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Thanks, that's a good tip.

We're on the border between 15% and 25% as married filing jointly.

15% $17,850 to $72,500
25% $72,500 to $146,400

Nice advice, we were married 6 months ago and I hadn't even thought to evenly split contributions between the 2. We opened her IRA 3 months ago. She's a saver, but any details of investing she tends to say "ok, sounds good whatever you think." I've made sure to write out our investing plan...

Hey Bogleheads, My IPS calls for half of all raises to be invested for retirement, and currently my contributions are as follows: My Roth: Max ($5500 annually) My 401k: 5% of Salary (~5000 annually) Wifes Roth: $100/month My gut says to increase contribution to Wife's Roth to $250/month to account f...

Livesoft-THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

If I reinvest dividends in a taxable portfolio made up of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index and Int'l Index funds, do I have to put these dividends on my tax return? How does that work when I eventually sell the funds? For example: If I buy the funds for a total of $100,000 in 2012, and they grow vi...

Great response, thanks! I'll look into this more at the local level to determine what controls and restrictions go with properties like this.

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/566722.html "The project will include 203 residential units, of which 102 multifamily units will be affordable housing reserved for those making between 80 and 160 percent of the island's median income, the assessment said." Does anyone know h...

This is why I love this forum!!! Great advice on bringing income levels into 15% tax bracket with headroom. I'm confident I'll have plenty of space to sell the 100k over 1 or 2 years at 0% LTCG rate. I'll likely be able to reinvest the funds into a similar allocation (70 ttl stk mkt ind/30 int'l), a...

Bogleheads, My grandma left me $100,000 that is currently in a taxable account at vanguard invested 70%/30% between total stock mkt index admiral/total intl index admiral. The account is held in title of my grandma's irrevocable trust of which I am 100% beneficiary and recieve at 30 (in 2 years.) My...

Just saw a similar post, but didn't want to hijack the thread...

Question-my wife is beginning her second semester of undergraduate studies (we're both 25) and I was wondering if I'm able to claim this tax credit... we are married filing jointly. Our joint income is below 60k.

Thanks!

Great thread! I do enjoy hearing about these deals. Another method I've seen implemented successfully is bringing in a "General Manager" w/ a contract for them to purchase the business in 3 to 7 years at a set price. I'd like to look into similar arrangements which provide incentive for a ...

All great insight, thanks gang. I forgot to mention that the $500/month that came out of monthly cashflow would be my Roth IRA contribution $. So, if I went that route, I wouldn't be contributing to my Roth... Not sure how much that changes things. Also, I found that graduate FAFSA applications some...

Hey Bogleheads, I've found a good in-state MBA program I'd like to apply for, and am wondering best ways of financing. Total tuition and fees is 38,000, of which my employer will pay 15,000 bringing the total needing financing to $23,000. -Age 25 -No Debt -94000 Taxable at Vanguard (inheritance, wil...

Alright!!! The BOGLEHEADS are BACK!!!

Has anyone had success with vacation rental properties? I live in a popular vacation destination, and I was thinking about purchasing a property to host visitors for short term rentals. Just curious what the group thought of this. I would not be paying for the assistance of a vacation rental company...

2retire-you're absolutely right thanks. Now, I wonder what the best way to determine if $3,000,000 is the "right number" to target assuming I'd like at least $70,000 in todays dollars of purchasing power 40 years from now!!! I guess I'd assume a yearly 3% inflation rate, which would equate...

Great feeback, thanks!!

Hey Bogleheads, I'm 25 now, and a long way from retirement, but my target "number" not including social security is $3,000,000 by 65. My question is, many recent posts have discussed the idea of taking out a SPIA at day of retirement for base needs (housing, basic food costs, medical, insu...

Great advice, thanks! I'm beginning my MBA in the fall and we'll see where it goes from there! :o

This is why I love this forum so much, very VERY good advice thanks. I'll address your questions below: Watty- -Good point on HOA costs, there will likely be 150-300/month in HOA fees. Not sure of this yet though. -Not sure on mortgage interest deduction, I'm sure we would. I guess the standard dedu...

Hey Bogleheads! Me-25 years old Wife-25 years old EF-18,000 Investment Portfolio Roth (Vanguard)-15000 401k (Vanguard)-12000 taxable (Vanguard) 86,000 Allocation: 3 fund portfolio - 75% equities, 25% bonds. I inherited a condo a few years ago, valued right now at around $150,000 and will be moving i...

LLC, Sole Prop, Corporation? I know there are regulations restricting banks to pay interest on deposit accounts to some business formations. The bank I work for only pays interest on checking accounts to Sole proprietorship, non-profit organizations and "qualified" unincorporated organizat...

Think and Grow Rich-Napoleon Hill: Taught me to identify a "definite major purpose" and visit it daily as a reminder on where to stear the ship. How to Win Friends and Influence People: Very good foundation for interacting with others. The Bible: A source of strength daily. The Intelligent...

I'm very grateful for all of your input! I'll try to determine if waiting for the bonds to mature would make sense, but I'm eager to get the funds into admiral shares at Vanguard! :happy

That's a good point, thanks. I know that divorce can happen to the strongest of couples.

