Recent content by Among_Primates

I have had a Rheem tankless for the past 12 years or so, and it's been a disappointment ever since it went in. It takes forever to provide hot water, especially in the morning, and if you just go to a sink during the day... well, you may get hot water. Or you may get lukewarm water. Or you may...

I agree that the difference between one year's rent and your current mortgage may be a very small factor compared with others. I'm in the process of getting my house ready to sell here in Los Angeles, where I wanted to stay for another six to eight months -- but now I'm rushing, because Zillow...

I love that story! And it's a good representation of our partnership. Dogs traveled with us over tens of thousands of years as we migrated around the globe; warned us of danger in the night, joined in hunting. I remember a scene in one of the Little House books -- which were based on true...

My dear friend Harry, my soulmate dog, left me in April of 2021. I'd found him in the high desert 15 years before, and on the long ride home I told him, "You and me, Harry." I said we'd be companions of the road and have adventures together. I knew we were near the end when he stopped eating...

Definitely having an impact on me. I understand that as of next month irrigation has to go from three times a week to once. I have a large property -- much of it too sloped to use, but I still must maintain it. There are trees and plants to hold the soil, because erosion and mudslides can be a...

I'm semi-retired now, at 90%. I'm 66, and health and time won't allow me to stay on the treadmill till 100%. I'm going to trigger a non-COLA pension in a year (already taken into consideration in the 90%). Of course, if I change the inflation option to 7%, my results drop to 6.6%.

I did use VG's advisor services for a year or two. The advisor took my portfolio, put 50 percent into a stock index fund and 50 percent into a bond index fund, and called it a day. I can't really complain about the strategy, but it seemed a little silly to be paying a fee. Of course, he would...

I'm interested to see the numbers, so thanks for this thread. When you read information online, the numbers rarely reflect cost at home vs. cost in a facility, or what type of policy you have. I was fortunate that I bought two policies, a few years apart, 10-12 years ago. I got a Hancock...

These answers give me hope. I'm not "early" -- I'm quite late for this group, being 65. My current full-time job will end in less than three months, and I've told them I don't intend to return (I work on a contract basis). Why didn't I retire earlier? Frankly, uninformed financial planning. I'm...

I've done a deep dive on this over the past three years or so. I've found two things: most information does not take into account what your aim in getting the policy is; and generally no one seems to talk about reimbursement vs. indemnity. These things made a big difference to me, so I'll...

the stair question Eight years ago, at 57, my back went out unexpectedly and I spent about six weeks lying on my stomach in my living room. Standing, sitting, or walking was exquisitely painful. It turns out I have degenerating joints in my spine -- I'd had no idea. My friends brought my...

Good spotting! He is a Bichon -- but he's also a bit of a mystery. He's twice as big as most Bichons and has a very long body. People have guessed there might be dachshund in his background. I was curious enough to take a swab and send it away for genetic testing. When the results were sent to...

Harlee, our posts crossed. I think NC is going back on the short list!

finnski1, what a beautiful dog! There's character in that face. To be in a place with a dog and a wood stove -- that's my lifestyle. I'll see if I can post a couple of photos -- my old fellow Harry in the California sun, on a less-smoky day; and a close-up. (Sometimes I tell him, "Harry, we are...

Finnski1, I hope so too! I do ask myself, as I take the dogs out at night, "How happy will you be putting on coat, boots, and scarf every time you do this?" But New England is far closer to my dream climate than California, though I've learned to love a lot about this place. Bamaman, your place...