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  1. athena53

    Lost ID & TSA experience

    I lost my driver’s license 20 or so years ago (later found it buried in the depths of my purse) and was allowed to fly after a more thorough search than usual. I’m glad it’s still an option. Two years ago I lost my passport in Malta and was surprised the embassy had no interest in my stored...
  2. athena53

    Financial Planning for Assisted Living

    That’s my reasoning. I’m single so it’s far simpler but when I look at what I’m spending but subtract housing, car, travel and, if necessary, charity and 529 contributions, there’s enough left for LTC.
  3. athena53

    Selling old gold crowns?

    I’m in the “sell it” camp. May as well be practical. No need to mention it came from someone who’s deceased.
  4. athena53

    What was your happiest moment today?

    Reaching the endpoint of our hike up Mt. Pacaya in Guatemala- not to the peak but a 1,300- foot elevation gain over 1.5 miles. This is an older group-at 71, I’m probably average- but I’m still proud to have made it. We saw younger groups going up on horseback. And it’s not quite 10 AM here. :-)
  5. athena53

    WSJ - Big mistakes people make in Medicare

    Many of us here can do that (depending on cost) but I'd guess that for the 40% or so of seniors trying to make it on SS alone that's not an option. Agreed on Boomer Benefits- I did not use them myself but their publications are clear and balanced and a lot of people like them.
  6. athena53

    How much do you spend per month on fitness?

    Pretty much zero. I went to Planet Fitness but switched to video workouts during COVID. In nice weather I may take a long walk or bike the trail behind my neighborhood. The bike was $700 but that was 4 years ago.
  7. athena53

    Airline mileage programs

    AA lifetime Gold here, too, so I gravitate to them for Coach domestic. For long-haul Business, I select whatever fits my schedule and price preferences. You get the same perks anyway. I did have enough miles to get a LHR round trip in Business Class in September and my overnights at LHR...
  8. athena53

    State Income Tax: not always perfect

    Many have two homes, one near family and the other in the low-tax state. The smart one like my brother are scrupulous about maintaining enough presence in the latter (number of days, church membership, doctors, car registrations) to qualify it as their primary residence.
  9. athena53

    Stolen License Plate

    Neither did I. Apparently if you drive through EZ Pass without a transponder they take a picture of your license plate and then send a bill to the holder of record. The amounts were small (under $100 total) and it took awhile to untangle. I did report them stolen after I found out.
  10. athena53

    Stolen License Plate

    I threw mine in the trash after we transferred the car from DH’s name to mine (no, DMV wouldn’t transfer the plates) and they were later retrieved-no idea where or how-and used by people running through EZ Pass lanes! Lesson learned. My DMV went to appointment-only during COVID. I actually...
  11. athena53

    2024 Umbrella Policy costs

    Mine was $755 for $3 million, also with State Farm. One house, one car, nothing else presenting a major risk, KC suburb. I suppose I should shop next year but a had an at-fault fender-bender and a speeding ticket within a month of each other late last year after decades of a perfect record...
  12. athena53

    Dumbest Booking Error

    There are plenty of examples on FlyerTalk of couples booking honeymoon flights using the husband's last name for the wife since the flights would be after the wedding- except the wife would have no ID with her married name on it. (Not what happened in your example, of course.) I think you can...
  13. athena53

    Longevity Vacations

    Now that's an interesting question. Probably depends on whether you "pad it" with sightseeing and other tourist activities before or after, and how legitimate the "treatment" looks. When I was in Macchu Picchu there were tons of places offering massages. The local guide, whom I trusted...
  14. athena53

    State Income Tax: not always perfect

    I did get a credit on my KS return. The difference between paying taxes on it to KS or to NJ was probably minimal- I was just annoyed that NJ grabbed part of it. And, since it was over 20 years ago now I think I'll leave it alone!
  15. athena53

    State Income Tax: not always perfect

    I'll never forget the greed of NJ in grabbing a share of income for the year after I moved out. Worked from home in NJ after I started a new job from May, 2002 to June, 2003. Moved to KS in June, 2003. Got a bonus in 2004. They withheld NJ taxes on half of it. I asked why since I'd moved...
  16. athena53

    Tinnitus help through hearing aids

    Yeah, there's big bucks in hearing aids and ordinary mortals can't tell whether the ones with the steeper price are worth it. I sure hope Costco still sells them when I need them.
  17. athena53

    Why are older Americans drinking so much

    I agree- I figure you can't over-indulge in any of the above but I allow myself a few "vices" in moderation.
  18. athena53

    New cardiologist not care about my cholesterol

    I'm more interested in his observations on exercise, maintaining muscle mass, the importance of diet, and the "Senior Decathlon"- the things you still want to be able to do in your last decade of life (get up off the floor unaided, carry 30 lbs. X feet, for example) so you can remain independent...
  19. athena53

    New cardiologist not care about my cholesterol

    They're "only" every other year but I agree. He also takes rapamycin and Prevastatin for preventative purposes and he and his wife get annual whole-body scans. Not for everyone. He's a bit of a human experiment and it's too bad I'll be unlikely to know his results over the long run since I'm...
  20. athena53

    New cardiologist not care about my cholesterol

    Unfortunately, most docs are driven by what insurance will cover. Why get deep into the weeds of tests that would head off future issues but that most patients can't afford to pay for out-of-pocket? Attia gets colonoscopies every other year, for example. He's decided that's the optimal...
  21. athena53

    State Income Tax: not always perfect

    I live in the MO side and MO just quit taxing SS- so KS had to follow! KS recently stopped applying state sales taxes to food, which has been true on the MO side since I moved here. If you're in the KC area it's pretty easy to choose your state based on taxes and other factors. (MO is reputed...
  22. athena53

    Dental question-implants or bridge?

    Same here and I'm darn grateful I can afford them.
  23. athena53

    New cardiologist not care about my cholesterol

    I share mine- never had a problem. I send them beforehand and most of the time they end up in my electronic records. I'd be concerned about a doc who had a problem with this. You're not seeing another doc, you're not taking prescriptions he/she doesn't know about and you're not getting...
  24. athena53

    Tinnitus help through hearing aids

    DH had tinnitus and state-of-the-art hearing aids from Costco didn't help- but he died 7 years ago so maybe the technology is different. Another cautionary tale: stupid mistake on my part. I was having a breast MRI and they do give you ear plugs but one may have fallen out during the procedure...
  25. athena53

    Dental question-implants or bridge?

    I'm in the Kansas City area and implants have been running about $5K each. This one may end up higher; the oral surgeon charged $3,620, the anaesthesiologist charged another $630 and my dentist will have a charge for obtaining and installing the prosthetic tooth, which I know will be over...
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