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I felt the same way before I got laid off at 49 and decided I was done. Firecalc gave me 85-95% success depending on assumptions. That was in 2014, so coming up on 10 years, and now Firecalc gives 100% success with almost any assumptions, so it's worked out so far. I did some freelance work...

I'm expecting my PCP to retire soon. One new doc I considered has closed his regular panel but is open to "about 100" concierge patients. I asked, and his fee is $5,000 per year! That's way more than I'd be willing to pay now, but also, I can't see how a mixed concierge/regular patient setup can...

I don't have this issue with my dermatologist, but I do have it with my ophthalmologist. He books 6 months out and the other doctors in his practice book at least 3 months out. I once called to try to be seen for a non-urgent but non-routine visit and his staff couldn't schedule me for anything...

I don't trade bonds, or bond funds, I hold them. The difference is that if I hold individual bonds to maturity I will get back my original investment. I cannot hold onto my bond fund with any assurance at all that I will recover the change in value on a specific date. I'm completely aware...

This^^^. Bond funds completely failed their reason for being in my portfolio. I still have money in bond funds in my 401K, but for my non-401K where I have the option, I've switched to individual bonds. It's not a large allocation, but I'm investing in only high-rated bonds and receiving a known...

In my urban area, the big complexes are often reluctant to negotiate on price, saying the prices are set by computer, and they fluctuate daily. It is definitely more expensive to move during the summer, but there's also more turnover then and a bigger supply of apartments to choose from. When...

My area also has many fine doctors, but most of them are scheduling 4-6 months out. It's very difficult to see someone new in a reasonable time period. I've ended up staying with physicians who are competent but whom I don't like because of that.

This was my father's doctor: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/nyregion/15colvin.html He died in 2008, a few years after my father's surgery. From the article, "Dr. Colvin, who performed nearly 10,000 operations during his 30-year career at the N.Y.U. Medical Center, was also one of the...

I would be very cautious about mitral valve surgery. Obviously people's experiences differ, and lots of people have good outcomes, but my father did not. He was 79 at the time and underwent a minimally invasive procedure (repair, not replacement). He spent 6 weeks in the hospital, mostly...

There's also a site called inspire.com

My doctor, who I've seen for 20 years, was part of an independent multispecialty practice of about 50 doctors, including at least a dozen PCPs. Then a few years ago, they sold to a group of 600 doctors, and then that group merged to form an even bigger practice. In the past few years, most of...

I'm always amazed when I read these numbers. In my HCOL area, my rent alone is more than some of your total spending!

Yeah-- I was surprised and curious when I got the EOB from my insurance, but I wasn't about to call and ask questions that might result in reversing their decision!

I'm not on Medicare and my colonoscopy bill was the best kind of surprise. I was having digestion issues, and both I and the hospital thought it would be considered diagnostic. The hospital provided me an estimate of my responsibility being several thousand dollars and they wanted payment...

Buying isn't an option in my current location (prices are very high). I'll have to rent for a while in the burb I'll be moving to, since there isn't time to organize funds for a purchase, but I'll consider buying after that lease is up.

I rent in a HCOL area, and my lease is up soon. My landlord is asking for a 35% increase in rent. >:( I will be moving. I knew when I started my early retirement that renting here was one of the biggest risks to my success; fortunately there are places I'm willing to move that have rents more...

When my parents were ill and reluctant to spend, I tried reminding them that they had saved for old age and for a rainy day, and that they were old and it was pouring. They remained reluctant to spend, but even though I am not yet that old and it is only drizzling, I try to keep this thought...

My early retirement was not entirely planned (if you don't want to hunt my early posts, I was laid off when firecalc gave me 85-95% success depending on assumptions). That was almost 10 years ago. Because I wasn't completely secure in my decision to stop working then, I've continued to run...

Apparently you can get this free weekly now: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/you-now-have-permanent-access-free-weekly-credit-reports

I buy my retiree vision insurance every few years when I want to get new glasses. Because my lenses have a high prescription, they can run more than $300 alone. With the insurance, I pay less than that total, including the frames and exam.

I had one doctor who was very insistent that I use one of the MRIs that were part of his hospital because the results would automatically show up in the software where he does all his work. He very clearly would not have been happy if I went elsewhere and impacted his workflow (he is no longer...

I'm in a similar situation. I do have nieces/nephews, but I don't know that I would be able to rely on them. I'm wondering if entering a CCRC once I hit my 70s would alleviate these concerns.

In my state, there's a state requirement that you must e-file if you use software to prepare your return.

I have always had problems swallowing pills (I've sometimes cut prescriptions into 1/8, not just 1/2, to get them down). I look for either chewables (Centrum has/had a chewable multivitamin for seniors) or gummies. Gummies usually are better-tasting than chewable hard tablets.

I know. So far I've been okay, but I worry every time I go to a show if it will really settle down after. I did finally decide to order noise reduction earplugs and will try them out next time I go somewhere loud.