I agree. I looked up RE in Key West some months back after reading another one of those "where to live in retirement" threads, which I enjoy by the way, and found that Key West is out of my price range. There are other keys, which I did not search, so you may want to go back and visit a few of them. Key West strikes me as a place where you are still in the US of A, but it has a different vibe. Keep posting updates. They are an inspiration to those of us still working.
Those that retired from their own Business
- Thread starter phil1ben
- Start date
I agree. I looked up RE in Key West some months back after reading another one of those "where to live in retirement" threads, which I enjoy by the way, and found that Key West is out of my price range. There are other keys, which I did not search, so you may want to go back and visit a few of them. Key West strikes me as a place where you are still in the US of A, but it has a different vibe. Keep posting updates. They are an inspiration to those of us still working.
MRG
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2013
- Messages
- 11,078
My FIL had a dream home on Marathon Key. Views of the Gulf and Atlantic. Paradise for a guy who loved to fish.
He tried to evacuate for hurricane Andrew and couldn't get off the key. Sold the place at a huge loss several months later.
CardsFan
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
An EXTREMELY different vibe, but one of the most fun places to visit. Last time down we met a couple that had been coming for years. They bought a house, for north of $500k, as a rental until they can move there. And $500k is CHEAP for that area.
Somewhere further north, like Marathon, might be better.
7th Update:
Since April we spent two weeks in Spain (south and north) and the South of France including Monaco. It was our first trip to Spain. I think we will be returning to France in October, 2019 on a historical trip tracing the path of Thomas Jefferson when he was minister to France from 1784-1789. Also traveled to Lake George, Montreal and Ontario with my youngest son who is now a junior in college. He has secured a nice internship with a fortune 100 company in his desired field. Oldest still working for a Big 4 and traveling around the country. He passed the CPA exam and is now in the midst of the CFA. Most recently went to the west coast of Florida and then to South Beach. My wife hates the cold weather. I like the change in seasons. Every so often for her we need to head south. Florida is an easy trip for us but not my favorite place.
In the fall took Politics of China at my local University which I enjoyed very much. It was not my first choice (normally like history) but I am happy I took it. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about their political system and recent history. I have been striving since retirement to learn about areas I have long ignored—which are many. Have been working out more regularly in the gym. I like to lift free weights but the aerobic exercise has always been tedious for me.
I still stop by my old office weekly to check-in. It has now been two years and I am virtually out of the picture in terms of conference calls and requests for advice. They re-did the website and I am now listed as “founder”. Suits me fine. The payout continues for three more years and everything has been going very smoothly. A visit in mid-December brought back memories of how busy this time of year is in my field. Rarely did I get a day off in December except Christmas Day.
Planning a trip to either Russia or China in May. Still trying to figure out which one appeals most. Have been spending time redesigning one of our homes with an architect. Work will begin in the fall. Also commenced piano lessons in May. I am starting from scratch. Even had to learn how to read music. All Cows Eat Grass……Enjoying it very much but I am slow…….at it. Decided we have too many rental properties that we actively manage and will sell one in the Spring.
Amazingly my 86 year-old mother is still going strong despite continuing to smoke a pack of cigarettes per day (for the past 70 years). She claims to have cut back to a pack per day 5 years ago….. I am now able to visit her weekly. Since my father passed she now smokes in the house which is difficult for me to take. My wife’s parents are still living independently and are both in their early 80’s.
Until next time, enjoy the time we are all fortunate to have.
Since April we spent two weeks in Spain (south and north) and the South of France including Monaco. It was our first trip to Spain. I think we will be returning to France in October, 2019 on a historical trip tracing the path of Thomas Jefferson when he was minister to France from 1784-1789. Also traveled to Lake George, Montreal and Ontario with my youngest son who is now a junior in college. He has secured a nice internship with a fortune 100 company in his desired field. Oldest still working for a Big 4 and traveling around the country. He passed the CPA exam and is now in the midst of the CFA. Most recently went to the west coast of Florida and then to South Beach. My wife hates the cold weather. I like the change in seasons. Every so often for her we need to head south. Florida is an easy trip for us but not my favorite place.
