Search found 6101 matches

by dratkinson
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which bank for checking account
Replies: 14
Views: 1006

Re: Which bank for checking account

Neither - I would look at local Credit Unions ... Same here. I've been using a credit union for quite a while. Regards, +1. And if you join a CU that is part of the CU COOP program (shared branching network), then you can go into any COOP CU while traveling/moving and access your existing CU account to deposit/withdraw money. You can't do everything at a shared branch location---may not be able to open a new CD with your local CU from a shared branch location---but these are much smaller issues than having trouble finding a local branch of a big bank. Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=cu+shared+branching+network My little CU is part of the COOP network, can be annoying sometimes, but then again they've helped when I needed it. Plus i...
by dratkinson
Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

If you were reinvesting distributions, check your confirmation (cost basis) at the time of the transactions vs. the website record (cost basis) of the same transactions today.  I'm expecting that you could see an increased cost basis for those same transactions. I've had a number of spin-offs recently from individual stock holdings at Vanguard Brokerage and the cost basis was updated within a few days of the transaction. No information on cost basis was shown on the Consolidated Form 1099 and no entries were included in the Reconciliations, Fees, Expenses and Expenditures section. Note the following text provided in the Reconciliations section of the Consolidated Form 1099: "The amounts in this section are not reported to the IRS. The...
by dratkinson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 3:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

I'm late to the party...just noticed the "increase in cost basis" for VFWAX in my 1099. The amount is small (under $5) but I want to get this right. I read through the thread and am still unsure what to do though. My box 1a total is exactly equal to the sum of the qualified and non-qualified dividends of all my holdings. So, I can't/shouldn't adjust that number?? Should I just remember this and adjust my basis at a later date when/if I dispose of VFWAX? I'd put this problem on hold while taking a break from doing taxes. Guess it's a good time to return to it. This is my thinking. Vanguard says we have an increased cost basis. We'll benefit from an increased cost basis when we sell share lots. So we're paying tax on 1099DIV today,...
by dratkinson
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11729

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

jj45 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:20 amNow do tools.
One source for tool reviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectFarm
by dratkinson
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash accumulator pathology
Replies: 24
Views: 2484

Re: Cash accumulator pathology

If you believe the market will be higher 10yrs from now, then what you want to do is to get into the market.  Now. Four stock market lessons.  Sixty+ years of academic research teaches four major lessons about investing success; ignore them at your peril: --It’s very easy to get the market return, just buy index funds. --It’s so impossible difficult to get more than the market return, that it's not worth trying. --The short-term market return is mostly noise, so should be ignored. --If you must reach for yield, can have a 5% play money account to scratch that itch. Quit playing when you lose---under-perform the market. Bottom line.  You have no reasonable expectation of outperforming the market, so it's unwise to try to time the market. Rec...
by dratkinson
Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: National bank you can recommend for checking acct
Replies: 21
Views: 1338

Re: National bank you can recommend for checking acct

... responsive (no more being stranded out of the country with no response from bank for correction of problems) I had a small savings account with HSBC back in 2007---the last time banks were paying 5% on a simple savings account. Recall they had 24hour phone support and they fixed my problems on the few times I called for help. They never messed up my account. I closed account to simplify my life after rates dropped to ~0%. I know nothing else about HSBC accept that it is an international bank, so this may address your international worry ...though recall its US and international banking operations may be separate, so you'll need to check/verify this will not cause you a problem. Ideas. --Search for HSBC reviews: https://www.google.com/s...
by dratkinson
Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:44 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3617
Views: 568616

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

broncocountry25 wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:51 am After contributing $7K to the ROTH IRA this year my wife and I have both broke $100K in those accounts.

Feels good as this was the first retirement account we opened and contributed to before I even had access to a 401K.

