Recent content by DustyMom

My mother passed away earlier this year. Her traditional IRA was combined into Dad's traditional IRA. I have no real questions on that part of things, but she also had a small inherited IRA from my grandmother (her mother) who passed away in 2021. Dad now has this inherited IRA in his account...

Responding to some of the thoughts/questions so far: We started looking last fall and never ran into this. Starting up for the spring season and the very first house we requested to see, our buyer's agent said they wanted the proof of funds or mortgage pre-approval first. This house checked...

After 5 years of full-time RVing, we are starting to look for a "sticks and bricks" home again. We intend to make a cash purchase. I expected to have to provide a Proof of Funds letter once an offer was accepted, but apparently sellers are starting to require one prior to allowing you to tour...

OP here.... I continue to watch for any updates. My friend listened to my concerns about the financial advisor and also my recommendation about Schwab. She seemed receptive to at least making an appointment to meet with Schwab, so I feel like I have done as much as I can at this point. Now it...

Braumeister, actually, the info very clearly states some disturbing facts about conflict of interest and how the advisor is held to minimum sales thresholds, may be encouraged to sell products that compensate them more, etc. etc. I wonder how many people actually read through that stuff. LOL.

OldShooter, I did look for some local fee-based planners and gave her a couple of numbers which she said she called and they either didn't return her call or she felt they talked down to her and now she is holding a folder of information from an Investment Advisor and being encouraged by another...

Thank you for the replies. I am relieved to see that (so far) no one believes Schwab would be the WRONG choice. Given her need for some light- to medium-touch service and the relatively low cost, I will be sending her to Schwab.

A dear friend of mine is nearing the end of the divorce process and will soon be in possession of a reasonably-sized cash settlement along with some property/business that will likely be sold in the not too distant future. She has no investment experience, nor do I believe she has the interest...

Resurrecting this thread because I anticipate more-or-less the same situation as the OP, but I'm still a little unsure of the estimated taxes (never paid this way before) and want to make sure I get this right. Please tell me if I'm understanding this correctly. True or false: 1. If I make...

One more update (probably last) from the OP: We met with them last night. Asked if they had a plan. BIL said they were going to file bankruptcy, it was their only option, then put the house on the market when he has recovered from his surgery a bit (still has an open wound in his stomach)...

Wow, I guess my situation really hit a nerve with a lot of you. Thank you so much for the advice and the support. I think I really needed to hear that we should not feel guilty for not wanting to offer up the "riches" we've accumulated through aggressive saving and living below our means over...

Thank you all! I knew I could count on you to make me realize we are not the only ones who have ever (or will ever) face this situation. It's going to be tough. We've always known that whatever help we provide will be a gift, not a loan. Unfortunately I don't think bankruptcy is an...

I feel queasy writing about this because it feels like it should be kept private, but I need to vent and that FIRE thing we all have in common is really an important part of this. So, here's the story. DH's sister and her husband have hit a really big speed bump in the road of life (not the...

I love this thread! I am currently going through the down-sizing process and I find myself continually see-sawing back and forth between "just give it away" and "somebody would pay money for that". We have had some limited success selling items online or to acquaintances but it seems more...

DH and I both did Nutrisystem for 4 months (started in Jan and stopped in Apr). DH lost 20 lb, I lost 15 lb. Post-Nutrisystem, we've continued eating in the much smaller portions we got used to with Nutrisystem and we also continued eating more frequently - snacks between breakfast and lunch...