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Nov 21, 2024    |      1 comment

Evaluating Options – House Edition

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I mentioned a month or so ago that I had decided to sell my home next year. Then I took a 3 week trip to Texas, followed quickly by a 1 week trip to Princess apartment. And phew, that made me re-think my idea of being transitory. The last few weeks of being home have me thinking again. (I know, a solid case of whiplash – me too!)

While I KNOW that keeping the house is the best idea financially. And there are lots of other reasons for me to stay put…the one that stands out after all my travel is my fenced yard and doggie door. It truly is the simple things that make life so sweet.

But on the other side, I am so lonely. I haven’t left the house in the week. And while I am a serious introvert, this constant aloneness is not good for my mental health. In fact, the only reason I’m out now, while I’m writing this is because I needed to come get my car serviced to drive back to Texas at the end of this week.

Asking the Expert

So while I am not rushing into any decisions. I am getting all the facts. Today a family friend who worked as a real estate agent for decades in this area is going to come by and take a look at my house. She’s retired from real estate now, but continues to manage rentals in the area. I’m hoping to learn for her what I should do to the house if I want to sell it and make the most, what would be good to do to the same end, and what to just leave for the potential buyer.

On the other side, I am considering renting out one or two of the rooms after the holidays. That would include a private bath too, well, hall bath, but I don’t ever use it.  Or even possibly renting out the house in its entirety.

empty bedroom

I just don’t know. When I mentioned it to my dad, his comment was, “would you rent it out furnished?” But honestly, the two extra rooms have no furniture in them. Well, my desk is in one of them. And I don’t think short term rentals (like AirBnB) are really a thing in this tiny town.

Options

I have options. And I want to make the best decision financially. AND for my mental health.

Having the retired real estate come over and take a look at the current state of things will give me a perspective that I just don’t have as I continue to noodle what I want to do. But I don’t plan on doing anything on a whim or until after the holidays. We shall see…

 

Nov 19, 2024    |       8 comments

Healthcare…We will see

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Ashley’s post on the opening of the 2025 Open Enrollment season reminded me that I planned to take a look at healthcare options when it opened up. I guess it’s time.

I’ve got to be honest, I’ve worked through the Healthcare.gov site a couple of times and found nothing helpful. First, the options for coverage it presents me are from unknown entities for the most part. And second, when I spot check them via their websites, finding providers anywhere near me is impossible. So what’s the point?

image of home medical paraphenaliay

Secondly, I do not understand the whole, this is what it costs, this is what it will cost you (based on income, I believe) and then there’s a whole tax related cost section. Can someone please explain it to me like I’m 5? Because I do not understand.

With Variable Income

Since my income as a contractor fluctuates significantly from month to month, let alone year to year, I am always hesitant to take something at my “low income” point for fear of the repercussions when my income increases and that affect. And then vice versa, take something as a high income season, and then my income drops and I’m stuck with an obligation I can’t meet.

A couple of months ago, I reached out to a Health insurance brokerage, for lack of a better term, and they did the same thing I do…go to the government healthcare site and read me the options. Maybe I should try them again. But I’d feel more comfortable going in with a better understanding of the financial and tax repercussions based on being self-employed with variable income.

Any experts in this are in the BAD community that could explain it to me like I’m 5?

My dad suggested that the state of Georgia instituted some other healthcare measures. (He still gets his home town paper so he’s always informing me of things I don’t know.) I did a quick Google search at the time but couldn’t find anything.

Anyone know anything specific about a recent Georgia initiative?

 

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