On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:21:35 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:44:45 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:06:24 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 12:06:42 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:53:09 AM UTC-5, Thomas E.. wrote:
> > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:32:59 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:34:11 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:08:26 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:04:43 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:14:32 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:09:57 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12:33:35 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:12:56 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:47:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 1:43:08 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:16:10 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:25:12 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:15:46 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00:37 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:31:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:04:32 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:55:19 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:26:29 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:08:52 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 6:23:50 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:46:07 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2024-01-18 07:36, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:50:38 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On 2024-01-15 19:48, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:35:35 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> On 2024-01-08 14:43, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:31:12 AM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> On 2024-01-08 05:05, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>> At age ~61 has Alan finally given up on his bakerMEDIA site, and business? The lame excuse for a website, bakermedia.ca, is unreachable. Linkedin says he claims to have a full-time job, working for a Toronto-based financial consulting company. The company site shows him as an employee. RIP bakermedia.ca. You won't be missed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Just curious, dick:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Do you check my website and my LinkedIn page (the one you called my
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> "company website) every day...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> ...or just once a week?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> Maybe every month or two, at the most. Of course, you deflected, dodged the question, so typical of you, dickhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> Wow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> You admit to regularly stalking me...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> ...and you don't think you deserve to be called a "dick".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> Not stalking, exposing your lies. Your only defense is to attempt to discredit the source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> "Maybe every month or two" you look at my website...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and goodness knows what else...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and you don't think that's creepy, dick?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> I haven't lied.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> Sorry.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You lie by omission all the time. You simply cannot answer a straightforward
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > question if the answer contradicts the false image you have created of yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Not wanting to answer a question posed by a stalking DICK isn't "lying
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > by omission...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Dick.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, but yes it is a lie.. Your lie is that you are/were supporting yourself as an independent consultant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Got cite? Or is that merely your assumption?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence still from Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have been a full-time employee of a Toronto firm for some time now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? Times have changed since the 1970s: generations after yours don’t stick
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to just one or afew companies for their entire working career: it’s now common
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to change every ~5 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your independent consultancy failed to support you so you became an employee,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or at least you claim full-time employment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Speculation, plus no proof that it was ever exclusively full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The bakerMedia site was disappeared. Can't afford the url renewal fee?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hasn’t the Farmecon LLC website has disappeared too?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ouch. Projecting your own “can’t afford it?” paradigm onto yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You claim to be an elite FF driver at the local track, but your record does not support that claim..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > “Elite”? Really? Let’s see the cite.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus this isn’t the only time that you’ve gotten jealous & petty when you can’t be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sole center of attention, especially for when it’s someone who has some skill clearly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > better than you: you should go fly for 30 minutes on just 15 minutes of fuel to show
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > readers that you’re halfway good at at least one thing. /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have a selfie photo of yourself on your employer's site that in no way resembles
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your current appearance on LinkedIn.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a condition of employment that requires image synchronization that’s being violated?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FYI, the professional headshots a stalker may find of me are also out of date.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Another lie. In fact when I pointed out that the company photo resembled the unflattering
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LinkedIn version you changed it to what makes you appear healthier and without scraggly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > facial hair. Which is the real you?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because we all know that a random picture on the Internet is profoundly important! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The FarmEcon site disappeared because I shuttered the business over 2 years ago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? You could have left the reports up, and just said you’re no longer actively consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Search for FarmEcon.com in Google. Takes you to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=farmecon.com where I have the URL for sale. Will I ever get that advertised price? Likely not, but
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > per WHOIS I own it for a few more years, until 2027. It's assigned to the GoDaddy URL sales site until expiration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You’re asking $8K! GoDaddy’s appraisal tool says that it’s worth just $1555:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > < https://www.godaddy.com/domain-value-appraisal/appraisal/?domainToCheck=Farmecon.com>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then try a bakermedia.ca search.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GoDaddy says $948 for that domain..basically two thirds as much as your domain:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not as “bad off” as you’re trying to imply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... On WHOIS it shows a 2032 URL expiration date. ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On LinkedIn …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The deletion of the company site and a full-time job all suggest that bakerMEDIA is defunct, or nearly so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That wasn’t the question. The question was if it ever was represented as full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Actually, 2018 was a very interesting year for Alan…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Even more stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If his consulting practice had been lucrative why is he not still not doing that full-time?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Don’t know, don’t care, because it’s none of my business. But I do know that a lot
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of people are seeking a better work-life balance than what old Boomers tolerated.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My consulting was, in contrast, very rewarding personally and financially.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because you got travel boondoggles? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I worked it actively from 2003 to 2022, and even collected my last income in 2023.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Net income, IRS basis, was about $1.3 million before 401K contributions. As you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > know, some expenses become deductible just because you are running a business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from home, so this is lower than actual.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SS & Medicare is 15.3%, but only half of that is unique to self-employment to be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comparable to a regular job. Plus write-offs for laptops, office, etc and it’s a 10%
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variance or so in total. Another are business travel costs, which of course are usually
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > customer-approval specific, but not a big money suck…unless one wants it to be.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus wasn’t there also a corporate donation to a local theater for tickets too, eh?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The write-off game is very much just that for some folks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since I also had pension and SSI income I'll admit I did not solicit many projects.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They were referrals for the most part.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You were nevertheless still hustling for work for more than decade beyond normal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement age. That shows that you weren’t anywhere near ‘comfortable’ without it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simply Google "thomas elam farmecon" for a small sample of my non-confidential
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects that made it into the public domain.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Despite how you still own the domain and could have just left those papers up?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why go to all this trouble? Alan has repeatedly called me the "lying little shit" and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a liar in general. I am neither. My body of work for numerous clients …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > …is not representative of the crap that you regularly tried to pull here. As such, your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consultant work is irrelevant and not a defense for your poor behavior here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I was not comfortable at all with where I was in early 2003. I did some teaching and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > started consulting. I was offered a 6-figure job with AVMA out of Chicago, but did not want
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to move there.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your loss, as that would have enabled a higher retirement savings rate and been able to shave,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > oh perhaps 20-25% off of the years that you worked since 2003, so maybe your retirement could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been at age 70 instead of 75 or whatever.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The consulting grew organically to the point where I could not meet classes and travel to see clients.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The conflict there was classes vs travel. You chose travel. As I called it, a "boondoggle" motivation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Consulting won, and within 15 years or so I had built up a sizable net worth and income stream.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Started slow, ended slow, and averaged well under six digits. Shouda' gone to Chicago /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took the site down just to make sure no one would see it and call me anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Self-contradiction of wanting us to find your papers but hiding them. "Check!". /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All my clients have my contact info and know how to get in touch if they need something from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a past project. That happens occasionally. 95% of the work I did was not on the site anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which based on your numbers, effectively didn't happen for your last three years (94% retired).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The work was rewarding because it helped people solve problems. I took about 5 or 6 international
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consulting trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Five or Six"? How is it then that your old "brag" spreadsheet that you shared has 21 international trips
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > listed for business for the years of 2004 - 2015?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The wife went on 4 international trips, Canada, Germany, France, and Austria.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That was less than 5% of the work.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4/21 = 19% of international business trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > She did go on some short U.S. trips. Yes I enjoyed the travel, she did too, so what? All the work
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was done right here in my office. The trips were for client-requested meetings to present results.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That's been discussed before, where you've tried to imply personal wealth from leveraged business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trips paid for by others (and including using frequent flier miles thereof as well): there's been quite
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a bit of the proverbial “yee-haw, I’m traveling and you’re not...I’m rich!" over the years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You got the 10% number about right. My gross margin over business deductions was about 90%.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet another instance of where you've had to admit that my parametric are close enough.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Social Security contributions added to my eventual benefits. I get within a few dollars of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > maximum for age claiming at 66.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was $45K/yr; I'd figured ~$35K for each of you, as I figured that yours would be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > higher of the two; hers can be as low as $25K/yr and the prior numbers are still on track.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There were no charitable donations taken on my LLC Form C. Those all were on the Schedule D
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > at the time, now are QCD adjustments to income take out of IRA RMD funds. The matching came
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from my ex-employer, not my LLC..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That doesn't explain how Farmecon was the listed benefactor: was it done as an advertising expense write-off?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was not hustling for work. I cannot remember soliciting for anything except one project.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone in a meeting asked if anyone knew how to do X. I volunteered and got the assignment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The rest were all people who approached me with requests. I turned down a few that I knew were
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > beyond my capabilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL, I've had enough time with contractors to know that there's *always* hustle for the next gig.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My behavior here is intended to defend myself against Alan Baker's assaults on my character.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Too bad you're doing such a poor job at it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And you are the person who falsely claimed to have had an FAA friend in London who could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look at my flight logs and make a judgement on their accuracy! That is reprehensible!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, what's reprehensible is that you claim that it is a false claim. For example, I never said where
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they lived in UK, just that one would fly into London to go visit them. Go look it up. In the meantime,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they are retired, but still working in the aviation industry, consulting for Boeing and L3. They also
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had a nice snow ski trip last season to a place I've never heard of: Val du Claret, Tignes.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You also criticize disguised as personal finance advice while not having complete knowledge of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a person's strategy, goals and investment portfolio. Look in the mirror yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nope. My mirror doesn't have the hypocritical cracks from frequent brag attempts about my income
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or net worth. Just take a look at how many you stuffed into just your last reply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Incomplete data extrapolated to fit your version of reality and wildly wrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it’s already been parametrically narrowed down that your average wage
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was under $100K/yr, and IIRC more like $78K, so “six digits” would be easily
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 20% higher.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope your retirement projections are better.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They’re doing fine, which is why I’ve mentioned Roth-ifying near term, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > limit & manage taxable RMDs when they eventually kick in…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WE DID NOT want to move to Chicago. That was a mutual decision. It worked
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out great from my perspective. There is more than money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It’s quite ironic to hear you try to claim that there’s more to life than money after
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > repeatedly posting what your net worth is, as well as working an extra decade+
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > longer than average. If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence from Tommy on the $200K at age 63 question.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just to make your head spin a little fast I offer the following.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To get off to a good start we paid off the house in 2003. Knowing that we had no debt was a confidence booster.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your parametric "wage narrowing" is a joke as is the claim that taking that Chicago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > job was a good idea for speeding up retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You're the one who tried to brag that the AVMA was a six-figure job. You've not only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > admitted that that was more than you were making where you were, but the other numbers
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you've provided have enabled a parametric estimate of at least how much more.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The limits on retirement contributions at the offered Chicago salary were a fraction
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of what I was able to put away in a self-employed 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And the AVMA didn't offer any pension? Because the reason why the tax code allows
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > self-employed businesses to have such higher 401k provisions is because there isn't an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By putting away the max in my own 401k in 2003-2023 (last 2 years were 0) through my own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions and capital appreciation I built what is now an IRA worth well over $1 million today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which if we KISS apply the 4% rule for an annuity equivalent is a pension of just $40K/year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If I take what we put in minus RMD withdrawals the non-discounted net cash IRA outlay
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > has been $197k. I about 4 years the net will be zero. An employee plan with its lower
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions would never have done that for IRA current value or past and future $RMD.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... and the ramifications of this are that the the employer's pension portion only needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to be just $20K/year to be at break-even. Less, if there was also an employer match
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > going into the 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, of course, there are 4 other retirement accounts and a substantial amount of other
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > investments not in qualified plans. The wife worked for a while too after we got married in 2002.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Over that same 2003-2023 span we had one lean year with under $150k income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The average was $204k. The decision to save as much as possible was very deliberate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except that you've just admitted that there were 4 other retirement accounts plus RMDs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that were all contributors to these income totals, which parametrically means that your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years of working as a consultant must have always been *less* than the numbers you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just stated above. Golly, more parameterizing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently receive monthly: 2 pension, 2 Social Security, 5 RMD and 1 dividend payments.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr out of your $204K/yr average,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and there's still the RMDs to subtract off (and dividends) before one gets down to just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > what the average consultant gig was paying per year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My ex-employer also heavily subsidizes our Medicare Supplement plans and pays for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > my Part B premiums, all tax free.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > IIRC, I can expect to have ~five years of 100% free healthcare, after which it drops to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just 70% subsidized. What did I win? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That 'heavily subsidized' is probably the $6K/year that Tommy mentioned in July 2019
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as a 2016 change in his retirement benefits. At that time he also noted that it apparently
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wasn't indexed to inflation. Hopefully that has changed for the better for him.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > FWIW, I did a verification check on my own benefits; the permanent "70% subsidy" part has a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > cap of $15K/year in 2024, so more expensive plans can have a lower contribution percentage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, our investments' market value continues to grow long term. The 2023-2024 YoY growth
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the 2022 slump is over $500k. An unusual yoyo 2 years to be sure, but it all keeps the mind active.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Golly, you already know what your 2024 growth was? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, its more likely that you're counting all of 2022, plus YTD, rather than just YoY, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > squeeze out a slightly bigger number from the past five weeks' gains to try to brag about.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Life was much simpler when I got only a salary, bonuses and stock options. I say that,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > but AMT liabilities arising from Incentive Stock Options income and later reclaiming AMT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the ISO's stopped was a bit complicated and risky. Not to mention that you may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > need to borrow the money to pay for the exercise and then wait at least a year to sell
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get LTCG treatment on a gain that may not materialize. See:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.esofund.com/blog/amt-tax-calculator#:~:text=If%20you%20exercise%20incentive%20stock%20options%20%28ISOs%29%20you,value%20at%20the%20time%20of%20exercise%20as%20income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.brightonjones.com/blog/amt-stock-options/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It took me over 10 years to reclaim the AMT I paid, but it was a nice Federal tax liability offset while it lasted..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, there's other ways to manage stock options which are less likely to trigger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > AMTs (plus AMT has temporarily disappeared as a real factor, due to the 2017 TCJA).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But more to the point, moving to Chicago would have meant losing family and friend
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > connections, downsizing, higher taxes and living expenses. It is likely that at that time,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > having just paid off the house, we would need to mortgage a home in the Chicago suburbs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving was never seriously considered for many reasons.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because one can never make new friends/etc. Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is <200 miles. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you mentioned it and how it was a "six figure"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > income opportunity, as that paramaterizes that you were earning less at the time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I also enjoyed working for myself. It gave me the freedom to do jobs my way. I turned
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > engagements down too. You should try it, very liberating.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Perhaps I already am, and just haven't bragged about it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As for the consulting international trip count my underestimate is the result of those
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > forgotten ones being not very memorable.. The few I did remember were mostly the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ones with the wife. The rest were just work. Fly somewhere, a meeting or two, fly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > home. BFD. When working for Lilly those OUS trips often included 1-2 weeks, multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects, and multiple destinations. More memorable, and some downtime to sightsee.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Routine business travel does get tuned out ... but then not invoked in brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how you've kept such meticulous records and even counted air segments, its
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not really a particularly believable excuse.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Have you ever run a run your own business to the extent of having a self-employed 401k?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've never been laid off to have been compelled to strike out on my own to need to: with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an existent employer 401k, any side business affairs don't need to incur the overhead to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > go duplicate that capability, as it is easy with multiple income streams to leverage them
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so as to facilitate shifting of expenses/income to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm going to answer just these comments:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I never got to the stage of asking about fringe benefits. The prospect of relocating to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chicago killed it. As the AVMA is a not-for-profit I doubt that the retirement benefits
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > were very generous.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So you didn't even look? Pity, for there's a 2016 comment on Glassdoor that says that their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer 401k match is up to 10%, which for a $100K+ salary is an additional +$10K+/year,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which is a 40% increase in contributions (using 2016's limit of $24K, an employer's 10% of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > $100K = +$10K = $34K/$24K = 1.42 = a +42% higher rate of investment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also I was already almost 57 at the time, so it was going to be short term there, not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > much chance to build up credits or a 401k
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? The point was only that it would be *shorter* than what you actually did, which was age 75+.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your 500k assumes that I would have worked there well past age 65.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But not to age 75 (actually 78), which is where your current 401k balance comes from.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Now using Glassdoor's reported 10% employer match, the accumulation rate would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been substantially (+42%) higher than than what was modeled in the $500K KISS,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that (plus whatever employer pension) is how working years get chopped off.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keeping it simple by ignoring progressive compounding/etc from more money earlier,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > figure roughly 20 years/1.42 = 14 years, which is ~6 years earlier for retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, you are assuming things about an AVMA 401k plan. Sorry, but again you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > assume facts not in evidence. ie, you lied
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > False: I simply noted that the baseline parameterization didn't assume that there
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was any employer match from AVMA to sweeten the deal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But now that we know that they do, we can update those numbers, as seen above.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And this is just from the 401k benefits portion, still not counting any additional pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy is <200 miles."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you f'ing kidding. You cannot use CAP aircraft for personal flying!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except for how you've previously admitted to using one of CAP's vans for personal use,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so we know that you're already predisposed to trying such things.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL again! The pensions and SS add up to under $100k. The rest is dividends and RMD's.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which is the payoff for all that fun I had consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Tommy, on Jan 26, 2024, 8:04:32 PM: "I get within a few dollars of the maximum for age
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > claiming at 66." which if you're telling the truth is ~$45K of that claimed "under $100K",
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means that the other three sum to <$55K and would average just $18.3K each.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An average SS pension is ~$1500/mo = $18K/yr, so assuming that for the Mrs, the balance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after SS is just $37K/yr for the sum of the two pensions. Since you've bragged about your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eli Lilly "golden parachute" & pension from working there for 23 years, if it alone was less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > than $35K, it would IMO be just an average pension amount.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are spending a lot of time stalking my finances.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Merely because you've invested so much here in telling everyone about your finances
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and how we're apparently supposed to be impressed and jealous of you. It's been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a modestly entertaining math puzzle.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All to no avail. You will never have the complete picture, and if you did there are many
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > alternatives you could suggest. What I did worked.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It did "work" ... eventually ... taking you into your upper 70s, which is clearly why
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the aforementioned question is *still* being dodged by Tommy:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, I took N410CV on a short familiarization flight right after it arrived from the factory.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I paid for the flight; fuel used and an hourly maintenance fee. This is encouraged. It was fun.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (So was the 1.1 hour orientation flight for a CAP cadet yesterday.) CAP has a program for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > familiarization and proficiency flights, the corporate C mission. I used it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Dodge, because N410CV wasn't a CAP van. IIRC, both ed and myself caught your 'indiscretion.'
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, the decision to stay here and strike out on my own rather than take a job and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > move to Chicago was not solely financial. As Yogi once said, "When You Come to a Fork
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > in the Road, Take It". You can theorize all want about what that AVMA job might have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > meant financially, but it was "The Road Not Taken" per R. Frost.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > So? How does that actually justify you not even researching the benefits of a job offer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > that you've voluntarily bragged about its "six digit" pay?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your financial assumptions are pure speculation..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > No, they're parameterizations of things that you've claimed. As I've said before,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > they're based on numbers which you've voluntarily bragged about: if you've bragged
> > > > > > > > > > > > > about being over 5ft tall on one occasion, and said you're under 6ft tall on another,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > it paramaterizes your height to be between 5'0" and 6'0" and it wouldn't be inaccurate
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to say that your height is roughly 5'6", plus or minus 6".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Among other things, how do I know the job would have turned out to be something
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I really wanted to do? My experience doing some consulting with NGOs like AVMA
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > was that they have an agenda to push, and don't mind stretching the truth to influence
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > opinion and legislation. Not my cuppa.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > All of those questions are irrelevant, because you still invoked them for a reason, such as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to "name drop" what their job offer was, to try to imply what you were worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > You can drive yourself nuts second guessing decisions. I have never looked back ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > ...never - - except for this past week's "six digits" offer from AVMA from two decades ago ... /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > My financial advisor worked with us to invest to get to where we are today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was working to age ~76, and also implies that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > ...is a scenario which was quite far out of your reach.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, because the consulting was not full-time (you assumed AVMA full-time
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > for 9 or 10 years?) and the wife also was able to retire early, we enjoyed the income and ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > No, I merely was parameterizing on what you focused on: money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how late in life you worked until your financial advisor was confident
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (as per your own comment, above), even if working at AVMA had been ten
> > > > > > > > > > > > > years, that still would have been age ~67 or so, at least a half decade less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > time than what you ultimately ended up doing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus it might have also been tenable for you to have a side consulting gig too, but it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > appears that you simply didn't really bother to check out their offer in any real detail.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... [we had the] freedom to travel from 2003 to today ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > For all of 4 international business trips that she accompanied you on over those ~20 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Wowzers! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > In any event, it does come down to "Now or Never" for you, to wrap up your harder travel
> > > > > > > > > > > > > ambitions before they become untenable. As I'd advised you a few years ago, there's things
> > > > > > > > > > > > > like the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland (75), which are doors which are closed/ing for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > while I was earning the assets to fully retire 2 years ago.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > At age 76, if it was after June 2022. Average retirement age in the US is age 64 (63F/65M).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe AVMA was a better option financially. But in SO many other ways it was not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > The answer depends on what you could have chosen to do with extra years of earlier
> > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement, which again invokes the question that you've been dodging:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, BTW, you told yet another lie. Drivers over 75 can rent a car in Ireland.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-car-rental-over-70-myths-facts/ireland-travel-tips/
> > > > > > > > > > > Read for comprehension, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > First, on your own citation, note the "UP TO AGE 75"....is without restrictions:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > "Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions."
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Second, note that while the webpage does name of a few companies without additional restrictions,
> > > > > > > > > > > it identifies what the additional restrictions are for some companies, including Hertz:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > "Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
> > > > > > > > > > > -You must drive on a regular basis;
> > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have
> > > > > > > > > > > not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you
> > > > > > > > > > > and that you are currently driving;
> > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health."
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on how cooperative Hertz is to accept one's reservation if one's not already a Gold
> > > > > > > > > > > Member and possibly also with relatively frequent domestic rentals to support a request.
> > > > > > > > > > > YMMV also on how easy/hard it is to obtain the two letters that they required.
> > > > > > > > > > > And
> > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on if that traffic circle accident was more than five years ago now.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Point is that "age" is a logistically complicating factor when it comes to travel.
> > > > > > > > > > > It is most easiest to just avoid by not waiting too long, which was the point I was
> > > > > > > > > > > making several years ago ("go now") when I first pointed this issue out to you.
> > > > > > > > > > > After all, it is never totally insurmountable, as one can just hire a private driver.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Hertz is only one of many.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Of course, although not all suppliers are present at all destinations…or even just
> > > > > > > > > “major” brands. Case in point, my spring dive trip’s rental car company is a one
> > > > > > > > > shop “no name” (oh, and offers a 5% discount for cash instead of credit card).
> > > > > > > > > > I can supply all that info, but would rather go with a company that does not require it.
> > > > > > > > > You assumed that you can get that letter, but it’s apparent that you’ve not ever tried.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Plus suppliers are free to require surcharges, or their in-house insurance, etc.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The point remains unchanged: a rental car is no longer a logistical ‘non-issue’ to
> > > > > > > > > hire as they typically had been during one’s younger business travel working years.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > At 80 it does really start to get more complicated, but car hire is far from
> > > > > > > > > > the only way to travel, especially in Europe.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > For Europe, with its well developed mass transit and tourism. An example is
> > > > > > > > > your bragged August 2024 trip to Paris, with the Viking Mosel Rhine river cruise
> > > > > > > > > down to Zurich: it has a four (4) hour bus ride over to Trier for its start: the need
> > > > > > > > > for a rental car was avoided through the itinerary selection.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > The traffic circle accident was the wife's, not mine. However, my 5-year window
> > > > > > > > > > is not up until November this year. :(
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Yet you did assume above that your insurance company would so easily issue a letter for you.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Car hire has not been a barrier at all up to this point..
