Recent content by lhamo

Our DS graduated in June. He started a tech internship in October that will pay him roughly $5500/month. We found it to be most affordable to have him sign up for his own ACA plan - he'll pay about $310/month for a gold plan (bronze was around $225 so it made more sense to get the lower...

I started using a CPAP in February. For the first few months I could barely tolerate it the 4 hours (minimum) you are supposed to wear it every night. But gradually it got easier. Now I can regularly keep it on all night - 8-10 hours most nights. I feel so much better, too. I used to feel...

I also retired at 46. DS was 14 and in a special/intense "bootcamp" type academic program that made it possible for him to start university at 15. DD was 12 and finishing up elementary school. She stayed with her dad in China while DS and I moved back to the states for his program. Everybody...

One note about future college funding options -- if you can keep your MFJ income below $150k or so, the interest from I-bonds can be tax free if you use it for higher education expenses: https://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/planning/plan_education.htm

Congrats on his job offer and the higher than expected salary! Considering that your withdrawal rates from your own stash are as low as you have reported in the past, have you considered offering to gift him some money -- perhaps as a match to his own savings -- in order to further incentivize...

I would suggest getting an independent appraisal be part of whatever you do to wrap this mess up. I live in one of the less expensive parts of Seattle, and even teardowns here are going for 400k+. The only things that list for under 400k in Seattle these days are typically small condos in...

I'm coming up on my 5 year FIREiversarry--there have been a few ups and downs along the way but overall I am very happy I FIREd when and how I did.

So you can get paid to write articles for Marketwatch that simply summarize comments on a Reddit thread? I guess the economy hasn't totally melted down yet....

Here in Washington you can also make a free appointment with a Healthcare Navigator, who are usually based in community health clinics -- I am in Seattle and use one based at Neighborcare Health. They have direct access to the system and can verify that your application is submitted correctly...

If he is in a state with expanded Medicaid, he might want to make an appointment with a Healthcare Navigator. Here in Washington, they are based in most community health clinics and they can get you signed up for an ACA plan or Medicaid (if you qualify) immediately. It is MUCH easier than...

Glad to hear it turned out so positively for all of you. If he can, he should go talk with the International or Study Abroad advisors before he registers -- they may well be able to award him at least partial credits for the courses he took in Ireland. It would be a shame if he didn't at least try.

The UW is a great school (I got my BA/MA/Phd there), but I would not recommend it for a young out-of-state student. My DS is a junior who was admitted through the early entrance program at age 15, and who got into the coveted CS major on his first application. It has been a good experience for...

If you are in the US and died prematurely, your wife and kids would get Social Security survivor benefits -- I think she gets them until the kids turn 15, and the kids get them until they turn 18 or graduate from high school, whichever comes first. Given the size of your stash, that would...

I'm coming up on 4 years FIREd. Another 5-6 years down the line I may have a different answer, but for now I think we timed it about right. I stopped working to accompany our DS back to the US for a special academic program. DH had planned to work for another year, but called it quits early...

You will take a hit on the growth you are expecting over the next three years, but if having more in liquid funds (inside or outside the 401k) is that important to you then why not just stop reinvesting all dividends and do some strategic tax loss harvesting? Probably could generate a decent...