Search found 259 matches

by mtnlover
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10690

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

You seemed to have overlooked Winston-Salem NC. Home to Wake Forest U, Salem College, Winston-Salem State, and UNC School of the ( Performing ) Arts. Wake has a world class medical school and associated hospital. UNCSA has all the music, dance, drama performances you could want. There is a lively visual arts scene, lots of parks, it’s 2 hrs to the mountains and 4 or less to the beach. Moderate size city, moderate cost of living. Greensboro airport is 20 minutes away, Charlotte, a major hub, maybe 2hrs. Check it out.
by mtnlover
Tue Jan 02, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charity Listed in an IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 1001

Re: Charity Listed in an IRA

Just a cautionary note. Years ago I took a planned giving workshop while working in the fundraising department of a charitable institution. One of the anecdotes presented was of a person who had designated "Red Cross" to receive a charitable bequest. Following the testator's death, a dispute arose as to which "Red Cross" the deceased intended to receive the bequest. Did the person mean the local chapter? The American Red Cross (national organization)? The International Red Cross? Who knew? A similar issue came up locally. A person left a bequest to "Library". In our jurisdiction, each of the 7 libraries in the county is independent and raises its own operating funds as well as receives some revenue from the cou...
by mtnlover
Sun Nov 26, 2023 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father with dementia - how to deal with his FA
Replies: 57
Views: 8284

Re: Father with dementia - how to deal with his FA

We had a similar situation some years back with dear MIL who had dementia, but who was living at home with assistance. DH had POA, and had been to the bank with her and met with the bank officer who accepted the POA, etc. Then, as he monitored her checking account from our home 2 hours away, he saw that she was withdrawing $500 cash a week from her account. She was paying for groceries and pharmacy with a credit card, and DH was paying all her other expenses online. Her live-in assistants were being paid by DH. We were suspicious that a live-in assistant was scamming her. When DH contacted the bank and asked if they would stop her from making the withdrawals, they said they couldn't do that. They explained that even though they were aware o...
by mtnlover
Thu Jul 27, 2023 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions on how to record/report basis
Replies: 6
Views: 402

Questions on how to record/report basis

Hi, friends. I've had some long-time questions about "basis" and how it is reported that I hope you can answer. Thanks in advance. I opened my Vanguard taxable account (joint with spouse, now on brokerage platform) in 2000, prior to the requirement that investment companies keep records of share prices of investments. In other words, prior to "covered share" requirements. It is my understanding that purchases made after 1/1/2012 are "covered" shares that the company must keep records of share price at purchase. I reinvested income until 1/1/18 when I got smart and changed to have income paid to settlement account. Since then I have just made one purchase a year from the settlement fund. So I have lots of small ...
by mtnlover
Sun Jul 02, 2023 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you reconcile your personal accounts?
Replies: 112
Views: 7715

Re: Do you reconcile your personal accounts?

Yep, all accounts every month. Last April I found that our local taxing authority cashed the physical check we sent them and also did an electronic debit from our account. If I hadn’t balanced my account I never would have noticed. It’s easy with Quicken.
by mtnlover
Sun Apr 16, 2023 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding a Financial Planner for Budgeting/Cash Flow
Replies: 14
Views: 1610

Re: Finding a Financial Planner for Budgeting/Cash Flow

As you can see from previous replies, your situation is common. It was our situation prior to retirement. We used Quicken to track income and expenses. You’ll need to do that for a year to find out how your money is spent. Now you know where you may want to cut (or increase) spending. When the large year-end payout came in we did all our annual investing in one lump. Assuming you are maxing your tax-advantaged retirement space as we did, we invested according to our ips in taxable, put some money in 529s for each kid, set aside some $ for charitable, set aside some for 1st quarter taxes. Then we were able to freely spend the balance as we wished over the year. It’s just variation of “pay yourself first”. But you do need to understand your s...
by mtnlover
Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estimated Tax Payment Question
Replies: 22
Views: 2201

Re: Estimated Tax Payment Question

One thing not to forget when you become a partner: you are now responsible for paying “both sides” of FICA payroll taxes, as you are considered self-employed. If you are working with an accountant, be sure that is considered when calculating estimated tax payments.
by mtnlover
Sat Feb 18, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replace 30 year old boiler or add mini split
Replies: 50
Views: 3968

Re: Replace 30 year old boiler or add mini split

We have a house built in the 1930’s with a gas fired boiler and steam heat. (PA) We usually have to turn the heat back during cold snaps b/c it gets too hot! The colder it gets outside, the toastier inside b/c those radiators get hot and stay hot. This was true before we added insulation and replaced windows as well.

