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We're starting the slow process (could be we need to do this in the spring, possibly another few years) of downsizing. I found the following book an interesting approach: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing - Kindle edition by Marie Kondo...

I'm 64 and still working and will likely work at least one more year (turning 65 in August so I'd be 66 at the end of that one more year--I'm a professor). It's possible that I'll work longer (I enjoy most of my job) and if so, will certainly wait. But even if I retire after one more year the...

My wife and I live in Denton (I teach at UNT) and we like it here. The Courthouse Square downtown continues to get more interesting, better restaurants, etc. On the other hand, construction on I-35E to widen it will go on for a long time and will make the drive to Dallas more and more miserable...

I'll be sorting out those issues within a year or so. My wife is 10 years younger than I am (I'm 64 at the end of the month and she's 54 in December). My SS will be much higher than hers. I'm still working now (she's not--well . . . not at all true -- she blogs, writes, makes art and takes care...

I'll be 64 in August, my wife 54 in December. Her SS will be much less than mine, so I'll wait until 70. Even if I don't live past the break-even point, whenever I go it'll give her a higher payout for the rest of her life. That's the plan, anyway!

theorbo You got it Audrey! Quite an instrument. You can hear it most clearly on the YouTube recording in the solo movements (3, 5, 7). We were lucky to have two players--one, Daniel Swenberg, who came from NY, was our principal player and did all the solo movements. The other Hendrik Schulze...

Thanks to all for your comments! I have thought about retirement on and off for a long time. I have a post about buying a retirement condo in Sequim, WA, which we did almost a year ago. It's not a vacation home, we're renting it out and have management in place at a reasonable price (and a...

I've posted before about my journey. I'm a choral conductor teaching at the University of North Texas, one of the largest (if not the largest) music schools in the world--1600 music students. While part of my job is administrative--I'm the Chair of the Division of Conducting & Ensembles (one of...

Look around Volcan as well -- nicer climate than David and cheaper than Boquete (although I've seen reasonable prices near Boquete online recently).

Interesting no one has mentioned IKEA (even though it's clearly not "high quality!"). We have a number of pieces from there, as well as from places like World Market (a leather love seat for about $400 on sale and a leather covered chair for about $300). Most have lasted/served us very well...

We're not truly ER folks, since I'll be 63 in August and DW is 53--and I'm still working, professor at U North Texas and a choral director. But I've been around here for a long time, mostly lurking and learning! Much like the poster, we just bought a condo in Sequim, WA for eventual...

I also just read it and agree--good info and a fun read--nice to see you on the forum, Jeff!

more on wealthfront An article on Wealthfront: Wealthfront Debuts Customized, Intelligent Online Investment Advisor For The Tech Community | TechCrunch and another about another service of theirs: "tax loss harvesting": Wealthfront’s New Service Helps the Tech Set Easily Dodge Taxes | Betabeat...

another way to pay .25% I think that few on this forum want to pay someone else to do what they can easily do with ETF's or index funds, re-balancing periodically, or some version of the couch potato strategies. But for those who want or need more hand-holding, here's yet another way to do...

To seriously look at increasing HGH release (instead of getting it through injections), there are some ways to do that naturally. "Sprint 8" is an exercise protocol (with some other lifestyle changes + nutritional guidelines around the time of the exercise) which needs to be done only 2 or 3 x...

Theirs is an expensive version of the PT lifestyle, but they have the income to support it. However, other options--Paul and Vicki Terhorst, Billy and Akaisha (who've often posted here) have cheaper versions but no less interesting. My wife and I may do a similar version (the cheaper one, that...

I was born in Fullerton, CA, but my folks moved to Seattle when I was 4 1/2. Grew up just north of Seattle, dad was transferred to St. Louis for half of 6th and all of 7th grade (Florissant), then back to the same neighborhood just north of Seattle (Shoreline district). Went to school at UW, did...

I think it's difficult, if not impossible, to project these kinds of things into the future (at least it has been for me!). I'm a non ER'd person who's lurked and occasionally posted on these boards for a long time (I've certainly thought about it). Spent 8 years (2001-2009) working as a...

4% solution for retirement doesn MarketWatch's Robert Powell writes about a Merrill Lynch white paper on 4% withdrawal rate. I don't think there's lots that's new here for people on this board, but it's an interesting summary with links to various studies.

outta water Most of Texas is in pretty poor shape. We're lucky around here that it hasn't been as severe. However, it's likely to continue to be dry with another year of (can't remember which!) El Niño or La Niña. And, of course, there's always the historical possibility that we're entering...

Update--almost 2012 An update to a thread a few years old as I "unlurk" again: Even though I'm far from retired (and turned 61 in August, so very unlikely to be an "ER"), I still visit here regularly and enjoy the discussions. I did take a job at the University of North Texas in 2009, coming...

We own and lived in a manufactured home in Tacoma, WA for the past few years and were very happy with it. Nice small park, owner lives on property, and good neighbors. Space rent is only $265 and includes water, sewer, and garbage, but no amenities (clubhouse, pool). A relative bargain compared...

50% principle Don't know what validity this has, but Richard Russell (Dow Theory Letters) has long talked about the "50% principle"--looking at the rise from the lows (2002--Dow 7286) to highs (2007), if the Dow falls to the half way point (10725) there's a risk the decline is all way back...

my choir Here's my choir (Pro Coro Canada in Edmonton, AB) singing a piece by Chesnokov on YouTube: YouTube - Pro Coro Canada - Spaseniye Sodelal (Salvation is Created) Richard

Thanks to tall for nice responses. Dex: we will look into Blue/cross/shield once our Cobra is over--most likely an HSA plan with high-deductible Martha: yes, we're in Tacoma. Our space rent is VERY low (and we know it). It's a small park (around 20 homes) owned by a lady who build it on with...