Search found 152 matches

by RobertAlanK
Thu May 26, 2022 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Another TLH question
Replies: 4
Views: 428

Re: Another TLH question

livesoft wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 11:17 am They are substantially similar, but not substantially identical.

They might be fraternal twins, but not identical twins (thanks to sscritic for this analogy).
Is that something like saying they're kissing cousins? :) Regardless, I love the analogy.

Thanks to those responding with the reassurance.
by RobertAlanK
Thu May 26, 2022 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Another TLH question
Replies: 4
Views: 428

Another TLH question

Is the Vanguard Developed Markets Index fund (VTMGX) sufficiently different from the Vanguard International Growth fund (VWILX) to avoid a wash sale in an exchange? I believe the answer is yes as the latter fund is actively managed and has a different investment focus in international markets from the index fund. I plan to exchange from VWILX to VTMGX.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Speaker Series with guest Dan Ariely
Replies: 9
Views: 2225

Re: Bogleheads Speaker Series with guest Dan Ariely

This is great! My wife and I work at Duke and Dan Ariely is her boss at the Center for Advanced Hindsight.
by RobertAlanK
Thu Aug 20, 2020 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a retirement (2nd) home 3-5 years out
Replies: 16
Views: 1491

Re: Buying a retirement (2nd) home 3-5 years out

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

I realize that I have confused a financial decision with an emotional one. The latter is mostly my wife's response, wanting to move back to where she grew up (Orlando). She's long had that wish and I've warmed up to it as I have gotten older. And surprisingly, our teenage daughter was excited about the idea too.

Since Orlando is not close to where we now live in North Carolina I don't think the rental option makes sense. And even with the current remote learning with my daughter's school I don't think we could spend enough time at the second home except in summers.

So, we talked and my wife understand that 3-5 years isn't that long to wait. We'll wait, save and invest. Cheers!
by RobertAlanK
Wed Aug 19, 2020 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a retirement (2nd) home 3-5 years out
Replies: 16
Views: 1491

Re: Buying a retirement (2nd) home 3-5 years out

sailaway wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 3:49 pm Where are you seeing this advice to buy your retirement home early?
I can't think of exact citations, Forbes possibly. But the rationale is that it would be more difficult to qualify for a mortgage without the employment income. Not an issue if I choose to buy with cash from the proceeds of the sale of my current home. Though that reduces an asset that could be used for retirement expenses, particularly those that are unplanned.
by RobertAlanK
Wed Aug 19, 2020 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a retirement (2nd) home 3-5 years out
Replies: 16
Views: 1491

Buying a retirement (2nd) home 3-5 years out

I would like some recommendation on funding a retirement residence in the near future. I plan to work for another 3.5 to 5 years. My daughter has five more years of school before college and we believe we have those costs covered. My current home mortgage should be paid off at the end of next year 2021. We live modestly and have no other significant debt and also an unused HELOC available. Current net worth is about $850K with home equity about a third of that. My goal is to reach a little over $1M when I quit working full time. My portfolio plus SS payments should be sufficient to support our projected living expenses in retirement. I've seen the advice for buying a retirement home that I should do so a few years before leaving the workfor...
by RobertAlanK
Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who is your favorite fiction author and what is your favorite book of theirs?
Replies: 284
Views: 30520

Re: Who is your favorite fiction author and what is your favorite book of theirs?

shorty313 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 8:10 am
123 wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:32 pm
BogleTaxPro wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 3:44 pm Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine. It's NOT science fiction, it's a wonderful depiction of life in small town america.
+1 My favorites as well.
I remember HATING that book in high school English class. Maybe it’s time for a re-read. That and My Antonia were low on my list.
I will say that I loved Dandelion Wine as Bradbury poignantly captured the nostalgic fondness I feel for my childhood growing up near Chicago as he had 20-30 years before.

But for another wonderful option on a related theme but from a different part of the country, I highly recommend the novel Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Jul 23, 2019 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 89184

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc

That is brilliant! Very helpful. Thank you for taking the time and effort to respond and for all that you do for people with the calculator and Social Security Made Simple which I consult on my Kindle.

