Gas Prices

customboss · February 17, 2023

13 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

The Government doesn't have any money. It prints money, but doesn't have any. Taxes are their paymaster and programs their debtors. I'd love to say it's a 'pass through' but I'm not naive. They keep rasing the debt and cutting services. Money is going somewhere, and it isn't inflation. When Programs get a 'Government Subsidy"; it means the public is footing the bill for something we are not buying or just don't want but someone thinks is a good idea.

That said, I wonder if we appreciate the things our taxes actually do for us. I expect that might be lacking when drown out by the noise of abuse and corruption. But still......glad a Fireman shows up when my neighbor's house is on fire.

Taxes: I have one thing to say about taxes. The folks on this board if " middle class taxpayers" pay 14.1%

5 figure citizens pay 14.1% payroll taxes.

7 figure citizens pay 1.9% payroll taxes.

Long term Capitol Gains and qualified dividends allow the richest 0.5% of the taxpayers recieve 70.2% of that LTCG and 43.3% of all dividends. Pass through biz income goes to the rich and the associated benefits from that UNJUSITIFABLE loophole.

We have returned to the guilded age because the average voter won't vote for their own self interest but believe lies from rich and bought and sold politicos who ensure tax burden inequality continues.

In 1950 the tax rate for the rich was 90% its 1.9% now.........let that sink in.

Even the ultra rich have stated publicly they do not pay enough of their fair share.

Source: AmericanProgress.org

customboss · February 17, 2023

4 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Some local governments do well. We actually had a reduction in taxes. I believe Alaska still disburses oil revenue to residents. I’m sure there’s more examples.

INDEED. Colorado a very progressive taxation system as a state. THE PROBLEM in general is the feds not the states. Weathly don't pay their fair share.

As retirees and me as a disabled veteran since moving from west Texas our taxation overall has dropped dramatically. Colorado is a good example of returning extra taxation back to those who can use it to live.

Texas taxation is a cruel joke and hammers the homeowner like few states do.

Edited February 17, 2023 by customboss
add some specifity

KARNUT · February 17, 2023

9 minutes ago, customboss said:

INDEED. Colorado a very progressive taxation system as a state. THE PROBLEM in general is the feds not the states. Weathly don't pay their fair share.

As retirees and me as a disabled veteran since moving from west Texas our taxation overall has dropped dramatically. Colorado is a good example of returning extra taxation back to those who can use it to live.

Texas taxation is a cruel joke and hammers the homeowner like few states do.

You just don’t know what you think you know. I live in one of the wealthiest counties in Texas. My two houses on three acres are worth close to 1 million dollars. I paid 150K 22 years ago for the main house. The second I built 15 years ago for 80K. I get 1800$ a month for it. Six acres across the street from my with a 5,000 sq ft building went for 600K 5 years ago. Four years ago I bought my daughter a two story house next to the national forest for 150K. Her taxes are low too. You ready? I pay 2100$ a year in taxes for both. If you desire to live in a high HOA subdivision with a high tax base yes taxes are high. There’s very nice places with low taxes all over Texas. I know I live here. My debts are covered with our Social Security. Our play with the rent from our future old age house, now our rent house. You dent your credibility when you try to ding a great place like Texas. People are flocking here in droves.

customboss · February 17, 2023

3 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

You just don’t know what you think you know. I live in one of the wealthiest counties in Texas. My two houses on three acres are worth close to 1 million dollars. I paid 150K 22 years ago for the main house. The second I built 15 years ago for 80K. I get 1800$ a month for it. Six acres across the street from my with a 5,000 sq ft building went for 600K 5 years ago. Four years ago I bought my daughter a two story house next to the national forest for 150K. Her taxes are low too. You ready? I pay 2100$ a year in taxes for both. If you desire to live in a high HOA subdivision with a high tax base yes taxes are high. There’s very nice places with low taxes all over Texas. I know I live here. My debts are covered with our Social Security. Our play with the rent from our future old age house, now our rent house. You dent your credibility when you try to ding a great place like Texas. People are flocking here in droves.

I'm happy for you. Moving from Jeff Davis county in the Davis Mountains of Texas to Costilla county Colorado in the Sangre de Cristo mountains costs of living are half of our earlier state taxes.

If a person wants to live in the hot humid piney lowlands where you are I am sure there are counties that are low cost. I prefer mountains and not having to run AC all year round. I also prefer roads that are maintained once I get the state and federal highways 6 miles away.

Lets take tax burden comparison apples to apples for most of the readers here: source WALLET HUB state and local tax burden by state calender year 2022;

Colorado 8.52% ranks 27th US

Texas 8.22% ranks 32th in US

So for the average citizen you are correct by 0.3%, I stand corrected for average taxpayer. Yes Stan you are correct!!!

For retired like you and I lets see where we stand.

Kiplingers rated Colorado as MOST TAX FRIENDLY Kiplingers TEXAS as LEAST TAX FRIENDLY so you are indeed fortunate!

Source Kiplingers TAXES IN RETIREMENT How all 50 states tax retirees. Jan 12 2023

KARNUT · February 17, 2023

52 minutes ago, customboss said:

INDEED. Colorado a very progressive taxation system as a state. THE PROBLEM in general is the feds not the states. Weathly don't pay their fair share.

As retirees and me as a disabled veteran since moving from west Texas our taxation overall has dropped dramatically. Colorado is a good example of returning extra taxation back to those who can use it to live.

Texas taxation is a cruel joke and hammers the homeowner like few states do.

1 minute ago, customboss said:

I'm happy for you. Moving from Jeff Davis county in the Davis Mountains of Texas to Costilla county Colorado in the Sangre de Cristo mountains costs of living are half of our earlier state taxes.