In the fall took Politics of China at my local University which I enjoyed very much. It was not my first choice (normally like history) but I am happy I took it. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about their political system and recent history. I have been striving since retirement to learn about areas I have long ignored—which are many. Have been working out more regularly in the gym. I like to lift free weights but the aerobic exercise has always been tedious for me.
I still stop by my old office weekly to check-in. It has now been two years and I am virtually out of the picture in terms of conference calls and requests for advice. They re-did the website and I am now listed as “founder”. Suits me fine. The payout continues for three more years and everything has been going very smoothly. A visit in mid-December brought back memories of how busy this time of year is in my field. Rarely did I get a day off in December except Christmas Day.
Planning a trip to either Russia or China in May. Still trying to figure out which one appeals most. Have been spending time redesigning one of our homes with an architect. Work will begin in the fall. Also commenced piano lessons in May. I am starting from scratch. Even had to learn how to read music. All Cows Eat Grass……Enjoying it very much but I am slow…….at it. Decided we have too many rental properties that we actively manage and will sell one in the Spring.
Amazingly my 86 year-old mother is still going strong despite continuing to smoke a pack of cigarettes per day (for the past 70 years). She claims to have cut back to a pack per day 5 years ago….. I am now able to visit her weekly. Since my father passed she now smokes in the house which is difficult for me to take. My wife’s parents are still living independently and are both in their early 80’s.
Until next time, enjoy the time we are all fortunate to have.
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Yesterday I turned down a consulting gig: 3-4 months of work, and about $100,000 in income. I guess I’m fully retired now (versus partially retired). I’m finding the hard part of easing into retirement is deciding when, or if, I should stop working completely. It might have been easier several years ago to stop fully and all at once.
I struggled yesterday with the decision to turn down this project. Thinking about it over night, here are my thoughts:
- I love, or loved, my work, but there’s always stress in any endeavor. Plus, any gig could go well, or not. I virtually never had even remotely bad stuff happen on projects or in business, but the chance still exists for an unpleasant or worse outcome.
- So is the compelling reason to do this just to add $100k to my income (say, $60k to my net worth)? I had to conclude the answer is yes, but for me it is not so compelling. The question is, “Would that money make any difference?” In a word, “No.”. There is a good chance my estate will grow, not get smaller over time. So $100k will not make any difference (and if it seemingly might make a difference, it still wouldn’t because then there would be bigger, systemic problems; $100k more still wouldn’t make a difference, we all are eating dog food).
So to take the work, or not? I previously may have answered this question (not remembering last night that I had done so). Several years ago, I was talking with a friend, the woman in a husband/wife consultancy. The man is older, in his 70’s, still working; she is in her early 60’s. I asked her if the plan was to sell the business (as I had done with mine). She said, “No,” that she like working and would continue after he exited. Later, I thought that this is answering the wrong question. The wrong question is, “Do you like your work?” She was answering, “Yes, I do.” (Or maybe she was saying, “I have to work for the money, but that doesn’t apply to me.). The right question, however, is, “What would you like to do among all alternatives available within your budget and health?” So while I like what I did for work, there are many things I enjoy more that I can afford. So last night I made the right decision and I guess I’m fully retired now (...unless I get a really compelling, fun project... or can’t be creative enough to keep my retirement activities interesting and exciting).
On 3/8/2016 in this thread, I posted my small business story (founder of INC 500 engineering company, sold in 2000’s, solo after that, and working part-time since 2012).
I struggled yesterday with the decision to turn down this project. Thinking about it over night, here are my thoughts:
- I love, or loved, my work, but there’s always stress in any endeavor. Plus, any gig could go well, or not. I virtually never had even remotely bad stuff happen on projects or in business, but the chance still exists for an unpleasant or worse outcome.