Turn 34 at the end of the month so hopefully with additional contributions and growth these accounts will be helpful down the road...
Most excellent. And thanks to compounding, it gets better/faster with your steady contributions and the passing of time.
by dratkinson
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Collective thoughts [investing mini-reference]
Replies: 75
Views: 336569

Re: Collective thoughts [investing mini-reference]

Josh5000 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:53 pm...
Does anyone has a working link for this item:
Use a sound framework - Have a sound intellectual framework for making decisions - Warren Buffet
Could search: https://www.google.com/search?&q=have+a ... en+Buffett
Or: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=have+a+sound+ ... en+Buffett
by dratkinson
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retire in 7 years, getting close enough to plan
Replies: 22
Views: 3320

Re: Retire in 7 years, getting close enough to plan

Background information.  There is a Hierarchy of Goodness among the different account types. Less Good:   tax-deferred/traditional accounts  --- taxable accounts --- tax-free/Roth accounts   :More Good Why does this hierarchy exist? --Tax-deferred/traditional account.  Everything that comes out is taxed as ordinary income, meaning we lose tax benefits: QDI, LTCG, FTC.  However, if contribution lowers our tax bracket, this may be a definite good, if we pay less to withdraw in retirement's lower tax bracket. --Taxable account.  Principal has already been taxed, so not taxed again to sell.  Additional tax benefits: QDI, LTCG, FTC, tax-exempt dividends, TLH. --Tax-free/Roth.  With a long time-horizon for growth to act before retirement, this is...
by dratkinson
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estimating RMD Taxes for Retirement Planning
Replies: 15
Views: 1884

Re: Estimating RMD Taxes for Retirement Planning

Your RMD tax will be zero if you eliminate your tax-deferred accounts.  How?  Convert them to taxable or Roth accounts.  But the devil is in the details. You have options, and perhaps time enough to execute them so you don't advance tax brackets to do so, to minimize or eliminate RMDs/taxes from your retirement equation. --You could convert the majority of your tax-deferred accounts to hold bonds to reduce expected growth/taxes on voluntary withdrawal/RMDs. --Since you'll pay tax on withdrawals anyway, pay it sooner to increase taxable/dividends* to offset retirement cost of living.   * I prefer muni fund tax-exempt dividends, which also reduces fed tax owed.  I believe VWLTX should typically return as much as TBM in 12%** fed tax bracket, ...
by dratkinson
Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using Tax Refund for Estimated Taxes
Replies: 7
Views: 736

Re: Using Tax Refund for Estimated Taxes

IRA form 1040: --See 2023 1040 line 36: to apply a portion/all of 2023 tax refund to Q1 2024. --See 2024 1040 line 26 (assuming same line numbering): to recognize 2023 tax refund applied to Q1 2024 tax owed. Review IRS Safe Harbor rules: https://www.google.com/search?q=irs+safe+harbor+rules --Withhold enough in 2024 to avoid under-withholding penalty: increase employer withholding, withhold percentage from IRA withdrawal,.... --Meaning you don't need to pay the full amount of 2024 tax owed until April 2025 tax filing due date. Recall some BHs favor allowing the IRS to withdraw its payment directly from their bank account. See "Electronic Funds Withdrawal --- During efiling": https://www.irs.gov/payments --Your requirement is to en...
by dratkinson
Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What Platforms are DIY Investors Using to Manage Portfolio
Replies: 26
Views: 2667

Re: What Platforms are DIY Investors Using to Manage Portfolio

I'm an older Vanguard client, but new to its brokerage platform experience.  It has been a sub-optimal experience. I've read much better things about the customer service experience from clients of Fidelity, Charles Schwab, et al.  They too have a few complaints, but seemingly much less than against Vanguard.  But since my favorite bond fund is not available in an ETF share class, I stay with Vanguard---having fewer accounts makes life simpler. Bottom line.  Choose whichever platform makes your life easier.  Since you have an existing Fidelity account, that's a good start. --Turn off all unneeded fees.  You don't need them as it's simple to learn to manage your investments---"do a few things right; avoid serious mistakes". --Since...
by dratkinson
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "When" do you sell equities during Retirement?
Replies: 29
Views: 4519

Re: "When" do you sell equities during Retirement?

It all depends upon what you are trying to accomplish. While working. "The first rule of compounding is never to interrupt it unnecessarily.” Credit: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7761826#p7761826 If you rebalance in taxable by selling then can expect losses due to CG (capital gains) tax. Instead, it's preferable to rebalance with new money and redirected distributions. It's tax-free to rebalance in TA (tax-advantaged = tax-deferred (traditional) + tax-free (Roth)) accounts. But you'll want to save your Roth accounts for stocks for the expected higher tax-free growth/withdrawals. In retirement. To draw down accounts to pay for living expenses: --Sell whatever is high (stocks/bonds), when the market is up. Taxable acc...
by dratkinson
Mon Mar 11, 2024 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electrical Outlet Covers
Replies: 48
Views: 3813

Re: Electrical Outlet Covers

I don't understand what you are looking for.