One quick follow-up question. When or how does Social Security pay the $2,674.40 overwithheld amount? Is it spread across monthly benefit payments for the remainder of the year, or is it also part of the calculation to adjust my benefit at FRA? No hurry to answer. I wish you a speedy recovery from the surgery.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 89184

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc

I have planned to file for Social Security benefits in December 2019, one year before my full retirement age. This is to provide benefits for my 12-year-old daughter and my wife who is the primary caregiver. I also plan to continue to work full-time in 2020. When I run the Open Social Security calculator it results in a reduction in my family benefits between 45-50% as my income in 2020 will be over the earnings test annual limit. However when I contacted the SSA office I was told that I would have 9 months of family benefits withheld (75%). I've researched it quite a bit but cannot find any explanation for the significant discrepancy between the calculator output and the SSA information. Any ideas? I would need more information in order t...
by RobertAlanK
Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 89184

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc

I have planned to file for Social Security benefits in December 2019, one year before my full retirement age. This is to provide benefits for my 12-year-old daughter and my wife who is the primary caregiver. I also plan to continue to work full-time in 2020.

When I run the Open Social Security calculator it results in a reduction in my family benefits between 45-50% as my income in 2020 will be over the earnings test annual limit. However when I contacted the SSA office I was told that I would have 9 months of family benefits withheld (75%). I've researched it quite a bit but cannot find any explanation for the significant discrepancy between the calculator output and the SSA information. Any ideas?
by RobertAlanK
Wed Sep 24, 2014 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best place to buy lab cultured/created/synthetic loose gems?
Replies: 2
Views: 1269

Re: Best place to buy lab cultured/created/synthetic loose g

About 3 years ago I ordered a lab grown alexandrite rectangular cut from Geolite http://www.geolite.com/default.htm in Colorado. It was for a ring I was having made and I've been very happy with it.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 766
Views: 150994

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

novaboglehead wrote:Since Wool was mentioned several times, I was wondering if anyone read either of the sequels--Shift and Dust.
Yes, I enjoyed all three volumes of what I believe is called the Silo Saga. Wool certainly could stand on its own as a great story. But I thought Hugh Howey's technique of following it with a prequel (Shift) and then ending with the sequel (Dust) was very effective.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085940

Re: Ghostbusters

Valuethinker wrote:
Harold Ramis did a lot of research into extra sensory phenomena and put it into the movie. Although personally they fell out pretty badly I gather, the Ramis-Murray combination (Groundhog Day) was amazingly creative.
I recall reading that Bill Murray visited Harold Ramis not long before Ramis died and that they reconciled. I don't think they had communicated with each other since shortly after Groundhog Day.
by RobertAlanK
Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085940

Re: What Movie Have You [Recently] Watched?

I recently saw A Most Wanted Man, based on the novel by John le Carre. It is an enjoyable film about contemporary intelligence work set in Hamburg. I found it fascinating to watch Philip Seymour Hoffman, and a bit sad to know it was his final performance.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell phone control devices for teen drivers?
Replies: 36
Views: 3850

Re: Cell phone control devices for teen drivers?

I've enjoyed the back-and-forth of opinions on this topic. My daughter is only seven now but it makes me wonder how technology will have solved some issues like this by the time she's driving but will have created brand new ones that will keep me up at night.
by RobertAlanK
Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Do you own corporate bonds?
Replies: 36
Views: 4279

Re: POLL: Do you own corporate bonds?

livesoft wrote:I like its duration and its risk.

I also like that it has an ETF share class and an Admiral share class, so that I can have it in accounts at various brokers without any commissions.
Besides having the ETF option, are there other advantages or disadvantages to holding the Short-Term Corporate Index versus the Vanguard Short-Term Investment Grade Index fund? I have the latter and find it difficult to determine which may be my better choice.
by RobertAlanK
Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Late starters: what age did you start investing?
Replies: 94
Views: 18018

Re: Late starters: what age did you start investing?

My first real investment was in my late 20's when my ex-wife and I bought shares in one front-load mutual fund. Then came grad school and divorce after which I was back to square one. In my late 30's, my father died and left me about $60K from a life insurance policy. I opened up a Merrill Lynch account which went nowhere, particularly after the dot.com bust and a couple of major life/career transitions. So, it wasn't until my late 40's when, realizing how far behind I was, that I began to really educate myself and put a focus on investing wisely. It took a few years to learn some valuable lessons but fortunately I was able use that knowledge to stay-the-course pretty well through 2008-09, and my career took off at that time as well. As a r...
by RobertAlanK
Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: It is time to retire when you .......
Replies: 104
Views: 14788

Re: It is time to retire when you .......

