Recent content by susswein

I've been retired for 16 years, and over that period have never had taxable income over $20k per year. By your standards I retired into poverty. On the other hand, I travel internationally regularly, own 2 vehicles and 3 boats, and drink craft beer. I sure don't feel like I'm living in poverty!

Retired with 550k I'm 61, retired at 45. My investable net worth, not including house is 550k, and I've comfortably lived off 3% we since retiring.

Burning man.

I had back fusion a year ago. Great for first 9 months, now new pains 8n leg and back. It's not a long term panacea for everyone.

At 60 years old I've finally decided to write a will. I'm never married with no kids. Most of my estate is going to various charities, but I'm stumped on who to pick for an executor. I figure it should be someone young enough to likely outlive me, but all my friends and close relatives are my...

Agreed that this is not a vacation for the workers involved, but I have little sympathy for the folks who've been working for the federal government for years without setting aside an emergency fund. Maybe the government should fund a mandatory financial planning seminar for all employees?

I've been retired for 14 years (retired at 45) with almost the exact same nestegg as you. I withdraw $1500/month, and it's been easily sustainable for me, so I think your plan is reasonable.

Bring half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you'll need.

If your money has been invested in the ROTH for more than 5 years you can withdraw the principal penalty-free.

You'd be surprised at how inexpensive it is to remove a wall, compared to the total cost of a kitchen remodel. A non-load-bearing wall could be done for a few hundred dollars, but even removing a load bearing wall would probably be less than 10% of the total remodel cost.

leaving next month for 10 weeks of backpacking through myanmar, laos, and vietnam.

For snowy roads (as opposed to 4wd trails) a low center of gravity (subaru) is much better than a high center of gravity (lifted 4wd pickup).

If you decide not to go, please have your friend contact me. A trip like this through southern africa has been on my bucket list for years, but I've never found anyone else interested.

I received an email from delta a few days ago offering me 50,000 frequent flier miles for transferring $100,000 to Fidelity. The fine print reads that this has to be a non-retirement account and has to stay at Fidelity for at least 6 months, but if you've got investments (stocks, bonds, etc)...

I'm going to be spending the winter sailing in the sea of Cortez, and could use some company. The boat is an older, basic, but seaworthy 27 footer, so this is definitely not a luxury cruise. Have room for one person, male or female. Good company is more important than sailing skills. Send a...