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You are here: Home / Life / Reviewing the comments on my post of April 1st

Reviewing the comments on my post of April 1st

by jlcollinsnh 57 Comments

Boy howdy.

I’m going to have to be sure to look more carefully at the calendar before I put up a post with momentous news. 

Thank you for the outpouring of your mostly kind and creative comments on it.

I’m impressed. Not one of you seriously believed I’d cracked the market timing code. Knowing how smart my readers are, I kind of expected this and it was gratifying. (Although I was a little shocked at how quick many of you were to believe I’d sold out and was ready to profiteer on the idea. Oh ye of little faith!)

Meanwhile, the world seems to be infected with folks who believe they have a crystal ball. COVID-19, as I tweeted a while back, seems to have developed an additional symptom:

Clairvoyance

digital artwork by Bruce Rolff

Some of you were wondering if I really was hanging things up around here and expressed various degrees of concern about it. I am touched, so let’s begin there.

  • For those of you who said they were…

Shocked, sad, angry, depressed, confused, bummed, nauseous, dismayed, reeling, crestfallen, crushed, mad and/or almost cried and were convinced I’d lost my mind…

…why, thank you! I take that as high praise.

  • For those of you who said… 

You almost killed me, gave me a heart attack and are in their 80s…

…I take that as high praise as well, and am pleased to say no one died in the making of this post. So far.

  • For those of you who called me… 

A voice of calm and a legend, while praising my amazing work and sage wisdom…

…what else can I say but, I salute your wisdom and compelling insight.

  • For those of you who said… 

You enjoyed the post and thanks for making you smile…

…my pleasure. That was my main goal.

  • For those of you who called me… 

An arse, b**tard, SOB, F*** A-hole sellout,  F***** A-hole,  just another conman, and who cursed my name…

…I tried to warn you in the post by sharing Bob’s (of Bob’s Backtested Bunker) Twitter assessment of me:

“the fact that a single person would listen to your nonsense is criminal”

You should have listened to Bob. As for me, I know you still love me. 

  • For those of you who claimed to get it right away…

…we ain’t buying it. 

  • For those of you who lamented your gullibility, don’t blame your selves. Rather, chalk it up to my tall tale telling skills. We both look better that way.

Oh, and you might want to read this:

You, too, can be conned

  • For those of you who offered a percent of your negative net worth for the secret, nice try but…

…I’ve read the post above.

  • For those of you who sent me your million dollars, thank you.

Those millions will go far in Argentina.

  • For those of you who inserted your own bit of April Foolery into your comment…

…Well played!

I enjoyed your comments every bit as much as I hope you enjoyed my post. But, overall, I took away an overriding sentiment from your words. I think Mr. Thomas expressed it well:

 “…the thought creeps into my head that one day you will actually be done. I want to thank you for all of your information over time though. This blog gave me the expectation for moments like these and your information and guidance through this blog gave my family the strength to watch a significant portion of our net worth vaporize and know that it’s all part of how these things work and we are not worried. I would call this a complete success in my book. Thank you for all you’ve provided to the community.”

I expected we’d all have a little fun with this post, and it seems we did. I didn’t expect to be touched so by your comments. But I am. 

So, again, thank you.

Yes, Mr. Thomas, one day I will be done. But today is not that day and true market timing remains a mirage.

Sorry to disappoint you, Bob. 

***************************************************

Here are three books I’ve enjoyed while on virus lockdown.

No fooling!

I am an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, and find great value in both.

Over the years I have had some friends brag that they only read non-fiction, not wasting their time on fiction. This, to me, is short sighted and shows a lack of understanding what good fiction really is.

Basically it is an imaginary tale but, done well, the facts and setting around it are well researched and sound. That information, being wrapped in a memorable story, is more easily and permanently learned.

We have been swapping tales, and learning lessons from them, since the times we sat around the fire at our cave’s entrance eating delicious meals of woolly mammoth stew.

Until recently, I hadn’t come across any FI fiction. But these two from Dave and Chana Mason are just that, and they are both page turningly good.

Non-fiction, of course, still has its place and this is a good one from Leisa Peterson…

In it she explores the psychological and spiritual side of money. I’ve read other books out there that try and fail on this score. It is, like fiction, tough to do well. This book does it very well indeed.

All three of these books taught me new things and gave me new perspectives on things I already know. Maybe they will for you, too.

***********************************************

 

Related

Important Resources

  • Talent Stacker is a resource that I learned about through my work with Jonathan and Brad at ChooseFI, and first heard about Salesforce as a career option in an episode where we featured Bradley Rice on the Podcast. In that episode, Bradley shared how he reached FI quickly thanks to his huge paychecks and discipline in keeping his expenses low. Jonathan teamed up with Bradley to build Talent Stacker, and they have helped more than 1,000 students from all walks of life complete the program and land jobs like clockwork, earning double or even triple their old salaries using a Salesforce certification to break into a no-code tech career.
  • Credit Cards are like chain saws. Incredibly useful. Incredibly dangerous. Resolve to pay in full each month and never carry a balance. Do that and they can be great tools. Here are some of the very best for travel hacking, cash back and small business rewards.
  • Personal Capital is a free tool to manage and evaluate your investments. With great visuals you can track your net worth, asset allocation, and portfolio performance, including costs. At a glance you'll see what's working and what you might want to change. Here's my full review.
  • Betterment is my recommendation for hands-off investors who prefer a DIFM (Do It For Me) approach. It is also a great tool for reaching short-term savings goals. Here is my Betterment Review
  • NewRetirement offers cool tools to help guide you in answering the question: Do I have enough money to retire? And getting started is free. Sign up and you will be offered two paths into their retirement planner. I was also on their podcast and you can check that out here:Video version, Podcast version.
  • Tuft & Needle (T&N) helps me sleep at night. They are a very cool company with a great product. Here’s my review of what we are currently sleeping on: Our Walnut Frame and Mint Mattress.
  • Vanguard.com

