Search found 4793 matches

by Tom_T
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cash balance plan asset allocation
Replies: 3
Views: 608

Re: Cash balance plan asset allocation

It sounds inordinately complicated and unnecessary to me. What is magical about a 5% yield?
by Tom_T
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It seems that intermediate bond funds generate the lowest yield now
Replies: 11
Views: 2306

Re: It seems that intermediate bond funds generate the lowest yield now

Looking at the yield curve: https://fixedincome.fidelity.com/ftgw/fi/FILanding?bar=p#tbcurrent-yields|median-yield It seems that intermediate bond funds generate the lowest yield now compared with short-term and long-term bond funds. And the phenomenon has last for a while. Not sure when this will change. Anyone thinks that we should swap current intermediate bond funds with short-term and long-term bond funds while keeping the duration of the bond portfolio the same? It is impossible to always earn a maximum yield unless you are clairvoyant. Nobody can answer your question with anything other than a guess about the future. That is not a basis for changing one's allocation. Just accept that your bond yields can't be optimized. All they hav...
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2465

Re: Election spam texts

You should also be careful that the text isn't phishing. It may say "help us defeat X in November", but who knows where the link is pointing to.
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes & Social Security calculation
Replies: 11
Views: 1283

Re: Taxes & Social Security calculation

What you take out of your solo business is your decision, but that's not what the OP is evaluating. How is he going to report more income?
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes & Social Security calculation
Replies: 11
Views: 1283

Re: Taxes & Social Security calculation

For the record, discussions of dishonest behavior or bypassing the law is totally unacceptable . Taxes are based on US law. Intentionally filing a tax return that does not match your actual income (misreporting your income) is therefore illegal and is known as tax evasion . pearlmoon - What did you mean by "report" higher income? Do you mean working more to earn higher income which shows up on the SSA report? Is paying oneself illegal? People do this all the time, for example those that need to catch up on their social security points. They file a 1099-se and pay the proper tax. What’s wrong with increasing one’s salary? He's a sole proprietor. All of his income is reported as income, and he pays the payroll tax on net income. Th...
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many are holding cash right now?
Replies: 203
Views: 31069

Re: How many are holding cash right now?

nassau34 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:22 am Right, but then what do you do when money market account yields decline, and bond purchases are unattractive due to declining interest rates, and the stock market is at all-time highs?
If you bought bonds now, they will go up in price if rates drop. There is no law that says we can expect to earn 5% at all times. :(
by Tom_T
Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
Replies: 156
Views: 9910

Re: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?

I didn't know this, but Patients can change insurance only during end-of-year enrollment periods or at the time of “qualifying life events,” such as a divorce or job change. But insurers’ contracts with doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies (or their middlemen, so-called pharmacy benefit managers) can change abruptly at any time. Source: How your in-network health coverage can vanish before you know it. I think that would apply to some Medicare Advantage plans. It would, but if you receive care from a provider who leaves the network, I believe that is a qualifying event for guaranteed issue of Medigap or to change to a different Advantage plan. Interesting. I had not heard that and would like to know more about that if it is true...
by Tom_T
Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2937
Views: 611511

Re: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…

anoop wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:49 pm
Tom_T wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:05 pm
anoop wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 9:57 am Today I sold out of all my TIPS. I had been thinking about this for a while. I don't think they are a good product *for me* since the way inflation is measured doesn't seem to have any correlation to my spending.
What is your alternative? Nominal bonds have no gurantee against inflation. Stocks are volatile.
Unfortunately, there is none. :(
Then TIPS still make sense, unless you want to take on more equity risk in the hope of beating your personal inflation.
by Tom_T
Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2937
Views: 611511

Re: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…

anoop wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 9:57 am Today I sold out of all my TIPS. I had been thinking about this for a while. I don't think they are a good product *for me* since the way inflation is measured doesn't seem to have any correlation to my spending.
What is your alternative? Nominal bonds have no gurantee against inflation. Stocks are volatile.
by Tom_T
Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Not filing state return because of zero tax
Replies: 15
Views: 1152

