Bogleheads.org

Regarding Dave's 100% stock portfolio, for someone that abhors debt it would seem hypocritical to invest in a debt instrument. His fixed income comes from debt free real estate, which most on this forum discourage as a viable investment. The 8% withdrawal rate is inexcusable, but then again, so is b...

Thanks for all the recommendations, I have lots of reading to do!

I am not that familiar with Foreign Tax Credit since I've only used the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Housing Exclusion. You probably want to see a US tax professional in Korea who can give you the best advise for your situation, because there are likely nuances that I'm not aware of. ...

I'm a professional engineer working as a consultant, and I am getting the opportunity to travel to a new region to take over a small existing client base. In between projects I expect to be knocking on doors, taking potential clients to lunch, etc., to help grow the client base. Can you recommend a ...

I treat the FSA as a line item in my yearly budget. Add up all expected copays and medications. If you are having an expected upcoming procedure, throw that in as well (braces, lasik, newborn, etc). Go to http://www.drugstore.com and check the FSA eligible items to see if you need anything. I used t...

The FEIE reduces earned income. I have never used the Foreign Housing Exclusion, so not sure, but believe it works like the FEIE. The Personal Exemption and Standard Deduction do NOT reduce earned income as far as Roth contributions are concerned. I have never had a 401k, so don't know how those wo...

I live overseas and utilize the foreign earned income exclusion (FEIE). I came into some unexpected earned income for 2012 and as a result I am trying to determine if I have enough earned income to contribute to a Roth IRA. IRS Numbers from 2012: Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): $95,100 Forei...

Do you have a Treasury Direct account? If not, don't wait - set it up now! The absolute last day to submit your order for purchase is the next to last business day before the actual purchase. This year 12/31 falls on a Monday - if you want to ensure your purchase goes through on Monday - I'd place ...

If it doesn't matter whether the gains are short or long-term, because they'll fit into what you're allowed for 0%, then I'd vote take them now. Now you know the amount, and that they'll fit. Later in the year, they may not. If you're not comfortable holding these funds for the long term, then get ...

Thanks for all the replies. No, I don't have any more carry over losses, which were used to offset gains in 2011. These gains were from getting rid of the last of my single stock holdings. I do have to fit dividends, interest, and capital gains distributions into the US$9750. All of my new contribut...

Back in October 2011 I tax loss harvested two funds: Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Adm (VTSAX) into Vanguard Large Cap Index Adm (VLCAX) Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Admiral (VSIAX) into Vanguard Small Cap Index Adm (VSMAX) The new funds that are not part of my asset allocation have since recovered...

Not sure what you mean by "money coming in from the 401k". I plan on just taking the proceeds from the 401k. I'm not actually sure how it works to be honest, so I'll have to look into it some more. Good to know it doesn't count as income though. The income we're talking about here is &quo...

I really appreciate all of the feedback, and I went back through Larry's book to try and get a better understanding so I can ask some follow-up questions. I realize that a specific estimated return is impossible to predict and it will of course vary each year. However, I have found that this approac...

I am trying to estimate future portfolio returns. I found several helpful pages in Larry Swedroe's "The only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You'll Ever Need." On page 178 there is a table titled "Need to Take Risk" which provides a recommended equity allocation versus the...

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. I think I will steer DW into a camera shop this weekend and check our some of our options. I'll also look into the Micro Four Thirds styles and the D3100. I haven't set a definitive budget. The $800 to $1200 price range seems to the sweet spot to get a lot of camera...

I'm considering buying a "high-end" camera for DW. We've never had more than just point and shoot cameras, but she's been hinting about getting something that will take impressive photos. I've been looking for something versatile, but also portable. We are late 20s and do quite a bit of ba...

djw, Thanks for the long and thoughtful response. I know the work is something I'll enjoy, probably more than my work now. For some reason I thought I would just know one way or the other that it would or wouldn't be the right move. I don't know if I fear the unknown or if it's just not the right ti...

I'm trying to decide whether or not to change jobs, and I value the opions of the people here who are wise beyond my years. I am an expat and the move would be to Australia. In my current job I am more of a project manager than an engineer. The work is not very challenging nor very technical. The lo...

We're considering whether or not to purchase a flat in Hong Kong, and at 10% down our price range is a down payment of somewhere between US$40k to US$100k. This is not at all set in stone given the current property prices in the region and the lack of a fixed interest rate. If we find something suit...

I at 35 years of age I currently have 55,000 in student debt at 4.25% interest. I also currently have 65,000 approx in cash and taxable investments. So...my big dilemma now is whether to invest the 65,000 or use it to pay off my student loans and keep the remaining 10,000 as a cash emergency fund. ...

Thanks FoolishJumper. I knew there'd be strings attached to the foreign earned income exclusion. Losing the IRAw hurts, and the 401k is less appealing. I guess there's only so much you can do to avoid taxes.

Thanks for the responses! I think I'll still max the 401k, given that for my generation I'm likely to change jobs in the future. I'll contribute to the Roth 401k if it becomes available. Two more questions: Because I'm not contributing to a 401k pre-tax, will I get taxed when I roll the money into a...

Hi, I signed a 2-year contract for overseas work. I currently max 401k and Roth IRA (25% tax bracket). My income is under the foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign living allowance. I will owe no tax. I read that one should never contribute after tax dollars to a tax-deferred accounts: The...