The Vent and Rant Thread

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

In Ontario, the proceeds from the lotteries supports hospitals, amateur athletes, and other programs ( well, in theory at least ), so I look at it as the only tax that provides some hope, as opposed to the other taxes which just seem to provide the feeling of "WTF are you doing with my money???!?!"

And one other benefit -- in Canada, lottery winnings are completely tax-exempt. NOT true in the US.

But even I understand the temptation when they get this big. Fortunately, I can resist temptation fairly well. Now if they phrased it right, say as "a ticket to win a lifetime supply of Talisker"....

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by CRussel

And one other benefit -- in Canada, lottery winnings are completely tax-exempt. NOT true in the US.

But even I understand the temptation when they get this big. Fortunately, I can resist temptation fairly well. Now if they phrased it right, say as "a ticket to win a lifetime supply of Talisker"....

That's what I should name my retirement IRA account!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

In Ontario, the proceeds from the lotteries supports hospitals, amateur athletes, and other programs ( well, in theory at least ), so I look at it as the only tax that provides some hope, as opposed to the other taxes which just seem to provide the feeling of "WTF are you doing with my money???!?!"

I think you should count yourself lucky. I'd rather have that feeling: the "WTF are you doing with my money?," than the feeling I have now, which is, worse, "I know what you're doing with my money, you incompetent boobs, and could you try to hire someone with a brain? Or just how about someone who's actually IN BLOODY CHARGE?"

Given what Kovid's doing with his quasi-Sigil-saver in damn short time, I think they should have given him that $700M USD, because at least they'd have a front-end of the website that worked. For another $200M, hell, I'll build 'em a shopping cart and checkout process that works. For nothing, I'm pretty sure that Paypal would have built an entire backend that works (yes, yes, I know, they'd take a percentage of a point off the payments, but, crap, that's a lot less than it's costing us NOW).

SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. Un-freaking-believable.

Hitch

[orlok]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

My plan B was always to win the lottery, but I couldn't get it up and running.

That's my pension plan...

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by orlok

That's my pension plan...

?? Pension Plan ??

What is this "pension plan" you speak of? We spent ALL our pension, and then some, when we were still mobile enough to do things we couldn't do now. So now I work.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by CRussel

?? Pension Plan ??

What is this "pension plan" you speak of? We spent ALL our pension, and then some, when we were still mobile enough to do things we couldn't do now. So now I work.

Must admit I too see myself working until I drop. I don't think I'll ever be in a position to retire.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by CRussel

?? Pension Plan ??

What is this "pension plan" you speak of? We spent ALL our pension, and then some, when we were still mobile enough to do things we couldn't do now. So now I work.

As I near my 'golden years' I begin to see the wisdom of your plan ....

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

As I near my 'golden years' I begin to see the wisdom of your plan ....

We've been all over Europe, East Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, and even Antarctica. Doing things that Sharon definitely couldn't any longer do, and I'd struggle with some of them. And we spent the $$ like it was water. Was that fiscally wise? Probably not. Was it anything I regret? Honestly, off all the trips, the ONLY one I regret was the week we spent in the Galapagos. 24 hours would have been MORE than enough, thank you. The other 6 days were unpleasant, uncomfortable, and boring. (There are no good ships plying the Galapagos, since all of them are licensed and controlled by Ecuador.)

But other than that? I have no regrets at all. And even that trip led to some good things. Like finding the best Italian restaurant in Guayaquil when all we had feeble hopes for was to not be poisoned. And after Ecuador, we went to Peru where we had an amazing time.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by CRussel

?? Pension Plan ??
What is this "pension plan" you speak of? We spent ALL our pension, and then some, when we were still mobile enough to do things we couldn't do now. So now I work.

It's remarkable how many people DON'T do this, then complain when they reach retirement age that they can't do them because of physical limitations. It was an argument I used to have with my parents all through my 20's and 30's. They said 'work first. play later.' I said 'play first, work later.' My father worked 6 days a week (loved his profession, but was far too serious about 'saving for a rainy day.') By the time I reached my late 30's, and they retirement age, my father was too ill to even play golf. Passed away without ever doing the things he planned to do in retirement.

