Search found 89 matches

by Mintee
Sat Oct 20, 2018 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health care prices in Wisconsin
Replies: 4
Views: 981

Re: Health care prices in Wisconsin

This certainly demonstrates why so many physicians refuse to take Medicare patients unless they've been seeing them for years (and, in some cases, even that's not enough). You may not have the same problems in Wisconsin that we have in Texas, due to population age, but it's a real issue here in this metropolitan area.
by Mintee
Sat Oct 20, 2018 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thank you from a widow
Replies: 24
Views: 5581

Re: Thank you from a widow

Regarding financial "challenges", BogleMelon (I don't know how to correctly copy and paste your post), I think there are two main ones. One is not saving enough to meet your needs. Another is being so tight with your money that you don't enjoy your life--and then there's no life to enjoy or the person you most want to be with can't enjoy his/hers. I am mainly in the Land of the Widows, so I know more about the problems faced by women. I know of one woman who worries that she will have to sell her house because the property taxes she anticipated on the new home she and her husband constructed are much higher than the builder estimated. She is not a stupid woman, but she deferred to her husband on financial matters. While I was prep...
by Mintee
Fri Oct 19, 2018 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thank you from a widow
Replies: 24
Views: 5581

Re: Thank you from a widow

To Jehovasfitness: I am sorry I didn't answer you sooner regarding the reverse mortgage question. I understand that this was a second marriage, and the husband had already placed his house in the reverse mortgage. His wife knew this, so it wasn't a shock, but it's an added complication. It gets worse--the her stepdaughter filed suit against her for her father's estate, so the new widow had to think about moving, deal with a suit (which was ultimately dropped), etc. while grieving.

Making decisions while grieving is not advisable, as most experienced people will tell you. I am sorry that she had to determine where to live and what she could spend on a house while she was going through this.

Thank you.
by Mintee
Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thank you from a widow
Replies: 24
Views: 5581

Thank you from a widow

I have benefited from this forum and the wisdom of its members for many years. You have helped me prepare for retirement, develop contingencies, plan for my grandchildren's future education and so much more. Sadly, I will now going forward alone, as my husband died. I've met other widows and widowers who didn't know how to handle their financial affairs following the death of a spouse. One spouse who had to move because her husband had obtained a reverse mortgage. Another spouse found that her husband had converted all their savings into gold and had to sell it, at a loss, to pay her bills. There are other difficult stories, as well. Thank you for the wisdom you have shared and will continue to share. What you do is important. You have help...
by Mintee
Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Way to Apply for Social Security Widow Benefits and More
Replies: 15
Views: 1834

Re: Best Way to Apply for Social Security Widow Benefits and More

Thank you. I am posting a follow-up for anyone who can benefit from it. My first concern was in response to audits earlier this year that indicated thousands of widows/widowers were underpaid because they hadn't been informed of their choices at filing. I always intended to file under my husband's account at full retirement age, then (perhaps) switch to my own account at 70. I just didn't expect that he would die. So, I wanted to be sure that, when I file, I do this properly. Second, I asked about where to file. I always prefer face-to-face. However, the office here is pretty awful, both from our own experience, from reviews and from others' reports. So, I thought maybe I could file online. Today, I called the number on the Social Security ...
by Mintee
Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Way to Apply for Social Security Widow Benefits and More
Replies: 15
Views: 1834

Best Way to Apply for Social Security Widow Benefits and More

My husband died less than a year ago. He was receiving Social Security. I will be full retirement age in December. I believe that I can receive 100% of my husband's benefit at my full retirement age, then switch to my own benefit at age 70. I am not sure that this is advantageous (I don't know that my benefit at 70 will be more than his benefit amount), but I know that his benefit will be more than mine at age 66. Two questions: 1. I want to preserve the option of filing for my own benefit at age 70. I have read about the widows/widowers who have not had this option clearly explained to them and, as a result, lost money. What can I do to preserve my benefit? 2. Is it better to apply online (or by telephone) or in person at the local SS offi...
by Mintee
Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Availability of health care providers - how to factor this in a move?
Replies: 77
Views: 6849

Re: Availability of health care providers - how to factor this in a move?

I agree with heartwood. When we moved to Texas, we knew that quality healthcare was available. What we didn't know was that we would have so much trouble finding physicians who would take individual health insurance or Medicare. We have large physician medical groups less than a mile from us, but they wouldn't take either individual insurance or Medicare.