Re: Not filing state return because of zero tax

No issues. Plenty of people only file Federal because they're under their state's income threshold. But, some states require it no matter what. Don't assume anything just because your tax is zero. What is your state's rule about who must file?
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP/UHC Medigap policies
Replies: 40
Views: 3174

Re: AARP/UHC Medigap policies

We are in the process of signing up for Medicare. Living in NJ once we pick a plan we may be pretty much "stuck" on it for the rest of our lives. With the research I have done it seems that sticking to a larger Medigap insurance carrier is usually the way to go since they have more people in the plan to spread out expenses. I'm also aware that corporations need to make a profit to stay in business. The major insurance companies in NJ for Medigap are AARP/UHC, BC/BS, Cigna, Aetna, Humana and off in a distance is Mutual of Omaha (MOO). UHC is the largest by far, Cigna is selling (or sold) it's Advantage business, Aetna and Humana are very small in NJ and MOO seems to close plans every so often and reopen a new plan under one of it'...
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Switching from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare
Replies: 18
Views: 2810

Re: Switching from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare

According to georgia.gov:

"If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment. "

https://georgia.gov/news/2020-10-16/med ... enrollment

However, if you also want a Medigap plan, you may be subject to medical underwriting. I would check with your state's SHIP office.

https://aging.georgia.gov/georgia-ship
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
Replies: 156
Views: 9910

Re: Your Original Medicare Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?

I don't see how waiting for specialists and getting an appointment as a new patient is a problem specific to Medicare. That's an issue for everybody.

I have Medicare and Medigap. I have never had to lift a finger for any billing issue. And, I've had surgery. It is all seamless from my perspective. Having Medigap definitely helps, as tibbetts said.

Prescription drugs are based on your Part D plan, and that can be an issue. That said, I've paid next to nothing for a number of basic medications. My last antibiotic was free at Costco. I do have to take a specialty med soon, and that will cost me, but it would cost me even with private insurance.
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wordle [Anyone playing Wordle?]
Replies: 393
Views: 43395

Re: Wordle [Anyone playing Wordle?]

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:53 pm Love Wordle, spelling bee, etc. connections is my current favorite - it’s often the first thing I do when I wake up.
Literally my morning routine:

Feed cat (who starts meowing at 4:30 or so)
Make coffee
Do Connections, Wordle, Spelling Bee, Mini crossword, regular crossword
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELP! Need Credit Card Advice for Young Adult
Replies: 14
Views: 934

Re: HELP! Need Credit Card Advice for Young Adult

Hi -- I am a 21 year old looking for a new credit card. A few years ago, I opened one through my bank with little to no benefits to earn a high credit score and eventually transition to a better card. I am now looking for that card but am not sure where to start. There are a lot of options! I mostly use my current card for gas, rent, utilities, and groceries. All advice is welcome! I am new to BogleHeads and would love to learn from your wisdom. I would not play the credit card game at your age. You probably don’t have the expenses to spend enough to get significant bonuses or the income to ensure you always pay it to zero. You will increase your financial wellbeing more by budgeting and saving and improving your career, rather than spendi...
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts
Replies: 22
Views: 1298

Re: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts

No question it is a maze. But again I would challenge one example. I would like to see more actual statistics. Might have to dig to find them and I know that some plans are better than others. The problem is that there is no way to tell what plan will be best/cheapest until you know your medical needs. If you never get sick, MA will be cheapest. After that, it's a question of what medical services you will be using. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You really have to think of the "insurance" part of it, as protection against unforeseen events. It will be hard to figure out what you're getting for your money if you don't know your future health. I don't think it is true that MA is the cheapest "only" if you never ge...
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts
Replies: 22
Views: 1298

Re: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts

trueson1 wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 1:12 pm
No question it is a maze. But again I would challenge one example. I would like to see more actual statistics. Might have to dig to find them and I know that some plans are better than others.
The problem is that there is no way to tell what plan will be best/cheapest until you know your medical needs. If you never get sick, MA will be cheapest. After that, it's a question of what medical services you will be using. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You really have to think of the "insurance" part of it, as protection against unforeseen events. It will be hard to figure out what you're getting for your money if you don't know your future health.
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts
Replies: 22
Views: 1298