Filed Under: Life, Money

« Why I will no longer be writing this blog
Part XVII-B: ETF vs. Mutual Fund — What’s the difference? »

Comments

  1. Sheetal says

    April 5, 2020 at 7:47 am

    OMG… I did not get it! And I was terribly upset; so much so that I did not know what comment to write. Am SO GLAD it was a prank. Looking forward to more blog posts!

    Reply
  2. Dawn from UK says

    April 5, 2020 at 7:52 am

    Here, here Mr Thomas.👏

    Reply
  3. Ken says

    April 5, 2020 at 8:09 am

    Yes, well said Mr. Thomas!

    Reply
  4. Cashlfow says

    April 5, 2020 at 8:29 am

    Oh…you caught me! Realllllllllly happy to hear it was ‘1st of April joke’! I was surprised at the time, but tried to respect the ‘fake decision’.
    Well played!

    Reply
  5. vorlic says

    April 5, 2020 at 9:16 am

    You are, without question, my favourite blogger! I was the one who wrote “conman” and yes, it was an April Fools in return. I was flattered someone took it seriously, but feel I should perhaps have inserted an emoticon!

    Screw Bob!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 5, 2020 at 10:05 am

      I loved your comment, Vorlic…

      …and knew it for what it was. But then, I had the advantage of having read all your previous comments.

      The “problem” was that you wrote it too well 🙂

      Still, I also loved the way TJ came so vigorously to my defense.

      Thanks TJ! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lee says

    April 5, 2020 at 9:28 am

    Fooled me. I was absolutely stunned. When am I ever going to learn , I said to myself. I shouldn’t believe in Santa Claus , that I had figured out. But this time, this time, is different. This from someone who has historically been betrayed due to his blinding trust , being severely betrayed, and so, very determined and vigilant never to let it happen again. Well I had let it happen yet again ! Et tu Brute ?!? Fortunately I recover quite easily these days ! It is good to occasionally exercise those muscles lest they weaken . I feel good as I ” passed” the test. Being not destroyed but kept the faith. And you , ultimately , did not disappoint. Thank you !! Mr. Thomas expresses it extremely well !! A bit melodramatic, I admit , but I roll that way !

    Reply
  7. Donna says

    April 5, 2020 at 11:30 am

    Thanks JL. Well said. I too am grateful for all the information you share on this blog. I would be crushed as well, should you exit.

    Reply
  8. Greyman says

    April 5, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    He has returned, the prophecy has been fulfilled as it was foretold long ago…

    “Be encouraged, comforted, and stay on the path of VSTAX, who calls you into the modestly furnished kingdom of financial security. For Bogle so loved the index investor, that he gave his only begotten son JL, that whosoever investeth wisely shall not perish, but have everlasting wealth.” – Larimore 3:16

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 5, 2020 at 4:04 pm

      OK, now this could go to my head 🙂

      Reply
  9. Mike says

    April 5, 2020 at 1:27 pm

    Hello Jim, I thought you might like to know last week you were referenced (well, your guest appearance on the Bigger Pockets podcast episode 116) on an internal NATO messaging board here in Europe (and the USA and Canada but most of the readers are on the far side of the Atlantic). The main post was focused on Corona concerns but I gushed about the stock series and your main blog on my response. I just worry now that I sent new readers to you and the first thing they saw is the April Fool’s post of you asking for money and saying you can time the market…. Well, f*** ’em if they can’t take a joke!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 5, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Very cool, Mike…

      …thanks for letting me know! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Mark says

    April 5, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    Jim,

    Enjoy your work here, your book and audio/video appearances. I recommend your website and book to any friends that show an interest. I didn’t make the “RE” part of the “FIRE” equation, but that’s ok. Hanging up my full time spurs 30 June of this year. Your willingness to share your lessons learned helped me recognize I could make it happen.

    Hope everyone stays healthy and safe.

    Mark

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 5, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      The FI part is more important anyway, Mark.

      Congrats on the pending R 🙂

      Reply
  11. William C Gouleche says

    April 5, 2020 at 3:59 pm

    Jim,

    To be honest I think your post was inappropriate and immature with what our country and world is going thru with Covid-12. I was not amused in the least. It’s a time for all of us to be sober, serious, encouraging, and supporting one another.
    I find your body of work helpful to the investor but it’s time you and any other person would take a back seat to joking around.

    Bill G. from Detrroit

    Reply
    • Rob says

      April 5, 2020 at 11:59 pm

      I agree to some extent Bill but is there anything else one can do apart from staying at home, keeping social distance and washing hands frequently. I think that’s the best we can do and your mental health won’t be in good condition if you isolate yourself and keep reading/watching COVID news. Light humor helps and if you think people staying home are not looking for humor or some entertainment then explain to me speculations for Netflix stocks.