My husband finally found a doctor who would take Medicare--with disastrous results. She misdiagnosed his illness. I am not suggesting that this would happen to you or others, but the lack of primary care physicians who will accept your insurance and ultimately Medicare is a big, big deal.
by Mintee
Sat Nov 04, 2017 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Probate Required if You Fail to Include Everything in Trust, and if so what's probated
Replies: 16
Views: 2453

Re: Is Probate Required if You Fail to Include Everything in Trust, and if so what's probated

Thank you for your replies. They are helpful. I didn't do a good job of accurately explaining her situation, and it's clear that even though my spouse and I have a revokable trust, I don't understand it. Am I correctly understanding that you probate the will no matter what financial arrangements are in place, i.e., the existence of a trust doesn't factor into this at all? She is concerned because she had not moved one small account into their trust (I don't have the impression that the trust is small, only that the account which they failed to move into the trust is small). I remember that the attorney who set up our trust told us that our efforts would be for naught if we failed to move everything into the trust. This is her concern--what ...
by Mintee
Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Probate Required if You Fail to Include Everything in Trust, and if so what's probated
Replies: 16
Views: 2453

Is Probate Required if You Fail to Include Everything in Trust, and if so what's probated

The bereaved widow of a Texas resident has asked for guidance following the death of her husband. They have a revokable trust (as do we) but they failed to move a small account into it. Does this omission now require that probate be filed? All other assets were included in the trust (and there is a will) except this one small account.

If probate must be filed, is only the small account subject to probate--or everything?

I understand that some people will suggest she consult an attorney, and she will if necessary. However, if anyone knows the answer to this question, we would be very grateful.

Thank you.
by Mintee
Fri Oct 06, 2017 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medigap Policies--So Much Conflicting Information
Replies: 29
Views: 4235

Medigap Policies--So Much Conflicting Information

I have tried to research the forum for accurate answers to the questions below, but I'm not finding answers. I have talked with a couple insurance agents, but they have provided conflicting info. I'm also not finding specific answers on the Medicare site. I will be Medicare eligible in December of this year. This is my initial application for a Medicare supplement and a Part D plan. Here are my questions: 1. If I choose a medigap policy with Obscure Company A because it is the least expensive, can I change to the same plan, say G, with another company during an open enrollment period in another year? One agent told me that there is no open enrollment period, or a time when I can change the company with whom I do business (not the plan. I un...
by Mintee
Thu Sep 28, 2017 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lost my job and looking for advice on next steps
Replies: 43
Views: 6980

Re: Lost my job and looking for advice on next steps

I'll leave the financial aspects of this decision to others here. Unless your outplacement provider only offers group classes, I urge you to discuss this with your counselors as well. They won't advise you about financial matters, but they likely know others who have faced the same prospects who may be willing to share their perspectives.


Good luck! This may be a great new beginning.

Mintee
by Mintee
Wed Sep 27, 2017 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unbelievable AT & T
Replies: 29
Views: 4590

Re: Unbelievable AT & T

OP here. Thank you for the feedback. Frankly, it never occurred to me to look for termination language. That's a good point. The amount of the "overpayment" I would need to make would be $80. That's a heck of a penalty for a customer of several years. Do you think we should pay that much? I will, of course, try to get another bill, but I think it's unlikely that will happen. We remain a customer of AT & T's UVerse service. And, yes, they raised the rate in the middle of one of our contract periods. The service itself is okay--when it works--but I was on the phone about every other month because of some billing issue. I have spoken with a representative in most states in the U.S., Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Costa Rica, India, ...
by Mintee
Tue Sep 26, 2017 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
Replies: 362
Views: 54227

Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Makers Mark
Woodford Reserve
by Mintee
Tue Sep 26, 2017 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unbelievable AT & T
Replies: 29
Views: 4590

Unbelievable AT & T

I would like your advice about a billing issue with AT & T. Thanks to a tip from Student, we moved our wireless service from AT & T to T-Mobile the last of August. We've had unlimited data for a month, now, and it's been wonderful. We even used our plan in Canada without extra cost. We pay less and get substantially more. We were, frankly, very happy to leave AT & T. While we had few problems with our wireless service in the last few years, we've had all kinds of problems with UVerse. The problems are too numerous to catalogue here, but billing has been awful, service is inconsistent, prices were raised while we were under contract--but we couldn't get out of our contract--etc. If we can find another TV provider, we would in a h...
by Mintee
Thu Aug 31, 2017 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: T-Mobile promotion for 55+
Replies: 92
Views: 14589

Re: T-Mobile promotion for 55+

Thank you for the tip! We just signed up. We look forward to saving a couple of hundred dollars a year and, particularly, being able to use unlimited data. We can actually use our phones as intended.

