Search found 3462 matches

by vested1
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to fix sewer back up?
Replies: 28
Views: 1646

Re: How to fix sewer back up?

Can you have an ejector pump installed? It was not inexpensive, but I have no idea how much it cost as I had it installed during a complete basement refinishing job. The concrete had to be dug out (jack hammered?) and then the pump sits in the excavated space. The pump has failed a few times during the 25 years it has been installed, and replaced maybe twice. I have a full bath and a washing machine downstairs + dehumidifier draining into utility sink during summer months. Each time the pump has failed has been when running the washer so the water is soapy and clean. When we connected to the town sewer line shortly after buying the house, we knew that the basement could never be served via gravity, but at that time, had not intended to fin...
by vested1
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture prices... is this normal?
Replies: 60
Views: 9463

Re: Furniture prices... is this normal?

If you're going to buy cheap furniture I would suggest buying the standard 3 year insurance. We bought a couch and loveseat from Rooms to Go for about 4k, which was replaced after two years because the repairman said it would cost less to replace them than the extensive repairs that were needed. We had conveyed our previous 15 year old expensive leather sectional couch and two chairs from Arizona Leather when we sold our previous home at the buyers request, and in order to avoid forking out 5k for a repair on a problem identified in the inspection. That furniture looked almost new after 15 years of grandkids. We gave the newly replaced cheap furniture to a newly married grandson and bought a custom made leather couch and two chairs from Han...
by vested1
Sat Mar 16, 2024 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving in retirement.
Replies: 25
Views: 2774

Re: Moving in retirement.

We always dreamed about moving after retirement but had to stay put to care for my MIL as everyone else in my wife's family had moved far away, the closest about 300 miles distant, the others in other states. We looked for over a decade in different states, which had their good and bad points, as they all do, but we knew we wanted to live on a lake. After my MIL died at age 94 we sold our house and moved within the year. We went from a tiny single story rancher on a tiny lot in California to a gloriously huge 3 story lake house on 1.5 acres in SC in our late 60's. To say we bit off more than we could chew would be an understatement. I figured we could just hire someone to cut the half acre lawn with lots of different levels, and knock down ...
by vested1
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying cash for a house?
Replies: 49
Views: 4626

Re: Paying cash for a house?

Watty wrote: 1) Get a home equity loan on your current house. This will likely need to be done before your house is listed for sale. If they ask for the purpose of the loan just say that it is truthfully to buy a second home. I agreed with everything else you wrote, which was a refreshing counterpoint to suggestions centered around a supposed guarantee of investment returns as opposed to eliminating debt. However, lenders, especially large banks, aren't always honest with their customers who have large loans when there is a spoken wish by the customer to eliminate that debt in the near future. My wife and I applied for a HELOC at the nation's largest bank, who held our mortgage at the time. I overshared (which is one of my character flaws) ...
by vested1
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?
Replies: 133
Views: 15481

Re: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?

You're not missing anything. Those that can move have moved. Others are tied to jobs in CA where their pay will be reduced and their career advancement limited if they move. Others have school age children where it's disruptive to move. It doesn't sounds like the above apply, I'd suggest moving. Probably the most absurd post i’ve seen on this forum. Plenty of healthy, happy well-off professionals here who would rather be here than anywhere else. There is a sinister undercurrent to this post that implies people are ‘getting out while they can’ because something nefarious is happening - in my experience people have left because they have trouble affording it, or they’re small business owners who want less regulation on their activities. Obsu...
by vested1
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Removing "managing" from Fidelity account
Replies: 8
Views: 1230

Re: Removing "managing" from Fidelity account

How was she "tricked"? P I initially had my accounts at Fidelity and after a few years came to the conclusion that I had been "tricked" into their PAS service because of my ignorance. I had recently retired and had my 401k there, so I merged my lump sum retirement and my 401k into an IRA. I was assigned an advisor that increased to two advisors after they assured me they could make me more money by letting them manage my account for 1% AUM. I went on to another job at age 56 for another 7 years before permanently retiring, so I wasn't taking any withdrawals. They assessed my risk tolerance as low, even though I told them I was open to risk, and they put half of my money into a Ginnie Mae. The other half was put in 20 fu...
by vested1
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?
Replies: 133
Views: 15481

Re: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?

