patrick.net

HeadSet says

SoTex says

I think you're one of the few younger people on patnet with a pension? Former Airforce?

Yes, former AF but I am no longer young. Weren't you AF as well? I think I remember it was you who said you got quite a few flight hours per month at Diego Garcia.

I was probably writing about my Dad. He flew a lot of AF planes but the last one were the C5s... He used to fly them to DG and bring me back strange little shells or rocks or whatever. Told me it was the most remote place to land on earth or something like that. I was probably in 3rd grade.

Al_Sharpton_for_President says

Thanks. I did a quick search for a medium priced RV rental, and I can stay at a hotel for less per night, go figure. $196-$268/night for a self-driver.

Welcome my friend!

Don't know if you included the lot/site rent - whether at a State/Fed Forest or Campground - is yet Moar money on top of that if you didn't. Even in the off season, in a teardrop, it's still $80 for the rental + minimum $30 for the hookup (even in Gov parks) = $110.

You can rent a cabin at a KOA or Outdoor Resort Park, or a hotel for the same without the headaches or setup.

The only time an RV makes financial sense is if you inherit a lot (since even rural counties are cracking down on utilities without a house in place) or deer blind with utilities and use it often for a decade.

.

Its about cash flow given the lifestyle

That means cutting back on expenses, but having free time which is valuable

And that means you could find work for supplemental income like freelance (door dash, spark driver, online instructor/teacher, rat race rebellion website, etc) or start your own company like Garage Door Doctor, etc

I know people that are very happy living in a large RV at age 35 with their home schooled kids (who participate in team sports and attend church activities including the church's school teaching chemistry, physics, and advanced math) and working on micro farms in the mountains as well as doing all sorts of gig and freelance work ; fortunately for Starlink they have good internet

.

AD says

I know people that are very happy living in a large RV at age 35 with their home schooled kids

Couldn't live that way myself. Location matters the most. You'd have to buy the land, preferably acreage so neighbors are further away. White trash is as bad as inner city criminal blacks. They'll rob your place if you're not around.

Also RV's will have something break multiple times a year. Similar to a boat. If it's your "house" it can be stressful. You can't necessarily head to a hardware store and get parts. Some might need to be ordered or an RV store nearby. You could be without a toilet for a week.

I just want a house that I know is going to work. Besides the initial rehab we've literally, knock on wood, have had no issues mostly. Only issue was the pool. We got 10 years out of it when the kids would use it the most. Filled it in this summer. Pools are like boats, have friends with one.

WookieMan says

Pools are like boats, have friends with one.

Use the community pool or get a plunge pool. Every pool I see seems to be made for a family of 6 with friends over all the time. A plunge pool will be cheaper to buy and maintain, and take up less space.

GF wanted a RV at one point, and I'm glad she got past that. Those things are a giant sinkhole of time and money. I think they only make sense if you live in it full time or use it a lot and have kids. For just 2 people a hotel is better and cheaper.

zzyzzx says

WookieMan says

Pools are like boats, have friends with one.

Use the community pool or get a plunge pool. Every pool I see seems to be made for a family of 6 with friends over all the time. A plunge pool will be cheaper to buy and maintain, and take up less space.

Community pools and sports courts are among those things worth paying dues for instead of maintaining them yourself (and being responsible for them).

On the bright side, investments in euthanasia suicide pods is a growth prospect.

https://t.me/epochtimes/113474

Ceffer says

On the bright side, investments in euthanasia suicide pods is a growth prospect.

Got a ticker symbol?

gabbar says

So, I stumbled on this facebook video short and took a snapshot of it. What are your thoughts about middle age, retirement and retirement age?

I'll say one thing

They always emphasize the MONEY not the TIME it takes to retire.

Imagine if an 18-25 year old worked one extra shift every so often and put $400-500/month in an IRA/401k starting at around 19 and kept it up for just a few years, where they would be at 30, 40, 50.

