Search found 164 matches

by Robert44
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 15480

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

$100. in wallet in different denominations. I find it faster to pay cash for parking lots. Small purchases under $10, door man, valet, etc. $100 in quarters for some friends who like to play games for quarters.

$400 at home in different denominations for things such as GS cookies, handymen and other workers at the house that prefer cash.
by Robert44
Mon May 22, 2023 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much Do You Spend on Lawn Maintenance Services?
Replies: 64
Views: 7073

Re: How Much Do You Spend on Lawn Maintenance Services?

Live in Midwest:
22 cuts, trim, blow at $40 = 880
one leaf cleanup - $100
8 fertilization treatments - $300
bush trimming $120
Total: $1400.
by Robert44
Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Replies: 426
Views: 137344

Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones

smitcat wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:10 am
Robert44 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:59 am
StevieG72 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:45 am
Robert44 wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:32 pm i million at retirement in 1999. mostly in stocks. only income is SS. Now have 3.5 millin
Awesome! How much have you withdrawn yearly from investment accounts? What is your AA?
I only withdraw my RMD and reinvest most of that. I have not worked at a paying job since retirement. Volunteer for Meals on wheels.
What is your future purpose for the funds?
that is a great question. right now I am spending very freely. I guess it will go to my kids and grands. I do have a trust.
by Robert44
Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Replies: 426
Views: 137344

Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones

StevieG72 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:45 am
Robert44 wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:32 pm i million at retirement in 1999. mostly in stocks. only income is SS. Now have 3.5 millin
Awesome! How much have you withdrawn yearly from investment accounts? What is your AA?
I only withdraw my RMD and reinvest most of that. I have not worked at a paying job since retirement. Volunteer for Meals on wheels.
by Robert44
Wed Jun 23, 2021 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Replies: 426
Views: 137344

Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones

harrychan wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:59 pm
Robert44 wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:49 am
ray.james wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:53 am
Robert44 wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:32 pm i million at retirement in 1999. mostly in stocks. only income is SS. Now have 3.5 millin
Impressive. what were your expenses and how much did social security cover.
$1800 SS a month
No debt.
Same house for 48 years.
Got lucky with some stocks and stock index funds.
At what point do you or did you increase your spending?
About 6 years ago. But with the strong market, the money still increases.
by Robert44
Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Replies: 426
Views: 137344

Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones

ray.james wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:53 am
Robert44 wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:32 pm i million at retirement in 1999. mostly in stocks. only income is SS. Now have 3.5 millin
Impressive. what were your expenses and how much did social security cover.
$1800 SS a month
No debt.
Same house for 48 years.
Got lucky with some stocks and stock index funds.
by Robert44
Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Replies: 426
Views: 137344

Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones

i million at retirement in 1999. mostly in stocks. only income is SS. Now have 3.5 millin
by Robert44
Thu Oct 22, 2020 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: capital gains
Replies: 9
Views: 1002

Re: capital gains

#cruncher

thanks for that detailed information.
by Robert44
Wed Oct 21, 2020 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: capital gains
Replies: 9
Views: 1002

Re: capital gains

sd323232 wrote: Wed Oct 21, 2020 3:22 pm Are u married? If yes, up to 104,000 will be tax free for for ur dividend and capital gains.

24k standard deduction and rest 80k is tax free for 2020.

I dont know how much is ur ss, so I didnt not calculate that.
I am single, no dependents, SS is $23k
by Robert44
Wed Oct 21, 2020 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: capital gains
Replies: 9
Views: 1002

capital gains

Because I don't have to take my RMD this year my income is only SS, interest and dividends. Trying to avoid a capital tax gain on a stock I have to sell. How much can I get in dividends and interest not to pay capital gains. Also is SS added to that total?
Thanks.
by Robert44
Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625783

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Trader Joe wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:40 pm I did not tip the Uber drivers today (two trips). Uber Black. Saved some money to be frugal.

I did give each driver a rating of 5 stars. They did a good job.
That is the ultimate of cheap.
by Robert44
Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Bank 11 month [No-Penalty CD]
Replies: 382
Views: 48502

Re: Ally 11 month CD with no penalty vs regular high yield saving account

Received email from Ally today. they are offering a 12 month CD at 2%. Offer ends 1/1/2018
by Robert44
Thu Dec 07, 2017 10:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: investing in taxable accounts
Replies: 10
Views: 2293

investing in taxable accounts

I would like to know anyone who is in the 25% tax bracket or above, who has to take RMD's, what is their favorite place to put taxable money and why?
THanks. Bill
by Robert44
Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: St Louis: from airport to hotel (uber, shuttle or rental)
Replies: 23
Views: 2375

Re: St Louis: from airport to hotel (uber, shuttle or rental)

I live in St. Louis. Uber is the most economical of your options.
My brother was just here from Seattle for 3 days. He rented a car. $169.00
You can Uber a lot cheaper since none of your destinations are far from each other.