The only additional info I would add--if not addressed elsewhere--is that there is a $25 SIM card activation fee we hadn't anticipated. :( However, even with the activation fee, we will save money.

I so appreciate what I learn here. Thank you!
by Mintee
Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Places worth seeing in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Montreal in mid September
Replies: 6
Views: 966

Places worth seeing in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Montreal in mid September

Can you suggest things to do/see during a mid-September weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia? We are taking the train from Montreal to Halifax, so we will not have a car in Halifax. We will, however, be driving to Montreal, so we would be grateful if you have must-sees there, as well.

Thank you!
by Mintee
Tue Aug 15, 2017 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is $9000 too much for a sectional sofa ?
Replies: 130
Views: 18618

Re: Is $9000 too much for a sectional sofa ?

Is this leather?

We bought some high-quality leather furniture 20+ years ago. When we moved, we gave it to a relative. It was still in wonderful shape. We paid a lot for it, but it was worth it.

When we tried to replace the furniture at our new home, we could find nothing similar. After looking for months, we found two sofas and two chairs. We paid less--and got less. I'm guessing we will be replacing this stuff in a few years.

So, $9K doesn't strike me as too much, if the quality is good, if you like it, etc. I assume that includes a mark-up for the designer, so you might try to negotiate a little reduction.

Good luck!
by Mintee
Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's you safety deposit box fee?
Replies: 64
Views: 8329

Re: What's you safety deposit box fee?

Chase, $135/year for a large box (what they call large).
by Mintee
Wed Jun 07, 2017 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Wife is having our 5th child. What is an appropriately extravagant push gift?
Replies: 90
Views: 13707

Re: My Wife is having our 5th child. What is an appropriately extravagant push gift?

Please stop. A happy husband and proud father wants to give his wife a gift. Let's honor his good intentions and suggest gifts that have been meaningful to us. Does your wife like jewelry? If so, do you have a jeweler you can trust to make you something that's truly wonderful without costing a fortune? I hesitate to suggest actual items because we are all so different, but my husband has surprised me with thoughtful jewelry (he had a shell from a beach we visited on our honeymoon affixed with a latch so I could wear it on a chain, he asked a jeweler to make a replica of a place we visited, etc.). I'd opt for something that is meaningful to you both, whether it's jewelry, a return to a favorite restaurant (albeit, in the future), etc. Taking...
by Mintee
Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: COBRA
Replies: 6
Views: 1266

Re: COBRA

Thank you so much! You have alleviated a lot of worry.

I appreciate your help!
by Mintee
Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: COBRA
Replies: 6
Views: 1266

Re: COBRA

I am interested in knowing about anyone's experience incurring medical expenses while waiting for COBRA to kick in. Note: I am not asking about how COBRA works or whether the claims will be paid retroactively. I am asking how you've negotiated with medical providers when, in essence, you don't have medical insurance (as you wait for COBRA to begin).

If my existing health insurance coverage ends at midnight March 5, I will be sent COBRA paperwork sometime in April, with coverage retroactive to March 6, assuming I pay the premiums. However, what happens if I need to go to the doctor or require serious medical care on March 10? How have you handled that?
by Mintee
Tue Jan 31, 2017 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone drop out of school in 30's or 40's?
Replies: 34
Views: 4508

Re: Anyone drop out of school in 30's or 40's?

As background,I went back to school for a master's when I was 40 (and for another degree when I was older). My son was young and I was working full-time, so I understand how stressful this can be (it always seemed like everyone was having fun but me, as I had to study). However, even though attaining these degrees hasn't always made sense financially, I have always been happy I have them. And while I missed out on my son's soccer games and some other events, I think watching me study ultimately made an impression on him, as he is a graduate of an Ivy league school. While you may not get a better job with a bachelor's degree, I think it's much harder to get another one without one. For many jobs in many industries, a bachelor's degree is sti...
by Mintee
Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:25 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!
Replies: 199
Views: 20675

Re: HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!

