"I started writing and being paid, but at tax time it was a hassle. It didn’t make sense so I asked Jonathan not to pay me anymore. I probably wrote more after that just for fun…and to see who was most easily upset😎"

"Mark, I can’t make any claims to extraordinary lifetime earnings, still, as one who was a poor reader until taking a speed reading class in 9th grade, I can say without any doubt that reading enhanced my life in many ways.  Reading taught me about investing, (I’m still learning), and opened the door to my becoming a tax preparer. I get much enjoyment from reading a good book. Reading even led me to the lovable characters at the HumbleDollar."

"That's an old annoyance, Mark. In his 18th century biography of Samuel Johnson, James Boswell relates a scolding he received from the older Johnson for tipping a waiter a full shilling, rather than the smaller, customary amount. Johnson said he did it for vanity, and that he would set the expectations for tips too high for those who could not afford it. In that case we can blame a wealthy Scotsman, rather than an American, for misbehaving on his travels."

"David, My experience with CCRC comes via my MIL. She is 97 and has lived in one in WV for 2 years. This is near her oldest son who lives nearby. It was his selection and an eyeopener for the family. Her physical issues have included COPD, osteoarthritis and macular degeneration. Her experiences over the last 15 years were in a PA senior complex where she lived in a rented duplex. No buy-in. Services were available but it was al-a-carte and basically independent living. She was also living with her handicapped son during that time. She moved with us to MI and she was in a small, assisted living facility with a double room to accommodate all her stuff that she refused to part with. No buy in was required. Her son moved in with us. Two years ago she moved to the CCRC in WV. Buy in was required. She moved into the Independent living area and had to hire personal caregivers to manage her ADL's. It was not the appropriate placement so after getting on a waiting list she moved to assisted living after 9 months. When you move to a different unit in the facility you have to pay $3000 for new carpet and painting. She is still using personal caregivers for about 3 hours a day to help her get dressed, help her with breakfast in her room (facility requires that you be "fully" dressed to eat in dining room, different from previous facility), and provide with a daily shower (facility provide 2 showers per week). To summarize, facilities are different. CCRC's vary. The level of care at MIL's facility has to be supplemented by outside help. They have another area for Memory Care and rehab. It has been at capacity most of the time. If she needed that type of care, she would have to go elsewhere. Her current cost with outside caregivers is over $100k/year. Good luck in your search."

"My brother in law who is an experienced mechanic and race car driver says to let the turbo engines idle a little while before shutting them off. Too bad I forget more than remember to do so."

"“keeping our promises, and taking pride in our work” seems to be sorely missing these days. I sound like an old codger. "

"I agree. I'm a big fan and have learned so much from the Kitces site.The Kitces article covered the topic in its usual thorough fashion, with excellent examples and figures. I would note that, unlike HumbleDollar, Kitces' writers are finance professionals, and generally write for other professionals. But it is one of my go-to sites for information."

"My dad was a long time, then emeritus board member of the Shriners Hospital in Montreal."

"Yes, Dan, I made it up, though I had a little help from the old fool and his money saying. Steal away. It’ll sound far better in your Yankee accent than my Irish brogue 😉"