I’ve lived in Hawaii for 46 years and we have a saying for high prices, “Lucky you live Hawaii!” It’s a sarcastic phrase, but used often when referring to the higher cost of living. Keep in mind tariffs are only going to increase the cost of imported goods and products from foreign countries, not things made in America. The issue we have in the islands is that everything is either flown or shipped in from the U.S. mainland and when there’s a monopoly like there is here in Hawaii then Hawaii residents are taken advantage of on nearly everything even though it’s all made in America. What we need is more competition with shipping companies and barge companies and airlines. Let’s not blame tariffs for the high cost of living in Paradise.
I thoroughly enjoying reading your posts Dick. So we’re in our mid 60’s, retired for four years now, but my elderly in-laws are still alive and my wife is their primary care giver. As a result we are “stuck” in Hawaii, but we’ve been here for nearly 50 years. Both us came here as teenagers in the 1970’s for different reasons. Since then we’ve raised two children. However, they along with our four grandkids live in TX and VA. So Lord willing our plan is once the parent’s expiration dates are up we plan on moving. Looking to live approximately equal distance between our kids, perhaps in Winchester, TN, although we’ve never been there, but who knows we’ll just have to wait and see. As for lava in our backyard that will never happen and the weather 99.9 percent of the time is like “paradise”. 😎
Well done! 👍 with 1.2 million I would (and did) retired early. With that as her nest egg and social security at 65 she can easily have her gross income in retirement and enjoy annual COLA’s as well. And if her husband has the same or even more available good for them both. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. They’ll still be plenty left to pass on to your heirs.
It was early in my career as a civil servant and I had just made the minimum time in grade when a position opened up for the next pay grade. I asked my supervisor if I had what it takes to apply for the position and she was totally onboard. I’m very grateful to this day for her response and her willingness to support me.
Interesting you mention North Korea. My father in-law (97) along with hisb11 siblings were all born in North Korea. After war broke out in 1950 they fled south. In the mid to late 70’s they immigrated to the US (Hawaii to be exact), and all have had a very good life since. I’ve been married (happily), to my bride (who was born in South Korea) for 39 years.
Looks like you’re on track for a great retirement financially speaking. My concern is that what are you going to do for the first 8 years while your wife is still working? I’m on year number four of retirement and loving it. What I’ve found is that it’s best when both spouses retire at the same time. So my recommendation is have your spouse retire early. You have more than enough money and you will quickly find that both of you being free is the ideal choice. Enjoy this season of your life together. Don’t worry about the additional money your wife would have made during the next eight years. Your time together far outweighs this. Plus when you hit 70 you can cash in on your social insecurity. And your wife can begin collecting as soon as she’s eligible. Enjoy this season of life. You never know when your last day will come.
Congrats Mike on making a decision to purchase your dream car. Not only have you sacrificed your entire life; you’ve now got both the cash and courage to do what most of us never will. Sounds to me like a lot of fun. Enjoy and be safe.
Rick you made the right move. At 99K miles the car is barely broken in. Hondas are some of the most reliable cars on the road and the Accord is one of Honda’s best sellers. I have a 2018 Accord and it’s only got 74K miles, so at less than 10K miles a year I expect to have it for years to come. I have yet to get a brake job done which is considered normal wear and tear. Sounds like you have many more miles to go before replacing her. Our last car was a 2003 Honda Odyssey. We sold it after 20 years and 218K miles. We replaced many parts on it, which was far cheaper than purchasing a new car. I agree with your other readers. When it becomes too much of a headache then get rid of it. Of course you can always bless a college student with it. Safe travels.
Good for you folks. I’m happy to hear you’ve made a decision that you can live with. Like you I read hundreds of articles convinced that I’d wait until my FRA. I retired early (61), and would have had to draw down on our nest egg for six years before collecting social insecurity. After praying about it and discussing it with my wife and our financial advisor we decided NOW was the best time for us. This way with my pension and both my wife and I drawing social insecurity we can take a much smaller draw on our IRA. It works for us. Honestly the government has you coming and going no matter when a person draws, so it all comes back to “it’s a personal decision based on your unique circumstances. There is no free lunch.
Comments
I’ve lived in Hawaii for 46 years and we have a saying for high prices, “Lucky you live Hawaii!” It’s a sarcastic phrase, but used often when referring to the higher cost of living. Keep in mind tariffs are only going to increase the cost of imported goods and products from foreign countries, not things made in America. The issue we have in the islands is that everything is either flown or shipped in from the U.S. mainland and when there’s a monopoly like there is here in Hawaii then Hawaii residents are taken advantage of on nearly everything even though it’s all made in America. What we need is more competition with shipping companies and barge companies and airlines. Let’s not blame tariffs for the high cost of living in Paradise.
