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Hello All, We are looking to purchase our retirement home in the Palm Springs area this summer. We have vacationed there several times and always enjoy sitting by the pool, especially on hot summer days. Questions: 1) Do you regret having or not having a pool and spa? This question is...

I like the idea. I'm already working about 10 hours/day, 5 days/week. Our CEO works 11 - 12 hours/day, 5 - 6 days/week, typically only takes off the major holidays and doesn't really take any vacation. Unfortunately, he's also not much of a fan of working from home and he says he will work...

Thanks for your input. Note the following: At 62, I'm adding up the income as follows: - Navy Retirement: $32k (starts at age 60, increasing to $54k at age 68; see my earlier explanation to Nords) - Corp Retirement: $10k - My SS at 62: $25k Total of the above: ~$67k. Subtract taxes of...

I prefer Tricare Select, in fact, I'm currently on Tricare Retired Reserve which is basically Tricare Select. I like the flexibility offered by a PPO. My actual Retirement is ~$57k (O6, ~5,500 points), with SBP, that drops down to about ~$54k. However, I received the VSI when I left active...

Good question, I believe it would be 55% of $52k when I would have turned 68. But it's something I need to check on. Perhaps I need to revisit more life insurance to cover any gaps.

Military pensions are eligible for a 55% survivor benefit, so that is a good point. I do have 2 life insurance policies, however, the largest of which will end in 1.5 years. There's also a second policy that ends when I turn 68, which could provide $14k/yr (assuming a 4% SWR). As you suggest...

Very good questions. The $90k does include up to a $3k/month mortgage, but I really fell more comfortable around $2.5k/month. I include $300/month for maintenance/improvements. Not planning to buy a fixer upper, although I'm relatively handy. Income taxes are not included, here's why. I'm...

The plan does not require hitting it big, but would be nice!

Thanks for your inputs. The plan is to use my VA loan with $0 down for the house purchase. Rates are so low (VA 30 year, 2.5%) that I think it is best to leave $$$ earning. Plan on a 4% withdrawal rate for the retirement funds. In addition to the pensions, SS will be around $25k for me at 62...

Hello all, I haven't posted in, well, a long time. Looks like my last check in was 2012 - lots of changes since then! Currently an executive in very, very small electronics company for about 6 years. Live in SoCal (rent), so housing is very expensive, but I can hear the waves at night and I...

I'm on Tricare Retired Reserve (TRR) while I wait for Tricare at age 60. I pay for this, however, it is quite affordable in comparison to other policies with the same level of coverage. TRR is basically Tricare Standard; has been a great policy, allowing visits to specialists without the...

Ooma! Having a "house phone" enables you to easily call 911 if needed, as you aren't searching the house for your mobile phone. Basic Ooma costs about $3.50/month, so it is a no brainer for me.

Ting.com is awesome! We have 3 smartphones and one regular phone; I have never paid over $95/month. That includes some heavy text users. Ting recently started selling used phones through glyde.com; you can also bring many Sprint unlocked phones over to their service. No contracts, just plain...

Welcome CBR900RR. Sorry to hear about your potential layoff. If you are thinking of retirement, perhaps your $700k house is more than you need or can afford. Does your wife's job provide health insurance for your family? I'm assuming your pensions are lump sums?

Outback Bowl was $85/ticket (x4); absolutely fabulous experience; even though Michigan lost.

Try ting.com for cell phone service. They use the Sprint network and have OUTSTANDING customer service; an actual person picks up the phone after a few rings. Cost is $6/month per phone; you get charged for minutes, texts, and data, however, it is very inexpensive. You only pay for what you...

As martyb says, there would need to be a benefit to the military for you to continue to receive points while in the grey zone. I can't think of any benefits; my research says no. The only way to get points would be to provide information for correcting your point record, such as Midshipmen...

I have a similar situation with a pension buyout; I'm opting to wait for my previous (not very healthy) employer to provide the pension later in life. Why? Because PGBC is there to back it up. I'm below the PBGC monthly guarantee amount for my age, so I really see little risk in sticking with...

MasterBlaster; thanks, interesting. Where does the 16x come from? Also, I believe that 7% would be pretty high for discounting; I usually use 3%, but not sure that is correct either. The pension benefits web site gives me $121k. Thanks for the alternate viewpoint.

Seems to be a pattern with megacorps ridding themselves of pensions. Here's what they are offering me: $81k lump sum ($70k pre tax & $11k after tax). My pension will be $800/month at age 60; 9 years from now. Pension has no COLA and is covered by PBGC (megacorp not terribly healthy); if I...

Ting is awesome! 3 smart phones and 1 basic phone; average monthly cost over 4 months is $84. I have not noticed any noticeable differences in coverage compared to Big V.

navydavey; welcome! Looks like you are doing great. Keep pumping money into the Roth and TSP. If you can make it to 20 years (or better yet 30 years) in the Navy, you'll be golden. The time will fly by! Check out Nords' book "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement" by...

Coach her through a refi with better terms; possibly lower interest and longer term. Unfortunately, she probably should have purchased a cheaper used car...

Welcome Bill55AZ. I'm also Retired Navy Reserve; currently in the gray zone waiting for pay to start. Can't help you with your snowbird question, but wanted to welcome a fellow Sailor.

Hulu has BBC America.