Recent content by Mr Gadget

Last summer I purchased the top of the line Kia Sportage "Prestige" edition at around $50K without any rebates. Love the car and usually plug in at home or anywhere I can find free or cheap chargers, I'm averaging about 85 to 95 eMPG, but if I never plugged it in, it only gets 26 MPG. My cost to...

The gift wasn't so bad as my reaction to it. 6 or so me was gifted a Christmas present by distant relatives that I didn't really know when they visited (I believe they met me previously when I was a toddler), it was a small football. My exact comment when I unwrapped it (that is often repeated...

I installed a NeoCharge Smart Splitter 240V on the Dryer plug in the laundry room that is next to the garage. I limited it to 24 Amps on a 30 amp circuit. It also self monitors so I have dual protection from it and the original Circuit Breaker. My plug in charger (A Wallbox, and just completed...

AS always, it depends on the circumstance. The article is a way to draw in people who are interested in beginning financial planning from a bunch of "planners' in UT looking for new "customers." Some good, some blatantly bad advice, like others have mentioned. But I disagree with its title...

For me, it was reading Peter DiaMandis book "Abundance." I had been slipping into the prepper mindset after retiring back in 2010, and falling for the fear constantly being [-]sold[/-] promoted on media, specifically social media, which I try to stay away from. That book was instrumental in...

I switched to a front wallet at least a decade ago and liked it so much I purchased at least 10 at that time. I had to go back on Amazon and Ebay to find examples like https://www.amazon.com/Zitahli-Wallet-Mens-Wallets-Blocking-Minimalist/dp/B084KJDYKR, but mine are made out of various colors of...

Happy anniversary, so thankful. I joined in 2009 and retired in 2010.

I guess Denali up north, inside the straight around the southern tip of Chile, but I had 47 countries flags on my retirement plaque. I ended up circumnavigating the planet over 6 months duration, but I flew home after the Persian Gulf 'War' the opposite way my ship had been sent. That was after...

I worry about a lot of things as they grab my attention, then I go do what I can to better personal situations I or my family are in, because most of those 'worries,' I have absolutely no control over. Like "What is the great filter?"

I have fortune cookie saying on my rear view mirror that I've had for a few years now. "As one grows to undrstand life less and less, one learns to live life more and more."

Thanks on the wash sale clarification, I think we already have a step up from when the first parent passed several years ago, not sure if we get it again when the second parent passes, but do know my sister (who is the executor of the eventual estate) had some form completed (on the CPA's...

That is the main quandry, all of the beneficiarys are in very different tax brackets and my remaining parent is in a high bracket. The CPA is attempting to see if it makes financial sense to convert more into ROTH now or wait until it has to be split. At least we have a trust we are following...

Yep, plus traditional IRA's which could increase income for up to ten years. Not worried about the portion that is already ROTH. My current pension is not large, but this will push me much higher, and I was hoping to convert my TSP to ROTH during my spouses window of retirement before drawing...

SecondCor521 Thanks on #1. Most definitely not 'banking' on anything. I would be fine without any inheritance and really wasn't planning on it. Would prefer my parents were still here, mentally. But as I said, Alzheimer's really sucks and isn't something anyone really can plan for. I'm just...

Thanks braumeister, will pay attention to state/fed differences. That is exactly what I was asking to watch out for. The inheritance will be below the inheritance tax for my parents estate (unless taxes are changed drastically) because its divided amongst siblings, but it has its own income...