      At least Bill, it was better than a KPOP star who claimed to have coronavirus and later said it was April Fool joke.

      Reply
    • Kenneth F. LaVoie III says

      April 6, 2020 at 5:27 am

      I have met one or two people with the same value. I respect it entirely. What I would like to share another perspective if you’re open to it? The cliche “laughter is the best medicine” is a cliche for good reason. The situation today produces a lot of stress, worry, and puts our bodies into a sort of low grade “fight or flight” status. Cortisol levels rise, blood pressure rises, etc. In short, we begin to die quicker than we would otherwise (The fight or flight response is intended for very short term life threatening situations, and is very detrimental to stay there). And so, we turn to humor to sort of alleviate some of that pressure. I myself at the end of the day, watch something funny on TV, just for that purpose. And so I get your view, and yes, SOME people can use humor to AVOID what needs to be dealt with, but it can also be used to open that pressure relief valve, and just plain old “feel good” for a few moments. I hope this makes sense. Stay well.

      Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 6, 2020 at 10:26 pm

      Thanks Bill…

      …I am feeling much more encouraged and supported now. 😉

      On a more sober and serious note, if you are going to write an insulting and scathing rebuke it has more impact if you have the name of the disease correct.

      Would you like me to fix this for you?

      Reply
      • ThomH says

        April 10, 2020 at 10:09 pm

        …and for this reason, I have loved reading you for over ten years now… Never stop writing…

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          April 11, 2020 at 8:57 am

          Thanks Thom…

          …it is a pleasure to have you along for the ride 🙂

          Reply
  12. Geralt says

    April 5, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    Now would also be a good time to revisit the idea of a Rising Equity Glide Path. I’m glad that I went this route when I moved into Semi-Retirement @ 55. “Yet the reality is that strict implementation of a bucket strategy is more than just an exercise in mental accounting; it can actually distort the portfolio’s asset allocation, leading to an increasing amount of equity exposure over time as fixed income assets are spent down while equities continue to grow. Yet recent research shows that despite the contrary nature of the strategy – allowing equity exposure to increase during retirement when conventional wisdom suggests it should decline as clients age – it turns out that a “rising equity glidepath” actually does improve retirement outcomes! If market returns are bad in the early years, a rising equity glidepath ensures that clients will dollar cost average into markets at cheaper and cheaper valuations; and if markets are good… well, clients won’t have a lot to worry about in retirement anyway (except perhaps how much excess money will be left over at the end of their life).” https://www.kitces.com/blog/should-equity-exposure-decrease-in-retirement-or-is-a-rising-equity-glidepath-actually-better/

    Reply
  13. TK says

    April 5, 2020 at 11:18 pm

    Hi Mr. Collins,

    I recently started following you so I was Mehh with your last post and had moved on 🙂 so glad it was a hoax. I am giving your book to a friend for her b’day :). To you and other readers here any insights ESG etf at vanguard if any? (ESG=Environmentally Socially Government Priciple) – trying to be more mindful of where my money is going and what kind of impacts it will contribute to. Please help.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 6, 2020 at 9:49 pm

      Hi TK…

      Glad you stuck around for this follow-up.

      I am not familiar with ESG in particular, but the third part of this post is my take on such funds:

      https://jlcollinsnh.com/2017/08/21/stocks-part-xxxi-too-hot-too-cold-not-pure-enough/

      Reply
  14. Karene says

    April 5, 2020 at 11:34 pm

    I fell for it hook/line/sinker – I was soooo disappointed in you – and now I’m a bit embarrassed at my naivete… but so relieved to find you are still the source of financial wisdom/advice/guidance I need. Phew!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 6, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      As I say in the post, no need to be embarrassed and I am glad you are no longer disappointed. Hope a smile came alng with your relief.

      Maybe now you’ll add humor to that list of three very kind words. 😉

      Reply
  15. rob says

    April 6, 2020 at 12:02 am

    I did my own AprilFoolry in comments on that post by claiming that I moved all VTSAX to TSLA but in retrospect, it actually would have been a good move as Tesla stocks soared later after they announce record deliveries in the first quarter next day.

    I think I have cracked the MarketTiming code 😀

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 6, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      There’s an irony for you!

      Tesla seems to have held up better than the market. You should have followed your foolish heart.

      At least that time. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Mac Porter says

    April 6, 2020 at 1:18 am

    Hi JL,

    As a new subscriber to your blog post, I was a bit ‘taken about’ by your update on Apr 1st. Glad you’re sticking around!!!

    As my wife used to say……. ‘You’re Tricky’……….

    Keep up the good work,

    Mac….living down under in Aussie land

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 6, 2020 at 9:40 pm

      Thanks mate!

      Glad to hear you enjoyed it and that you are sticking around with me. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Greg says

    April 6, 2020 at 10:59 am

    My brother sent me a copy of Felix Martin’s book Money: The Unauthorized Biography for Christmas, which I started reading just last week. It’s an absorbing and surprisingly timely book.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 6, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      Looks interesting, Greg…

      …I’ve added it to my reading list. 🙂

      Thanks!

      Reply
  18. Trevor Kazaks says

    April 8, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    Since your “Ask a Question” section is offline, I would like to ask a question here:
    Is it a good idea to invest in high-return, index funds (like VOO, VGT, etc.) while building wealth, and THEN when readying to retire, more to high dividend yield index funds etfs like VHY, etc.
    The idea is to raise the capital quickly while building wealth, then live off of mostly dividends when you retire.
    Thank you for your feedback!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 11, 2020 at 8:08 am

      That’s not what I do or recommend.

