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The week's question
In December 2024, in the thread "Re: BRK: Why Not XOM?", BreckHutHigh asked the members: "What about the long road trips with kids?" This week it is put to everyone again. The button below opens the small thread re-asking it - read what others have said so far, then give your own answer as an ordinary reply.
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Personal Finance / Retirement Investing
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Author: richinmd   😊 😞
Number: of 1281 
Subject: Retirement Year 2
Date: 01/03/25 8:59 PM
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No. of Recommendations: 10

I retired in Jan 2023. I did go back to work for 2 months this past July/Aug. I liked the work but not doing 40+ hrs, a commute and living in an AirBnB with bad mattresses.
So far we are spending more than expected. Despite a fairly conservative portfolio (50% max in stocks) and the extra spending, our investments went up 6%.

Big expenses including 10% for travel, another 10% for eating out, 20% for insurance including medical and medical bills. Obviously a few of those expenses can easily be cut back if needed.

I'm hoping this year I did a better job of estimating taxes because last year I missed it big time and had penalties. Using a spreadsheet someone created over at bogleheads I'm probably only owing around $1K federal taxes and may be getting back money from state. I would have gotten money back from the federal taxes but I did a Roth conversion at the end of the year to reach up to the limit of our current tax bracket.

I'm not too big on paying taxes now instead of later but for a few years we can control our income until social security and then RMDs kick in.

Still tough getting used to spending instead of saving and I do miss work. Will look for something part time or something I can do from home.

Stay healthy and happy new year
Rich

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This community has written 1,207 posts about Retirement Investing. The article-length ones it recommended most:
The Case for Long-Term Buy and Hold Investing · 49 recs · 2025
Transferring assets to the next generation · 20 recs · 2025
Retirement Year 8 · 17 recs · 2025
(nearly) year one of retirement has been good · 11 recs · 2026
Buying Treasuries Via Vanguard · 10 recs · 2023
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