Marion's Retirement

[Maid Marion]

I just got back from laser eye surgery to repair a retinal tear that was causing flashing lights when I jerked my head from sneezing or a poor golf swing.  One of the patients commented that we had similar clothes as he sat next to me--he was wearing an orange shirt and I was wearing a hot pink fleece jacket, so made a similar comment in response.  Later he clearly gendered me as "she" in another waiting room.
The good news is that the doctor said there are no restrictons on my activities.

[Dawn Kellie]

glad to hear. Not golfing can be a torture

[ChrissyRyan]

I just got back from laser eye surgery to repair a retinal tear that was causing flashing lights when I jerked my head from sneezing or a poor golf swing.  One of the patients commented that we had similar clothes as he sat next to me--he was wearing an orange shirt and I was wearing a hot pink fleece jacket, so made a similar comment in response.  Later he clearly gendered me as "she" in another waiting room.
The good news is that the doctor said there are no restrictons on my activities.

Sounds nice Marion!


Chrissy

[Lori Dee ✅]

Glad the surgery worked out well.

I had a similar issue, but the retina never got pulled loose. As we age, the gel in our eyeballs dries a bit, so it tugs at it. It cleared up on its own, so no surgery.

I am glad you were able to get it repaired. Isn't technology wonderful? Got a tear in your retina? We just take a laser and weld it back together.

😬

[Maid Marion]

My tear was the result of being really near sighted. 

I wore practical pig tails since I knew I'd have to lean my head back against a cushion during the operation.

My ride was a co-worker that I hadn't seen in years as he retired six years ago.
While we were waiting we spotted another co-worker that has been retired even longer and he got to meet up with him!

[Maid Marion]

I bought a pretty floral cami!  Retail therapy!

Made some adjustments to my diet since my HbA1c is a little high.
Started eating carrots at the beginning of the meal to add more fiber to my diet rather than something sweet.

[Dawn Kellie]

I'm learning to love retail therapy. I do better at clothing and shoe stores.
We went a new farm store with my granddaughter yesterday and my wife had to walk up and down every isle. I got a little frustrated with that. I was able tonhave some good time with my granddaughter. We had to look at every chick in the pens.

[Lori Dee ✅]

and my wife had to walk up and down every isle.

My uncle calls it "fingerprinting". My cousin must walk through the store and leave her fingerprints on every item. She can't just run in and get a few things. Nope.

[Dawn Kellie]

My uncle calls it "fingerprinting". My cousin must walk through the store and leave her fingerprints on every item. She can't just run in and get a few things. Nope.

Sometimes it seems she has to touch everything. 

[Maid Marion]

I just had my first chip in from the bunker for a Par 4!

Also reached the green with driver on a 176 yard Par 3.  Very nice weather for playing golf today.

[Dawn Kellie]

Sounds like a great day on the links.

[Stottie Girl]

I just had my first chip in from the bunker for a Par 4!

Also reached the green with driver on a 176 yard Par 3.  Very nice weather for playing golf today.

It's awesome when you do that. Well done Marion! Of course, what were you doing in the bunker in the first place ha ha! It's a special feeling to do it though. I think it's called a "sandy ferret" or something but don't quote me.

I'm not too bad at bunker shots normally so they are less of a hazzard unless they are deep pot bunkers.

Though I do remember one time in a company tournament, I was in a bunker, I was about 15 feet from the pin and instead of taking the sand with the ball, I picked the ball clean off the deck! It sailed around 60 yards over the green, over the out of bounds fence, Over the river that was flowing alongside and landed on the other bank! It was a Par 3 as well. Had to drop my ball in the bunker and my work collegues couldn't stop laughing. I failed twice to get out, out on the third shot and missed my put!! Needless to say I wasn't threatening the lead after that one!

[Maid Marion]

I bought a stretchy floral tank top with pink spaghetti straps.  It is tight enough that I have to step into it rather than trying to get it past my shoulders as it grabs my long hair on the way down.  My hair now falls to the middle of my back.

I discovered the shower stall drain protector works better if I stand on it with my left foot to prevent hair from getting underneath it.   

Marion

[Maid Marion]

I found out how much the retinal repair cost.  $1300.  I can pay for it with my Health Spending Account.
It is a special account funded with pre-tax money deducted from my paycheck and not pay taxes on money used for medical expenses. State and local taxes typically amount to 30% so that is a big savings.  They often let you have one if you have a high deductible health insurance policy.  When I reach 65 I can use that money for any reason as long as I pay taxes on the withdrawals.  I need to check to see if I can contribute with the high deductible policy I selected.  Though I need to stop contributing a year before I sign up for Medicare at 65.

Fidelity says I can make a one time transfer from my IRA to my HSA of $5400 that doesn't count as income.  This is important because I'm keeping my income below 62,600 to get affordable ACA insurance.  The subsidy goes away if I'm a dollar over!
The best time to do that is in December after my ACA eligibility gets approved for 2027, as I get penalized if I don't have 12 months of high deductible insurance after the transfer.

So many rules.  But 30% of 5400 is $1620, significant money.

I've done quite well without paying for an investment advisor and parking my money in broad index funds with low expense ratios.
In the USA there is a lot than can be done to avoid taxes legally.  I took a big long term capital gains and didn't  have to pay the IRS because my income was so low!  Then I put that money in a tax deferred retirement account through payroll deductions.

[Stottie Girl]

Bloody Hell Marion, that is confusing! ha ha!

I thank god for the NHS when I see stuff like this. What a minefield!

Do insurance companies ever refuse to pay for stuff citing small print?