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Re: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS

I'm a track junkie looking for a fix... Looking at the Miata's, but I don't think I will fit in one, especially with the "broomstick" rule. I'm 6'3 and 235. I'm looking at the E36 M3s, Porsche Boxster S (which I also don't fit into), and C5 Corvette's. So far, I'm leaning toward an E36 M3...
by NHRATA01
Fri May 24, 2013 10:30 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS 302
Replies: 31
Views: 1505

Re: 401K contribution and bonus

You could have the pleasure of working for my well known employer. They do true up the match. In a single, year end lump sum, and only if you're still employed by them on that date. :|
by NHRATA01
Fri May 24, 2013 10:24 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 401K contribution and bonus
Replies: 24
Views: 2032

Re: Should I just fire this Advisor?

Ugh, Ivy Asset A....that was the wonder my adviser had me in during the early years of my Roth IRA before I started doing research and took the reigns myself (I now have a 4-fund Vanguard index portfolio - the 3 above + REIT). One year when I finally took a close look at the statement and saw the fe...
by NHRATA01
Wed May 22, 2013 3:54 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Should I just fire this Advisor?
Replies: 35
Views: 2045

Re: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS

I'd consider taking that Formula! Is your user name what I think it is? I assume NHRA (National Hod Rod Association) 2001 Trans Am? The Formula is sitting in a garage IN A BAG and has been for at least 5 or so years. Life gets in the way of having fun. :annoyed I look at it every once in a while. S...
by NHRATA01
Wed May 22, 2013 1:05 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS 302
Replies: 31
Views: 1505

Re: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS

We are a muscle car family. Perhaps my hubby thought he was going to get rich off of these cars some day but that would actually involve him selling something. That isn't going to happen any more than he would sell his right arm. Good intentions have a way of becoming an old wives tale! Our "i...
by NHRATA01
Thu May 16, 2013 12:57 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS 302
Replies: 31
Views: 1505

Re: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS

You're taking a gamble on a modern car becoming a classic and holding value. There aren't a lot of cases where that's happened over the past 30 years. Buick GNX, Cobra R, the Ford GT are about the only domestics off the top of my head I can think of that actually appreciated in value beyond the infl...
by NHRATA01
Thu May 16, 2013 12:56 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Timing buying a (future) classic Muscle car-Mustang BOSS 302
Replies: 31
Views: 1505

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

In 2004 I spent $7500 on the stone buying it from a diamond trader, which was a decent discount for what it would retail at. I think the setting was another $400. To be honest I struggled with it. I'm an engineer and it's my nature to be excessively logical, to a fault, yet the wife is one of those ...
by NHRATA01
Thu May 09, 2013 11:28 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much Did You Spend on Your Engagement Ring??
Replies: 252
Views: 9797

Re: 529 in NY

I suspect this is overly simplistic math and maybe I'm off, but would it be correct to say the maximum tax benefit by deducting the 10K would be $680 in a given year?
by NHRATA01
Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:05 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 529 in NY
Replies: 18
Views: 860

Re: Best place to buy and best brand of lawn mower?

With all respect, I don't feel $1K will buy you a quality ride on mower. And I'm saying this out of experience. I moved from a townhome to our house with ~2 acres of flat lawn in '09. My father, who is very thrifty, nonetheless bought me a nice housewarming gift: a 42" Craftsman ride on with a ...
by NHRATA01
Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:08 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best place to buy and best brand of lawn mower?
Replies: 23
Views: 1827

Re: Had a flat car tire, changed it, what now?

This would be a very helpful tip - I'm a pretty strong male, and there is no possible way that I could generate the same force with my arms on that bar, but it was very easy to do with the small jump. I did the same thing in reverse to tighten, just with a smaller jump, to make sure ... Lug nuts ty...
by NHRATA01
Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:30 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Had a flat car tire, changed it, what now?
Replies: 49
Views: 2490

Re: House facing direction and Solar heat

Building near moving water brings good energy. Again, whatever. But about 700 yards from my house is a very large creek (think 100 feet wide) that, on a quiet evening, is an audible rushing sound on my deck. Very relaxing white noise. Until that creek overflows! Starting to move off topic from the ...
by NHRATA01
Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:22 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House facing direction and Solar heat
Replies: 49
Views: 1886

Re: can i buy my sportscar?

