Comments on: Lets get to the point, eh http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/ Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:39:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: daco http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14557 daco Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:22:50 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14557 At. just to try to put your mind at ease...MIL recently went through much of what you are going through. (At least the business type stuff.) She found the folks at the SS office pretty easy to deal with and rather nice. They may be nazis but they are people too. Financial advisors are for the extremely well healed. They tend to tie up large amounts of money for long periods of time. At your age that may not be a bad thing, but penalties for early withdrawl can be huge. Most of them know their stuff, but frankly, you're a pretty bright guy. Buy a book and hire a good tax attorney. It will be cheaper in the long run. At. just to try to put your mind at ease…MIL recently went through much of what you are going through. (At least the business type stuff.) She found the folks at the SS office pretty easy to deal with and rather nice. They may be nazis but they are people too.

Financial advisors are for the extremely well healed. They tend to tie up large amounts of money for long periods of time. At your age that may not be a bad thing, but penalties for early withdrawl can be huge. Most of them know their stuff, but frankly, you’re a pretty bright guy. Buy a book and hire a good tax attorney. It will be cheaper in the long run.

]]> By: Southerncharm http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14563 Southerncharm Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:41:14 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14563 Ugh, insurance, mutual funds, taxes, sorry. I bet the idea of a German lady eating your liver sounds pretty sweet at this point. :-) Hang tough. Ugh, insurance, mutual funds, taxes, sorry. I bet the idea of a German lady eating your liver sounds pretty sweet at this point. :-) Hang tough.

]]> By: Judy http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14564 Judy Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:50:40 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14564 If your SS office is anything like ours around here, it should be rather painless. They know there is a reason you are there, and they aren't trying to get you on board with an IRA or anything like that. I'm with you, though. If I am nodding and saying, "I know, I know", why are you still talking about the SAME THING???? If your SS office is anything like ours around here, it should be rather painless. They know there is a reason you are there, and they aren’t trying to get you on board with an IRA or anything like that.

I’m with you, though. If I am nodding and saying, “I know, I know”, why are you still talking about the SAME THING????

]]> By: Friend from Knoxville http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14582 Friend from Knoxville Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:03:50 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14582 Hi AT, I'm an avid reader of this site and have been lurking for a couple of weeks....I just wanted to add (for what it's worth) that I agree about Dave Ramsey! If you have time, he has a radio show at 2pm on 760am (you can also download his show if you miss it)...he's waaaay easy to understand. I was clueless when it came to that "financial" stuff...I've learned a ton from his radio show. Also, visit his website www.daveramsey.com. There's lots of great info there too! Hi AT,
I’m an avid reader of this site and have been lurking for a couple of weeks….I just wanted to add (for what it’s worth) that I agree about Dave Ramsey! If you have time, he has a radio show at 2pm on 760am (you can also download his show if you miss it)…he’s waaaay easy to understand. I was clueless when it came to that “financial” stuff…I’ve learned a ton from his radio show. Also, visit his website www.daveramsey.com. There’s lots of great info there too!

]]> By: Joel http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14569 Joel Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:06:25 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14569 I'm with daco on this. You're smart enough to be your own finacial planner. Anyone who keeps explaining after you say you understand is not listening to you, he's selling stuff. You don't need a financial planner who isn't listening. I’m with daco on this. You’re smart enough to be your own finacial planner.

Anyone who keeps explaining after you say you understand is not listening to you, he’s selling stuff. You don’t need a financial planner who isn’t listening.

]]> By: Joel http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14570 Joel Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:08:19 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14570 Your Social Security person sounds like a physical therapist I used to have. Is her name Helga . . . ? Your Social Security person sounds like a physical therapist I used to have. Is her name Helga . . . ?

]]> By: Bisc http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14573 Bisc Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:34:08 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14573 Agree, you don't need a finacial planner...unless he/she has money to give you. Usually, it's the other way around. Good luck with SS. Ware your black boots. Agree, you don’t need a finacial planner…unless he/she has money to give you. Usually, it’s the other way around. Good luck with SS. Ware your black boots.

