60+ year old thread.

I'm in the county. Two separate cities have annexed us over the years (requiring permits), but we sued with "annex is fine, run water and sewer lines". Too much rock, houses spread too far apart (1.5 to 5 acre lots). It never happened, so only permit required in a country septic perk testing.

Most of the feedback on Costco is positive. Some have issues with "wood not looking good after a couple of years," but red cedar is a softwood and will need to be preserved. The full roof helps with elements, but maintenance is expected.

I used to live in the Pacific Northwest, so used to red cedar and Thompson's water seal. Timber Seal was done annually, and no problems. Our deck (built before we move here) was too close to the dirt, so not good airflow.

Work in progress. The 25' tall crepe myrtles dwarf the 14' sidewalls of the shop. My wife bought four little plants at the end of August in gallon pots for $2.00 each. They looked dead, but she was like, "worth a try." I planted them 5' from the wall of the shop, thinking "small bush." The shop provided a windbreak from cold Northerlies. The southern sun meant good growth. Any rain waters them.

Trying to get sod established with 100F temperatures is a challenge. Thankfully cooler and wet for two weeks, which delays building but will help with sod.

I still would like to modify the shed (18'x 24') into two sides. One side for yard stuff, the other side as a small cottage for cyclists traveling across the county. If you are doing a 4,000-mile bike ride it's nice to have a place to shower and relax before getting back on the road the next day.

 

99deg/111deg heat index right now.
Good Times!

 

Mike people like us (older, retired or close to retirement, some $$ to invest, mostly fixed income) really really need a financial adviser. I compare people like us who are not finance experts and doing their own investing to a person charged with a serious felony, know nothing about the law and decide to defend themselves in court with out an attorney. The are plenty of excellent financial advisors. You may have to interview a few to find the one that’s right for you. I would start by getting a book called The Truth About Money by Ric Edelman. It’s an easy read and will tell you everything you need to know about personal finance. It’ll even help you to find the financial advisor that best fits your needs. Ric also has a radio show that is nationally syndicated that’s on either Saturday or Sunday’s that’s very interesting and you can learn a lot from the show.
You definitely want an advisor who is a fiduciary. The definition of a fiduciary is -A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients' interest ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust. Being a fiduciary thus requires being bound both legally and ethically to act in the other's best interests.
If they do not act in your best interest and act ethically there can be legal action against them, they can be sued, and lose their job. Being a fiduciary does not mean that they are an effective advisor. You still have to find an effective advisor you like.

Wise investing is complex and tricky. Investing on your own you can lose all or a large part of your $$ and never be able to recover. Or your money may provide poor returns so you are earning little or even sliding backwards. Then there are the tax consequences you need to be aware of. Read the book and you’ll be armed with information.

 

TY.
Yea I’m not going to start doing that on my own.
I’ll get more involved when things settled up here…
It’s not losing anything. Just not gaining much..

 

evening boys

 

Hi Low

 

Evening Sue!

 

Hi Carl... how's things?

 

HOT, hunkering down for the most part.

 

Good morning, all! Cold front came through last night so we're looking at a few days of rain/showers and temps in the 70s. Rain today will give me a break from caulking the trim on the greenhouse - I'm about 2/3 finished at this point. Then I need to do the mower garage - since that only has 1 window it will be much easier than the greenhouse. Then on to painting. Retirement? What's that?

Stay safe out there!!

 

Good Morning Folks.
I took a bit of a TW break for a few days. I have been getting a bit stir crazy with not being able to hop in the Tacoma an go (can't drive until No more drugs) when I want. I am weaning off the drugs now and with therapy starting next week I will try to keep pain under control with Xtr strngth Tylenol. For now, The only driving I have been doing is with my new set of wheels


My wife and I have been fortunate with financial people. Or first guy was a great guy and really did well with us. Unfortunately he passed away, but he knew his days were numbered and he passed off our account to a friend of his with the threat "If you don't do right by them, I will be back to haunt you", and he has really been good. He is in contact with us regularly and keeps us updated on our finances. As it is now, we are financial stable and intend to leave as little for the kids as possible. Enjoying life (except for now until the knee heals) and spending it. Life is good.
Have a great day folks and be safe.

 

you need tennis balls on those legs.
Made my ground speed higher

 

Good morning gentlemen and Susan,

Susan I like your post calling us boys. I am a boy feel like I am 25 and am retired . Not a bad combination. Thanks for the compliment.