If you really want to bogglehead this out, take that 75K for 2 years and pay off the mortgage, and then in year 3 buy the Porsche ;) I was the reverse - my "sports car" purchase was 12 years ago fresh out of college and spent about every penny I had saved and lived like a pauper for 3 year...
by NHRATA01
Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:48 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: can i buy my sportscar?
Replies: 116
Views: 5839

Re: Continuous Variable Transmissions

CVT's are great for efficiency. The challenge is making a pully and belt mechanism that can handle the torque of larger engines - I suspect this is why Nissan is having issues with the CVT behind their V6's like the Murano and Maxima. Off the top of my head I don't believe any other manufacturers pu...
by NHRATA01
Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:10 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Continuous Variable Transmissions
Replies: 78
Views: 4632

Re: Football/Hockey/Weight Lifting worth the toll on your bo

Certainly years of a contact sport like Football/Hockey are hard on the body. But it's pretty rare for people out of High School to still be playing football with pads or hockey in a checking league. Weightlifting if done properly with good form, even with moderately heavy weights is not going to ha...
by NHRATA01
Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:59 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Football/Hockey/Weight Lifting worth the toll on your body?
Replies: 42
Views: 2217

Re: Ending Advisor Relationship & Getting Cost Basis

I helped a couple cut loose from an advisor who had the portfolio custodied with Schwab. When Vanguard pulled it over, the basis came over with it. You have your choice of telling the advisor you are leaving, or initiateding a "pull" from Vanguard and not speaking with the advisor. My Rot...
by NHRATA01
Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Ending Advisor Relationship & Getting Cost Basis
Replies: 19
Views: 1517

Re: Why Emerging Markets doing poorly so far in 2013?

Perhaps with US markets performing quite well a lot of money is chasing performance there (here).
by NHRATA01
Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:22 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Why Emerging Markets doing poorly so far in 2013?
Replies: 14
Views: 2192

Re: How to fight a speeding ticket?

Have successfully fought two tickets in the past 10 years, one speeding (true) + "loud exhaust" and several years later one running a red (bogus). Both cases my driving record was pristine. In the first, it took about 21 months to get the court date. An officer (not THE officer) approached...
by NHRATA01
Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:56 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to fight a speeding ticket?
Replies: 30
Views: 1366

Re: Poll: Have you recently changed your bond duration?

I did, but more out of recommended strategy from reading here and the wiki, not in any attempt to respond to a political climate or time the bond market. I moved from the Vanguard long-term index into the intermediate term index.
by NHRATA01
Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:50 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Poll: Have you recently changed your bond duration?
Replies: 66
Views: 4728

Re: Frustrated with the 403b options at my school district

eschaef, I had a similar discovery when trying to finally enroll my wife in a tax-advantaged account - the 403b plan was horrendous, and adding to the sting the administrator (Omni) had recently dumped Vanguard and Fidelity. That was when I discovered the 457 option, which is basically a state run 4...
by NHRATA01
Wed Mar 06, 2013 2:53 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated with the 403b options at my [NJ] school district
Replies: 29
Views: 1620

Re: Pleated Pants Versus Flat Front Pants

Pleats are about as cool as talking in the 3rd person.
by NHRATA01
Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:06 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pleated Pants Versus Flat Front Pants
Replies: 45
Views: 2524

Re: Fidelity 401K options - 0% Expense Ratio?

Are they funds-of-funds? Sometimes you'll see an expense ratio for those ignores the expense ratios of the underlying funds. It's not very honest, but it happens. On a side note, there was a disgraced actively-managed fund a year or two ago offering a negative expense ratio -- the fund company was ...
by NHRATA01
Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:30 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity 401K options - 0% Expense Ratio?
Replies: 12
Views: 820

Re: Comfortable soft riding car

FYI in the newest issue of Motor Trend, they do a 3-car comparison between the Avalon, Azera and Nissan Maxima. They found the Avalon and Azera quite close, with the Avalon taking the win, though they did not care for the seats. Also felt the Azera rode harder than the Avalon, though the Avalon was ...
by NHRATA01
Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:25 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Comfortable soft riding car
Replies: 28
Views: 2567

Re: What kind of car are you driving?

Serie1926 wrote: 2013 Lamborghini LP550-2.


:shock:

Want a roommate to help offset your housing costs in a boggleheadian fashion?
by NHRATA01
Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:17 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What kind of car are you driving?
Replies: 278
Views: 19860

Re: wallpaper removal - diy or pay someone?

I did it in 2 bathrooms recently. The first I used the spray gel + scorer and a scraper. It did not go well. When I went to do the second bathroom, I spent $60 for a steamer from Lowes. I kicked myself for not buying it the first time. Much, much better. In my opinion it is not a job worth paying fo...
by NHRATA01
Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:09 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: wallpaper removal - diy or pay someone?
Replies: 34
Views: 1552

Re: Major maintenance for a 1999 Toyota Camry

Well I did the timing belt at 90K so that is a start. And I have followed the maintenance manual up to this point of 123K; so time will tell. As to determining when different parts "are nearing the end of their useful life," is a bit of a challenge for me. For me it is a bit like the nece...
by NHRATA01
Fri Feb 15, 2013 2:05 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Major maintenance for a 1999 Toyota Camry
Replies: 26
Views: 1881

Re: 403b Bad Choices!

