Search found 12283 matches

by Dottie57
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Washington DC trip ideas
Replies: 20
Views: 817

Re: Washington DC trip ideas

Library of Congress.- at the time of my visit, thr contents of President Lincoln’s pockets were on display.. Surprisingly mving.
by Dottie57
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow" Is Out!
Replies: 30
Views: 7284

Re: Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow" Is Out!

kavm wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:47 pm Sadly - Daniel Kahneman passed away today. RIP!
+1
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 177
Views: 33401

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

I say my life became much calmer when I sold Apple and another stock. Sell and stop watching stocking spending brain cells deciding to buy , sell or hold based on news.
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare question with no work history
Replies: 28
Views: 2230

Re: Medicare question with no work history

Wife can get medicare on husband’s record. Part A - hospital coverage.needs to be 65 and must enroll. No cost. Part B - enroll in and Pay for this - pays for doctor’s office visit - monthly or quarterly fee to medicare. Part D - enrollment is optional but a good idea - prescription drugs - month - needs to select a provider. Monthly Payment required. Medicare supplemental covers good part of the gaps of coverage of Part B. Pay a private insurer for this. All of this may cost an individual. $400-500 a month. It certainly is not free. Many people obtain medicare by via marriage to someone who has paid into the system.. This is not new. Part D or MA drug coverage is not optional. You will be penalized for every year you don't sign up, by payi...
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What percentage should I negotiate to sell my house?
Replies: 18
Views: 1239

Re: What percentage should I negotiate to sell my house?

I don’t think the real estate process has changed that much yet,
by Dottie57
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare question with no work history
Replies: 28
Views: 2230

Re: Medicare question with no work history

Wife can get medicare on husband’s record.

Part A - hospital coverage.needs to be 65 and must enroll. No cost.
Part B - enroll in and Pay for this - pays for doctor’s office visit - monthly or quarterly fee to medicare.
Part D - enrollment is optional but a good idea - prescription drugs - month - needs to select a provider. Monthly Payment required.

Medicare supplemental covers good part of the gaps of coverage of Part B. Pay a private insurer for this.

All of this may cost an individual. $400-500 a month. It certainly is not free.

Many people obtain medicare by via marriage to someone who has paid into the system.. This is not new.
by Dottie57
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Approaching parents about removing oneself from their estate
Replies: 35
Views: 3894

Re: Approaching parents about removing oneself from their estate

exodusNH wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:11 am
wilked wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:58 am -Given a preference I'd rather my sister know nothing about this. Better just for her slice to be larger and assume it came from them.
This sounds problematic. If she says something to the other siblings, they will realize the discrepancy. To prevent potential strife, you'd have to let all of them know that you've asked your parents to direct your share to your sister. But if you don't want her to know, then they'll have to lie, which some may not want to do.

It seems so much cleaner to just gift her the money or arrange it all ahead of time, out in the open.

People get weird with grief and inheritances.
+1
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11787

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

We do not go the brand name -> buy quality product sequence, i.e., we do not readily assume that the former necessarily leads to the latter; We like to set a quality we want for our food stuff and then go about optimizing for cost without compromising on the quality. It is more often than not that the better brands end up to be the choice based on that optimization subject to our constraints. For example, these are non-negotiable for us: milk must be non-homogenized since we want to have real milk and we only drink full fat milk; for us it cannot be the remove_fat -> homogenize_fat_molecules -> put_fat_back milk any nuts can ONLY list one item in the ingredient list - that specific nut and nothing else, no salt, no nothing. olive oil must ...
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11787

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

bob60014 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:08 am "Spaghetti sauce: store bought is unpalatable to me."

