@kshansen avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTV300 (wife's)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1927
Location: Central New York
 
Molto Verboso
@kshansen avatar
GTV300 (wife's)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1927
Location: Central New York
UTC quote
Well I'm sure the "odd one out" here as this is my truck:


A 2006 Ford Range with a four cylinder with a 5-speed transmission rubber floor mat and about the only options are AC and radio with MP3 player that replaced the original radio with CD player.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@jbacklund avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2020 GTS300 HPE/2022 Triumph Rocket 3R/1981 Honda CB900C/2019 Triumph Speedmaster
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1889
Location: Black Hills South Dakota USA
 
Molto Verboso
@jbacklund avatar
2020 GTS300 HPE/2022 Triumph Rocket 3R/1981 Honda CB900C/2019 Triumph Speedmaster
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1889
Location: Black Hills South Dakota USA
UTC quote
kshansen wrote:
Well I'm sure the "odd one out" here as this is my truck:


A 2006 Ford Range with a four cylinder with a 5-speed transmission rubber floor mat and about the only options are AC and radio with MP3 player that replaced the original radio with CD player.
I miss those kinds of simple, compact, pickups.

In such a utilitarian vehicle, I could be just fine with a bench seat, manual roll-up windows, and an AM radio, though I might cheat a bit and want AC.
@mpfrank avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4774
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
 
Ossessionato
@mpfrank avatar
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4774
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
UTC quote
JBacklund wrote:
Supposedly it can help, you know...'compensate' for a rather personal inadequacy, but also having a Vespa at the same time recalibrates and balances the formula so that one ends up being just average again.
Right now I'm sitting with one foot in a bucket of scalding hot water and the other in a bucket of ice water.

On balance, I'm quite comfortable.
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38117
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38117
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
kshansen wrote:
Well I'm sure the "odd one out" here as this is my truck:


A 2006 Ford Range with a four cylinder with a 5-speed transmission rubber floor mat and about the only options are AC and radio with MP3 player that replaced the original radio with CD player.
I kid you not, there used to be a Ford Ranger Scooter Club. There were enough vintage scooterists with Ford Rangers (to haul them around to meets or when they broke down) that someone half-jokingly started a club.
@tszarathusra avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa C38 - S50 4T Super.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 266
Location: Netherlands
 
Hooked
@tszarathusra avatar
Vespa C38 - S50 4T Super.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 266
Location: Netherlands
UTC quote
JBacklund wrote:
Supposedly it can help, you know...'compensate' for a rather personal inadequacy, but also having a Vespa at the same time recalibrates and balances the formula so that one ends up being just average again.
Does that formula also work if I go for the largest, highest powered Vespa available, and a small car?
@seamus26 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
1979 P200E (sold) / ZNEN Amore 150 (sold) / Genuine Buddy 170i / Genuine Stella 4T /Aprilia Sportcity One 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2694
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
 
Ossessionato
@seamus26 avatar
1979 P200E (sold) / ZNEN Amore 150 (sold) / Genuine Buddy 170i / Genuine Stella 4T /Aprilia Sportcity One 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2694
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
UTC quote
kshansen wrote:
Well I'm sure the "odd one out" here as this is my truck:


A 2006 Ford Range with a four cylinder with a 5-speed transmission rubber floor mat and about the only options are AC and radio with MP3 player that replaced the original radio with CD player.
There isn't enough appreciation for that kind of a truck.

One of our engineers took delivery last fall on her Ford Maverick Hybrid. I told her that's probably the most practical vehicle on the road.

The Ranger was a great platform.
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38117
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38117
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
T.S.Zarathusra wrote:
Does that formula also work if I go for the largest, highest powered Vespa available, and a small car?
That math doesn't pencil out, I'm afraid.
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
seamus26 wrote:
... somebody had parked in the adjacent "special" space. In a Suburban.
They likely felt *special.'
@wleuthold avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5305
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@wleuthold avatar
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5305
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
UTC quote
Three of my vehicles.

The Tacoma is as basic as they come.
Manual transmission, roll up windows, manual mirrors, no cruise control with the small 4 cylinder engine.

But so sweet.

Bill
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@jbacklund avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2020 GTS300 HPE/2022 Triumph Rocket 3R/1981 Honda CB900C/2019 Triumph Speedmaster
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1889
Location: Black Hills South Dakota USA
 
Molto Verboso
@jbacklund avatar
2020 GTS300 HPE/2022 Triumph Rocket 3R/1981 Honda CB900C/2019 Triumph Speedmaster
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1889
Location: Black Hills South Dakota USA
UTC quote
WLeuthold wrote:
Three of my vehicles.

The Tacoma is as basic as they come.
Manual transmission, roll up windows, manual mirrors, no cruise control with the small 4 cylinder engine.

But so sweet.

