Search found 2743 matches

by Cruise
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who's up for pickleball? Zero-zero-two. Game On!
Replies: 377
Views: 84327

Re: Who's up for pickleball? Zero-zero-two. Game On!

Chardo wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:32 pm I have joined the cult, er, club. Beginner clinic 9am, open play 6pm, booking more court time 8pm. From the descriptions online, I think I'm a 3.0, maybe 3.5, after one day. Am I overestimating?
Probably.

After studying the definitions, I was sure I was a 3.5 or higher. Problem with the definitions is that they don’t account for the skill level against who you play. Case in point is regularly returning moderately fast serves. Well, if all you know is playing against newbies, your metric is skewed. I learned that when going to an open play at our community park and could not return super-hot serves dished up by what I later learned were 3.5/4.0 players.
by Cruise
Mon Feb 26, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who's up for pickleball? Zero-zero-two. Game On!
Replies: 377
Views: 84327

Re: Who's up for pickleball? Zero-zero-two. Game On!

Elric wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:36 am While the better player certainly shouldn't be taking 80% of the shots in recreational / drop-in play…
Suit yourself. If I’m paired with a really good player in drop-in play, I invite them to hit any ball they want. :)
by Cruise
Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow
Replies: 148
Views: 22531

Re: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow

OP, if you want to protect yourself from being fired w/o a severance package:

1) Claim a disability. If you have been treated for depression or anxiety and your doctor believes this is affecting your important life functions, like working at your full level of performance.

2) Take a medical leave.

3) Return to work when you are well. Or, quit when you desire.

Just an option. Desperate measures for desperate times.
by Cruise
Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What got you out of poverty?
Replies: 111
Views: 12847

Re: What got you out of poverty?

My wife grew up in poverty, living on a plantation in company-rented housing. Neither parent graduated HS, and one stopped school in 5th grade. Both parents were hard workers and devoted to their family. They gave all the kids chores and there was little spare time between school and chores. The parents were uneducated but smart. My wife inherited her smarts and learned conscientiousness. She learned integrity. Eventually those traits earned her a science Ph.D. and an academic career that brought her to the highest level of university administration. Me? Lower middle class background. Mom a high school dropout. Father a tech high school grad (back in the day that meant learning woodworking, etc). Like my wife’s parents, both of mine were fa...
by Cruise
Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow
Replies: 148
Views: 22531

Re: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow

In my consulting days with executives, I always counseled to never quickly follow one huge life event with another. Your divorce may have been beyond your control. Changing jobs/quitting is under your timetable. Wait at least six months to a year after the divorce is finalized.
by Cruise
Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying and running a business
Replies: 12
Views: 2114

Re: Buying and running a business

will86 wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:54 am
ssn wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:34 pm and 2) we would like to be our own bosses.
have you considered that if you trade your day job for "your own" business, you will be exchanging the boss you have now for many more bosses.
you can be your own boss with no customers, but every customer becomes a boss in its own way also.
I was just going to say this!

The big difference is that a customer can fire you and another customer inevitably comes along, sometimes a much bigger and better customer. This was my experience owning a consulting business.
by Cruise
Wed Feb 21, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?
Replies: 44
Views: 5183

Re: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?

Before rushing off to Costco for a purchase, consider this: Do you have a hearing problem or a processing problem? Throughout my life, I (and others) thought had problems hearing. My parents brought me in for testing. I went for repeated testing on my own as an adult. Each time, the test results came back with "mild high frequency hearing deficit." Not enough for a hearing aid. Fast forward to my mid-50s: An ENT had his audiologist do an assessment and the results came back the same. The difference was this ENT suggested that I get evaluated for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). I went to a CAPD specialist for an assessment and bingo, I failed her assessment in the worst of ways. While I could hear fine, my brain could ...
by Cruise
Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trying to contact Fidelity's Trustee Services - No Response
Replies: 30
Views: 2674

Re: Trying to contact Fidelity's Trustee Services - No Response

saver1 wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:38 pm
bsteiner wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:36 pm If they’re the trustee and you’re a beneficiary, they have to speak with you (within reason).
I am not the beneficiary. I am in the process of creating a living trust and trying to get more info. on what is involved in having them be the trustee.
I am in Fidelity”s Premium Services group, or whatever they call it, with substantial assets. When I was in your situation, I couldn’t directly talk to the Trust Department, but had to go through my relationship manager. One of the reasons we have chosen to have our successor trustee a regional bank’s trust department.
by Cruise
Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get my road paved
Replies: 77
Views: 5855

