Recent content by zippy2020

FYI, Democrat CA Senator Dianne Feinstein, who recently died, every year submitted legislation to eliminate WEP...and every year, the Senate refused to bring it to the floor. Didn't matter which party controlled the Senate, it never went anywhere. If you feel you are unfairly penalized by WEP...

Just FYI for those interested in comparing various states you may be interested in: Taxes on Retirees: A State by State Guide See how each state treats retirees when it comes to income, sales, property, and other taxes...

Me and my spouse only. Groceries about $800-1K/month. Dining out is my hobby, and we travel specifically to dine around the Northern CA region where we live. It's a major expenditure, probably $1500 to $3K, depending on how often we eat out and where we are. On average we dine out 220+/yr...

When I read these kinds of threads, I think to myself, "OMG, we sound like our parents!" Does anybody else feel that way? LOL!

From our local media: The most recent estimate on people with long COVID in the US is 11%. However, the new variants are much more infectious even though milder. Studies are confirming that "It's "clear in our data that reinfection contributes additional risk." " (from the STAT newsletter, which...

I think you might want to actually talk to a professional Geriatric Care Manager (there are 2 professional associations certifying their members) to discuss the limits of what in-home health aides can do and cannot. It is not unusual for an accident/illness to require specific medical equipment...

Ugh - one more thing I forgot: On the survivor's "to do", medium-term at the very latest: update all legal docs including Healthcare PoA and Financial/Legal PoA. This is one of those things there is a strong tendency to procrastinate on - reminders of death, unfortunately - but it is really...

The problem with a spouse who is going to truly need help going it alone, is that they don't know the right questions to ask. We have an independent CFP firm for that precise purpose. Are they expensive? Yes, but less than an investment bank. And far more knowledgeable on issues like elder...

Our WR was 3%, but a meeting with our CFP firm convinced us to up it another couple of grand, monthly. With the increase in the std deduction and being the last 2 yrs of the Trump tax cuts, it was suggested we front-load our cash withdrawals since Spouse doesn't have to take an RMD until 2025...

American Standard Champion 4 is rated excellent for a low flush toilet. AS had a cracking issue a few years back which resulted in a mfg fix. Toto Ultramax 2 is an excellent toilet - I've had the older model for years and love the design, which cleans the bowl very well for a low-flush (get...

Just FYI I wouldn't say inflation is not worth considering. Healthcare inflation has always risen higher than CPI #s, and that is still true today. Our LTCi policies started with $125/day benefit at 5% compounded per year, and are now $399/day. Also, be aware that in many HCOL areas...

It's always wise to ask ahead of time, and maybe even ask more than once. A Wells Fargo op offcr told us our trust documents with POA weren't enough, they wanted authorization on their own form. But a few years later, when I asked again - I was told, oh no, we accept your own POA. !!!

Saving starts from fear. Then it becomes a habit. And like smoking, it isn't easy to break a habit, especially since having the security of enough $$$$$$$ gets emotionally tied to your sense of well-being. Many people feel the same as you do. You have invested a great deal of effort, time, and...

One has to perform an honest self-assessment of one's health risks, in view of what LTCi costs vs [your area] cost of senior healthcare in the three major scenarios: home healthcare aides, Asst Lvg, Skilled Care Nursing/Memory Care. I worked in insurance in several segments and judged both my...

Equal preferences, so I didn't vote in the poll. - Red wine: good Cabs, Barolos, Bordeaux (especially Pomerols) - Dry, yeasty champagne like Lawson with chocolate truffles - Ruinart's Brut Rose NV Champagne with multi-course meals; it literally goes with almost anything - Bourbon, but...