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  1. The HalfBreed

    Vanguard Wellington December distributions?

    I have Wellington and the distribution was on Dec. 31. Then Jan 1 is a holiday, so mine didn't show up til Jan. 2, 2025. The year before that, I think they made a distribution before Christmas. Maybe 12/20/23 or so.
  2. The HalfBreed

    Foot Neuropathy

    I began having that issue, mainly over the past year. Just tingling, like my feet feel asleep but fortunately, no pain and all. My Dr (for diabetics, etc) suggested I take vitamin B-12, 2500 mg, and after 6 months said to dial it back to 1,000 - 1,200 milligrams per day which I do. So far, so...
  3. The HalfBreed

    Getting rid of WEP and GPO?

    WEP is for Federal retirees and reduces their Social security payments by up to 50% plus, if they are eligible for SS, which is 40 quarters or more. I'm in that category, but I only have 36 quarters / credits. Estimating my SS benefits if I earned 6 more quarters (40 quarters), I'd be eligible...
  4. The HalfBreed

    Vanguard Wellington CG distribution ..... ouch.

    I have Wellesley in a ROTH IRA, but Wellington in a taxable account since 2010. I used to reinvest and pay the taxes on it, but in the last 4 years, I decided to take the dividends and CG's and pay taxes on it at 15%, subtract 15% from the payouts, and give the rest to my 2 children. May as well...
  5. The HalfBreed

    How to prevent Squirrels from chewing Christmas lights?

    LED's work on 3-5VDC Max. I'm fairly sure there's a transformer somewhere in the circuit that reduces the voltage and possibly changes it to DC. (AC/DC Converter)....Who Knows. Either the lights are in series, or in groups of parallel circuits of 5-10 each. Either way, my comment was meant as...
  6. The HalfBreed

    How to prevent Squirrels from chewing Christmas lights?

    Use 110V lights. :coolsmiley:
  7. The HalfBreed

    Kicks on 66

    Route 66 from Chicago to Oklahoma I rode my Goldwing from suburban Chicago on a Saturday (where I live) to my 5 week class in Oklahoma city. It honestly moves on and off the beaten path and at times is not well identified without a map. I started in Countryside, IL where it's actually...
  8. The HalfBreed

    Been Getting SS for 3 months now, having trouble spending it. How about you?

    I take my extra income and tell my "fill in the blank" that, if they're funding their IRA / TSP/ 401K, etc and don't have a ROTH IRA, I'll match their contributions monthly. For instance, I have a child that invests for the 401K match at work at 5%, and we both contribute $115 Bi-Weekly to their...
  9. The HalfBreed

    Why Would Someone Need Cable TV Service?

    One of these days, someone will combine all of these pay streaming networks and call it "Cable TV"...what a novel idea !
  10. The HalfBreed

    Buying Bonds for Beginners?

    Since yields went up again recently, I started buying US Treasury Bills (<1 year) and one can move to Treasury Notes (>1 year or up to 5 maybe) but I keep it short, like 6 month Treasury Bills which are sold weekly. I recently bought ~ 4% Treasury bills (3-6 months) and they're sold at PAR...
  11. The HalfBreed

    Have You Upsized Your TV Recently?

    I've spoken to many TV "Experts", even ABT here just north of O'Hare, and the optimum by far, said by many is 3x - 4x maximum, the distance from the size of the TV. My TV is 48" (4') and I sit on average 10-12' from the TV. All seating in the LR is about that.....10-14' away. 3 Bedrooms are...
  12. The HalfBreed

    Illinois ???

    I grew up in NJ, graduated HS in 73, 73-77 USAF then moved to Chicago in late 1977 to join the FAA....been here ever since, now in near western suburb of Chicago....14 miles from the Lakefront, MDW and ORD. Retired in 2012 (CSRS), just turned 67 and I LOVE Chicago and all it has to offer...
  13. The HalfBreed

    Why can I not stop thinking about paying off my mortgage?!?!

    And let's not forget if housing prices TANK, like they did a few times in the past Decade +
  14. The HalfBreed

    Discomfort/pain gum area near teeth

    Thanks, that's the word I was searching for..."OSSEOUS" surgery. It's been a decade ago, but I remember the procedure quite well. I truly remember having my "Jack Daniels, NEAT" much better though
  15. The HalfBreed

    Discomfort/pain gum area near teeth

    I've had "Pockets" develop in my gums, some on the order of 6 or 7, so I've had to undergo a deep cleaning — also called periodontal scaling or root planing. Everyone has their own comfort level and my Periodontist works wonders. At one point, I had no dental insurance and the procedure is...
  16. The HalfBreed

    Went Down The Air Fryer Rabbit Hole

    I've been told multiple times that if you have a "Convection Oven" you have an air fryer and it's much larger too. But for me, I like the old fashion way....with OIL. :dance:
  17. The HalfBreed

    Move to safer investments

    I agree with the above poster. Adjust your risk tolerance if needed. If you Sell now, you lock in your losses, IMHO
  18. The HalfBreed

    Elon Musk - Time's person of the year

    The fact that, Yes indeed. Government DOES create jobs, not just "Private Industry" as is promoted by many who dispute this fact. The Military and the Military Industrial complex is the largest of them all. So, when you hear someone say, Government doesn't create jobs... Remember this.
  19. The HalfBreed

    Elon Musk - Time's person of the year

    Musk is a recipient of the US Government's Largess and financial tax payer support. As far as paying the most taxes ever ? That was a product of shares he got that HAD to be sold in order to pay the taxes that were due this year. If he really wanted to BRAG about it, he wouldn't have waited...
  20. The HalfBreed

    Help me refine my message to my advisor

    It seems you've gotten the best advice from all of those above.... Point - Counterpoint issue. 2.4 - 2.8 % to me, means he'll do that much better than the market as a whole. So, if the "Market" averages 10%, he'll guarantee 12.4 - 12.8% ??? Well, you get my drift. Lots of low fee, low ER...
  21. The HalfBreed

    Trying to understand the SS age 70 wait

    Although I receive a CSRS Pension, I'm good with that. I've considered going out and becoming eligible for a monthly SS payment, and I have 34 or 35 quarters / credits already. The WEP will cut my monthly benefit from ~ $525 to ~ $135, so, I pass, for now. I've been retired since 2012, and...
  22. The HalfBreed

    Amateur Radio

    N9XXX from the windy city....licensed about 30+ years, worked with many HAMS in the FAA doing communications work, licensed as a tech, got my advanced ~ 30 days later doing 15 wpm, but saw no need to upgrade for a 25 Khz advantage here and there, even when they got rid of the Morse...
  23. The HalfBreed

    Megacorps that offer pension?

    Most, if not ALL federal jobs. With COLA's as well. The new FERS (Federal Employment Retiree System) combines A 401K with a 5% match, 1% pension of your average high-3 year salary per year (~30 yrs = 30%) along with Social security to boot. If they carry basic life insurance into retirement...
  24. The HalfBreed

    Is it Just Me ? Opening Things !

    Persistence and Perseverance pays off. We got this far up in age, we use our brains now, instead of our brawn. Thank You Tylenol Killer...but it was bound to happen anyway. 2 many nuts around.
  25. The HalfBreed

    eFile acceptance - IRS bogged down...

    FEDERAL Tax only - Turbo Tax Deluxe I E-filed on Friday, Feb. 12th, I was notified Sat. Feb. 13th @ 6:33 am via Text Msg that it was accepted. I found my tax return in my bank account today, Feb. 23. I'll mail my state tax in, coz "I Owe, I Owe, so it's off to spend I go" :dance:
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