Re: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts

Many people simply can't afford Medicare, so I can see the allure of a dirt-cheap MA policy. There is another Forbes article, about why MA is so cheap: it's pay later vs. pay now. They gave the following as an example of how you can pay more with MA. It's a story from 2022, so the numbers would likely be higher now. A beneficiary in Chicago broke her hip. Her medical care included an emergency room visit, x-rays, an MRI, hospital admission, a skilled nursing facility stay, and outpatient physical therapy. With Original Medicare and Plan G, her total costs were capped at $1,637 (monthly premium of $117 plus $233). Copayments with a Medicare Advantage PPO (preferred provider organization) plan totaled $3,140. Another beneficiary living in New...
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blackout shades for bedroom
Replies: 30
Views: 2152

Re: Blackout shades for bedroom

In my daughter's apartment, I installed a double curtain rod. The inner rod holds a light-filtering curtain (for when she wants light), and the outer rod holds a blackout curtain (for when she's asleep.) She opens up the blackout curtain during the day if she wants light.
by Tom_T
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off and want to downshift
Replies: 30
Views: 4761

Re: Laid off and want to downshift

Your assumptions might be overly optimistic.

People tend to underestimate their expenses. If you say you need $22.5 a year, that sounds almost too exact unless you know exactly what you spend. Also, there will be unexpected expenses. What if you need a new car? Or a new roof? What about college?

One other thing: if anything happens to your wife's income, you're in serious financial trouble.

It's fair to say that if you're 35 years old with a family, and you need to withdraw over $1000/month from your savings to pay the bills, you might be spending too much money.
by Tom_T
Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47
Replies: 90
Views: 7576

Re: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47

If you want to run faster, you have to run longer and slower. Check out 80/20 workouts. I would be grateful if you had a link (or links!) to answer a specific question: Does zone 2 training help if you keep your workout TIME the same? To illustrate: If I can run (or elliptical or whatever) at, say, 6 miles per hour and my choices are: Run for one hour at 6 miles per hour (so 6 miles), or Run for one hour at 5 miles per hour (so 5 miles) Does running at 5 miles per hour "help"? or would I need to keep the *distance* the same and so increase my workout to 1 hour and 12 minutes? It APPEARS that one of the primary benefits of zone-2 training is that you can do a lot more of it. But if one isn't going to increase the time spent on exe...
by Tom_T
Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47
Replies: 90
Views: 7576

Re: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47

rockstar wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:30 am If you want to run faster, you have to run longer and slower. Check out 80/20 workouts.
+1. Many novice runners (and some others) don't understand the physiology of running and what makes you faster.

But as I said earlier, the OP needs to decide what purpose his running serves. Training for a 5K is very different than general fitness.
by Tom_T
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47
Replies: 90
Views: 7576

Re: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47

In a nutshell I alternate half mile of treadmill running at 8.5/9.0 mph with a set of bench press and pull ups. I feel exhausted at the end of the workout and I do the last half mile at a slower 8.0 mph. I am unable to do this every day as my legs feel tired and sore. If I do it everyday then I find I need to lower my speed. So I do this around three times a week. But the problem is I can't seem to increase the speed on the treadmill . I seem to have plateaued at this 8.5 mph speed. Is it due to age or wrong workout regiment? And if I take a week off then I come back quite slower, usually at 8.0/8.5 mph pace. Here's the exact workout: Run 0.5 miles on treadmill at 8.5 mph speed Do 1 set of bench press 10 repetitions Run 0.5 miles on treadm...
by Tom_T
Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: When do you tax-loss harvest?
Replies: 15
Views: 1499

When do you tax-loss harvest?

I'm curious about when people decide to tax-loss harvest. I'm contemplating my own plans should we have a market downturns this year. Do you wait until you have a $3000 loss? Less? Or even more, if you are carrying it over?
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I retire?
Replies: 41
Views: 4741

Re: Can I retire?

