Search found 3322 matches

by SGM
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Valentine’s Day! What’s your love song?
Replies: 88
Views: 4452

Re: Happy Valentine’s Day! What’s your love song?

A second favorite love song is Don't You Know by Della Reese. It is to the tune of an aria frothed opera La Boheme.,,,, Musetta's Waltz.
by SGM
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Valentine’s Day! What’s your love song?
Replies: 88
Views: 4452

Re: Happy Valentine’s Day! What’s your love song?

Fellow New Yorker Johny Maestro and the Crests "The Angels Listened In"
by SGM
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does anybody belong to the Better Investing Club?
Replies: 37
Views: 4785

Re: Does anybody belong to the Better Investing Club?

Year ago I paid $250 to become a lifetime member of NAIC. I get their magazine, I find it interesting to read some of their analyses and what clubs are buying and selling,

Dividends are taxed at a lower rate than other sources of of income...

I have written above about one nephew who reinvested all dividends and allowed it to grow from my $300 gift. I did the same for a niece and a second nephew. The second nephew was inspired to become a CPA. He eventually became the CFO of a pharmaceutical company which was bought out by a Chinese company. As CFO he received millions in the buyout. The Chinese company hired him at the VP level. He often traveled.to Bejing until the covid. The 2 brothers have bought a large number of rental apartments.
by SGM
Wed Feb 07, 2024 8:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does anybody belong to the Better Investing Club?
Replies: 37
Views: 4785

Re: Does anybody belong to the Better Investing Club?

I still own some of the stocks I bought via drips. RPM i bought for an average price of $10 per share. It is around $100 a share, We get about $12000 yearly in dividends. Other big winners are AFLAC, XOM.

I bought $300 for a nephew. Many years later he cashed it in fo about$25000. I have a mix of index funds and individual stock. We could live off of dividends alone. I am in my 10th year of retirement.
by SGM
Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What percentage of spending normally goes to Taxes?
Replies: 59
Views: 5244

Re: What percentage of spending normally goes to Taxes?

The majority of our spending goes to taxes. We are in a high-income tax bracket. We own 5 houses. We started gifting to our children as our attorney said inheritance taxes will get worse. We have farm income, tower income and 2 pensions', We go out to eat 6 meals a week. I am glad we converted all our retirement accounts to Roth accounts. Friends bring us seafood and farm fresh eggs, vegetables and corn from the farm.

We make magical fried chicken for our helpful farm neighbors monthly.
by SGM
Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time
Replies: 143
Views: 14848

Re: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time

I delayed my SS until 70, I retired at 66 and wanted to complete our Roth conversions prior to taking my SS, Also DW has longevity of over 100for both her parents, She is healthy and might live longer than her parents did. We have a lot of income in retirement and idid not want to take RMDs in retirement. We are making gifts to our children yearly.
by SGM
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th
Replies: 53
Views: 10224

Re: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th

More than 10 years ago I sent Tayor a private message saying my brother and his wife would be coming to the National BH meeting in the Fall. I walked up to the podium and introduced myself to Taylor, He asked for my brother and his wife by name. Their discussion with Taylor greatly improved their investing results. Prior to that meeting they used an advisor who lost half their retirement account value in a year.
by SGM
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Baltimore,Virginia and Delaware
Replies: 37
Views: 3178

Re: Trip to Baltimore,Virginia and Delaware

Captain Jimmy's crab house in Sparrow Point MD. Tell Jimmy Doc sent you. I am tall. You may get your crabs at a big discount.