Try Raos, you can thank me later.
+1. Love the arrabiatta.
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only
Replies: 89
Views: 4987

Re: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only

bradinsky wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:07 am
gunny2 wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:34 pm
bradinsky wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:32 pm Hey gunny2,
I was healthy until I wasn’t. Never got sick & rarely had a cold until things started falling apart. Now I’m happy we have the absolute best medical insurance we have ever had with parts A, B & G plan supplement.
Thanks; I hear you. I wasn't under the delusion that I could stay healthy forever. But I didn't know about the rate increase if you sign up later (which would have been a reasonable assumption and makes total sense otherwise people would "game the system").
The only thing that sucks related to being on Medicare is the part D prescription plans. If the gouging, profiteering and smoke & mirrors were eliminated, Medicare would almost be perfect.
+1
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 24, 2024 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082025

Re: Share your net worth progression

Normchad wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:50 am
Dottie57 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:43 am Fyi,

I never kept track of yearly networth.

But today my retirement accounts hit a new high after 6 years of retirement. Not a big portfolio by standards of this group.

1.5m

When I was first employed as a programmer in 1982, I never imagined having this figure.
That’s awesome! Congratulations, and thank you for all your contributions in this forum over the years.
Appreciate your response! :D
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Improving the sound from t.v.
Replies: 30
Views: 1851

Re: Improving the sound from t.v.

AAA wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:48 pm I can't read the article without registering but have read similar ones. It's all due to the fact that modern t.v.'s are very thin and can't accommodate decent speakers.
+1

My hdtv is old and Not very thin at all. It has decent sound but a sonos speaker really helps.
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Improving the sound from t.v.
Replies: 30
Views: 1851

Re: Soundbar

PottedPlant wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:18 pm Soundbar
We have a Yamaha YAS-109 Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofers for $200. Works well.
We have a SONOS Arc for $900. Works very well.
I havejust a sonoes one sl and it is better sound too.
by Dottie57
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?
Replies: 87
Views: 8175

Re: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?

It is that simple. But certainly not easy to stay the course during major bear markets. Also, understand that the returns are in no way guaranteed. You should not expect 8-9% during any given year, or on average. We had a "lost decade" at the beginning of this millennium, during which the S&P500 had a negative nominal return, let alone real. One can tolerate that while accumulating, but it's another thing when you're retired and drawing from the portfolio, and seeing your real purchasing power diminish. This was my second decade of investing. It was so hard to keep plowing money in and not see good results. And then just as I could see a good retirement in my future, 2008-2009 occurred. Aiy! That really hurt. Still kept inves...
by Dottie57
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?
Replies: 87
Views: 8175

Re: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?

TomatoTomahto wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:54 am It is so easy that even I can do it. I am as dumb as a sack of hammers. I only rebalance with new money; never sell anything.

I have to ignore people’s success stories with individual stocks, but that’s no more difficult than ignoring stories about gambling wins, dating successes, etc.
Thank you for saying this. During the GFC I had a hard time doing anything. So i didn’t change it and just kept contributing to 401k.
I do have to give credit to employer as there were n big layoffs.
by Dottie57
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?
Replies: 87
Views: 8175

Re: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?

phantom0308 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:06 am It’s simple but not easy. Expected returns look good on paper until you’re living in a bear market where the global financial system is imploding or the world economy is shutting down. Just search all the GFC threads. Lots of people who knew the data you have and thought they had a high risk tolerance capitulated.
This.

I think 8 to 9% per year growth in the stock market is too high.

Take a look at past performance here

https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/
by Dottie57
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you assume legislative cuts in Social Security and other federal benefits?
Replies: 49
Views: 2124

Re: Do you assume legislative cuts in Social Security and other federal benefits?

HomerJ wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:29 pm I think it's silly to not plan for SS at all.

There will be some SS always.

But I guess if one is rich enough, sure completely ignore it.
I agree. I and employers have paid in 300k. Just verified with ssa.gov. I am planning on SS sine a lot has been paid in.

Medicare -I am not so sure about.
by Dottie57
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082025

Re: Share your net worth progression

Fyi,

I never kept track of yearly networth.