Forgot to mention there may be a fee to selling the Muni bonds at Morgan Stanley ahead of their call date. . . they have a fee for everything! :oops:

Hey Bogleheads, Question on a lump sum I'll be recieving in 5 years, and how to allocate it until then. The trustee of my deceased Grandma's estate has asked me to go ahead and start managing the $85000 I'll be recieving in 5 years when I turn 30. Until then it has to stay in the trust's name, but h...

Interest free... that would be nice!!!

I meant interest-only. Thanks

Agreed, I doubt I'll ever have that conversation... but let's think about this hypothetically... what would some of YOU do if you found yourself in a similar situation? Or if a friend sought you out for some advice?

About $500 for two per month which includes household cleaning products, paper goods etc. We live in a high cost state (Hawaii), for eg., Milk is $5-6/gallon, eggs are $5/dozen etc. Food costs can be 50% higher than the mainland ==> Paradise tax ;) +1 Hawaii is brutal with produce too. My fiancee a...

Great point, Taylor thank you. I will do that. I should have included that in my original post. I had a conversation last night with my fiancee and she had asked me to talk to him about it casually, as he often thinks about the next steps. Providing some book recommendations is a method I seriously ...

Great question, I'm intersested to hear some of the responses from the community... I would just point out that the 401k limits for someone in their 20's and 30's is actually 16,500 which (at least for me) isn't that small. . . I would REALLY celebrate the day I could max out a roth and 401k! :share...

Bogleheads, I've been blessed with a beautiful bride to be, and want to call on your expertise to help my soon to be father in law who has sacrificed so much for his 3 daughters. I'll simplify his financial situation below: Married 27 years Him: Construction Superintendent-gross income ~ 3700/month ...

Congratulations! Our situations are very alike! I'm getting married in August and will be the only income earner as she will be in school for another 4 years to pursuit an undergraduate degree that she wishes she started when everyone else was enrolled at 18! Now she's turning 25, and knows its now ...

Do any bogleheads look forward to Warren's annual letter to shareholders? I really enjoyed reading the compilation of his essays titled "Lesson's for Corporate America" and many of his annual letters were featured in this book. They are always good for a common-sensical overview of current...

Other great things to do for free (or really cheap) in Kapalua... 1) Beach day at DT Flemings Beach (Ritz Carlton Beach) 2) Offroad Bike Ride through World Championship Exterra Bike Course where Lance Armstrong just competed 3) Snorkeling at Honolua Bay 4) Shore Fishing at Nakulele Point (Between Wi...

sorry... forgot the link to similar cars!

http://cars.oodle.com/1965-mercedes_benz-230sl/

Hey Bogleheads, My Mother recently moved to North Carolina from Maui (where I currently live) and has hinted that she'd like to sell her MINT condition 1965 230sl Mercedes Benz convertible, (with hardtop.) Some similar cars: As I am in Maui, I have NO idea the best way to sell this at a top price an...

The article covers updates on Obama's approval ratings, but I was hoping to hear some of your thoughts on this statement. "An increase in capital-gains taxes was acceptable to 54%, while 48% said raising the Social Security retirement age to 69 by 2075 was acceptable, although 50% found that un...

I'd have to say following Cramer's advice at the peak of the market while I was in college... I had a Scottrade account where I did some trading and racked up some pretty big transaction costs (despite what you'd think, 7$ a pop ads up quick!) When Dow was at 14k I BEGAN investing! The stocks I purc...

I consider myself very lucky to have this type of management exposure, do you folks think retail banking has strong long term growth potential? What are some fields/industries I should look into when my 3 year commitment is up?

Thank you in advance for your continued guidance!

I'm beginning to think I got into the wrong line of work. I enjoy my job, but at 23 getting paid 32k a year is pretty rough. I know I lack experience but is retail banking a legitimate lifelong career choice? I bounce back and forth. I entered my current company with a position as a management train...

That moment when the sun hits the horizon and the wind dies down. I love looking around and seeing no one in the surf lineup but a lifelong friend.

Divorce is not settled yet, but the 150k settlement is pretty cut and dry. Not health insurance carry over, really. She'll be paying 260 out of pocket to insure herself. She is planning on moving to SF which I know from experience is INCREDIBLY expensive. She is hoping to find work as a paralegal, w...

So my Father passed away about 20 years ago, and my Mom remarried about 7 years ago. Turns out the guy was very abusing and an alcoholic so a divorce is in the works and she will be recieving a check for 150,000. She has never been a saver, and has always put ME first in her financial decision makin...

You're going to have SUCH a great time. I was in Rome for 2 days this past July and saw the main touristy spots which was fantastic. Had a fantastic dinner near the Fontana de Trevi and enjoyed the evening with 2 of my closest friends.

You really can't go wrong. Enjoy!

I agree with you, the purchase of the fee is looking more and more attractive. Currently I pay 500 for the lease payment and 371 in Maintenance for the apartment. I don't know if that changes the equation at all, because I'll be paying the maintenance fees despite purchasing the fee or not. I'll sho...

"A few questions: I assume by "purchase the fee" means you will own the land? You say "we" own the apartment, how is the title held? In your Mother's name only? Is down payment the only way you can get any money from the trust before 30? How much down payment can you get out...

Hello to all! I would like to begin this post by thanking the numerous contributors on this forum. I have been following the advice posted here for a little over a year and feel that I have the tools and fundamental knowledge to grow a substantial nest egg. A little bit about myself and my investmen...