Recent content by flatrock

Seeing folks younger than me where I worked pass away during the pandemic prompted me to retire early. I still work part time just to stay busy and help pay for two dental implants (10k)

I bought two thru them. Only issue I ran into was one of the carriers was overloaded with purchase applications and it took a bit longer than I wanted to receive my contract. Blueprint later dropped that carrier from their lineup temporarily for that reason I believe. As far as Blueprint I...

When will the A rated MYGA’s start doing major cuts on new money on the 5 year contracts?

I use the SPAXX mm as the core and as the CDs in my ladder mature they are automatically swept into that account. Then I rinse/repeat buy new CDs…I don’t use the auto-roll function. Like to research the health of the bank a bit. So far so good no problems.

I never saw so many jewelry stores in one place as St Thomas. We bought some gold chains & Diamond earrings there. I felt like we got a very good deal after some price negotiations.

They should have done a better job of getting more reserves from parent company at the spin off to cover poor underwriting. Instead of massively raising rates on people who bought lower priced products in good faith in their working years. Just my opinion.

Mortality I walk my dog every day in a large cemetery that was established in 1860. I’m always looking at age of death of the deceased on the tombstones over the ages as compared to recent times. We are definitely living longer as compared to years past. I find that comforting. I retired...

LTC Had a close relative who retired young and was in the application process for LTC when they were paralyzed for life suddenly in an accident. Of course this disqualified them.. This LTC policy also provided a option for live at home nursing & care. This relative could have benefited...

breakdown Went thru 12 days of no power in Jan this year during an icestorm which destroyed the local electrical grid. A few observations. You can only depend on your friends & family & whatever resources you have or can get. There will be no goverment truck dropping off gasoline, blankets, &...

Buffet/GE Goldman was at 125 when Buffet bought. Today it's at 134. It has been as high as 138. I hope his purchase of GE stock has a similar effect.

GE Spouse has been buying all the way down another 20K. Have temporarily shifted 100% of their 401K deduction into the stock. Plan is to buy until it hits $33 which could be 2/3 or more years. First dividend check comes Oct 27th. Not crazy about it at all but its a 10 yr horizon/plan. If...

ER I would rather be a bit poorer, younger, and retired than wealthier, older , & working. I would think the chances of dying and not spending all this cash would be greater the longer you delay.

401K I borrowed 10K from my 401k to buy my wife a commuter car. I had intended to borrow from a bank but the rate from my plan beat the bank's interest rate by a significant margin. I paid myself back early with interest. I dont think I lost enough in stock appreciation to offset the interest I...

company stock dividend First dividend payout since stock purchase is Oct 27th. Should be around $1200, Im inclined to let my spouse play this out for awhile. Last time jumped in the company stock was 95' sold out at the top before 911 and is been 100% out since until lately. In between these...

political impact I think if they come up with a natioanl health care system with affordable premiums you would see a wave of early retirements.