Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I was too!  I think they missed a big opportunity to get rid of Liana though and that is going to come back to haunt DeShawn.

Completely agree. I don't like Liana or "the pastor". They are gunning for Zander. I hope he is smart enough to see it.

[Sea Dog]

29 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

PLUS we bought a house in Plano, TX that was 1000 sq feet larger and half the price than the one we sold in NY.  Real estate tax was considerably lower in TX as well. 

Unfortunately, the TX house did not appreciate like the one in NY did.

Houston humidity is a killer.

I'm curious how it relates to Florida humidity?

[George C]

10 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

When someone retires and is on a fixed income, that is actually the case.  The old joke here is: "Florida is New York's retirement home"  or "God's waiting room" (apologies to native-born Floridians).

 

Everyone individual circumstances are different but for me, the higher salary I receive in the New York area more than offset the higher taxes and higher cost of living. Plus, this is where my siblings and life-long friends are. Easy access to all that NYC has to offer yet only few hours to the Catskill & Adirondacks Mountains, Finger Lake wine country and the NJ and LI beaches. And I like 4 seasons of equal length, although lately winter seems to morph into summer pretty quickly these days. 

 

Now, once I retire, the financial equation may change dramatically. And like a few others, I am considering South Carolina as well, although not for a few more years. All they need is a professional baseball & hockey team.🙂

 

I definitely do not regret moving from nyc to Dallas area, love the weather, when we were looking for a house told real estate agent don’t even show us a house without a pool, can use the pool about 6 months out of the year, we have hockey, baseball and even the cowgirls 😁. 
   On the other hand we love visiting New York, before this pandemic we would visit every year spending several days in the Buffalo area then in New York City, normally see about 4 plays ,eat lots of pizza and pastrami and also some high end restaurants. Still a Yankee fan and giants fan. 

[Ozark_Kid]

3 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Yeah, I think the suggestion is to apply 3-4 months before you actually want the first check.  No need to apply before that.   Bucky took his at SS at 62. 

 

I crunched the numbers, realizing he would be 80 years old to break even if he took it at 62 versus waiting until 66.   You have to add up the total of the monthly checks you elected not to take from age 62 to age 66, versus the larger amount you would get later.  

 

I did not want to take the income at 62 due to health insurance cap.  

 

I also directed them to take my Medicare premiums out of my SS check.  That is a nice feature...money not seen...is money not missed.  I look at it as free health care.  😉  Though I do carry a supplement with Blue Cross.  

Thanks. 
I think some don’t consider the amount of time it takes to make up the money you forfeit, they just see getting a bigger check later and I think we will enjoy it more now than later.  We have been very blessed and are content with our pension and other.  My whole thought was to assure Sharon has a great life if I pass first.
I don’t understand the health insurance cap you mentioned but I don’t think that is something that effects us.  After I retired we were able to stay on the state insurance.  We have to pay for it but we get a good discount.  Sharon will be able to stay on it when I pass away.

I like the idea of having them take the Medicare premiums out of my SS check.  It will be one less phone alarm/reminder, not that I ever forget. 😂 

One thing about Medicare that is aggravating is this time of year when all of the junk mail comes in trying to sell you on changing up the plan. 
 

[reallyitsmema]

The last step of our driveway/garage project is happening today!  We are getting our new garage door opener installed and new weather-stripping installed around the garage door opening.  Hopefully, this will stop the water from getting into the garage.  The new cement apron, new driveway sloping away from garage opening and all new framing around the garage has helped but we still have a little water coming in when it rains really heavy.

 

It will be good to get the wheelbarrow/lawn mower/rakes/etc/etc out of the backyard and back into the garage before we get the first snow!

[HBE4]

15 minutes ago, George C said:

I definitely do not regret moving from nyc to Dallas area, love the weather, when we were looking for a house told real estate agent don’t even show us a house without a pool, can use the pool about 6 months out of the year, we have hockey, baseball and even the cowgirls 😁. 
   On the other hand we love visiting New York, before this pandemic we would visit every year spending several days in the Buffalo area then in New York City, normally see about 4 plays ,eat lots of pizza and pastrami and also some high end restaurants. Still a Yankee fan and giants fan. 

 

Every time I've visited my step-daughter in Houston, we've done overnight side trips to places like San Antoni, Galveston, Lake Charles, LA (casinos!!). Not sure when my next trip to TX will be but Dallas and/or Austin will be next on the list. And if I can time it when the Yankees or NY Rangers are in town, all the more better. 🙂

[Luckynana]

16 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I am sooo pleased with the two immunity winners.

I am too.  Because, we all know, they will be booted out the next chance the "ring leaders" get to do so.

16 hours ago, Coralc said:

LOL. They tax everything in California! 

In NJ, also.  We moved from NY to NJ, and the real estate taxes just keep going up, up, up.