On the other hand, on days when it’s 40-50 out it seems chilly inside b/c the radiators get warm and then cool off as the system cycles on less often.

Perhaps your system is too small?
by mtnlover
Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I’m the nouveau riche
Replies: 148
Views: 24917

Re: I’m the nouveau riche

OP, my parents used to tell me “New money shouts, old money whispers.” Sounds as if you’d be more comfortable if your money whispered.. that’s perfectly ok. You don’t need to have old money to behave as if you do. You are in a great situation in life. Pay attention to your relationships and your health and enjoy a life free of money worries. Admire your peers’ fancy cars and toys, allow yourself a few luxuries, but be true to your values. Best wishes.
by mtnlover
Sat Jan 28, 2023 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For those who stopping growing vegetables, why did you stop?
Replies: 36
Views: 3351

Re: For those who stopping growing vegetables, why did you stop?

Simple. Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter
by mtnlover
Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 165395

Scam Alert

[This new thread merged into this topic 'On-going Scams.' Moderator Pops1860] Yesterday I received a confounding communication ostensibly from a local charity. I think it might be a scam. The charity is a statewide association of local chapters in our state of a nationwide charitable entity. I have made annual gifts to our local chapter for years, but I have never given to the statewide association. Here’s what they asked for: They said that they are accepting donations in Bitcoin. Such donations would be valued in USD as of the date of the donation (as all donation of assets like securities are). Here’s the kicker. They promised that they would send an “official confirmation receipt” for 1.5x the value of the Bitcoin donation. Oh, and the...
by mtnlover
Wed Dec 28, 2022 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How often do you remodel your bathroom?
Replies: 67
Views: 9432

Re: How often do you remodel your bathroom?

Our house was built in 1936. How do we know this? Because we found an old newspaper in the wall when we remodeled the 2 second floor bathrooms this year. Those baths were built like fortresses. Tile backed by wire mesh, backed by a half inch of cement. The tiles themselves were almost twice as thick as tiles made today. They took out 6,000 lbs of debris when they demoed. So to answer your question, yeah, we remodel once every 80 years or so. (We've lived here since 1990)
by mtnlover
Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD and QCD mechanics
Replies: 27
Views: 1945

RMD and QCD mechanics

Hello, all I will turn 71 in a few weeks. This, of course means that I will turn 72 in late 2023. Musing about this, I have a couple of quick questions, re my IRA at Vanguard. My understanding is that I will need to take my first RMD in 2023 and that said RMD will be based on the value of my IRA at close of business 12/31/2022. (I think that I could wait to 2024, but don't want to do 2 RMD in same calendar year) Questions: Must I wait until after I actually turn 72 in late 2023 to take the distribution for it to count as RMD, or may I take it anytime in 2023 and it will count as RMD? Also, if I want to spend 100% my RMD on QCDs, is that permitted? (I know there is a $100k limit on QDCs, but this is a modest IRA and the distribution will be ...
by mtnlover
Sat Nov 05, 2022 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Ally no longer allowing email 2FA?]
Replies: 27
Views: 2167

Re: [Ally no longer allowing email 2FA?]

Just by coincidence I got an email from Ally earlier this week asking me to verify contact info. (Apparently they ask you to reconfirm/update annually - good practice, I think)

So when I went online and signed in (Friday), Ally sent me an e-mail with a code for 2 factor verification. Having read this thread earlier, I was expecting a glitch. When I entered the code, I sailed right in to my account info. I have only given them a land-line phone number which of course does not have texting function. There is no option to add a second phone.