If an exterior outlet weather cover, there are many.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?&q=electr ... r&tbm=isch

If trying to prevent a child from poking stuff into an interior outlet, can switch to tamper resistant outlets.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=tamper+ ... s&tbm=isch

If trying to match interior wall color, can look for paintable outlet/cover.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=paintab ... r&tbm=isch
by dratkinson
Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America Outbound ACH Fee now zero!
Replies: 22
Views: 2091

Re: Bank of America Outbound ACH Fee now zero!

I've only been a credit union member for my entire life. I am surprised people would stick around with a bank that charges a fee for ACH. This particular fee was only charged if you initiate the transfer on the BofA side. If you pulled from somewhere else via ACH there was no fee. +1. Both my local B&M CU and online bank charged some in-house ACH fees when I opened the accounts, but none if initiated from distant end. --So set up all push/pull ACH transactions to be initiated from the distant end: pension, SS, brokerage, tax refunds,.... --Once set up to avoid fees, I never looked back ...so don't know if those in-house fees still apply. I stay with both because CU is close, bank has never messed up my account, and both mail monthly st...
by dratkinson
Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Should I buy this Samuelson economics textbook?]
Replies: 16
Views: 1299

Re: [Should I buy this Samuelson economics textbook?]

To learn about economics, I remember Thomas Sowell's "Basic Economics" being easy to understand. Ditto public library as source for current books. You may also find them in other formats (talking books,...).

Could also look for online PDFs.
--Basic Economics, (5th ed, 2015 ©): https://archive.org/details/basiceconomicsfifthedition
--Applied Economics (2004 ©): http://www.librafalass.weebly.com/uploa ... _gpop_.pdf
by dratkinson
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:30 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3617
Views: 568616

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

Bollate wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:48 am With appreciation for the many valuable lessons learned/applied from here, after 5+ years into retirement, on March 7th, our investment accounts total closed into the two-comma territory. It was a fleeting moment however as it dropped below the next day, but soon enough we will remain above the line in what is becoming a slow ascending glide path....knock on wood! ;)
Most excellent! Best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.
by dratkinson
Sat Mar 09, 2024 1:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can we expect TBM funds to outperform inflation?
Replies: 62
Views: 5205

Re: Can we expect TBM funds to outperform inflation?

Bonds are for safety.  Stocks are for growth and have a better chance to outperform inflation.  The typical advice is to use the safest bonds (treasuries = low yield) and skew toward stocks to increase growth. I went a different direction.  Why?  The safest bonds bored me to tears.   Since dividends are the major component of bond fund total return (= NAV appreciation + dividends), I skew toward more dividends from bonds that are within my risk tolerance.   --This gives me more dividends, typically; and I TLH the extra risk, when it appears.   --More dividends + TLHing is more interesting than boring treasuries.  :) Long story short.  My favorite bond fund is VWLTX (LT national muni).  Why?  Back when I researched bond options---before curr...
by dratkinson
Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: tax filing using PDF
Replies: 22
Views: 1468

Re: tax filing using PDF

The USPS has armed law enforcement whose job it is to keep the mail safe and sound. They are well aware of the IRS and the importance of tax returns. So I'm not very worried about safety, just the delay. Same here. I do make a point to drop the returns off *inside* the post office, though. Ditto, at least in the past. I do use a "proof of mailing" form from the post office to prove that I did mail it on the 15th of the month. (I don't want to give the IRS any extra time with their fine tooth comb". :P ) I've been getting tired of the long wait at the post office to do this so this year I am going to "e-file" with Turbo Tax. Idea. Call local ACE hardware stores. Some have a USPO service center located in the back. I...
by dratkinson
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

Electron wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:15 pm...
If the indicated changes to cost basis remain relatively small, I may just do nothing and keep things simple. It might be worth paying a little extra tax to simplify a tax return in some future year. :happy
Ditto. Agree.

