I Can't Stand Any More!!!

[ftwildernessguy]

Dan, this made me laugh. Not long ago I mentioned to my mother how much my mortgage payment is every month. She told me I must be confused because there is no way it could be that much! We live in a very modest home in one of the least expensive parts of the State. I told her I was pretty sure I was right considering I'm the one who writes the check every month!! She is adorable and I love her to pieces, but she is still living back in another time. .

Not to mention the property taxes you guys in Jersey have to pay - thanks Corzine.

 

[Just Beachy]

Not to mention the property taxes you guys in Jersey have to pay - thanks Corzine.

You said it! Just for example. In my municipality, which IS really quite low compared to most of the rest of the State, a 2240 sq ft home on just over an acre paid $7,400 in property taxes in 2009. We have no trash or recycle pick up , it's basically all well and septic, no leaf or branch pick up, and we only have about 10 police officers. But, we DO get a free rabies clinic once a year!! (no, this is not my property...just using this one as an example)

 

[Gatordad]

sometimes life makes me want to throw things...... just ain't fair......

 

[ntsammy5]

I have vague recollections from my youth

Yeah, me too

 

[LarryJ]

I guess I have to add one thing that I notice I left out is that I was a military brat that has always for the last 61 years been covered under military health care and I can appreciate that is a MAJOR, MAJOR unknown and factor in many not so lucky folks looking at retirement and funding issues and was a big factor even back when I was 17 looking at what to do that made me choose a military career. Yes, about 5 or 6 years of the 20 I served SUCKED, but in the end the pain was definitely worth the sacrifice now that I have the time to reflect back on my decisions and choices.

What makes me sad and somewhat glad on what we did in the last 3 or 4 years we have attended two funerals of Realtor associates of my DW that are close in our age (one being older at 70), but they worked either until one died or in the other case only got to enjoy each other for a year before loosing their soul mate. We now have close friends that are close to 70 and in the same boat working daily and not doing things because they can't afford it.

Soooo Sad and all I can recommend is to save early, save up and don't go big with the house/cars (we have never gone expensive on the cars and our next will be a used Hyuandai to replace the 1988 Pontaic I gave my dad $5,000 for back in 1995 at his request/desire since he didn't think the dealership he was dealing with for his new car was giving him what he thought it was worth)

larry

Larry

 

[ntsammy5]

Yup - Larry - I'm not sure Tricare is the best but it's certainly better than nothing - and the price is right too.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Considering what my health insurance premiums just jumped to, I am looking forward to Tricare kicking in when I hit 60.

 

[des1954]

I guess I have to add one thing that I notice I left out is that I was a military brat that has always for the last 61 years been covered under military health care and I can appreciate that is a MAJOR, MAJOR unknown and factor in many not so lucky folks looking at retirement and funding issues and was a big factor even back when I was 17 looking at what to do that made me choose a military career. Yes, about 5 or 6 years of the 20 I served SUCKED, but in the end the pain was definitely worth the sacrifice now that I have the time to reflect back on my decisions and choices.

What makes me sad and somewhat glad on what we did in the last 3 or 4 years we have attended two funerals of Realtor associates of my DW that are close in our age (one being older at 70), but they worked either until one died or in the other case only got to enjoy each other for a year before loosing their soul mate. We now have close friends that are close to 70 and in the same boat working daily and not doing things because they can't afford it.

Soooo Sad and all I can recommend is to save early, save up and don't go big with the house/cars (we have never gone expensive on the cars and our next will be a used Hyuandai to replace the 1988 Pontaic I gave my dad $5,000 for back in 1995 at his request/desire since he didn't think the dealership he was dealing with for his new car was giving him what he thought it was worth)

larry

Larry

The one great benefit I was able to keep from Verizon was my health care. How long that will last is another question. I think they have cut all health care benefits for management retirees - or at least that's what I heard.

MY last new vehicle was a 1997 Explorer that we bought new in 1996 - ordered from the factory. I drove it until this past August when we decided to look into the "Clunker's" program. Even though this truck was priceless to me, it had absolutely no monetary worth in the real world. I qualified for the $4500 trade-in. That was NOT enough to seal the deal for me and I almost walked away. Then the salesman mentioned "60 months no interest financing". THAT caught my attention. If I can use someone's money for 5 years & not pay interest....well....I'm all over it! August 7th we picked up the new Mariner. I only pray that this vehicle is as good to me as my Explorer was. Gosh darn! I miss that truck!!