We love Assateague and Chincoteague.
by SGM
Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:41 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41924

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy Birthday Taylor. Best wishes for the coming year.
by SGM
Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7737
Views: 1337514

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

We sold a vacation beach house and we put the cash into a high interest saving account and a 6-month CD. Our biggest expense is taxes and I want to transfer the cash to a brokerage account. We did receive a bonus for a transfer 10 years ago. I won't transfer the cash to Vanguard. I am actually selling Vanguard funds and reinvesting in another brokerage. I don't care so much about a bonus. I just received a 3-month statement from the bank and realize I may move ourselves into a higher bracket. Dividends are taxed at a lower rate than our tax bracket.
by SGM
Thu Jan 11, 2024 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Adios, Vanguard
Replies: 465
Views: 93353

Re: Adios, Vanguard

Every time I talk to my Flagship representative, he wants me to sign up for advisors. I quit USAA after I requested a quote for n annuity. They insisted on including an early death clause.
I used the Naval Federal Crediy Union when my elderly parent moved in with us. Now that he has passed, I no longer use them.

We have a Schwaab. Charitable account, we have an excellent local bank.

Vanguard cannot tell me the cost of funds opened up before 2012, How could they not keep those records.? I may transfer more taxable accounts out as well as Roth accounts held at Vanguard.
by SGM
Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard says we have a trust account????
Replies: 35
Views: 6543

Re: Vanguard says we have a trust account????

Vanguard finally closed the trust account. after January 1. They put the funds in a larger tax-exempt account. We wanted to use the capital loss in 2023 to lower our taxes on a vacation beach house. I have other capital losses with Vanguard bond funds. Our guy at Vanguard was on vacation for 2 weeks over the holidays.

This trust was set up in 1985 under DWs maiden name. All the trustees are deceased. They never received a statement. We never received a statement until 2023 some months or more after the fund fell below the admiral level. We have other trust funds through a local bank and another brokerage.
by SGM
Wed Jan 03, 2024 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead's remorse?
Replies: 102
Views: 19567

Re: Boglehead's remorse?

I started buying stocks through drips many years ago. After BHs I bought some Vanguard bond funds. Mostly those funds are sold for capital losses. i have stock funds and individual stocks I have had for a long time. In 9+years of retirement we could live off our dividends alone, Thanks to BHs Iand other research I delayed SS until age 70 and converted all traditional retirement accounts to Roth accounts..
by SGM
Mon Dec 25, 2023 6:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A Christmas Message
Replies: 140
Views: 14248

Re: A Christmas Message

Thanks for your service, Taylor, Merry Christmas.
by SGM
Sat Dec 23, 2023 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Income Portfolio Discussion
Replies: 61
Views: 5324

Re: Income Portfolio Discussion

i started out with a total return portfolio. I was a buy and hold investor. We did sell to make large purchases only or to take a capital loss. Now that we are both retired, we have a total return portfolio and an income portfolio. DW annuitized her TIAA/CREF account. I took a small pension, We both delayed SS. We also have farm rental income. We ended our residential rental real estate, except for an elderly woman who has family close by and has been a good tenant for many years.
by SGM
Fri Dec 22, 2023 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617266

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

We usually spend the monthly nonresidential rental property income. This month i invested it in a brokerage account.

i have had fun watching the growth of our Roth accounts. I had converted all our traditional IRAs and 401k accounts over a period of 6 years prior to taking SS at age 70. i was retired partially or completely during those years.
by SGM
Wed Dec 20, 2023 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donating shares anonymously
Replies: 16
Views: 2446

Re: Donating shares anonymously

We use a donor advised fund. all donations are anonymous. We can also donate in honor or memory of others. I wish they would notify the families of those honored. I do not correspond with those families with the exception of a relation or lifelong friend.
by SGM
Fri Dec 15, 2023 7:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Make a Major Career Change in Their Forties?
Replies: 95
Views: 23480

Re: Anyone Make a Major Career Change in Their Forties?

I went from working in the petrochemical industry to going to medical school at age 42. I was an expert my field and was always travelling world wide.. We had a young child and expecting another. We had a large profit from selling our home and could afford the change. I also made a large profit from the purchase of a preferred stock that had been in arrears. I was certain management would be forced to pay the arrears. It happened within a few months of my purchase, I paid for medical school from the preferred stock and was able to buy a house at our new location. i enjoyed both careers. I did get to be wiyh my family more often as a physician.
by SGM
Tue Dec 12, 2023 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Found rodent droppings on engine, any cause for further concern?
Replies: 26
Views: 4057

Re: Found rodent droppings on engine, any cause for further concern?