But today my retirement accounts hit a new high after 6 years of retirement. Not a big portfolio by standards of this group.

1.5m

When I was first employed as a programmer in 1982, I never imagined having this figure.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: money from 401
Replies: 5
Views: 658

Re: money from 401

What is it currently invested in? Without that information, we cannot accurately assess what the current risk is, and what steps can be taken to reduce the risk further. But speaking in general terms -- if I were you, I would put 5 years worth of expenses in a PRINCIPAL-SAFE instruments (think money-markets, CDs, Series I Savings Bonds; but definitely *NOT* a bond fund), and then let the rest of it ride it in the stock market. Even with that decision, I am taking a risk that if a stock market downturn occurs, it will recover within 5 years. Which may not be true, there was at least one "lost decade" in which the stock market took almost 10 years to recover the previous high. At 67 , I put X years of cash into a mutual fund. Easil...
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing Xfinity (Comcast) modem
Replies: 39
Views: 3080

Re: Replacing Xfinity (Comcast) modem

This thread is only talking about the modem, right? If I bought a compatible modem, I would also need to ger a good strong router for my 1400 sq ft condo. Correct?
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ethan Allen Furniture
Replies: 32
Views: 3649

Re: Ethan Allen Furniture

THY4373 wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:36 pm
Dottie57 wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:36 pm
All furniture is expensive.
I'd argue new furniture is expensive. With a little time, effort and perhaps flexibility in style it is pretty easy to get good used furniture relatively cheap.
Gven the context, I was referring to new furniture.

My home is filled with older furniture of good quality. Most of it comes from my parent’s house after they died. Full bedroom suite, lr side tables and coffee table, dining room table and chairs.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Simple things like writing a check, balancing a checkbook, depositing, withdrawing, interest. Teach a child... but how?
Replies: 39
Views: 2599

Re: Simple things like writing a check, balancing a checkbook, depositing, withdrawing, interest. Teach a child... but h

Start with smaller goal. Perhaps play the board game Monopoly? Playing "Monopoly," definitely. This flies under the radar as "educational" because it isn't billed that way, but the number of ways in which "Monopoly" is educational is incredible. Just put aside the fact that none of it is numerically realistic, and think of the way it introduces the rough ideas of handling money, mental arithmetic, the idea that a mortgage is a loan and needs to be paid back--but with interest, probabilities, investing in capital (putting houses on a property and collecting rent), trying to judge relative values, probability, and so on and forth. The other thing I would say is simply make the kid aware of what you are doing whe...
by Dottie57
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost
Replies: 52
Views: 3317

Re: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost

vnatale wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:13 pm
gtrplayer wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:43 pm Outside of a business, I don’t know why anyone has a landline phone today. But I guess I’d keep it if it cost more to get rid of it. I’d probably looking for other providers, though.
It's been helpful for me when I've had cell phone issues.

A few times have had separate calls going on both my cell phone and landline at the same time.

Finally, cell phones still have nowhere the clarity on both ends as do landline phones.
More readons:

During storms in summer amd winter, power out and sometimes so is cell tower.
I don’t get cell service in m condo. Emergency during internet service outage is problematic.
by Dottie57
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What did you do today to increase your income? [Financial]
Replies: 64
Views: 4235

Re: What did you do today to increase your income?

Impatience wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:44 am Continuing to grind through local community college classes despite earning my masters degree 3 months ago so I can eventually add an additional professional certification (CPA). It will pay off in the long run. Can never stop…
What was your maters degree in?
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ethan Allen Furniture
Replies: 32
Views: 3649

