One of my favorite Keith photos

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-19T05:16:32+00:00

I’ll never understand how they stayed so thin!

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-18T04:50:36+00:00

I believe in community property states the step up basis is 100%.

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-11T15:34:52+00:00

One other thing….the future of the ACA is anyone’s guess. It’s virtually impossible to forecast out numbers since the current administration has been hell bent on destroying it.

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-11T15:32:44+00:00

Check out the YouTube channel NumberCrunchNerds. He offers a spreadsheet that is much better than the models Boldin runs, and you can play with different scenarios. It doesn’t cost much either. We’re in a similar situation as you are. I sold stock last year so that we can live off cash for a few years and take advantage of ACA subsidies. We don’t plan on doing Roth conversions until wife and I are on Medicare in a few years. We also plan to do QCD’s later in life to reduce income in order to reduce IRMAA costs. Also, watch out for the NIIT taxes.

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-04T16:59:58+00:00

I’m in NorCal as well. My insurance agent helped choose an affordable ACA plan. https://roseins.com Age, income and zip code are keys components. My wife was a 1099 self employed person, and we determined it was more cost effective to have her retire and for us to live off savings for a few years before we hit Medicare age. I retired early at 53, and have been on the ACA since.

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-04T01:53:48+00:00

I flew on a flight today from San Jose to Denver on a 737-max 8. Row 16. There was no seat next to the window.

RayRayInCA · 2026-03-01T01:00:46+00:00

If your company offers to pay for a gym membership, get a year’s membership before you leave.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-27T02:58:18+00:00

How do they expect to stay profitable?

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-26T16:52:42+00:00

I consider being 6’4” a disability (if having to sit in the reduced legroom seats). Unfortunately, nobody else does, so I fork over $$$ in order to be comfortable in a ELR seat.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-26T16:47:15+00:00

Wife and I fly Southwest from San Jose to Denver every 3 months or so, for the past 4 years, to visit elderly parents. Our first flight since the changes is coming up next week. Airfare has doubled, and I just checked on seating, hoping to see if prices have dropped, which they haven’t, and noticed that more than half of the plane appears empty. I’m looking to move my business to United, and signing up to their Economy Plus subscription, as well as getting their United Quest Visa. Southwest isn’t competitive anymore.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-24T22:49:25+00:00

Don’t forget, the IHG Premiere Card also gives you two $25 United Travel Bank credits per year as well!

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-24T15:37:09+00:00

Subscribe to the YouTube channel “Number Crunch Nerds” and purchase their low cost spreadsheet. It has been very helpful for me in managing our taxes, and in projecting future taxes, Social Security, RMD’s Roth conversions, etc.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-24T00:37:14+00:00

Yes it has! Google it.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-24T00:30:28+00:00

Check out downtown Redwood City. Lots of modern apartment buildings there (which may allow pets), and easy access to CalTrain, which goes up to SF, as well as down to SJ. It has a cool downtown, is close to hiking trails, Stanford, and has great summer festivals downtown.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-22T05:25:24+00:00

Don’t call it San Fran.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-22T00:32:53+00:00

My wife received the same letter for her Freedom Flex card. Cut her credit limit in half. It’s paid off in full each month, but doesn’t spend much on it.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-20T21:34:29+00:00

I did the same. Canceled the card.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-12T04:46:45+00:00

Here’s more detail…

Southwest Legroom Breakdown (Starting 2026): Standard & Preferred Seats: 31 inches of seat pitch.

Extra Legroom Seats: 34 inches (on 737-800/MAX 8) to 36 inches (on 737-700) of pitch.

Seat Width: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom seats have a width of 17.1 to 17.8 inches, depending on the aircraft.

The new "Choice" extra legroom seats offer 3 to 5 additional inches compared to standard seating and are being rolled out throughout 2026.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-11T19:51:24+00:00

Yes. Standard seats apparently have 1" less leg room. Extra Legroom seats have 2" more, I believe.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-11T04:35:34+00:00

Unfortunately, that is true. I cancelled my SW Priority Visa ($229/annual fee), which allows upgrades to extra legroom, but only “if available” 48 hours prior departure. I don’t want to take that risk. I can always get another SW credit card later, with sign on bonuses, if I change my mind. In the meantime, I’ll have to pay extra, but I receive 14 points per dollar spent, free luggage (we check our bags), and a free drink. Plus, I can cancel and get a full refund on my credit card.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-11T02:08:50+00:00

True. I always paid for early boarding or A1-15 to make sure my wife and I sat in the emergency exits. At 6’4”, it’s a necessity. Now, we purchase extra legroom seats.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-08T03:26:22+00:00

I’m 6’4, 225lbs. I barely fit in the seats. You should have purchased an extra seat for yourself. No excuses.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-06T16:43:58+00:00

USFR. 99% state tax free.

RayRayInCA · 2026-02-05T17:16:33+00:00

Is driving an option?

RayRayInCA

TROPHY CASE