Your pensions cover your base expenses.
Pensions + SS covers your base expenses plus lots of travel.
You have $1 million to cover the bridge to SS.
$1 million equity in your house.
Well done!
Search found 788 matches
- Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: "Retired Military" w Pension how safe, how risky should i be?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1845
- Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:19 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: deduct property survey as expense for rental?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 208
deduct property survey as expense for rental?
My wife owns a farm that she rents out every year to a farmer. There was a question about whether an adjoining landowner was encroaching on the farm, so she hired a surveyor to stake out some of the property line. I'm wondering if this would be considered a deductible expense on our tax return?
- Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Lawn care for first time home buyer
- Replies: 56
- Views: 3724
Re: Lawn care for first time home buyer
It depends on the community. Where I live, very few people put effort into their lawn. Most don't use fertilizer or water their lawns. Half don't rake their leaves.
- Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Utilities cost?
- Replies: 57
- Views: 4390
Re: Utilities cost?
We live in the Baltimore/DC suburbs.
These are our average monthly bills last year for two people:
water & sewer $60. Part of our water & sewer and stormwater is included in our property tax.
gas & electric $212.
Regarding the water & sewer rate, my son has an apartment in nearby Washington DC, and he pays twice as much as we do for water & sewer. I believe it is more than his gas & electric.
These are our average monthly bills last year for two people:
water & sewer $60. Part of our water & sewer and stormwater is included in our property tax.
gas & electric $212.
Regarding the water & sewer rate, my son has an apartment in nearby Washington DC, and he pays twice as much as we do for water & sewer. I believe it is more than his gas & electric.
- Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: TSP Allocation and Strategy
- Replies: 51
- Views: 4474
Re: TSP Allocation and Strategy
A bit late to the party here, but is the OP putting the cart before the horse? I have heard no mention of OP painstakingly reviewing anticipated pension income, FERS supplement, SS vs. expenses before arriving at his conclusion of lack of income from said pensions. Post retirement, lower taxes are a possibility as is increased spending power once you no longer are shoving xx% into retirement savings. If you have not already, I would encourage you to factor these in before concluding that you will need your tsp to pay the bills. I agree, especially when the OP was asked how he came up with the idea that his pension + SS will only cover 66% of his expenses. He replied "66% comes from the fact that my only income will come from the three...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
- Replies: 207
- Views: 15480
Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
I went to New York City in January, and I wanted to try Joe's pizza. Luckily I had cash because that is all they accepted. I wasn't expecting that.
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 7:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
- Replies: 207
- Views: 15480
Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
About $500 in bills, and a bucket full of coins from the days when I used cash.
I keep the cash because you never know.
I keep the coins for some nostalgic reason.
I keep the cash because you never know.
I keep the coins for some nostalgic reason.
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:49 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: May Rollover TSP to Traditional IRA - What are the inheritance issues?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 777
Re: May Rollover TSP to Traditional IRA - What are the inheritance issues?
One thing to note is that the TSP is protected from lawsuits and bankruptcy. IRA's have less protection.
- Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Kitchen Cabinet Cost
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3268
Re: Kitchen Cabinet Cost
In 2020 (right before covid), we renovated our kitchen. The cabinets were KraftMaid, and they cost $8k. They are far from custom, but nice for the community we live in.
- Sat Mar 02, 2024 11:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Products/Services with Automatic renewal
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1006
Re: Products/Services with Automatic renewal
I keep a document that lists all of the auto-pays and auto-renewals that I have. I keep it in our financial folder on our computer and share it with my wife.
- Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Real Stories of College Savings: what was your plan, and what happened?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7595
Re: Real Stories of College Savings: what was your plan, and what happened?
My wife and I both worked full time while raising 2 children. We learned that if you can afford daycare when they are young, you can afford private school (some of them), and you can afford the state university. The costs were very similar.
- Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone use Shoe Goo to increase the life of their shoes
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3892
Re: Anyone use Shoe Goo to increase the life of their shoes
I used shoe goo in the 1980's when I was in my 20's and trying to save some money.
