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I think it's a bit of both.

I pay a 4% state use tax in Alabama for online purchases that do not charge sales tax. Once I had a process to track the items, it was not too bad. It would be simpler if the state income tax form allowed an estimated amount based on AGI. I've noticed in the past year or 2 that a larger...

Here's some info for Alabama. All Federal pensions (includes Military, Civil Service and Social Security) are exempt from state income tax. Cost of living is reasonable. North Alabama has mountains and rivers/lakes. If you want access to a military installation, Redstone Arsenal in...

If charitable contributions are part of your plan, QCDs, at age 70 and later, can mitigate the tax consequences of not converting...or just the tax torpedo. They also let you take advantage of charitable contributions even when using the standard deduction. Just another item to add to the...

Through the years I've been very happy with the stuff I've bought from LL Bean.

I've got a couple of TCL Roku TVs and have been happy with them so far. I like the Roku interface and app selection for streaming, the TV has plenty of connections and the 4K picture is very good (got the P Series). I already had a sound bar for the main TV, so that worked out well...

An accessory that's is nice to have concerning Item #1 is the Rain Design i360 (i360 | Rain Design) which puts the iMac on a swivel base. I have one for my 2011 21.5 inch iMac and it's very handy. They cost about $40-$45 on Amazon.

Welcome and congratulations. When examining various financial and retirement issues as they related to my specfic circumstances, I found this forum and bogleheads.org to be two of the most useful sites for research and questions. I'm 5 years into retirement and it has been great.

33. Kind of surprised I got that many right. I could use some more reading in Medicare/Medicaid and LTC.

USAA for Auto and AFI (Armed Forces Insurance) for Homeowners, Personal Property and Umbrella. Both have been great to work with on claims and have good rates. Websites and phone service are good. You need a military connection to use these companies, though they have broadened their criteria...

8.4% for the year on a 55/45 Equity/Fixed Income allocation.

A monthly massage and good bourbon...not necessarily at the same time.

6.9% total debt includes a mortgage (2.5% rate) and credit card balance paid in full each month

For me it's not about getting the maximum possible payout. That's something I can't really control, anyway. DW will probably outlive me (she's 4 yrs younger) and waiting until 70 to claim SS maximizes her survivor benefit; income that is COLA'ed and not dependent on investment returns. A...

"Age 55+: We can tap both of our 401ks, though it appears her FERS plan requires either annuity-like payments or a one-time lump sum. More to figure out on that down the road." FERS has three components. The FERS annuity is monthly payments based on salary and years of service. If she starts...

Add my endorsement to this choice.

WR is based on a percentage of investable assets at the beginning of the year. I retired in 2012 and began withdrawing in 2013. 2013 2.6% 2014 4% 2015 3.7% 2016 4% (Planned)

Down 1.9% in yesterday's action (55/45 AA). Up 1.4% for the year.

We have ~$11K in a local savings account. It is both an emergency fund and immediate source of cash for DW as she sorts things out if I die first...really more for the latter purpose than the former.

Chief, if you included any military time you bought back for your FERS retirement in your calculation, that might cause the difference. Only years served as a FERS employee count for the Annuity Supplement...can't include the years you bought back.

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All sounds good...I'm a combination FERS/AF Reserve retirement guy myself. Here's some info from my experience, in case any of it could be useful to you. Depending on the workload when you retire from Civil Service, it may be a while before you start receiving your full retirement. In my case...

The withdrawal comes from all funds (can't choose just one or two), but in proportion to their percentage of your total portfolio...not equally, except in the case where you happen to have an equal percentage in each fund. Except for the limited withdrawal options (which may be changed in the...

Your narrative was moving and comforting. Thanks for sharing.

Up 1.8% through 4/1/16 55/45 Equity/Fixed