Hey folks! I’m getting a lot of PM requests, so I’ll just give you a general area. The Monterey Bay Area (Monterey, Pacific Grove, Marina, Seaside, Sand City, Carmel) has some amazing perks as I mentioned. Again, I do want to stress that this is affordable for my unique situation (which I should have clarified a bit more). I am a single guy who works remotely. There are very, very few jobs that are local to the area that allow you to live here. Most of the homes and apartments are filled with retirees and military personnel. If you have children, daycare is incredibly expensive. If you like to eat out, restaurants are going to be expensive too. Not all the towns in the area are walkable, but I can ride my bicycle from Pebble Beach to Marin...
by vested1
Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce and co mingling asset question
Replies: 42
Views: 5684

Re: Divorce and co mingling asset question

I thought I'd mention another aspect that crossed our bow this morning that may apply to your divorce. A few members have mentioned children. Hopefully, there are no children or they are no longer minors. I only bring this up as a cautionary tale that may not affect you if children aren't involved. In some states the issue below goes beyond the presence of children and may affect who is "at fault" in the divorce, and thus the settlement. Believe it or not, quite a few states, including Ohio have rules about dating before a divorce is final. In Ohio it could affect custody and visitation rights. At least it isn't against the law, as it is in my state of SC. Here is a link that lists every state and their rules on dating while separ...
by vested1
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14901

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

I keep a few hundred in cash. I mainly keep it for tips for workmen who come to the house or for the occasional purchase at a small business that has to pay per use fees on credit cards which cuts into their profit.

If we go to a craft fair I always pay with cash because the artists work on such a small margin anyway. Sometimes I even pay them more than they are asking if their work is exceptional. That's also a way to meet talented new friends. In my opinion craft fair art is underappreciated.
by vested1
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?
Replies: 133
Views: 15481

Re: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?

NV has access to mountains. Lake Tahoe straddles the border, and the Sierra Nevadas are closer to say Reno than coastal CA cities. There also is the Great Basin Nat'l Park that includes the Wheeler Peak area, and Zion NP is about a 3 hour drive from LV. Lone Pine near the east side of Mt Whitney in the Sierras is about a 4 hr drive from LV, going through Death Valley. Pet peeve - it’s the sierra but is often misspelled as sierras. The sierra is Spanish for the sky. The Sierras is common usage for the mountains (plural). It may be wrong, but what can we do with the two of us against everyone else? Um, no, Spanish for the sky is "el cielo". "La sierra" means "the saw", but also can refer to "mountain range&...
by vested1
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?
Replies: 133
Views: 15481

Re: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?

This is not an unusual conversation for Californians (and Nevadans). As I was boarding my plane in Las Vegas for Los Angeles many years ago, the boarding agent said something like, "Enjoy your trip back to Tax Land." I would have considered contacting the carrier over this remark. As someone who lived in CA for 67 years of my soon to be 72, it amazes me how people you are paying to do business with feel free to throw out insults about California, which are largely something they've heard, not something they've experienced. It's gotten to a point, especially lately, that former Californians are reluctant to say where they come from lest they be bombarded with comments about how you must be so happy to be away from all that (fill i...
by vested1
Mon Mar 11, 2024 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?
Replies: 133
Views: 15481

Re: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?

This is not an unusual conversation for Californians (and Nevadans). As I was boarding my plane in Las Vegas for Los Angeles many years ago, the boarding agent said something like, "Enjoy your trip back to Tax Land." I would have considered contacting the carrier over this remark. As someone who lived in CA for 67 years of my soon to be 72, it amazes me how people you are paying to do business with feel free to throw out insults about California, which are largely something they've heard, not something they've experienced. It's gotten to a point, especially lately, that former Californians are reluctant to say where they come from lest they be bombarded with comments about how you must be so happy to be away from all that (fill i...
by vested1
Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When did "gift" become a verb?
Replies: 14
Views: 847

Re: When did "gift" become a verb?

