Recent content by GoWest

Getting this one-year old (new to me) travel trailer has been the highlight of my four months of retirement. I have camped in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia, and plan longer excursions in the near future. It's perfect for a single person or a couple. Cherokee Grey Wolf 25RL...

While not "early" by any measure on this forum, I happily retired from federal service at age 64 on May 31, 2018. I pulled the plug the same month my youngest son graduated from college, coinciding with my 64th birthday. We all have to decide when that time is right. I'm late to the "early...

My 3-year old Dell laptop feels like a brand new computer with Windows 10. Ran Windows Pro 7 originally. Not sure why I waited so long to do this.

I've met a couple of times with a CFP at my local Fidelity office. He provides detailed analysis of my portfolio, actionable advice and no pressure. I'm very pleased with the one-on-one service I receive at Fidelity.

1. Not yet. I will retire at age 63 in 2017. 2. Age 63, which I consider to be an Early Retirement. 3. Full Retirement Age, 66.

Try to maintain a civil relationship with the EX. You will have a lot to communicate about for the next few years (almost all regarding the kids). Hard feelings aside, this effort will all be about ensuring the welfare of the kids. Best of luck to you. Many of us have tread this path before.

1976 Datsun 260Z. It wouldn't start when the temperature was below 50 degrees, and it vapor-locked over 90 degrees. I carried a squirt-bottle of gas to "prime" the carburetors on frigid days, a common occurrence when I was stationed in Colorado in the early ‘80s. One morning, as I tried to...

Thank you for all the warm welcomes. Regarding Nun's question about asset allocation: During my first meeting with the CFP, we did not go into this aspect in detail. The CFP asked me about my tolerance for risk. (I'm risk averse.) Based on Fidelity's portfolio analysis, he thought my...

Monthly Budget: The CFP helped me estimate my budget by reviewing the last 12 months of outflow through my Fidelity checking account. With limited exceptions (e.g., income tax), virtually all my living expenses go through that account: HOA fee, insurance bills, property taxes, utilities, ATM...

I retired from the Air Force in 1995 and worked at an agency with the Commonwealth of Virginia until 2004. I joined the federal government at age 50. Under the Federal Employee Retirement System, the earliest I can retire with an immediate annuity will be age 62 (12 years civil service). So...