Wife retired today!

[wroughtn_harv]

It's coming together fast. We've had two financial advisors visit with us. One of them slobbering to get a hold on the funds so he can help us make them grow, gulp. The other is a friend and so conservative it's scarey. He's the one that enlightened us on the commission side of financial planning. That's really scarey.

My wife has been wanting a travel trailer for awhile. The second day of looking at them casually I stumble across a fantastic deal. If it's done we'll have a thirty six foot fifth wheel that's a toy box. We'll have twenty eight feet of living area and eight feet of tool storage.

Sorry Hazmat. We're heading west late September. Have tools will travel. But next spring?

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Harvey and Glenda, when it comes to the monetary point of working or exploring a new livelihood I would say retire every time. In the FD I saw many who stayed on till they were 70+ and then could not enjoy retirement because the change was not good for them, as Bird said.

Looks like I might have to put up two RV pads for you and Ron when you're heading across central Texas.

Oh by the way, My next project is a front entrance, something simple and surprising. I can do simple but you always come up with that "surprising element".

Hmmmm, you going to make that pad big enough for Lucy and a thirty six foot fifth wheel?

I hope so.

 

[txdon]

Hmmmm, you going to make that pad big enough for Lucy and a thirty six foot fifth wheel?

I hope so.

36' WOW, that's just 4' less than our cabin!

A pad big enough? This is central Texas where everything is bigger.

I had some gravel brought in before the last rains. Now we don't have to use 4wd after each rain.
Do you need someplace to store Iris?

 

[Bird]

That toy box design, or floor plan, has sure gained in popularity the last few years. It's just another of those things that shows how much I know because when they first came out, I didn't think they'd ever be able to sell them, and now there's more of those than just about anything on the dealers' lots around here. Of course, I'm one who did NOT want any slide-outs, and now it's hard to find RVs of any size without slide-outs.

Tell us which one it is, Harvey; i.e., brand or model.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

That toy box design, or floor plan, has sure gained in popularity the last few years. It's just another of those things that shows how much I know because when they first came out, I didn't think they'd ever be able to sell them, and now there's more of those than just about anything on the dealers' lots around here. Of course, I'm one who did NOT want any slide-outs, and now it's hard to find RVs of any size without slide-outs.

Tell us which one it is, Harvey; i.e., brand or model.

Here's one just like it for sale 1996 Patio Hauler 36ft Fifth Wheel well, except ours is all fiberglas without the aluminum siding.

Miss Glenda has got all kinds of plans for my tool shed at the back of the trailer.............

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Anyone know anything about this? AssetBuilder, Inc.

I almost choked when I learned that Edward D Jones would only charge us three and a half percent to roll our 401K and lump sum retirement into an account for us.

A friend who lives on the stock market, visits Dow Jones hourly, recommended assetbuilder to us. Their estimate for managing our account was less than one tenth of that of Edward D Jones.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

36' WOW, that's just 4' less than our cabin!

A pad big enough? This is central Texas where everything is bigger.

I had some gravel brought in before the last rains. Now we don't have to use 4wd after each rain.
Do you need someplace to store Iris?

Don, we need to talk. When it gets cold here in norte tejas it might be interesting to go to centro tejas for some work/fun.

Iris, well, Iris is Iris and she's got so many friends nearby.............

 

[hazmat]

...
Sorry Hazmat. We're heading west late September. Have tools will travel. But next spring?

I'll be in trouble with the "foreman" if I don't get it done this summer so the rugrat can enjoy the great outdoors.

Regarding financial planners - if you feel you need professional help - you want a "fee only" financial planner. My FIL (retired now) used to work in the field - they would charge 1% of assets each year (with a minimum fee). Check out Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. - United States professional regulatory organization. You do not want someone who makes money on every trade they execute for you. They will churn your portfolio to increase their commisions. You want to buy and hold a diverisified (domestic, international small & large, stocks & bonds) portfolio. Day trading only makes the brokerage firm money...

1% of assets under management is a customary amount. Ask at your local credit union or bank if they can recommend someone. Also - if you know any accountants, they may recommend someone as well.

 

[mscheer772]

Harvey,
Never heard of asset builders, but you sometimes get what you pay for. That being said I'd look at Vanguard or Fidelity They both offer low cost index funds that mirror the index's (Dow Jones, S&P 500, etc.). Their strategy's are to buy and hold long term-30 years. You need to determine an asset allocation you're comfortable with(ie. 60% stock 40% bonds). They will help you determine the allocation your're most comfortable with .

No one will watch your money like you should.

Hazmat makes good sense. Fee only is the way to go if you don't feel comfortable making all the decisions yourself.

My wife and I retired 1/1/07,we decided not to make any major financial moves for one year.

 

[MossRoad]

I'll be in trouble with the "foreman" if I don't get it done this summer so the rugrat can enjoy the great outdoors.

Regarding financial planners - if you feel you need professional help - you want a "fee only" financial planner. My FIL (retired now) used to work in the field - they would charge 1% of assets each year (with a minimum fee). Check out Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. - United States professional regulatory organization. You do not want someone who makes money on every trade they execute for you. They will churn your portfolio to increase their commisions. You want to buy and hold a diverisified (domestic, international small & large, stocks & bonds) portfolio. Day trading only makes the brokerage firm money...

1% of assets under management is a customary amount. Ask at your local credit union or bank if they can recommend someone. Also - if you know any accountants, they may recommend someone as well.

Excellent advice. Our credit union offers free financial planning assistance. They are a great source of information, too.