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Keyword being “up to this point”. Age is a constraint which imposes limitations
> > > > > > > > > on travel options, and increases expenses to minimize/offset/compensate.
> > > > > > > > > That door is closed and closing. Similarly, another place it will crop up is in
> > > > > > > > > being able to confidently pass the physical to retain a private flying license.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You are SO f'ing wrong. I've never needed that doctor's letter so why would I go to the effort until I do?
> > > > > > > I've never needed a MD's letter either .. but then again, I'm not over age 75.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thus:
> > > > > > > when have you ever tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, so as to make
> > > > > > > your "never" claim relevant?
> > > > > > > > The upcoming cruise package price includes several days in Paris and the bus trip
> > > > > > > > to Trier with a couple of interesting stops. There are 4 of us going. Car rental? Why?
> > > > > > > > You just want to bitch.
> > > > > > > No, what I was referring to is that you have *options* which don't require a car rental,
> > > > > > > such as your Paris/Cruise plans for next year. Doing that itinerary is particularly easy
> > > > > > > do to in a lot of Europe specifically because of their infrastructure in rail, river cruises, etc.
> > > > > > > > Again, I never needed a letter from my insurance company, so why bother?
> > > > > > > Again, if you've never tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, irrelevant.
> > > > > > > > Even if car hire becomes difficult there are still wonderful things to do in the
> > > > > > > > U.S. and Canada. It's not the end of the world.
> > > > > > > Sure, although both the US & Canada are much more automobile-centric, so it
> > > > > > > can become a bit harder than place like Europe.
> > > > > > > > You are right about the FAA physical.
> > > > > > > Of course I'm right...as I usually am, despite your frequent whining to the contrary.
> > > > > > > > I just had my annual post-cataract follow-up last week. My eyes are still in very good
> > > > > > > > shape, but there is more to it than that. I am well aware every day gets closer to the
> > > > > > > > decision to stop flying. I hope a doctor does not need to tell me I cannot pass a Class III.
> > > > > > > > Already had that happen about 15 years ago, but it was my eye doctor, not the AME,
> > > > > > > > who told me. Surgery fixed the eyes, but I to take 6 months off flying and go back to
> > > > > > > > the eye doctor to make sure I could pass the Class III before it came due. As it turns out,
> > > > > > > > I needed glasses to get to 20-20 but can still pass the Class III without them. I am
> > > > > > > > required to have those glasses available when I fly. Yesterday I flew 3 of our cadets.
> > > > > > > > Also recently passed an IFR checkride. I'm really going to miss it when I can't do any of
> > > > > > > > that. But that day gets closer every day. Got any suggestions on how to make that stop?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > One can't. That's the reality.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The only real mitigation is to not be overly miserly with ones resources to not end up
> > > > > > > waiting too long at which point its too late. As I've said before, "do the hard stuff while
> > > > > > > you're still young enough [to do so]". Because as one advances, even stuff which used
> > > > > > > to be easy becomes more of a challenge, and with additional barriers, such as car rental
> > > > > > > companies who impose additional requirements after a certain age.
> > > > > > There were references to this age factor to travel prior to the later "$30K" budget comment,
> > > > > > such as this comment from 2015:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "...I would have expected that you would have had a lot more personal international
> > > > > > over the past decade based on how you had spoken of it...particularly since there's
> > > > > > also the "do the hard trips before you're too old for them" aspect; ..."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.advocacy/c/9pVOXPkbztI/m/L6pcEJ4wCwAJ>
> > > > > > Sep 8, 2015, 3:10:49 PM
> > > > > >
> > > > > > TL;DR: it took Tommy a mere eight (8) years to finally figure out that advice.
> > > > > > > > Basically, you just want to bitch. Only 3 days until CSMA goes away for a while.
> > > > > > > Nah, it's entertaining to watch _you_ bitch about how your brag attempts just aren't
> > > > > > > anywhere near as grandiose as you constantly try to make them..
> > > > > > To illustrate that I'm practicing what I've been preaching, Tommy had bragged that
> > > > > > he'd spent over $100K for his 2013-17 trips, but he included some 2018 expenses,
> > > > > > leading to this observation:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "So correcting for the five year period by removing these 2018 expenses is
> > > > > > then $96,422, which averages to $19,284.40/yr."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looking at my own historicals, the last year prior to CoVid where we'd not spent
> > > > > > at least 95% of the above average was way back in 2005, which itself was only
> > > > > > due to the refund on a cancelled trip (not by us) which otherwise would have put
> > > > > > the annual sum's total over, and pushed this notional "first under" back to 2003.
> > > > > > Have fun with this math puzzle, Tommy.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -hh
> > > > >
> > > > > Hugh, you just can't seem to get a grip on the fact that people don't have the same reference points.
> > > >
> > > > Your whine doesn't matter when I'm using the reference point that *you* chose.
> > > >
> > > > > I came from a family that never traveled far for anything. By the time I was in my mid-30's I had
> > > > > been to about 6 states and one business trip to Asia. From that background my business and
> > > > > vacation travel from that point forward were more than I thought I would ever see.
> > > >
> > > > Yet that didn't stop you from creating your "yee ha! I'm traveling overseas and you're not!" brags.
> > > >
> > > > > Sorry if it disappoints you, but based on my experience you are an upside outlier on international
> > > > > vacation spending. We are also above average based on the same reference point.
> > > >
> > > > Oh, I know that I am an upside outlier - - but I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags
> > > > about it. Indeed, it mostly only comes up when you try your swagger..
> > > >
> > > > > I'm not wasting my time on your math puzzle.
> > > >
> > > > Of course you won't, because you know that it's a contextualized putdown of another of your brag attempts.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > I call bullshit.
> >
> > LOL! Good luck with that.
> >
> > First off, note that my above statement is "...I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags..."
> >
> > As such, not only do you need to provide cites for each of your below claims, but you
> > also need your cite to show that I had *initiated* the cite .. ie, I was the thread OP, not a
> > respondent to someone else (eg, your own brag attempt).
> >
> > > You have posted links to photos of travel to exotic places.
> >
> > Yeah, but how often was that in response to something else, not an OP? Cites required.
> >
> > > You just cited a dive trip to a remote place with only one car rental option.
> >
> > Actually, they have two, sometimes three. And it's in the Caribbean, so how "remote"
> > is that really? But again, where was this *initiated* by me? Cites required.
> >
> > > You bragged about owning the last model year of the Porsche 911 with an air-cooled motor.
> >
> > Nope, never happened.
> >
> > > You bragged about the benefits of a Roth conversion.
> >
> > Bragged? By showing the math of a tax optimization strategy that most anyone can use?
> > Plus what was it posted in context to? Wasn't this your credit card 2% spiel? Cites required.
> Speaking of credit cards, I recently got an email from said above "remote" island.
> The relevant portion said:
>
> "Remember [company's name] gives a 5% discount for pmt in cash."
>
> I'll leave it up to Tommy to calculate how much 5% is on a two week long car rental /s
> > > You have a very high opinion of yourself, your life choices, and your opinions, Hugh.
> > > That is blatantly obvious in many of your posts.
> >
> > Merely your opinion.
> >
> > The actual issue here that Tommy perceives that his own high opinion of himself has
> > been threatened by someone who simply isn't intimidated by his brag attempts.
> >
> > Instead of being more humble, Tommy goes on the attack to try to disabuse them.
> > And as seen above, Tommy is willing to bend the truth and make outright false claims.
> >
> > -hh
> -hh

On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 12:17:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:21:35 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:44:45 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:06:24 AM UTC-5, Thomas E.. wrote:
> > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 12:06:42 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:53:09 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:32:59 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:34:11 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:08:26 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:04:43 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:14:32 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:09:57 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12:33:35 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:12:56 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:47:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 1:43:08 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:16:10 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:25:12 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:15:46 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00:37 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:31:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:04:32 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:55:19 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:26:29 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:08:52 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 6:23:50 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:46:07 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2024-01-18 07:36, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:50:38 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On 2024-01-15 19:48, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:35:35 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> On 2024-01-08 14:43, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:31:12 AM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> On 2024-01-08 05:05, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>> At age ~61 has Alan finally given up on his bakerMEDIA site, and business? The lame excuse for a website, bakermedia.ca, is unreachable. Linkedin says he claims to have a full-time job, working for a Toronto-based financial consulting company. The company site shows him as an employee. RIP bakermedia.ca. You won't be missed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Just curious, dick:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Do you check my website and my LinkedIn page (the one you called my
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> "company website) every day...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> ...or just once a week?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> Maybe every month or two, at the most. Of course, you deflected, dodged the question, so typical of you, dickhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> Wow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> You admit to regularly stalking me...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> ...and you don't think you deserve to be called a "dick".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> Not stalking, exposing your lies. Your only defense is to attempt to discredit the source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> "Maybe every month or two" you look at my website...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and goodness knows what else...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and you don't think that's creepy, dick?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> I haven't lied.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> Sorry.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You lie by omission all the time. You simply cannot answer a straightforward
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > question if the answer contradicts the false image you have created of yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Not wanting to answer a question posed by a stalking DICK isn't "lying
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > by omission...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Dick.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, but yes it is a lie. Your lie is that you are/were supporting yourself as an independent consultant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Got cite? Or is that merely your assumption?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence still from Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have been a full-time employee of a Toronto firm for some time now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? Times have changed since the 1970s: generations after yours don’t stick
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to just one or afew companies for their entire working career: it’s now common
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to change every ~5 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your independent consultancy failed to support you so you became an employee,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or at least you claim full-time employment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Speculation, plus no proof that it was ever exclusively full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The bakerMedia site was disappeared. Can't afford the url renewal fee?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hasn’t the Farmecon LLC website has disappeared too?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ouch. Projecting your own “can’t afford it?” paradigm onto yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You claim to be an elite FF driver at the local track, but your record does not support that claim.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > “Elite”? Really? Let’s see the cite.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus this isn’t the only time that you’ve gotten jealous & petty when you can’t be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sole center of attention, especially for when it’s someone who has some skill clearly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > better than you: you should go fly for 30 minutes on just 15 minutes of fuel to show
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > readers that you’re halfway good at at least one thing. /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have a selfie photo of yourself on your employer's site that in no way resembles
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your current appearance on LinkedIn.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a condition of employment that requires image synchronization that’s being violated?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FYI, the professional headshots a stalker may find of me are also out of date.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Another lie. In fact when I pointed out that the company photo resembled the unflattering
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LinkedIn version you changed it to what makes you appear healthier and without scraggly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > facial hair. Which is the real you?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because we all know that a random picture on the Internet is profoundly important! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The FarmEcon site disappeared because I shuttered the business over 2 years ago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? You could have left the reports up, and just said you’re no longer actively consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Search for FarmEcon.com in Google. Takes you to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=farmecon.com where I have the URL for sale. Will I ever get that advertised price? Likely not, but
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > per WHOIS I own it for a few more years, until 2027. It's assigned to the GoDaddy URL sales site until expiration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You’re asking $8K! GoDaddy’s appraisal tool says that it’s worth just $1555:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > < https://www.godaddy.com/domain-value-appraisal/appraisal/?domainToCheck=Farmecon.com>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then try a bakermedia.ca search.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GoDaddy says $948 for that domain..basically two thirds as much as your domain:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not as “bad off” as you’re trying to imply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... On WHOIS it shows a 2032 URL expiration date. ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On LinkedIn …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The deletion of the company site and a full-time job all suggest that bakerMEDIA is defunct, or nearly so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That wasn’t the question. The question was if it ever was represented as full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Actually, 2018 was a very interesting year for Alan…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Even more stalking by Tommy..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If his consulting practice had been lucrative why is he not still not doing that full-time?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Don’t know, don’t care, because it’s none of my business. But I do know that a lot
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of people are seeking a better work-life balance than what old Boomers tolerated.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My consulting was, in contrast, very rewarding personally and financially.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because you got travel boondoggles? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I worked it actively from 2003 to 2022, and even collected my last income in 2023.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Net income, IRS basis, was about $1.3 million before 401K contributions. As you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > know, some expenses become deductible just because you are running a business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from home, so this is lower than actual.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SS & Medicare is 15.3%, but only half of that is unique to self-employment to be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comparable to a regular job.. Plus write-offs for laptops, office, etc and it’s a 10%
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variance or so in total. Another are business travel costs, which of course are usually
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > customer-approval specific, but not a big money suck…unless one wants it to be.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus wasn’t there also a corporate donation to a local theater for tickets too, eh?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The write-off game is very much just that for some folks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since I also had pension and SSI income I'll admit I did not solicit many projects.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They were referrals for the most part.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You were nevertheless still hustling for work for more than decade beyond normal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement age. That shows that you weren’t anywhere near ‘comfortable’ without it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simply Google "thomas elam farmecon" for a small sample of my non-confidential
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects that made it into the public domain.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Despite how you still own the domain and could have just left those papers up?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why go to all this trouble? Alan has repeatedly called me the "lying little shit" and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a liar in general. I am neither. My body of work for numerous clients …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > …is not representative of the crap that you regularly tried to pull here. As such, your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consultant work is irrelevant and not a defense for your poor behavior here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I was not comfortable at all with where I was in early 2003. I did some teaching and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > started consulting. I was offered a 6-figure job with AVMA out of Chicago, but did not want
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to move there.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your loss, as that would have enabled a higher retirement savings rate and been able to shave,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > oh perhaps 20-25% off of the years that you worked since 2003, so maybe your retirement could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been at age 70 instead of 75 or whatever.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The consulting grew organically to the point where I could not meet classes and travel to see clients.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The conflict there was classes vs travel. You chose travel. As I called it, a "boondoggle" motivation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Consulting won, and within 15 years or so I had built up a sizable net worth and income stream.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Started slow, ended slow, and averaged well under six digits. Shouda' gone to Chicago /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took the site down just to make sure no one would see it and call me anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Self-contradiction of wanting us to find your papers but hiding them. "Check!". /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All my clients have my contact info and know how to get in touch if they need something from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a past project. That happens occasionally. 95% of the work I did was not on the site anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which based on your numbers, effectively didn't happen for your last three years (94% retired).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The work was rewarding because it helped people solve problems. I took about 5 or 6 international
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consulting trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Five or Six"? How is it then that your old "brag" spreadsheet that you shared has 21 international trips
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > listed for business for the years of 2004 - 2015?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The wife went on 4 international trips, Canada, Germany, France, and Austria.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That was less than 5% of the work.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4/21 = 19% of international business trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > She did go on some short U.S. trips. Yes I enjoyed the travel, she did too, so what? All the work
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was done right here in my office. The trips were for client-requested meetings to present results.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That's been discussed before, where you've tried to imply personal wealth from leveraged business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trips paid for by others (and including using frequent flier miles thereof as well): there's been quite
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a bit of the proverbial “yee-haw, I’m traveling and you’re not...I’m rich!" over the years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You got the 10% number about right. My gross margin over business deductions was about 90%.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet another instance of where you've had to admit that my parametric are close enough.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Social Security contributions added to my eventual benefits. I get within a few dollars of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > maximum for age claiming at 66.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was $45K/yr; I'd figured ~$35K for each of you, as I figured that yours would be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > higher of the two; hers can be as low as $25K/yr and the prior numbers are still on track.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There were no charitable donations taken on my LLC Form C. Those all were on the Schedule D
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > at the time, now are QCD adjustments to income take out of IRA RMD funds. The matching came
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from my ex-employer, not my LLC.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That doesn't explain how Farmecon was the listed benefactor: was it done as an advertising expense write-off?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was not hustling for work. I cannot remember soliciting for anything except one project.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone in a meeting asked if anyone knew how to do X. I volunteered and got the assignment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The rest were all people who approached me with requests. I turned down a few that I knew were
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > beyond my capabilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL, I've had enough time with contractors to know that there's *always* hustle for the next gig.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My behavior here is intended to defend myself against Alan Baker's assaults on my character.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Too bad you're doing such a poor job at it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And you are the person who falsely claimed to have had an FAA friend in London who could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look at my flight logs and make a judgement on their accuracy! That is reprehensible!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, what's reprehensible is that you claim that it is a false claim. For example, I never said where
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they lived in UK, just that one would fly into London to go visit them. Go look it up. In the meantime,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they are retired, but still working in the aviation industry, consulting for Boeing and L3. They also
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had a nice snow ski trip last season to a place I've never heard of: Val du Claret, Tignes.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You also criticize disguised as personal finance advice while not having complete knowledge of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a person's strategy, goals and investment portfolio. Look in the mirror yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nope. My mirror doesn't have the hypocritical cracks from frequent brag attempts about my income
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or net worth. Just take a look at how many you stuffed into just your last reply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Incomplete data extrapolated to fit your version of reality and wildly wrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it’s already been parametrically narrowed down that your average wage
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was under $100K/yr, and IIRC more like $78K, so “six digits” would be easily
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 20% higher.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope your retirement projections are better.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They’re doing fine, which is why I’ve mentioned Roth-ifying near term, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > limit & manage taxable RMDs when they eventually kick in…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WE DID NOT want to move to Chicago. That was a mutual decision. It worked
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out great from my perspective. There is more than money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It’s quite ironic to hear you try to claim that there’s more to life than money after
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > repeatedly posting what your net worth is, as well as working an extra decade+
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > longer than average. If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence from Tommy on the $200K at age 63 question.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just to make your head spin a little fast I offer the following.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To get off to a good start we paid off the house in 2003. Knowing that we had no debt was a confidence booster.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your parametric "wage narrowing" is a joke as is the claim that taking that Chicago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > job was a good idea for speeding up retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You're the one who tried to brag that the AVMA was a six-figure job. You've not only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > admitted that that was more than you were making where you were, but the other numbers
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you've provided have enabled a parametric estimate of at least how much more.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The limits on retirement contributions at the offered Chicago salary were a fraction
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of what I was able to put away in a self-employed 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And the AVMA didn't offer any pension? Because the reason why the tax code allows
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > self-employed businesses to have such higher 401k provisions is because there isn't an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By putting away the max in my own 401k in 2003-2023 (last 2 years were 0) through my own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions and capital appreciation I built what is now an IRA worth well over $1 million today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which if we KISS apply the 4% rule for an annuity equivalent is a pension of just $40K/year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If I take what we put in minus RMD withdrawals the non-discounted net cash IRA outlay
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > has been $197k. I about 4 years the net will be zero. An employee plan with its lower
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions would never have done that for IRA current value or past and future $RMD.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... and the ramifications of this are that the the employer's pension portion only needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to be just $20K/year to be at break-even. Less, if there was also an employer match
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > going into the 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, of course, there are 4 other retirement accounts and a substantial amount of other
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > investments not in qualified plans. The wife worked for a while too after we got married in 2002.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Over that same 2003-2023 span we had one lean year with under $150k income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The average was $204k. The decision to save as much as possible was very deliberate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except that you've just admitted that there were 4 other retirement accounts plus RMDs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that were all contributors to these income totals, which parametrically means that your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years of working as a consultant must have always been *less* than the numbers you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just stated above. Golly, more parameterizing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently receive monthly: 2 pension, 2 Social Security, 5 RMD and 1 dividend payments.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr out of your $204K/yr average,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and there's still the RMDs to subtract off (and dividends) before one gets down to just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > what the average consultant gig was paying per year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My ex-employer also heavily subsidizes our Medicare Supplement plans and pays for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > my Part B premiums, all tax free.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > IIRC, I can expect to have ~five years of 100% free healthcare, after which it drops to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just 70% subsidized. What did I win? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That 'heavily subsidized' is probably the $6K/year that Tommy mentioned in July 2019
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as a 2016 change in his retirement benefits.. At that time he also noted that it apparently
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wasn't indexed to inflation. Hopefully that has changed for the better for him.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > FWIW, I did a verification check on my own benefits; the permanent "70% subsidy" part has a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > cap of $15K/year in 2024, so more expensive plans can have a lower contribution percentage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, our investments' market value continues to grow long term. The 2023-2024 YoY growth
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the 2022 slump is over $500k. An unusual yoyo 2 years to be sure, but it all keeps the mind active.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Golly, you already know what your 2024 growth was? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, its more likely that you're counting all of 2022, plus YTD, rather than just YoY, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > squeeze out a slightly bigger number from the past five weeks' gains to try to brag about.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Life was much simpler when I got only a salary, bonuses and stock options. I say that,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > but AMT liabilities arising from Incentive Stock Options income and later reclaiming AMT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the ISO's stopped was a bit complicated and risky. Not to mention that you may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > need to borrow the money to pay for the exercise and then wait at least a year to sell
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get LTCG treatment on a gain that may not materialize. See:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.esofund.com/blog/amt-tax-calculator#:~:text=If%20you%20exercise%20incentive%20stock%20options%20%28ISOs%29%20you,value%20at%20the%20time%20of%20exercise%20as%20income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.brightonjones.com/blog/amt-stock-options/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It took me over 10 years to reclaim the AMT I paid, but it was a nice Federal tax liability offset while it lasted.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, there's other ways to manage stock options which are less likely to trigger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > AMTs (plus AMT has temporarily disappeared as a real factor, due to the 2017 TCJA).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But more to the point, moving to Chicago would have meant losing family and friend
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > connections, downsizing, higher taxes and living expenses. It is likely that at that time,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > having just paid off the house, we would need to mortgage a home in the Chicago suburbs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving was never seriously considered for many reasons.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because one can never make new friends/etc. Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is <200 miles. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you mentioned it and how it was a "six figure"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > income opportunity, as that paramaterizes that you were earning less at the time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I also enjoyed working for myself. It gave me the freedom to do jobs my way. I turned
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > engagements down too. You should try it, very liberating.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Perhaps I already am, and just haven't bragged about it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As for the consulting international trip count my underestimate is the result of those
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > forgotten ones being not very memorable. The few I did remember were mostly the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ones with the wife. The rest were just work. Fly somewhere, a meeting or two, fly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > home. BFD. When working for Lilly those OUS trips often included 1-2 weeks, multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects, and multiple destinations. More memorable, and some downtime to sightsee.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Routine business travel does get tuned out ... but then not invoked in brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how you've kept such meticulous records and even counted air segments, its
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not really a particularly believable excuse.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Have you ever run a run your own business to the extent of having a self-employed 401k?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've never been laid off to have been compelled to strike out on my own to need to: with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an existent employer 401k, any side business affairs don't need to incur the overhead to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > go duplicate that capability, as it is easy with multiple income streams to leverage them
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so as to facilitate shifting of expenses/income to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm going to answer just these comments:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I never got to the stage of asking about fringe benefits. The prospect of relocating to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chicago killed it. As the AVMA is a not-for-profit I doubt that the retirement benefits
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > were very generous.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So you didn't even look? Pity, for there's a 2016 comment on Glassdoor that says that their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer 401k match is up to 10%, which for a $100K+ salary is an additional +$10K+/year,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which is a 40% increase in contributions (using 2016's limit of $24K, an employer's 10% of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > $100K = +$10K = $34K/$24K = 1.42 = a +42% higher rate of investment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also I was already almost 57 at the time, so it was going to be short term there, not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > much chance to build up credits or a 401k
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? The point was only that it would be *shorter* than what you actually did, which was age 75+.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your 500k assumes that I would have worked there well past age 65.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But not to age 75 (actually 78), which is where your current 401k balance comes from.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Now using Glassdoor's reported 10% employer match, the accumulation rate would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been substantially (+42%) higher than than what was modeled in the $500K KISS,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that (plus whatever employer pension) is how working years get chopped off.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keeping it simple by ignoring progressive compounding/etc from more money earlier,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > figure roughly 20 years/1.42 = 14 years, which is ~6 years earlier for retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, you are assuming things about an AVMA 401k plan. Sorry, but again you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > assume facts not in evidence. ie, you lied
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > False: I simply noted that the baseline parameterization didn't assume that there
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was any employer match from AVMA to sweeten the deal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But now that we know that they do, we can update those numbers, as seen above.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And this is just from the 401k benefits portion, still not counting any additional pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy is <200 miles."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you f'ing kidding. You cannot use CAP aircraft for personal flying!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except for how you've previously admitted to using one of CAP's vans for personal use,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so we know that you're already predisposed to trying such things.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL again! The pensions and SS add up to under $100k. The rest is dividends and RMD's.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which is the payoff for all that fun I had consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Tommy, on Jan 26, 2024, 8:04:32 PM: "I get within a few dollars of the maximum for age
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > claiming at 66." which if you're telling the truth is ~$45K of that claimed "under $100K",
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means that the other three sum to <$55K and would average just $18.3K each.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An average SS pension is ~$1500/mo = $18K/yr, so assuming that for the Mrs, the balance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after SS is just $37K/yr for the sum of the two pensions. Since you've bragged about your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eli Lilly "golden parachute" & pension from working there for 23 years, if it alone was less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > than $35K, it would IMO be just an average pension amount.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are spending a lot of time stalking my finances.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Merely because you've invested so much here in telling everyone about your finances
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and how we're apparently supposed to be impressed and jealous of you. It's been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a modestly entertaining math puzzle.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All to no avail. You will never have the complete picture, and if you did there are many
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > alternatives you could suggest. What I did worked.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It did "work" ... eventually ... taking you into your upper 70s, which is clearly why
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the aforementioned question is *still* being dodged by Tommy:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, I took N410CV on a short familiarization flight right after it arrived from the factory.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I paid for the flight; fuel used and an hourly maintenance fee. This is encouraged. It was fun.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (So was the 1.1 hour orientation flight for a CAP cadet yesterday.) CAP has a program for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > familiarization and proficiency flights, the corporate C mission. I used it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dodge, because N410CV wasn't a CAP van. IIRC, both ed and myself caught your 'indiscretion.'