So I just verified me existing info and clicked out. So e-mail 2 factor worked for me as of yesterday.
by mtnlover
Fri Oct 21, 2022 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Aging parents and future home
Replies: 55
Views: 5471

Re: Aging parents and future home

A relative had similar extreme anxiety about spending her nest egg when faced with the need to downsize to a more appropriate living situation as she aged. As in your case it required an expenditure of capital to purchase the right property. What worked to allay her anxiety was this: we suggested that she wasn’t really expending capital, but rather she was liquidating some financial assets in order to purchase a real estate asset..By framing the expenditure this way, she was able to be comfortable with the transaction. She was happy in that situation for 5 years. When she transitioned to skilled nursing care, the property was sold at a profit. Perhaps your parents would be responsive to similar framing if they decide to purchase a home in h...
by mtnlover
Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inherited Pension - Confused - Help
Replies: 15
Views: 1193

Re: Inherited Pension - Confused - Help

Recently had experience in "disclaiming" an inheritance which might inform you.

Parent died leaving an estate of about 500K. Will stated heirs were decedent's two children, and that the decedent's grandchildren would inherit a parent's share if their parent (decedent's child) died before decedent. Neither of decedent's children needed the inheritance.

In our state (PA) an heir may "disclaim" (refuse) an inheritance. When that happens, it is as if the disclaiming heir died prior to the decedent. Thus, when the decedent's children both disclaimed, each of the grandchildren received a portion of the inheritance, and the named heirs were bypassed.

Can your father disclaim this inheritance? Check with an attorney.
by mtnlover
Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Puzzling email problem
Replies: 9
Views: 1321

Puzzling email problem

Hi friends I have now had a second occurrence of a baffling email problem. On two occasions I have had emails to my gmail address that never arrived in my inbox, spam folder, or anywhere else I can find. Oddly enough these emails were both from senders related to travel arrangements. The first sender is a large, well-known tour operator whose promotional and billing communications are received without any problem. The expected email was a detailed itinerary. The second sender is a small mom-and-pop hotel in rural New York. The expected email was a reservation confirmation. In both cases, at length I just gave them an old aol address that I still have, and the emails came through instantly. Is there some incompatibility between gmail and som...
by mtnlover
Fri Sep 02, 2022 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Compensation/gift giving for non-family POA agent?
Replies: 25
Views: 1899

Re: Compensation/gift giving for non-family POA agent?

I'm not sure you appreciate the duties involved in managing the care of a very elderly/infirm person. I'd like so share some experience. Parent abjectly refused even to consider any kind of congregate senior living arrangement. Parent managed from age 90 to 95 with the assistance of FOUR children, 2 of whom lived locally - one next door. Parent then had a major health crisis that required someone to be present at all times, 24 hrs a day. Other services needed were physical therapy, doc appointments, bathing and toileting, transportation, groceries and meals, laundry, home and yard maintenance, bill pay -- all the other ordinary duties of running a household. Home health care service was called in. Other than having a warm body in the house ...
by mtnlover
Sun Apr 24, 2022 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tankless on-demand water heaters
Replies: 58
Views: 6091

Tankless on-demand water heaters

Hi, all. Our water heater is on its last legs, it seems. We are currently running an experiment to determine whether the “coil” is shot. (indirect tank-type connected to gas boiler that provides steam for household heating).

The tech that came out to check out the water heater recommended that we consider a tankless on-demand system if the tank is indeed shot. He said the systems have improved in the last 10 years. FWIW, he’s a person with 40 years experience in the trade.

So my question: does anyone have experience with tankless on-demand water heating systems they can share?
by mtnlover
Sat Apr 23, 2022 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Milestone hit-Seeking advice!
Replies: 26
Views: 4263

Re: Milestone hit-Seeking advice!

Part of your plan is to move to a southeastern coastal state in order to lower your cost of living. You should be very careful to look at the COL data for desirable areas of the southeast. I grew up in the southeast and now live in Pa. The COL in areas my friends and relatives live in (mid-size cities with decent arts, recreation, health care availability) is as much or more as my mid-state area. YMMV if you are in Phila or Pitts areas.