wilpat wrote:I retired (at 72) when my health dictated that it was time. If it were my choice I would still be working (at 74). I was one of the lucky people that enjoyed work immensely. In my 58 years of working I cannot think of a dozen days that I didn't wake up looking forward to going to work.
Then I think you've been truly blessed. But I suspect that your positive attitude toward work has likely extended more broadly to your life's other pursuits as well. :)
by RobertAlanK
Wed Apr 30, 2014 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSA.gov online calculator and unexpected numbers
Replies: 12
Views: 1403

Re: SSA.gov online calculator and unexpected numbers

This was confusing to me when using the AnyPIA detailed calculator. My FRA is 66 and birthday is at the end of December.

I do plan to delay taking my benefit and after reading the AnyPIA user manual it finally became clear that I would get a slight increase if I decide to start to take it in January of each year after turning 66, but nothing further for waiting until later in that calendar year to begin. That would be the case until the December that I turn 70 when the full delayed credit applies.

I hope I get a "Sure there is!" from sscritic. :)
by RobertAlanK
Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you have hardwood or tile in your kitchen?
Replies: 70
Views: 8741

Re: Do you have hardwood or tile in your kitchen?

I pulled up ugly ceramic tile and installed strand bamboo flooring in my kitchen two years ago. I used the same flooring I had previously installed in the other rooms on our main level. These bamboo floors are three times harder than oak and have held up very well to heavy traffic from dogs and an active kid. Also appear to be impervious to liquid spills. Would certainly recommend it as an option.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Teaching Kids Money Management (under age 10)
Replies: 11
Views: 1885

Re: Teaching Kids Money Management (under age 10)

Some ideas I have include giving them 2 or 3 different piggy banks (decorated glass jars) for saving. 1 jar for spending and saving for 'wants', another jar for saving (long term saving). When they get money they can put it in either jar, but for all the money that goes in the saving jar, I will add 25% to the total in the jar at the end of the year or every 6 months, or something. This is a tad advanced for them at their current ages maybe, but it is something we can try and start doing, maybe? The savings jar will eventually be for some big future expense (college, car, I dunno?)....Basically I want to teach them the value of saving and that by saving you can use your saved money to make money. What are some thoughts and ideas? We also i...
by RobertAlanK
Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Children: Are they worth every penny?
Replies: 68
Views: 8108

Re: Children: Are they worth every penny?

I was watching the NBC News a couple of weeks ago and their medical expert (Nancy Sneiderman, MD) mentioned that because of genetic issues men over the age of 45 should seriously consider not fathering anymore children. I would research that issue if I were you. Just sayin'. This may be the study to which you are referring. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/mens-health/older-dads-risk-passing-along-mental-disorders-study-says-n39516 I had my first and only child at age 52. My wife was 35. Our daughter is now 7 years old, happy, active and healthy. I would not trade this experience for any amount of money. That said, during the pregnancy I did worry some that my age might cause our baby to have a health problem, primarily autism. And I realize ...
by RobertAlanK
Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Get ready for the Dow at 6,000 by 2016: Pro
Replies: 46
Views: 8902

Re: Get ready for the Dow at 6,000 by 2016: Pro

baw703916 wrote:"So this is it...we're all going to die!"

Arthur Dent (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) said that, not Harry Dent. But Harry Dent could have.
I suppose a major financial crisis could be set off if there's panic about a proposed hyperspace bypass in this vicinity. Though I'm not sure normal hedging strategies will work in that scenario, I will be on the lookout for an IPO with the symbol VOGON.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do children become less expensive as they grow up?
Replies: 93
Views: 13231

Re: Do children become less expensive as they grow up?

There are some wonderful recollections expressed here. My daughter just turned seven and this gives me some things to consider.

And also much to look forward to experiencing as she grows.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Jan 21, 2014 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Signing up for SS before 70
Replies: 60
Views: 5770

Re: Signing up for SS before 70

tadamsmar wrote:My theory is that delaying till 70 should be good for the health and longevity of a Boglehead.

Delaying till 70 is basically a bet that you will live to 85 or so. Having committed to this bet, a Boglehead would be super-motivated to maintain healthy habits, since he/she would particularly hate losing a buck on a sub-optimal retirement strategy.