]]> By: Jacket http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14575 Jacket Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:35:32 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14575 Good advice on get a book, hiring a tax attorney may be a bit much though. Anytime attorneys get involve the thing will get diluted and confused. It is thier job to confuse the issues, sometimes to the point even thier clients are confused. Good book is Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. Not necessarily the budget stuff, or the handle money by the bible stuff but just the info contained regarding investing. Don't have to buy it because it is probably at the Library and is a short read easy read ( I comprehended most of it if that helps :0 ) . Good advice on get a book, hiring a tax attorney may be a bit much though. Anytime attorneys get involve the thing will get diluted and confused. It is thier job to confuse the issues, sometimes to the point even thier clients are confused.

Good book is Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. Not necessarily the budget stuff, or the handle money by the bible stuff but just the info contained regarding investing. Don’t have to buy it because it is probably at the Library and is a short read easy read ( I comprehended most of it if that helps :0 ) .

]]> By: Jacket http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14576 Jacket Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:38:49 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14576 Oh, and you can handle it any way you wish. Oh, and you can handle it any way you wish.

]]> By: jenwright http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14577 jenwright Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:42:23 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14577 I agree with the Dave Ramsey suggestion. He has a website, too. Get your rich uncle to be your financial advisor! He's got to be good for something... I agree with the Dave Ramsey suggestion. He has a website, too.

Get your rich uncle to be your financial advisor! He’s got to be good for something…

]]> By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14578 Atomictumor Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:43:40 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14578 I have a rich uncle...? I have a rich uncle…?

]]> By: The Bosphorus http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14580 The Bosphorus Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:54:12 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14580 <i>"They may be nazis but they are people too."</i> I thought when you signed on as a nazi, your personhood status was revoked by the dmv. Can nazis be people, too? That's an ethical mudhole, if I ever saw one. :) “They may be nazis but they are people too.”

I thought when you signed on as a nazi, your personhood status was revoked by the dmv. Can nazis be people, too? That’s an ethical mudhole, if I ever saw one.

:)

]]> By: The Bosphorus http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14581 The Bosphorus Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:55:23 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14581 That quote was taken from Daco's comment above. That quote was taken from Daco’s comment above.

]]> By: Jacket http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14583 Jacket Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:06:57 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14583 I thought everybody had a rich uncle. I thought everybody had a rich uncle.

]]> By: Joel http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14584 Joel Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:14:22 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14584 I could use a rich uncle, too. Actually a rich relative of any kind would be fine. I could use a rich uncle, too. Actually a rich relative of any kind would be fine.

]]> By: Denette http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14589 Denette Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:20:08 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14589 I was just going to suggest Dave Ramsey as well. I've got Financial Peace Planner if you want to borrow it. I was just going to suggest Dave Ramsey as well. I’ve got Financial Peace Planner if you want to borrow it.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14590 Sarah Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:20:46 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14590 Maybe you could skip your meeting with SS and sell that part of your liver on the black market? That might get you some serious dough... Maybe you could skip your meeting with SS and sell that part of your liver on the black market? That might get you some serious dough…

]]> By: Jacket http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14593 Jacket Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:29:31 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14593 Rich uncles aren't what they are cracked up to be. They didn't get rich by giving money to relatives. Rich uncles aren’t what they are cracked up to be. They didn’t get rich by giving money to relatives.

]]> By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14597 Atomictumor Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:39:02 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14597 Sarah, my liver wasn't worth enough, I'm afraid. I tried that. I had some clients interested in my gall bladder, but I screwed up the closing. Sarah, my liver wasn’t worth enough, I’m afraid. I tried that. I had some clients interested in my gall bladder, but I screwed up the closing.

]]> By: Allisone http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14603 Allisone Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:56:37 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14603 I had a pretty complicated name change thing going on at one point (was adopted as an adult at the same time I was getting divorced *sheesh*) while I was handing over all the paper work I requested another copy of my daughter's card. The next day, I got a phone call from the SS office. Apparently a large group of them were sitting around a speaker phone. They went over everything (and got it all correct) then said, "we've got just one question. Are you still "A's" mother?" Then 15 people busted out laughing. SS office with a sense of humor. Who knew? I had a pretty complicated name change thing going on at one point (was adopted as an adult at the same time I was getting divorced *sheesh*) while I was handing over all the paper work I requested another copy of my daughter’s card.
The next day, I got a phone call from the SS office. Apparently a large group of them were sitting around a speaker phone. They went over everything (and got it all correct) then said, “we’ve got just one question. Are you still “A’s” mother?” Then 15 people busted out laughing.
SS office with a sense of humor. Who knew?

