Same Old

Still healing, still watching iguanas, still hanging out at home. At least my sister Betsy is visiting from New Zealand, so I've had some entertainment. I can hobble to the pool with my cane, and we have enjoyed swimming each morning. Since I can drive, we've gone to the phone store to get her a sym card and visited Grant at work for lunch on the patio overlooking Biscayne Bay. We even went to a Marlins game which was fun, especially since they beat the LA Dodgers 13-7. But mostly we've been in the apartment because walking wears me out.

Grant and I did meet with financial planners from TIAA. As soon as I get statements from all our accounts, and we hear from UM Benefits about pension details, they are going to crunch numbers. We are committed to low cost index funds. Since we have Social Security and the UM pension which will be there unless the world goes to hell, and it may, I know inflation is our biggest financial enemy. Even at 2%, it just keeps eating away at our assets.

Translating this into action is my bugaboo. I've asked the planners for two things: a specific balance of stocks to bonds, and an annual date on which I must re-balance our portfolio. Once we are set up, and the date is on the calendar, I know I'll follow through. The silly thing is that I could pick the ratio myself since there are rules of thumbs, like the percentage of stocks should be 120 - our age. This would move us toward each year to more conservative investments, while still having our assets grow so we don't run out of money. Yet, having a professional's confirmation of my actions gives me much comfort. Is that lame? Yes.

In the meantime, Betsy and I chat and chat. We do love to talk. Our sister Peg, who lives in Plant City, FL, was supposed to join us, but, after waiting several months, her husband was finally scheduled for an out-patient procedure this week, and she had to stay and take care of him afterwards. She claimed he's being a model patient. Could be true. Perhaps next week she can come down, or we can drive up to central Florida, maybe even Gainsville.

How will the iguanas do if I'm not sitting in the living room watching them? I'm willing to take that chance.