Search found 54 matches

by Cooperd0g
Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Recommended Brokerage (or other) for Business Accounts
Replies: 4
Views: 713

Re: Recommended Brokerage (or other) for Business Accounts

jaquelsse, thank you. And thank you for the note about municipal money market accounts. I don't really need to link my personal account. I'd rather just have it be its own account and log in for the business. I'm not necessarily interested in replacing our traditional banking, just having a place with better options to hold reserve cash and business investment money for future growth that isn't a checking account with 0% interest.
by Cooperd0g
Tue Jan 10, 2023 5:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Recommended Brokerage (or other) for Business Accounts
Replies: 4
Views: 713

Recommended Brokerage (or other) for Business Accounts

My my LLC/S-Corp consulting business I'm looking for a better place to hold cash as well as investment income. Primarily I want to hold some cash for the business "emergency fund" to cover expected expenses in case of a downturn in revenue. I'm also looking to have a place for potential medium to longer term funds that may be used for future business related investments such as buying an office building. I'd appreciate recommendations to look at. I gave Vanguard a quick look, but it looks like they have accounts for personal investors (I have my own IRA with them), small business retirement accounts (we aren't using retirement with them) and institutional investors (I doubt I qualify). Fidelity looks like they might have a good op...
by Cooperd0g
Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Business LLC (S-Corp) Taxes
Replies: 2
Views: 296

Re: New Business LLC (S-Corp) Taxes

Awesome, thanks. Looks like I better get on it soon then!
by Cooperd0g
Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Business LLC (S-Corp) Taxes
Replies: 2
Views: 296

New Business LLC (S-Corp) Taxes

Last year I started a consulting business with two others. It is formed as an LLC with an EIN as an S-Corp for tax purposes. While we have some revenue from last year, it was overall a losing year with start up costs and no salary was paid.

My understanding is that the business will file their own taxes under the EIN. That process will generate schedule K1s for myself and my partners. From there we will use the K1s to complete our own personal income taxes. I hope that one day things will be more complex and will gladly use an accountant, but I'd still like to have a good understanding of the very basics.
by Cooperd0g
Fri Feb 12, 2021 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Writing Rate/Fee
Replies: 1
Views: 425

Writing Rate/Fee

I have a fairly unique set of qualifications. A company has recently asked me to contribute a regular article to their blog. Their goal is to provide expanding services and use me and my qualifications to generate that. What would be a ballpark fee structure for providing these kinds of articles to them?
by Cooperd0g
Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Maximizing Credit Card Rewards
Replies: 39
Views: 4685

Re: Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

It's not a bad idea, but it seems really hard to buy the gift cards with a credit card right now. I haven't seen that in a year or so. Most stores stopped taking credit cards to buy them.
by Cooperd0g
Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Small Mortgage or TSP Loan?
Replies: 11
Views: 1675

Re: Take Small Mortgage or TSP Loan?

I would do the TSP.

On a related note, people always seem to talk about the "missed" opportunity from using the tsp or other 401(k) loans. But in reality one probably has fixed income part of their portfolio anyway. If the liability amount is similar to the fixed income allocation you lose nothing. If it isn't that similar then the question is if you are okay with the increase in fixed income allocation for the loan duration. After all, the TSP loan is earning interest and the overall "missed" opportunity could have been negative anyway.

I have a TSP loan that covered part of a property I bought recently for my future residence.
by Cooperd0g
Tue Mar 22, 2016 12:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prepay mortgage vs invest for 2nd home down payment?
Replies: 6
Views: 1270

Re: Prepay mortgage vs invest for 2nd home down payment?

