YM friends, where are you at? $$-wise?

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jul 30, 2022 7:14:05 GMT -5 finnime said:

DH is actually in stage 5 of CKD. He is not on dialysis; he is stable. One of the biggest tasks we've had in moving is him seeing all of his doctors where we did live, and establishing relationships with new doctors where we are now. The first part is almost done. The second part will be complex. Health in retirement is a consuming enterprise for everyone, not to be taken for granted.

I arranged for us both to see psychiatric NP's here, so that's done. Cannot afford to disrupt continuity of care there. For DH, he is stocked up on meds for diabetes and for CKD for a while. He will see his nephrologist in September in Maryland. PCP is the next goal for both of us here.

Health is almost everything in the end.

wishing you both the best here! 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jul 29, 2022 9:50:58 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Thanks to all who have started documenting their journey with me . 

Next steps

• House plan for upgrades with an architect/designer*
• Get up to date on medical/dental stuff**.

*been delaying on a lot of things because I want it planned out well and prioritized. the 100k I had saved for that the past 2 ish years is worth a lot less for purchasing home improvement stuff, so pretty POed at myself for my usual procrastinications. Once I have the master plan, I can do the most critical/meaningful/important to start x before y, etc. with the 100k and then move on to other stuff more peicemea/pay as I go/look into financing/decide it would be ok to wait till after retirement on. Want to make sure I am seeing the full picture with this 100 year old house before I lose my main income stream.

**I don't want to. I don't like to. Haven't been to a doctor in about 5-7 years. I can't remember when it was! I do go to dentist regularly, but have some stuff I've been delaying on due to being a whimp.

These are things I've been meaning to get to for a while. Since I can't think of retirement until they are checked off, better get on them.....

wow - already a month later!

1 - selected firm for house plans, had attorney check through, sent revisions back. working on decluttering proactively, when I can, in spare time (!) to prep for planning and execution phases.

2 - dental appt is done, not as much followup there as I thought, maybe 1 thing to see to in the next year. Made 2 different doctor appts but wasn't able to get in until october for either. Have 3 other doctor appts to schedule, not sure if I should try to schedule those, or wait till these 2 are done. I think the GP work up will be informative for the others, basic blood work, etc. maybe will schedule those for early Nov to get on the books and before the end of the year rush of appts. Maybe late oct would be better now I think of it. I'll try to schedule those other ones next week, since lead time is high.

so - not thinking too far ahead, just one step in front of the other. Continuing to max 401k and HSA accounts, with some savings going to taxable and treasury direct monthly. Not worrying about balances or budgets, just keeping the autopilot on money issues while I attend to other pre-retirement steps.

[finnime]

And I've been shedding $ right and left, getting the house in shape for the next 20 years. Just had an over-the-range microwave installed and the open shelves I bought for the kitchen just arrived. Replacing the dishwasher on Wednesday, plus a sump pump. New windows are slated for installation in October. Due to supply chain issues, windows take months and months to arrive.

This house is our aging in place home and it's perfect for us. One floor with one step up into the house. At almost 1400 square feet it's large enough yet small enough for the 2 of us, too.

I will be working at home no matter what I do. I'm loosely planning on doing some consulting and definitely planning on continuing writing and editing work for years to come. One big consideration is setting up an office here, and that's a WIP. In my preparation a word I encountered at a webinar is "solopreneur". That's me.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Aug 27, 2022 4:21:58 GMT -5 finnime said:

And I've been shedding $ right and left, getting the house in shape for the next 20 years. Just had an over-the-range microwave installed and the open shelves I bought for the kitchen just arrived. Replacing the dishwasher on Wednesday, plus a sump pump. New windows are slated for installation in October. Due to supply chain issues, windows take months and months to arrive.

This house is our aging in place home and it's perfect for us. One floor with one step up into the house. At almost 1400 square feet it's large enough yet small enough for the 2 of us, too.