Bill
Extra points awarded for the older MX-5.
@copeland avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2013 Vespa GTS300 Super, 2022 Kymco AD550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 62
Location: Eden Prairie MN
 
Enthusiast
@copeland avatar
2013 Vespa GTS300 Super, 2022 Kymco AD550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 62
Location: Eden Prairie MN
UTC quote
The huge Pickup thing seems to dominate well beyond the need for one. They are all over the place hear in the Twin Cities. Maybe like the allure of sports cars, there is the "Pick Up Man". There even is a counry western song, "There is something about a pickup man".

I do marvel at the marketing. Essentially, they have taken the stripped down work horse farm utility 150 series pickup, and turned it into cadillac. Easy to pay $85,000 for a new one. Image and prestige playing here. I don't blame anyone - go for it.

So, if this is image - what does it mean if I am driving a Honda HRV.

Bob Copeland
@wleuthold avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5305
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@wleuthold avatar
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5305
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
UTC quote
JBacklund wrote:
Extra points awarded for the older MX-5.
My MX-5 Miata is a 10th Anniversary Edition, one of 8500 worldwide made for the 1999 model year.

I bought it in 2007 to race in local SCCA autocross events, which I did in every event for seven or eight years.

I was able to compete with all but the fastest drivers after I found the proper tires.

Now it mostly sits, but I did drive it on an 800 mile trip late last year, half the trip with the top down.

It is a wonderful car.

Bill
Running at the Gainesville Raceway road course eleven years ago.
Running at the Gainesville Raceway road course eleven years ago.
Glamour shot on A1A near Fernandina Beach, FL.
Glamour shot on A1A near Fernandina Beach, FL.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
A Maxda MX5 is a Hairdressers car. Made for people who can't afford a Boxster.

A Triumph Rocket is a pointless motorcycle.

Here is the smallest Violin in the world.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@bajarob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
1961 VS5T, 1981 P200E, 2003 Malaguti F12 Phantom,Rigid Frame Chopper, 2001 Harley FXDXT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1516
Location: Ventura, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@bajarob avatar
1961 VS5T, 1981 P200E, 2003 Malaguti F12 Phantom,Rigid Frame Chopper, 2001 Harley FXDXT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1516
Location: Ventura, CA
UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
A Maxda MX5 is a Hairdressers car. Made for people who can't afford a Boxster.

A Triumph Rocket is a pointless motorcycle.

Here is the smallest Violin in the world.
Got to admit this is completely hysterical, I'm in tears! My wife drives a Honda Civic though.🤣🤣
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
Which means she's not a Hairdresser.
@seamus26 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
1979 P200E (sold) / ZNEN Amore 150 (sold) / Genuine Buddy 170i / Genuine Stella 4T /Aprilia Sportcity One 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2694
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
 
Ossessionato
@seamus26 avatar
1979 P200E (sold) / ZNEN Amore 150 (sold) / Genuine Buddy 170i / Genuine Stella 4T /Aprilia Sportcity One 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2694
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
UTC quote
@bajarob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
1961 VS5T, 1981 P200E, 2003 Malaguti F12 Phantom,Rigid Frame Chopper, 2001 Harley FXDXT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1516
Location: Ventura, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@bajarob avatar
1961 VS5T, 1981 P200E, 2003 Malaguti F12 Phantom,Rigid Frame Chopper, 2001 Harley FXDXT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1516
Location: Ventura, CA
UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
Which means she's not a Hairdresser.
Color specialist!😂🤣
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
So there's a Hairdressing Hierarchy ?
@bajarob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
1961 VS5T, 1981 P200E, 2003 Malaguti F12 Phantom,Rigid Frame Chopper, 2001 Harley FXDXT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1516
Location: Ventura, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@bajarob avatar
1961 VS5T, 1981 P200E, 2003 Malaguti F12 Phantom,Rigid Frame Chopper, 2001 Harley FXDXT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1516
Location: Ventura, CA
UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
So there's a Hairdressing Hierarchy ?
Depends on what clientele you take on and what car you drive I guess.😁 Says the guy with no hair on his head.🧑‍🦲 At least she doesn't have to bother with mine.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
I've always considered having some Burgundy Low Lights put in.

I have a Hyundai.
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS300 HPE SuperTech 66,000km
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6796
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS300 HPE SuperTech 66,000km
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6796
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
tried to order another Diablo Rosso but my supplier* says only Angels even though I'd bought many Diablos from him previously.

I hope Pirelli haven't stopped bringing them into Australia ...


* gives me a discount on all parts
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Started the day with ambivalence about retiring, almost a daily thing. Not so much if, but when...either December or in the first half of next year. There are plusses and minuses, but seems the plusses are winning most days.

So, I get to work and the software I use for both scheduling and recordkeeping is down, so I have no idea how my day is going to go. Everyone else here has sorted the issue. Crap.