      Reply
  19. Dawn from UK says

    April 8, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    I’ll try and answer that.
    A high dividend ETF dosnt exactly follow the market cap weighted.,its skewered towards shares with high divs only. This can work and do well ,but only for a while, then it will start to under perform the market . Jim advocates a plain vanilla index fund as at the end of the day its market cap weighted so follows the market as it is. Losing failing companies and adding new up coming ones. The process of building wealth and keeping it cannot be short cut. It’s slow and steady with a vanilla index fund. Anything else your, trying to be clever!
    See what jim says.

    Reply
  20. Gia Williams says

    April 9, 2020 at 12:26 pm

    You certainly had me fooled about retiring and selling out. Was so disappointed to think you had sold out. But I didn’t buy what you were selling. My faith in you has been restored. Great April Fools joke!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 11, 2020 at 8:59 am

      I’m glad to be back in your good graces, Gia 🙂

      Reply
  21. Slow and Steady Wins a Race says

    April 9, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    I was several paragraphs through it. Then it seemed “This is too complicated from JL. Wait, isn’t today April Fool’s Day?” Looking at the date of the post in the address bar confirmed it. But I still had a worry frown thinking JL really was quitting the blog. JL, somehow your writing always comforts me. Continuing reading through the comments, though, Au put a smile on my face when he described his discovery of how to turn lead to gold.

    The only market timing I could do with any chance of being accurate was that when the bottom dropped out, JL would write a reassuring entry (which was Taking Advantage of Mr. Bear), and commenters would form a support group (Gino gets a special shout out in my opinion). And I was right. 2017-Covid2020 seemed like a bubble to me and I expected it to pop. I just didn’t know when. I’ve remained calm (about the stock market) (so far, anyhow). JL, your advice over the past few years is partly to thank for that.

    Reply
  22. kim t gray says

    April 10, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    Sir,
    Did you get an advanced copy of ‘The Mindful Millionaire?’
    Because it is on pre-order from your Amazon link.

    Thank you for your posts, tomfoolery and all!

    Regards,
    kt

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 11, 2020 at 9:03 am

      Yes, I have an advance copy. But that slipped my mind when I added it to the post.

      I probably should have waited until it was released.

      Glad you enjoy the post and the occasional humor in them 🙂

      Reply
  23. Dan says

    April 10, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    Hi Jim,

    Thanks for your teachings of the simple path to wealth. I’ve been following your advice for 2-3 years. Recently, I moved all my VTSAX to VFIAX because fear of small businesses failing during this time. I have a feeling I have strayed from your teachings doing this.

    -Dan

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 11, 2020 at 9:05 am

      You have Dan…

      …but not by much. 🙂

      https://jlcollinsnh.com/2013/05/02/stocks-part-xvii-what-if-you-cant-buy-vtsax-or-even-vanguard/

      Reply
  24. Michael Laurenti says

    April 13, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    Hello,

    I have a very quick and simple question! I have a Roth IRA with Vanguard currently. Should I also open a separate index fund with Vanguard with extra money I have left over?

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      April 14, 2020 at 4:38 am

      As opposed to?

      Reply
      • Michael Laurenti says

        April 14, 2020 at 11:02 am

        As opposed to just a Roth IRA. I would have the Roth IRA and investments into Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares! I would be doing investing in both!

        Reply
  25. RichardO says

    April 14, 2020 at 10:10 am

    I want to thank you for the positive effect you have had on my life and peace of mind. I was introduced to your blog and book several years ago by a good friend and completely changed my financial approach as a result. I gave each of my children a copy of your book and told them it was mandatory reading. My wife and I are now 100% debt-free and close to being financially independent.

    I don’t know how I would have weathered the current financial storm emotionally if I were still my pre-Collins self. I honestly shudder to think about it! I think this is the first time I’ve ever commented on any blog, but I just had to do it to express in at least a small way my gratitude to you.

    I was taken in by your April Fool’s post for the first few minutes and it was a horrible feeling. So relieved when it finally dawned on me! I’m glad you wrote it. Humor must live on.

    Reply
  26. Dawn from UK says

    April 14, 2020 at 10:53 am

    I agree totally
    Jim has taught me soooo much .
    I’m going to buy his book for my 2 nephews. And write in the back the UK version of the funds and savings vehicles. If only someone had given me his book when I was 18. I’ve done ok but found all this investing malarkey at 48yrs!!!
    I was always a good saver though. Even from my first part time job. I got £20 and dad told me I had to save £15 of it. Intially deflated but knowing dad knew best ,So I did and thought, well I got a Whole £5 to myself. But that advice from the get go got lodged in my brain so future earnings would be at least half to be saved mentality.
    Dad did encourage me to buy shares but individual ones .and on one I lost all my money so shed away from the stick market until I was 48 and learned how to do it properly. Better late than never. Giving a 18 year old Jim’s book is like handing them millions of pounds!! If they do what it says.

