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Medicare advantage plan for retired military
I am retired USAF and wife and I are on tricare for life. In helping a non vet friend new to Medicare I found out that some military retiree’s find the advantage plans worthwhile. i see the ads about dental, vision, money back, etc. As 100% VA disabled I dismissed it for me until I was told by an agent that United Health Care has overseas coverage as well, something standard Medicare does not, although tricare supposedly does.
So, because we do travel some overseas, especially the wife, that caught my attention. The wife also liked getting dental and money back of course. I was also told we could still go to our doc’s because in this area and indeed nationwide most doc’s are in the plan.
Any mil retiree’s have experience with these plans good or bad?
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georgelesley
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08/17/22 04:22pm |
Around the Campfire
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Traveling via B&B/hotel vs RV
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 30344093
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georgelesley
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06/24/22 09:27am |
Around the Campfire
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Traveling via B&B/hotel vs RV
First a bit of context. We have owned nearly all types of RV’s and have RV’ed for well over 20 years. Last year we sold our class A MH and have not bought another RV. We just returned from a 9000 mile road trip with our car traveling thru the Midwest and Rockies staying in B&B’s and hotels.
B&B’s suit our style much better than hotels. However, for quick one night stands, hotels are usually cheaper and are generally a better option for just a place to sleep.
B&B’s usually have a cleaning fee added and sometimes a “service fee”, which hotels do not so staying in a B&B for only one night is more expensive, but if the added fees are spread over several days the benefits of the B&B such as being able to prepare your own meals, often having separate TV’s showers, etc, tend to even the costs out
Both options especially multi day stays in B&B’s require reservations usually well in advance, thus locking you into a hard schedule, whereas hotels are often more flexible and have more liberal cancellation policies.
Contacting the owner/managers of B&B’s is not always as easy as a hotel for maintenance issues. We found some truly excellent, some never responded.
Since B&B’s are individually owned usually, the quality of furnishing and utensils is a **** shoot, some just like or even better than home, some pretty run down. With chain hotels at least the quality is usually more consistent with a particular chain anyway.
We did buy a picnic sized portable refrigerator that we put in the back seat of the car and plugged into 12V. That really made a difference in having the basics available to prepare basic meals.
Bottom line: for one night stands, hotel are usually the best option, like them or not.
For multiple night stays in one place, we much prefer the B&B style.
Cost wise, hotels may be cheaper, but when you factor in meal preparation in a B&B, over several days the costs even out, although some hotels offer some options there as well especially breakfast. We did note that since Covid came along, the hotels with breakfast are fewer and breakfast is often much simpler and less than it used to be, so beware.
One thing we really missed about the RV style of travel was the option of boondocking and the ability to change our plans on short notice. Another was the interaction you can have with fellow RV’ers at a campground. Staying in a B&B or hotel you don’t talk to other people much.
We are also looking into staying at campgrounds that have cabins for rent but have not really found a site that has a good listing of such.
So is another RV in our future? Maybe a small travel trailer we could pull behind our SUV. TBD.
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georgelesley
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06/24/22 09:27am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Turbo car engine in mountains
The 2017 Lincoln's turbo is water cooled. The cooling continues after it's turned off by water coolant thermal siphoning.
This is exactly what I wanted to know. I figured that the auto makers had done something to solve the problems early turbo’s had, just wanted to know what. My advice to my friend is that in his normal driving do not worry about it. But when we climb the Eisenhower tunnel, or one of the few other really high and long climb passes we will be going over, not to shut it off immediately at the top. I will not be shutting ours off either as the exhaust manifold on both cars will likely be pretty hot. Just using “an abundance of caution” as a popular saying goes.
Thanks again for all the input and info.
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georgelesley
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05/05/22 04:33am |
Around the Campfire
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Turbo car engine in mountains
We are leaving next month for a 5000+ mile trip from TN thru the Rocky Mountain states, friends will be tagging along we both will be driving cars and staying in B&B’s. Our friends have a 2017 Lincoln 4 cylinder with turbo. I know turbo’s can get hot, especially the main bearing after pulling a long mountain grade.
I also remember that cast iron exhaust manifolds get hot and coasting a long downgrade after just climbing a steep upgrade can lead to the exhaust manifold cracking which is one reason many passes have pull overs at the top for letting things cool down.
My initial advice to my friend has been that we should pull over at the top of a long climb and let the engine on his car idle for a few minutes while we enjoy the view and not shut the engine off or start the downgrade until the engine has had a chance to cool off.
I am a bit behind on this subject having never had a turbo engine so am seek any advice from those that know more than I do about the subject. Thanks in advance.
BTW, our car is a 2020 Acura V-6 non turbo with a transmission cooler recently dealer installed in case we wish to tow in the future.
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georgelesley
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04/21/22 04:10am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: No more photo posting... huh?
I very seldom had any luck with the posting and #1 reason I don't post pics...PITA!!!
+1. I managed to get it done a few times and just quit. Too much trouble, and I agree it is a shame.
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georgelesley
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04/18/22 04:42am |
Forum Posting Help and Support
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RE: Whaddaya gonna do?
Good for you! I am telling everyone that will listen to get busy and do whatever it is that is on your personal bucket list. Putting things off until all the stars are lined up just right may never happen in the uncertain future we all face. Get on with it, whatever your “it” is.
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georgelesley
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03/14/22 05:20am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Gas prices.
We've been RVing over 25 years and been thru several of these inflationary type periods but this one just feels different. Since we're now retired and on a fixed income,here's what we've decided.
You answered your own question. You are retired now, on a fixed income and sounding a bit panicky. Completely understandable. Priorities change and being on a fixed income makes the whole situation a lot scarier. However, if you are that willing to just cut and run that quickly I think the thought of retiring from the lifestyle has crossed your mind prior to this. I might do the same in your shoes-the objective in life is to make it less stressful. There are, indeed, many ways to travel. I'm sure you'll start your new chapter, whatever it may be.
