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Re: backdoor roth ira and form 8606

grapeape , although you contributed to your 2012 IRA in 2013 it was for 2012 so you should have filed Form 8606 with your taxes. However, you can file that form separately. On the form it specifically states: "Fill in Your Address Only If You Are Filing This Form by Itself and Not With Your Ta...
by Duckie
Sat May 18, 2013 9:46 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: backdoor roth ira and form 8606
Replies: 2
Views: 247

Re: CFP or straight to Vanguard?

It'll be some combination of Total US stock, Total Int'l stock and Total Bond Market index funds. Since this is a taxable account, Total Bond Market would probably not be suitable. A better choice would be ( VWIUX ) Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (0.12%) and/or a Connecti...
by Duckie
Sat May 18, 2013 9:04 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: CFP or straight to Vanguard?
Replies: 44
Views: 1485

Re: Portfolio Review and How am I doing?

msj16 , if his new 401k plan allows it he could roll "His Traditional IRA" and "His Previous 401k" over to "His 401k". The plan has some very good funds and it would allow for future use of the backdoor Roth IRA method for him. If she is allowed to open a second Self-E...
by Duckie
Sat May 18, 2013 12:31 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review and How am I doing?
Replies: 10
Views: 875

Re: gifting money to foreign parents

It may not be necessary but you could make it four checks:
#1 from husband to mom
#2 from husband to dad
#3 from wife to mom
#4 from wife to dad
That way it's obvious you're under the gift amount.
by Duckie
Fri May 17, 2013 10:27 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: gifting money to foreign parents
Replies: 4
Views: 477

Re: Portfolio Review and How am I doing?

msj16 , you want an AA of 80% stocks, 20% bonds (low for your ages), with 25% of stocks in international. That breaks down to 60% US stocks, 20% international stocks, and 20% bonds. Here is a possible retirement portfolio: His 401k -- 59% 19% (N/A) Fidelity US Equity Index Fund (0.02%) <-- This ass...
by Duckie
Fri May 17, 2013 2:36 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review and How am I doing?
Replies: 10
Views: 875

Re: Need help investing some money (new to the board)

ugaDAWGS09, whatever you decide to do with the bulk of the $50K, set aside some to live on while you max your 401k and Roth IRA over the next couple of years. This moves taxable assets into tax-sheltered assets.

And I recommend not investing in individual stocks.
by Duckie
Wed May 15, 2013 9:14 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Need help investing some money (new to the board)
Replies: 3
Views: 141

Re: Lazy Portfolio Question

berg, all assets for retirement purposes are part of your retirement portfolio (e.g. 401k, IRAs, taxable). Assets not for retirement are not part of the retirement portfolio (e.g. 529s, emergency fund, short-term-needs fund).
by Duckie
Wed May 15, 2013 9:10 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Lazy Portfolio Question
Replies: 4
Views: 438

Re: Traditional IRA to Roth Conversion - Reporting Questions

I am surprised there has been no additional advice and feedback from fellow Bogleheads. Alan S. is the expert in these matters. During January 2013, I called Vanguard to convert the $5,000 in Traditional IRA contributions made in 2012 to the new Roth IRA account. My only advice would be to check wi...
by Duckie
Wed May 15, 2013 8:57 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Traditional IRA to Roth Conversion - Reporting Questions
Replies: 4
Views: 431

Re: 23 year old, debt free, 100k/year.... how to invest

mundogrande , all those numbers mean nothing to us. What are the expense ratios in your plan? You have four very good (and probably very cheap) funds: VINIX Vanguard Institutional, FSEMX Spartan Extended, VTSNX Vanguard Total International, and FXSTX Spartan US Bond, all index funds. They probably ...
by Duckie
Tue May 14, 2013 10:51 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 23 year old, debt free, 100k/year.... how to invest
Replies: 12
Views: 1719

Re: Financial advisors pep talk

Streptococcus wrote:Today I saw a financial advisor for the first time since I became a boglehead just 6 months ago.

