Search found 69 matches

by UnclePennybags
Tue May 26, 2020 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Move HSA to Fidelity or Elsewhere?
Replies: 39
Views: 4748

Re: Move HSA to Fidelity or Elsewhere?

We moved ours to Fidelity and have been extremely happy with the decision.
by UnclePennybags
Tue May 26, 2020 12:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads: What is your largest single stock holding? (if any)
Replies: 79
Views: 5976

Re: Bogleheads: What is your largest single stock holding? (if any)

remomnyc wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 12:16 pm I set aside 5% of my 401k (~2% of total portfolio) for gambling/individual stocks. Whenever I made money, I funneled the wins into my index funds so that my gambling fund never exceeded 5%. I used it mostly to buy too big to fail firms that were beaten down at some point it time (Amazon, Bank of America, Citi, etc); however, the last thing I bought was UCO (a crude oil ETF), which I sold for a loss when I decided to stop gambling altogether.
LOL. I call my individual stock picking account the "gambling fund" on the Schwab account description page! I no longer actively trade, but I've kept 3 individual stocks that I have some personal attachment to (AMZN, APPL and TSLA)
by UnclePennybags
Tue May 26, 2020 12:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads: What is your largest single stock holding? (if any)
Replies: 79
Views: 5976

Re: Bogleheads: What is your largest single stock holding? (if any)

AMZN by a fairly large margin. I bought in 2001 and have sold chunks of it twice. It still constitutes 12% of my portfolio, which I really don't like.
by UnclePennybags
Fri Feb 28, 2020 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First Time TLH
Replies: 6
Views: 603

Re: First Time TLH

Be aware that buying a fund that "follows the same index" does not necessarily trigger a wash sale. This is very much a gray area and there are people who believe that buying one S&P 500 fund with the proceeds from a sale of a different S&P 500 fund is perfectly fine. The IRS has never issued an opinion on this question.

Personally, I think it is a good idea to avoid trading in the same index just to be safe, but I wanted to clarify that it isn't clear that you need to do that. Also, kudos for considering the effects of dividend repurchase instructions. A lot of people get tripped up by those.
by UnclePennybags
Wed Feb 26, 2020 3:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Coronavirus and the market
Replies: 4089
Views: 392377

Re: Coronavirus and the market

HomerJ wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:38 pmWe don't really know what the death rate is. It may be similar to the flu.
We don’t know what the death rate is. We know it is considerably higher than the flu. China has reported a number of deaths of fit health care workers in their 30s and 40s. This simply does not happen with the flu.
by UnclePennybags
Tue Feb 25, 2020 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA for single-person S-corp
Replies: 22
Views: 1956

Re: HSA for single-person S-corp

meeotch wrote: Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:42 pm
theplayer11 wrote: Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:29 pm sounds like you don’t need/want help. Good luck
If anyone disagrees with the way I've decided to go about it, I'm still happy to hear their rationale. The original question was a request for help finding & interpreting the relevant statutes / IRS guidance.

But yes, I hope my edits to the original post put an end to the side-discussion regarding whether the question is even legitimate or not.
FWIW, I did understand the difference, but for us going with the individual vs corporate plan was a no-brainer because the corporate approach added costs with no significant upside. If you set up a whole cafeteria plan, you could avoid some tax, but I suspect it would cost more than it saves.
by UnclePennybags
Tue Feb 25, 2020 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking for Early Retirement Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 1345

Re: Looking for Early Retirement Advice

Thank UnclePennyBags. Does it matter whether to convert equities or bonds first? I assume equities convert to Roth first and try to keep income generating Bonds/CDs/etc out of taxable. Also, how would this be impacted when considering Social Security payments being taxed and/or medicare premiums? Should we try to convert as much as possible prior to wife taking SS or starting Medicare? For example, I'm in 22% bracket and do Roth conversions to fill bracket or 24% bracket isn't much more so also convert into 24% before age SSA/Medicare? Does the Retirement Portfolio model handle this? Sorry for the delayed response. I don't check this forum very often. You have a knack for asking questions with relatively complex answers! The short answer i...
by UnclePennybags
Sat Feb 22, 2020 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking for Early Retirement Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 1345

