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  1. MBAustin

    Fentanyl Dangers

    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...
  2. MBAustin

    A Friend in need , how can I help

    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...
  3. MBAustin

    QCD confused

    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).
  4. MBAustin

    How much do you spend per month on fitness?

    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
  5. MBAustin

    Retirement Date Target Set at Aug/Sept 2025

    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...
  6. MBAustin

    Three more shifts!

    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!
  7. MBAustin

    What did you do today? - 2023/2024 version

    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...
  8. MBAustin

    Gift Idea For Relative With Cancer

    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...
  9. MBAustin

    49 and 6 years to go in TX

    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...
  10. MBAustin

    Blow that Dough 2024

    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...
  11. MBAustin

    Compression Socks for men

    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.
  12. MBAustin

    class c RV

    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...
  13. MBAustin

    Planning my last 20 years, how much to spend. (Part 2)

    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).
  14. MBAustin

    New York City hotel for broadway?

    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...
  15. MBAustin

    Hello from Utah's Wasatch Mountains...

    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?
  16. MBAustin

    59 yr old ready to say "bye bye" at 62 or sooner!

    Welcome, Mack! As others have stated, understanding your actual expenses (and allowing for those unplanned major ones such as vehicle replacement, roof replacement, etc.) is step one. As one of them will be health insurance/expenses, you can shop for ACA plans (healthcare.gov to start) using...
  17. MBAustin

    Retired at 59.49 years old

    Congratulations on joining the ranks of the retired, timmar! We look forward to hearing about your adventures! And there are plenty of folks here to give you advice when you need it.
  18. MBAustin

    What did you do today? - 2023/2024 version

    Today I'm going to do all the things I couldn't do yesterday, as I was hit late morning with a stomach bug. Not a fun way to spend Christmas Day. By evening I was able to participate in our planned Zoom virtual gift exchange with the kids, but not with much enthusiasm. Fortunately there were...
  19. MBAustin

    Poll:Christmas gifts for pets

    Oh my goodness, aja, your puppy is adorable!!! Our little maltipoo gets a new toy each Christmas whether he needs it or not. FYI on the doggie DNA test - we found out that our maltipoo is a maltipoochihuahuahavanese!
  20. MBAustin

    What time do you eat dinner?

    Usually 6:30-7, except when I have a 7pm rehearsal or meeting, then closer to 6:00.
  21. MBAustin

    Poll: Have you had Covid?

    Thanks for all the good wishes. REWahoo, I hope your case is as uneventful as mine. I did have two days of a pretty nasty sore throat and went through half a box of Kleenex, but yesterday I felt much better and today I feel mostly normal with just a bit of lingering congestion. Never did have...
  22. MBAustin

    Pay for Part B premiums?

    I get a paper bill every month and pay by bank bill-pay. Don't recall if there were any other options.
  23. MBAustin

    Poll: Your Christmas tree this year

    Artificial since we found out DS was allergic to real trees when he was 2. I collect ornaments when I travel, so I now have two 6' skinny trees that go on either side of the TV in the family room. They are stored in the garage closet fully assembled (but undecorated) with plastic over them to...
  24. MBAustin

    Poll: Have you had Covid?

    I was a "no" until yesterday. Was exposed last weekend via someone who said they just had a mild cold, so I foolishly ASSumed they had a negative test. Nope! When I got a scratchy throat on Sunday afternoon I asked them if they had checked and they had not, and an hour later said they had a...
  25. MBAustin

    What did you do today? - 2023/2024 version

    What kind did you get? I've been thinking about getting one for DH for Christmas.
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