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Take tire chains.

The sound on my Honda hybrid doesn't bother me and no one else has complained. It's not just in reverse.

I'm assuming these still qualify as a plug-in hybrid for a $7500 tax credit, as the 2022 models did? I looked for one early this year and that is what was driving the price up so high, along with limited quantity manufactured. In Washington state, no dealer received any Primes or so I was told. I found one in Oregon for $4K over sticker. But I wasn't willing to go that high. I bought a CR-V hybrid - but it's not a plug-in of course.

Since you already have a forced air furnace with newer ductwork, I would favor a central system over a ductless.

Just as a price point, we recently installed a Daikin multi-split with one heat pump and 5 indoor units (2300 ft2 house) and the total cost was about $16k. Our house had a hot water in-floor heating system, so no ductwork or air handler. I'm in the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. It took us 4 months just to get estimates, then another 3 months to get the equipment. So don't wait too long if you want something for next summer - seriously.

You can start Social Security benefits starting at age 62 (with reduced benefits), but unless you're disabled, you aren't eligible for Medicare until you are 65, as far as I know.

I have a 2022 Honda CRV Hybrid. I was initially looking for the RAV4 plug-in hybrid, but found that dealers in my state have received 0 units. I found one in another state, but it was selling for $4,500 over sticker. The plug-in RAV4 currently has a $7500 federal tax credit, so very hard to find. So I then looked for a non-plugin RAV4 hybrid and also looked at the CRV hybrid. Both were in short supply back in Feb. I found the CRV much more comfortable (in drivers seat) than the RAV4. I got it in February and so far it's been good, although I just received a recall notice for a gearbox replacement, which seems fairly significant. In case you've heard about engine problems in the CRV, be aware that the hybrid has a different, larger, non-turb...

I just had a new Daikin multi-zone system installed in April. My limited research seemed to show Mitsubishi and Daikin generally rated pretty equally. Mitsubishi is much better known in the US since they pioneered these systems. So far so good. Check the warranties and the contractor.

This depends entirely on the state your registering in. The actual registration is done through your state's Secretary of State or equivalent. NOLO probably has some informative resources to help you decide on the type of corporation to register as, but the actual registration is regulated by each state.

When have new car prices ever gone down? When supply is better, the dealer premium over sticker price will decrease or disappear, but I wouldn't expect lists prices to go down.

It's been a surreal experience talking with car sales people recently. They are acting like real estate agents in a hot market. They are selling everything they can get so at least they aren't calling or texting 4 times a day.

It's been a few years, but I think I just used the Bill Pay feature of my checking account at our credit union. Just entered the payee info once and then they send payment for me automatically at no cost.

I can tell a lot of folks here are young enough that they didn't experience an actual inflationary period in the 1970s and 80s. Nothing to get excited about yet, at least from my experience. When mortgage rates get up to 13%, check back in.

The lender will have concerns that this money could be transferred back to your parents soon after the loan is approved. When we gave our daughter some money for a down payment, the lender asked us to sign a statement that this was truly a gift and did not have to be repaid.

The 2011 change applied just to switches. Receptacles have been required to be grounded for decades.

https://iaeimagazine.org/2018/january20 ... on-or-not/

tl;dr: Requirement was added to NEC in 2011.

We have experienced problems with the generic filters - mainly plugging up. So I've reverted back to the Whirlpool (or Kenmore) filters. I buy them at our local neighborhood Sears store. Definitely expensive. But my wife can tell the difference in her tea.

The filters help deal with taste and odor issues. It's not a health and safety concern.

Thanks for the answers all. One more medicare question .... I've heard that some docs will not take medicare patients due to the lower compensation. Has anyone found this to be true? If so I suppose that would be a huge advantage for an HMO type advantage plan.

Yes. Before we moved, our long-time doctors' clinic in Oregon would not take NEW Medicare patients. If you were an established patient prior to going on Medicare, they would continue to see you. This is definitely something to be aware of.

I'm late to this discussion, but I have to throw in my $0.02 since this topic always drives me crazy. Bottom line - delaying SS is a great deal if you are healthy and don't need the money right away. The biggest risk in retirement is not dying before collecting SS, but rather outliving your money . Delaying SS benefits reduces that risk. The "break even" argument is absolutely the worst way to approach this unless your retirement goal is to collect as much government money as possible. If you die before reaching this mythical "break even" age, you won't care because you'll be dead and your family won't care either. If you're in position to delay SS for awhile, you should do it and be thrilled to be able to do it. Many pe...

+1 on Aeropress. Works best if making one cup at a time. But it makes outstanding coffee and clean up is pretty simple.

I'd try chatting on line or calling customer service agent. It might work out.

I just switched to Verizon and was offered an 8% discount for signing up for autopay using bank account or debit card (not credit card). Seemed like a good deal.