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, the decision to stay here and strike out on my own rather than take a job and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > move to Chicago was not solely financial. As Yogi once said, "When You Come to a Fork
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in the Road, Take It". You can theorize all want about what that AVMA job might have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > meant financially, but it was "The Road Not Taken" per R. Frost.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? How does that actually justify you not even researching the benefits of a job offer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > that you've voluntarily bragged about its "six digit" pay?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your financial assumptions are pure speculation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, they're parameterizations of things that you've claimed. As I've said before,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > they're based on numbers which you've voluntarily bragged about: if you've bragged
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > about being over 5ft tall on one occasion, and said you're under 6ft tall on another,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > it paramaterizes your height to be between 5'0" and 6'0" and it wouldn't be inaccurate
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to say that your height is roughly 5'6", plus or minus 6".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Among other things, how do I know the job would have turned out to be something
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I really wanted to do? My experience doing some consulting with NGOs like AVMA
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was that they have an agenda to push, and don't mind stretching the truth to influence
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > opinion and legislation. Not my cuppa.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > All of those questions are irrelevant, because you still invoked them for a reason, such as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to "name drop" what their job offer was, to try to imply what you were worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You can drive yourself nuts second guessing decisions. I have never looked back ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...never - - except for this past week's "six digits" offer from AVMA from two decades ago ... /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My financial advisor worked with us to invest to get to where we are today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was working to age ~76, and also implies that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...is a scenario which was quite far out of your reach.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, because the consulting was not full-time (you assumed AVMA full-time
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for 9 or 10 years?) and the wife also was able to retire early, we enjoyed the income and ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, I merely was parameterizing on what you focused on: money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how late in life you worked until your financial advisor was confident
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (as per your own comment, above), even if working at AVMA had been ten
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > years, that still would have been age ~67 or so, at least a half decade less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > time than what you ultimately ended up doing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus it might have also been tenable for you to have a side consulting gig too, but it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > appears that you simply didn't really bother to check out their offer in any real detail.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... [we had the] freedom to travel from 2003 to today ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > For all of 4 international business trips that she accompanied you on over those ~20 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Wowzers! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > In any event, it does come down to "Now or Never" for you, to wrap up your harder travel
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ambitions before they become untenable. As I'd advised you a few years ago, there's things
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > like the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland (75), which are doors which are closed/ing for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > while I was earning the assets to fully retire 2 years ago.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > At age 76, if it was after June 2022. Average retirement age in the US is age 64 (63F/65M).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe AVMA was a better option financially. But in SO many other ways it was not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > The answer depends on what you could have chosen to do with extra years of earlier
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement, which again invokes the question that you've been dodging:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, BTW, you told yet another lie. Drivers over 75 can rent a car in Ireland.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-car-rental-over-70-myths-facts/ireland-travel-tips/
> > > > > > > > > > > > Read for comprehension, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > First, on your own citation, note the "UP TO AGE 75"...is without restrictions:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > "Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions."
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Second, note that while the webpage does name of a few companies without additional restrictions,
> > > > > > > > > > > > it identifies what the additional restrictions are for some companies, including Hertz:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > "Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
> > > > > > > > > > > > -You must drive on a regular basis;
> > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have
> > > > > > > > > > > > not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you
> > > > > > > > > > > > and that you are currently driving;
> > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health."
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on how cooperative Hertz is to accept one's reservation if one's not already a Gold
> > > > > > > > > > > > Member and possibly also with relatively frequent domestic rentals to support a request.
> > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV also on how easy/hard it is to obtain the two letters that they required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > And
> > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on if that traffic circle accident was more than five years ago now.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Point is that "age" is a logistically complicating factor when it comes to travel.
> > > > > > > > > > > > It is most easiest to just avoid by not waiting too long, which was the point I was
> > > > > > > > > > > > making several years ago ("go now") when I first pointed this issue out to you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > After all, it is never totally insurmountable, as one can just hire a private driver.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Hertz is only one of many.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Of course, although not all suppliers are present at all destinations…or even just
> > > > > > > > > > “major” brands. Case in point, my spring dive trip’s rental car company is a one
> > > > > > > > > > shop “no name” (oh, and offers a 5% discount for cash instead of credit card).
> > > > > > > > > > > I can supply all that info, but would rather go with a company that does not require it.
> > > > > > > > > > You assumed that you can get that letter, but it’s apparent that you’ve not ever tried.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Plus suppliers are free to require surcharges, or their in-house insurance, etc.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > The point remains unchanged: a rental car is no longer a logistical ‘non-issue’ to
> > > > > > > > > > hire as they typically had been during one’s younger business travel working years.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > At 80 it does really start to get more complicated, but car hire is far from
> > > > > > > > > > > the only way to travel, especially in Europe.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > For Europe, with its well developed mass transit and tourism. An example is
> > > > > > > > > > your bragged August 2024 trip to Paris, with the Viking Mosel Rhine river cruise
> > > > > > > > > > down to Zurich: it has a four (4) hour bus ride over to Trier for its start: the need
> > > > > > > > > > for a rental car was avoided through the itinerary selection.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > The traffic circle accident was the wife's, not mine. However, my 5-year window
> > > > > > > > > > > is not up until November this year. :(
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Yet you did assume above that your insurance company would so easily issue a letter for you.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Car hire has not been a barrier at all up to this point.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Keyword being “up to this point”. Age is a constraint which imposes limitations
> > > > > > > > > > on travel options, and increases expenses to minimize/offset/compensate.
> > > > > > > > > > That door is closed and closing. Similarly, another place it will crop up is in
> > > > > > > > > > being able to confidently pass the physical to retain a private flying license.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > You are SO f'ing wrong. I've never needed that doctor's letter so why would I go to the effort until I do?
> > > > > > > > I've never needed a MD's letter either .. but then again, I'm not over age 75.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Thus:
> > > > > > > > when have you ever tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, so as to make
> > > > > > > > your "never" claim relevant?
> > > > > > > > > The upcoming cruise package price includes several days in Paris and the bus trip
> > > > > > > > > to Trier with a couple of interesting stops. There are 4 of us going. Car rental? Why?
> > > > > > > > > You just want to bitch.
> > > > > > > > No, what I was referring to is that you have *options* which don't require a car rental,
> > > > > > > > such as your Paris/Cruise plans for next year. Doing that itinerary is particularly easy
> > > > > > > > do to in a lot of Europe specifically because of their infrastructure in rail, river cruises, etc.
> > > > > > > > > Again, I never needed a letter from my insurance company, so why bother?
> > > > > > > > Again, if you've never tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, irrelevant.
> > > > > > > > > Even if car hire becomes difficult there are still wonderful things to do in the
> > > > > > > > > U.S. and Canada. It's not the end of the world.
> > > > > > > > Sure, although both the US & Canada are much more automobile-centric, so it
> > > > > > > > can become a bit harder than place like Europe.
> > > > > > > > > You are right about the FAA physical.
> > > > > > > > Of course I'm right...as I usually am, despite your frequent whining to the contrary.
> > > > > > > > > I just had my annual post-cataract follow-up last week. My eyes are still in very good
> > > > > > > > > shape, but there is more to it than that. I am well aware every day gets closer to the
> > > > > > > > > decision to stop flying. I hope a doctor does not need to tell me I cannot pass a Class III.
> > > > > > > > > Already had that happen about 15 years ago, but it was my eye doctor, not the AME,
> > > > > > > > > who told me. Surgery fixed the eyes, but I to take 6 months off flying and go back to
> > > > > > > > > the eye doctor to make sure I could pass the Class III before it came due. As it turns out,
> > > > > > > > > I needed glasses to get to 20-20 but can still pass the Class III without them. I am
> > > > > > > > > required to have those glasses available when I fly. Yesterday I flew 3 of our cadets.
> > > > > > > > > Also recently passed an IFR checkride. I'm really going to miss it when I can't do any of
> > > > > > > > > that. But that day gets closer every day. Got any suggestions on how to make that stop?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > One can't. That's the reality.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > The only real mitigation is to not be overly miserly with ones resources to not end up
> > > > > > > > waiting too long at which point its too late. As I've said before, "do the hard stuff while
> > > > > > > > you're still young enough [to do so]". Because as one advances, even stuff which used
> > > > > > > > to be easy becomes more of a challenge, and with additional barriers, such as car rental
> > > > > > > > companies who impose additional requirements after a certain age.
> > > > > > > There were references to this age factor to travel prior to the later "$30K" budget comment,
> > > > > > > such as this comment from 2015:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "...I would have expected that you would have had a lot more personal international
> > > > > > > over the past decade based on how you had spoken of it...particularly since there's
> > > > > > > also the "do the hard trips before you're too old for them" aspect; ..."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.advocacy/c/9pVOXPkbztI/m/L6pcEJ4wCwAJ>
> > > > > > > Sep 8, 2015, 3:10:49 PM
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > TL;DR: it took Tommy a mere eight (8) years to finally figure out that advice.
> > > > > > > > > Basically, you just want to bitch. Only 3 days until CSMA goes away for a while.
> > > > > > > > Nah, it's entertaining to watch _you_ bitch about how your brag attempts just aren't
> > > > > > > > anywhere near as grandiose as you constantly try to make them.
> > > > > > > To illustrate that I'm practicing what I've been preaching, Tommy had bragged that
> > > > > > > he'd spent over $100K for his 2013-17 trips, but he included some 2018 expenses,
> > > > > > > leading to this observation:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "So correcting for the five year period by removing these 2018 expenses is
> > > > > > > then $96,422, which averages to $19,284.40/yr."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Looking at my own historicals, the last year prior to CoVid where we'd not spent
> > > > > > > at least 95% of the above average was way back in 2005, which itself was only
> > > > > > > due to the refund on a cancelled trip (not by us) which otherwise would have put
> > > > > > > the annual sum's total over, and pushed this notional "first under" back to 2003.
> > > > > > > Have fun with this math puzzle, Tommy.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hugh, you just can't seem to get a grip on the fact that people don't have the same reference points.
> > > > >
> > > > > Your whine doesn't matter when I'm using the reference point that *you* chose.
> > > > >
> > > > > > I came from a family that never traveled far for anything. By the time I was in my mid-30's I had
> > > > > > been to about 6 states and one business trip to Asia. From that background my business and
> > > > > > vacation travel from that point forward were more than I thought I would ever see.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yet that didn't stop you from creating your "yee ha! I'm traveling overseas and you're not!" brags.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Sorry if it disappoints you, but based on my experience you are an upside outlier on international
> > > > > > vacation spending. We are also above average based on the same reference point.
> > > > >
> > > > > Oh, I know that I am an upside outlier - - but I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags
> > > > > about it. Indeed, it mostly only comes up when you try your swagger.
> > > > >
> > > > > > I'm not wasting my time on your math puzzle.
> > > > >
> > > > > Of course you won't, because you know that it's a contextualized putdown of another of your brag attempts.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > I call bullshit.
> > >
> > > LOL! Good luck with that.
> > >
> > > First off, note that my above statement is "...I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags..."
> > >
> > > As such, not only do you need to provide cites for each of your below claims, but you
> > > also need your cite to show that I had *initiated* the cite .. ie, I was the thread OP, not a
> > > respondent to someone else (eg, your own brag attempt).
> > >
> > > > You have posted links to photos of travel to exotic places.
> > >
> > > Yeah, but how often was that in response to something else, not an OP? Cites required.
> > >
> > > > You just cited a dive trip to a remote place with only one car rental option.
> > >
> > > Actually, they have two, sometimes three. And it's in the Caribbean, so how "remote"
> > > is that really? But again, where was this *initiated* by me? Cites required.
> > >
> > > > You bragged about owning the last model year of the Porsche 911 with an air-cooled motor.
> > >
> > > Nope, never happened.
> > >
> > > > You bragged about the benefits of a Roth conversion.
> > >
> > > Bragged? By showing the math of a tax optimization strategy that most anyone can use?
> > > Plus what was it posted in context to? Wasn't this your credit card 2% spiel? Cites required.
> >
> > Speaking of credit cards, I recently got an email from said above "remote" island.
> > The relevant portion said:
> >
> > "Remember [company's name] gives a 5% discount for pmt in cash."
> >
> > I'll leave it up to Tommy to calculate how much 5% is on a two week long car rental /s
> >
> > > > You have a very high opinion of yourself, your life choices, and your opinions, Hugh.
> > > > That is blatantly obvious in many of your posts.
> > >
> > > Merely your opinion.
> > >
> > > The actual issue here that Tommy perceives that his own high opinion of himself has
> > > been threatened by someone who simply isn't intimidated by his brag attempts.
> > >
> > > Instead of being more humble, Tommy goes on the attack to try to disabuse them.
> > > And as seen above, Tommy is willing to bend the truth and make outright false claims.
> > >
> > > -hh
> > -hh
>
> A 1-off discount is also an inflated claim.

On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1:19:15 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 12:17:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:21:35 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:44:45 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:06:24 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 12:06:42 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:53:09 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:32:59 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:34:11 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:08:26 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:04:43 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:14:32 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:09:57 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12:33:35 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:12:56 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:47:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 1:43:08 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:16:10 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:25:12 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:15:46 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00:37 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:31:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:04:32 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:55:19 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:26:29 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:08:52 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 6:23:50 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:46:07 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2024-01-18 07:36, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:50:38 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On 2024-01-15 19:48, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:35:35 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> On 2024-01-08 14:43, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:31:12 AM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> On 2024-01-08 05:05, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>> At age ~61 has Alan finally given up on his bakerMEDIA site, and business? The lame excuse for a website, bakermedia.ca, is unreachable. Linkedin says he claims to have a full-time job, working for a Toronto-based financial consulting company. The company site shows him as an employee. RIP bakermedia.ca. You won't be missed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Just curious, dick:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Do you check my website and my LinkedIn page (the one you called my
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> "company website) every day...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> ...or just once a week?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> Maybe every month or two, at the most. Of course, you deflected, dodged the question, so typical of you, dickhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> Wow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> You admit to regularly stalking me...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> ...and you don't think you deserve to be called a "dick".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> Not stalking, exposing your lies. Your only defense is to attempt to discredit the source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> "Maybe every month or two" you look at my website...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and goodness knows what else...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and you don't think that's creepy, dick?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> I haven't lied..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> Sorry.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You lie by omission all the time. You simply cannot answer a straightforward
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > question if the answer contradicts the false image you have created of yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Not wanting to answer a question posed by a stalking DICK isn't "lying
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > by omission...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Dick.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, but yes it is a lie. Your lie is that you are/were supporting yourself as an independent consultant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Got cite? Or is that merely your assumption?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence still from Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have been a full-time employee of a Toronto firm for some time now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? Times have changed since the 1970s: generations after yours don’t stick
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to just one or afew companies for their entire working career: it’s now common
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to change every ~5 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your independent consultancy failed to support you so you became an employee,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or at least you claim full-time employment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Speculation, plus no proof that it was ever exclusively full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The bakerMedia site was disappeared. Can't afford the url renewal fee?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hasn’t the Farmecon LLC website has disappeared too?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ouch. Projecting your own “can’t afford it?” paradigm onto yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You claim to be an elite FF driver at the local track, but your record does not support that claim.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > “Elite”? Really? Let’s see the cite.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus this isn’t the only time that you’ve gotten jealous & petty when you can’t be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sole center of attention, especially for when it’s someone who has some skill clearly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > better than you: you should go fly for 30 minutes on just 15 minutes of fuel to show
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > readers that you’re halfway good at at least one thing. /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have a selfie photo of yourself on your employer's site that in no way resembles
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your current appearance on LinkedIn.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a condition of employment that requires image synchronization that’s being violated?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FYI, the professional headshots a stalker may find of me are also out of date.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Another lie. In fact when I pointed out that the company photo resembled the unflattering
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LinkedIn version you changed it to what makes you appear healthier and without scraggly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > facial hair. Which is the real you?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because we all know that a random picture on the Internet is profoundly important! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The FarmEcon site disappeared because I shuttered the business over 2 years ago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? You could have left the reports up, and just said you’re no longer actively consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Search for FarmEcon.com in Google. Takes you to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=farmecon.com where I have the URL for sale. Will I ever get that advertised price? Likely not, but
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > per WHOIS I own it for a few more years, until 2027. It's assigned to the GoDaddy URL sales site until expiration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You’re asking $8K! GoDaddy’s appraisal tool says that it’s worth just $1555:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > < https://www.godaddy.com/domain-value-appraisal/appraisal/?domainToCheck=Farmecon.com>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then try a bakermedia.ca search.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GoDaddy says $948 for that domain..basically two thirds as much as your domain:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not as “bad off” as you’re trying to imply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... On WHOIS it shows a 2032 URL expiration date. ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On LinkedIn …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The deletion of the company site and a full-time job all suggest that bakerMEDIA is defunct, or nearly so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That wasn’t the question. The question was if it ever was represented as full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Actually, 2018 was a very interesting year for Alan…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Even more stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If his consulting practice had been lucrative why is he not still not doing that full-time?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Don’t know, don’t care, because it’s none of my business. But I do know that a lot
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of people are seeking a better work-life balance than what old Boomers tolerated.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My consulting was, in contrast, very rewarding personally and financially.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because you got travel boondoggles? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I worked it actively from 2003 to 2022, and even collected my last income in 2023.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Net income, IRS basis, was about $1.3 million before 401K contributions. As you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > know, some expenses become deductible just because you are running a business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from home, so this is lower than actual.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SS & Medicare is 15.3%, but only half of that is unique to self-employment to be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comparable to a regular job. Plus write-offs for laptops, office, etc and it’s a 10%
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variance or so in total. Another are business travel costs, which of course are usually
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > customer-approval specific, but not a big money suck…unless one wants it to be.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus wasn’t there also a corporate donation to a local theater for tickets too, eh?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The write-off game is very much just that for some folks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since I also had pension and SSI income I'll admit I did not solicit many projects.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They were referrals for the most part.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You were nevertheless still hustling for work for more than decade beyond normal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement age. That shows that you weren’t anywhere near ‘comfortable’ without it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simply Google "thomas elam farmecon" for a small sample of my non-confidential
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects that made it into the public domain.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Despite how you still own the domain and could have just left those papers up?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why go to all this trouble? Alan has repeatedly called me the "lying little shit" and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a liar in general. I am neither. My body of work for numerous clients …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > …is not representative of the crap that you regularly tried to pull here. As such, your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consultant work is irrelevant and not a defense for your poor behavior here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I was not comfortable at all with where I was in early 2003. I did some teaching and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > started consulting. I was offered a 6-figure job with AVMA out of Chicago, but did not want
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to move there.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your loss, as that would have enabled a higher retirement savings rate and been able to shave,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > oh perhaps 20-25% off of the years that you worked since 2003, so maybe your retirement could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been at age 70 instead of 75 or whatever.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The consulting grew organically to the point where I could not meet classes and travel to see clients.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The conflict there was classes vs travel. You chose travel. As I called it, a "boondoggle" motivation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Consulting won, and within 15 years or so I had built up a sizable net worth and income stream.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Started slow, ended slow, and averaged well under six digits. Shouda' gone to Chicago /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took the site down just to make sure no one would see it and call me anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Self-contradiction of wanting us to find your papers but hiding them. "Check!". /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All my clients have my contact info and know how to get in touch if they need something from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a past project. That happens occasionally. 95% of the work I did was not on the site anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which based on your numbers, effectively didn't happen for your last three years (94% retired).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The work was rewarding because it helped people solve problems. I took about 5 or 6 international
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consulting trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Five or Six"? How is it then that your old "brag" spreadsheet that you shared has 21 international trips
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > listed for business for the years of 2004 - 2015?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The wife went on 4 international trips, Canada, Germany, France, and Austria.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That was less than 5% of the work.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4/21 = 19% of international business trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > She did go on some short U.S. trips. Yes I enjoyed the travel, she did too, so what? All the work
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was done right here in my office. The trips were for client-requested meetings to present results.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That's been discussed before, where you've tried to imply personal wealth from leveraged business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trips paid for by others (and including using frequent flier miles thereof as well): there's been quite
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a bit of the proverbial “yee-haw, I’m traveling and you’re not...I’m rich!" over the years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You got the 10% number about right. My gross margin over business deductions was about 90%.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet another instance of where you've had to admit that my parametric are close enough.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Social Security contributions added to my eventual benefits. I get within a few dollars of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > maximum for age claiming at 66.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was $45K/yr; I'd figured ~$35K for each of you, as I figured that yours would be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > higher of the two; hers can be as low as $25K/yr and the prior numbers are still on track.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There were no charitable donations taken on my LLC Form C. Those all were on the Schedule D
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > at the time, now are QCD adjustments to income take out of IRA RMD funds. The matching came
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from my ex-employer, not my LLC.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That doesn't explain how Farmecon was the listed benefactor: was it done as an advertising expense write-off?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was not hustling for work.. I cannot remember soliciting for anything except one project.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone in a meeting asked if anyone knew how to do X. I volunteered and got the assignment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The rest were all people who approached me with requests. I turned down a few that I knew were
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > beyond my capabilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL, I've had enough time with contractors to know that there's *always* hustle for the next gig.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My behavior here is intended to defend myself against Alan Baker's assaults on my character.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Too bad you're doing such a poor job at it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And you are the person who falsely claimed to have had an FAA friend in London who could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look at my flight logs and make a judgement on their accuracy! That is reprehensible!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, what's reprehensible is that you claim that it is a false claim. For example, I never said where
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they lived in UK, just that one would fly into London to go visit them. Go look it up. In the meantime,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they are retired, but still working in the aviation industry, consulting for Boeing and L3. They also
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had a nice snow ski trip last season to a place I've never heard of: Val du Claret, Tignes.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You also criticize disguised as personal finance advice while not having complete knowledge of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a person's strategy, goals and investment portfolio. Look in the mirror yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nope. My mirror doesn't have the hypocritical cracks from frequent brag attempts about my income
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or net worth. Just take a look at how many you stuffed into just your last reply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Incomplete data extrapolated to fit your version of reality and wildly wrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it’s already been parametrically narrowed down that your average wage
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was under $100K/yr, and IIRC more like $78K, so “six digits” would be easily
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 20% higher.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope your retirement projections are better.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They’re doing fine, which is why I’ve mentioned Roth-ifying near term, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > limit & manage taxable RMDs when they eventually kick in…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WE DID NOT want to move to Chicago. That was a mutual decision. It worked
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out great from my perspective. There is more than money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It’s quite ironic to hear you try to claim that there’s more to life than money after
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > repeatedly posting what your net worth is, as well as working an extra decade+
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > longer than average. If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence from Tommy on the $200K at age 63 question.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just to make your head spin a little fast I offer the following.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To get off to a good start we paid off the house in 2003. Knowing that we had no debt was a confidence booster..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your parametric "wage narrowing" is a joke as is the claim that taking that Chicago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > job was a good idea for speeding up retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You're the one who tried to brag that the AVMA was a six-figure job. You've not only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > admitted that that was more than you were making where you were, but the other numbers
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you've provided have enabled a parametric estimate of at least how much more.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The limits on retirement contributions at the offered Chicago salary were a fraction
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of what I was able to put away in a self-employed 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And the AVMA didn't offer any pension? Because the reason why the tax code allows
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > self-employed businesses to have such higher 401k provisions is because there isn't an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By putting away the max in my own 401k in 2003-2023 (last 2 years were 0) through my own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions and capital appreciation I built what is now an IRA worth well over $1 million today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which if we KISS apply the 4% rule for an annuity equivalent is a pension of just $40K/year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If I take what we put in minus RMD withdrawals the non-discounted net cash IRA outlay
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > has been $197k. I about 4 years the net will be zero. An employee plan with its lower
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions would never have done that for IRA current value or past and future $RMD.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K ....