I just spoke with Vanguard at length. They basically told me that the school had to offer Vanguard as a provider or I was out of luck. I'm definitely curious how and what year those of you who got around this did so (without mobilizing the entire school to petition the HR office to add Vanguard bec...
by NHRATA01
Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:31 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 403b Bad Choices!
Replies: 25
Views: 1145

Re: Researching Large Sedans

There is a new Impala due out shortly. That can mean one of 2 things for you: 1. The new version is much more stylish then the ancient outgoing model, as well as improved economy, better features, etc 2. There are some incredible deals (7,000 off or so) to be had on the outgoing model, and with the ...
by NHRATA01
Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:58 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Researching Large Sedans
Replies: 17
Views: 1302

Re: 403b Bad Choices!

so basically if the school offers a 403b or a 457 I should be able to do it through Vanguard, not Mutual of America, regardless of what the HR person tells me about it being a group plan etc. And in order to make this happen, I should call Vanguard if that's what I'm understanding? I don't know abo...
by NHRATA01
Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:47 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: 403b Bad Choices!
Replies: 25
Views: 1145

Re: Affirm my logic - 457 over a 403b

Can't thank the board enough for the feedback. Definitely makes me feel more comfortable in knowing I'm making the correct move. :beer One last question - is that correct that one individual can utilize both the 403 and 457 and thereby double his/her tax exempt space? I was under the impression that...
by NHRATA01
Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:07 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Affirm my logic - 457 over a 403b
Replies: 19
Views: 1150

Affirm my logic - 457 over a 403b

Just a little background - I'm 33, wife 32. I've been funding a 401K (Fidelity with quality low-cost fund choices) since the start 12 years ago, and for the past couple of years to the max contribution. I have been maxing my Roth IRA in that entire timeframe also (following general bogglehead guidan...
by NHRATA01
Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:14 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Affirm my logic - 457 over a 403b
Replies: 19
Views: 1150

Re: Breaking in engine on new car

NHRA, you seem to be the one that is taking it personally, with your own personal recommendations somehow overriding what an owner's manual might say, because you know better. And I never said engineers were perfect. As to some of your other comments, some of them are just wrong, particularly the s...
by NHRATA01
Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:19 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Breaking in engine on new car
Replies: 43
Views: 3038

Re: Breaking in engine on new car

I disagree with much of the advice in this thread, particularly the "treat it gently for the first 1000 miles" type of advice. I don't know that anyone said to treat anything "gently" for the first 1000 miles. While some of the article you referenced may indeed be true, I'm not ...
by NHRATA01
Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:52 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Breaking in engine on new car
Replies: 43
Views: 3038

Re: Breaking in engine on new car

I disagree with much of the advice in this thread, particularly the "treat it gently for the first 1000 miles" type of advice. I don't know that anyone said to treat anything "gently" for the first 1000 miles. While some of the article you referenced may indeed be true, I'm not ...
by NHRATA01
Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:45 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Breaking in engine on new car
Replies: 43
Views: 3038

Re: Pay a speeding ticket or plead to non moving

Always take the non moving violation and always fight your "first" speeding tickets. If you keep your record clear of moving violations, you're far more likely to be let go with a warning, or just given a non-moving violation the next time you get pulled over. And if you do get a ticket, y...
by NHRATA01
Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:48 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pay a speeding ticket or plead to non moving
Replies: 42
Views: 2630

Re: Breaking in engine on new car

I continue to see divergent opinions on this Personally I don't believe it matters. That's not based on any evidence however. I've seen new engines get broken in on a chassis dyno running wide open and run many miles and drag strip passes for years after. Many car guys I know believe in the theory ...
by NHRATA01
Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:54 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Breaking in engine on new car
Replies: 43
Views: 3038

Re: Questions to ask when buying a used car

Folks: I have identified a used Acura MDX 2009. I am about to start negotiations with the dealer. The car is not In my town, so a physical inspection / test drive is not possible. Need some advice on: 1. Other than Edmunds and KBB, how do I determine the price is fair? 2. How do I make sure it is n...
by NHRATA01
Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:27 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Questions to ask when buying a used car
Replies: 12
Views: 852

Re: Reliability of newer car tech: Direct injection, CVT, VC

Of the 3 DI can be the most problematic. For one, as the gas is injected into the cylinder, it does not pass the intake valves and have a cleaning effect. Some manufacturers (I believe Porsche was one of the more prominent) are having issues with intake valves getting fouled. GM claims they are awar...
by NHRATA01
Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:27 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reliability of newer car tech: Direct injection, CVT, VCM
Replies: 9
Views: 795

Re: Company Does not Allow No Load Funds? Please Advise

I still don't understand what your own personal IRA has to do with this bank or how your employer can dictate who you chose to open it with? Unless somehow they are directly funding it for you?
by NHRATA01
Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:34 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Company Does not Allow No Load Funds? Please Advise
Replies: 20
Views: 1063

Re: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?