Post: Reacting to the Tariffs
Link to comment from August 11, 2025
I thoroughly enjoying reading your posts Dick. So we’re in our mid 60’s, retired for four years now, but my elderly in-laws are still alive and my wife is their primary care giver. As a result we are “stuck” in Hawaii, but we’ve been here for nearly 50 years. Both us came here as teenagers in the 1970’s for different reasons. Since then we’ve raised two children. However, they along with our four grandkids live in TX and VA. So Lord willing our plan is once the parent’s expiration dates are up we plan on moving. Looking to live approximately equal distance between our kids, perhaps in Winchester, TN, although we’ve never been there, but who knows we’ll just have to wait and see. As for lava in our backyard that will never happen and the weather 99.9 percent of the time is like “paradise”. 😎
Post: Let’s revisit the pros and cons of relocating upon retirement
Link to comment from August 3, 2025
Well done! 👍 with 1.2 million I would (and did) retired early. With that as her nest egg and social security at 65 she can easily have her gross income in retirement and enjoy annual COLA’s as well. And if her husband has the same or even more available good for them both. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. They’ll still be plenty left to pass on to your heirs.
Post: 100% Base Pay Replacement: What Does It Mean?
Link to comment from July 27, 2025
It was early in my career as a civil servant and I had just made the minimum time in grade when a position opened up for the next pay grade. I asked my supervisor if I had what it takes to apply for the position and she was totally onboard. I’m very grateful to this day for her response and her willingness to support me.
Post: What’s the best career advice you ever got?
Link to comment from July 27, 2025
Interesting you mention North Korea. My father in-law (97) along with hisb11 siblings were all born in North Korea. After war broke out in 1950 they fled south. In the mid to late 70’s they immigrated to the US (Hawaii to be exact), and all have had a very good life since. I’ve been married (happily), to my bride (who was born in South Korea) for 39 years.
Post: Don’t Discount Luck
Link to comment from July 26, 2025
Looks like you’re on track for a great retirement financially speaking. My concern is that what are you going to do for the first 8 years while your wife is still working? I’m on year number four of retirement and loving it. What I’ve found is that it’s best when both spouses retire at the same time. So my recommendation is have your spouse retire early. You have more than enough money and you will quickly find that both of you being free is the ideal choice. Enjoy this season of your life together. Don’t worry about the additional money your wife would have made during the next eight years. Your time together far outweighs this. Plus when you hit 70 you can cash in on your social insecurity. And your wife can begin collecting as soon as she’s eligible. Enjoy this season of life. You never know when your last day will come.
Post: Roth Conversion Timing and Amounts to Maximize Benefits
Link to comment from July 20, 2025
😊 I agree with you.
Post: What About Gold?
Link to comment from June 8, 2025
Congrats Mike on making a decision to purchase your dream car. Not only have you sacrificed your entire life; you’ve now got both the cash and courage to do what most of us never will. Sounds to me like a lot of fun. Enjoy and be safe.
Post: Another HD Post About Cars
Link to comment from May 31, 2025
Rick you made the right move. At 99K miles the car is barely broken in. Hondas are some of the most reliable cars on the road and the Accord is one of Honda’s best sellers. I have a 2018 Accord and it’s only got 74K miles, so at less than 10K miles a year I expect to have it for years to come. I have yet to get a brake job done which is considered normal wear and tear. Sounds like you have many more miles to go before replacing her. Our last car was a 2003 Honda Odyssey. We sold it after 20 years and 218K miles. We replaced many parts on it, which was far cheaper than purchasing a new car. I agree with your other readers. When it becomes too much of a headache then get rid of it. Of course you can always bless a college student with it. Safe travels.
Post: How have you decided when it’s worth it to fix an old car?
Link to comment from May 24, 2025
Good for you folks. I’m happy to hear you’ve made a decision that you can live with. Like you I read hundreds of articles convinced that I’d wait until my FRA. I retired early (61), and would have had to draw down on our nest egg for six years before collecting social insecurity. After praying about it and discussing it with my wife and our financial advisor we decided NOW was the best time for us. This way with my pension and both my wife and I drawing social insecurity we can take a much smaller draw on our IRA. It works for us. Honestly the government has you coming and going no matter when a person draws, so it all comes back to “it’s a personal decision based on your unique circumstances. There is no free lunch.
Post: Breaking even? Why should anyone care? I don’t
Link to comment from May 17, 2025