Happy birthday, Taylor. Thank you for all you do and the kind way in which you do it.

Mint
by Mintee
Sat Dec 10, 2016 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to move to for lowest health care costs (for nomad types)
Replies: 34
Views: 4510

Re: Where to move to for lowest health care costs (for nomad types)

Regarding the Texas individual plans: The plans available on the individual market are HMOs. As I mentioned, very few physicians and only one hospital in our area will accept the Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO (plans offered by other insurers have even less accessibility). HMOs are a hassle for a physician, and I'm sure they are for hospitals, too. Because even fewer providers accept the plan this year than last, I'm guessing that Blue Cross of Texas hasn't paid claims or has made the process difficult (they have certainly made it difficult for me). Interestingly, my husband has to go to another town to find a physician who will accept Medicare. We are about a mile away from a good hospital with good physicians and specialists next door, but no...
by Mintee
Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to move to for lowest health care costs (for nomad types)
Replies: 34
Views: 4510

Re: Where to move to for lowest health care costs (for nomad types)

Getting good information is harder than it seems. We moved to Texas from a midwestern state where most physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers accepted most insurance plans. Beware, if you are considering Texas, that many providers here will not accept the plans offered in the individual insurance market. The premiums are very high, the deductibles are outrageous--but the biggest challenge is that almost no medical providers in the area will accept any of the individual plans. So, you are paying a lot for nothing and your exposure is huge. Next year, for example, only one hospital (not a good one) in this area (Dallas suburb) will accept the Blue Cross/Shield HMO plan. We are challenged to find a physician who will accept the H...
by Mintee
Fri Oct 28, 2016 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health Insurance rates went up
Replies: 155
Views: 25330

Re: Health Insurance rates went up

Yesterday, I received the 2017 rates for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas' individual plan that I am on now (the rates for individual plans here are the same as the ACA). The monthly premium will increase by more than 30%, the in-network, out-of-pocket maximum/deductible increased to almost $7,200 (meaning I pay the first $7,200 for almost everything before insurance kicks in), all the co-pays have increased, etc. etc. Very few physicians and few hospitals are in-network, so I have to go to another city to receive care. I paid more than $1K for labs taken as part of a physical, and almost all labs seem to be out-of network (which has it's own deductible, twice that of in network). I avoid going to the doctor as much as possible, and ...
by Mintee
Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Condo Purchase - Radon mitigation
Replies: 19
Views: 6251

Re: Condo Purchase - Radon mitigation

I will offer our experience. We sold homes in two different states last year. The home in the state where radon is widely found tested under the EPA level. The home in a state where radon is less typical tested over the EPA level. From your research, you likely learned that this has as much to do with when the tests were conducted as anything else (the test was conducted in the basement of the home in the first state. It was conducted in a bedroom on the first floor of the home in the second state). We lowered the price of this second home to cover a mitigation system. My guess is that if the buyers tested the home in the first state they will find radon present in higher concentrations at various times. I also believe the buyers in the sec...
by Mintee
Sat Oct 22, 2016 11:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "That's Rich"
Replies: 7
Views: 3525

Re: "That's Rich"

Thank you, Taylor, for sharing your wisdom and perspective. You always remind us about what's important, and you do so in such a kind manner. I appreciate you!
by Mintee
Wed Oct 19, 2016 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Budgeting for one after a spouse dies--are there any "average" decreases?
Replies: 26
Views: 4599

Budgeting for one after a spouse dies--are there any "average" decreases?

Good morning. I can't find any posts or information about this topic.

To what extent do expenses decrease after one spouse dies, on average? I know that expenses may not decrease at all, but it seems likely that they would, if only minimally. Can you share any data or personal experience?

