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I took a 30 year mortgage and paid it off way early. My reasoning was that if things got tight, I would have a lower house payment to deal with. I never missed an extra payment though and by cutting off years of mortgage, it also cut way down on the amount of interest I had to pay over the long haul...

I have an older 02 Odyssey and it's a great vehicle. It's been problem free except for batteries, tires, etc. I think it drives great and has deceiving speed also. Most Honda's are pretty zippy and this has a nice 6 cyl. The seats work flawless also. I would recommend this car. Oh, the new ones have...

I would mix up some portland cement with latex adhesive and trowel it on. Sand when dry.

When I wear cheaper sunglasses my eyes feel strained if I wear them for a few hours. Never happens with my Ray-Bans. Costco has Ray-Bans for around $80. They're built well and will last for years.

I just retired this year at 64. I was self employed and had scaled way back about 7 years ago so it's been a smooth transition. I'm helping out as a caregiver for my elderly father in law and the wife is still working so I'm not exactly a freebird yet.

From Reno, you can go south along HYW 395 which is one of my favorite drives. You can take Tioga Pass from Lee Vining into Yosemite. Yosemite has more to see and offer than I can write about and is one of the most beautiful places on Earth so do some searches. You will love it. I'd like to recommend...

Most of the components in your home theater system will be replaced as technology progresses except for your speaker system if you buy quality speakers. So I wouldn't invest more than what 5-6 years of use is worth to you for a tv, av and Blu-Ray. B & W speakers are an excellent choice, I have t...

I get my Netflix, Youtube, Pandora, etc from my Sony Blu-Ray device. Most all of them can access internet now. If I was getting a new "smart" tv or Blu-Ray, I would probably get a Samsung because they can receive the new Redbox streaming. My Sony can't get it right now.

I got a good price with Mercury Casualty. Over half off what I was paying.

My life is less magical.

We spend from $100 to $150 each week on food and toiletries and eat well. We do our shopping at 3 places usually. Costco, Raley's ( an upscale store with great fruit and veggies, angus beef), and Walmart for toiletries and some food things. That's for me, the wife and her elderly father. I don't fee...

I use Weed-B-Gone in a garden hose applicator. It kills all broadleaf. I use it once a year in two applications a week apart. The Scott's weed and feed was killing my lawn. Was your lawn plantain and dandelions? :D No, I think the heat in the valley plus the Scott's Weed & Feed does a number on...

Burger King will do it YOUR WAY.

I use Weed-B-Gone in a garden hose applicator. It kills all broadleaf. I use it once a year in two applications a week apart.
The Scott's weed and feed was killing my lawn.

The best financial move I made was paying off the house early. I made extra payments each month for several years and paid it off just before the economy went south. My income dropped dramatically but we were okay because we don't carry debt. I'm grateful every day for that.

Though I would like to, I'm not going to use it. The risk of getting your personal accounts hacked and stolen is greater than the benefit imo.

"During non-guarantee issue time, you can apply for a Medigap plan and the insurance company generally will medically underwrite." This is my concern about getting a MA plan. As I understand this, you can apply for a medigap plan at the open enrollment window each year if you want to chang...

Is there a Medigap Plan F, High Deductible available in your area? I'm considering it for myself as I turn 65 this summer also. It pays everything just like Plan F after you reach $2,100 per year. You may never reach your deductible as medicare part B pays 80%. You can use any doctor or hospital tha...

I'm no ss expert but what I did was go to SS online estimator like the previous poster said. When the estimator asks what her salary was for last year, put "0". This assumes no more salary and should get you a very close estimate. The site also gives you the opportunity to try 3 different ...

We paid our house off early. Because I was self employed and my income fluctuated, I never knew what I was going to earn from month to month. I took a 30 year loan and sent in extra each month in order to pay it off early. My reasoning was that if things got tight, my monthly payment would be easier...

My inlaws purchased a Honda from Enterprise. They got it with very low miles and it's been a great vehicle.

Baking soda won't remove color from clothing. Chances are, there is bleach residue sometimes left over in the bleach dispenser. You're using community washers and people get carried away sometimes. You don't know what the last person has put in there. We use Kirkland laundry soap and fabric softener...

Plan F is more generally available, and offered by more companies, compared to F hi-D. I use USAA, which doesn't offer the hi-D option. I researched it, but wasn't happy with the few providers for my area. That being said, in my first 4 years on Medicare, USAA paid out $7000, 3000, 7000 and 8000 (s...

