Recent content by athena53

That’s my reasoning. I’m single so it’s far simpler but when I look at what I’m spending but subtract housing, car, travel and, if necessary, charity and 529 contributions, there’s enough left for LTC.

I’m in the “sell it” camp. May as well be practical. No need to mention it came from someone who’s deceased.

Reaching the endpoint of our hike up Mt. Pacaya in Guatemala- not to the peak but a 1,300- foot elevation gain over 1.5 miles. This is an older group-at 71, I’m probably average- but I’m still proud to have made it. We saw younger groups going up on horseback. And it’s not quite 10 AM here. :-)

Many of us here can do that (depending on cost) but I'd guess that for the 40% or so of seniors trying to make it on SS alone that's not an option. Agreed on Boomer Benefits- I did not use them myself but their publications are clear and balanced and a lot of people like them.

Pretty much zero. I went to Planet Fitness but switched to video workouts during COVID. In nice weather I may take a long walk or bike the trail behind my neighborhood. The bike was $700 but that was 4 years ago.

AA lifetime Gold here, too, so I gravitate to them for Coach domestic. For long-haul Business, I select whatever fits my schedule and price preferences. You get the same perks anyway. I did have enough miles to get a LHR round trip in Business Class in September and my overnights at LHR...

Many have two homes, one near family and the other in the low-tax state. The smart one like my brother are scrupulous about maintaining enough presence in the latter (number of days, church membership, doctors, car registrations) to qualify it as their primary residence.

Neither did I. Apparently if you drive through EZ Pass without a transponder they take a picture of your license plate and then send a bill to the holder of record. The amounts were small (under $100 total) and it took awhile to untangle. I did report them stolen after I found out.

I threw mine in the trash after we transferred the car from DH’s name to mine (no, DMV wouldn’t transfer the plates) and they were later retrieved-no idea where or how-and used by people running through EZ Pass lanes! Lesson learned. My DMV went to appointment-only during COVID. I actually...

Mine was $755 for $3 million, also with State Farm. One house, one car, nothing else presenting a major risk, KC suburb. I suppose I should shop next year but a had an at-fault fender-bender and a speeding ticket within a month of each other late last year after decades of a perfect record...

There are plenty of examples on FlyerTalk of couples booking honeymoon flights using the husband's last name for the wife since the flights would be after the wedding- except the wife would have no ID with her married name on it. (Not what happened in your example, of course.) I think you can...

Now that's an interesting question. Probably depends on whether you "pad it" with sightseeing and other tourist activities before or after, and how legitimate the "treatment" looks. When I was in Macchu Picchu there were tons of places offering massages. The local guide, whom I trusted...

I did get a credit on my KS return. The difference between paying taxes on it to KS or to NJ was probably minimal- I was just annoyed that NJ grabbed part of it. And, since it was over 20 years ago now I think I'll leave it alone!

I'll never forget the greed of NJ in grabbing a share of income for the year after I moved out. Worked from home in NJ after I started a new job from May, 2002 to June, 2003. Moved to KS in June, 2003. Got a bonus in 2004. They withheld NJ taxes on half of it. I asked why since I'd moved...

Yeah, there's big bucks in hearing aids and ordinary mortals can't tell whether the ones with the steeper price are worth it. I sure hope Costco still sells them when I need them.