As for taxes, don’t forget that PA does not tax SS or pension income. Check the other states; their tax burdens may not be less, just different. Just a word about seeing grass greener elsewhere. Although it is undeniable that the grass greens up earlier in the spring in the mid- south than in PA!
by mtnlover
Thu Apr 21, 2022 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dead Car Battery AGAIN !!
Replies: 33
Views: 3562

Re: Dead Car Battery AGAIN !!

Years ago I had a similar problem in an older car I owned. Turns out that the trunk light was stuck on and draining the battery. Removing the bulb fixed the problem. Three trips to the auto shop and they remained baffled. I figured it out myself.
by mtnlover
Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retired....okay to leave it in the 401k?
Replies: 23
Views: 2810

Re: Retired....okay to leave it in the 401k?

DH has left his 401k in the company account since retiring at the end of 2019. It’s mostly in Vanguard funds in the 401. One downside is that you can’t do QDCs from a 401(k). Luckily I have an IRA available for that.
by mtnlover
Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking over tax filing for elderly mom
Replies: 27
Views: 3045

Re: Taking over tax filing for elderly mom

Hmmmm. I prepared dear MIL’s tax returns using HRB’s software for the 5 years she was in dementia care. DH just signed the paper tax return like this: Mary A. Smith by John B Smith Attorney-in-Fact. Never heard a peep from the IRS.

DH obviously had POA for her. I think that when you are acting for a person under a POA, you are called Attorney-in-Fact. If someone knows better, please correct me.
by mtnlover
Fri Feb 25, 2022 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much to Tip a Taxi Driver in NYC & DC (Non - UBER)
Replies: 120
Views: 9035

Re: How much to Tip a Taxi Driver in NYC & DC (Non - UBER)

I have a friend who shared the following philosophy on tipping generously: “Where else can you be a hero for just a few extra dollars?” This friend is a “green eyeshade” banker type who tracks every dollar. I’ve adopted this and feel good about it. Our service people are, by and large, hard-working and modestly paid.
by mtnlover
Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick spousal SS question
Replies: 7
Views: 1022

Re: Quick spousal SS question

Thanks for the responses. Here's an update. I attempted twice to apply on-line at mysocialsecurity website. The site wouldn't let me get past the first page, citing some info that I entered that didn't agree with their records. I had only answered two questions: that I am not disabled and that I am not visually impaired. The site said I had to call. So I called, waited about a half-hour before a real person picked up. (Not so bad, really) The nice gentleman took all the information, asked a lot of identifying questions, looked up my record, then DH's record, then said, "Yes, you would get a higher benefit on a spousal benefit under your husband's record." But he couldn't make that happen. He said that my local SS office would have...
by mtnlover
Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick spousal SS question
Replies: 7
Views: 1022

Quick spousal SS question

Here's the situation: DH and I both born before 1954. DH higher earner by far for most of our 45+ years of marriage. Following advice, I applied for and received SS benefit on my own record at FRA, DH got a small spousal benefit on my record. DH has just turned 70, applied on his own record, and has received notice that his benefit has been changed accordingly. A significant increase. As part of the application, he put in the notes that he wanted me to receive the spousal benefit under his record. I've checked mysocialsecurity online, and see no indication that I will receive a bump in benefits based on a spousal under DH's record. He earned much, much more than I did over a much longer career, so I think half of his FRA would be still high...
by mtnlover
Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long term care options
Replies: 20
Views: 2384

Re: Long term care options

I have shared the experiences below several times. Perhaps they will help you Dear MIL: Purchased LTC insurance at age 55. Contract provided for benefit of $100/day for no longer than five years. So $185,000 policy limit. She entered a care facility with Alzheimer’s about age 90. The policy reached its limits a few months prior to her 95th birthday. She passed away a few months later (having survived Covid). The LTC benefit was one leg of a many that supported her care. The others were: a small pension, social security, a taxable investment account, an annuity, and the proceeds of the sale of her home. Mama: Although she is mostly mentally sharp, her physicall frailty required her to move to a care facility at age 95. The place she was admi...
by mtnlover
Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying used vs. Upgrading and expanding current home
Replies: 25
Views: 2380

