val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,758
|
Post by val2525 on Mar 24, 2022 15:54:42 GMT
Arrrggghhh. When did Amazon start using USPS to ship items from their own warehouse? I order from Amazon when I want delivery to my damn door, not my mailbox and not the apartment office. Stuff is more expensive on Amazon but it's often worth it if it will be delivered to my door. Now? If it's coming by USPS, I might as well save some money and order from the retailer. Sunny and 77 on tap here today.
|
|
kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,887
|
Post by kritter on Mar 24, 2022 16:03:49 GMT
I have had only one item come USPS from Amazon and I order a lot from them. I don't remember what it was but I think it was some really lightweight thing. Not even sure now if it was a FBA or from a vendor selling on Amazon. I try to stick with the FBA if I can.
|
|
|
Post by blissfullymiserable on Mar 24, 2022 16:04:07 GMT
The sunhat that I ordered on Amazon was delivered by USPS, it was delivered to the door but probably only because it came in a box that didn't fit in the mailbox. 86 today, 93 tomorrow and 96 on Saturday. Back in the 80's on Monday. Thank goodness.
Received an email from GW... they have a new location opening tomorrow. My plan is to get there an hour early, partly for the $5 giftcard they're handing out to the first 150 in line and partly so that I can get in/out quick and head to Phoenix for my regular shop day without losing more time that necessary. Other than a few a quick errands and a night out with BFF I've been home since Monday. Cabin fever is setting in. The only thing keeping me home is $1 day at GW.
|
|
val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,758
|
Post by val2525 on Mar 24, 2022 16:22:37 GMT
I have had only one item come USPS from Amazon and I order a lot from them. I don't remember what it was but I think it was some really lightweight thing. Not even sure now if it was a FBA or from a vendor selling on Amazon. I try to stick with the FBA if I can. This order was FBA. I try to stick to FBA as well, partly because it's in stock and usually delivered faster, and partly because (supposedly) it's actually delivered by Amazon. The two bulky items were shipped USPS and UPS (2 shipments) whereas the lightweight item was in an oversized box with tons of airbags (didn't need it, it was curtain sheers) and delivered by AMZ. Seems like it would have been cheaper to do it the other way, if AMZ wanted to save money - ship the lightweight stuff, deliver the bulky oversized item. Maybe it had to do with what warehouse it came from? Oh well. I'll remember this and order accordingly from here on out. I do order the cat litter from either Chewy or Walmart, since those ARE delivered to the door.
|
|
|
Post by staytuned on Mar 24, 2022 17:08:26 GMT
DH and I are celebrating our 26th anniversary a day early going to the Mountaineer casino today. Room is cheaper for us old farts plus casino is a lot less crowded. Looking forward to getting away for the day.
Currently 50 degrees and cloudy. Temps are once again going to dip over the weekend and we're supposed to get light accumulation of SNOW. bah
|
|
|
Post by labbypaws on Mar 24, 2022 19:38:46 GMT
It is damp and dreary here. Rainy, cold, ugly. Fake Spring was last week...
Work is getting to be a pain. Tried talking to hubby yesterday about getting social security when I turn 62. He didn't want to hear it. Will try again in a bit. I take home 1800 a month and spend $200 of that on gas. I have a lot of deductions though. 403, health care, added life insurance, etc. SS figure is about $1800 a month. I would find a part time job...
This is in addition to my regular pension that I already get and my 403.
|
|
|
Post by denise15601 on Mar 24, 2022 21:47:49 GMT
It rained a lot yesterday, but was about 60 today. Sunny and nice enough to get outside to do some more yard clean-up. I have river rocks at the front of my house, but weeds still manage to grow amongst them. They are easy to pull out but there are so many.