We live on a farm, and I spent over $3000 in repairs due to rodents biting through metal tubing filled with gasoline which is sweet tasting to animals. we also had a truck that a farm worker had the same problem. After putting a bar of Irish Sprig soap on the left rear wheel while parked outdoors the damage did not recur in the last 10 years. It is an inexpensive solution.
by SGM
Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard says we have a trust account????
Replies: 35
Views: 6543

Re: Vanguard says we have a trust account????

We will have to change the name on the trust from DWs maiden name to her married name per Vanguard.
by SGM
Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Found rodent droppings on engine, any cause for further concern?
Replies: 26
Views: 4057

Re: Found rodent droppings on engine, any cause for further concern?

I have had very expensive repairs due to animals chewing parts of my SUV. I discovered that Ivory Spring soap bars keeps these animals away, Also the white material DW puts in the clothes drier are helpful,
by SGM
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 27788

Re: Private High School - worth it?

We sent both of our children to Episcopal private high schools. They both benefited by being admitted to top universities. I also think the religious component helped them become caring and charitable adults.
by SGM
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard says we have a trust account????
Replies: 35
Views: 6543

Re: Vanguard says we have a trust account????

We are working with Vanguard to change the name on the account to her married name. There were no mailing directions on the account. We will take a capital loss as we have a large capital gain from the sale of a vacation home.

The trust account was established just before we married many years ago and lived 1500 miles from our current address. I suggested Vanguard in 1985.

I appreciate all but the few ridiculous comments.
by SGM
Tue Dec 05, 2023 6:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard says we have a trust account????
Replies: 35
Views: 6543

Re: Vanguard says we have a trust account????

I've seen this happen at twice now and both times it was accounts previously opened by parents and using the parents address that the children did not know about. Although in those cases it was letters from the IRS about underreported investment income that triggered the realization. I'm curious what kind of "notice" she received (email? letter?) and how it referred to the trust. Did it give the name of the account or how the trust was titled? What was the notice about? Was it a routine letter such as a shareholder report that all investors get? Or something requiring action? 0. The notice was by a letter from Vanguard. It stated that the fund had dropped in value below the Admiral level. DWs parents would not have used Vanguard....
by SGM
Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard says we have a trust account????
Replies: 35
Views: 6543

Vanguard says we have a trust account????

DW received a notice concerning a trust account that we have no knowledge of. She is unavailable to discuss this with Vanguard. until later in yhe week. I am an agent for her but they won't discuss it with me. I am getting fed up with Vanguard and have transferred some investments at Vanguard to another brokerage, DW will be available to discuss this with Vanguard later this week, If we don't get a statement concerning this trust, I will remove more investments to another brokerage.
by SGM
Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617266

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

A good friend brought us lobster tails and oysters. He shot a buck with a nice rack yesterday on our farm. He also keeps trespassers off our farm. Last night we had our first lobster tails and oysters since last winter.
by SGM
Mon Nov 27, 2023 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Owning 2 homes - Is it worth it?
Replies: 48
Views: 6755

Re: Owning 2 homes - Is it worth it?