Re: Buying used vs. Upgrading and expanding current home

It’s hard to tell if you and your wife are unhappy with the space you have, or perhaps just the ordinary builder grade finishes. Perhaps it would be helpful to consult an interior designer to see how the square footage you have might be enhanced from dull to dazzling. New flooring, furniture, finishes, hardware etc can make a huge difference.

Then just add the pool!
by mtnlover
Sun Nov 28, 2021 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transitioning kids from dependent to self sufficient: bank and credit accounts
Replies: 18
Views: 1844

Re: Transitioning kids from dependent to self sufficient: bank and credit accounts

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, but in my view it is long past time for your b-school offspring to start being responsible for their own finances. We started our own when they entered college. Got them their own atm and low-limit credit card the day we dropped them off freshman year. For emergencies we backstopped them with our credit cards, but they had to get our permission prior to using them. Seldom needed, if ever. One of them got into a bit of credit card trouble early on, but got a job and paid it off. We never heard details and have never had either of them ask us for a bailout. We covered all tuition and fees and they were responsible to earn their frivolous $$. Im sure their b-school/accountancy education has been wonderful, but i...
by mtnlover
Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: keep old statements in order to calculate cost basis?
Replies: 15
Views: 1437

Re: keep old statements in order to calculate cost basis?

I have loads of records of purchases made in the "pre-covered" days in the basement, too. Because I have used Quicken all these years, I searched around on its capabilities once a few years back and found it was able to create a record of all purchases made in my investment accounts - even those piddly reinvestments made frequently when I had auto reinvesting turned on. Because I'm a "belt AND suspenders" type, I created a report of all purchases and printed it out. Now I just add to it when I make a new purchase, which is infrequent since we are in de-cumulation stage. If you don't have the Quicken capability, you could go through the paper statements, make a list or spreadsheet of all purchases with the pertinent info,...
by mtnlover
Sat Nov 13, 2021 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Newbie Needing Guidance (Windfall, Foreign Accounts) [Non-US inheritance]
Replies: 16
Views: 1473

Re: Newbie Needing Guidance (Windfall, Foreign Accounts) [Non-US inheritance]

This is quite a significant amount! You need some professional guidance. On both sides of both ponds! I’m sure that you have your fiancee’s best interests at heart, and that you are trying to help her negotiate this windfall, along with the grief that comes with losing both parents. Overwhelming, I’m sure. I believe that you can best help her by helping her learn what she needs to know in order to manage her own large assets. Help her learn how assess and navigate the many opportunists who offer to “help”! At this level, she may want to have a manager take care investments. Help her learn to discern the charlatans and greedy from those whose fees and plans are reasonable. Help her be assertive and confident in dealing with financial advisor...
by mtnlover
Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unwinding A Real Estate Rental Portfolio
Replies: 52
Views: 6235

Re: Unwinding A Real Estate Rental Portfolio

I am surprised by the number of “I” statements in your post. If you recently married and this portfolio of properties is managed by your in-laws, I surmise the properties are owned not by you but by your spouse. Perhaps your spouse should be leading the decision-making on this, not you.
by mtnlover
Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do I need a lawyer?
Replies: 15
Views: 3309

Re: Do I need a lawyer?

Re: the charitable spending without discernment: This is a common conundrum. When dear MIL began to show cognitive decline, DH was actively involved in monitoring her finances and she had introduced him to her banker and filed a POA which was accepted by the bank. At one point he began seeing cash withdrawals of nice round $500 a week, with no explanation. MIL couldn't remember why she took the $$ out, all bills and groceries were paid by check or debit card. So DH asked the bank if they could limit these cash withdrawals. Of course, they correctly responded that the money in her account was her money and they could not limit her withdrawals. I doubt that a fiduciary money manager could prevent your wife from making charitable donations (or...
by mtnlover
Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Haier Appliances- Your Thoughts?
Replies: 14
Views: 2070

Re: Haier Appliances- Your Thoughts?

