Recent content by bradaz2488

It is is critical that the floor is properly prep before applying the Epoxy. I believe most require a acid wash, but I believe this may not be enough to prevent de-lamination over time. We had our 3 car garage Epoxy when we bought the house new. Several years later the Epoxy start to de-laminate...

I do not see myself "ditching" equities completely. My ER plan assumes a 6% yield (3.5% w/o inflation) so I tend to play on the conservative side of the field since retiring in 2013. During my w*rking years I was 80-90% equities, but since I retired I have not exceeded 65% equities. I'm...

Using my investment portfolio when I decided to retire (Aug 2012 age 49) and then using a online inflation calculator it appears I hit "my number" 4 times. The first time in Mar 2000. This was all due to having a lot cheap company stock options and the tech bubble run up. I hit my number 2nd...

Currently sitting on 32% dry powder. Have not made a "major" buy into the market since Jan 15 2016. Would be looking at putting money back in around 2400 level (S&P). Would not surprise me if we revisit 2100 level if there are panic selling days. JMHO....

The definition of "enough" will vary greatly depending on your retirement age, expenses, AA risk tolerance, pension/SS and when you plan to die. I'm sure you will see a wide range of answers to this question since each person situation is different. For me it was 36X expenses w/ a AA of 60/40. I...

I have always been a numbers guy and enjoy data analysis. I guess that comes from my previous life as an engineer. FireCalc, Fidelity RIP, Flexible RP and Lifetime Planner (Quicken/MS) are my main tools in my toolbox. None of them are the "perfect" retirement tool but for me using them together...

IMO the numbers seem to be pretty spot on. If you discount NW by 15% for house that give you ś2.5M and with ś84k net expenses (accounts for pensions and SS) then that is 29x expences which is a safe SWR for at 35-40 yeat plan...

I'm old school. Been using MS Money since 1999. When MS stop supporting Money I tried Quicken years ago but not all my data transferred. I have to manually enter all transactions but I do not find it that painfull as long as I do it once a week. I still find the tool very helpful even without...

I assume Net Worth includes all house(s) and not just rentals?

Thanks for the nice summary. Wish I was one of the 46% getting a pension :(....

Accounting for future Healthcare costs and how/when are they going to fix (kick-the-can) SS and Medicare....

I'm not getting a pension and my RE plan assumes no SS. I do not claim to know anything about how pensions are funded and managed or even if they are more safe than SS. What I do know is if they are not able to payout the "promised" benefits no one will serve a day in prison. In today's...

I never understood parenting from the grave once a child reaches 18. If you try to control them it will usually lead to resentment and if the executor is another sibling it could lead to bad feelings. IMO you should just give them the money and let them spend it as they wish. Money can bring out...

I wouldn't mind a nice pull back for a buying opportunity. Been sitting on some dry power that I'm itching to put it work..

When I was doing exercise on a weight machine I thought I was being smart by doing less weight and more reps.. wrong.... I developed a bad case of tendinitis in the elbow. So bad it hurt to pick up a beer >:( .. Immobility, wrap and time was the only cure for me. I sold the weight machine :)...