Search found 35 matches

by Taboose
Sun Jan 03, 2016 5:43 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2015!
Replies: 256
Views: 78305

Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2015!

I left the workplace on January 6, 2015. It was time to go and a lifetime of saving, investing and a couple pensions made it possible at 62. I have the pleasure of knowing I did a lot of good for a lot of people. I began working weekends and summers at age 10. My Dad has me beat however. He worked from 8 to 93.

My best to all.

I'm, "Cloud hidden, whereabouts unknown."
by Taboose
Sun Dec 20, 2015 8:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Guardian as best online news source for American?
Replies: 23
Views: 3595

Re: The Guardian as best online news source for American?

http://international.nytimes.com/

It's the old International Herald Tribune.

I also like the BBC.

Taboose
by Taboose
Mon Sep 07, 2015 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VNQ yields 4.1%, so does 100% VNQ makes sense [Vg REIT index]
Replies: 19
Views: 3626

Re: VNQ yields 4.1%, so does 100% VNQ makes sense

As noted above:

“It is the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket.”—Sancho Panza

Don Quixote (Part I, Book III, Chapter 9) by Miguel de Cervantes [1547-1616]
by Taboose
Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best watch for around $5,000? [Archived]
Replies: 1479
Views: 348813

Re: I think I just got a $5,000 watch for Christmas

Our long national nightmare is now over.

This makes my day.
by Taboose
Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone Cases
Replies: 26
Views: 4244

Re: Smartphone Cases

My son is Army Airborne and his jumpmaster recently dropped his phone from 1200 feet. I don't know what it hit, but they found it with no damage. He uses Life Proof.
by Taboose
Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How often do you change your car's oil?
Replies: 168
Views: 40025

Re: How often do you change your car's oil?

You could have a top fuel dragster and replace 4.5 GALLONS every quarter mile.
by Taboose
Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on getting out [of job]
Replies: 42
Views: 8785

Re: Thoughts on getting out

I am in the camp which says "go." I am in a similar situation and went through a year of pretty bad depression over it. I chose to stay for awhile since I knew I wasn't thinking clearly. Now I am. My wife and I recently went over expenses and estimated future expense and I have made the decision to leave my job about a year early. I will go January. The stress and anxiety is simply not worth it if you have the means to leave and it sounds like you do. I have worked since age 10 in some capacity or another and expect to pick up something part time. There is plenty to keep me busy and fulfilled.

Good luck.
by Taboose
Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What bumps were along your road?
Replies: 44
Views: 5489

Re: What bumps were along your road?

We have had a couple bumps, but nothing to get us off track from our goal. A family member has had some medical issues and we have had to help with that. I figure it is money well spent. Job wise my wonderful wife and I quit one career after approx 18 years and went to grad school and began another career which has worked out well. I am ending my second career with a mild bump. I will retire about a year earlier than planned, but we are in a good spot financially. We have 4 pensions with COLAs between us and have saved a fair amount. I can't complain.
by Taboose
Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cancel Verizon cellular ($100/mo) for PagePlus resllers?
Replies: 60
Views: 6880

Re: Cancel Verizon cellular ($100/mo) for PagePlus resllers?

Is there a difference between page plus cellular and page plus direct. Is Page Plus Direct a seller for page plus?
by Taboose
Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?
Replies: 90
Views: 12962

Re: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?

My thanks to the OP and all the responses. My desire to work has diminished recently because ofthe hours and stress. I feel better now as I apporach retirement in a couple years. I've always been told "you gotta stay busy" when retired. There's many ways to do so as noted. My picks will be exercise, so I can continue backpacking and do more of it, start golf again maybe once per week and perhaps some level of volunteer work. I'm glad putzing around also fits in. I've actually had some anxiety about this, but you have all helped a lot. I suspect retiring as a result of diminished desire for the hours and concomitant stress figures into that decision much more than we may realize. Speaking of "diminished desire," I'm remi...
by Taboose
Mon Nov 11, 2013 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?
Replies: 90
Views: 12962

Re: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?

My thanks to the OP and all the responses. My desire to work has diminished recently because ofthe hours and stress.
I feel better now as I apporach retirement in a couple years. I've always been told "you gotta stay busy" when retired. There's many ways to do so as noted. My picks will be exercise, so I can continue backpacking and do more of it, start golf again maybe once per week and perhaps some level of volunteer work. I'm glad putzing around also fits in.

I've actually had some anxiety about this, but you have all helped a lot.
by Taboose
Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brothers response to index investing
Replies: 52
Views: 5515

Re: Brothers response to index investing

RIverstwo:
invest for the long term says the wall street fox.
I have been under the impression the "fox" says the opposite of this.
by Taboose
Fri Oct 25, 2013 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please Define SWR
Replies: 15
Views: 1351

Re: Please Define SWR

Some of you may recall the wonderful golfer Doug Sanders:

“I’m working as hard as I can to get my life and my cash to run out at the same time. If I can just die after lunch Tuesday, everything will be perfect.”

