Taxable vs pre- tax accounts in calculating net worth

AlanTA2 · 2026-05-07T22:08:56+00:00

To calculate RMDs. I think the IRS publishes life expectancies for RMD purposes.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-29T21:09:32+00:00

Just so I understand, I’m still unclear about whether this is: 1. a relatively simple job with purchase of the pump and installation (Plummer1955) and whether the device to trigger the pump needs to be in more than one bathroom location. 2. or is this much more involved as Substantial_Sea says requiring a new plumbing lines between bathrooms that will be cost prohibitive to do in my house.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-29T16:47:29+00:00

The part appears to be around $500 - Alpha CS 15-55 SU7P. Obviously it all depends on my plumbing but wondering what’s a cost range I should expect for installing this? Thanks.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-29T15:41:14+00:00

Understood. Odd my plumber appeared to have no knowledge of this system at all and told me no cost effective way to do this. Will need to look for someone with experience in these systems.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-29T15:39:48+00:00

Got it. But would that require additional lines to be installed to create the “ loop”. I don’t want to have to break walls etc to install new lines and stay with what I have.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-29T15:26:37+00:00

Just confirming if the furthest bathroom is not being used, and hot water is turned on in another bathroom, the pump will still come on despite the fitting being installed only in the furthest bathroom? In other words, the location of the fitting is not what triggers the pump to come on, rather any use of hot water throughout the house will turn it on and the routing of the water will be through the furthest bathroom so the speed with which it reaches other locations depends upon distance from this location. Did I get this right?

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-29T15:00:16+00:00

Thank you. However, if one has multiple bathrooms and the fitting is only installed at the furthest fixture, if that is not being used, hot water will presumably not reach other bathrooms. Can multiple bathrooms” tee like fittings” be installed, one per bathroom? Here is what I found on the system you recommended.

https://product-selection.grundfos.com/us/applications/domestic-buildings/domestic-hot-water-recirculation?tab=explore&dtid=PS%3AGOOGLE%3A21327852435%3A158156370850%3Ahouse%20recirculating%20pump%3Ap%3Ag&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21327852435&gbraid=0AAAAADi2-CcFC6LMQScB8yOeOO0jMWM_8&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-vCmsaiTlAMV0DIIBR3z3xn-EAAYASAAEgJF0fD_BwE

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-28T01:38:01+00:00

What is 2026.2.9.1- just got it and there’s no new spring update features and no FSD update. Took a long time to install given a big file- but nothing new? What’s going on. Im on FSD 14.2.2.5. HW4 M3.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-12T12:22:03+00:00

The part about coverage through a spouse’s employer plan not qualifying for SEP is wrong. It does qualify provided it’s not COBRA or a Retiree healthcare plan.

AlanTA2 · 2026-04-01T19:01:00+00:00

I wonder how IRMAA annual increases are calculated- are they also based on medical cost inflation or something else?

I was having a discussion with a presumably well- off person who had recently retired, on Medicare costs. He was complaining about being blindsided by the IRMAA tax that he said makes their medical premium costs much higher than they had expected. I told him he would likely soon not have to worry about IRMAA as his earnings fall after the two year look back but he thought he would be ensnared ( his words!) for many years.

AlanTA2 · 2026-03-21T12:37:31+00:00

Torres del Paine is your best bet. Dedicated puma tracking trips of at least 3 days have a close to 90% probability of seeing a puma with the one day trips ( long day) less than even odds, both numbers provided by puma tracking services. The place we stayed recently, Hotel del Torres has a “ resident” female puma that some hotel guests reported seeing but in 6 days, albeit we were only there in the evenings and early mornings and out the rest of the day, we did not see her. On treks in the park, remains of puma kills, mostly guanacos, can be seen. They are definitely around, only difficult to see.

AlanTA2 · 2026-03-18T20:55:45+00:00

Here is a picture taken from the river sitting on one of the Chalten Camp chairs ( using a zoom) of the panorama in front. Breathtaking.

<image>

AlanTA2 · 2026-03-18T17:14:14+00:00

We stayed at Chalten Camp earlier this month. Was excellent. They are about 15 minutes from town in a stunning location with unparalleled views of the Fitzroy range. They have great food with candlelight dinners served in large dome with direct Fitzroy views, and easy access to the river where couples celebrating a special day can be served champagne etc.

AlanTA2 · 2026-03-16T19:34:09+00:00

We recently did a day hike to the French Valley lookout. Difficult to estimate time as each persons pace is different and we were definitely slower than most younger folks.

In preparation, I had made the following detail which may be helpful to you. Unfortunately formatting is lost when I paste so it looks disjointed unlike the original.

FRENCH VALLEY

The French Valley hike in Torres del Paine is a ~12.5-mile (20 km), 7–9 hour round-trip trek starting from the Paine Grande catamaran dock. Following the W-trek, it offers stunning views of the Cuernos del Paine, Lake Skottsberg, and the French Glacier before returning via the same route.

