In January 2020 I invested inherited six figures cash in Vanguard’s Intermediate Term Bond ETF (BIV). The rational was that this money would not be tapped for more than 5 years (just did to replace a dying car with a new Toyota) so during the interim I would expect to gain significantly more return than investing in CDs.
The plan was going great and by 7/2021 I had earned over 13K in returns. Even in 12/2021 I had earned nearly 10K in gains.

THE TOUGH PART COMES last.
Saving for retirement is pretty straightforward: You sock away as much as you can, favor stock funds, diversify broadly, keep investment costs low and make the most of tax-advantaged retirement accounts. By contrast, paying for retirement can involve mind-boggling complexity—and a big reason is the tax code.
The good news: Once you quit the workforce, you have a fair amount of control over your annual tax bill, especially if you aren’t yet taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional retirement accounts,

On 11/12/2024 John Rekenthaler’s last regularly scheduled column for Morningstar was published.  The column shares his thoughts about his career, the future and a self described tale of triumph in moving from full time writing in the financial arena to the retirement of his choosing which may include some writing as he plans to continue to submit articles to Morningstar when a topic interests him.
I have enjoyed his regular columns, I look forward to any future ones he graces us with and will miss his writing when those future articles eventually ends.

Not that this is a great surprise but a sad state affairs for those who are enticed by the “low” premiums with added benefits but feel eventually trapped by MA when they need it the most. For the folks in NY (in this article) who are lucky enough to be able to switch from MA to Original Medicare. I can’t imagine for those in states where they can’t switch and are truly trapped.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/insurance/the-sickest-patients-are-fleeing-private-medicare-plans-costing-taxpayers-billions/ar-AA1tUtML?ocid=nl_article_link

Somehow the word budget has gotten a bad name.  An innocent financial tool has been equated with penury, and excessive frugality.  Some people think budgeting is synonymous with obsessively tracking every penny spent. But it doesn’t have to be. 
In Personal Financial Planning, budgeting is a tool to help us manage our finances, make better decisions, and achieve our financial goals. It can be tailored to fit your situation. If you find there is “too much month at the end of your money”,

How did you know it was time to retire? How will you know?
For many folks, this is purely a financial question. They hand in their notice when their portfolio hits a target size or when their likely retirement income surpasses what they think they need.
But what about you, HumbleDollar readers? Was the realization it’s time to retire about more than just money? For those still in the workforce, what will be the signal that it’s time to quit—and will that signal be solely financial or will other factors play a role?

When I was working full-time, I always saved the maximum to my 401(k). Before my employers had a 401(k) plan, in the early 1980s, I saved the maximum to an IRA—a princely $2,000. Pretty soon I felt rich. I had $40,000 saved.
For this reason, I always pay attention to changes in plan savings limits. And there are higher savings limits for 401(k) plans in 2025, plus a new “super catch-up” category. For those who are interested,

In the past week I have received important notifications via email from two experts in their field that will impact your finances:
1) Phill Moeller who’s website is called Aging in America- is considered one of the the foremost authorities on Medicare writes:
Medicare announced that Part B monthly premiums would rise to $185.00 in 2025 from $174.70 this year – an increase of $10.30, or 5.9 percent. The annual Part B deductible, which most people must pay before their Medicare coverage begins,

I’m sure like myself Humble Dollar readers have fellow readers that when they comment you look forward to their insight, and trust their judgement. Who is yours? …and you can’t pick Jonathan cause that’s obvious.
I have several, but will just mention one as not to possibly influence others’ choices (as if I have that power).
I will pick Andrew Forsyth. His comments on financial, but especially tax matters are very detailed and insightful. I thought his chosen profession was a CPA,

THE WAVES AND WEATHER are always changing on the coast of Maine. Last summer, I paddled my canoe to a nearby island in the sun, and two hours later had to feel my way back through a fog that hid the mainland.
There are longer-term forces at play here, too. The black mussel beds I steered around as a child are all gone now. So is the sea grass that made a good hiding place for crabs.

I have been pondering for a week whether or not to post this out of concern it will be misinterpreted – I have experience with that. 
As Jonathan once told me,  “those who are financially prudent will most likely enjoy success, even if events don’t always go their way.” That’s it for me, mostly prudent and very patient. 
Is it always necessary to follow all the “rules,” to be precise with every financial decision you make,

I had lunch with some friends from my old company last week and we discussed their retirement plans.  Many are delaying Social Security until FRA (full retirement) at age 67 or until age 70 to take advantage of the 24% increase over FRA.  The conversation then turned to strategies to bridge the 2-5 year gap between retiring and applying for SS.
If you delayed or plan to delay Social Security, how did you/will you bridge the gap between retiring and applying for SS? 

Chickens are being euthanized because they are starving , chicken feed in short supply. Fowl play is suspected.

2) A phenomenon has occurred in Chicago, billionaire Ken Griffin just sold some properties at a 44% loss, from less than 10 years ago. hmmm. Also, an office tower in East St. louis was listed for three million large ,recently. 8 years ago, it commanded 300 million. A 99% loss. hmmm. As The late Bob Newhart might say,

Many words have been written about an economic, “soft landing,”,ahead,  so, I suggest not buying any  “hard currency” funds or etfs.
The VIX volatility index is expected to become even more volatile, perbe, mayhaps an investment in VICKS ( throat lozenges, and the like) products might be prudent.
When exuberant shills on TV and in print and online media tout their books and so forth ,such as, ” How To Get Rich Investing In Real Estate”

NOW THAT I’M RETIRED and have all the time in the world, I often use that time to worry about money. That brings me to a recent offer from Wells Fargo to get a $525 bonus for depositing $25,000 in a savings account for 90 days.
My immediate concern was whether the $525 would more than compensate for the paltry interest rate that Wells Fargo pays. A quick calculation determined that investing $25,000 in a Wells Fargo savings account and getting the $525 bonus—rather than the 4.25% I could then earn with Capital One 360 Performance Savings—would still leave me almost $260 ahead.