Recent content by ER Fireball

Transformers When I was in high school, we used to take apart television sets to get the copper wire that could be wound into electric motors and electro magnets. Of course, the audio transformers were always kept for the use of making shock coils. Simply touching and opening a 9V battery...

The titles never bothered me, other than they were associated with the pay level. What I mean is that some folks in other companies might have fancy titles that would be two or three pay grades above my title, but yet I was paid 150% of what they were making. (I had the opportunity to interview...

This board tends to focus on how big the stash is when determining the probability of financial success in retirement. There are fewer folks with pensions, and even fewer folks with pensions that have COLA. And not many people that have lifetime healthcare provisions. So how do you compare...

Technical Project Status report. Due every two weeks. Proper cover sheet and format is important! I was going to introduce a new cover sheet half way through the semester, but decided that would be unreasonable. The real challenge with megacorp was that I am closely linked to their dealer and...

It gave me the opportunity to truly discuss and plan retirement with my spouse, to the point that she understood that I/we could afford to retire. My intention was to be ready such that if there were an early retirement incentive program we would be ready to act, and not have to make a sudden...

Several friends of ours sum up this issue of choice with their selection of shopping: If we need groceries, we go to *******. If they don't have it, we probably don't need it. When we need other stuff, we go to the neighborhood Ace hardware. If they don't have it, we probably don't need it...

A big turning point for me- A friend of mine at the old w*rkplace- Planned to retire in about 18 months. The company was running him around the world trying to straighten out the messes from outsourced manufacturing. Went out toes first. As I was flying back from India, I decided that it was...

Here is how I see it. You are covering everything now without tapping the principle. SS will add more to the mix. The basics are covered. Here is how I look at the 'what-ifs': If you have a health situation that threatens to sink your boat, $200K less isn't going to make any difference. Eat...

We are making plans to build a new house. Lots of debate about what to put in for countertop. We will probably go with either an engineered material (a generic version of Corian) or laminate (Formica). Basically, in the cost department, Formica is free. If you want to replace it in a few years...

Some Google work on 'Jackson Variable Annuity commission Independent Review of the Jackson National Perspective II Annuity Here are a couple excerpts: <<<Typically variable annuities pay a 6-7% commission to the agent/broker. That’s why the insurance company charges you a surrender charge...

Because leaded gas and MTBE was a much superior alternative.

Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, and an honest annuity salesman walk into a bar...

I wish I had printed off my last 4 years of "Performance Management" reviews. (That was the period of time where I had decided that several things were in play: First- I was entering that protected status condition of being old enough to make claims of age discrimination really painful for...

One of the dumb things that happens: perhaps twenty years ago, in the middle of some intimate activities, DW blurts out- "Tomorrow is Garbage Day!" We still laugh about that...

Revenue based law enforcement. This is why they sit by the roads running speed traps rather than investigate folks thieving copper or breaking into garages. I'm sure there are many LEOs out there that are protecting and serving, but it doesn't take many of the revenue based types to lead a...