Search found 72 matches

by northstar22
Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New home financing
Replies: 2
Views: 316

Re: New home financing

NeuroDragn wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:54 pm That's called mortgage recasting. Recasting won't change the interest rate or payoff time, just lower the monthly payment. It usually costs a few hundred dollars but not everyone qualifies based on the loan type and lender.
Thank you!
by northstar22
Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New home financing
Replies: 2
Views: 316

New home financing

New house financing question. I currently live in a condo in which I have about $100k of equity. I am building a new house with total cost of about $500k. For a variety of reasons (including not knowing exactly when the new house will be finished), I would like to hold off on selling my condo until after I move into the new house. I have enough savings for a down payment, but I would also like to put the condo equity into the new house after I sell it. If I do this after purchasing the new house, it will knock down the principal and shorten my payoff time but not lower my monthly payment. Is there any way (besides refinancing the new house) to add my $100k of equity so it lowers my monthly mortgage payment?
by northstar22
Tue Jan 23, 2018 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: solo 401(k) question
Replies: 3
Views: 402

Re: solo 401(k) question

Spirit Rider wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2018 3:28 pm TwstdSista: Is correct. Amend the plan by submitting an additional Self-Employed 401(k) Adoption Agreement. Add the new business as an "Affiliated Employer" in Section 2B.

There might have been no need to get a new EIN. The IRS prefers sole proprietors to use one EIN unless they are filing other business tax forms such as required if you have employees under the new business and the business activity is substantially different.
Thanks to you both. I actually haven't gotten around to applying for a new EIN, so it sounds like I'll just skip that, use the old EIN, and there should be no issues.
by northstar22
Tue Jan 23, 2018 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: solo 401(k) question
Replies: 3
Views: 402

solo 401(k) question

I have a solo 401(k) with Fidelity that I opened a few years ago. I was doing a small amount of side work (sole proprietor), but mostly opened it to accept rollovers rather than an IRA so I could do backdoor Roth. I made a contribution for 1 year, did the rollover, and have made no deposits in about 3 years. The money remains in that solo 401(k). That side business has not been active in about 3 years. I am now in the process of starting a (completely different, with different EIN) new side job (sole proprietor) which I hope will generate enough income to make substantial solo 401(k) contributions. My question is if that happens, can I make contributions to the existing solo 401(k), or do I have to open another account? Thanks for any help.
by northstar22
Sat Dec 09, 2017 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deferring First RMD
Replies: 16
Views: 1339

Re: Deferring First RMD

You described the annuity as "tax qualified", which generally means that it was purchased by an employer for the employee. However, it sounds like this may be a NQ annuity instead. The 1099 R will usually not be definitive. If it is non qualified (purchased by her using her own money), distributions are not eligible for rollover to an IRA and normal RMD requirements of Sec 401(a)(9) do not apply. Tax deferred has a different meaning than "tax qualified". Improper rollover to an IRA would create an excess IRA contribution as well as being taxable. Hopefully, this is not NQ. Best to get this question resolved before rolling the IRA that has been receiving these rollovers into the 401k. That would create a real mess. It wa...
by northstar22
Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deferring First RMD
Replies: 16
Views: 1339

Re: Deferring First RMD

You described the annuity as "tax qualified", which generally means that it was purchased by an employer for the employee. However, it sounds like this may be a NQ annuity instead. The 1099 R will usually not be definitive. If it is non qualified (purchased by her using her own money), distributions are not eligible for rollover to an IRA and normal RMD requirements of Sec 401(a)(9) do not apply. Tax deferred has a different meaning than "tax qualified". Improper rollover to an IRA would create an excess IRA contribution as well as being taxable. Hopefully, this is not NQ. Best to get this question resolved before rolling the IRA that has been receiving these rollovers into the 401k. That would create a real mess. It wa...
by northstar22
Sat Dec 09, 2017 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deferring First RMD
Replies: 16
Views: 1339

Re: Deferring First RMD

FiveK wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2017 9:48 am
northstar22 wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:45 am There's a still working exception. She still works full time.
Ah, yes.