I don't like option 2 at all. The main difference between 1 & 3 in my opinion is how secure you feel your employment is and how you feel about cash flow. Option 4 could be to pay off the mortgage while setting aside part of your portfolio to a safer investment to be your down payment later. You only give up the potential difference in growth, which is no guarantee over three years anyway.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Re: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

Cooperd0g, Assume your worst fears: The development sells out and there are no other developments that suit your needs. Do you think that five years from now none of those owners would consider selling their land? Also, as I asked before, I wonder what carrying costs ( e.g. , property taxes, insurance, association fees, and keeping it clean/maintained) you'll have for the raw land for the period before you make significant use of it. MichDad Some may. In fact two of the lots currently available are resale. Obviously some lots may be preferred over others due to location on the overall development. I apologize for not addressing your comment before on the carrying costs. I plan to explore those when I visit the development in the spring.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Re: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

I am legitimately interested in opinion, especially articulate ones with reason other than blanket statements like "never do X." My question has more to do with if I decide to buy it then is it a good idea to borrow from the TSP as opposed to trying to borrow from a bank/seller/family. As another has pointed out the difference is between the interest rate and the fees and the TSP will likely be lower on both accounts. It seemed to me, prior to posting this, that the most common reason why people recommend AGAINST borrowing from 401(k)s had to do more with the possibility of job loss and requirement to pay the loan back in full on short notice without the ability to do so, which is not a factor in my case. I was interested in heari...
by Cooperd0g
Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Re: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

TimeRunner wrote:Sometimes emotion rules logic, and no matter how the math shakes out, the heart stands in the way. :wink:
For sure. I know the best financial move would be to wait, save and pay cash.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Re: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

jimb, I understand your math examples, but you are also comparing a guaranteed savings versus a hypothetical return. The market could very well go down 7 points a year over the same time I'm paying the loan back. Also, I will have cash for the balance above the $50k loan.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Re: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

Yes, general purpose loan. I wouldn't need longer than 3-5 years to pay it off anyway. Possibly less than 3. The lot is 3 acres. A cabin would be built first and then a house later, but the cabin would remain. It would not be torn down. The property is on an airpark that has 27 lots total with only 9 lots remaining for sale. So it isn't really raw undeveloped land, but a lot in a development that is mostly complete already. My wife and I would like to build our own home versus buying an existing home so buying a lot at some point is in our plan. The main decision is do I try and buy it earlier while there are still some left or do I spend a couple of more years saving and hope one is still available. The property would be used for vacation ...
by Cooperd0g
Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Re: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

I would borrow $50k from the TSP and have cash for the balance. The property is in the $70-80k range. Payment on the loan is not going to be a problem on a 5 year term and I would likely pay it off in 3 years. I won't buy until after I visit the are this coming spring. I already know I love the overall area, just need to make sure I like the specific location. I am 38 now. When I say "under contract" with the military I mean commitment. My remaining training and service obligation goes out another 12-13 years. As such, I'm not concerned about job lose. I understand your math and appreciate at the example. I'm not familiar with borrowing money for raw land purchase though. From what little I have seen they are either really high ra...
by Cooperd0g
Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 5373

Borrowing from TSP for lot purchase

I currently max out my TSP, Roth IRA and my wife's IRA. We keep our expenses pretty low and were able to pay off all of her student loans a few months ago. We are looking at buying a lot in a few months time that would eventually serve as a vacation property and then retirement home. Our goal is to buy the lot and then slowly build the property up with a cabin and then later a house. We won't have the cash to buy the lot when we visit the property in the spring. I know that it is generally frowned upon to borrow from 401(k)/TSP, but I'm not sure if that is mostly due to having to suddenly pay it back in the event of job loss. In my case I'm pretty much under contract with the military for another 12-13 years so job loss isn't a real concern...
by Cooperd0g
Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Withdrawal Strategies
Replies: 4
Views: 707

Re: Withdrawal Strategies

I appreciate that feedback about delaying social security, but that part is out of my hands. He doesn't want to delay taking social security. He is planning to work through February so he should be able to contribute to a Roth IRA in 2015 as well. With his expected social security and a 4% withdrawal he should be able to have an annual income just shy of $50k. Expected living expenses are well within that amount. I guess I'm looking more for withdrawal strategies related to taxes in particular.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Withdrawal Strategies
Replies: 4
Views: 707

Withdrawal Strategies

I have been helping my father, at his request, with organizing his finances over the last few years as he approaches retirement. He is selling his house right now and plans to live with family until the spring when he will stop working and take his motorcycle to Eurpoe and travel full time. He will be 61 at the time. He will not have to pay captial gains on the sale of his house. He intends to begin taking social security next fall when he turns 62, which is something he is firm on and doesn't want to delay. Expected total income from social security and 4% withdrawals exceed projected living expenses. His assets are described as the will be once he rolls his 401(k) over and closes on his house: Traditional IRA - $580k in Vanguard TR2015 (V...
by Cooperd0g
Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP over contribution
Replies: 12
Views: 3362