    Reply
  27. Jess says

    April 16, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    Aaahhh nooo I’m new here, just started reading The Simple Path Yesterday. I’ve been so excited with the new insights and have been sharing them with my husband, coming up with new life plans! I thought I’d visit your blog and I was BUMMED to read that post. Thank goodness I took the time to come read this one too! I think that’s the first April fool’s joke that’s ever really got me… 😭😂

    Reply
  28. Blue says

    May 14, 2020 at 11:51 pm

    JL/Jim,

    I first ran across you on a podcast episode of ‘How to Money’. I thought you sounded very knowledgeable and wanted to see more of your content, what you said in this podcast excited me. So, a few days later I visited this blog. The first post I see is titled, “Why I will no longer be writing this blog”, I become sad. I then read the blog, and I can’t believe what I am reading. What you wrote what against much of what you just said. I was upset. Thankfully, (I can’t remember what made me, it may have been my first visit to the mad fientist, or go curry cracker), but I return to your blog and see this post was all a gag. Anyway, in the last month in a half I have listened to you on numerous podcasts, and have read the simple path to wealth. Go FI team. I’m a big fan of all the FI content producers, but you’re my favorite.

    Reply
  29. Jake says

    July 9, 2020 at 10:40 pm

    Mr. Collins… I am 10 chapters in to your audio book. I binged it today and took a brief pause from listening to look you up. I needed to see who you were in the modern world. To make all this awesome advice more real and maybe see your photo on the ABOUT section of this blog. I think you wrote the book around 2016 based on my bad memory. I came to your blog today (Juyl 9, 2020) and scrolled through your posts. I just found you and then I see you’re quitting your blog! No!!!! I just found your book! I literally had a heart attack. I was screaming at my computer. Mind you, the date of your blog post is not in a very obvious place. To be honest could you just confirm it was a joke? You went from best advice book ever on finance to complete a-hole sell out. I was like, wait what, did he really discover something? Wow. What an emotional ride Mr. Collins. What a ride. Don’t do that again. Do a bunch of spaces and say “J.K. Fools”. Just wow. OK I think I’m good. It WAS a joke, right?

    Reply
  30. Dawn from UK says

    July 10, 2020 at 4:28 am

    Jake
    It was definatlety a joke from mr collins. An april fool windup.
    Alot of his followers fell for it and were floored, confused, upset , but he does admit in his responses to worried readers, it was a a joke.
    You done well to stumble upon mr collins investing experience and If you do what he suggests you’ll become finacially secure.

    Reply
  31. PBJ says

    July 12, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    SO here’s my story, and GOD I sincerely from the bottom of my heart hope this makes it’s way to the eyes of JL Collins)

    I was only introduced to your stock series literally 12 days ago. I am 28 but have ALWAYS feared my financial future (thanks to my dad being thrifty though, I do many of the practices you talk about, I’m too afraid to owe debt, I’ve always saved money). I talk with a friend about my life savings, and he tells me “ay….u could start investing”.

    I read everything on this site, and trying to remain level headed so taking pinches of salt wherever but can’t deny, I find myself wanting to believe your simple path to wealth, it fills me with hope. IF it really turns out to be true, one day I will FINALLY have the financial security and freedom I’ve always wanted.

    And I would owe that all, to the kindness of some man on the internet I never met, who had NO REASON to share such knowledge.

    so even though I’m only 12 days into your blog….. just then when I read your article about leaving……. I was ALSO devastated. I am SO relieved to see it’s not true, cos I just have so much more I want to learn from you (and just read, my god this article is hilarious XD)

    I’m so keen to read more of you! And so happy to see I haven’t arrived to this party too late!

    Reply
  32. Dawn from uk says

    July 13, 2020 at 3:39 am

    PBJ
    Well done for finding this gold mine of information at 28 .
    That together with your saving mentality I can predict one day you will be finacially secure, and its gonna be sooner rather than later. One thing I was day to a young bright lad is beautiful who you marry. Make sure she has a similar money mind set as you and not a spendaholic.

    Reply
  33. Dawn from uk says

    July 13, 2020 at 3:40 am

    Meant to say be careful not beautiful!

    Reply
    • PBJ says

      July 17, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      thank you so much!!! This personal and sincere advice was very beautiful (and I do mean beautiful XD) I love this community!

      Reply
  34. Michael S Lavoie says

    November 24, 2020 at 10:20 am

    Jim; are you still 75/25 stocks bonds? 60/40 has me up 40% in 4 yrs”. thanks to your advice. VTI/BND. HAPPY THANKS GIVING!!

    Reply
  35. Josh says

    May 24, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    So just to be clear… Am I too late for that auction?

    Reply
  36. VP says

    July 23, 2021 at 8:49 am

    Your book is simple, eloquent, and full of sound advice. I’ve been going over your insightful teaching points with my wife and children as a result. I only wish my parents had taken advantage of your philosophy a few decades ago for their own benefits.

    My 401k is through fidelity and they don’t offer the VTSAX, however, have a similar US total market index fund FSKAX, which I’m taking advantage of. They do offer a few vanguard index funds that I am taking advantage of(VBTIX and VTSNX).

    I would appreciate your thoughts on the Vanguard Total International Stock Index compared to a US total stock index funds, such as VTSAX or FSKAX.

    Thanks you.