Re: Ethan Allen Furniture

Because the family used to be in the retail furniture business more than 30 years ago and had houses full of the older stuff as well as Drexel Heritage, I pulled up some Ethan Allen pages to see how the case goods are constructed. Here's one I looked at: www.ethanallen.com/en_US/shop-furniture-bedroom-night-tables/alec-night-table/385516.html "Alec Night Table $870.00 Now $739.50" "Crafted from primavera and maple veneers, rubberwood solids, cherry for drawers, sides and back* Pull-out shelf above drawer Finished back" "*Other materials may be used on internal and secondary components Made in Honduras to Ethan Allen's standards and specifications Scored top One drawer Packaged weight: 59 lbs. Product images may be ...
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ethan Allen Furniture
Replies: 32
Views: 3649

Re: Ethan Allen Furniture

Coltrane75 wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:46 pm We’re shopping for a bed and are looking for good quality stores. We’ve been to Bernie and Phyls and Crate and Barrel.

There is Jordans. Dont know much else.
If there is a room and board near you take a look.
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ethan Allen Furniture
Replies: 32
Views: 3649

Re: Ethan Allen Furniture

Glockenspiel wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:10 pm We went into an Ethan Allen a few months ago and thought the quality looked pretty good, but the prices were absolutely insane.
All furniture is expensive.

I’ve bought furniture and most is still going strong.
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did you use Real Estate to build wealth?
Replies: 72
Views: 9353

Re: Did you use Real Estate to build wealth?

No. I used the plain , unexciting vehicle called a 401k where Money was deducted from every paycheck for 30 years. Decisions were minimal - percent deducted and asset allocation. The magic of compounding worked. As someone not in mgmt I was able to stop z working at 61.

The slow way worked
by Dottie57
Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did you use Real Estate to build wealth?
Replies: 72
Views: 9353

Re: Did you use Real Estate to build wealth?

No. I used the plain , unexciting vehicle called a 401k where Money was deducted from every paycheck for 30 years. Decisions were minimal - percent deducted and asset allocation. The magic of compounding worked. As someone not in mgmt I was able to stop z working at 61.

The slow way worked
by Dottie57
Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?
Replies: 120
Views: 9456

Re: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?

bh716 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:54 pm Perhaps the consumer will benefit for once, instead of some industry. One could wish.
I’m not sure current agents will stick around for fees.

That will be great for ALL buyers and sellers right?
by Dottie57
Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?
Replies: 120
Views: 9456

Re: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?

Barefoot wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:43 pm I think the law of unintended consequences will be on full display.
+1
by Dottie57
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HELP - what to invest in for 750,000 windfall
Replies: 14
Views: 2055

Re: HELP - what to invest in for 750,000 windfall

Are you currently maximizing the contributions to all tax-deferred / tax-advantaged vehicles? 1) $23k at an employer retirement plan: 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) 2) $7k for Roth IRA 3) $10k in I-bonds purchases per year per SSN 4) Any Mega Backdoor opportunity at your employer? If you aren't doing at least the first three, do it. If this results in a shortfall from your paycheck, use this $750k windfall for living expenses. Do you own a home, if so is there a mortgage on it, and if so, what is the rate? If the rate is anything above 4.5%, it is worth paying off that mortgage than investing. If it is anything more than 3.5% and you are *NOT* itemizing deductions (taking the standard deduction on your tax returns), then it is also worth paying it...
by Dottie57
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 2206

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

What is comparable Japanese car that is being considered? Model Y is good but drive it and see if it works for you. For me it has a few deal breakers like the harsh suspension and no sunroof shade. Also had someone mention the seat foam is not very durable. I would want to wait till the refresh before considering the M-Y because I think they will soften the ride. BMW are money pits and they aren’t even fun to drive anymore. So I would get rid of it. Agree. Model Y refresh coming in late 2024. So you can likely get the older model marked down before the rollout, or get a much better vehicle after. Can you limp the existing car for a year? That is, is it just squeaks at this time? Just squeaks at the moment. I think i will try to limp it for...
by Dottie57
Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I crazy for considering a home purchase.
Replies: 19
Views: 1645

Re: Am I crazy for considering a home purchase.

My answer is anecdotal.