I will be working at home no matter what I do. I'm loosely planning on doing some consulting and definitely planning on continuing writing and editing work for years to come. One big consideration is setting up an office here, and that's a WIP. In my preparation a word I encountered at a webinar is "solopreneur". That's me.

spending to upgrade the house is part of the process! And after the discussions on the LTC thread, a lot more important than I realized!

[tskeeter]

Aug 27, 2022 4:21:58 GMT -5 finnime said:

And I've been shedding $ right and left, getting the house in shape for the next 20 years. Just had an over-the-range microwave installed and the open shelves I bought for the kitchen just arrived. Replacing the dishwasher on Wednesday, plus a sump pump. New windows are slated for installation in October. Due to supply chain issues, windows take months and months to arrive.

This house is our aging in place home and it's perfect for us. One floor with one step up into the house. At almost 1400 square feet it's large enough yet small enough for the 2 of us, too.

I will be working at home no matter what I do. I'm loosely planning on doing some consulting and definitely planning on continuing writing and editing work for years to come. One big consideration is setting up an office here, and that's a WIP. In my preparation a word I encountered at a webinar is "solopreneur". That's me.

There are lots of things that can make an aging in place home easier to live in.

Single story
Flatish lot (no up and down sloped, slippery driveways to get mail, newspaper, or take out trash)
Very close to at grade (no steps, inside or outside)
Lever handles on doors
Lever handles on faucets
Doors wide enough to easily accommodate a wheel chair or walker
Hard surface floors and no rugs (easier to use wheel chairs/walkers and avoid rug
trip hazards)
Pantry (maximize easily accessible, counter height storage)
Drawers or pull out shelves in lower cabinets
Roomy shower, suitable for a shower stool; a curbless shower would be ideal
If new construction, reinforce walls of one bathroom for future installation of grab bars in toilet space, shower, and tub area
French doors to patio or deck (sliding patio doors get heavy as you age)

And a bunch more stuff I haven’t thought of.

What would you add to this list?

[countrygirl2]

Our Texas house was our age in place house. One level, suite for DD, new 2 car garage 1500 ft patio in back. 2nd garage built for hubs. We would have torn down the other and added another. It was not quite 2 acres. My dream kitchen, we spent over $20k on it and hubs did all the labor. Likely would have cost $40k, it was a beauty, 6 burner stove, and roomy!! Sad  but things happen.

We also had our rentals all in place, paid for and doing well.

Ok up here, we have a lot like we want it. We do have the big doors to our bedroom. Hubs said we would have to do a ramp. Yes, we can get help, but 4 acres is too much for hubs in later years and this yard cost a LOT to have mowed. I can get cleaning help and lots of stuff can come through Amazon. We could likely have grocery pickup done. He also said we could put in an elevator to go to the basement.

But again I think we need to be in town and have the same size upstairs but no basement. Just see what happens. If he gets to where he can't do it all, he will agree to move to town.

He has the materials purchased to frame in the ends of the basement, we don't have the items for the bathroom yet down there. Mainly we are wanting to do what fixup and freshening needs to be done on the rent houses and sell them. Hopefully the one he is doing now. Maybe the one in this town and the one where he just fixed the well. That would just leave us the post office and his folks house and the trailer. He redid his folks house a few years ago. He also has some work to do on the old truck, the motorhome, and other stuff we are going to sell. No big projects just some upgrades, like replacing the frames and bulbs on the truck they were rusted, he has the parts. 

He wants to put solar panels on the garage for the electric car and also put a battery backup for that one. The Silverado is gorgeous, I keep getting updates. All 4 wheels turn, it raises up and down to be easier to get in and out of. It has self driving capabilities, but I'm wo.ndering if that is the super expensive one. The exterior is sure pretty and they keep showing blue which is my favorite color.


We are in ok shape, maybe $20k to $25k will do it all.

Like he redid the new water pump and put in all new fittings cost $500. Saved us a fortune again.

[countrygirl2]

I got the weeds cut behind all the sunflowers, have about 10 ft to finish cleaning in the front.
Watered everything again, including the garden, it is now terribly dry here. The flowers all stood up better out there, the sunflowers and the hollyhocks. And my rose bushes are putting out buds already. I'm sure the shrubs needed it desperately.  