Re: Looking for Early Retirement Advice

2. I did notice in the retirement planner that over time most assets moved from T-IRA to Roth and taxable accounts. What are strategies/theories behind this? I’m currently withdrawing 3.3% and in the low 22% tax bracket. This covers all of our current expenses, but would want to withdraw more for travel. The general idea is that you are better off with your money in a Roth over a taxable IRA because you won't pay any tax on the gains you incur in the Roth account, whereas you will pay tax at your income rate on any withdrawl from a T-IRA. Many people convert as much money as they can without jumping into the next tax bracket, which is a sensible approach. It is a somewhat complex topic with some varied opinions. I find the Retiree Portfoli...
by UnclePennybags
Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Choosing brokerages - next-best after Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade
Replies: 51
Views: 7415

Re: Choosing brokerages - next-best after Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade

ExMachina wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2020 12:04 pm Merrill Edge is great if you can take advantage of their preferred rewards program. The perks are nice. Downsides are the lack of homegrown funds and poor options for storing cash.
One day quite by accident I got into a conversation at my local bank about the poor money market options and the manager gave me a three page printout of better alternatives with better yields than their default cash management. I mostly use FISXX for taxable yield and MCSXX for munis.

They aren't the best options, but well hidden so you might not be aware of them.

I think this link only works if you are logged in to your Edge account: https://olui2.fs.ml.com/Mutualfunds/MFB ... ement.aspx
by UnclePennybags
Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Choosing brokerages - next-best after Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade
Replies: 51
Views: 7415

Re: Choosing brokerages - next-best after Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade

Many Bogleheads park at least 100k at Merrill Edge to get Platinum Honors status and take advantage of BofA's Preferred Rewards program. One of the benefits is increased cash back with BofA's credit cards . Am I reading this right that you get 2.63% to 5.25% cashback on everything? That sounds pretty awesome...but it's hard to tell how it changes when you don't want the $75 annual fee. BoA offers a no-fee card, which returns 2.63% on all spending and gives you essentially $250 to sign up. The card that carries a $95 fee offers $500 to sign up and the same 2.63% on non-travel expenses and 3.5% on all travel-related and restaurant spending. Additionally, it will reimburse you up to $100/year in incidental charges by airlines (bag fees, upgra...
by UnclePennybags
Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA for single-person S-corp
Replies: 22
Views: 1956

Re: HSA for single-person S-corp

It is my understanding that HSA contributions made on behalf of a 2% or greater shareholder are treated the same as health insurance premiums -- they are reported on the W-2 as income, not subject to FICA. That is how my wife's HSA contributions are treated by our CPA. The HSA account is in her name personally. It also deducts from income "above the line." We've done it this way for the past two years, vetted by our CPA and have had no issues. We use Fidelity for the free HSA account.

It gets complicated when you have employees making pre-tax contributions, which as far as I understand cannot be done by an owner.
by UnclePennybags
Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing in an educational 529 plan
Replies: 4
Views: 440

Re: Investing in an educational 529 plan

The key thing in common with both of those funds is a "sales charge" that provides your advisor with a commission. The funds are otherwise no worse than many other funds with high fee structures, but you lose money over time being invested in any high fee fund and I would advise you to sell them immediately and convert the proceeds into the low cost funds you were planning to invest new money in. The fees are a significant drain on your return every single year.
by UnclePennybags
Tue Jan 28, 2020 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping advice
Replies: 40
Views: 3826

Re: Tipping advice

When I was a young man, I worked in construction as a cabinetmaker / trim carpenter. We did a number of renovation type jobs for people, most of time I worked there we did a lot of fancy cedar-lined custom closets. Other than the occasional beer or meal, we almost never received tips. I can only think of one time in 2 years or so that I did that work. All of this is to say that I think a $50 gift card would be seen by a tradesman as very nice thank you and a generous tip.

