Why Do We Struggle with What Comes Next?

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Oldster

If you have been reading in the FIRE blogosphere long enough you’ve probably noted that there are topic trends that seem to take root at certain times.  There are several prominent sites that will do articles on a particular topic, or related topics, within a fairly narrow range of time.  I don’t think there is any plot here or any danger of significantly more plagiarism than would be normally found in the type of conversations one finds in a like-minded group like this, but I do find it interesting that the consciousness stream seems often to be on the same wavelength, and it does make me wonder “Are we really all on the same page about this retirement thing?” Continue reading →

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What I Read This Week of September 10, 2017

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Oldster

Here are a few of the things I found particularly compelling this week:

Mr. A. Noonan Moose via J.L. Collins – Discussing a wasting asset model for spending down your retirement nest egg.

From Chris Mamula writing for Darrow Kirkpatrick’s Can I Retire Yet – A good discussion from the Elephant Eating Chris on major challenges in looking at early retirement, including the biggest challenge, “what do I do now with my time”.

From the Frugal Professor – Looking at the analogs to some fairly expensive habits/hobbies made be both wince and rejoice.  I’m making a few better choices now.

From Zach at Four Pillar Freedom – A good discussion of the fact that we are not as important as we think we are, and that’s a good thing.  Hat tip to Steve at Think Save Retire for putting this article on his Friday Feast.

Until Next Time, FIRE On! – Oldster

 

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What I Read This Week of September 3, 2017

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Oldster

The 64 Best Sports Books of All-Time – Granted, this his highly debatable, but there are some real gems in here if you are a sports fan.

From Steve at Think Save Retire – Discussing the fact that we probably know all we need to know to hit both FI and RE.  To quote Yoda:  “Do or do not.  There is no try.”

From the Frugalwoods Family – What these folks do truly does amaze me.

From The Compound Investor – If you ever doubted the value of time and patience, read this.  One share of Coca-Cola, purchased at IPO for $40 in 1919, with reinvested dividends, would be better than $10,000,000 today.

From Retire Before Dad – part homage to Hemingway, part tale of his own development, this post is worth reading more than once.

 

 

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Robo Versus Direct Investing

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Oldster

I was talking to a friend the other day and she was saying that she and her husband use Wealthfront as an investment service.  Wealthfront, like Betterment, is a robo-advisor service that charges low fees (at least, low for the industry) and uses sophisticated algorithms to make sure your money is getting invested to your greatest advantage. 

The discussion made me wonder, what if you invested directly in VTI (Vanguard’s Total Stock Market Index ETF) as opposed to having your robo-advisor do it for you.  What is the difference in investment return.  First, a few facts for our hypothetical: Continue reading →

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What I Read This Week of August 27, 2017

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Oldster

Here’s what I’ve been reading this week:

From Darrow at Can I Retire Yet? – The issues surrounding a retiree getting a mortgage without the usual w-2 income for banks to rely on

From Paula Pant at Afford Anything – What she’s been up to and a rousing discussion of the advantages of not having to work

From Actuary on Fire via Think Save Retire – AoF details the train wreck of his portfolio and his plan to remedy the situation.  If you read nothing else this week, read this.

College Girl Detectives – Taking the initiative to solve cold cases

From Mrs. ONL – How to defeat the notion that somehow FI and RE are going to solve all the problems you’ve spent a lifetime creating for yourself

Until Next Time, FIRE On! – Oldster

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