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... and the ramifications of this are that the the employer's pension portion only needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to be just $20K/year to be at break-even. Less, if there was also an employer match
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > going into the 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, of course, there are 4 other retirement accounts and a substantial amount of other
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > investments not in qualified plans. The wife worked for a while too after we got married in 2002.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Over that same 2003-2023 span we had one lean year with under $150k income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The average was $204k. The decision to save as much as possible was very deliberate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except that you've just admitted that there were 4 other retirement accounts plus RMDs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that were all contributors to these income totals, which parametrically means that your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years of working as a consultant must have always been *less* than the numbers you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just stated above. Golly, more parameterizing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently receive monthly: 2 pension, 2 Social Security, 5 RMD and 1 dividend payments.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr out of your $204K/yr average,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and there's still the RMDs to subtract off (and dividends) before one gets down to just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > what the average consultant gig was paying per year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My ex-employer also heavily subsidizes our Medicare Supplement plans and pays for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > my Part B premiums, all tax free.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > IIRC, I can expect to have ~five years of 100% free healthcare, after which it drops to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just 70% subsidized. What did I win? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That 'heavily subsidized' is probably the $6K/year that Tommy mentioned in July 2019
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as a 2016 change in his retirement benefits. At that time he also noted that it apparently
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wasn't indexed to inflation. Hopefully that has changed for the better for him.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FWIW, I did a verification check on my own benefits; the permanent "70% subsidy" part has a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > cap of $15K/year in 2024, so more expensive plans can have a lower contribution percentage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, our investments' market value continues to grow long term. The 2023-2024 YoY growth
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the 2022 slump is over $500k. An unusual yoyo 2 years to be sure, but it all keeps the mind active.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Golly, you already know what your 2024 growth was? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, its more likely that you're counting all of 2022, plus YTD, rather than just YoY, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > squeeze out a slightly bigger number from the past five weeks' gains to try to brag about.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Life was much simpler when I got only a salary, bonuses and stock options. I say that,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > but AMT liabilities arising from Incentive Stock Options income and later reclaiming AMT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the ISO's stopped was a bit complicated and risky. Not to mention that you may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > need to borrow the money to pay for the exercise and then wait at least a year to sell
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get LTCG treatment on a gain that may not materialize. See:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.esofund.com/blog/amt-tax-calculator#:~:text=If%20you%20exercise%20incentive%20stock%20options%20%28ISOs%29%20you,value%20at%20the%20time%20of%20exercise%20as%20income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.brightonjones.com/blog/amt-stock-options/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It took me over 10 years to reclaim the AMT I paid, but it was a nice Federal tax liability offset while it lasted.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, there's other ways to manage stock options which are less likely to trigger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > AMTs (plus AMT has temporarily disappeared as a real factor, due to the 2017 TCJA).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But more to the point, moving to Chicago would have meant losing family and friend
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > connections, downsizing, higher taxes and living expenses. It is likely that at that time,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > having just paid off the house, we would need to mortgage a home in the Chicago suburbs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving was never seriously considered for many reasons.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because one can never make new friends/etc. Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is <200 miles. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you mentioned it and how it was a "six figure"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > income opportunity, as that paramaterizes that you were earning less at the time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I also enjoyed working for myself. It gave me the freedom to do jobs my way. I turned
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > engagements down too. You should try it, very liberating.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Perhaps I already am, and just haven't bragged about it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As for the consulting international trip count my underestimate is the result of those
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > forgotten ones being not very memorable. The few I did remember were mostly the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ones with the wife. The rest were just work. Fly somewhere, a meeting or two, fly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > home. BFD. When working for Lilly those OUS trips often included 1-2 weeks, multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects, and multiple destinations.. More memorable, and some downtime to sightsee.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Routine business travel does get tuned out ... but then not invoked in brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how you've kept such meticulous records and even counted air segments, its
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not really a particularly believable excuse.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Have you ever run a run your own business to the extent of having a self-employed 401k?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've never been laid off to have been compelled to strike out on my own to need to: with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an existent employer 401k, any side business affairs don't need to incur the overhead to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > go duplicate that capability, as it is easy with multiple income streams to leverage them
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so as to facilitate shifting of expenses/income to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm going to answer just these comments:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I never got to the stage of asking about fringe benefits. The prospect of relocating to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chicago killed it. As the AVMA is a not-for-profit I doubt that the retirement benefits
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > were very generous.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So you didn't even look? Pity, for there's a 2016 comment on Glassdoor that says that their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer 401k match is up to 10%, which for a $100K+ salary is an additional +$10K+/year,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which is a 40% increase in contributions (using 2016's limit of $24K, an employer's 10% of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > $100K = +$10K = $34K/$24K = 1.42 = a +42% higher rate of investment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also I was already almost 57 at the time, so it was going to be short term there, not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > much chance to build up credits or a 401k
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? The point was only that it would be *shorter* than what you actually did, which was age 75+.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your 500k assumes that I would have worked there well past age 65.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But not to age 75 (actually 78), which is where your current 401k balance comes from.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Now using Glassdoor's reported 10% employer match, the accumulation rate would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been substantially (+42%) higher than than what was modeled in the $500K KISS,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that (plus whatever employer pension) is how working years get chopped off.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keeping it simple by ignoring progressive compounding/etc from more money earlier,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > figure roughly 20 years/1.42 = 14 years, which is ~6 years earlier for retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, you are assuming things about an AVMA 401k plan. Sorry, but again you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > assume facts not in evidence. ie, you lied
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > False: I simply noted that the baseline parameterization didn't assume that there
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was any employer match from AVMA to sweeten the deal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But now that we know that they do, we can update those numbers, as seen above.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And this is just from the 401k benefits portion, still not counting any additional pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy is <200 miles."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you f'ing kidding. You cannot use CAP aircraft for personal flying!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except for how you've previously admitted to using one of CAP's vans for personal use,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so we know that you're already predisposed to trying such things.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL again! The pensions and SS add up to under $100k. The rest is dividends and RMD's.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which is the payoff for all that fun I had consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Tommy, on Jan 26, 2024, 8:04:32 PM: "I get within a few dollars of the maximum for age
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > claiming at 66." which if you're telling the truth is ~$45K of that claimed "under $100K",
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means that the other three sum to <$55K and would average just $18.3K each.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An average SS pension is ~$1500/mo = $18K/yr, so assuming that for the Mrs, the balance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after SS is just $37K/yr for the sum of the two pensions. Since you've bragged about your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eli Lilly "golden parachute" & pension from working there for 23 years, if it alone was less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > than $35K, it would IMO be just an average pension amount.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are spending a lot of time stalking my finances.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Merely because you've invested so much here in telling everyone about your finances
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and how we're apparently supposed to be impressed and jealous of you. It's been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a modestly entertaining math puzzle.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All to no avail. You will never have the complete picture, and if you did there are many
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > alternatives you could suggest. What I did worked.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It did "work" ... eventually ... taking you into your upper 70s, which is clearly why
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the aforementioned question is *still* being dodged by Tommy:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, I took N410CV on a short familiarization flight right after it arrived from the factory.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I paid for the flight; fuel used and an hourly maintenance fee. This is encouraged. It was fun.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (So was the 1.1 hour orientation flight for a CAP cadet yesterday.) CAP has a program for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > familiarization and proficiency flights, the corporate C mission. I used it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dodge, because N410CV wasn't a CAP van. IIRC, both ed and myself caught your 'indiscretion.'
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, the decision to stay here and strike out on my own rather than take a job and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > move to Chicago was not solely financial. As Yogi once said, "When You Come to a Fork
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in the Road, Take It". You can theorize all want about what that AVMA job might have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > meant financially, but it was "The Road Not Taken" per R. Frost.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? How does that actually justify you not even researching the benefits of a job offer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that you've voluntarily bragged about its "six digit" pay?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your financial assumptions are pure speculation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, they're parameterizations of things that you've claimed. As I've said before,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they're based on numbers which you've voluntarily bragged about: if you've bragged
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about being over 5ft tall on one occasion, and said you're under 6ft tall on another,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it paramaterizes your height to be between 5'0" and 6'0" and it wouldn't be inaccurate
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to say that your height is roughly 5'6", plus or minus 6".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Among other things, how do I know the job would have turned out to be something
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I really wanted to do? My experience doing some consulting with NGOs like AVMA
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was that they have an agenda to push, and don't mind stretching the truth to influence
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > opinion and legislation. Not my cuppa.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All of those questions are irrelevant, because you still invoked them for a reason, such as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to "name drop" what their job offer was, to try to imply what you were worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You can drive yourself nuts second guessing decisions. I have never looked back ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...never - - except for this past week's "six digits" offer from AVMA from two decades ago ... /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My financial advisor worked with us to invest to get to where we are today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was working to age ~76, and also implies that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...is a scenario which was quite far out of your reach.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, because the consulting was not full-time (you assumed AVMA full-time
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for 9 or 10 years?) and the wife also was able to retire early, we enjoyed the income and ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, I merely was parameterizing on what you focused on: money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how late in life you worked until your financial advisor was confident
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (as per your own comment, above), even if working at AVMA had been ten
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years, that still would have been age ~67 or so, at least a half decade less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > time than what you ultimately ended up doing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus it might have also been tenable for you to have a side consulting gig too, but it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > appears that you simply didn't really bother to check out their offer in any real detail.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... [we had the] freedom to travel from 2003 to today ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For all of 4 international business trips that she accompanied you on over those ~20 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Wowzers! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In any event, it does come down to "Now or Never" for you, to wrap up your harder travel
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ambitions before they become untenable. As I'd advised you a few years ago, there's things
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > like the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland (75), which are doors which are closed/ing for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > while I was earning the assets to fully retire 2 years ago.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At age 76, if it was after June 2022. Average retirement age in the US is age 64 (63F/65M).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe AVMA was a better option financially. But in SO many other ways it was not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The answer depends on what you could have chosen to do with extra years of earlier
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement, which again invokes the question that you've been dodging:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, BTW, you told yet another lie. Drivers over 75 can rent a car in Ireland.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-car-rental-over-70-myths-facts/ireland-travel-tips/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Read for comprehension, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > First, on your own citation, note the "UP TO AGE 75"...is without restrictions:
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions."
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, note that while the webpage does name of a few companies without additional restrictions,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > it identifies what the additional restrictions are for some companies, including Hertz:
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
> > > > > > > > > > > > > -You must drive on a regular basis;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > and that you are currently driving;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health."
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on how cooperative Hertz is to accept one's reservation if one's not already a Gold
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Member and possibly also with relatively frequent domestic rentals to support a request.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV also on how easy/hard it is to obtain the two letters that they required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > And
> > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on if that traffic circle accident was more than five years ago now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Point is that "age" is a logistically complicating factor when it comes to travel.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > It is most easiest to just avoid by not waiting too long, which was the point I was
> > > > > > > > > > > > > making several years ago ("go now") when I first pointed this issue out to you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > After all, it is never totally insurmountable, as one can just hire a private driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Hertz is only one of many.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Of course, although not all suppliers are present at all destinations…or even just
> > > > > > > > > > > “major” brands. Case in point, my spring dive trip’s rental car company is a one
> > > > > > > > > > > shop “no name” (oh, and offers a 5% discount for cash instead of credit card).
> > > > > > > > > > > > I can supply all that info, but would rather go with a company that does not require it.
> > > > > > > > > > > You assumed that you can get that letter, but it’s apparent that you’ve not ever tried.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Plus suppliers are free to require surcharges, or their in-house insurance, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > The point remains unchanged: a rental car is no longer a logistical ‘non-issue’ to
> > > > > > > > > > > hire as they typically had been during one’s younger business travel working years.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > At 80 it does really start to get more complicated, but car hire is far from
> > > > > > > > > > > > the only way to travel, especially in Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > For Europe, with its well developed mass transit and tourism. An example is
> > > > > > > > > > > your bragged August 2024 trip to Paris, with the Viking Mosel Rhine river cruise
> > > > > > > > > > > down to Zurich: it has a four (4) hour bus ride over to Trier for its start: the need
> > > > > > > > > > > for a rental car was avoided through the itinerary selection.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > The traffic circle accident was the wife's, not mine. However, my 5-year window
> > > > > > > > > > > > is not up until November this year. :(
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Yet you did assume above that your insurance company would so easily issue a letter for you.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Car hire has not been a barrier at all up to this point.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Keyword being “up to this point”. Age is a constraint which imposes limitations
> > > > > > > > > > > on travel options, and increases expenses to minimize/offset/compensate.
> > > > > > > > > > > That door is closed and closing. Similarly, another place it will crop up is in
> > > > > > > > > > > being able to confidently pass the physical to retain a private flying license.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > You are SO f'ing wrong. I've never needed that doctor's letter so why would I go to the effort until I do?
> > > > > > > > > I've never needed a MD's letter either .. but then again, I'm not over age 75.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Thus:
> > > > > > > > > when have you ever tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, so as to make
> > > > > > > > > your "never" claim relevant?
> > > > > > > > > > The upcoming cruise package price includes several days in Paris and the bus trip
> > > > > > > > > > to Trier with a couple of interesting stops. There are 4 of us going. Car rental? Why?
> > > > > > > > > > You just want to bitch.
> > > > > > > > > No, what I was referring to is that you have *options* which don't require a car rental,
> > > > > > > > > such as your Paris/Cruise plans for next year. Doing that itinerary is particularly easy
> > > > > > > > > do to in a lot of Europe specifically because of their infrastructure in rail, river cruises, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > Again, I never needed a letter from my insurance company, so why bother?
> > > > > > > > > Again, if you've never tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, irrelevant.
> > > > > > > > > > Even if car hire becomes difficult there are still wonderful things to do in the
> > > > > > > > > > U.S. and Canada. It's not the end of the world.
> > > > > > > > > Sure, although both the US & Canada are much more automobile-centric, so it
> > > > > > > > > can become a bit harder than place like Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > You are right about the FAA physical.
> > > > > > > > > Of course I'm right...as I usually am, despite your frequent whining to the contrary.
> > > > > > > > > > I just had my annual post-cataract follow-up last week. My eyes are still in very good
> > > > > > > > > > shape, but there is more to it than that. I am well aware every day gets closer to the
> > > > > > > > > > decision to stop flying. I hope a doctor does not need to tell me I cannot pass a Class III.
> > > > > > > > > > Already had that happen about 15 years ago, but it was my eye doctor, not the AME,
> > > > > > > > > > who told me. Surgery fixed the eyes, but I to take 6 months off flying and go back to
> > > > > > > > > > the eye doctor to make sure I could pass the Class III before it came due. As it turns out,
> > > > > > > > > > I needed glasses to get to 20-20 but can still pass the Class III without them. I am
> > > > > > > > > > required to have those glasses available when I fly. Yesterday I flew 3 of our cadets.
> > > > > > > > > > Also recently passed an IFR checkride. I'm really going to miss it when I can't do any of
> > > > > > > > > > that. But that day gets closer every day. Got any suggestions on how to make that stop?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > One can't. That's the reality.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The only real mitigation is to not be overly miserly with ones resources to not end up
> > > > > > > > > waiting too long at which point its too late. As I've said before, "do the hard stuff while
> > > > > > > > > you're still young enough [to do so]". Because as one advances, even stuff which used
> > > > > > > > > to be easy becomes more of a challenge, and with additional barriers, such as car rental
> > > > > > > > > companies who impose additional requirements after a certain age.
> > > > > > > > There were references to this age factor to travel prior to the later "$30K" budget comment,
> > > > > > > > such as this comment from 2015:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "...I would have expected that you would have had a lot more personal international
> > > > > > > > over the past decade based on how you had spoken of it...particularly since there's
> > > > > > > > also the "do the hard trips before you're too old for them" aspect; ..."
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.advocacy/c/9pVOXPkbztI/m/L6pcEJ4wCwAJ>
> > > > > > > > Sep 8, 2015, 3:10:49 PM
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > TL;DR: it took Tommy a mere eight (8) years to finally figure out that advice.
> > > > > > > > > > Basically, you just want to bitch. Only 3 days until CSMA goes away for a while.
> > > > > > > > > Nah, it's entertaining to watch _you_ bitch about how your brag attempts just aren't
> > > > > > > > > anywhere near as grandiose as you constantly try to make them.
> > > > > > > > To illustrate that I'm practicing what I've been preaching, Tommy had bragged that
> > > > > > > > he'd spent over $100K for his 2013-17 trips, but he included some 2018 expenses,
> > > > > > > > leading to this observation:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "So correcting for the five year period by removing these 2018 expenses is
> > > > > > > > then $96,422, which averages to $19,284.40/yr."
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Looking at my own historicals, the last year prior to CoVid where we'd not spent
> > > > > > > > at least 95% of the above average was way back in 2005, which itself was only
> > > > > > > > due to the refund on a cancelled trip (not by us) which otherwise would have put
> > > > > > > > the annual sum's total over, and pushed this notional "first under" back to 2003.
> > > > > > > > Have fun with this math puzzle, Tommy.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Hugh, you just can't seem to get a grip on the fact that people don't have the same reference points.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Your whine doesn't matter when I'm using the reference point that *you* chose.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > I came from a family that never traveled far for anything. By the time I was in my mid-30's I had
> > > > > > > been to about 6 states and one business trip to Asia. From that background my business and
> > > > > > > vacation travel from that point forward were more than I thought I would ever see.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Yet that didn't stop you from creating your "yee ha! I'm traveling overseas and you're not!" brags.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Sorry if it disappoints you, but based on my experience you are an upside outlier on international
> > > > > > > vacation spending. We are also above average based on the same reference point.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Oh, I know that I am an upside outlier - - but I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags
> > > > > > about it. Indeed, it mostly only comes up when you try your swagger.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'm not wasting my time on your math puzzle.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Of course you won't, because you know that it's a contextualized putdown of another of your brag attempts.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > I call bullshit.
> > > >
> > > > LOL! Good luck with that.
> > > >
> > > > First off, note that my above statement is "...I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags..."
> > > >
> > > > As such, not only do you need to provide cites for each of your below claims, but you
> > > > also need your cite to show that I had *initiated* the cite .. ie, I was the thread OP, not a
> > > > respondent to someone else (eg, your own brag attempt).
> > > >
> > > > > You have posted links to photos of travel to exotic places.
> > > >
> > > > Yeah, but how often was that in response to something else, not an OP? Cites required.
> > > >
> > > > > You just cited a dive trip to a remote place with only one car rental option.
> > > >
> > > > Actually, they have two, sometimes three. And it's in the Caribbean, so how "remote"
> > > > is that really? But again, where was this *initiated* by me? Cites required.
> > > >
> > > > > You bragged about owning the last model year of the Porsche 911 with an air-cooled motor.
> > > >
> > > > Nope, never happened.
> > > >
> > > > > You bragged about the benefits of a Roth conversion.
> > > >
> > > > Bragged? By showing the math of a tax optimization strategy that most anyone can use?
> > > > Plus what was it posted in context to? Wasn't this your credit card 2% spiel? Cites required.
> > >
> > > Speaking of credit cards, I recently got an email from said above "remote" island.
> > > The relevant portion said:
> > >
> > > "Remember [company's name] gives a 5% discount for pmt in cash."
> > >
> > > I'll leave it up to Tommy to calculate how much 5% is on a two week long car rental /s
> > >
> > > > > You have a very high opinion of yourself, your life choices, and your opinions, Hugh.
> > > > > That is blatantly obvious in many of your posts.
> > > >
> > > > Merely your opinion.
> > > >
> > > > The actual issue here that Tommy perceives that his own high opinion of himself has
> > > > been threatened by someone who simply isn't intimidated by his brag attempts.
> > > >
> > > > Instead of being more humble, Tommy goes on the attack to try to disabuse them.
> > > > And as seen above, Tommy is willing to bend the truth and make outright false claims.
> > > >
> > > > -hh
> > > -hh
> >
> > A 1-off discount is also an inflated claim.
> No, its merely yet another real world example of my prior comment that some businesses
> offer discounts for customers using cash. In this case, their discount is 5%.
>
> FYI, this advice came from the same business that I'd previously mentioned as having provided
> a $672 cash discount savings. This time, the cash savings is going to be north of $700...
