Congratulations, you’re doing really well. As someone who is trying to figure this out for myself I have been considering the same issues. I suggest you do some reading about the bucket strategy. It offers a way to manage prolonged dips in the stock market while still allowing you to maintain your standard of living and remain invested in the market. It’s a method I’m planning on using myself, I’m learning as much as I can as I’m not ready to retire yet. I’m aiming for retirement at 60.. (I’m currently 53). My current focus is investing as much as I can.

I was going to suggest New Mexico! And we have caves, too. Plus lots of academic and scientific job opportunities. And tiny houses, and hiking, and outdoors, and not a lot of traffic.

To add my two cents of wisdom from the crowd…There is currently a yield of 3.54% on I-Bonds as sold from the US Gov’t on TreasuryDirect. Rate is effective for the next six months…Max annual contribution of $10K. There is an article on the Wall Street Journal that explains more (“The Safe, High-Return Trade Hiding in Plain Sight” by Jason Zweig- published May 28)…I think your idea from your comments to get back into Vanguard Lifestrategy funds is excellent. I think Mrs. Frugalwoods’ advice to stick with your employer and continue health ins. and your 12% match is also excellent.

You should avoid purchasing land with your ex, unless you get remarried. This type of joint ownership frequently ends badly.

Try always to make things better. You probably know a couple dozen ways right now that you could make your life (and the world) better, and you should do those things.

Ann – the expense is for two people. I share the account with my ex. Long story.

It’s probably pricey even for two. She does pay in.

B – thanks so much. Obviously a lot I can take from this … I’ve been trying to get a realtor I know used to looking at a light pollution map. He doesn’t really seem to get it.

It’s true the darker the skies the better … but I find myself wondering how dark I need the sky to be to do the things I want to do. I need to do some more assessment there.

Es – thanks for the tips.

Hi Martha. Not too late to comment though this is the first time I’ve checked in in a while. Your story is really interesting … I don’t know what sort of luck I’d have without a Ph.D. in astronomy, though (maybe I should check for theatre gigs).

Bank interest rates change regularly-ish, so every few months, I’ll check Doctor of Credit’s “Best Bank Accounts” page and see if there’s an option (without ridiculous debit transaction requirements) that is worth switching to. Pre-Covid there were some banks offering rates as high as 2-3% for checking accounts. ACH transactions are typically free nowadays, so it’s easy to transfer money back and forth. With the amount of cash you have, it is (in my opinion) absolutely worth keeping track of what your current APY is and if you’re getting the best deal.