- So is the compelling reason to do this just to add $100k to my income (say, $60k to my net worth)? I had to conclude the answer is yes, but for me it is not so compelling. The question is, “Would that money make any difference?” In a word, “No.”. There is a good chance my estate will grow, not get smaller over time. So $100k will not make any difference (and if it seemingly might make a difference, it still wouldn’t because then there would be bigger, systemic problems; $100k more still wouldn’t make a difference, we all are eating dog food).
So to take the work, or not? I previously may have answered this question (not remembering last night that I had done so). Several years ago, I was talking with a friend, the woman in a husband/wife consultancy. The man is older, in his 70’s, still working; she is in her early 60’s. I asked her if the plan was to sell the business (as I had done with mine). She said, “No,” that she like working and would continue after he exited. Later, I thought that this is answering the wrong question. The wrong question is, “Do you like your work?” She was answering, “Yes, I do.” (Or maybe she was saying, “I have to work for the money, but that doesn’t apply to me.). The right question, however, is, “What would you like to do among all alternatives available within your budget and health?” So while I like what I did for work, there are many things I enjoy more that I can afford. So last night I made the right decision and I guess I’m fully retired now (...unless I get a really compelling, fun project... or can’t be creative enough to keep my retirement activities interesting and exciting).
On 3/8/2016 in this thread, I posted my small business story (founder of INC 500 engineering company, sold in 2000’s, solo after that, and working part-time since 2012).
COcheesehead
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Good story. The thought of working in my industry again after retirement floats through my brain from time to time and I just can't see it. The last day I walk out the door will truly be my last day. I am moving 250 miles away so other than maybe a once a year "hello", I will be done with the company I helped found and grow. A tiny amount of sadness, yes, but big amount of relief.
Ronstar
Moderator Emeritus
+1. I cannot conceive going back to work, unless it was for a short term, on an extremely interesting project, and for a huge amount of money that I could spend on something that would truly make a difference in my life. Something that would be worth giving up my free time. I may or may not have enough $, but I know that I don’t have enough free time.
So for me, going back to work would have to be something like a < 1 year consulting gig on the border wall for a fee not less than $500k. Probably won’t happen.
8th Update
Completed two more classes at the University this semester. One on the structural engineering aspects of bridges and skyscrapers and the other on the history of the high Middle Ages from the period 1200-1400AD. As always very interesting and provides good separation time for my wife and I. We each need our own space. Made a trip to Puerto Rico in February to warm up. As we get older my wife (55) is less tolerent of the cold. Then we took our youngest to Scotland and London in May for two weeks. We started in the Scottish Highlands and made our way down to Edinburgh then took the train to London. We had a great time. So much has changed in London since I was last there 34 years ago on my honeymoon and thankfully so much has stayed the same. My youngest completes college in December and started a summer internship last week in data analytics at a major candy manufacturing company. We followed that trip with another to the Bahamas with my oldest and his girlfriend. Oldest is in the real world working at a Big 4 and enjoyed the break. He is now studying for the CFA II next week.
We spent alot of the winter working with an architect to redesign our beach house. Bids came in about 30% higher than the architect estimated. We were not surprised and have built many homes so this is often the case. The architects never get the cost estimate right. Now in the process of working with bidders to reduce their prices and to an extent our scope of work. Also remodeled our in-ground pool in April at our primary home. A real pain brushing the newly laid plaster every day for a month.
Turned 59 in February and more and more of my friends are seeking advice about retiring. It seems I have become their consigliere. Don't know if I am the right person but my friends get what they pay for........free advice. Now retired over two years and on a scale of 1-10, I would rate it a 15. No downside. Have been doing alot of reading of British history between 1750 and 1820 (end of the Regency period). In this regard I can suggest The Regency Years by Robert Morrison and When London was the Capital of America by Julie Flavell which are both excellent social histories. Also liked Benjamin Franklin in London by George Goodwin. Benjamin Rush by Stephen Fried was also an excellent read.
