Search found 336 matches

by Slapshot
Thu Aug 10, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689707

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Currently watching "Winning Time" on MAX. It's about the LA Lakers rise back in the Magic Johnson era. Terrific in all respects. Prior to that, watched "Ted Lasso" on Apple TV. That was great, too. Even my wife likes that!
by Slapshot
Thu Aug 10, 2023 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable travel hotel room, and travel, coffee making ideas?
Replies: 120
Views: 10856

Re: Portable travel hotel room coffee making ideas?

lazydavid wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 11:46 am
Slapshot wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 11:26 am Often if traveling and the room has a microwave, we'll just get a Dunkins to go the night before and microwave it in the morning. Works fine.
Please be careful using a microwave to reheat coffee in a styrofoam cup, like Dunkin uses. If you go too long, it's possible to superheat the water, and when you take it out and set it down or otherwise jostle it, it instantly boils and ejects a volcano of scalding liquid directly into your face.

Either heat it slowly and gradually, stirring between sessions, or leave it in the microwave with the door closed for a couple of minutes after the cycle ends before taking it out.
Yeah, we know that. Always travel with a couple of mugs.
by Slapshot
Thu Aug 10, 2023 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable travel hotel room, and travel, coffee making ideas?
Replies: 120
Views: 10856

Re: Portable travel hotel room coffee making ideas?

Often if traveling and the room has a microwave, we'll just get a Dunkins to go the night before and microwave it in the morning. Works fine.
by Slapshot
Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to pile back into Total Bond
Replies: 121
Views: 15285

Re: Time to pile back into Total Bond

Could use some constructive criticism. I'm pretty much at a 30-70 split since I'm retired with a good pension and see no need to take much risk. Total bond treated me well for years, but last year I did some tax lost harvesting and moved the bonds into the short term treasury fund. Now I figure to move it back into the total bond fund again. Does that make sense?
by Slapshot
Wed Dec 07, 2022 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE hybrid
Replies: 22
Views: 3349

Re: 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE hybrid

We've been driving Siennas for years. Currently on our 3rd, a 2018. Being unable to remove the middle seats would be a deal breaker for us. We remove them right away and store them away. Only bring them out if we're having visitors and need to transport them. Being retired, our Sienna is a combo RV, pickup truck, ski lodge, etc. And the dog loves the room on trips. Why they did away with removable middle seats is a mystery to me.
by Slapshot
Thu Nov 24, 2022 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: where to buy FIFA world cup to watch in USA
Replies: 25
Views: 2597

Re: where to buy FIFA world cup to watch in USA

The 11 and 2 ET games are on regular network over the air Fox stations.
by Slapshot
Fri Sep 23, 2022 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite music from the 60s?
Replies: 115
Views: 7905

Re: Favorite music from the 60s?

"Time Has Come Today" - The Chambers Brothers. Greatest rock'n'roll song of all time.
by Slapshot
Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital One is at it again
Replies: 389
Views: 88094

Re: Capital One is at it again

Glad I read this thread. We had 2 Capital One MM accounts getting .8% I just transferred them to Capital One 360 Performance Savings getting 2%. I'm kind of aggravated that Capital One didn't notify us of the savings account. But it doesn't surprise me.
by Slapshot
Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Natchez Trace
Replies: 16
Views: 2129

Re: Natchez Trace

Have to ride down to NOLA from Mass. in November for a wedding. Is the Natchez Trace worth a detour on the ride home? Are there sections that should not be missed? Thanks. In the 70s I made multiple trips between MA and NOLA. When I had time I would take the Natchez Trace, Blue Ridge Pkwy. and Skyline Drive. The Natchez Trace is certainly much nicer than the interstates (or US highways), and also slower, but not as slow as the other 2 above, if my memory serves me well. Also not as scenic as the other two. That said, it is worth it if you have time and patience. It's lovely. If you have time for only one, I would do the Blue Ridge Pkwy....especially the southern half (slower because it is more mountainous), but it is all gorgeous. Lots of ...
by Slapshot
Mon Sep 12, 2022 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Natchez Trace
Replies: 16
Views: 2129

Re: Natchez Trace

Car, for sure!
by Slapshot
Mon Sep 12, 2022 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Natchez Trace
Replies: 16
Views: 2129