Just a tip: stay away from Metrolink. A lot of bad stuff happening now days and the police are not doing much about it.
by Robert44
Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085771

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

abuss368 wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:54 pm We are presently watching the latest season of "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix.
We love Orange is the new black. Try Wentworth, Really Good.
by Robert44
Wed Sep 27, 2017 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Meaningful wedding gift?
Replies: 20
Views: 2287

Re: Meaningful wedding gift?

If you are close friends and enjoy each others company, Have a chef come into your home and cook a meal and serve it. Best deal ever.

Or take them out on the town for the night.
by Robert44
Wed Sep 27, 2017 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $700 to install a dishwasher seem by a plumber?!
Replies: 65
Views: 7366

Re: $700 to install a dishwasher seem by a plumber?!

I have been looking for a new washer and dryer and went on Costco website. if you are a member, they deliver and install the items for no upcharge. Might want to check if it applies to dishwashers.
by Robert44
Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap eggs... how bad?
Replies: 82
Views: 13550

Re: Cheap eggs... how bad?

You can freeze eggs?
by Robert44
Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap eggs... how bad?
Replies: 82
Views: 13550

Re: Cheap eggs... how bad?

purchased eggs at Aldi for 49 cents. Labeled as large but very small. still very cheap and they were fresh and very good.
by Robert44
Sun Jul 02, 2017 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grandson's request for advice
Replies: 37
Views: 5269

Re: Grandson's request for advice

Miriam2 wrote:
arcticpineapplecorp. wrote:What did he have to do to get a {Boy Scout} "Finance Badge"?
In order to achieve Eagle Scout rank, this is one of the required merit badges.

https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/P ... Management
Yes, he did all that. Achieved Eagle Scout last year at age 14.
by Robert44
Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grandson's request for advice
Replies: 37
Views: 5269

Re: Grandson's request for advice

Glad to hear it's not a scam. What did he have to do to get a "Finance Badge"? To get a finance badge meant spending a weekend with me (3 days and nights) Teaching him the basics; then a 5 page written report and a two hour interview with a Boy Scout leader to get the badge. I had no idea how hard it is to be an Eagle Scout; this was just a minuscule part of all he did to earn the Eagle Scout badge. In addition to schooling him on the dangers of penny stocks...which the links I provided should do nicely, you could also say something like, "Would you rather buy a few penny stocks you've never heard of or would you rather own thousands of companies (3,591 to be exact)...many of which you know and use daily?" Explain the t...
by Robert44
Sat Jul 01, 2017 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grandson's request for advice
Replies: 37
Views: 5269

Re: Grandson's request for advice

I will see him Monday and plan to have an in depth conversation with him. Like, what the heck they taught him and what he got out of it.
I would never brush him off and flattered that he wants my opinion. So I want to give him some valuable guidance.

Thanks for all your replies.
by Robert44
Sat Jul 01, 2017 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grandson's request for advice
Replies: 37
Views: 5269

Re: Grandson's request for advice

Thank you for the reply. He is a fine young man, very intelligent.

Also, It was not a scam email. I helped him get his Finance badge before he made Eagle Scout.
He probably came to me because his mom, my daughter, has always come to me for financial advice.

Personally I don't feel good about giving him advice since, as you mentioned, so many things could go
wrong.

I was just wanting to get other peoples opinions on this forum on how I might handle this.
Thanks everyone.
by Robert44
Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grandson's request for advice
Replies: 37
Views: 5269

Grandson's request for advice

I just received this email from my 15 year old grandson who just finished a class at his highschool about Finance.
I would never recommend penny stocks. Anyone have any advice I can give him:
"After learning some about investing in Finance class, I am looking to buy a few cheap penny stocks and start with about only $50 in some stocks. While looking around I have found that there are tons of different stocks. I was wondering if you know of any stocks that you could recommend me to start out with. I understand that these kinds of stocks are risky and not a long term investment but I just want to start out with some small investments."
by Robert44
Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Watch Batteries
Replies: 53
Views: 7225

Re: Watch Batteries

Citizen watch, affordable for how long they last. I hated getting batteries changed.
by Robert44
Fri Mar 31, 2017 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what age were your kids potty trained?
Replies: 16
Views: 2352

Re: At what age were your kids potty trained?