When my children began skateboarding, I introduced them to it. It really was the best way for them to extend the life of their beloved skateboarding shoes. They didn't care how shabby it looked!
When my children began skateboarding, I introduced them to it. It really was the best way for them to extend the life of their beloved skateboarding shoes. They didn't care how shabby it looked!
- Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Has anyone ripped out a deck and replaced it with a patio?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3561
Re: Has anyone ripped out a deck and replaced it with a patio?
31 years ago, I opted for a patio instead of a deck because the deck would have only been a few feet above ground.
My patio consists of clay brick pavers on a reinforced concrete slab. In between the concrete and brick is a thin layer of sand. I occasionally have to spray it with Wet & Forget to clean the bricks, and at times I use roundup if any weeds grow in the sand joints.
I can only understand building a deck if it is 5-feet or more off the ground, or if your backyard is steeply sloped.
My patio consists of clay brick pavers on a reinforced concrete slab. In between the concrete and brick is a thin layer of sand. I occasionally have to spray it with Wet & Forget to clean the bricks, and at times I use roundup if any weeds grow in the sand joints.
I can only understand building a deck if it is 5-feet or more off the ground, or if your backyard is steeply sloped.
- Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Excluding a young adult driver who no longer lives at home from my insurance policy
- Replies: 34
- Views: 2659
Re: Excluding a young adult driver who no longer lives at home from my insurance policy
I have been through this same experience when our two sons were going to college. My wife and I drove a new Toyota Camry, and we also had an old van. We have two sons who were 6'-5" tall by the time they were 17, so they could not fit in the Camry's driver seat. They drove the old van. When they went to college, they did not need a vehicle. So we sold the old van. We thought this would lower our insurance. Nope. Our insurance went up because the insurance company added them as drivers on our new Camry. We told them that they can't even fit in the drivers seat, but they wouldn't budge because they were in our household. If we had kept the old van, our insurance wouldn't have risen. Go figure. We decided not to exclude them from our insu...
- Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gettysburg day trip from Washington D.C.
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2990
Re: Gettysburg day trip from Washington D.C.
I don't know if it would ease your concerns about driving on the right, but you can get from DC to Gettysburg by driving on one road. Route 97.JamesG wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 3:25 am Thank you everyone for your feedback, tips and advice.
I have thought about hiring a car for the day, as it would be very convenient to drive (google maps says it is only about 1.5 hours from Washington D.C.), but as 22twain rightly noted, I am used to driving on the left in a right-hand drive car, and would not feel confident hiring and driving a left-hand-drive car. Last year we hired a car while on holidays in the UK (where they at least drive on the correct side of the road!) and still found the unfamiliar traffic and road rules a bit daunting.
- Fri Feb 16, 2024 4:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Social Security -- What’s in Your Retirement Plan?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 3683
Re: Social Security -- What’s in Your Retirement Plan?
My wife and I are in a very fortunate situation. We both have pensions, and when combined with SS at age 62, it covers all of our expenses except for travel, gifts, and charity. So we have decided to take SS at 62.
- Sun Feb 04, 2024 7:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: FERS Retirement...Have done everything right (I think) and still nervous..
- Replies: 56
- Views: 9764
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: basement storage techniques
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2705
Re: basement storage techniques
My shelves look like the picture in his post, but I didn't use any special brackets. And I extended the 2x4 posts up to the floor joists, and bolted them to it.familythriftmd wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:13 pmThanks!MikeWillRetire wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:01 pmThat is what I have done in my basement because my shelves hold some heavy tools, and I don't want them to tip over. Unless you add some sturdy cross-bracing to the shelf, I recommend connecting them to the joists above.familythriftmd wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:05 pmDo you fasten your wooden shelving to the nearest joists?
did you use tie brackets like a poster above?
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Possible Move Pennsylvania to Maryland: Retirement Tax Issue?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1423
Re: Possible Move Pennsylvania to Maryland: Retirement Tax Issue?
And that's what you should do! Those reasons are more important than state taxes. This Marylander approves.
