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That was amazing venture....it worked. Of course, I am much too polite (Canadian) to use rat-face so I used I.P. Knightly.
It really worked though....got this incredible price:
MSRP: $20,265
Your Total Savings: $5,270
Your Price: $14,995*
Expires May 27, 2014
$5270 discount is way more than I could ever have expected. I hope no one has the phone number I gave!!!!!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thanks stick....I think I could get that far but to get a truly low price I had to use the phony name, and number and email address like venture mentioned. That brought the price down from the average price paid about $20K to $15K. Which makes a Focus a pretty good buy compared to a 73 Comet actually.
The site even gives you the salesman's name to contact......that's a great service for us pros or especially the general public.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I don't know if you knew this or not, but back in the 50's and 60's, the State of Florida made their tags (plates) out of soybean additives to save on the cost of metal. That lasted about 5 or 6 years, but they had to discontinue its use! Cows, squirrels, possums, skunks, racoons, iguanas, and many other species of animals would "eat" the tags. This is a true story Richard!
So the tags you grew up loving were quite edible to many of our animal friends!!!
BTW, the tags in the 50's and 60's did not have the orange on them. They were black and orange colored for a while. It wasn't until the 80's that Florida started putting on the Orange and the orange blossom on their tags.
I never minded the orange tag, but I have the tag, "SAVE THE FLORIDA PANTHER". Quite a good looking tag, if I say so myself. Big image of a Florida Panther staring back at you if you drive behind me. lol.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The BMW he traded in was "her" car, but it was in his name. Interesting arrangement. Seems he maintained control of the money and the property - smart man. After all, he was her Accounting Professor at the University of Florida.
She also thought that her 2004 BMW was worth more than what I gave him for it. Actually, it was clean book value, which it really didn't deserve. It had 35K miles on it which is quite a bit for a 2-year old car. It was that older body style - they had just come out recently with the newer body style on the 2005. It depreciated the value of the older bodies.
When she and the old man came back to apologize and thank me for not pressing charges of assault/battery, she saw a fire engine red coupe on the floor with black leather. Since she didn't have "her" BMW any more to scamper around town with, she took a serious interest in the car. A few hours later, the old man had relented and bought her the red coupe. I guess it all worked out fine for everyone except me - I ended up with a broken nose!!!!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
My guess is that she felt the husband was fleeced when he bought the first car without her, and they bought the second car in return for not having assault charges filed against her after breaking Mike's nose.
Both my wife and my daughter have custom plates on their cars.
Wife has one that says "Kids 1st", with handprints on it. Daughter has a Colorado State University themed plate.
In order to get one, you have to make a donation to a charity aligned with the plate, then you get a certificate you take to the county DMV.
Plenty of choices here in Colorado:
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Revenue-MV/RMV/1201542141645
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
No cannabis options yet?
For Christmas I wanted to style our annual card mailer in the shape of a pot leaf and decorate it with all the normal Christmas things, and then tag line it with "Living the High Life in Colorado....you know, 5,000+ feet elevation". We're a very conservative family, so no surprise when I was out-voted :-)
Give it time, ty. Give it time.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Very tenacious I must say. I went back and did a size comparison between the Comet and Focus and the Comet is larger, somewhere between a Fusion and a Focus. Here are some basic stats:
Base Price: Comet -- $2,681/Focus: $15,635
Wheel base: Comet -- 109.7"/Focus: 104.3"
Length: Comet -- 196.9"/Focus: 178.5"/Fusion: 191.8"
Height: Comet -- 52.8"/Focus: 57.7"
Width: Comet -- 70.5"/Focus: 71.8"
Weight: Comet -- 2867 lbs/Focus: 2960 lbs
Horsepower: Comet -- 84 hp/Focus: 160 hp
Transmission: Comet -- 3 speed/Focus: 6 speed
Even if the Focus is the benchmark, it is a lot of car for the money. Considering the significant developments and improvements in safety, technology, quality and creature comforts the Focus is a bargain by comparison.
10 best car deals....
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehmk45eddjf/1-bmw-6-series-2/
I.P. Knightly?! I nearly fell out of the chair with laughter! You're so creative.
