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AK Retiree Club

usedto said:
The problem is, you are talking about trained professionals. John Q Public doesn't have that advantage. I'll keep my guns.:thumbsup:
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JQP had better have TONS of spare powder, brass and lead ... and smithing facilities ... which are bright n hot and give off a distinct aroma that will attract other JQPs and, well, trained pros who might wanna appropriate the powder, brass, lead ... and smithing gear.

ps - But this is only @ that certain B-I-L's vision. I'm sure he's off base. :smoke:
 
And done. The 1031 Exchange replacement property escrow closed this morning. I'm now the proud owner of a house and 5 acres near Lodi, CA. The house will get fluffed and buffed, then rented. The RE agent who handled our end is also a contractor, so he'll handle the updating.

Paid a little more than I wanted to, but while city home prices are stagnant or dropping, country property is still hot. Glad to be rid of the San Diego home. It srved me well, but it was time to own something a little closer.
 
usedto said:
And done. The 1031 Exchange replacement property escrow closed this morning. I'm now the proud owner of a house and 5 acres near Lodi, CA. The house will get fluffed and buffed, then rented. The RE agent who handled our end is also a contractor, so he'll handle the updating.

Paid a little more than I wanted to, but while city home prices are stagnant or dropping, country property is still hot. Glad to be rid of the San Diego home. It srved me well, but it was time to own something a little closer.
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Enjoy a great Lodi Old Vine Zin! It ain't the backwater CCR sang about anymore...

Oh, and go check out the Sandhill cranes, thousands of them nearby right now.
 
I was in the barber shop the other day. Lined up on the waiting bench was a bunch of gray haired guys. I was a middle aged one at 72.

The sound system played The Who's My Generation. One guy was tapping his foot.

I chuckled when Roger sang, "Hope I die before I get old".

We didn't hope to die young.
 
Took some of my "retirement" money in November of 2024 and bought 1 oz silver rounds. Over time, paid from $29/oz to $39/oz, including some "collectibles".

Silver is over $90/oz tonight. The "collectibles" are worth $124/oz.

That could, however, change tomorrow.
 
"Traders" are playing with the precious metals market - especially (paper) silver.

The market closed Friday with silver at $103.08 per oz. When it opened Sunday, it jumped up to $111.00 This morning, it went just over $118 - then the great sell-off began. Dropped down to the $103 price. Back up to a little over $110 right now.

Most of mine isn't for sale, but I did buy a few "collectibles" when they were still under $40. Sold one today for $142.00

I love it.
 
usedto said:
"Traders" are playing with the precious metals market - especially (paper) silver.

The market closed Friday with silver at $103.08 per oz. When it opened Sunday, it jumped up to $111.00 This morning, it went just over $118 - then the great sell-off began. Dropped down to the $103 price. Back up to a little over $110 right now.

Most of mine isn't for sale, but I did buy a few "collectibles" when they were still under $40. Sold one today for $142.00

I love it.
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"Traders" are also breathing much volatility into the cost of natural gas, closing yesterday at $6.6 per MMBtu ...

The cost per MMBtu started a precipitous increase on 16 January 2026, when it was still < $3.00 per MMBtu. Eleven days later it is > $6.00 per MMBtu, and as of this writing is $6.74 per MMBtu.

Unfortunately this $ per MMBtu is NOT proving beneficial to the NEG-sector midstreaming operations -- liquid petroleum and/or natural gas / LNG -- in which I am heavily invested ... at least at yesterday's trading session. There were a few of bright spots -- TXO, VOC and DKL -- in the sector, but most ended the session RED.

Let's see how yesterday's announcement of an additional 10% -- do now 25% in all -- in ntariffs on South Korea plays out @ today's market in general and (for me) the NRG sector in particular.

As for (so-called) precious metals -- physical stock and/or paper certificate -- I don't invest in them directly; rather, I invest in the mining operations that yield these materials -- the likes of Barrick, Rio Tinto, and SBSW.

ps - RIO is a particular favorite among mining operations b/c their return over the last 52 weeks has been terrific AND they pay a decent dividend per share owned.
 
Funny thing is I didn't buy the silver for an investment. I just figured given the current "unrest" in the world today, it wouldn't hurt to have some currency on hand that was a little more substantial than a piece of paper with a president's picture on it. The fact that it's tripled in value just makes it sweeter.

I have stock, too - mostly inherited. Problem with stock is that it's nothing more than a "promise", so to speak. One bad move by the company and it can go from feast to famine in a heartbeat. I'm just hoping it keeps it's value until I kick the bucket, and my kids can take the step-up in value and sell it.
 
1964 and older quarters are 90% silver, meaning each has .1808 troy ounces of pure silver. At today's spot price of $85, about $15 each.

However, you will most likely not get spot, since they have to be processed to get the pure silver, and the handlers need to make a profit.

Then again, there are some older quarters that are worth more than their face or silver value.

Many variables involved. One needs to find a reputable dealer to get the best value. I was lucky enough to stumble into a coin shop nearby that has educated me quite a bit, and I trust them without question.
 
BSome said:
It took a while, but finally read through this thread, all 271 pages.

The misses officially retired today making Thursday her first full day. As of right now I plan on following her out in 8 weeks and becoming an official member of this group.

:beerchug:
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The door is open..................................:thumbsup:
 
BSome said:
It took a while, but finally read through this thread, all 271 pages.

The misses officially retired today making Thursday her first full day. As of right now I plan on following her out in 8 weeks and becoming an official member of this group.

:beerchug:
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Congrats !
 
BSome said:
It took a while, but finally read through this thread, all 271 pages.

The misses officially retired today making Thursday her first full day. As of right now I plan on following her out in 8 weeks and becoming an official member of this group.

:beerchug:
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Time, I think, to repost a little hint HR gave me when I retired: make your last day the first business day of the month to be sure your company health insurance overlaps the start of your new insurance in retirement.
 
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