Fortunately for him Tuesday has not arrived.
by Taboose
Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Paul Merriman
Replies: 53
Views: 7613

Re: Paul Merriman

It will be very helpful to have Paul on this board.
by Taboose
Wed Aug 28, 2013 10:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: the state of unfunded state pension obligations
Replies: 90
Views: 9399

Re: the state of unfunded state pension obligations

My thanks to Larry for a reasoned article regarding this problem. Its also a pleasure to read cogent replies and discussion without the hysteria this usually brings. My spouse and I will be highly dependent on public pensions. Fortunately, one set will be from one of those states with a sub 20% ANPL to which Larry refers. My wife will also receive a pension from one of the many Texas state systems that recognized the problem several years ago and has taken steps to deal with it. I will get a pension from a municipality which adjusted their system approx 10 yrs ago and re-evaluates the contribution rates annually. Employees are at 13% and the city is at 20% with another slight increase this year. We need to take care that we don't paint all ...
by Taboose
Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you account for future inheritance?
Replies: 45
Views: 4094

Re: Do you account for future inheritance?

I agree with the respondents above. Expenses, mostly ledical and care related, can eat through a lot of funds in the last few years or even months of life. This is true even with medicare and excellent insurance.
by Taboose
Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What the best value in anti-virus software
Replies: 63
Views: 9131

Re: What the best value in anti-virus software

I have used ESET for several years after it was given strong reviews on this board. I believe it is $80 for two years. It has worked well - no problems.
by Taboose
Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your most intense movie scene
Replies: 155
Views: 19935

Re: Your most intense movie scene

Cape Fear 1962 version - Max Cady (Robert Mitchum): I got somethin' planned for your wife and kid that they ain't nevah gonna forget. They ain't nevah gonna forget it... and neither will you, Counselor! Nevah!

And in its own way - Brian's Song. Can't watch that anymore.
by Taboose
Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fund manager wants to meet again
Replies: 16
Views: 1851

Re: Fund manager wants to meet again

Say no.
by Taboose
Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Slide rule anyone?
Replies: 88
Views: 12664

Re: Slide rule anyone?

Four or five years ago I was watching a news program and the interviewer was talking to an artillary soldier (Marine maybe) in Afghanistan. He asked what was in the soldier's pocket. It was a slide rule. Why did he use that? Because it works every time when needed. Backup to the computers. Smart young man.
by Taboose
Mon Dec 26, 2011 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you had to live somewhere beside USA, where would it be?
Replies: 106
Views: 9165

Re: If you had to live somewhere beside USA, where would it

Like Sal says in Dog Day Afternoon, "Wyoming."
by Taboose
Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: EmergDoc
Replies: 20
Views: 6228

EmergDoc

EmergDoc - Congratulations on post number 5000. Your posts are always thoughtful and helpful.
by Taboose
Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: anyone here using Rick Ferri - Portfolio Solutions?
Replies: 76
Views: 20010

Starbucks - My comments were not about you or anyone else. Just the general direction of the thread in its entirety.
by Taboose
Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: anyone here using Rick Ferri - Portfolio Solutions?
Replies: 76
Views: 20010

this threAD

The original post seemed so straightfoward. And so did the first few replies.

It's always disappointing to see a thread deteriorate.

Such is life.
by Taboose
Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [poll] How old is your car?
Replies: 98
Views: 16445

Daryll40 wrote:
That's not a hole...it's for the braking system (a la Fred Flintstone...W-I-L-M-A!)!
Well - that accounts for the condition of my shoes!
by Taboose
Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [poll] How old is your car?
Replies: 98
Views: 16445

I purchased a 65 Ford Falcon in the summer of 1970 while in high school. It has taken me to college and then to work essentially every day since then including this morning.
by Taboose
Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Songs you've played the most...
Replies: 70
Views: 11881

Freeway Jam - Jeff Beck

'Cause We Ended as Lovers-Jeff Beck

Gloria - Van Morrison - Them

Angeliou - Van Morrison

Sweet Jane - Lou Reed
by Taboose
Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A Chilling Thought:
Replies: 27
Views: 5755

Thank you, Paul!
by Taboose
Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: living in a place you like
Replies: 31
Views: 6685

Definitely worth it

I would be much more inclined to regret not having spent time with my family rather than having a larger portfolio at some point in the future. I postponed advancement in my career because I knew it would mean less time with my wife and children. In terms of dollars I don't know what this will cost me in the long run. However, both of my children, now adults, have thanked me for being at all important event in their lives; cross country and track meets, recitals, Scouts events, etc. I cannot descibe what that means to me.

No one knows what is coming, but in your situation it seems you can have both time with family and friends, as well as a good standard of living.

All the best,

Willis
by Taboose
Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taking my pension
Replies: 2
Views: 1256

By the way - family history tells me living to early 90s is probable, or at least not out of the question.

Willis
by Taboose
Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taking my pension
Replies: 2
Views: 1256

Taking my pension

Good afternoon, I have a question regarding when to take a pension from a previous employer. I am an inactive, but fully vested member of a state retirement system. My age is 54 and I plan on working until age 65 (20 years service) for a municipality which also has a defined benefit pension. According to the benefits summary from my previous employer I can take retirement benefits at age 60 in the amount of $1072.45 per month, age 62 with $1148.16, or wait until age 65 and get $1261.71. Those figures generally increase at 3% per year. Historically, the state gives a COLA of 3%. Math is not my strength, but according to my figures I would have to live into my early 90s to make waiting to 65 pay off. This doesn't include figuring in the COLA,...
by Taboose
Thu May 24, 2007 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your primary automobile?
Replies: 71
Views: 33429

I still drive my 65 Falcon which I purchased in high school in 1970 for $750. Still gets me where I am going. It's a bit warm without a/c in TX, but I get by.