Re: How to get my road paved

Send a request to the city for reimbursement of your next repai bill, with a photo of the pothole that caused the damage.
by Cruise
Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downsides of being a trustee of irrevocable trust
Replies: 22
Views: 2848

Re: Downsides of being a trustee of irrevocable trust

You can be the trustee and also hire an agent, such as a trust department, to perform ministerial duties.
by Cruise
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to exchange $1000 worth of yen for Japan trip?
Replies: 48
Views: 4313

Re: Best way to exchange $1000 worth of yen for Japan trip?

7-11 is the way to go. We use our Fidelity debit card there. Works like a charm.

Most of the places we go now seem to accept credit cards. Still, we are sure to have cash available, and if we still have some left over, we just use it to help us pay the hotel bill.
by Cruise
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Job title for PhD Economist Daughter
Replies: 36
Views: 3977

Re: Job title for PhD Economist Daughter

Congratulations to your daughter’s accomplishments! I suggest Senior Economist. Director is more for a job function, like HR, Finance, Engineering. Economics is more of a study rather than a job function. So she could be the Director of XYZ Strategy, maybe in addition to an Economist title, but it doesn’t make much sense to call it Director, Economics. It’s a bit strange to hear someone have a title of Chief anything right after a PhD program. It also limits the potential hires the organization can make after hiring her – if she’s the Chief Economist, what title would they give to a prospective economist who has more experience? Looking at Vanguard’s biography page, it seems like Senior Economist correctly captures the level of experience....
by Cruise
Thu Feb 15, 2024 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Naming a Trust: Does it Matter?
Replies: 30
Views: 3563

Re: Naming a Trust: Does it Matter?

OP here with a follow-up to this three-year-old thread. We ended up using our real names after discussing further with our attorney. One reason we did this is because don’t plan on having any real property to hide. Glad we didn’t use a silly name because that would have looked weird on our bank checks. :)
by Cruise
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Color or Black & White Printer
Replies: 32
Views: 2321

Re: Color or Black & White Printer

PottedPlant wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:12 pm Brother Color laser for us. We seldom print photos. And when we do, we go to the local camera store for high quality.
Why do you print in color?
by Cruise
Wed Feb 14, 2024 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Color or Black & White Printer
Replies: 32
Views: 2321

Color or Black & White Printer

Our old Brother B&W laser printer has died and we need a new printer. As we don't print photos or charts/graphs, I can't think of a good reason to get a color printer. Are there other applications for having a color printer? Have I been missing out on having my boarding passes in color? (Joke: I have my boarding passes on my phone.) Seriously, should I consider color for some reason?

Thank you.
by Cruise
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12479

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

Whole Foods flatbread pizza

CPK frozen pizza
by Cruise
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pay cleaning lady for snow day?
Replies: 119
Views: 10091

Re: Pay cleaning lady for snow day?

My wife still receives all the benefits due even when she does not clean.

Seriously, I did pay my hair stylist during COVID when she was closed or I was too chicken to go to see her.
by Cruise
Tue Feb 13, 2024 1:11 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Hawaii Bogleheads, where are you?
Replies: 35
Views: 12001

Re: Hawaii Bogleheads, where are you?

This presents an interesting issue: How does one retain their anonymity that the internet provides and commune with like-minded people in what really is a small town? I'm trying to figure out how that could work.
by Cruise
Mon Feb 12, 2024 1:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LinkedIn strategies
Replies: 24
Views: 2268

Re: LinkedIn strategies

OP, one strategy I used (sparingly) was to provide recommendations to colleagues whose work I found exemplary. In return, I received recommendations from some of these colleagues.

