Recent content by MBAustin

There was an outbreak of fentanyl overdoses in the Austin area last week - 79 total with 9 deaths in just a few days. Fortunately the police seem to have already found and arrested people who were involved in providing the tainted drugs. But there are dozens of heartbroken families as a result...

What a tough situation, Breedlove. I personally agree with your DW that this situation is way bigger than you can make a dent in. They need professional financial counseling - if they are agreeable to that and you want to spend a few hundred $$ to cover the cost, that might be appropriate. As...

This is exactly how we are using QCDs and DAF. And we have also had checks disappear (although they were QCD checks, not DAF checks).

Fitness Connection gym membership: about $170/year. Yoga classes (some in-person, some on ZOOM): about $800/year. Walking shoes and orthotic inserts (~3 pairs): about $400/year

Congratulations, Route 246! It's great that you have a plan, and even better that you know you can pull the plug whenever you feel like it! I gave my direct boss an informal verbal notice about 6 weeks in advance and asked her that we keep it quiet until 2-3 weeks out, but she didn't like that...

Congratulations, Disneysteve! Enjoy these last shifts and the gathering with your colleagues. Sounds like you have plenty of time over the next month to plan for starting your retirement journey, so enjoy!

Went to the gym this morning - twice this week after more than a month off after I bruised a rib doing something careless. Good to be back. Now defrosting our 34+ year-old upright freezer. Only needs it every 2-3 years, can't remember the last time I did it exactly. It's in the laundry room so...

So sorry to hear this sad news, Gremlin. I expect he won't be feeling great going through chemo, etc., and she will be emotionally exhausted, so something they can enjoy together as a bit of a distraction might be welcome. If they like puzzles, etc., then some large elaborate jigsaw puzzles or...

Welcome to another Texan! If you haven't found them already, we have a helpful list of things to think about before you make the leap: Some Important Questions to Answer Good to hear that your wife's cancer is behind her. Your plan to downsize makes sense, however the hobby spending seems to...

After losing ~50% of our tree cover through two ice/snow storms in the past 3 years, we decided to spring for a total makeover. Rip out and replace the (poorly built) patio, new wheelchair ramp, rebuild our 12 year old little fish pond, add stabilized gravel paths and lots of new bird/butterfly...

DH wears compression socks all the time, but not that level. However, he recommends Jobst as a reliable brand with a lot of options, but pricy.

Agree with renting, although you may have some trouble finding a rental that would allow 4 dogs. RVShare.com is like AirBnB for RVs so you might check to see if they have units in your area. We have a 26' class C, 2 of us plus 1 small dog. I firmly believe that dogs should be restrained or...

Without knowing more about your overall financial situation, it's really hard to give specific advice. What are your other assets and sources of income and other expenses? You can run various scenarios through FIREcalc (link at the bottom of each page here).

Last fall I stayed at the Residence Inn Manhattan/Central Park (there is also a Courtyard in the same building but it is usually more expensive and doesn't include breakfast). It's at 54th and Broadway which is close to the theaters out of the crazy Times Square area and also close to Central...

Welcome, glasswave! You are a talented photographer! Tell us a bit more about yourself - are you already retired or getting ready to take the plunge?