Re: TSP over contribution

Thanks, that is the same document I found and just was looking for confirmation I was on the right track. It is just a little frustrating since it isn't supposed to happen. Though the TSP-44 form says not to file it if I don't have any other plans because they will automatically refund the excess. And upon further review of my January LES, there is an $8 credit on there. I guess I'm in the clear.
by Cooperd0g
Sun Feb 02, 2014 7:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP over contribution
Replies: 12
Views: 3362

TSP over contribution

I am active duty military and receive no match. I followed all the information on the TSP website, which was to take the total amount ($17,500) and divide by 12. Then round up to the nearest dollar to ensure you max out the annual contribution. The TSP is supposed to automatically stop pulling money out to ensure you don't over contribute. So I put $1459 per month and they took out $1459 all 12 months. My W-2 shows a contribution of $17,508. These are all Roth contributions. I suppose I need to request a return of excess now, don't I?
by Cooperd0g
Sun Jan 05, 2014 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond fund for taxable account
Replies: 24
Views: 5061

Re: Best bond fund for taxable account

I am in a similar position, but my taxable account has a different timeline than my tax advantaged retirement accounts. I have 12 years left in the military. My pension and part time work will get me through until 59.5. My taxable account is being set up to pay for my post-military retirement home. But I may actually "buy" it over time: buy the lot one year, build a hangar and guest cabin a few years later, and then finally the house right around military retirement. So some money will get pulled out, but it also may go a few years without taking anything out. I can handle the volatility because if it has a bad year I just won't take anything out then as I'll be pretty flexible, but I also am not sure I want a full stock portfolio...
by Cooperd0g
Sat Jan 04, 2014 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What does a Bogle TV look like?
Replies: 78
Views: 8457

Re: What does a Bogle TV look like?

Well, this guys TV is a pretty sweet 42" Samsung Smart LED TV. My wife's parents bought it for her. I got an awesome TV and it didn't cost me a dime.
by Cooperd0g
Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTSAX vs VTIAX
Replies: 4
Views: 5047

Re: VTSAX vs VTIAX

I think it is fine either way, but I did like Rick's blog article. http://www.rickferri.com/blog/investmen ... -long-run/

To keep the costs low I was in VTSAX only until I had enough that 30% was over the $10,000 minimum for VTIAX. Now I'm 70/30. Once I get it built up a bit more I will split off some to a bond fund as well.
by Cooperd0g
Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Achievement based Allocation
Replies: 9
Views: 1229

Re: Achievement based Allocation

If I was already way far ahead of plan I would throttle back the risk.
by Cooperd0g
Thu Dec 12, 2013 6:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Affordability of new home
Replies: 21
Views: 3489

Re: Affordability of new home

If you want to enjoy the flexibility and personal satisfaction of being financially independent, which will allow you to change jobs easily or quit entirely then I would wait to buy a house and seriously rethink the idea of a $550,000 place. You didn't give a zip code, but in many places in south Florida that will get you a freaking mansion or penthouse. Is that really worth the money? Do you really need that much of a place? Live a bit more modestly and you'll be able to pay cash for a place like that somewhere you may truly want to live instead of where you happen to work right now. Most docs change jobs within the first 2-3 years after residency.
by Cooperd0g
Thu Dec 12, 2013 5:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSP Survey on Self-Directed Mutual Fund Window
Replies: 35
Views: 5295

Re: TSP Survey on Self-Directed Mutual Fund Window

I want to vote "not interested" as I agree with TimeRunner - too many people will vary from the excellent existing funds. What many people on this board may not understand is just how financially uneducated and unprepared many of our younger service members are, I was one of them!