Apologies to the thread for my snarky comment. We get a few "can I retire" posts from people who have millions of dollars and clearly can retire... but I get that there are a lot of moving parts, and a transition is a transition no matter what. OP asked a sincere question. Mea culpa.
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I retire?
Replies: 41
Views: 4741

Re: Can I retire?

deleted
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving (unequal) money to adult children
Replies: 90
Views: 8258

Re: Giving (unequal) money to adult children

"a misadventure on my adult child's part" ?

I wouldn't give any more money. How can you even trust what you're being told?
by Tom_T
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I retire?
Replies: 41
Views: 4741

Re: Can I retire?

deleted
by Tom_T
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How big (if at all) of a mistake would it be for me to go VT instead of VTI/VXUS in taxable?
Replies: 67
Views: 5529

Re: Strongly regretting my decision to separate into VTI/VXUS in taxable account instead of VT, unsure how to best proce

Here is the main problem with this level of tweaking: the tweaker never goes back to look at what the results would have been without any tweaking at all. They think that by doing something, they are improving the results.
by Tom_T
Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How big (if at all) of a mistake would it be for me to go VT instead of VTI/VXUS in taxable?
Replies: 67
Views: 5529

Re: Strongly regretting my decision to separate into VTI/VXUS in taxable account instead of VT, unsure how to best proce

To quote yourself, you're making a big deal out of nothing and that the exact percentages don't really matter as long as it's close enough. :)

Seriously. You're concerned that one side might be $14K unbalanced? Out of millions? Not only are you overthinking this, you are WAY overthinking this. You are not going to improve your results by micromanaging your allocations on a daily basis, or a weekly basis, or even a monthly basis.
by Tom_T
Mon Mar 04, 2024 6:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Good or bad time to invest in S&P 500 for Roth IRA?
Replies: 30
Views: 3804

Re: Good or bad time to invest in S&P 500 for Roth IRA?

newinvestor345 wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 3:41 am So, if I invest in these funds now that the markets are hot, would I not set myself up for losses as soon as the market cools down again?
Are you thinking that it's possible to invest in stocks and never show a loss? If you know how to do that, you will be very wealthy. :)

Also, losses on paper aren't realized unless you sell. Think of the market as a roller coaster. The idea is to ride out the ups and downs along the way. If you are investing for 25 years, it doesn't matter where the market is today. Most likely, you won't even remember. Quick - what was the Dow in 1999?

(Answer: 10,481. Today it is around 38,000.)
by Tom_T
Sun Mar 03, 2024 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare: 64 Year Old Eyeing 2025 Medicare
Replies: 168
Views: 11433

Re: Medicare: 64 Year Old Eyeing 2025 Medicare

So for the OP, what is critical is that you read the rules in YOUR state (and any other state where you might want to live in the future.) The OP is in Pennsylvania. The dead pool thread that I linked to is about Pennsylvania. It is possible to move to another state that allows you to switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting. However, that is a big change. It's better to select the right plan at age 65. It's no secret that I'm in Pennsylvania. Exactly. That’s why I’m trying to understand all of this way ahead of time. When I was doing my Medigap homework, I found this guy to offer the best and most realistic no-nonsense advice about choosing a company. He's also on YouTube. There's another guy on YouTube who is popular but actuall...
by Tom_T
Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Psychology of Retirement (Your thought and experience, please!)
Replies: 38
Views: 5042

Re: The Psychology of Retirement (Your thought and experience, please!)

Outer Marker wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 6:48 am 100% WFH with 7-8 weeks paid leave and good comp sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Retiring at 56 with only $1M in investable assets does not sound like it would support a comfortable long retirement in a HCOL area, though your husband is working. Personally, I'd keep going and make the most of your generous time off with family. Bailing now will permantly reduce your standard of living for the rest of your life.
+1
by Tom_T
Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689846

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Rewatching the original Frasier . I had forgotten just how clever the writing was. Just finished a six-episode season of Funny Woman on PBS. British show about a free-spirited girl trying to make her way in comedy in 1960s London. It's cute, and the soundtrack brings back memories. We really enjoyed Funny Woman. We streamed it through our PBS Passport membership which didn't bleep any of the dialog. (It's not that I wanted to hear all the four letter words, but when watching it live/recorded on our local PBS channel, so many words were muted that it broke up the dialog too much.) I liked the soundtrack, the 60s clothing and that beautiful red Austin Healey. It will be back for a second season, in the form of four one-hour episodes.
by Tom_T
Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689846