IMD801 wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:26 am Your question is quite an ask.
And your ask is quite a noun.
by vested1
Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
Replies: 156
Views: 9909

Re: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?

I have a relative who went with MA along with his wife to save on premiums, then signed up for concierge coverage for both of them with a PCP who accepts Medicare assignment.

He's happy, but I'm not sure of his reasoning.
by vested1
Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I splurge on a family vacation to Hawaii?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: Can I splurge on a family vacation to Hawaii?

Enjoy your vacation and consider the money well spent as an investment in memories. Your plans are an inspiration to me. My wife and I, in our early 70's, recently decided that our modest travel expenses as a couple need to be augmented by family travel. We are far less affluent than you, but our fixed income from a pension and SS gives us about 4k extra a month. We haven't withdrawn from savings in two years and won't this year either. RMD's start in 2025. We gift to family who need it, like a granddaughter getting her second college degree, but recently decided that since we don't have unlimited time left on this earth, we should start hosting more inclusive family vacations, although not on the scale you're talking about at 80k. Last yea...
by vested1
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
Replies: 156
Views: 9909

Re: Your Original Medicare Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?

7 years in and rating OM as sublime and Part D as a nightmare. We've changed Part D providers a few times, or they've changed themselves, or more accurately changed their name when someone bought them. Funny thing, the service never got better when that happened. By far, prescription coverage is so convoluted and ever changing that you need to stay on top of your best option every year. My prescriptions are basically free, but my wife's have nearly reached the level of her yearly premiums for Medigap and Part B combined at times. It's a shock to the system to find, that as a couple, you are treated as an individual, both for Medicare and for SS, which they periodically remind you of. The process of determining the best path forward for the ...
by vested1
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP/UHC Medigap policies
Replies: 40
Views: 3174

Re: AARP/UHC Medigap policies

My wife and I have been on AARP/UHC Plan N since joining Medicare 7 years ago. The coverage has been great and the price has risen every year, but only by about $5. We pay $147 (wife) and $151 (me) a month. The main difference between Plan N and Plan G is that Plan N providers are allowed to bill you for "extra charges" which is 15% of the Medicare approved cost, not 15% of the retail cost of the procedure or visit. There are also office visit charges, $20 per office visit for Plan N, but none after the Part B deductible is reached on Plan . The Part B deductible is $240 per member in 2024. We live in a state where switching Medigap plans requires underwriting, which we have been told by consultants, neither of us would pass. If ...
by vested1
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP/UHC Medigap policies
Replies: 40
Views: 3174

Re: AARP/UHC Medigap policies

My wife and I have been on AARP/UHC Plan N since joining Medicare 7 years ago. The coverage has been great and the price has risen every year, but only by about $5. We pay $147 (wife) and $151 (me) a month. The main difference between Plan N and Plan G is that Plan N providers are allowed to bill you for "extra charges" which is 15% of the Medicare approved cost, not 15% of the retail cost of the procedure or visit. There are also office visit charges, $20 per office visit for Plan N, but none after the Part B deductible is reached on Plan . The Part B deductible is $240 per member in 2024. We live in a state where switching Medigap plans requires underwriting, which we have been told by consultants, neither of us would pass. If ...
by vested1
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving (unequal) money to adult children
Replies: 90
Views: 8257

Re: Giving (unequal) money to adult children

toddthebod wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:41 am It's your money to do with as you please. Besides, your other children shouldn't even know about the gifts you've made.
Except in the age of social media, some children can't seem to resist sharing the source of their good fortune. We always ask children to whom we give not to post these gifts on any of the platforms they belong to.
by vested1
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP/UHC Medigap policies
Replies: 40
Views: 3174