When I bought my first home I had to redo my spending. Some extras needed to be cut. I expect that many home owners bought homes and then had to cut back. The idea of putting the PITI - current rent into savings/investments. I also think that counting on free childcare forever is hazardous.

You have to think about for your future and increased expenses now. And build in flexibility -to handle job loss, both parents not working etc, death of parents.
by Dottie57
Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22605

Re: No more agent commission

Rocky Mtn Man wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:07 am
samsoes wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:54 am Interesting. How are the agents to be compensated once the ruling takes effect?
I imagine it would be based on metrics in a contract at the start of the sale.

Base pay of x, and a bonus of y if the house sells in z weeks, and 10% of the profit if a house sells over $xxx,000.

I'm not sure how it would work for the buyer's agent.
Metrics only work if it is within the agent’s control. Bad market, poor pricing by the owners, property on a noisy street are not in the agen’s control.
by Dottie57
Fri Mar 15, 2024 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?
Replies: 75
Views: 7475

Re: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?

bob60014 wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2023 8:46 am
MCST wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2023 8:10 am Should you carry your health insurance card in your wallet? Why or why not?

I always have, assuming that if I were seriously injured I’d want first responders to see I have private insurance and take me to a good hospital.

But, I recently read that it can be dangerous if you lost your wallet. Someone could use your insurance for fraudulent claims.
. (bolded mine)

Sorry, that's not how it works for emergencies in most areas. You'll be taken to the closest available location. Besides, first responders don't give a darn about what type of insurance you may or may not have.
+1
by Dottie57
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?
Replies: 16
Views: 1972

Re: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?

My spouse and I are selling our home and are going with a full-service Realtor. We agreed to terms with the Realtor on Wednesday and are planning to sign the listing contract Sunday. Going rates for good Realtors in our area have historically been 6%, which we agreed to along with a number of concessions for marketing our home. We've just been made aware of the National Assoc of Realtors lawsuit with today's NYTimes article. The article makes it sound like commissions may undergo a market correction, but with no sense of timeline or if commissions will be explicitly controlled or left to market forces. With regards to this lawsuit, is there anything actionable my spouse and I should do prior to signing the listing agreement Sunday? Does th...
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits
Replies: 12
Views: 1293

Re: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits

Benefits are paid in arrears. So you earn the benefit in Month X and are paid in X+1. Start dates are confusing which is where the "month after 62nd" birthday comes from. The important rules are: - You "attain" a particular age on the day before your birthday. So, if you are born on May 1, you will attain age 62 on April 30. - You are eligible for a benefit on the first month that you are a particular age through the entire month. So if you are born on the 1st or 2nd of the month, you are eligible to start in that month. If you are born on the 3rd or later, you are eligible in the month after. But for normal (aka full) retirement age or just determining your age when fililng, it's the month you attain that age, but you ...
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
Replies: 66
Views: 5587

Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?

My brother inherits bulk of my assets. His son will probably get some money from dad. An amount leave some to my SIL explicitly.
Also about 25k to a friend I’ve known for 40 years.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits
Replies: 12
Views: 1293

Re: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits

Benefits are paid in arrears. So you earn the benefit in Month X and are paid in X+1. Start dates are confusing which is where the "month after 62nd" birthday comes from. The important rules are: - You "attain" a particular age on the day before your birthday. So, if you are born on May 1, you will attain age 62 on April 30. - You are eligible for a benefit on the first month that you are a particular age through the entire month. So if you are born on the 1st or 2nd of the month, you are eligible to start in that month. If you are born on the 3rd or later, you are eligible in the month after. But for normal (aka full) retirement age or just determining your age when fililng, it's the month you attain that age, but you ...
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits
Replies: 12
Views: 1293

Re: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits

RickBoglehead wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:43 pm
Dottie57 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:27 pm
Silk McCue wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:22 pm The benefit for each month is paid out the following month. It’s just the way it’s implemented. You will receive x months worth of benefit but the December benefit will be received in January.

