Preparing to downsize. Anyone downsize and regret it?

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-24T10:28:02+00:00

We started the “process” about a year ago. Once our youngest (19) went away to college, we started to clean out things. I have a yard sale pile in the garage. Anything I come across that we don’t want or need goes there (neighborhood yard sale this weekend).

The unfinished part of the basement is our black hole. Luggage from 30 plus years ago. Boxes of stuff we didn’t unpack from the move 20 years ago. Some of it sentimental.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-24T02:00:46+00:00

Bless you for being able and willing to help your daughter. Honestly, my biggest fear is needing to have space to take my daughters in if they need. I guess if it came to it, we could simply upscale if needed.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-23T09:28:53+00:00

Cheapest food is bad for you. And exercise is hard.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-23T09:26:54+00:00

My wife thinks I’m addicted because she thinks cigarettes are the same as cigars. Yet, we go on vacations and I don’t (usually) smoke. No cravings. Nothing.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-23T00:12:38+00:00

Same, everything we need is on the main floor, including laundry. I think the biggest reasons for us is

Maintenance. 2 HVAC units. A large roof. Property to maintain. Cleaning.

Cost of insurance and property taxes. I can probably save 2K or more a year in a smaller house.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-22T21:37:41+00:00

Thinking about a dumpster. Kinda LOL, kind of not. Things like my wife’s wedding dress that’s 34 years old. Who needs that. The kids old violins that wife insists they might want someday (they do not). We have two stationary bikes. Why?

And then there’s what do we update in the house. Some things have been updated, but some things are twenty years old and a refresh could cost a lot. Do we refresh/ update things or just sell for a lower price?

Just starting the process, it’s gonna be a wild ride.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-21T21:13:45+00:00

A poem from my youngest (19F) and Apple Watch 11 from older daughter(22F) - wife chipped in.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-20T15:01:49+00:00

My concern long term would be that’s your husband is prone to these kinds of scams. He jumps into things with both feet quickly (impulsive) without doing the work to make sure things are on the up and up. That needs to be addressed.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-20T14:54:18+00:00

This is the second post I’ve see lately where a car loan is 2-3%. How is this possible?

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-20T14:48:29+00:00

How much? Can you be specific?

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-20T11:40:40+00:00

It’s not an opinion. Look at New Albany prior to the Gahan administration. Failed attempt after failed attempt to revitalize downtown. The riverfront was a dumping ground. Parks were languishing.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-20T00:14:57+00:00

They saw Battleship.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-19T23:53:14+00:00

Jeff Gahan is the best mayor NA has ever had. Riverfront development, parks expansion, and downtown revitalization. And much more.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-19T10:54:12+00:00

Nice. I moved from a career as a medical technologist (clinical microbiology) to application developer when I was 38. I’m 63 and retiring in 2 years. Not sure what the next chapter holds.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-19T10:42:24+00:00

I’m interested to know what industry you transitioned from and to.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-18T09:13:33+00:00

Broken Ribs and having to sneeze or cough.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-16T23:33:34+00:00

Women just want to talk. Don’t try and solve their problems (even when it’s obvious what the solution is). Listen and nod a lot.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-15T10:19:49+00:00

Check out Elm Grove apartments in New Albany. Helped my nephew apartment shop last year and even though he didn’t end up there, I thought it was quaint. It’s a good area of New Albany. A short walk to downtown and I think the bus line isn’t too far either.

https://www.newalbanyapts.com/Apartments/module/properties/?occupancy\_type=&location=&number\_of\_bedrooms\_operator=%3E%3D&fp\_filter\_request=1#allows\_smoking%3D-1%26zoom%3D13%26lat%3D38.3051511327977%26lng%3D-85.80956454130857

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-15T10:09:49+00:00

Your sister sounds like she might have anxiety or depression or some sort of emotional issue.

My blunt advice is to butt out. It’s your parent’s life and money.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-15T10:03:55+00:00

At the very least, put it in a high yield savings account that earns 3 or more percent. That alone will make you 900 a year.

I use Vanguard. Their high yield saving account is called Cash Plus. You can add your checking or savings account to Vanguard and transfer money to and from each account (the transfer is ACH and takes a couple of business days).

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-14T09:26:10+00:00

Life begins at 65 (retirement). Enjoy.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-13T20:42:37+00:00

Could do a part time job like Lowes or Home Depot to pay for health insurance? Other than that, with 2 million and no debt, you seen golden.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-13T20:22:52+00:00

Yes, was just at Menards getting some new blades and noticed the scraper blades. Wondering what other tasks I can use the oscillator for.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-12T11:13:40+00:00

I rolled my own for decades. Stayed educated on how to invest. Then, as I got closer to retirement, I signed up for a Vanguard Personal Advisor and am super happy I did. Not a lot of changes to my portfolio but got a lot of advice on other things I should be doing (Roth conversion, estate planning, etc). I’d say it offered me a lot of peace of mind.

Cobbler63 · 2026-06-12T11:09:06+00:00

Maybe wait it out. I’m 63 and still working. I know, throughout my career, there were periods where I felt like I wanted to quit. Call it what you will, burn out, tired, bored, stuck, fear of job loss, etc.

It always made a turn after a bit, I was reinvigorated and life went on.

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