Recent content by kramer

As safety advice, I reiterate what some other posters have said about getting into the property. A few months ago, we rented a nice 2 bedroom AirBnB in a nice part of Barcelona, Spain. Our flight was two hours late (internal Spain flight) but we had let the owner know well in advance and were...

I am with the group that at least the parent has to try ... I know sometimes it just can't be helped. It's when the parent doesn't really care that it's most annoying. Anyway, in a few years, it's possible that technology could help with this problem? I am about to get a set of Active Noise...

Hi Tam, which season do you stay in which place? The North American winter months in Bali can be quite rainy. Although I have heard there are air quality problems at times in the summer. I have never been to Bali but I am keen to visit and learn more. Thanks.

I was in the US recently for a few weeks and the fifth pharmacy that I contacted had it in stock ... I almost fainted when they said they had it as I had already basically given up (a CVS Pharmacy in the San Diego area). Since I live abroad, I don't have regular US health insurance and paid...

Yes, you have to apply it to your specific situation and look at tax rates after RMDs and social security versus the period between when your wife stops working and RMDs/SS. But I can feel you on the asset allocation part. Like you, my traditional IRA is less than 30% of my net worth and it is...

Way back in the 90's we played around with this stuff at the AI company for which I was working as a young engineer. We had it call our receptionist and ask to speak to us (one of the engineers), but she kept hanging up as soon as she realized it was a machine voice talking and so never heard...

I am early 50's, retired, with a mix of around 67% taxable, 26% IRA, and 7% Roth. Delaying SS until age 70. I started Roth conversions a few years ago. Since I retired, I have used up the whole 10%/12% brackets with a mix of Roth conversions and capital gains. I am surprised more people...

Thanks, Jake, I found the forms very useful. You are right, they are not very specific on income/savings requirements, so you probably have to go by people posting about their experiences, it seems like a combo of income and savings might qualify ... I would definitely research tax details...

Thanks for your post. It's timely for me as I am headed for a 5 week long vacation in Spain starting next month (but not Valencia so I won't be able to report to you on that) and I also speak decent Spanish. It's my first visit to Spain. Can you explain the Spain residence visa requirements in...

Fantastic weather here in the Philippines ... and lovely evenings, also. Just had a great 5K run followed by a vigorous frisbee session that took whatever energy I had remaining. Re: Mexico I know everyone has different preferences ... but I did winter once in Mazatlan, Mexico, since I found...

Can I ask why you want to explore Japan with a tour group as opposed to individual travel?

The main trend I noticed for my readings is that it is lower after exercise. My readings don't have the wide range that some seem to have here ... more like a top number range of 20 max with an average in the high 130's. (so +/- 10 around that number and usually within 5) And a lower number...

Same situation for me ... in fact, I have never really even considered owning a place my whole life up to this point. I did buy my first refrigerator a few years ago when I moved into my present place :) I am currently about 99.9% financial assets and 0.1% tangible assets.

I just wanted to say thanks for the discussion on this thread ... I tried to read it with an open mind and now you just about have me committed to convert to the top of the 24% bracket this year :) Anyway, I have a weird situation with the foreign tax credit which will actually pay for the...

Thanks for linking this article .... it was well worth a read (dated 2014) and it turned out to be prescient with respect to tax reform this year. To quickly summarize for those who haven't read it, there is a strong argument made by many that government will need more money in the future and...