Natchez Trace

Have to ride down to NOLA from Mass. in November for a wedding. Is the Natchez Trace worth a detour on the ride home? Are there sections that should not be missed? Thanks.
by Slapshot
Sun May 01, 2022 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost Tripwire for you to file a Homeowners Claim
Replies: 54
Views: 4332

Re: Cost Tripwire for you to file a Homeowners Claim

We had a major house fire 20 years ago. Replacement cost coverage took care of everything. We essentially got a brand new house. And our insurance company dropped us! So we just went with another company. I could never figure the rationale for dropping us. Why wouldn't they want to insure a brand new house with everything up to code? Makes no snse to me.
by Slapshot
Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing in individual stock in an otherwise balanced portfolio.
Replies: 24
Views: 1574

Re: Investing in individual stock in an otherwise balanced portfolio.

I play around with less than 5% that I can afford to lose. It keeps my brain working. Most of it is in high dividend paying stocks with money that would just be in a bank account earning next to nothing. My theory is that if I can break even on the cost basis and get good dividends, then I'm ahead of the game. So far it's worked, and in fact I've got some decent capital gains to boot. I've also taken a small flyer on some sports gambling stocks recently, but they're in the red. But if they lose, so what.
by Slapshot
Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation – Turn off water main?
Replies: 112
Views: 9615

Re: Vacation – Turn off water main?

We live in Mass. and have oil heat with water circulating around the house to baseboard heaters. Would turning off the water at the main shutoff prevent our heat from working? We need to leave it on if we go away in winter.
by Slapshot
Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Teachers: what are your best personal finance tips?
Replies: 180
Views: 35983

Re: Teachers: what are your best personal finance tips?

I would have loved to teach and coach in a private school. However the pay and benefits in the public schools were so much better. I taught for 35 years, and have been retired for 17. The pension made all those years so worth it. Plus, I still get half of my Medicare enhancement paid by the school district. So my best advice is to get out of private education and into public if you're concerned about finances. Financially, the best thing I did was to set aside $150/week to be taken out of my check and deposited in a 403b with Vanguard. I could do this because we always lived beneath our means and never even thought about that $150. Over the years it grew to over $400,000. So now the pension meets all our needs and wants, and the RMD from th...
by Slapshot
Mon May 31, 2021 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Maine Vacation in September 2021 - After Labor Day - Advice Please
Replies: 32
Views: 4460

Re: Maine Vacation in September 2021 - After Labor Day - Advice Please

I'll second what others have said about not restricting yourself to Portland. If you go 9/18-25, you may be able to catch some early foliage in the north which you won't find around Portland. I'd stay in Bangor for a couple of days and do a Bar Harbor day trip from there and a foliage loop inland toward the end of the week. Portland area and coast would be fine earlier in the week. One week is impossible to really do Maine right.
by Slapshot
Thu May 27, 2021 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: lawn care cost
Replies: 151
Views: 19691

Re: lawn care cost

wfrobinette wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 10:25 am
dmk395 wrote: Sun May 23, 2021 3:49 pm Some of you guys are just plain cheap. You couldn't pay me $40 to mow my own lawn!
Pfft! Why would I pay someone to deprive myself of 30 to 45 minutes of exercise. I spend in 1 year what most people spend in less than 2 months of having a service. Plus my lawn looks 100x better than those that pay for the service.
Amen. I'm retired, healthy, and have the time. It's a good workout, takes about an hour, and I can deposit the clippings in the woods out back. Now trimming the shrubs, that's different. I can't stand that and gladly pay someone else to do it.
by Slapshot
Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are you competitive? If so, how do you compete as you get older?
Replies: 46
Views: 4013

Re: Are you competitive? If so, how do you compete as you get older?

