I certainly can relate to "no driving" restrictions. Late last year, I fell and hit my head. What at first seemed like a minor incident turned into two brain surgeries and a no driving for 6 months. My wife drove me some and I took a lot of Ubers and Lyft rides. I just got my driving restrictions lifted and realized how isolating not driving is. We're in the suburbs now and looking at CCRC and 55+ communities. We've added public transportation to one of the important things to consider in making this decision.
As a long-time (30+ years) landlord, I've had different pet polcies for different properties. The very first building that I bought had a basement apartment that was difficult to rent. Once I started accepting a dog in that apartment, problem solved. Another building that I own is strictly no pets. A third building, I allow pets with a higher rent and security deposit.
Steve--As a long time landlord, I go through the same calculation when raising rents. One thing to keep in mind though, is that raising the rent $100 while spending $3,000, is that you've increased the value of the property. I use a quick (but surprisingly reliable) rule of thumb that a property is worth 100 times the monthly rent. So a $100 rent increase adds something like $10,000 to the value of a property.
We're in a position to both wait to 70 to draw SS. My parents both lived to 95 and her mom is still alive (and in reasonably good health) at 98. As far as an inflation adjusted annuity, SS can't be beat.
Since it was second marriage for both of us and we both had young children at the time, my wife and I did a "yours, mine and ours" approach to finance. We both put an equal amount into a joint account to pay the mortgage, utilities, food and such and paid for our personal and kids bills separately. We still discussed major purchases. It works for us.
George I'm going to chime in as someone that has owned an RV for years. My ex and I owned a couple of mid-sized rigs back in the 80's. We traveled throughout New England and the Eastern US. Financial issues forced us to sell, but we later bought a smaller (Toyota based) rig and traveled in it with our young kids. After the divorce, I got the camper and continued to travel with the kids. When I remarried, we got a somewhat larger (27') camper and took the blended family. Now the kids are gone, but my wife and I still enjoy traveling in the camper, especially during COVID when we drove to Atlanta to see our granddaughters, eating and sleeping in the rig. This kind of travel does involve some work (dumping the holding tanks for instance), but we enjoy it.
Comments
I certainly can relate to "no driving" restrictions. Late last year, I fell and hit my head. What at first seemed like a minor incident turned into two brain surgeries and a no driving for 6 months. My wife drove me some and I took a lot of Ubers and Lyft rides. I just got my driving restrictions lifted and realized how isolating not driving is. We're in the suburbs now and looking at CCRC and 55+ communities. We've added public transportation to one of the important things to consider in making this decision.
Post: Life After Cars
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
As a long-time (30+ years) landlord, I've had different pet polcies for different properties. The very first building that I bought had a basement apartment that was difficult to rent. Once I started accepting a dog in that apartment, problem solved. Another building that I own is strictly no pets. A third building, I allow pets with a higher rent and security deposit.
Post: Don’t Get Catty
Link to comment from August 23, 2023
For 2022 I did a QCD. My accountant noted it on my 1040 and I STILL got a letter from the IRS questioning my return.
Post: Easy to Miss
Link to comment from August 19, 2023
Steve--As a long time landlord, I go through the same calculation when raising rents. One thing to keep in mind though, is that raising the rent $100 while spending $3,000, is that you've increased the value of the property. I use a quick (but surprisingly reliable) rule of thumb that a property is worth 100 times the monthly rent. So a $100 rent increase adds something like $10,000 to the value of a property.
Post: Money Shame
Link to comment from July 5, 2023
We're in a position to both wait to 70 to draw SS. My parents both lived to 95 and her mom is still alive (and in reasonably good health) at 98. As far as an inflation adjusted annuity, SS can't be beat.
Post: The Magic Number
Link to comment from August 27, 2022
Since it was second marriage for both of us and we both had young children at the time, my wife and I did a "yours, mine and ours" approach to finance. We both put an equal amount into a joint account to pay the mortgage, utilities, food and such and paid for our personal and kids bills separately. We still discussed major purchases. It works for us.
Post: Separate Ways
Link to comment from August 27, 2022
George I'm going to chime in as someone that has owned an RV for years. My ex and I owned a couple of mid-sized rigs back in the 80's. We traveled throughout New England and the Eastern US. Financial issues forced us to sell, but we later bought a smaller (Toyota based) rig and traveled in it with our young kids. After the divorce, I got the camper and continued to travel with the kids. When I remarried, we got a somewhat larger (27') camper and took the blended family. Now the kids are gone, but my wife and I still enjoy traveling in the camper, especially during COVID when we drove to Atlanta to see our granddaughters, eating and sleeping in the rig. This kind of travel does involve some work (dumping the holding tanks for instance), but we enjoy it.
Post: Moving Home
Link to comment from April 27, 2022