At age 52 that kid would have about a million bucks.
If it's a 401K, he'll owe Uncle Sambo $200,000 bucks.
If it's a Roth IRA, he'll owe Uncle Sambo zip, nothing, nada.
I've talked to a ton of people younger than I am about investing in a Roth IRA; they often take my card so they can ask me questions.
Not one of them ever asked me any follow up questions.
Few people want to save money and few people want to think about the future, few people want to make plans for what to do in the future, it's just running on the hamster wheel for most people.
Some get married which means they'll likely have kids and be broke pleasing the harpy demanding to provide for them anything their heart desires.
"Don't get me started!"

There is one kind of RV that might make sense.

You like camping, and get a teardrop or other tiny trailer just for an AC, Bed, Water, and as a Power Source and it weighs under 3000lb. and can be towed with almost anything.

clambo says

If it's a Roth IRA, he'll owe Uncle Sambo zip, nothing, nada.

As gratifying as that sensation might be on paper, the premise of the Roth is that the government gets its taxes today on your hope that taxes will be higher and that you will make out in the future, like, the distant future, and that your lower net compounding money bolus will somehow prevail and outperform over extended time.

If you do the Monte Carlo geusstimators, they show that the projected advantages of a Roth are so slight and at such older ages (decreptitude) that there really isn't that much of an advantage. I would rather make the Guv wait for their taxes.

Most people who make Roth 'work' shift money into them when they are in lowest possible tax bracket and use it when in higher tax brackets.

However, the psychologic pleasure of giving the Guv and its taxes the bird finger, if only allegorical, might be worth it.

socal2 says

Wish it worked on rabbits.

Rabbits are quite edible. Just sayin.

zzyzzx says

Ceffer says

On the bright side, investments in euthanasia suicide pods is a growth prospect.

Got a ticker symbol?

I bought SCI when I realized a lot of people are dying from the vaxx. I'm up 32% so far.

zzyzzx says

Ceffer says

On the bright side, investments in euthanasia suicide pods is a growth prospect.

Got a ticker symbol?

GRMRPR

AmericanKulak says

They always emphasize the MONEY not the TIME it takes to retire.

Because as you get older, the most precious commodities are time and health. You can't always game those with just money.

Also, all of those nursing home politicians (or their dead name avatars) are definitely on Satan's treadmill, because after 60 or so most people would like to kick back, travel and enjoy their grandkids, not spend 90 minutes in the makeup wagon every morning to dance in the clown show.

mell says

Community pools and sports courts are among those things worth paying dues for instead of maintaining them yourself (and being responsible for them).

Agree if in a community. Pool at the new house will be 100% automated though for me at least. Heated 24/7/365. Not hot, but so it doesn't freeze in winter. Auto cover. Salt water chlorine generator. Floor cleaners and floor drain. Everything on timers and automated. Hoping to only open and close the cover and check the chlorinator every 3 months.

I've spent at least 100 hours researching everything. All the gear will be in a heated garage pop out room. So I never have to winterize. Hot tub can be bumped when we want to even in winter. Likely by phone. This will cost $100-150k, but whatever. Knowing I'm getting older I'd rather do laps in the pool for exercise with less wear and tear on the joints, and knees specifically. Kids will still use it.

I like grilling and cooking, but not a huge fan of entertaining. A pool is nice though. We're the only ones on both sides of the family that will be able to pull it off for things like Thanksgiving and Xmas. Wife has 4 sisters and I think 10 nephews and nieces. Get togethers are about 20 people. That doesn't work at anyones house in the family.

I just want the hot tub more than anything. I want a sauna as well. Might custom build one.

Patrick says

Rabbits are quite edible. Just sayin.

They can also carry Bubonic plague in California!

I think that is why the coyotes and owls leave the rabbits alone (at least on my street) and eat our pets instead.

We lost 2 of our indoor/outdoor cats when we moved here. Now cat #3 is strictly indoors.

socal2 says

Patrick says

Rabbits are quite edible. Just sayin.

They can also carry Bubonic plague in California!

I think that is why the coyotes and owls leave the rabbits alone (at least on my street) and eat our pets instead.

We lost 2 of our indoor/outdoor cats when we moved here. Now cat #3 is strictly indoors.

I wouldn't touch a rabbit. My game meat only goes to deer (venison), bison and elk.

