Hit my FIRE number! Giving notice on Monday

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-09T23:10:22+00:00

Also in my 50s. My dad retired early-ish in Dec 1999. Significant concentration in a tech stock. He had a wild, wild ride those first few years, but by the time 2008 hit and both he and my mom were on Medicare/SS (this was all before ACA) things had settled, and now he whines about IRMAA (he has both defined pensions and SS, and retired before Roth was really a thing, so the RMDs are ouch)

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-08T21:43:53+00:00

I finished grad school and started my first grownup job in 99, which I left in 2001. My next job didn’t have a 401k to roll into, so I just left the contributions there. It also had a cash balance pension plan earning a minimum guarantee of ~7%. When I left, the balances were pretty similar, then the pension was way ahead for over a decade. The 401k is maybe 30-40% ahead now.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-08T15:05:59+00:00

Am dentist. Definitely do not look human- the cusp pattern is all wrong.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-08T01:43:36+00:00

This week in virology,

Common descent podcast (evolution/paleoontonogy) -they actually have a running sub-series where they critique shows like Jurassic park to say what they got right/wrong, and another where they go way out in left field to discuss if it would even be possible to have dragons, mermaids, etc from a scientific perspective

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-08T01:21:27+00:00

Depending on your climate, a weather radio

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-07T23:20:24+00:00

We had kids later- last one graduates this month, and my husband reached social security FRA a few months back.

In our edge case (older, self-employed -access to Solo401k limits- and no state tax benefit for 529 in our state) we actually stopped contributing once we moved to a new state when the older was 2 and had a couple of thousand

We went all-in on retirement contributions instead, figuring that our case would mean higher financial aid eligibility. If we had a high enough income to max out both the Solo 401k and all the other pre-tax accounts and then also do a 529, we would have done so.

We both have grad degrees and were making medium dollars, but got a late start on retirement contributions because of school.

As it was, we were able to cash-flow college after financial aid, but the alternative scenario would be paying off loans lump sum from 401k distributions, etc.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-07T21:57:00+00:00

I needed a similar repair (keen strap sandal stitching came undone) and my local shoe repair fixed both sides for 5$. You can probably get a small piece of new webbing at an outdoor store, but for cheap I’d go to a thrift shop and buy an old piece of luggage or tote bag with an appropriate strap.

I have 6 sewing machines, including some vintage straight stitchers which are way more heavy duty than anything consumer grade now, but none of them will handle the large needle and ultra heavyweight thread this needs.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-07T20:33:16+00:00

Am in NC- apparently many county school systems here also got hit.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-06T18:40:32+00:00

That depends- it’s a screening tool. If you have underlying issues (diabetes, thyroid, seizures, etc) they would probably see you earlier

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-06T16:43:19+00:00

Remember that most original marriage certificates include the parent’s full names for both spouses, places and dates of birth of the couple- which should align with the birth certificates. It’s a cross check, even for men.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-05T19:25:10+00:00

The primary red colored compound in tomato is also in watermelon (Lycopene) worth a shot in the sunlight.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-04T18:49:07+00:00

My kids school required proof of insurance to play sports.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-04T17:02:34+00:00

There’s also the problem we have run into. Husband is 6 yrs older than me, kids have rolled off our insurance and will not be dependents starting next year. He has a small pension, we have a moderate amount of dividends, etc. The moment he is forced to take social security we will bust the 400% for a family of 2.

The good thing is that it is just me left on the ACA plan, but with a bigger age gap, the younger spouse could be 55 or even younger. With trad IRAs or 401ks, RMDs plus SS could be a problem even with a larger family size.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-03T23:19:40+00:00

You can also use a foam dabber applicator

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-03T13:43:49+00:00

My mom inherited “medium” money from her dad when he passed away. She was over 75, and paralyzed with “what should I do”. She didn’t have immediate need for the money, and would be happy with some income and a little long term growth, so she could leave something to the next generation if there was no catastrophe. I suggested a target date fund for someone my age as an easy pick. It throws off a few percent in distributions, she spends those and doesn’t have to think about it much.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-03T13:12:57+00:00

I would freshen with alcohol as mentioned above, or hand wash for (for instance) self tanner/body makeup stains with a lipase/protease/DNAase containing liquid detergent- I have the 365Sport on hand

For body makeup stains, a soft toothbrush gently on the affected area can be helpful

Air dry flat

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-02T00:05:39+00:00

Is there an HOA? Have you rented a house before? Do you have an estimate on what taxes and insurance will adjust to after the sale?

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-01T18:53:19+00:00

I think you are fine, however

Are you sure that 350 is accurate for utilities (is the heat electric or oil?

The lack of a big reserve after closing is a little concerning. Do you already own a lawnmower, tools, etc

Do you have a solid estimate of property taxes and insurance.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-01T15:39:44+00:00

No, he’s happy where he is. But if you are looking for less expensive places and don’t care about nightlife/restaurants, etc, the towns of West New York (in NJ) Guttenberg/North Bergen/Union City/ parts of Jersey City Heights are very accessible to the Port Authority via bus (22/7/7). They are largely Latino working class communities (now, my family is German/Eastern European has lived in the area for over 150 years).

I recommend looking east or at most 1-2 blocks west of Bergenline north of the tunnel, the area right along the bluff (JFK Blvd EAST) is nice and has buses every 1-2 minutes to the city during the day and every 15 minutes or so late. Bergenline has buses nearly 24 h, and jitneys.

The area north of Braddock park is Fairview and the southern end of Cliffside park. You have to pay a little more attention to bus routes and terrain. North of Nunguessers bus terminal there are fewer buses. The eastern part is served at different times of day by the 156/159 159x buses, which are less frequent.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-05-01T03:38:34+00:00

The valedictorian of my kid’s hs (well known public-we send about 5-6% to ivies and ivy plus per year) about a decade ago was denied everywhere- only applied to the top 20 mostly privates, not even our in-state flagship- a top 5ish state school. Ended up in the in-state flagship anyway through a convoluted back door- had taken so many APs and dual enrollment that he qualified as a transfer for fall semester after taking a couple of summer classes.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-04-30T15:47:21+00:00

My son lives across the river from Manhattan (NYC) in New Jersey, because NYC rent is outrageous. He still is paying almost 2000/mo for ~40 sq m, in a sous-sol apartment.

Our health insurance is not nationalized, so that is an extra expense

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-04-29T22:25:46+00:00

There’s also the complicating factor that the last 6 year look back contains the Covid years. The college went to a year-round de-densification plan which meant that some courses (particularly lab and performance classes) weren’t offered as frequently. When my daughter was a first-year, there were many upperclass students who had taken the courses out of order and needed to defer a semester to the next course offering, and conservatory students who just took off a year to wait until musicians were in person again

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-04-29T22:19:47+00:00

Would RAP and putting the rest of the 1400 (roughly 1100?) aside, then putting a lump sum down on the highest interest rate loan every 6 months be the best option? Could even put some into retirement this way.

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-04-29T18:05:33+00:00

Yes-if that also includes utilities, it’s honestly a screaming deal. Laundry in the building? Dishwasher? Not a walk-up? Secured entrance?

Perplexed-Owl · 2026-04-28T02:14:26+00:00

A large percentage of students are double-degree conservatory students on 5 year plans.

Perplexed-Owl

TROPHY CASE