We have multiple homes. We bought several beach houses up north. When my parents were living and our children young, we used them often. We paid low real estate taxes as they were set up as condo. We had a man who mowed and could bring in repairmen at our request. We recently sold one of the houses for cash and have some capital gains. Back home we have two houses on adjacent farms. We inherited the house we live in. We considered selling the other house, but we get income from a farmer who rents the fields. We also have a hunter who helps us and acts like a second son. We have a small cabin next to our farmhouse that we are fixing up as a guest house. i no longer do any work outside the house. We have good mechanics, mowers and farm neighb...
by SGM
Sat Nov 25, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taking Social Security at 62
Replies: 635
Views: 85525

Re: Taking Social Security at 62

I took SS at 70. I just received a notice of a 3.4% inflation increase for 2024, Due to the increase in Medicare premiums my monthly SS deposit will decrease by 8.1%. If i took SS at 62 the decrease in monthly SS deposits would have been closer to 20%.
by SGM
Mon Nov 06, 2023 1:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Goal based investing compared to conventional investing
Replies: 70
Views: 6966

Re: Goal based investing compared to conventional investing

Hi SGM, The reason TIPS have lost value is that real interest rates have risen. (When bond yields rise bond prices fall.) But with these current higher real interest rates VTIP is a very good investment now and at least for the near term future. I just checked at Vanguard, the 30 day SEC yield for VTIP is 2.93%. That's the real yield i.e., the yield above inflation. Let's say inflation is running about 3.5%, that's a nominal yield well above 6% - hard to beat! And if you believe current inflation is above 4%, that would be a nominal yield above 7% :!: See the below before selling. 30 day VTIP SEC real yield at Vanguard https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vtip Morningstar 5* rating on VTIP - rating done at end of ...
by SGM
Mon Nov 06, 2023 8:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Goal based investing compared to conventional investing
Replies: 70
Views: 6966

Re: Goal based investing compared to conventional investing

Hello Bobcat2 In retirement we have been income oriented. I am disappointed with how poorly bonds have been performing in this inflationary environment. I will be selling VTIP in my Roth today. It is short term and has lost value. The interest rate is a paltry 2.8%, We had been buying Tios through treasury direct ln the past. We have some good DB plans most of which go up in payments yearly. One smaller DB pays the same yearly. We have farm and tower income that rises with inflation. We delayed SS for maximum lifetime income. We are doing well, but increasing our bond allocation has noy gone well. Your posts are always informative. I had only been concerned with yield until Ihad l Best wishes for you and yours. SGM I don't quite understand...
by SGM
Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Goal based investing compared to conventional investing
Replies: 70
Views: 6966

Re: Goal based investing compared to conventional investing

Hello Bobcat2

In retirement we have been income oriented. I am disappointed with how poorly bonds have been performing in this inflationary environment.

I will be selling VTIP in my Roth today. It is short term and has lost value. The interest rate is a paltry 2.8%, We had been buying Tios through treasury direct ln the past.

We have some good DB plans most of which go up in payments yearly. One smaller DB pays the same yearly. We have farm and tower income that rises with inflation.

We delayed SS for maximum lifetime income.

We are doing well, but increasing our bond allocation has noy gone well.

Your posts are always informative.

Best wishes for you and yours.
SGM
by SGM
Fri Nov 03, 2023 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Sellers Win $1.8 Billion After Jury Finds Conspiracy Among Realtors
Replies: 421
Views: 46534

Re: Home Sellers Win $1.8 Billion After Jury Finds Conspiracy Among Realtors

We sold a beach house as is. It needed a lot of work. Mortgage rates are high. We sold it for the asking price. We paid both the buyer and seller commission for a total of 5%. Our agent was excellent. she held a few open houses and cleaned up the place on her own. It was the easiest real estate transaction we ever made. We met for 30 minutes in a law office to fill out paperwork. The next morning the funds were wired to our home bank account,

The agent's firm was one of those who did not contest the case. Both agents work for the same firm. We have 2 other beach houses close by.
I don't think we will pursue getting back the buyer's commission if it required hiring an attorney. We are happy at how quickly and easily the trnsaction occurred.
by SGM
Wed Nov 01, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Advisor Services [Portfolio help requested]
Replies: 44
Views: 6333

Re: Vanguard Advisor Services

I still have a lot in Vanguard, but I am annoyed by how much they are pushing advisor services. I have had experience with other brokerage firms. I or family members have fused Fidelity, Schwab, T. Rowe Price, our local bank's trust account and some brokerages that have been merged or bought out.

l had 529s, solo 401ks, UTMAs, charitable trusts, etc. I find speaking to Vanguard is not helpful..
by SGM
Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Delaying Social Security is getting less advantageous
Replies: 258
Views: 223805

Re: Delaying Social Security is getting less advantageous

We delayed SS until 70. I used the years of lower income to do Roth conversions. SS is the best annuity available.
by SGM
Mon Oct 30, 2023 8:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone still favor Vanguard?
Replies: 359
Views: 48413

Re: Anyone still favor Vanguard?

