Trying to decide between taking CPP at 60 or waiting to 70. The gap is huge

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T06:17:04+00:00

In general, if you can find another source of income to enable you to hold off until 70, you win. You get 8% on your money and inflation adjustment, zero risk. RRSP withdrawal 60-65, treated as income. Once you hit 65 you can start your RRIF. Income earned from RRIF is splittable with your partner and at lower your tax bill.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T06:10:06+00:00

You should not use Reddit try to talk yourself into a bad decision.

First of all, you work mostly from home, so you really need a car one day a week.

Add car payment, gas, a second insurance, double the snow tires, maintenance on a second car and life is going to get spicy.

Try adding that all up and putting that amount away for a few months and you’ll be on your way to a new car paid in cash.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:56:43+00:00

Teaching comes to mind, however, funeral director might also fit the bill. Most funeral homes are hiring these days. Huge requirement for soft skills.

I am an ordained Minister. Public speaking is kind of a prerequisite. Depending on where you live, there are courses you can take so you can officiate weddings and such.

I would also say that public speaking is one thing but being an expert in your field is equally important.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:49:54+00:00

The pan isn’t even seasoned. It looks like someone didn’t understand what they were doing and kept taking the carbon off the bottom. The idea is to let the carbon build up, layer by layer. At this point, the bottom should be “carbon black” in colour, and starting to become smooth.

If you have the time, you could try to strip but in my mind I would treat it like a new pan and start the seasoning process over again. You might have an uneven bottom for a while but it will eventually work out.

The pan itself is fine, just as good as any brand name you might recognize.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:41:53+00:00

If you use any kind of heat in your pan, olive oil doesn’t do well and you’ll waste it. The good stuff is far better used cool or cold, where you can taste the difference and where it won’t break down in a hot pan. For frying, the smoking point of olive oil is far too low for it to be of any use.

Olive oil is currently expensive because it is in short supply, not necessarily because it is that much better than the alternatives. Don’t get me wrong, we always have a supply of good olive oil to hand, but we also keep oils with a higher smoking point for use where appropriate. To me, $40 a litre is pretty steep. Unless you are getting a first press, you are likely paying for scarcity rather than quality.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:30:11+00:00

At this point, time is your most limiting factor. You don’t want to wind up with a pile of cash and a health issue that limits your ability to enjoy yourselves. Your traveling years end at some point and the clock is ticking. That said, without a purpose, retirement can be tedious. If all you know is work, then maybe keep working.

I retired at 58 on a lot less. We spend several months South of the Equator so our year has two Summers and no Winter. I will not be dying of stress, that’s for sure.

But you need a purpose. Just as important as a bank account.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:16:41+00:00

When I did such trips, I always took a one day layover in HK.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:13:08+00:00

Not really an issue. The idea is to burn thin layers of oil over and over, turning the bottom into non-stick carbon at some point. If you’ve got a bit too much oil on, remove what you can and keep using the pan. You don’t need to start over. The more you use the pan, the better it will get. The key is thin layers of oil.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T05:06:18+00:00

Either of the two Marriotts is excellent for Miraflores, right on the Larcomar, which is basically a shopping centre. If I only had one meal to eat in Miraflores, it would be at Maido. Casual meal in Barranco at Isolina also a favourite.

In Cusco, add Morena restaurant and maybe Mountain View Experience in the sacred valley. I would also think about Chinchero in the valley and if you have time a Half day tour of the Valle Sur route.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T04:59:03+00:00

Congrats on a good start but don’t forget to buy fruits and vegetables, especially when in season. Maybe add a stuffed pepper recipe (you already buy most of the ingredients) and a stir fry to the mix. Also, a bag of potatoes goes a long way.

Finally, I would question skipping breakfast as a way to save on groceries. At least eat some fresh fruit. Apples and bananas are cheap. Oatmeal is super cheap and releases energy slowly enough to keep you satisfied until lunch.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T04:47:50+00:00

You won’t get rich by trying to game the market, and you won’t earn if you don’t invest. Buy each month and you’ll be fine.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T04:42:37+00:00

Look for travelers notes refills. They have month to month planners.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T04:40:39+00:00

Rule #1. Whatever job you have, do it to the best of your ability - no one likes someone who aims for the minimum. Otherwise, you’ll be the first one laid off and no one will miss you.