>
>
> -hh

On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 4:33:19 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1:19:15 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 12:17:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:21:35 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:44:45 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:06:24 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 12:06:42 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:53:09 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:32:59 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:34:11 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:08:26 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:04:43 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:14:32 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:09:57 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12:33:35 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:12:56 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:47:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 1:43:08 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:16:10 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:25:12 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:15:46 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00:37 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:31:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:04:32 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:55:19 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:26:29 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:08:52 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 6:23:50 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:46:07 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2024-01-18 07:36, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:50:38 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On 2024-01-15 19:48, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:35:35 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> On 2024-01-08 14:43, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:31:12 AM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> On 2024-01-08 05:05, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>> At age ~61 has Alan finally given up on his bakerMEDIA site, and business? The lame excuse for a website, bakermedia.ca, is unreachable. Linkedin says he claims to have a full-time job, working for a Toronto-based financial consulting company. The company site shows him as an employee. RIP bakermedia.ca. You won't be missed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Just curious, dick:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Do you check my website and my LinkedIn page (the one you called my
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> "company website) every day...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> ...or just once a week?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> Maybe every month or two, at the most. Of course, you deflected, dodged the question, so typical of you, dickhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> Wow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> You admit to regularly stalking me...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> ...and you don't think you deserve to be called a "dick".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> Not stalking, exposing your lies. Your only defense is to attempt to discredit the source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> "Maybe every month or two" you look at my website...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and goodness knows what else...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and you don't think that's creepy, dick?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> I haven't lied.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> Sorry.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You lie by omission all the time. You simply cannot answer a straightforward
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > question if the answer contradicts the false image you have created of yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Not wanting to answer a question posed by a stalking DICK isn't "lying
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > by omission...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Dick.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, but yes it is a lie. Your lie is that you are/were supporting yourself as an independent consultant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Got cite? Or is that merely your assumption?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence still from Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have been a full-time employee of a Toronto firm for some time now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? Times have changed since the 1970s: generations after yours don’t stick
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to just one or afew companies for their entire working career: it’s now common
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to change every ~5 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your independent consultancy failed to support you so you became an employee,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or at least you claim full-time employment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Speculation, plus no proof that it was ever exclusively full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The bakerMedia site was disappeared. Can't afford the url renewal fee?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hasn’t the Farmecon LLC website has disappeared too?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ouch. Projecting your own “can’t afford it?” paradigm onto yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You claim to be an elite FF driver at the local track, but your record does not support that claim.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > “Elite”? Really? Let’s see the cite.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus this isn’t the only time that you’ve gotten jealous & petty when you can’t be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sole center of attention, especially for when it’s someone who has some skill clearly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > better than you: you should go fly for 30 minutes on just 15 minutes of fuel to show
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > readers that you’re halfway good at at least one thing. /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have a selfie photo of yourself on your employer's site that in no way resembles
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your current appearance on LinkedIn.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a condition of employment that requires image synchronization that’s being violated?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FYI, the professional headshots a stalker may find of me are also out of date.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Another lie. In fact when I pointed out that the company photo resembled the unflattering
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LinkedIn version you changed it to what makes you appear healthier and without scraggly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > facial hair. Which is the real you?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because we all know that a random picture on the Internet is profoundly important! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The FarmEcon site disappeared because I shuttered the business over 2 years ago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? You could have left the reports up, and just said you’re no longer actively consulting..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Search for FarmEcon.com in Google. Takes you to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=farmecon.com where I have the URL for sale. Will I ever get that advertised price? Likely not, but
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > per WHOIS I own it for a few more years, until 2027. It's assigned to the GoDaddy URL sales site until expiration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You’re asking $8K! GoDaddy’s appraisal tool says that it’s worth just $1555:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > < https://www.godaddy.com/domain-value-appraisal/appraisal/?domainToCheck=Farmecon.com>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then try a bakermedia..ca search.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GoDaddy says $948 for that domain..basically two thirds as much as your domain:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not as “bad off” as you’re trying to imply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... On WHOIS it shows a 2032 URL expiration date. ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On LinkedIn …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The deletion of the company site and a full-time job all suggest that bakerMEDIA is defunct, or nearly so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That wasn’t the question. The question was if it ever was represented as full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Actually, 2018 was a very interesting year for Alan…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Even more stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If his consulting practice had been lucrative why is he not still not doing that full-time?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Don’t know, don’t care, because it’s none of my business. But I do know that a lot
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of people are seeking a better work-life balance than what old Boomers tolerated.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My consulting was, in contrast, very rewarding personally and financially.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because you got travel boondoggles? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I worked it actively from 2003 to 2022, and even collected my last income in 2023.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Net income, IRS basis, was about $1.3 million before 401K contributions. As you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > know, some expenses become deductible just because you are running a business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from home, so this is lower than actual.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SS & Medicare is 15.3%, but only half of that is unique to self-employment to be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comparable to a regular job. Plus write-offs for laptops, office, etc and it’s a 10%
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variance or so in total.. Another are business travel costs, which of course are usually
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > customer-approval specific, but not a big money suck…unless one wants it to be.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus wasn’t there also a corporate donation to a local theater for tickets too, eh?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The write-off game is very much just that for some folks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since I also had pension and SSI income I'll admit I did not solicit many projects.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They were referrals for the most part.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You were nevertheless still hustling for work for more than decade beyond normal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement age. That shows that you weren’t anywhere near ‘comfortable’ without it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simply Google "thomas elam farmecon" for a small sample of my non-confidential
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects that made it into the public domain.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Despite how you still own the domain and could have just left those papers up?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why go to all this trouble? Alan has repeatedly called me the "lying little shit" and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a liar in general. I am neither. My body of work for numerous clients …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > …is not representative of the crap that you regularly tried to pull here. As such, your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consultant work is irrelevant and not a defense for your poor behavior here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I was not comfortable at all with where I was in early 2003. I did some teaching and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > started consulting. I was offered a 6-figure job with AVMA out of Chicago, but did not want
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to move there.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your loss, as that would have enabled a higher retirement savings rate and been able to shave,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > oh perhaps 20-25% off of the years that you worked since 2003, so maybe your retirement could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been at age 70 instead of 75 or whatever.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The consulting grew organically to the point where I could not meet classes and travel to see clients.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The conflict there was classes vs travel. You chose travel. As I called it, a "boondoggle" motivation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Consulting won, and within 15 years or so I had built up a sizable net worth and income stream.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Started slow, ended slow, and averaged well under six digits. Shouda' gone to Chicago /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took the site down just to make sure no one would see it and call me anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Self-contradiction of wanting us to find your papers but hiding them. "Check!". /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All my clients have my contact info and know how to get in touch if they need something from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a past project. That happens occasionally. 95% of the work I did was not on the site anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which based on your numbers, effectively didn't happen for your last three years (94% retired).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The work was rewarding because it helped people solve problems. I took about 5 or 6 international
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consulting trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Five or Six"? How is it then that your old "brag" spreadsheet that you shared has 21 international trips
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > listed for business for the years of 2004 - 2015?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The wife went on 4 international trips, Canada, Germany, France, and Austria.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That was less than 5% of the work.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4/21 = 19% of international business trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > She did go on some short U.S. trips. Yes I enjoyed the travel, she did too, so what? All the work
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was done right here in my office. The trips were for client-requested meetings to present results.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That's been discussed before, where you've tried to imply personal wealth from leveraged business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trips paid for by others (and including using frequent flier miles thereof as well): there's been quite
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a bit of the proverbial “yee-haw, I’m traveling and you’re not...I’m rich!" over the years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You got the 10% number about right. My gross margin over business deductions was about 90%.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet another instance of where you've had to admit that my parametric are close enough.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Social Security contributions added to my eventual benefits. I get within a few dollars of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > maximum for age claiming at 66.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was $45K/yr; I'd figured ~$35K for each of you, as I figured that yours would be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > higher of the two; hers can be as low as $25K/yr and the prior numbers are still on track.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There were no charitable donations taken on my LLC Form C. Those all were on the Schedule D
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > at the time, now are QCD adjustments to income take out of IRA RMD funds. The matching came
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from my ex-employer, not my LLC.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That doesn't explain how Farmecon was the listed benefactor: was it done as an advertising expense write-off?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was not hustling for work. I cannot remember soliciting for anything except one project.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone in a meeting asked if anyone knew how to do X. I volunteered and got the assignment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The rest were all people who approached me with requests. I turned down a few that I knew were
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > beyond my capabilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL, I've had enough time with contractors to know that there's *always* hustle for the next gig.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My behavior here is intended to defend myself against Alan Baker's assaults on my character.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Too bad you're doing such a poor job at it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And you are the person who falsely claimed to have had an FAA friend in London who could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look at my flight logs and make a judgement on their accuracy! That is reprehensible!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, what's reprehensible is that you claim that it is a false claim. For example, I never said where
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they lived in UK, just that one would fly into London to go visit them. Go look it up. In the meantime,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they are retired, but still working in the aviation industry, consulting for Boeing and L3. They also
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had a nice snow ski trip last season to a place I've never heard of: Val du Claret, Tignes.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You also criticize disguised as personal finance advice while not having complete knowledge of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a person's strategy, goals and investment portfolio. Look in the mirror yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nope. My mirror doesn't have the hypocritical cracks from frequent brag attempts about my income
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or net worth. Just take a look at how many you stuffed into just your last reply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Incomplete data extrapolated to fit your version of reality and wildly wrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it’s already been parametrically narrowed down that your average wage
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was under $100K/yr, and IIRC more like $78K, so “six digits” would be easily
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 20% higher.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope your retirement projections are better.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They’re doing fine, which is why I’ve mentioned Roth-ifying near term, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > limit & manage taxable RMDs when they eventually kick in…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WE DID NOT want to move to Chicago. That was a mutual decision. It worked
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out great from my perspective.. There is more than money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It’s quite ironic to hear you try to claim that there’s more to life than money after
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > repeatedly posting what your net worth is, as well as working an extra decade+
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > longer than average. If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence from Tommy on the $200K at age 63 question.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just to make your head spin a little fast I offer the following.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To get off to a good start we paid off the house in 2003. Knowing that we had no debt was a confidence booster.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your parametric "wage narrowing" is a joke as is the claim that taking that Chicago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > job was a good idea for speeding up retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You're the one who tried to brag that the AVMA was a six-figure job. You've not only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > admitted that that was more than you were making where you were, but the other numbers
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you've provided have enabled a parametric estimate of at least how much more.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The limits on retirement contributions at the offered Chicago salary were a fraction
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of what I was able to put away in a self-employed 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And the AVMA didn't offer any pension? Because the reason why the tax code allows
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > self-employed businesses to have such higher 401k provisions is because there isn't an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By putting away the max in my own 401k in 2003-2023 (last 2 years were 0) through my own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions and capital appreciation I built what is now an IRA worth well over $1 million today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which if we KISS apply the 4% rule for an annuity equivalent is a pension of just $40K/year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If I take what we put in minus RMD withdrawals the non-discounted net cash IRA outlay
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > has been $197k. I about 4 years the net will be zero. An employee plan with its lower
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions would never have done that for IRA current value or past and future $RMD.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... and the ramifications of this are that the the employer's pension portion only needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to be just $20K/year to be at break-even. Less, if there was also an employer match
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > going into the 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, of course, there are 4 other retirement accounts and a substantial amount of other
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > investments not in qualified plans. The wife worked for a while too after we got married in 2002.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Over that same 2003-2023 span we had one lean year with under $150k income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The average was $204k. The decision to save as much as possible was very deliberate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except that you've just admitted that there were 4 other retirement accounts plus RMDs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that were all contributors to these income totals, which parametrically means that your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years of working as a consultant must have always been *less* than the numbers you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just stated above. Golly, more parameterizing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently receive monthly: 2 pension, 2 Social Security, 5 RMD and 1 dividend payments.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr out of your $204K/yr average,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and there's still the RMDs to subtract off (and dividends) before one gets down to just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > what the average consultant gig was paying per year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My ex-employer also heavily subsidizes our Medicare Supplement plans and pays for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > my Part B premiums, all tax free.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > IIRC, I can expect to have ~five years of 100% free healthcare, after which it drops to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just 70% subsidized. What did I win? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That 'heavily subsidized' is probably the $6K/year that Tommy mentioned in July 2019
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as a 2016 change in his retirement benefits. At that time he also noted that it apparently
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wasn't indexed to inflation. Hopefully that has changed for the better for him.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FWIW, I did a verification check on my own benefits; the permanent "70% subsidy" part has a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > cap of $15K/year in 2024, so more expensive plans can have a lower contribution percentage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, our investments' market value continues to grow long term. The 2023-2024 YoY growth
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the 2022 slump is over $500k. An unusual yoyo 2 years to be sure, but it all keeps the mind active.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Golly, you already know what your 2024 growth was? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, its more likely that you're counting all of 2022, plus YTD, rather than just YoY, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > squeeze out a slightly bigger number from the past five weeks' gains to try to brag about.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Life was much simpler when I got only a salary, bonuses and stock options. I say that,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > but AMT liabilities arising from Incentive Stock Options income and later reclaiming AMT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the ISO's stopped was a bit complicated and risky. Not to mention that you may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > need to borrow the money to pay for the exercise and then wait at least a year to sell
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get LTCG treatment on a gain that may not materialize. See:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.esofund.com/blog/amt-tax-calculator#:~:text=If%20you%20exercise%20incentive%20stock%20options%20%28ISOs%29%20you,value%20at%20the%20time%20of%20exercise%20as%20income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.brightonjones.com/blog/amt-stock-options/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It took me over 10 years to reclaim the AMT I paid, but it was a nice Federal tax liability offset while it lasted.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, there's other ways to manage stock options which are less likely to trigger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > AMTs (plus AMT has temporarily disappeared as a real factor, due to the 2017 TCJA).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But more to the point, moving to Chicago would have meant losing family and friend
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > connections, downsizing, higher taxes and living expenses. It is likely that at that time,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > having just paid off the house, we would need to mortgage a home in the Chicago suburbs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving was never seriously considered for many reasons.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because one can never make new friends/etc. Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is <200 miles. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you mentioned it and how it was a "six figure"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > income opportunity, as that paramaterizes that you were earning less at the time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I also enjoyed working for myself.. It gave me the freedom to do jobs my way. I turned
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > engagements down too. You should try it, very liberating.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Perhaps I already am, and just haven't bragged about it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As for the consulting international trip count my underestimate is the result of those
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > forgotten ones being not very memorable. The few I did remember were mostly the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ones with the wife. The rest were just work. Fly somewhere, a meeting or two, fly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > home. BFD. When working for Lilly those OUS trips often included 1-2 weeks, multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects, and multiple destinations. More memorable, and some downtime to sightsee.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Routine business travel does get tuned out ... but then not invoked in brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how you've kept such meticulous records and even counted air segments, its
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not really a particularly believable excuse.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Have you ever run a run your own business to the extent of having a self-employed 401k?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've never been laid off to have been compelled to strike out on my own to need to: with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an existent employer 401k, any side business affairs don't need to incur the overhead to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > go duplicate that capability, as it is easy with multiple income streams to leverage them
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so as to facilitate shifting of expenses/income to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm going to answer just these comments:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I never got to the stage of asking about fringe benefits. The prospect of relocating to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chicago killed it. As the AVMA is a not-for-profit I doubt that the retirement benefits
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > were very generous.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So you didn't even look? Pity, for there's a 2016 comment on Glassdoor that says that their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer 401k match is up to 10%, which for a $100K+ salary is an additional +$10K+/year,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which is a 40% increase in contributions (using 2016's limit of $24K, an employer's 10% of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > $100K = +$10K = $34K/$24K = 1.42 = a +42% higher rate of investment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also I was already almost 57 at the time, so it was going to be short term there, not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > much chance to build up credits or a 401k
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? The point was only that it would be *shorter* than what you actually did, which was age 75+.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your 500k assumes that I would have worked there well past age 65.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But not to age 75 (actually 78), which is where your current 401k balance comes from.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Now using Glassdoor's reported 10% employer match, the accumulation rate would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been substantially (+42%) higher than than what was modeled in the $500K KISS,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that (plus whatever employer pension) is how working years get chopped off.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keeping it simple by ignoring progressive compounding/etc from more money earlier,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > figure roughly 20 years/1.42 = 14 years, which is ~6 years earlier for retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, you are assuming things about an AVMA 401k plan. Sorry, but again you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > assume facts not in evidence. ie, you lied
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > False: I simply noted that the baseline parameterization didn't assume that there
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was any employer match from AVMA to sweeten the deal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But now that we know that they do, we can update those numbers, as seen above.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And this is just from the 401k benefits portion, still not counting any additional pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy is <200 miles."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you f'ing kidding. You cannot use CAP aircraft for personal flying!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except for how you've previously admitted to using one of CAP's vans for personal use,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so we know that you're already predisposed to trying such things.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL again! The pensions and SS add up to under $100k. The rest is dividends and RMD's.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which is the payoff for all that fun I had consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Tommy, on Jan 26, 2024, 8:04:32 PM: "I get within a few dollars of the maximum for age
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > claiming at 66." which if you're telling the truth is ~$45K of that claimed "under $100K",
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means that the other three sum to <$55K and would average just $18.3K each.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An average SS pension is ~$1500/mo = $18K/yr, so assuming that for the Mrs, the balance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after SS is just $37K/yr for the sum of the two pensions. Since you've bragged about your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eli Lilly "golden parachute" & pension from working there for 23 years, if it alone was less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > than $35K, it would IMO be just an average pension amount.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are spending a lot of time stalking my finances.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Merely because you've invested so much here in telling everyone about your finances
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and how we're apparently supposed to be impressed and jealous of you. It's been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a modestly entertaining math puzzle.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All to no avail. You will never have the complete picture, and if you did there are many
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > alternatives you could suggest. What I did worked.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It did "work" ... eventually ... taking you into your upper 70s, which is clearly why
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the aforementioned question is *still* being dodged by Tommy:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, I took N410CV on a short familiarization flight right after it arrived from the factory.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I paid for the flight; fuel used and an hourly maintenance fee. This is encouraged. It was fun.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (So was the 1.1 hour orientation flight for a CAP cadet yesterday.) CAP has a program for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > familiarization and proficiency flights, the corporate C mission. I used it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dodge, because N410CV wasn't a CAP van. IIRC, both ed and myself caught your 'indiscretion.'
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, the decision to stay here and strike out on my own rather than take a job and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > move to Chicago was not solely financial. As Yogi once said, "When You Come to a Fork
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in the Road, Take It". You can theorize all want about what that AVMA job might have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > meant financially, but it was "The Road Not Taken" per R. Frost.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? How does that actually justify you not even researching the benefits of a job offer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that you've voluntarily bragged about its "six digit" pay?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your financial assumptions are pure speculation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, they're parameterizations of things that you've claimed. As I've said before,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they're based on numbers which you've voluntarily bragged about: if you've bragged
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about being over 5ft tall on one occasion, and said you're under 6ft tall on another,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it paramaterizes your height to be between 5'0" and 6'0" and it wouldn't be inaccurate
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to say that your height is roughly 5'6", plus or minus 6".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Among other things, how do I know the job would have turned out to be something
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I really wanted to do? My experience doing some consulting with NGOs like AVMA
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was that they have an agenda to push, and don't mind stretching the truth to influence
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > opinion and legislation. Not my cuppa.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All of those questions are irrelevant, because you still invoked them for a reason, such as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to "name drop" what their job offer was, to try to imply what you were worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You can drive yourself nuts second guessing decisions. I have never looked back ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...never - - except for this past week's "six digits" offer from AVMA from two decades ago ... /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My financial advisor worked with us to invest to get to where we are today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was working to age ~76, and also implies that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...is a scenario which was quite far out of your reach.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, because the consulting was not full-time (you assumed AVMA full-time
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for 9 or 10 years?) and the wife also was able to retire early, we enjoyed the income and ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, I merely was parameterizing on what you focused on: money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how late in life you worked until your financial advisor was confident
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (as per your own comment, above), even if working at AVMA had been ten
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years, that still would have been age ~67 or so, at least a half decade less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > time than what you ultimately ended up doing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus it might have also been tenable for you to have a side consulting gig too, but it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > appears that you simply didn't really bother to check out their offer in any real detail.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... [we had the] freedom to travel from 2003 to today ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For all of 4 international business trips that she accompanied you on over those ~20 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Wowzers! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In any event, it does come down to "Now or Never" for you, to wrap up your harder travel
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ambitions before they become untenable. As I'd advised you a few years ago, there's things
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > like the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland (75), which are doors which are closed/ing for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > while I was earning the assets to fully retire 2 years ago.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At age 76, if it was after June 2022. Average retirement age in the US is age 64 (63F/65M).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe AVMA was a better option financially. But in SO many other ways it was not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The answer depends on what you could have chosen to do with extra years of earlier
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement, which again invokes the question that you've been dodging:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, BTW, you told yet another lie. Drivers over 75 can rent a car in Ireland.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-car-rental-over-70-myths-facts/ireland-travel-tips/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Read for comprehension, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, on your own citation, note the "UP TO AGE 75"...is without restrictions:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, note that while the webpage does name of a few companies without additional restrictions,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > it identifies what the additional restrictions are for some companies, including Hertz:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You must drive on a regular basis;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that you are currently driving;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on how cooperative Hertz is to accept one's reservation if one's not already a Gold
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Member and possibly also with relatively frequent domestic rentals to support a request.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV also on how easy/hard it is to obtain the two letters that they required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > And
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on if that traffic circle accident was more than five years ago now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Point is that "age" is a logistically complicating factor when it comes to travel.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is most easiest to just avoid by not waiting too long, which was the point I was
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > making several years ago ("go now") when I first pointed this issue out to you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > After all, it is never totally insurmountable, as one can just hire a private driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hertz is only one of many.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, although not all suppliers are present at all destinations…or even just
> > > > > > > > > > > > “major” brands. Case in point, my spring dive trip’s rental car company is a one
> > > > > > > > > > > > shop “no name” (oh, and offers a 5% discount for cash instead of credit card).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I can supply all that info, but would rather go with a company that does not require it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > You assumed that you can get that letter, but it’s apparent that you’ve not ever tried.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Plus suppliers are free to require surcharges, or their in-house insurance, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > The point remains unchanged: a rental car is no longer a logistical ‘non-issue’ to
> > > > > > > > > > > > hire as they typically had been during one’s younger business travel working years.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > At 80 it does really start to get more complicated, but car hire is far from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the only way to travel, especially in Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > For Europe, with its well developed mass transit and tourism. An example is
> > > > > > > > > > > > your bragged August 2024 trip to Paris, with the Viking Mosel Rhine river cruise
> > > > > > > > > > > > down to Zurich: it has a four (4) hour bus ride over to Trier for its start: the need
> > > > > > > > > > > > for a rental car was avoided through the itinerary selection.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > The traffic circle accident was the wife's, not mine. However, my 5-year window
> > > > > > > > > > > > > is not up until November this year. :(
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yet you did assume above that your insurance company would so easily issue a letter for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Car hire has not been a barrier at all up to this point.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Keyword being “up to this point”. Age is a constraint which imposes limitations
> > > > > > > > > > > > on travel options, and increases expenses to minimize/offset/compensate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > That door is closed and closing. Similarly, another place it will crop up is in
> > > > > > > > > > > > being able to confidently pass the physical to retain a private flying license.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > You are SO f'ing wrong. I've never needed that doctor's letter so why would I go to the effort until I do?
> > > > > > > > > > I've never needed a MD's letter either .. but then again, I'm not over age 75.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Thus:
> > > > > > > > > > when have you ever tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, so as to make
> > > > > > > > > > your "never" claim relevant?
> > > > > > > > > > > The upcoming cruise package price includes several days in Paris and the bus trip
> > > > > > > > > > > to Trier with a couple of interesting stops. There are 4 of us going. Car rental? Why?
> > > > > > > > > > > You just want to bitch.
> > > > > > > > > > No, what I was referring to is that you have *options* which don't require a car rental,
> > > > > > > > > > such as your Paris/Cruise plans for next year. Doing that itinerary is particularly easy
> > > > > > > > > > do to in a lot of Europe specifically because of their infrastructure in rail, river cruises, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > Again, I never needed a letter from my insurance company, so why bother?
> > > > > > > > > > Again, if you've never tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, irrelevant.