I was always quite psyched when a homeowner dropped off a six pack or case of beer on Friday, a cash tip would be awesome.
by UnclePennybags
Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me out of buying a Tesla Model 3
Replies: 963
Views: 103327

Re: Talk me out of buying a Tesla Model 3

Level 2 charging current is no more than 40A. The model 3-LR can charge up to 48 amps which requires a 60 amp circuit for max speed. I believe the confusion here is that the "dedicated" Tesla Wall Connector can charge up to 48A requiring 60A circuit (limited to 80% of max) while the original "generic" Mobile Connector using a regular 14-50 outlet on a 50A circuit can charge up to 40A (again limited to 80% of max). However, the Mobile Connector currently available is "gen 2" which additionally is designed to limit itself to 32A charging even on a 50A circuit. We have a Gen 2 Mobile Connector plugged into a 14-50, so we charge about 30 miles per hour for our Model 3. The current plan is when we also have a Model...
by UnclePennybags
Tue Jan 21, 2020 2:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Fidelity Health Savings Account Mega-Thread]
Replies: 1252
Views: 192498

Re: Rumor mill - Fidelity starting individual HSA's Nov. 15th [2018]

As a heads-up to anyone doing the online transfer, you might want to check out the transfer status page on your Fidelity account every few days while you wait for the transfer to post. My transfer had a glitch and they said something like "More information required" on the status page. When I called them, they were having trouble figuring out the symbol for one of the mutual funds in my old account. I told them as far as I was concerned they could just liquidate the account and transfer the cash balance and they said that would solve the problem. The final transfer posted a week or so later and I received a printed notification of the "more information required" inquiry in the mail a few days after that. So, it would hav...
by UnclePennybags
Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait, do I need a prenup?
Replies: 63
Views: 8855

Re: Wait, do I need a prenup?

For Cali, here is the law: "CHAPTER 2. Separate Property [770 - 772] ( Chapter 2 enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. ) (b) A married person may, without the consent of the person’s spouse, convey the person’s separate property." https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&division=4.&title=&part=2.&chapter=2.&article= This one bothers me. What does this really mean? Let's say that BEFORE marriage, I bought a house, titled in my name only and paid off the mortgage so that I soley own the property. Then I get married but keep house titled in my name. Does this mean that AFTER marriage, the spouse can, without my consent , add her name to the title or transfer the title of s...
by UnclePennybags
Wed Nov 14, 2018 4:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Municipal Money Market VMSXX [0.03%]
Replies: 651
Views: 123291

Re: Vanguard Municipal Money Market VMSXX 1.39%

UnclePennybags wrote: Wed Nov 14, 2018 4:11 pm Can anyone tell me what the distribution schedule is for this fund? If it is on their website, I've not been able to locate it.
Sorry, I'm using Merril Edge to chase the $900 bonus and I can't find anything. I did eventually determine that it pays interest monthly (while calculating it daily, of course).
by UnclePennybags
Wed Nov 14, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Municipal Money Market VMSXX [0.03%]
Replies: 651
Views: 123291

Re: Vanguard Municipal Money Market VMSXX 1.39%

Can anyone tell me what the distribution schedule is for this fund? If it is on their website, I've not been able to locate it.
by UnclePennybags
Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator [Updated for 2024]
Replies: 220
Views: 44792

Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (2019 Update)

Let me try linking the image a different way and see if that works:

Image

Basically for 2020-2032, I'm seeing a SSWB < 132,900. It starts at 94,200 and gradually rises to hit 132,900 in 2033. Also, somehow those years are indexed to numbers > SSWB for 2020-2030. I haven't changed the Inflation estimates.
by UnclePennybags
Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator [Updated for 2024]
Replies: 220
Views: 44792

Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (2019 Update)

Just started playing with some future year assumptions this afternoon and noticed that you have the SSWB set quite low for the next 13 years. Can you explain why that is? The indexing also looks a bit off to me as well.