The lawn now sure looks pretty, that work has needed done for awhile. It got 92 out, still is was not supposed to be that hot.

I must have bumped my arm, have two big scratches and blood and bruises on it, didn't even feel it. Blood thinner does that.

Ok, bath time, then dinner is 2 strip or ribeyes, baked potato with french onion dip, and salad.
Will grill the steaks and microwave the potatoes.

My little sweeper deal vacced for me today!!  I love that thing.
I have my front porch to vac and 2 rugs, and I'm all caught up, upstairs, YES!!

[TheOtherMe]

tskeeter  I am hopefully having my pre fab bathtub remodeled to a tile shower in the fall.  That will take care of my shower issues.  I didn't realize and I don't think a lot of people realize that you can't install grab bars with fiberglass inserts for bathtubs.  There is no place where they be attached to the wall.

Driveway has a slight slope.  I don't receive enough mail to be concerned with getting it more than once a week now.  Trash is once a week and there have been weeks when I have not taken it out due to ice.  

There is one step up from the garage to get inside the house.  That will have to do.

[laterbloomer]

Aug 28, 2022 15:07:46 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Aug 27, 2022 4:21:58 GMT -5 finnime said:

And I've been shedding $ right and left, getting the house in shape for the next 20 years. Just had an over-the-range microwave installed and the open shelves I bought for the kitchen just arrived. Replacing the dishwasher on Wednesday, plus a sump pump. New windows are slated for installation in October. Due to supply chain issues, windows take months and months to arrive.

This house is our aging in place home and it's perfect for us. One floor with one step up into the house. At almost 1400 square feet it's large enough yet small enough for the 2 of us, too.

I will be working at home no matter what I do. I'm loosely planning on doing some consulting and definitely planning on continuing writing and editing work for years to come. One big consideration is setting up an office here, and that's a WIP. In my preparation a word I encountered at a webinar is "solopreneur". That's me.

There are lots of things that can make an aging in place home easier to live in.

Single story
Flatish lot (no up and down sloped, slippery driveways to get mail, newspaper, or take out trash)
Very close to at grade (no steps, inside or outside)
Lever handles on doors
Lever handles on faucets
Doors wide enough to easily accommodate a wheel chair or walker
Hard surface floors and no rugs (easier to use wheel chairs/walkers and avoid rug
trip hazards)
Pantry (maximize easily accessible, counter height storage)
Drawers or pull out shelves in lower cabinets
Roomy shower, suitable for a shower stool; a curbless shower would be ideal
If new construction, reinforce walls of one bathroom for future installation of grab bars in toilet space, shower, and tub area
French doors to patio or deck (sliding patio doors get heavy as you age)

And a bunch more stuff I haven’t thought of.

What would you add to this list?

I have the majority of that. Just fyi I got a shower bench that fits across my tub. It looks like those decorative wooden trays some people have to hold their wine and candles and it holds up to 500 lbs.

[finnime]

Aug 28, 2022 15:07:46 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Aug 27, 2022 4:21:58 GMT -5 finnime said:

And I've been shedding $ right and left, getting the house in shape for the next 20 years. Just had an over-the-range microwave installed and the open shelves I bought for the kitchen just arrived. Replacing the dishwasher on Wednesday, plus a sump pump. New windows are slated for installation in October. Due to supply chain issues, windows take months and months to arrive.

This house is our aging in place home and it's perfect for us. One floor with one step up into the house. At almost 1400 square feet it's large enough yet small enough for the 2 of us, too.

I will be working at home no matter what I do. I'm loosely planning on doing some consulting and definitely planning on continuing writing and editing work for years to come. One big consideration is setting up an office here, and that's a WIP. In my preparation a word I encountered at a webinar is "solopreneur". That's me.

There are lots of things that can make an aging in place home easier to live in.

