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Musings on personal finance and more...

Catherine wheel firework

Prince vs. The Barnes Foundation: do you even need a will?

I’ve found myself quite avoidant to the task of getting a will. Then again, it’s a question worth asking: Do you really need a will? Now, I Am Not A Lawyer, as the saying goes, but I do have some … Read More … Read More
Crossword

How (not) getting a will showed me why we don’t think about finances

I’m really enjoying my life right now. More to the point, I certainly don’t have any plans for it to end anytime soon. But, well, you know, let’s face it, I’ve read the statistics, and one out of every one … Read More … Read More
Inspectors

A Vanguard benefit for those without “elite” status

So Vanguard has “elite” status tiers with extra benefits for those who qualify. The tiers start at $50,000. But $50,000 is a lot of money to many of you. Me too. And while it’s nothing approaching the roughly $1,000,000 that … Read More … Read More
Magic carpet ride

You can get “elite” status…with Vanguard

I’m an unsophisticated investor, but I consider that a good thing. I’d rather do something simple that has a proven track record, rather than go for big bets that are unproven and even more risky. After all, this is my … Read More … Read More
Mattress pattern

How financial products are like mattresses

I wanted to come up with a good analogy of why a fiduciary duty is such an important regulation to have in place in our society. And it made me think of mattresses. … Read More
Stack of papers

The meaning of “fiduciary”, or why others looking out for you is controversial

A “fiduciary” is a person or organization that is required to act in the best interest of another. I believe that everyone should be required to act in this way. If I’m going to work with anyone or anything in the … Read More …

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Barbed wire

Why there is almost nothing redeeming about Uber

So okay, maybe I don’t hate taxis so much anymore. I get their place in our society. When your time is worth more than your money, a taxi can make sense. But while I’ve softened my stance on taxis (even … Read More … Read More

In (surprising) defense of taxis

I’m writing this the night before I take off on a short trip, my first of the new year. The flight leaves at 7AM. I have Pre-Check (because of NEXUS) so I don’t need to get there all that much … Read More … Read More
Sarasota dawn

Calculate the opportunity cost

Opportunity cost can be defined as “the value of the choice of a best alternative lost while making a decision.” Or, more colloquially, it’s “what you could have done if you had chosen differently.” I’ve talked before that one should consider … Read More … Read More
Junk car

How my 1990 Geo Prizm helped me buy a home

I kept my first car, a 1990 Geo Prizm, for years longer than anyone said I should. But that decision later enabled me to buy my first home. … Read More

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