Image
by UnclePennybags
Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator [Updated for 2024]
Replies: 220
Views: 44792

Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (2019 Update)

I compared the results from this spreadsheet to my output from the prior version and it appears correct (which is to say that it matches the official website). The contribution section is interesting. Does the OASI portion only include employee contributions or does is also include the portion contributed by either the employer or through self-employment tax?
by UnclePennybags
Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (repost)
Replies: 116
Views: 31092

Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (repost)

Thanks for the validation (and confirmation that it works in OpenOffice). If people find it useful, I'll continue to keep it current. In fact, I'm working on an update to include the most recently released wage and price inflation data, such that the new spreadsheet will match the newly released anypia version 2019.1. I hope to have the update available later today. Great! I noticed that the inflation number was off and you hadn't updated the new maximum contribution yet. It was easy enough to get an approximate figure but it is comforting if you match the official website to the dollar. I was tooling up to build my own spreadsheet when I stumbled across yours, so I have a pretty good appreciation for the work required to build the model a...
by UnclePennybags
Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (repost)
Replies: 116
Views: 31092

Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (repost)

As an Apple guy who can't use anypia, this spreadsheet is a great tool and has proven very useful to me. I'm in a situation where I could pay myself a salary from a company I own and it was interesting to see how little my benefit would increase by doing so now that my AIME is already pretty high.

For my fellow Apple people, this spreadsheet won't work in Numbers due to differences in how it handles ranges. If you use OpenOffice (or Office online), it will work just fine.
by UnclePennybags
Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me out of buying a Tesla Model 3
Replies: 963
Views: 103327

Re: Talk me out of buying a Tesla Model 3

Say what you want but the above post proves its is brainwashing or worse. You are apparently comparing your new, 120k car to a 1980s Buick Century. Tesla people do that with the gamed safety stats as well fyi. Modern nice cars require oil changes like every 10-15k miles using synthetic oil. You can schedule them at your convenience as well. Comparing that to parts failures (many of which take days/weeks to repair) is silly. I've had two other cars that were more expensive and had far more trouble with both the other two. The days/weeks to repair stories revolve around body panels for collision damage, which I haven't experienced personally. I've had two parts failures in the 3.5 years I've owned the car and they are both among the most com...
by UnclePennybags
Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me out of buying a Tesla Model 3
Replies: 963
Views: 103327

Re: Talk me out of buying a Tesla Model 3

Tesla may be riding high when it comes to wowing luxury car buyers, but it has fallen to near bottom of the pack when it comes to Consumer Reports magazine's latest auto reliability survey rankings. The electric-car maker came in third from the bottom, tied with Cadillac, in the rankings of 29 brands in the survey released Wednesday. The only brand worse than Tesla and Cadillac was Volvo. Tesla does fare poorly when analyzed for quality by traditional metrics like Consumer Reports. They look for zero defect cars where the process has been highly refined and repeated and the least possible number of cars require any repairs at all. Tesla is rapidly innovating and sometimes makes choices that lead to annoying failures. For instance, the pop-...
by UnclePennybags
Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab Vs. Vanguard?
Replies: 37
Views: 24536

Re: Schwab Vs. Vanguard?

G-Force wrote: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:45 pm I'd be curious to know what pinnacle status means as well. How much do you need to achieve that level? Are there any other status levels at Schwab?
I just got Pinnacle status added to my account and based on the timing, I can't be sure what the threshold is, but I suspect it is a million. In my attempts to learn about it, I found very little information. I did learn that there is a higher level called Chairman's Circle for those with 5million at Schwab.