Richard
SOMETIMES, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
I was up to my dealer for a car wash today - car was filthy from the dust and then the rain, which "cakes" the dust into blotches on the car. In any case, I was sitting in the lounge with my Dad, having a cup of coffee when the Sales Manager comes over and asks me if I would be interested in an S Class Sedan. I said not really, my CLS 550 is only 5-1/2 months old and only has 4300 miles on it. He asked me if I remembered how I bought the CLS 550 - providing me with a deal I just couldn't refuse? I said I remembered it well, but even if I was offered a great deal on an S Class, I would not be interested.
He wrote some figures down on a piece of paper and handed it to me. It said $35,000 plus my car would do the trick. So he was going to sell me a $110,000 S Class, nicely loaded, for around $98,000 including my car. Nice offer, but I had to refuse it. The car is huge and I did not feel like coming up with a ton of money to buy a car I really did not want. So I told him to hold off until the 2016 E Class redesign came in and that I might be interested in a new car at that time. I'm still trying to keep a car long enough to get the oil and filter changed. It will be due for that "A" Service around October 15th, or thereabouts. When I have it done, I'll post the details so we can all celebrate.
But that offer was some deal on the new 2014 S Class Sedan. I sat in one and it was so luxurious, it was difficult for me to "catch my breath". Since they discontinued the Maybach, the new S Class kind of took its place. Quite frankly, I think the S Class Sedan, nicely equipped, is a better car than the Bentley, which is $140,000+++ more than the S Class.
But I have other things to worry about than getting a new car, that's for sure!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
After hearing about this guys experience, and Donald Sterlings experience, there is a good lesson in there about older guys hooking up with women who are 30 years younger.
.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I just read an article that said women, 18 to 25 years of age, were crazy about older men. That is the good news for us geezers. The bad news is that they consider an older man to be in his late 20's.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Didn't work for me for a while. I was 29 and this 21 year old young lady caught my eye. Managed a few widely spaced dates over the years, what I called 5 - 10 first dates before things clicked for her, By the time I married her she was 26 and I was 34....
snake - "My Philosophy is that when it comes to religion it's either all or none. If you accept some and reject some you are not really accepting the religion but creating your own."
You'd make a good Taliban....
There's a load of perfectly good religions that don't take the "we have everything in exact detail" approach. Look around.
50+ available designs.
My wife noticed that the first 3 letters on my Eclipse were EEK so she suggested that I get a vanity plate that read: EEK LIPS.
I had to explain that my car was already considered a "girls" car and that I didn't want to totally abandon my masculinity.
BTW Mike, how are you doing with that Illinois pension system? The NYS trustee was bragging on the news that they had a record fund balance (because of his superior management I assume). I was fooling around with the system's benefits calculator and discovered I would be getting an extra 15% over what I thought.
Hard to keep working for the difference.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
So what I'm reading from you teacher and/or State employees, y'all are all flush when you retire after 30-35 years. Sounds like I neec to have a chat with my 2nd grade teacher fiance. I may be retiring much earlier than I thought.
That's so true. Some high school girls on my bus were once overheard talking about "some old perv" at the mall trying to chat with their friends. One related that he was "really old...at least 30".
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
No sale required!
The last few weeks I've been mowing the lawn on a regular basis. I use 2 walk behind mowers, a light 20 incher for the close cutting and angles (mowing part of my yard is similar to a mowing the inside of a soup bowl), and a larger self propelled 22 inch for the flat stuff.
The larger mower has been doing a terrible job, despite the fact the I just put a freshly sharpened blade on it.
After mowing for the 3rd day in a row, I decided to hose off the larger mower. When I was cleaning underneath, something looked a bit off.
Turns out, I mounted the blade upside down, which meant it was cutting using the back of the blade. DOH!
At first, I could not get the blade off, which put a picture in my head of me going down to the local power equipment dealer and telling them, not only did I put the blade on upside down, I couldn't get it off to correct it.
Luckily, I let some liquid wrench soak for a while and was able to put the blade on the correct way.
I told my wife, I might have bought a new mower instead of having to endure the embarrassment, if I could not get the blade switched around.