I'm 74 and still play hockey a couple of mornings a week. We have an over 60 group made up of a lot of guys who played at a competitive level (high school, college, a few pro) and who still compete a a pretty high level. We have a team that plays in regional and even national age group tournaments. Involvement in hockey leads to greater incentive to train. I usually bike 3 days a week (shifted to an e-bike a few years ago), do weight training at the gym 2/3 days a week (still using much the same weights on all the exercises as I always used). I don't want to be embarrassed on the ice as get older and the new guys get younger. I've been holding off on golf "until I get old."
by Slapshot
Thu Apr 01, 2021 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1031 exchange, selling to son for less than market value
Replies: 4
Views: 645

Re: 1031 exchange, selling to son for less than market value

When you say that my son will eventually pay the tax on the gifted portion, do you mean as a capital gains tax if he ever sells the property? Not sure what you mean.
by Slapshot
Wed Mar 31, 2021 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1031 exchange, selling to son for less than market value
Replies: 4
Views: 645

1031 exchange, selling to son for less than market value

Here is our situation. My son owns an investment condo free and clear that he wants to sell for $200,000 and do a 1031 exchange. I own an investment townhouse in the same city free and clear worth $350,000 that I am willing to sell to him for $250,000. My cost basis is $185,000 and I've taken 6 years of depreciation. He'd use his $200,000 as a down payment to me and I'd finance the remaining $50,000. I'd consider the the $100.000 difference in the sale price and market value as a gift. Would this be correct for my situation? My capital gain would be $250,000 minus $185,000 plus the 6 years' depreciation, say $38,000. So I'd have to pay a capital gains tax on around $103,000. Then I'd have to file a gift tax return to cover the $100,000 gift...
by Slapshot
Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Sienna - Which Years Were Best?
Replies: 18
Views: 6191

Re: Toyota Sienna - Which Years Were Best?

One factor to consider if it matters to you is the ability to remove middle row of seats. We've owned 2007, 2013 and now 2018. All had removable middle seats. I've heard that the newer ones don't. We keep the middle seats out because, with just my wife and me, we don't need them, and it makes for much more room for the dog, bikes, skis, beach equipment, etc. It's been great for skiing this year as we're able to boot up inside the van since all the lodges are closed. Thanks! Can you please tell me which years have the back bench seat that fold backwards into cavity so seat is flush with floor? Our old Odyssey van has that and is super convenient. As far as I know, they all do. Every one that we've owned did. I've had 4x8 pieces of plywood i...
by Slapshot
Wed Mar 17, 2021 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Sienna - Which Years Were Best?
Replies: 18
Views: 6191

Re: Toyota Sienna - Which Years Were Best?

One factor to consider if it matters to you is the ability to remove middle row of seats. We've owned 2007, 2013 and now 2018. All had removable middle seats. I've heard that the newer ones don't. We keep the middle seats out because, with just my wife and me, we don't need them, and it makes for much more room for the dog, bikes, skis, beach equipment, etc. It's been great for skiing this year as we're able to boot up inside the van since all the lodges are closed.
by Slapshot
Tue Mar 02, 2021 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Whose else own stocks in addition to their mutual funds?
Replies: 58
Views: 5678

Re: Whose else own stocks in addition to their mutual funds?

I have one or two % in individual stocks. Didn't really start that until savings rates tanked to .4 % or so and I figured to try and beat that with high dividend stocks. I looked at REITs, BDCs, phone companies, etc. Things paying 7-12% or so. My theory is that if I can break even on the cost and collect good dividends, I'm ahead of leaving the money in a savings account. So far it's worked out great as I've collected big dividends for the past 5 years or so, and all the stocks are in the green, some by quite a bit. Kind of having your cake and eating it, too. Of course, you have to keep a close eye on them as things can change quickly.
by Slapshot
Sun Feb 28, 2021 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend nightly for hotels (leisure/vacation)?
Replies: 227
Views: 19629

Re: How much do you spend nightly for hotels (leisure/vacation)?

If we're on the road and just stopping to sleep, it's cheap and quick. Place has to have a free breakfast, though. Usually find a Choice Hotel property. If staying longer, we'll go with a Marriott property, mainly Residence Inn. Much depends on whether we have our dog with us. I hate the policy of some places which have a pet charge of $100, whether you're staying one night or a week. I won't pay more than $25/night for the pup. We're limited with a dog, but usually it's worth it to have him.
by Slapshot
Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone used CPA for taxes AND did them on their own to compare?
Replies: 58
Views: 6993

Re: Has anyone used CPA for taxes AND did them on their own to compare?