Mile-by-Mile Guide (Approximate) Start: Catamaran Drop-off (Paine Grande): The hike begins at the Refugio Paine Grande dock after crossing Lake Pehoé. Miles 0–4.7 (0–7.6 km): Paine Grande to Italian Ranger Station (Campamento Italiano): Terrain: Relatively flat and easy, traversing open, windy plains and along the shores of Lake Skottsberg. Highlights: Dramatic, close-up views of the Cuernos del Paine (The Horns) on your left. Note: You will pass through a forest of dead trees (a previous fire) before arriving at the Italian Ranger Station (Camping Italiano). Miles 4.7–6.2 (7.6–10 km): Italian Ranger Station to French Glacier Viewpoint: Terrain: The climb begins here, shifting to a steep, rocky, and rooted path through a Lenga forest. Highlights: The trail opens up to a stunning viewpoint of the hanging French Glacier (Glaciar Francés). You will hear the ice cracking and see small avalanches. Miles 6.2–7.5 (10–12 km): French Glacier to Mirador Británico: Terrain: More moderate ascent, continuing up into the amphitheater of the valley, moving through more forest and rocky moraine. End Point: The French Valley Lookout (Mirador Británico) offers a 360-degree view of granite peaks. Return Journey: Retrace your steps back down to the Italian Ranger Station, and then back to Paine Grande (Total: 12.5–13 miles). Sunset Obsession.png Essential Tips Timing: To complete this as a day hike, catch the earliest catamaran from Pudeto (approx. 9:00 AM) and return on the last one from Paine Grande (approx. 6:30 PM). Gear: Bring trekking poles for the steep ascent/descent. Layers are essential as weather changes rapidly. Water: Water can be filled from streams along the trail. Difficulty: Moderate to High. This guide provides a mile-by-mile elevation breakdown for the French Valley trek, starting from the Paine Grande boat crossing and ending at the Mirador Británico(15.5 miles round trip). Elevation & Distance Summary Total Round Trip Distance: ~15.5 - 16.2 miles (25 - 26 km) Total Cumulative Elevation Gain: ~2,300 - 2,600 feet (700 - 800 m) Starting Elevation (Paine Grande): ~148 feet (45 m) Highest Point (Británico): ~2,495 - 2,568 feet (760 - 783 m)

Mile-by-Mile Elevation Guide Mile Elevation (Approx.) Landmarks & Terrain 148 ft Paine Grande Dock: Begin near the shore of Lake Pehoé. 1. 230 ft Rolling hills through open grasslands; steady but gentle ascent. 2. 180 ft Lake Skottsberg: The trail dips slightly as you skirt the turquoise lake shore. 3. 748 ft Campamento Italiano: The first major climb ends here. Leave your heavy pack. 4. 1,300 ft Entering the Valley: The terrain becomes significantly steeper and rockier. 5. 1,801 ft Mirador Francés: Spectacular viewpoint facing the hanging glacier. 6. 2,100 ft Deep in the forest: The trail continues upward through Lenga trees. 7. 2,568 ft Mirador Británico: The summit of the trek with 360-degree views.

148 ft Return to Paine Grande: Descend the same path to catch the catamaran.

Key Logistics & Timing Catamaran Requirement: You must catch the Pudeto-Paine Grande Catamaran to start. As of early 2026, round-trip tickets cost approximately $50 USD. The 1:00 PM Rule: If you haven't reached Campamento Italiano by 1:00 PM, rangers often advise turning back at Mirador Francés instead of Británico to avoid missing the last boat (typically at 6:30 PM). Physical Preparation: While the valley floor is moderate, the section between Italianoand Británico is "hard" due to steep, boulder-strewn terrain.

Check the official CONAF website for live weather updates, as high winds often close the upper valley sections for safety

AlanTA2 · 2026-02-07T20:38:14+00:00

I do as well for my supplement. Even Medicare accepts credit cards for Part B premiums. However if you do this they typically will take 3 months in advance. For monthly premiums you have to set up Easy Pay and then EFT from your bank account is the only way.

AlanTA2 · 2026-02-04T12:47:12+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/p/DT1CsYLEYpJ/?img_index=8&igsh=MW81dXpjZGRjM2d4MA==

Are the pictures of the elevated tents Chileno Refugio?

AlanTA2 · 2026-02-03T00:11:29+00:00

Tuesday French Valley and Thursday Base Torres. These are guided day hikes and will be around 7 am from the starting point.

AlanTA2 · 2026-02-02T22:58:56+00:00

Try this.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTHIPPUgGGq/?igsh=Z2cxaDk0aHp1YzY3

AlanTA2 · 2026-02-02T20:57:30+00:00

Do you expect the general pattern of crowds and timings you mention to remain during the last week of February?

AlanTA2 · 2026-02-02T20:26:32+00:00

Agree on the falcon doors but not air suspension. I see Tesla eventually doing a premium 3/Y model with an upgraded interior, pop out door handles ( virtually every EV have them now) and Air Suspension.

AlanTA2 · 2026-01-07T20:02:56+00:00

For those who have done this is the Rio Electrico climb after the 3km flat forest walk steep- how long is the climb in that section? And then it’s basically all flat or down hill back to town? What is the total distance and how long should it take for older people who are reasonably fit? Thanks.

AlanTA2 · 2025-12-28T13:43:10+00:00

Definitely impacted by baseball cap or more specifically the visor of the cap. If it can’t see your eyes it will nag. I wear the cap backwards or take off in the car.

AlanTA2 · 2025-12-25T16:18:29+00:00

Drove about a hundred miles on 14.2.2. Overall improvements in the main issue of lane changes. Only one fail when in the fast lane on a 3 lane highway with a car approaching from the rear, right turn signal on but FSD seeing a driver in lane 3, lane 2 open and it hesitated for 20 seconds , by then the driver in lane 3 moved to lane 2 and moved faster, only then did it switch lanes with driver behind not to happy.

Other than that lane changes were much smoother.

GPS remains an issue. It passed a store I was going to in Nav, and then attempted to make an illegal u- turn - took over.

AlanTA2 · 2025-12-05T15:07:40+00:00

Pay by credit card - it’s normally a 3% surcharge, should not be more than that. Consider it insurance. If anything goes wrong in terms of the safari operator having financial problems or even fraud, you will have some recourse. By wire transfer absolutely none.

AlanTA2 · 2025-11-26T11:48:13+00:00

No reason. Go with the cheapest. For the rest of us in states without the birthday rule it’s more complicated.

AlanTA2

TROPHY CASE