How's that for behavioral economics? :D
I think you've nailed it!
by RobertAlanK
Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jetta Sportwagen Question
Replies: 42
Views: 8589

Re: Jetta Sportwagen Question

I have a 2005 Jetta TDI wagon that I bought new. At the time of purchase, diesel fuel was actually less expensive than regular gas, but that situation reversed within the first year or so and now I pay a 10-15% premium. But I put very little mileage on my TDI, 55K miles at last count. So, cost of fuel is less of an issue for me. More importantly, it's a real pleasure to drive! It's a car that's very responsive to its driver. This was reinforced in a recent experience. During a June storm a tree in my yard came down and landed partially on my Jetta. I was fortunate that the damage was relatively minor. But while it was in the body shop for a couple of weeks my insurance paid for a rental car, a Hyundai Elantra with that tiptronic (or whateve...
by RobertAlanK
Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What George Constanza has to teach us about investing
Replies: 28
Views: 5897

Re: What George Constanza has to teach us about investing

dmcmahon wrote:I thought the article was going to be on shrinkage.
My first thought too. I worry about what this says about our perspective. :happy
by RobertAlanK
Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: hardwood floors and area rugs
Replies: 30
Views: 9358

Re: hardwood floors and area rugs

I've had a slightly different issue using an area rug on my hardwood floors. After 6 years the sun shining through my windows has changed the color of my hardwood a little except under the rug, so I now have "two shades" of hardwood floors. Maybe I should have kept my windows really dirty. :P Us too. The lesson for us has been to choose rugs (and exactly where you put them) wisely, because once the sun changes the floor's color, you don't want to move the rugs. Same for big furniture pieces. We figure we'll refinish the floors maybe once every 10 years, and that will be the chance to move the rugs and furniture around! For OP, if you aren't going to move the rugs, then it doesn't much matter what kind of carpet pad you use. Glad ...
by RobertAlanK
Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Childrens' Allowance
Replies: 71
Views: 10895

Re: Childrens' Allowance

We started an allowance for our daughter when she turned six at the beginning of this year. The initial amount is $6 per week. While the amount matches her current age, I don't think we'll increase it every year but as it seems appropriate (maybe every 2 or 3 years during elementary school?). It's not tied to her completing her chores for the reasons that have already been mentioned.

We have followed a plan to encourage her to understand the different uses for money. Each week her $6 allowance is split in thirds - 1/3 for fun, 1/3 for savings, and 1/3 for sharing. This seems to make good sense to our daughter and it's allowing me to teach her some simple math skills (e.g. how can she divide a $5 bill and $1 bill three ways?)
by RobertAlanK
Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you Walking in your Father's footsteps?
Replies: 83
Views: 11376

Re: Are you Walking in your Father's footsteps?

This was a particularly interesting and poignant question for me to consider. My father was a successful business man for most of his career. He rose to the top of the leadership of a national non-profit organization, testified before Congress, had friends in the President’s office and was invited to 2-3 inaugurations. Then in a merger/management consolidation it all fell apart and he was out. This was in the early 1980’s and Dad was in his early to mid-50’s, younger than I am now. Dad could never put his career back together, at least not at the level he hoped to regain. I believe he could only see retirement as obsolescence. In less than 10 years he chose to end his life, a sad decision nobody in our family had foreseen. He died with no l...
by RobertAlanK
Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10221

Re: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

It would be interesting to see the poll results from only those retirees without a pension, or perhaps asking respondents to estimate what their withdrawal rate might be if they didn't have that income stream. I understand that many of those who anticipated having a pension in retirement made different investment decisions while working and accumulating than they might have done without that assurance. But with traditional pensions becoming less and less likely for many (like myself) still planning for retirement these poll numbers at the low end would seem unlikely to continue as more rely on their own investments and SS. No doubt there is research, but I'd find it interesting to learn how much a realistic increasing of one's savings rate ...
by RobertAlanK
Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Money Lessons From 'Downton Abbey'
Replies: 23
Views: 4295

Re: Money Lessons From 'Downton Abbey'

The lesson I took away: Nothing good comes from having a child.
by RobertAlanK
Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pleated Pants Versus Flat Front Pants
Replies: 45
Views: 6292

Re: Pleated Pants Versus Flat Front Pants

Congratulations on your weight loss! That is impressive.

I haven't purchased a pair of pleated pants in more than a decade. Never have a problem finding a variety of flat front pants at the big retailers. Dockers, for example, makes several pant styles/fabrics/finishes in flat front.

