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Hi all, I used to post as Oldbabe but disappeared from here about 2010 after a minor kerfuffle with the moderator. Since I posted a reply on a thread I thought I should re-introduce myself. I'm not a typical early retiree, having originally joined the forum soon after a divorce in order to learn...

Food manufacturers are downsizing products rather than pass on costs to consumers. This story is all over the mainstream media. What's really sad is that Haagen Daz was downsized from 16 to 14 oz for the same price. Now, really, is cow's milk increasing in price that much? Or is it the sugar...

I don't know how to deal with my friends. I have friends who didn't save for retirement who are one bad event away from destitution. One friend in particular barely keeps afloat with her employment but constantly needs cash infusions from relatives, has a stack of credit card bills, and always...

My World Health Insurance, Great West network, raised my premium today from $431/mo to $551/mo. Last year they raised it about $75/mon. Had anyone else had an increase lately? I am 61, btw. I thought the big hike occurred at age 60. Not sure what to do about it. I could raise my deductible...

"Texas doctors are opting out of Medicare at alarming rates, frustrated by reimbursement cuts they say make participation in government-funded care of seniors unaffordable. Two years after a survey found nearly half of Texas doctors weren't taking some new Medicare patients, new data shows 100...

I am looking at a Rick Steves tour of Italy but have no idea whether or not I'd like it. Seems kind of expensive. My inclination is to travel independently but this particular tour goes to a lot of the places I want to go and seems like it would just be easier on me, at age 60. Has anyone gone...

FYI: the age 60 premium increase is a doozy. Mine just went from $351 to $431. I have a $2700 deductible and have not in 3 years come close to approaching it. I have made no claims for new medical conditions either. I really don't understand why 60 is such a big health insurance threshold. I...

Plans are underway to "bulldoze" uninhabited parts of rust belt cities such as Flint and Akron. Sections of these cities will be cleared and returned to nature. Some results will be smaller urban cores which will be cheaper to maintain and service and police. The empty land could be used for...

Mind blowing! The top is part 1, the bottom is part 2.

It's hailing again in Colorado. This is the 10th day in a row that we have had serious stormy weather, including hail and, in E. Denver, tornado sightings. One good thing: we need water. One bad thing: grass is growing like crazy making for a terrifying fire hazard in late summer and fall. Any...

I might be traveling out of the country for a year and would like to rent out my townhome. Could some experienced RE managers please help me figure out the cash flow? Current rents are $1700/month in my neighborhood. Current Monthly expenses Mortgage --1133 HOA-- 197 RE taxes 170 TOTAL...

Apparently, the mortgage market locked up yesterday with rates going up. Lots of refinancers are apparently out of luck unless the rates go down again. Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis

I had an interesting experience today at Macy's. I was buying an expensive travel bag and the clerk offered a 15% discount if I opened a charge card. So I said ok. They tried to run it but their bank rejected me! That was a real surprise because my FICO is over 800. So I told the clerk I didn't...

The segment on foreclosures is just awful. People with leases getting 20 minutes notice to get out. I can't believe this is happening in our country. YouTube - Lost Vegas: Vanguard

Last night at a party everyone was talking about stuff and I said I was really angry with the financial wizards who got us into this economic mess. I am also very worried about the country's budget deficit with all these bailouts. No one expressed much concern even though many were having...

Here's an essay by a NY Times economics reporter who should, by his own admission, have known better. But he was "in love" having just divorced his wife of 20+ years and getting married again. After you read this article, ask yourself "Was this guy cooking on all four burners when he made those...

WHO elevates pandemic threat level - CNN.com I don't mean to be an alarmist but I believe that preparation is important and could save lives. The following manual for home care of the flu has a lot of detailed information...

If you think Calif housing is reaching a price bottom then take a look at this video by Jim the Realtor. Million dollar +houses in san diego with million dollar mortgages sitting next door to foreclosures selling for $585K. YouTube - Million Dollars Off! Jim the Realtor has gained quite a...

This program, about how health insurance or the lack of it, rules our lives is on PBS Frontline tonight. I know this topic has been discussed over and over on this forum but I think it's worth bringing it up again since I've noticed that newcomers are still asking the same questions about...

Please consider writing to your congressman/woman to support this bill which would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision. This WEP says that if you earned a government pension then you are not allowed to draw your entire SS entitlement. Instead, the SS entitlement is offset in part or in...

NOW on PBS had an interview with Harvard economist Rogoff tonight that was very candid. He didn't mince words at all. This was the most realistic and pessimistic prognosis for the next 3-4 years that I've heard on mainstream media. So here it is: Previewing the Superpower Summit . NOW on PBS

"We have created a system for growth that depended on our building more and more stores to sell more and more stuff made in more and more factories in China, powered by more and more coal that would cause more and more climate change but earn China more and more dollars to buy more and more U.S...

So I'm watching the On the Money show last night on CNBC with carmen and some schmoo co-anchor says that the unemployed boomers he has seen look like "dead men walking." His advice is for them to drink some coffee before the interview, lose 20 pounds and convince the 20-something HR person that...

So, here's the article we've all been waiting for (???). http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retirement/article/106683/Top-10-Places-for-Swinging-Single-Seniors-to-Retire?mod=retirement-lifestyleet It seems to assume that singles over 65 just can't wait to get married again. And get this: "Once...

I've written on this site about my decision to sell my townhome because of my HOA problems. But this other situation makes me think I'm right to move. What do you think? I live a couple of blocks from a homeless shelter where transients can get a bed for the night. A few times I have seen...