I only see links to the 2011 survey. I'm logged in, but don't see this new survey on the Plan News and Announcements page.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card
Replies: 7
Views: 2189

Re: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card

veekay wrote:You can also BT to another credit card that does not have a balance. This will result in a credit balance and you can request a refund. Worked for me when I BTed from Chase Slate (same offer as you) to a Citi credit card. I requested a refund from the Citi credit card and got a check in the mail. The refund request can be done online.
Thanks, I didn't realize this, or like what RobInCT said, could be done.

Watty, I won't be able to qualify for the interest deduction. It is too small of a percentage of our income. And I agree with you regarding the investing. I'm on on a good pace/path for that already so it won't be much trouble.
by Cooperd0g
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card
Replies: 7
Views: 2189

Re: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card

I didn't think about the balance transfer of to the debit card. Did you just say how much you wanted transferred? I just assumed that you put the card number and they figure out what the balance is and then transfer that amount.
by Cooperd0g
Tue Dec 10, 2013 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card
Replies: 7
Views: 2189

Re: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card

Yeah, sometimes I overthink things. Especially when I'm procrastinating studying.
by Cooperd0g
Tue Dec 10, 2013 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off student loans with 0% credit card
Replies: 7
Views: 2189

Pay off student loans with 0% credit card

My wife and I were recently married and we are tackling her student loan debt. She has an outstanding balance on her student loans of about $8300 at 6.75%. That is after we just paid almost $3000 in the last few weeks. Today I noticed that Chase Slate is offering 0% APR on balance transfers for 15 months and NO transfer fees for balances transferred in the first 60 days. They will not pay the student loan directly though. I have another credit card which charges no extra cash advance fees, but does charge interest from the day the advance is made. So I'm considering opening a Chase Slate and then taking a cash advance on my other card to pay off the student loan and then immediately doing a balance transfer to Chase Slate. I might get hit w...
by Cooperd0g
Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: advice for newbie
Replies: 10
Views: 1287

Re: advice for newbie

novice13, there is no reason why you can't save for retirement AND save for other goals as well. Many people have both retirement savings and other investment accounts. To avoid tax advantaged retirement accounts completely would be throwing a lot of money away. You should be able to do both.
by Cooperd0g
Fri Nov 08, 2013 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever moved for lower cost of living?
Replies: 72
Views: 11900

Re: Have you ever moved for lower cost of living?

I have the opportunity to leave the DC area while maintaining my income for the same position in southern Virginia. By my estimates I will save $1000-1500 in expenses per month for pretty much the same standard of living so we are jumping at it. And we can probably do it with my wife dropping to part time as well. We don't like being quite so urban anyway and one day we'll actually end up in the Mountain West or Southwest like we want when we retire (planned early to mid-50s for me and 40s for her).
by Cooperd0g
Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues
Replies: 10
Views: 1138

Re: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues

pshonore, according to the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act, when she moved in with me she was not required to change her state of residence. I think there are not common definitions between domicile and residency among states and the feds. She lives in MD with me, but she maintains a VA license, vehicle registration, and voting privileges. Just like I live in MD, but maintain NV license, vehicle registration and voting privileges. From the document that grabiner linked and like you said she can file non-resident for MD. I would like to do the rest of what you said, her file MFS in VA and then MFJ for federal. Either VA gives her credit for the MD taxes or MD gives them all back. I think MD should actually give them all back since it wa...
by Cooperd0g
Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues
Replies: 10
Views: 1138

Re: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues

Thanks grabiner. I'm reading it now for non-residents as I think that is what she qualifies for. Man, if only her company just never took out MD taxes when she moved in with me she wouldn't have to file MD at all. Virginia is going to be another story to find out if she can file separately there.
by Cooperd0g
Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues
Replies: 10
Views: 1138

Re: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues

I know they shouldn't be taking out taxes for both, but she didn't tell me this was happening until recently. She changed her address by moving in with me, but she isn't required to change her legal state of residence because I am military.

