AUTHOR: Linda Grady on 10/10/2024 FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 10/10/2024 | RECENT: DrLefty on 10/12/2024
Comments
Wow! I’m late to this “party,” and saddened by the bickering in some of the comments. I agree wholeheartedly with Mike Gaynes that if you have done well, be grateful. I’ll add that the idea of keeping a daily “gratitude journal” came from here and by doing that for over six months now, I have had a significant increase in my quality of life. I would miss anyone who decides to stop contributing and/or commenting because of this article and its comments, so I hope that won’t happen. Thanks all for your good advice, and really, friendship.
So with my mom, born in 1919, who lived to 104, it was a different story: she felt so lucky to be well-off at the end of her life that she began to make $10k annual Christmas gifts to her children and grandchildren. Eventually her tax preparer warned her that she was in danger of running out of money. I’ll never forget the look on one of my children’s faces when the Christmas gift was $1K instead of the expected $10K. It was time to rethink spending for the following year (it all worked out). So a word to the wise that sometimes it might be good to say “I’m glad I can do this for you right now. Not sure if I will be able to every time.”
This is an even more difficult time for you and Connie than I knew. Your children, their spouses, and grandchildren are fortunate to have your support in so many ways and that you live near them. I hope that everyone will soon be in better health.
I hear you, Dick. I’m glad Doug and I were able to do some traveling during our four years of shared retirement. And after he died, that my teen grandson also enjoyed traveling, most notably that week in Iceland a few years ago that I’ve mentioned.
With a huge decrease in the number of IRS employees, I think we can expect more strange and frustrating occurrences of this nature. An organization that I volunteer for sent a paper check to the IRS, return receipt requested and with tracking. The check reached its destination within a couple days, but it was a month until the check was cashed.
I don’t remember if Doug and I got a discount when we bought our policies around our 50th birthdays (he was six months older than me), but when he died without using his (and, of course no refund of premiums), I was able to take advantage of a waiver-of-premium benefit on the smaller of the two policies for me. We had purchased the main policy for both of us, plus smaller ones that provided inflation increases on the benefits. So I went from paying for four policies annually to one. The premium has increased a lot, and will continue to do so, but it’s still less than what I understand other people pay, so I’ve decided to stick with it, regardless of the premium increases. The company desperately wants me to accept a cash payout, but I’m not taking it.
Why was I on an MA plan to begin with, you might ask? Doug was on expensive meds that were covered but without him, I switched to a cheaper plan and then, eventually, to Original Medicare.
Comments
Wow! I’m late to this “party,” and saddened by the bickering in some of the comments. I agree wholeheartedly with Mike Gaynes that if you have done well, be grateful. I’ll add that the idea of keeping a daily “gratitude journal” came from here and by doing that for over six months now, I have had a significant increase in my quality of life. I would miss anyone who decides to stop contributing and/or commenting because of this article and its comments, so I hope that won’t happen. Thanks all for your good advice, and really, friendship.
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026
So with my mom, born in 1919, who lived to 104, it was a different story: she felt so lucky to be well-off at the end of her life that she began to make $10k annual Christmas gifts to her children and grandchildren. Eventually her tax preparer warned her that she was in danger of running out of money. I’ll never forget the look on one of my children’s faces when the Christmas gift was $1K instead of the expected $10K. It was time to rethink spending for the following year (it all worked out). So a word to the wise that sometimes it might be good to say “I’m glad I can do this for you right now. Not sure if I will be able to every time.”
Post: Helping Adult Children
Link to comment from February 10, 2026
This is an even more difficult time for you and Connie than I knew. Your children, their spouses, and grandchildren are fortunate to have your support in so many ways and that you live near them. I hope that everyone will soon be in better health.
Post: Helping Adult Children
Link to comment from February 10, 2026
I hear you, Dick. I’m glad Doug and I were able to do some traveling during our four years of shared retirement. And after he died, that my teen grandson also enjoyed traveling, most notably that week in Iceland a few years ago that I’ve mentioned.
Post: Carpe diem – especially in retirement
Link to comment from February 5, 2026
Same thing happened to me. I guess it’s fair, and it’s certainly legal, but annoying nonetheless.
Post: Banking problem
Link to comment from February 2, 2026
With a huge decrease in the number of IRS employees, I think we can expect more strange and frustrating occurrences of this nature. An organization that I volunteer for sent a paper check to the IRS, return receipt requested and with tracking. The check reached its destination within a couple days, but it was a month until the check was cashed.
Post: Banking problem
Link to comment from February 2, 2026
I don’t remember if Doug and I got a discount when we bought our policies around our 50th birthdays (he was six months older than me), but when he died without using his (and, of course no refund of premiums), I was able to take advantage of a waiver-of-premium benefit on the smaller of the two policies for me. We had purchased the main policy for both of us, plus smaller ones that provided inflation increases on the benefits. So I went from paying for four policies annually to one. The premium has increased a lot, and will continue to do so, but it’s still less than what I understand other people pay, so I’ve decided to stick with it, regardless of the premium increases. The company desperately wants me to accept a cash payout, but I’m not taking it.
Post: This Too Will Pass – Moving to Assisted Living
Link to comment from January 23, 2026
And if you’re the Brian White from Upstate NY, yes, I’m your friend’s mom, though I think you’re probably not that Brian White.
Post: Are you and your spouse synchronized?
Link to comment from January 19, 2026
Love your pun intended. I always appreciate a chuckle, and occasionally a laugh out loud first thing in the morning.
Post: Are you and your spouse synchronized?
Link to comment from January 19, 2026
Why was I on an MA plan to begin with, you might ask? Doug was on expensive meds that were covered but without him, I switched to a cheaper plan and then, eventually, to Original Medicare.
Post: How important is planning for Medicare premiums in retirement? VERY!
Link to comment from January 15, 2026