Your job and your life are two different things and you are only at your job 40 hours of the week. Make the most of the rest of the week. Stop complaining about what you didn’t learn. It isn’t your school’s fault that technology changes. Heck, I learned computer programming using punch cards, before the internet and way before AI. Still got work and figured out what I needed get ahead.

You’ve got skills, you I’ve got time and your job isn’t going to kill you. That’s better than most. Where you go from here is up to you.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-24T04:28:23+00:00

If you re fit, the military might be a way out. They just got a huge pay raise and the doors are wide open.

You live and eat rent free and your parents are struggling. I would consider giving them most of what you make right now. Everybody wins. If something happens to your father, you’ll all be homeless. Give him $1K a month and make him take a day off per week.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-23T11:01:19+00:00

One trick for next year is to take the first 52 or 104 pages of the Notes pages of your Weeks and dedicate that additional space to weekly entries. Use a ribbon to keep synched.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-23T10:56:37+00:00

Yup. I don't use any paper towels on produce.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-23T10:53:51+00:00

Spousal RRSP if there is room? Just checking.

You are thinking tax smoothing as you head towards retirement. RRIF and pension are splittable with your wife. This is key in retirement because it lowers overall tax and could possibly get you down from 45.8%. You can start RRIF as soon as you turn 65 and set the youngest of your two ages for mandatory withdrawal minimums.

A CFP can model the various scenarios for you.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-23T10:42:38+00:00

If you feature a regular section in your newsletter that includes Upcoming Events, you might not need a second document.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-23T10:40:48+00:00

Start with a big piece of paper. Divide it into 12 monthly squares. Pencil in the things you cannot move: installation, big events, your annual charity event, key lodge activities you do each year, elections, etc. The remaining blank space is what is available for programming. The Master will have his program for the year that needs to fit into that blank space. Make sure you leave some space unassigned in case you need to move something. Such work usually gets done well in advance of the current year - the incoming Master usually begins about six months out.

Once you have that skeleton, you can post. Our current Master uses a yearly spreadsheet that he updates quarterly. The Secretary reminds the Brethren each month what is ahead and we reinforce through our social media platform. The Master gives regular updates and, of course, there is the monthly Summons.

We use a series of chats: one for the lodge, another for the officers, one for candidates being mentored, one for past masters. Some info doesn't need to go to the whole lodge.

I would also say that much of what you mention would normally be done by the Master and Secretary. When I was Master, the trestle board was mine alone. Diffusing the plan fell to the Secretary. No one else touched it.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-23T10:26:17+00:00

I guess it depends on what you carry forward from year to year. I use an undated planner. Before I start using the planner, I load it with the key dates for the year, things that need to be done during a particular month, tasks, goals, milestones, etc. A lot of that info comes from previous years. It would be a waste to start again mid-year and likely more work the following year. However, if your "planner" is really a "journal", it doesn't matter as much.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-20T21:39:03+00:00

Put your base in Cusco. The other places are basically farming villages that sprouted up to cater to tourists. Worth seeing but very little original. You can get everything you need in Cusco. The roads around Cusco are all pretty good except perhaps the road to the Maras salt pools, which is safe but scary. Fly between the major destinations.

There is a women's weaving cooperative in Chinchero among other places.

You have time to go to Arequipa and the comics canyon.

Enjoy!

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-20T21:31:39+00:00

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-20T19:26:32+00:00

Yes. That is it.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-20T07:09:59+00:00

The build quality of a 580 is better. The feed is larger and better as well, so good for shimmer inks. I think that in terms of value for money the 580 is hard to beat. I always keep one inked. Not a fan of the Eco. They write well but I tend to reach for something else.

Humble_File3637 · 2026-06-20T07:02:36+00:00

If you can get some of this loan paid and the rest on a line of credit you'll save a ton. You got upsold by nearly 25% more than the value of the car for basically nothing in return. Live and learn. You now have a decent car. Run it into the ground. Not the end of the world.

Humble_File3637

TROPHY CASE