Thank you for your well-reasoned explanation. It has reassured me that luck is probably the major component of this outcome ...and that if we really can't stand it, then we can sell all TISM---when tax-efficient to do so---and buy TSM.
by dratkinson
Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on meeting my financial goal
Replies: 19
Views: 2069

Re: Advice on meeting my financial goal

Thanks for the update.  We all love it when a plan comes together. Don't know what you've done since your original request for help, but: Consider adding more cash/bonds to taxable to move AA toward 50/50.  Why?  A safer AA is advised for retirement.  Why? --More cash.  An inflation-adjusted 5yr CD ladder, handles your inflation cost of living worry, and reduces need to sell investments during a crash.   --Refill CDs from bonds/stocks, traditional/taxable, whenever/whichever is up. --More bonds.  Bonds are needed and can be chosen that pay more dividends than stocks, so reduces need to sell/withdraw from stocks. --Bonds are safer than stocks so less volatile.  Selling them to pay for retirement cost of living during stock crash, avoids sell...
by dratkinson
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

Curious. A quick search didn't find anything. Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=VTIAX+increase+cost+basis VTIAX (total international stock market index, Adm) doesn't seem to have this problem this year. Was wondering if this is the result of luck, or is it constructed differently so permanently avoids this issue? I recall it used to be a fund-of-funds, so didn't qualify for FTC; but then something changed and it did qualify for FTC. This was at the same time (mid-'00s) when VFWAX did qualify for FTC. So the way VFWAX was constructed, bestowed a benefit not initially available to VTIAX. Question. Is there something about VTIAX that made it immune to "increased cost basis" issue this year? Question. Is the something a permanen...
by dratkinson
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
Replies: 299
Views: 56484

Re: Best < $100 purchase?

ncbill wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 2:07 pm
dratkinson wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:44 pm...

To see all times/channels at once, I access website "On TV Tonight", on my smartphone.
See: https://www.ontvtonight.com/
It works, but it'd be nicer to have a large-format EPG on my TV---vs small-format EPG on my smartphone.
Can your phone be used as a WiFi hotspot?

If so, a used Tivo Roamio w/ lifetime service that has antenna tuners (some Roamio models have only cable tuners) off eBay is what I'd get.

The above downloads about two weeks of program information & you can initiate a manual connection to retrieve that guide info.

So it doesn't need a continuous internet connection.
Yes, it can. I'll look into it. Thanks for the idea.
by dratkinson
Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car brake lights won't turn off after install of new battery
Replies: 29
Views: 2592

How to install a vehicle solar battery charger.

... It is an old car so it has less to drain the battery.  It has gone over two weeks without me starting it.   I don't know whether the cigarette lighter works when off or not.  But I could do your suggestion of the OBDII cable.  Thanks for the info and links. Don't be too hasty.  First, do some testing/research so you don't waste money.  You want to identify your options.  Can you connect your solar charger through: --Cigarette lighter socket? --OBDII (On Board Diagnostic II, cars 1996+) port? --Any OBD (On Board Diagnostic, some cars 1968-1995) port? Failing in above, then you can make a direct battery connection.  (It should not be too hard to do.) Data point.  Can you connect through a cigarette lighter socket? Test.  With ignition sw...
by dratkinson
Wed Feb 28, 2024 1:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car brake lights won't turn off after install of new battery
Replies: 29
Views: 2592

Re: Car brake lights won't turn off after install of new battery

I've edited this as I've read more and refined my understanding. Cars require some current drain to keep modern electronics smart. While a Ford model A has nothing that needs battery current to remember anything (wish I had a Ford model A 4-door town sedan), modern cars need battery current to save presets for vehicle computer, radio,... while ignition is OFF. See "Parasitic Battery Drain": https://no.co/blog/parasitic-draw Topic explains and tells how to measure a vehicle's parasitic battery drain. Idea.  Have a friend measure your car's battery's parasitic drain. Example.  From linked topic, assume you learn your car's parasitic drain is 85milliamp (seems to be a worst case), so 0.085 amps (= 85milliamps x 0.001amps/milliamp), s...
by dratkinson
Tue Feb 27, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Explanatory Statement for 2023 Return
Replies: 15
Views: 1760

Re: Explanatory Statement for 2023 Return

I had been using OLT.com for several years when I submitted my fed return with paper attachments.  At the time, I thought I needed more flexibility than OLT then provided for efiling. My fed return---more than half attachments---was stapled together using a heavy-duty stapler provided by ACE postal service center.  Also used small squares of their bemis (clear, tough mailing) tape, on top/bottom sheets for additional strength through which to staple. --There was no way anyone could easily separate/lose the return's parts.  I assumed the numbers were entered directly, but that the attachments may have been scanned for someone to review later, if needed. --The USPO "certified receipt" was my proof of mailing date. --I'm fairly certa...
by dratkinson
Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
Replies: 299
Views: 56484

Re: Best < $100 purchase?

