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Just an observation ... as I look at these boards, and consider folks I have known over the years, the great importance of stability cannot be overestimated. Folks that are able to get careers in situations where they can stay employed for many, many years, and especially build government /...

I don't post here often, but respect the intelligence and fairness of this forum ... let me post a friend's challenges here, and get your input. My perspective is blurred by our relationship. His situation is as follows: Executive, 56, who is really burned out. Used to make $200K+ annually...

How is someone taxed if they inherit a 401(k) account as a beneficiary, following the death of the 401(k) participant? Note this would be a non-spouse, significant other beneciary. Any planning suggestions? [I'll also be consulting a tax CPA / attorney, but was curious about knowledge here.]...

A friend has a relative who can be a bit of a spendthrift, and is not good at managing money. He wants her to be secure, and have a lifetime stream of income, inflation adjusted, so that she will always have a base amount of money to live on. [He may pay off her mortgage as well, but that...

I've recently learned that this franchise operation services some sellers by selling their unusable, broken crap "as is", but misleading buyers by pointing out immaterial cosmetic issues while overlooking the fact (any lying by omission) that an item doesn't mechanically work at all. Seems...

For sake of discussion, let's assume global warming is true. Where would one find data on the carbon footprint, and fuel mileage of motorcycles, ATV's and scooters? For transportation, motorcycles and scooters may be much better for the planet, but ... are they? Thanks.

[I'll post this here, as it may create $$ for those who consult and work in process improvement.] Anyone on the forum with process certifications such as Six Sigma, or LEAN, or ??? Did you find it truly valuable? In what context did you receive the certification? Did it help you become a...

We may indeed go into business in Vermont. We're long in the tooth for this current prosperity, and we see Mr. Greenspan feels the same ... who knows ... not sure Alan is any better than me at predicting tops. ;) Lots of due diligence to do, and this will involve significant investment...

There is a chance we would move to Burlington, VT to acquire and operate a business. Can't go into the details of the business, but wanted to inquire if anyone here is familiar with the area ... economy, crime, population trends, weather, etc. Is it a nice community, how about the state ...

Any ETF's or funds out there focused on defense stocks ... planes, tanks, "homeland security", and so on? Thanks.

For me, one of life's quirky mysteries is where all the socks go. You put them into the laundry, and they seem perfectly safe. You (or DW) bring them out of the dryer, and one has escaped. Where do they go? I have a drawer full of socks who have lost their siblings, and I am greatly reluctant...

My wife would love to go to Italy, and loving her as I do, I want her to have that experience soon. Can anyone recommend a company for such a trip? Personally, I am not an art connoisseur [unless it has two or four wheels ... ;) ], and I have never used a tour company ... always have preferred...

Ha. Creepy indeed. Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore ... ;) FoxNews.Com U.S. Warns About Canadian Spy Coins Thursday, January 11, 2007 AP WASHINGTON — Money talks, but can it also follow your movements? In a U.S. government warning high on the creepiness scale, the...

Sad Thanksgiving news. I just don't get the logic of the war on some drugs, but we seem to accept this crap over and over. While I strongly support our police, and have done so with time and money, I think it is more than a little problematic when you have undercover cops breaking into homes...

http://early-retirement.org/forums/index.php?topic=1467.0 China continues to be the rage. I was chatting this week with the General Counsel for a well known retail chain, and he pointed out the huge proportion of Chinese product in their stores. We both wondered (somewhat tongue in cheek) if...

Anyone on the forum who enjoys restoring cars or motorcycles in retirement? Seems that would be a fun way to study the history of different brands, bring life back to a tired machine, enjoy the ride, and then sell it at least at break even ... and perhaps a bit of profit on a wise choice /...

As an "Other Topic", in the forum's spirit of "... anything goes, outside of rude, obscene, or other stuff ...". This story has been wasting our time for how long? Now we find Nifong has fostered this, while damaging the reputations of so many, based on ...? I understand he wanted to be...

Appreciation on residential property was clearly great for awhile, and helped cover the dismal rental returns. While we have the comfort of timing the move to a better market, we're thinking strongly of doing 1031's to move from what is effectively a 3% or less cap rate on residential rentals...

Need to replace our front bumper, 2001 Ford F-150 ... oldest son, driving school "tuition", you know ... ::) Dealer wants $425, and it just isn't worth that to us, so I'll do it. Bought a DVD shop manual off eBay to make sure no surprises, and I'm ready to go ... just need the bumper. I note...

Recently some of us got into a brief debate on the forum here regarding pacifism in the face of terrorism, and it resonated at this five year anniversary of 9/11/01.  Then, this opinion appears in the WSJ, and it articulates the situation so well.  Our existing, and likely increasing war against...

In my mid 50's now, and retirement is close ... but not quite yet. In the meantime, we got stress here in River City.  Board meetings, seeing guys fired who shouldn't be fired, a career where 26 months on the job is average, before you need to move to the next gig, etc.  Loads more stress than...

We've nearly come to the point where we turn to eBay if we want to buy anything other than a consumable.  We like the "nontaxable income" nature of buying what we need for less than new prices. I'm learning, like any field, there are tricks of the trade.  I was outbid the other day by a fellow...

Friend of mine is facing the big "D", but it may be a ways off. They move with their work, and asked me which state is best ... which for the wife, which for the husband? They want to be fair, but not taken to the cleaners. Any opinions / experience out there?

Controversial, I'm sure. On the one hand, a compliment to western society that it took this long, on the other, an indictment of common sense.  Radical Islamists are blowing people up ... westerners are concerned about offending them.  Perhaps a better solution than screening Quaker...

Interesting article on alternative housing (I'll copy, since this will be a short-lived link): http://biz.yahoo.com/weekend/mini_1.html Move Over, McMansions The Wall Street Journal Online By Annelena Lobb Microhouses are luring buyers looking for vacation getaways, art studios or even...