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Most do not realize how much ACA options vary across the country, especially for folks with serious ongoing pre-existing conditions. I was on ACA (after exhausting COBRA) when I tried to ER some years back. ALL ACA options in my area (regardless of high (no subsidy) premiums) included high...

I've long followed the old Rule of 100, with an equity AA of 100-age. FI AA includes some ibonds & TIPS (in my IRA) as a bit of an inflation hedge. Plenty aggressive to meet my spending needs early in retirement without risking a 'sequence of returns' issue holding mainly equities. As the...

There are 2 financial aspects to the "can I live off my investments" question- income & expenses. Lots of good thoughts on investment income. I'm also a big fan of firecalc, especially its 'what if' graphs illustrating how sequence of returns can make or break things even at the same average...

No one knows what the future holds. Quality bonds provide stability of principle and predictable income, which can be very useful for meeting financial obligations due at known point(s) in the future. Having the college fund in 100% equities in 2000 on your kid started school in 2004 did not...

Why not update to "consultant" instead of "retired"? That status allows one to keep up with friends without (functionally) exiting the platform. FWIW- Agree 100% that posting "retired" status does NOT seem to cut down on the "opportunities" you get spammed with.

DW & I joined to gain access to the AARP/UHC Medical Supplement plan as the other alternatives in our region were unappealing. According to UHC one does NOT need to keep AARP membership to stay on their Supplement plan once enrolled. Other Senior discounts can generally be matched in other...

WAAAAAY too early to say if these drugs given for weight loss per se might decrease overall health care costs. History shows that with new drugs/treatments real world results (including short & long-term complications) can be quite different from results published in controlled studies.

Koolau raises a good point. When to sell iBond holdings is very individual case-specific. Including consideration of tax consequences (and for some potentially IRMAA consequences).

I stick to manufacturer scheduled maintenance as stated in my owner's manual. And always learn how MY specific car is equipped, including the engine. I have to keep correcting my local Hyundai stealership 'advisor' that keeps trying to tell me I need critical fuel system service because my car...

Fringe areas around many big cities can have a rural feel but maintain decent access (say 45-60min highway drive) to the "finer things" of those big cities. But trouble is urbanization can happen surprisingly fast. Smallish big city suburb DW & I live in went from being fairly fringe with a...

Too many focus 100% on CPI when what matters is their PERSONAL rate of inflation...price changes of goods/services they have to pay for. For example base shelter (rent or "owner's equivalent rent") is almost 1/3rd of total CPI, but for someone who owns their home outright that inflation rate is...

I'm mainly in bonds (Treasuries/AA muni's) for my fixed income AA, but there are some (non-callable) CDs that are attractive too these days. When tying up $$ in longer term bank CDs I ALWAYS consider the financial stability of the bank(s) involved (like comparing Bauer Financial's 'Star'...

imbatman is right that bond trading is not like trading common stocks. Individual Muni bond trading (secondary market) can be even more disorganized. I've found sometimes these folks even leave their desks early before the 'trading session' is over. Couple months ago I had an...

This guy had 'enough' to live like he wished.....and left a bunch to his small town. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/geoffrey-holt-secret-multimillionaire-hinsdale-new-hampshire-millions/

Been vax'ed/boosted since Jan '21 and avoided getting it despite multiple known close exposures.... Until late last month with NO known exposure. Symptoms like a bad cold with some muscle aches early on. Got better by 4 days (neg tests for 2 days) then hit again at 3-4 days later with pos...

I use autopay for utilities and have the bills sent to my e-mail. Convenient but I do NOT find it a significant time saver. I still ALWAYS make the effort to cross-check that the amounts paid match the bills due. I've caught a couple times the charge was NOT for the amount due, but the...

Good on you for that!!! Unfortunately too many just (selfishly) mingle with others and contribute to ongoing spread of the illness, whether COVID or another disease.

Result to the consumer will depend entirely on the specific drugs and 'marketing' practices. A couple of my 'old person' meds are zero cost already....even WITHOUT insurance (store Pharmacies want to get you in the store hoping you buy other stuff). Others are cheaper with GoodRx than my...

TRUTH!!!!!! Especially for highly controversial topics like this with no many individual patient considerations. Academic Urologists have gotten into heated shouting matches at national meetings over it, so it surely will not be 'solved' on open internet forums like ER.

Retiring at 52 1/2 leaves a HUGE cone of uncertainty. I would build in a big fudge factor in your projections. Financially.....and personally. I failed retiring in my 50's though quite secure financially. Thought I had it all figured out but within months was a bit bored. Got sucked into...

I do not consider discussing the details of IRMAA as "whining" any more than discussing details of other taxes or Government levies. IMHO- OP & others pointing out the difficulties in IRMAA planning is not "whining". I fully understand Medicare must be funded. However I find the 'cliff'...

For married filing jointly, IRMAA kicks in for 2024 that kicks in above a 2022 MAGI of $206,000 (not $260,000) from that CMS link.

"Right" has nothing to to with it. Social Security benefits were originally intended to be income tax free under the original Act, so it was not "right" to change that original Gov't promise. But the Feds amended broke that promise by amending the Law to tax up to 50% of benefits in 1983, then...

I still have both, although Sam's is a bit closer for us. Prices are generally VERY close, and often both have same items on sale simultaneously at same price. I keep both for the free tire balance/rotations (2x/yr pays for membership). Tires for one car were literally $200 cheaper at Sam's and...

Agreed!!! Many employers have some kind of "100% effort" clause for "full time" salaried employees either in their individual contracts or employee policies. While some allow limited 'moonlighting' (typically with pre-approvals), many have significant penalties (far beyond just immediate...