Big minus atm...
@fleece avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
1991 Vespa T5 Pole Position, 2008 Vespa S 125, 2023 Piaggio MP3 300HPE Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4336
Location: Staffordshire England
 
Ossessionato
@fleece avatar
1991 Vespa T5 Pole Position, 2008 Vespa S 125, 2023 Piaggio MP3 300HPE Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4336
Location: Staffordshire England
UTC quote
fledermaus wrote:
Started the day with ambivalence about retiring, almost a daily thing. Not so much if, but when...either December or in the first half of next year. There are plusses and minuses, but seems the plusses are winning most days.

I was gonna say Go For It!!

But it sorta doesn't work with cheering someone into retirement?

Maybe Go For Sit!!
@fleece avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
1991 Vespa T5 Pole Position, 2008 Vespa S 125, 2023 Piaggio MP3 300HPE Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4336
Location: Staffordshire England
 
Ossessionato
@fleece avatar
1991 Vespa T5 Pole Position, 2008 Vespa S 125, 2023 Piaggio MP3 300HPE Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4336
Location: Staffordshire England
UTC quote
Since turning 60 last month, I've downsized from a house to a bungalow, swapped my car for a Honda Jazz, and have found myself saying okey-dokey a lot..

It's all downhill from here Facepalm emoticon
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
For God's sake, everyone who is thinking of retiring please take my suggestion and do it.

It's one of the best decisions I ever made and I havn't made that many.
@scooter_curmudgeon avatar
UTC

Hooked
GT200/GTS300/Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 139
Location: Olympia, WA (US)
 
Hooked
@scooter_curmudgeon avatar
GT200/GTS300/Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 139
Location: Olympia, WA (US)
UTC quote
When I punched out last June, it was at once terrifying and exhilarating. After several months to figure out who I am now and find my pace, I have to side with Bill that it turns out to have been one of my better decisions.

Think about the things you'd like to do with your time, skills, and experience that you don't have time for now. You will be surprised at how full and rewarding the days can be.

Cheers,

Bob
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
Great words Bob.

There are a couple of things that I really don't miss about work.

1 Being nice to Customers who think that you're an Asshole.

2 Being nice to Colleagues who think that you're an Asshole.

3 The commute. I don't miss that.

Joking apart if you have the finances, retire as early as you can because having the chance to spend every day in exactly the way you want will never get boring.

Most days I walk 6 miles, ride at least 40 weather permitting, then either read stuff, hang out in a coffee shop, take photographs or just hang out with cool people.

Also, get up early and appreciate the sunrise. Oh yeah, Travel.
⚠️ Last edited by Bill Dog on UTC; edited 1 time
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
fledermaus wrote:
Started the day with ambivalence about retiring, almost a daily thing. Not so much if, but when...either December or in the first half of next year. There are plusses and minuses, but seems the plusses are winning most days.
Believe all of us who have already retired from the ridiculous rat-race - there are NO MINUSES.

Just get out as soon as you can afford it. That means pay off all debts ASAP, and then you find you need very little to actually live on, and anything left over is there for fun.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
 
eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21005
Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
Oh, yeah. Stay away from Ebay as it is the work of the Devil.
UTC

Hooked
LX150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 130
Location: Ontario, Canada
 
Hooked
LX150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 130
Location: Ontario, Canada
UTC quote
Scooter Curmudgeon wrote:
Think about the things you'd like to do with your time, skills, and experience that you don't have time for now. You will be surprised at how full and rewarding the days can be.
I don't think a lot of people put much thought into that.

I'm quickly approaching the point where I'll be able to retire. When I first started thinking about it a good friend (who had been happily retired for 20 years) told me "You've got to have a plan. You don't have to accomplish anything, but you need to do something." That was the first time I realized that "retirement planning" had to mean more than making sure I had a suitable income stream, and it changed my outlook entirely. Now I've got a pretty good idea of what I expect the first 5 to 10 years of my retirement to look like, and I'm putting some thought into how it evolves when my physical abilities start to decline. Now I just need some agreement with my financial advisor about when I can afford it...
@monogodo avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2017 Piaggio BV350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1222
Location: Irving, TX
 
Molto Verboso
@monogodo avatar
2017 Piaggio BV350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1222
Location: Irving, TX
UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
Joking apart if you have the finances, retire as early as you can because having the chance to spend every day in exactly the way you want will never get boring.
My father-in-law retired in mid- to late-2003. He and my mother-in-law then relocated 800 miles/1300 km from McAllen, Texas to Van Buren, Arkansas, to be closer to their grandson.

In July 2004 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

He died November 3, 2004, 19 days shy of his 69th birthday.

He spent just over a year retired, and about 25% of it was spent dying of cancer.

