Just to note that it's different for those on Medicare. You get a wellness checkup every year, and virtually all tests are covered.

I have a Medicare Supplement plan (not an Advantage Plan) that pays for many things not covered completely.

We used to pay into OHIP (provincial insurance plan) 4X per year a long time ago. Then they gave free coverage of most general physician things for as many times a year as needed. Now we get one physical per year, one pap test and mammogram every 2 years, and a lot of things that were covered no longer are. Those who pay for private coverage can have whatever they want as long as they can pay.

I'm not looking forward to being old and without income. I am very healthy and fit but I have to stay that way. DH and I can live on what we make but we're not exactly racking up the savings. We will have no extra money for anything other than basic health care. Same with dental.

Dagmar

Dagmar, if you are in your 50s, there is still time to put aside savings for later. You'd be surprised how much it can grow. But you have to make savings priority number 1.

I used to put money into my retirement savings accounts if I had some "extra." I realized one day that that was not working very well, and I would have to change my approach. I was in my early 50s then, and I'm glad I made the change. My lifestyle didn't suffer, either--somehow the idea that I didn't have enough money to save was untrue.

I'm almost 61. I do have savings but they will last for about 4 years, supplemented by any small government pension I get. DH is almost back in the black with the new job but he's almost 56 years old.

We have both accepted that we probably won't be able to fully retire at 65 and will have to work part-time until we die.

We are not extravagant. No fancy cars, dinners, trips to amazing places, etc. We go out to a movie once a month and out to dinner once every couple of months. Toronto IS an expensive place to live but this is where the jobs are.

We will move to a smaller city and the profits from the house will net us an investment income. Again it will not be enough to live on but it will certainly help.

We will cover the basics but will be in trouble if there is a major illness or accident. We have accepted that and will adjust our lives as well as we can.

Dagmar

Waking up Thursday morning in Phoenix. No idea what my weight is, but I had a long, ravenous plane ride yesterday, and at the restaurant last night, chicken tacos rolled in lettuce rather than any kind of shell. They were quite good.

Off to the fitness room at the Marriott Residence Inn Downtown/Temple before the day commences. I'm hoping we can get some time in at the Botanical Garden before we drive up to Sedona. We will make at least two stops on the way north, one at Montezuma's Castle and the other at the Rock Springs Cafe.

Saef, you're in my favorite part of the country for mental health. My parents bought a time-share in Sedona 18 years ago after we were there for the 2nd time, and I've gone back a dozen times since then. I adore the dry air, the forest and creek-cut canyons that start just north of Sedona, and of course, the beautiful arid red vistas that are its heart. Every time I go, I can almost feel my equanimity and mental stability increase day by day. It's no wonder that people used to (still?) believe in the "vortexes" of energy that live in the place. I hope it does for you what it always has for me, and gives you some perspective on your life.

American health care is a travesty. Along with our non-existent gun controls and antiquated approach to governance, we are doing our best as a society to systematically kill off our population. Happy Thursday everyone.

JayEll, may I ask the difference between a Medicare Advantage and aMedicare Supplement plan?

Andrea,

Medicare Advantage plans are basically HMO plans. They are also known as "Medicare Part C" plans. You are usually restricted to the plan network and you may need referrals to see a specialist. You pay a low or no monthly premium in addition to paying Medicare B, and you pay co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. Prescription coverage is included with most plans.

Medicare Supplement plans are also called "Medigap" plans. You aren't restricted to a network and you can see specialists without referrals. You must pay a monthly premium in addition to paying Medicare B. Out-of-pocket costs like deductibles are limited. Prescription coverage is not included, so one must also pay for a Medicare D drug coverage plan. The Supplement plans are standardized, but prices vary depending on type and extent of plan coverage and provider.

I could save about $200 a month by going with an Advantage plan, but I like flexibility and choice, and not having to pay much by way of deductibles and so forth.

Saef-- You are near where my dd is now living-- she is in Gilbert. Enjoy the beauty! Andrea-- I've yet to go to Sedona but it's on my list. I still need to see the Grand Canyon which will hopefully happen next year.