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Just started watching the remake of Shogun, on FX. I remember the original 1980 miniseries very well. Remake is very good; dialogue and cast seem more realistic.
by Tom_T
Sat Mar 02, 2024 8:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I want to pay off car using money from Roth IRA
Replies: 40
Views: 4471

Re: I want to pay off car using money from Roth IRA

You're talking about spending 2.4% of your assets for a car. Just do it. You don't need to take an Uber or eat cat food.
by Tom_T
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest cash when interest goes down
Replies: 52
Views: 5195

Re: Invest cash when interest goes down

The narrative that the Fed is definitely cutting rates this year has already been thrown out the window. It's far from certain, and in fact, one Fed manager even suggested that another hike might be necessary. My point is that you should not follow prevailing narratives (which may be old but continue to circulate as if they were facts.) For example, a number of people have set up CD ladders. That's certainly a valid approach. But, guess what happens if the Fed sticks with its "higher for longer" strategy? The people in CD ladders will be earning 4% while the MM fund continues to earn 5%. Or maybe the Fed cuts rates enough so that the MM fund earns 4% instead of 5%. That's no better or worse than the CD (where your money is tied up...
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?
Replies: 28
Views: 3524

Re: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?

This is all based on appetite for risk, but if it were me, I'd have zero in stocks (and zero in bond funds) if college is only two years away. I don't see the purpose in taking on risk for what will be a six-year investment timeframe (actually less than that, since senior year of college starts in fall 2029, and your final tuition payment would likely be paid by the end of December 2029.)

I don't see how past performance is a factor. Why in the world would I want to worry AT ALL about the tuition accounts?

I get that everyone has their own viewpoint, however.
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which pizza shop should I invest in?
Replies: 19
Views: 1464

Re: Which pizza shop should I invest in?

Neither. Pizza places are a dime a dozen. As for promises to "buy you out"... are you prepared to (1) get that in writing, and (2) sue them if they change their minds? Previous post said it best: don't do this with family members.
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortality etc...
Replies: 16
Views: 1986

Re: Mortality etc...

If you haven't yet done so, a meeting with an estate planning attorney will help you get a handle on everything you need to do to plan for the future. Even if it's years away, at least you'll get an idea of what to consider.
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SS Delay Bridge - But how?
Replies: 21
Views: 2188

Re: SS Delay Bridge - But how?

This may not be the best place for this question (I can move it) but looking at that tipsladder.com tool and testing it, I have a few questions and possibly the OP would have similar ones. 1. There are 4 "rung" options and it wasn't clear to me how they affect things or what the desired selection would normally be. 2. I entered in data saying I would want $50K a year from 2026 to 2032 and the results were confusing. For example it showed that for 2032 that my net purchase cost would be $56,048 but my total income would only be $50,962. That has been confused. Not sure if this link will work https://www.tipsladder.com/build?incomeRequirementKind=Avg&firstYear=2026&income=50000&yearCount=7&bondChoiceForGap=NearestBo...
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND vs Treasury ladder
Replies: 28
Views: 3805

Re: BND vs Treasury ladder

What about using low ER bond funds instead of Treasury instruments directly? Wouldn't this have the same problem as other bond funds? i.e. the bond fund is constantly buying new stuff when money rolls in, then selling stuff when redemptions take place or if they decide otherwise etc. and you have no control over what is happening inside that black box and how it's affecting the money you've put in. I believe the duration on the Treasury funds is just the average duration, for example VFITX (Vanguard Intermediate Term Treasury Fund) is also holding some 30 year bonds in there. Yes, absolutely. If you need to sell from your bond fund, you could be losing money. The bond fund, of course, could also go up in price if rates fall. It depends on ...
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PlanVision vs Maxifii/NewRetirement/ProjectionLab
Replies: 30
Views: 2406