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: basement storage techniques
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2705
Re: basement storage techniques
That is what I have done in my basement because my shelves hold some heavy tools, and I don't want them to tip over. Unless you add some sturdy cross-bracing to the shelf, I recommend connecting them to the joists above.familythriftmd wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:05 pmDo you fasten your wooden shelving to the nearest joists?
- Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:49 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: FEGLI (life insurance)
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1491
Re: FEGLI (life insurance)
If he keeps FEGLI basic, he would be insured for an amount equal to his salary. The cost is $0.325 per month per $1000, and it does not increase as he gets older.
When he submits his retirement papers, he has the option of continuing this into retirement as is. Or if he agrees to a 75% reduction in coverage after age 65, the cost is free.
If he needs additional insurance beyond the FEGLI basic (one year of salary), the cost is expensive, and increases as he gets older.
When he submits his retirement papers, he has the option of continuing this into retirement as is. Or if he agrees to a 75% reduction in coverage after age 65, the cost is free.
If he needs additional insurance beyond the FEGLI basic (one year of salary), the cost is expensive, and increases as he gets older.
- Sat Jan 27, 2024 4:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Retirees, how much $ do you actually need
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7318
Re: Retirees, how much $ do you actually need
My wife and I retired last year. Our retirement income is 65% of our pre-retirement income. That income still allows for quite a bit of discretionary spending.
We spent our working years paying off a mortgage, raising children, and paying for their education. Our expenses have dropped dramatically.
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Another Amazon Prime Stage of Evolution - Delivery
- Replies: 76
- Views: 7798
Re: Another Amazon Prime Stage of Evolution - Delivery
I can't complain about Amazon Prime. I'm old enough to remember buying things from catalogs and having to wait 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
- Sun Jan 21, 2024 2:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Dumb Question - Figuring out your number????
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2530
Re: Dumb Question - Figuring out your number????
Social Security We are able to collect SS along with our pensions and will probably do so at 62 in attempt to enjoy life and travel while we still can I’m not sure that makes sense to me. By claiming Social Security at 62 you were giving up a fair amount of longevity insurance. To replace that longevity insurance from your portfolio will cost more than what you gain claiming Social Security early. My whole goal for taking SS early is to use that money to live off of instead of using my money in my retirement accounts. To be honest we could easily life off of $100,000 a year but the $130,000 would be living like a king. So I need to crunch numbers but it appears to me collecting SS early is the best way to protect my retirement next egg whi...
- Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How would you project taxes in retirement
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3642
Re: How would you project taxes in retirement
If SmartAsset calculates $11,144 for $131k, that amounts to 8.5%. I would just continue to use that percentage going forward.
- Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Is 30% stock enough to keep up with (or beat) inflation?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 11930
Re: Is 30% stock enough to keep up with (or beat) inflation?
The TSP L-income fund had 20% stocks a few years ago, but it is transitioning gradually to 30% by 2030 I believe. Currently, it is around 26%.White Coat Investor wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:59 amYea, they obviously didn't consult me....or Benjamin Graham whose rule I stole.rkhusky wrote:I believe that the Government's TSP target date funds flatline at 20% stock with most of the bond allocation in the G Fund. But they get a pension and tend to be very conservative.White Coat Investor wrote:I wouldn't go below 25%.
I'm not retired, but I'm probably financially independent. I doubt I'll ever go below 50% equity, but we'll see. I may feel differently at 60-70, but I suspect I'll just annuitize some money and still keep plenty of equity.
- Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Microsoft One Drive
- Replies: 37
- Views: 4580
Re: Microsoft One Drive
One Drive is a really nice service. As 02nz describes well, your files are local to your PC/laptop and synced in the background to the cloud. It's a good practice save have all of your user-generated files (documents, spreadsheets, photos, etc.) backed-up to a cloud service like One Drive. This is critical if your PC/laptop needs service, fails or if you later upgrade to a new one. I have my One Drive folders available on my iPhone and on multiple PCs/laptops as well. This is very convenient, and I know all of my files are automatically backed-up to the cloud. I also set my iPhone to automatically send any photos I take to be backed-up on One Drive as well. The photos are transferred when I am back in range of my home WIFI. Then, I have ea...
