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  1. stargazer08

    Retiring on a cruise ship

    I wouldn't think retiring on a cruise ship would be sustainable. If you get sick, they boot you off at the first available port. My parents were on a cruise. My step dad had a mini stroke. They took him away in an ambulance and packed their belongings into plastic trash bags and set them on the...
  2. stargazer08

    Wheat

    I've been gluten free for several years. It's made a huge difference in my life. I'm almost 6 feet tall and had dropped down to 110 pounds because I couldn't eat without having severe gut issues. My gut problem was solved and my migraines got 95% better. I'm gluten intolerant and so are my 2...
  3. stargazer08

    Appointment with Mohs Surgeon

    My 88 year old step father just completed superficial radiation for 3 spots of skin cancer on his face. It's 21 treatments 3X a week for 7 weeks. You might check into this instead of MOHS. He had MOHS on his neck several years ago and it was fairly tramatic for him. Being an all day procedure...
  4. stargazer08

    healthcare.gov/ACA enrollment reminders

    I haven't had that problem and I enrolled the first day.
  5. stargazer08

    ACA Rate Increases For 2023

    I went back and used the ages and income from last year on healthcare.gov without logging in. It's actually more money buy a couple bucks. It's the exact same plan. There is only 1 BCBSIL plan that is HSA eligible. We'll stick with this plan and pay the premium. We paid about $250 more per...
  6. stargazer08

    ACA Rate Increases For 2023

    2022 was our first year on ACA. Google says there was an additional subsidy from the American Rescue plan that ends this year. I'm 59 and my husband is 62. I don't think age has much to do with it. To get the same level of subsidy we'll have to decrease our income from 60G to 45G or pick a...
  7. stargazer08

    ACA Rate Increases For 2023

    Our HSA eligible BCBS plan for Illinois went up 2012%!!! No, I didn't miss a decimal place. I double checked the income we put for our previous application. Using the same income the premiums increased from just under $8 to $161. We can get a cheaper bronze plan but it won't be HSA eligible...
  8. stargazer08

    Scheduled meeting with manager to announce....

    When I retired early, I gave 3 months notice so that they could find and train my replacement. 2 days before my last shift, my replacement gave notice. So much for not leaving them in a lurch. The 2nd replacement got fired for drinking on the job. 2.5 months after my last day my position is...
  9. stargazer08

    2022 ACA Exchange Experiences

    Thank you for the replies. I put on my big girl panties and finished the application. A little further in were the questions about future coverage in 2022. All is well. Application submitted and eligibility was confirmed. I've paid the first months premium. I'll check back periodically for...
  10. stargazer08

    Took the plunge - finishing up

    Congratulations! 39 years...wow! I'm joining you in retirement on the same date but not the number of years of service. It is scary giving up a regular paycheck but I'm hoping the freedom gained will be worth the loss of $$. :)
  11. stargazer08

    2022 ACA Exchange Experiences

    I'm a first time aca applicant for 2022. I'm retiring early December 31, 2021. I live in Illinois and I'm in the process of filling out the application on healthcare.gov. There are questions about my current job related coverage. I've stopped the app at this point because I have no idea how I...
  12. stargazer08

    Another Cataract Surgery Thread

    I didn't know LASIK had that much of an impact on cataract surgery. I traveled from Chicago to Houston for LASIK in the early 90s before it was FDA approved. Good to know about the light adjustable lenses. I'm sure I'll travel down the cataract road in the near future.
  13. stargazer08

    I'm depressed but six months out and getting excited!

    Congrats on your up coming retirement. 6 months will fly by and drag at the same time. I'm done in 4 and just internally roll my eyes when more stupid crap trickles down from above. I just tell myself "I don't care cuz I won't be here" when the talking heads start blabbering like Charlie Browns...
  14. stargazer08

    Help/Advice w/ DW's Employment Situation

    It might take a bit longer but your wife will probably know when she has had enough. It took me 2 years into my current job of 3.5 years to listen to my husband and decide to quit. The work it self is easy peasy. The schedule is another level of insanity that I have finally decided I no longer...
  15. stargazer08

    Correct execution of a 72t plan?

    I have done a 72T for 10 years. I went to a CPA because I didn't trust myself to not make a mistake. I didn't know you could make changes to the amount you withdraw. I can't on mine....well, I believe I could make one change without a penalty but haven't needed to do that. I have to take these...
  16. stargazer08

    Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

    PRP is widely used in the equine world. It is very successful. I know of one person who used it for his daughter who was a high school drummer. She injured her shoulder. It got her back on the drums. Insurance didn't cover it. I have suffered through ankle problems. I have flat feet. The left...
  17. stargazer08

    Forgiving Student Loan Debt Discussion

    Some form of student loan forgiveness will probably come to pass because it seems our government likes to reward people who make poor choices. That's my jaded view of the subject. God forbid people work fulltime AND go to school part time. That worked for me and my employer had tuition...
  18. stargazer08

    Sinus flushing

    I'm a sinus doucher. LOL I have added xylitol to my salt solution. It supposedly breaks through the biofilm.
  19. stargazer08

    I Had to Put My Dog Down Yesterday

    Eventually you will remember the good times with your pup and the heartache from the last day will subside. They take a piece of our hearts with them but they leave a piece of theirs to fill in the hole.
  20. stargazer08

    landlord seeking help

    You should go to Mrlandlord.com and read their Q&A forum. You will learn a lot from them.
  21. stargazer08

    Majorly myopic - how to save $ on glasses?

    Another happy Zenni customer here. I just bought 4 pair of glasses for me and the Mr. Final price was $190....less than $50 each. All had transition lenses and one pair had bifocals.
  22. stargazer08

    RMD? What to do with it if you don't need $

    I can guarantee that if you buy a horse you will have no problem needing and/or spending future RMDs. ;)
  23. stargazer08

    The high cost of convenience/ inclusion

    I have been gluten free for 15+ years. The price of gluten free cake mixes is insane but I personally like the Betty Crocker mixes best. It's wonderful that you're willing to do this for your SIL. My only advice is don't overcook the cake...especially if it's the yellow cake mix.
  24. stargazer08

    Shawnee forest/Paducah/Nashville

    I'm a bit biased about the Shawnee National Forest. I live in the eastern half about 5 miles from Garden of the Gods. There are so many cabins to rent if you wanted to spend a few days exploring the trails here. Google will give you many cabins in the area. There is a unique one down the road...
  25. stargazer08

    Inguinal Hernia

    Both my husband and I had hernia repairs in 2017. I had a inguinal and hubby had inguinal and a ventral hernia above his belly button. Both inguinals were repaired with mesh. The ventral was repaired with 2 stitches. We both had laparoscopic repairs. We agreed that 85% of the recovery pain was...
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