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I have a trust to ensure my estate goes where I want it (to friends, not my brother) and also to prevent someone appointing themselves as my guardian when I get old and feeble (the alt trustee is my guardian).

Made a face to face appointment with my tax guy and told him what the Dept of Taxation had told me, then gave him their phone number so he could verify. A couple of days later, he sent me an amended return that got me a couple thousand back! So now it’ll just be a matter of reminding him how it...

I second guessed mine for 5 years and only retired when that last straw fell at work.

Some great ideas here! I thought my sewing machine was going to be my big spend but then the 2nd contractor I had lined up to reno my kitchen ghosted me and I decided screw it - I'm going to Europe. Leaving Sunday. Will worry about the kitchen later.

Thanks! Looks like getting my tax guy to return calls/emails is going to be a whole 'nother battle though. Sigh.

Thanks you for the advice! You can see from Nord's post why I got lost in the tax codes. I called the HI Dept of Taxation and while their help desk person wasn't able to assist, she did put me through to their 'Rules Department'. I left a message and eventually one of their tax experts called...

Yes, I'd found that one. It's the only thing I can find in the HI statutes that mentions the TSP.

Yes! That's what I thought too. It's a little difficult to decipher though, so was hoping someone else might have already figured it out.

Hoping some other Fed or military retirees can give me advice on this one: state taxes on the TSP for Hawaii. As far as I can tell, an old statute said no taxes on public retirement plans but a later statute amended that to say that doesn't apply to a bunch of plans including the Thrift Savings...

I've started jewelry making and as a goldsmith, I was thinking starting out in MY hobby was really expensive! Thank you for making a $900 rolling mill, $2200 hydrogen torch, in addition to all the other tools, gems and metals, seem positively cheap in comparison to all you guys' hobbies! LOL I...

Thanks! Maybe the taxes are reasonable and it's just seeing how much the wealthy pay that's irritating me.

Same here. I found out about ROTHs late and only had a few years to contribute before hitting the income limits. Didn't know enough to do conversions and tax guy says not worth it now. Best option I guess it to move to a LCOL area and get rid of the mortgage and HOA, although I've been out...

Are you buying from Costco? Ones here in Hawaii Kai still over $5

Thanks Rianne! Yes, I know I have a high income. Problem is that I live in a very HCOL location and may have to move to find one that will make my $ last, especially considering any long term care will have to be paid for since I don't have family. My bad for not having kids & spouse(s) so I'd...

Good example! Thanks. It just irks me that I lose so much of my retirement funds to taxes.

Played pickleball; checked the mail; went over finances again; and now I'm heading out to the pool. It's a beautiful day outside!

Orchid Isle? So I just came back from Big Island and I have to admit, I really, really liked it. Hilo probably not - living with a constant rain cloud over my head would just be depressing, despite all the gorgeous, lush greenery and waterfalls. What other parts of the island would you...

So, I'm sure this has probably always been obvious to everyone else who does their own taxes, but ok, I'm slow. I was checking next year's tax brackets, and the site I checked phrased it a little differently. Instead of the usual "22% - $xxx - $xxx" they put it as: $44,726 to $95,375...

Thanks. I know my post is a little too vague to go by! But, yeah, I don't care to post all the numbers here and figuring out percentages of everything hurts my brain. I think I'll up my spending of my IRAs/TSP until I'm 67 and start SS and cut back on spending from retirement accounts. And...

Yes, I don't like the home equity loan idea either; I'm just considering ideas. I guess I just really hate to spend down my principal! But hopefully SS can fill the gap later.

I considered moving to Kona (The Pines condo complexes would give me a house!) but I'm afraid I wouldn't find enough to keep me busy. I'm not that familiar with the rest of the BI; although I'm heading over next week for a couple of days to go volcano watching. Right now I'm fairly active with...

I'm still trying to figure out finances so hoping these forums will help! I did see a financial advisor briefly but didn't learn much beyond what I'd already figured out and the online calculator he gave me to use was about the same as Firecalc so I'm trying to do a better job of learning these...

Congratulations! Your questions: 1) Maybe retire earlier. I took a catamaran trip through French Polynesia right after I retired so being able to spend a month floating around Tahiti and Bora Bora definitely made me think I did the right thing 2) just find something you want to do and do it...