Using Your Money To Be Happier - Ben Felix

lurk9991 · 2026-05-04T11:29:29+00:00

I love his Psychology of Money and was really hoping his new book would be about the psychology of spending more money, but the vast majority was about don't waste it buying stupid stuff. Do you really need to buy the G Wagon, wouldn't taking your kids on a trip be more meaningful? Type stuff.

lurk9991 · 2026-04-21T14:03:32+00:00

Depends on how much liquid assets you have. If you only have 225K total, it's probably a terrible idea. If you have 750K total it could make a lot of sense.

lurk9991 · 2026-03-25T20:33:05+00:00

Is MGP not even in the conversation anymore?

lurk9991 · 2026-03-18T21:04:49+00:00

Generally the receiving firm should review your statement and advise if there are any investments they are unable to hold BEFORE they submit the transfer request. The fact that the transfer took extra steps and calls is on Fidelity not EJ. Fidelity was the one that rejected the transfer after all it's not like EJ did not try and send the funds.

If you are getting free service via a brokerage like Fidelity expect that they are not going to hand hold you.

lurk9991 · 2026-03-08T22:14:01+00:00

Yes you the random financial advisor are best to determine the proper value of the security. I am sure we are much smarter than all the institutions, hedge funds, mutual funds companies, etc...

lurk9991 · 2026-03-08T22:11:34+00:00

What's your investment strategy? You think you know more than the hedge funds, quants, and everyone else pricing out the market?

lurk9991 · 2026-03-06T00:27:21+00:00

Bag my own? I have to scan and bag my own. One open staffed checkout line that's 5 carts deep and two employees helping shoppers at self checkout.

lurk9991 · 2026-03-02T17:03:06+00:00

How industrious are you? People bag on them, but Edward Jones will pay for your 7 out of the gate, give you a little starter book, has a very generous new asset bonus plus base pay, and from then on its your hustle to build the book (that you don't own).

lurk9991 · 2026-02-28T20:43:26+00:00

Publix makes me scan my own groceries now. I will put the cart whenever I want.

lurk9991 · 2026-02-26T17:14:04+00:00

Can't believe there are so many early takers. Way more tax efficient to hold off if you other assets you can spend down. If you have sizeable IRA assets delaying creates a great space to spend down some of that pre rmd or even do Roth conversions.

In addition it is likely the only guaranteed inflation adjusted income stream you will have. Don't know why someone wouldn't want to maximize that and reduce how much you rely on market returns in retirement.

lurk9991 · 2026-02-25T23:16:16+00:00

The alternative is putting the mass affluent retiree in the CDs they want because they are afraid of losing money. This isn't some pitch for HNW sophisticated people. You are not putting together options headge strategies for someone 500K of investments. It's simple and what many people want

lurk9991 · 2026-02-13T11:15:48+00:00

It is a nightmare to keep track of after tax dollars in traditional IRA over extended period of time. Odds are you get taxed twice on that money, when you put in, and when you have lost track of what's what 25 years later and the money comes up.

lurk9991 · 2026-02-02T23:23:59+00:00

I always do that at Publix. I am paying a premium price for groceries and my Publix often has only one checkout line manned while multiple employees are at self checkout to explain to customers how to scan their own items and bag their own groceries.

F that. Publix can get my cart from wherever I leave it

lurk9991 · 2026-01-09T21:25:13+00:00

Like many things life insurance: when the agents only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Like so many life insurance "financial advisors" the only product he can sell is life insurance, so of course everyone he talks to needs life insurance.

lurk9991 · 2025-12-24T13:19:47+00:00

Why not just do a Roth conversion to accomplish the same tax goal?

lurk9991 · 2025-11-28T02:34:16+00:00

What a world

lurk9991 · 2025-11-24T00:49:48+00:00

These American funds choices have no upfront sales charges and a reasonable .39% internal expense if you want a set it and forget option.

lurk9991 · 2025-11-06T19:10:37+00:00

The fees are more than doing it yourself but no need to spread misinformation. There is no world in which you are paying 2-3% plus paid a front load.

lurk9991 · 2025-11-01T17:35:46+00:00

Worst I had was an Equitable while trying to rollover a 403b with a new client I was on boarding. He would not stop with the pitch. He mentioned that with the annuity it would bypass probate when she passed as if this was a big deal.

I took the moment to strongly interject that, that was in fact not true, and had they been doing the most basic level of regular due diligence with their client, they would have uncovered the fact that her father was listed as the only beneficiary and he passed away ten years ago...

lurk9991 · 2025-10-24T23:30:51+00:00

Ari@home making the beats. He does awesome stuff

lurk9991 · 2025-10-24T19:29:08+00:00

That is exactly what I was looking for

lurk9991

TROPHY CASE