Recent content by AltaRed

Our family has been using Zoom every 2-3 weeks. Five or 6 families. Works well and we are all pleased with it. Never have any to discuss that is personal and confidential so any 'snoops' would get really bored at us all talking mostly about nothing.

Retired almost 14 years, In recent years, I have only traded in equities to swap one for another perceived better opportunity. That occurs very infrequently, perhaps once every 2 years or so. I pretty much live off annuity and investment income with the odd equity being sold now and then for...

Mostly separate since we met late(r) in life as empty nesters/retirees. Hers is hers and mine is mine the way it should be for eventual legacies to our respective heirs. Even our house is tenants-in-common title rather than joint tenancy for the same reason. We do have one joint chequing...

I'd suggest some of you are not looking at the right facilities. My mother had a 2 bedroom apartment with complete 'apartment' sized kitchen except for dishwasher. She could and did cook as much as she wanted, and she could socialize, or not socialize, as much as she wanted. What is not to...

Visiting is all that the discussion has been about. It is a fine place to visit for a Central American country. Highly varied climate and topography depending on what one wants. Have not been there but I understand the NW quadrant accessed out of Liberia is where the more recent American...

For info, Viking said on our France trip that the company is looking to do Mississippi river cruises and has plans to build a number of ships. They are looking to American and Canadian pension plans for the funding and may be operational in 3-4 years.

Agreed the buses were wonderful coaches and we had no real objection on a 30 minute bus ride, but no, it was not just the different rivers and countries. In France, as an example, when we went to Arles, our Viking ship actually docked at Avignon and we were bused to Arles. And yet in Arles...

We have done 2 river cruises so far. Amsterdam to Vienna on Uniworld and France (2 cruises actually) with Viking. One problem with the Rhine and Danube is that it is bursting at the limits with river cruise ships and thus the shore excursions get crowded with way too many groups. It was a much...

I'll echo Costa Rica. Spent a number of days there this past February. The continental divide and the eastern slopes are definitely worth considerable time. Refreshing relief from the relatively steaminess of the oceanside beaches. The steep slopes on the east side bear some resemblance to the...

I retired almost 12 years ago in early 2006 at age 57 because FIRECALC said I could do so comfortably. Went through a divorce in 2008 and held tightly on the reins through the financial downturn. Despite all that, I and my recent SO are enjoying a lifestyle that considerably exceeds what I...

No one size fits all. It depends on what is available, physical and mental health, personality and affordability. Fortunately, DW and I have the resources to afford pretty much anything we want. At age 68 & 69, we are still too young and healthy to leave our 'location' house with lakeview and a...

As has been said, there still is O&M costs, depreciation, etc. You don't say what model years they are so depreciation could be a lot (or not). That should be the guiding principle. I don't see the need for 3 vehicles.

Then you (and some of your friends) have an outdated view of (some) Internet matching sites. There are those sites that are designed as a meat market, and others that are specifically tailored to finding companionship, platonic or otherwise. It can take weeks or months to find 'matching'...

I haven't posted in this forum for a relatively long time, but this thread struck my interest. I knew my 38 year marriage was failing before I even retired, and when I did retire at 57, retirement, separation and divorce all happened within an 18 month time period. I am still adjusting to my new...

I am surprised the tranny was even working by this time (14 years and 100k miles without a fluid change??). Regular fluid changes (engine oil, tranny, anti-freeze) are the cheapest preventative maintenance going. Hope it holds up for you.