The brochure they sent me has very little specific information: http://www.coroflot.com/jenniferahomer/ ... h-Bookmark
by UnclePennybags
Thu Oct 29, 2015 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

Well the MOSFETs in the inverters ... FWIW, Tesla doesn't use MOSFETs. They use IGBTs, specifically TO-series with heat dissipation being one of the major drivers. Thanks, I should have just said transistor. I get sloppy with the terminology between the times when some obscure detail of what ever is being used in the device I'm working on is the most important part of my world. At those times I can get snappy at people who mistake a FET for a bipolar. Totally understand. I just figured you might be interested. You are right that heat is a major issue. They do some pretty interesting stuff to deal with it, including circulating coolant through the actual driveshaft on the induction motors. They are much more concerned with heat in the motor...
by UnclePennybags
Thu Oct 29, 2015 5:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

There just aren't that many moving parts on a Tesla, and those parts aren't subject to (managed) explosions, cooling needs, etc. I have a gut feeling that Tesla cars will be relatively low maintenance and easy to keep for 8 years or more, especially with wifi software updates. Well the MOSFETs in the inverters and the battery need cooling and are going to suffer from "wear". The junctions in the MOSFETs, like the critical parts of an engine, are usually operating very close to their theremal limits. Although not exactly the same as mechanical engine wear it's likely to follow the same bathtub curve. And the engineers have the same tradeoff between performance and lifespan, although Tesla is probably conservative. Except perhaps w...
by UnclePennybags
Tue Jun 09, 2015 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

Your thoughts on this? Where does your Tesla fit into net worth/ annual income? Thanks It is an expensive car and probably doesn't fit all that well with the paradigm of frugality and savings-oriented focus that is common to so many of us. However, I think it does make sense to spend money when it brings you joy and if you think it is supporting some cause greater than consumerism. For us, the car is an absolute delight. I'm pleased by it in a way that I have rarely been by any other product I've purchased (perhaps the only comparable feeling I had was from TiVo or Apple when they were an unexpected pleasure). I'm also confident that the sooner we move away from fossil fuels the better and this is my small contribution towards that goal. T...
by UnclePennybags
Tue Jun 09, 2015 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

4nursebee summoned me via PM and I couldn't resist answering other posts on the page first: Of course, there is the major one which is the Lion battery. Has Tesla made public the cost of an out-of-warranty battery replacement yet ? The battery is warrantied for 8 years/unlimited miles, but they haven't made the model S for 8 years yet. They may have some Roadsters with out of warranty batteries, though. Roadster batteries run about 32k, but they are an older and more expensive format. The new home battery retails for $350 per kw, which would equate to 24-29k. There is strong evidence that Tesla's internal cost has declined 20% or more in the last five years and is expected to decline even more once the gigafactory comes online, so the cost ...
by UnclePennybags
Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

Detail of the paint job and joining of body parts is inferior to most production line cars. Since I looked the warranty has improved. In terms of issues, the tire wear issue is present. It seems like this has been addressed but for awhile if you got a certain size tire and were a big heavy footed getting less the 20,000 miles on tires seemed common. I didn't like that. There will be issues with this new auto. I agree with you that the paint is an issue, I think the technology to get a really hard finish on aluminum body panels is one that Tesla has not mastered. I'll end up getting mine wrapped in Xpel film to protect the finish and that is an expense that shouldn't be required. I think that the tire wear issue is one that is common to all...
by UnclePennybags
Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

Uncle - you should of sprung for the Turbo 911 then you could see the new tesla in the review mirror! 😃 Actually, strictly speaking about 0-60 times, the P85D is faster than even the new 911 Turbo. You have to go for one of the really elite 911s, like the 911 Turbo S to see the Tesla S in your rearview. And you can't do it with five passengers and two trunks full of Costco! I'm selling a 911 Turbo and an older Twin Turbo Supra, so I'm definitively coming from a non-green perspective. Now if you want to talk about track times, there are plenty of sports cars that would beat the Tesla around the loop, but it is quite amazing that you can even have the conversation. Add me to the list of Tesla Model S owners. Made the very un-Bogleheadish pur...
by UnclePennybags
Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