Tablo Over the Air DVR with 128GB internal storage. $99 It records TV shows we like so we can watch later, and not be tied to a TV schedule. After the recording is done, when I watch later, I can skip through commercials. I can watch on my phone or iPad as long as I'm on our house wireless. That's not a big restriction for me. Question. Tablo's EPG (electronic program guide), is it extracted from OTA program information, or is an internet connection required? I ask because I've been curious about making my life easier by adding a DVR ...but don't have home internet. My current EPG is one channel at a time---current channel, only---by using an attached digital converter box*. (* Digital Stream converter box: ~12hrs of current/future program...
by dratkinson
Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Explanatory Statement for 2023 Return
Replies: 15
Views: 1760

Re: Explanatory Statement for 2023 Return

So you have 2 options: new $100 TT s/w from Costco, or $10 mailed FreeTaxUSA return. What would you need to do to create an entry for BH topic "What frugal thing did you do today?" --TT option means: driving to Costco and spending ~$100 to buy new tax s/w, then reentering your tax data, and creating a thorough explanation. --FreeTaxUSA option means: creating a thorough explanation for existing tax s/w, then driving to USPO** and spending ~$10 to mail "certified receipt" paper returns*. (* Assumes your state return must also be paper.) What to do? In both cases, afterwards, your tax return paper record copy has your thorough explanation---with enough supporting details---that a few years from now, you can read it and reca...
by dratkinson
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
Replies: 299
Views: 56484

Re: Best < $100 purchase?

AlwaysLearningMore wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:24 pm Among the best low-cost purchases are extra cellular phone charging cords + adapters to strategically place around the house.
Idea. Outlets with USB charging ports: https://www.google.com/search?q=outlet+with+usb+port

But don't know how safe these outlets are.

Wish I could find a charger that would only charge phone to 80% of full. Suppose to be better for battery. So I could leave phone on charge all of the time.


A quick search says:
--iPhone 15 can limit battery to 80% charge.
--Android A14 (assume lowest cost model) can limit battery to 80% charge.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=smartph ... arge+limit

I may have to wait for new phone to get battery charge limiting.
by dratkinson
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Explanatory Statement for 2023 Return
Replies: 15
Views: 1760

Re: Explanatory Statement for 2023 Return

Idea. Worst case, you could use FreeTaxUSA and mail your return(s). As a CYA, recall the advice is to use USPS and mail with "certified receipt" to prove you mailed by tax due date. I recall paying ~$5/return. Several years back, needed to explain a strange deduction on fed tax return. At the time, don't recall there being a method to enter an electronic statement into my online tax s/w, so created paper attachments. I assumed if the IRS questions the deduction, that I'd have forgotten some pieces of information by then, so attached a short one-page cover letter explaining each of multiple tabbed attachments. I supplied copies of as much information as I had: --Tab referencing IRS topic allowing deduction and how to enter it. (Ens...
by dratkinson
Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 166833

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

I got an email from my best friend, let's call him John, on the opposite coast asking me to send an Amazon gift card to a woman he knew who was just diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, and whose daughter had recently died from COVID. He said he was out of town and he had tried to do it but it wasn't working. He promised to pay me back and said that when I replied he would provide the information on where to send the gift card online. The email address of my friend was exactly the same except for the email server, which was gmail.com, different than the one he always uses. My friend is not very tech savvy so the idea of him using multiple email servers is highly unlikely. He doesn't like change. I called him on his land line and confirmed ...
by dratkinson
Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

