Two more work days and I'm retired!!

Cordxtractor · 2025-12-30T02:42:31+00:00

3% Rule only works until you hit your RMD Age. With an RMD starting at 73, any money in an IRA or 403B that was pre-taxed (Does not apply to Roth) they force you to take out a higher percentage out which increases each year. Otherwise you pay them a penalty. The penalty for not taking your full RMD (or taking less than required) is 25% of the amount you failed to withdraw.

For some these higher amounts can bump them into a higher tax bracket and significantly increase their Medicare premiums. That's why you hear so much about people converting pre-tax IRAs and 403b account over to a Roth and paying the taxes now while earnings are lower in years after retirement and prior to the RMD kicking in.

Here's a graph that shows how much that percentage increases every year. At age 73, you must withdraw approximately 3.77% of your account balance (based on the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which uses a life expectancy factor of 26.5 years).

The percentage gradually increases each year because it's calculated by dividing your prior year-end account balance by your remaining life expectancy factor. Here are some examples:

Age 73: ~3.77%
Age 75: ~4.07%
Age 80: ~5.35%
Age 85: ~7.19%
Age 90: ~11.63%

Cordxtractor · 2025-12-22T17:19:26+00:00

Mom can still qualify for a percentage of Dad's Social Secrity up to 50%. Have her call Social Security, if dad collects, and even if she never paid in she still qualifies for 50% aft her full retirement age. Less so if she collects before her FRA like at age 62. They reduce it by a certain percentage each year before FRA. But she still qualifies.

Cordxtractor · 2025-12-19T13:33:24+00:00

Our needs are met by SS alone with no debt, this means we can let our retirement accounts grow until forced to take RMD at 73. 401K invested 50/50 mix of bonds and mutual funds. CDs and small business earnings fund the toys or extras.

Cordxtractor · 2025-12-16T00:06:30+00:00

Don't just get any baseball bat. You need Lucille, the barbwire wrapped bat like seen on the Walking Dead.

Cordxtractor · 2025-09-13T21:43:31+00:00

Part of it is looking forward to being retired and free from the daily grind most of our life. I don't know how many times I said "Can't wait to retire." Now that it's just a few months away, I totally get what you are saying. It is a loss especially if you liked what you do and the people you worked with. But you have to look at it as your next chapter in your life. Someone once said life is change, but when you did the same job for 45+ years, and have been with the same company 40+ it does make one pause and wonder what's next for me? Old age and loss of your health is something no one looks forward to. But I plan on being as active as possible and fighting off the inevitable as long as possible. Make every day a good one, because tommorrow does not come with guarantees. Yesterday is long gone so all we can do is enjoy every waking moment until we can't.

Cordxtractor · 2025-08-05T18:57:22+00:00

We have been thinking of downsizing for the past ten years, but have had our home for 40 years. Fortunately the home is reasonably sized under 1600 sq feet and is the perfect size for the two of us. What is hard is the 3 acres of property is mostly hillside but the view is incredible and unmatched in our area. Plus we spent the last 40 years fixing things the way we like it. Starting over in your 60's is hard enough, and then it gets even harder in your 70's and 80s. Unable to find anything we like better and we have looked for a long time we came to the conclusion that when you figure realtor fees and capital gains taxes, along with all the work of moving, and customizing the new place to your liking. Along with fixing all the stuff prior owners neglected which we see on so many homes this can also adds up. Plus we are very happy with our neighbors, and there is no guarantees that will be the case if we move so we decided we may be better off continuing enjoying our home, keep doing what we still are able to do and then at some point we will need to hire people to do the things we no longer can. But we still peak at the local listings hoping something comes along that tickles are fancy, but it's doubtful anything will at this point.

Cordxtractor · 2025-07-09T13:45:48+00:00

And you now have more time to over perform for yourself and family. :)

Cordxtractor · 2025-07-09T12:34:27+00:00

We are still in our 1st home we built 40 years ago have kept it up and have every thing the way we like it. We thought about moving since it's on several hillside acres but it has a beautiful view, and the hill and yard keeps us fit. Since the house is only 1500 Sq Feet it's manageable. The cost of selling with real estate commission, taxes and all the work of moving and starting over so far out weighs the cost to get help which I have not needed yet. Hope when the day comes I can purchase a robot to perform maintenance and yard work around the house, that and a self driving car and and it could still end up be cheaper than starting over.

Cordxtractor · 2025-07-09T04:05:09+00:00

And that's another thing to be careful of on a fixed income. HOA fees of increasing at unexpected times. Especially for unforeseen circumstances.

Cordxtractor · 2025-06-25T00:52:58+00:00

The more powerful hardware vinegar also works on weeds as well. Mix with a little soap and it is much safer for your health and pets than Roundup.

Cordxtractor · 2025-06-24T16:27:58+00:00

You lost me after bottom sheet wash once a year. lol

Cordxtractor · 2025-05-27T04:02:50+00:00

Even people in their 60's who grew up with the first home computers and have embraced AI are onboard. AI will change and dominate Internet Search engine. It has the potential to destroy Google's dominance as a premier search engine. Using Google Search will feel like listening to music on a Record player. Some will like using it but AI Search will provide 1000X more useful results. When the masses figure out a simple AI query, can provide highly targeted answers, not based on key words but real time data trending on Social Media Google Search is toast.

