[barb1191]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

I just ordered the book from Amazon! I have the cash equity from my home sale in liquid (money market) assets... trying to wait for the market bottem. I will read the book. Maybe I'll pay off the house (which my wifey wants to do). Thanks for the tip.

Smart "wifey".....go for it !! :bigthumbsup:

[Boomer]

I know that I go on and on about the cost of sleep where anything financial is concerned.

And the other thing I always say is do not borrow money that you do not have.

That second one of my tired little sayings may seem to make no sense at all.

So I think maybe I should just cut to the chase here.

What I am saying is that if you have any question at all, in your mind, that the lump sum that you are clutching in your hand could possibly get away from you, by all means, pay off the house.

I tend to forget that I am perhaps more comfortable with making financial decisions than some others may be. And I really am a financial conservative. I do fear that some day I may invest in PEZ dispensers and Beanie Babies, but for now I sure am careful. Bubble danced a little in the 90's. But other than that, just plain boring.

It can be pretty tough to plan a retirement or a house payment around a projected market return. I have seen people try to do that. Lately, some of them are sweating a lot.

Retirement planning is not only about cash, it is about cash flow. Don't ever bet the house on cash flow from investments.

Your house? That's here. That's now. An investment you can see and touch. Not likely to evaporate on you.

Picture yourself sleeping under a paid for roof. Do you like it? A lot? Better than the thrill of the investment chase? How are you sleeping? Therein lies your answer.

Warning: I got nuthin', no piece of paper of any kind that says I know what I am talking about here. It's just an opinion.

Boomer

[barb1191]

Boomer.....Your wisdom and wit are an unbeatable combination. As I mentioned elsewhere, you really should give serious thought to sitting on that ball-seat in front of your 'puter in the kitchen and assemble it all into a script that will, without a doubt, become a best seller. :#1:

Hugs, barb

PS: There's a great writers' group in TV with some published authors as members. My neighbor is a member and just had an article published. She loves the class as well as the constructive critique involved in one's writing.

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by coach

I'm a Dave Ramsey fan like an earlier poster. Here is a question he would ask." In today's market, if your house was completely paid for, would you take a mortgage out on the property to invest in the market?"

My answer is no. The point many advisers don't factor in is the risk. The potential return of 10 % in the stock market needs to be balanced against the certain return of not paying 6-6 1/2% for your mortgage. When you consider risk, taxes and the joy of no debt, I would go with a home in TV and no mortgage.

Although I'm no expert on investing, the comment on "todays market" implies that 'todays market' is not a time to invest in equities. The richest stock investors became that way on one major principle : when everyone is panicking and selling BUY! Stocks are cheap now. If I was 30 years old and had available cash, I'd be pouring the money into the market.

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by Boomer BeBack

I know that I go on and on about the cost of sleep where anything financial is concerned.

And the other thing I always say is do not borrow money that you do not have.

That second one of my tired little sayings may seem to make no sense at all.

So I think maybe I should just cut to the chase here.

What I am saying is that if you have any question at all, in your mind, that the lump sum that you are clutching in your hand could possibly get away from you, by all means, pay off the house.

I tend to forget that I am perhaps more comfortable with making financial decisions than some others may be. And I really am a financial conservative. I do fear that some day I may invest in PEZ dispensers and Beanie Babies, but for now I sure am careful. Bubble danced a little in the 90's. But other than that, just plain boring.

It can be pretty tough to plan a retirement or a house payment around a projected market return. I have seen people try to do that. Lately, some of them are sweating a lot.

Retirement planning is not only about cash, it is about cash flow. Don't ever bet the house on cash flow from investments.

Your house? That's here. That's now. An investment you can see and touch. Not likely to evaporate on you.

Picture yourself sleeping under a paid for roof. Do you like it? A lot? Better than the thrill of the investment chase? How are you sleeping? Therein lies your answer.

Warning: I got nuthin', no piece of paper of any kind that says I know what I am talking about here. It's just an opinion.

Boomer

ambien

[Peachie]

"Although I'm no expert on investing, the comment on "todays market" implies that 'todays market' is not a time to invest in equities. The richest stock investors became that way on one major principle : when everyone is panicking and selling BUY! Stocks are cheap now. If I was 30 years old and had available cash, I'd be pouring the money into the market. " (Per rshoffer).

Ah, but hubby and I are not 30 years old and to take the money that puts a roof over our head and going to the blackjack table doesn't work for us. We currently know a gentleman in Florida who invested in a second home to flip and the housing market in FL, (he is not in The Villages), flopped and it has made a serious mess of their retirement funds and life. He only wishes he had that to do over again. You may have a very high risk tolerance and gambling on the market could possibly make you very rich but the FDIC is not involved here, no guarantees to protect your home or principle. If you have lots of money to play with, stocks would be the place to be. I think you're final decision will depend on your portfolio balance and how much you can afford to lose. Hopefully, you would win.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26330135

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

ambien

Hey rsh,

No Ambien necessary for me. I have stuffed all of our retirement money into the mattress. So I sleep just fine.

Boomer