Applying for Social Security in 2026 is an adventure especially if you are trying to do something that is less common. This was my first experience with SS, as I was helping my girlfriend navigate the system. She had reached her full retirement age this year and was ready to
Continue readingRetirement Income Tax
I have lived a modest lifestyle and saved for my retirement. Next year (2027), I plan to apply for social security. At the same time, I will apply for Medicare. No longer will I have to live on my investments. Life will be great, right? Not so fast. Uncle Sam
Continue readingMay Ebay Sales Update
As of mid-May 2026, I have made 4 sales on Ebay. Profit after subtracting fees and expenses was $67. Total number of Xbox controllers sold was 6 (one sale was a lot of 4). I have 2 listed for sale and another 5 that I haven’t listed yet. I’m trying
Continue readingWill Housing Rebound in 2026?
As usual, I invested in the housing market rebound too early it seems. I bought 100 shares of the iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) last week. Today, the price is down 2.3%. I also have 100 shares of Fidelity National Financial (FNF) which has dropped 11.88% since late February.
Continue readingMy Property Tax Refund
This year my property tax refund will cover almost 80% of my 2026 property tax bill. This is bigger than last year’s refund because my co-occupant had no income to report. Qualifying for this state refund is one of the primary reasons that I have been able to afford early
Continue readingApril Come Back +$25K
It may be too early to celebrate April’s gains because there is still no peace deal with Iran. But my retirement account has gained back $25K of the $26K that it lost in March. The stock market is acting like the war is over and ignoring the fact that gas
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