A number of years ago I used TurboTax and compared it to my tax guy. Turns out he made an error that short changed me around $5,000. So ever since I've used TurboTax and done my own. The tax guys just use the same software and are usually rushed anyway. So why pay them when you can do the same job, and often do it better, than they can?
by Slapshot
Wed Dec 30, 2020 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does a condo owner need umbrella insurance?
Replies: 21
Views: 3372

Re: Does a condo owner need umbrella insurance?

I have a rental condo and have a small policy to cover what the HOA does not. In the past few years I have used it successfully to cover water damage from a toilet overflow to the unit below plus an over $3500 deductible assessment for hail damage that the complex incurred. It is with Farmers Insurance and well worth it as they could not have handled it better. I also have a $1 million umbrella policy just in case. It doesn't cost much and is good for peace of mind.
by Slapshot
Thu Nov 26, 2020 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What happened to GE?
Replies: 48
Views: 7199

Re: What happened to GE?

My wife got 600 shares of GE a number of years ago from her late dad, who worked there for 38 years and got stock from the company like many employees. We still have them with a cost basis of $37.50. Right now we're just holding them until we need a big capital gain offset.
by Slapshot
Mon Nov 02, 2020 10:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If retired, what's your allocation to fixed income?
Replies: 119
Views: 14073

Re: If retired, what's your allocation to fixed income?

I have a pension which covers all our costs, so I have no need to take much risk. I've opted for around 70% fixed. A good portion is in Target Retirement Income fund.
by Slapshot
Wed Jul 29, 2020 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Middle of Nowhere Retirement
Replies: 108
Views: 14711

Re: Middle of Nowhere Retirement

I like Montana. A friend moved to just outside Missoula and loves it. We were in Bozeman a few years ago and loved that. Both are college towns with every outdoor activity imaginable close by. And Bozeman has a good airport. Not familiar with the hospital situation, though.
by Slapshot
Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the single best piece of exercise equipment you bought for your home?
Replies: 259
Views: 23365

Re: What is the single best piece of exercise equipment you bought for your home?

Anyone have one of those pull up devices that are made to hang in a doorway? Do they work ok without wrecking the doorway?
by Slapshot
Thu Jun 25, 2020 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the single best piece of exercise equipment you bought for your home?
Replies: 259
Views: 23365

Re: What is the single best piece of exercise equipment you bought for your home?

core4portfolio wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:57 pm which e-bike brand is good ? any recommendation
So many choices now. I got a Magnum Metro. Built like a tank, really solid with front shocks. It has a throttle.
by Slapshot
Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the single best piece of exercise equipment you bought for your home?
Replies: 259
Views: 23365

Re: What is the single best piece of exercise equipment you bought for your home?

My electric bike. KlangFool How is an electric bike a piece of exercise equipment? h82goslw, A) Instead of driving to the library, grocery store, and so on, it is faster and easier to get there with an electric bike. B) For older folks, it extends the range of biking. KlangFool I've ridden centuries (100 mile rides) with 80+ year olds on non-electric bikes. Wouldn't it be better to just do those very same rides with a good conventional bike? Agree with alfaspider. As one who has ridden many, many miles on a bike I’m not sure why someone would consider an electric bike a true form of exercise. I'm 74 and got an electric bike last summer after riding a Bianchi road bike for many years. Yes, you don't get the max workout on an electric bike. ...
by Slapshot
Sun Jun 21, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A serious question from a senior about investing.
Replies: 42
Views: 3813

Re: A serious question from a senior about investing.

I'm 73 and have been retired for 15 years. We've been 30-70 for years and have been very happy with that through the ups and downs. Sleep well at night.
by Slapshot
Sat Jun 20, 2020 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AWD van or no AWD but with winter tires?
Replies: 89
Views: 7732

Re: AWD van or no AWD but with winter tires?

We had a 2007 Sienna with AWD. The run-flat tires with no spare was a pain, particularly when we got a flat on a trip and had to re-fill the tire every 40 miles. Never again. We now have a 2018 Sienna with FWD and a spare. Plus the run-flats were ridiculously expensive to replace.
by Slapshot
Wed May 06, 2020 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cross Country Drive-Best route? Safest way to do it?
Replies: 40
Views: 4420

Re: Cross Country Drive-Best route? Safest way to do it?