]]> By: RLGelber http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14604 RLGelber Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:06:29 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14604 Good luck with SS. I hope it goes better than you expect. :) I *wish* I had a rich uncle -well I do, but we don't like each other very much. Good luck with SS. I hope it goes better than you expect. :) I *wish* I had a rich uncle -well I do, but we don’t like each other very much.

]]> By: Robbin http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14608 Robbin Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:27:18 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14608 I have had pretty good luck dealing with SS. As government agencies go, they tend to be not as bad as most. They are used to dealing with grieving relatives, and they can be surprisingly kind. For now, while cash flow is tight, term life is amazingly cheap. We were really, really worried that the people we wanted to keep Harry would not be able to afford to, but we were able to get enough to be sure that money wasn't a concern when we had to make that hard decision about who was best, personality-and-philosophy-wise, to raise him. Those decisions suck hard. I have had pretty good luck dealing with SS. As government agencies go, they tend to be not as bad as most. They are used to dealing with grieving relatives, and they can be surprisingly kind.

For now, while cash flow is tight, term life is amazingly cheap. We were really, really worried that the people we wanted to keep Harry would not be able to afford to, but we were able to get enough to be sure that money wasn’t a concern when we had to make that hard decision about who was best, personality-and-philosophy-wise, to raise him.

Those decisions suck hard.

]]> By: Jason Dufair http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14613 Jason Dufair Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:45:54 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14613 SS was a piece of cake for me. Anna was on SS disability before she died, so I had to fill out new forms for survivor benefits and that was about it. All I needed was death certificates. I have a financial planner, not because I can't do it myself, but because I don't want to. I pay him directly, so I don't have to guess who he's working for. Sounds like you should bag this guy and find somebody decent. I think there's some sort of organization like the "Non Sleazy Financial Planner Network". (It's actually got the word independent in the name, but I don't remember more than that). I found my guy because they do a show on the local NPR station and they don't treat people like idiots on that show. We have always had term life and I don't intend to change that. Life insurance is life insurance. Investments are investments. Never the twain will meet. SS was a piece of cake for me. Anna was on SS disability before she died, so I had to fill out new forms for survivor benefits and that was about it. All I needed was death certificates.

I have a financial planner, not because I can’t do it myself, but because I don’t want to. I pay him directly, so I don’t have to guess who he’s working for. Sounds like you should bag this guy and find somebody decent. I think there’s some sort of organization like the “Non Sleazy Financial Planner Network”. (It’s actually got the word independent in the name, but I don’t remember more than that). I found my guy because they do a show on the local NPR station and they don’t treat people like idiots on that show.

We have always had term life and I don’t intend to change that. Life insurance is life insurance. Investments are investments. Never the twain will meet.

]]> By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14614 Atomictumor Wed, 06 Dec 2006 17:05:00 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14614 Y'know, I didn't have a problem with the guy himself. I don't think he was sleazy, or unethical, he just communciated to me in a very irritating way. But yeah, I don't think I'd be working with him, all the same. Jason, the NSFPN sounds pretty cool... Y’know, I didn’t have a problem with the guy himself. I don’t think he was sleazy, or unethical, he just communciated to me in a very irritating way.
But yeah, I don’t think I’d be working with him, all the same.
Jason, the NSFPN sounds pretty cool…

]]> By: Jane http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14727 Jane Thu, 07 Dec 2006 03:25:06 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/12/06/lets-get-to-the-point-eh/#comment-14727 Sometimes you have to try out a couple of planners before you find one that is a good match for you. We have one (and we are faaaaar from rich, just a couple of teachers) and he must belong to NSFPN because my sleaze-dar is totally silent when we meet with him. Way cheaper than a tax attorney who will bill you by the hour! Sometimes you have to try out a couple of planners before you find one that is a good match for you.

We have one (and we are faaaaar from rich, just a couple of teachers) and he must belong to NSFPN because my sleaze-dar is totally silent when we meet with him. Way cheaper than a tax attorney who will bill you by the hour!

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