- Tue Jan 16, 2024 1:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "Floor" squeaks coming from wall?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1285
Re: "Floor" squeaks coming from wall?
I had a squeaky sound in one of our rooms near a partition wall, so I added some screws to the plywood floor along the floor joists. But the sound continued. Then I drove some shims between the bottom of the wall and the plywood floor. That stopped the squeaking. I was able to do that because the room was carpeted, and I was able to pull up a portion of the carpet to drive the shim.
- Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best password manager, for pc and Android?
- Replies: 64
- Views: 5322
Re: Best password manager, for pc and Android?
I tried Google's password manager for a while. But I was disappointed that there was no way to log out of it. So I use 1Password instead, and I have it setup to require me to enter a complicated password to use it. And it logs out when I turn off the browser.
- Thu Jan 11, 2024 7:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Passport renewal time is now much faster
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2273
Re: Passport renewal time is now much faster
I sent in my renewal application using USPS Priority Mail on December 1, and I believe I received my passport in less than 3 weeks. It took another week or two to receive my old passport back from them.
- Mon Jan 01, 2024 7:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11149
- Views: 2085451
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
"The Retirement Plan" (2023) on Hulu.
Don't be fooled by the title. It's not about retirement planning.
It stars Nicholas Cage, and don't be fooled by that either.
It's an action/crime thriller where Nicholas Cage is a retired government assassin living on the Cayman Islands, and he gets pulled back into the assassination game because of his daughter and granddaughter.
But the movie feels very amateur. Bad writing, bad acting.
Don't be fooled by the title. It's not about retirement planning.
It stars Nicholas Cage, and don't be fooled by that either.
It's an action/crime thriller where Nicholas Cage is a retired government assassin living on the Cayman Islands, and he gets pulled back into the assassination game because of his daughter and granddaughter.
But the movie feels very amateur. Bad writing, bad acting.
- Mon Jan 01, 2024 7:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Help me understand what “25x” means?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 4953
Re: Help me understand what “25x” means?
I struggle with figuring out X as well. Current expenses are $43k, for retirement add $24k for HI and $12k for extra travel = $79k, just because I'm going to throw and extra $10k in there for cushion so say $89k There will be some taxes but not much and can be part of the $10k. Mrs's pension will be $26k. 6 Years after that her SS will be $17K 4 Years after that my SS will be $43k So 6 years at $89k - $26k = $63k 4 years at $89k - $26k - $17k = $46k After that $89k - $26k -$17k -$43k = $3k So what the heck is my X and what multiple should I be shooting for? Is X even useful in this situation? I've looked at the Fidelity table (vs chart) in the retirement planner with significantly below average returns and in only 1 year do I break 4%, onc...
- Sun Dec 24, 2023 5:06 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: A Christmas Message
- Replies: 140
- Views: 14646
Re: A Christmas Message
It is nuts what you and your generation went through. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
- Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: HYSA vs. SNSXX vs. T-Bills for Emergency Savings
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2106
Re: HYSA vs. SNSXX vs. T-Bills for Emergency Savings
I'm 61 and I bought my first T-bills this year, so I'm much later to the party than you. My wife and I have a significant amount of cash that used to be in Bank of America, but now it is in 4-week T-bills bought through Treasury Direct. We are hoping to use it in 2024 to buy a new house.GrayfoxJames wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 12:35 pm
Any thoughts from more experienced investors would be highly appreciate from someone who just bought a T-Bill for the first time in his 43 year life…don’t judge I’m late to parties as well…
Thanks a bunch!
-Grayfox
- Sat Dec 16, 2023 3:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Seek Flooring Advice; Repairing Flooded Basement
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3247
Re: Seek Flooring Advice; Repairing Flooded Basement
In the mid 1990's, I placed VCT in my basement. A few years later, the sump pump failed, and I had some flooding. But I was able to dry it out, and the VCT was fine. About 12 years ago, I renovated the basement. Back then, one of the popular flooring types was Pergo, a type of wood laminate. It is the type of flooring that gets destroyed it gets flooded, so I added a backup sump pump and followed the flooring manufacturer's installation instructions closely. I did not remove the VCT. I remember having to test the floor to make sure that no moisture was coming up through the slab. Once that test was ok, I had to place a layer of plastic sheeting across the floor before installing the Pergo. The floor has held up well, but I haven't had any f...
- Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How did having children change your perspective of money?
- Replies: 58
- Views: 11075
Re: How did having children change your perspective of money?
I quickly realized that our daycare expenses were higher than our mortgage. I also realized that one of us was working for little more than minimum wage after subtracting daycare. That was 27 years ago. But we were both saving for retirement, earning SS credits, etc.
Daycare expenses trained us to live on a small budget. We realized that if you can afford daycare, you can afford private school. And if you can afford private school, you can afford college. And if you can afford all of that while still saving for retirement, you will be able to retire.
Daycare expenses trained us to live on a small budget. We realized that if you can afford daycare, you can afford private school. And if you can afford private school, you can afford college. And if you can afford all of that while still saving for retirement, you will be able to retire.
- Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:50 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Tips for first TSP withdrawal?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 853
Re: Tips for first TSP withdrawal?
I started my monthly withdrawals in May. I assume you are aware that the TSP website is not very good, so you will need some patience. If you are married, your spouse has to sign a form online. I remember getting my first withdrawal within a week.
- Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:41 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Parents of recent college applicants: How did it play out?
- Replies: 115
- Views: 20546
Re: Parents of recent college applicants: How did it play out?
My two sons did well in high school. I would say they were in the top 10% of their class. My oldest didn't have a clue about what he wanted to study, but math was his strong point. My youngest was very interested in science. When it was time to apply for college, I steered them to apply to several of our state universities. They received some scholarship offers to attend the lower rated schools, but chose to attend the flagship state university without scholarships. My oldest graduated with dual degrees in accounting and finance. He spent one summer working for an accounting firm in DC, and he did not like it at all. So he abandoned the idea of being an accountant and decided to expand upon what he did in college for spending money. Freelan...
- Thu Dec 07, 2023 11:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Private High School - worth it?
- Replies: 164
- Views: 28773
Re: Private High School - worth it?
We put our two sons in private school for the elementary school years. We liked it, but it was expensive.
So when it was time to choose a high school, we crossed our fingers and put them in the local public high school. It wasn't a great school, but it wasn't a bad school either. It was a very diverse school, economically and racially.
Luckily, the school had AP and gifted/talented classes. My sons did well, and went on to get bachelor degrees from our flagship state university. My youngest went on to MIT and is working on his PhD now. Would private high school have been better? For my oldest son, maybe. But for my youngest son, no.
So when it was time to choose a high school, we crossed our fingers and put them in the local public high school. It wasn't a great school, but it wasn't a bad school either. It was a very diverse school, economically and racially.
Luckily, the school had AP and gifted/talented classes. My sons did well, and went on to get bachelor degrees from our flagship state university. My youngest went on to MIT and is working on his PhD now. Would private high school have been better? For my oldest son, maybe. But for my youngest son, no.
- Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:03 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: New to self managing and honestly overwhelmed
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2234
Re: New to self managing and honestly overwhelmed
Consider using a target date fund if you need simplicity. That's what I invested in for most of my career.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Target_date_funds
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Target_date_funds
- Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:30 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: T-Bills or Munis?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1305
Re: T-Bills or Munis?
I'm in a very similar situation as yours, and I have been buying 4-week T-bills for the last 8 months. The average yield has been around 5.3%.
- Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Taxcut/Turbotax Deluxe or Premier For Schedule E Rental
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1046
Re: Taxcut/Turbotax Deluxe or Premier For Schedule E Rental
My wife rents out two homes, and and we use Turbotax Premier.
- Sun Nov 19, 2023 6:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Those of you that retired early (pre-SS/RMD) - what were your expenses like first 5-10 yrs?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 4056
Re: Those of you that retired early (pre-SS/RMD) - what were your expenses like first 5-10 yrs?