I had a Haier dehumidifier. It lasted 1year and one month— long enough that it was out of warranty. Lousy quality, I will never again buy a Haier product.
by mtnlover
Sat Jul 17, 2021 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: other Ashevilles?
Replies: 69
Views: 9537

Re: other Ashevilles?

That’s too early for good fall color in the Carolinas. Even in Va, peak color is late October. Look at the Finger Lake area of New York. Ithaca and Watkins Glen have beautiful state parks and hikes. Lots and lots of waterfalls to hike to. Tons of wineries. Ithaca has a similar vibe as Asheville, and is a university town (Cornell and Ithaca College).
by mtnlover
Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security Application Appt.
Replies: 7
Views: 1106

Re: Social Security Application Appt.

I have nearly the same question. DH has been collecting spousal on my account and we want to flip that to my collecting on his account in January 2022 when he turns 70 - when he will reach max benefit. When we applied for my primary and his spousal (pre-covid), we had an in-person interview at the SS office and showed them all needed documentation: birth certifs, marriage lic. Since they have already seen and approved these documents, is it safe to assume that the switch to make him primary and me secondary can be done on-line or by phone?
by mtnlover
Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My mom asked me for help planning her will: who to leave her house to
Replies: 45
Views: 4967

Re: My mom asked me for help planning her will: who to leave her house to

Just a cautionary note on disclaiming. We recently did so and you need to be careful how the will is worded and what your state law says. You can’t just say”I disclaim and I want my share to go to brother Joe”. You don’t get to assign the property to whomever you want. When you disclaim, at least in
my state, it is as if you had died before the testator. So maybe the way the will is written, your share would go to your child(ren).

So be very careful to explain this to the person drafting the will.
by mtnlover
Fri May 28, 2021 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have a really hard time quitting
Replies: 157
Views: 28197

Re: Have a really hard time quitting

Some thoughts for you.

How would your teenagers’ lives change if you were a relaxed, not a grumpy parent? How much stress is your unhappiness in your work putting on the household?

I retired at 50 because I just felt there was too much stress in the household. DH suffered a heart attack the Monday before my last day, so I know I was right. (He’s been doing great in the 20 years since, TBTG)

Stress can kill you or someone you love. And think about your relationship with money. Does it symbolize security, personal value, or something else to you? A counselor can help you sort through this.

Best wishes.
by mtnlover
Wed May 26, 2021 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: planning for early retirement, while "self insuring" for long term care?
Replies: 51
Views: 12695

Re: planning for early retirement, while "self insuring" for long term care?

What about creating “buckets” on a spreadsheet instead of using separate accounts? So you would just take the value of all your assets and create a spreadsheet divided into categories by purpose of the money. So, for instance, $x (or %x) to cover basic living expenses in retirement, $y set aside to cover LTC, $z for vacations and fun, $w for kids’ weddings, $c for college funds. This way, as your assets grow you just add to each category as you deem appropriate. You sound as if you are pretty disciplined, so I’ll bet you would keep that ltc fund sacrosanct, and could add to it as your assets grow. In our family dear MIL was in care for Alzheimer’s for 5 years. She had a LTC policy that paid $100/day for five years. It covered about 20% of t...
by mtnlover
Thu Apr 01, 2021 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Resole hiking boots?
Replies: 40
Views: 3530

Re: Resole hiking boots?

That happened to me a few years back. Luckily they were boots I had bought from LL Bean. I called to see if they could be resoled, and they said no, but gave me a new pair of the current equivalent model instead. That was when their policy was that you could return anything, no questions asked. I think they got taken advantage of on that, and now I don't know if their policy is quite so generous. Too bad.
by mtnlover
Tue Mar 23, 2021 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can a gift be made on behalf of a deceased spouse?
Replies: 32
Views: 1916

Re: Can a gift be made on behalf of a deceased spouse?