First, it is nice to have a respectful conversation so thanks! Yes, we have been thinking about giving up the RV lifestyle for several reasons. Rising RV park pricing as well as gas prices were just the final straws for us. An example - I was making some reservations a month or so ago at an average park we use in the Texas Hill country. Come to find out they had almost doubled the overnight price and wanted to charge $20 extra A NITE for my miniature Dachshund. I just laughed and said no thanks. Plus as we age, things just are not as easy as they once were and my driving skills worry us both a little.
We're still going to travel, just in different ways. We actually have a pretty good retirement so its not just about the money. And yes, the Twilight Zone world we're all living in does have us a little spooked.
Cheers to all.
Well said. Last summer we stayed in a cg that also has cabins for rent while some friends of ours stayed in their rv. We may well do that sort of “rv” travel in the future. The cost was similar to staying in a hotel and we still got some of the “camping” experience and were close to our friends. We also no longer have the money tied up in an rv and setup/ tear down issues or ongoing maint/ins, etc.
True, this also has it’s compromises and things we can no longer do (like boondocking), but it is another way to travel and still get much of the rv experience.
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georgelesley
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03/14/22 05:14am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Gas prices.
Georgelesley, thanks for the compliments. However, we did not get back into the game. After much consideration and careful thought we opted not to for the time being and are concentrating on air travel, both domestic and international. We too, have not closed the door on getting back to the RV lifestyle but for now it is on the back burner. Enjoy your travels wherever you may go and however you may get there.
+1.
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georgelesley
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03/13/22 07:34am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Gas prices.
We've been RVing over 25 years and been thru several of these inflationary type periods but this one just feels different. Since we're now retired and on a fixed income,here's what we've decided.
You answered your own question. You are retired now, on a fixed income and sounding a bit panicky. Completely understandable. Priorities change and being on a fixed income makes the whole situation a lot scarier. However, if you are that willing to just cut and run that quickly I think the thought of retiring from the lifestyle has crossed your mind prior to this. I might do the same in your shoes-the objective in life is to make it less stressful. There are, indeed, many ways to travel. I'm sure you'll start your new chapter, whatever it may be.
Crowe, I have always admired your take on things and agree with you on this one as well. As I recall you folks took a break from RV’ing for awhile and are now back in the game. We did decide as I posted awhile ago to sell the rv. Gas prices were certainly not the main reason. We may get back into rv’ing, the door for us is not closed. Right now international travel seems to be our thing but that at least for me is a very limited interest having been in 33 countries already. DW is currently in Paris, France with a granddaughter having a great time while I do honeydo’s at home and play my music. Thanks for the thoughtful post as always.
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georgelesley
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03/13/22 06:27am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Gas prices.
Glad to see that everyone will be able to keep on RVing at these gas prices but we live in reality. We've been RVing over 25 years and been thru several of these inflationary type periods but this one just feels different. Since we're now retired and on a fixed income, here's what we've decided. Yesterday we put the RV and tow truck up for sale. Not into the doom and gloom theory but we don't think the current economy is going away anytime soon and 5-6-7 dollar gas will be here for at least the next 3 to 4 years. We also think that with such high energy costs the RV market will suffer. Certainly hope not, but we can't take the chance on missing the window to sell. We've already received several offers on the truck for more than I paid for it 2 years ago so wahoo. The savings on payments, insurance and taxes will/may help us offset inflation. We also had to ask ourselves, what the point of having expensive "toys" you can't afford to use? We truly hope we're wrong on our future predictions but for us, we won't take the chance of things getting worse. So, we'll find other way to keep us entertained. Wishing only the best to everyone here and safe travels.
Agree, things not likely to get cheaper anytime soon, including fuel. Many reasons, but a basic one that will not change is that the cheap oil and gas have been pumped. Still lots left in the earth, it will just cost more to get it. That will keep fuel costs higher than we are used to. So we did the same as above and in Dec 21 sold our motorhome and toad. A small travel trailer is maybe still possible for us but not anytime soon. Happy and safe travels to all, it has been a great ride for us.
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georgelesley
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03/12/22 04:22am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Whaddaya gonna do?
I don't even look at the price. If I want to go I got to buy fuel and I am rolling out in 2 days. I worked hard to have enough to play now and I intend to play. Every thing I have is paid for, everything!
X2
X3. That being said, I tell DW “we have money for anything we want but not for everything we want”.
Seriously gas prices now just have to be folded into our priority mix just like everything else. In my 76 yr life experience I have found our #1&2 priority’s get funded, lower than that maybe not.
Our priority list shifted last Dec when we decided we had see all fifty states to our satisfaction and sold our motorhome. Now international travel is more our thing. We all have different and changing priorities as we go thru life.
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georgelesley
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03/10/22 05:43am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Rising fuel, will it be any different this time?
When we sold our diesel motor home and went back to a fiver, I had several offers to sell my Fiesta hatchback since it was set up for the tow vehicle. I almost did a couple of times since used car prices are so high. BUT I didn't------now I have to figure out how to mount my fiver hitch on the roof without scratching the paint. The Fiesta gets 40 mpg. It will pull it right??:B
It will pull it downhill and stop it going uphill. Plan your trip carefully....
that is the best advice I have seen in a long time!! LOL
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georgelesley
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03/10/22 05:24am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Searching for the new motorhome
as a previous owner of Ford F-53 chassis mh’s. There are several suspension improvements you can make that greatly improve the drivability and some insulation in the right places can quiet them down as well.
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georgelesley
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12/22/21 02:57pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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