Thank you.
by Mintee
Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 21
Views: 4766

Re: health care Early Retirement

I'd second many of the suggestions of patriciamgr2. We moved from a midwestern state to Texas and have been astonished and disheartened by our experience with the healthcare system here. Texas has some wonderful healthcare providers, but access is severely limited. Even 100% covered preventive services (colonoscopies, mammograms, physicals, etc.) always result in uncovered costs (sometimes thousands more) because an ancillary provider (lab, radiologist, etc.) doesn't participate in the available insurance plans. We have to choose from fewer and fewer plans with premium costs several times more than we paid before. This isn't a "don't move to Texas" post. Instead, as particiamgr2 noted, look at the premiums and coverage in your sta...
by Mintee
Tue Sep 06, 2016 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pillow Talk (Cleaning, Rotating, etc.)
Replies: 4
Views: 852

Re: Pillow Talk (Cleaning, Rotating, etc.)

Yes, I wash all the pillows in the house every six months or so. Perhaps you know about adding tennis balls to the dryer to keep the stuffing from clumping, but if not, it really works.
by Mintee
Sat Jul 16, 2016 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retired a year - big loss [ :) ]
Replies: 25
Views: 6827

Re: Retired a year - big loss [ :) ]

Congratulations!!! This is marvelous.

Best wishes.
by Mintee
Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen remodeling increases home value?
Replies: 30
Views: 3804

Re: Kitchen remodeling increases home value?

BW1895, after researching as much as possible about the realtors' successes, recommendations, etc., we interviewed two. Both had almost the same price in mind before they entered the house, and both ultimately suggested that we list at almost the same price. Both showed us comps.

You are right--it's possible that we underpriced the home. It's also possible that our remodel, which was expensive, didn't add anything to the value. We made the decision to remodel knowing that we might not get anything back as a result, and we enjoyed our kitchen.
by Mintee
Mon Jun 06, 2016 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen remodeling increases home value?
Replies: 30
Views: 3804

Re: Kitchen remodeling increases home value?

Let me agree with the other posters, here.

We did an extensive and expensive remodel of our kitchen some years before we sold our house. The realtors who we interviewed came with appraisals of our house before they ever saw it. The realtors liked the remodel, acknowledged the quality of the granite, cabinets, etc. but they didn't increase the value of our home. We did sell it to the first people who saw it, so the kitchen remodel helped sell the house, but it did not increase it's value.

Good luck!
by Mintee
Sun Jun 05, 2016 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for Dallas BBQ/TexMex Restaurants
Replies: 51
Views: 5524

Re: Recommendations for Dallas BBQ/TexMex Restaurants

Hutchins is also excellent. There's one in Dallas, Frisco and McKinney.
by Mintee
Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Woohoo - we got over $50k!
Replies: 28
Views: 6401

Re: Woohoo - we got over $50k!

Congratulations! You have a right to be proud.
by Mintee
Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is an interior designer worth it?
Replies: 33
Views: 8197

Re: Is an interior designer worth it?

These are all great responses.

I always thought that I did a pretty good job of designing our homes, and at one point, I did. But in our new home, I would have been better served to find a good, reasonably priced designer. Ultimately, I believe we would have saved money by buying the right things the first time rather than trying to live with the choices we made. (We started with very little furniture, so if your job is smaller, you may not have so many choices to make).

As others have said, there are all kinds of designers. It's smart, as Taylor's friend suggested, to look at the work of the person you are considering.

Good luck.
by Mintee
Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Carpet installers who we believe stole my husband's billfold
Replies: 9
Views: 2046

Carpet installers who we believe stole my husband's billfold

We would appreciate your advice. We have been customers for many years of a very large, well-known furniture store that originated in the Midwest. This retailer built a massive store near Dallas, Texas, so when we moved to this area, we naturally shopped there. We've bought all kinds of furniture there in the last few months, including a washer and dryer, office furniture, chairs, beds, etc. So, when we decided to re-carpet the home we bought, we returned to this retailer. The installers were here for an entire day last week. The carpet looks great--no problem there. Unfortunately, my husband discovered that his billfold is now missing. It was in his desk drawer, and one of the installers had placed a computer cord in that drawer. It was cl...
by Mintee
Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: World-class Worrier Trying to Reassure Another
Replies: 27
Views: 3023

Re: World-class Worrier Trying to Reassure Another

Thanks, everyone. As I told her, I benefited greatly from the perspectives of all the smart people on this forum before we took the "plunge" awhile ago, and she will, too. I am guessing that in short order she will be offering help to others as a way of paying back your help.
by Mintee
Sun Feb 07, 2016 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need advice - Employer withdrew accepted offer
Replies: 50
Views: 8519