Why did you go in the first place?
by Duckie
Tue May 14, 2013 9:21 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Financial advisors pep talk
Replies: 17
Views: 1772

Re: My 401k is adding new funds

If you compare them they look practically the same:

PIMCO Total Return

Total Bond Market

Most of the numbers are identical. Choose the cheaper option.
by Duckie
Tue May 14, 2013 9:07 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: My 401k is adding new funds
Replies: 3
Views: 250

Re: Exchanging US and Canada Dollars

Why exchange the way you have been? She can get Canadian money easily. You can get US money easily. Just swap with each other when you meet up.
by Duckie
Tue May 14, 2013 8:00 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Exchanging US and Canada Dollars
Replies: 9
Views: 380

Re: 401k question

milesfan wrote:Does the Roth conversion count towards the Roth limit for 2013?

No.
For example, if she converts her $4000 into a Roth IRA, can she still add $5500 for this year?

Yes. Contributions and conversions are separate.
by Duckie
Tue May 14, 2013 7:46 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 401k question
Replies: 5
Views: 389

Re: 401k question

milesfan , yes, it is good for each of you to have your own plans. But, it also depends on the options and expense ratios in her 401k. Because your TSP is great, financially it would probably be better to contribute only up to the match in her 401k and max your TSP before putting more in her 401k. ...
by Duckie
Mon May 13, 2013 9:12 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 401k question
Replies: 5
Views: 389

Re: endorsing a check - deposit to Vanguard

I've always been under the impression that Vanguard did not accept third party checks. I've often deposited checks made payable to me into my Vanguard money market account. They have included paychecks, income tax refunds, birthday checks, cancelled magazine refunds, etc. (There is $100 minimum for...
by Duckie
Sat May 11, 2013 10:32 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: endorsing a check - deposit to Vanguard
Replies: 23
Views: 1355

Re: Mothers Day Ideas

A picnic in the park sounds great. Just make sure someone else prepares the food, packs all the gear (including sunscreen and Deet), and cleans up afterward. Don't make your wife do the work.
by Duckie
Sat May 11, 2013 9:25 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mothers Day Ideas
Replies: 6
Views: 718

Re: Request Help with a Major Portfolio Overhaul

It seems to me international stock funds have a bad habit of big drops of for long periods which are then help for long periods of time. Then at some point they suddenly wake-up and experience a sudden huge increase. I don't have much patience for a fund that seems to spend most of it's time in the...
by Duckie
Sat May 11, 2013 9:11 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Request Help with a Major Portfolio Overhaul
Replies: 16
Views: 1234

Re: Holding "Cash & Equivalents" in 401(k)

Well, (RBFCX) American Funds Bond Fund of America (0.92%) isn't a great fund, but given your choices it'll do.
by Duckie
Sat May 11, 2013 9:03 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Holding "Cash & Equivalents" in 401(k)
Replies: 5
Views: 709

Re: Employer is letting me decide which 401k plan to choose

mikeportfolio , Plan A is a little more expensive in total but all of its options are good and cheap. Plan B's options are all more expensive (and some a lot more expensive). The other employees who may not be as financially educated as you would be better off in Plan A because there are no bad cho...
by Duckie
Thu May 09, 2013 10:39 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employer is letting me decide which 401k plan to choose
Replies: 16
Views: 1041

Re: Holding "Cash & Equivalents" in 401(k)

For reference, both our Roths are at Vanguard and my 401(k) is with Fidelity so lots of flexibility in those accounts. Her 401(k) choices have a Total Bond Fund with ER of 0.98, a few Int'l Stock funds with ER of 1.25 - 1.50, and the Target Retirement funds with ER of 1.2 - 1.3. The lowest ER (besi...
by Duckie
Thu May 09, 2013 9:55 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Holding "Cash & Equivalents" in 401(k)
Replies: 5
Views: 709

Re: Portfolio Review / 401K Advice

Clark Griswold , I recommend you sell the private bank stock and the Eaton Vance stock, then pay off your debts. You can use the rest to max your Roth IRAs for 2013 and increase your emergency fund (3 months isn't much with a kid). Roll "His Old 401k" over to a Traditional/Rollover IRA at...
by Duckie
Thu May 09, 2013 9:51 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review / 401K Advice
Replies: 11
Views: 849

