Early Retirement Extreme Forums

One big reason why defined benefit pension plans are not popular with businesses is that the government requires minimum funding levels each year (based on the benefit formula, life expectancies and set rate of return projections). So, if the stock market tanks like it did in 2008-2009, the employer ...

Henry's inquiry reminds me of about 15 years ago, when I was trying to reduce impulse spending (mostly restaurants and drinks), and I wrapped a sticky note around my credit & debit cards, then wrapped several rubber bands around it. So, if I wanted to buy something I would have to unwrap the whole ...

Ugh. What a jerk!

Sorry that happened to you gravy. Welcome to the sober wagon, it's a smoother ride I find.

Hi Stacy, thanks for starting a journal!

For internet, I use Xfinity Internet Essentials, it is fast internet for $10 a month designed for low income folks. If your son has Medicaid, he would qualify for this internet discount. The website says you can't have ahad Xfinity for 90 days prior, but I ...

I'm just catching up on the last few posts in your Journal, Frita, and I feel like I have a bit of adrenaline/fight response happening in my body on your behalf. I think this biological response is the reason why so many conversations amongst friends include the phrase "You want me to beat him up ...

In previous posts, I have used the term "DH" to refer to my domestic partner, however from here forward I will use "SO".

We've been together for 21 years, since I was 19, and it often feels like a marriage. However I am not comfortable with the idea of being legally married, so I'm not.

I know ...

I'm sorry to hear about the health stuff. You've got a lot going on right now for sure.

It sounds like your spouse is currently being fairly cooperative about the divorce and willing to move out. If you were to ask for my advice, I would say to keep moving through the divorce proceedings as swiftly ...

Just letting you know we are rooting for you.

With your comments about the previously joint accounts, it sounds like the husband has been making offensive moves already and you need to take formal action yourself.

I read about one catholic monestery in New Mexico that has 4 hours of work a day, mostly keeping up the place and roasting coffee for sale at the markets. However, they also pray/chant for 4 hours a day, all at rigidly structured times. The first call to prayer is at 3 am.

I imagine a person would ...

I've been thinking a lot about growth lately. It feels like the first couple years post-full time J.O.B. I was in a burn-out recovery phase, feeling fairly worn down. One could consider those years "healing". The idea of growth comes in when I think about the things I want to build that go beyond ...

I can only speak for myself, but as a straight female born in 1980s west coast culture to parents who would divorce each other twice before I turned 10, I do not resonate with any of the traditional "what women look for in a man" stuff I read about. The main thing I considered in mate choice was ...

I'm so excited to hear about the sailing adventure!

My wanderlust feels hampered by my relationships currently, so I'll be living vicariuosly through you!

Quadzilla Hikes is currently doing a thru hike of the AT with the goal of spending only $1,000 for the roughly 100 day hike, plus a few hundred for a cheap set if gear. His vlog along the way has been inspirational. I'll try to figure out how to link youtube videos someday...

It's cool to see ...

You're in a really interesting place in life, thanks for the journal!

It's very honorable that you are helping your grandfather. My dad took care of his grandfather for the last years of his life, with the expectation of inheriting the house. But, I don't think there was any paperwork in place to ...

I've always hated answering this question. When I had a corporate job, my title and duties were unfamiliar to the general public, I was a Retirement Plan Consultant who helped business owners run their company retirement plan. Most people's eyes would glaze over when hearing this. Some people would ...

I'm curious to hear more of your story. A lot of us have found that life isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but helps to hear what others are experiencing.

@Jacob, on the McDonald's forever cup, my Dad told me about it. I think it used to be a bigger deal, McDonald's sold novelty reusable mugs and the mug included free refills indefinitely. When my dad told me about it, I showed enough interest and he ordered me 3 glass Batman forever mugs off Ebay. I ...

I have taken a small set of grooming scissors on the plane with me, and have had no problems with those. The blades on the scissors are probably only 1 inch long, and are well within the size restrictions.

I was however not permitted to take my Talenti jar of cottage cheese with me on the plane ...

Since the ACP ended, I went online and switched to the Xfinity Internet Essentials plan which is about $10 a month, they offer it to folks who were on the ACP program previously.

Apparently, Xfinity doesn't participate in the LifeLine program, but the providers who do in my area would cost more ...