In that case, what is the expected difference in marginal rate for the next 4-5 years vs. after that? In other words, while she is working one might expect her marginal rate to be higher than when she is retired. If she will be paying 15% marginal in retirement instead of 25% (may or may not be true), that would be an extra 10% * 2000 * 5 = $1000 taxes paid if she takes RMDs for 5 years. Avoiding that would ease the sting of the $2400 surrender fee.
Yes, I should have specified that expected marginal rate in retirement is 15%.
by northstar22
Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deferring First RMD
Replies: 16
Views: 1339

Re: Deferring First RMD

I’m not entirely clear on your proposed game plan. The way I read it, you seem to be wanting to protect the $55k from RMDs by rolling it into the 401k. But 401k’s are subject to RMDs when the holder turns RMD age. So i’m not sure what you expect to gain. I'm also unclear about what the question is, since the title implies avoiding RMD but the question is how to exit a bad annuity. I do have to observations, without answering the question: [1] I believe that someone who continues to work beyond 70.5 is exempt from RMDs out of a 401k with their current employer. [2] If the annuity is really that bad, would a release from the fees offset a portion of that surrender penalty. Also, one option to reduce onerous annuity fees is to drop possibly u...
by northstar22
Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deferring First RMD
Replies: 16
Views: 1339

Re: Deferring First RMD

There's a still working exception. She still works full time.

https://www.kitces.com/blog/minimize-de ... ligations/
by northstar22
Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deferring First RMD
Replies: 16
Views: 1339

Deferring First RMD

I'm looking for advice regarding my mom's first RMD (I manage her retirement accounts). She is divorced, will turn 70 1/2 next year, and is still working full time (and plans to for about 5 years). Marginal tax rate of 25%. She will begin collecting her SS next year at age 70. Her goal is to avoid RMD's until she retires. Most of her money is in her employer 401k and Roth (safe from RMDs). About $30k is in an IRA, which she will rollover into her employer 401k before the end of this year, no big deal. Three fund portfolio. The question is regarding $55k she has in a tax qualified fixed-indexed annuity. The annuity is terrible and it was sold to her shortly before I started managing her retirement accounts. It has a surrender penalty for 10 ...
by northstar22
Tue Dec 08, 2015 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH dividend timing
Replies: 5
Views: 623

Re: TLH dividend timing

livesoft wrote:I think you are needlessly increasing your taxes for no benefit. I suggest you do nothing and save on your taxes.
I appreciate this feedback. It would be nice to have just 1 total international fund, but perhaps not worth the tax hit. Maybe I'll just hope they both continue to drop so I can TLH again (and buy some more).
by northstar22
Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH dividend timing
Replies: 5
Views: 623

TLH dividend timing

I did a TLH a couple months ago of Vanguard total international (VTIAX) into VFWAX for $12k in losses. Since then there's been a bit of a gain in both ($3k), but I think I'd like to switch back to VTIAX to simplify my portfolio. I believe both are scheduled for a dividend next week. My question is how I should time the switch back. Right now I am planning to exchange VFWAX for VTIAX after the dividend distribution, with the thought that this will cause the lowest STCG in VFWAX and result in a larger loss carried forward to use against future income (33% bracket). The dividend should be mostly qualified. Alternatively I am considering avoiding the dividend by selling VFWAX next Monday and buying VTIAX after the dividend distribution. Thanks ...
by northstar22
Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Supplement Premium- FSA eligible?
Replies: 1
Views: 362

Medicare Supplement Premium- FSA eligible?

I've looked in a number of places and can't find a definitive answer to this question: Can FSA (not HSA) money be used to pay premiums for Medicare Supplemental insurance (not part B, but the supplement)? Does anybody do this?
by northstar22
Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: look at small value etfs
Replies: 34
Views: 4824

Re: Consider the cost of exposure

If you have room in your investments, you can get more exposure to small-cap and value either by holding more small-cap value stock, or by holding the same amount of a fund with deeper small-cap and value exposure. And given the low cost of VBR (0.09%), increasing your allocation there is likely to be the best way to get this exposure. VBR has a lower cost than 80% Total Stock Market and 20% RZV or JKL. While VBR doesn't give the best exposure to small-cap value, it should give more than 1/5 the exposure. But if you can't hold the amount of VBR that you want (because you want more exposure than VBR itself offers, or because you hold small-cap value in your IRA only and the IRA size is limited), then it makes sense to use the funds with mor...
by northstar22
Tue Aug 12, 2014 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's an acceptable stable value fund rate?
Replies: 18
Views: 2074

Re: What's an acceptable stable value fund rate?

