I retired at 62 (not much choice) and got involved in working out at our local Senior Center which has a well equipped weight room. Then started volunteering at a local hospital and later began reading with boys at our local elementary program through Education Connection. Add in swim meets and plays with one granddaughter and baby sitting twin 4 year old granddaughters and it is a busy week. I also prepare gallons of coffee at church on the first and fifth Sundays of the month, plus a Bible study there. My wife and I have visited Italy, Spain and Portugal, and will be headed to Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary shortly. Glad we saved and invested over the years so we can do the things we want and stay busy in between all our activities.
Interesting development, John. I have only received one filling in my life, when I was 12 and I am now 69. Back in 2010 I went to a new dentist in the California city where we were living at the time and was told that my only filling needed to be replaced and, lucky for me, Dr. Kumar could do it right away. When I asked how much it would cost with my dental plan, there was some hesitation but it was disclosed it would be $850. I decided to wait. On the way out I overheard the dentist chewing out an employee for not generating more fees. Needless to say I did not go back. Since then other dentists have remarked that my childhood dentist must have been amazing because my filling was still fine. My current dentist in Texas jokes with me about my uneventful appointments twice a year. I wish everything was as healthy as my teeth and gums.
Sad to hear. I would not be surprised to hear that the EJ advisor is telling potential clients, especially in that congregation, that he is the advisor for the pastor. I had an advisor call me up out of the blue and tell me he was the personal advisor of a pastor in our church, who was pleased with the results. I turned him down and he was clearly frustrated. So be it.
Interesting. We gave State Farm our okay to enroll us in their Drive Safe and Save program as it cut my rates significantly. If they are spying on me, I pity them. They would be bored stiff. I drive to church, the gym, my volunteer jobs at a hospital and a school, and to babysit our twin granddaughters. And to the grocery store once a week. And I drive the speed limit. My wife has similar habits. Boring!
A very good strategy. We converted all of my wife's Rollover IRA to her Roth, and now are working on mine, which is larger and will be reduced but not eliminated by YE 2025, as I am avoiding triggering quarterly IRS payments and IRMAA surcharges. Once I hit 70.5 I plan on pulling Qualified Charitable Contributions out of my Rollover IRA for contributions to our church and other charities to help reduce the balance further. They will still get some RMDs from me but not as much as they might prefer. Anyone concerned about Congress deciding to tax Roth withdrawals? I can already hear them justifying it by saying the nation is in a financial crisis and they need our money more than we do. I sure hope this never happens.
We had a great experience on vacation in Italy. I got a kick out of restaurants charging a fee to "rent" the table, even at a gelato place. I doubt the waiters got a piece of that fee, but I do recall the food was of very good quality at a good price. And we still tipped wait staff.
I missed out on volunteering while working a long hours job, except for some church gigs, but jumped in after I retired. I read with two boys at our local elementary school once a week each, volunteer at a local hospital every Wednesday afternoon, and we watch our three-year-old twin granddaughters every Monday. We also play Nine Square on Friday mornings at the Senior Center and I hit the gym three times a week. And I kept the church gig. Then I receive a questionnaire from Medicare asking if I am depressed! Seriously? This is the best time of my life! Stay busy.
I am happy with VEA, the Vanguard Developed Markets Index. China is only 0.17% of their portfolio, with 1.56% Hong Kong and 0.02% Taiwan. If you want more Emerging Markets, XCEM is an index fund that has zero for China and Hong Kong, but watch out for 25.89% in Taiwan. You pick your exposure.
All good points. WRT #8 seems to throw off a lot of politicians, right up to and including at the top. Inflation is not as bad as it was, but prices are even higher than they were, and people are feeling it.
I would not characterize the Scandinavian countries as socialist, but as capitalist with generous social welfare benefits. They are in many cases more free market than the United States, starting with school choice. They also have, until recently, a largely homogeneous population which increases efficiency and strong community bonds.
Comments
I retired at 62 (not much choice) and got involved in working out at our local Senior Center which has a well equipped weight room. Then started volunteering at a local hospital and later began reading with boys at our local elementary program through Education Connection. Add in swim meets and plays with one granddaughter and baby sitting twin 4 year old granddaughters and it is a busy week. I also prepare gallons of coffee at church on the first and fifth Sundays of the month, plus a Bible study there. My wife and I have visited Italy, Spain and Portugal, and will be headed to Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary shortly. Glad we saved and invested over the years so we can do the things we want and stay busy in between all our activities.
