Recent content by JOHNNIE36

After being absent for many months, I thought this would be the perfect time to get back on this site. I’m especially interested in your thinking about Vanguard Wellesley fund. It was about five years ago when I shifted a large chunk into that fund based on the thoughts and recommendations of...

Retirement date was 5-1-88 at age 52. Threads like this interest me because I'm always amazed at the people that can retire because of the investments they made and maintain. In my case it was because I had a defined benefit pension with 34 years service. I could never had done it...

Total package five years ago was $1000 for us. Nothing out of the ordinary. Guess it would be called a simple trust.

Al, I think it would be up to the credit card company. My wife and I each have an American Express card with the same number. Different security codes on the back. All other cards we have use different numbers for each of us.

Mike, with regard to food products, I will use generics based on my own trial and error methods. We do most of or grocery shopping at Publix and some at Walmart and Costco. At Publix, their own generic products are just as good as the name brand. Some generic cereals I don't care for, but...

Taxes done and e-filed two weeks ago. Problem! Yesterday I discovered a 199DIV form that I failed to take with me to the tax preparer. Just a few hundred dollars. My return indicates I have a refund coming of around $500. Getting ready to do an amended return. Think I'll do that myself as...

Thanks for the reply Dtail. No real words of wisdom from this lucky guy. That's what I was to be able to retire at 51 with a defined benefit pension and a buyout. The most luck of all was having good genes. Health is everything. Whatever is in second place is a long way behind. I never...

Sharing a milestone today with all my fellow retirees and those wannabe's. 30 years ago today was my last day of work with mega corp. The official date of retirement was 5-1-88 but I got to add on my six weeks of vacation so I walked out 30 years ago today. Funny, but I haven't missed it one bit.

I'm looking at vehicles now and I hate the negotiating game. Not at that point yet. I do think the negotiating range has been reduced over the years. Years ago when I worked for a major car manufacturer, I was able to purchase a new car for about 25% off the sticker on a luxury car. Not so...

I just went through this with Vanguard on a house closing where I needed the funds quickly. From the time I called Vanguard to start the transaction to the time I had the money in my bank--two full days. I had my bank on file with Vanguard for wiring funds. Not sure about wiring funds to...

Glad to see everyone is so happy to see the market going up like it has been (as well as me). I was just on the Vanguard website and mentioned to my wife that since we jumped into "the market" in March 2014, our portfolio is up 6.8% (Vanguard Wellesley). I'm still thanking members of this...

Moved into our new home Nov 1st and bought a new TV. It is a Samsung 75 inch 4KHD. $2000 at Best Buy, free delivery. My son installed it, hooked it all up and got it running. Great picture quality but sound was average. He had an older sound system that he hooked up a few days later...

The REAL ID Act goes into effect 1-22-18. Google it.

I could have been more detailed, but space wouldn't permit. Example: one must have TWO forms of ID: 1. (primary identification): US birth certificate, valid US passport, certificate of naturalization, OR certificate of citizenship. (must be original or certified copy) 2. (secondary...

At this stage in our lives, we are more into giving than receiving. This year I told my wife that I wanted to do something outstanding. We talked it over and decided to give my son my Rolex Submariner. My wife gave it to me for our 25th wedding anniversary in 1997. I am worried that if I had...