We will spend most of the summer at the beach with our boys joining us on weekends hopefully....That is the thing about a beach house. It is the home the kids want to come to. In September we have a 12 day trip planned to northern Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Have not been to that part of the country since I was 10 driving cross-country with my parents in their 1968 Chrysler 300 my mother smoking the whole way. In fact she is now 86 and continues to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. Since my father passed in 2012 she now smokes in her house (she still lives independently) and the smell is atrocious. I think the nicotine is keeping her together. I now manage her funds (after she determined on her own that the fees she had been paying an FA are no longer deductible) but she remains as sharp as a tack. My wife's parents are each 83 and it is time for them to move to assisted living. They have not yet come to this realization and it is taking a toll on my wife and her sisters. Over the winter they asked me to take a look at their finances which I have always tried to stay away from because my wife has so many siblings. A non-sibling getting involved in a family dynamic often does not end well but I had no choice. Fortunately, except for some ridiculous annuities they were sold years ago by "a friend" their assets will suffice. I was pleasantly surprised. Cleaned up an old mortgage they had from an aunt that was never discharged and will help to sell their house in the fall if they are ready to leave. As I said, I take my orders from my wife and try in vain to avoid getting involved. In October and early November we head to France for three weeks for the Thomas Jefferson trip described in the prior update.
Just decided to buy myself an entry level road bicycle to ride at the beach. It is flat and I have been putting in about 10-15 miles per day three times per week during the summer on a hybrid. I was surprised how technical this has all become. The store actually scheduled a "fitting" for me on a computer assisted modeling apparatus that determines the exact fit of the bike. They claim they can put a package together for me on a Cannondale bike for under $1,500. We shall see. I hate to run and enjoy the bicycle getting to see what is going on down the island we are on. The piano progresses slowly but I am enjoying it.
Lastly, my prior firm is doing well and that passes on to me for two and a half more years. I still visit each week to pick up checks and shoot the breeze. I get about a call every two weeks seeking advice or suggestions on one issue or another and I would be happy to accept such calls after the two years pass. My exit deal worked out well for both me and the firm.
I wish everyone the best and to enjoy the time we have.
Completed two more classes at the University this semester. One on the structural engineering aspects of bridges and skyscrapers and the other on the history of the high Middle Ages from the period 1200-1400AD. As always very interesting and provides good separation time for my wife and I. We each need our own space. Made a trip to Puerto Rico in February to warm up. As we get older my wife (55) is less tolerent of the cold. Then we took our youngest to Scotland and London in May for two weeks. We started in the Scottish Highlands and made our way down to Edinburgh then took the train to London. We had a great time. So much has changed in London since I was last there 34 years ago on my honeymoon and thankfully so much has stayed the same. My youngest completes college in December and started a summer internship last week in data analytics at a major candy manufacturing company. We followed that trip with another to the Bahamas with my oldest and his girlfriend. Oldest is in the real world working at a Big 4 and enjoyed the break. He is now studying for the CFA II next week.
We spent alot of the winter working with an architect to redesign our beach house. Bids came in about 30% higher than the architect estimated. We were not surprised and have built many homes so this is often the case. The architects never get the cost estimate right. Now in the process of working with bidders to reduce their prices and to an extent our scope of work. Also remodeled our in-ground pool in April at our primary home. A real pain brushing the newly laid plaster every day for a month.
Turned 59 in February and more and more of my friends are seeking advice about retiring. It seems I have become their consigliere. Don't know if I am the right person but my friends get what they pay for........free advice. Now retired over two years and on a scale of 1-10, I would rate it a 15. No downside. Have been doing alot of reading of British history between 1750 and 1820 (end of the Regency period). In this regard I can suggest The Regency Years by Robert Morrison and When London was the Capital of America by Julie Flavell which are both excellent social histories. Also liked Benjamin Franklin in London by George Goodwin. Benjamin Rush by Stephen Fried was also an excellent read.