I've read battery tech is now tending to level off at least for time being, and lot of the 'breakthroughs' you read of are many years and uncertainty from commercial use. And with battery tech similar to now's, EV's are a niche at best, or questionable taxpayer funded boondoggle at worst given all the subsidies. Questionable IMO public policy wise, and definitely aren't going to work for me. I'm always interested in consumer perceptions around this issue. Interestingly, my biggest worry is the exact opposite of yours. I fear that battery technology is progressing so quickly that dramatically higher capacity batteries will be available soon that will render my car a dinosaur. It s certainly true that battery innovation has been relatively s...
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 151
Views: 19952

Re: "I've had it" at work - how often

To be honest, knowing that I could laugh at the latest stupid idea and hand in my papers any time I want to has actually made it easier to deal with the madness. Contemplating that future is almost as much fun as executing it will be. Yes, that is a big help in dealing with the usual nonsense! Thus, those who can't afford to resign are so miserable that they dream of resigning, and those who can resign are enjoying work. Victoria I'm not sure I'm enjoying so much as tolerating it, but I think your point is well-made. In my case, I'm imagining a future where I still do some productive work, but it would be back to the actual engineering side that I always loved probably with a focus on assistive devices for the handicapped. I'd make probabl...
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY Winterizing Sprinkler / Irrigation System
Replies: 17
Views: 12325

Re: DIY Winterizing Sprinkler / Irrigation System

mur44 wrote:Some 20 years ago I read an article that said there
is NO need to blow the underground sprinkler system.
It entirely depends on where you live and how deep the ground freezes in that area. Even in temperate zones there is some risk that you can damage your sprinkler heads, but they are pretty inexpensive to replace should that happen.
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 151
Views: 19952

Re: "I've had it" at work - how often

I'm 51 and a senior IT manager for a major defense contracting firm. For many years I loved my job and virtually never had one of those days. The combination of being financially able to walk away if I wanted to do so and the mounting frustrations of dealing with incompetent government clients has changed my point of view quite a bit in recent years. I've had to manage staff cuts twice in the past year and would happily have quit on any given day during that process. Even when things are "normal" I'd say I contemplate retirement (or at least changing jobs) on a fleeting basis at least once a week. The main dilemma is that I'm overpaid and hesitant to give up the income stream and I have significant assets in a rabbi trust that I'd...
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Debit Card was hacked. Should I just use cash from now on?
Replies: 56
Views: 6876

Re: Debit Card was hacked. Should I just use cash from now

Because most transactions today are done with credit or debit cards, prices reflect the 2% surcharge that businesses expect to pay to the processing companies. If you pay cash, you are effectively paying 1.5% or more extra compared to people who either use a cash back credit card or who rotate through new credit cards in order to claim free miles which is just an inconvenient form of cash back. I rarely use anything but a credit card for which I am earning a new account bonus and get 3 or 4 new cards a year. I've had fraudulent charges, but they were never more than a temporary inconvenience.
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

Ah, I forget about the seating position issue. That is something my wife often cites. I've always had low-slung cars, so I don't often think about it. Being quite tall, my usual concern is to ensure that my head doesn't press against the headliner and that I can see stoplights without being impeded by the roof.
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

Congrats UnclePennybags. Are you getting the all wheel drive version? Very exciting. Just be sure the lanes ahead are clear before you press hard on the pedal, that is almost scary fast for a four door five passenger vehicle weighing almost 5K pounds. Now with 25K miles on the original Signature Model S still feel like it is safest car on road even without added safety geegaws which am sure are nice. Looking forward to the all wheel drive Model X in 2015. Yes, I'm getting the P85D, which is all-wheel drive and faster than anyone could possibly need. My wife was initially skeptical about the choice, but is now talking about replacing her Lexus hybrid SUV with the Model X in a few years. Although there is so much storage in the Model S when ...
by UnclePennybags
Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla S
Replies: 1014
Views: 230718