Passed a Z06 today with a vanity plate that read "VIAGRUH"
Seriously...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
You are not alone. I put the blade on backwards on our friend's mower. My son was mowing her lawn
so I did maintenance on her mower.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Speaking of Winter Spring romances.........
Bob, a 70-year-old, extremely wealthy widower, shows up at the Country Club with a breathtakingly beautiful and very sexy 25-year-old blonde-haired woman who knocks everyone's socks off with her youthful sex appeal and charm and who hangs over Bob’s arm and listens intently to his every word.
His buddies at the club are all aghast. At the very first chance, they corner him and ask, 'Bob, how’d you get the trophy girlfriend?' Bob replies, ‘Girlfriend? She's my wife!' They are knocked over, but continue to ask. 'So, how'd you persuade her to marry you?' 'I lied about my age,' Bob replies. 'What, did you tell her you were only 50?'
Bob smiles and says, 'No, I told her I was 90.'
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
GG, my BIL's new GF is a teacher in NY (some lon guyland suburban district). Not sure how many years in (over 20) and I think she is 53.
she was talking at easter about retiring next year. Not because she really wants to, or has anything else planned. Just because of the nuances of their retirement system (people under different coverage rules), and when they change schemes, if she retires soon enough she will get a much better benefit than if she waited another few years, when it will be lower. Just seems odd to me.
25 years/75% with full lifetime medical and dental. something like that. Depressing for us corporate slaves that have what is left in our 401K, SS if still there, and maybe a job if they can't figure out how to get rid of you first!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I had my lawn mower blade sharpened & am waiting to get it back Si I can remount it. I'll be sure to double check it is correct. My lawn is starting to look a bit jungley.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Working in education is a good gig. I'm not saying it is easy by any means, but there really is something to be said about what the benefits are worth. Summers off, get the same time off as your kids, the pension (which in NY I believe is tax free), the health care. The fact that after 25 or 30 years you can just be done working. My parents have friends who were teachers. They are all in their mid - late 60s & have been retired for a few years already. They have a house in Florida and an apartment in the city.
Don't get me wrong, there's something To be said about my 114 year old plumbing supply business that bears my family's name too. There are just some days that I think about that greener grass.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
On a Friday afternoon, in the spring of my 40th year in education, I was working away on a project. A friend dropped by my office and mentioned that we had been in education for 40 years and it was time to go home. I had never given retirement much thought, especially the benefits end of it. That evening I linked in to my retirement account on the state website and calculated what I would get. I was amazed to discover that I had been working free for my school system for at least two years! My retirement check would be at least $300 more per month than my paycheck. The following Monday morning I submitted my 30 day notice.
A year later, my superintendent called to see if I would return to work. I told him that if he could match my retirement check plus my Soc.Sec. check plus an extra $1,000 a month that I would return. Needless to say he couldn't do it. I did do some consulting work for the school system for five years. Believe me, I didn't come cheap. The only time that education pays off financially is at the end---good pension and great medical insurance.
Richard
I have worked for companies that systematically get rid of people as they approach retirement age. I have a friend in that situation right now....he is just hoping to get through the next 3 years although his managers are watching him like a hawk.
I started out in teaching and every time I lost a job, which was probably 5 or 6 times in my illustrious carreer I thought......why didn't I stay in teaching? At least it was secure.
I have no regrets now, and wouldn't have changed my career path for anything, but, there are times I envied people with a pretty secure job....with a pension plan and benefits.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard....one of the things I believe couples who are entering into marriage (or any serious relationship for that matter) don't do is find out how their finances line up.
As I told her, I think we both want to be as debt free as possible. She's selling her house to move into mine (actually, she already has a buyer lined up). But, she's been sort of hinting she wants our "own house together". She doesn't want to live anywhere where another female has lived. I get that. But, I'm sitting on the cusp of having my home totally paid off. You start looking at a home that has the amenities that mine has, (4BR, 4 bath, 3,000 sq ft, home theater room, bar/rec area, etc), the number to replicate that vs what I paid 20 years ago, well....it's a relatively big number. And, it means going into debt.
We're both a ways away from retirement. But, as we were talking last night, in the teaching profession, you really take a hit early in your career pay wise. But, at the backend you sort of make it up.
As you point out, lifetime benefits, a strong retirement pay plan, etc.