Originally Posted by orlok

Must admit I too see myself working until I drop. I don't think I'll ever be in a position to retire.

The condo next to mine is for rent. You can live like a king in Thailand for less than £9000 a year if you're not a heavy drinker. The only visa requirement is that you have £12,000 in the bank or income for that amount per year. Huge ex-pat community, mostly Brits but we tolerate that, excellent health care at almost no cost, and ya can't beat the food!

Originally Posted by CRussel

We've been all over Europe, East Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, and even Antarctica. Doing things that Sharon definitely couldn't any longer do, and I'd struggle with some of them. And we spent the $$ like it was water.

Precisely the way we've lived our lives!
When I see people putting off living with the reasoning being that they are saving for the future, I think of my father and hope that they fare better than he did.

Was it anything I regret? Honestly, off all the trips, the ONLY one I regret was the week we spent in the Galapagos. 24 hours would have been MORE than enough, thank you. The other 6 days were unpleasant, uncomfortable, and boring.

The mistake you made was not doing a live-aboard dive trip there. Incredible scuba diving there! Best Hammer-head shark diving in the world! Huge schools of 'em! Other than some of the exotic land creatures, there is nothing else in the Galapagos worth the trip!


Stitchawl

[cromag]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

It's remarkable how many people DON'T do this, then complain when they reach retirement age that they can't do them because of physical limitations. It was an argument I used to have with my parents all through my 20's and 30's. They said 'work first. play later.' I said 'play first, work later.' My father worked 6 days a week (loved his profession, but was far too serious about 'saving for a rainy day.') By the time I reached my late 30's, and they retirement age, my father was too ill to even play golf. Passed away without ever doing the things he planned to do in retirement.
...

Stitchawl

And I knew several people who worked for years with similar dreams of an exciting retirement and passed away within months of retiring.

As a stay-at-home Dad, there was no sudden change -- I just had to acknowledge that when both your kids are away at school, you aren't really a stay-at-home Dad anymore.

I would like to find some part time work, but we planned well and I don't really need to, financially.

[kindlekitten]

So about 36k in the bank? Hmmmm


My vent, people
My rant, people
My vent, and rant, trust! Why do I keep doing it!? Why do I keep letting it fugger me over all the damn time!?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by cromag

And I knew several people who worked for years with similar dreams of an exciting retirement and passed away within months of retiring.

I think by the time we reach this age, we've all heard about friends like that.

I would like to find some part time work, but we planned well and I don't really need to, financially.

Work is fun, especially if you don't 'need' to do it, and only do the work you enjoy. For years now, I only take shooting assignments I want to take, sell some gem stones that I pick up 'if' I'm in the area (up along the Burmese border) rather than going up specifically to find stones at the right price, teach a lesson to someone I 'want' to spend the time with, etc. I like the work, but I only want it on my terms. And in retirement, it's good to continue to feel productive.

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

So about 36k in the bank? Hmmmm

In US dollars, $25,000 or income + bank account to equal that. Malaysia, too, offers an incredible Retirement Incentive that includes governmental assistance in purchasing a house and car plus other perks, but the banking requirement is $50,000. Retiring in a magnificent tropical beach resort with all the amenities of home isn't hard to live with...

My vent, people
My rant, people
My vent, and rant, trust! Why do I keep doing it!? Why do I keep letting it fugger me over all the damn time!?

Because you are a good and loving person. You've got to learn to be nastier...


Stitchawl

[poohbear_nc]

KK - remember: "Shields up!"

[kindlekitten]

Damn it!!! You're both right, why can't I learn? In this last week I actually got it from three different directions. I need to go crawl under a rock

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Damn it!!! You're both right, why can't I learn? In this last week I actually got it from three different directions. I need to go crawl under a rock

NO!! You need the throw the rock!

Like it says in the Bible, there is a time to turn the other cheek, and a time to slay the b@st@rds!



Stitchawl