Re: Tesla S

This thread was a fun read. You can add me to the list of Bogelhead Tesla owners. I shared the concerns expressed earlier about the lack of safety features, but the newest version of the Model S has gone from lacking blind spot detection to being an industry leader with virtually every safety feature I've ever heard of and vague promises of seemingly impossible robot self-parking and more. When you couple that with 3 second 0-60 performance (that will embarrass my current Porsche 911) in the top end all wheel drive model, I was unable to resist. The website predicts a late December delivery and I could not possibly be more excited about it.
by UnclePennybags
Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Pimco ETF Draws Probe by SEC - ETF Returns Inflated?
Replies: 22
Views: 2778

Re: Pimco ETF Draws Probe by SEC - ETF Returns Inflated?

There is really no difference between ETFs and mutual funds in terms of the underlying accusations. The essential claim is that PIMCO knowingly used fasle values for their bonds in order to inflate returns. It could be done just as easily in a fund as an ETF. It probably is more likely to be effective in a newer fund where the total amount of invested assets are smaller, such that manipulation of a few key security valuations would have a bigger effect. It is an interesting thought problem as many institutional bonds are hard to value accurately since they are quite rarely traded.
by UnclePennybags
Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It's pretty freaky watching your stocks go up & down all day
Replies: 60
Views: 8637

Re: It's pretty freaky watching your stocks go up & down all

I watch my investments very closely when the markets are rising and anticipate a rebalance for weeks before its time. When they are falling, I get disgusted and refuse to read articles or forums or update my spreadsheet until the alarm for the rebalance goes off and even then it takes me a few days to generate sufficient enthusiasm for the task to actually do it. So I get lots of positive feedback from the climbs and refuse to consider the subject at all during the lows. During the last big crash, when my wife would ask how this was affecting our planned early retirement, I would just reply grumpily that we would probably "never be able to retire" until she stopped asking. For most of 2008-2009, I was oblivious except to roll my e...
by UnclePennybags
Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: is short term disability worth it?
Replies: 13
Views: 3541

Re: is short term disability worth it?

A word of warning- Know what you are really getting with the company paid LTD. The 60% would probably be taxed, no? Normally disability payments are not taxable if you paid the premiums. If your company lets you pay the premium with pre-tax money, then the benefits would be taxed. Our company offers you the option of paying with pre or post tax money. Not sure what doesn't make sense. The Short Term Disability premium is $37 per paycheck. Does that seem high? As I said upthread, $37 per month was quite cheap. $37 per bi-weekly payday is about average. At my company, it would be about $10 less per month. You might be able to buy your own policy for less, but it can be convenient to have your company administer the program because they'd nor...
by UnclePennybags
Sun Aug 24, 2014 2:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Weird implications of a credit card trick
Replies: 11
Views: 3548

Re: Weird implications of a credit card trick

So: I realized an interesting trick someone can play Sign up for credit card processing. The cheapest I've found online is 20$/mo, 0% fee, 35 cents per charge. I'm reasonably sure no such merchant agreement exists. Their marketing material may look like it does, but nobody charges a flat fee and not also a percentage. There are several players in the game who extract a percentage fee (interchange fees and so on). The bank that originated the card generally gets 15 points itself. Alternatively, if that's too complicated, just pick up the amazon local register with a 1.7% flat fee, or something. Most people believe that the new Amazon processing agreement is actually losing money for Amazon on each charge. We are going to switch over because...
by UnclePennybags
Sun Aug 24, 2014 2:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: is short term disability worth it?
Replies: 13
Views: 3541

Re: is short term disability worth it?