Secondly, I am careful about who I connect with. I must either know them, have very similar interests in my field of specialization, or I want to know them. I get a fair number of financial advisers who want to connect with me, and for some reason, I get a surprising number of model-beautiful Asian women who want to connect. I refuse both groups. The advisors want to sell me their services or use my name to connect to others. The second group probably has more nefarious motives possibly related to national security risks. .
by Cruise
Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Picking a trustee: lawyer, friend, family, or corporate?
Replies: 32
Views: 2764

Re: Picking a trustee: lawyer, friend, family, or corporate?

trustquestioner wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:16 pm The fees are extremely annoying but the correct answer for almost every case where there are substantial assets is corporate trustee. Some are better than others.
Curious about how you might define "substantial.."
by Cruise
Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Picking a trustee: lawyer, friend, family, or corporate?
Replies: 32
Views: 2764

Re: Picking a trustee: lawyer, friend, family, or corporate?

After many years of not creating estate planning documents because this DINK couple could not figure out who to serve as POA/Truistee/HCPOA, etc., we finally nominated some nieces and for POA/HCPOA, and some institutions for our trust. This thread is timely, for yesterday we met with the first successor trustee bank. We know that by reputation (highly placed sources) they have tight internal controls and are the best in our area. However, their fees are crazy high, starting at 1.5% for the first million, going to .5% after five million. And that is just the beginning, before all the various transaction and service fees. And, they would require that all of the great investments I now self-manage be placed under their control, which would cre...
by Cruise
Thu Feb 08, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Law School Debt: Is It Worth It?
Replies: 115
Views: 10471

Re: Law School Debt: Is It Worth It?

I'm not an attorney, but my career has interfaced with attorneys in a big way. You need to do a self-assessment of your intellect and conscientiousness. If you are top of your class material, then attending a prestigious law school certainly would be a good ROI because you would be recruited for prestigious positions. If you are average now (for law school entrants), you probably won't be more than average in law school. As such, you probably won't gain entry to prestigious post-JD employment opportunities. You might be better off attending your state school and focus on networking opportunities for working within your state. You can have a great career going to a state school. Good luck. ETA: Another factor in favor of the low cost option:...
by Cruise
Thu Feb 08, 2024 2:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lagoon communities in Florida - Thoughts/personal experiences?
Replies: 58
Views: 6362

Re: Lagoon communities in Florida - Thoughts/personal experiences?

Make sure that these bodies of water are not formed by sinkholes that are part of karst formations. The State of Florida has detailed maps for the entire state.
by Cruise
Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41950

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Pickleball (and private PB lessons). The pickleball part of this equation is PB = Workout + Socialization + Competitive Drive Satiation

Regular visits with Athletic Trainer

Retirement and entering into De-accumulation phase of life, which allows for purchasing of better experiences and help navigating them.
by Cruise
Tue Feb 06, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How old were you when you hit the "No-Go Years?"
Replies: 77
Views: 13600

How old were you when you hit the "No-Go Years?"

The retirement lifecycle often is described as consisting of the "Go-Go," "Slow-Go," and No-Go" periods. Now in our early 70s and still Go-Going, we wonder when and how fellow BHers reach their No-Go years? Is there a health event that suddenly triggers that period? Or, does it come about gradually on a constant slope? I realize that every situation is different, but it would be helpful to better understand the common trajectories. Certainly, that could be a factor in retirement budget planning.

Thank you.
by Cruise
Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: China trip paranoia [visa requirements]
Replies: 68
Views: 6435

Re: China trip paranoia [visa requirements]

hoops777 wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:46 pm After all of this Royal Caribbean is telling me I have to have a visa,even for HK.
What is the country of your passport? What is your country of residence?
by Cruise
Sun Feb 04, 2024 8:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: China trip paranoia [visa requirements]
Replies: 68
Views: 6435

Re: China trip paranoia [visa requirements]

hoops777 wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:52 pm
bendix wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:23 pm I think I paid a 150 bucks for a visa service last time I went. If yours is 1000 Dollars you´re either being taken for a ride or visa requirements must´ve changed fairly dramatically in the last 6 months or so.
299 each plus the embassy fee so 900.

Peninsula Visa.

I trust their reputation and credibility and they have a connection with UC Berkeley.
Have you tried CIBT Visa Services. Used by many cruiselines.
by Cruise
Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recently laid off from FAANG, should I go work for a non-profit or try to stay?
Replies: 65
Views: 9251

Re: Recently laid off from FAANG, should I go work for a non-profit or try to stay?