We will spend most of the summer at the beach with our boys joining us on weekends hopefully....That is the thing about a beach house. It is the home the kids want to come to. In September we have a 12 day trip planned to northern Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Have not been to that part of the country since I was 10 driving cross-country with my parents in their 1968 Chrysler 300 my mother smoking the whole way. In fact she is now 86 and continues to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. Since my father passed in 2012 she now smokes in her house (she still lives independently) and the smell is atrocious. I think the nicotine is keeping her together. I now manage her funds (after she determined on her own that the fees she had been paying an FA are no longer deductible) but she remains as sharp as a tack. My wife's parents are each 83 and it is time for them to move to assisted living. They have not yet come to this realization and it is taking a toll on my wife and her sisters. Over the winter they asked me to take a look at their finances which I have always tried to stay away from because my wife has so many siblings. A non-sibling getting involved in a family dynamic often does not end well but I had no choice. Fortunately, except for some ridiculous annuities they were sold years ago by "a friend" their assets will suffice. I was pleasantly surprised. Cleaned up an old mortgage they had from an aunt that was never discharged and will help to sell their house in the fall if they are ready to leave. As I said, I take my orders from my wife and try in vain to avoid getting involved. In October and early November we head to France for three weeks for the Thomas Jefferson trip described in the prior update.
Just decided to buy myself an entry level road bicycle to ride at the beach. It is flat and I have been putting in about 10-15 miles per day three times per week during the summer on a hybrid. I was surprised how technical this has all become. The store actually scheduled a "fitting" for me on a computer assisted modeling apparatus that determines the exact fit of the bike. They claim they can put a package together for me on a Cannondale bike for under $1,500. We shall see. I hate to run and enjoy the bicycle getting to see what is going on down the island we are on. The piano progresses slowly but I am enjoying it.
Lastly, my prior firm is doing well and that passes on to me for two and a half more years. I still visit each week to pick up checks and shoot the breeze. I get about a call every two weeks seeking advice or suggestions on one issue or another and I would be happy to accept such calls after the two years pass. My exit deal worked out well for both me and the firm.
I wish everyone the best and to enjoy the time we have.
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9th Update:
We did all of the traveling described in my prior post. Three weeks in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming in September followed by three weeks in France tracing Thomas Jefferson’s travels while he was the minister to France from 1784-1789. Boston, Puerto Rico, Cuba, South Beach and Lake Placid all scheduled as separate trips prior to March 1. Lake Placid at the Lake Placid Lodge for my 60th birthday with my wife and kids (22 and 26). The trip in Cuba will be spent learning about Hemingway’s time there and the Spanish American War fought there in the summer of 1898.
Much of our time has also been spent doing a rebuild of our beach house which was essentially a gut renovation. For this reason, our traveling away from home will be done for 2020 after the above trips. Because my work involved so much writing and numbers I do enjoy building homes so this has been enjoyable. It is nice to do something tangible.
I hope to take more classes at the local University in the Spring. My youngest starts his first job (post-college) in February and we will help him move into his first apartment. It is fantastic being able to be so involved with my sons as they start their adult lives. My 87 year old mother is still living independently and enjoys her pack of cigarettes per day. I am able to stop by weekly and take her shopping and help with what she may need. My brother does the same. My wife’s parents are having somewhat more difficulties and we are dealing with that. Usually once per week she is off to her parents and I am off to my mother for one reason or another. Had I not retired none of the above would have been possible.
Slowly a few more of my friends are starting to retire. I became reacquainted with a friend I knew years ago who also recently retired. We have been doing 20 mile bicycle rides together for exercise, to catch-up on years passed and to talk about our kids who are the same age. My piano lessons continue and I am enjoying them, however, I quickly realized I am somewhat slow at this.
But where’s my rush………..