Happy shopping!
by RobertAlanK
Fri Mar 01, 2013 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disappointment while shopping for a new fridge
Replies: 44
Views: 6850

Re: Disappointment while shopping for a new fridge

We just ordered a Whirlpool french door, bottom freezer model that is to be delivered tomorrow. I did a fair bit of research online, but didn't have access to CR. What did carry the most weight was the advice of the repair guy who tried vainly for a couple weeks to get our 9-year-old GE side-by-side unit working properly. He said our particular GE model had the most complaints of any of those he'd serviced. And he said, "When you shop for a new one, get a Whirlpool."
by RobertAlanK
Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do you expect your kids to pay for college?
Replies: 237
Views: 36936

Re: How much do you expect your kids to pay for college?

lovenox11 wrote:They will probably pay 30k/yr; total of 120k

But I will not pay for them. I will do everything to set them up academically to succeed (i.e. good middle/HS helping them get scholarships). Then they will take out loans to cover the rest and learn financial responsibility of having debt.
My preference is to do my best to teach my child financial responsibility well before college and the possibility of having the burden of paying off such a large amount of student loan debt.

I'll do my best to pay for tuition, room and board not covered by financial aid and ask my daughter to pay for her own other living expenses. I expect she'll have worked part-time and summer jobs to fund those. In short, very much the same as my parents did for me.
by RobertAlanK
Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth conversion income and MAGI
Replies: 5
Views: 1736

Re: Roth conversion income and MAGI

This is a good indication how MAGI definitions vary. Roth conversion income is INCLUDED in your MAGI for purposes of deducting a TIRA contribution, ie the conversion makes it more likely you will not be able to deduct the contribution. On the other hand, the conversion income is NOT INCLUDED in the MAGI definition for regular Roth IRA contribution income phaseouts, so it will NOT reduce your chance of making a regular Roth contribution. If you can't deduct the TIRA contribution, making a Roth contribution (if eligible) is always better than making a non deductible TIRA contribution. Thanks, Alan. I had intended 2012 to be the year I started shifting IRA balances and new contributions to Roth accounts. But an unexpected capital gain put us ...
by RobertAlanK
Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth conversion income and MAGI
Replies: 5
Views: 1736

Re: Roth conversion income and MAGI

Thanks for the replies.
by RobertAlanK
Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth conversion income and MAGI
Replies: 5
Views: 1736

Roth conversion income and MAGI

I'm confused by a possible contradiction in the Wiki information on whether income from the conversion of a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA is included in calculating modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). The Wiki for Traditional IRA's says to deduct the conversion income from one's adjusted gross income. The one for Roth IRA conversions says that (at least in the context of determining Medicare premiums) conversion income is not excluded in calculating MAGI. Will someone clarify whether or not income from a Roth IRA conversion is included in MAGI? In my particular situation the answer will tell me if I am subject to partial phase-out of the amount I may deduct of a 2012 contribution to a Traditional IRA. Thanks. Edit: Pub. 590 would suggest t...
by RobertAlanK
Tue Jan 01, 2013 1:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was your 2012 return?
Replies: 275
Views: 30961

Re: What was your 2012 return?

M* shows that I had a 2012 personal return of 11.94%. That's on a 55/35/10 (stock/bond/cash) portfolio.

Happy 2013 everyone!
by RobertAlanK
Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: North Carolina residents: property tax on cars
Replies: 44
Views: 8225

Re: North Carolina residents: property tax on cars

I live in Durham, NC. My property taxes on a 2012 MINI S Countryman and a 2005 VW Jetta diesel wagon are $450 per year. It's really not a big issue for my family finances.
by RobertAlanK
Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:54 am
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: *Sorry for asking* Is this forum biased?
Replies: 100
Views: 11569

Re: *Sorry for asking* Is this forum biased?

I find this forum to be opinionated, but not biased.

And I continue to come here for the opinions because they typically provide me with different perspectives on investing and all manner of other issues of daily life that affect my personal and financial well-being.

I often find that I've read many posts in a particular thread before I realize it doesn't really apply to my circumstances or provide any guidance that I can immediately put in practice. But it's so darn interesting! :happy
by RobertAlanK
Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Important is Car Waxing?
Replies: 32
Views: 7158

Re: How Important is Car Waxing?

The Wizard wrote:What is a clay bar???
As it sounds, it's a bar of maleable clay used, generally with a cleaning solution, to detail the exterior paint finish. It's particularly useful for removing stubborn dirt and contaminants that have stuck to or imbedded into the paint surface (bugs, tar, tree sap, etc).