Single story
Flatish lot (no up and down sloped, slippery driveways to get mail, newspaper, or take out trash)
Very close to at grade (no steps, inside or outside)
Lever handles on doors
Lever handles on faucets
Doors wide enough to easily accommodate a wheel chair or walker
Hard surface floors and no rugs (easier to use wheel chairs/walkers and avoid rug
trip hazards)
Pantry (maximize easily accessible, counter height storage)
Drawers or pull out shelves in lower cabinets
Roomy shower, suitable for a shower stool; a curbless shower would be ideal
If new construction, reinforce walls of one bathroom for future installation of grab bars in toilet space, shower, and tub area
French doors to patio or deck (sliding patio doors get heavy as you age)

And a bunch more stuff I haven’t thought of.

What would you add to this list?

Yours is a very complete list.

I'd add:   Handheld shower head.

                 Pull down/up shades for the windows (don't want to mess with cords with tremorous                 hands.)

                Very low or no threshholds.

                Outdoors railings (we'll have to add these.)

                Lots of overhead, switched lighting including outdoors.

                Ceiling fans that can switch direction without a lot of bother.

[laterbloomer]

Another thing I am considering is main floor laundry in case the stairs to the basement become an issue. That's really the only reason I HAVE to go down there.

[countrygirl2]

Even though we would need a ramp to go to the garage or off the front porch, it's doable, would just want it to look nice. We have a concrete walk and big concrete patio apron so no issue there for a wheelchair. It could be in the country without that.

We have pull out drawers in a lot of the cabinets and all hard surface flooring now. I would have to get someone to change the big filters in the geo thermal, just do 2 or 3 times a year, not very much dirt generated here. In the basement handles instead of knobs, hubs could change those up here too.

I have cellular blinds with the little handle in the middle can pull down and push up, love them.

We would likely have to remove the huge oval tub and put in a roll in shower.

But I think if hubs got in that shape we would just have to move.  If we couldn't find a house to fit our needs might have to build one.

As it is we should be able to make it here quite a few more years.  Everything is so nice here it's really hard to move.

Dollar wise we are ok. but will add to it with sale of places for a decent price, we hope. Only because there is a housing shortage here.

[TheOtherMe]

When I bought this house, I only considered homes with main floor laundries.  I only have to go to the basement to change the furnace filter and sometimes check on the sump pump.  If I get to where I can't do that, I will have to get my nephews to do it or hire someone.

[tskeeter]

Aug 28, 2022 15:54:47 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

tskeeter   I am hopefully having my pre fab bathtub remodeled to a tile shower in the fall.  That will take care of my shower issues.  I didn't realize and I don't think a lot of people realize that you can't install grab bars with fiberglass inserts for bathtubs.  There is no place where they be attached to the wall.

Driveway has a slight slope.  I don't receive enough mail to be concerned with getting it more than once a week now.  Trash is once a week and there have been weeks when I have not taken it out due to ice.  

There is one step up from the garage to get inside the house.  That will have to do.

While a fiberglass bathtub insert by itself is not rigid enough to support a grab bar, I think there ways you could have a fiberglass tub liner and install a grab bar.  The key element would be to construct the wall framing behind the tub liner to function as the attachment point for the grab bar.  This can be accomplished by installing something such as 2 X 12 blocking between the studs in the area where a grab bar would be anchored.  A panel of 3/4 inch plywood cut into the studs might work, too.  (To me, planning strong attachment points for window treatments, cabinets, railings, towel bars, and the like is simply good construction technique.  If you’re building housing to be used by seniors, good design and construction technique would include providing for attaching grab bars.)

[TheOtherMe]

I am told no there is not without the possibility of water leakage.   The one in the basement is open to an unused area in the back.  That might be able to be done but I'm not risking that.  Plus those inserts are gross. 

I have a signed contract so my decision is made.  

[countrygirl2]

We do change the filters in the basement, add softener salts to the water softener and sometimes check the backup battery on the sump pump. I could likely get the water softener guy to do it or the furnace guys. They are really good about stuff like that around here.