Re: Recommendations ~ Newbie Young Investor ~ High Income

xGLORYx , if your Roth IRAs are your only tax-sheltered accounts and you want 30% bonds, you're going to have to put bonds in taxable. In that case ( VWITX ) Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (0.20%) and/or a state-specific tax-exempt fund will be appropriate. (TBM can stil...
by Duckie
Thu May 09, 2013 7:15 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Recommendations ~ Newbie Young Investor ~ High Income
Replies: 9
Views: 1357

Re: Help with new IRA

victorghe , Fidelity has decent Spartan index funds similar to Vanguard's. You could use: ( FSTMX ) Spartan Total Market Index Fund Investor Class (0.10%) ( FSGUX ) Spartan Global ex U.S. Index Fund Investor Class (0.22%) ( FBIDX ) Spartan U.S. Bond Index Fund Investor Class (0.22%) Or you could ro...
by Duckie
Wed May 08, 2013 8:40 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Help with new IRA
Replies: 5
Views: 273

Re: Recommendations ~ Newbie Young Investor ~ High Income

I'd probably say I'm at 70/30 currently, and would like your input on the best portfolio to start with. I'm going to start with $50,000 and move more money in bimonthly. You want an AA of 70% stocks, 30% bonds, with unknown in international. I'll pick 30% of stocks in international. That breaks dow...
by Duckie
Wed May 08, 2013 8:20 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Recommendations ~ Newbie Young Investor ~ High Income
Replies: 9
Views: 1357

Re: 403b asset allocation help

rcg1977 wrote:Is there any reason why I should stick with the funds I currently hold and not simplify things??

No. The proposed "simpler allocation" is much better and probably a little cheaper.
by Duckie
Wed May 08, 2013 7:35 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 403b asset allocation help
Replies: 3
Views: 225

Re: Portfolio Review

pradador , you like to play with your accounts, don't you. Your Roth IRA has roughly $16K and is split among 11 different ETFs, many with high expense ratios. This is silly. In your 401k you are limited to higher cost funds, but in your IRAs you could be buying much cheaper funds/ETFs. And you don'...
by Duckie
Wed May 08, 2013 12:12 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review
Replies: 3
Views: 347

Re: Portfoilo structure, asset allocation?

Djb103 , in general it's better to consider all retirement assets when figuring out what goes where. By figuring your AA as a whole instead of in pieces you can buy the best/cheapest options in each account. So treat the 401k and IRA as part of one portfolio, not two. Also, if any of the taxable as...
by Duckie
Tue May 07, 2013 10:41 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Portfoilo structure, asset allocation?
Replies: 1
Views: 155

Re: How Much Did You Spend on Your Engagement Ring??

$50 for a flashy cubic zirconia ring. The marriage didn't last, but not because of the ring. Also, the proposal came before picking out the ring. Since the woman wears it, it should be her style choice. I've never understood buying a ring as a surprise before the proposal. If she says no (and it hap...
by Duckie
Tue May 07, 2013 9:45 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much Did You Spend on Your Engagement Ring??
Replies: 253
Views: 9747

Re: Request Help with a Major Portfolio Overhaul

The fund offerings within my 401K are extremely poor. The Stock Index fund I'm currently in has an ER=0.31. 0.31% isn't bad for a 401k plan. With the top of the 25% bracket at almost $88,000 for individuals and my income at $48,000 (SS + pension) + $35,000 (beginning RMDs at age 70) = $83,000 in re...
by Duckie
Tue May 07, 2013 9:20 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Request Help with a Major Portfolio Overhaul
Replies: 16
Views: 1234

Re: Request Help with a Major Portfolio Overhaul

texasgal47 , you're thinking about an AA of 50% stocks, 50% bonds (reasonable), with 12% of stocks in international (that's low). That breaks down to 44% US stocks, 6% international stocks, and 50% bonds. Here is a possible retirement portfolio: Taxable at Treasury Direct -- 11% 11% I bonds and EE ...
by Duckie
Sun May 05, 2013 8:29 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Request Help with a Major Portfolio Overhaul
Replies: 16
Views: 1234

Re: Help we've never rebalanced!

