I worked with a guy who would go on a family vacation every year (sometimes twice a year) and put it on his CC. He was still paying for vacations that were 4 or 5 years ago. I've always wondered what his cost for the vacations were when he took them and the actual cost paying them off for months and months and months. He always complained wasn't paid enough.
I'm old enough to remember when "establishing credit" was drilled into us when we turned 18 in the 1970s. That was before they were passing out credit cards like Halloween candy. We were instructed not use the card if we had no intention to pay it off fully by months end. I never could understand why anyone would go into credit card debt. I know people who went on vacations they couldn't afford and slapped it on their card, the vacation is over and they end up paying for that vacation twice over for years. I also believe that hearing people have to go into credit card debt to meet their basic needs is a bunch of crap.
So if they adopt to freeze COLA increases, I wonder if they will also freeze increases to the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B. Sardonically, Probably not!
A couple of months ago Sean Mullaney covered this topic. https://youtu.be/31-GevC1lVs?si=X8nCVaZaGhdDUpw6 As others have said, you have to run the numbers.
Ted though I am a staunch Toyota guy, the Telluride has a beautiful design. Know a few who own them and they love them. Just keep an eye on the oil pan. All of the owners had to replace the gasket after 4 years.
As a second generation American and a veteran who served in many other countries, I'm proud to be an American citizen. I love the USA. I wish others now in 2026 would catch the spirit we had in 1976 during the bicentennial.
No it's hard. We can't even get Congress together to eliminate the massive fraud in the SS and Medicare programs. Let's start with that first. It's the easiest first step.
Comments
I worked with a guy who would go on a family vacation every year (sometimes twice a year) and put it on his CC. He was still paying for vacations that were 4 or 5 years ago. I've always wondered what his cost for the vacations were when he took them and the actual cost paying them off for months and months and months. He always complained wasn't paid enough.
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 25, 2026
No credit card company would give you a $70K line of credit without excellent credit, high income, and substantial assets.
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 25, 2026
I'm old enough to remember when "establishing credit" was drilled into us when we turned 18 in the 1970s. That was before they were passing out credit cards like Halloween candy. We were instructed not use the card if we had no intention to pay it off fully by months end. I never could understand why anyone would go into credit card debt. I know people who went on vacations they couldn't afford and slapped it on their card, the vacation is over and they end up paying for that vacation twice over for years. I also believe that hearing people have to go into credit card debt to meet their basic needs is a bunch of crap.
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 25, 2026
So if they adopt to freeze COLA increases, I wonder if they will also freeze increases to the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B. Sardonically, Probably not!
Post: Short term and long term Social Security planning
Link to comment from August 4, 2026
We are living in 2026 not 1966. It might be time to eliminate the spousal benefit.
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from July 19, 2026
A couple of months ago Sean Mullaney covered this topic. https://youtu.be/31-GevC1lVs?si=X8nCVaZaGhdDUpw6 As others have said, you have to run the numbers.
Post: Will Your Death Double Your Spouse’s Tax Bill?
Link to comment from July 16, 2026
Ted though I am a staunch Toyota guy, the Telluride has a beautiful design. Know a few who own them and they love them. Just keep an eye on the oil pan. All of the owners had to replace the gasket after 4 years.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 14, 2026
I never go to stores that require me to pay a membership fee.
Post: Frittering away Frugality
Link to comment from July 8, 2026
As a second generation American and a veteran who served in many other countries, I'm proud to be an American citizen. I love the USA. I wish others now in 2026 would catch the spirit we had in 1976 during the bicentennial.
Post: Happy 250th Birthday America
Link to comment from July 3, 2026
No it's hard. We can't even get Congress together to eliminate the massive fraud in the SS and Medicare programs. Let's start with that first. It's the easiest first step.
Post: Fixing Social Security is not that hard, here’s how
Link to comment from June 15, 2026