Recent content by FireAspire

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad I'm not alone. I realize that I tend to factor in all of the negative possibilities, but none of the positives. I'm still healthy and can figure out a way to generate income without misery if needed. I can definitely cut back on expenses. And I trust...

With 25 working days left until I roll out my Johnny Paycheck imitation, I find myself factoring. For instance, in my Excel calculations, I have factors built in for: Portolio value - I usually factor my portfolio down by 10%, worrying that the market is overblown Social Security - how much...

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give that a look. I have an 18 foot bass boat and regularly have waves come over the bow when I stay too long at Lake Geneva. I catch a lot of fish, but it's not very relaxing.

I fish on Lake Geneva a good bit, but wouldn't if I had a better choice close enough for day trips. It's packed with boats every Saturday and Sunday and crowded on other days. And traffic getting through town is horrible.

That sums it up. And I'm not sure if I would buy it or take the money and invest it, which would mean I think I can get a better deal elsewhere. Where's that crystal ball when I need it?

What I lack in looks and brains, I make up by being extremely healthy, so that is a consideration. But by the time I get to 85, the $1743/month will be worth 1/2 as much at 2.5% inflation. It will be worth $1420 by the time I start taking it at 65.

That's my big question ... security. If inflation stays low, it does offer security and that would make my decision fairly easy. But if inflation goes up, it erodes the pension and there's nothing I can do ... except adopt a bologna diet or go back to w*rk.

I'm using 100 years old in FireCalc, so I doubt the annuity is beyond that. I assumed their low numbers were based on today's very low interest rates. They are obviously going to protect themselves, so they use that to figure the benefit. As noted elsewhere, when (if) interest rates rise...

I know there's another active thread on this, but I didn't want to hi-jack the other member's request for help. Hope that's OK. I received a "lump sum" letter yesterday. I've looked through the related threads here and learned a good bit. I'm still thinking through it and would appreciate...

2020 is my last year practicing a retirement budget. It's gametime starting in April. Here's 2020 spending and my retirement budget. I think I'm in good shape, but would appreciate any thoughts. Category2020 ActualRetired Budget Housing - Taxes, Ins, Upkeep$4,244$4,800...

Procrastination has paid off for the first time ever. I've been putting off moving money from an old 401k to my current company's plan. I finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago to move about 50% of it. The transaction was executed about the time the craziness started and I ended up with a...

I believe Firecalc uses annual results for investment returns and inflation. When will the 2019 results will be factored into the calculations? And a related question: throughout 2019 account balances have been growing, which drives more favorable results from FireCalc. In order to use the...

Thanks for helping me think though this, pb4uski and others. Here are responses to your thoughts: I used TurboTax and my ever-evolving spreadsheet to estimate taxes. On $82,000 income, I got $6579 in Federal taxes and $3590 in state taxes (Idaho). That's $10,169 or 12.4%. I will defray...

Thanks for the replies. HNL Bill - I do have car replacement every 7 years and home repairs @1% of value covered in the budget. The healthcare issue does concern me, thus the "Afraid of FIRE" thread topic. My thought was that I'm being conservative given the current scenario and if it changes...

I've been following here for several years and appreciate all of the wisdom. I check “Hi I Am” almost every day to see if someone like me has posted to give me more confidence that I can launch. But none of you is exactly like me, so I guess I’ll need to initiate the discussion. Here's my...