And there are leaves and the pine twigs everywhere. What a mess.
|
|
|
Post by sunsetpainter on Mar 25, 2022 1:40:20 GMT
Arrrggghhh. When did Amazon start using USPS to ship items from their own warehouse? I order from Amazon when I want delivery to my damn door, not my mailbox and not the apartment office. Stuff is more expensive on Amazon but it's often worth it if it will be delivered to my door. Now? If it's coming by USPS, I might as well save some money and order from the retailer. Sunny and 77 on tap here today. We had an Amazon order delivered today by UPS. He left it on the doormat instead of the table by the door. It was raining hard and the doormat was SOAKED! I saw him pull up and by the time I made it outside, the box was soaked too. Good thing it was just a hose for DH's boat motor and didn't mind getting wet.
|
|
|
Post by chapeaunoir on Mar 25, 2022 6:23:10 GMT
It is damp and dreary here. Rainy, cold, ugly. Fake Spring was last week... Work is getting to be a pain. Tried talking to hubby yesterday about getting social security when I turn 62. He didn't want to hear it. Will try again in a bit. I take home 1800 a month and spend $200 of that on gas. I have a lot of deductions though. 403, health care, added life insurance, etc. SS figure is about $1800 a month. I would find a part time job... This is in addition to my regular pension that I already get and my 403. Seems like that would be your decision to make, not his, given that you already have a career pension and are going to work part time, anyway. I waited until I was 66 (but have no pension) and then made up my mind. I had wanted to work until 70 but was having too much trouble finding decently paid work - I ended up selling here full time. I would have preferred to do just about anything else if it paid as well.
|
|
kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,887
|
Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2022 15:14:55 GMT
That would be my thought too. It doesn't sound like you are too thrilled with your current job so why would he want you to stay there if you can financially retire.
Life is too short to dread going to work every day if you can financially meet your obligations in other ways.
The fact that he "didn't want to hear it" says a lot. When you "try again in a bit", tell him that this is what you decided to do and he can deal with it.
|
|
|
Post by labbypaws on Mar 25, 2022 15:45:16 GMT
I am more worried about getting ALZ and not being able to enjoy myself. My brother is in the same boat. He retired early so he could enjoy his retirement. My mom didn’t work so I have no clue if not working sped up her ALZ. I worked with a guy who had to be told his time had come. He couldn’t handle the job at all. Right now I am fine.
|
|
kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,887
|
Post by kritter on Mar 25, 2022 16:01:37 GMT
I am more worried about getting ALZ and not being able to enjoy myself. My brother is in the same boat. He retired early so he could enjoy his retirement. My mom didn’t work so I have no clue if not working sped up her ALZ. I worked with a guy who had to be told his time had come. He couldn’t handle the job at all. Right now I am fine. I retired at 62 because I had the same concerns. Nobody knows how long they are going to be here to enjoy their life. You have worked long and hard to be where you are today. It sounds like you have your financial house in order so step up and enjoy what you have earned. You deserve it so take it. Don't ask if you can retire; tell him you are going to stop and smell the flowers.
|
|
|
Post by chapeaunoir on Mar 25, 2022 20:53:57 GMT
I am more worried about getting ALZ and not being able to enjoy myself. My brother is in the same boat. He retired early so he could enjoy his retirement. My mom didn’t work so I have no clue if not working sped up her ALZ. I worked with a guy who had to be told his time had come. He couldn’t handle the job at all. Right now I am fine. You're pretty darned young for that, though - I would not worry about the ALZ and instead consider your mind and body health NOW - being engaged doesn't always mean working at a 'work' job - being miserable on the job and forcing yourself through it when you don't have to may actually have a bad effect on your mental state. My dad who was bright up until the day he had a series of small strokes in his mid-80s (lifelong smoker), retired from Aerospace at 63 because he said the stress was killing him. He got a job doing what he liked with little pressure - he worked until he was in his early 80s doing things he enjoyed and volunteering, and only quit to take care of my stepmom who had emphysema. He used to say "retiring means I get to do a job I LIKE". You need to take care of yourself where you are now, and your DH will have to live with it. If you tell him you're retiring and looking for a part-time 'retirement job', give him about two weeks to accept it - seems to be about the time span for stuff to sink in.
|
|
val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,758
|
Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2022 21:42:46 GMT
Labby, Chap and Kritter are right. If you no longer like your job and dread going to work, it's time to look at alternatives. That could mean applying for other jobs if you want to keep doing what you do but want a less toxic workplace, or trying something entirely new. Or even staying where you are but going to part-time, on-call, or relief worker status.
If you do take SS at the earliest date, pay attention to your total wages as there is an earnings limit for what you can make and still get SS. The max allowable wages increase gradually until you reach full retirement age (65 to 67, depending on what year you were born) and then you can earn as much as you like and still draw your full SS benefit. You may have to pay income tax on some of the SS, however.
