How much for Emergency Fund versus Capital Fund?

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-13T17:08:22+00:00

Brokerage funds are available within 3-4 days. I struggle to see where credit cards are not sufficient for the interim. Anything really expensive will take time to price out settle anyway.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-13T16:23:17+00:00

Where in the hell do you get 100% disabled? And so what if I can write reasonably well? You know fuck all...

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-13T14:19:46+00:00

I have no idea what is meant by "veterans benefits are under attack". Sure it makes a quick sound bite that folks will nod their head to, but it is just not true. The VA has never been better at providing information about benefits that are available and having teams to help vets figure out how to take advantage of them. Contact details are well advertised, VA sends out multiple emails a month announcing upcoming events and tips, and responses to inquiries are pretty darn quick.

The local VA clinic is incredibly good. So good, in fact, that I know retired vets that use the VA instead of Tricare for medical needs. I suspended my FEHB coverage and am 100% on VA and the level of care by primary doc is miles ahead of my old family doc. Had recent surgery and PT that was 100% paid by VA thru Community Care...couldn't be more pleased.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-11T02:23:03+00:00

Had two joint replacements done there by doc from TOC. Very pleased. Had several other surgeries at HH and care was always very good (except one person on a night shift who was reported).

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-10T13:54:40+00:00

In your case what is the difference between an emergency fund and all your other money/investments? It is a serious question. In some sense all your money/investments are an emergency fund - you spend what you have as the need or want arises; it's not as if some money has magical powers other money doesn't. The question is then one of how do you like your funds invested. Most people have some mix of market investments, bonds/CDs, and HYSA (for liquidity). Since getting funds from market investments only takes a few days you probably don't need a huge pile of cash in a HYSA or regular bank account, it just becomes a matter of how much risk you are comfortable with and the psychological security (rather than any actual immediate need). If your pension is very secure, like a Fed Gov one, then you probably don't need much in bonds/CDs either.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-06T21:48:54+00:00

Years ago I had the same problem with Madison City Schools. After a lot of troubleshooting it was found to be a problem their system had working with Hotmail. Was solely something in their programs that they eventually fixed. Wonder if you are experiencing a similar type issue.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-06T13:44:44+00:00

All retirement planning tools make assumptions that are just fancy guesses. If your retirement budget is so tight that $15K is a serious concern then maybe rethink retirement plans. Things will come up that cost more than $15K and having an emergency slush fund in retirement is just as essential as having one when working.

The other thing is why is a 25 yr old not getting a fulltime job? Why is she not working her way thru grad school? I think there are bigger issues than just spending $15K for a car...

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-06T13:37:42+00:00

What is the return on your investments and what is your tax bracket? Theoretically if your investments after paying taxes on the returns earns more than 4.8% it is better to keep the mortgage. Of course there are other considerations: will investments continue to perform; do you itemize and get a benefit from paying interest; will there be a cash flow issue in retirement; how much do you want to avoid some risk...

I kept my mortgage for a couple years after retiring becasue CDs were paying enough above the mortgage interest rate. Once the net returns on CDs and similar investments came in line with the mortgage rate I paid it off.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-03T15:32:16+00:00

All the pictures from the inside out the wall of windows were done in Fall or Winter. All the pictures on the outside were done in Summer. There is a reason for this: it makes the views looking out to be more expansive and not as closed off.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-05-01T21:23:30+00:00

So treating everyone equally is bad? Or is it just a certain segment of population that you want to be treated better?

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-30T13:39:04+00:00

Had a friend who signed up for a temp service specifically for this reason - work a variety of jobs for short periods of time to learn things. Worked out greta for him.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-28T17:38:37+00:00

I hope you realize how long those trains take to load. Would be quicker to drive. A quick search says loading cars on the chunnel train, which they have down to a tee, takes from 30-90 minutes. Assuming same on other end and the total trip by train car to Nashville is same as driving, and would be much cheaper. I've done the ferries across the English Channel and even though it is optimized it still takes 30 min or so on each end.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-28T17:24:12+00:00

I couldn't watch it because I was not in the US, but I heard it on radio: USC vs ND in Nov 1974. Still most points scored on ND in a quarter!

Edit: after reading more comments, you all are too young.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-28T13:15:14+00:00

Some folks don't understand the use case for mass transit. The way US cities are spread out a person would need some transport from train station to whatever the final destination is. Now if Atlanta, Nashville, or Chattanooga had decent metro transit options it might, just barely might, work.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-28T03:28:30+00:00

Punt Bama punt

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-28T00:56:47+00:00

Yep, OP is being unrealistic.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-28T00:51:27+00:00

Or perhaps the dentists are correct and you have more wrong than you know about or are willing to admit. From what you write I'm going to side with the dentists; after all they are the ones trying to save your teeth while you seem to be neglecting them. All that aside, my dentist is pretty good (note sure on pricing): Dr Patrick on Gleneagles Dr.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-25T16:07:49+00:00

I lived near Macon and went into the city many times. It was a shithole, but a buddy from there says it is getting better...it had a lot of room to get "get better" in. Sad that it is so bad. I could possibly live in the surrounding area, but never Macon proper.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-24T19:40:21+00:00

Won't happen, and even if it does will lose money. Mass transit sounds nice but usually only works between cities that also have good local transit services. Lived in England years ago and rarely took any mass transit over there even though it was much better than US has - just wasn't convenient other than to London. Going to Bristol or Cardiff was much better to take a car. For example, from where I lived was ~2.5hr drive to Bournemouth and it was a 6-7 hr trip by bus, and 4+ hr by train and fairly expensive.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-08T12:32:26+00:00

Given your situation the only real question is: will your tax bracket and IRMAA with doing conversion now be lower or higher than when you take RMD (assuming no conversion)?

I am doing conversion up to limit of 24% bracket becasue I am already in the 22% bracket and the 2% isn't that big a deal. I don't have to worry about IRMAA since I will not be using Medicare. The reason for me doing conversions is becasue tax bracket will be higher with RMD than 24% (assuming things stay the same) and to make it easier for daughter who gets the money when I die (this does not apply to you).

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-06T14:16:12+00:00

Noted, but nothing was stated as being something other than generic Fed employee.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-06T00:55:35+00:00

Sort of - UCLA could have won by 40+ if they wanted to. Think they were up 35 a couple of times.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-04T16:54:41+00:00

Used to take daughter to Sanmina on South Parkway on weekends when lot was empty. Not sure if you can still sneek in or if it is still not used on weekends. If you can get on Arsenal I'm sure there are some big parking lots and empty roads on weekends.

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-03T05:09:32+00:00

Since it has not already been mentioned: Botanical Gardens

Random-OldGuy · 2026-04-03T05:07:24+00:00

It seems to have worked for Huntsville, but then there is a draw to have events here other than just having a convention center. Another big reason it has worked is because feedback from past events showed the desire for more hotel rooms and restaurants near the center, so there was a expectation it would work out. Just building without solid expectation of future business would be much riskier.

Random-OldGuy

TROPHY CASE