We did all of the traveling described in my prior post. Three weeks in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming in September followed by three weeks in France tracing Thomas Jefferson’s travels while he was the minister to France from 1784-1789. Boston, Puerto Rico, Cuba, South Beach and Lake Placid all scheduled as separate trips prior to March 1. Lake Placid at the Lake Placid Lodge for my 60th birthday with my wife and kids (22 and 26). The trip in Cuba will be spent learning about Hemingway’s time there and the Spanish American War fought there in the summer of 1898.
Much of our time has also been spent doing a rebuild of our beach house which was essentially a gut renovation. For this reason, our traveling away from home will be done for 2020 after the above trips. Because my work involved so much writing and numbers I do enjoy building homes so this has been enjoyable. It is nice to do something tangible.
I hope to take more classes at the local University in the Spring. My youngest starts his first job (post-college) in February and we will help him move into his first apartment. It is fantastic being able to be so involved with my sons as they start their adult lives. My 87 year old mother is still living independently and enjoys her pack of cigarettes per day. I am able to stop by weekly and take her shopping and help with what she may need. My brother does the same. My wife’s parents are having somewhat more difficulties and we are dealing with that. Usually once per week she is off to her parents and I am off to my mother for one reason or another. Had I not retired none of the above would have been possible.
Slowly a few more of my friends are starting to retire. I became reacquainted with a friend I knew years ago who also recently retired. We have been doing 20 mile bicycle rides together for exercise, to catch-up on years passed and to talk about our kids who are the same age. My piano lessons continue and I am enjoying them, however, I quickly realized I am somewhat slow at this.
But where’s my rush………..
10th Update - The COVID Year
In February we did travel to Cuba and spent 10 days traveling through the country from Santiago in the east to Havanna in the west. It is a very poor country and pictures of Havanna do not provide an accurate description of conditions there. We returned home to the start of COVID. However, the disease did not slow down completion of our beach house renovation that was completed in late June. Because of COVID we spent many wonderful days with our grown children who decided to quarantine with us in PA and at the beach rather than stay in the NYC area. One must always find the bright side.
It goes without saying that our travels ceased for most of the year. However, in December we did travel to Florida - Marco Island and South Beach. No issues whatsoever and we felt the vast majority of people and places we encountered acted very responsibly.
The pandemic did provide time for me to spend alot of time reading. My focus is normally history concerning various subjects between 1650 and 1914. Even had the opportunity to read the Iliad and the Odyssey and take an online course with Clay Jenkinson about the Enlightenment. I do strongly recommend his podcast - The Thomas Jefferson Hour. I had determined early in the year to write a book about an 18th c. woman I found very interesting and about which no book has been written. While doing the research I found that a professor at an English University was well on his way writing about the same subject. This fact cooled my determination but I may take the project up again in 2021. The professor's book has not been published yet. Perhaps he got sidetracked also.
I am happy that my closest friend did retire. We plan on traveling with them (husband and wife) this February to Puerto Rico and Keys. Hope to get the vaccine by then or shortly after. If so, hope to spend a month in Europe in September or October.
As of January I will have been retired for 4 full years. Looking back, I continue to believe that my decision to retire shortly before my 57th birthday was perfect timing. I would do nothing different. I certainly would not want to be running my prior company through this pandemic.
Now that I turn 61, in February looked at the Social Security Website for the first time. Frankly, I never thought I would receive Social Security but it seems that I will. Always thought that Social Security was for "old people" or that by the time I would receive it the fund would be broke or that they would phase it out for people with higher incomes........but alas I may actually get some of my money back. As always the view you have depends on the chair you are sitting in.
All the Best to everyone in 2021!
In February we did travel to Cuba and spent 10 days traveling through the country from Santiago in the east to Havanna in the west. It is a very poor country and pictures of Havanna do not provide an accurate description of conditions there. We returned home to the start of COVID. However, the disease did not slow down completion of our beach house renovation that was completed in late June. Because of COVID we spent many wonderful days with our grown children who decided to quarantine with us in PA and at the beach rather than stay in the NYC area. One must always find the bright side.
It goes without saying that our travels ceased for most of the year. However, in December we did travel to Florida - Marco Island and South Beach. No issues whatsoever and we felt the vast majority of people and places we encountered acted very responsibly.