Ken, I like both sets of wheels you have. Very sleek and no wind resistance. You will be back up moving like you were 25 again. What pain killer do they have you on? If I may ask .Are you at PT 3 times per week?

My financial advisor is someone I trust with my same values and goals. He has done me good and I have direct phone line to him and don't have to call his office all of the time. This has worked out well for us.

Well everyone be healthy wise and stay cool and safe . Have a bang this holiday. Russ

 

My Golden Retriever would look at the tennis balls with "is this an honesty test?"

She stayed with friends in 2015; the challenge was that same month, a movie crew used their turn of the century house for filming. They used tennis balls on the equipment to protect hardwood floors; she found the box with extra balls and kept raiding them. I can see how she stole the film crew's heart.

Photo for Susan.

 

TY so much for the pics. Does the kit come with anchor plates for the wooden upright posts? One problem I will have is our patio is irregular flagstone.

Mike: I can recommend 2 books to read. Both will give you insight on how to invest for yourself. Both books are dated but investing has really not changed in the last 70 years.
Warren Buffet- The warren Buffet Way
Benjamin Graham- The Intelligent Investor

I retired, forced retirement sort of, 11 years ago. I had a sizeable 401K that I rolled over with my broker and started to use the brokers management services. The money in that account has paid for a new HVAC system, front of house landscaping makeover, new roof on house, two new garage doors with new openers, new kitchen, living room makeover with upgrades to the audio video system, payments for the 2017 Avalon, and paid the property taxes along with the home insurance. The cost was considerably more than the initial value of the account and the account still has over 33% of the original value.

You are taking the right approach to wait and look at your options before investing for your families future. When I was in your situation the first thing I did, the same day I was riffed, was to go into the 401K plan and move all my options to a money market offering. I was not going to make any money but I was not going to lose money either. Investing is not a one size fits all. You and your wife need to determine what is right for your family.

 

Glad your up and about and on your way back Ken, our bodies don't heal quite as fast as they used to do they
Wishing everyone a HEALTHY HAPPY and SAFE Independence Day weekend

 

Everything is included, all wood and the metal brackets to attach anchors.

Anchors are not included. I suspect liability is why they are not included. I used the hidden Hilti concrete anchors for aesthetics. We have had 90 mph winds peel the brick off a neighbors airplane hanger, so I like anchors. No that is not a crack on the metal bracket, but dog hair. ha.

With flagstone, I'd consider core drilling and pouring four pillar depending on soil and wind loading. The last thing I need is this to get airborne and smash into a neighbor or their airplane!



Bonus Photo (we'll see if Susan is paying attention)

My "nada" Golden Retriever/Pitt Mix with her Mom. Looks like a Pitt, personality is 100% Golden Retriever. She came to stay with us as a foster, but fit in with the pack
and found her forever home. Mom is with friends and still doing well. The funny part is her Mom looks just like my Golden.

 

Did you get one of those machines that cycles the leg through an adjustable degree of flex? And you can adjust it for more flex daily? Spend about forty-five minutes at a time, twice a day on the machine? My wife swears by that machine. She thought it was as important as PT.

 

Took the tennis balls off Mike, Neighbors dog kept attacking me...LOL

Hi Russ, Right now, speed isn't a priority except for healing faster. They had me on 5mg oxycodone, 1 tablet every 4 hours as needed, Tramadol 50mg 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed and Ozemprazole20mg 1 capsule every day. Took oxy only at night for sleeping and fill in during the day with the tramadol as needed for pain. Down to taking Tylenol extra strength no so I don't need the others. Therapy eval is next week and I'll see how many times a week they want to see me. Until then, I am hanging in there.

Thanks Anthony. They had me walking once I was awake from surgery. been walking ever since. We'll see how therapy goes.

No machine for me. Asked about it and they said they want me to use the knees as much as possible (as pain allows) to keep the muscles loose. This included sliding my foot on the floor for bending the knee as much as I can. No time limit set. Thanks for the info.

 

Good Morning Porch People! Going to try and wrap the truck up this AM, then back to the yard. Yard didn't make me happy yesterday, and these little critters are about the best thing of the day. I'll explain that one later!



Better news this AM is that the world's slowest bloom is almost done!


Glad to see SOMEONE is using their Flinstone-mobile!