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We budget $400 for the two of us. That includes eating out, buying alcohol, Netflix, movies, etc. Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

We don't have a set amount for one international trip annually. It depends on how well the market has done. Last year we spent about $22K for a 4 week trip to Nepal and Bhutan (spending several days in Bangkok on the tail end). That included business class air, private guides and drivers and...

When my husband retired, he wanted to take the larger amount and get life ins. I told him I did not want to be a grieving widow, in my 80's, possibly suffering cognitive decline and have to make a critical decision about a large sum of money. He took the joint survivor option, and it gives both...

We aren't multi-millionaires. Guess we aren't even millionaires since our combined net worth puts us at a bit over 1M. We were not high earners during our working years. But, thanks to our pensions and 401K savings, we are enjoying a comfortable retirement with enough funds to indulge our...

If you die before your wife, what will she have to live on? My husband had to make the same decision when he retired. He proposed taking the single life annuity and buying life insurance. I told him I did not want to be a grieving 80+ widow (possibly suffering cognitive decline) and have to...

To the OP I agree that there is little you can do to curb your parents' spending and support of your sister. Are you worried that they will run out of money then look to you for support? If that is your concern it might help to realize that low income seniors have some resources: you can...

Our monthly income (from pensions &SS) is $7001. That is what we spend. If we had to, we could live on about half that amount (no mortgage or other debt). Annual international trips are funded by withdrawals from the IRA accounts. Usually $15K to $20K

I'm very very happy with our return of 11.5%. Our AA is 45/55

Completely agree that it's based on risk tolerance. Our pensions and SS are enough for us to live comfortably (if not lavishly). Our AA is 45/55 - that is about as much exposure to equities that I can tolerate.

Our property taxes are 2% of our gross income. However we have a hefty state sales tax (over 95)

DH and I are going to Nepal and Bhutan in October... This will be our third trip to Asia (but first time to those countries). Spending 3 days in Bangkok on the way home.

+1 Although my sons are aware that they are our beneficaries, all I've told them is ""When the time comes, I do hope to leave you something. But the simple fact is that the cost of care in our aging years may eat up everything tht we've saved, so don't plan or count on anything"

I've heard good things about Fidelity and Schwab, but have no experience with them. Have been very happy with Vanguard.

If you have an executor who knows where to find what, I don't see a need to inform beneficaries. We have a will book and made sure my sons know where to find it. It should not surprise them to learn they are the beneficaries.

We still keep two vehicles. But we live on a rural area. Most of DH's destinations are west; most of the time I go north. It would be very inconvenient for us to have only one vehicle. Doable, but inconvenient. I imagine we will have two vehicles until we are on our late70's or so.

We are in the "Tracker" camp. I started about 4 years before retirement because I wanted to know exactly how much it cost us to live. I also wanted an idea of how much was really necessary spending and how much was discretionary. I used Quicken for a long time, but switched to YNAB...

I am going to guess that the OP's spouse is newly retired. When DH first retired, we were scared to spend a dime needlessly (of course, that was in 2008 and we were watching our life savings evaporate). He has relaxed a bit - both of us have. But he still feels it is 'bad' to take a...

We don't have a fixed amount for travel. It is determined each year by how well the nest egg has done. Last year we spent $12,000 which included about $1000 to kennel the pooches (considered a travel expense). This year it will be closer to $15,000 when all is said and done. Everything on a...

I'm 68. DH is 65

My biggest concern is health. DH was recently diagnosed with cancer and I'm worried about my own cognitive future (strong family history of Alzheimer's)

We are into our 6th year of full retirement. The mortgage is paid off. Our combined pensions and SS income are enough to meet our everyday expenses. We take about 3% withdrawal (in good years) to pay for an international trip. Things were much tighter (and scarier) in 2008 when DH first retired.

+1 I am astounded at the level of trust my DH has in me. I doubt he even knows his VG password. I have written out detailed instructions for him in case I get hit by the proverbial truck.

+1 In 2003, we purchased a 3 year old Toyota RAV4 with 50K miles. It now has 175K miles and we've never had a serious issue. We'll probably replace it at about 200K miles (with another RAV). My son is still driving the 1992 Toyota Tacoma we bought new. It has well over 200K miles. I'd never...

Wellesley comprises 30% of our combined IRA accounts. I'm a bit concerned about having that much in one fund, but at a loss for a better place.

We currently pay $334/mo for healthcare ins. I'm on Medicare, my husband is not - yet. Next year he will be 65. He has a HDHP with a $1400 deductible. I have a supplementary plan that is also HDHP. Since Medicare pays for 80% of most of my bills, I don't envision ever getting to the high...