Re: AARP/UHC Medigap policies

My wife and I have been on AARP/UHC Plan N since joining Medicare 7 years ago. The coverage has been great and the price has risen every year, but only by about $5. We pay $147 (wife) and $151 (me) a month. The main difference between Plan N and Plan G is that Plan N providers are allowed to bill you for "extra charges" which is 15% of the Medicare approved cost, not 15% of the retail cost of the procedure or visit. There are also office visit charges, $20 per office visit for Plan N, but none after the Part B deductible is reached on Plan . The Part B deductible is $240 per member in 2024. We live in a state where switching Medigap plans requires underwriting, which we have been told by consultants, neither of us would pass. If w...
by vested1
Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we (and should we) buy this house?
Replies: 62
Views: 4270

Re: Can we (and should we) buy this house?

One aspect I didn't see mentioned would be the anxiety of owning a home far away that will be vacant for many months. Vacant homes are a magnet for squatters and high school parties. Five acres left untended for many months can also be a problem. What if you bought the house and something happened there that required your immediate attention? Would your employer be flexible enough to allow you to spend the time to handle it? What are the non-resident property taxes, as compared to full time resident taxes. Were I live they are almost triple for non-residents or those for which this is a second home. Will you have utilities connected with no one there? If you do will you have a burst water pipe issue, or an electrical issue that causes a fir...
by vested1
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?
Replies: 30
Views: 5276

Re: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?

How does your low cost Plan D deal with specialty medications? Does your plan provide a formulary of covered meds? Yes, you can find what tier each drug with a search tool on their site. Tier 3 & 5 drugs the prescriber pays 25%, Tier 4 the subscriber pays 50% I imagine tier 4 translates to expensive drugs - so this reinforces the advice - and necessity-- to shop each plan carefully Yup, especially if you’re ever prescribed a proprietary monoclonal antibody injection. I’m on my third different one, the first two weren’t effective, and they are about $10,000 a dose. The first two were one every four weeks, but my current one is every 8 weeks after starter doses. Under our Part D plan I’m paying $60 a shot. My wife gets infusions of a mon...
by vested1
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric mower for mulching
Replies: 30
Views: 2349

Re: Electric mower for mulching

I was initially disappointed in my EGO mower because the battery wouldn't last long enough to mow the small front and large backyards. After I stopped being lazy and began to push it myself, which is multiple times easier than a heavy gas mower, it did the entire job with about 1/4 of battery charge left. I used to mulch, but the cut is so fine it piles up, so I switched to bagged and empty it into those large bags available at Home Depot and Lowes for recycling yard waste. The mower is a powerhouse. The DeWalt electric blower was an even better purchase. No more cords to break out and drag around, and plenty of battery power for 1,200 sq feet of pavers in the front and 400 sq ft of cement patio in the back, using only a portion of the batt...
by vested1
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?
Replies: 30
Views: 5276

Re: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?

My wife has Wellcare Value Script Part D, and so do I at 50 cents a month. She was recently prescribed an inhaler that wasn't covered by Wellcare. I looked at other plans and it wasn't covered there either. The cost was about $400 a month for a single inhaler. I searched for and found one that is a good substitute for the one she was prescribed that was covered, and both the doctor and the pharmacist said it would be equally effective. The cost for that one was somewhat cheaper, but a 3 month supply was $788 for 3 inhalers, and Wellcare would only allow a 1 month supply at $316. I looked at all the other discount sources and used GoodRx for a 3 month supply at $285, and it's working well so far. After we're sure it works consistently, I'll ...
by vested1
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?
Replies: 30
Views: 5276

Re: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?

