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Welcome! Do you have any kids who would want to take over for you? If not, my advice would be to sell now, or wait until the market improves a bit, and then sell shortly after. You do not want to be responsible for rental real estate after your late 60s. I have seen so many older folks...

I think it will play out as you described. As a (part time) real estate investor, I see so much pain out there...short sales as far as the eye can see, all 20% below the loan values (which is about $100k where I invest, in MA and MD). In order to save the banks from a blood bath the Government...

If you've never run or been responsible for a business before, tread very carefully. Massive upside and massive downside...financial, emotional, health-wise...probably in every way. I started a business by accident and now am responsible for employees, vendors, partners, customers...many...

I've known so many families in the OP's position. You have to hope your kids develop a strong work ethic. You should volunteer or work at something you enjoy to show them that work is valued even when you are FI. I've never seen the attitude of "I worked hard so now I can be a bum; but you...

I don't understand all of the concerns over disclosure to kids. I think whether a kid is a spendthrift or a lazy bum has much more to do with how they were raised than how much money their parents have in the bank. I went to prep schools and saw that in action - if the parents worked hard...

I started a research project while in school...it turned into a full blown Internet startup and 2 years later we have about 25 employees. I love working "for myself" - even though in reality I answer to investors and a board. I am under constant pressure to keep them happy, as well as keep...

I think it depends on the child. My parents gave me enough money that I felt I could take some risks after school and didn't have to jump immediately in to a job/career track. As a result, I teamed up with some buddies and started a company, survived lean times for a year, and made 30 times...

AnySoldier.com Check them out...it's a simple way you can support troops directly. I've met the fellow who runs it and it's a Class A operation.

Relax and take it easy. See where life takes you. Do your job well so you can jump over to business school or another job that you like. I have a lot of friends in your position and the work is hard but you should also have time to party a bit (they certainly do). You may enjoy finance once...

My parents send me money every month to invest...I call it their "Long Term Care Insurance". :) They are already above the estate tax limit so it's either their kids or the Government. But it's no sacrifice for them and I wouldn't feel comfortable taking it if it were a sacrifice.

What's your income? I have just done a few loans through USAA at 90% LTV no problems, but with documented high income.

With so many kids and potential grandkids you may find that you like having a big house to entertain them in. So don't count on any equity from downsizing unless you're 100% sure that you don't need/want the extra space.

Keep in mind the US dollar is in the toilet. I am seeing a ton of foreign money from Japan, Ireland, etc flow in to Boston right now. Residential and commercial properties. I mean a TON - probably a couple billion dollars - propping up prices significantly, and rental demand on both sides is...

Every person burns fat differently and from different areas of their body first. It's not unusual for the abs/waist to be the last place to visibly lose fat. In order to accomplish your goal, you need to burn fat. Calories in minus calories burned. It's simple. All the crunches and push-ups...

In these cases I've found it's better to be safe than sorry. Find a lawyer and let them do their job...you can instruct the lawyer however you want but the chain will be MUCH more responsive with your lawyer on board.

For anyone with $5 - $15 million in assets the current laws are the best possible situation, since you can avoid them with a little work ahead of time...it's the parents who refuse to talk to their kids about money (typical blue collar/middle class attitudes) who are hosed when they die. It's...

You can make money pretty easily in real estate. Borrow a lot of money for 30 years at a low interest rate (i.e. 6%). Buy a property that you can almost break even on. Try to find a decent property that is low maintenance (this is the hardest part). Find stable tenants and let them pay a...

You need to hire hard workers who you can trust and then manage them effectively. It's the most difficult part of any business.

Congratulations! I imagine it must feel great. I can't bring myself to do this as the rate is low 5% fixed and I believe the market will return 10% or close to it. And there would still be property tax, utility bills anyway. But I do think it would be a great feeling to be debt free and a...

You can use an american ATM card overseas. There are ATMs all over the place, most places you would travel. You could take some american express traveller's checks, and keep them in separate places, in case your ATM card was stolen. In this day and age there's no need to open up a foreign...

I used to be pretty heavy (250 pounds). I became fed up with it and made a commitment to myself to slim down. I worked out for 30 minutes every day but really focused on my diet. Calories in, calories out... that's all it comes down to. I have a protein shake for breakfast, a low fat, high...

Stick to what you know.

Check out their bills... $20k property tax, $10k-$20k for private schools, mortgage, car loans, etc... these people save very little. They are the opposite of LBYM.

It's all about your expenses. What do you want to spend in retirement? Do you want to help your kids buy houses and have an inheritance? You could retire today if your expenses are low enough (and you were able to sell your business for a few bucks).

It's ALL about the financing. If people can still get financing to buy a house, they will buy. If not, they won't, and prices will come down proportionally.