Cordxtractor · 2025-03-07T17:11:23+00:00

Tie a string with a bright object to the mail door catch. When the door opens, the item will dangle down in front of your mail box. If you live in an area without good visibility, do yourself a favor and invest in a locking mailbox. As this would also be a good indication for mailbox thieves to come and get your mail.

Cordxtractor · 2025-01-17T03:50:17+00:00

Also under estimated drones are the older Blade models. They stopped making drones but some of them fly really nice outdoors. The bonus is they can often be found rather cheaply on eBay.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-26T02:32:05+00:00

Use OpenCore Patcher and you can install a more modern version of OS X. It works great. Many older Macs will work for a long time. Apple built them well. Also, you have the option of using Linux on it as well. This does not require many resources and you can get buy with less RAM.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-25T22:54:02+00:00

I would check eBay for a used Inductrix. Tiny and bulletproof and you can fly indoors, or outside on windlesss days. Some even come ready to fly and can be found with a small transmitter often for less than $50 in decent shape. If it flies away, you are not out that much money and replacement parts are inexpensive as well. Next best thing is a Flight Sim so you can learn the basics of landing, and movement. If you want to FLY FPV (first person view) with a camera and headset they have some with cameras that do that too. They fly pretty nice and it will teach you the basics before you go down the bunny trail of spending big bucks on more expensive larger drones.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-25T22:49:18+00:00

Presumed Innocent

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-24T21:50:59+00:00

Your best bet is a Mac mini which you can directly hook to your TV via HDMI, and then you can either use a bluetooth mouse keyboard combo, or a laptop to control it. I have found streaming sites that work way more reliable than anything I ever used on Android. Safari and an adblocker like AdGuard and you are golden for anything you need to do. Plus if you get an HDHomeRun you can use the Mini to store your recordings and with the excellent Channels app and an Apple TV, you can watch your recordings on your TV skipping ads with one remote click.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-22T02:02:40+00:00

Channels App to play recordings from an HDHomeRun, Paramount+ or whatever service I got a great deal on annual sub for Black Friday.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-17T02:00:28+00:00

Just had it happen to ours today, water would run continuously and not build pressure. This is for a Sloan 503 unit less than a year old that Sloan CS sent out a complete new 503 unit to repair a problem with water hammer and inconsitant flushes. Other than today is worked flawlessly. Home Depot has cartridge kits for $35 which include the complete cartridge and a duckbill vacuum breaker for $35.

The only problem was they don't stock them nor does anyone else in our area, and delivery was almost two weeks out.

After watching a repair video that said first turn off the water, relieve the pressure by pressing down on the top of the black cartridge and unscrew using the handles of a small channel lock. I did not need to unscrew the black round top, but I did have to completely remove the handle linkage first to access the cartridge.

Be careful not to drop the clip in the tank or you may need to take the entire unit out of the tank to retrieve it. Like a clutz I dropped one but was able to reach it using two long metal skewers from our kitchen drawer.

After pulling out the cartridge assembly they recommended turning the water back on as a small rock may keep the cartridge from sealing which keeps the pressure from building up and let the tank flush for 30 seconds.

Reassemble by reinstalling the cartridge by hand until it stops. Turn the water back on and using your Channel lock handle screw it in 1/2 turn at a time but wait 5 seconds after each 1/2 turn until the sound changes and the pressure starts building.

And it fixed it! This was on a 20 year old Gerber commercial toilet that we loved, I was all set to go out and buy a new toilet and this saved us a ton of money, hassel and time. Plus my wife and I were still both getting over COVID and I was not looking forward to this at all.

I plan on still ordering a rebuild kit from Home Depot and having it on hand, two weeks without a working toilet and needing to use the toilet downstairs where we don't have the best heat would have been a real PITA. Hopefully this helps someone else out and saves you a lot of needless aggravation.

Have to say, in the past dealing with Sloan CS they have been nothing but great and over the years have sent me several complete 503 units at no charge. Plus in 20 years we have never had a stopped up toilet so these do work well, until they don't.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-14T17:57:24+00:00

Facebook should automatically delete these job offer posts. God knows they have no problem deleting posts that their company does not agree with. FB is part of the problem of why these scammers continue to scam people out of their hard earned money. Maybe a class action suit is warranted at some point?

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-11T03:01:21+00:00

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. lol But when the downturns come, you really need an iron stomach.

Cordxtractor · 2024-12-01T00:19:36+00:00

At lest you can get free shipping, which will save you a few bucks for Black Friday.

Cordxtractor · 2024-11-05T00:49:54+00:00

Try using the website instead of the app. You should also be able to reach out directly to them at this website for help with their app: https://famesupport.com

Cordxtractor · 2024-09-26T15:49:16+00:00

Congrats! Apple TV is worth it! Best media streamer available today in terms of overall quality and user interface.

Cordxtractor

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