FWIW, I believe that the hybrid version of the RAV4 has better acceleration that the standard version. Both have the same engine. If you want a V6 or need towing capacity, then Highlander makes sense. But gas mileage is quite a bit better in the RAV4.

I have no real expertise in investing, but I did want to make a comment - I see no reason to assume that the market is anywhere near a bottom. It can go down much further. The next few weeks will be nothing but bad news as the economy worldwide grinds to a near halt. Unemployment, bankruptcies, bond defaults. So if you're "staying the course" as I am trying to do, you'd better be emotionally prepared for much worse to come. I hope I'm wrong (I often am), but I expect the pain to get worse.

Stay safe,

Dave

I just applied on-line to start my SS retirement benefits in July (I'll be almost 70). My wife started retirement benefits on her own earning record at age 62 (she's 68). Her spousal benefits should be more than she is getting on her own record.

My dumb question: Does she need to apply separately for spousal benefit, or does it happen automatically somehow?

Thanks,

Dave

I would find a CPA that you want to use and ask them. An S Corp gives more avenues for "creativity", but LLC is much simpler, tax-wise. NOLO has some good reference books regarding the choices. If you expect your income to be high, then S-Corp might make more sense.

FWIW, when we started our business, the local attorney recommended S-Corp and the CPA recommended LLC.

I've dealt with building codes for 40 years. The short answer is that the code is the code. Trying to apply logic only frustrates you. Just follow the code. However, in this case, there are actually good reasons for this requirement and it is common throughout the US. Battery-powered CO detectors are inexpensive - just do it.

I originally signed up for the Humana Walmart plan because I have only one prescription and they were the least expensive. However, I note that for 2020 the premium will be increasing from $20/mo to $45/mo. I found this by going to the Medicare.gov site and confirmed on the Humana website. I haven't received any other notice of this %100 increase. We'll be switching plans, I guess. Is this just a churning tactic by Humana to generate more revenue?

So during this open enrollment period, check your 2020 premiums closely.

Dave

Stayed at the Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei a few times when I was working over there. It's close to the beach, restaurants, etc. Clean and nice, but certainly not a fancy resort. We found the area to be pleasantly funky - lots of dive shops, etc nearby. But that's been a few years ago now.

Obviously, it's bothering you more than it does me, but there's no certainty that a refurbished unit won't been the same, or worse. I really doubt they check the clock accuracy that closely. I have the same problem with my 2012 Honda. These units have a free-running crystal or ceramic oscillator. They are not terribly accurate. I wonder if the cars with built in nav system synch this clock to the GPS?

That said, I'd have few concerns regarding a refurbished unit. They generally just plug directly in. The local service tech just pulls the old unit, and plugs in the new one.

It's hot there now. I just got back from a 1 week business trip to Honolulu. It should be a bit cooler by late August - not sure when the trade winds pick up again. Honolulu is a big city with a lot of traffic and all of the features of a big city on the mainland.

I've been to Maui and Oahu. I would much prefer Maui for a vacation, especially with a little one. Less hectic and more relaxing - at least to me. Several nice resorts and lots of beach. Lots of options for snorkeling, diving, tour boats. I hear Kauai is lovely, but never been there. I suspect you'll get lots of opinions.

It's been a while, but my recollection is that in an LLC taxed as a partnership, self-employment tax must be paid on all income received by the members. When taxed as a corporation, self-employment is paid only on direct compensation to member, not on corporate profits.

This seemed to be the major disadvantage of an LLC at the time we started up. We decided that other advanatages outweighed this drawback. S Corps avoid this issue.

Also recall that if you have to wait five years to change your taxation status with IRS.

The Medicare.gov website has a good table explaining the differences in the Medigap plans. It will also show the available plans and companies in your state if you enter your zip code. Probably a good starting point.

I don't know about free, but I've used GoToMeeting (GoToWebinar) several times and it works pretty well. I wasn't paying for it, so know nothing about the cost structure. You can record the sessions. You might see if they have a trial offer or special deal for non-profits.

If you receive a salary, not sure how you can be considered a contractor. Welcome to the world of the self-employed. You have to pay estimated taxes which includes, effectively, your Social Security payment as well. When you make more money, you pay more taxes, but you still end up with more money. It's a good problem. If you're paying out $45,000 in taxes due for 2018, then I'd expect you're paying a penalty for underpayment. Taxes will always have to be be paid - if you running out of money, you have to reduce your spending. Bonus is taxed at the highest marginal rate, so it always seems that it is all taken by taxes. April 15th is a dark day for the self-employed since your 2018 tax due must be paid off, as well as estimated quarterly pa...

Retrofitting an elevator into an existing house could be a major project. The stair lifts are not very attractive, but they work well, and can be removed pretty easily.

My penny-pinching father resisted buying a stair lift for the basement stairs for a long time, even after being forced to use a walker all the time. He finally gave in and had one installed, but died without ever getting to use it. But it seemed like a good solution - if you don't wait too long.