The pandemic did provide time for me to spend alot of time reading. My focus is normally history concerning various subjects between 1650 and 1914. Even had the opportunity to read the Iliad and the Odyssey and take an online course with Clay Jenkinson about the Enlightenment. I do strongly recommend his podcast - The Thomas Jefferson Hour. I had determined early in the year to write a book about an 18th c. woman I found very interesting and about which no book has been written. While doing the research I found that a professor at an English University was well on his way writing about the same subject. This fact cooled my determination but I may take the project up again in 2021. The professor's book has not been published yet. Perhaps he got sidetracked also.
I am happy that my closest friend did retire. We plan on traveling with them (husband and wife) this February to Puerto Rico and Keys. Hope to get the vaccine by then or shortly after. If so, hope to spend a month in Europe in September or October.
As of January I will have been retired for 4 full years. Looking back, I continue to believe that my decision to retire shortly before my 57th birthday was perfect timing. I would do nothing different. I certainly would not want to be running my prior company through this pandemic.
Now that I turn 61, in February looked at the Social Security Website for the first time. Frankly, I never thought I would receive Social Security but it seems that I will. Always thought that Social Security was for "old people" or that by the time I would receive it the fund would be broke or that they would phase it out for people with higher incomes........but alas I may actually get some of my money back. As always the view you have depends on the chair you are sitting in.
All the Best to everyone in 2021!
ExFlyBoy5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Thanks for the update, glad the timing was perfect!
As an aside, I initially didn't realize OP was from 4 years ago. I was reading though the posts and saw one from IMOLDERNU and my heart skipped a couple of beats thinking that his passing away may have been a cruel joke, but then saw the date.
I sure do miss that guy...
As an aside, I initially didn't realize OP was from 4 years ago. I was reading though the posts and saw one from IMOLDERNU and my heart skipped a couple of beats thinking that his passing away may have been a cruel joke, but then saw the date.
I sure do miss that guy...Surewhitey
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Found this post today and really enjoyed reading. Started my small business / hobby just before Covid and pleasantly surprised that I'm doing OK. Many have been home noticing what they want done to their homes / furniture.
Keep up the updates.
Keep up the updates.
My rental units fall into two categories. The first and my larger investment is passive. I invest with a group that buys and builds apartment complexes throughout the country. The group now owns 10,000 units and I own a percentage of each of the 25 complexes. These are professionally managed. I am a limited partner in each of the 25 transactions. As an aside, we are in the sale process of a few of these complexes given their rise in value. I know this may seem speculative, but I was in this business prior to retirement and have known the investment circle for more than 20 years.
The other units I own are multi-family in the two locations that we have vacation homes. My wife and I manage those directly. We still own them but have put one up for sale again given the rise in value and possible change in capital gains rates that may be coming.
Hope that answers your questions. Heading to Puerto Rico tomorrow after being fully vaccinated!
The other units I own are multi-family in the two locations that we have vacation homes. My wife and I manage those directly. We still own them but have put one up for sale again given the rise in value and possible change in capital gains rates that may be coming.
Hope that answers your questions. Heading to Puerto Rico tomorrow after being fully vaccinated!
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11th Update:
My last post was in December just as the vaccine was becoming available. Nevertheless, we traveled to Naples in December with our grown kids for a week. In February we spent two weeks in the Florida Keys with friends of ours and had a great time. Prior to retirement, we never traveled with other couples. On the rare vacations we did take, I simply didn't want to negotiate with another couple concerning hotels, tours or restaurants. Now that vacations are more plentiful, we decided to travel with close friends of ours and had a great time.
Some might disagree with our decision to travel while unvaccinated. I look at it this way. I am 61. No one knows what the future will bring and I didn't want to waste an entire year sitting home. My wife hesitantly agreed since our boys and others were joining us.