[jerseygirl]

We have a filter for iron in the water, we have a well. Difficult to change the filter about 4x year. Thinking of having plumber do this.
Gradually hiring out more chores especially what Jerseyguy used to do - mowing, snow plow, taking out garbage, maybe filter. Tesla needs nothing for maintenance
Jerseyguy is 83 and was fine before he had a series of 5 pneumonia before Covid . Really made him much less energetic. He did everything before at 78 except snow removal

[TheOtherMe]

Dad was still shoveling snow and mowing the lawn well into his 80's.  It got to where he was taking so many breaks, it was taking the entire day to mow.  

Mom finally convinced him to hire it done.  He was very, very picky on how the lawn had to look.  He and the guy he hired finally got on dad's 3 day schedule and the guy did the trimming, etc. to dad's satisfaction.  He did tell them he had never had anyone hire him to mow every third day.

There are two houses in my neighborhood where they mow that often but they have riding lawn mowers.

[resolution]

My in-laws are 72 now and have been saying for years that their 20 acre ranchette with the huge garden, outbuildings, and workshop was getting to be too much to keep up with. So this year they finally sold it and bought.... another 20 acre ranchette!!! It didn't have all the outbuildings, so they hired a contractor to build one, and then bought an adjoining 20 acre parcel with a couple of additional outbuildings...

[minnesotapaintlady]

Aug 30, 2022 9:29:27 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dad was still shoveling snow and mowing the lawn well into his 80's.  It got to where he was taking so many breaks, it was taking the entire day to mow.  

Mom finally convinced him to hire it done.  He was very, very picky on how the lawn had to look.  He and the guy he hired finally got on dad's 3 day schedule and the guy did the trimming, etc. to dad's satisfaction.  He did tell them he had never had anyone hire him to mow every third day.

There are two houses in my neighborhood where they mow that often but they have riding lawn mowers.

I sometimes think the old people living in town have it worse.  They're shoveling snow by hand and using push mowers on their lawn.  Around here all the old guys are driving their John Deere mowers and plowing the driveway with bobcats in heated cabs.

[TheOtherMe]

Aug 30, 2022 10:20:03 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Aug 30, 2022 9:29:27 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Dad was still shoveling snow and mowing the lawn well into his 80's.  It got to where he was taking so many breaks, it was taking the entire day to mow.  

Mom finally convinced him to hire it done.  He was very, very picky on how the lawn had to look.  He and the guy he hired finally got on dad's 3 day schedule and the guy did the trimming, etc. to dad's satisfaction.  He did tell them he had never had anyone hire him to mow every third day.

There are two houses in my neighborhood where they mow that often but they have riding lawn mowers.

I sometimes think the old people living in town have it worse.  They're shoveling snow by hand and using push mowers on their lawn.  Around here all the old guys are driving their John Deere mowers and plowing the driveway with bobcats in heated cabs.

He did have a snowblower but there were parts of the snow that he insisted had to be done by hand.  Very picky on clearing the snow just like he was on the lawn.

He also thought he should be first on the snow list and he was retired and many days, never left the house.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Aug 30, 2022 10:09:19 GMT -5 resolution said:

My in-laws are 72 now and have been saying for years that their 20 acre ranchette with the huge garden, outbuildings, and workshop was getting to be too much to keep up with. So this year they finally sold it and bought.... another 20 acre ranchette!!! It didn't have all the outbuildings, so they hired a contractor to build one, and then bought an adjoining 20 acre parcel with a couple of additional outbuildings...

I am.....confused.....

[laterbloomer]

Jun 12, 2022 20:49:10 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

What do you still hope to accomplish career-wise?

I love the job I have now and would just like to keep it for at least 3.5 more years. It's contract and I'm counting on extensions, but it looks like I should get them. I have dreams of some kind of retirement at 60, it will probably be a semi retirement.


What is your next step/s financially?


Keep putting away 45% of my net pay. It would be great if I could get one more boarder and put away that money for the next 3 years.

Do you/Are you compiling a list of what you need to get done/accomplish/achieve/before retirement?


Sort of. I'm figuring out how to arrange things so I get to do the travelling and hobbies I want to do.