We've traveled from Mass. out west a number of times with our dog. If I were you, I'd travel I-90. Figure out how far you want to drive every day and whereabouts you might stop. Then check out the lodging options around each spot to learn what's open and available. We always use Marriott or Choice Hotels websites looking for places that allow pets. Plan out a tentative trip online. Obviously you can't fly if you have dogs. I'd never put our dog in a plane cargo area.
by Slapshot
Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My friend says his Roth and 401k are higher than before the pandemic started
Replies: 49
Views: 6424

Re: My friend says his Roth and 401k are higher than before the pandemic started

I'm retired so I don't contribute to my IRA any more. Plus I have my RMD taken out quarterly. Right now I have more in my account than ever, even with the RMDs taken out for the past 2 years. I have 4 funds: TBM, GNMA, TIPS and Wellesley.
by Slapshot
Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rick Ferri says to put aside something for "Bingo Money"
Replies: 76
Views: 10801

Re: Rick Ferri says to put aside something for "Bingo Money"

Back a few years ago, I got fed up with the meager returns of MM funds and online banks, so I decided to take a little out and start putting it in big dividend paying stocks, things like REITs, BDCs, utilities, etc. I figured if I could just break even or go down slightly in price, I would still be way ahead of what I would have made in the bank. Up until a month ago, I had achieved a 10% capital gain on top of all the dividends. But the recent crash has put a damper on that. So I did a bit of TLH, and in the past few days have seen huge increases in the prices. So I'm hoping that down the road, I'll be back to even while still picking up the dividends. Of course, if there are big dividend cuts, that would hurt. If I lose, I lose. As Rick s...
by Slapshot
Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Skiing
Replies: 48
Views: 5523

Re: Skiing

My experience from long ago: I never liked skiing until I rented a pair of 150s. Previously I had used longer ones as that was what I was told I needed. All of a sudden with the 150s, everything seemed easier. I felt so much more in control. Later on I tried longer skis, up to 170s. But I settled on 160s and have skied on that length (or a little less) ever since for 50 years. Once you've got good, properly fitted boots, keep renting 150s until you have good confidence. Then try renting different lengths and see how it goes. Eventually you'll decide on a length that feels right. That's the time to make a purchase.
by Slapshot
Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fort Lauderdale Area vacation
Replies: 12
Views: 1443

Re: Fort Lauderdale Area vacation

We always stay at Lauderdale-by-the Sea as our son lives nearby. Nice beach with lots going on near the pier at the end of Commercial Blvd.
by Slapshot
Thu Nov 21, 2019 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fastest/cheapest route to CFP?
Replies: 13
Views: 1687

Re: Fastest/cheapest route to CFP?

After I retired 15 years ago, I took an online program from the Boston Institute for Finance. While I never pursued a CFP because of the experience factor, I learned an awful lot that has helped me out personally many times over the years. You should check it out.


https://www.bostonifi.com
by Slapshot
Tue Oct 29, 2019 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Folks age between 65-70. What’s your exercise routine
Replies: 44
Views: 6310

Re: Folks age between 65-70. What’s your exercise routine

Early 70s, retired. MWF at gym for 45 minute all body workout with weights, preceded and ended with stretching. TR playing hockey for 1.5 hours with an over 50 group, sometimes with over 60 group. Saturday or Sunday biking, with one day off for recovery. In summer and fall, more biking and less hockey. In winter work things around to incorporate 2 or 3 days downhill skiing every other week. Slowed down a bit due to prostate radiation last winter, but still was able to maintain most activities. As an aside, I recently went with CBD topical cream for back and shoulder aches and pains, and it's worked amazingly well.
by Slapshot
Fri Oct 18, 2019 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me find some high quality cargo pants.
Replies: 63
Views: 8057

Re: Help me find some high quality cargo pants.

ddurrett896 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:25 am Check out LL Bean. I won't buy pants from anyone else.
+1
by Slapshot
Mon Oct 07, 2019 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4522
Views: 616991

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Called my TV provider and scooped up two $20/month discounts good for 12 months, plus a $14/month discount on my sports package good for 3 months. Also bought 12,000 points for $79 from Choice Hotels and used it for a free night that was going for $159.
by Slapshot
Fri Sep 27, 2019 11:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your AA, given your age? and, Why?
Replies: 284
Views: 43265

Re: What is your AA, given your age? and, Why?