But, she says even being a 2nd grade teacher, she's been in the local school system long enough where she's starting to hit those top pay tiers. She says that means, any cuts whatsoever in her school, and she'll be looked at very closely as one of the ways to cut the school's labor expenditures. She's making 3x-4x the amount a freshly minted right out of college K-8 teacher would make. Then again, the fiancé is also sitting on a Master's Degree in speech pathology, too. She says those are pretty rare in her district.
Her goal is 25 years to max out her retirement pay. Again, she's a little ways away from that. She's talking about setting up an office in home for speech therapy after retirement. Not sure how lucrative that would be, though.
BTW...June 7th is the wedding date....about 3 weeks from now.
I am one of those people... I am retiring at the end of May after 32 years with the government here, so I should be OK if the pension plan stays solvent. Over the years, especially when I was in my 30s, I had the opportunity to leave government and go into private sector jobs that paid a lot more and had much more upside, in return for the lack of security. I am glad now that I didn't do that.
The idea of retirement is a bit scary as I have never done it before! I might want to do a little bit of something after a few months of R&R, just to keep current and make use of the knowledge I have in my head, but time will tell...
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
My wife, after 30 years in educational administration, was planning to retire on June 30, but the deal is about 15% better if she waits and retires at the end of September instead. What a scam. At that rate pension and post retirement benefits will bankrupt many cities and towns.
Speaking of education, has anyone seen the Gallup/Purdue university poll of 30,000 college graduates? Basically, it concluded that it does not much matter where one attends college to be successful on the job. That success comes from engagement in school and positive interactions with professors. On the whole though, graduates from public universities were more "successful" and happier than those attending small, private or highly selective colleges.
Here is an Op Ed piece in the NYT by Charles M. Blow which references the poll.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/opinion/blow-in-college-nurturing-matters.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0
GG, let me begin by saying that you know that I am glad that you have found a great person to spend the rest of your life with. Still, you want to think carefully about your financial security. So many arguments in marriage begin because of money issues. You have a large, lovely home that is nearly paid off now. That is a huge plus and simply can't be ignored in terms of today's dollar values in the real estate market. As you say, a comparable home would mean another large investment. Hopefully, you can convince the new bride that your home is the place to be. Perhaps an offer of new furnishings, along with some paint and fresh window treatments would entice her to see your point of view. It would be much cheaper than trying to do a new real estate deal. If that doesn't seem to work, here is another thought. With her profits from the sale of her home, plus the sale of your home, you could possibly purchase another home like yours without taking much of a hit. You're very level headed and practical, so I know that you'll do what's best for the relationship.
Speech pathology? I had no idea that was her field. She can land a position with any school system in this country and could do it within 24 hours. I once offered a contract to a client over the phone without meeting him. I never, ever did that in the hiring process. That's how desperate I was to find a speech pathologist. Fortunately, he worked out fine. The only reason that he wanted to come here was for the weather and some relatives that lived nearby. Her present system would NEVER lay off a speech pathologist. They are rare and very difficult to find. It was always my most difficult position to fill. Math and science teachers were difficult to find, but speech pathology was next to impossible. She is correct that she could hang out a shingle at her house once she has retired. Many do just that and continue to make some good money.
Keep us posted on June 7th. Best wishes.
Richard
I am incredibly blessed in that I was able to take advantage of a program that allowed me to retire early in exchange for continuing to work part-time on an as-needed basis. It was a pilot program that was not made permanent due to political infighting(big surprise, right?)
There are only six or seven of us left in the program, but there is still a need for judges who can cover cases or dockets when the regular judge is unable to due to illness, conflicts, etc. Now it looks like retired judges will be asked to serve on a per diem basis- which will cost considerably more than the pilot program...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Five years ago, I took an early retirement program from my private employer that gave me a year's pay for leaving. After a year, they called me and asked if I would be interested in doing a six month assignment supporting a big annual audit. I tried it and it worked out OK - this is my fifth year doing that assignment. We have cut our personal expenses enough so we can live on what I make in this assignment, so I haven't touched my 401K since I retired. I'm very thankful that I fell into something like this, but after five years of doing it, I think I'm about done and ready to move into full-time retirement at age 60. The 6 months of work seem like they last 18 months, and the 6 months off seem like they only last 2 months.