I didn't think about a state wanting the return to be the same as federal - seems silly to me. How would the state even know how I filed federally? But I also know that I don't want to file joint either for the states because they'll go after my income too. Maybe we should just file separately for everything.
by Cooperd0g
Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues
Replies: 10
Views: 1138

Military Tax Prep Advice - Multiple State Issues

I am active duty military currently stationed in Maryland. I am a resident of Nevada so my taxes have been really easy - I filed single for federal and that was it. I recently got married and my wife is a resident of Virginia and works in Virginia. However, since she moved in with me her company now takes out both Virginia and Maryland state income tax from her pay. As a military spouse she is not required to change her legal state of residence, but what is the best way for us to file our taxes? Off hand I think we should file married - joint for federal, but she should probably file married - single for both Virginia and Maryland. As I understand it she should get back all of the Maryland taxes taken out since she is a military spouse and ...
by Cooperd0g
Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to treat Pension in AA?
Replies: 28
Views: 5128

Re: How to treat Pension in AA?

The chart is a good graphical representation of where you think you can put your AA based on the maximum annual income loss you are willing to accept and how much of your income comes from pension/SocSec. I like it.
by Cooperd0g
Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should we consider a 2nd house later this year or just wait?
Replies: 5
Views: 1179

Re: Should we consider a 2nd house later this year or just w

Personally if I could sell without taking a loss then I would sell and buy a slightly larger place. If I can't sell without taking a loss then I make due. Out of town guests can also stay in hotels.
by Cooperd0g
Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vacation vs Savings Dilemma
Replies: 34
Views: 4892

Re: Vacation vs Savings Dilemma

While it doesn't hurt to save more you also want to live your life. Your savings rate is pretty high already and very tax advantaged. I would worry about saving for the MBA when you know you want to go and have a definitive timeline you can create a savings plan for.

But I'm in the military and have a lot of dead friends at a relatively young age so savings is a big goal, but so is living. Maybe take a cheaper vacation and save some.
by Cooperd0g
Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to treat Pension in AA?
Replies: 28
Views: 5128

Re: How to treat Pension in AA?

I count it as an income stream. Then I can determine how much I need in retirement assets to make up the difference between the pension and the desired income. I do invest a bit more aggressively, with a higher weighted stock allocation, because I know I will have the pension. This might get me to my desired retirement income at a slightly earlier age.
by Cooperd0g
Mon Dec 31, 2012 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account for House Savings
Replies: 0
Views: 324

Taxable Account for House Savings

I am at the point where I am maxing out both my TSP and my Roth IRA. I am in the military, will have a pension, am currently a resident of Nevada and plan to retire to either Wyoming or Nevada. I very much like the simplicity of Lifecycle and Target Retirement funds which are used in the TSP and IRA. I am now ready to start contributing money to a taxable account for the purpose of saving for a home I move rather frequently so I tend to rent. That means that I don't really have a short term goal of a down payment savings. My home purchase is probably 15-17 years away. Vanguard has their LifeStrategy funds, but as I am currently in the 28% tax bracket I am concerned about having bonds in a taxable account. I do like the simplicity of those f...
by Cooperd0g
Thu May 03, 2012 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Re: Military - Going Back to Medical School

You're in a good place. I'd definitely go USUHS if you get in. Otherwise I think the 4 years toward retirement of the HSCP does make it more attractive than the HPSP (which is twice as attractive as it was when I took it.) I think your focus should be on minimizing loans rather than maximizing retirement contributions at this time. At 6.8% plus guaranteed (perhaps slightly lower since it is tax-deductible), that's a pretty good investment. It's okay to come out of residency with a net worth of zero. That's way ahead of most docs. I like the idea of borrowing from the TSP. The rate sure beats the federal student loans rates. I could go either way on actually pulling money out of traditional or Roth IRAs to pay for school. I'd do the traditi...
by Cooperd0g
Thu May 03, 2012 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Re: Military - Going Back to Medical School

blaugranamd wrote:As a current Air Force medical student, I wonder if you are eligible for HPSP?
I applied for both Navy HPSP and HSCP, which is a Navy only program. If I had got into my state school and having the GI Bill, HSCP was a much better option than HPSP. At the private school it is pretty much a wash dollar for dollar, but HSCP puts me on active duty at the reduced rank so I get full medical benefits and the four years count toward retirement.

