Recent content by Shanky

I can confirm this. I filed at 62 and was the high earner, my wife was stay at home Mom, then volunteer work, so SS benefit was minimal. She is nearly 5 years older than me, so when I was 62, she was her full Retirement age. (66.5). Whether I filed at 62, 67 or 70, her benefit was 50% my...

Enjoy the the move. We moved from California (Bay Area) in late 2013. We did not have any issues changing our residency and had no follow-on tax issues with CA. The COL change was not as much as expected other than the Income Tax situation. Insurances (Heath, Car, Home) are more expensive in...

We live away from the beach, Probably 15 miles as the crow flies to the actual Gulf of Mexico. Our neighborhood is on the Manatee River, and we can take our boat from the neighborhood to the Gulf of Mexico in about 25 Minutes. Driving actually takes a little bit longer, about 35 minutes to Ana...

We have a pool in our SFH that we keep year round at 84 degrees. We use an electric heat pump. (Bradenton Area). We have never even had a $200 monthly electric bill including everything in the house. Our house was built in late 2014 and is about 3100 SF. Pool is 26’x13’, so not large but...

OP, I am retired now over 6 years and I can relate to your situation. In my late 30’s my career progressed to the point that spending what I made seemed impossible. But Fancy cars, boarding school and Ivy league for the kiddo’s, Country Club, International Travel & a boat / yacht and hitting...

We lived in Las Cruces a few years about 10 years before I retired. We enjoyed the weather and proximity to dramatic wilderness. Golf was year round and the Organ Mountains are spectacular at sunset.

I would not hesitate to get a Tacoma or 4Runner if it met your needs. (And I spent most my career in the domestic auto industry)

Golf boating I am trying to give up commas in retirement but there are drawbacks.

5 years in for me now, similar experience. 61 now and we have been living on Cash & Dividends from our non retirement accounts. Growth in retirement accounts has outstripped spending significantly. Came from a high profile, high stress, high $$ career and don’t miss it even slightly. My...

The GX460, 4Runner and until recently, the Landcruiser are all body on frame trucks made in the same factory in Japan. Great choice if you really need a capable, reliable truck based SUV. Because they are “real” trucks, fuel economy is mediocre compared to the unibody SUVs. The unibody...

Among other things, I thought I would be playing high level Amateur golf as a retiree. The reality is different than the fantasy. I have not made it through a single USGA qualifier in 5 years of retirement and my handicap has tripled. I was close to scratch when I was working full time, so I...

Humidity is the reason the Smokey Mountains are “Smokey”

I am a large person, 265 lbs, 6 ft tall. Moved from San Jose area to central FL about 7 years. Ago. I play golf 3 to 4 times a week year round, always walking, never an electric cart. I need to drink plenty of water and use an umbrella for shade in July-Sep, but I manage. I do take a swim...

Just use unemployed. Say the same whenever anyone asks you why you aren’t working at your age. They will stop asking those pesky questions. Added bonus, they won’t ask you for $$$$.

Fired as a busboy at IHOP. Got the you will never amount to anything speech from the Assistant night manager who canned me. Some 20 plus years later, I was visiting my home state and stopped into that IHOP with my wife and kids. The assistant night manager was still there. Too bad he did...