Subject: Re: So, a question
We don't own ANY stocks at the present time.

Whatever works for you, but that would seem to be short-sighted. Note that most of the higher-rate CDs on offer for periods longer than, say, a couple of years, are callable--which means that you could find your ladder falling apart when interest rates turn lower ... and stocks generally have become more expensive than they are now.

It's certainly difficult to find good value in stocks these days, but it's not impossible. One could do worse than own some BRK at current prices, for example. Or PFE, which pays a dividend that rivals CDs, is very cheap, and offers at least some growth potential.