Redskin212

@Viking Thanks and thanks for the additional tips. As a value investor, I tend to keep things very simple and really do not rely on any professionals to help me manage my affairs. I have met many over the years and get an immediate distaste for anything complex as all I can see are fees and commissions. I read many articles on retirement which help, but as you suggest I will look for some YouTube videos to expand my knowledge.

Viking, I appreciate your candor and honestly in talking about your estate planning and retirement accounts. I can totally relate having retired this past summer and now starting to appreciate what a complex puzzle the “decumulation” of assets and cash flow planning is given the very complex tax code. I live in the US and like you accumulated a lot (probably too many) assets in tax deferred accounts and am now in the process determining which buckets to take from and when. i am going to plug this software I found developed by an economist, Larry Kotlikoff, https://maxifiplanner.com i tried and tested numerous retirement software products and this one is the only one that made sense to make and take all aspects of the US tax code into effect when performing retirement/estate planning. I know not relevant to you Viking but couldn’t help our US board members I am going to reread your posts a few times tonight as they help me think harder about my own similar situation Thanks

Old timer - 62 years old and joined the original MSN board way back

I think OMERS hurdle for these type transactions is 9%

I looked it up. fairfax owned 34.4% of Eurobank at September 30,2024

Viking loved the analysis on Eurobank. Reminiscent of the Bank of Ireland investment but bigger and bolder. What percentage of Eurobank does Fairfax own? I think I missed it.

Back in the day Ericopoly's post were legendary like Viking's are today. His posts were very informative and transparent - we all learned a ton from him.

One of the better analysts out there following FFH - always on point. I think he follows Viking

At one point today FFH was up US$90 to US$1,330, which is for all the old timers here was the price we could buy the stock one day back in June 2006 - 18 years ago. I purchase a couple hundred shares that day at $90.17, so today's gain is kind of breathtaking! Not to mention the fact, I probably have received well over $90 in dividends over the 18 years.

@Viking Thanks for your response - like you said a little bizarre and definitely not the answer I was expecting. Thanks to all the chimed in as well, the collective knowledge and soundboard is very helpful in thinking about how to fund living expense/operating costs. I am recently retired and have investments across my taxable account/tax deferred accounts/Roth IRA and real estate (rental property), so all of a sudden, I am managing my portfolio "full time", but more importantly struggling with how, when and what to drawdown to fund my living expenses. The board raised a number of great points that will help shape my thinking. Thanks all!

Viking, I like your framework and the conservatism to reduce stress. 6.) My goal at the start of each year has been to make +8% per year. Modest but doable. My long term average annual return has been about 20%. I still have an 8% target at the start of each year. This helps to keep my stress level low. I have one question as you have been doing this for 20 years. How do you allocate money to your "living expenses" or annual operating costs? Do you set an amount annual aside or do you always have a large cash position to cover expenses? Thanks

I have tickets for Peter Hook and the Light over the Labor Day weekend - can hardly wait! Lots of other early 80's bands that could be added to the list. They are all touring for their "retirement needs" but still great to see as it transports me back to my youth

No expert here, but if FFH ownership/control is greater than 50% DIgit result should probably be consolidated. I believe this to be the case as a result of the IPO and conversion of preferred share. I am sure it will be well documented in Q2 results are released.

I don’t think they will take FIH private. The insurance subsidiaries get much better treatment holding a public security vs a private company. Only reason FIH exists and likely the reason it will continue to exist.

I nominate Viking to be the editor