Cheers
Doesn’t the benefit start themonth AFTER your birthday?

If my birthday is in middle of May, the benefit starts in April and I get my first payment in May. Am I correct?

No.

If your birthday is mid-May, benefits start in May. May benefits are paid in June.
Sorry my birthday is mid MARCH, Corrected it in my post.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15737

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

KlangFool wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:48 pm Folks,

It is very simple.

You only need one word to be happy: enough.

You only need one word to be unhappy: more.

Heaven or hell is within you.
- Buddha

KlangFool
My spin is that I would like more but I have enough. When I get SS I will feel rich. Everything is good.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits
Replies: 12
Views: 1293

Re: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits

Silk McCue wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:22 pm The benefit for each month is paid out the following month. It’s just the way it’s implemented. You will receive x months worth of benefit but the December benefit will be received in January.

Cheers
Doesn’t the benefit start themonth AFTER your birthday?
ETA correcting birth month.
If my birthday is in middle of March, the benefit starts in April and I get my first payment in May. Am I correct?
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)
Replies: 54
Views: 4645

Re: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)

F150HD wrote: Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:21 pm anyone remember the little hot apple pies McDonalds used to sell? I recall them as a kid, that was a rare treat when we got one.

Ah, via Google I see they are back.
I loved them as an adult!

Ooh. Just looked and they don’t have the crust I remember - crackly crispy.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quaker Oats Recall Coupons Pretty much Useless
Replies: 9
Views: 1139

Re: Quaker Oats Recall Coupons Pretty much Useless

catnamedspot wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:45 pm
tashnewbie wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:44 pm Could you just do 3 separate self-checkout purchases (or regular checkout)?

Sounds frustrating.
I tried, but the self checkout won't accept them.
Bring other family members to also check out.
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15737

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

StartedAt22 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:04 pm
KlangFool wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:48 pm Folks,

It is very simple.

You only need one word to be happy: enough.

You only need one word to be unhappy: more.

Heaven or hell is within you.
- Buddha

KlangFool
DING DING DING
Thanks!
by Dottie57
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: "Rich Man's Roth" / 7702
Replies: 37
Views: 5557

Re: "Rich Man's Roth" / 7702

You just exited a life insurance plan last month (https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7729812#p7729812), so why do you feel you need to buy another? Or more generally, what is special about your situation that makes investing in the boring-as-dirt mix of 401k, traditional or Roth IRA, and taxable accounts that everyone else uses inappropriate or inadequate? A good question as I was not considering it. I do not have access to a 401k, I do however have a pension that I have another 10 years until I can access and in reality another 23 years to max out, I am maxing out my traditional IRA that I moved over from NWM, as well as my HSA that has enough cash to cover my out of pocket max and the rest is put into a Schaub account for m...
by Dottie57
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where does your [investing] inspiration come from?
Replies: 31
Views: 3117

Re: Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration was knowing I wanted more than SS in retirement. The easiest, most consistent way for me to retire was a 401k.
Fortunately my options in 401k were pretty good and became really good with my last 401k - vanguard index funds for stock.
Bogleheads is the cherry on top.

It really confuses me when people seem so oblivious to the need to save and invest for retirement.
by Dottie57
Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Preparing for Marriage
Replies: 47
Views: 4813

Re: Preparing for Marriage

Agreed there. I make it very clear on my goals for the future and show her what we need to do to achieve them and how much needs to go where. I am definitely the more financially savvy one and these types of things is what I genuinely enjoy doing. I have no problem creating a budget and enforcing saving/paying down debt to the tune of 'we can't go out to eat tonight because we are over our budget for the month and would have to dip into savings'. She may not like it, but it's for the better. Oh, wow. No. Way off. These are decisions y’all need to make together if you want this thing to work out This. If OP wants to overpower his wife, then stop and don’t get married. A lot of fiance's are very agreeable before marriage, and then turn out t...