SV funds will have rates in line with prevailing interest rates except that the rates paid will tend to lag the bond market in timing. What should have happened is that SV rates are now lower following interest rate declines over the last couple of years, and if rates go back up SV rates will eventually follow. I am not sure there is a concept of what is "acceptable." In general one will get about intermediate bond rates less some costs plus the benefit of contractual guarantees that there will not be fluctuations in value. Maybe "competitive" would be a better word choice. I would caution against comparing the yields of a stable value fund to the yield of Total Bond. Before the yields are really comparable, you need to...
by northstar22
Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's an acceptable stable value fund rate?
Replies: 18
Views: 2074

Re: What's an acceptable stable value fund rate?

Thanks everyone. As I sort of expected its a pretty close call. She's in TBM at the moment (.07 ER), so inertia may win out. But I'll keep an eye on the SV rate, as I do like the lack of interest rate risk. I suppose a compromise could be to diversify between the 2.
by northstar22
Mon Aug 11, 2014 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's an acceptable stable value fund rate?
Replies: 18
Views: 2074

What's an acceptable stable value fund rate?

My mom has a pretty good 403(b) with fidelity spartan options for equities. My question relates to the bond portion. One of her options is a stable value fund (prudential principal preservation separate account) with a 1.6% return. It lists expenses of .25%, which I assume is already factored into that return (maybe a false assumption). Another is vanguard total bond market institutional, SEC yield about 2.1%.

Assuming that she understands the risks of a stable value fund and is OK with them, at what point is the yield too low to make it worthwhile to protect the principal? If it matters, retirement is about 5 years away.
by northstar22
Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: buying shares in taxable
Replies: 7
Views: 802

Re: buying shares in taxable

sscritic wrote:Note that while buys are by dollar, sales are by shares.

So, if you want to by 30 shares and the price is roughly $20, buy say $700 worth. Say the NAV is 22.31 so you get 31.376 shares. The next day, sell 1.376 shares leaving you with 30. Voila!

Three caveats: I don't know if there is a minimum sale, but I don't think so. You will be subject to the frequent trading rules once you sell. You will also have a short-term gain or loss on your 1.376 shares.

I guess that is a good trick!
I think that's where I got the idea, was that when selling I could choose shares. So I guess it turns out it could be an option, just not a very good one. Thanks.
by northstar22
Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: buying shares in taxable
Replies: 7
Views: 802

Re: buying shares in taxable

Thanks for the responses. I had a feeling that would be the case. I appreciate the explanations.
by northstar22
Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: buying shares in taxable
Replies: 7
Views: 802

buying shares in taxable

I'm about to make my 3rd purchase in my taxable account. In previous purchases I chose a round number of dollars (e.g. $1000) to make the purchase. However, I was wondering if it would make my life easier in the future to buy a whole number of shares. I am going to buy Vanguard Total International. At the current share price of $28.52 (which will be slightly different at the end of the day Monday) I could buy, say, $1000 worth and get 35.0631 shares. I am trying to make things as simple as possible tax-wise when I eventually cash them in (probably in 30 years or so), so I don't re-invest dividends automatically in order to keep the number of tax lots to a minimum. Would it further simply things in this example to buy exactly 35 shares for $...
by northstar22
Thu May 15, 2014 3:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Intermediate bond fund yields are getting ridiculous
Replies: 20
Views: 3325

Re: Intermediate bond fund yields are getting ridiculous

...intermediate muni and investment grade funds with 6 or so year durations are now yielding about 2 3/4%. But is it just too low to bother with any more for fresh cash? Calm Man - are you thinking the 2 3/4% is too low? BTW, Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt SEC Yield is 1.90%. What intermediate muni did you find that is yielding 2 3/4% ? I have used the term "intermediate" too loosly. I am referring to my NJ long term Vanguard fund, which like the other state ones and national ones is yieding about 2 3/4%. The duration is about 7 years or so which some (I am, one) might consider intermediate and for the step up in duration from the true intermediate muni fund of 2 years or so one is getting a full % more with the long term ...
by northstar22
Mon Mar 31, 2014 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: reading advice for an ambitious woman in her early 20s?
Replies: 32
Views: 4406

Re: reading advice for an ambitious woman in her early 20s?

lostinjersey wrote:Beth Kobliner's book "Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your 20s and 30s" was the Bible for me as a young woman. Highly recommend.
I second this. Great introductory book.
by northstar22
Sat Feb 08, 2014 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare part A/ HSA question
Replies: 11
Views: 1047