I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I treasure the memory of my mother telling me that she chose not to go back to school to better advance her career, because she did not want to miss the time with me. I’m pretty sure that, in the big picture, having a few more trinkets as a kid would not have been as important.
by Cruise
Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: China trip paranoia [visa requirements]
Replies: 68
Views: 6435

Re: China trip paranoia [visa requirements]

If my cruise was ending there, I'd absolutely spend a few days there. In fact, I had a cruise that ended in Hong Kong, and we then flew to Beijing because we were in the area. Had a great time touring with a private guide. Google "Skye Gao." A friend also used her and was delighted with her service.

ETA: http://www.toursbyskye.com/
by Cruise
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Antartica, tips, ideas, suggestions, experiences
Replies: 23
Views: 2583

Re: Antartica, tips, ideas, suggestions, experiences

MarkRoulo wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:29 pm
Cruise wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:07 pm ...

People think that it is really, really cold in Antarctica. However, you are going there during its' summer, with temperatures around 32. So don't stress about the cold. The expedition journeys typically include outer shell and inner puff jackets.

...
I will note that it depends on where you go.

Wikipedia shows that McMurdo base (in the Ross Sea) has a daily average temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit for February. 16 degrees vs 32 degrees matters.

I expect trips that are based around Graham Land are warmer.
Not sure whether there are any cruises to McMurdo, but I've only seen them to the peninsula.
by Cruise
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Antartica, tips, ideas, suggestions, experiences
Replies: 23
Views: 2583

Re: Antartica, tips, ideas, suggestions, experiences

OP: I went to Antarctica on a Seabourn ship back in 2018, and Covid cancelled our return + South Georgia in 2020. I'm currently booked on the Viking Octantis for South Georgia/Antarctica for 2025. My suggestions: If you are going to Antarctica, make sure you go on a ship that offers landings. Some of the larger ships just do sail-byes. If you can afford it, make sure that South Georgia is part of the itinerary. Try to get a cabin mid-deck, and lower rather than higher. This will help minimize problems with sea sickness. People think that it is really, really cold in Antarctica. However, you are going there during its' summer, with temperatures around 32. So don't stress about the cold. The expedition journeys typically include outer shell a...
by Cruise
Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?
Replies: 94
Views: 5958

Re: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?

Any “gotcha” type provisions or aspects to be alert to in contracts with home health aide agencies? For example, termination fees or duty of care standards, may I ask about background checks as criminal records etc? NY recently put up some limitations as to the topics one may ask about. Yes on background checks in NY. Yes on the agencies company 'standards' and/or SOP's. Even with those it is best to remove all jewelery, cash, heirlooms, financial documents and all similar items from the home. Additionally there are possible reasons you may want to install inconspicuous camera's in typical areas utilized. Why do you recommend inconspicuous cameras? I keep cameras conspicuous and let everyone know that there is video surveillance. Seems lik...
by Cruise
Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?
Replies: 94
Views: 5958

Re: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?

Any “gotcha” type provisions or aspects to be alert to in contracts with home health aide agencies? For example, termination fees or duty of care standards, may I ask about background checks as criminal records etc? NY recently put up some limitations as to the topics one may ask about. Yes on background checks in NY. Yes on the agencies company 'standards' and/or SOP's. Even with those it is best to remove all jewelery, cash, heirlooms, financial documents and all similar items from the home. Additionally there are possible reasons you may want to install inconspicuous camera's in typical areas utilized. Why do you recommend inconspicuous cameras? I keep cameras conspicuous and let everyone know that there is video surveillance. Seems lik...
by Cruise
Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?
Replies: 94
Views: 5958

Re: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 7:23 pm Any “gotcha” type provisions or aspects to be alert to in contracts with home health aide agencies? For example, termination fees or duty of care standards, may I ask about background checks as criminal records etc? NY recently put up some limitations as to the topics one may ask about.
You can inquire about the agency’s hiring protocols and ask them anything you want. They have restrictions on what they may ask an applicant.
by Cruise
Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Resolved] I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"
Replies: 11
Views: 899

Re: I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"

gavinsiu wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:17 pm Do the following:

1. Using a browser, Log into Fidelity.
2. Under the menu Accounts and Trade, select Security Settings.
3. In security settings, you should have a list of trusted devices. The problem will be that devices have no distinct name, so you may have several PC Chrome device. You may be able to identify the device by date and just delete it.