NewtoBogle , you want an AA of 80% stocks, 20% bonds (a little low for mid 30s), with 20-30% of stocks in international. I'll pick 30%. That breaks down to 56% US stocks, 24% international stocks, and 20% bonds. Here are two possible retirement portfolios: Portfolio #1 Her 403b -- $7K -- 6% 6% ( VT...
by Duckie
Sat May 04, 2013 7:47 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Help we've never rebalanced!
Replies: 27
Views: 2489

Re: Splitting my portfolio across taxed/non-taxed accounts

mikeportfolio , your plan makes sense. Can you roll the old Fidelity 401k into the old Mercer 401k? The options are better and it would simplify things. Converting from Investor shares to Admiral shares is not a taxable event, so no tax bill. 20% bonds is a little low for age 29 but not unreasonable.
by Duckie
Sat May 04, 2013 12:26 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Splitting my portfolio across taxed/non-taxed accounts
Replies: 7
Views: 438

Re: Requesting Help with 401k Options

Wyatt007 , given your choices I'd go with: ( FUSVX ) Spartan 500 Index Fund Advantage Class (0.07%) ( RERGX ) American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund R6 Class (0.50%) ( PTTRX ) PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (0.46%) FUSVX is only large caps and RERGX is only developed markets, but they'...
by Duckie
Fri May 03, 2013 11:56 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Requesting Help with 401k Options
Replies: 3
Views: 228

Re: Need help w/ my 401k Options

My current company's 401k plan is managed through Fidelity but why is there Vanguard Target retirement funds as options? Just because Fidelity manages the plan doesn't mean they choose the plan options. Many plans have a mix of funds from different companies just like yours does (SSgA, Dodge & ...
by Duckie
Fri May 03, 2013 11:39 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Need help w/ my 401k Options
Replies: 8
Views: 439

Re: Military Investor. Want to Move to Passive Funds

Passthedamnhamplease , your AA looks like 75% stocks, 25% bonds, with 33% of stocks in international, breaking down to 50% US stocks, 25% international stocks, and 25% bonds. Here is a possible retirement portfolio: Taxable at Vanguard -- 72% 47% ( VTSAX ) Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Adm...
by Duckie
Fri May 03, 2013 12:09 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Military Investor. Want to Move to Passive Funds
Replies: 9
Views: 640

Re: Is investing different for the "rich"?

I think it is one of the best advantages of my current portfolio size that I'll never get that phone call. Not necessarily. Years ago I had about $4K in stock at Merrill Lynch. I was cold-called by some young guy wanting me to invest in something (I can't remember now what it was). ML sold/shared m...
by Duckie
Thu May 02, 2013 10:39 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is investing different for the "rich"?
Replies: 34
Views: 3049

Re: Glimmerblocker- do you use it?

I can't comment on Glimmerblocker, but under Safari > Preferences > Security do you have the "Block pop-up windows" box checked? I do, and never get pop-up ads except when I've unchecked it occasionally for particular access.
by Duckie
Thu May 02, 2013 9:52 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glimmerblocker- do you use it?
Replies: 15
Views: 1496

Re: Rolling over an IRA + mutual fund

90/10 is a little aggressive. I'd recommend 80/20. I was thinking that since we are both young we can afford to be a bit more aggressive for the time being. I've looked through the forum for a while and it seems like a lot younger people want to keep their bond allocation low like this. I don't thi...
by Duckie
Thu May 02, 2013 9:35 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Rolling over an IRA + mutual fund
Replies: 5
Views: 364

Re: Boglehead advice on portfolio - retiring Soldier

Van-Guard23, you have a desired AA of 70% stocks, 30% bonds (a little low for your age), with 25% of stocks in international. If 70% in stocks is a little too conservative, do you suggest 80% or even 90% in stocks? I meant your 30% of bonds is low for age 44. 35% to 40% may be better. But it all de...
by Duckie
Thu May 02, 2013 9:11 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead advice on portfolio - retiring Soldier
Replies: 6
Views: 623

