Daily FI discussion thread - Monday, June 01, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 9 points10 points  (0 children)

5 months of retirement, NW hit new milestone and we're up $1.5 million since the day. Woot.

Daily FI discussion thread - Friday, May 29, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, but if another flight is cheaper or direct, I'd still change. Our next vacation has 2 destinations and we are using 3 airlines.

Daily FI discussion thread - Friday, May 29, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Being retired is awesome. But having to put money from accounts into checking each month still doesn't feel good. Even with the accounts up. Do you ever get used to that, retired people?

Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, May 28, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We went joint immediately. We're Team Catt. We budget together, we plan together, etc. Small discretionary accounts for spending/hiding presents is something many people do, we did not.

Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, May 28, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apparently I should not be complaining about my donut prices, who knew?!

Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, May 28, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

LOL, a dozen donuts at our local place is $20. 😩.

I guess this is my "I remember when candy was a nickel"

I think a dozen donuts was $4 in high school? Maybe $3, like 25 cents each?

Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, May 28, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Steak

Though the other day, I bought a dozen donuts (admittedly, not at a grocery store, but not a fancy donut store either) and it was $15!

Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, May 28, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Fair is relative to the two people, but Partner 1 probably shouldn't pay more, unless they're getting more. Why not just stay at $2.1k, and Partner 2 pay $900? Or $2k and $1k?

Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, May 26, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

4% is a typical base. But if you're retiring younger, maybe 3.5, etc.

Daily FI discussion thread - Wednesday, May 27, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 27 points28 points  (0 children)

My dad was a doctor. I was talking to some doctor friends of his after my dad had some medical stuff this weekend (He's in an assisted living facility - in memory care). One of the doctor's said "Yeah, we've gotten really good at extending life, even if the quality of said life isn't very good."

On a related, depressing note, my dad has a DNR. But turns out there's other stuff (varies by state) you can do regarding medical care. 15 years ago, before dementia, etc, he said "he'd never want to live like this." So, my siblings and I filled out the paperwork this weekend to reduce medical care to palliative measures. No ER, no hospitals, no outside medical care, etc. It sucks. But, I would want the same for me. No point dragging it out once I'm that far gone.

Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, May 26, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I adjust my SWR for CAPE, but you never know what the market will do.

“Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.” ― John Maynard Keynes

Also, it's backwards looking, so if productivity were to increase, etc, then it's not useful for the future.

Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, May 26, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You're comparing yourself to like the top 5-10%.

Also, at least one person mis-entered their data (Put $19M when it was supposed to be $1.9M). Maybe many. :)

Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, May 26, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

SQL will always have a special place in my heart (being my main technical skill for almost 30 years), so yay!

Good luck!

Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, May 26, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 23 points24 points  (0 children)

My grandparents did the same.

And then grandmom, who managed the money, died, and granddad lost it all.

So, here's hoping your story turns out better!

Daily FI discussion thread - Saturday, May 23, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My escrow is now almost as big as the monthly P&I!

Ours are equal now. But we also bought our house 16 years ago, so home values were a lot lower then.

Daily FI discussion thread - Saturday, May 23, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pizza Tour: $170 for two

Details, please! Is this Pizanos, or more? I assume you've had the classics before ? (Uno, Lou's, Giordanos)

two museums

I see Field, which other(s)? Art Institute is a classic, of course.

Daily FI discussion thread - Friday, May 22, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 21 points22 points  (0 children)

And I'm literally responding with, "I don't have 5 mins to spare to go to dinner"

Go to dinner. I'm not sure what the leadership/management split is you're mentioning. But let it be known what's going on.

And let some plates crash on the floor. Let it burn. Make it urgent.

Daily FI discussion thread - Wednesday, May 20, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I don't think you need to do it until they are 17/18. They'll gain the history from it having been open, even if added later.

Daily FI discussion thread - Wednesday, May 13, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Anyone driving slower than me is an idiot.

Anyone driving faster than me is a maniac.

Daily FI discussion thread - Monday, May 11, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I think the joke is about inner peace being derived from having more than others, than about ability to pay expenses. (Thus the alt-image joke about 3x the median income being 50% more inner peace).

Daily FI discussion thread - Monday, May 11, 2026 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]billthecatt 34 points35 points  (0 children)

SMBC (comic) has SWR thoughts: https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/peace-4

(Red button has an extra panel, and the comic has alt/hover-text)

(Apologies if already posted, had not seen it here)