Are you interested in charting that journey, having a support thread here, sharing ups and downs and ideas?
Yes. I'm doing it much lower income than most of you and I'm Canadian so I'm dealing with different Government incomes and tax laws, but I think it will still be fun to be talking about it. 

I joined the MSN money boards about 17 years ago. It really was the start of my financial education and has contributed a lot to it. If I didn't learn it here I was pointed in the right direction to find the info.

So I got another boarder. I've been steady with putting away my 45% but the market is not being very nice right now. I'm trying really hard to look at it as buying cheap.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Aug 30, 2022 18:50:47 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Jun 12, 2022 20:49:10 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

What do you still hope to accomplish career-wise?

I love the job I have now and would just like to keep it for at least 3.5 more years. It's contract and I'm counting on extensions, but it looks like I should get them. I have dreams of some kind of retirement at 60, it will probably be a semi retirement.


What is your next step/s financially?


Keep putting away 45% of my net pay. It would be great if I could get one more boarder and put away that money for the next 3 years.

Do you/Are you compiling a list of what you need to get done/accomplish/achieve/before retirement?


Sort of. I'm figuring out how to arrange things so I get to do the travelling and hobbies I want to do.

Are you interested in charting that journey, having a support thread here, sharing ups and downs and ideas?
Yes. I'm doing it much lower income than most of you and I'm Canadian so I'm dealing with different Government incomes and tax laws, but I think it will still be fun to be talking about it. 

I joined the MSN money boards about 17 years ago. It really was the start of my financial education and has contributed a lot to it. If I didn't learn it here I was pointed in the right direction to find the info.

So I got another boarder. I've been steady with putting away my 45% but the market is not being very nice right now. I'm trying really hard to look at it as buying cheap.

keep it up.

I remember socking it away in 2008 and not looking. It really paid off later.

[tskeeter]

Aug 29, 2022 15:43:00 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I am told no there is not without the possibility of water leakage.   The one in the basement is open to an unused area in the back.  That might be able to be done but I'm not risking that.  Plus those inserts are gross. 

I have a signed contract so my decision is made.  

You’ve made your decision, but for the benefit of other readers I’m going to respond.

In my experience, if any holes in the fiberglass tub liner are properly caulked, there is no more risk of water leakage than the risk posed by the shower controls, tub spout, etc.  And the leakage risk with a fiberglass tub liner is less than would be present with a tile tub surround because a fiberglass liner is smooth.  It doesn’t have grout lines that sit below the surface of tile and which can allow water to seep behind anything attached to a shower wall.

Regardless of what material a tub or shower surround is made of, the way I would install something such as a grab bar would be to drill pilot holes for the screws that will attach the bar, caulk the pilot holes so they will be water tight once the screws are installed, then I would use plumber’s putty to seal the trim ring that covers mounting flange and screws.  (Plumber’s putty is the material used to seal faucets where they go through counter tops.)  Yes, it’s a belt and suspenders approach.  But it’s cheap, easy insurance.

[finnime]

Thanks, tskeeter, that is helpful. One big thing we don't have is grab bars in the bathroom. We will be needing them, in the shower/tub and by the toilet. We may in the future replace the current tub with a walk-in shower and built in bench seat. We had that in Maryland and it was handy when DH was not able to stand.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Aug 26, 2022 20:44:36 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Jul 29, 2022 9:50:58 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Thanks to all who have started documenting their journey with me . 

Next steps

• House plan for upgrades with an architect/designer*
• Get up to date on medical/dental stuff**.

*been delaying on a lot of things because I want it planned out well and prioritized. the 100k I had saved for that the past 2 ish years is worth a lot less for purchasing home improvement stuff, so pretty POed at myself for my usual procrastinications. Once I have the master plan, I can do the most critical/meaningful/important to start x before y, etc. with the 100k and then move on to other stuff more peicemea/pay as I go/look into financing/decide it would be ok to wait till after retirement on. Want to make sure I am seeing the full picture with this 100 year old house before I lose my main income stream.