Something else to consider if you take SS early and continue to work: if you receive wages, earnings-limit calculations are based on your gross pay; if you’re self-employed, Social Security counts your net income only. Meaning if you were a part-time employee somewhere and made $25,000 for the year, SS would use the $25,000 to determine if you went over the earnings cap (you would). But if you were paid as an independent contractor, made the same $25,000 but had business deductions so that your net taxable profit was only $19,399, you would not have gone over the cap and would not lose any of the SS benefits. Being an independent contractor also comes in handy if you need to get health insurance from the marketplace - premium eligibility for self-employed is based on net profit (taxable income) from Schedule C, not gross receipts.
|
|
val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,758
|
Post by val2525 on Mar 25, 2022 21:47:42 GMT
|
|
|
Post by staytuned on Mar 25, 2022 23:57:33 GMT
So much for spring weather. At least there's redemption later next week for at least a couple days.
|
|
|
Post by staytuned on Mar 26, 2022 14:02:11 GMT
We're currently seeing flurries off and on. Latest forecast for today til 2pm Sunday. We're in the 1-3" range, but just the sight of snow this time of year is depressing. Good day to stay home and watch Breaking Bad marathon on AMC.
|
|
|
Post by labbypaws on Mar 26, 2022 15:44:45 GMT
Labby, Chap and Kritter are right. If you no longer like your job and dread going to work, it's time to look at alternatives. That could mean applying for other jobs if you want to keep doing what you do but want a less toxic workplace, or trying something entirely new. Or even staying where you are but going to part-time, on-call, or relief worker status. If you do take SS at the earliest date, pay attention to your total wages as there is an earnings limit for what you can make and still get SS. The max allowable wages increase gradually until you reach full retirement age (65 to 67, depending on what year you were born) and then you can earn as much as you like and still draw your full SS benefit. You may have to pay income tax on some of the SS, however. Something else to consider if you take SS early and continue to work: if you receive wages, earnings-limit calculations are based on your gross pay; if you’re self-employed, Social Security counts your net income only. Meaning if you were a part-time employee somewhere and made $25,000 for the year, SS would use the $25,000 to determine if you went over the earnings cap (you would). But if you were paid as an independent contractor, made the same $25,000 but had business deductions so that your net taxable profit was only $19,399, you would not have gone over the cap and would not lose any of the SS benefits. Being an independent contractor also comes in handy if you need to get health insurance from the marketplace - premium eligibility for self-employed is based on net profit (taxable income) from Schedule C, not gross receipts. I follow those groups I shared a few days ago. I know there are caps on monthly income if I take SS now.
|
|
val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,758
|
Post by val2525 on Mar 26, 2022 15:54:41 GMT
The cap is actually on annual income, not monthly. Every fall they send me a form that I use to estimate my income for the next year, then base my monthly SS payments on that annual amount. I don't remember if the estimate asked for annual or monthly income, but if it was monthly, I figured my annual and divided it by 12 as my income varies by month. If I go over the cap, the overage is "deducted" from my next x# of payments, until it's "paid off".
|
|
kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,887
|
Post by kritter on Mar 26, 2022 16:17:17 GMT
There are no monthly caps on quality of life and peace of mind if you take SS now.
|
|
|
Post by sunsetpainter on Mar 26, 2022 16:27:48 GMT
We're currently seeing flurries off and on. Latest forecast for today til 2pm Sunday. We're in the 1-3" range, but just the sight of snow this time of year is depressing. Good day to stay home and watch Breaking Bad marathon on AMC.
We had just a dusting of snow here, but it's 32 degrees outside with a 20 - 25 mph wind. Definitely chilly outside today. Staying in and doing "inside stuff" today. Probably tomorrow too.
ETA: And these are the type of days that my boy GSD wants to stand outside for 15 minutes and sniff the wind instead of going about his business!
|
|
kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,887
|
Post by kritter on Mar 26, 2022 17:11:18 GMT
90 for a high today and mucho sun. If you need me, I will be outside.
|
|
|
Post by denise15601 on Mar 26, 2022 18:35:07 GMT
Snowing on and off all day, but not enough to accumulate.
