u/MiserableCancel8749

Did your grandmother wear a housecoat? Not quite a bathrobe.....

Ok, so I am retired and no longer in 'accumulation' mode, and have moved into 'spending' mode.

I looked up some information, and I'm surprised at something.

In 2017, I inherited an IRA from my mother, who died in June of 2017. It is invested exclusively in VIGAX, and has been since I set it up after transferring it into Vanguard.

When it was all settled, it had a balance of around $113K. Every year, I have withdrawn more than the RMD (RMD payments had to begin immediately, because it is an Inherited IRA).

Here's what surprising to me: In 9 years, from that initial $113K, I have withdrawn $127K. The current balance is $81K. Fortunately, I've had it long enough that the new '10 year' rule for an inherited IRA does not apply.

Even so, the thought hit me: It's HARD to spend down an investment account if it's invested well. It's even harder if you're trying to keep your annual taxes sane, and to avoid things like getting hit with IRMAA penalties.

Just an interesting observation, no more.

I've been retired for 2 years as of June 1. My wife has decided to pull the trigger as of the end of June, with her last day (using vacation for the rest) on June 12.

We've been talking about the 'next phase' and we're both looking forward to it. The money 'should' work, there are adjustments we'll need to figure out, but we've made adjustments before.

What struck me was this basic thought: we've been married 46 years, and it's been over 40 years since we've been together--except for 1 or 2 week vacations--all day, every day. I worked, she worked, we had kids (who have turned out great). Now, suddenly, we will be sharing the space in ways we haven't for many years.

Meal prep, personal space vs shared space, chores, all of it will need to be figured out.

Am I worrying too much?

How many of us grew up hearing "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"? Functional patches on our jeans, socks with worn heels got darned, what was on the table was what there was for dinner. If you didn't like it, there was PB in the cupboard.

More interesting: How many of us, today, still find ourselves living frugally because we know how? Or tried to raise our kids that way?

I've been a homeowner now for 40+ years, and am looking at the next big life change: Being away from home for more than a week at a time.

I know I've seen some discussions around this before, but I'll put it out again....What do you do, in 2026, to keep your main home secure if you're gone for the whole summer?

Here's my list:

1. Invest in a ring doorbell/porch camera--to keep an eye on things

2 Arrange for a lawnmower service

3. Before leaving, turn off the water at the main inlet to the house

Now the big question: What about the water heater? It's natural gas, so shutting it off involves dealing with the gas valves and gas control. And relighting the pilot on return (and risking having it not work) Or, do I just shut off the gas valve at the meter and call it a day? Or leave it be?

It's summer, so no issues with keeping the furnace on. AC will be off, but a dehumidifier will stay running in the basement.

I know it's been discussed before, but I'll ask anyway...

When leaving the main home for the summer (3 months or so), what do you do to keep it safe and secure?

I'm planning on turning the water off. Should I also shut off the gas water heater? Or even the gas supply at the meter?

I have an arrangement to have the grass mowed weekly.

Thinking about a ring doorbell/porch camera to keep an occasional eye on things.

Other ideas?