    Reply

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The Simple Path to Wealth Book by JL Collins

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  • ► 2023 (3)
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      • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
      • Staying the Course in War-Time
      • Pathfinders update from Hh
  • ► 2022 (12)
    • ► December (3)
      • A New Chapter for Chautauqua
      • Season's Greetings!!
      • Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns
    • ► October (1)
      • Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me
    • ► August (1)
      • The Price of Security
    • ► July (1)
      • Case Study #17: Buying into the market right before a Bear
    • ► June (1)
      • Case Study #16: Helping dad with an inheritance
    • ► May (1)
      • Just inked a contract for my next book, and I want you to be a part of it!
    • ► April (1)
      • The Dinky Diner
    • ► March (1)
      • Chautauqua: A terrible business model
    • ► February (2)
      • Chautauqua is back for 2022!
      • JLCollinsnh.com Enters New Era
  • ► 2021 (14)
    • ► December (1)
      • Season's Greetings!!
    • ► November (2)
      • The new book is out!
      • Are bonds done?
    • ► October (1)
      • Guess what I just finally read for the first time...
    • ► September (1)
      • The negligence that led me to DIY investing
    • ► August (3)
      • Chainsaws and Credit Cards
      • Part XXXVI: Estate Planning 101 -- The Simple Path to an Estate Plan
      • The Simple Path to a Lucrative Career
    • ► July (1)
      • Help Wanted: a new book
    • ► June (1)
      • The Top 9 (Bad) Arguments Against Bitcoin
    • ► May (2)
      • Collins on Crypto
      • The Alfred Hitchcock Path to FI
    • ► April (1)
      • Time to sell?
    • ► February (1)
      • Mariah International: All that glitters…
  • ► 2020 (11)
    • ► December (1)
      • Season's Greetings!!
    • ► June (1)
      • How to give when you have a business
    • ► April (4)
      • Investing with Vanguard for Europeans: 2020 update
      • Part XVII-B: ETF vs. Mutual Fund -- What's the difference?
      • Reviewing the comments on my post of April 1st
      • Why I will no longer be writing this blog
    • ► March (4)
      • My move from VMMXX to VBTLX
      • COVID-19: The unvarnished truth from Doc G.
      • Chautauqua sits out 2020
      • Taking advantage of Mr. Bear
    • ► February (1)
      • Mr. Bear, Podcasts, a good book and why I should be in 100% stocks
  • ► 2019 (11)
    • ► November (4)
      • How we bought our new car
      • The House Hacking Strategy
      • What does buying a new car really cost over the years?
      • Why we bought a brand new car
    • ► August (1)
      • A Guided Meditation for When the Stock Market Is Dropping
    • ► June (2)
      • 7 Days in Heaven: or Why Slowing Down Will Get You There Sooner
      • Quit Like a Millionaire
    • ► March (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXV: Investing for Seven Generations
    • ► February (1)
      • Chautauqua 2019 - UK & Portugal - Tickets Now Available
    • ► January (2)
      • Mr. Bogle passes
      • "I wanted the unreasonable"
  • ► 2018 (16)
    • ► December (1)
      • Happy Holidays! and a bit on Mr. Market
    • ► November (3)
      • Truly Passive Real Estate Investing
      • Car Talk: An update on Steve and looking at Leafs
      • Chautauqua 2018 Greece: A week for the gods!
    • ► October (1)
      • On Twitter, gone for Chautauqua and dark on comments till November
    • ► September (2)
      • What we own and why we own it: 2018
      • Tuft & Needle: Our Walnut Frame and Mint Mattress
    • ► August (1)
      • Kibanda Part 5: Pretty, and pretty much done
    • ► June (3)
      • Stocks--Part XXXIV: How to unload your unwanted stocks and funds
      • Tracking your holdings
      • Stocks -- Part XXXIII: Optimism
    • ► May (2)
      • Kibanda Part 4: Quicksand!
      • My Talk at Google, Playing with FIRE and other Chautauqua connections
    • ► March (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXII: Why you should not be in the stock market
    • ► February (1)
      • Chautauqua 2018: Mt. Olympus, Greece
    • ► January (1)
      • An International Portfolio from The Escape Artist
  • ► 2017 (15)
    • ► December (2)
      • The Bond Experiment: Return to VBTLX
      • How to Invest in Bitcoin like Benjamin Graham
    • ► October (1)
      • Kibanda Part 3: Running the numbers
    • ► September (1)
      • Sleeping soundly thru a market crash: The Wasting Asset Retirement Model
    • ► August (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXI: Too hot. Too cold. Not pure enough.
      • Kibanda, Part 2: Negotiating the deal
    • ► July (2)
      • Time Machine and the future returns for stocks
      • Kibanda: Mr. Anti-house buys his dream house
    • ► June (2)
      • Is there an interior designer in the house?
      • The Simple Path to Wealth goes Audio!
    • ► May (1)
      • Life on the Beach
    • ► April (1)
      • Sell! Sell!! Sell!!! Sell?
    • ► March (1)
      • Vicki comes to Chautauqua: United Kingdom
    • ► January (2)
      • Chautauqua - Ecuador 2017 open for reservations
      • Chautauqua - United Kingdom: August 2017
  • ► 2016 (22)
    • ► December (3)
      • Season's Greetings and other cool stuff
      • Angel Investing, or Angel Philanthropy?
      • Mr. Bogle and me
    • ► November (1)
      • Where did you learn about money?
    • ► October (2)
      • Buy Your Freedom; Rent the Rest
      • So, what do you drive?
    • ► September (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXX: jlcollinsnh vs. Vanguard
      • A visit to the Frugalwoods
    • ► August (1)