Our daughter was completely potty trained by 2. Our son was a real challenge. I took my daughter away for a day and my wife stayed with our son alone for a day and trained him in one day at 3. 3 Is late for us in our minds.
And as it turned out my daughter is way more successful and my son just got his PHD at age 42 and finally a job. . while she has a family and kids and financially secure.
by Robert44
Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $50 AMEX Gift Card - What does a Boglehead/minimalist do?
Replies: 29
Views: 3706

Re: $50 AMEX Gift Card - What does a Boglehead/minimalist do?

If I get a gift card to a restaurant I will use it and add on any extras/ You do not gift points for gift cards. just use them and enjoy the free money..
and kindly add on a nice tip. It is a no brainer. And always thank the person that gave you the gift card.
by Robert44
Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $50 AMEX Gift Card - What does a Boglehead/minimalist do?
Replies: 29
Views: 3706

Re: $50 AMEX Gift Card - What does a Boglehead/minimalist do?

Unless you are destitute, I think your sister would be happy you took your wife out to eat. $50 is not a big sum of money to wonder what to do with it.
by Robert44
Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long do you keep your kitchen sponge?
Replies: 55
Views: 8612

Re: How long do you keep your kitchen sponge?

We have never used sponges. Use dish cloths. Change at minimum every other day.

Sponges absorb things, like bacteria.
by Robert44
Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why do you go to restaurants?
Replies: 229
Views: 27060

Re: Why do you go to restaurants?

We find dining out very pleasurable, especially with another couple. Eating at home is great and my wife is a great cook, but we usually just eat in silence and then go about our business, since we are retired and see each other all day. We never order things we can fix at home very easily. My wife cooks great pasta, so we never get pasta out. I do great barbq so we never get that out. I do great steaks on the grill, but not in winter. We just find it so relaxing to go to a nice restaurant, usually bring our own wine, cause we are picky, pay a corkage fee, get a nice appetizer, maybe split a salad and get a seafood dish or steak or duck or something we would never cook at home. And we love to take our grown children out to eat at a very nic...
by Robert44
Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wow, Vanguard Flagship service is bad. Really bad.
Replies: 170
Views: 39213

Re: Wow, Vanguard Flagship service is bad. Really bad.

I have experienced great service with Flagship service. I have around 2.75Million with them. They call me back immediately or will schedule a call back time and are right on the time. Their customer service has been great with us.
by Robert44
Sat Jan 14, 2017 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard investment income downloads in TurboTax?
Replies: 15
Views: 2008

Re: Vanguard investment income downloads in TurboTax?

I use Premier TT and love it. It downloads info from all my institutions. FYI: Vanguard, Edward Jones, Ally. Paying the extra $ is worth it for us. It saves us money in the long run. It comes up with deductions I would never have thought of. Thanks for the testimonial, but doesn't Deluxe TT do all the same things for less money? For instance, do you mind telling us some deductions that you never would have thought of, so that we can see if the same deductions are suggested by cheaper software? Thanks! One thing TT deluxe was not doing is carrying over my capital gains losses. Another thing I found out from Premier is that we can deduct our long term health insurance premiums right from our Missouri taxes. Really many more that I can't thin...
by Robert44
Sat Jan 14, 2017 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard investment income downloads in TurboTax?
Replies: 15
Views: 2008

Re: Vanguard investment income downloads in TurboTax?

I use Premier TT and love it. It downloads info from all my institutions. FYI: Vanguard, Edward Jones, Ally.
Paying the extra $ is worth it for us. It saves us money in the long run. It comes up with deductions I would never have thought of.
by Robert44
Sat Dec 31, 2016 1:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906796

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

50/45/5
10.17%
by Robert44
Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How has Financial Independence changed your life?
Replies: 55
Views: 9368

Re: How has Financial Independence changed your life?

1. No stress
2. Do what we want
3. Gift kids and grandkids
4. Buy whatever we want. Latest purchase for Christmas was a 65" sansung smart tv. Love it.
(keep it all in reason, no intention of running out of money)
Have LT insurance.
5. Go out to eat a lot and tip good and get fantastic service at our favorite places.
6. Got a house keeper. Lawn Man, leaf man, looking for a handyman.
7. $5200 hearing aids that have all the new technologies and really work.
Life is good.
by Robert44
Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:09 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: My Christmas Gift to You.
Replies: 100
Views: 14488

Re: My Christmas Gift to You.