> > > > > > > > > > > Even if car hire becomes difficult there are still wonderful things to do in the
> > > > > > > > > > > U.S. and Canada. It's not the end of the world.
> > > > > > > > > > Sure, although both the US & Canada are much more automobile-centric, so it
> > > > > > > > > > can become a bit harder than place like Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > > You are right about the FAA physical.
> > > > > > > > > > Of course I'm right...as I usually am, despite your frequent whining to the contrary.
> > > > > > > > > > > I just had my annual post-cataract follow-up last week. My eyes are still in very good
> > > > > > > > > > > shape, but there is more to it than that. I am well aware every day gets closer to the
> > > > > > > > > > > decision to stop flying. I hope a doctor does not need to tell me I cannot pass a Class III.
> > > > > > > > > > > Already had that happen about 15 years ago, but it was my eye doctor, not the AME,
> > > > > > > > > > > who told me. Surgery fixed the eyes, but I to take 6 months off flying and go back to
> > > > > > > > > > > the eye doctor to make sure I could pass the Class III before it came due. As it turns out,
> > > > > > > > > > > I needed glasses to get to 20-20 but can still pass the Class III without them. I am
> > > > > > > > > > > required to have those glasses available when I fly. Yesterday I flew 3 of our cadets.
> > > > > > > > > > > Also recently passed an IFR checkride. I'm really going to miss it when I can't do any of
> > > > > > > > > > > that. But that day gets closer every day. Got any suggestions on how to make that stop?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > One can't. That's the reality.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > The only real mitigation is to not be overly miserly with ones resources to not end up
> > > > > > > > > > waiting too long at which point its too late. As I've said before, "do the hard stuff while
> > > > > > > > > > you're still young enough [to do so]". Because as one advances, even stuff which used
> > > > > > > > > > to be easy becomes more of a challenge, and with additional barriers, such as car rental
> > > > > > > > > > companies who impose additional requirements after a certain age.
> > > > > > > > > There were references to this age factor to travel prior to the later "$30K" budget comment,
> > > > > > > > > such as this comment from 2015:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > "...I would have expected that you would have had a lot more personal international
> > > > > > > > > over the past decade based on how you had spoken of it...particularly since there's
> > > > > > > > > also the "do the hard trips before you're too old for them" aspect; ..."
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.advocacy/c/9pVOXPkbztI/m/L6pcEJ4wCwAJ>
> > > > > > > > > Sep 8, 2015, 3:10:49 PM
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > TL;DR: it took Tommy a mere eight (8) years to finally figure out that advice.
> > > > > > > > > > > Basically, you just want to bitch. Only 3 days until CSMA goes away for a while.
> > > > > > > > > > Nah, it's entertaining to watch _you_ bitch about how your brag attempts just aren't
> > > > > > > > > > anywhere near as grandiose as you constantly try to make them.
> > > > > > > > > To illustrate that I'm practicing what I've been preaching, Tommy had bragged that
> > > > > > > > > he'd spent over $100K for his 2013-17 trips, but he included some 2018 expenses,
> > > > > > > > > leading to this observation:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > "So correcting for the five year period by removing these 2018 expenses is
> > > > > > > > > then $96,422, which averages to $19,284.40/yr."
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Looking at my own historicals, the last year prior to CoVid where we'd not spent
> > > > > > > > > at least 95% of the above average was way back in 2005, which itself was only
> > > > > > > > > due to the refund on a cancelled trip (not by us) which otherwise would have put
> > > > > > > > > the annual sum's total over, and pushed this notional "first under" back to 2003.
> > > > > > > > > Have fun with this math puzzle, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hugh, you just can't seem to get a grip on the fact that people don't have the same reference points.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Your whine doesn't matter when I'm using the reference point that *you* chose.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I came from a family that never traveled far for anything. By the time I was in my mid-30's I had
> > > > > > > > been to about 6 states and one business trip to Asia. From that background my business and
> > > > > > > > vacation travel from that point forward were more than I thought I would ever see.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Yet that didn't stop you from creating your "yee ha! I'm traveling overseas and you're not!" brags.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Sorry if it disappoints you, but based on my experience you are an upside outlier on international
> > > > > > > > vacation spending. We are also above average based on the same reference point.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Oh, I know that I am an upside outlier - - but I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags
> > > > > > > about it. Indeed, it mostly only comes up when you try your swagger.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I'm not wasting my time on your math puzzle.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Of course you won't, because you know that it's a contextualized putdown of another of your brag attempts.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > I call bullshit.
> > > > >
> > > > > LOL! Good luck with that.
> > > > >
> > > > > First off, note that my above statement is "...I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags..."
> > > > >
> > > > > As such, not only do you need to provide cites for each of your below claims, but you
> > > > > also need your cite to show that I had *initiated* the cite .. ie, I was the thread OP, not a
> > > > > respondent to someone else (eg, your own brag attempt).
> > > > >
> > > > > > You have posted links to photos of travel to exotic places.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yeah, but how often was that in response to something else, not an OP? Cites required.
> > > > >
> > > > > > You just cited a dive trip to a remote place with only one car rental option.
> > > > >
> > > > > Actually, they have two, sometimes three. And it's in the Caribbean, so how "remote"
> > > > > is that really? But again, where was this *initiated* by me? Cites required.
> > > > >
> > > > > > You bragged about owning the last model year of the Porsche 911 with an air-cooled motor.
> > > > >
> > > > > Nope, never happened.
> > > > >
> > > > > > You bragged about the benefits of a Roth conversion.
> > > > >
> > > > > Bragged? By showing the math of a tax optimization strategy that most anyone can use?
> > > > > Plus what was it posted in context to? Wasn't this your credit card 2% spiel? Cites required.
> > > >
> > > > Speaking of credit cards, I recently got an email from said above "remote" island.
> > > > The relevant portion said:
> > > >
> > > > "Remember [company's name] gives a 5% discount for pmt in cash."
> > > >
> > > > I'll leave it up to Tommy to calculate how much 5% is on a two week long car rental /s
> > > >
> > > > > > You have a very high opinion of yourself, your life choices, and your opinions, Hugh.
> > > > > > That is blatantly obvious in many of your posts.
> > > > >
> > > > > Merely your opinion.
> > > > >
> > > > > The actual issue here that Tommy perceives that his own high opinion of himself has
> > > > > been threatened by someone who simply isn't intimidated by his brag attempts.
> > > > >
> > > > > Instead of being more humble, Tommy goes on the attack to try to disabuse them.
> > > > > And as seen above, Tommy is willing to bend the truth and make outright false claims.
> > > > >
> > > > > -hh
> > > > -hh
> > >
> > > A 1-off discount is also an inflated claim.
> >
> > No, its merely yet another real world example of my prior comment that some businesses
> > offer discounts for customers using cash. In this case, their discount is 5%.
> >
> > FYI, this advice came from the same business that I'd previously mentioned as having provided
> > a $672 cash discount savings. This time, the cash savings is going to be north of $700...
> >
>
> So a few businesses offer more than the 2% I get on all credit card purchases?

On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 8:07:26 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 4:33:19 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1:19:15 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 12:17:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:21:35 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:44:45 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:06:24 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 12:06:42 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:53:09 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:32:59 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:34:11 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:08:26 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:04:43 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:14:32 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:09:57 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12:33:35 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:12:56 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:47:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 1:43:08 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:16:10 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:25:12 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:15:46 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00:37 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:31:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:04:32 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:55:19 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:26:29 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:08:52 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 6:23:50 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:46:07 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2024-01-18 07:36, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:50:38 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On 2024-01-15 19:48, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:35:35 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> On 2024-01-08 14:43, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:31:12 AM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> On 2024-01-08 05:05, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>> At age ~61 has Alan finally given up on his bakerMEDIA site, and business? The lame excuse for a website, bakermedia.ca, is unreachable. Linkedin says he claims to have a full-time job, working for a Toronto-based financial consulting company. The company site shows him as an employee. RIP bakermedia.ca. You won't be missed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Just curious, dick:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Do you check my website and my LinkedIn page (the one you called my
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> "company website) every day...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> ...or just once a week?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> Maybe every month or two, at the most. Of course, you deflected, dodged the question, so typical of you, dickhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> Wow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> You admit to regularly stalking me...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> ...and you don't think you deserve to be called a "dick".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> Not stalking, exposing your lies. Your only defense is to attempt to discredit the source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> "Maybe every month or two" you look at my website...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and goodness knows what else...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and you don't think that's creepy, dick?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> I haven't lied.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> Sorry.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You lie by omission all the time. You simply cannot answer a straightforward
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > question if the answer contradicts the false image you have created of yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Not wanting to answer a question posed by a stalking DICK isn't "lying
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > by omission....
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Dick.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, but yes it is a lie. Your lie is that you are/were supporting yourself as an independent consultant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Got cite? Or is that merely your assumption?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence still from Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have been a full-time employee of a Toronto firm for some time now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? Times have changed since the 1970s: generations after yours don’t stick
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to just one or afew companies for their entire working career: it’s now common
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to change every ~5 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your independent consultancy failed to support you so you became an employee,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or at least you claim full-time employment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Speculation, plus no proof that it was ever exclusively full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The bakerMedia site was disappeared. Can't afford the url renewal fee?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hasn’t the Farmecon LLC website has disappeared too?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ouch. Projecting your own “can’t afford it?” paradigm onto yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You claim to be an elite FF driver at the local track, but your record does not support that claim.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > “Elite”? Really? Let’s see the cite.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus this isn’t the only time that you’ve gotten jealous & petty when you can’t be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sole center of attention, especially for when it’s someone who has some skill clearly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > better than you: you should go fly for 30 minutes on just 15 minutes of fuel to show
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > readers that you’re halfway good at at least one thing. /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have a selfie photo of yourself on your employer's site that in no way resembles
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your current appearance on LinkedIn.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a condition of employment that requires image synchronization that’s being violated?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FYI, the professional headshots a stalker may find of me are also out of date.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Another lie. In fact when I pointed out that the company photo resembled the unflattering
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LinkedIn version you changed it to what makes you appear healthier and without scraggly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > facial hair. Which is the real you?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because we all know that a random picture on the Internet is profoundly important! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The FarmEcon site disappeared because I shuttered the business over 2 years ago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? You could have left the reports up, and just said you’re no longer actively consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Search for FarmEcon..com in Google. Takes you to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=farmecon.com where I have the URL for sale. Will I ever get that advertised price? Likely not, but
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > per WHOIS I own it for a few more years, until 2027. It's assigned to the GoDaddy URL sales site until expiration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You’re asking $8K! GoDaddy’s appraisal tool says that it’s worth just $1555:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > < https://www.godaddy..com/domain-value-appraisal/appraisal/?domainToCheck=Farmecon.com>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then try a bakermedia.ca search.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GoDaddy says $948 for that domain..basically two thirds as much as your domain:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not as “bad off” as you’re trying to imply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... On WHOIS it shows a 2032 URL expiration date. ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On LinkedIn …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The deletion of the company site and a full-time job all suggest that bakerMEDIA is defunct, or nearly so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That wasn’t the question. The question was if it ever was represented as full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Actually, 2018 was a very interesting year for Alan…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Even more stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If his consulting practice had been lucrative why is he not still not doing that full-time?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Don’t know, don’t care, because it’s none of my business. But I do know that a lot
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of people are seeking a better work-life balance than what old Boomers tolerated.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My consulting was, in contrast, very rewarding personally and financially.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because you got travel boondoggles? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I worked it actively from 2003 to 2022, and even collected my last income in 2023.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Net income, IRS basis, was about $1.3 million before 401K contributions. As you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > know, some expenses become deductible just because you are running a business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from home, so this is lower than actual.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SS & Medicare is 15.3%, but only half of that is unique to self-employment to be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comparable to a regular job. Plus write-offs for laptops, office, etc and it’s a 10%
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variance or so in total. Another are business travel costs, which of course are usually
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > customer-approval specific, but not a big money suck…unless one wants it to be.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus wasn’t there also a corporate donation to a local theater for tickets too, eh?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The write-off game is very much just that for some folks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since I also had pension and SSI income I'll admit I did not solicit many projects.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They were referrals for the most part.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You were nevertheless still hustling for work for more than decade beyond normal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement age. That shows that you weren’t anywhere near ‘comfortable’ without it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simply Google "thomas elam farmecon" for a small sample of my non-confidential
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects that made it into the public domain.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Despite how you still own the domain and could have just left those papers up?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why go to all this trouble? Alan has repeatedly called me the "lying little shit" and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a liar in general. I am neither. My body of work for numerous clients …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > …is not representative of the crap that you regularly tried to pull here. As such, your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consultant work is irrelevant and not a defense for your poor behavior here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I was not comfortable at all with where I was in early 2003. I did some teaching and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > started consulting. I was offered a 6-figure job with AVMA out of Chicago, but did not want
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to move there.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your loss, as that would have enabled a higher retirement savings rate and been able to shave,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > oh perhaps 20-25% off of the years that you worked since 2003, so maybe your retirement could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been at age 70 instead of 75 or whatever.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The consulting grew organically to the point where I could not meet classes and travel to see clients.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The conflict there was classes vs travel. You chose travel. As I called it, a "boondoggle" motivation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Consulting won, and within 15 years or so I had built up a sizable net worth and income stream.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Started slow, ended slow, and averaged well under six digits. Shouda' gone to Chicago /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took the site down just to make sure no one would see it and call me anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Self-contradiction of wanting us to find your papers but hiding them. "Check!". /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All my clients have my contact info and know how to get in touch if they need something from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a past project. That happens occasionally. 95% of the work I did was not on the site anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which based on your numbers, effectively didn't happen for your last three years (94% retired).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The work was rewarding because it helped people solve problems. I took about 5 or 6 international
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consulting trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Five or Six"? How is it then that your old "brag" spreadsheet that you shared has 21 international trips
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > listed for business for the years of 2004 - 2015?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The wife went on 4 international trips, Canada, Germany, France, and Austria.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That was less than 5% of the work.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4/21 = 19% of international business trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > She did go on some short U.S. trips. Yes I enjoyed the travel, she did too, so what? All the work
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was done right here in my office. The trips were for client-requested meetings to present results.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That's been discussed before, where you've tried to imply personal wealth from leveraged business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trips paid for by others (and including using frequent flier miles thereof as well): there's been quite
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a bit of the proverbial “yee-haw, I’m traveling and you’re not...I’m rich!" over the years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You got the 10% number about right. My gross margin over business deductions was about 90%.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet another instance of where you've had to admit that my parametric are close enough.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Social Security contributions added to my eventual benefits. I get within a few dollars of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > maximum for age claiming at 66.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was $45K/yr; I'd figured ~$35K for each of you, as I figured that yours would be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > higher of the two; hers can be as low as $25K/yr and the prior numbers are still on track.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There were no charitable donations taken on my LLC Form C. Those all were on the Schedule D
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > at the time, now are QCD adjustments to income take out of IRA RMD funds. The matching came
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from my ex-employer, not my LLC.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That doesn't explain how Farmecon was the listed benefactor: was it done as an advertising expense write-off?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was not hustling for work. I cannot remember soliciting for anything except one project.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone in a meeting asked if anyone knew how to do X. I volunteered and got the assignment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The rest were all people who approached me with requests. I turned down a few that I knew were
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > beyond my capabilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL, I've had enough time with contractors to know that there's *always* hustle for the next gig.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My behavior here is intended to defend myself against Alan Baker's assaults on my character.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Too bad you're doing such a poor job at it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And you are the person who falsely claimed to have had an FAA friend in London who could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look at my flight logs and make a judgement on their accuracy! That is reprehensible!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, what's reprehensible is that you claim that it is a false claim. For example, I never said where
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they lived in UK, just that one would fly into London to go visit them. Go look it up. In the meantime,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they are retired, but still working in the aviation industry, consulting for Boeing and L3. They also
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had a nice snow ski trip last season to a place I've never heard of: Val du Claret, Tignes.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You also criticize disguised as personal finance advice while not having complete knowledge of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a person's strategy, goals and investment portfolio. Look in the mirror yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nope. My mirror doesn't have the hypocritical cracks from frequent brag attempts about my income
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or net worth. Just take a look at how many you stuffed into just your last reply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Incomplete data extrapolated to fit your version of reality and wildly wrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it’s already been parametrically narrowed down that your average wage
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was under $100K/yr, and IIRC more like $78K, so “six digits” would be easily
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 20% higher.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope your retirement projections are better.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They’re doing fine, which is why I’ve mentioned Roth-ifying near term, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > limit & manage taxable RMDs when they eventually kick in…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WE DID NOT want to move to Chicago. That was a mutual decision. It worked
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out great from my perspective. There is more than money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It’s quite ironic to hear you try to claim that there’s more to life than money after
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > repeatedly posting what your net worth is, as well as working an extra decade+
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > longer than average. If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence from Tommy on the $200K at age 63 question.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just to make your head spin a little fast I offer the following.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To get off to a good start we paid off the house in 2003. Knowing that we had no debt was a confidence booster.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your parametric "wage narrowing" is a joke as is the claim that taking that Chicago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > job was a good idea for speeding up retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You're the one who tried to brag that the AVMA was a six-figure job. You've not only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > admitted that that was more than you were making where you were, but the other numbers
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you've provided have enabled a parametric estimate of at least how much more.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The limits on retirement contributions at the offered Chicago salary were a fraction
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of what I was able to put away in a self-employed 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And the AVMA didn't offer any pension? Because the reason why the tax code allows
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > self-employed businesses to have such higher 401k provisions is because there isn't an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By putting away the max in my own 401k in 2003-2023 (last 2 years were 0) through my own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions and capital appreciation I built what is now an IRA worth well over $1 million today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which if we KISS apply the 4% rule for an annuity equivalent is a pension of just $40K/year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If I take what we put in minus RMD withdrawals the non-discounted net cash IRA outlay
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > has been $197k. I about 4 years the net will be zero. An employee plan with its lower
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions would never have done that for IRA current value or past and future $RMD.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... and the ramifications of this are that the the employer's pension portion only needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to be just $20K/year to be at break-even. Less, if there was also an employer match
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > going into the 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, of course, there are 4 other retirement accounts and a substantial amount of other
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > investments not in qualified plans. The wife worked for a while too after we got married in 2002.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Over that same 2003-2023 span we had one lean year with under $150k income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The average was $204k. The decision to save as much as possible was very deliberate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except that you've just admitted that there were 4 other retirement accounts plus RMDs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that were all contributors to these income totals, which parametrically means that your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years of working as a consultant must have always been *less* than the numbers you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just stated above. Golly, more parameterizing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently receive monthly: 2 pension, 2 Social Security, 5 RMD and 1 dividend payments.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr out of your $204K/yr average,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and there's still the RMDs to subtract off (and dividends) before one gets down to just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > what the average consultant gig was paying per year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My ex-employer also heavily subsidizes our Medicare Supplement plans and pays for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > my Part B premiums, all tax free.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > IIRC, I can expect to have ~five years of 100% free healthcare, after which it drops to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just 70% subsidized. What did I win? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That 'heavily subsidized' is probably the $6K/year that Tommy mentioned in July 2019
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as a 2016 change in his retirement benefits. At that time he also noted that it apparently
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wasn't indexed to inflation. Hopefully that has changed for the better for him.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FWIW, I did a verification check on my own benefits; the permanent "70% subsidy" part has a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > cap of $15K/year in 2024, so more expensive plans can have a lower contribution percentage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, our investments' market value continues to grow long term. The 2023-2024 YoY growth
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the 2022 slump is over $500k. An unusual yoyo 2 years to be sure, but it all keeps the mind active.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Golly, you already know what your 2024 growth was? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, its more likely that you're counting all of 2022, plus YTD, rather than just YoY, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > squeeze out a slightly bigger number from the past five weeks' gains to try to brag about.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Life was much simpler when I got only a salary, bonuses and stock options. I say that,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > but AMT liabilities arising from Incentive Stock Options income and later reclaiming AMT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the ISO's stopped was a bit complicated and risky. Not to mention that you may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > need to borrow the money to pay for the exercise and then wait at least a year to sell
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get LTCG treatment on a gain that may not materialize. See:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.esofund.com/blog/amt-tax-calculator#:~:text=If%20you%20exercise%20incentive%20stock%20options%20%28ISOs%29%20you,value%20at%20the%20time%20of%20exercise%20as%20income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.brightonjones.com/blog/amt-stock-options/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It took me over 10 years to reclaim the AMT I paid, but it was a nice Federal tax liability offset while it lasted.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, there's other ways to manage stock options which are less likely to trigger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > AMTs (plus AMT has temporarily disappeared as a real factor, due to the 2017 TCJA).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But more to the point, moving to Chicago would have meant losing family and friend
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > connections, downsizing, higher taxes and living expenses. It is likely that at that time,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > having just paid off the house, we would need to mortgage a home in the Chicago suburbs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving was never seriously considered for many reasons.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because one can never make new friends/etc. Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is <200 miles. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you mentioned it and how it was a "six figure"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > income opportunity, as that paramaterizes that you were earning less at the time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I also enjoyed working for myself. It gave me the freedom to do jobs my way. I turned
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > engagements down too. You should try it, very liberating.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Perhaps I already am, and just haven't bragged about it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As for the consulting international trip count my underestimate is the result of those
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > forgotten ones being not very memorable. The few I did remember were mostly the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ones with the wife. The rest were just work. Fly somewhere, a meeting or two, fly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > home. BFD. When working for Lilly those OUS trips often included 1-2 weeks, multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects, and multiple destinations. More memorable, and some downtime to sightsee.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Routine business travel does get tuned out ... but then not invoked in brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how you've kept such meticulous records and even counted air segments, its
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not really a particularly believable excuse.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Have you ever run a run your own business to the extent of having a self-employed 401k?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've never been laid off to have been compelled to strike out on my own to need to: with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an existent employer 401k, any side business affairs don't need to incur the overhead to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > go duplicate that capability, as it is easy with multiple income streams to leverage them
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so as to facilitate shifting of expenses/income to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm going to answer just these comments:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I never got to the stage of asking about fringe benefits. The prospect of relocating to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chicago killed it. As the AVMA is a not-for-profit I doubt that the retirement benefits
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > were very generous.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So you didn't even look? Pity, for there's a 2016 comment on Glassdoor that says that their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer 401k match is up to 10%, which for a $100K+ salary is an additional +$10K+/year,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which is a 40% increase in contributions (using 2016's limit of $24K, an employer's 10% of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > $100K = +$10K = $34K/$24K = 1.42 = a +42% higher rate of investment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also I was already almost 57 at the time, so it was going to be short term there, not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > much chance to build up credits or a 401k
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? The point was only that it would be *shorter* than what you actually did, which was age 75+.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your 500k assumes that I would have worked there well past age 65.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But not to age 75 (actually 78), which is where your current 401k balance comes from.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Now using Glassdoor's reported 10% employer match, the accumulation rate would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been substantially (+42%) higher than than what was modeled in the $500K KISS,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that (plus whatever employer pension) is how working years get chopped off.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keeping it simple by ignoring progressive compounding/etc from more money earlier,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > figure roughly 20 years/1.42 = 14 years, which is ~6 years earlier for retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, you are assuming things about an AVMA 401k plan. Sorry, but again you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > assume facts not in evidence. ie, you lied
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > False: I simply noted that the baseline parameterization didn't assume that there
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was any employer match from AVMA to sweeten the deal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But now that we know that they do, we can update those numbers, as seen above.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And this is just from the 401k benefits portion, still not counting any additional pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy is <200 miles."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you f'ing kidding. You cannot use CAP aircraft for personal flying!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except for how you've previously admitted to using one of CAP's vans for personal use,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so we know that you're already predisposed to trying such things.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL again! The pensions and SS add up to under $100k. The rest is dividends and RMD's.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which is the payoff for all that fun I had consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Tommy, on Jan 26, 2024, 8:04:32 PM: "I get within a few dollars of the maximum for age
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > claiming at 66." which if you're telling the truth is ~$45K of that claimed "under $100K",
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means that the other three sum to <$55K and would average just $18.3K each.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An average SS pension is ~$1500/mo = $18K/yr, so assuming that for the Mrs, the balance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after SS is just $37K/yr for the sum of the two pensions. Since you've bragged about your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eli Lilly "golden parachute" & pension from working there for 23 years, if it alone was less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > than $35K, it would IMO be just an average pension amount.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are spending a lot of time stalking my finances.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Merely because you've invested so much here in telling everyone about your finances
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and how we're apparently supposed to be impressed and jealous of you. It's been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a modestly entertaining math puzzle.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All to no avail. You will never have the complete picture, and if you did there are many
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > alternatives you could suggest. What I did worked.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It did "work" ... eventually ... taking you into your upper 70s, which is clearly why
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the aforementioned question is *still* being dodged by Tommy:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, I took N410CV on a short familiarization flight right after it arrived from the factory.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I paid for the flight; fuel used and an hourly maintenance fee. This is encouraged. It was fun.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (So was the 1.1 hour orientation flight for a CAP cadet yesterday.) CAP has a program for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > familiarization and proficiency flights, the corporate C mission. I used it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dodge, because N410CV wasn't a CAP van. IIRC, both ed and myself caught your 'indiscretion.'