Re: PlanVision vs Maxifii/NewRetirement/ProjectionLab

I don't like NewRetirement because although it allows you to model Roth conversions, it doesn't let you incorporate/save them into your plan. You're supposed to just make a note of them for the future! Ridiculously bad omission. I think I understand what you are saying, but I am not sure you are correct. NewRetirement has a separate module Roth Conversion Explorer that allows one to model Roth Conversions with different options, like maximize estate, maximize lowest lifetime income, etc., but does NOT allow one to then incorporate these into the plan by a simple click . But you can enter and save the suggested conversion under Money Flows in the regular plan. Go to Money Flows>>>>Roth Conversions>>>>>Model A Roth Conversions>>>>Source/Amou...
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mid-career change to law?
Replies: 127
Views: 11686

Re: Mid-career change to law?

I’m a pretty happy lawyer. I’ve had a good career with interesting jobs and now have my own firm in niche area. I don’t think 40 is too old to go to law school. Mitchell Hamline school of law is filling up classes in mostly online program that attracts all sorts of people from around the country who want a legal education but don’t necessarily want to practice. Many of them already have second careers. A person can make a good living as a lawyer. But the vast majority of lawyers are not wealthy. It’s not clear where your impressions about the field come from. I think you should have lunch with at least a dozen lawyers in different types of practices and learn about what their experience has been. AI is not only going to change the practice...
by Tom_T
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PlanVision vs Maxifii/NewRetirement/ProjectionLab
Replies: 30
Views: 2406

Re: PlanVision vs Maxifii/NewRetirement/ProjectionLab

I don't like NewRetirement because although it allows you to model Roth conversions, it doesn't let you incorporate/save them into your plan. You're supposed to just make a note of them for the future! Ridiculously bad omission.
by Tom_T
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?
Replies: 30
Views: 5276

Re: How can Medicare Part D be this cheap?

One thing I learned about Wellcare this year is that their specialty pharmacy, AcariaHealth, is a nightmare to deal with.
by Tom_T
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND vs Treasury ladder
Replies: 28
Views: 3805

Re: BND vs Treasury ladder

stocknoob4111 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:34 pm
RyeBourbon wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:39 am I think there are notes maturing in 4 years, e.g. https://fixedincome.fidelity.com/ftgw/f ... =91282CGP0
Looks like an original 5 year note on the secondary market? It has a 4.0 coupon and the current 5 year is yield 25 bps more. So, is there a discount to buying this one?

Edit - nvm, I see the Bid/Ask on the price tab and the Yield to Ask is 4.32%
Does it show ask prices below 100 ?
by Tom_T
Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Still trying to understand TIPS
Replies: 42
Views: 4673

Re: Still trying to understand TIPS

jeffyscott wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:53 am ^ Yes, but I was talking about the total return on the money, not the yield of the bond. In my example of the $10K par bond, the total return on that $10K over the 5 years is partly dependent on the returns on reinvested coupons.

So going back to the start of this controversy, it's total annualized return on $X over the term of the bond vs. the return (aka yield) of the bond. Two different meanings for "return".
It's not a controversy because nobody other than you has multiple meanings of "return." Once you get a coupon a.k.a. cash, that's the end of the story. You can spend it, save it, burn it, whatever, but it no longer has anything to do with the original investment.
by Tom_T
Thu Feb 29, 2024 5:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card bonus eligibility
Replies: 8
Views: 1091

Credit card bonus eligibility

For those of you who like to gather credit card signup bonuses, are you eligible if you get a different type card from the same bank? Or do they consider you to be a current customer regardless of the type of card, and therefore ineligible for the bonus?

I had a Capital One travel rewards card this year that I recently closed. There's another Capital One card, not a travel card, that has a modest signup bonus. Would I be eligible for that? I can call and ask, but I'd like to know what your experience has been if you like to play this game.
by Tom_T
Thu Feb 29, 2024 5:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When to Sell T-Bill Position?
Replies: 8
Views: 1135

Re: When to Sell T-Bill Position?

I think the OP is misinterpreting what the "gain" actually means.

OP, you can demonstrate for yourself: pretend you sell the bond today. You have X. Then pretend you get money market interest on X for two weeks. What is the total amount you now have? How does it compare to the maturity value you will get if you don't sell?