I've used a clay bar to try and remove some paint overspray from my car with mixed results. It still requires a great deal of "elbow grease" to get the really tough stuff off, if then.
by RobertAlanK
Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any New Zealand tips?
Replies: 23
Views: 2700

Re: Any New Zealand tips?

I spent a couple of weeks in New Zealand in 1993 and it was a very memorable trip. I hope to go back with my wife and daughter.

I spent virtually the entire time on the South Island. My most memorable experience was swimming with dusky dolphins in the ocean off Kaikoura, north of Christchurch. Now, I thought I was in Heaven when I found myself as one of the few men on a boat with a group of young women vacationing from Sweden and Norway. But when I got into the water with those dolphins I had one of the most powerful feelings of my life - a complete sense of connection, playfulness and joy. I highly recommend it.
by RobertAlanK
Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use HDTV free air over cable?
Replies: 73
Views: 11498

Re: Anyone use HDTV free air over cable?

We made the switch earlier this year from cable TV to OTA with a rooftop antenna. We also get Netflix streaming service with a Roku box. My home is 36 miles from the primary network broadcast towers (near Raleigh, NC), but in a heavily wooded lot so there's a good bit of signal degradation from leaves, I think. Certainly the antenna is mounted high enough. But I haven't been through a winter yet to see if the signal improves as the leaves fall. We get 3 PBS channels, ABC, CBS, a couple independent stations, and occasionally NBC. The latter's signal status is really frustrating since the NBC transmitter is located in the same location as those for the ABC and CBS stations which come through strong and clear. I truly think the NBC affiliate h...
by RobertAlanK
Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: When did you start to save a regular significant amount?
Replies: 81
Views: 15525

Re: When did you start to save a regular significant amount?

Unlike many or most folks here, I didn't get started seriously saving until I was 47, about 10 years ago now. Before then, money had never been an issue in my life. Not that I had been wealthy but rather I always felt that I had enough and would be able to continue to feel that way all my life. I was also unmarried without children or debt. I suppose that helped. That lifestyle and attitude had to change radically in the years since. I'm now married with a young child and a mortgage. You might say my priorities have changed. :happy However, I can't really say that I regret not preparing earlier for my retirement (and now for college and estate considerations). All of my life experiences were necessary to make me a good husband, father and p...
by RobertAlanK
Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay taxes now or defer as long as possible?
Replies: 21
Views: 5041

Re: Pay taxes now or defer as long as possible?

Why is it commonly advised to avoid RMDs? Is it so one can have converted to ROTH IRAs instead? Otherwise why would it matter? My understanding (I'm not there yet) is that RMDs can push people into a higher bracket. So if you can get money out of IRA at 15% now, that would be preferable to leaving it in IRA if the RMDs means that some will come out at 25%. Also, reducing the amount subject to RMD reduces the amount you have to take out each year. This reduces the amount of taxable income. That reduces the likelihood that your RMD will push you into a higher bracket. There may be more to this, but that is how I understand it. RMD's may also cause some portion of one's social security income to be taxable, IIRC. Up to 80% of SS payments?
by RobertAlanK
Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Confused about withdrawl of Roth Conversion
Replies: 13
Views: 2290

Re: Confused abour withdrawl of Roth Conversion

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p590/ch02.html#en_US_2011_publink1000231064 The way I read the flowchart (Figure 2-1) in sscritic's provided link (above) if you haven't waited 5 years since the initial conversion then a withdrawal is not not qualified. The flowchart works well if you answer in such a manner that you end up at the bottom and the withdrawal is qualified. Then you know that there is no tax or penalty. It is less clear what happens if the withdrawal is not qualified....... it is then not so obvious whether it is taxed or penalized or some of each. That's the beauty of the table by KAWill which, incidentally, was blessed by Alan S..........no thinking required. Thanks! That's very helpful. Especially the no thinking aspect. Tod...
by RobertAlanK
Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Post your AA
Replies: 135
Views: 23879

Re: Post your AA

Age: 57, plan to retire at 70
US Equity: 29.5% (88/12 Total Mkt/SCV)
US REIT: 6.25%
Int'l. Equity: 19.25% (75/25 Developed/Small)
Inflation Bonds: 25.0% (50/50 TIPS/I-Bonds)
Nominal Bonds: 12.5%
Cash: 7.5%