**I don't want to. I don't like to. Haven't been to a doctor in about 5-7 years. I can't remember when it was! I do go to dentist regularly, but have some stuff I've been delaying on due to being a whimp.

These are things I've been meaning to get to for a while. Since I can't think of retirement until they are checked off, better get on them.....

wow - already a month later!

1 - selected firm for house plans, had attorney check through, sent revisions back. working on decluttering proactively, when I can, in spare time (!) to prep for planning and execution phases.

2 - dental appt is done, not as much followup there as I thought, maybe 1 thing to see to in the next year. Made 2 different doctor appts but wasn't able to get in until october for either. Have 3 other doctor appts to schedule, not sure if I should try to schedule those, or wait till these 2 are done. I think the GP work up will be informative for the others, basic blood work, etc. maybe will schedule those for early Nov to get on the books and before the end of the year rush of appts. Maybe late oct would be better now I think of it. I'll try to schedule those other ones next week, since lead time is high.

so - not thinking too far ahead, just one step in front of the other. Continuing to max 401k and HSA accounts, with some savings going to taxable and treasury direct monthly. Not worrying about balances or budgets, just keeping the autopilot on money issues while I attend to other pre-retirement steps.

Another month + a few days....and yes, a little bit of progress. That is all I am going for right now. 

1) Have date set for architect site visit, have a whole lot of work to do before then!! Very excited to take this step!

2) Have seen 3 doctors in the past 3-4 weeks. Am uptodate on vaccines (covid, tetanus, shingles - and both arms are sore and tired!), have a lot of labs submitted waiting on results, and have referrals for 2 of 3 specialist I need to see.


Continuing to save and invest, although balances continue downward, will see if the last few days of up values stick for a trend...

Been a rough day, I'm down a bit of blood on those draws....

[finnime]

Getting all the original aluminum windows in our home replaced today, so that's one more thing off the list. Of the remainder the only one that is a must-do very soon is replace the back fence and gate on one side of the house. We'll put in PVC. The stockade fencing in the back is falling apart, so it's got to go.

DH's most recent lab work shows his CKD is progressing, albeit slowly. Since he is in stage 5 any little progression is serious. For me, it's a wakeup call to plan on some travel.

We'll go to New Mexico next March or maybe April to visit old friends and see the area. I was thinking we'd go in January, then DH looked up the weather there and saw they have a regular winter. After that, I'm going to see about a long trip to northern Europe and France. I was surprised and pleased to see the cruise prices for 11 days in the nordic countries plus Germany could be done for under $7k in a suite, less in a balcony stateroom. We would combine the cruise with a trip to Paris, probably before the cruise.

I doubt DH will be able to take such a trip more than 2 years from now. The good thing is that we have advance warning.

My father died very suddenly of a massive heart attack on Father's Day when he was 60. My parents had been planning on an Alaskan cruise that summer to celebrate their 40th anniversary. My mother did go, with friends, since they already had the plans made.

[finnime]

Exclusive of the move itself, we've spent just under $43,000 on our new home: painting, repairing, furniture and furnishings including window treatments, appliances, lights. I estimate we'll put in another $10k for the fence, converting the fireplace to gas, and staining the cedar shake exterior. I'm penciling in $2k for a new refrigerator and $2k for a washer/dryer, $750 to buy and install a new utility sink in the basement. What we have works, but does need replacing sooner or later. So, 43+15 est. I'll round it up to $60k. That's about right.

I need to define a travel budget, also about $15k I think. I don't believe we need to spend more, but we always can, of course.

We have enough money to live on. Our operating budget is about $6k/month, including everything. It's these added special expenses that I need to plan for.

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Our next big expense AS FAR AS WE KNOW is fence replacement, but that's not urgent and can be done in stages, estimate $10-$12,000 total. We currently have 2 trips planned for 2023, one to Cape Cod in September and one to Montreal/Quebec in December. We definitely need to do something before then and I'll look for something relatively cheap like a 3-5 day cruise to nowhere on Carnival in February or March.

DH turns 83 next week (shhhhh!, he's really sensitive about that) so I want to cram in what we can while we can.