I was just on Threads and read a discussion about tipping. One person from the U.K. noted that they don’t tip. It’s not up to customers to pay servers wages he said. Really? I’m guessing the expense of those wages are built in the price of food. In other European countries a close look at the bill shows a service charge. We all tip, one way or another.
Then you have the folks from Canada or U.K.

“IS THAT INDIA or something? Where was that picture taken, Richie?”
“You’ll never guess, Stevie. Remember 266 Washington Avenue?”
“That brown brick, 114-unit apartment building in Brooklyn that Grandpa bought 75 years ago? Mommy said he saved for the down payment with money from the kosher butcher shop he opened after he got here from Poland. But didn’t we sell it in the 1970s? It looks like the Taj Mahal now.”
“Yeah, it’s obviously been spectacularly upgraded over the years.”
“How did you get the picture?”
“Robin and I were in New York last month and went to see it.

LIKE MANY AMERICANS, Sally found herself caught in a whirlwind of unexpected expenses and mounting credit card debt. It wasn’t lavish vacations or shopping sprees. Rather, it was veterinary bills for her aging dogs.
I conducted a credit-card debt-reduction workshop for Sally. Here’s a glimpse at her finances:

Her Mastercard balance was $12,970 at a hefty 17% interest rate.
Despite that, she had an exceptional credit score of 820.
She also had a $26,000 emergency fund.

This HumbleDollar guide explains mutual funds and ETFs. Which do you favor, and why? Do you choose differently depending on whether the investments are in a taxable brokerage account, a traditional pretax account such as an IRA or 401(k), or a Roth account such as a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k)?
Mine are all mutual funds, in all three types of accounts. Initially that was because ETFs weren’t available when I started investing. Now it’s because I don’t wish to deal with bid-ask spreads,

You faced no financial disasters through life, you were not disabled, you simply went through life with no specific financial plans for the future and now you are old, retired with minimal income or resources.
How would you feel accepting money or substantial gifts (car) from adult children?
Glad, embarrassed, ashamed, entitled, grateful?

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY an “enjoyable” retirement?

I suspect there are as many answers as there are retirees. But one thing remains a constant: the need for an adequate income. Given a choice, I don’t think many people would choose to live a frugal, barely financially sufficient retirement.

My father retired at age 66. I say “retired,” but the reality is one day the owner called him into the office and said he was no longer needed.

Over the last 17 years, I have been saving a modest amount each month in a 529 plan. I have been doing the same for my daughter for the past 14 years. Given the market performance and our steady contributions over time, these modest monthly contributions have grown to be a sizable amount. While I am thrilled that we should have most of our college cost covered, I’ve often wondered if the 529 plan was the best bet in saving for college.

I only own two individual stocks. I have shares in the company I retired from in my 401(k) and shares in my current company in my Roth IRA. Returns so far this year: 93% for my old company and 122% for my current employer. Did you ever buy stock in your employer’s company, and how long did you hold it?

My husband and I are in our early 70s and have been retired for 5+ years. Our net worth is significant and we are fortunate to have a generous retirement income and lifestyle.  Our adult children are in their 40s,  have good incomes and various retirement benefits. Is there a good, better, best time and way to share our estate plans, net worth or other details about our future plans with your adult children?

We are in this time of life. One of our elderly parents who lives alone has memory issues. How did you know when it was not safe for your parents to be in their home anymore?  Chris

It’s easy for someone like me with a pension and Social Security as income to harp on the need for a steady income stream in retirement. The thought of coming up with a withdrawal strategy from investments combined with the possibility- even unlikely – of  running out of money scares me no end. The complexity of strategies I read about is just as disturbing. I doubt I could do it.
On the other hand, quite unintentionally I have built an income stream with two dividend paying stocks and a few bond funds.

MY WIFE AND I TOOK a hiking trip last fall that included wandering through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. The leaves were just starting to change colors, something I so badly miss living here in Texas.
I returned exhausted and sore, yet mentally energized and invigorated. For the majority of the trip, we were untethered from technology: no cellphone service during the day, no newspapers or TV distractions, no political talking heads,

YOUR CAR IS TALKING to your insurance company. You aren’t part of the conversation. Suddenly, though, your insurance premium shoots up 50%. Welcome to the brave new world where your car is spying on you.
In one instance, a Florida resident drove his Cadillac around a racetrack during a special event. His insurance subsequently skyrocketed—by $5,000 a year.
Has artificial intelligence taken over? No, but automobile companies have, and without our knowing it. Carmakers are spying on drivers and passengers,

I am shocked. When sifting through Morningstar for an international index mutual fund, I naturally turned to Vanguard’s popular Total International Stock (VTIAX). I noticcd its expense ratio is .12, uncharacteristically high for the definitive purveyor of low-cost funds.
My eyebrows raised, I thought I should take a peek at a comparable Fidelity offering. I discovered the behemoth fund group sponsored a contraption named the Zero International Index fund (FTIHX). Incredibly, that zero refers to the expense ratio.

VICKY AND I took a 2-week road trip through North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. We spent the Easter weekend with 3 of her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. From there we drove to Savannah for 4 days of southern charm, beautiful architecture, and great food. After Savannah we drove to Kiawah Island for the wedding of one of my best friend’s daughter.
Meeting fellow retirees, and hearing their stories is always fascinating.