Search results

  1. 220volt

    Go-Go, Slow-Go, No-Go Travel

    The US is really disadvantaged geographically for international travel. Most destinations are just too far away and will be taxing on you. Even within the US, the distances are so large. And if you're not in one of the major cities, connecting flights will be a nightmare. This is why DW and I...
  2. 220volt

    Buy (new to me) boat or join a boat club

    There's an old saying among wealthy: Have a friend with a boat"
  3. 220volt

    The Economist: Most Livable Cities in the World

    My grandfather used to say: "The best place to live is wherever I'm currently not" When it's cold we want it hot. When it's hot, we want it cold Always wanting, what it's not.
  4. 220volt

    Traveling to Australia

    My co-worker flew economy to Australia from Kentucky few years ago (via San Francisco I think) and he said the flight was grueling. He watched all three Lord Of The Ring movies on his iPad and then realized he still had 6 hours to go! Not an advice I know, but it might mentally prepare you for it.
  5. 220volt

    Rent vs Own...the big difference

    Depending on the area and your lifestyle, one can make countless “great” arguments for either or. But one advantage of home ownership over renting is inescapable: The mortgage you lock in stays the same until the end regardless of inflation. While the rent will almost always increase with (or...
  6. 220volt

    So close....

    The saying goes "Don’t retire from something, retire to something."
  7. 220volt

    Favorite cloud storage?

    I pay Google Drive $10/month for 2TB of storage and I use what we in IT industry call 3-2-1 backup. Meaning, have at least 3 copies of all of your important data. 2 at home on different storage devices (external and Internal drives) and 1 off site (Google Drive)
  8. 220volt

    Longevity underestimated? (Ray Kurzweil Ted Talk)

    That's exactly how teleportation in Star Trek works. You get disintegrated (dematerialization) into particles and then information gets send out to a receiving station which re-assembles you again based on the information provided (rematerialization). But you literary die as soon as you get...
  9. 220volt

    Longevity underestimated? (Ray Kurzweil Ted Talk)

    Ray Kurzweil has been heavily criticized by experts from many different fields ranging from AI, medicine to psychology and cognitive science. Critique was varying, from unattainable, and naive to pure fiction and rubbish. Especially since many of his prediction failed. A side note: he used to...
  10. 220volt

    Social Security Trust good to 2035

    So come 2035 will they immediately cut benefits to all existing retirees, soon-to-be retirees or will they start preemptively cutting future benefits of younger generations who haven't earned SS credit yet? I read it as 20% cuts immediately across the board - existing and future.
  11. 220volt

    ACA at risk?

    No, but their healthcare seems to be less affected by political changes. We are also originally from Europe so we are comfortable on either side of the Atlantic. It all depends on which one offers a better health care solution at the time of FIRE.
  12. 220volt

    ACA at risk?

    You should never, ever bet on any kind of certainty in the US considering its political system. Not ACA, not Roth not SS. Especially something as divisive as ACA. Nothing is safe anymore. Who is to say congress won't start taxing Roth or full SS? Temperature of the system an d the whole country...
  13. 220volt

    House sitter experiences?

    We thought about doing this when we retire, but lately, we came to the conclusion that it might not be worth it. Basically what you’re gaining is only a free place to stay, but have to deal with someone else’s property and lives of their pets. No matter how careful and responsible you are...
  14. 220volt

    What would you do with an extra $1 million?

    I would buy the best asset money can buy; an extra piece of mind. Invest in treasuries at 3% a year and then every year go on a nice vacation, buy a car or whatever, without ever touching the principle.
  15. 220volt

    Monaco Bucket List Trip Resolution

    We stayed in Paris for 7 days and then took the train from Paris to Aix Provence. Stayed in Aix Provence for 5 days and then train from Aix to --> Nice. Stayed 3 days in Nice and took the train couple of times to Monaco and back. Super easy. Takes literary 15 minutes. Then we drove from Nice...
  16. 220volt

    How **NOT** to FIRE

    The whole article seems made up with good intentions to scare people to stay out of debt. It just doesn't seem genuine. Having said that, there ARE people who are much worse off than this I used to empathize with. Not anymore. Take the damn responsibility for your own actions. As a matter of...
  17. 220volt

    Anyone else plan to rent vs. own in retirement?

    If your home is paid for it doesn't make any sense to rent. Your rent will only go up over time. I would stay in the house and save the money you would otherwise pay in rent for future repairs and unexpected expenses. You will likely save for a nice vacation every year. Unless your property...
  18. 220volt

    Planning for FIRE and age difference between partners

    I'm in a reverse situation. My DW is 53 and I'm 44, and I am planning to retire when she does. 62 at the latest. Because we want to enjoy the retirement together. The reverse age difference (In most cases a man is the older one) does make planning for SS and other variables very interesting
  19. 220volt

    Could I retire if I had to?

    I'm also 44 but have half of your assets. Married no kids. Once we hit our magic number which is 4% WR, we are out. I am not falling into that "one more year" or "just to be sure" trap. Screw that. If you're flexible during your retirement, you can easily mitigate anything that comes your way...
  20. 220volt

    What’s your favorite city to travel to?

    I haven't lived there so I can't comment about bad cliches, but you're right - never a dull moment. So much too see and explore. You turn the street corner, and there's something different to see.
  21. 220volt

    Anyone got any travel planned? 2018 version

    Canada and Northeast US this month. Germany/Austria in September.
  22. 220volt

    What’s your favorite city to travel to?

    I'm with you there. Paris and NYC for my wife and I. Paris is everything one could imagine and then some. We found that every good cliche about Paris is true. NYC is by far our favorite in the US. Such a dynamic city. Every time you step out in the street, you have an adventure. You go to subway...
  23. 220volt

    Poll:What will happen with Social Security in the next 30-40 years

    Only 11% companies currently provide pensions and that number is going down. So it is safe to assume that SS will provide the majority of their incomes. However, I am not sure that the public always votes in their best interest.
  24. 220volt

    Poll:What will happen with Social Security in the next 30-40 years

    Man, I wish I had your optimism. :dance:
  25. 220volt

    Poll:What will happen with Social Security in the next 30-40 years

    So another question would be if they do make any changes, who will be grandfathered in? People in their 40's, the 50's?
Back
Top Bottom