I have always had a lot of cash sloshing around, even when I was still working. Dunno about these stocks, which I do have quite a few of, because their prices go up and down, and you are never sure what they are worth. Plus they say cash is king, and having some cold cash makes me feel rich. I guess some prefer gold to cash, but I am OK with greenbacks for now.
Back when I was a lot younger, having enough cash so that I could buy a luxury car for cash at any time I would like made me feel rich. Of course I never did buy any fancy car, but just the average run-of-the-mill. It's the feeling that counts.
And when I got older and accumulated more, my cash level also grew, and I had more cash than any of my friends and relatives would guess. Again, it makes this scroogey guy feel rich when he thinks he can just write a check for another house whenever he feels like it, although he never will because he's now too stingy to even buy a new car that would be less than 1% of his NW.
This is the guy who bought new the 1st minivan that came out in 1986, paid cash of course, because he needed it to haul his 1st born. Now, he cringes at the thought of a new car. Isn't that several steps backward or not?
I have never had less than 10 to 15% in cash (meaning I-bonds, MM, CDs, etc...). I currently have 28% in cash due to holding very little bonds. However, not all of that cash is in taxable accounts that I can get at without paying taxes.
So, back on the drawdown method, I still have a few more years to spend down that cash that's currently earning very little. Not much of a method, but that's how it is.
PS. No, my cash is all inside brokerage accounts, treasury.org and such. No lump in my mattress, or jars buried in my backyard. Don't ever think of finding out where I live, because I do not keep it at home. And I am heavily armed!