Good luck.
That worked!!! Many thanks, @gavinsiu!
by Cruise
Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Resolved] I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"
Replies: 11
Views: 899

Re: I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"

I use a 2-factor method to log into my Fidelity account, in this case, using their VIP Access. I must have accidentally "trusted" my computer, because it is no longer requiring the VIP Access credential. (It continues to be required on other platforms.) Wanting to keep the VIP Access requirement on my computer, I called Fidelity. The only solution the rep could give was to delete all history and cookies. This is not an optimal solution for me. So, do any knowledgeable BH have a suggestion for how to reconfigure my computer to require the 2-facotr VIP Access credential without deleting all my history and cookies? Many thanks! You should be able to just delete cookies from Fidelity. Which browser are you using? Sorry, Firefox. http...
by Cruise
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Resolved] I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"
Replies: 11
Views: 899

Re: I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"

nalor511 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:53 pm In the browser bar there's a padlock, or something that looks like:
o---
---o

click on that -> cookies -> clear
Doesn't that clear all cookies? Can I just clear the Fidelity ones?
by Cruise
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Resolved] I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"
Replies: 11
Views: 899

Re: I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"

I use a 2-factor method to log into my Fidelity account, in this case, using their VIP Access. I must have accidentally "trusted" my computer, because it is no longer requiring the VIP Access credential. (It continues to be required on other platforms.) Wanting to keep the VIP Access requirement on my computer, I called Fidelity. The only solution the rep could give was to delete all history and cookies. This is not an optimal solution for me. So, do any knowledgeable BH have a suggestion for how to reconfigure my computer to require the 2-facotr VIP Access credential without deleting all my history and cookies? Many thanks! You should be able to just delete cookies from Fidelity. Which browser are you using? Sorry, Firefox.
by Cruise
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Resolved] I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"
Replies: 11
Views: 899

[Resolved] I accidentally "Trusted my Computer" for Fidelity Login: How do I "untrust?"

EDIT: Problem Resolved--See posts 10 &11


I use a 2-factor method to log into my Fidelity account, in this case, using their VIP Access. I must have accidentally "trusted" my computer, because it is no longer requiring the VIP Access credential. (It continues to be required on other platforms.)

Wanting to keep the VIP Access requirement on my computer, I called Fidelity. The only solution the rep could give was to delete all history and cookies. This is not an optimal solution for me. So, do any knowledgeable BH have a suggestion for how to reconfigure my computer to require the 2-facotr VIP Access credential without deleting all my history and cookies?

PS: I am using FIrefox

Many thanks!
by Cruise
Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
Replies: 100
Views: 10092

Re: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?

I retired in my very early 60s, and got into great physical shape lifting weights. Got my knee replaced and all was looking good from a fitness perspective. Then, it wasn't looking good: Shoulder surgery. Then hand surgery. Then basal cell requiring Mohs surgery. Then a fall while playing pickleball and extended hand and wrist therapy. My hand and wrist issues have prevented me from lifting weights, and I've never had such poor upper-body musculature in my adult life. Luckily, I'm still able to play pickleball (3.5 hours of it today!) In addition to that, I walk. Mostly stay away from red meats. Don't drink alcohol. Don't volunteer for anything that might cause stress. If I didn't do so much stress eating during the pandemic times, I'd be i...
by Cruise
Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21637

Re: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends

OP, sorry about your situation.

Knowing more about your financial health would help direct useful replies. No sense suggesting a CCRC if you don’t have the capital.
by Cruise
Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?
Replies: 94
Views: 5958

Re: Delay Filing an LTCI Claim?

1. Actuarial tables will tell you that is no benefit to wait to claim.

2. Since when is spending one’s own money preferable to spending a benefit

Real life stories:

1. BIL sold LTCI policies. He owned the best policy imaginable. Got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Met requirements for claim. Refused to claim. Caregiver got overburdened/highly stressed for many months. Finally filed. Died two weeks later.

2. Sister, the above caregiver, also owned the same best policy. Diagnosed with melanoma and finally filed a claim, way after she could have. Got two months of benefit before she died.

3. Sister and BIL paid many years of LTCI premiums.

Moral of the story: LTCI companies will be very happy for you to wait to file claims.
by Cruise
Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can 529 funds be used for a fully-funded PHD?
Replies: 29
Views: 4890

Re: Can 529 funds be used for a fully-funded PHD?

fatFIRE wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 11:05 pm You should NEVER pay for PhD out of your own pocket. You will get a TA/RA position that is like min-wage and covers tuition.

