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My name is Gene and I'm a retired IT manager with 34 years experience in IT. After college I did a stint in the USMC in the mid-70's, conductor on the railroad, and then during an economic recession went back to school and got a 2nd bachelors degree in computer science. I then did half my IT career in corporate America and half as a civil servant. I grew up in the southwest and after military service returned to the southwest to raise my family (1 girl & 2 boys). I went through an unwanted and unexpected divorce at 49, but remarried 11 years later to a wonderful companion who's truly my soulmate. We both retired in 2018 and we're having a great time in retirement. We're currently in good health and live in a 55+ community. We love our home but we plan to ultimately move into a CCRC at some point to remove that uncertainty and risk.
Comments:
I know what you mean. I feel a bit sad when I drive around what was once a lovely rural area that's now covered over with "city". It can be tough seeing the change in an area you grew up in.
Post: Join me on a trip down memory lane. It’s likely too long a trip for many readers
Link to comment from January 9, 2025
There's a lot of factors that go into deciding whether renting or owning makes sense for a particular individual or couple. I think the smart thing is to carefully evaluate one's situation with a realistic view of current conditions and then proceed accordingly. Over time (like many things in our economy) cycles come and go when either buying or renting will make more sense. For my wife and I at this time and place in our lives, it makes sense for us to own our home. As things change, I hope we'll make whatever decision is then best for us.
Post: Rent Forever?
Link to comment from January 9, 2025
I grew up in the southwest in a rural setting that's now just city. Pools were scarce so getting to go to one was infrequent and a real treat. The days were hot but the nights cooled off considerably without all the concrete and asphalt of today. As a kid during summer it was common to stay up late and sleep late the next morning to enjoy the cool nights, so I regularly saw the film "High Flight" that one of our 3 tv stations played at the end of the day. I still remember the lyrics since I saw that film about a million times "Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the sky on...". And there was no skipping tv commercials in those days, so you came to know the late night local regulars selling their products (often car dealers). Thanks for the trip down memory lane; that was fun.
Post: Join me on a trip down memory lane. It’s likely too long a trip for many readers
Link to comment from January 9, 2025
Excellent observation and question. For my wife and I the greatest threat is running out of time. I think you nailed 2 critical aspects of managing time; spending it wisely and taking steps to increase the time one has. To the first, my wife and I periodically discuss and critically examine how we spend our time trying to identify more effective uses of time to get as much joy as possible. We've found that to be a useful exercise for us and we intend to continue doing so. To the second item, we do try to eat well and get our nightly sleep, but that doesn't really take any extra investment of "time" to accomplish. We do invest about 10 hours each week exercising (hiking and gym workouts) for the explicit purpose of maintaining our health (although hiking is quite enjoyable for us; the gym less so). I think most good things in life benefit from some inspection and effort.
Post: Focusing on the Real Threat
Link to comment from January 8, 2025
You make a really good point. My wife and I were on a favorite hike that's a bit physically demanding and while enjoying the hard won view we discussed the idea that some day we probably won't be able to make that hike any longer. That moment of reflection contributed to our appreciation of the moment and the need to continue to rack up similar moments while our health still allows us to.
Post: No “Go-Go” by Kristine Hayes Nibler
Link to comment from January 7, 2025
I'm a retired federal employee and my wife is also covered on my retirement medical plan. However, in my case if I die first she can only stay on the medical plan if she has a survivor pension benefit from me. She does, so it's not a problem for us. I only mention it as it seems like a rather arbitrary and frankly odd requirement. I have no idea if CALPERS has any such requirement, but thought I'd mention it as an example of why you might want to confirm your ability to stay on his medical plan if he were to predecease you before you pass up coverage from your own plan. It's probably not a problem for you, but I thought I'd mention it in the spirit of "better safe than sorry". Best wishes on your upcoming retirement.
Post: 2025 Retirement Countdown by Dana/DrLefty!
Link to comment from January 2, 2025
Thanks for that. Jim Dahle's talk was outstanding. Plus his down to earth discussion about the lawsuits was actually very comforting that doing the basics significantly reduces your overall risk. Good stuff.
Post: Pick Your Peril
Link to comment from December 7, 2024
I agree. An umbrella policy is a good idea and another layer of protection. But that doesn't stop them from coming after your assets as well. That happened to a family member of mine.
Post: Love, Hate and My 401(k)
Link to comment from December 7, 2024
I hope that's true, but what I've read indicates it's only partially true. Here's one reference (although hardly definitive): Retirement accounts provide protection against creditors | Mesirow As a practical matter, I believe that ERISA protection includes near absolute protection from typical lawsuits. Federal bankruptcy protection has some notable exclusions, including judgements resulting from DUI's. Since a DUI in some states includes driving while on prescription and OTC meds that "may cause drossiness", that's a pretty big limitation. Also, when referencing "state laws", I always assumed it was the state I live in. But if you're in an accident while driving in another state, I think you might fall under the laws in that other state (whose protections of IRA's might be quite different than what you have in your home state). Sorry for being a nag, plus I also would love a definitive answer to all this. Plus I'd really really like to be wrong on this.
Post: Love, Hate and My 401(k)
Link to comment from December 6, 2024
But if you look at the data in IG report I cited above, a couple things stand out. First, only 1% of Medicare Advantage claim denials are appealed, but 75% of the appeals are upheld for the patient. So clearly insurance companies are denying legitimate claims, but since so few people appeal it's a profitable strategy for the insurance companies.
Post: CLUES LEFT BY A KILLER ECHO WIDESPREAD ANGER AT HEALTH INSURERS
Link to comment from December 6, 2024