What have you been up to lately?

[flatheadsteve]

-9 to -10 with wind chill of -25.

You can keep it...2 here today windchill -15. It's been many years since we've had a cold stretch like this here (WV). That property we looked at in NC is starting to sound pretty nice!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Its been cold here, too, but the major snow storms have gone either north or south of us. On the positive side, see that the ice fishermen have returned after some years of no or too thin ice,

 

[Stand Up]

We had -18 to -20 this past week. This week is supposed to be above freezing. The dog and I need to go hunting again.

 

[timm gage]

cold here too. 35 to 40 in the A/M. and in the 50's in the afternoon for 2 more days. then back to the mid to high 70's

 

[Lost But Happy]

This morning at 6:30

 

[airshot]

Not sure how far we would have to drive to find soft water but we put the old tube to good use.

That brings back fond memories when our grandkids were small and we used to get snow !! Fun times !

 

[flatheadsteve]

Been working on the trans am with my oldest son lately. Got a new intake manifold that should really wake the car up.

 

[lightflyer1]

Heading out for cruises 3 and 4 (this year) now. Out of Galveston.

 

[thill]

We've had about a foot of snow, but had a pelting ice storm this morning, with more to come this afternoon/evening. Yuck. I liked the snow more!

 

[airshot]

We've had about a foot of snow, but had a pelting ice storm this morning, with more to come this afternoon/evening. Yuck. I liked the snow more!

Yessir....at least snow gives you something to play in....if you get enough ! That has been our issue, just an inch here and there, but not enough to play in. Lately we have been getting ice rain and sleet....can't do anything in that stuff except to fall on your A$$ !! Haven't used my snow toys in three years now going on fourth...

 

[Crazyboat]

As of late I'm trying to wrap my head around and organize my exit from work plan. Retirement is scary as much as exciting. I just am not a fan of the unknown and change, I like routine.

 

[lightflyer1]

I just retired February 1st as my company offered a voluntary retirement program that included a Year's worth of severance pay. That made the decision much easier. Only a few more years and I can file for social security at 70.

 

[airshot]

As of late I'm trying to wrap my head around and organize my exit from work plan. Retirement is scary as much as exciting. I just am not a fan of the unknown and change, I like routine.

Hear ya....when I decided to retire, the company offered me some part time work at a premium pay as benefits were no longer availiable as a part timer. This let me wind down more slowly, plus get some extra money to help get things squared away. Had hobbies to play with so it was great !!

 

[OldSailor85]

As of late I'm trying to wrap my head around and organize my exit from work plan. Retirement is scary as much as exciting. I just am not a fan of the unknown and change, I like routine.

Escape as soon as you can. I highly recommend it.

Build a new "routine". Exercise, garden, fish, use that boat.

 

[Crazyboat]

Escape as soon as you can. I highly recommend it.

Build a new "routine". Exercise, garden, fish, use that boat.

I have hobbies, I play guitar (I can always get better at that), I do enjoy a small garden and yes, will definitely be taking that boat out more. My daughter is already making plans and asking why we have to wait until April to drop her in. I'm more concerned with the shift in finances. My income will drop, some, not crazy but I like living on budget, it will be a few months after I retire to see exactly where that budget will sit.

 

[lightflyer1]

Going scuba diving in Roatan day after tomorrow.

 

[airshot]

I have hobbies, I play guitar (I can always get better at that), I do enjoy a small garden and yes, will definitely be taking that boat out more. My daughter is already making plans and asking why we have to wait until April to drop her in. I'm more concerned with the shift in finances. My income will drop, some, not crazy but I like living on budget, it will be a few months after I retire to see exactly where that budget will sit.

We all have had thoughts about income, but remember, your expenses will be much lower. We never had many new things during our marriage, used cars and trucks that were not very old but at a big savings compared to new. Same for my voats, guns, the motor home we bought etc. We spent wisely but did a lot with our kids. We have a low interest mortgage so no hurry to pay it off, far cheaper than an apartment, cars are all paid for and wife's 2008 CRV looks Luke it just came out of the showroom. We take good care if our stuff even though it is not new. We have no problem living off our soc. Sec and use the 401K for extra or unknown expenses. Not driving to work and buying lunches everyday saves a heck of a lot of money. Unless you travel or have expensive hobbies, you should be fine..

 

[OldSailor85]

As of late I'm trying to wrap my head around and organize my exit from work plan. Retirement is scary as much as exciting. I just am not a fan of the unknown and change, I like routine.

Been retired 5 years.

FWIW, I've been a hack guitar player for years. I haven't gotten any better since I retired, either.

Had a whole plan for taking out IRA, ROTH, annuity payments/withdrawals to maintain something like 80% of my working income (single income household). I have not had to touch anything yet. Even bought my newest-to-me old boat.

So much for plans. No longer "saving" for retirement was the biggest reduction in spending.

For me, we had to be debt free before retiring. Thankfully, the misses isn't a spendthrift. Her car is a 2009 and it only has around 30k on it. No house, boat, or car payments. Just maintenance.

Taxes and Insurance is a killer and you have little control over them. Figuring out Medicare, if you are old enough. Just paid nearly $3k in property taxes for 6 months.

Right now, health insurance is $1000 a month for the two of us.

 

[Lagniappe]

I retired coming up on 3 years ago when I was 64. One thing I found when I turned 65 is that my Medicare IRMMA premium was based on my income tax return MAGI 3 years prior, which was much higher and resulted in Medicare premiums of over $1000 per month for me and my wife who is a little older than me.

There is a form to submit in this case (SSA44) which reduces your premium to match your current income. If you are drawing Social Security (like my wife) the extra money one paid comes back as a refund into your bank account.

If one is waiting to 70 to draw SS, they do not refund it to you directly. They keep it as a credit and don’t charge your bank until the credit is depleted. I ended up with 14 months of credit.

So it’s important to submit that form every year until your tax return MAGI 3 years past goes down to match your retirement income. One form each for you and your spouse, for 2 to 3 years. But it’s real money so I just gritted my teeth and did it.

 

[KurtV]

I am so ready for winter to be over. February seems like the longest month even though it is one of the shortest. What keeps me going through the winter is working on my collection of motorcycles. Always something to fix or upgrade. But that just makes me even more anxious for spring to come around! Managed to finish up the rebuild on my 1965 BMW R 60/2.