Jonathan - thanks for your insights at a difficult time. I was in a job I didn't care for, but followed your money advice early on and was able to retire early. Your advice now is helping me keep things in perspective as life circumstances change. Thank you!
Jonathan - your article reminded me of a conscious decision I made when starting college. My real interest was in archeology but decided I wouldn't make the money or have the job stability other degrees would offer. I pursued engineering (at a state college), graduated debt free (thanks mom & dad) and had a rewarding professional career, the last 31 years all at the same company. Thanks to a good salary, and 401k plan, I retired 5 years ago at 58. I often wonder what path an archeology degree would have lead me on, but am greatly enjoying retirement with my family, and proud of my former career.
Jonathan - Congratulations on a sub 3hr marathon! That's a real achievement. I likewise got into marathon running 30 years ago but under 4 hrs was always my goal. Enjoyed it immensely but nowadays it's swimming for me. Thanks for all the humble financial education over the years, I have benefitted greatly as have others!
A different mindset is needed to go from a career of accumulation to one of spending; I like your plan - it's conservative, simple, and the surviving spouse could easily follow it. I've been retired 4+ years and have spent modestly from our retirement accounts but know I need to nail down a structured plan. I feel comfortable with your approach and believe it will meet our needs! Thanks for the article.
Good article. It sounds like we think alike. I'm retired now, but early in my career, right out of college, I was making good money as an engineer. I found more satisfaction investing in mutual funds then buying a new car or boat, like many friends did. Needless to say, that approach paid off down the road. More young people need to take a long term approach to managing their income.
It's pretty common here in eastern Iowa for folks to leave the quarter in the Aldi's cart. Just a simple way of paying-it-forward. - and there's never stray carts left in the lot, but right next to Aldi's is Walmart, with carts everywhere!?!
Great article with valid points folks may want to overlook when considering a second home. Years ago my wife & I bought a small lake cabin. It's 500 miles from our primary home but in an area we were familiar with. The key for us was it actually was affordable for our budget and it's seasonal cabin. So between October and April it's locked up and not heated. Many great memories (and increasing value & property taxes) but it will be inherited (someday) by our son; having just one child makes a lot of things easier.
When I got out of college and started my professional career, I continued to drive the old hand-me-down family car. I could not understand the thinking of many of my friends who immediately bought a new car with huge car payments. I was able to start saving & investing 20% of my income (thanks to sound advice from dad). Fast forward to today - I'm comfortable retired and enjoy reading Humbledollar.
Great article - I enjoyed it! Another great place to find coins (quarters) is at a do-it -yourself car wash. People always seem to forget they stacked a few extra coins on top of the coin paymt box.
As stated in another comment, I no longer do my own taxes either, even though I enjoy finances and investing. It's just too big a bucket of worms and is worth the fees our professional tax preparer charges along with the chance to as a few questions face to face.
Comments
Jonathan - thanks for your insights at a difficult time. I was in a job I didn't care for, but followed your money advice early on and was able to retire early. Your advice now is helping me keep things in perspective as life circumstances change. Thank you!
Post: Four Questions
Link to comment from December 28, 2024
Jonathan - your article reminded me of a conscious decision I made when starting college. My real interest was in archeology but decided I wouldn't make the money or have the job stability other degrees would offer. I pursued engineering (at a state college), graduated debt free (thanks mom & dad) and had a rewarding professional career, the last 31 years all at the same company. Thanks to a good salary, and 401k plan, I retired 5 years ago at 58. I often wonder what path an archeology degree would have lead me on, but am greatly enjoying retirement with my family, and proud of my former career.
Post: Fire Meets Ice
Link to comment from February 10, 2024
Jonathan - Congratulations on a sub 3hr marathon! That's a real achievement. I likewise got into marathon running 30 years ago but under 4 hrs was always my goal. Enjoyed it immensely but nowadays it's swimming for me. Thanks for all the humble financial education over the years, I have benefitted greatly as have others!
Post: Confidence Game
Link to comment from November 18, 2023
A different mindset is needed to go from a career of accumulation to one of spending; I like your plan - it's conservative, simple, and the surviving spouse could easily follow it. I've been retired 4+ years and have spent modestly from our retirement accounts but know I need to nail down a structured plan. I feel comfortable with your approach and believe it will meet our needs! Thanks for the article.
Post: Our Exit Strategy
Link to comment from July 18, 2023
Good article. It sounds like we think alike. I'm retired now, but early in my career, right out of college, I was making good money as an engineer. I found more satisfaction investing in mutual funds then buying a new car or boat, like many friends did. Needless to say, that approach paid off down the road. More young people need to take a long term approach to managing their income.
Post: A Pleasant Dilemma
Link to comment from June 27, 2023
It's pretty common here in eastern Iowa for folks to leave the quarter in the Aldi's cart. Just a simple way of paying-it-forward. - and there's never stray carts left in the lot, but right next to Aldi's is Walmart, with carts everywhere!?!
Post: Who’s Responsible?
Link to comment from April 7, 2023
Great article with valid points folks may want to overlook when considering a second home. Years ago my wife & I bought a small lake cabin. It's 500 miles from our primary home but in an area we were familiar with. The key for us was it actually was affordable for our budget and it's seasonal cabin. So between October and April it's locked up and not heated. Many great memories (and increasing value & property taxes) but it will be inherited (someday) by our son; having just one child makes a lot of things easier.
Post: The Homing Pigeons
Link to comment from March 28, 2023
When I got out of college and started my professional career, I continued to drive the old hand-me-down family car. I could not understand the thinking of many of my friends who immediately bought a new car with huge car payments. I was able to start saving & investing 20% of my income (thanks to sound advice from dad). Fast forward to today - I'm comfortable retired and enjoy reading Humbledollar.
Post: Six Rules for Wealth
Link to comment from January 26, 2023
Great article - I enjoyed it! Another great place to find coins (quarters) is at a do-it -yourself car wash. People always seem to forget they stacked a few extra coins on top of the coin paymt box.
Post: Walking Around Money
Link to comment from January 24, 2023
As stated in another comment, I no longer do my own taxes either, even though I enjoy finances and investing. It's just too big a bucket of worms and is worth the fees our professional tax preparer charges along with the chance to as a few questions face to face.
Post: What Gets Taxed
Link to comment from January 23, 2023