To me, the most important aspect of early retirement is diligent saving, and cutting your expenses down to a level where you are comfortable. It's amazing how much stuff I bought when I was working full-time that I thought would make me happy, but only ended up costing me money.
GG: First, congrats on the newfound happiness and next chapter in your life!
Second, did you already tell the story of how you met the soon-to-be Ms. GG? If not, how about (as comfortably as you can, if this isn't an out-of-line request) telling this "sales" story!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Laurasdada....Don't want to bore people...not really much to tell.
In brief (there's always more to it, right?)......
My best friend (whom I was also the best man at his wedding) kept telling me his wife wanted to introduce me to someone. Being fresh off of living with the former GF, I really wasn't interested in meeting anyone else.
As these things go, I was over at my best friend's house where the lady in question "just so happened to be in attendance". Pretty, intriguing, smart, engaging (her, not me). Still, I wasn't interested in dating.
Fast forward about a month later, I was meeting other friends at a well known restaurant/Inn (for your history buffs, this place...http://www.goldenlamb.com). I happened to run into her, she was there with some of her friends.
We really got into some "good" conversation, ignoring everyone else.
We started dating from that point forward....rest is history.
Thanks, nice old-fashioned, stars-aligning story! With no interwebs involved!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Hey now - I met my wife through a personal ad in the local newspaper. Celebrating 17 years this July!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
GG, if your house is that nice, why do you expect to take on debt? Not like you will sell for what you paid fir it!
Why not sell them both, go halfsies, and get a new one for cash? Heck, I want to downsize as move into semi-empty nest time.
Actually, in your situation, I would love to build new, but I know you already did that once.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
>
Not to be sexist but getting a new home seems to be more important to women then men. Talk it over seriously and see if it is that important to her. If it is, do as stick says and sell both homes and buy a new one together. You know what you paid and your house has gone up in value too. The movie room etc may not be quite as important to you as you do more activities together. A few years from now it won't be a big issue as you come to appreciate your life is better because you met someone you can share a life with.
My wife was a family therapist and she has seen it all where money is concerned. Some people insist on completely seperate bank accounts and have agreements as to who pays for what. Others share completely with no questions asked. We are the latter and I prefer it that way, but, I understand people who keep their money affairs separate....it is a major, major issue.
3 weeks! Continued best wishes.....
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Stick...yeah...that's kind of what we're talking about, now. Personally, I kind of like the idea of having my house paid off, and sticking her "house money" into a vacation home somewhere. But, that's her house money, not mine. She's going to have to stick it into some sort of real estate or pay the taxes on it.
Richard...funny thing...even with the housing market meltdown, my home has appreciated a fair amount. Even there, to build something with all the bells and whistles we want, we're going to have to spend a significant chunk more than my home is worth.
Laurasdada...no bar pick ups, no internet dating, no meet and mingle type of stuff....just good old fashioned introduction and let nature take its course.
I didn't want to retire at 60. Our business was just too much fun and I didn't know how I could fill my days if I stopped working. But, my wife wanted to do other things and my son-in-law wanted to buy the business.
6 years later and I wouldn't want to be working again. The first year or two is a little difficult as you fill out your week and days. Once you get structure to your week you build around that. I play tennis every other day and meet friends, go to the library, do day trips, do exercise on non-tennis days, read two newspapers a day, always have a book on the go, etc. The time flies by and I don't know how I found the time to work. There are seniors centres where you can play pool or badminton or go for yoga. I look back and I really think I am so glad I spent these last 6 years doing what I want to do. I don't want the end to come and think, all I ever did was work at the same thing (no matter how enjoyable, for 30 years.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes, you need enough to live on and you need hobbies or activities that you can afford, and retirement can be great. However, often it is a shock to some people. Good to develop some interests before the big day comes, or to go into retirement in stages to avoid the sudden shock of not reporting to work.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Agreed; I'm making about what I made full-time, but not nearly as much as I could in private practice. However, going back into the private sector would be a royal PITA- malpractice insurance, phone calls at all hours("Why can't you get my son out on bond? It's only his fourth DUI!") and other garbage that I just don't want to deal with.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
It's not how you start, but how you finish! Continued health and happiness to you and yours.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
"Laurasdada...no bar pick ups, no internet dating, no meet and mingle type of stuff....just good old fashioned introduction and let nature take its course."