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, the decision to stay here and strike out on my own rather than take a job and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > move to Chicago was not solely financial. As Yogi once said, "When You Come to a Fork
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in the Road, Take It". You can theorize all want about what that AVMA job might have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > meant financially, but it was "The Road Not Taken" per R. Frost.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? How does that actually justify you not even researching the benefits of a job offer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that you've voluntarily bragged about its "six digit" pay?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your financial assumptions are pure speculation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, they're parameterizations of things that you've claimed. As I've said before,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they're based on numbers which you've voluntarily bragged about: if you've bragged
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about being over 5ft tall on one occasion, and said you're under 6ft tall on another,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it paramaterizes your height to be between 5'0" and 6'0" and it wouldn't be inaccurate
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to say that your height is roughly 5'6", plus or minus 6".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Among other things, how do I know the job would have turned out to be something
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I really wanted to do? My experience doing some consulting with NGOs like AVMA
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was that they have an agenda to push, and don't mind stretching the truth to influence
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > opinion and legislation. Not my cuppa.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All of those questions are irrelevant, because you still invoked them for a reason, such as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to "name drop" what their job offer was, to try to imply what you were worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You can drive yourself nuts second guessing decisions. I have never looked back ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...never - - except for this past week's "six digits" offer from AVMA from two decades ago ... /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My financial advisor worked with us to invest to get to where we are today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was working to age ~76, and also implies that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...is a scenario which was quite far out of your reach.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, because the consulting was not full-time (you assumed AVMA full-time
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for 9 or 10 years?) and the wife also was able to retire early, we enjoyed the income and ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, I merely was parameterizing on what you focused on: money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how late in life you worked until your financial advisor was confident
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (as per your own comment, above), even if working at AVMA had been ten
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years, that still would have been age ~67 or so, at least a half decade less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > time than what you ultimately ended up doing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus it might have also been tenable for you to have a side consulting gig too, but it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > appears that you simply didn't really bother to check out their offer in any real detail.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... [we had the] freedom to travel from 2003 to today ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For all of 4 international business trips that she accompanied you on over those ~20 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Wowzers! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In any event, it does come down to "Now or Never" for you, to wrap up your harder travel
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ambitions before they become untenable. As I'd advised you a few years ago, there's things
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > like the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland (75), which are doors which are closed/ing for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > while I was earning the assets to fully retire 2 years ago.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At age 76, if it was after June 2022. Average retirement age in the US is age 64 (63F/65M).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe AVMA was a better option financially. But in SO many other ways it was not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The answer depends on what you could have chosen to do with extra years of earlier
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement, which again invokes the question that you've been dodging:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, BTW, you told yet another lie. Drivers over 75 can rent a car in Ireland.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-car-rental-over-70-myths-facts/ireland-travel-tips/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Read for comprehension, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, on your own citation, note the "UP TO AGE 75"...is without restrictions:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, note that while the webpage does name of a few companies without additional restrictions,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it identifies what the additional restrictions are for some companies, including Hertz:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You must drive on a regular basis;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that you are currently driving;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on how cooperative Hertz is to accept one's reservation if one's not already a Gold
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Member and possibly also with relatively frequent domestic rentals to support a request.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV also on how easy/hard it is to obtain the two letters that they required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on if that traffic circle accident was more than five years ago now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Point is that "age" is a logistically complicating factor when it comes to travel.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is most easiest to just avoid by not waiting too long, which was the point I was
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > making several years ago ("go now") when I first pointed this issue out to you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > After all, it is never totally insurmountable, as one can just hire a private driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hertz is only one of many.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, although not all suppliers are present at all destinations…or even just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > “major” brands. Case in point, my spring dive trip’s rental car company is a one
> > > > > > > > > > > > > shop “no name” (oh, and offers a 5% discount for cash instead of credit card).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I can supply all that info, but would rather go with a company that does not require it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > You assumed that you can get that letter, but it’s apparent that you’ve not ever tried.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus suppliers are free to require surcharges, or their in-house insurance, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > The point remains unchanged: a rental car is no longer a logistical ‘non-issue’ to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > hire as they typically had been during one’s younger business travel working years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > At 80 it does really start to get more complicated, but car hire is far from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the only way to travel, especially in Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > For Europe, with its well developed mass transit and tourism. An example is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > your bragged August 2024 trip to Paris, with the Viking Mosel Rhine river cruise
> > > > > > > > > > > > > down to Zurich: it has a four (4) hour bus ride over to Trier for its start: the need
> > > > > > > > > > > > > for a rental car was avoided through the itinerary selection.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > The traffic circle accident was the wife's, not mine. However, my 5-year window
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > is not up until November this year. :(
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet you did assume above that your insurance company would so easily issue a letter for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Car hire has not been a barrier at all up to this point.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Keyword being “up to this point”. Age is a constraint which imposes limitations
> > > > > > > > > > > > > on travel options, and increases expenses to minimize/offset/compensate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > That door is closed and closing. Similarly, another place it will crop up is in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > being able to confidently pass the physical to retain a private flying license.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > You are SO f'ing wrong. I've never needed that doctor's letter so why would I go to the effort until I do?
> > > > > > > > > > > I've never needed a MD's letter either .. but then again, I'm not over age 75.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Thus:
> > > > > > > > > > > when have you ever tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, so as to make
> > > > > > > > > > > your "never" claim relevant?
> > > > > > > > > > > > The upcoming cruise package price includes several days in Paris and the bus trip
> > > > > > > > > > > > to Trier with a couple of interesting stops. There are 4 of us going. Car rental? Why?
> > > > > > > > > > > > You just want to bitch.
> > > > > > > > > > > No, what I was referring to is that you have *options* which don't require a car rental,
> > > > > > > > > > > such as your Paris/Cruise plans for next year. Doing that itinerary is particularly easy
> > > > > > > > > > > do to in a lot of Europe specifically because of their infrastructure in rail, river cruises, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Again, I never needed a letter from my insurance company, so why bother?
> > > > > > > > > > > Again, if you've never tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, irrelevant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Even if car hire becomes difficult there are still wonderful things to do in the
> > > > > > > > > > > > U.S. and Canada. It's not the end of the world.
> > > > > > > > > > > Sure, although both the US & Canada are much more automobile-centric, so it
> > > > > > > > > > > can become a bit harder than place like Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > > > You are right about the FAA physical.
> > > > > > > > > > > Of course I'm right...as I usually am, despite your frequent whining to the contrary.
> > > > > > > > > > > > I just had my annual post-cataract follow-up last week. My eyes are still in very good
> > > > > > > > > > > > shape, but there is more to it than that. I am well aware every day gets closer to the
> > > > > > > > > > > > decision to stop flying. I hope a doctor does not need to tell me I cannot pass a Class III.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Already had that happen about 15 years ago, but it was my eye doctor, not the AME,
> > > > > > > > > > > > who told me. Surgery fixed the eyes, but I to take 6 months off flying and go back to
> > > > > > > > > > > > the eye doctor to make sure I could pass the Class III before it came due. As it turns out,
> > > > > > > > > > > > I needed glasses to get to 20-20 but can still pass the Class III without them. I am
> > > > > > > > > > > > required to have those glasses available when I fly.. Yesterday I flew 3 of our cadets.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Also recently passed an IFR checkride. I'm really going to miss it when I can't do any of
> > > > > > > > > > > > that. But that day gets closer every day. Got any suggestions on how to make that stop?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > One can't. That's the reality.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > The only real mitigation is to not be overly miserly with ones resources to not end up
> > > > > > > > > > > waiting too long at which point its too late. As I've said before, "do the hard stuff while
> > > > > > > > > > > you're still young enough [to do so]". Because as one advances, even stuff which used
> > > > > > > > > > > to be easy becomes more of a challenge, and with additional barriers, such as car rental
> > > > > > > > > > > companies who impose additional requirements after a certain age.
> > > > > > > > > > There were references to this age factor to travel prior to the later "$30K" budget comment,
> > > > > > > > > > such as this comment from 2015:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > "...I would have expected that you would have had a lot more personal international
> > > > > > > > > > over the past decade based on how you had spoken of it....particularly since there's
> > > > > > > > > > also the "do the hard trips before you're too old for them" aspect; ..."
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.advocacy/c/9pVOXPkbztI/m/L6pcEJ4wCwAJ>
> > > > > > > > > > Sep 8, 2015, 3:10:49 PM
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > TL;DR: it took Tommy a mere eight (8) years to finally figure out that advice.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Basically, you just want to bitch. Only 3 days until CSMA goes away for a while.
> > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it's entertaining to watch _you_ bitch about how your brag attempts just aren't
> > > > > > > > > > > anywhere near as grandiose as you constantly try to make them.
> > > > > > > > > > To illustrate that I'm practicing what I've been preaching, Tommy had bragged that
> > > > > > > > > > he'd spent over $100K for his 2013-17 trips, but he included some 2018 expenses,
> > > > > > > > > > leading to this observation:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > "So correcting for the five year period by removing these 2018 expenses is
> > > > > > > > > > then $96,422, which averages to $19,284.40/yr."
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Looking at my own historicals, the last year prior to CoVid where we'd not spent
> > > > > > > > > > at least 95% of the above average was way back in 2005, which itself was only
> > > > > > > > > > due to the refund on a cancelled trip (not by us) which otherwise would have put
> > > > > > > > > > the annual sum's total over, and pushed this notional "first under" back to 2003.
> > > > > > > > > > Have fun with this math puzzle, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Hugh, you just can't seem to get a grip on the fact that people don't have the same reference points.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Your whine doesn't matter when I'm using the reference point that *you* chose.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I came from a family that never traveled far for anything.. By the time I was in my mid-30's I had
> > > > > > > > > been to about 6 states and one business trip to Asia. From that background my business and
> > > > > > > > > vacation travel from that point forward were more than I thought I would ever see.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Yet that didn't stop you from creating your "yee ha! I'm traveling overseas and you're not!" brags.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Sorry if it disappoints you, but based on my experience you are an upside outlier on international
> > > > > > > > > vacation spending. We are also above average based on the same reference point.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Oh, I know that I am an upside outlier - - but I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags
> > > > > > > > about it. Indeed, it mostly only comes up when you try your swagger.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I'm not wasting my time on your math puzzle.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Of course you won't, because you know that it's a contextualized putdown of another of your brag attempts.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I call bullshit.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > LOL! Good luck with that.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > First off, note that my above statement is "...I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags..."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > As such, not only do you need to provide cites for each of your below claims, but you
> > > > > > also need your cite to show that I had *initiated* the cite .. ie, I was the thread OP, not a
> > > > > > respondent to someone else (eg, your own brag attempt).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > You have posted links to photos of travel to exotic places.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Yeah, but how often was that in response to something else, not an OP? Cites required.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > You just cited a dive trip to a remote place with only one car rental option.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Actually, they have two, sometimes three. And it's in the Caribbean, so how "remote"
> > > > > > is that really? But again, where was this *initiated* by me? Cites required.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > You bragged about owning the last model year of the Porsche 911 with an air-cooled motor.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Nope, never happened.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > You bragged about the benefits of a Roth conversion.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Bragged? By showing the math of a tax optimization strategy that most anyone can use?
> > > > > > Plus what was it posted in context to? Wasn't this your credit card 2% spiel? Cites required.
> > > > >
> > > > > Speaking of credit cards, I recently got an email from said above "remote" island.
> > > > > The relevant portion said:
> > > > >
> > > > > "Remember [company's name] gives a 5% discount for pmt in cash."
> > > > >
> > > > > I'll leave it up to Tommy to calculate how much 5% is on a two week long car rental /s
> > > > >
> > > > > > > You have a very high opinion of yourself, your life choices, and your opinions, Hugh.
> > > > > > > That is blatantly obvious in many of your posts.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Merely your opinion.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The actual issue here that Tommy perceives that his own high opinion of himself has
> > > > > > been threatened by someone who simply isn't intimidated by his brag attempts.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Instead of being more humble, Tommy goes on the attack to try to disabuse them.
> > > > > > And as seen above, Tommy is willing to bend the truth and make outright false claims.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -hh
> > > > > -hh
> > > >
> > > > A 1-off discount is also an inflated claim.
> > >
> > > No, its merely yet another real world example of my prior comment that some businesses
> > > offer discounts for customers using cash. In this case, their discount is 5%.
> > >
> > > FYI, this advice came from the same business that I'd previously mentioned as having provided
> > > a $672 cash discount savings. This time, the cash savings is going to be north of $700...
> > >
> >
> > So a few businesses offer more than the 2% I get on all credit card purchases?
> Still is better than not getting any. Just the one that’s $700+ off is equivalent to you
> needing to spend over $35,000 at 2% to match: how long does that take you?
> > I get 5% off retail at Target by using my Target debit tied to my checking account.
> Likewise, how many months (years?) does it take you to spend $14,000 at Target?
> > Viking gives a 3% discount for debit in lieu of credit card.
> And 3% is equivalent to $23,333, so how many Viking cruise vacations is that?
> Have you even taken Viking on a cruise that many times?
> > What's the big deal about that? News at 11.
> It’s not..until you tried to make a big deal about a 2% card being the end-all.
> And I’m not even suggesting any hustle - just to keep one’s eyes not shut.
>
> -hh

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10:07:46 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 8:07:26 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 4:33:19 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1:19:15 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Monday, February 19, 2024 at 12:17:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E.. wrote:
> > > > > On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:21:35 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:44:45 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:06:24 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 12:06:42 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:53:09 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:32:59 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:34:11 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:08:26 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 5:04:43 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:14:32 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3:09:57 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12:33:35 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:12:56 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:47:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 1:43:08 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:16:10 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:25:12 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:15:46 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00:37 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:31:29 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:04:32 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:55:19 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:26:29 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:08:52 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 6:23:50 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:46:07 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2024-01-18 07:36, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:50:38 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> On 2024-01-15 19:48, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:35:35 PM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> On 2024-01-08 14:43, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:31:12 AM UTC-5, Alan wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> On 2024-01-08 05:05, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>> At age ~61 has Alan finally given up on his bakerMEDIA site, and business? The lame excuse for a website, bakermedia.ca, is unreachable. Linkedin says he claims to have a full-time job, working for a Toronto-based financial consulting company. The company site shows him as an employee. RIP bakermedia.ca. You won't be missed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Just curious, dick:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> Do you check my website and my LinkedIn page (the one you called my
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> "company website) every day...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> ...or just once a week?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> Maybe every month or two, at the most. Of course, you deflected, dodged the question, so typical of you, dickhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> Wow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> You admit to regularly stalking me...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> ...and you don't think you deserve to be called a "dick".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>> Not stalking, exposing your lies. Your only defense is to attempt to discredit the source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> "Maybe every month or two" you look at my website...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and goodness knows what else...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> ...and you don't think that's creepy, dick?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> I haven't lied.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> Sorry.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You lie by omission all the time. You simply cannot answer a straightforward
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > question if the answer contradicts the false image you have created of yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Not wanting to answer a question posed by a stalking DICK isn't "lying
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > by omission....