If a person wants to live in the hot humid piney lowlands where you are I am sure there are counties that are low cost. I prefer mountains and not having to run AC all year round. I also prefer roads that are maintained once I get the state and federal highways 6 miles away.

Lets take tax burden comparison apples to apples for most of the readers here: source WALLET HUB state and local tax burden by state calender year 2022;

Colorado 8.52% ranks 27th US

Texas 8.22% ranks 32th in US

So for the average citizen you are correct by 0.3%, I stand corrected for average taxpayer. Yes Stan you are correct!!!

For retired like you and I lets see where we stand.

Kiplingers rated Colorado as MOST TAX FRIENDLY Kiplingers TEXAS as LEAST TAX FRIENDLY so you are indeed fortunate!

Source Kiplingers TAXES IN RETIREMENT How all 50 states tax retirees. Jan 12 2023

I live two miles from lake Conroe in the fastest growing county. My mother in law married to a vet who recently passed pays 0 property tax. He was a disabled vet and got additional benefits because of agent orange.

customboss · February 17, 2023

1 minute ago, KARNUT said:

I live two miles from lake Conroe in the fastest growing county. My mother in law married to a vet who recently passed pays 0 property tax. He was a disabled vet and got additional benefits because of agent orange.

NW of Houston not my ideal location but I am happy for you and your Mother in law and husband. Vets in Texas do get a good real estate tax deduction and deserve it.

I cannot get that here unless I have lived here 10 years as a 90% disabled veteran. So even without that we get $25,000 off retirement income in CO BEFORE income tax and LOW LOW real estate taxes to begin with. So we pay no income tax and last year we got $750 each rebate on overages in our taxes.

We both just got $153 each back from state income tax. So we get paid to live here. As retirees we pay very low state taxes.

Personal preference but the point is diyer2 and I can live in a beautiful area with low tax rates for being retirees.

KARNUT · February 17, 2023

1 minute ago, customboss said:

NW of Houston not my ideal location but I am happy for you and your Mother in law and husband. Vets in Texas do get a good real estate tax deduction and deserve it.

I cannot get that here unless I have lived here 10 years as a 90% disabled veteran. So even without that we get $25,000 off retirement income in CO BEFORE income tax and LOW LOW real estate taxes to begin with. So we pay no income tax and last year we got $750 each rebate on overages in our taxes.

We both just got $153 each back from state income tax. So we get paid to live here. As retirees we pay very low state taxes.

Personal preference but the point is diyer2 and I can live in a beautiful area with low tax rates for being retirees.

I could live very comfortably where you are there’s trade offs. My area right now is very nice and comfortable. The roads are wonderful with the lack of a deep freeze. The uncomfortable months are July through the middle of September. You just do your chores early. My year round electric and water bill never exceeds 250$. I don’t have to fight anything but heat and humidity. If I trip and fall I won’t freeze to death in minutes. I won’t bad mouth your state or governor. You pick it. I picked Texas, I’m definitely glad I did.

diyer2 · February 18, 2023

$4.70 in town. Usually 20 cents at least a gallon cheaper next town, 60 miles round trip away.

KARNUT · February 18, 2023

44 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

$4.70 in town. Usually 20 cents at least a gallon cheaper next town, 60 miles round trip away.

Interesting someone was saying how cheap it was to live in your area yesterday. Gas here is 2$ cheaper. How much are eggs? At least you have an excellent view.

Edited February 18, 2023 by KARNUT

diyer2 · February 18, 2023

Egss I don't remember the cost, just know they weren't cheap.

Our costs for utilities have gone up for sure compared to city living.

Living rural means traveling for basic needs. Worth it to us.

KARNUT · February 18, 2023

1 minute ago, diyer2 said:

Egss I don't remember the cost, just know they weren't cheap.

Our costs for utilities have gone up for sure compared to city living.

Living rural means traveling for basic needs. Worth it to us.

I was messing with the jokester. If my wife would move to your area I’d be your distant neighbor. She hates the cold.

diyer2 · February 18, 2023

Yes it can be cold here, 10 degrees this morning. But being retired you don't have to deal with it because you're not working in it. No daily trip to go to work. Our dealing with the cold is minimal, just plan around it.

Dressing properly makes a big difference. People will be people, we have people complaining about the cold, really, you moved to the mountains.

You couldn't drag us out of here. Views, wildlife, no neighbors and very few cars come down our road.

KARNUT · February 18, 2023

11 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Yes it can be cold here, 10 degrees this morning. But being retired you don't have to deal with it because you're not working in it. No daily trip to go to work. Our dealing with the cold is minimal, just plan around it.

Dressing properly makes a big difference. People will be people, we have people complaining about the cold, really, you moved to the mountains.

You couldn't drag us out of here. Views, wildlife, no neighbors and very few cars come down our road.

Yup, I agree. But I follow the cardinal rule. Happy Wife happy life.

diyer2 · February 18, 2023

Sorry but....................

Happy wife, happy life? Whoever said that needs to grow a pair. One of my least favorite sayings. Relationships are a compromise waiting for a solution.

Edited February 18, 2023 by diyer2

KARNUT · February 18, 2023

22 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Sorry but....................

Happy wife, happy life? Whoever said that needs to grow a pair. One of my least favorite sayings. Relationships are a compromise waiting for solution.

OH buddy you have no clue. My wife doesn’t run my life. Going on 49 years I think we have it nailed. I’ve owned one of every lettered or numbered car produced in Detroit. My wife has the patience of a saint. I love it here, could live there. I’m flexible. She prefers a warm climate. No skin off my ass. We are a partnership. Who ever made that statement has it figured out. Funny statement coming from the joke man.