Oy vey. So I did see in the Kindle FAQ that there is 30% with holding for non-US residents, but when I had searched elsewhere it seemed as if that withholding applied to US residents also. But if you've been down this road I'll take the voice of experience. I suppose when the first check shows soon ...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 26, 2012 4:21 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?
Replies: 14
Views: 714

Re: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?

Yes, looks like quite a bit more research on my part is in order. Though having dug around, I think I've at least found some information making my original post moot. Wife did the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and from the literature I am finding online, they will automatically withold 30% of roya...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:47 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?
Replies: 14
Views: 714

Re: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?

My wife has self-published a novel which has provided a decent windfall in the past 2 months of around 30K. Going forward certainly the book (and possible others) will continue to provide some more income over the course of the next few months and beyond. The royalties, which do not begin being pai...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:46 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?
Replies: 14
Views: 714

Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?

My wife has self-published a novel which has provided a decent windfall in the past 2 months of around 30K. Going forward certainly the book (and possible others) will continue to provide some more income over the course of the next few months and beyond. The royalties, which do not begin being paid...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:59 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Investment direction for taxes on book royalties?
Replies: 14
Views: 714

Re: Wifi Hotspot

Is it possible to run a wifi hotspot in your home to avoid internet service and charges? Sounds too easy, right? crowdsourced wi-fi --> http://corp.fon.com/en/this-is-fon As mentioned above, I suspect that the terms of service for some broadband providers prohibits something like this. I know mine ...
by NHRATA01
Tue Dec 18, 2012 1:00 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wifi Hotspot
Replies: 26
Views: 1687

Re: IBM Reins in 401(k)s

Starting next year, IBM's contributions, which generally range from 6% to 10% of pay, will take place Dec. 31. Workers who leave the company before Dec. 15 won't qualify for the match, unless they retire. I am always somewhat befuddled when there is a generous employer contribution (such as "f...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:54 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IBM Reins in 401(k)s
Replies: 44
Views: 3847

Re: Investment books

I second A Random Walk Down Wallstreet, I found that to be a great beginners book. For one it gets into some investing history (going back the the Tulip investing boom in 16th century England!) as well as laying out some of the basics of boggleheadian investing strategy (at least with respect to sto...
by NHRATA01
Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:32 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Investment books
Replies: 9
Views: 542

Re: IBM Reigns in 401(k)s

what a stupid move by IBM! I don't think it will save much considering the low interests at which companies like IBM can borrow money. But what it will do is to encourage departing employees to leave at once at the end of the year instead of naturally over a year. Such exodus of employees will caus...
by NHRATA01
Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:21 am
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IBM Reins in 401(k)s
Replies: 44
Views: 3847

Re: IBM Reigns in 401(k)s

Will the workers be extra productive on Dec 15th, since they're being paid more for working that day? Will there be a free lunch of shorting the IBM stock on 15 Dec? Victoria Heh, you know, that's an interesting point I hadn't considered. Far too many of my fellow employees are loaded in IBM stock ...
by NHRATA01
Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:17 am
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IBM Reins in 401(k)s
Replies: 44
Views: 3847

Re: Company delaying 401k match till end of year in 2013

investor1 wrote:Haha, I think I know who you work for. I have the same thing in my inbox.


Yeah, make that 3 of us.
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:33 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Company delaying 401k match till end of year in 2013
Replies: 20
Views: 1803

Re: Lump Sum Employer Match

I received news today my employer is changing the way which they contribute to my 401(k). Rather than contributing each pay period, they are going to make one big contribution at the end of the year. Is this is common approach? It is the first I have heard of it, but then again I'm no 401(k) plan e...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:27 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Lump Sum Employer Match
Replies: 9
Views: 787

Employer changing timing of 401K match

Just got a corporate email within the past half hour. Starting 2013 our employer provided 401K match to the contribution will now no longer be paid into the 401K at each pay period (when the employee contribution is made). Instead it will be a lump sum deposit into the account on December 31st. Just...
by NHRATA01
Wed Dec 05, 2012 2:41 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Employer changing timing of 401K match
Replies: 5
Views: 634
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