How does your low cost Plan D deal with specialty medications? Does your plan provide a formulary of covered meds? Yes, you can find what tier each drug with a search tool on their site. Tier 3 & 5 drugs the prescriber pays 25%, Tier 4 the subscriber pays 50% I imagine tier 4 translates to expensive drugs - so this reinforces the advice - and necessity-- to shop each plan carefully Yup, especially if you’re ever prescribed a proprietary monoclonal antibody injection. I’m on my third different one, the first two weren’t effective, and they are about $10,000 a dose. The first two were one every four weeks, but my current one is every 8 weeks after starter doses. Under our Part D plan I’m paying $60 a shot. My wife gets infusions of a mon...
by vested1
Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to find good realtor with no word-of-mouth references
Replies: 17
Views: 2054

Re: Best way to find good realtor with no word-of-mouth references

My advice is to do a search of RE agent sales statistics in the area you will be either buying or selling. Don't rely on sites that are owned by any particular agency, as their results will skew towards their agents. Keep in mind that the agents who have the greatest number of sales may be successful because they list the property below its assessed value for a quick sale. With that in mind, try to determine the fair value of your property before you hire an agent by searching out comps of sales, not listings, in your geographical area. Things to look for are days on the market, sales price above or below asking, and recency of the sales. RE agents are human too and their success may ebb and flow depending on their current dedication to ser...
by vested1
Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What got you out of poverty?
Replies: 111
Views: 12845

Re: What got you out of poverty?

To say I was raised in abject poverty would be gilding the lily. I started working at age 8 part time doing gardening and such and worked full time from age 12 on, mainly because I had to buy my own clothes and anything extra. My parents were the perfect example of how not to manage money, and I knew from an early age that hard work and dedication to advancing my specialized knowledge was the only way out. There were hiccups, like 2 failed marriages, alimony, and child support for 12+ years, but a strong work ethic served me well. Having a frugal current (3rd) wife of 32 years so far didn't hurt either. I still wasn't where I should have been however until I found this site in 2010, becoming a member in 2012, and turned things around financ...
by vested1
Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Emergency Fund?
Replies: 80
Views: 8435

Re: Why Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund feels like a wasted opportunity to earn money, until it's not. We have 6% of our savings in cash, half that would be subject to tax if withdrawn, currently earning 4%, and half entirely liquid. We have another 20% in "cash" in CD's and prime MM, both making 5.7% that I consider untouchable at present. During the last month we had several large expenses that could be deemed "emergencies", a garage door repair ($1,000), dead golf cart batteries that needed replacing ($1,000), and a failure of the central heating and AC that became inoperable ($800). These were easily handled by our liquid reserves that are not subject to tax and which are not subject to capital gains. They are also easily replaced with e...
by vested1
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Emergency Fund?
Replies: 80
Views: 8435

Re: Why Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund feels like a wasted opportunity to earn money, until it's not. We have 6% of our savings in cash, half that would be subject to tax if withdrawn, currently earning 4%, and half entirely liquid. We have another 20% in "cash" in CD's and prime MM, both making 5.7% that I consider untouchable at present. During the last month we had several large expenses that could be deemed "emergencies", a garage door repair ($1,000), dead golf cart batteries that needed replacing ($1,000), and a failure of the central heating and AC that became inoperable ($800). These were easily handled by our liquid reserves that are not subject to tax and which are not subject to capital gains. They are also easily replaced with ex...
by vested1
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?
Replies: 74
Views: 4561

Re: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?

We have a french door fridge with a freezer on the bottom in the kitchen, and a stand up freezer in the garage. We've found that adding the additional freezer in the garage results in reducing the number of monthly grocery store trips and allows for a greater variety of meals.

We are a two person household and don't eat that much in our 70's. For instance, a four steak package of ribeyes from Costco is four meals, with three frozen for future use.
by vested1
Sun Feb 18, 2024 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sound bar
Replies: 43
Views: 4017

Re: Sound bar

I got this one, paying almost twice what it's listed at now about 1.5 years ago. I used to use a surround sound system with front, side, and rear speakers and a subwoofer with a tuner but the cabling and the number of remotes necessary made it a pain when we moved twice in 4 years. I had Denon tuners and Definitive speakers for at least 10 years. If you get the one I linked you can leave the wireless rear speakers detached from the main unit and not worry about having to plug them into the main unit if you have power where the rear speakers will be placed. You simply power them with a USB to DC converter, like a cell phone charger, to keep them charged all the time. The Geek Squad said it couldn't be done but they were wrong. The surround s...
by vested1
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 186
Views: 19919

Re: What is your favorite book?

