"exactly what bogle and malkiel taught us 50 years ago Anything other than stock index funds is a fools game"

"When we found the “age in place” home that we wanted, in this area of limited housing stock and low turnover, we had to engage in a bidding war, though still paying somewhat below the unusually high asking price. When a few neighbors were compelled to inform us that we had overpaid, I began to greet future comments by saying “I know, but hey, we did everyone on the block a favor. When you go to sell and comps are done, our purchase is good for everyone.” I’m very happy with our choice and the many improvements made since then."

"Not much work at all. Less than an hour a month total once I had the spreadsheets set up. I know our day-to-day spending habits without tracking them in detail and they have been pretty consistent. The primary role of the tracking is to stay on top of regular monthly expenses such as utilities, insurance, and taxes. It's also good for planning bigger ticket items like travel and home maintenance/upgrades. This helps me plan our withdrawals. We are not on Medicare and are not collecting pensions or social security yet and have yet to tap our tax advantaged retirement accounts. All spending comes from our non-retirement savings, so I need to manage withdrawals in a tax efficient manner. With good tax planning I can have an effective federal tax rate of less than 3%. Additionally, health insurance in early retirement is about 10x more expensive than Medicare. We pay more in a month than most retirees pay on Medicare in a year. Also, the inflation rate on health insurance for us has been huge,(20% last year 33% this year). There definitely needs to be budgeting and planning for that. Essentially, the low effective tax rate helps offset the high health insurance costs."

"I don’t think the estate tax exemption will ever be reduced to $1 million, nor do I think retirees will be facing 22% reductions to their Social Security benefits . Still, it’s important to prepare for the possibilities. Sadly, I only have to plan for one of those possibilities."

"There are good and bad actors in every type of business. Service advisors at every kind of vehicle repair shop are under tremendous pressure to sell parts and services. If they work at a dealer, their job depends on it. If they own the business, they need to make payroll and pay their rent or mortgage. As far as the recommendation below to only use OEM parts, I do not agree. Sometimes OEM parts have problems that have been identified by the aftermarket. The aftermarket part in that case may solve a problem, be less costly and last longer. The best approach is to find a shop you can trust and build a relationship over time. It may be the dealer or an independent or a franchise. It also helps to educate yourself. With the internet, it is easy to look up the problems other owners of similar vehicles have had. Then you know what to expect. Finally, maintain your vehicle properly. Proper maintenance almost always saves money and time and may increase safety."

"Yes we’re thinking similarly. The product we’re considering would pay us for 5 or 10 years."

"TT is a comprehensive package that you are familiar with and that is a key factor when deciding the factors that are most important to you. The PCMAG 2026 review of the 2025 package listed that 2025 DIY tax package as the highest rated one in their survey. The only published survey negatives noted about it were- Pricey Some help responses come from the community, not Intuit If you are ok with the price this may be the best package for you for the 2026 tax year. In prior years some financial organizations and memberships have had discounts on TT if you were buying your software through your organization or membership."

"Thank you!"

"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?"