Re: Need advice - Employer withdrew accepted offer

I am sorry this happened to her. What a terrible company! I am not an attorney, but I would think that she could claim she has been harmed and could sue this company, particularly under the circumstances you described (i.e., she must have passed employment contingencies like background checks, references checks, etc. prior to the offer). If you wanted to pursue this, you might want to visit with an employment attorney to see if he/she would take the case on contingent basis. Alternatively, she could tell the company that she is pursuing legal remedies. She probably knows whether this strategy would have any effect on this company or not. The sad fact is that this is not the kind of place for a hard worker to apply her talents. Unfortunately...
by Mintee
Sun Feb 07, 2016 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long-term health care insurance and planning for retirement medical expenses
Replies: 11
Views: 1968

Re: Long-term health care insurance and planning for retirement medical expenses

Will you be eligible for Medicare, soon, or will you have to cover medical premiums for some time? We moved to Texas, where individual medical premiums for older people are particularly high (almost double what we would have paid in our home state). And the coverage with Blue Cross/Shield is awful. The company only offers HMOs for individuals not covered by an employer plan and, thus far, very few doctors accept the plans. This was a big surprise. We had budgeted a lot for medical care, based on the estimates of a retirement group and others (you can goggle to get the estimate), and we have, as of February, spent almost half of the annual estimate. I'm not trying to scare you--you may not need a lot of expensive dental care or have insuranc...
by Mintee
Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: World-class Worrier Trying to Reassure Another
Replies: 27
Views: 3023

Re: World-class Worrier Trying to Reassure Another

Yes, they will be eligible for social security.

Let's hope for a six-inch cliff! I like it.
by Mintee
Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: World-class Worrier Trying to Reassure Another
Replies: 27
Views: 3023

World-class Worrier Trying to Reassure Another

I have a good friend who is frightened that she will outlast her money--not a unique worry, I know. She would like to retire within the next two months because her job is unbearable and because she and her husband, who is already retired, would like to move to another state. Because of their age and because of the nature of their jobs, it's unlikely that either could easily pick up work. If she is to remain employed, she believes, she must remain with her current employer as long as possible. I suggested she join this forum to benefit from the guidance you've provided to me, but she is too distracted to join now. I promised her I would share her circumstances as well as all responses. Here's this couple's situation: both are 62. Neither qua...
by Mintee
Thu Nov 12, 2015 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a Log Home
Replies: 25
Views: 4385

Re: Buying a Log Home

This may be redundant, but you might want to talk to an insurance agent before you buy to get a good sense of insurance costs for a log house in your target area. We had a large log home in a remote area, and we were disheartened to discover that the replacement cost was significantly higher (almost two times) than the sale value.

If the area in which you are looking isn't remote, this likely doesn't apply.

Good luck.
by Mintee
Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experience with Gas Air Conditioning
Replies: 10
Views: 1480

Re: Experience with Gas Air Conditioning

Thank you so much for your replies. I found some of the anecdotal information on the internet, but there seems to be surprisingly little info and what exists is from companies who have vested interests (for example, gas companies praise these systems). I am not finding anything solid other than that gas is sometimes cheaper than electricity in some places.

I would expect that gas air may cost less or at least no more. I am not sure who can fix the system, if needed. I think the seller has already experienced the largest cost with the installation (though I'm sure there were rebates at the time).

Would you buy a house that has gas air conditioning under these conditions?

Thank you.
by Mintee
Sun Oct 11, 2015 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experience with Gas Air Conditioning
Replies: 10
Views: 1480

Experience with Gas Air Conditioning

We are looking at a home in Texas that has gas air conditioning. The house is about 6 years old. I can find no good information on the cost of operation, the cost of repairs, etc.

Is gas air conditioning more or less expensive than electric air conditioning? I don't know what kind of system this house has, so I can't be more specific, but I wonder about the cost of repairs, if necessary. And is it likely that there would be repair people who could maintain and repair the system?

Thank you for any experience/help you can provide.
by Mintee
Thu Oct 01, 2015 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another Yellowstone Question
Replies: 15
Views: 2486

Re: Another Yellowstone Question

You might want to consider a bigger vehicle. A four-wheel drive would be good choice. It can get very cold and many roads are not heavily traveled.

Have a great time!