For science fiction Stranger in a Strange World by Robert Heinlein hooked me on science fiction at a young age, and The Stand by Stephen King (not strictly science fiction) stood out as well. Dean Koontz and Stephen King competed for my attention on the horror side.

LOTR and The Hobbit are my favorites of all time, read and listened to too many times to list.

For effortless light reading any of the Lee Childs books featuring Jack Reacher are great. The series Reacher finally has an actor to do the character justice.
by vested1
Mon Feb 12, 2024 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12479

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

We usually have a couple of Supreme Screaming Pizzas in the freezer to cook if we're lazy, but have found the deli at Harris Teeter to have the best Supreme Pizza. They usually put some take and bake ones out in the morning until they run out, and you can buy cooked ones in the deli. If they only have cheese pizzas for take and bake we get one of those then add pepperoni, olives, onions, sausage, and green/red peppers at home. Those are the best in my opinion.
by vested1
Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed
Replies: 71
Views: 6816

Re: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed

It's a cliche, but my spouse and I "fight" over the sheets and blankets most nights. Part of the problem is that spouse likes the sheets and blankets tucked in the side and bottom, and I despise it with all my being. I'm also a sleep-shifter throughout the night. So we have half-tucked blankets that get tossed around in the night. We've decided to try using separate sheets and blankets. I'm thinking one king fitted sheet, two twin top sheets, and two blankets/duvets. Spouse can tuck their side in and I can leave mine out. Anyone try something similar? How did it work for you? Other ideas? Men used to go to war. We slept on the floor with mortar exploding overhead. We were grateful each morning we get to wake up alive. Now why can...
by vested1
Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security Max Amounts For Married Couple
Replies: 16
Views: 2643

Re: Social Security Max Amounts For Married Couple

Great! Thank you both for the quick response. I'm still getting familiar with the terminology, so when I said filing separately, I meant applying for SS benefits individually, not taxes. Thanks again. Get used to the concept of "joint" not applying to either SS or Medicare. Both are treated as individual benefits. SS spousal and survivor benefits do take into consideration the spouse's benefit, but that's it. In fact, neither the SSA nor Medicare will agree to talk with you about your spouse's benefits. The only time SS benefits are "joint" is on a joint tax return. I would include tax liability for your combined benefits as part of your calculation on when to file. You will want to avoid what is referred to in this for...
by vested1
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What percentage of spending normally goes to Taxes?
Replies: 59
Views: 5242

Re: What percentage of spending normally goes to Taxes?

My wife and I were recently reviewing our spending habits for the last year. We generally do this once a year in January/February. We like to keep tabs on spending requirements to help get an idea of what we'll need in retirement as well as to look for any spending that looks "out of line" so that we can make lifestyle adjustments if necessary. What really stood out to me was how much of our annual spending goes to taxes. Last year it was 38+% (!!!) of our total spending, and by far our number one expense: Tax - 38.7% Education - 16.2% Auto - 10.1% Charity - 7.4% Groceries - 5.7% Utilities - 4.8% Household - 3.9% Dining Out - 2.8% Insurance - 1.5% Medical - 1.3% Gifts Given - 1.2% Vacation - 1.1% Recreation - 1% Home Repair - .9%...
by vested1
Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: H&R Block 2023 incorrectly reporting taxable IRA distribution
Replies: 141
Views: 18610

Re: H&R Block 2023 incorrectly reporting taxable IRA distribution

Still not fixed in Feb. 2 update. Think I'll chill out until Feb. 9, and if they still haven't fixed it, I'll just switch over to TT and request refund from HRB. Path of least resistance. Ohmmmmmmmm. My anecdotal experience (AKA True Confessions): I've never done my own taxes, but since we moved to a different state the 3 consecutive firms we've used have managed to screw up our returns every year, even though we don't itemize. Last year it was H+R block. We were assigned their "best and most experienced" agent at my request, who made multiple serious errors which I pointed out while my wife and I sat there. As a result of their final mistake, which I had missed, we were audited by the state, but were cleared because it was an in...
by vested1
Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10687

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Isabelle77 wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 12:45 pm
Not looking for perfection, that would be my oceanside home in Monterey. Sadly, that's not going to happen.

