Search found 22 matches

by beanster10
Tue Oct 28, 2014 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Car Insurance Review Requested
Replies: 20
Views: 2245

Re: Family Car Insurance Review Requested

Thanks for the tips everyone. What about my current coverage, any glaring holes there or suggested changes?

I'd like to stick my insurance broker. Do you think a good way to approach it would be to ask him to price (insert listed companies)? I'm afraid he only looks for companies that give him a good deal. That being said, he has been good to me in the past.
by beanster10
Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Car Insurance Review Requested
Replies: 20
Views: 2245

Re: Family Car Insurance Review Requested

I had a feeling we were overpaying. This is one of the last items on my list to get in order.

Updated Information in Original Post

Age: 32/m, 29/f
State: Florida
History: No accidents/claims
Umbrella: No, recently moved here, still in an apartment - won't have better rates with bundle until home purchases 12-18 months away
by beanster10
Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Car Insurance Review Requested
Replies: 20
Views: 2245

Family Car Insurance Review Requested

Situation: Myself 20 min drive to and from work - Wife - stay at home with newborn Auto Insurance Company: Safeco Policy Length: 6 months Cars: - Me - 2005 SUV - 110,000 miles - Good shape - Wife - 2003 Acura TL - 120,000 miles - Decent Shape - Driving both until they die Age: 32/m, 29/f State: Florida History: No accidents/claims/tickets Umbrella: No, recently moved here, still in an apartment - won't have better rates with bundle until home purchases 12-18 months away Questions: 1. How is our coverage? Any challenges or suggested changes? 2. I'd like to shop around, I feel like we are paying way too much. I work with an insurance agent who has always been good to me, but afraid he only has a few places he shops with. http://i.imgur.com/4Q...
by beanster10
Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2015 Insurance For Family - PPO vs HDHP
Replies: 12
Views: 2102

Re: 2015 Insurance For Family - PPO vs HDHP

This checks out in my book too. Seems like a fairly obvious choice - just the first time it was offered.

Cheers
by beanster10
Mon Oct 27, 2014 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2015 Insurance For Family - PPO vs HDHP
Replies: 12
Views: 2102

Re: 2015 Insurance For Family - PPO vs HDHP

Thank you for the quick reply.

You mean I forgot one of the most important factors, sorry about that :)

Premiums:

PPO
$199.75/Bi-Weekly

HDHP
$126.76/Bi-Weekly

Yes, I will be on the high end of the 15% tax bracket if not above.
by beanster10
Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2015 Insurance For Family - PPO vs HDHP
Replies: 12
Views: 2102

2015 Insurance For Family - PPO vs HDHP

Tax Bracket: High end of 15%

PPO
Premium: $199.75/Bi-Weekly
Deductible: $1500
Out of Pocket Limit: $6000
CoInsurance: 20%

HDHP
Premium: $126.76/Bi-Weekly
Deductible: $3500
Out of Pocket Limit: $7500
CoInsurance: 20%

HSA
$1:$1 Match up to $1000
- Would like to use this as an investment vehicle for retirement

Limited FSA Available
- Would maybe use this for Dental/Eye Contacts

Situation:
- Good health
- Will have a newborn when new insurance kicks in

Based on my numbers and my family situation, convince me to go one way or the other. I really want to go towards the HSA for the extra savings. Will that work for us? What do I need to consider?

Cheers
by beanster10
Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA - First Time Offered
Replies: 5
Views: 849

Re: HSA - First Time Offered

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will also create a separate thread once I have all of the information to see which plan makes more sense.
by beanster10
Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA - First Time Offered
Replies: 5
Views: 849

Re: HSA - First Time Offered

Good question - we will learn more next week. The information I have at this time is:

"Can enroll/change contribution at any time"

Three ways to make contributions:
1. Pre-tax salary deductions—if your employer offers this benefit, your
payroll deductions are exempt from most state FICA and FUTA taxes as
well as federal income tax. (Most states allow this, but not all. Check with
your employer.)
2. Employer contributions—made directly to your HSA by your employer.
3. Direct contributions—throughout the year on your own schedule. Your annual
contributions are taken as a deduction on your tax return (no need to itemize).
by beanster10
Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA - First Time Offered
Replies: 5
Views: 849

HSA - First Time Offered

Hello, this is the first time my company has offered a HSA and I want to take full advantage. The first $1000 will be deposited in a cash account. Each $100 after that can be invested (great Vanguard options available). So my goal is to get to this amount Pre-Tax as quickly as possibly without impacting my take home pay too much (not concerned here, have savings to account for it). Does the below scenario make logical sense or am I missing a component to it? Company Match $1:$1 Pay Period 1 Employee = $1130 Pretax Employer = $1000 Match Pay Period 2 Employee = $1130 Pretax Employer = $0 Match (Already Met) Pay Period 3 Employee = $1130 Pretax Employer = $0 Match (Already Met) Pay Period 4 Employee = $1130 Pretax Employer = $0 Match (Already...
by beanster10
Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Re: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This

bump - still looking for overall advice on my portfolio
by beanster10
Thu Dec 12, 2013 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Re: Answer to questions.

