Money and Me
Jonathan Clements' posthumous book *Money and Me* launched this week, blending his four‑decade personal‑finance career with a family saga about 19th‑century tobacco baron George Cope. The narrative illustrates how overspending can erase wealth, leading Clements to champion low‑cost index funds over active managers. He delves into money psychology, offering practical steps to boost happiness through anticipation and balanced frugality. Finally, he justifies an aggressive equity allocation—often above 80%—backed by a family safety net, challenging conventional risk‑averse advice.
The Humbling Side of Aging
A 75‑year‑old retiree experienced sudden double vision caused by microvascular cranial nerve palsy, a condition linked to age‑related vascular risk factors. Medicare promptly covered specialist care, and the author began a four‑week recovery using an eye patch while losing mobility...
Farrell Behavior
The article reflects on Paul B. Farrell’s flamboyant MarketWatch columns during the 2008 financial crisis, noting that his sensational headlines often concealed sound advice about diversified, low‑cost investing. While many readers dismissed him as a “permabear,” the author argues that...
Don’t Kick The Can Down The Road
The article likens retirement planning to training for a 10‑kilometre race, warning that postponing savings is a costly habit. It stresses that contributions made in your 30s compound far more than larger deposits made later, and that neglecting the employer...
The Financial Stress a Simple Document Could Have Prevented
A will alone does not shield an estate from probate, which can lock assets for more than a year and generate hefty attorney fees. The article illustrates how a revocable living trust could have let a daughter access her father's...
Time to Scrap IRAs, 401k, 403b and All the Rest
A proposal calls for eliminating all existing tax‑advantaged defined‑contribution accounts—including IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s—and replacing them with a single, universal retirement plan. Contributions would be made after tax and grow tax‑free under Roth‑style rules, while employer matches remain tax‑free. The...
A Time to Save
The author recounts how a 401(k) at Vanguard sparked a lifelong commitment to saving, starting with a 3% employer match and a 15% payroll contribution in the early 1990s. Over time, the writer shifted from actively managed stock funds to...
Should Retirees Get a Temporary Flat Tax Window on IRA and 401(k) Withdrawals?
Financial author David Bach proposes a temporary flat‑tax window for traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, likely spanning 2026‑2033 and taxed at a flat 12% federal rate. The goal is to let retirees tap decades‑long savings without the fear of ordinary...
Retirement Accounts
The article dismantles the myth that retirement accounts are merely "paper wealth" by highlighting their flexibility and powerful tax benefits. It explains early‑withdrawal options such as IRS Rule 72(t) and the Rule of 55, and notes that Roth IRA contributions can be...
GLP1 Access for Only a $50 Copay?
Medicare has unveiled a GLP‑1 Bridge program that begins on July 1, 2024 and runs through December 31, 2027. The initiative offers a flat $50 copayment for all four dosage tiers of GLP‑1 medicines, covering both injectable formulations and the new oral...
Benefits Young Adults Should Look at Before Taking a Job
The article urges young adults entering the workforce to look beyond base salary and evaluate the full benefits package. It highlights health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid leave, tuition assistance, and promotion pathways as critical components of total compensation. By treating...
When a One-Time Rental Sale Triggers an IRMAA Surprise
A one‑time capital gain from selling a rental property can push a retiree’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income into a higher IRMAA bracket, raising Medicare premiums two years later. IRMAA calculations rely on a two‑year income lookback, so the spike may...
The Never Ending Payday
The article frames retirement income as a "payday" that mimics a regular paycheck, combining a modest pension, Social Security, bond‑fund interest and occasional dividends. The author outlines a personal schedule: a $400 vested pension on the first, Social Security on...
Slow on the Draw
A 64‑year‑old physical therapist outlines his retirement roadmap, emphasizing Roth conversions to lock in current tax rates before required minimum distributions begin. He favors a simplified two‑fund index portfolio—Vanguard Total Stock Market and Total International Stock—paired with a bond‑cash buffer...
Jonathan’s Advice for 2026 Graduates
Jonathan offers five core pieces of advice for the class of 2026. He urges graduates to quickly build a financial cushion in a taxable account and to invest that money in diversified stock index funds for long‑run growth. He warns...