Recent content by sunrise

From the gazzilions of kitchen photos I have seen, wood flooring looks really nice in a kitchen. Perhaps a wedgewood blue (but several shades lighter) for paint colour. Wood and blue are nice together.

Nice vision board. My impression is stack bond is more modern; subway - classic. either would work, since you will have modern stainless appliances and the cabinet style is also contemporary. (check out ikeas website for inspiration) I think with the wood cabinets, you might like white grout...

I just redid my kitchen and bought a single door / bottom freezer. And I really like it. Mine is only 20 cubic feet, smaller then the average size (but perfect for my kitchen and family); A larger one will have lots of room for the typical buyer. French door style would work well. They say the...

I drove across Canada in a VW pop top w/ my friend (owner of the van). It did eventually break down in Winnipeg. Found the cheapest replacement car - a 1966? Valiant station wagon for $300.00, and made it to B.C. for our Feb. jobs. His previous VW Pop top did catch on fire, before he had headed...

Based on your list of cars you have driven, I would look into the new Fiat.

I had private health insurance for several years (I'm not retired, but private insurance seemed like my only option at the time); the premiums increased 200 / mth each year - I started at 900 /mth, then 1100/mth then 1300 / mth - single payer no deductible. (Family plan was 3600 / mth which I...

Current age: 46 Retirement age goal: 55 - 60 Total working years: 15 in US; prior to that a handful of FT years in Canada. 9 more to go. Pension: No (SS US&Can combined.)

Approx 5.5% of my gross goes into a tax deferred retirement account; the regular IRA is my only option (no 401 or hsa, etc). I save another 10 - 20% on top of that. (I usually calculate my numbers from my net, which is 30% towards retirement)

AH, yes. I should clarify, I mean forgive some of the interest and penalties incurred, not the actual payroll taxes.

Yep, those payroll tax obligations will just keep growing. Interest and penalties are high. Get in touch with both the IRS and the state to work out an IPA / payment plan (and possibly forgive a bit of the back taxes). I have always heard it is better to keep in touch rather then avoid them.

+1 I was a teenager in the early 80's, when the stock market crash left the ceo (my dad) and cef penniless, because the bank didn't liquify their assets soon enough. Before that, they were both multimillionaires on paper.

I save approx. 22% of gross; 30% of net. Max my IRA (7.5%) and the rest (22.5%) goes into personal investments / savings (no 401k at my job). Any bonus is directed to savings as well.

Is this thread just for the retirees or can young dreamers post? I am taking my kids to Puerto Rico in July. Staying in a villa at the base of the rainforest. Will hit the beaches, rainforest and snorkeling. Love Istanbul and the country, have been there multiple times. I agree, going to Lake...

I have to remind myself that the perks I have outweigh the cons, but the biggest con is confined to the office, having to be there, when there is no work to actually do. That, and the nesting pigeons and the noise they are making, directly above my head (in the ceiling it seems. Need to call the...

I know I am way out of league here, so thank you for replying. I do live below my means. I could afford a bigger house, a bigger mortgage etc. nicer car, but I don't. Right now, I want to direct as much as I can towards investments/savings. I am able to put 30% of my income there. About the SS...