Note that "increase to cost basis" is NOT "return of capital / principal." Your basis to those tax lots will not change. BTW, a "return of capital / principal" will reduce the cost basis of affected lots. In affect, it turns that payment into a capital gain when you eventually sell the security. Here's the EFAV numbers (per share): The annual distribution was $2.132662, total ordinary dividends was $2.209781, and foreign tax paid was $0.066559. Normally, distribution + tax = dividends. Here the sum is $2.199221, leaving a discrepancy of $0.01056. Multiplying the distribution rate by shares owned matches my monthly statements. Multiplying the discrepancy by shares owned matches the amount shown as addition to b...
by dratkinson
Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

Thanks OP for creating this topic. Ditto. Asked Vanguard CSR to explain 1099DIV box 1a dividends being larger than what I'd received. Was told to see Vanguard's statement of "increase to cost basis".  Okay, I understand ...those tax lots get an increased cost basis and I'll benefit when I later sell the shares.  Got it. Problem.  All my VFWAX distributions were redirected to my bank ...I have no share lots to benefit from an "increase to cost basis".  What should I do? CSR: "We don't give tax advice. Talk to a tax professional." Would cost more than the benefit. Do you have IRS chapter and verse to explain what is happening? CSR: "It's in IRS pub 514". A quick look in pub 514 for "cost basis"...
by dratkinson
Sat Feb 10, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: looking for advice
Replies: 30
Views: 3167

Re: looking for advice

+1 Additional thoughts but the same conclusion. Thinking out loud. Paying off a mortgage sooner means every dollar you DON'T spend on mortgage interest is yours to keep. We're currently in an inverted-yield interest-rate environment: shorter-term yields are higher than longer-term. See 2022: Jan normal interest-rate environment, Dec inverted-yield environment: https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/TextView?type=daily_treasury_yield_curve&field_tdr_date_value=2022 See: 2023, inverted: https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/TextView?type=daily_treasury_yield_curve&field_tdr_date_value=2023 See: 2024, inverted: https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-...
by dratkinson
Thu Feb 08, 2024 1:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
Replies: 299
Views: 56484

Re: Best < $100 purchase?

My fav is one that goes by the unappetizing name of "Colon Cleaner". I will try yours to compare if I find it in my local hot sauce store. You might want to give mine a try, if you haven't already. I will give it a try if I can find it. You should be able to find the Tabasco Scorpion at most grocery stores. Colon cleaner review I just found: https://pepperscale.com/colon-cleaner-hot-sauce/ I see it is available online. Here is the same reviewer's review of yellowbird : https://pepperscale.com/yellowbird-habanero-hot-sauce/ And if you are looking for other recommendations, here is their list of top scorers: https://pepperscale.com/hot-sauce-rankings/ Thank you for this resource. I was looking for my own particular favorite, but it...
by dratkinson
Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Guidance
Replies: 8
Views: 1521

How to Create a Tax Return Simulation.

Suggestion.  Read Swedroe’s bond book, The Only Guide to a Winning Bond Strategy You’ll Ever Need .  Get it from a public library.  It will teach you which bonds to avoid, and which might work for you.  After reading his book, create a list of bond candidates that you want to test by creating a simulated tax return for each. Idea and background information.  When I went through this exercise and to keep myself straight, I recorded everything in an Excel spreadsheet: one column/bond candidate, one row/data item needed to compute after-tax income for each bond candidate.  Once you get the first column working for any bond type, then you can copy that column right to create a new column to record the results for the next bond candidate. I chan...
by dratkinson
Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625618

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Follow up to "Replacement anode rod for standing pilot light water heater": https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7653115#p7653115 Gotchas. --Mon. Young plumber showed up without tools, he thought I had them. Rescheduled for Fri/today. --Fri. Business owner showed up with tools, except for needed socket to remove/install anode. He'd tried to find one locally, but no joy. Told him I'd bought one with anode kit. He used it; it worked. --The old anode was a bear to remove. No way could I have removed it by myself. See "This Old House: How to Change a Water Heater Anode Rod": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IUNIUZz4Os --Mr Trethewey used ~4' cheater pipe to break loose old anode. --My plumber's cheater pipe was ~...
by dratkinson
Fri Feb 02, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Guidance
Replies: 8
Views: 1521

Re: Guidance

appreciate the responses dratkinson - so a 30% or 40% allocation of bonds in my taxable is worthwhile for any downturns in the market. naturally i would be foregoing 30-40% investment that can build more but at the cost of not being hurt by a downturn. i normally see around 10% for folks but is that at a different stage of someones life/risk averseness/or? Folks starting out in their 20-30s might decide to have 10% bonds. But with little invested, their bonds would be the little (~10%) in a target date fund. Whether folks invest more/less sooner/later in bonds depends upon our personal risk tolerance. --The case is made that with good health and a good/secure job, our human equity (ability to earn income, pay for our cost of living) serves...
by dratkinson
Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Guidance
Replies: 8
Views: 1521

Re: Guidance

... Secondly, at what point do I start diversifying a bit more from VTI and head towards international plus bond perspective? I struggle with bonds today as I feel I have many years ahead of me still, but thats just a "feeling" versus logic and I have kept on the VTI stance just because quite honestly, its one of the recommendations from a three fund portfolio (clearly I am doing a "single fund" portfolio at the moment so not very clever of me). Since I max out my 401k, mega backdoor, and backdoor, i now sell all my rsu upon vest and leverage that for living expenses across the year (again, any residual after bills I throw to my brokerage account and buy VTI). Thirdly, once I am in my new mortgage situation, should I co...
by dratkinson
Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much emergency cash is too much?
Replies: 32
Views: 3768

Re: How much emergency cash is too much?

Suggested wiki topic: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Emergency_fund Some senior BHs say we don't need a dedicated EF, if we have enough to be able to treat all of our investments as our EFs. I implement that advice as: --1yr of living expenses in checking, savings, mmkt. Enough to postpone CG-reporting hassle from selling investments to pay for smaller emergencies. --Multiple years in bond (muni) funds in taxable. Used as an extended-tier of 1st-tier EFs, or for retirement otherwise. --Multiple years in stock funds in taxable. Used after taxable bonds expended, or for retirement otherwise. --Multiple years in TA (tax-advantaged = traditional/tax-deferred + Roth/tax-free) accounts. Used during doomsday scenario, or for retirement otherwise....
by dratkinson
Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio / Retirement Review
Replies: 17
Views: 2244

Re: Portfolio / Retirement Review

Assuming you have more to invest than will fit into your TA (tax-advantaged = tax-deferred/traditional + tax-free/Roth) accounts (IRA, 401k,...), then can begin investing in your taxable account. These are recommended options for taxable: --TSM (US total stock market index fund/ETF): from Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard. Your choice. --TISM (total international stock market index fund/ETF): from Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard. Your choice. --IT (intermediate term) national municipal bond fund/ETF: VWIUX (low cost only for Vanguard clients), VTEB, or MUB. Your choice. I don't know of any recommended NC single-state munis. Muni funds. Having some bonds in taxable makes life easier by serving multiple duties: more after-tax income than ...
by dratkinson
Sat Jan 27, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: State of Louisiana: Income Tax Return
Replies: 2
Views: 436

Re: State of Louisiana: Income Tax Return

I hope this helps. The tax instructions are king---you must track all of the tax instructions into each line of the tax returns. I'm not a current LA resident, and don't use TaxSlayer ...but this is the way I now* double-check my tax returns (fed+state): Step 1. (Done in Feb, after all tax documents received.) --Get tax return instruction booklets from local public library. --Use all tax documents to create/print draft tax returns. --Wait a few days from my mind to clear. Step 2. --Review each tax return by cross-referencing tax instructions to each line of the tax returns. --If I find an error, then I request help** from the tax s/w supplier to enter an override. So far, so good. (** Email support works well for me. It gives me time to con...
by dratkinson
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625618

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Found an old mechanic who fixed the idle problem on my old truck, that others could not ...now idles like new.
So impressed that I also had him replace timing belt and fix some leaks, so postponed buying another vehicle for another 10yrs/100K miles. :D
by dratkinson
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Need help with math problem
Replies: 36
Views: 3631

Re: Need help with math problem

Apologies for my faulty memory. Assume a taxable account. Back in the days of uncovered shares (prior to 1 Jan 2012?), recall brokerage website showed a 1-line entry for each investment. New shares purchased (new money + reinvested dividends/CGs) increased the cost basis for our 1-line entry. --We'd need to tease out which was what (new money vs reinvested distributions) by going through our transactions history---required when we sold. --To handle this problem, I learned from BHs to track investment lots in Excel, so I knew the cost basis of every lot, so could decide which lots to sell---to control CGs exposure, and to correct 1099B. (CYA: Our offline tracking is reconciled against our brokerage statement each month.) After covered shares...
by dratkinson
Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625618