I have a lot in Vanguard. Recently I have sold municipal bond funds and transferred the cash to my bank for investment elsewhere. I spoke with an operator and told him my guy at Vanguard was rude. He said he will bring it up at a monthly meeting. My guy at Vanguard insisted I sign up with an advisor. I don't need that. I asked him if DW could speak to an advisor about using them some time in the future He declined unless she was willing to use them shortly. i will continue to pull money out of Vanguard. I have access to the purchases and sales of a large trust fund that will eventually go to my children and their cousins after an elderly person dies. Only interest and dividends can be spent while this relation is alive.the trust fund has do...
by SGM
Tue Oct 17, 2023 7:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone still favor Vanguard?
Replies: 359
Views: 48413

Re: Anyone still favor Vanguard?

We still have most of our assets with Vanguard'. For various reasons we have had experience with many other companies.
I am unhappy with our personal rep; We just sold a vacation home. The personal rep wants us to sign up with their advisors.
I have done very well without an advisor for over 40 years. I asked if DW could speak to an advisor as she would need help if I can no longer handle it. He will not allow her to talk to an advisor about how they could help her unless she were going to sign up with them immediately.

I am moving some cash out of Vanguard to another brokerage as I take capital losses in bond funds. We will not invest the proceeds from the house sale at Vanguard.
by SGM
Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard -- "Are Bonds a Good Investment Right Now?
Replies: 66
Views: 14345

Re: Vanguard -- "Are Bonds a Good Investment Right Now?

I recently sold one of our vacation
homes with large capital gains. I need to take some capital losses. We have mostly large capital gains in the stock market, we have to sell some bond funds as they are the only funds with large enough losses.

I will take some of those funds out of Vanguard. When i call my contact at Vanguard with any question at all he wants us to pay for advisors. I have never paid for advice and have done very well over the last 40 years.

Our local bank and our other brokerage put no pressure on us to pay for advice. They answer any question I might have.

Generally I agree with the article. Thank you Taylot
by SGM
Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?
Replies: 229
Views: 22971

Re: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?

We had an inexpensive wedding, A cousin took photos, I keep one on my cell phone We did not rent a place but held it on a beautiful farm. We had some instrumentalists who were not very expensive. My wife is a good party host. She enjoyed preparing the food herself. We rented a car and had an overnight honeymoon on the water as I had to get back to work. We had a European honeymoon the following summer.

i slept at my future brother in law's house. My wife stayed with her parents.

We have retired to the farm we were married on. We have enclosed the porch with see see-thru screens and glass. Sitting on the porch reminds me of our wedding day 40 years ago.


Other expenses were rings and flights from the southwest.
by SGM
Wed Oct 04, 2023 3:15 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 37391

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

My deepest sympathy to you for your loss.
by SGM
Tue Sep 12, 2023 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066503

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

A Man called Otto on Netflix starring Tom Hanks. It is similar in theme to a 2015 film A Man named Ave who is suicidal after his wife dies
by SGM
Tue Sep 12, 2023 4:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [E*TRADE Accounts Transfer to Morgan Stanley]
Replies: 208
Views: 26211

Re: [E*TRADE Accounts Transfer to Morgan Stanley]

I was told that next day dividends will be delayed for 3 days for a while. Next day cash dividends should return shortly...This iis associated with the ex dividend date.
by SGM
Tue Sep 12, 2023 5:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Annuity article by Wade Pfau
Replies: 288
Views: 33570

