Your background and expertise, gnussen, would be a good fit to the boards of many non-profits. Consider volunteering for an organization in your local area whose mission you believe in. In no time, you will likely be on its finance committee or board. Volunteering will enhance your resume, introduce you to a new circle of connections, and can provide much satisfaction as you continue the job search. Those in turn might just help you secure a new position.
Such beautiful reflections, Andrew. Thanks. Not ever having been to Asia, I am continually impressed by the apparent warmth of the people in a favorite TV show, Cycle Around Japan. Seeing it has made the Japanese fans' consideration for others at the recent FIFA World Cup games all the more relatable.
I am saddened to think of those needing to take on credit card debt. But I have read on this site praise for various credit card rewards programs. Were it not for the former, those rewards programs likely would not exist. So many of us are complicit in wanting the system to continue to disadvantage others.
Thank you, William, for this update. I value your recommendations and have saved the article to my tax file. Being just two years away from my first QCD (at age 70.5, from an inherited IRA), I have begun planning for them. My hope is that QCDs can eventually be accomplished with a few digital clicks, as are grants now from donor advised funds.
Just an FYI - IRMAA payers who do not yet collect SS have monthly Medicare billing only. Medicare.gov will however accept online payments in advance of billing. I've paid early when it has been advantageous for tax purposes.
Having an IRS.gov account can be reassuring (if not completely necessary), and that requires an ID.me sign-in. I like checking that tax forms are processed and for any signs of fraud. Establishing my ID.me account was difficult, as I do not have a cell phone. The procedure required scheduling a video meeting, uploading documents, and showing the same documents to the camera during the video call. The entire (frustrating) process took several weeks.
So sorry to learn, Heidi, of these abrupt changes to your plans. You have certainly done your homework with respect to COBRA. I chose COBRA coverage thinking it would be the easiest bridge to Medicare (I was 63.5). In retrospect, transferring to COBRA required rather a lot of paperwork and phone calls, billing was problematic, and costs were high. The difficulty may have been because I was an employee at a pseudo-state entity transferring to a state-provided COBRA plan. I might have been better served just searching the marketplace.
I fear that analyses like the CRFB's will lead to a complicated solution to solve SS's approaching insolvency. Data such as in the report, however, are good starting points. If only the tax preparation and financial services lobbyists could keep away from the legislators, we might stand a chance of a streamlined solution. So highly unlikely...
Comments
How do you manage to select great movies to stream? Finding one always seems hit or miss to me.
Post: My Favorite Room
Link to comment from September 18, 2026
Your background and expertise, gnussen, would be a good fit to the boards of many non-profits. Consider volunteering for an organization in your local area whose mission you believe in. In no time, you will likely be on its finance committee or board. Volunteering will enhance your resume, introduce you to a new circle of connections, and can provide much satisfaction as you continue the job search. Those in turn might just help you secure a new position.
Post: Being terminated…
Link to comment from September 13, 2026
Wonderful contexts, W.D., thanks. Not only is keeping up with the Joneses unwise, but the world's resources cannot continue to support doing so.
Post: The Economy of Expectations
Link to comment from September 6, 2026
Such beautiful reflections, Andrew. Thanks. Not ever having been to Asia, I am continually impressed by the apparent warmth of the people in a favorite TV show, Cycle Around Japan. Seeing it has made the Japanese fans' consideration for others at the recent FIFA World Cup games all the more relatable.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
I am saddened to think of those needing to take on credit card debt. But I have read on this site praise for various credit card rewards programs. Were it not for the former, those rewards programs likely would not exist. So many of us are complicit in wanting the system to continue to disadvantage others.
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 25, 2026
Thank you, William, for this update. I value your recommendations and have saved the article to my tax file. Being just two years away from my first QCD (at age 70.5, from an inherited IRA), I have begun planning for them. My hope is that QCDs can eventually be accomplished with a few digital clicks, as are grants now from donor advised funds.
Post: New in 2025 – Code Y on 1099-R box 7 for QCD’s
Link to comment from August 22, 2026
Just an FYI - IRMAA payers who do not yet collect SS have monthly Medicare billing only. Medicare.gov will however accept online payments in advance of billing. I've paid early when it has been advantageous for tax purposes.
Post: Preparing for SS at Age 70….. How Do I Transition to Monthly Part B Premium Deduction?
Link to comment from August 18, 2026
Having an IRS.gov account can be reassuring (if not completely necessary), and that requires an ID.me sign-in. I like checking that tax forms are processed and for any signs of fraud. Establishing my ID.me account was difficult, as I do not have a cell phone. The procedure required scheduling a video meeting, uploading documents, and showing the same documents to the camera during the video call. The entire (frustrating) process took several weeks.
Post: TreasuryDirect changing login procedure to mandate ID.me later in 2026
Link to comment from August 17, 2026
So sorry to learn, Heidi, of these abrupt changes to your plans. You have certainly done your homework with respect to COBRA. I chose COBRA coverage thinking it would be the easiest bridge to Medicare (I was 63.5). In retrospect, transferring to COBRA required rather a lot of paperwork and phone calls, billing was problematic, and costs were high. The difficulty may have been because I was an employee at a pseudo-state entity transferring to a state-provided COBRA plan. I might have been better served just searching the marketplace.
Post: COBRA insurance: No need to fear the bite
Link to comment from August 14, 2026
I fear that analyses like the CRFB's will lead to a complicated solution to solve SS's approaching insolvency. Data such as in the report, however, are good starting points. If only the tax preparation and financial services lobbyists could keep away from the legislators, we might stand a chance of a streamlined solution. So highly unlikely...
Post: Taxing Social Security benefits
Link to comment from August 7, 2026