My wife and I retired in March. She was diagnosed with cancer a few months before, so we quickly hit the out-of-pocket maximum for healthcare costs. So we spent our discretionary/travel funds on healthcare instead. Your budget should have a good amount of discretionary spending to handle unexpected things like this.
By the way, she is doing well, so we hope to travel next year.
By the way, she is doing well, so we hope to travel next year.
- Sun Nov 12, 2023 6:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Accident with uninsured driver
- Replies: 100
- Views: 11151
Re: Accident with uninsured driver
If I made $1M a year, I'd just go to my doctor, get my ankle taken care of and buy a new bike and call it a day. That is what I would do as well. Your time is much too valuable to be parading around to see a bunch of docs and chiros. See a good orthopedist, get PT if recommended, get a full exam by your internist/GP, and move on with life. Let your own medical insurance cover your care. (you will be out the deductible and copay). If your insurance thinks they can recover from an uninsured motorist, they will go after him. Will your homeowner's cover the bike, subject to your deducible? In the meantime if the attorney wants to make a claim for pain and suffering ($75k?), have at it. But is the $40k net to you (after expenses) worth it? This...
- Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How much do you spend a month on food?
- Replies: 336
- Views: 30411
Re: How much everyone spending on Groceries/Household items ?
Your number ($400 per month per person) is much lower than I was ever able to achieve. But my wife and I both worked full-time with long commutes in the DC metro area, so we spent alot on convenience foods and eating out. We are retired now, and the kids have moved on. But we still spend twice as much per person than you do.lazybones18 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 12:54 pm We are going through $2,000/month on groceries and household items such as detergents, toiler paper, paper towels, toothpaste etc.
basically our Costco+meatshop+local supermarket bill
3 adults + 2 kids
VHCOL / Los Angeles
what's everyone else upto ?
this inflation is wild
- Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Above Range Microwave Install-Need Expert Advice
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3350
Re: Above Range Microwave Install-Need Expert Advice
Have you considered a low profile microwave/hood? They are not as tall. You might be able to leave the 7" panel in place if you use one, and you would likely have more than 17" clearance. I have one, and it provides 19" of clearance above the stove.
https://www.whirlpool.com/kitchen/cooki ... 011hs.html
https://www.whirlpool.com/kitchen/cooki ... 011hs.html
- Wed Nov 08, 2023 7:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Hard to Buy a House
- Replies: 90
- Views: 8952
Re: Hard to Buy a House
When I buy a $100 pair of shoes, I do an hour of research. When I buy a $5,000 vacation, I do a week of research. When I buy a $25,000 car, I do a month of research. When a property hits the market, I have to act within a day (so limited opportunity to do advanced research), and then I’m given all of 30 minutes to tour a property and study its numerous details, condition, pros, cons, etc. all while a pushy talkative salesperson asks me annoying questions the whole time. And due to the climate, I then have to figure out if I’m going to make an offer within the following hour, and what that offer will look like exactly (price, terms, contingencies). And with bidding wars galore, the list price means nothing. People are tossing around 7 figur...
- Mon Nov 06, 2023 8:21 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suggestion for Kids packed lunch?
- Replies: 57
- Views: 4370
Re: Suggestion for Kids packed lunch?
My kids liked the lunches that we gave them in a thermos. Pasta and meat sauce, brunswick stew, chili, etc. On occasion we would give them meatballs and pasta sauce in the thermos, along with a hollowed out sub roll so that they could assemble their own meatball sub. That was their favorite.
- Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Washington DC trip
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3368
Re: Washington DC trip
1. There is a commuter train (Marc train) that goes between Baltimore and DC. One line (Penn Line) leaves from Baltimore's Penn station (midtown), and the other line (Camden Line) leaves from Camden Yards near the stadiums (downtown). They are commuter trains, so they run in the early morning and late afternoon. https://www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule?type=marc-train
- Sat Oct 28, 2023 8:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: FERS Retirement...Have done everything right (I think) and still nervous..
- Replies: 56
- Views: 9764
Re: FERS Retirement...Have done everything right (I think) and still nervous..
Make sure that you are entitled to a cola before age 62. Most people in FERS do not get a cola until age 62.