members and their systems

First system bought in '76.  I'm now on only my 2nd pair of speakers and my 3rd turntable/arm and preamp/amp set-up.  Before I bought, I spent a lot of time reading the experts' thoughts on various components and taking records to audio shops to listen to the characteristics of the components.  I came to trust certain reviewers who I felt were good at listening to music and were able to express what they were hearing, and I knew what was important to me.

I guess it was "trust but verify."  I trusted the guidance of certain reviewers and verified by extensive auditioning of gear.

What I'm getting at is that I'm not a flipper, and the stuff I bought was somewhat expensive at the time, but thoughtful buying makes for years of satisfaction.  So I haven't really dropped much of what I've earned over the years on audio gear, in a relative sense.

@millercarbon  

You are to be congratulated for establishing and sticking to your financial plan.

“I will dish it out and those who are smart will listen and learn how a totally normal guy who started out with a newspaper route and never made more than an overtime graveyard working x-ray tech winds up in the top 1% able to retire comfortably at 64.”

”We got one listing 2021 net worth. Nobody knows what 2021 net worth is, for the simple fact it just started. Nobody ever knows what anything was for a year until the year is done. Duh. Yet a whole bunch seem unable to process that one basic fact.

Remember everyone, for the other 99% just have some fun and be responsible within your own means. I will never make it to $10.75 million in income producing assets...it has never been my goal. I am happy though that my ratio of charitable giving will mainly prevent that from ever happening (oh, and while I have a good job, most of us who work for a living won’t get there). My main charitable focus these days though is to contribute to causes that support voting rights for all citizens.

"...the reason for not having cell phone..."

It may be that a person just does not want one. Saving on cell phone bill will not be enough for a wealthy retirement.

I have recently bought a record from Better Records and it was priced like my semi-annual cell phone bill. True, I do not have what people like to call "smartphone" (the one that makes people less so) so my monthly payment may be lower than many.

X Ray tech and cell phones. Sounds like that X-Ray tech has some sense. Less exposure, just makes sense. Not to mention the cost savings.. I still use a G3 that's how often I change phones. One is used for streaming on my 650.00 super duper on the cheap stereo system. I use another retired phone all the time for spell check, and all kinds of apps, microphone, tone generator, camera, light, maps etc.. They just don't have a remote, the G4 does.. Great camera though. Not an A7 but good..

Job Optional is a good read,  ( Casey Weade ) and you can use the smartphone at your optional gig..... I have three: Trustee at two not for profits, and as a technical advisor to the board of a software startup....if you want to call solving problems on a quantum computer “ software “ 

I was blessed, took a lot of risks in my career, 7 zipcodes, some in foreign lands. Giving back and paying forward are part of our living life and estate plan.

My big passion of late is donating to causes that advance social justice, civil liberties....and clean coal ( just checking... )

and there is a lot more to a good plan than 1% ( really any % ) net worth people, but you can discover that on your own....

two hints; Liquidity and income....

tax planning goes without saying....