Re: Annuity article by Wade Pfau

DW annuitized her TIAA CREF account. It is mostly in CREF, The payout has increased greatly over the last 8 years, She only taught at that college for 4 years. The payout is 10% yearly of the amount she annuitized.
by SGM
Mon Sep 11, 2023 2:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth
Replies: 174
Views: 27384

Re: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth

If there is bac news about an industry or a company the stock can be oversold. I was reminded by a friend that I had bought RPM at $8 a share. as RPM had bought a company that had issues with asbestos. The stock is around $100 a share not counting dividends. I didn't realize my friend had bought the stock also.
by SGM
Mon Sep 11, 2023 9:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth
Replies: 174
Views: 27384

Re: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth

i have had luck with this in the past. I neither have the time or the need to pick individual stocks. I still hold some as i have large capital gains,

I paid for a 4 year professional degree with one stock purchase. I don't recall how i learned that Unisys preferred stock was in arrears. However i went to the library and saw that Unisys had very large sales. The common stock cannot pay a dividend until the preferred is not in arrears. Management would be in trouble if they didn't pay the arrears. The preferred jumped from $10 to $50.
by SGM
Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to Do When Planning to Retire
Replies: 62
Views: 9909

Re: What to Do When Planning to Retire

We decided to delay SS util age 70. I did a file and suspend so that DW could get half my SS amount at my FRA while delaying her own until 70.
We converted all our tax deferred accounts to Roth accounts, paying taxes from non retirement accoimts.
DW annuitized her TIAA CREF accounts . It was a good move as the CREF payout increased over time considerably.
I had a small pension that I took early as I thought that DW would forget about it if something happened to me. It is payable jointly.
We set up other income streams that were available to us as we own a farm.
by SGM
Wed Jun 07, 2023 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone feel like they missed out by not buying real estate?
Replies: 232
Views: 37733

Re: Anyone feel like they missed out by not buying real estate?

We have farm property. We are down to one resident im a duplex. For a while we had a criminal move in and could not get rid of him until we condemned the building, It is now used for farm equipment. We have 3 vacation houses up north and they are unrented. We plan on selling one. The farm has an issue with a neighbor dumping waste on the property. The farmer who rents our fields is working on this problem. A tree surgeon owes us and takes care of those problems. A hunter with a seafood business guards a lot of the property free from trespassing. He brings us a lot of seafood. Several people do favors for us and we treat them monthly with fried chicken. i don't have to lift window air conditioners. We have no salaried employees anymore which...
by SGM
Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are Bogleheads rational about Social Security decisions?
Replies: 252
Views: 25516

Re: Are Bogleheads rational about Social Security decisions?

I am in my 9th year of retirement. i delayed SS until 70, I wanted lower income while making Roth conversions. DW has wxreme lomgevity in her family and this was another reason for delay.
by SGM
Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:17 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎊Happy 99th Birthday to Taylor Larimore🎉
Replies: 247
Views: 15708

Re: 🎊Happy 99th Birthday to Taylor Larimore🎉

Happy Birthday Taylor.

Thank you for all you have done.
by SGM
Fri Jan 13, 2023 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Security Cameras - worth it? battery recs?
Replies: 9
Views: 898

Re: Security Cameras - worth it? battery recs?

We had a renter with a hidden criminal background. A neighbor put cameras up in trees. He would get a call to his cell phone if there were any intrusions. He was away at the beach when he called the farmer who rents our fields and noticed 5 vehicles coming through the property at 2 am. When the farmer investigated, he met a vehicle from a Camp across the street. They were looking for a stolen Bobcat tractor that had a hidden GPS. The farmer showed them where the Bobcat was hidden. It was recovered within a half hour. The police made an arrest of the tow truck driver who could easily be identified from camera. License plates of the other 4 vehicles were too difficult to see in the dark. Eventually we were able to get rid of the criminal. We ...