God bless you Taylor, and all the military, also all the policemen, firemen, EMT's, nurses, doctors. Just so many to mention. We are a great country and want you all know how much we appreciate your service.
by Robert44
Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long wait on Vanguard Phone Lines-What's going on?
Replies: 58
Views: 13529

Re: Long wait on Vanguard Phone Lines-What's going on?

We have had excellent service from our Flagship Rep. I made an appt for him to call me at 11 AM on a certain date and the phone rang exactly then. Never put on hold. Took care of my RMD's in less than 10 minutes.
by Robert44
Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085771

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Hell or HIgh Water!!!!!!!! Great movie, good acting.
by Robert44
Wed Jun 29, 2016 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why is everyone up in arms about Costco's credit transition?
Replies: 65
Views: 9276

Re: Why is everyone up in arms about Costco's credit transition?

Personally, I am tired of people not taking AMEX. Now they glady take Visa, with better rewards. I an happy with my new card. No problems transitioning. all my rewards transferred.
by Robert44
Wed Jun 29, 2016 6:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906796

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

as of 6/29 up 5.04%. 50/50 assets
by Robert44
Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sump Pump replacement
Replies: 21
Views: 2931

Re: Sump Pump replacement

Yes, Yes, and yes. Back up is important, that is why we have two.
by Robert44
Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sump Pump replacement
Replies: 21
Views: 2931

Re: Sump Pump replacement

We just replaced our two sump pumps after 10 years with no problems. They say replace them every 5 years. Better safe than sorry to have a flooded basement.
We had the Little Giant also and just bought the exact same one from Home Depot. Our son in law did the labor so we saved a little.
But $297 for pump and installation is worth it.
by Robert44
Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amex/Costco Customer Retention Offer
Replies: 21
Views: 5585

Re: Amex/Costco Customer Retention Offer

Have not received any offers either. we average $1600 a month and pay it off entirely each month
by Robert44
Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help - want to pay "cash" for a car
Replies: 68
Views: 9825

Re: Help - want to pay "cash" for a car

Our last 4 cars were Hondas and we paid with personal check.

Also, to avoid dickering, I email all Honda dealers in the area and use the lowest bid to buy the vehicle at my closest dealer.
by Robert44
Tue Jan 12, 2016 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retired Bogleheads -- How much did you spend last year?
Replies: 60
Views: 8897

Re: Retired Bogleheads -- How much did you spend last year?

I forgot, the $41k does not include Federal taxes paid, which does boost things up quite a bit since I have to do a RMD and our SS is taxed.
by Robert44
Tue Jan 12, 2016 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retired Bogleheads -- How much did you spend last year?
Replies: 60
Views: 8897

Re: Retired Bogleheads -- How much did you spend last year?

Live in the Midwest. ages 77 and 69, both retired. No debt, two cars. $41k spent in 2015. No travel. Lots of eating out.
Income is only SS and investment income. No pensions.

I liked this thread. Made me sit down and see where our money was going. I thought our total would be higher, because we want for nothing.
by Robert44
Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard TurboTax - Not Available 2015?
Replies: 327
Views: 64524

Re: Vanguard TurboTax - Not Available 2015?

^When one considers that the non-TT software imports all the TT previous info, there is no point is using that as an excuse. For me it would cost me $50 more to use TT because the vendor I chose will pay me to use their software with no extra hassles. But the TT marketing folks seem to be banking on folks who believe it is difficult to switch (it is not) and that confused folks will buy a more costly version of TT than they actually need just out of confusion created by the TT folks. It may turn out to be a good marketing plan in the end. If I have been using TT through Vanguard all these years, if I choose another vendor, my prior years tax information will or will not switch over?. The way I look at it, if I have been using TT "thro...
by Robert44
Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085771

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Went to JOY today. Not very good!
by Robert44
Fri Dec 25, 2015 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard TurboTax - Not Available 2015?
Replies: 327
Views: 64524

Re: Vanguard TurboTax - Not Available 2015?

My questions is if you have been filing Turbo Tax through Vanguard in the past, if you now buy it at Costco, will your last years tax information show up on the Turbo Tax you buy from Costco. I am talking about all the automatic information and past information you have put on there, especially capital losses. Or will you have to re-enter all that information.