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I just ran across this interesting article about new technologies to store the electric energy generated by solar and wind plants, and I know that some of you are interested in the topic, so I thought I would share. If these can be commercially successful, it will greatly improve our ability to...

Gardening season 2024 is officially started at my house, since today I set up my trays and lights in the kitchen and started seeds for the broccoli, kale, cabbage, celery, parsley and thyme. I also drew my plot map for the year. I'm cutting back on some things out at the garden this year - I...

One thing I have been doing recently is thinking about optimizing where my money is located with respect to taxes. And I have found it is a little more complicated than just saying "put everything in your Roth because it doesn't get taxed." To explain, let's quickly summarize tax treatment of...

As one of our larger threads, a new year means time for a new start for this topic. Here is the link to the old version. https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f44/latest-inflation-numbers-and-discussion-114292.html

Another new year, another new thread. Link to 2023 thread https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f28/best-cd-mm-rates-and-bank-special-deals-thread-2023-please-post-updates-here-116449.html

CORRECTED TO POST #16 Similar to what I did for the last four years, here is a list of important “trigger” income levels for 2024. Numbers are actual AGI/MAGI (i.e. - before standard or itemized deductions) unless indicated as Taxable Income by an asterisk * which means you can add $29,200...

H.R. 3696 -- A bill to increase the standard deduction by $2000 for single filers, $3000 for head of household and $4000 for married filing jointly for tax years 2024 and 2025 -- has been reported out of the House Ways & Means Committee. Income limits to take the increased deduction would be...

I recently ordered a product online and the merchant immediately charged my credit card. It was a seller with whom I had never had any previous dealings. The shipping estimate was 5 to 8 business days, so I waited 10 business days and emailed them. They said that they couldn't get the...

Starting in 2024, most US travelers to Europe will need to get pre-authorization from the EU to enter. See this website for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

The young wife and I are planning to go to Japan with my nephew and his wife in October 2024 for two weeks. They have been before and can speak some Japanese, so we have given them free rein as to the itinerary. I'm sure they will choose well and we will enjoy whatever they choose, but I am...

Inspired by this post https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f28/back-above-3m-118002-7.html#post2939046, the question is "Are you actually the happiest retiree here."

I got my renewed passport in the mail today. I mailed the application to the State Department on 4/4/23. So that's 37 days turnaround time. I did pay the extra $60 for expedited processing and $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. We're not traveling abroad until October, so that was probably...

Public Service Announcement for Connecticut Taxpayers If you use H&R Block software, file your Connecticut taxes by mail, and have zero payment or expect a refund, the mailing address in the "Filing Checklist" is incorrect. It should be Department of Revenue Services PO Box 2976 Hartford CT...

It my great pleasure to announce that two of our members have answered the call to join the moderator team. You know them well, as they have been regular contributors here on a variety of topics and have been gracious, thoughtful, and helpful to one and all. The volunteer moderators are an...

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/traute-lafrenz-last-surviving-member-of-anti-nazi-resistance-group-the-white-rose-dies-at-103-180981780/ She was the last surviving member of the White Rose group in Nazi Germany, a small group of university students who attempted peaceful resistance...

We occasionally have threads about the challenges facing our nation, our economy and ourselves now that we are retired or close to it. Sometimes, it seems as if we are metaphorically wringing our hands in fear of the future. So I thought I would post this broadcast by NPR to help us buck up...

New year, new thread. Link to the prior one. https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/its-wednesday-weigh-ins-24924.html

New Year, new thread. Link to prior thread is here https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/daily-wordle-please-no-spoilers-112595.html

New year, new thread. Here's a link to last year. https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/what-did-you-do-today-2022-version-112375.html As for me, I got up early and started in on our annual New Year's Day brunch. First, I made cranberry scones from scratch, with honey and roasted...

New year, new thread.

CORRECTED TO POST #31 Similar to what I did for the last three years, here is a list of important “trigger” income levels for 2023. Numbers are actual AGI/MAGI (i.e. - before standard or itemized deductions) unless indicated as Taxable Income by an asterisk * which means you can add $27,700...

I will, of course, never see the 22nd Century. However, I have been giving some thought to it anyway. While the young wife and I do not have children, we do have a niece and eight nephews. And they now have young children who probably will live to see the year 2100. Specifically, I have been...

Inspired by the drift of this thread https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/vacations-to-less-popular-destinations-113253-2.html#post2745093 , I thought it would be fun to share the farthest points we have been in our various travels. If it comes with a good story, even better. I'll...

Here is an interesting survey of retiree finances, which also ties into another thread on whether people feel they retired too soon or too late. https://listwithclever.com/research/retirement-finances-2022/#retirement-savings This was a survey conducted by a realtor, so they may have some...

MODERATOR NOTE: READ BEFORE POSTING: This is the thread to discuss cryptocurrency, stablecoins, central bank digital currency, NFTs, other digital assets and associated blockchain technology. This is the only thread where those topics may be discussed. While the Community Rules apply to all...