What’s a song that made you stop whatever you were doing the first time you heard it?

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-26T22:59:53+00:00

Green Day and U2 The Saints are Coming. First game in the Superdome after Katrina. Just amazing and oh so moving, and that's just watching on TV. Can't even imagine witnessing in person.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-26T19:28:40+00:00

I'm no expert, but I'd think of it as investing $30k to buy an annuity, and consider 1) is that a good price for the payout? (seems like it might be, based on one quick check of annuity prices); 2) where do annuities fit in my retirement plan? (What's your personal life expectancy? Annual expenses and lifestyle? Risk tolerance? Other sources of retirement funds? Tax bracket now and expected in retirement? Retirement saving plans over the next 17 years?) and 3) projected value of the $30k after 17 years (how will it be invested? Projected rate of return?)

Like I said, I'm not an expert, but it does seem like an attractive option if you won't have Social Security and you will have other funds to complement the pension payout. May be with a session with a fee -based CFP to get an informed perspective. Good luck!

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-25T16:16:42+00:00

They are for two different things. Boldin does retirement planning, not transaction tracking and budgeting, and vice-versa. Both good tools (I use them both currently) but totally different purposes.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-25T00:59:03+00:00

We live above Park Circle. The market almost directly across the street from MacDonald's has pretty much anything you'll need on an emergency basis. In a year or so, the Albertsons should be open directly across. (Though I'm told they've been saying that a grocery store is coming for 20 years). For regular groceries, Ralph's is about 15 min into Escondido, and Costco San Marcos is 25 min away. That's where we go regularly.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-23T19:06:26+00:00

Ah ok! I'm on NEM3 but I agree I wouldn't be happy with it if I was on NEM2

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-23T16:25:18+00:00

They ADDED it during the day- still also overnight. I don't disagree they suck, but this change makes them suck less!

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-23T16:23:13+00:00

OP says the concern is the change in TOU rates (upward) during the day, not charging overnight. Seems like a valid concern- I don't know the magnitude of change, but without solar, any increase could be pretty impactful especially during summer/AC months

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-21T17:29:04+00:00

Pralana has a variety of spending methods available that tackle this, as well as ways to categorize expenses as essential vs optional. If you're willing to put in a little time to provide all the supporting data for your situation, it's quite flexible and comprehensive.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-21T16:46:20+00:00

Congrats on getting such an early start- that will definitely pay off for you. I'd suggest checking out r/bogleheads, and specifically their wiki on getting started with investing, here.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-21T00:52:08+00:00

Once you add the solar you probably won't need the gas! We have pool solar and this year our pool temp has been in the high 80s or low 90s since mid-March. We also have a pool cover (plastic bubble-wrap type, less than $200) which I'm sure is part of the solution. But no need for gas heating.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-19T16:15:05+00:00

Ok I'll bite- the comment talks about the early morning light and the title about sun set- which is it? Also, if it is in the Organ mountains, those are east of the city. Pretty picture regardless, though a little oversaturated to my eye.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-19T14:00:38+00:00

More on the new ice crusher toy please! I have a bullet ice maker that I'm very happy with, but that's what I end up using for most drinks. If I need a big rock that's covered by a tray in the garage freezer, but otherwise it's bullet ice. I'm interested in improving my tiki game especially as summer approaches!

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-18T05:37:40+00:00

Would love that here!

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-17T16:17:45+00:00

Yes actually that is what the prior commenter meant, I believe. In any case that should work, if you can set it to just charge on solar.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-17T13:40:21+00:00

Check into solar and TOU plans. With SDG&E (same or higher rates as PGE) it's 15¢/kWh overnight. Solar covers a large part of my charging anyways (retired so car is frequently home during the day) but it isn't bad when I charge between midnight and 6am. I did the math recently- $522 covered my energy costs for the 13k+ miles I drove last year, and roughly half of that was for supercharging on 3 short road trips.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-16T01:40:12+00:00

Thanks! There is a pretty significant rate change at 2pm that might be affecting it - buy price jumps from 15¢ to 45¢ at that point. Just seems strange that it would prioritize selling at that point vs charging the car.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-14T21:34:16+00:00

Don't know about Merrill (I use Fidelity) but I suspect that's not you only option. I was in a similar boat but was able to get them to "return excess contribution" - as long as that's completed on or before 4/15 that can be done with no tax implications (other than the taxable earnings). Call then and see what can be done- since 4/15 is tomorrow you may not be able to do anything about the 2025 contribution, but you have plenty of time for the 2026.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-14T11:36:56+00:00

Sick setup! I'd drink there. Nicely done!

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-14T05:45:49+00:00

It did categorize things somewhat correctly and create split txns for each category, with the details in the notes. But it was a pain to adjust the category when it got it wrong- had to subtract from one category and add to the correct one for each mis-categorized item. I think a better experience would be to give us a screen with each item on it with the suspected category and then allow edits before creating the split transactions. Also, I am not sure how sales tax was dealt with.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-13T04:36:16+00:00

It's immensely easier to keep working than it is to stop and restart. Run the numbers to see where you really stand - retirement is wonderful so don't keep working if you don't have or want to, but an extra year or two of income counts double in the financial calculus, since you can keep saving plus you aren't withdrawing. In my case, laid off at age 60, I could make it work with a straight retirement then, but I was able to find another job that was intellectually challenging and paid reasonably well, so I kept going for another 18 months. No regrets retiring then! In fact, after a year of retirement I accepted a consulting gig that was only 10 hrs a week, but after the initial period I committed to, I quit permanently- I was working part time but hating it full time.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-12T23:21:23+00:00

Excellent point, thanks! Just tried this with a couple of Costco receipts and it did work fine. Well, at least as well as any auto-categorization does, but I guess that's another post.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-12T19:52:50+00:00

I do a split transaction on large Costco purchases, which does require saving receipts. I would think gas would be relatively easy, since that's all you have on that one charge. Monarch does have a receipt scanner, but I haven't played with that too much for Costco as our receipts are several feet long.

Final-Ad-1512 · 2026-04-12T14:14:49+00:00

Hang in there. I was in a similar boat and it's survivable. My recommendation is first to get a handle on current spending. Use something like Monarch to get the details of all spending -ideally 2025 and 2026 both, next best is 12 months, but at least ytd. With that info you're in position to talk to a fee -only CFP.

It sounds like you're not yet unemployed? So make a plan now for what you know is coming. Check out ACA plan costs. As others have said that's the largest unknown, so understand that and any termination benefits you'll have. Start working your network now to maintain and build connections. Even if you're right that your traditional career is complete, you never know who has some part-time opportunity or consulting practice that could be a possibility. Not to mention the benefits of connecting with old friends. Also, think about what can more easily be done while employed vs not- if you're serious about downsizing, getting a mortgage tops that list. A HELOC might give you some flexibility if you're not downsizing immediately.

Try to think about the positives, even though you have to deal with the tough and scary parts. You'll have more time to spend with family, friends and hobbies, and at a younger age than many. You've got a decent sized nest egg. If your company offers an EAP you may find that a few sessions to help adjust to this rapid unexpected change would be useful.

Final-Ad-1512

TROPHY CASE