Re: Boglehead advice on portfolio - retiring Soldier

Van-Guard23 , you have a desired AA of 70% stocks, 30% bonds (a little low for your age), with 25% of stocks in international. That breaks down to 52% US stocks, 18% international stocks, and 30% bonds. Here is a possible retirement portfolio: Taxable at Vanguard -- 49% 31% ( VTSAX ) Vanguard Total...
by Duckie
Wed May 01, 2013 11:23 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead advice on portfolio - retiring Soldier
Replies: 6
Views: 623

Re: Rolling over an IRA + mutual fund

Emergency funds: 3 months - We had six months worth, but just moved and used some of it for deposits and such. This will gradually be replenished to a 6 month level. Good. Tax Rate: 1% Federal, 7% State This is supposed to be your tax bracket , the percentage paid on your last dollar, not the perce...
by Duckie
Wed May 01, 2013 10:25 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Rolling over an IRA + mutual fund
Replies: 5
Views: 364

Re: Advice on Consolidating Retirement Accounts and Portfoli

The one question I have remaining is how to best use the Vanguard Extended Market Index fund to balance the 500 funds in our 401k/457 plans. Do you use a standard split of 80/20? I ask because I want to gain the knowledge to re-balance appropriately in the future and I am currently arriving at diff...
by Duckie
Wed May 01, 2013 9:10 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on Consolidating Retirement Accounts and Portfolio
Replies: 10
Views: 949

Re: Brand New to Investing- Lost

If my annual limit is $5500 in an IRA, and I want to do allocate (for example) 10% - Bond Index, 30% - International Stock Index and 60% - Stock Index, but vanguard's minimum investment is $1000 or $3000, do I just try to achieve approximately the balance to the extent I can do so with the purchase...
by Duckie
Wed May 01, 2013 1:30 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Brand New to Investing- Lost
Replies: 33
Views: 2344

Re: Individual 401 K

Fisherman , like the others I recommend rolling the old 401k into either an Individual 401k plan at Vanguard or a Self-Employed 401k plan at Fidelity. Vanguard does allow incoming rollovers from 401/403/457 plans. It says so on page 70 of the Individual 401k New Plan Kit for employers. They just do...
by Duckie
Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:52 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Individual 401 K
Replies: 13
Views: 673

Re: Advice on Consolidating Retirement Accounts and Portfoli

Adam13 , you want an AA of 75% stocks, 25% bonds, with 30% of stocks in international. That breaks down to 52% US stocks, 23% international stocks, and 25% bonds. Here are two possible retirement portfolios: Portfolio #1 His 401k at Fidelity -- 43% <-- Includes rollovers from "His Rollover IRA...
by Duckie
Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:16 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on Consolidating Retirement Accounts and Portfolio
Replies: 10
Views: 949

Re: Backdoor Roth IRA: Every Year?

I know I have to make a nondeductible contribution to my tIRA, but is there somewhere I have to denote this? Or do I simply not take the deduction when I file my taxes? You fill out IRS Form 8606 and file it with your taxes. Part I is for the non-deductible contribution, Part II is for the conversi...
by Duckie
Sat Apr 27, 2013 2:01 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth IRA: Every Year?
Replies: 11
Views: 1025

Re: Help with JH 401k choices / Also 529 or roth?

relaxguy , since you didn't specify an AA (although your 33/33/33 might be one), I am going to recommend an AA of 70% stocks, 30% bonds, with 30% of stocks in international. That breaks down to 49% US stocks, 21% international stocks, and 30% bonds. Here is a possible retirement portfolio as of the...
by Duckie
Sat Apr 27, 2013 1:40 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Help with JH 401k choices / Also 529 or roth?
Replies: 4
Views: 348

Re: Help with 401k

tameimpala wrote:RE: remaining 13%... is that in the 401k AA recommendation of 20% REREX?

Yes, REREX.
by Duckie
Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:43 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Help with 401k
Replies: 16
Views: 879

Re: Help with 401k

So I can get 8% into Emerging Markets and/or Total International Stock Fund via the SEP IRA rollover... How do I get 30% International into the mix given our 401k options? Well first, it's not 30%. It's 30% of 70%, so around 21%. You put 8% into the SEP IRA and the other 13% into the 401k. I see th...
by Duckie
Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:36 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Help with 401k
Replies: 16
Views: 879
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