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    Should I Delay DROP?

    Do WEP and GPO apply to you? It’s a formula used to adjust Social Security worker benefits for people who receive “non-covered pensions.” Look into this as they can substantially affect SS benefits. State workers, municipal workers and teachers who both have pensions and live in certain...
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    PSA: Planning for Infrequent (Major) Expenses

    Thank you for this info. As a newly retired couple, I was figuring a low-ish annual withdrawal; anticipating bigger random spends along the way.
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    Best resource to ease someone in to tracking / reducing expenses?

    Such good info here. In addition to many of the above suggestions, I began using YNAB (You Need a Budget) a year before retirement. Bit of a learning curve, but YNAB continues to be so helpful. I realized that I spent a little too freely! Mindful spending is, for us, a powerful tool. I buy...
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    Living on SS..anybody else?

    My thoughts exactly. The GPO and WEP are unfair to those of us involved. The folks in Washington (DC), have a two proposals floating around, again, to either do away with one or both, or refigure the calculation.
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    What changes/sacrifices have you made so that you can have ER/FIRE?

    Sacrifice? Eh. More like choices to meet a goal. We chose to live below our means. Small home in a fabulous neighborhood. Job with a pension for one. A part-time job for spouse; so no childcare expenses. Great public schools. Private colleges for kids. Great annual vacations (alternate years...
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    Potential major good news on ACA premiums

    I believe the UI provision is valid for 2031 only.
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    Renting in retirement

    Please, please, hear the advice of the persons who are discussing timing, quality, quality of life, and finances of group homes. Please do your own research;including visits and, a post Covid short-term try out. I sense your fear. You may be pleasantly surprised. There are some wonderful DD...
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    your strategy for long term care

    Very interested in CCRC. Seems like a good balance.
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    Need Ideas to Help My Sister

    Yes. WEP reduced my spousal SS to zero. GPO reduced my husbands SS substantially. Call your local office of The SSA for approximate numbers. Additionally, the SS estimates they mail out, and the numbers online, do not take WEP and GPO into account.
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    2020 Spending Summary and Analysis

    Take a look at YNAB. I did what you are currently doing and, like you, wanted to drill-down a bit more. I began YBAB at the beginning of 2020, and I now know where we stand Very happy! 🥳
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    Stimulus $600

    As a licensed massage therapist, I thank you! Please wear a mask during the entire massage, and be sure that your LMT does as well.
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    Share your FIRE Milestones - 2013- 2020

    Share your FIRE Milestones Hit a nice milestone today. Paid off our interest free car loan yesterday. Retiring in three months!! Happy Dance at our house!
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    Is this enough?

    Hi, what are the pension survivor benefits?
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    What is one everyday thing you think is THRIFTY, but your friends/family think is CHE

    Multiple meals out of a whole chicken, including making broth from the bones; use the library and it’s digital accesses. Call cell phone and internet providers annually to keep costs down. We went from a two car family to one. We live frugally to reach FI !
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    Self Checkout: loathe or like?

    I loathe self checkout. The price of checking-out is built into the merchandise price. I feel as if I’m doing their work; and should receive a discount.
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    What to do with some extra money...

    Please look at Mrfe’s post. Start there. Do you need a portion of the money now? In a year? Two years?
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    55+ communities with indoor pools in Florida

    The Villages no longer has an indoor pool
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    Ready to pull the plug..

    Your story reminded me of ours. We purchased a great home with space between the houses. A great Move-up neighborhood. We also discovered that we had neighbors from hell (I’ll spare you the details). Eight years in and I couldn’t stand it any longer. An extensive search and many conversations...
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    Cars people keep 15+ years

    A little late to the party, but out 2002 Odyssey has 287,000 miles. Tranny was replaced as a recall in 2003 or 4. Fabulous van. Minimal issues. Also, we passed along a 1998 CRV 2 years ago; still going strong.
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    Cat just diagnosed with diabetes

    We too had a diabetic kitty. Lived a good long life. Was able to use a mfg coupon to get price down substantially. First mfg rep said no discount for a Cat. Second rep said if the animal needed the product, they would certainly honor the discount.
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    Mo money mo money!

    Got it. Thanks
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    Mo money mo money!

    Am I missing something? Net worth of $380k x 4% WR= 15,200/year divided by 12 months = 1,267/month.
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    Any good reasons to file - or not file - FAFSA?

    We filed with both kids. Both private universities. DS was given very nice aid, and loans. We accepted the aid and the subsidized loans only. He was able to pay them off before the grace period ended (free money!!). With DD, we filed an appeal after a layoff and were pleasantly surprised...
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    African Safari

    Look at Osprey farpoint 55. REI carries them. Incredibly versatile with detachable day pack
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