      • What the naysayers are missing
    • ► July (1)
      • Reviews of The Simple Path to Wealth; gone for summer
    • ► June (2)
      • The Simple Path to Wealth is now Published!
      • A peek into The Simple Path to Wealth
    • ► May (1)
      • It's better in the wind. Still.
    • ► April (3)
      • Cool things to check out while I'm gone
      • Stocks — Part XXIX: How to save money for college. Or not.
      • Help Wanted: The Book
    • ► March (1)
      • F-You Money: John Goodman v. jlcollinsnh
    • ► February (2)
      • Q&A - V: The Women of Amphissa
      • jlcollinsnh gets a new suit
    • ► January (3)
      • Chautauqua 2015 Reviews, 2016 registration open
      • Case Study #15: The Scavenger Life -- Freedom first, then Financial Independence
      • 3rd Annual (2015) Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest results, and my forecast for 2016
  • ► 2015 (18)
    • ► December (2)
      • Q&A - IV: Strawberry Patch
      • Seasons Greetings! and other cool stuff
    • ► October (2)
      • Personal Capital; and how to unload your unwanted stocks and funds
      • Stockchoker: A look back at what your investment might have been
    • ► September (2)
      • Case Study #14: To Dream the Impossible Dream (and then realize it)
      • Hotel Living
    • ► August (1)
      • Mr. Market's Wild Ride
    • ► June (4)
      • Gone for Summer, an important note on comments and random cool stuff that caught my eye
      • Around the world with an Aussie Biker
      • Case Study #13: The Power of Flexibility
      • Stocks — Part VIII: The 401(k), 403(b), TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
    • ► March (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXVIII: Debt - The Unacceptable Burden
      • Chautauqua October 2015: Times Two!
    • ► February (2)
      • YNAB: Best Place to Work Ever?
      • Case Study #12: Escaping a soul-crushing job before you're 70
    • ► January (3)
      • Case Study #11: John, a small business owner in transition
      • Trish and Stan take an Intrepid Sailing Voyage
      • 2014 Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest results, and my forecast for 2015
  • ► 2014 (29)
    • ► December (2)
      • Diamonds and Happy Holidays!
      • Micro-Lending with Kiva
    • ► November (3)
      • Chautauqua February 7-14, 2015: Escape from Winter
      • Stocks -- Part XXVII: Why I Don’t Like Dollar Cost Averaging
      • Jack Bogle and the Presidential Medal of Freedom
    • ► October (3)
      • Tuft & Needle: A better path to sleep
      • Nightmare on Wall Street: Will the Blood Bath Continue?
      • Help Wanted
    • ► September (1)
      • Chautauqua 2014: Lightning strikes again!
    • ► August (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXVI: Pulling the 4%
      • Stocks -- Part XXV: HSAs, more than just a way to pay your medical bills.
    • ► July (3)
      • Stocks -- Part XXIV: RMDs, the ugly surprise at the end of the tax-deferred rainbow
      • Summer travels, writing, reading and other amusements
      • Moto X, my new Republic Wireless Phone
    • ► June (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXIII: Selecting your asset allocation
    • ► May (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXII: Stepping away from REITs
    • ► April (3)
      • Q&A III: Vamos
      • Q&A II: Salamat
      • Q&A I: Gaijin Shogun
    • ► March (2)
      • Top 10 posts
      • Cafe No Se
    • ► February (4)
      • Chautauqua 2014 preview, closing up for travel and other random cool things that caught my eye of late.
      • Case Study #10: Should Josiah buy his parents a house?
      • Case Study #9: Lars -- maximizing some good fortune and considering "dollar cost averaging"
      • Case Study #8: Ron's mother - she's doin' all right!
    • ► January (4)
      • roundup: Some random cool things
      • Stocks — Part XXI: Investing with Vanguard for Europeans
      • Case Study #7: What it looks like when everything financial goes wrong
      • 1st Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest 2013 results, and my forecast for 2014
  • ► 2013 (41)
    • ► December (4)
      • Closing up for the Holidays, see you in 2014
      • Betterment: a simpler path to wealth
      • Case Study 6: Helping an ill and elderly parent
      • Stocks -- Part XX: Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategies and Roth Conversion Ladders from a Mad Fientist
    • ► November (3)
      • Death, Taxes, Estate Plans, Probate and Prob8
      • Case Study #5: Zero to 2.6 million in 25 years
      • Case Study #4: Using the 4% rule and asset allocations.
    • ► October (3)
      • Republic Wireless and my $19 per month phone plan
      • Case Study #3: Let's get Tom to Latin America!
      • The Stock Series gets its own page
    • ► September (2)
      • Case Study #2: Joe -- off to a fast start!
      • Chautauqua 2013: A Week of Dreams
    • ► August (1)
      • Closing up shop plus an opening at Chautauqua, my new podcast, phone, book and other random cool stuff
    • ► July (1)
      • They Will Kill You For Your Shoes!
    • ► June (4)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII-b: Should you avoid your company's 401k?
      • Shilpan's Seven Habits to Live More with Less
      • Stocks -- Part XIX: How to think about money
      • My path for my kid -- the first 10 years
    • ► May (5)
      • Why your house is a terrible investment
      • Stocks — Part XVIII: Investing in a raging bull
      • Dining with the Ghosts of Sarah Bernhardt and Alfons Mucha
      • How we finally got the house sold
      • Stocks — Part XVII: What if you can't buy VTSAX? Or even Vanguard?
    • ► April (4)
      • Greetings from Prague & a computer question