Unfortunately, the love of my life has been in God's hands since 1997, when she passed due to breast cancer. But how we first met is vividly branded in my memory.
I was teaching at the time and attending graduate classes at the university for my master's degree in the evenings. I had just bought a new 1967 blue Corvette Stingray Fastback Coupe with a 427 cid V8 w/435 hp with the 4 speed stick. I used to take my suits to a dry cleaners a few blocks away where I had seen this cute girl behind the counter.
One day, I pulled up right in front of the cleaners and ran in to drop my laundry off. I left the Vette running. I asked her out for a cruise on a private yacht on Lake Michigan that evening (boat belonged to some friends of my Dad who were in Chicago for a few weeks). She said "yes" and 7 months later we were married in Evanston.
I am sure my Corvette made the day - a true chick car at the time. I knew she like me because even though she got seasick on boats, she came with me anyway - darn brave of her but also she gave away her feelings toward me (or was it the Corvette?). She never told me !
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
State pension systems - depends on the state. We had a golden system in NJ before the last Governor Christie (Whitman) raided it to cover her budget (quite illegally) and then discontinued the state paying in their share. The result is a $50 Billion+ hole in the system. Our current governor Christie said they can't afford COLAs anymore so my pension will not move despite my playing by the rules for 30 odd years. My employer (the county) paid every nickle of their share.
Now while saying what a mess the pension system is our current governor managed to put $300 million of the pension money into a failed casino. Yeah, that'll help.
IIRC, as long as she makes less than $250,000 in capital gains, she won't have to pay any tax on the proceeds - well federal at least.
Well, I ended up retired at a little short of 61 but it wasn't my idea. Based on 32 years in the system (should have actually been 34) I get maybe a little more than half of what I was making. You add Social Security to that and it comes close to even. Not ideal but I played the hand I was dealt and while there's lots of things I'd like to do that I can't afford or cars I'd like but won't get I'm happy with what I've got and not heading to the poorhouse.
gg - You are doing some creative math. You could sell your house and buy another equivalent at little cost. You want more bells and whistles, that's great, but don't expect to get it for the price of the current house. You two are in a fantastic position. Talk it over on your way to Costco to pick out the wedding ring and you'll figure out something you'll both love!
You obviously landed a jewel. Treasure that and don't count nickles.
I was going through my Dad's personal papers (which I try to do every so often) and I came across paid bills for a safe deposit box for 30+ years at a bank in North Miami Beach. I asked him about it, but he said he couldn't remember anything about it. I searched his steel box for keys to the box and found 2 matching keys which looked like safe deposit box keys.
We drove down there late this afternoon and entered the bank. Dad signed the log and we gave them the key. They brought the box to is in a private room and I opened it. To my surprise I found a large loose diamond in an envelope, 10 unopened rolls of silver dollars, and a quit claim deed too 6 graves at a cemetery on Long Island.
Tomorrow, we are going to take the diamond to my jeweler - I think it is my grandmother's engagement diamond. But we'll have to make sure it is real.
The 10 rolls of silver dollars are all Morgan Silver Dollars - all dated 1889. My Dad thinks they were given to my mother when she gave birth to twin boys by her father (my brother and me).
I don't know how much they are worth yet, but 100 uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollars should be worth quite a bit. I'll take them to a coin dealer I know tomorrow to find out what they are worth. I might give them to my son as my Dad said he wants me to have them if they are worth a lot. If not, I'll sell them. I am sure they are worth several hundred dollars each.
This was quite a shock since Dad had been paying rent on these by direct withdrawals from his existing account at that bank. Amazing the bank didn't notify my Dad since he hadn't used the box in over 10 years(when his memory was better). I wonder what else I'd find if I went through everything more carefully. An amazing find that totally caught me by surprise .
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I'll get 50% after 25 years. Not too bad but I know some state retirees getting 70%. With lifetime medical.
I won't get medical due to some strange retirement rules so I'll probably have to work until Medicare kicks it.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible