A few years back Alan Baker claimed that his tiny 500 square foot
Vancouver condo was valued about the same as my 3000+ square foot 4
bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage Carmel Indiana home. He stated the
difference was Vancouver is such an attractive place to live that people
will pay much higher prices for housing.

I claimed that the cause was a Vancouver housing shortage. That was, and
is even more now, a valid claim. Watch this recent video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5ejnj2miw

Recent Redfin estimates for similar condos in Alan's neighborhood are
valued at about $1,000/sq ft, making Alan's humble abode's value about
$500,000. Assuming that's in $Canadian, about $US350,000. My home based
on recent comparables is valued at about $US490,000 on Redfin, or about
$US200/sq ft.

Of course the 2 properties are quite different. A 2618 W 15th Avenue
2600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family house at in Alan's
neighborhood shows a Redfin value of $C3,000,000 or about $US2,100,000.
Fixer-uppers in different neighborhoods can be found for less.

If Vancouver incomes were higher than Carmel that would help at least
make higher home values affordable. Median Vancouver household income is
about $C82,000 or $US57,400.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-housing-affordability-report/

https://www.point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/Vancouver-Demographics.html#:~:text=Median%20household%20income%20%2482%2C000%20,tax%20household%20income%20%2472%2C000

For Carmel? $US130,000. Housing here is a heck of a lot more affordable
than Vancouver BC.

https://www.city-data.com/income/income-Carmel-Indiana.html

Bottom line? No wonder 67 year old not-retired Alan Baker
still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade.

On 2024-12-21 12:51, Tom Elam wrote:
> A few years back Alan Baker claimed that his tiny 500 square foot
> Vancouver condo was valued about the same as my 3000+ square foot 4
> bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage Carmel Indiana home. He stated the
> difference was Vancouver is such an attractive place to live that people
> will pay much higher prices for housing.
>
> I claimed that the cause was a Vancouver housing shortage. That was, and
> is even more now, a valid claim. Watch this recent video:
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5ejnj2miw
>
> Recent Redfin estimates for similar condos in Alan's neighborhood are
> valued at about $1,000/sq ft, making Alan's humble abode's value about
> $500,000. Assuming that's in $Canadian, about $US350,000. My home based
> on recent comparables is valued at about $US490,000 on Redfin, or about
> $US200/sq ft.
>
> Of course the 2 properties are quite different. A 2618 W 15th Avenue
> 2600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family house at in Alan's
> neighborhood shows a Redfin value of $C3,000,000 or about $US2,100,000.
> Fixer-uppers in different neighborhoods can be found for less.
>
> If Vancouver incomes were higher than Carmel that would help at least
> make higher home values affordable. Median Vancouver household income is
> about $C82,000 or $US57,400.
>
> https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-housing-
> affordability-report/
>
> https://www.point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/Vancouver-
> Demographics.html#:~:text=Median%20household%20income%20%2482%2C000%20,tax%20household%20income%20%2472%2C000
>
> For Carmel? $US130,000. Housing here is a heck of a lot more affordable
> than Vancouver BC.
>
> https://www.city-data.com/income/income-Carmel-Indiana.html
>
> Bottom line? No wonder 67 year old not-retired Alan Baker
> still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
> 1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade.
>

Are you still whining, Liarboy?

And I'm not 67.

On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2024-12-21 12:51, Tom Elam wrote:
>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed that his tiny 500 square foot
>> Vancouver condo was valued about the same as my 3000+ square foot 4
>> bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage Carmel Indiana home. He stated the
>> difference was Vancouver is such an attractive place to live that
>> people will pay much higher prices for housing.
>>
>> I claimed that the cause was a Vancouver housing shortage. That was,
>> and is even more now, a valid claim. Watch this recent video:
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5ejnj2miw
>>
>> Recent Redfin estimates for similar condos in Alan's neighborhood are
>> valued at about $1,000/sq ft, making Alan's humble abode's value about
>> $500,000. Assuming that's in $Canadian, about $US350,000. My home
>> based on recent comparables is valued at about $US490,000 on Redfin,
>> or about $US200/sq ft.
>>
>> Of course the 2 properties are quite different. A 2618 W 15th Avenue
>> 2600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family house at in Alan's
>> neighborhood shows a Redfin value of $C3,000,000 or about
>> $US2,100,000. Fixer-uppers in different neighborhoods can be found for
>> less.
>>
>> If Vancouver incomes were higher than Carmel that would help at least
>> make higher home values affordable. Median Vancouver household income
>> is about $C82,000 or $US57,400.
>>
>> https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-
>> housing- affordability-report/
>>
>> https://www.point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/Vancouver-
>> Demographics.html#:~:text=Median%20household%20income%20%2482%2C000%20,tax%20household%20income%20%2472%2C000
>>
>> For Carmel? $US130,000. Housing here is a heck of a lot more
>> affordable than Vancouver BC.
>>
>> https://www.city-data.com/income/income-Carmel-Indiana.html
>>
>> Bottom line? No wonder 67 year old not-retired Alan Baker
>> still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
>> 1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade.
>>
>
> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>
> And I'm not 67.

A lot of Canadians are whining because they have to rent tiny condos,
and rents are going up.

I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or two.
Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962. 2024-1962=62, or
so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?

https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us

I'll amend my remark.

"Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired Alan Baker
still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."

Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500 sq ft
condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for sure,
you don't suffer from claustrophobia.

Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today. I passed an IFR
checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave for 2 weeks at sea
and a few interesting port stops. When are you driving a race car again,
or going to a warm spot on a winter break?

On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>> ...
>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>
>> And I'm not 67.
>
> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or two.
> Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962. 2024-1962=62, or
> so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>
> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>
> I'll amend my remark.
>
> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...

Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
longer: just how old were you when you finally hung it up? 75? 76?

> Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."

Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
> Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500
sq ft
> condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
> Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for sure,
> you don't suffer from claustrophobia.

How big is one's bedroom once our eyes are closed? /s

> Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today.

In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.

> I passed an IFR
> checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave for 2 weeks at sea
> and a few interesting port stops. When are you driving a race car again,
> or going to a warm spot on a winter break?

Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s

-hh

On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> ...
>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>
>>> And I'm not 67.
>>
>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>
>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>
>> I'll amend my remark.
>>
>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>
>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>  > Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500
> sq ft
>> condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
>> Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for
>> sure, you don't suffer from claustrophobia.
>
> How big is one's bedroom once our eyes are closed?  /s
>
>> Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today.
>
> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>
>> I passed an IFR checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave
>> for 2 weeks at sea and a few interesting port stops. When are you
>> driving a race car again, or going to a warm spot on a winter break?
>
> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>
>
> -hh

I don't borrow CAP aircraft. I am privileged to fly missions authorized
and funded by USAF. Today it was demo flights for 2 high school students
with aviation career interests. That is most of my flying these days.

I don't think Alan has mentioned skiing in a long time. He has local
hills, I go to Beaver Creek/Vail, comparable to Whistler-Blackcomb. We
will be there for 2 weeks again this year.

I am just guessing, but Alan's company HQ is in Ontario. If he is really
working for them he is working from home.

On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> ...
>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>
>>> And I'm not 67.
>>
>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>
>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>
>> I'll amend my remark.
>>
>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>
>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>  > Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500
> sq ft
>> condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
>> Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for
>> sure, you don't suffer from claustrophobia.
>
> How big is one's bedroom once our eyes are closed?  /s
>
>> Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today.
>
> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>
>> I passed an IFR checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave
>> for 2 weeks at sea and a few interesting port stops. When are you
>> driving a race car again, or going to a warm spot on a winter break?
>
> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>
>
> -hh

Forgot, I was already pretty well off in 2002. But the opportunity to
make $200-300 an hour and be my own boss was very tempting. Plus, the
engagements for the most part were financially, personally and
professionally very rewarding. I was very much part-time, and were were
able to travel on our schedule and I was able to pursue my flying
avocation. The 401k that came out of that has enabled a VERY comfortable
retirement.

My last major project started in late 2018, but took to 2020 once it
started. I have not accepted another since, and several were offered. In
2018 I turned 72 and the RMD money started to flow in. It was always my
intention to scale way back once the 401K kicked in.

As I stated were a now VERY comfortable, even to the point of
re-investing considerable RMD and investment earnings. It's been a great
ride.

On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> ...
>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>
>>> And I'm not 67.
>>
>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>
>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>
>> I'll amend my remark.
>>
>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>
>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>  > Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500
> sq ft
>> condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
>> Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for
>> sure, you don't suffer from claustrophobia.
>
> How big is one's bedroom once our eyes are closed?  /s
>
>> Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today.
>
> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>
>> I passed an IFR checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave
>> for 2 weeks at sea and a few interesting port stops. When are you
>> driving a race car again, or going to a warm spot on a winter break?
>
> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>
>
> -hh
Oh, and by the way, if you want to fly a CAP airplane on a mission not
USAF-assigned you can rent one for a few hours. BUT, all aboard have to
be CAP members and you cannot take it anywhere overnight. So, I can't
take the wife down to the Columbus IN airport for breakfast or fr a few
days to Atlanta to see my family.

A CAP 182 is currently about $150/hour compared to $178 for the club 182
I rented last week.

On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> ...
>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>
>>> And I'm not 67.
>>
>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>
>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>
>> I'll amend my remark.
>>
>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>
>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>
> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>  > Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500
> sq ft
>> condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
>> Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for
>> sure, you don't suffer from claustrophobia.
>
> How big is one's bedroom once our eyes are closed?  /s
>
>> Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today.
>
> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>
>> I passed an IFR checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave
>> for 2 weeks at sea and a few interesting port stops. When are you
>> driving a race car again, or going to a warm spot on a winter break?
>
> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>
>
> -hh

And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in the denominator
of the dependency ratio for and extra 15 years or so after I retired
from my full time job. One solution to dependency ratio declines is to
increase retirement age for more of us.

On 12/23/24 7:20 PM, Tom Elam wrote the first of four posts (merged herein):
> On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
>> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>> ...
>>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>>
>>>> And I'm not 67.
>>>
>>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>>
>>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>>
>>> I'll amend my remark.
>>>
>>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>>
>> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
>> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>>
>>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>>
>> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
>> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).

Odd how with four replies, Tommy missed the first point.

>> ...
>> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>> ...
>> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>
>
> I don't borrow CAP aircraft. I am privileged to fly missions authorized
> and funded by USAF. Today it was demo flights for 2 high school students
> with aviation career interests. That is most of my flying these days.

Minor details to the point which was that your out of pocket expense was
essentially zero, making the hobby be quite cheap.

> I don't think Alan has mentioned skiing in a long time...

So? When did Absence of Evidence flip to become Evidence of Absence?

-----

> Forgot, I was already pretty well off in 2002. But the opportunity
> to make $200-300 an hour and be my own boss was very tempting.

Quite an interesting spin on that history, because from the 2016 archives:

[quote]
TE> By 55, 2001, 22 years later, I was at $2.5 million....

HH> And by 56, it dropped to $1M as your life choices caught up with you.
[/quote]

> ... I was very much part-time, and were were able to travel
> on our schedule and I was able to pursue my flying avocation.
> The 401k that came out of that has enabled a VERY comfortable
> retirement.

Of course consulting can be more schedule-flexible by its nature,
although fewer hours needs to be queried if that's by hours booked, or
actually worked, since Tommy has said that he typically worked more
hours than he booked. Finally, 'comfortable' is made easier when one
defers for a decade later than average retirement age.

> My last major project started in late 2018, but took to 2020 once it
started.

But the question was when you retired: that statement only makes it
clear that as of 2020 (age 72+2=74), you were still taking on new work.

> I have not accepted another since, and several were offered.
> In 2018 I turned 72 and the RMD money started to flow in. It
> was always my intention to scale way back once the 401K kicked in.
> As I stated were a now VERY comfortable, even to the point of
> re-investing considerable RMD and investment earnings. It's
> been a great ride.

Yet envision having as good of a ride while retiring ten years younger.
Something along those lines is still a possibility for Alan, et al.

-----

> Oh, and by the way, if you want to fly a CAP airplane on a mission
> not USAF-assigned you can rent one for a few hours...CAP 182 is
> currently about $150/hour compared to $178 for the club 182 I rented
> last week.

So instead of free, a mere 15% discount for local joyriding.

-----

> And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in
> the denominator of the dependency ratio for ...

So what? Individual decisions like this invariably are self-serving, so
its not like you were being highly altruistic and didn't claim SS to
avoid being a burden on society, particularly in light of your 'VERY
comfortable' 401k, as you you were quite aggressive in maxing that out,
which served to lower your reportable income & lowered SS taxes paid.

> ... and extra 15 years or so after I retired from my full time job.

An 'extra' interesting euphemism for being caught in an office purge in
your 50s, and losing more than half of your net worth in a divorce.

> One solution to dependency ratio declines is to increase retirement
> age for more of us.

Pretty much the worst solution, as non-whitecollar workers pay with
their bodies and have difficulties getting even to age 62 without
deliberating injuries & loss of income. Consider instead liberalizing
immigration policy and providing affordable childcare, as both are less
injurious & expand in the younger prime working age (25-55) workforce.

-hh

On 2024-12-24 07:55, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
>> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>> ...
>>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>>
>>>> And I'm not 67.
>>>
>>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>>
>>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>>
>>> I'll amend my remark.
>>>
>>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>>
>> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
>> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>>
>>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>>
>> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
>> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>>   > Actually, that is now even worse. Still working and stuck in a 500
>> sq ft
>>> condo that is smaller than my kitchen, family room and one bathroom.
>>> Heck, your "home" is not much larger than my garage. One thing for
>>> sure, you don't suffer from claustrophobia.
>>
>> How big is one's bedroom once our eyes are closed?  /s
>>
>>> Got to go now, I need to prep for some flying today.
>>
>> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>>
>>> I passed an IFR checkout yesterday too! Then in a few days we leave
>>> for 2 weeks at sea and a few interesting port stops. When are you
>>> driving a race car again, or going to a warm spot on a winter break?
>>
>> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>>
>>
>> -hh
>
> And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in the denominator
> of the dependency ratio for and extra 15 years or so after I retired
> from my full time job. One solution to dependency ratio declines is to
> increase retirement age for more of us.

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks".

On 12/24/2024 4:17 PM, -hh wrote:
> On 12/23/24 7:20 PM, Tom Elam wrote the first of four posts (merged
> herein):
>> On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
>>> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>>> ...
>>>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>>>
>>>>> And I'm not 67.
>>>>
>>>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade 9-12
>>>> high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a grade or
>>>> two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade. 1980-18=1962.
>>>> 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on details. Closer?
>>>>
>>>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>>>
>>>> I'll amend my remark.
>>>>
>>>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>>>
>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
>>> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>>>
>>>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>>>
>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of his
>>> hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>
> Odd how with four replies, Tommy missed the first point.
>
>>> ...
>>> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>>> ...
>>> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>>
>>
>> I don't borrow CAP aircraft. I am privileged to fly missions
>> authorized and funded by USAF. Today it was demo flights for 2 high
>> school students with aviation career interests. That is most of my
>> flying these days.
>
> Minor details to the point which was that your out of pocket expense was
> essentially zero, making the hobby be quite cheap.
>
>
>> I don't think Alan has mentioned skiing in a long time...
>
> So?  When did Absence of Evidence flip to become Evidence of Absence?
>
> -----
>
> > Forgot, I was already pretty well off in 2002. But the opportunity
> > to make $200-300 an hour and be my own boss was very tempting.
>
> Quite an interesting spin on that history, because from the 2016 archives:
>
> [quote]
> TE> By 55, 2001, 22 years later, I was at $2.5 million....
>
> HH> And by 56, it dropped to $1M as your life choices caught up with you.
> [/quote]
>
>
> > ... I was very much part-time, and were were able to travel
> > on our schedule and I was able to pursue my flying avocation.
> > The 401k that came out of that has enabled a VERY comfortable
> > retirement.
>
> Of course consulting can be more schedule-flexible by its nature,
> although fewer hours needs to be queried if that's by hours booked, or
> actually worked, since Tommy has said that he typically worked more
> hours than he booked.  Finally, 'comfortable' is made easier when one
> defers for a decade later than average retirement age.
>
> > My last major project started in late 2018, but took to 2020 once it
> started.
>
> But the question was when you retired: that statement only makes it
> clear that as of 2020 (age 72+2=74), you were still taking on new work.
>
>
> > I have not accepted another since, and several were offered.
> > In 2018 I turned 72 and the RMD money started to flow in. It
> > was always my intention to scale way back once the 401K kicked in.
> > As I stated were a now VERY comfortable, even to the point of
> > re-investing considerable RMD and investment earnings. It's
> > been a great ride.
>
> Yet envision having as good of a ride while retiring ten years younger.
> Something along those lines is still a possibility for Alan, et al.
>
> -----
>
> > Oh, and by the way, if you want to fly a CAP airplane on a mission
> > not USAF-assigned you can rent one for a few hours...CAP 182 is
> > currently about $150/hour compared to $178 for the club 182 I rented
> > last week.
>
> So instead of free, a mere 15% discount for local joyriding.
>
> -----
>
> > And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in
> > the denominator of the dependency ratio for ...
>
> So what?  Individual decisions like this invariably are self-serving, so
> its not like you were being highly altruistic and didn't claim SS to
> avoid being a burden on society, particularly in light of your 'VERY
> comfortable' 401k, as you you were quite aggressive in maxing that out,
> which served to lower your reportable income & lowered SS taxes paid.
>
>
> > ... and extra 15 years or so after I retired from my full time job.
>
> An 'extra' interesting euphemism for being caught in an office purge in
> your 50s, and losing more than half of your net worth in a divorce.
>
>
> > One solution to dependency ratio declines is to increase retirement
> > age for more of us.
>
> Pretty much the worst solution, as non-whitecollar workers pay with
> their bodies and have difficulties getting even to age 62 without
> deliberating injuries & loss of income.  Consider instead liberalizing
> immigration policy and providing affordable childcare, as both are less
> injurious & expand in the younger prime working age (25-55) workforce.
>
>
> -hh

Incredible how you can find a cloud in any silver lining!

How much did I work in 2019-2024? I have the billing records!

2019 330 hours - the year the opinion was done
2020 44 hours - followup and depositions
2021 0 hours
2022 20 hours - reply to plaintiff challenges
2023 4 hours - testimony prep for a trial that never happened

A 15% discount is a long way from "borrowing". CAP flying is far from
free for me. I have also held numerous staff positions that take up time
and effort. My current position is coordinating pilot and squadron
resources for our Cadet O-Flight mission. Measured by aviation activity
it's the most important aviation activity in the wing. I just took that
on as of 1 October. So far this fiscal year activity is up by 45% versus
FY23. FY24 flying hours are 200.4. My hours? 32. My admin hours? A lot
more than that. Is it fun? Yes. Why is that a problem for you?

Since maxing out my 401k along with 2 IRA accounts established when I
retired I have paid state and federal income tax on over $500,000 in
RMDs. Yes I saved taxes to accumulate the wealth, but not in paying it
back. That's just how in works.

"deliberating" injuries? Was that a typo?

You euphemism is a debasement of someone who had a plan, a major
derailment, then more than recovered all on his own and through hard
work that was rewarding in every sense of the word.

You could learn a few things about a rewarding retirement.

On 12/27/24 5:59 PM, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/24/2024 4:17 PM, -hh wrote:
>> On 12/23/24 7:20 PM, Tom Elam wrote the first of four posts (merged
>> herein):
>>> On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
>>>> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>>>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And I'm not 67.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade
>>>>> 9-12 high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a
>>>>> grade or two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade.
>>>>> 1980-18=1962. 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on
>>>>> details. Closer?
>>>>>
>>>>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>>>>
>>>>> I'll amend my remark.
>>>>>
>>>>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>>>>
>>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
>>>> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>>>>
>>>>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>>>>
>>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of
>>>> his hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>>
>> Odd how with four replies, Tommy missed the first point.
>>
>>>> ...
>>>> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>>>> ...
>>>> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>>>
>>>
>>> I don't borrow CAP aircraft. I am privileged to fly missions
>>> authorized and funded by USAF. Today it was demo flights for 2 high
>>> school students with aviation career interests. That is most of my
>>> flying these days.
>>
>> Minor details to the point which was that your out of pocket expense
>> was essentially zero, making the hobby be quite cheap.
>>
>>
>>> I don't think Alan has mentioned skiing in a long time...
>>
>> So?  When did Absence of Evidence flip to become Evidence of Absence?
>>
>> -----
>>
>>  > Forgot, I was already pretty well off in 2002. But the opportunity
>>  > to make $200-300 an hour and be my own boss was very tempting.
>>
>> Quite an interesting spin on that history, because from the 2016
>> archives:
>>
>> [quote]
>> TE> By 55, 2001, 22 years later, I was at $2.5 million....
>>
>> HH> And by 56, it dropped to $1M as your life choices caught up with you.
>> [/quote]
>>
>>
>>  > ... I was very much part-time, and were were able to travel
>>  > on our schedule and I was able to pursue my flying avocation.
>>  > The 401k that came out of that has enabled a VERY comfortable
>>  > retirement.
>>
>> Of course consulting can be more schedule-flexible by its nature,
>> although fewer hours needs to be queried if that's by hours booked, or
>> actually worked, since Tommy has said that he typically worked more
>> hours than he booked.  Finally, 'comfortable' is made easier when one
>> defers for a decade later than average retirement age.
>>
>>  > My last major project started in late 2018, but took to 2020 once
>> it started.
>>
>> But the question was when you retired: that statement only makes it
>> clear that as of 2020 (age 72+2=74), you were still taking on new work.
>>
>>
>>  > I have not accepted another since, and several were offered.
>>  > In 2018 I turned 72 and the RMD money started to flow in. It
>>  > was always my intention to scale way back once the 401K kicked in.
>>  > As I stated were a now VERY comfortable, even to the point of
>>  > re-investing considerable RMD and investment earnings. It's
>>  > been a great ride.
>>
>> Yet envision having as good of a ride while retiring ten years
>> younger. Something along those lines is still a possibility for Alan,
>> et al.
>>
>> -----
>>
>>  > Oh, and by the way, if you want to fly a CAP airplane on a mission
>>  > not USAF-assigned you can rent one for a few hours...CAP 182 is
>>  > currently about $150/hour compared to $178 for the club 182 I rented
>>  > last week.
>>
>> So instead of free, a mere 15% discount for local joyriding.
>>
>> -----
>>
>>  > And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in
>>  > the denominator of the dependency ratio for ...
>>
>> So what?  Individual decisions like this invariably are self-serving,
>> so its not like you were being highly altruistic and didn't claim SS
>> to avoid being a burden on society, particularly in light of your
>> 'VERY comfortable' 401k, as you you were quite aggressive in maxing
>> that out, which served to lower your reportable income & lowered SS
>> taxes paid.
>>
>>
>>  > ... and extra 15 years or so after I retired from my full time job.
>>
>> An 'extra' interesting euphemism for being caught in an office purge
>> in your 50s, and losing more than half of your net worth in a divorce.
>>
>>
>>  > One solution to dependency ratio declines is to increase retirement
>>  > age for more of us.
>>
>> Pretty much the worst solution, as non-whitecollar workers pay with
>> their bodies and have difficulties getting even to age 62 without
>> deliberating injuries & loss of income.  Consider instead liberalizing
>> immigration policy and providing affordable childcare, as both are
>> less injurious & expand in the younger prime working age (25-55)
>> workforce.
>>
>>
>> -hh
>
> Incredible how you can find a cloud in any silver lining!

Incredible how every cloud you ever talk about is lined with gold.

> How much did I work in 2019-2024? I have the billing records!
>
> 2019 330 hours - the year the opinion was done
> 2020 44 hours - followup and depositions
> 2021 0 hours
> 2022 20 hours - reply to plaintiff challenges
> 2023 4 hours - testimony prep for a trial that never happened

Which are hours billed, not worked. As you've already admitted, you
work more hours than you actually bill.

> A 15% discount is a long way from "borrowing". CAP flying is far from
> free for me. I have also held numerous staff positions that take up time
> and effort. My current position is coordinating pilot and squadron
> resources for our Cadet O-Flight mission. Measured by aviation activity
> it's the most important aviation activity in the wing. I just took that
> on as of 1 October. So far this fiscal year activity is up by 45% versus
> FY23. FY24 flying hours are 200.4. My hours? 32. My admin hours? A lot
> more than that. Is it fun? Yes. Why is that a problem for you?

Nothing against volunteering, but simply noting that you're still out
hustling for the benefit of flying with minimal personal cash outlay.

> Since maxing out my 401k along with 2 IRA accounts established when I
> retired I have paid state and federal income tax on over $500,000 in
> RMDs.

$500K ... but across how many years? Well, age 70.5 in 2016 would mean
9 years. So call it an average of ~$50K/year, and without looking up
the historical & current IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, using a factor of
~25x would mean you're drawing from ~$1.25M in tax-advantaged accounts.

> Yes I saved taxes to accumulate the wealth, but not in paying it
> back. That's just how in works.

Depends on the marginal tax bracket of then vs now, and we know that the
2017 TCJA lowered the brackets.

> "deliberating" injuries? Was that a typo?

Yup; meant debilitating.

> You euphemism is a debasement of someone who had a plan, a major
> derailment, then more than recovered all on his own and through hard
> work that was rewarding in every sense of the word.

No, not debasing it at all: merely noted that theis recovery took them
past the US average retirement age and well into their 70s.

> You could learn a few things about a rewarding retirement.

Just what kind of 'rewarding retirement' has you taking digs at Alan?

In any event, I'm confident that my retirement will start well before
age 74, which will afford ample rewards. Of course, as illustrated with
travels to Africa 3x, etc, you already know that we've not waited for
retirement; currently even thinking about Antarctica next year, even if
the YoY gains don't crack seven digits.

On 12/27/2024 9:20 PM, -hh wrote:
> On 12/27/24 5:59 PM, Tom Elam wrote:
>> On 12/24/2024 4:17 PM, -hh wrote:
>>> On 12/23/24 7:20 PM, Tom Elam wrote the first of four posts (merged
>>> herein):
>>>> On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
>>>>> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>>>>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> And I'm not 67.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade
>>>>>> 9-12 high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a
>>>>>> grade or two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade.
>>>>>> 1980-18=1962. 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on
>>>>>> details. Closer?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'll amend my remark.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>>>>>
>>>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
>>>>> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>>>>>
>>>>>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>>>>>
>>>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of
>>>>> his hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>>>
>>> Odd how with four replies, Tommy missed the first point.
>>>
>>>>> ...
>>>>> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>>>>> ...
>>>>> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I don't borrow CAP aircraft. I am privileged to fly missions
>>>> authorized and funded by USAF. Today it was demo flights for 2 high
>>>> school students with aviation career interests. That is most of my
>>>> flying these days.
>>>
>>> Minor details to the point which was that your out of pocket expense
>>> was essentially zero, making the hobby be quite cheap.
>>>
>>>
>>>> I don't think Alan has mentioned skiing in a long time...
>>>
>>> So?  When did Absence of Evidence flip to become Evidence of Absence?
>>>
>>> -----
>>>
>>>  > Forgot, I was already pretty well off in 2002. But the opportunity
>>>  > to make $200-300 an hour and be my own boss was very tempting.
>>>
>>> Quite an interesting spin on that history, because from the 2016
>>> archives:
>>>
>>> [quote]
>>> TE> By 55, 2001, 22 years later, I was at $2.5 million....
>>>
>>> HH> And by 56, it dropped to $1M as your life choices caught up with
>>> you.
>>> [/quote]
>>>
>>>
>>>  > ... I was very much part-time, and were were able to travel
>>>  > on our schedule and I was able to pursue my flying avocation.
>>>  > The 401k that came out of that has enabled a VERY comfortable
>>>  > retirement.
>>>
>>> Of course consulting can be more schedule-flexible by its nature,
>>> although fewer hours needs to be queried if that's by hours booked,
>>> or actually worked, since Tommy has said that he typically worked
>>> more hours than he booked.  Finally, 'comfortable' is made easier
>>> when one defers for a decade later than average retirement age.
>>>
>>>  > My last major project started in late 2018, but took to 2020 once
>>> it started.
>>>
>>> But the question was when you retired: that statement only makes it
>>> clear that as of 2020 (age 72+2=74), you were still taking on new work.
>>>
>>>
>>>  > I have not accepted another since, and several were offered.
>>>  > In 2018 I turned 72 and the RMD money started to flow in. It
>>>  > was always my intention to scale way back once the 401K kicked in.
>>>  > As I stated were a now VERY comfortable, even to the point of
>>>  > re-investing considerable RMD and investment earnings. It's
>>>  > been a great ride.
>>>
>>> Yet envision having as good of a ride while retiring ten years
>>> younger. Something along those lines is still a possibility for Alan,
>>> et al.
>>>
>>> -----
>>>
>>>  > Oh, and by the way, if you want to fly a CAP airplane on a mission
>>>  > not USAF-assigned you can rent one for a few hours...CAP 182 is
>>>  > currently about $150/hour compared to $178 for the club 182 I rented
>>>  > last week.
>>>
>>> So instead of free, a mere 15% discount for local joyriding.
>>>
>>> -----
>>>
>>>  > And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in
>>>  > the denominator of the dependency ratio for ...
>>>
>>> So what?  Individual decisions like this invariably are self-serving,
>>> so its not like you were being highly altruistic and didn't claim SS
>>> to avoid being a burden on society, particularly in light of your
>>> 'VERY comfortable' 401k, as you you were quite aggressive in maxing
>>> that out, which served to lower your reportable income & lowered SS
>>> taxes paid.
>>>
>>>
>>>  > ... and extra 15 years or so after I retired from my full time job.
>>>
>>> An 'extra' interesting euphemism for being caught in an office purge
>>> in your 50s, and losing more than half of your net worth in a divorce.
>>>
>>>
>>>  > One solution to dependency ratio declines is to increase retirement
>>>  > age for more of us.
>>>
>>> Pretty much the worst solution, as non-whitecollar workers pay with
>>> their bodies and have difficulties getting even to age 62 without
>>> deliberating injuries & loss of income.  Consider instead
>>> liberalizing immigration policy and providing affordable childcare,
>>> as both are less injurious & expand in the younger prime working age
>>> (25-55) workforce.
>>>
>>>
>>> -hh
>>
>> Incredible how you can find a cloud in any silver lining!
>
> Incredible how every cloud you ever talk about is lined with gold.
>

Not true, but not many clouds either.

>
>> How much did I work in 2019-2024? I have the billing records!
>>
>> 2019 330 hours - the year the opinion was done
>> 2020 44 hours - followup and depositions
>> 2021 0 hours
>> 2022 20 hours - reply to plaintiff challenges
>> 2023 4 hours - testimony prep for a trial that never happened
>
>
> Which are hours billed, not worked.  As you've already admitted, you
> work more hours than you actually bill.

The point being that after 2019, age 73, the hours are minimal. Even
before that I never worked anywhere close to full time, and we took some
incredible trips.

>
>
>> A 15% discount is a long way from "borrowing". CAP flying is far from
>> free for me. I have also held numerous staff positions that take up
>> time and effort. My current position is coordinating pilot and
>> squadron resources for our Cadet O-Flight mission. Measured by
>> aviation activity it's the most important aviation activity in the
>> wing. I just took that on as of 1 October. So far this fiscal year
>> activity is up by 45% versus FY23. FY24 flying hours are 200.4. My
>> hours? 32. My admin hours? A lot more than that. Is it fun? Yes. Why
>> is that a problem for you?
>
> Nothing against volunteering, but simply noting that you're still out
> hustling for the benefit of flying with minimal personal cash outlay.

I enjoy the admin piece too. Hustling implies that I don't.

>
>
>> Since maxing out my 401k along with 2 IRA accounts established when I
>> retired I have paid state and federal income tax on over $500,000 in
>> RMDs.
>
> $500K ... but across how many years?  Well, age 70.5 in 2016 would mean
> 9 years.  So call it an average of ~$50K/year, and without looking up
> the historical & current IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, using a factor of
> ~25x would mean you're drawing from ~$1.25M in tax-advantaged accounts.

On 12/29/24 9:55 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/27/2024 9:20 PM, -hh wrote:
>> On 12/27/24 5:59 PM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>> On 12/24/2024 4:17 PM, -hh wrote:
>>>> On 12/23/24 7:20 PM, Tom Elam wrote the first of four posts (merged
>>>> herein):
>>>>> On 12/23/2024 4:23 PM, -hh wrote:
>>>>>> On 12/23/24 9:12 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
>>>>>>> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> And I'm not 67.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'll check my numbers. Left Malvern Collegiate Institute (grade
>>>>>>> 9-12 high school) in 1980, likely at age 18 unless you failed a
>>>>>>> grade or two. Highly unlikely you ever skipped a grade.
>>>>>>> 1980-18=1962. 2024-1962=62, or so. Could be 63, depending on
>>>>>>> details. Closer?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/malvernci/About-Us
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'll amend my remark.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Bottom line? No wonder 62-ish year old not-retired ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who worked for more than a decade
>>>>>> longer:  just how old were you when you finally hung it up?  75?  76?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Interesting dig attempt from one who definitely knows that one of
>>>>>> his hobbies is running a dedicated race car (or two).
>>>>
>>>> Odd how with four replies, Tommy missed the first point.
>>>>
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>> In the borrowed CAP again, most likely.
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>> Seems like someone forgot about skiing as another pastime. /s
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't borrow CAP aircraft. I am privileged to fly missions
>>>>> authorized and funded by USAF. Today it was demo flights for 2 high
>>>>> school students with aviation career interests. That is most of my
>>>>> flying these days.
>>>>
>>>> Minor details to the point which was that your out of pocket expense
>>>> was essentially zero, making the hobby be quite cheap.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I don't think Alan has mentioned skiing in a long time...
>>>>
>>>> So?  When did Absence of Evidence flip to become Evidence of Absence?
>>>>
>>>> -----
>>>>
>>>>  > Forgot, I was already pretty well off in 2002. But the opportunity
>>>>  > to make $200-300 an hour and be my own boss was very tempting.
>>>>
>>>> Quite an interesting spin on that history, because from the 2016
>>>> archives:
>>>>
>>>> [quote]
>>>> TE> By 55, 2001, 22 years later, I was at $2.5 million....
>>>>
>>>> HH> And by 56, it dropped to $1M as your life choices caught up with
>>>> you.
>>>> [/quote]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  > ... I was very much part-time, and were were able to travel
>>>>  > on our schedule and I was able to pursue my flying avocation.
>>>>  > The 401k that came out of that has enabled a VERY comfortable
>>>>  > retirement.
>>>>
>>>> Of course consulting can be more schedule-flexible by its nature,
>>>> although fewer hours needs to be queried if that's by hours booked,
>>>> or actually worked, since Tommy has said that he typically worked
>>>> more hours than he booked.  Finally, 'comfortable' is made easier
>>>> when one defers for a decade later than average retirement age.
>>>>
>>>>  > My last major project started in late 2018, but took to 2020 once
>>>> it started.
>>>>
>>>> But the question was when you retired: that statement only makes it
>>>> clear that as of 2020 (age 72+2=74), you were still taking on new work.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  > I have not accepted another since, and several were offered.
>>>>  > In 2018 I turned 72 and the RMD money started to flow in. It
>>>>  > was always my intention to scale way back once the 401K kicked in.
>>>>  > As I stated were a now VERY comfortable, even to the point of
>>>>  > re-investing considerable RMD and investment earnings. It's
>>>>  > been a great ride.
>>>>
>>>> Yet envision having as good of a ride while retiring ten years
>>>> younger. Something along those lines is still a possibility for
>>>> Alan, et al.
>>>>
>>>> -----
>>>>
>>>>  > Oh, and by the way, if you want to fly a CAP airplane on a mission
>>>>  > not USAF-assigned you can rent one for a few hours...CAP 182 is
>>>>  > currently about $150/hour compared to $178 for the club 182 I rented
>>>>  > last week.
>>>>
>>>> So instead of free, a mere 15% discount for local joyriding.
>>>>
>>>> -----
>>>>
>>>>  > And one more point. By working into my 70's I was not in
>>>>  > the denominator of the dependency ratio for ...
>>>>
>>>> So what?  Individual decisions like this invariably are self-
>>>> serving, so its not like you were being highly altruistic and didn't
>>>> claim SS to avoid being a burden on society, particularly in light
>>>> of your 'VERY comfortable' 401k, as you you were quite aggressive in
>>>> maxing that out, which served to lower your reportable income &
>>>> lowered SS taxes paid.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  > ... and extra 15 years or so after I retired from my full time job.
>>>>
>>>> An 'extra' interesting euphemism for being caught in an office purge
>>>> in your 50s, and losing more than half of your net worth in a divorce.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  > One solution to dependency ratio declines is to increase retirement
>>>>  > age for more of us.
>>>>
>>>> Pretty much the worst solution, as non-whitecollar workers pay with
>>>> their bodies and have difficulties getting even to age 62 without
>>>> deliberating injuries & loss of income.  Consider instead
>>>> liberalizing immigration policy and providing affordable childcare,
>>>> as both are less injurious & expand in the younger prime working age
>>>> (25-55) workforce.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -hh
>>>
>>> Incredible how you can find a cloud in any silver lining!
>>
>> Incredible how every cloud you ever talk about is lined with gold.
>>
>
> Not true, but not many clouds either.

Ah, so "no clouds" is how you're trying to spin it. Good luck.

>>> How much did I work in 2019-2024? I have the billing records!
>>>
>>> 2019 330 hours - the year the opinion was done
>>> 2020 44 hours - followup and depositions
>>> 2021 0 hours
>>> 2022 20 hours - reply to plaintiff challenges
>>> 2023 4 hours - testimony prep for a trial that never happened
>>
>>
>> Which are hours billed, not worked.  As you've already admitted, you
>> work more hours than you actually bill.
>
> The point being that after 2019, age 73, the hours are minimal. Even
> before that I never worked anywhere close to full time, and we took some
> incredible trips.

But its still age 73, roughly a decade longer than the average US worker.

So remind us again how many actual hours (not merely billed) were worked
prior to age 73? Such as each year after age 65? Or better yet, go
back to the minimum age to collect Social Security of age 62.

And for that "gold lining" bit, can you clarify just which trips are you
claiming as having been "incredible"? Was it the couple of days you
tacked onto your Oct 2009 Elanco Poultry meeting in Austria? Or maybe
the Rhine river cruise which I helped ID mile markers on your photos?

On 2024-12-29 14:09, -hh wrote:
>> As for Alan his racing gig has seemingly petered out. A revealed in
>> SCCBC public records he is absent from leadership positions. His
>> racing entries for the last three years have been few and far between.
>> Maybe he is still going golfing and skiing?
>
> YA attempt to equate Absence of Evidence as Evidence of Absence...right?
>
> FWIW, I've not mentioned PCA events for a long time (2011?), but that
> isn't proof that I'm not still attending meetings or events.

And it turns out that Tommie isn't much of a researcher...

....as I was chairman of the Race Drivers Committee in 2023.

<https://web.archive.org/web/20230422005048/https://www.sccbc.net/about-sccbc/race-drivers/>

'Membership on the Race Drivers Committee is by invitation only. The
committee is comprised of some of the best racers in British Columbia.
Most committee members have won championships in their class while
others have done consistently well over the years and have proven
themselves capable of excelling in all race conditions.'

Not bad for a supposedly "terrible" driver.

😎

On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2024-12-21 12:51, Tom Elam wrote:
>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed that his tiny 500 square foot
>> Vancouver condo was valued about the same as my 3000+ square foot 4
>> bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage Carmel Indiana home. He stated the
>> difference was Vancouver is such an attractive place to live that
>> people will pay much higher prices for housing.
>>
>> I claimed that the cause was a Vancouver housing shortage. That was,
>> and is even more now, a valid claim. Watch this recent video:
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5ejnj2miw
>>
>> Recent Redfin estimates for similar condos in Alan's neighborhood are
>> valued at about $1,000/sq ft, making Alan's humble abode's value about
>> $500,000. Assuming that's in $Canadian, about $US350,000. My home
>> based on recent comparables is valued at about $US490,000 on Redfin,
>> or about $US200/sq ft.
>>
>> Of course the 2 properties are quite different. A 2618 W 15th Avenue
>> 2600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family house at in Alan's
>> neighborhood shows a Redfin value of $C3,000,000 or about
>> $US2,100,000. Fixer-uppers in different neighborhoods can be found for
>> less.
>>
>> If Vancouver incomes were higher than Carmel that would help at least
>> make higher home values affordable. Median Vancouver household income
>> is about $C82,000 or $US57,400.
>>
>> https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-
>> housing- affordability-report/
>>
>> https://www.point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/Vancouver-
>> Demographics.html#:~:text=Median%20household%20income%20%2482%2C000%20,tax%20household%20income%20%2472%2C000
>>
>> For Carmel? $US130,000. Housing here is a heck of a lot more
>> affordable than Vancouver BC.
>>
>> https://www.city-data.com/income/income-Carmel-Indiana.html
>>
>> Bottom line? No wonder 67 year old not-retired Alan Baker
>> still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
>> 1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade.
>>
>
> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>
> And I'm not 67.

Still think I'm just whining, Liarboy?

On 2025-01-07 07:33, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>> On 2024-12-21 12:51, Tom Elam wrote:
>>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed that his tiny 500 square foot
>>> Vancouver condo was valued about the same as my 3000+ square foot 4
>>> bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage Carmel Indiana home. He stated the
>>> difference was Vancouver is such an attractive place to live that
>>> people will pay much higher prices for housing.
>>>
>>> I claimed that the cause was a Vancouver housing shortage. That was,
>>> and is even more now, a valid claim. Watch this recent video:
>>>
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5ejnj2miw
>>>
>>> Recent Redfin estimates for similar condos in Alan's neighborhood are
>>> valued at about $1,000/sq ft, making Alan's humble abode's value
>>> about $500,000. Assuming that's in $Canadian, about $US350,000. My
>>> home based on recent comparables is valued at about $US490,000 on
>>> Redfin, or about $US200/sq ft.
>>>
>>> Of course the 2 properties are quite different. A 2618 W 15th Avenue
>>> 2600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family house at in Alan's
>>> neighborhood shows a Redfin value of $C3,000,000 or about
>>> $US2,100,000. Fixer-uppers in different neighborhoods can be found
>>> for less.
>>>
>>> If Vancouver incomes were higher than Carmel that would help at least
>>> make higher home values affordable. Median Vancouver household income
>>> is about $C82,000 or $US57,400.
>>>
>>> https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-
>>> housing- affordability-report/
>>>
>>> https://www.point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/Vancouver-
>>> Demographics.html#:~:text=Median%20household%20income%20%2482%2C000%20,tax%20household%20income%20%2472%2C000
>>>
>>> For Carmel? $US130,000. Housing here is a heck of a lot more
>>> affordable than Vancouver BC.
>>>
>>> https://www.city-data.com/income/income-Carmel-Indiana.html
>>>
>>> Bottom line? No wonder 67 year old not-retired Alan Baker
>>> still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
>>> 1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade.
>>>
>>
>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>
>> And I'm not 67.
>
> Still think I'm just whining, Liarboy?

Definitely, asshole.

On 1/7/25 10:33 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/21/2024 4:10 PM, Alan wrote:
>> On 2024-12-21 12:51, Tom Elam wrote:
>>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed that his tiny 500 square foot
>>> Vancouver condo was valued about the same as my 3000+ square foot 4
>>> bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage Carmel Indiana home. He stated the
>>> difference was Vancouver is such an attractive place to live that
>>> people will pay much higher prices for housing.
>>>
>>> I claimed that the cause was a Vancouver housing shortage. That was,
>>> and is even more now, a valid claim. Watch this recent video:
>>>
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5ejnj2miw
>>>
>>> Recent Redfin estimates for similar condos in Alan's neighborhood are
>>> valued at about $1,000/sq ft, making Alan's humble abode's value
>>> about $500,000. Assuming that's in $Canadian, about $US350,000. My
>>> home based on recent comparables is valued at about $US490,000 on
>>> Redfin, or about $US200/sq ft.
>>>
>>> Of course the 2 properties are quite different. A 2618 W 15th Avenue
>>> 2600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family house at in Alan's
>>> neighborhood shows a Redfin value of $C3,000,000 or about
>>> $US2,100,000. Fixer-uppers in different neighborhoods can be found
>>> for less.
>>>
>>> If Vancouver incomes were higher than Carmel that would help at least
>>> make higher home values affordable. Median Vancouver household income
>>> is about $C82,000 or $US57,400.
>>>
>>> https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-
>>> housing- affordability-report/
>>>
>>> https://www.point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/Vancouver-
>>> Demographics.html#:~:text=Median%20household%20income%20%2482%2C000%20,tax%20household%20income%20%2472%2C000
>>>
>>> For Carmel? $US130,000. Housing here is a heck of a lot more
>>> affordable than Vancouver BC.
>>>
>>> https://www.city-data.com/income/income-Carmel-Indiana.html
>>>
>>> Bottom line? No wonder 67 year old not-retired Alan Baker
>>> still lives in the tiny, very expensive, condo he moved into in Fall
>>> 1994, 30 years ago. Very unlikely he can afford much of an upgrade.
>>>
>>
>> Are you still whining, Liarboy?
>>
>> And I'm not 67.
>
> Still think I'm just whining, Liarboy?

Well, by having to step backwards into an older part of the thread, you
certainly do give the impression that the answer is ... yes.

-hh

On Dec 21, 2024, Tom Elam wrote
(in article <vk79nm$6qc3$1@dont-email.me>):

> A few years back Alan Baker claimed

How long have you guys been going back and forth calling each other liars.
Years? Decades? This beef is massive. Do you know what’s also massive? The
low-taper fade meme. Get a life. Watch Pretty Cure.

On 1/8/25 2:59 AM, Chud McCobson wrote:
> On Dec 21, 2024, Tom Elam wrote
> (in article <vk79nm$6qc3$1@dont-email.me>):
>
>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed
>
> How long have you guys been going back and forth calling each other liars.
> Years? Decades? This beef is massive. Do you know what’s also massive? The
> low-taper fade meme. Get a life. Watch Pretty Cure.
>

The usual pattern is that Tommy trolls with some "dig" at someone.
Naturally, the options are to simply ignore, or to fire back.

This "housing" based troll from Tommy is an old retread. He's a
longtime resident in an inexpensive suburbia area, so its not hard to
have a decently sized place due to its low $/sqft, so it becomes his
basis to claim he's living in a Disneyland paradise and no one else can
come close.

Of course there's many other metrics besides cost per square foot of
housing, case in point:

"A new study by WalletHub has found that New Jersey is the 3rd happiest
state in the country.

The study compared the 50 states using factors such as mental health,
divorce rates, and finances.

Hawaii ranked first in the study, followed by Maryland. Utah came in
fourth, while Delaware rounded out the top 5. Louisiana ranked last."

<https://newjersey.news12.com/new-jersey-ranked-3rd-happiest-state-in-the-country>

Of course, to find where Indiana ranked, go find the original:

<https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959>

And we see that Indiana is way down in 36th place, with a score of
45.92. That's a ~15 point deficit vs a Top 5 for happiness, which also
serves to help explain Tommy's trolls' underlying jealousy of others.

-hh

On Jan 8, 2025, hh wrote
(in article <vlmnmt$2uro2$1@dont-email.me>):

> On 1/8/25 2:59 AM, Chud McCobson wrote:
> > On Dec 21, 2024, Tom Elam wrote
> > (in article <vk79nm$6qc3$1@dont-email.me>):
> >
> > > A few years back Alan Baker claimed
> >
> > How long have you guys been going back and forth calling each other liars.
> > Years? Decades? This beef is massive. Do you know what’s also massive? The
> > low-taper fade meme. Get a life. Watch Pretty Cure.
>
> The usual pattern is that Tommy trolls with some "dig" at someone.
> Naturally, the options are to simply ignore, or to fire back.
>
> This "housing" based troll from Tommy is an old retread. He's a
> longtime resident in an inexpensive suburbia area, so its not hard to
> have a decently sized place due to its low $/sqft, so it becomes his
> basis to claim he's living in a Disneyland paradise and no one else can
> come close.
>
> Of course there's many other metrics besides cost per square foot of
> housing, case in point:
>
> "A new study by WalletHub has found that New Jersey is the 3rd happiest
> state in the country.
>
> The study compared the 50 states using factors such as mental health,
> divorce rates, and finances.
>
> Hawaii ranked first in the study, followed by Maryland. Utah came in
> fourth, while Delaware rounded out the top 5. Louisiana ranked last."
>
> <https://newjersey.news12.com/new-jersey-ranked-3rd-happiest-state-in-the-coun
> try>
>
> Of course, to find where Indiana ranked, go find the original:
>
> <https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959>
>
> And we see that Indiana is way down in 36th place, with a score of
> 45.92. That's a ~15 point deficit vs a Top 5 for happiness, which also
> serves to help explain Tommy's trolls' underlying jealousy of others.
>
> -hh

Literally who cares just ignore them.

On 2025-01-08 12:37, -hh wrote:
> On 1/8/25 2:59 AM, Chud McCobson wrote:
>> On Dec 21, 2024, Tom Elam wrote
>> (in article <vk79nm$6qc3$1@dont-email.me>):
>>
>>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed
>>
>> How long have you guys been going back and forth calling each other
>> liars.
>> Years? Decades? This beef is massive. Do you know what’s also massive?
>> The
>> low-taper fade meme. Get a life. Watch Pretty Cure.
>>
>
> The usual pattern is that Tommy trolls with some "dig" at someone.
> Naturally, the options are to simply ignore, or to fire back.
>
> This "housing" based troll from Tommy is an old retread.  He's a
> longtime resident in an inexpensive suburbia area, so its not hard to
> have a decently sized place due to its low $/sqft, so it becomes his
> basis to claim he's living in a Disneyland paradise and no one else can
> come close.
>
> Of course there's many other metrics besides cost per square foot of
> housing, case in point:
>
> "A new study by WalletHub has found that New Jersey is the 3rd happiest
> state in the country.
>
> The study compared the 50 states using factors such as mental health,
> divorce rates, and finances.
>
> Hawaii ranked first in the study, followed by Maryland. Utah came in
> fourth, while Delaware rounded out the top 5. Louisiana ranked last."
>
> <https://newjersey.news12.com/new-jersey-ranked-3rd-happiest-state-in-
> the-country>
>
> Of course, to find where Indiana ranked, go find the original:
>
> <https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959>
>
> And we see that Indiana is way down in 36th place, with a score of
> 45.92.  That's a ~15 point deficit vs a Top 5 for happiness, which also
> serves to help explain Tommy's trolls' underlying jealousy of others.
And not to dis New Jersey...

....but depending on who is evaluating best country in the world to live
in, Canada ranks:

5th

<https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life>

4th

<https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2024/09/10/new-report-ranks-the-best-countries-for-quality-of-life-business-and-more/>

:-)

On 12/29/2024 9:23 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2024-12-29 14:09, -hh wrote:
>>> As for Alan his racing gig has seemingly petered out. A revealed in
>>> SCCBC public records he is absent from leadership positions. His
>>> racing entries for the last three years have been few and far
>>> between. Maybe he is still going golfing and skiing?
>>
>> YA attempt to equate Absence of Evidence as Evidence of Absence...right?
>>
>> FWIW, I've not mentioned PCA events for a long time (2011?), but that
>> isn't proof that I'm not still attending meetings or events.
>
> And it turns out that Tommie isn't much of a researcher...
>
> ...as I was chairman of the Race Drivers Committee in 2023.
>
> <https://web.archive.org/web/20230422005048/https://www.sccbc.net/about-
> sccbc/race-drivers/>
>
> 'Membership on the Race Drivers Committee is by invitation only. The
> committee is comprised of some of the best racers in British Columbia.
> Most committee members have won championships in their class while
> others have done consistently well over the years and have proven
> themselves capable of excelling in all race conditions.'
>
> Not bad for a supposedly "terrible" driver.
>
> 😎
Alan, how many season championships have you won?

On 1/8/2025 5:50 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2025-01-08 12:37, -hh wrote:
>> On 1/8/25 2:59 AM, Chud McCobson wrote:
>>> On Dec 21, 2024, Tom Elam wrote
>>> (in article <vk79nm$6qc3$1@dont-email.me>):
>>>
>>>> A few years back Alan Baker claimed
>>>
>>> How long have you guys been going back and forth calling each other
>>> liars.
>>> Years? Decades? This beef is massive. Do you know what’s also
>>> massive? The
>>> low-taper fade meme. Get a life. Watch Pretty Cure.
>>>
>>
>> The usual pattern is that Tommy trolls with some "dig" at someone.
>> Naturally, the options are to simply ignore, or to fire back.
>>
>> This "housing" based troll from Tommy is an old retread.  He's a
>> longtime resident in an inexpensive suburbia area, so its not hard to
>> have a decently sized place due to its low $/sqft, so it becomes his
>> basis to claim he's living in a Disneyland paradise and no one else
>> can come close.
>>
>> Of course there's many other metrics besides cost per square foot of
>> housing, case in point:
>>
>> "A new study by WalletHub has found that New Jersey is the 3rd
>> happiest state in the country.
>>
>> The study compared the 50 states using factors such as mental health,
>> divorce rates, and finances.
>>
>> Hawaii ranked first in the study, followed by Maryland. Utah came in
>> fourth, while Delaware rounded out the top 5. Louisiana ranked last."
>>
>> <https://newjersey.news12.com/new-jersey-ranked-3rd-happiest-state-in-
>> the-country>
>>
>> Of course, to find where Indiana ranked, go find the original:
>>
>> <https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959>
>>
>> And we see that Indiana is way down in 36th place, with a score of
>> 45.92.  That's a ~15 point deficit vs a Top 5 for happiness, which
>> also serves to help explain Tommy's trolls' underlying jealousy of
>> others.
> And not to dis New Jersey...
>
> ...but depending on who is evaluating best country in the world to live
> in, Canada ranks:
>
> 5th
>
> <https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life>
>
>
> 4th
>
> <https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2024/09/10/new-report-
> ranks-the-best-countries-for-quality-of-life-business-and-more/>
>
> :-)

If you can pay a million or two for a livable home, then OK.

On 1/15/25 5:33 PM, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 12/29/2024 9:23 PM, Alan wrote:
>> On 2024-12-29 14:09, -hh wrote:
>>>> As for Alan his racing gig has seemingly petered out. A revealed in
>>>> SCCBC public records he is absent from leadership positions. His
>>>> racing entries for the last three years have been few and far
>>>> between. Maybe he is still going golfing and skiing?
>>>
>>> YA attempt to equate Absence of Evidence as Evidence of Absence...right?
>>>
>>> FWIW, I've not mentioned PCA events for a long time (2011?), but that
>>> isn't proof that I'm not still attending meetings or events.
>>
>> And it turns out that Tommie isn't much of a researcher...
>>
>> ...as I was chairman of the Race Drivers Committee in 2023.
>>
>> <https://web.archive.org/web/20230422005048/https://www.sccbc.net/
>> about- sccbc/race-drivers/>
>>
>> 'Membership on the Race Drivers Committee is by invitation only. The
>> committee is comprised of some of the best racers in British Columbia.
>> Most committee members have won championships in their class while
>> others have done consistently well over the years and have proven
>> themselves capable of excelling in all race conditions.'
>>
>> Not bad for a supposedly "terrible" driver.
>>
>> 😎
> Alan, how many season championships have you won?

As many Nobel Prizes as you've won, Tommy:
Goalpost move much?

-hh