2 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I was too!  I think they missed a big opportunity to get rid of Liana though and that is going to come back to haunt DeShawn.

I agree.

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

 

 Hope the pastor is next! 

I believe all of us on this thread are hoping that! I can't stand her!

47 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Completely agree. I don't like Liana or "the pastor". They are gunning for Zander. I hope he is smart enough to see it.

I think Zander is smart enough to know it.  I love how he told Liana he wouldn't give her his idol to keep her safe😁

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

 

OK, looked Benton up.

 

Just curious -- if I understand, you pay a lot of taxes. Is it connected to the level of services you receive from the county, or it is "if you want to live in Washington area, you pay for it"?

 

Huge differences between the states re: taxes, according to the small "poll" here.

Makes one (actually me 😉) wonder why isn't everybody moving to Florida....

OK, @Coralc, SC for you, because of the bugs 😁

 

I was an auditor for the state of Arkansas.  I mainly audited cities, counties and school districts.  On occasion other state agencies.  Part of my job was to assure that tax revenues were used properly.  The three main sources of tax in Arkansas is income tax, sales tax and property taxes. These taxes are used to pay for the services provided by the governments. I am not aware of an Arkansas city or county that collects income tax.  A portion of the state income tax is distributed to cities counties and school districts.  Some of that money is restricted in how it is used, ie Street maintenance.  Property and Sales taxes vary across the state.  We vote on increases to cover the cost of certain services or projects.  An example, in our city we increased our sales tax to build a Community Center. And a separate separate sales tax to maintain the center and other city recreation cost. The first tax has a Sunset clause which means once the Community Center is paid off, the collection of sales tax for that project will (should) end.

So I guess the answer is yes to both.  The taxes covers services provided but you do not get to choose which taxes you pay even if you don’t take advantage of every service.

Edited November 18, 2021 by Ozark_Kid

[George C]

18 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Every time I've visited my step-daughter in Houston, we've done overnight side trips to places like San Antoni, Galveston, Lake Charles, LA (casinos!!). Not sure when my next trip to TX will be but Dallas and/or Austin will be next on the list. And if I can time it when the Yankees or NY Rangers are in town, all the more better. 🙂

Yankees open the season down here in Arlington, definitely planning are going to one of the games , new stadium with a roof , need roof on our hundred plus degrees days in summer. Politicians down here are not to bright , Louisiana and Oklahoma have loads of casinos as soon as you pass the Texas border, 90 percent of the customers are from Texas and they will not allow a casino here.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

How do you know their religions?  I do not remember any talks about religion other than Shan and I have no idea what religion she is either.

I was just going to post the same question.

[BonTexasNY]

1 hour ago, George C said:

We bought a house in a Dallas suburb coppell in 1996 sold it in 2011 at twice the price , bought house in Carrollton in 2011 and now it appraised at more than double what we paid for it. 

You're lucky!  It's a definite sellers market now. I know people who sold their homes for more than their asking price.  Unfortunately, we missed out on that selling frenzy,

 

We lived in our Plano house for about 15 years before we sold it for approx.

1-1/2  more than we paid which was good enough for us. The 3 offers we got were in the same price range. Desirable area, off Legacy Dr. across the street from Deerfield development. Close to the Legacy Corporate Park. That was almost 5 years ago. 

 

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by BonTexasNY

[island lady]

1 hour ago, akcruz said:

 

We are about a mile and a half from the beach as the crow flies just east of the intracoastal so over an hour from 95.  Keep saying we need to visit South of the Border since it's been years since either of us have been there.  Do see the signs on our travels up and down 95 but get off before we reach it both ways so don't get close.

 

It's pretty funny how so many remember it.  Tacky to the max, and probably so much fun.  😉  Have only seen the funny signs...have never been there.  

[island lady]

1 hour ago, George C said:

We bought a house in a Dallas suburb coppell in 1996 sold it in 2011 at twice the price , bought house in Carrollton in 2011 and now it appraised at more than double what we paid for it. 

 

Trouble is...once you sell at that higher price...where do you go?  😉  

 

Everything to buy is higher as well, and very slim pickings.  😮 

[island lady]

1 hour ago, HBE4 said:

 

When someone retires and is on a fixed income, that is actually the case.  The old joke here is: "Florida is New York's retirement home"  or "God's waiting room" (apologies to native-born Floridians).

 

Everyone individual circumstances are different but for me, the higher salary I receive in the New York area more than offset the higher taxes and higher cost of living. Plus, this is where my siblings and life-long friends are. Easy access to all that NYC has to offer yet only few hours to the Catskill & Adirondacks Mountains, Finger Lake wine country and the NJ and LI beaches. And I like 4 seasons of equal length, although lately winter seems to morph into summer pretty quickly these days. 