We completed the vaccination process in early April. The whole process reminded me about how Thomas Jefferson's daughters had to quarantine in London after being innoculated with the smallpox vaccine before visiting him in Paris in the mid-1780s, but I digress.
On Monday we returned home from a trip to Orlando and Savannah with our grown boys. In Orlando, my oldest proposed to his girlfriend who we love very much and then we traveled on to Savannah. We love Savannah and considered buying a home there. However, it is not warm enough for my wife in the winter months. I think we have decided to rent a place in the warm weather for the months of January or February rather than buying a third home. This affords us more flexibility.
As noted in earlier posts I normally read only history and I have become interested in reading about the Gilded Age which is post-Civil War until the start of WWI. Looking forward to Julian Fellowes next mini-series called the Gilded Age. In that vain I have been reading Edith Wharton - House of Mirth and Age of Innocence. In other books about the period it was stated that to truly understand the Gilded Age you must read Wharton so I have begun.
As to future travel, I would like to rent a place in Europe for a month in the fall but it will be difficult to convince my wife who is more COVID concerned than I am. She wants to stay in the U.S.
Like many our age who are lucky enough to have one or more parents still with us, we have devoted much time and thought to their care. My mother is 88 and my wife's parents are both 84. My mother remains totally independent but it is time for my wife's parents to move out of their house and into independent/assisted living. Obviously, it is their choice but we fear one of them will fall or some other malady occur where the decision must be made quickly. It is their choice but the writing is on the wall.
The best to all in this post-COVID world.
My last post was in December just as the vaccine was becoming available. Nevertheless, we traveled to Naples in December with our grown kids for a week. In February we spent two weeks in the Florida Keys with friends of ours and had a great time. Prior to retirement, we never traveled with other couples. On the rare vacations we did take, I simply didn't want to negotiate with another couple concerning hotels, tours or restaurants. Now that vacations are more plentiful, we decided to travel with close friends of ours and had a great time.
Some might disagree with our decision to travel while unvaccinated. I look at it this way. I am 61. No one knows what the future will bring and I didn't want to waste an entire year sitting home. My wife hesitantly agreed since our boys and others were joining us.
We completed the vaccination process in early April. The whole process reminded me about how Thomas Jefferson's daughters had to quarantine in London after being innoculated with the smallpox vaccine before visiting him in Paris in the mid-1780s, but I digress.
On Monday we returned home from a trip to Orlando and Savannah with our grown boys. In Orlando, my oldest proposed to his girlfriend who we love very much and then we traveled on to Savannah. We love Savannah and considered buying a home there. However, it is not warm enough for my wife in the winter months. I think we have decided to rent a place in the warm weather for the months of January or February rather than buying a third home. This affords us more flexibility.
As noted in earlier posts I normally read only history and I have become interested in reading about the Gilded Age which is post-Civil War until the start of WWI. Looking forward to Julian Fellowes next mini-series called the Gilded Age. In that vain I have been reading Edith Wharton - House of Mirth and Age of Innocence. In other books about the period it was stated that to truly understand the Gilded Age you must read Wharton so I have begun.
As to future travel, I would like to rent a place in Europe for a month in the fall but it will be difficult to convince my wife who is more COVID concerned than I am. She wants to stay in the U.S.
Like many our age who are lucky enough to have one or more parents still with us, we have devoted much time and thought to their care. My mother is 88 and my wife's parents are both 84. My mother remains totally independent but it is time for my wife's parents to move out of their house and into independent/assisted living. Obviously, it is their choice but we fear one of them will fall or some other malady occur where the decision must be made quickly. It is their choice but the writing is on the wall.
The best to all in this post-COVID world.
I assume you’ve probably read Wiebe’s book, The Search for Order. But if not, I recommend it. It is a classic history of the Gilded Age. Not really an overview, because it has a distinct perspective, but very much worth reading. For a different perspective, there is Richard White’s book, The Republic for Which it Stands (also worthwhile — if you like social history and don’t mind 1,000 pages). Enjoy the travel and reading!
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