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This is a very strong argument for having a prenup- just the discussion in your case uncovered this issue and averted disaster!

Agree, probably a number of factors, I like all the ones you mention in your first paragraph. I actually think that with wider adoption of prenups, and less couples with one spouse working, that financial ramifications might be less of a factor than before but I certainly don't know for sure.

The rules haven't changed recently so why does this explain why marriage rates are lower now than ever?

With respect to my brokerage accounts (Schwab) , paperless except for end of year tax reports. Once a year I: -download pdf's of each monthly statement for each account for the previous year. -create within the brokerage website and download an excel worksheet of "transactions" for each...

Agree completely, it should be free. How the credit reporting companies get away with charging you to make sure they handle your information in a secure way is beyond me!

When I froze my credit identifying information was requested, but it seemed to me this was for the purpose of verifying my identity, and was being matched with information they already had. I did not provide any information that I would not expect the credit reporting agency to already possess...

Yes, compared to five years ago I now: -No longer sweat the "small stuff", i.e. I don't argue with merchants over stuff less than $50, even when I think they are eggregiously wrong or unreasonable. This has been a wonderful change, as the psychological and probably physical toll of getting...

Thanks for the suggestion and I will plan to do so with my accountant at tax planning later this year. I do know that unfortunately California taxes both capital gains and dividends as regular income, and the tax rates are high. Once you pass AGI 40k the marginal rate is already 8 %.

Your numbers look very similar to mine. I'm 51 yo have about $6.2 million in investable assets. No pension. My assets are about 50/50 in tax advantaged and regular brokerage accounts. Expenses for me about $12.5k/month, I posted more detail previously. Like you, most people gave an...

Thanks for the info on SS, pb4uski. That's a nice link and I played around with it and got some interesting info. I think I will stay at 65/35 AA and also cut back a little bit at work, thinking I will stay in the game for another 5-8 years.

Many thanks. I have already cut back on work (and salary) quite a bit, to the clear benefit of my physical and mental health. I'm sure you are right that when I finally pull the trigger, life will be even better. Agree that this is a really great forum. I'm so grateful for those who spent a...

Sorry no great "teaching" points to offer.. My net worth is not the result of good fortune or acumen in my investments. In fact, my overall returns early on were below average, probably typical for the individual investor. For the past 15 years I have bought ETF's in equities and done better...

I have read similar in "The Intelligent Asset Allocator" by William Bernstein. It's a little dated (2001) but its message and tenets are timeless. The full math and logic escape me now, but the author asserts that although bonds have less risk than equities, at some point risk actually...

I think I have to give this some serious thought. At 50/50 I can weather the downturns more comfortably. As I read in one of these forums, why risk what you can't afford to make money you don't need? Thanks.

Your bar napkin test makes me think of when my friend insisted on taking a wrong turn, when destination was in plain view, because his GPS told him to. Reality can sometimes be obvious, but obscured by the tools we use! I appreciate all your comments and thoughts. From your and other...

Wow, more insightful replies as I was typing my own! CRLLS- Yes, you certainly hit home with me when you say it is difficult to grasp that with my savings, retirement is by no means a slam dunk and requires careful analysis. Big factors are obviously age and relatively high expenses...

Thanks for all the replies already! This is a wonderful forum and I'm excited to explore more and hopefully contribute in the future! Euro- Thanks, your encouragement gives me a little more courage to take the plunge, though I will probably not jump right away! Runningbum- Regarding...

I am a 51 yo professional in Los Angeles, single, have no dependents. Early on in my investing career I had a somewhat disorganized investing strategy but for the last 15 years have invested solely in ETFs, self managed. Here is a snapshot of my finances: Current income: $300,000/year Yearly...