My suggestion as well. Just pay some of wedding expenses directly to the vendor.
by mtnlover
Mon Mar 08, 2021 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting Annuity-
Replies: 23
Views: 1876

Re: Inheriting Annuity-

DH and his brother had this exact situation in 2020. The inherited an annuity with a 10 year “time certain” provision. The original beneficiary passed away 5 years in. The insurance company gave them the option of periodic payments for the 5 remaining years or an immediate lump-sum. They took the lump.
by mtnlover
Fri Feb 26, 2021 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much does your employer contribute toward your health insurance?
Replies: 26
Views: 1645

Re: How much does your employer contribute toward your health insurance?

Very interesting question. It might also be good to know not just the dollar amount the employer contributes, but what percentage of the total premium that dollar amount represents.
by mtnlover
Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite non fiction book?
Replies: 152
Views: 13445

Re: What is your favorite non fiction book?

By Authors:

Isabel Wilkerson: Caste I just finished reading this today. Knocked my socks off - a must read for every American

John McPhee; One of my favorite writers of all time. Read his series on the geology of the continental US. Yes, he makes dirt and rock fascinating

Jill Lepore: These Truths

Trevor Noah: Born a Crime But get the audio book - he has a fabulous ear and voices all the accents of the characters in this memoir
by mtnlover
Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What advice to give 40ish sons
Replies: 15
Views: 2681

Re: What advice to give 40ish sons

Just a follow-up. The first distribution from the estate was made in late December. One son took a 5 figure amount of his inheritance and created an scholarship endowment in his grandmother’s name at her alma mater in her field of study. Pretty proud of that!
by mtnlover
Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real estate investment with daughter
Replies: 21
Views: 2190

Re: Real estate investment with daughter

Wouldn’t it be easier for you (and spouse, if you have one) to simply gift your daughter 15k each annually to be placed in your daughter’s down payment/closing cost fund?
by mtnlover
Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What advice to give 40ish sons
Replies: 15
Views: 2681

What advice to give 40ish sons

Hello, As noted in a previous post, DH and his brother as disclaiming an inheritance from their mother in favor of our two sons. The first installment will be delivered to them by Christmas time. They know nothing of this as yet. Both are employed in government agencies with very secure jobs, in different fields. Both are in early forties with solid marriages (as far as can be known, of course). Both are responsible with money, never asked us for a loan or a bail out, never run into cash flow problems as far as we know. They seem to be fully utilizing retirement savings options. The one without kids spends a bit more on luxuries like premium cars, but of course family expenses are less. So as DH hands over the first quarter of this inherita...
by mtnlover
Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toilet Crack Repair Products
Replies: 121
Views: 7135

Re: Toilet Crack Repair Products

PLEASE DON'T TRY TO REPAIR THIS. Just a few days ago, DH and I were awakened at 3:45 am by the sound of rushing water. The toilet tank in the upstairs hall bathroom had cracked open. By the time we got in the bathroom there was an inch of water on the floor. By the time we got fully awake and were able to turn off the valve, water had dripped two floors to the basement carpet. Imagine how bad it might have been if we had been away for the weekend when this happened? Get a new toilet.
by mtnlover
Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disclaiming an inheritance
Replies: 25
Views: 4284

Re: Disclaiming an inheritance

Just to follow up. The attorney for the estate has indicated no barriers to both sons disclaiming in favor of one son's two children (the only 2 grandchildren.) They are in for a nice surprise, since no mention has yet been made to them.
by mtnlover
Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Christmas Tree lights
Replies: 21
Views: 2359

Re: Christmas Tree lights

I just now came to my desk after fiddling with the lights of a pre-lit tree for an hour, and found this thread. DH and I like the tree and thought pre-lit would be less trouble. WRONG! Several sections don't light up after only a few years. I HATE this planned obsolescence! So we have decided that at the end of this season, we are going to get out the wire cutters and de-light the tree. (We can't go out and do anything at this point, so it seems like a good January project.) We still have our old lights from when we had a real tree. Good old warm white incandescent.
Next year we'll be much happier. Here's to 2021!