For an audio version of this post, please click on the speaker icon (top left).

 

 

One of the most popular series in my blog is the “Doctor’s Bill, Can You Afford It?” posts where Johanna Fox Turner, of Fox & Company Wealth Management, and I analyze a viewers desired purchase and determine if it is financially sound, or not, to do so.

As a radiologist I often dictate studies and move on with very rare follow up from the ordering service (when it does happen it often makes my day to find out the impact my interpretation made).

So naturally I was curious, and thought my readers would be as well, on whether the submitter(s) followed the advice that Johanna and myself put out.

I therefore thought it would be nice to send out a questionnaire to those submitters who left a contact email (unfortunately not every submission disclosed an email address).

[For these particular submitters I would love to hear from you via my contact form and hopefully you can update us as well on your current state by using the same question format as below.]

 

 

For a refresher please check out the Original Doctor’s Bill Post.

 

Did you actually go through with spending on the item/experience you desired?

I don’t hit the deadline for decision for another year (age 60).

However, I am increasingly inclined to wait until 62.

Did the analysis Johanna or Xrayvsn have any influence on your ultimate decision?

Yes, in that it introduced a good perspective on what was really at issue financially.

I’d still leave if I hated my job, but that is not the case.

I just don’t want to work for anyone else.

I now think I can avoid that by leaving at 62 (I think).

I may even consider taking the top job, but that is a whole other set of considerations.

What thing(s), if any, did Johanna get right about in her analysis? What things, if any, do you feel she got wrong?

There was a further discussion on WCI about the value of the foregone total salary, not just the deferred compensation.

It was very helpful to add into the overall analysis.

Otherwise, I think she got it all more or less right.

What thing(s), if any, did Xrayvsn get right about in his analysis? What things, if any, do you feel he got wrong?

Not a separate discussion really, but for both sets of analysis I appreciated the perspective that I overly limit myself in trying to pigeon hole funds for particular expenses (e.g., this 457f money to pay off the house).

If you did go through with spending money on your desired item/experience, were there any unexpected expenses or unexpected benefits that were not covered in the submission or analysis?

The valuation placed on pension and healthcare were helpful.

Any regrets with your decision to spend or not on your desired item/experience?

N/A, but I am certainly glad I asked.

The experience was constructive and helped me gain a better perspective on the decision.

 

Thank you so much for responding and glad to see that you found the advice given useful.

When you do decide to retire I hope you swing back and give us a second update on how things were different going from theory to reality.

Best of luck and to your continued success.

 

If you would like to submit your own Doctor’s Bill request please fill out the submission form.

 

Note:

If you are in search of financial help, please consider enlisting the service of any of the sponsors of this blog who I feel are part of the “good guys and gals of finance.”

Even a steadfast DIY’er can sometimes gain benefit from the occasional professional input.