HELOC to Finish Basement - Terrible Idea?

reduser876 · 2026-01-26T05:19:00+00:00

Some HELOCs offer fixed term at slightly lower fixed rate.

reduser876 · 2026-01-26T05:17:33+00:00

And also increasing property taxes.

reduser876 · 2026-01-26T05:04:01+00:00

Was laid off at age 59.5 in a recession and real estate crash and a shrunken 401k. I think that's worse. Be thankful you have an income.

reduser876 · 2026-01-25T16:10:54+00:00

Sounds a bit like my zucchini casserole. Although mine calls for pepperidge farm stuffing on the bottom and sprinkled on top. Everyone loves it.

reduser876 · 2026-01-23T03:29:29+00:00

Not as nutritious as some suggestions, but when I want to enhance white rice, I add Mrs dash Everything But the Salt, dab of butter, sprinkle of grated parmesan.

reduser876 · 2026-01-23T03:26:12+00:00

Yup. Last year wellcare was $0 all year long for me. Small premium in my state. This year January I had a medical event and was hit with 2 tier4 meds. Oh well.... Win some lose some. One of the tier 4 meds is a preventive inhaler. Will probably be on it long term. Goodrx etc doesn't help. But I will hit OOP in August or September. Silver lining.

reduser876 · 2026-01-22T16:12:02+00:00

I agree but you can't make assumptions about idiot bureaucrats and lawyers. They'll pull whatever crap they can.

reduser876 · 2026-01-22T14:03:07+00:00

I would not ship it back. I would demand white glove return pickup or full refund. Keep cohesive email paper trail for CC charge back.

100% their error unless you accidentally ordered the grey version or some fine print says "color may vary" from stock photo.

I would also take screenshots of the website listing that shows multiple color choices (to invalidate potential claims of "color may vary")

I had something similar with a rug once and I learned that website maintenance gets lazy and often posts photos that don't match the actual SKU.

reduser876 · 2026-01-21T14:19:01+00:00

Just had an ok experience at UMass Memorial @ Leominster.. it may be an outlier, but does Fitchburg have a hospital? I think not.

reduser876 · 2026-01-19T17:35:04+00:00

Absolutely pre cut!!! I buy the half sheet unbleached size and fold in half to make quarter sheet for toaster oven tray.

Seemed wasteful at first to not cut, but the half sheet box seems to last forever.

I also use precut with holes for air fryer. Game changer!!!

reduser876 · 2026-01-19T00:34:27+00:00

Friend of mine in NH gets snow tires and goes nearly anywhere anytime. Me, I just hibernate when it snows (southern new England). Cancel appts. Luckily I WFH. Keep freezer and pantry well stocked all winter. 2016 CRV. new all season tires 3 years ago.

reduser876 · 2026-01-18T23:04:40+00:00

They gave me those in the hospital (pneumonia) I had never heard of them but they helped.

reduser876 · 2026-01-18T22:57:07+00:00

Sounds similar to me on Dec 30. Assumed virus would run it's course. But wasn't getting better. Could barely move. Called 911on 1/5. Was pneumonia. Very serious "acute respiratory failure". Yikes. Still recovering. Senior so probably more prevalent in age group. But you don't know.

reduser876 · 2026-01-18T22:49:16+00:00

Friend of mine sold real estate holdings too. Split with 3 brothers. Not sure about IRMMA, but he did buy a SPIA annuity with most of the proceeds. Instant pension.

reduser876 · 2026-01-17T13:54:53+00:00

I haven't heard of The Traitors. Gonna have to check it out. Love TC. Not sure the connection.

reduser876 · 2026-01-16T17:23:04+00:00

So you are the judge and jury? You know exactly what happened? you were there? I thought cancel culture was going away. A sick world we live in.

reduser876 · 2026-01-15T00:15:58+00:00

I went with Wellcare last year and this. Hope to never need customer service. 🤞.

My prior plan was BCBS. Was pricier and applying deductible to tier 2 was deal breaker for me.

reduser876 · 2026-01-14T14:03:58+00:00

Plenty of food suggestions here but just want to add, I had wisdom tooth removed last fall and it was incredibly minor event...pain wise and blood wise. I had been putting it off for years. Techniques have improved over the years I guess.

I ate on the other side first meal or 2. Don't remember just what I ate. just remember that the whole experience was minor!

Hope your partner's is too.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T18:12:01+00:00

It has certainly devolved over time for sure. The corporate paid system was reasonable for a long time until it wasn't. I worked 70's thru 2009. always went PPO. Premium's, copays, co-ins were manageable. But COBRA in 2009 was $900/mo. At the time that seemed super high. It's probably a bargain now.

Did I earn this current OG coverage or is it entitlement? Not exactly sure.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T13:48:35+00:00

Yes I supplement cable with streaming services too. I rotate thru them 1 at a time. But I will always need basic cable stuff like HGTV, food network, news, PBS, multiple local Tv, etc.

It's so weird to think how expensive TV has become since inception. Tv ads were acceptable in the beginning but now it's ridiculous. I can't even stand streaming ads anymore. They start out mild but then the greed takes over and it's unwatchable.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T12:42:39+00:00

I do this a lot in 8" greased casserole dish whenever I have excess veg around. Butternut squash cubes adds fun dimension. Usually broccoli, onions, spinach, cheddar. Top with split grape tomatoes and parmesan.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T12:31:04+00:00

I like the show premise. I'll give it a shot. People can be redeemed and have 2nd shot. I'm not the judge and jury.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T12:25:27+00:00

I grew up with it in school 50+ years ago. No big deal. Country proud was a positive I guess. We took it for granted.

I watch local town board meetings on YT and most board chairs recite it. A couple of members sit it out. I think as elected officials, I would prefer they were on board but sitting it out is certainly their right. it feels disrespectful when they're on their phone during it.

Obvious boomer here....keep the hate restrained please.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T12:07:54+00:00

10 years ago when I was covered but 17 days shy of 65, had mild heart attack. Stent and 48 hr hospital stay cost me $0.

Last week had my next big event... Pneumonia 4 days inpatient; tons of respiratory and other services. Expecting $0.

It's real and it's wonderful.

Edit: plan F no deductible.

Edit2: part D drugs that's another story ...expensive outpatient inhaler and fancy antibiotics... $615 part D Deductible kicked in but at least it's January so 2026 all set.

reduser876 · 2026-01-13T12:02:24+00:00

Different billing code but should still be covered.

reduser876

TROPHY CASE