It is hard to go wrong with the 3 fund portfolio. You are matching it very well. However, I don't understand why you have 2 rollover IRAs. Combine them and get rid of that tiny overlapping Target Fund which muddies your asset-allocation.
I made a type. The small rollover is my wifes, I have edited the original post.
I think we decided this is a S&P 500 fund in a taxable account. This is a very tax-efficient fund and very suitable in a taxable account. If there are no capital-gains, I'd switch to Total Stock Market to pick up more mid and small-cap stocks. Otherwise, stay-the-course with the 500 fund.
This account currently has over 15k in capital gains.
by beanster10
Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Re: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This

The account in question is a taxable non-retirement account. I have updated the original post.

I'd love your advice.

Cheers
by beanster10
Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Re: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This

Thanks so much for your assistance.

The other accounts are clearly labeled as:
Name-Roth IRA
Name-Rollover IRA

This account just has:
Name

I looked at the statements and they say "Individual Account" as opposed to the others that have "Rollover IRA Account" and "Roth IRA Account"

I will have my wife call this evening to get clarification.
by beanster10
Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Re: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This

This is quite embarrassing, what is the best way to find out? At one point there was a small traditional IRA, money market, and possibly more. She since exchange and sold them. Vanguard doesn't seem to have an easy way that says what type of account it is.
by beanster10
Tue Dec 10, 2013 6:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Re: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This

I should've clarified. I was referring to if you had a choice to contribute to Roth or contribute a larger amount to 401k.
by beanster10
Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This
Replies: 12
Views: 1705

Portfolio Advice - Slowly Getting the Hang of This

Emergency Funds: 5 months saved Debt: No Debt Tax Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly Tax Rate: 25% Federal, 0% State - Federal will most likely bump to 28% next year State of Residence: Florida Age: Him 31 / Her 28 Desired Asset allocation: 90% stocks / 10% bonds (or less) Desired International allocation: 25% of stocks Total Portfolio: $96,190.01 Current retirement assets Her Taxable Non-Retirement Account 24.99% Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) (0.05) His 401k 9.17% Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Shares (VINIX) (0.04) Company match - 5% His Roth IRA at Vanguard 8.68% Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) (0.22) His Rollover IRA at Vanguard 29.3% Vanguard Total Stock Market...
by beanster10
Sun Aug 12, 2012 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds
Replies: 10
Views: 1581

Re: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds

Easy Rhino, Thank you for time to read over my lengthy post. I have also responded to your questions below. Please let me know what other information you need. Congratulations on the marriage and the move! To add to the bombarding of questions: Can you find out the cost basis status of the various taxable accounts? (the mutual funds and the stocks)? If you sold them, would you be taking gains or losses? It would be useful to know the tax ramifications if you did so. I'll be honest, I'm not sure how to find that information out. My Dad helps manage my portfolio and he has always helped with that piece. I don't know for her either. These have been gifted to us over the years. Do you intend to keep your finances separate, or combined? For inst...
by beanster10
Sun Aug 12, 2012 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds
Replies: 10
Views: 1581

Re: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds

Duckie, Thank you for taking the time to evaluate our situation. I have provided responses to your questions below and also updated my original post. If I didn't give you enough detail, please let me know and I'll go back to the drawing board. beanster10 , I have some questions about your current portfolio. Her Portfolio <-- Is this taxable? Yes, it is a taxable account. 401k at Vanguard <-- Is this from a former job that can be rolled over? Yes, it is from another job. IRA at Suntrust Her Mutual Fund at Goldman-Sachs <-- Is this taxable, or from a former job that can be rolled over? Unsure at this time, still looking into it. I'm assuming yes for now His Portfolio <-- Is this taxable? Yes, it is a taxable account. His 403b at Fidelity <-- ...
by beanster10
Sun Aug 12, 2012 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds
Replies: 10
Views: 1581

Re: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds

mlipps, Thanks! I have answered your questions below and updated my original post. Thanks again for taking the time to evaluate our situation. Any additional help advice is welcomed. First and foremost, congrats on your marriage!! Below are some thoughts, in no particular order except that which they came to my mind... Are these "her portfolio" and "his portfolio" taxable? How much is the balance? Since you don't have ANY emergency fund, I'd be inclined to put however much of those as possible into a ROTH this year and establish an emergency fund of some size (probably at least 3 months) outside of that. ROTH can be used in an emergency, but remember, once you take those funds out, that tax advantaged space is lost forev...
by beanster10
Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds
Replies: 10
Views: 1581

Re: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds

Sorry for the delay, I am gathering all the necessary information to answer your questions. Stay tuned.

Cheers.
by beanster10
Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds
Replies: 10
Views: 1581

Portfolio Advice - Newlyweds

Hi, I have been researching Bogleheads over the past few months and I am finally ready to request help/advice. Any assistance you can provide would greatly be appreciated. Emergency funds: Do not have yet Debt: Recently relocated to a new state for work. Currently own a home, looking to sell (should receive at least 20k from sell) Other than that, no debt. Tax Filing Status: Married filing jointly (just married) Tax Rate: 25% Federal 0% Florida Age: (30) Spouse (27) Desired Asset Allocation: 80/20 or 70/30 (Open for advice) Intl' Allocation: Open Current combined portfolio: VERY low six figures Current combined income: $73k (she is not working at the moment) Her Portfolio - Taxable - gifted from family over time 15% Vanguard 500 Index Fund ...