Monday; Somewhere in King County --
Of course, we have been busy! Grumpy fired up the Income Tax program (TaxCut) that he buys each year, and quickly realized (of course) that he doesn't have all of the input data required -- that'll come early in February. However, an earlier date loomed for the Grand Mother and Grumpy: January 15th is the date by which the 4th quarter estimated tax must be paid. So Grumpy entered the data that he had and made "educated guesses" for most of the rest. The result: "Not too bad!" Grumpy sent off his check for the estimated amount that we will owe.
The end-of-year statements came from our banks and our investment manager. Grumpy was pleased to note that for the calendar year 2008 we lost only 15% on our 60/40 equity/bond investments managed by Merriman. This modest loss is due to the "defensive" management technique developed and championed by Paul Merriman and respected by Grumpy as being a safe way to invest his retirement assets. Past experience has given us an average of 8% or better net returns -- including such periodic "adjustments" as what we have just experienced. We continue to be concerned (that is, to remain wary) of the danger of inflation eroding our purchasing power. Until that happens, though, we look to be comfortable into our old age (whenever that occurs!), at least until Grumpy is 100!
Of course, we have been busy! Grumpy fired up the Income Tax program (TaxCut) that he buys each year, and quickly realized (of course) that he doesn't have all of the input data required -- that'll come early in February. However, an earlier date loomed for the Grand Mother and Grumpy: January 15th is the date by which the 4th quarter estimated tax must be paid. So Grumpy entered the data that he had and made "educated guesses" for most of the rest. The result: "Not too bad!" Grumpy sent off his check for the estimated amount that we will owe.
The end-of-year statements came from our banks and our investment manager. Grumpy was pleased to note that for the calendar year 2008 we lost only 15% on our 60/40 equity/bond investments managed by Merriman. This modest loss is due to the "defensive" management technique developed and championed by Paul Merriman and respected by Grumpy as being a safe way to invest his retirement assets. Past experience has given us an average of 8% or better net returns -- including such periodic "adjustments" as what we have just experienced. We continue to be concerned (that is, to remain wary) of the danger of inflation eroding our purchasing power. Until that happens, though, we look to be comfortable into our old age (whenever that occurs!), at least until Grumpy is 100!
