Recent content by sfbrown

He's probably worried about losing you as a paying customer. Nothing virtuous about being a physician. It's a business like anything else. That's why I'm also wary of the drugs he's trying to push your way. He get's a benefit for pushing certain products. Show the same level of trust and...

It isn't your neighbors. It's social media. Remember when we had to talk to our neighbors before we could determine that they were insane?

We really don't have enough info to say anything definitive, but one has to consider what the size of the RMDs will be. Too large, and not only will your taxes be higher, but you may also face higher Medicare premiums. It isn't always about getting SS while the getting is good.

Why don't you visit a yacht club and ask one of the members to help you. You can't just go out and yammer on any old channel. Some are designated for military use, while others (like ch. 16) are every day use.

I've seen it, yes, but with a twist. It isn't the X% rule you're used to seeing. Instead of taking, say 4% in the first year and ratcheting up for inflation every year, you draw a fixed percentage of your end of year balance, whether the market is up or down. So, if the market goes up, you...

Her health is primary, but if she can hang in there long enough to prevent bad blood, she should. She may find that she doesn't like retirement as much as she thought she would, or she may be able to perform lower stress consulting work in retirement for her old employer. That said, 6 months...

No one should have to go through what you're going through, but it's something I've worried about from time to time with both of my kids. There used to be something called Alanon. Is that still a thing? Hope so. It was supposed to be something that helped people who were not alcoholics, but...

I think this is just the process you need to go through in order to make the transition. I think you need to ask yourself what you're retiring TO, not just what you're retiring from. I, for one, have never been defined by my career or how much I make, so when I'm ready financially (shouldn't...

I do, but it's because I'm 56 and on the cusp of retiring. I have enough to retire today, assuming the market doesn't plunge withing the next few years. The problem is, nothing can guarantee that. As such, if it is going to plunge, I far prefer it do so before I retire rather than right after...

Hi, Ed. I'm mainly guilty of rebalancing a little too often.

I think you need to call up that adviser and make sure you understood him correctly. Assuming you did, fire him. Here's something else to think about. If you have a lot of money saved up, live off your tax-deferred stash while waiting for SS at 70. Between your retirement date and age 70, you...

I like planning to retire at 55 because so much can happen between 30 and 55. A child born disabled, a divorce, a layoff, etc. Also, 55 is a nice number because it is the age you are able to take penalty-free withdrawals from a 401k (if certain conditions are met). You also never know how...

Shipwreck - Go Navy! Thanks for staying Navy! I am a retired reservist. Passed through (landlocked) afgn on my way out, too. Deepc gave great practical advice. I would only like to add to it that you will probably get bored if you don't work or go to school. The main thing I hear from...