PhD has a high opportunity cost, and I won't say I regret doing a PhD, but given my circumstances it was the right move at that time. I will not recommend doing a PhD for the average person.
Reading this newly-active four-year-old thread gave me a big chuckle while reading that an “average person” shouldn’t get a PhD. Without a hint of condescension, most assuredly, PhD folks are not average, but pretty abnormal. Who else would spend all their waking moments in a lab for at least 4-7 years? Count my wife and I and many friends in this deviant subculture. :)
by Cruise
Thu Jan 25, 2024 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tours for China?
Replies: 122
Views: 10829

Re: Best tours for China?

jplee3 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:50 pm Hi

For those of you who have recently been on a tour of China, I was wondering which company(IES) you suggest going with that are on the less expensive side but still with decent accommodations and are a good value?

We are a family of four (two kids who will be 8 and 7 when we go). Priorities of places to see are - Great Wall, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.


TIA!
Sky Gao is a private guide in Beijing. You can find her on Linkedin and possibly other venues. I've used her and a friend also used her. Very good guide.
by Cruise
Thu Jan 25, 2024 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to stop generic junk mail?
Replies: 20
Views: 2267

Re: How to stop generic junk mail?

NYCaviator wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 8:31 am We’ve been inundated with junk mail lately. I already paid the $5 to DMAChoice and did the OptOutPrescreen to get removed from those lists, but I still get junk email about mortgage refinances, car warranties, and a ton of generic “To Our Neighbor at XXX” from realtors and home service companies.

Is there a way to get rid of (or substantially reduce) this type of junk mail, or does the postman have to put these in everyone’s mailboxes?
Get a USPS PO Box. Then wire up your street box so the carrier can't open it. It has stopped 98% of junk mail in the 12 years or so I have done this. No mail in my street box. 98% less in my PO Box.
by Cruise
Thu Jan 25, 2024 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?
Replies: 44
Views: 6577

Re: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?

radiowave wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:24 pm I'm a "Fidelity Premium Services" client is that the same as a private client?
There is a thread for that....viewtopic.php?t=379083
by Cruise
Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Net Worth Averages in different professions
Replies: 91
Views: 11544

Re: Net Worth Averages in different professions

winterrain wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:00 am Reasonable goals of liquid assets:
Engineers: $5 MM
Physicians: $10 MM
So a two physician household would be $20M? Independent of specialization?
by Cruise
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Net Worth Averages in different professions
Replies: 91
Views: 11544

Re: Net Worth Averages in different professions

snackdog wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 10:38 pm At retirement time, most typical retires would have net worth around 10-20 times their annual salary (including bonus, etc). So, you can just look up salaries and go from that. E.g. a retiree with a $100k/yr job would have $1-2 million net worth.
Interesting metric. Can you share the source?
by Cruise
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Nice home, nice neighborhood, unsavory neighbors – options?
Replies: 92
Views: 10409

Re: Nice home, nice neighborhood, unsavory neighbors – options?

Amien wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:05 pm Also note that if you try to sell your house, but mislead purchasers regarding circumstances of neglected house next door, you could face post-closing lawsuit. I’d expect questions will come from most prospective buyers. Drug houses usually stick-out.
Yes. The OP made an unfortunate mistake of leaving a paper trail when contacting the police. I have a less serious neighbor problem, but have rigorously avoided any official complaints so as not to leave a trail.
by Cruise
Tue Jan 16, 2024 2:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling Ocean Engineers: What is happening to my cruise ship?
Replies: 86
Views: 11480

Re: Calling Ocean Engineers: What is happening to my cruise ship?

OP here. The GM approached me this morning and volunteered they have a plan to fix the “buckling.” I chose not to interrogate him on the plan while drinking my morning latte. Last night we got access to the second room, however the seas are calmer and we haven’t hear the noxious sounds of metal flexing in over 12 hours. Had a great sleep last night in our own room. In retrospect, aside from being exposed to the noxious sounds, the dismissive attitudes and incorrect causal attributions by staff bothers me. I’ve spent my whole career in a research and problem -solving capacity, and before approaching the staff with this situation, I spent a good deal of time surveying. My first call asked them to have an engineer meet me. They refused, and se...