The "Fountain of All Good" in Retirement
There are many good things about retirement. Some examples are more free time and greater flexibility in how we spend our time, less stress from work...
The Curious Concept of "Retirement Ruin"
In some previous articles, I've discussed longevity risk, withdrawal rates, and Dave Ramsey's 8% withdrawal rate recommendation. These topics can quickly get...
Reflections After Five Years of Retirement
I recently realized that I've been retired for five years. (My wife says that I'm not really retired, but you know what I mean.) Wow, time flies! I retired...
Messy World, Glorious Messiah
I recently came across a little book about Christmas titled Christmas Uncut: What Really Happened and Why It Really Matters by Carl Laferton. The title...
Retire Like Dave: Part Two—Maybe You Can Withdraw Eight Percent
A sustainable withdrawal rate is integral to a wise retiree's financial stewardship plan. Your withdrawal rate determines how much money you'll take from...
Figs, Faith, and Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is here, and we'll soon enter the Advent season leading up to Christmas. I've never had it, but I understand a festive dish known as "figgy...
Medicare Commercials: The Hilarious But Confusing Comeback Tour You Didn't Ask For
Yes, they're back, and oh, the joys of turning on the TV and being bombarded by Medicare Advantage Plan commercials. It is, after all, the middle of...
Avoiding Probate: Issues and Options
My wife and I recently had the privilege of assisting a widow in our church with some legal/financial issues after her husband's passing. It was my first...
Invest and Retire Like Dave?
I recently discussed asset allocation and diversification with some friends, a couple in their 50s. In the context of that conversation, they asked me what I...
How Higher Interest Rates Are Impacting Retirees
In a previous article, I touched on the risk that rising interest rates present to retirees. There are risks—the negative impacts of rising rates—but there...
Dealing With Financial Risk in Retirement
In the last article, we looked at what I believe to be the greatest risk in retirement: retiring without a clear sense of calling and purpose. But I also...
Our Greatest Risk In Retirement
If you're young, the most critical retirement risk you face right now is that you may be hoping to retire someday, but you haven't given much thought to...
What Condition is Your (Retirement Financial) Condition In?
I recently had the opportunity to do a seminar on a Christian's retirement at a church that's part of our denomination. It's a large church with a sizeable...
Sustainable Retirement Income—Part Two: Variable Withdrawals
In the last article, we examined the first of two main types of systematic withdrawal strategies for sustainable retirement income: fixed withdrawals. In...
Sustainable Retirement Income—Part One: Fixed Withdrawals
In a recent article, I discussed spending in retirement and whether our costs go down as we age. In this article and the next, we'll look at the other side...
Social Security Mythology
The 2022 Social Security Fund Trustees' Report is out, and here's the latest on Trust Fund solvency: The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund,...
Space, Time, and Retirees
As retirees, we rarely discuss time unless it's to inquire about the current hour. When was the last time you were at a dinner party and someone asked you,...
Does Retirement Cost Less As We Age?
There are two prevalent assumptions about the cost of living in retirement. One is that most retirees can live on 70% to 90% of their pre-retirement income....
Stewarding Your Digital Assets–Part 4: Phishing
I recently assisted the wife of a good friend in unwinding one aspect of a set of problems they had due to a phishing attack. She was pretty distraught over...
The Majesty of Simplicity
Perhaps like many of you, I recently filed my 2022 tax returns. I always try to itemize my deductions, and this year, as I was working on them, I was struck...