angelescrest wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2019 10:08 pm
Slapshot wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2019 12:11 pm Age 72, retired with pension and wife has SS. AA is 30/70. Pretty conservative, but we have no reason to assume much risk. As long as we beat inflation by a few points, we're happy. Pension and SS take care of all the bills with some left over.
Wouldn’t the opposite be true? If pension and SS cover everything and then some, wouldn’t you be in a position to take more risk in your portfolio?
That's one way of looking at it. But why take risk if not necessary? I feel that what we're doing is hitting the sweet spot for us.
by Slapshot
Thu Sep 26, 2019 12:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your AA, given your age? and, Why?
Replies: 284
Views: 43265

Re: What is your AA, given your age? and, Why?

Age 72, retired with pension and wife has SS. AA is 30/70. Pretty conservative, but we have no reason to assume much risk. As long as we beat inflation by a few points, we're happy. Pension and SS take care of all the bills with some left over.
by Slapshot
Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric Bicycles
Replies: 116
Views: 12353

Re: Electric Bicycles

I'm 72 and my wife is 69. For years we've been riding, and I always found myself waiting for her at the top of hills, etc. A year and a half ago she got a Pedago Interceptor, and soon she was waiting for me at the top of hills. I've been riding a Bianchi road bike forever and treating most rides as a workout. Lately, after some medical issues, I've been getting really tired when trying to ride hard. The turning point came a few months ago while riding in hilly terrain. I became exhausted. So I finally succumbed to her urging and bought a Magnum Metro. Now instead of riding 15-20 miles, we'll ride 25-30. It's tough after being macho for so long, but I have to change my mindset from biking as a workout to biking for fun and enjoyment. Guess t...
by Slapshot
Thu Aug 22, 2019 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anybody else enjoy sitting around and doing little in retirement?
Replies: 106
Views: 16510

Re: Anybody else enjoy sitting around and doing little in retirement?

When I retired from teaching and coaching after 35 years, I said I wanted to do whatever i wanted and have fun for 5 years, and then I would find something constructive to do. It's now been 15 years, and I am still doing whatever I want and having fun. The freedom of no commitments is too much to give up. So I get up without an alarm, enjoy breakfast and read the paper cover to cover, then walk the dog for about a mile. 3 days/week I go to the gym for an hour and a half, and 2 days/week I play hockey with the old timers for an hour and a half. Those are my jobs. During the winter the wife and I go downhill skiing for 3 days every other week. In the other seasons we ride our bikes and hit the beach. Obviously the key is being healthy and abl...
by Slapshot
Wed Aug 07, 2019 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boston for a few hours with young kids
Replies: 20
Views: 1398

Re: Boston for a few hours with young kids

I'll second Martin's Park for kids that age. We saw it for the first time last week, and it was awesome. If you can get there, head to Castle Island in Southie. Buy lunch at Sullivan's and go out behind the fort for a picnic. You'll be right on the harbor and can watch myriad boats, ferries, tankers plus the planes at Logan across the harbor taking off and landing.
by Slapshot
Sun Jul 28, 2019 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cape Cod in September - Recommendations Please!
Replies: 6
Views: 1173

Re: Cape Cod in September - Recommendations Please!

Agree with all above. It's not like the old days when many places shut down after Labor Day. Now the season runs into October and Columbus Day weekend. We live nearby and avoid it in summer. Generally head there in late September, early October. Water still warm, but fewer people.
by Slapshot
Sat Jul 20, 2019 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Maine
Replies: 87
Views: 10863

Re: Things to do in Maine

Vanguard Fan 1367 wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:34 am September is the sweet-spot for a Maine vacation in my opinion. Less crowded, and the weather is still great.
Thanks for the input. I am scheduled to retire Sept 19 and have run the numbers for airfare from Orlando to Boston and a rental car. My dates were Sept 20-30. The cheaper flights into Boston will pay for the rental car and I appreciate the input that the drive from Logan Airport to Maine isn't so bad. It sure isn't as bad as driving from Orlando to Maine!
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Perfect time. If you're lucky, you'll get some good foliage, more likely the further north and inland you go. Beach water is much warmer the past few years. I even went in at Acadia last year! And certainly at Ogunquit. Enjoy.