I also applied to USUHS, but despite my interviewers telling me I was an ideal candidate I have yet to receive a position off of the wait list. Clearly this would be the optimum choice.
by Cooperd0g
Thu May 03, 2012 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Re: Military - Going Back to Medical School

SpecialK22 wrote:You may have already looked into this, but does the school you are going to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program for those in medical school?
Unfortunately no, they do not participate in the Yellow Ribbon. I applied very broadly and did not receive many acceptances. I am thankful for a spot though as I did not get one last year.
by Cooperd0g
Wed May 02, 2012 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Re: Going Back to School

LadyGeek wrote:Welcome! The wiki has a number of suggestions to help the US military: Military finances

An additional thread: Military Investing

Hint: Edit Post #1 and change the subject to "Military - Going Back to Medical School" - you'll get the attention of our members who can help in these areas.
Thank you, I edited the title per your recommendation. I have read the wiki extensively and am familiar with that thread.
by Cooperd0g
Wed May 02, 2012 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Re: Going Back to School

It is unclear whether you are going to medical school for love of medicine or for military benefits. Tell me please that I am wrong. Ha ha, love the judgemenal vibe. I have been in the military either on active duty or the reserves for half of my life so far. I apologize if the sacrifices I have made as a combat officer lead you to consider me a mercenary. Apparently after multiple deployments and many dead friends I must simply be out for the money. Please pardon me for asking financial questions about my chosen route on a financial forum without explaining why I wanted to be a physician in the first place. Do a little research on how being a military physician is actually the best way to earn the least amount of money as a doctor. Then g...
by Cooperd0g
Wed May 02, 2012 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Re: Going Back to School

I could use the traditional TSP to lower my tax burden, but I figure as I intend to retire from the military the pension will be taxable and always keep me at least in a middle tax bracket. If I use traditional I will be taxed on that later as well. Between that raising my tax base in the future, estimating that tax rates will go up, and the minimum required distributions on traditional 401(k)s and IRAs I think the relatively low tax rate (effective 12%, not counting any deductions at all) I think the Roth makes most sense for me. I am on the high 3. I project retiring at a minimum of O-5 at 22 years. That pension would be worth $50,677.20 per year for a 22 year O-5 who retired today. It is inflation adjusted as well. If it were a pension f...
by Cooperd0g
Tue May 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military - Going Back to Medical School
Replies: 19
Views: 2248

Military - Going Back to Medical School

Military officer here. I avoided some of the early major pitfalls like USPA & IRA (now First Command) on the advice of a fellow fresh officer who was a finance major in college. I avoided most of the tech bubble of the late 90s/early 2000s and was mostly an index fund guy, though one of my index funds at the time was the Nasdaq 100 - ouch. I tried value investing with a portfolio of 30 stocks for a while and I just didn’t like doing the research anymore and even though my commissions were low, I still hated paying the transaction fees. I found Bogleheads and it just clicked with my index fund belief I already had. The bad is that I married the wrong woman who turned out to want to beat the Jones. I did my best for a while to hold it tog...
by Cooperd0g
Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Small houses
Replies: 51
Views: 5826

Re: Small houses

How about Monterey or Carmel? But you would have to live in California for that and pay their taxes. Not to mention the insane cost of living there.
by Cooperd0g
Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Smartest Financial Move You Ever Made
Replies: 139
Views: 22687

Re: Smartest Financial Move You Ever Made

Getting divorced from my spendthrift ex-wife who simply had to beat the Jonses.
by Cooperd0g
Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Though Bogleheadism is in theory based on simplicity...
Replies: 24
Views: 2343

Re: Though Bogleheadism is in theory based on simplicity...

Yeah, the paradox of choice can suck. Do I want/need a car, truck, SUV, wagon? 4, 6, or 8 cylinder? Hybrid or no? Diesel or gas? Exterior color? Interior color? Options? It is never ending because it is like that for everything in our consumer driven nation. Some people can't handle it and get neurotic as all get out. As far as retirement goes I don't think the military will do away with my future pension. That is my "bond" fund. Everything is in Vanguard Total Stock Market Admiral Shares (VTSAX) or TSP 4 to 1 ratio C and S Funds to mimic it. Why no international? Two reasons: 1 - simplicity of one fund type and 2 - lower expense ratio on the VTSAX (.07%) than the VTIAX (.18%). Easy peesy. For non-retirement goals I use total stoc...