Yesterday was another no-spend day.
I found another quarter by the same range of parking meters. I also found a penny in the college parking lot.
I had my exit interview yesterday. Mainly, I learned that my $12K lump sum will go into the bank on July 15, and that is also when my little monthly stipend will begin. I am estimating that after taxes, I will get about $200 a month for the next three years. Also, a lump sum will go into my retirement fund -- only in the $500-600 range as I remember. That may happen sooner. I should check today!
(New readers -- this is not all that I will receive in retirement. I will start getting Social Security in August, and I will also get a monthly interest payment from my retirement fund. It will be a lean budget, but doable.)
I got a letter from my Medicare Advantage provider telling me I can no longer pay my monthly premium from my Social Security check. Since I am not getting a Social Security check until August, this is not a surprise. 
What is concerning is that this is the first communication I've received about paying, and there is no information about due dates, etc. I am a little worried about the company's administration, especially coupled with the hour-long conversation I had with them yesterday about my "lack" of medical coverage this past year. (Not so!) Ugh. Want this done.
I will send a check to the indicated payment address. I have the option to call and pay with a credit card, or to call and get a form to set up automatic payments, but I don't want to deal with their staff again. The person I spoke to yesterday seemed very nice and personable, but also didn't seem to know what he was doing. What has happened to customer service? It just doesn't seem to exist any more.
I emailed my insurance company yesterday and asked about a senior or retirement discount. My agent replied that I am eligible for a discount on my condo insurance, but not on my car, as I only have liability coverage now. However, if I get a new car someday, I will be eligible for a discount. Not sure how much my savings will be, but I'll certainly look for the discount when I get my condo insurance bill. Every little bit helps.
Looking forward to yet another free lunch on Friday -- another colleague leaving, another party. Soon I won't be able to rely on all these free food events. I wonder how retirement will impact my food bill? Positively, I hope, as I will have more time to plan and execute meals!
Just want to add that my mortgage has finally slipped under the $70K mark! Once I get through these four lean years ahead (reminder: I am drawing spousal benefit now; will switch to full benefit at age 70), I'll go back to putting extra on the mortgage. Right now, anything extra will go into savings.
Retirement Stuff
June 17th, 2015 at 01:24 pm
June 17th, 2015 at 02:06 pm 1434549966
June 17th, 2015 at 02:35 pm 1434551713
June 17th, 2015 at 06:03 pm 1434564216
August is a big month for both of us as I will be embarking on having a little one to be responsible for! Wishing us both luck
June 17th, 2015 at 07:15 pm 1434568518
June 18th, 2015 at 12:18 am 1434586689