Recent content by Andy

Boy, isn't that the truth! [Moderator edit: quote formatting.]

Yes, I think you are right. OP How are things going with your sister? Did you do anything different?

And I think they want us to believe that. If we knew how easy it was, they would be out of a job. :-\

My personal oddest health insurance claim was about 12 years ago. I had some surgery that was estimated to last two hours. Well There were some problems and it lasted 4 hours. The insurance company paid for the surgeon, with no problem, but they wouldn't pay for the extra 2 hours of anestesia...

And that's what happened to me. I would have never dreamed I would have these health issues in my early 50's. It is very humbling.

Somewhere I read it defined as "the senseless desire to acquire". That has stuck with me. I have friends, and I am sure most of us do, who go to walmart or target or one of the big box stores and buy a cart load at least once a week. I think often they never even wear or use the item one time...

One can only hope.  ::) At least she has potentially more time til 65 than some of the other stories on this thread. It is hard to see someone(and there are lots of people out there) selling themselves for little junky trinkets.

I know someone similar, late 40's, recent widow, low paying job(his was much higher). She went thru close to 100k in the past 18 monthes-money from his retirement account, a small inheritance she got and $$ from SS as they classified him disabled for about 10 monthes. Needless to say no saving...

Where I lived before, I had a retired high school shop teacher who was wonderful. He was also good a showing you how to do something(loved to teach). He was also frugal and I felt very comfortable giving him a key to come and go as he wanted until he finished a project. He was one of the...

That sorta happened to me too. I ended up with a waiver for cholesterol (but get this-they will pay if I have a heart attack or stroke ::), a waiver on migraine headaches and a waiver on the oesteoarthritis in my back. I debated about going to the high risk pool, but I figured the rates for...

"A line in the Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice where the heroine's mother excitedly exclaims about one of eligible young men: "I hear he has $10,000 pounds a year!". That is - he has 10,000 pounds a year of income produced by his inheritance. A pretty considerable sum in 1806. Anyway - I had...

Financially-responsible parents are trying to teach their kids one thing, while the media and advertisers are teaching them exactly the opposite by showing a constant stream of conspicuous consumption And add that most of their friends and their parents are going right along with the media..... ::)

I guess it depends on your definition of "average". I would say the "average" person could make it by saving 10%. Obviously there are lots of people out there who don't make that. I do have a friend who has always made low wages. She owns an adequate mobile home on a paid for lot. She has...

My guess is that everyone could retire early if they LBTM and saved 10% a year from their very first job. That wouldn't be much, but I bet it would do it. The only thing that might make that hard now is health insurance. Most people just buy way to much junk.

Grew up in a very frugal household.  I knew how much they made and even as a child was impressed with how far they made it go. For instance we lived in a nicer house than people I knew made more money than my Mom and Dad. My Dad was a good repairperson and would get a lot of use out of something...