I used to go into my advisers office and buy exactly what they recommended. Managed loaded funds made him a good amount of money. It took me a long time to realize they were only looking after their best interest and not mine.

We've had Circulon that we got at Costco a few years ago. We love them and no problems so far. I'd buy another set of them if needed.

I think this might work for you. I use it and you don't have to enter personal info like Mint.
I think I found it on Google doc's.
http://www.free-financial-advice.net/create-budget.html

I'm also shopping for medigap insurance as I'll turn 65 this summer. I hadn't thought about it so when my agent suggested plan F, HD I was a little hesitant. The more I think about it, the more interested I'm becoming. It covers all the expenses plan F does after 2100 deductable. In the meantime med...

I have a child who will get zero.

I think smartphones are great devices, they're here to stay and I honestly would like to have one. I just can't justify the cost of service in my case. I'm retired and am home much more. At home I have cable and internet, when I travel I take the laptop. I have a navigator in the car, checks get aut...

I've never had a smart phone. I had an old flip phone with Verizon. Two phones, $80 per month and 500 minutes I think. I've always wanted a smart phone but just can't get past the price of the service. When the Galaxy III came out I was hot for it until I found out that two phones would now cost aro...

Rents will escalate, you'll be paying somebody else's taxes, property payments, pay down their mortgage and walk away with nothing. That's a big change from owning free and clear. Unless you really want to move, you might be much better off where you are.

I prefer Dap tub and tile caulking. Silicone attracts dirt, the seal becomes unsightly after a while and it doesn't wash off.

I use SCHE for emerging markets.

You might want to go elswhere if you're not getting a match. You'll likely save a lot in fee's and have better options at Vanguard or Schwab. You can probably get auto deposit too.

I bought a Rolex in Mexico once. It was only $15.00. I don't know what the big deal is....

I didn't vote because I haven't started withdrawal yet. However, this is interesting to see what others are doing. I just retired but haven't started to withdraw or collect SS yet. I have some money in a taxable account and the wife still works. I plan on taking SS at 66 in 1yr 5 months. Hopefully t...

I collected seeds from my flower garden last fall. I just bought this handy little seed starter greenhouse at walmart. It is on sale for $4.50 right now at my local store. You can use several times before it breaks down I believe. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Planters-Pride-72-Cell-Seed-Starter-Greenho...

I prefer a slim wallet that I can carry just a few cards in. I don't need a file cabinet. It also has to be compact enough to carry in my front pocket. Here you go....I got one a few weeks ago, awesome! http://www.saddlebackleather.com/Classic-Wallet-Sleeve?sc=8&category=87 Thanks Tazdog! I'm o...

I use my umbrella very carefully. I've never damaged anything with it so far..

If the water heater is in a closet inside the house, I'd replace it as soon as possible. If the rusted out bottom completely fails, your home could get some serious water damage. Even your insurance deductable would cost more than a wh replacement.
If it's in the garage, it's your call.

My retired in/laws bought a one year old Honda that was an Enterprise rental. They got a good deal and out here, a credit union offers good loans for those. It's still running strong.

I prefer a slim wallet that I can carry just a few cards in. I don't need a file cabinet. It also has to be compact enough to carry in my front pocket.

I have no intentions of not retiring.

We have an older Honda Odyssey and it's been a great vehicle. Reliable, good gas mileage, pretty fast and the seats all work perfectly. (just like a Honda)

I think they're a good value.

I haven't determined my number yet, so I'd like to ask a related question. Is it worth it for investors in the 25-35 age range to go through the exercise or trying to come up with a number given the huge uncertanties involved? My current strategy is just to save as much as I can. I think you're on ...

I saved as much as I could am getting ready to retire. Whatever I have is as good as it's going to get. That's my number and I'll adjust my life accordingly.

You never know what the future holds and it's tough to beat the security of a paid off home. I would pay off the mortgage.

You never know what the future holds but you will ALWAYS need a place to live. I think it's better to pay the mortgage off and know that no matter what happens, you'll have a comfortable place to live.

Some popular multisector managed bond funds are paying close to 6%. If you're retired and can live on 4%, Does it matter if the bond fund drops in value? You shouldn't have to sell it and your income should rise as the rates go up. Anyway, that's what I'm starting to think. Is the risk of default so...

I can't afford to wait until 70 but I'm going to wait for FRA before I draw SS. The reason is that my wife's SS won't be very much so I want her spousal benefit to be larger. If I drew at 62, it would be tougher for her if something happens to me. Her benefit as a wife doesn't depend on when you cl...