      • Swimming with Tigers, a 2nd chance on the Chautauqua, a financial article gets it wrong and I'm off to Prague
      • Storage, Moving and Movers
      • Homeless, and a bit on the strategy of dollar cost averaging
    • ► March (4)
      • Wild Turkeys, Motorcycles, Dining Room Sets & Greed
      • Roots v. Wings: considering home ownership
      • How about that stock market?!
      • The Blog has New Clothes
    • ► February (5)
      • Meet Mr. Money Mustache, JD Roth, Cheryl Reed & me for a Chautauqua in Ecuador
      • High School Poetry, Carnival, cool ads and random pictures that caught my eye
      • Consignment Shops: Best business model ever?
      • Cafes
      • Stocks -- Part XVI: Index Funds are really just for lazy people, right?
    • ► January (5)
      • Social Security: How secure and when to take it
      • Fighting giraffes, surreal landscapes, dancing with unicorns and restoring a Vanagon
      • My plan for 2013
      • VITA, income taxes and the IRS
      • How to be a stock market guru and get on MSNBC
  • ► 2012 (53)
    • ► December (6)
      • See you next year....until then: The Origin of Life, Life on Other Worlds, Mechanical Graveyards, Great Art, Alternative Lifestyles and Finding Freedom
      • Stocks -- Part XV: Target Retirement Funds, the simplest path to wealth of all
      • Stocks -- Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks -- Part XIII: The 4% rule, withdrawal rates and how much can I spend anyway?
      • How I learned to stop worrying about the Fiscal Cliff and you can too.
    • ► November (2)
      • Rent v. owning: A couple of case studies in Ecuador
      • So, what does a month in Ecuador cost anyway?
    • ► October (4)
      • See you in December....
      • Meet me in Ecuador?
      • The Podcast: You can hear me now.
      • Stocks -- Part XII: Bonds
    • ► September (6)
      • Stocks -- Part XI: International Funds
      • The Smoother Path to Wealth
      • Case Study #I: Putting the Simple Path to Wealth into Action
      • Tales of Bolivia: Calle de las Brujas
      • Stocks -- Part X: What if Vanguard gets Nuked?
      • Travels in South America: It was the best of times....
    • ► August (1)
      • Home again
    • ► June (4)
      • Yellow Fever, closing up shop for the summer and heading to Peru y Bolivia
      • I could not have said it better myself...
      • Stocks -- Part IX: Why I don't like investment advisors
      • Happy Birthday, jlcollinsnh; and thanks for the gift Mr. MM!
    • ► May (6)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII: The 401K, 403b, TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
      • Mr. Money Mustache
      • The College Conundrum
      • Stocks -- Part VII: Can everyone really retire a millionaire?
      • Stocks -- Part VI: Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth
      • Stocks -- Part V: Keeping it simple, considerations and tools
    • ► April (6)
      • Stocks -- Part IV: The Big Ugly Event, Deflation and a bit on Inflation
      • Stocks -- Part III: Most people lose money in the market.
      • Stocks -- Part II: The Market Always Goes Up
      • Stocks -- Part 1: There's a major market crash coming!!!! and Dr. Lo can't save you.
      • You can eat my Vindaloo, mega lottery, Blondie, Noa, Israel Kamakawiwo 'Ole, art, film and a ride on the Space Shuttle
      • Where in the world are you?
    • ► March (7)
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part V: Sold! and the taxman cometh.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part IV: I become a Landlord.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part III: The Battle is Joined.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part II: The Limits of the Law.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part I: Impossibly Naive.
      • You, too, can be conned
      • Armageddon and the value of practical skills
    • ► February (6)
      • Rent v. Owning Your Home, opportunity cost and running some numbers
      • The Casanova Kid, a Shit Knife, a Good Book, Having No Regrets, Dark Matter and a bit of Magic
      • What Poker, Basketball and Mike Whitaker taught me about Luck
      • How to Give like a Billionaire
      • Go ahead, make my day
      • Muk Finds Success in Tahiti
    • ► January (5)
      • Travels with "Esperando un Camino"
      • Beanie Babies, Naked Barbie, American Pickers and Old Coots
      • Selling the House and Adventures in Staging
      • The bashing of Index Funds, Jack Bogle and a Jedi dog trick
      • Magic Beans
  • ► 2011 (22)
    • ► December (1)
      • Dividend Growth Investing
    • ► November (2)
      • The Mummy's head, Particle Physics and "Knocking on Heaven's Door"
      • "It's Better in the Wind" or why I ride a motorcycle
    • ► October (1)
      • Lazy Days and School Days
    • ► July (2)
      • The road to Zanzibar sometimes goes thru Ecuador...
      • Johnny wins the lotto and heads to Paris
    • ► June (16)
      • Chainsaws, Elm Trees and paying for College
      • Stuff I’ve failed at: the early years
      • Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
      • The. Worst. Used. Car. Ever.
      • Top Ten reasons your future is so bright it hurts my eyes to look at it
      • The Most Dangerous Words Your Customer Can Say
      • How not to drown in The Sea of Assholes
      • What we own and why we own it
      • The Ten Sales Commandments
      • My ever so formal and oh so dry CV
      • How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth
      • The Myth of Motivation
      • Why you need F-you money
      • My short attention span
      • Why I can’t pick winning stocks, and you can’t either
      • The Monk and the Minister

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