AFA SS, $1,800 a month would be great for me. I am trying to survive on $1,026. I would take it now and keep putting off finding a part-time job. And since your DH also has an income, even better. But I am not interested in building up a lot of money for retirement since I am already retired and just hanging in here as long as possible. My wants and needs are spartan. No vacations or remodeling.
|
|
|
Post by blissfullymiserable on Mar 26, 2022 18:37:57 GMT
Then there is my workaholic cliff. He's actually said before that he hopes he doesn't die at work. He's been working full time since 18 and has always taken work VERY seriously but I don't think he became a workaholic until he stepped into the position he's currently in around 2008 or so. I hate that all the thinks about is work and never takes time to take care of himself or take a much needed vacation or visit NY to see his 85 year old dad who is in poor health. At some point he's going to crash and burn. The only time he seeks any medical attention is when he has to renew his DOT license. He has no idea if he has high cholesterol or anything else looming. We have a few blood pressure monitors but neither seem to be working right. You can't keep this kind of nonsense up forever. I admire his work either but enough is enough.
|
|
kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,887
|
Post by kritter on Mar 26, 2022 18:45:26 GMT
My thinking was that nobody has any guarantees on life tomorrow, next week, next year, or 5 years from now. I was in a position financially that I could retire early and spend the rest of my days doing what I wanted.
Right after I started collecting SS at 62, the animal shelter offered me the position of foster coordinator for the shelter. How could I resist having kittens in my office and getting paid for it. I probably would have done it for free because of those kittens. I told them what my limit was on payment so as not to jack with my SS and we had a deal. Once I hit 65, they bumped my pay up to the predetermined amount.
Once you are "retired" you can take a job if you want to or get involved in something that you never had time for before. Life is just to short no matter how long you are given. Like somebody wise said "Nobody on their death bed ever wished they had spent more time at their office."
|
|
|
Post by frakinfashion on Mar 26, 2022 18:53:54 GMT
I am more worried about getting ALZ and not being able to enjoy myself. My brother is in the same boat. He retired early so he could enjoy his retirement. My mom didn’t work so I have no clue if not working sped up her ALZ. I worked with a guy who had to be told his time had come. He couldn’t handle the job at all. Right now I am fine. I think the best you can do in life is make whatever you think is the best decision you can at the time. I agree with the others--this is your decision to make. You don't want to have regrets and you can always find another job/course correct if you decide that's needed later. If you haven't already, I would construct a simple financial roadmap to reassure DH that all will be fine, with built-in contingencies. He's had some time to percolate about it now, after the initial shock, and may just need a bit of reassurance. My mother had ALZ as well. I try to keep my mind busy (with eBay)! None of us knows the future. You can't go wrong with trying to be happy now.
|
|
|
Post by staytuned on Mar 26, 2022 21:28:35 GMT
Well, phooey, AMC channel went *poof* so missing Breaking Bad last 20 minutes. Hope it comes back soon. Other channels are fine but nothing else worth watching. Snow showers had stopped but picking up again. Feels like around 22 with windchill and will be even colder around 9 degrees tomorrow. I went to take a pic of the snow earlier and was "greeted" by a gray tree rat peeking around the corner on the building. Yelling, "GET OUTTA HERE" worked. *sigh* Looks like the siege isn't over. Going to pick up some rat traps and set them up to see if they're still invading. I'm having a heck of a time uploading pics on this new computer. I'm using Firefox and my Kodak software is for whatever reason picking up Internet Explorer and and telling it can't upload. Somehow, I did upload and then had to figure out where the pic went and how to put it where the rest of my pics are so I can show what it looked like a couple hours ago.
|
|
|
Post by chapeaunoir on Mar 27, 2022 1:13:49 GMT
It's just spitting and drizzling out - a quiet Saturday. staytuned - have you updated the driver for your Kodak?
|
|
|
Post by staytuned on Mar 27, 2022 1:28:14 GMT
staytuned - have you updated the driver for your Kodak? Last I checked, Kodak no longer offers updates. I'm using a PixPro which was a little different from the Easyshare cameras, but uploads still wound up where they were supposed to on old computer. Will keep googling. Last time I asked DH for help, he was all over the place and I have no clue what he did. Whatever I did finally worked, just have to remember what I did. Techie I am not.
|
|
|
Post by chapeaunoir on Mar 27, 2022 7:14:50 GMT
Do you have a different operating system on the new computer? Also, when you hook your Kodak up to your system does it detect it?
I generally bypass anything proprietary by simply hooking my camera to my system and using it as a simple external drive, then I can move photos or whatever into any directory onto my system I want. But your system needs to detect the camera to begin with.
|
|