"Bill, your posts are always helpful--Thanks!"

"Good article Mark. To answer your question first, I didn’t have any trouble learning to spend. I did do a fair amount of research and figuring (no spreadsheets though) so knew where we stood. For context, we’re total return investors and have no problem selling assets to generate cash flow. To add to the annuity subtopic, we’re considering a single premium immediate annuity(s). It would provide guaranteed income until social security starts, and locks in today’s historically high interest rate on a portion of our portfolio. We would fund it from taxable assets so most of the monthly payment would be considered return of premium and therefore not taxed. We haven’t talked to a salesperson; this is a self-generated idea. As I said we’re total return investors, and it weren’t for current interest rates we probably wouldn’t consider the SPIA. But right now I’d say it’s more likely we do it than not. "

"Dick are you positive that you don't like puzzles? Your typical post either poses a puzzle or a state of puzzlement. Here are some quotes from recent your recent posts:  

• Can someone explain the value of tracking expenses in detail?
• Why can’t Americans put more effort into understanding Social Security?
• The cost of living always goes up. Why are people, especially retirees, often surprised?

And what are your detailed examinations and explorations of Medicare, Social Security, HOAs etc. other than attempts to arrange the "pieces" of complicated and abstract jigsaw puzzles. No, I suspect that you thrive on puzzles.   Mark"

"David, To take the subjectivity out of filter changes and other routines maintenance here is one approach to consider: Hang a small erasable whiteboard in your garage (ideally in sight from the driver's seat so you can routinely see the board and odometer at the same time). Keep a list of your routine or more significant upcoming maintenance listed with the miles (or dates if applicable). As for engine air filters I use 10K Miles, Cabin filters 20K miles (both intervals assume no extreme dust or pollen conditions (or allergies for the cabin filter). One of my favorite examples of crooked mechanics from the years past when I was too busy to do my own oil changes was when I was shown a picture of "my" very dirty air filter and told they needed to change it. Problem was, it was not mine. The photo was of someone else's. I had just changed mine the day before and it had an orange edge seal.The one in the picture had a black seal and and somewhat different dimensions. That was a local gas station not a dealer. They lost my business forever including gas purchases."

"You won’t like the comments on any of the social media sites, they’ve become a white hot mess."

"I think talking to kids about money should start at an early age, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Simple everyday conversations can help children understand the value of money and develop good financial habits. For example, parents can involve their kids in grocery shopping, explain the difference between needs and wants, and encourage them to save a small amount of their allowance. These little experiences can teach important lessons about budgeting, saving, and responsible spending. I also believe financial literacy for kids becomes more effective when learning is fun and interactive. Activities like setting savings goals, playing money-related games, or planning a small family budget can help children understand financial concepts without feeling overwhelmed. As kids grow older, introducing topics like smart spending, earning money, and making financial decisions can prepare them for real-life responsibilities. Personally, I feel the most important thing is to make money conversations normal at home rather than treating finances as something children shouldn't discuss. How do you teach your kids about money? Do you prefer giving them an allowance or involving them in everyday financial decisions?"

"As I noted, I'm new to this game, and am by no means an expert on this topic. But a lot of this is fresh in my mind after having just gone through this. But you need to do your own research. Don't take what you see here as gospel truth. That said .... first, if you are happy with your Medicare Advantage plan and it has served you well for 12 years, you are wise to be cautious about switching. As you noted, your network of doctors is stable and you have access to the care you need.However, your concern about future restrictions on care or changes to provider networks is valid, as those are common frustrations with Advantage plans. The critical issue you must investigate before making any decision is medical underwriting. At 77 years old, with a history of stents, you would likely have to undergo medical underwriting to purchase a separate Medigap (supplement) plan. Unlike during your initial enrollment period, insurers can review your health history and deny you coverage or charge a significantly higher premium based on your condition. A history of stents is a major risk factor and could very likely result in a decline. The only way to avoid medical underwriting is if you qualify for a "guaranteed issue" right. This is a specific set of circumstances where an insurer must sell you a Medigap policy regardless of your health.

• Federal Rules: You generally get guaranteed issue rights if your current Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you move out of the plan's service area, or if you joined an Advantage plan for the first time and want to switch back to Original Medicare within the first year (a "trial right"). Voluntarily leaving your plan because you are worried about the future does not trigger a federal guaranteed issue right.

• State Rules: This is where it gets complex. Some states, such as New York, Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts, have additional laws that offer broader or continuous guaranteed issue rights, or "birthday rules" that allow you to switch policies annually.

As you can see, there are many conditionals. You cannot make an informed decision without consulting a trusted, independent Medicare insurance agent or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). They can help you understand your specific health underwriting risks and whether any guaranteed issue rights apply to you based on where you live."

"Has your company looked into trading based on politicians' stock purchases? I remember seeing an app that made it easier for people to see the stocks politicians purchased, but I never seriously considered looking into it further because I've always been an index investor. I'm more curious than anything if your company has looked into that. In theory, it seems like it would be a good way to invest but then again, with the delayed timing of politicians' stock disclosures I imagine the benefit of copying them might be limited."

"Thanks, Harold, that is the part a count can't show. The quarterly reports I counted carry management's own version of that 12-month test, and it rarely goes away quickly: of the companies that warned in a report filed between January and May, 94% still warned in the next one. Your point about credit agreements is probably part of why."