My Costco only carries even number waist sizes and unfortunately I fall between two of the sizes.

Same. The Costco jeans are a great buy, but they stopped making the 33 waist and neither the 32 or 34 fit me. I also had no idea Amazon sold their own line of jeans.

Ed Slott has been hard over on Roth conversions forever. He's convinced tax rates will rise significantly in the future. I'm sure I don't know. I just have a hard time believing paying taxes now that can be deferred until later is ever a really great strategy. Too many variables and unknown unknowns. I get the logic, but there are a lot of things that could happen in the next 12 years.

Ethically I would think the best solution is to complete the purchase and then re-sell it.

At one time, Vanguard offered free investment planning services for Flagship customers. I got a recommended plan from one of Vanguard's financial planners. It clarified a lot of things for me. I've mostly followed the plan with few changes over time. I rode right through 2008-2009 and didn't really change anything. My best moves other than that have been doing nothing.

I'll probably lose my Boglehead credentials, but I'd say give it a test drive and if you like it, buy it through a Toyota loan (probably 0.9%) Put as much down as you can of course.

100 miles a day is a lot of windshield time and life is short. Sounds like you can afford it. No point in being the richest person in the cemetery.

I'm a little interested in this vehicle as well - but seems so expensive. If you drive one, let us know how you like it.

Dave

I did not like Costco at all. They do not sell ultra high index lenses

This was my experience as well. I got a pair of prescription sunglasses from them some years ago and they weighed twice my normal glasses. I also found their frame selection pretty limited.

I have no better suggestion.

Generally rear passenger side, although I have sat in the front a couple of times. i did have an Uber driver request that I not sit directly behind him. He had the seat so far back it would not have been possible anyway.

Not sure it's worth worrying about, but be aware that the IRMAA determination runs almost a year behind the actual calendar. Medicare won't get information from IRS on your 2018 taxes until near the end of 2019. At least that is how it was explained to me by Medicare when I appealed my IRMAA. It was a big waste of my time in the end.

Yes, I think this is difficult mental hurdle for many people, including me. I retired 3 years ago, but have been working part-time so I have not really to take much out of my retirement savings, but this year, it's getting close and I find myself trying to avoid taking out any money. The rational part of my brain knows that it's OK to withdraw, but there's an emotional barrier.

Have you tried using a double edge safety razor? Razors are cheap

Yes, about 50 years ago. I'd never go back. I get annoyed at the cost of the Gillette cartridges, but never found anything else that works as well. I hate shaving so it's not an area where I want to scrimp if there is a better product available.

There are some old threads about extending the life of the refills - dry them off after and maybe hone before each use.

Usually you can get a better price if you don't take the financing

This seems logical, but has not been my experience. The financing is through the car manufacturer. It's still a cash deal for the dealer. And I suspect they get some credit for having it financed through their manufacturer.

I did a 0.9% loan when I bought my Honda, even though I had the money. I'm the king of debt.

Pretty sure that most bankruptcy claims in the US are related illness and medical expenses. I think most people drastically underestimate how quickly life savings can be depleted during extended serious illness, as well as the assumption that "it won't happen to me".

Been retired for three years and reasonably healthy. I pay for Medicare Part B - $134.00/mo, Medigap - $225/mo and Medicare Prescription Drug plan - $15/month or so. In three years, I've had maybe $1000 in out-of-pocket expenses - total. Excluding dental, of course.

Cheers,

Dave

I don't know about cruises, but I try to leave a small tip each morning for the hotel room cleaners, whether traveling for business or pleasure. Regarding expenses and expense sheets - as my old boss told a co-worker "If you can't figure out a way to get paid for it, you're not nearly as smart as I thought you were."

We got a mortgage on our new house before selling the old one. As long as the old house is paid off and you qualify, it is possible. One possible sticking point is that the lender wants to see INCOME regardless of your assets. If you're retired, it can be difficult to get a conventional mortgage due to the lack of income.

You got to be insane to buy bulky items, perishable food items, or something of the sort from amazon. Must be a lot of insane people out there. I've had somewhat mixed results, but Amazon has been good at working things out. I've have major problems with Home Depot. Costco has been good. We ordered two large, fully assembled bookcases from Amazon. The tracking info was a bit conflicting. But the shipper was supposed to call to arrange delivery. Finally, I checked status and it said "Delivered" - but of course it wasn't. I called and she told me the shipment must be considered lost and she would re-order and gave me a $75 credit for my trouble. A few days later, a truck showed up, unannounced , with the bookcases. I was gone, but ...

I'd reduce your holding in GE. They have a lot of problems. You don't have to do it all at once if you prefer to not just dump it. "Mental accounting bias."

GE just sold off their electrical equipment business to ABB. So pretty much anything that Thomas Edison would have associated with GE is gone. Sad.