cash at 15%. We all take some risks and no portfolio can be designed to be perfect, I just believe in Buffett, being high on stock S&P 500 at 90%.
Fund Daddy, 1. My portfolio size is in the top 15%. 2. I have no pension. I live in a CCRC and need part of my RMD to cover all costs. My cash can cover 10 years of expenses, probably more as long as SS continues. I like cash, no strings and whatever I need is there when I need it. I have no need to be 100% stocks, since I like taking some risk off the table. I have been blessed and 85% stocks, and 15% cash works for my family.
Comments
Downsized at 48, then chose to work from home. It worked out extremely well in our 60's, a perfect time for all kinds of travel foreign and domestic, since I could work from anywhere with Wi-Fi. Cancer at 72, still surviving with modern meds. At 80 very grateful for the previous travel, lots of National Parks and every state visited, and Europe. I now enjoy the pictures and grateful for another day, but travel very limited, like within 250 miles of where we live. The time to travel is now.
Post: Room For Happiness
Link to comment from October 12, 2026
My 2 greatest impacts, were my Father who bought and sold a few stocks to increase his wealth, we were very middle class. He always sent me for the newspaper, Red Streak with Final Markets for the day, 1950's. The next big impact was in Engineering School at IIT in Chicago, took a course called Engineering Economy by Grant Ireson. This course taught me a lot, present value of money, compounding, time value of money, rate-of-return analysis, depreciation, and cash-flow comparisons. This turned on the lights for me, and then later in life Bogle, Peter Lynch and Warren Buffett. At 80 I am following Buffett overall, with 85% stocks in the S&P and 15% cash. If I live to 100, I do not want inflation to take away what I have, Dad died at 101.
Post: FINANCIAL MISTAKES
Link to comment from October 11, 2026
R Quinn, well done, I see a lot of discussion, and that is good for all. I like the term comfortable. Amen.
Post: Rich or Wealthy?
Link to comment from October 11, 2026
Well said John. I am a lucky one, and decided in my 20's, to lead a great family life you have to have balance in all the facets of life for the Best outcome. Glad you learned that early enough for you and your Family. The Best to you.
Post: The Number Is Not The Answer
Link to comment from October 11, 2026
Adam, just keep these thoughtful and meaningful articles coming. Thanks.
Post: Market Risks
Link to comment from October 11, 2026
Great Questions on SS. I believe SS will continue, but at worst case will pay say 80% of today. What they should do is raise the retirement age to 73 or 75 just like when you have to take an RMD. The other thing I propose is for everyone to pay on their full salary, no stop payments after $184,500. I suggest not raising the percentage. Congress needs to start NOW.
Post: Will Congress Wait Until the Last Minute on Social Security?
Link to comment from October 7, 2026
Always great to hear from Jonathan. I now spend more per month on rent then my 1970 salary for a year, inflation does a lot as well as moving up. Although I can afford it, I really hesitate to fly business or first class. My idea of a great hotel is Marriott and Hyatt, Ritz is too much for too little. My wife uses every coupon she can find, and we check maybe 5 places just to buy a $12 item!
Post: Jonathan’s Parting Thoughts: No. 6
Link to comment from October 7, 2026
Jeff, maybe comedy is your new gig! Thanks for the laughs, but yes, you and I and everyone else needs an adequate emergency fund. Side note, I fix everything, the few failures will not deter me from a first try. Go for it.
Post: Laundered
Link to comment from October 4, 2026
Well said Fund Daddy. But I think inflation kills portfolios, and that is why I vote for a high stock ratio of 85%, and the ballast Cash at 15%. We all take some risks and no portfolio can be designed to be perfect, I just believe in Buffett, being high on stock S&P 500 at 90%.
Post: Why Bonds Matter
Link to comment from October 3, 2026
Fund Daddy, 1. My portfolio size is in the top 15%. 2. I have no pension. I live in a CCRC and need part of my RMD to cover all costs. My cash can cover 10 years of expenses, probably more as long as SS continues. I like cash, no strings and whatever I need is there when I need it. I have no need to be 100% stocks, since I like taking some risk off the table. I have been blessed and 85% stocks, and 15% cash works for my family.
Post: Why Bonds Matter
Link to comment from October 3, 2026