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Dick.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, but yes it is a lie. Your lie is that you are/were supporting yourself as an independent consultant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Got cite? Or is that merely your assumption?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence still from Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have been a full-time employee of a Toronto firm for some time now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? Times have changed since the 1970s: generations after yours don’t stick
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to just one or afew companies for their entire working career: it’s now common
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to change every ~5 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your independent consultancy failed to support you so you became an employee,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or at least you claim full-time employment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Speculation, plus no proof that it was ever exclusively full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The bakerMedia site was disappeared. Can't afford the url renewal fee?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hasn’t the Farmecon LLC website has disappeared too?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ouch. Projecting your own “can’t afford it?” paradigm onto yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You claim to be an elite FF driver at the local track, but your record does not support that claim.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > “Elite”? Really? Let’s see the cite.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus this isn’t the only time that you’ve gotten jealous & petty when you can’t be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sole center of attention, especially for when it’s someone who has some skill clearly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > better than you: you should go fly for 30 minutes on just 15 minutes of fuel to show
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > readers that you’re halfway good at at least one thing. /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You have a selfie photo of yourself on your employer's site that in no way resembles
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your current appearance on LinkedIn.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a condition of employment that requires image synchronization that’s being violated?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FYI, the professional headshots a stalker may find of me are also out of date.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Another lie. In fact when I pointed out that the company photo resembled the unflattering
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LinkedIn version you changed it to what makes you appear healthier and without scraggly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > facial hair. Which is the real you?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because we all know that a random picture on the Internet is profoundly important! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The FarmEcon site disappeared because I shuttered the business over 2 years ago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? You could have left the reports up, and just said you’re no longer actively consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Search for FarmEcon.com in Google. Takes you to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=farmecon.com where I have the URL for sale. Will I ever get that advertised price? Likely not, but
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > per WHOIS I own it for a few more years, until 2027. It's assigned to the GoDaddy URL sales site until expiration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You’re asking $8K! GoDaddy’s appraisal tool says that it’s worth just $1555:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > < https://www.godaddy.com/domain-value-appraisal/appraisal/?domainToCheck=Farmecon.com>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then try a bakermedia.ca search.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GoDaddy says $948 for that domain..basically two thirds as much as your domain:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not as “bad off” as you’re trying to imply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... On WHOIS it shows a 2032 URL expiration date. ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On LinkedIn …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The deletion of the company site and a full-time job all suggest that bakerMEDIA is defunct, or nearly so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That wasn’t the question. The question was if it ever was represented as full time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Actually, 2018 was a very interesting year for Alan…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Even more stalking by Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If his consulting practice had been lucrative why is he not still not doing that full-time?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Don’t know, don’t care, because it’s none of my business. But I do know that a lot
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of people are seeking a better work-life balance than what old Boomers tolerated.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My consulting was, in contrast, very rewarding personally and financially.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because you got travel boondoggles? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I worked it actively from 2003 to 2022, and even collected my last income in 2023.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Net income, IRS basis, was about $1.3 million before 401K contributions. As you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > know, some expenses become deductible just because you are running a business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from home, so this is lower than actual.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SS & Medicare is 15..3%, but only half of that is unique to self-employment to be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comparable to a regular job. Plus write-offs for laptops, office, etc and it’s a 10%
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variance or so in total. Another are business travel costs, which of course are usually
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > customer-approval specific, but not a big money suck…unless one wants it to be.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus wasn’t there also a corporate donation to a local theater for tickets too, eh?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The write-off game is very much just that for some folks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since I also had pension and SSI income I'll admit I did not solicit many projects.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They were referrals for the most part.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You were nevertheless still hustling for work for more than decade beyond normal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement age. That shows that you weren’t anywhere near ‘comfortable’ without it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simply Google "thomas elam farmecon" for a small sample of my non-confidential
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects that made it into the public domain.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Despite how you still own the domain and could have just left those papers up?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why go to all this trouble? Alan has repeatedly called me the "lying little shit" and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a liar in general.. I am neither. My body of work for numerous clients …
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > …is not representative of the crap that you regularly tried to pull here. As such, your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consultant work is irrelevant and not a defense for your poor behavior here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I was not comfortable at all with where I was in early 2003. I did some teaching and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > started consulting. I was offered a 6-figure job with AVMA out of Chicago, but did not want
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to move there.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your loss, as that would have enabled a higher retirement savings rate and been able to shave,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > oh perhaps 20-25% off of the years that you worked since 2003, so maybe your retirement could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been at age 70 instead of 75 or whatever.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The consulting grew organically to the point where I could not meet classes and travel to see clients.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The conflict there was classes vs travel. You chose travel. As I called it, a "boondoggle" motivation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Consulting won, and within 15 years or so I had built up a sizable net worth and income stream.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Started slow, ended slow, and averaged well under six digits. Shouda' gone to Chicago /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took the site down just to make sure no one would see it and call me anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Self-contradiction of wanting us to find your papers but hiding them. "Check!". /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All my clients have my contact info and know how to get in touch if they need something from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a past project. That happens occasionally. 95% of the work I did was not on the site anyway.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which based on your numbers, effectively didn't happen for your last three years (94% retired).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The work was rewarding because it helped people solve problems. I took about 5 or 6 international
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consulting trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Five or Six"? How is it then that your old "brag" spreadsheet that you shared has 21 international trips
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > listed for business for the years of 2004 - 2015?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The wife went on 4 international trips, Canada, Germany, France, and Austria.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That was less than 5% of the work.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 4/21 = 19% of international business trips.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > She did go on some short U.S. trips. Yes I enjoyed the travel, she did too, so what? All the work
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was done right here in my office. The trips were for client-requested meetings to present results.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That's been discussed before, where you've tried to imply personal wealth from leveraged business
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trips paid for by others (and including using frequent flier miles thereof as well): there's been quite
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a bit of the proverbial “yee-haw, I’m traveling and you’re not...I’m rich!" over the years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You got the 10% number about right. My gross margin over business deductions was about 90%.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet another instance of where you've had to admit that my parametric are close enough.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Social Security contributions added to my eventual benefits. I get within a few dollars of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > maximum for age claiming at 66.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was $45K/yr; I'd figured ~$35K for each of you, as I figured that yours would be the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > higher of the two; hers can be as low as $25K/yr and the prior numbers are still on track.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There were no charitable donations taken on my LLC Form C. Those all were on the Schedule D
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > at the time, now are QCD adjustments to income take out of IRA RMD funds. The matching came
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > from my ex-employer, not my LLC.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That doesn't explain how Farmecon was the listed benefactor: was it done as an advertising expense write-off?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was not hustling for work. I cannot remember soliciting for anything except one project.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone in a meeting asked if anyone knew how to do X. I volunteered and got the assignment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The rest were all people who approached me with requests. I turned down a few that I knew were
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > beyond my capabilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL, I've had enough time with contractors to know that there's *always* hustle for the next gig.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My behavior here is intended to defend myself against Alan Baker's assaults on my character.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Too bad you're doing such a poor job at it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And you are the person who falsely claimed to have had an FAA friend in London who could
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look at my flight logs and make a judgement on their accuracy! That is reprehensible!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, what's reprehensible is that you claim that it is a false claim. For example, I never said where
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they lived in UK, just that one would fly into London to go visit them. Go look it up. In the meantime,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they are retired, but still working in the aviation industry, consulting for Boeing and L3. They also
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had a nice snow ski trip last season to a place I've never heard of: Val du Claret, Tignes.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You also criticize disguised as personal finance advice while not having complete knowledge of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a person's strategy, goals and investment portfolio. Look in the mirror yourself.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nope. My mirror doesn't have the hypocritical cracks from frequent brag attempts about my income
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or net worth. Just take a look at how many you stuffed into just your last reply.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Incomplete data extrapolated to fit your version of reality and wildly wrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it’s already been parametrically narrowed down that your average wage
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was under $100K/yr, and IIRC more like $78K, so “six digits” would be easily
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 20% higher.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope your retirement projections are better.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > They’re doing fine, which is why I’ve mentioned Roth-ifying near term, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > limit & manage taxable RMDs when they eventually kick in…
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WE DID NOT want to move to Chicago. That was a mutual decision. It worked
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out great from my perspective. There is more than money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It’s quite ironic to hear you try to claim that there’s more to life than money after
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > repeatedly posting what your net worth is, as well as working an extra decade+
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > longer than average. If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Silence from Tommy on the $200K at age 63 question.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just to make your head spin a little fast I offer the following.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To get off to a good start we paid off the house in 2003. Knowing that we had no debt was a confidence booster.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your parametric "wage narrowing" is a joke as is the claim that taking that Chicago
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > job was a good idea for speeding up retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You're the one who tried to brag that the AVMA was a six-figure job. You've not only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > admitted that that was more than you were making where you were, but the other numbers
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you've provided have enabled a parametric estimate of at least how much more.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The limits on retirement contributions at the offered Chicago salary were a fraction
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of what I was able to put away in a self-employed 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And the AVMA didn't offer any pension? Because the reason why the tax code allows
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > self-employed businesses to have such higher 401k provisions is because there isn't an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By putting away the max in my own 401k in 2003-2023 (last 2 years were 0) through my own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions and capital appreciation I built what is now an IRA worth well over $1 million today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which if we KISS apply the 4% rule for an annuity equivalent is a pension of just $40K/year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If I take what we put in minus RMD withdrawals the non-discounted net cash IRA outlay
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > has been $197k. I about 4 years the net will be zero. An employee plan with its lower
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > contributions would never have done that for IRA current value or past and future $RMD.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... and the ramifications of this are that the the employer's pension portion only needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to be just $20K/year to be at break-even. Less, if there was also an employer match
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > going into the 401k.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, of course, there are 4 other retirement accounts and a substantial amount of other
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > investments not in qualified plans. The wife worked for a while too after we got married in 2002.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Over that same 2003-2023 span we had one lean year with under $150k income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The average was $204k. The decision to save as much as possible was very deliberate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except that you've just admitted that there were 4 other retirement accounts plus RMDs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that were all contributors to these income totals, which parametrically means that your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years of working as a consultant must have always been *less* than the numbers you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just stated above. Golly, more parameterizing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently receive monthly: 2 pension, 2 Social Security, 5 RMD and 1 dividend payments.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr out of your $204K/yr average,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and there's still the RMDs to subtract off (and dividends) before one gets down to just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > what the average consultant gig was paying per year.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My ex-employer also heavily subsidizes our Medicare Supplement plans and pays for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > my Part B premiums, all tax free.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > IIRC, I can expect to have ~five years of 100% free healthcare, after which it drops to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > just 70% subsidized. What did I win? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That 'heavily subsidized' is probably the $6K/year that Tommy mentioned in July 2019
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as a 2016 change in his retirement benefits. At that time he also noted that it apparently
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wasn't indexed to inflation. Hopefully that has changed for the better for him.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > FWIW, I did a verification check on my own benefits; the permanent "70% subsidy" part has a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > cap of $15K/year in 2024, so more expensive plans can have a lower contribution percentage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, our investments' market value continues to grow long term. The 2023-2024 YoY growth
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the 2022 slump is over $500k. An unusual yoyo 2 years to be sure, but it all keeps the mind active..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Golly, you already know what your 2024 growth was? /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, its more likely that you're counting all of 2022, plus YTD, rather than just YoY, so as to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > squeeze out a slightly bigger number from the past five weeks' gains to try to brag about.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Life was much simpler when I got only a salary, bonuses and stock options. I say that,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > but AMT liabilities arising from Incentive Stock Options income and later reclaiming AMT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after the ISO's stopped was a bit complicated and risky. Not to mention that you may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > need to borrow the money to pay for the exercise and then wait at least a year to sell
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get LTCG treatment on a gain that may not materialize. See:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.esofund.com/blog/amt-tax-calculator#:~:text=If%20you%20exercise%20incentive%20stock%20options%20%28ISOs%29%20you,value%20at%20the%20time%20of%20exercise%20as%20income.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://www.brightonjones.com/blog/amt-stock-options/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It took me over 10 years to reclaim the AMT I paid, but it was a nice Federal tax liability offset while it lasted.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, there's other ways to manage stock options which are less likely to trigger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > AMTs (plus AMT has temporarily disappeared as a real factor, due to the 2017 TCJA).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But more to the point, moving to Chicago would have meant losing family and friend
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > connections, downsizing, higher taxes and living expenses. It is likely that at that time,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > having just paid off the house, we would need to mortgage a home in the Chicago suburbs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving was never seriously considered for many reasons.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Because one can never make new friends/etc. Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is <200 miles. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that you mentioned it and how it was a "six figure"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > income opportunity, as that paramaterizes that you were earning less at the time.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I also enjoyed working for myself. It gave me the freedom to do jobs my way. I turned
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > engagements down too. You should try it, very liberating.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Perhaps I already am, and just haven't bragged about it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As for the consulting international trip count my underestimate is the result of those
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > forgotten ones being not very memorable. The few I did remember were mostly the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ones with the wife. The rest were just work. Fly somewhere, a meeting or two, fly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > home. BFD. When working for Lilly those OUS trips often included 1-2 weeks, multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > projects, and multiple destinations. More memorable, and some downtime to sightsee.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Routine business travel does get tuned out ... but then not invoked in brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how you've kept such meticulous records and even counted air segments, its
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not really a particularly believable excuse.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Have you ever run a run your own business to the extent of having a self-employed 401k?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've never been laid off to have been compelled to strike out on my own to need to: with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an existent employer 401k, any side business affairs don't need to incur the overhead to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > go duplicate that capability, as it is easy with multiple income streams to leverage them
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so as to facilitate shifting of expenses/income to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm going to answer just these comments:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "But that assumes no employer match on the 401k, as well as no pension benefit.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Since the self-employed 401k is ~2x what an individual employee can set aside in an
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer's 401k, we can parametrically model the What-If of you taking that AVMA job
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and making the same max individual 401k contributions as ~1/2 of what you've now
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ended up with, which would be $500K"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I never got to the stage of asking about fringe benefits. The prospect of relocating to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chicago killed it. As the AVMA is a not-for-profit I doubt that the retirement benefits
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > were very generous.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So you didn't even look? Pity, for there's a 2016 comment on Glassdoor that says that their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > employer 401k match is up to 10%, which for a $100K+ salary is an additional +$10K+/year,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which is a 40% increase in contributions (using 2016's limit of $24K, an employer's 10% of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > $100K = +$10K = $34K/$24K = 1..42 = a +42% higher rate of investment.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also I was already almost 57 at the time, so it was going to be short term there, not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > much chance to build up credits or a 401k
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? The point was only that it would be *shorter* than what you actually did, which was age 75+.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your 500k assumes that I would have worked there well past age 65.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But not to age 75 (actually 78), which is where your current 401k balance comes from.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Now using Glassdoor's reported 10% employer match, the accumulation rate would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > have been substantially (+42%) higher than than what was modeled in the $500K KISS,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that (plus whatever employer pension) is how working years get chopped off.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keeping it simple by ignoring progressive compounding/etc from more money earlier,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > figure roughly 20 years/1.42 = 14 years, which is ~6 years earlier for retirement.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, you are assuming things about an AVMA 401k plan. Sorry, but again you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > assume facts not in evidence. ie, you lied
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > False: I simply noted that the baseline parameterization didn't assume that there
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was any employer match from AVMA to sweeten the deal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But now that we know that they do, we can update those numbers, as seen above.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And this is just from the 401k benefits portion, still not counting any additional pension.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Plus a CAP flight from Chicago back to Indy is <200 miles."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you f'ing kidding. You cannot use CAP aircraft for personal flying!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Except for how you've previously admitted to using one of CAP's vans for personal use,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so we know that you're already predisposed to trying such things.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Think the SS was already SWAGed at ~$60K/yr in total. Figure two pensions adding up
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the same sum and you're already at $120K/yr"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > LOL again! The pensions and SS add up to under $100k. The rest is dividends and RMD's.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which is the payoff for all that fun I had consulting.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Tommy, on Jan 26, 2024, 8:04:32 PM: "I get within a few dollars of the maximum for age
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > claiming at 66." which if you're telling the truth is ~$45K of that claimed "under $100K",
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means that the other three sum to <$55K and would average just $18.3K each.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An average SS pension is ~$1500/mo = $18K/yr, so assuming that for the Mrs, the balance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after SS is just $37K/yr for the sum of the two pensions. Since you've bragged about your
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Eli Lilly "golden parachute" & pension from working there for 23 years, if it alone was less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > than $35K, it would IMO be just an average pension amount.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are spending a lot of time stalking my finances.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Merely because you've invested so much here in telling everyone about your finances
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and how we're apparently supposed to be impressed and jealous of you. It's been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a modestly entertaining math puzzle..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All to no avail. You will never have the complete picture, and if you did there are many
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > alternatives you could suggest. What I did worked.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It did "work" ... eventually ... taking you into your upper 70s, which is clearly why
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the aforementioned question is *still* being dodged by Tommy:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, I took N410CV on a short familiarization flight right after it arrived from the factory.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I paid for the flight; fuel used and an hourly maintenance fee. This is encouraged. It was fun.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (So was the 1.1 hour orientation flight for a CAP cadet yesterday.) CAP has a program for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > familiarization and proficiency flights, the corporate C mission. I used it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dodge, because N410CV wasn't a CAP van. IIRC, both ed and myself caught your 'indiscretion.'
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, the decision to stay here and strike out on my own rather than take a job and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > move to Chicago was not solely financial. As Yogi once said, "When You Come to a Fork
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in the Road, Take It". You can theorize all want about what that AVMA job might have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > meant financially, but it was "The Road Not Taken" per R. Frost.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So? How does that actually justify you not even researching the benefits of a job offer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that you've voluntarily bragged about its "six digit" pay?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Your financial assumptions are pure speculation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, they're parameterizations of things that you've claimed. As I've said before,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > they're based on numbers which you've voluntarily bragged about: if you've bragged
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about being over 5ft tall on one occasion, and said you're under 6ft tall on another,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it paramaterizes your height to be between 5'0" and 6'0" and it wouldn't be inaccurate
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to say that your height is roughly 5'6", plus or minus 6".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Among other things, how do I know the job would have turned out to be something
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I really wanted to do? My experience doing some consulting with NGOs like AVMA
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was that they have an agenda to push, and don't mind stretching the truth to influence
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > opinion and legislation. Not my cuppa..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > All of those questions are irrelevant, because you still invoked them for a reason, such as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to "name drop" what their job offer was, to try to imply what you were worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You can drive yourself nuts second guessing decisions. I have never looked back ..
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...never - - except for this past week's "six digits" offer from AVMA from two decades ago ... /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My financial advisor worked with us to invest to get to where we are today.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Which was working to age ~76, and also implies that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...is a scenario which was quite far out of your reach.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, because the consulting was not full-time (you assumed AVMA full-time
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for 9 or 10 years?) and the wife also was able to retire early, we enjoyed the income and ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > No, I merely was parameterizing on what you focused on: money.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Given how late in life you worked until your financial advisor was confident
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (as per your own comment, above), even if working at AVMA had been ten
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > years, that still would have been age ~67 or so, at least a half decade less
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > time than what you ultimately ended up doing.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus it might have also been tenable for you to have a side consulting gig too, but it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > appears that you simply didn't really bother to check out their offer in any real detail.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ... [we had the] freedom to travel from 2003 to today ...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For all of 4 international business trips that she accompanied you on over those ~20 years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Wowzers! /s
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In any event, it does come down to "Now or Never" for you, to wrap up your harder travel
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ambitions before they become untenable. As I'd advised you a few years ago, there's things
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > like the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland (75), which are doors which are closed/ing for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > while I was earning the assets to fully retire 2 years ago.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At age 76, if it was after June 2022. Average retirement age in the US is age 64 (63F/65M).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe AVMA was a better option financially. But in SO many other ways it was not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The answer depends on what you could have chosen to do with extra years of earlier
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > retirement, which again invokes the question that you've been dodging:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If you could have retired at 63 with a $200K income stream
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > before SS or 401k/IRA distributions…would you have taken it?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, BTW, you told yet another lie. Drivers over 75 can rent a car in Ireland.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-car-rental-over-70-myths-facts/ireland-travel-tips/
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Read for comprehension, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > First, on your own citation, note the "UP TO AGE 75"...is without restrictions:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Second, note that while the webpage does name of a few companies without additional restrictions,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it identifies what the additional restrictions are for some companies, including Hertz:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You must drive on a regular basis;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and that you are currently driving;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on how cooperative Hertz is to accept one's reservation if one's not already a Gold
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Member and possibly also with relatively frequent domestic rentals to support a request.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV also on how easy/hard it is to obtain the two letters that they required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YMMV on if that traffic circle accident was more than five years ago now.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Point is that "age" is a logistically complicating factor when it comes to travel.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is most easiest to just avoid by not waiting too long, which was the point I was
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > making several years ago ("go now") when I first pointed this issue out to you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > After all, it is never totally insurmountable, as one can just hire a private driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hertz is only one of many.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Of course, although not all suppliers are present at all destinations…or even just
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > “major” brands. Case in point, my spring dive trip’s rental car company is a one
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > shop “no name” (oh, and offers a 5% discount for cash instead of credit card).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I can supply all that info, but would rather go with a company that does not require it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > You assumed that you can get that letter, but it’s apparent that you’ve not ever tried.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Plus suppliers are free to require surcharges, or their in-house insurance, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > The point remains unchanged: a rental car is no longer a logistical ‘non-issue’ to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > hire as they typically had been during one’s younger business travel working years.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At 80 it does really start to get more complicated, but car hire is far from
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the only way to travel, especially in Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > For Europe, with its well developed mass transit and tourism. An example is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > your bragged August 2024 trip to Paris, with the Viking Mosel Rhine river cruise
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > down to Zurich: it has a four (4) hour bus ride over to Trier for its start: the need
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > for a rental car was avoided through the itinerary selection.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The traffic circle accident was the wife's, not mine. However, my 5-year window
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is not up until November this year. :(
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yet you did assume above that your insurance company would so easily issue a letter for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Car hire has not been a barrier at all up to this point.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Keyword being “up to this point”. Age is a constraint which imposes limitations
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > on travel options, and increases expenses to minimize/offset/compensate.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > That door is closed and closing. Similarly, another place it will crop up is in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > being able to confidently pass the physical to retain a private flying license.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > You are SO f'ing wrong. I've never needed that doctor's letter so why would I go to the effort until I do?
> > > > > > > > > > > > I've never needed a MD's letter either .. but then again, I'm not over age 75.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Thus:
> > > > > > > > > > > > when have you ever tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, so as to make
> > > > > > > > > > > > your "never" claim relevant?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > The upcoming cruise package price includes several days in Paris and the bus trip
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to Trier with a couple of interesting stops. There are 4 of us going. Car rental? Why?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > You just want to bitch.
> > > > > > > > > > > > No, what I was referring to is that you have *options* which don't require a car rental,
> > > > > > > > > > > > such as your Paris/Cruise plans for next year. Doing that itinerary is particularly easy
> > > > > > > > > > > > do to in a lot of Europe specifically because of their infrastructure in rail, river cruises, etc.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Again, I never needed a letter from my insurance company, so why bother?
> > > > > > > > > > > > Again, if you've never tried to rent a car in Europe since you turned 75, irrelevant.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Even if car hire becomes difficult there are still wonderful things to do in the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > U.S. and Canada. It's not the end of the world.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Sure, although both the US & Canada are much more automobile-centric, so it
> > > > > > > > > > > > can become a bit harder than place like Europe.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > You are right about the FAA physical.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Of course I'm right...as I usually am, despite your frequent whining to the contrary.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I just had my annual post-cataract follow-up last week. My eyes are still in very good
> > > > > > > > > > > > > shape, but there is more to it than that. I am well aware every day gets closer to the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > decision to stop flying. I hope a doctor does not need to tell me I cannot pass a Class III.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Already had that happen about 15 years ago, but it was my eye doctor, not the AME,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > who told me. Surgery fixed the eyes, but I to take 6 months off flying and go back to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the eye doctor to make sure I could pass the Class III before it came due. As it turns out,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I needed glasses to get to 20-20 but can still pass the Class III without them. I am
> > > > > > > > > > > > > required to have those glasses available when I fly. Yesterday I flew 3 of our cadets.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Also recently passed an IFR checkride. I'm really going to miss it when I can't do any of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > that. But that day gets closer every day. Got any suggestions on how to make that stop?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > One can't. That's the reality.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > The only real mitigation is to not be overly miserly with ones resources to not end up
> > > > > > > > > > > > waiting too long at which point its too late. As I've said before, "do the hard stuff while
> > > > > > > > > > > > you're still young enough [to do so]". Because as one advances, even stuff which used
> > > > > > > > > > > > to be easy becomes more of a challenge, and with additional barriers, such as car rental
> > > > > > > > > > > > companies who impose additional requirements after a certain age.
> > > > > > > > > > > There were references to this age factor to travel prior to the later "$30K" budget comment,
> > > > > > > > > > > such as this comment from 2015:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > "...I would have expected that you would have had a lot more personal international
> > > > > > > > > > > over the past decade based on how you had spoken of it...particularly since there's
> > > > > > > > > > > also the "do the hard trips before you're too old for them" aspect; ..."
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.advocacy/c/9pVOXPkbztI/m/L6pcEJ4wCwAJ>
> > > > > > > > > > > Sep 8, 2015, 3:10:49 PM
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > TL;DR: it took Tommy a mere eight (8) years to finally figure out that advice.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Basically, you just want to bitch. Only 3 days until CSMA goes away for a while.
> > > > > > > > > > > > Nah, it's entertaining to watch _you_ bitch about how your brag attempts just aren't
> > > > > > > > > > > > anywhere near as grandiose as you constantly try to make them.
> > > > > > > > > > > To illustrate that I'm practicing what I've been preaching, Tommy had bragged that
> > > > > > > > > > > he'd spent over $100K for his 2013-17 trips, but he included some 2018 expenses,
> > > > > > > > > > > leading to this observation:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > "So correcting for the five year period by removing these 2018 expenses is
> > > > > > > > > > > then $96,422, which averages to $19,284.40/yr."
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Looking at my own historicals, the last year prior to CoVid where we'd not spent
> > > > > > > > > > > at least 95% of the above average was way back in 2005, which itself was only
> > > > > > > > > > > due to the refund on a cancelled trip (not by us) which otherwise would have put
> > > > > > > > > > > the annual sum's total over, and pushed this notional "first under" back to 2003.
> > > > > > > > > > > Have fun with this math puzzle, Tommy.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Hugh, you just can't seem to get a grip on the fact that people don't have the same reference points.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Your whine doesn't matter when I'm using the reference point that *you* chose.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > I came from a family that never traveled far for anything. By the time I was in my mid-30's I had
> > > > > > > > > > been to about 6 states and one business trip to Asia. From that background my business and
> > > > > > > > > > vacation travel from that point forward were more than I thought I would ever see.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Yet that didn't stop you from creating your "yee ha! I'm traveling overseas and you're not!" brags.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Sorry if it disappoints you, but based on my experience you are an upside outlier on international
> > > > > > > > > > vacation spending. We are also above average based on the same reference point.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Oh, I know that I am an upside outlier - - but I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags
> > > > > > > > > about it. Indeed, it mostly only comes up when you try your swagger.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > I'm not wasting my time on your math puzzle.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Of course you won't, because you know that it's a contextualized putdown of another of your brag attempts.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I call bullshit.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > LOL! Good luck with that.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > First off, note that my above statement is "...I also don't go initiating gratuitous brags..."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > As such, not only do you need to provide cites for each of your below claims, but you
> > > > > > > also need your cite to show that I had *initiated* the cite ... ie, I was the thread OP, not a
> > > > > > > respondent to someone else (eg, your own brag attempt).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You have posted links to photos of travel to exotic places.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Yeah, but how often was that in response to something else, not an OP? Cites required.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You just cited a dive trip to a remote place with only one car rental option.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Actually, they have two, sometimes three. And it's in the Caribbean, so how "remote"
> > > > > > > is that really? But again, where was this *initiated* by me? Cites required.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You bragged about owning the last model year of the Porsche 911 with an air-cooled motor.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Nope, never happened.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You bragged about the benefits of a Roth conversion.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Bragged? By showing the math of a tax optimization strategy that most anyone can use?
> > > > > > > Plus what was it posted in context to? Wasn't this your credit card 2% spiel? Cites required.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Speaking of credit cards, I recently got an email from said above "remote" island.
> > > > > > The relevant portion said:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Remember [company's name] gives a 5% discount for pmt in cash."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'll leave it up to Tommy to calculate how much 5% is on a two week long car rental /s
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You have a very high opinion of yourself, your life choices, and your opinions, Hugh.
> > > > > > > > That is blatantly obvious in many of your posts.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Merely your opinion.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The actual issue here that Tommy perceives that his own high opinion of himself has
> > > > > > > been threatened by someone who simply isn't intimidated by his brag attempts.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Instead of being more humble, Tommy goes on the attack to try to disabuse them.
> > > > > > > And as seen above, Tommy is willing to bend the truth and make outright false claims.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > -hh
> > > > > > -hh
> > > > >
> > > > > A 1-off discount is also an inflated claim.
> > > >
> > > > No, its merely yet another real world example of my prior comment that some businesses
> > > > offer discounts for customers using cash. In this case, their discount is 5%.
> > > >
> > > > FYI, this advice came from the same business that I'd previously mentioned as having provided
> > > > a $672 cash discount savings. This time, the cash savings is going to be north of $700...
> > > >
> > >
> > > So a few businesses offer more than the 2% I get on all credit card purchases?
> >
> > Still is better than not getting any. Just the one that’s $700+ off is equivalent to you
> > needing to spend over $35,000 at 2% to match: how long does that take you?
> >
> > > I get 5% off retail at Target by using my Target debit tied to my checking account.
> >
> > Likewise, how many months (years?) does it take you to spend $14,000 at Target?
> >
> > > Viking gives a 3% discount for debit in lieu of credit card.
> >
> > And 3% is equivalent to $23,333, so how many Viking cruise vacations is that?
> > Have you even taken Viking on a cruise that many times?
> >
> > > What's the big deal about that? News at 11.
> >
> > It’s not..until you tried to make a big deal about a 2% card being the end-all.
> > And I’m not even suggesting any hustle - just to keep one’s eyes not shut.
> >
>
> Your opinion of me is just that, one opinion.