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  1. Backpacker

    Vacation home/cabin use?

    We've owned a Canada cabin for about 20 years. The last 5 have seen very limited use. So in answer to your question I'd say 10 to 15 years of usefulness. It's boat access only can't drive to it so that's a limiting factor. When kids were younger we got the most usefulness. Now they're...
  2. Backpacker

    Diaries, Journals, Logs - do you keep them, and why and how?

    I have kept a journal of backpacking trips for 20 years. Sights, miles, weather, unusual encounters. Fun to look back on but not much in the way of personal feelings etc. Have never considered a daily log, I know I'm not dedicated enough to keep up with one.
  3. Backpacker

    Dumbest Booking Error

    I learned that tampa/st.pete has two different airports. I'd always heard the town(s) mentioned together. Flew in to st. Pete ( in the dark of night) picked up Rental car enjoyed a week stay. Ready to go home, punched in tampa/st. Pete airport and up pops tampa airport... arrived, turned in...
  4. Backpacker

    Parent brokerage holdings doesn't make sense

    My DM was with Edelman and fees were high and lots unnecessary trades. She was convinced he was salt of the earth and had done her a favor letting her join his firm as he only takes clients with higher dollar accounts. It was a multi step process to get her to change her mind. I got her to...
  5. Backpacker

    Callan Table 2023

    Thanks, had not seen a recent (23) update. I like to look at this to remind myself it's folly to try to predict the market.
  6. Backpacker

    80% hit by the airport "random selection"

    I don't have pre-check, but only twice in past 20 or so flights was I selected. My wife only once in last 20. I did get sent to a "special " room once in Germany for some reason but with my very limited German vocabulary, I'm not sure of it was random or they just wanted to look at content...
  7. Backpacker

    Hi there, 60ys old with two more years left in the rat race

    I was never in an HSA, so the FICA reduction was news to me. I'd never been aware of this. The things I learn on ER forums are amazing.
  8. Backpacker

    Fees - Enough Already

    Just ordered carpet for a rental house we're remodeling. Home Depo added a mileage fee of 95 bucks because we're 31 miles from the store. 30 miles = no charge! I called and asked for it to be removed. Surprisingly it couldn't BUT wait, there is a 10% off deal that is available since...
  9. Backpacker

    This weather is awful - 2024 to ?

    We left N michigan about a week ago, just before this round of winter weather. Kids sent pictures of 18 inches of snow and with the winds, 2.5 foot drifts. Hanging out in Thailand for a month. 80's every day :) �� we return in February so we'll still get to experience plenty...
  10. Backpacker

    Reclaim Pension, SS deposit when account frozen

    My DW went through this for her uncle about one year ago. No problem at all making changes to cable, or utilities. Suspect they were just happy to not have a potentially uncollectable bill keep increasing. So many different companies though, I'm not sure all would be so easy. If they...
  11. Backpacker

    Jury Duty dress code

    If you're dressed in a full business suit and get selected you'll risk being appointed at foreman of the jury. :) 😀
  12. Backpacker

    Tax prep software offers

    newegg.com has cyber Monday deals on Turbo tax. I need home and business version at 85.99 which was cheaper at newegg than intuit site. Intuit sale price is $120; I've used newegg before reputable site AFAIK.
  13. Backpacker

    Poll:Brussels sprouts - yum or yuck?

    I love almost all veggies, but Brussel sprouts are on my no fly list. Yuck
  14. Backpacker

    Rental income for diversification?

    I'm 59 now retired at 55, we own 4 SFH rentals in 4 different towns, but all within 30 minutes drive. I would really struggle with long-distance rentals. Any management companies I've heard about seem not to really do much for the cost. I like the monthly income as it has kept us from...
  15. Backpacker

    Anyone living in Thailand?

    Our son lives near chiang rai, our last visit we wanted to buy he and his thai wife a new scooter. We sent her in solo to negotiate the price before we let the seller know that it was American visitors funding the transaction.
  16. Backpacker

    Charitable Causes

    Planning on setting up DAF with intention of supporting local Christian radio. Probably about 5-10 % of assets to DAF, rest to our 5 kids.
  17. Backpacker

    Funny Joke Thread 2021 to ?

    Three viruses walk into a bar. Bartender says " what is this, some kind of sick joke?" :)
  18. Backpacker

    Question on Brokered CD's - who really owns them?

    Audreyh1 answered best. In my banking days we used the term "safekeeping" this describes the relationship between us and the trusted broker that managed our inventory of investments. ( yes banks have CD's with other banks) If it puts your mind at ease back in the 09 financial mess, we had...
  19. Backpacker

    Questions about deceased estate

    Sure makes a case for age discrimination. Every year older equals a reduction in credit limit. I saw this play out many times in my lending career. Very few heirs stepped up and made good on the debt. In MI if married all assets transfer automatically to surviving spouse with no probate...
  20. Backpacker

    Hi 77 YO retiree with experience

    Gary, have you used qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your regular IRA as tax avoidance?
  21. Backpacker

    This weather is awful - 2022 to ?

    Underneath the snow drift is my front porch steps. That's my 4' level sticking out of the snowdrift. 50 mph gusts.
  22. Backpacker

    Community College Grads?

    Another unmotivated HS student. I got my first banking job the summer before my senior year of HS. Took me 6 years to get my associates degree. I was working full-time, married, and toward the end had our first child. I liked that many of the instructors had real world experience. I...
  23. Backpacker

    Anyone else plan to take SS early, to stay in a lower tax bracket?

    Re: phase in changes to SS. the changes in 1983 are just now taking full effect. ( ie. FRA). Took nearly 40 years to be fully implemented. At 57 years old, I'm not overly concerned about a large deduction in my SS benefits. Even if whatever changes made are phased in 2x faster, that's a...
  24. Backpacker

    Roth Withdrawal Questions - Pre 59.5

    Item 4 pretty much sums it up. You can withdraw your contributions. So if you put x dollars in, that's available penalty free for withdrawal.
  25. Backpacker

    Wimpy Shower Heads/PSA

    You renegade, next you'll probably tell us you've removed the "do not remove under penalty of law" from your mattress. Lol
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