I have to agree with you there. Monterey is my hometown where my wife and I lived for 67 years. She was born and raised in Pacific Grove. Every place has it's blemishes however, and for the Monterey Peninsula it would be lack of water and housing affordability. You can't sell your house and upgrade there unless you're independently wealthy. The weather and the natural beauty is unmatched in my opinion.
by vested1
Thu Feb 01, 2024 6:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10687

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

From your list, I'd pick Greenville. I'm kind of surprised no one else has yet. Greenville and Charlottesville are near the top of our current list. Greenville stuck out for me too. The town is beautiful with a river running right through it, and what my wife considers world class shopping opportunities. It also has a minor league baseball team if you're into that. Main street is reminiscent of Santa Cruz, California if you've ever been there, and the restaurants are great. Fidelity and Chase have offices in town, which can be more scarce in other locations around the state. Best of all in my opinion is the tolerant attitude of the people there, which isn't always the case in the smaller towns of the Upstate. Hartwell Lake and Lake Keowee ...
by vested1
Thu Feb 01, 2024 5:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash offer on home needing proof of funds
Replies: 39
Views: 3333

Re: Cash offer on home needing proof of funds

What we did was took the proceeds of the sale of our house and wired it into a new brokerage account at Fidelity, then printed out a copy of that page and blacked out the account number. The balance was above the amount needed to buy the new house for cash. I'm only posting this as a suggestion for anyone contemplating the sale of their house and the purchase of another that is not simultaneous with a contingent offer.

I didn't trust our bank a fraction of how much I trusted Fidelity.
by vested1
Thu Feb 01, 2024 5:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?
Replies: 36
Views: 4966

Re: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?

Treasure any opportunity to sit in the observation room where the seats face outward and the windows go from the floor to above your head. We took the Amtrak snow train from Emeryville in California to Reno Nevada and back in the winter, which was fabulous.

We saw Tom Jones in concert in Reno on that trip, if that provides a time frame, where middle aged and older women were throwing their undergarments up on stage while he belted out his song, Delilah. :shock:

Suffice it to say, it was a memorable trip.
by vested1
Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling house after 33 year; realtor distrust
Replies: 86
Views: 9849

Re: Selling house after 33 year; realtor distrust

OP back in. Decimal error on excise tax. In WA state, excise tax = $120,000 :oops: :oops: :oops: Whew! I'm so glad! Was wondering what state/country had such a confiscatory tax scheme! I will venture to add that it sounds like you're very conflicted about selling this beautiful place. You might want to consider how to resolve your feelings about that. I looked it up too when I saw that 1.47 million. Washington State has the highest excise tax in the nation I believe, which at anything over 3 million is 3% of the sales price. 1.1% for consideration under $500,000, 1.28% up to $1.5 million, 2.75% up to $3 million, 3% over $3 million https://www.altusgroup.com/insights/us-real-estate-transfer-taxes-understanding-the-impact/#:~:text=Real%20est...
by vested1
Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retirees, how much $ do you actually need
Replies: 48
Views: 7268

Re: Retirees, how much $ do you actually need

Although the dollar amount of our income was initially lower than it was in working years, our spendable income increased. Even with the incessant planning I did in preparation for retirement I was surprised how much of a difference it made paying off the mortgage and only buying everything else for cash, even our vehicles. The delay of SS was the best decision we ever made, although we were occasionally tempted to file earlier. The boost in guaranteed fixed income at the completion of that delay nearly matched our gross income before retirement, making withdrawals from savings unnecessary. Our federal taxes are a fraction of what they were while working because SS is taxed so favorably with zero liability for FICA and Medicare taxes. Incre...
by vested1
Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history
Replies: 165
Views: 15887