If disability pays you 60% of your income, you are looking at disability income of roughly $6,000 a month should you be disabled. The average claimant collects about 2 months of disability pay. At a premium of $37 per month, you'd break even if you experienced an average disability event once in 27 years. This seems like a reasonable bet to me. At my company, the premium would be almost twice that, so it is possible that you are getting a subsidized rate.

My perspective might be skewed by the fact that I'm just coming off a 6 week stint on disability after breaking my leg and having a couple of surgeries!
by UnclePennybags
Sun Aug 24, 2014 1:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?
Replies: 66
Views: 13168

Re: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?

I've owned a small business and currently act in a similar capacity as the soon-to-be ex-husband in this story for my wife's small business. You are in a very unique position in that your wife is intimately familiar with the operation of the business and has reasonably certain knowledge of its actual cash flow. This is a huge advantage over most people who are contemplating a similar decision. In terms of the non-compete, the primary thing you have to be concerned about is that the current owner opens a nearby competing business and takes a significant proportion of your clients with her. Your wife needs to think very carefully about her ability to do this before you agree not to do the deal without a non-compete. If you are both very confi...
by UnclePennybags
Sun Aug 17, 2014 2:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do Super wealthy have access to different investing vehicles
Replies: 76
Views: 10096

Re: Do Super wealthy have access to different investing vehi

Very long term options aren't the only instrument unavailable to the average investor. There are a dizzying array of derivative products not generally available to the public. I'm not saying that they are necessarily great investments, but the question was about the availability of "different" vehicles.
by UnclePennybags
Sun Aug 17, 2014 1:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Weird implications of a credit card trick
Replies: 11
Views: 3548

Re: Weird implications of a credit card trick

So: I realized an interesting trick someone can play Sign up for credit card processing. The cheapest I've found online is 20$/mo, 0% fee, 35 cents per charge. I'm reasonably sure no such merchant agreement exists. Their marketing material may look like it does, but nobody charges a flat fee and not also a percentage. There are several players in the game who extract a percentage fee (interchange fees and so on). The bank that originated the card generally gets 15 points itself. Alternatively, if that's too complicated, just pick up the amazon local register with a 1.7% flat fee, or something. Most people believe that the new Amazon processing agreement is actually losing money for Amazon on each charge. We are going to switch over because...
by UnclePennybags
Thu Aug 14, 2014 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Berkshire Hathaway A's about to hit $200k/pps
Replies: 42
Views: 4469

Re: Berkshire Hathaway A's about to hit $200k/pps

InvestorNewb wrote:How does one sell BRK.A? (or do you just convert the shares in kind to BRK.B?)

I assume the size of BRK.A would affect its liquidity?
Shares in BRK.A trade regularly with an average of 250 shares traded each day, so they are presumably liquid enough. The bid/ask spread typically ranges from $25 to $85 which is relatively high, but not really that significant on a percentage basis. If you are seeking to liquidate a position, it is easy enough to find buyers. If you had 100 shares, it would be a challenge to sell them without moving the market, but that would be the case if you were selling $200 million of any stock.

BRK/B is, of course, much more actively traded and typically has a $.01 spread.
by UnclePennybags
Thu Aug 14, 2014 1:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stop Passing Up This Great Deal - In Money Magazine
Replies: 80
Views: 17040

Re: Stop Passing Up This Great Deal - In Money Magazine

All things considered I thought it was a good article, and it made me rethink the fact that my husband and I are maxing out Traditional 401ks even though he has a Roth 401k option. For one thing, we aren't necessarily investing the tax savings from our Traditional contribution deduction; we max all retirement accounts and HSAs and his ESPP and generally spend the rest. I think this is a key factor for some people. Turning around the analysis from earlier in the thread where someone pointed out that investing $10,000 in a Roth "cost" the same as investing $13,000 in a tax-deferred vehicle in terms of the post-tax cost, this also means that you can invest the post-tax equivalent of $23,000 instead of $17,500 into a Roth 401k. I sus...