Recent content by jqrz

Wow, thanks everyone! Having it all in a visual and graphic way really helps to visualize it all in the long-term. The disability is COLAed. It is currently $1155/mo. It will also stay the same once I reach retirement age. Looking at the trust in more detail, it's actually invested in a...

You guys have helped me put this all in perspective, thanks! In reviewing the budget, had quite an embarrassing oversight. Instead of losing $551 a month, I'm actually losing $895/mo, because I forgot that a huge chunk of my investments is tied up in a trust that is largely illiiquid. The...

Thanks everyone for the feedback! It is indeed a very difficult decision, and I've considered that I could possibly be making the situation worse by moving. The HOA is not very healthy however, not enough reserves for renovation, repairs, etc. That being said, I fear moving into an even...

As far as aversion to renting, it's a long story. Had spinal fusion surgery and now have metal in body that reacts to strong electromagnetic fields. This has caused me to be extremely sensitive to EMF fields, pain radiates through body when exposed to high levels. Thus, I have to avoid many...

Thanks for the feedback everyone! The HOA fees only cover water and snow removal, common area upkeep, roof repair, etc. There is no clubhouse or other amenities though don't really need any. There is also an upcoming assessment, plus possible increase in HOA, which would tack on about $71 more a...

Hello, I'm a middle-aged single person on fixed income living in a condo in U.S. that is worth about 180K. HOA (assoc) fees are about $500 a month. Property taxes + HOA fees are eating me alive. However, have substantial savings ($480,000 +) due to an inheritance. Am on a fixed income...

Thanks all for the feedback... It has given a better understanding of how inflation works. I perpetually find the issue confusing, particularly since the expenses haven't really gone up much - but it is true, i may not be spending it on some truly inflation-measured things. It is a hypothetical...

I have a question in which the answer must seem obvious but would like an explanation :-\ Hypothetical 2 yr scenario: Assuming 3% annual inflation rate: August, Year 1: Total net worth of $300K (earning 0% interest in bank) Zero debt $12,000 annual income $12,000 annual expenses August...

I'm looking for how much I can spend per year so that my PF value is the same or greater than it was in the beginning of the year (I have a fixed income plus investments)

When using Quicken, should I count inflation as an expense? For example, expenses list: -Utilities $130 (per mo) -Medical bills (varies) -Inflation (I multiply total liquid assets by estimated inflation rate) ... This comes to a whopping $500 per month! ) For example, 300K in total assets x...

I read in one of those 'how to be frugal' books that someone took their burnt out light bulbs and replaced them with new ones from a business or other establishment. Such a practice was understandably frowned on by the author however! :)

I checked Vanguard Wellington Inv (VWELX) on Yahoo! Finance, and it shows it went down 4.15%....how is this possible or am i reading it wrong?? IF this is correct, what could be the possible reasons for such a huge drop?? i can't figure it out

I struggle with insomnia as well, and find that once I start thinking, BAM! i'm awake for good. I've had some success with halting thinking altogether. If i have a thought, i stop my mind from thinking any further. It is true that language seems inextricably tied to the wakefulness mechanism in...

I don't have any other income besides the disability other than what i get from my investments. I recalculated and figured that i have approx $30K/yr expenses. By 60/40 mix, you mean 60% equities and 40% in bonds or cash? I have some of my money tied up in high fee investments (compared to say...

Hello, i'm in my 30s and on disability. i have 80% in stocks, the rest in cash/bonds, totalling about 300k. My risk tolerance is fairly high. i've heard that for someone my age, it is better to have an 80/20 allocation because i have at least 10 years to invest. is this true, in general? I...