A cautionary tale from Ellie, our Doberman. Those of you that know me on Facebook may have seen Ellie's demolishing of a leather ottoman on Tuesday. This morning she puked in the kitchen and it took me a bit to realize that there were giant pieces of LEATHER in the puke! Oh my! I sure hope it's out of her system. She had been acting fine and I had no idea she ATE IT! So, Ellie's advice is don't eat leather unless you want to puke it up a couple days later.

Today is my Friday as I don't have work tomorrow. Fun day planned (insert sarcasm) as I have my mammogram and physical scheduled. Following the insurance thread-- we have new insurance this year with high deductibles-- so far it hasn't paid for much of anything-- I'm hoping the preventative care is covered.

And, I agree with Birchie-- those of you lurking, please join in! We don't bite!

We saved for retirement, putting money in a pre-tax "deferred comp" plan (like a 401K). The idea was that you do not pay tax on it until you withdraw it during retirement, which might be when you are in a lower tax bracket. Well, that did not work for us because we are actually making more money now, since we also draw social security. It would have been better to pay the taxes up front when we were younger! I'm almost 63, so Medicare is still 2 years away. I'm still covered by the county's retiree plan but the premium is going up again (no surprise there). I'll be paying over $700 a month as of January. There are cheaper plans available but with my cancer history I want the plan with the most options.

Some of you remember our new black cat Oliver - we trapped him several months ago and have been trying to domesticate him. Well, he has turned into a marvelous pet and is now allowed outside with the other cats! He comes in promptly when called and he cries loudly if we go out in the yard and leave him alone indoors. He loves to be held and petted. I am very surprised and totally thrilled with how he turned out.

Boo to eating stir-fry late in the evening, which kicked my weight up 2 pounds. It was homemade but still used soy sauce and other salty components for the sauce.

Well I logged all my food yesterday and today so far. I'm trying to get back in the logging habit first, then I'll worry about the restricting calories. The last couple days came out around 1800-1900 calories, so clearly I'm going to have to make a significant cut to lose weight. I know from past experience I won't lose anything unless I'm consistently under 1400 calories/day. Today and tomorrow both I had/have meetings over lunchtime so no time to work out either.

In other news I got my ganglion cyst aspirated so maybe this weekend I can make it to yoga and actually be able to do everything! It's still sore but it's already way better than before the aspiration.

Morning in the Village of Oak Creek, in the predawn darkness, since I'm still in the habit of waking at 4 AM.

To be able to afford four nights in Sedona, I reserved at a budget motel, which has no gym. And I can't walk much because I'm accompanied by my mother, who's obese and not fond of walking. So we'll see where I end up at the end of this trip.

I haven't yet relaxed into the place because of figuring out itineraries. I think it's coming. I did have a good moment at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the rocks, and again at Montezuma's Castle, the restored ruins in the hillside. Hoping for more such good moments.

Right now unhappy because of the poor fit of last winter's coat. I will need it at the Grand Canyon, and of course, for the winter.

Saef,
I get plenty of exercise in Sedona by putting on my sneakers and going for power walks/"wogs" around Oak Creek's subdivisions, with their backdrop of canyons and cliffsides. Instead of leaving your mom alone to go to the gym for an hour, leave her alone to go exercise outdoors. Bonus: you will feel 1000 times more mentally refreshed from doing it outside instead of while staring at an elliptical's screen.

That's why my DH quit going to a gym. That and the noise from all the TV's and the sound system. Now he walks the dog for an hour in the nearby park/ravine system and enjoys that.

Dagmar

Up an hour and a half later. Am relaxing into the vacation, as far as I'm able to relax. Yesterday was the crazy ride of a Pink Jeep tour and then lots of shopping, though I only bought one pair of earrings from a Native vendor up at the Dairy Queen on 89 on Oak Creek Canyon. Today we'll be visiting West Sedona. We'll see if we end up in Cottonwood or Jerome at the end of that trip.

Tomorrow we head up to the Grand Canyon for two nights in a lodge within the canyon.

Yes, me too. Although there were also safety issues involved. I train in the kitchen and outside. I'm just adding in hill sprints (yes!) in power walking format to try to shift the tummy fat. I've found a hill with a beautiful view and very near where I go every day. I used to do this kind of HIIT thing on the rowing machine.