As a result of reading HD, I have become fascinated with certified financial planner videos on YouTube, some are pretty good, others not so much.
Often one thing strikes me as ironic. Some presenters look more like they will be starting college in the fall, than experienced experts and none of them look anywhere near retirement age – maybe they will FIRE, but I digress.🤑
My real curiosity is when they show a spreadsheet to see if a hypothetical couple can afford to retire.

I’m standing on my garden deck this morning, a definite slump in the middle causing me slight dismay. I know the cause for a fact: a main structural beam has failed. I built that decking over twenty years ago just after my brother passed away. Looking back, I now realize I started the project as a way to keep busy and cope with grief.
Yet, here and now, the question resurfaces: should I spend money to have someone fix it,

Retirement sounded so great to me a few years ago. Now as I face the reality of it, I find myself having panic attacks. “No more income? I will end up a homeless bag lady on Main Street….” I find myself thinking.
All irrational thoughts since I will have a COLA pension supplemented by my savings and will receive social security in 18 months.  These revenues will come close to matching my current net pay when I start social security.

I stumbled upon this site about 18 months ago and have been reading ever since.
When I heard about Jonathan’s diagnosis, it really got me thinking about how I could contribute. The thing is, I’m based in the UK, and I was a bit hesitant at first because I know Humble Dollar primarily focuses on US personal finance – especially with all the ins and outs of US pension planning.
But I decided to post  a few essays on some more general financial topics,

With my wife Suzie away visiting her dad in Spain, I’ve been keeping myself busy, and I must say I’ve had a pretty active few days! On Wednesday, I played two hours of pickleball in the morning and then did a 5k fun run with my grandson in the evening. Thursday saw me walking the shoreline of Belfast Lough from Bangor to Holywood – about 12k. Then on Friday, after driving to my holiday home on the North Coast,

I’m curious how folks have balanced considerations of financial security and charitable giving, particularly (but not only) those who share the Christian faith.
I’m in my early 40s. I have a wife (like me, a public employee) and two young children, and I have the opportunity to take a higher-paying job within my organization in the coming months.  I don’t anticipate increasing my spending with increasing income, at least not to any substantial degree. Rather, I’d either increase my savings,

Many discussions on HD make it clear my retirement is unique, mainly because our income consisting of a pension and SS is more than adequate to live in the way we did when I was working.
Other than monitor my pension as it grew, there was no financial plan except to ensure receiving the employer match on the 401k so that meant saving at least 8% for a total of 12%. I also invested the compensation I received above base salary,

My wife, Suzie, is currently visiting her dad in Spain. This means I’m fending for myself, and I’ve found myself venturing into the local supermarket for essential supplies – like fruit and nut chocolate, my little indulgence! While wandering the aisles, I made an observation that got me thinking….. again!
Morning shopping, I’ve discovered, is a real delight. There are no crowds, just a quiet hum, and I even had time to chat with the checkout operator,

AT THE 2016 SUMMER Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos challenged Michael Phelps for the gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly. A famous image emerged from that event: Throughout the semifinal, Le Clos repeatedly looked over at Phelps as he struggled to keep up. Meanwhile, Phelps just kept looking forward. The result: Phelps ultimately won the gold, while Le Clos trailed in fourth place.
I believe there’s a parallel between what we saw in that race and what we see in the investment world.

I have decided to post this as a separate post, not to distract from Jonathan’s post today, but to further explore the concept of what makes not an individual, but a country happy. If a country is happier as a whole it seems intuitive that the individuals in said country would be happier as well.
I have received some of my highest negative net rating in the past for posting these facts on Humble Dollar but since I am a glutton for punishment will post these facts again:
Every year World Population Review ranks the happiest countries.

This morning, while sipping coffee in my sunroom, a simple thought occurred – one of those rare insights, I don’t have them often! It struck me that since retiring, my morning brew has become more enjoyable. After mulling it over, I pinpointed the reason: time. More specifically, the luxury of extra time to truly savour and embrace the entire coffee experience.
This revelation isn’t confined to my coffee cup. It’s weaving its way into other aspects of my life too.

AMERICA’S HAPPINESS plunged during the pandemic. I’d assumed that survey result was an aberration, and perhaps that’ll still prove to be the case. But recovery sure hasn’t come quickly.
There was no General Social Survey in 2020, when COVID-19 struck. But the following year’s survey found that just 19% of Americans described themselves as very happy—the lowest reading since the survey was first conducted in 1972. The “very happy” group rose to 25% in 2022,

It’s a question many of us ponder as we transition into retirement: Beyond the financial aspects, what truly sticks with us from our working lives, and what do we find ourselves missing?
For me, like many others, it’s the daily banter and camaraderie with customers and colleagues. There’s a unique energy in those professional interactions—the quick jokes, shared challenges, and the general buzz of a workplace. It’s a specific kind of social connection that’s surprisingly hard to replicate.

Released:
A SUMMARY OF THE 2025 ANNUAL REPORTS
Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees
“Based on our best estimates, this year’s reports show that……
The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year’s report. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits……”
“As in prior years,

Hi,
I was encouraged to post here by my cousin, and HumbleDollar columnist, Ed Marsh so here goes – I’m considering a reverse 1031 exchange.  I’d have preferred it be a straight 1031 exchange but timing hasn’t worked in my favor in that my wife and I found the replacement property unexpectedly and had not intended on selling the relinquished property so quickly.  My question is twofold.  First – can the QI take title to the relinquished property instead of the replacement property ahead of the sale of said property so that I don’t have title to both properties?