Post: Meeting Expectations?
Link to comment from March 8, 2025
Interesting development, John. I have only received one filling in my life, when I was 12 and I am now 69. Back in 2010 I went to a new dentist in the California city where we were living at the time and was told that my only filling needed to be replaced and, lucky for me, Dr. Kumar could do it right away. When I asked how much it would cost with my dental plan, there was some hesitation but it was disclosed it would be $850. I decided to wait. On the way out I overheard the dentist chewing out an employee for not generating more fees. Needless to say I did not go back. Since then other dentists have remarked that my childhood dentist must have been amazing because my filling was still fine. My current dentist in Texas jokes with me about my uneventful appointments twice a year. I wish everything was as healthy as my teeth and gums.
Post: Hole Truth
Link to comment from March 1, 2025
Sad to hear. I would not be surprised to hear that the EJ advisor is telling potential clients, especially in that congregation, that he is the advisor for the pastor. I had an advisor call me up out of the blue and tell me he was the personal advisor of a pastor in our church, who was pleased with the results. I turned him down and he was clearly frustrated. So be it.
Post: Among Friends
Link to comment from March 1, 2025
Interesting. We gave State Farm our okay to enroll us in their Drive Safe and Save program as it cut my rates significantly. If they are spying on me, I pity them. They would be bored stiff. I drive to church, the gym, my volunteer jobs at a hospital and a school, and to babysit our twin granddaughters. And to the grocery store once a week. And I drive the speed limit. My wife has similar habits. Boring!
Post: We Drive, They Spy
Link to comment from June 26, 2024
A very good strategy. We converted all of my wife's Rollover IRA to her Roth, and now are working on mine, which is larger and will be reduced but not eliminated by YE 2025, as I am avoiding triggering quarterly IRS payments and IRMAA surcharges. Once I hit 70.5 I plan on pulling Qualified Charitable Contributions out of my Rollover IRA for contributions to our church and other charities to help reduce the balance further. They will still get some RMDs from me but not as much as they might prefer. Anyone concerned about Congress deciding to tax Roth withdrawals? I can already hear them justifying it by saying the nation is in a financial crisis and they need our money more than we do. I sure hope this never happens.
Post: Paying to Avoid Pain
Link to comment from May 11, 2024
We had a great experience on vacation in Italy. I got a kick out of restaurants charging a fee to "rent" the table, even at a gelato place. I doubt the waiters got a piece of that fee, but I do recall the food was of very good quality at a good price. And we still tipped wait staff.
Post: Making Everyone Happy
Link to comment from April 20, 2024
I missed out on volunteering while working a long hours job, except for some church gigs, but jumped in after I retired. I read with two boys at our local elementary school once a week each, volunteer at a local hospital every Wednesday afternoon, and we watch our three-year-old twin granddaughters every Monday. We also play Nine Square on Friday mornings at the Senior Center and I hit the gym three times a week. And I kept the church gig. Then I receive a questionnaire from Medicare asking if I am depressed! Seriously? This is the best time of my life! Stay busy.
Post: Donating Time
Link to comment from March 9, 2024
I am happy with VEA, the Vanguard Developed Markets Index. China is only 0.17% of their portfolio, with 1.56% Hong Kong and 0.02% Taiwan. If you want more Emerging Markets, XCEM is an index fund that has zero for China and Hong Kong, but watch out for 25.89% in Taiwan. You pick your exposure.
Post: Dropping China?
Link to comment from January 24, 2024
All good points. WRT #8 seems to throw off a lot of politicians, right up to and including at the top. Inflation is not as bad as it was, but prices are even higher than they were, and people are feeling it.
Post: Money Misconceptions
Link to comment from January 13, 2024
I would not characterize the Scandinavian countries as socialist, but as capitalist with generous social welfare benefits. They are in many cases more free market than the United States, starting with school choice. They also have, until recently, a largely homogeneous population which increases efficiency and strong community bonds.
Post: Retirement Do-Over
Link to comment from October 14, 2023