 

Now, once I retire, the financial equation may change dramatically. And like a few others, I am considering South Carolina as well, although not for a few more years. All they need is a professional baseball & hockey team.🙂

 

 

The common question (and pretty much the local joke) in Florida is.....

 

"Where are you from?".   Pretty much meaning most folks here are from another state.  Actual native born Floridians tend to be rare.  😉 

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Thanks. 
I think some don’t consider the amount of time it takes to make up the money you forfeit, they just see getting a bigger check later and I think we will enjoy it more now than later.  We have been very blessed and are content with our pension and other.  My whole thought was to assure Sharon has a great life if I pass first.
I don’t understand the health insurance cap you mentioned but I don’t think that is something that effects us.  After I retired we were able to stay on the state insurance.  We have to pay for it but we get a good discount.  Sharon will be able to stay on it when I pass away.

I like the idea of having them take the Medicare premiums out of my SS check.  It will be one less phone alarm/reminder, not that I ever forget. 😂 

One thing about Medicare that is aggravating is this time of year when all of the junk mail comes in trying to sell you on changing up the plan. 
 

 

Sometimes I think Social Security admin. is counting on peeps putting it off to get that bigger paycheck.  

 

Sure...wait until your 70...wow much bigger $$!! 🤑  Then sadly keel over at 69.  😮   

 

As in life...it's all a gamble.  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by island lady

[OnTheJourney]

I think I'm going to basically leave this thread. As was recently mentioned, it's way too active in terms of too many pages (on a daily basis) to even keep up with!!!  All the best to everyone who is part of this "routine day in lockdown" family!  Many thanks to all those who liked my kayaking pictures!!!  

 

Take care....

Edited November 18, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Sometimes I think Social Security admin. is counting on peeps putting it off to get that bigger paycheck.  

 

Sure...wait until your 70...wow much bigger $$!! 🤑  Then keel over at 69.  😮   

 

It all a gamble.  

Yup  then there's my BIL who thinks that you should take it as soon as you can

[island lady]

6 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Yup  then there's my BIL who thinks that you should take it as soon as you can

 

We figured it was worth it for Bucky to take it at first opportunity age 62.  Has worked well so far.  Assuming he makes it to age 80...he will break even by then.  😄 

[dani negreanu]

I really fancied some blinis.... It's ages since I ate some.... or, more than "some" 😉

 

I raised the "issue" before DH, but he didn't seem inclined to raise from his "post" on the sofa.

 

I took a deep breath, and decided to tackle the "issue" all by myself.

 

After a few blinis, DH came to visit the "scene". I call it "quality assurance" visit. He seemed relieved that I seem to be doing OK, and went back to the living room (aka sofa).

 

I ate them all, well, I took pity on DH and got him one.

 

Before

 

 

and right before the last one disappeared. I'm full and happy.

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by dani negreanu

[lenquixote66]

2 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Okay?  There are 7 other people that have been voted out too.  

Correct but 3 in a row of the same religion seems a bit strange to me.

[reallyitsmema]

1 minute ago, lenquixote66 said:

Correct but 3 in a row of the same religion seems a bit strange to me.

 

It wasn't three in a row, Naseer was voted out prior to Evvie.  I do think you are reading way too much into it.

[lenquixote66]

1 minute ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

It wasn't three in a row, Naseer was voted out prior to Evvie.  I do think you are reading way too much into it.

There were no jewish people in the Naseer group of 5.

[reallyitsmema]

1 minute ago, lenquixote66 said:

There were no jewish people in the Naseer group of 5.

 

That doesn't change the fact that Naseer was eliminated before Evvie.  You are looking for something that isn't there and I am done responding to this topic.  

 

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

When someone retires and is on a fixed income, that is actually the case.  The old joke here is: "Florida is New York's retirement home"  or "God's waiting room" (apologies to native-born Floridians).

 

Everyone individual circumstances are different but for me, the higher salary I receive in the New York area more than offset the higher taxes and higher cost of living. Plus, this is where my siblings and life-long friends are. Easy access to all that NYC has to offer yet only few hours to the Catskill & Adirondacks Mountains, Finger Lake wine country and the NJ and LI beaches. And I like 4 seasons of equal length, although lately winter seems to morph into summer pretty quickly these days. 

 

Now, once I retire, the financial equation may change dramatically. And like a few others, I am considering South Carolina as well, although not for a few more years. All they need is a professional baseball & hockey team.🙂

 

You don't have to sell ME on NY  We moved to TX to be with my sister and family.  Now that my daughter lives in NJ, bought a home with an in-law suite, Jack and I are weighing our options.  Oh those grandkids are a strong pull!

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I'm curious how it relates to Florida humidity?

I think CC gobbled my post.  The first quote about TX real estate was in answer to George C's post.  The 2nd quote was in answer to HBE4's post about Houston TX weather.

Sorry for the confusion!

[DaniDanielle]

Anyone else worried about Mimi?