So yes, retire as young as you are able.
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
Oh, yeah. Stay away from Ebay as it is the work of the Devil.
Try telling Mrs. f that. Between eBay and Amazon we have well-worn tracks to our front door.




To be fair, she's really pretty frugal all-in-all.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
monogodo wrote:
So yes, retire as young as you are able.
^^^^ This! All the way. For those young enough at the moment, plan to retire at age 55 at the latest.
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10794
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10794
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
fledermaus wrote:
Started the day with ambivalence about retiring, almost a daily thing.
Fled, did you see the joke I posted about Chiropractors?
@seamus26 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
1979 P200E (sold) / ZNEN Amore 150 (sold) / Genuine Buddy 170i / Genuine Stella 4T /Aprilia Sportcity One 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2694
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
 
Ossessionato
@seamus26 avatar
1979 P200E (sold) / ZNEN Amore 150 (sold) / Genuine Buddy 170i / Genuine Stella 4T /Aprilia Sportcity One 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2694
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
UTC quote
You know, I'm 54. We have three 401K accounts - all doing well - an IRA, my wife is collecting SS already and everything we have is paid for.

The thing that stops me is insurance. Looking into filling the gap between now and 62. I don't want to wind up being "that one guy" with the diagnosis that wipes out all of our planning because I'm uninsured.

How has everyone else handled that?
@olde_rider avatar
UTC

Hooked
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: North Central Connecticut
 
Hooked
@olde_rider avatar
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: North Central Connecticut
UTC quote
Retire? Definitely! 13 years now, and a very close call with death a while back. Retire as soon as the numbers line up. And, have a plan to keep busy - hobby, part time work (for fun, maybe), etc. I highly recommend retirement! It's amazing how the stress you didn't really notice just melts away Clap emoticon
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
seamus26 wrote:
You know, I'm 54. We have three 401K accounts - all doing well - an IRA, my wife is collecting SS already and everything we have is paid for.

The thing that stops me is insurance. Looking into filling the gap between now and 62. I don't want to wind up being "that one guy" with the diagnosis that wipes out all of our planning because I'm uninsured.

How has everyone else handled that?
Most people outside the USA don't have to consider that I'm glad to say.

In the USA, if your income will be so high that the ACA doesn't make health insurance cheap enough, then IMHO you can afford it anyway.
@mpfrank avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4774
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
 
Ossessionato
@mpfrank avatar
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4774
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
UTC quote
I'm going to present another perspective on the retirement question.

I'm sure that if I retired tomorrow I would find plenty of fulfilling things to do. What if the work you are doing is meaningful and fulfilling and you love doing it?

That's where I am.

I'm going to be 76 next month. I work part time as a clinical supervisor at a nonprofit, low-fee community counseling center. I teach and supervise the way I want to and I am valued for it by my interns, colleagues, and the organization as a whole. I am underpaid, but it's still nice to get what I get.

In addition, I have a small private psychotherapy practice - mostly group therapy - that is all virtual, so I work from home and don't have to deal with managing an office. It's entirely private pay so I don't have to deal with "managed care" BS.

I am also active in my professional organizations at both the local and national levels.

My work is challenging, but personally rewarding. The engagement with people is fulfilling and healthy for me. I consider myself to be lucky and privileged to be able to do all this.

And all of this fits into three or four days each week.

So I'm not planning to retire until I either don't want to do this any more or (I don't like to think this, but it's reality) I am no longer physically or mentally able to do a good job.
@olde_rider avatar
UTC

Hooked
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: North Central Connecticut
 
Hooked
@olde_rider avatar
Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: North Central Connecticut
UTC quote
There are insurances that will fill the gap, but in my experience they are rather pricey. It pays to shop around. CT had some policies available, YMMV.
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (running like a charm!) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12424
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
seamus26 wrote:
The thing that stops me is insurance. Looking into filling the gap between now and 62. I don't want to wind up being "that one guy" with the diagnosis that wipes out all of our planning because I'm uninsured.

How has everyone else handled that?
My wife is younger..I'm still on her insurance, but she's ready to pull the plug soon (depending on the BS level at work, any day now...). She's shooting for 62, but concerned about insurance until she hits the Medicare shores. I stopped by my insurance agent for something else, but asked for a rough idea what insurance would cost...I was pretty impressed.....lower than I'd expected. Not sure how great it is, but not the worst.
mpfrank wrote:
So I'm not planning to retire until I either don't want to do this any more
I've been leaning your way for a while, though I still have a line in the sand which will still leave me relatively capable to do stuff. Sadly, I see the satisfaction of engagement with work waning, so it's not even a good balance anymore....and I'm pretty much 20 hours per week already!
znomit wrote:
Fled, did you see the joke I posted about Chiropractors?
Umm, no. Should I be afraid to look? Okay, help me find it?
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0363s ][ Queries: 4 (0.0171s) ][ live ][ 327 ][ ThingOne ]