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Nicolas wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:27 pm
tooluser wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:12 pm I shoveled my own snow using a snow shovel.
It snowed and I didn’t shovel, I just let it lie.
I shovel 2-3 close strips in driveway from front door to sidewalk ...so sun can poke through and warm driveway to melt the rest. :D
by dratkinson
Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should Fixed Income be changed in 3-fund portfolio?
Replies: 95
Views: 8989

Re: Is BND still the right 3rd fund in the Portfolio?

The current inverted-yield interest-rate environment is causing exceptions to all that follows. Answering this question, before topics were merged: "Is BND still the right 3rd fund in the Portfolio?" My opinion.  If we must have price stability, then use insured bond products: savings, CDs, treasury notes/bills/bonds,....   Recalled forum advice.  When saving for future goals, and our time horizon is: --0-5yrs, we should use insured products.  (Our 1st-tier EFs are here.) --5-10yrs, we can use recommended bonds/funds.  (Our extended-tier EFs are here.) -->10yrs, we can use recommended stocks/funds. Bonds.  I only use bond funds as individual bonds are too much trouble for me; let fund managers do the worrying. If you notice, bond ...
by dratkinson
Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving High-Level Advice to Younger People If You Are Older
Replies: 70
Views: 5853

Re: Giving High-Level Advice to Younger People If You Are Older

The short answer. I recall the forum's opinion seems to be that we can't force anyone to learn/do something they don't want to do. The long answer. On the other hand, we can point folks to helpful references ...for when they are ready. I recall reading this and believed it to be good advice, but maybe in more detail than most want, "Collective thoughts [investing mini-reference]": https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7353 I've found these library books to be helpful for young folks just starting out:* -- The Only Investment Guide You’ll Every Need , Andrew Tobias. General personal-finance topics, --or, Making the Most of Your Money , Jane Bryant Quinn. -- The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing . A structured overview of wi...
by dratkinson
Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625618

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

This is my story. I also bought a flexible anode rod, and tried to install it myself on a Bradford-White. The old one did not seem to want to come out, so I hired a plumber. This was a frugal-fail, because I had purchased wrenches. I do regularly follow the instructions to drain off some water. I bought the 30 dollar kit and also an adjustable breaker bar (telescoping) from Harbor Freight down the road. Even with all valves closed did spill a little water on the basement floor which flowed to the drain and hence to the sump. Took 10 minutes. Previous anode completely gone except for rusty center post. Heater was 10 years old at the time. Hard water, have water softener. Plan to recheck and replace if necessary after three years, which will...
by dratkinson
Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625618

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Replacement anode rod for standing pilot light water heater. After reading your post, I watched a YouTube video.  It looks very simple to replace an anode rod. Screw the old one out and screw a new one in.  Why did you hire a plumber? Plumber hasn't been hired yet as we're still talking.  The business called was WH's installer from 6yrs ago ...and they were easy to work with.  So planned these steps back then: call 'em back after warranty expires, install segmented replacement anode, notice condition/wear on removed anode to wag a better replacement interval,.... Agree it's probably a simple job, but the devil is in the details ...so thought watching someone experienced would be helpful.  I don't mind paying a little more to avoid gotchas....
by dratkinson
Sun Jan 14, 2024 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625618

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Replacement anode rod for standing pilot light water heater. --My new 40gal Rheem WH is 6yrs old this month so out of warranty. So called installer to come back and swap anode. --Because of low ceiling, they planned to send out two plumbers, drain/disconnect WH, and tip it over to remove/install a new solid anode. Me: Whoa! Wait a second. I talked to your parts guy when WH was installed and told him about my low ceiling, and he suggested using a flexible replacement anode to get around low-ceiling problem; something like: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-PROTECH-54-in-by-0-84-in-Diameter-Flexible-Magnesium-Anode-Rod-for-Electric-and-Gas-Water-Heaters-SP8371B/205652259 . He: We don't have that part in stock and our cost is $200 from Bradfo...