Even if they were good and didn't have the plague, you'd have to kill 3-4 to get a meal. Unless you have master knife work, you're looking at probably an hour plus to skin them to the meat. With the other animals I mention it takes longer, but you can fill an entire freezer that will last 3-12 months. So I'm out on rabbits.

WookieMan says

Just watched a live Edgar Winter Frankenstein cover I did. I need to get those chops back. Played the percussion and drum part in the solo. One of the hardest covers I did

One of my old bands used to cover Frankenstein. I was the keyboard player. I had the synth parts nailed, and it would blow people's minds when the "mothership landing" part kicked in. The drummer in the band was a monster - veteran of Broadway, Reno, you name it and he'd played it. Good times.

That thing probably has rabies too!

I got my backyard under control since I have a fence and can plink them with my Daisy pellet gun. But I can't safely shoot in the front yard without freaking out neighbors. The rabbit shit-balls and urine really burn up my grass and they come back to the same patch over and over again making it impossible for the grass to grow back.

Looks pretty healthy to me.

Cooking should kill off plague, which is very rare anyway. Worst case, antibiotics are very effective at curing all forms of plague.

I asked AI how much money should I have to retire at 60 in Caligulan splendor

It's response:
To achieve "Caligulan splendor" (extravagant luxury and excess) in retirement, you would need a substantial amount of money, likely exceeding $10 million, depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. This is because such a lifestyle requires significant resources to cover extravagant expenses like lavish travel, fine dining, designer goods, and potentially, private jets or luxury properties.

Key Considerations:

High Annual Spending:
Caligulan splendor implies a high annual spending level, likely in the range of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Investment Returns:
To maintain such a lifestyle, you'd need a portfolio that generates enough income to cover these expenses, while also ensuring the principal doesn't deplete over time.

Long-Term Planning:
Retirement planning should be a long-term strategy, starting early to allow for ample time to build the necessary wealth and develop investment strategies that align with your spending goals.

Consider Other Factors:
Besides the cost of living, you should also factor in potential expenses like healthcare, taxes, and estate planning.

Example:
A $10 million portfolio could generate a significant income through various investment strategies, such as the 4% rule, which allows for withdrawals of 4% of the principal each year, adjusted for inflation.
This could provide a substantial annual income for expenses like a private residence, high-end travel, and other luxurious items.

I asked Grok AI:

Recommended Retirement Areas in Florida

Where in Florida should I retire if I want to live in an area that is not hurricane prone, has very few sinkholes, and with the least amount of black people.

Recommended Retirement Areas in FloridaBased on your criteria—low hurricane risk (focusing on inland northern and central areas where storms weaken significantly), minimal sinkhole activity (avoiding "Sinkhole Alley" in west-central counties like Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough), and the lowest percentages of Black residents (drawing from U.S. Census data on racial demographics)—the best matches are in northern Florida. These areas offer a milder climate for retirement, with access to amenities like golf courses, parks, and healthcare, while balancing your specified factors.Northern Florida (e.g., Panhandle and Big Bend regions) stands out as the safest overall: hurricanes rarely make direct landfall here due to the state's shape and distance from warm coastal waters, sinkholes are far less common than in the central peninsula (where limestone dissolution is more active), and Black population percentages are generally below the state average of ~17%. Southeast Florida has fewer sinkholes but higher hurricane exposure and diverse demographics. Central spots like Orlando are hurricane-safer but sinkhole-prone and more diverse.

I can answer Booger's question above but maybe there is more hurricane risk.

The risk of a hurricane is just the inconvenience of having no electricity for a while, or being in an evacuation zone.

Solution: depart Florida during hurricane season.

In the last 3 months where I am in Florida I have seen one black person; it was a hot female driving a Mercedes.

My response one year later has not changed.

I welcome retirement. Less than 5 years to go. I’ve talked myself into smaller homes and where we want to live…well it would put us at a mortgage payment that is less than I currently pay in rent, not to mention only 1/5th of my gross retirement income not counting my and wife’s eventual social security, nor counting my 457 account.

We are planning another western US road trip. Maybe 3 to 4 weeks next year. And all I can think about is how much easier it would be if we were retired and not obligated to anything.