Re: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history

My wife and I have been on UHC/AARP Plan N since we started Medicare at age 65. We will be 71/72 respectively this year. I wasn't fully aware of the differences in Plan N and Plan G when we signed up, and if we had it to do over again we would go with Plan G (not HD G). The coverage with N has been great and the premiums where we live are modest at $147 and $151 in 2024. We have separate HRA's from separate former employers that cover all premiums so the cost of N or G premiums was less of a concern. So why a preference for Plan G? Mostly psychological. Providers who accept Plan N have the option of billing the patient for excess charges, and some of ours have required them, although most don't. It's largely the specialists that my wife us...
by vested1
Wed Jan 24, 2024 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are Medicare deductions from SSA taxable income?
Replies: 22
Views: 2358

Re: Are Medicare deductions from SSA taxable income?

Skyway wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:07 pm Your tax form from social security will list your gross as the income, not what you receive.
As already mentioned, the taxable amount will be determined by your other income and at most will be 85% of that gross.
That's why I was surprised to learn that federal tax withholding is calculated on the gross amount after Medicare Part B is deducted. My wife and I have 10% taken out for federal tax, and I verified the amount withheld is based on gross after Part B is deducted from the benefit.

This might not mean much unless the total yearly amount of Part B for a couple not subject to IRMAA ($4,192.80) pushes you into a different overall tax bracket.
by vested1
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history
Replies: 165
Views: 15887

Re: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history

The Excess Charge can be up to 15% of the Medicare-approved amount, not the amount billed. Billed amount - 52,363 Medicare approved amount - 12,158 Medicare Part B paid 80% - 10,539 Plan N paid 20% of Medicare approved cost - 2,431 15% Excess charge of Medicare approved amount for Plan N - 1,823 Actual OOP cost - zero In office infusion of tier 5 medication Billed amount - 6,940 Medicare approved amount - 2,189 Medicare Part B paid 80% - 1,751 Plan N paid 20% of Medicare approved amount - 437 15% Excess charge of Medicare approved amount for Plan N - 328 Actual OOP cost zero In the example above, what was the reason you were not charged the Excess Charge? Is it because the provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount, or your state does n...
by vested1
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension or lump sum pay out
Replies: 37
Views: 4241

Re: Pension or lump sum pay out

WhiteMaxima wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 11:49 am $2600/month after 62, lump sum=$460,000 in 2022 when interest rate was 0.25%, lump sum reduced to $300,000 now when inerest is 5.25%. Big loss of cash value of pension. I think I will wait and see. I might DCA my pension into VTI if I choose pension option when I retire.
The last thing you left out was marital status. Your pension may have different dollar amounts depending on the percentage paid to your survivor. The lump doesn't have that impediment.
by vested1
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history
Replies: 165
Views: 15887

Re: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history

The Excess Charge can be up to 15% of the Medicare-approved amount, not the amount billed. Thank you again for the clarification, which makes me feel better about excess charges. So if I'm understanding this correctly, possible excess charges in the two examples listed below would be fairly accurate? Please confirm. Outpatient knee operation, about 6 hours in surgery and the recovery room - The majority of the combined bill for each operation was $52,363. If the numbers listed below are slightly off it's because I left out pennies. Billed amount - 52,363 Medicare approved amount - 12,158 Medicare Part B paid 80% - 10,539 Plan N paid 20% of Medicare approved cost - 2,431 15% Excess charge of Medicare approved amount for Plan N - 1,823 Actua...
by vested1
Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history
Replies: 165
Views: 15887

Re: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history

ModifiedDuration wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:12 am The Excess Charge can be up to 15% of the Medicare-approved amount, not the amount billed.
Thanks