You don't actually sound like you're disagreeing. It sounds like timgray's child has moved out, which is making the house bigger than he and his wife need. You and your wife are doing well with 900 sf. You even think that you could manage with a child.

Solid points. I have acted on point 2 and got a low cost index fund and a slightly cheaper target date fund added. Suddenly, I wasn't losing nearly 2% (or even nearly 1%) on my investment.

This is solid advice, but it's hard at first. Like you noted, they're wearing themselves down and you at the same time. Giving in seems like the easy solution. Of course (as you're saying), not giving in is the long term solution, for the kid and the parent (or caretaker).

I agree to the extent that self directed accounts have disappointingly low limits, but 401k and 403b limits are robust enough that if you've maxed them out, finding additional places to save is a lower concern (although a valid one).

I follow this point and agree that there is a middle ground. It was the Time Enough at Last reference that made it seem like you were advocating against planning (although the character in the episode didn't plan his situation). I concede that you were clear in your statement about enjoying financial benefits in…

If the saving is into tax advantaged accounts, you don't increase your tax burden in proportion to the raise. It adds another way to keep the money in your pocket.

your premise is true, but you ignore the "retire sooner" portion of the argument. You don't have to be concerned about saving too much, if you save enough and then retire.

I love my index funds, but let's go with "reduced risk through diversification" instead of "relatively no risk". Too many people are fickle investors who can lose a lot by failing to hold through downturns or trying to time the market.

You are playing a different game, but you seem to understand the odds.

Wow, did you develop Android L? What additional insights can you give us?

In "The Millionaire Next Door", the authors cite studies showing that business owners tend to have higher savings rates. This is an interesting correlation.

I read and appreciated this article, because I agree with what it's saying, but that's what worries me. Does it appeal to confirmation bias?

Well, I don't think that that's the extent of the job. Teachers have to prepare classes, grade work, develop tests/quizzes, and give individual time to students. I agree that they get a huge benefit from their large chunks of time off, but I don't think it's as great as it looks at first glance.

You're also not working year round.

I just read that link. It's great! At the very least, it's straightforward and makes sense.

If you're getting anything for doing standup, I think you're way ahead! Seems very competitive and people probably expect to be able to get something for nothing.

Our emergency savings is based on a reduced emergency budget, as well, but based on the sources, I think that these writers are on a reduced budget that might seem like the emergency budget compared to most people.

I guess you love being poor. Think of how big your paycheck would be if only you were more open minded. All they need is your social security number and a commitment of your first born.

I got cartographer, too. It looks like I didn't put any of my abilities high enough on the spectrum to get my real job.

This is a pretty simple and common sense solution. Combining these two techniques would ease my mind.