I took Wookiee advice and am looking at the Utah NP’s. That will wait until retirement. Wife and I have been working at it and are both in the best shape we’ve been at in a very long time. I showed her pictures of Capitol Reef NP and she thinks it looks like heaven. Some months back, totally on her own, she asked why we don’t go to Arches NP. There’s just too much I’d like to see. The NP’s in Washington, the Oregon coast, the Arizona NP’s and monuments and Monument Valley. I want to go to New Mexico and try some delicious food and see some of the mountains and historical sites there. I went to Mesa Verde when I was a kid, but wife has never been. Would love to see Black Canyon of the Gunnison…hardly anyone goes there. Also want to go eat amazing bbq in Texas. Wife is obsessed with Texas. So timing it with a country concert we’d want to see is the plan. I also want to see the US south. I’ve never been and Tennesse in not the summer seems to be a great place. Would love to see the northeast US. I’ve been to NYC and DC but nowhere else east of South Dakota.

And I’d like to go to Europe too. Wife wants London, Paris and, Rome. I’d like to go to Spain, portugal, the Azores, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Maybe northern Italy.

And that’s just a part of things I want to do. Sleeping in sounds great and so does a whiskey outdoors at night listening to Outlaw Country on Sirius. Maybe the occasional cigar. Reading books would not be a bad idea either. And I’d like to go to church more often. Wife is not happy that I don’t usually go with her. Exercising every day and making my own food every day are also realistic goals. We’re both in the best shape we’ve been in in a lot of years. When I retire, I’ll be 57, wife will be 50, I hope we both stay in good health so we can enjoy things. My parents are 83 and still in reasonable health. They actually just took a trip to the so cal mountains this week. Scares the crap out of me that my dads driving winding mountain roads at 83, but I’m happy they are out enjoying themselves and it gives me reason to be optimistic for myself as well.

Between getting ready and commute, work takes about 12 hours of most weekdays away from me. There’s a heck of a lot of things I’d rather be doing.

I am quite positive there has not been a single person in the history of humanity who is on their death bed and bemoans “why didn’t I work more?”.

FuckTheMainstreamMedia says

I’d like to go to Spain, portugal, the Azores, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Maybe northern Italy.

I lived in Azores for about a year and a half. It was a great place to live but I do not see why a tourist would be interested.

clambo says

In the last 3 months where I am in Florida I have seen one black person

Where in Florida is this place?

HeadSet says

FuckTheMainstreamMedia says

I’d like to go to Spain, portugal, the Azores, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Maybe northern Italy.

I lived in Azores for about a year and a half. It was a great place to live but I do not see why a tourist would be interested.

Looks amazing to me but then I abhor cruises and tours. Off the beaten path appeals to me greatly.

stereotomy says

WookieMan says

Just watched a live Edgar Winter Frankenstein cover I did. I need to get those chops back. Played the percussion and drum part in the solo. One of the hardest covers I did

One of my old bands used to cover Frankenstein. I was the keyboard player. I had the synth parts nailed, and it would blow people's minds when the "mothership landing" part kicked in. The drummer in the band was a monster - veteran of Broadway, Reno, you name it and he'd played it. Good times.

I saw Edgar Winter live at the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. He had a big boned Texas drawl and was very courteous and appreciative of the audience. I was surprised to see him do the whole Frankenstein thing himself changing instruments that were around him. He apologized that he didn't do it well enough and did it a second time. I didn't really find anything wrong with the first performance.

I have the vinyl record, and at times it was a frequent flyer on the turntable.

Booger says

Where in Florida should I retire if I want to live in an area that is not hurricane prone, has very few sinkholes, and with the least amount of black people.

Recommended Retirement Areas in FloridaBased on your criteria—low hurricane risk (focusing on inland northern and central areas where storms weaken significantly), minimal sinkhole activity (avoiding "Sinkhole Alley" in west-central counties like Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough), and the lowest percentages of Black residents (drawing from U.S. Census data on racial demographics)—the best matches are in northern Florida. These areas offer a milder climate for retirement, with access to amenities like golf courses, parks, and healthcare, while balancing your specified factors.Northern Florida (e.g., Panhandle and Big Bend regions)

Yeah, the Florida panhandle is definitely all that. Its beach weather from early March to around Thanksgiving.

Bay County (Panama City) went about 75% for Trump last election.

Booger:
This place is a few miles from Tiger Woods' house as the crow flies.

It's nice; I would compare it to Capitola California except it has a view of the waterway not the Pacific Ocean.

I don't like the idea of living on the Gulf of Mexico; that water is nasty during the summer. Some guys die every year from Vibrio Vulnificus "flesh eating bacteria."

clambo says

I don't like the idea of living on the Gulf of Mexico America; that water is nasty during the summer. Some guys die every year from Vibrio Vulnificus "flesh eating bacteria."

I don't like the West Coast of the Gulf of America. Tampa, Ft. Myers, etc. Panhandle is better, but can occasionally get pretty chilly in winter. Spring/Summer trips are the best up there. I don't know if there's a flow to the Gulf or rivers that drain into it on the west side. I've been down there in those parts when it's happening with the flesh eating shit.

I'm not old by any stretch, but my getting in beach water days are basically done. I'm totally done with pools as I don't get sitting in chlorine. I'll hang at both, I just don't like being wet. I'm athletic and not fat, but I compete or go big regardless what it is. So I've been hurting myself over the last 2 years roughly. In the last month I've been knocked out twice... playing ping pong. I need to get back into golf. Knowing my luck I'll get hit with a ball.

https://rudy.substack.com/p/consumers-are-collapsing

The Boeing experience was that employees retiring at age 65 received pension cheques for 18 months, on average, prior to death. A similar experience was discovered at Lockheed Martin, where on average, employees received pension cheques for just 17 months.

Apparently the experiences at Ford Motor Company and Bell Labs were similar to those of Boeing and Lockheed. Statistics at a pre-retirement seminar illustrated that the average age of retirement at most large corporations in the US was 57. So people retiring at age 65 are a minority, but it is still a startling statistic.

The thought is that the hard working late retirees (65) are more than likely putting too much stress on their ageing bodies and minds and due to the stress, they develop a variety of health problems. The associated stress induced health problems lead to them dying within two years of retirement.

Another startling statistic from the same Corporations is that those who retire earlier, say age 55, tend to enjoy their retirement on average for more than 25 years.

Some people questioned the veracity of the above article, but I found the study, from March 2002.

https://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/coe/gutub/english_misc/retire1.htm

Regarding Roth IRA vs a 401K.

Let's assume after 30 years, making 8.5%, contributing $500/month=account is worth a little under $800,000.
You can't enjoy the income tax savings from a 401K deduction, so you pay about $36,000 in taxes while you're working.

Edit: You can spend the $800,000 in the Roth IRA tax free (Federal)

What if you spend the $800,000 in your 401K? You'll owe about $160,000 income tax.

Uncle Sambo encourages people to have a 401K, yet rarely tells you about the benefits of a Roth IRA.

Why? Because Sambo wants to skim off the $160,000 of your investment gains paid for by you and risk taken by you.

clambo says

Uncle Sambo encourages people to have a 401K, yet rarely tells you about the benefits of a Roth IRA.

If one knows about a 401k they know about a Roth IRA. One should do both, but the Roth IRA has a $7k per year limit which you should max out, then load up any 401k up to its $23.5k limit. No conspiracy here. Remember also, that your current taxable income is lowered by the amount of your employer's contribution to the 401k.

You pay taxes either way. It's a wash.

RWSGFY says

You pay taxes either way. It's a wash.

??? If I put 6k per year in a Roth IRA I will be able to pull the accumulated amount out tax free. True, I was taxed on the $6k when it was earned, but that is still the case whether I put the money in a Roth or spent it on Franklin Mint collectable plates.

HeadSet says

RWSGFY says

You pay taxes either way. It's a wash.

??? If I put 6k per year in a Roth IRA I will be able to pull the accumulated amount out tax free. True, I was taxed on the $6k when it was earned, but that is still the case whether I put the money in a Roth or spent it on Franklin Mint collectable plates.

It's been debated to death and calculated 7 ways to Sunday. All other things being equal it's a wash tax-wise.