Re: Medicare part A/ HSA question

Thanks Gerry. It turns out she had the same thought as you, and a couple months ago applied to un-enroll from Medicare A in order to keep her HDHP and HSA. Then we just found out that in order to receive SS benefits you have to be enrolled in Medicare. She's planning on starting receiving ex-spousal benefits when she turns 66 later this year (waiting until 70 for her own benefits) so it would become a problem at that time. Unless the law changes, of which I've seen rumors but nothing concrete. So she's now planning to discontinue her request to un-enroll in Medicare A (which they have yet to act on). But thanks for the tip, if she wasn't going to start receiving SS benefits this summer that's what she would do.
by northstar22
Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare part A/ HSA question
Replies: 11
Views: 1047

Re: Medicare part A/ HSA question

Thank you for the replies!
by northstar22
Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare part A/ HSA question
Replies: 11
Views: 1047

Re: Medicare part A/ HSA question

Thanks. Yes, she still works and is planning to work at least until age 70. So her HDHP is through her employer, it is the only no-cost plan they offer. Will this present a problem in the future?
by northstar22
Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare part A/ HSA question
Replies: 11
Views: 1047

Re: Medicare part A/ HSA question

Thanks for the response, Spirit Rider. Her start date for medicare was June 1, 2013. She actually kept her HDHP following that (and still has it), just without the HSA contributions.
by northstar22
Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare part A/ HSA question
Replies: 11
Views: 1047

Medicare part A/ HSA question

My mom turned 65 in June of last year and enrolled in Medicare part A at that time. Before this she was using a high deductible health plan at work and contributing to an HSA. In January of 2013, knowing that she would be enrolling in Medicare part A in June and would no longer be able to contribute to an HSA at that time, she had her employer double her monthly HSA contributions so that she had reached the annual limit (about $3k) before she was officially enrolled in Medicare, and had no more HSA contributions for the rest of the year while she was enrolled in Medicare part A. I'm now wondering if this strategy is allowed and want to make sure she doesn't need to take money out of the HSA before she files her 2013 taxes. The thought cross...
by northstar22
Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: WSJ: William Bernstein on bond allocation
Replies: 54
Views: 14473

Re: WSJ: William Bernstein on bond allocation

Dr. Bernstein believes that "bonds are for safety" and promotes using only short-term, high quality bonds. So this quote is not surprising. I find his argument convincing, but there are other respected people who hold different opinions and advocate using some intermediate-term bonds, corporate bonds, and even high-yield bonds.
by northstar22
Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: harvard med school vs. penn med+full tuition scholarship
Replies: 115
Views: 24657

Re: harvard med school vs. penn med+full tuition scholarship

Money and rankings and prestige aside, where do you think you'll be happiest? I think this is a huge factor. I turned down less expensive and more prestigious med schools to go where I thought I would have the best experience, and would make the same decision again.
by northstar22
Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keep Old Car or Buy Newer Used Hybrid
Replies: 28
Views: 3151

Re: Keep Old Car or Buy Newer Used Hybrid

Ask your insurance company how much your monthly premium will go up with a new car. You can probably skip collision and comprehensive with your 92 accord but not with a new car.
by northstar22
Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A Dilemma About Waist Sizes For Pants
Replies: 79
Views: 14238

Re: A Dilemma About Waist Sizes For Pants

If you want size 35 pants, try looking online. I've bought size 35 banana republic pants that they don't have in the store
by northstar22
Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: San Francisco with kids?
Replies: 39
Views: 3912

Re: San Francisco with kids?

Bring your coats. July is cold in SF. Seriously. Outside the city it is warmer.

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" - Mark Twain
by northstar22
Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my international allocation
Replies: 3
Views: 473

Re: Help with my international allocation

Thanks for the responses, Taylor and sbashore.
by northstar22
Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my international allocation
Replies: 3
Views: 473

Help with my international allocation

I'm looking for a little help with my international asset allocation. My taxable account makes up about 25-30% of my portfolio (currently in cash, because I just recently started making decent money, not because I've decided to invest cash now that we're at market highs), and I'm trying to maximize tax efficiency and simplicity. Age 36. Tax bracket: 33%, 5% state Desired AA: 70/30 with 50% international. Tilt to small and value with domestic component split 50/50 between Total Stock Market and Small Cap Value. I'm specifically looking for feedback on my international portion. I plan to have 2 funds in my taxable account (all admiral shares), Total Stock Market and either Vanguard Total International (VTIAX) OR Vanguard tax-managed internati...
by northstar22
Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Municipal bonds going forward
Replies: 22
Views: 2828

Re: Municipal bonds going forward

Thanks for the responses so far. I may end up taking noobvestor's advice and keep it in high yield savings for the time being since the time frame is relatively short. It's been great getting so many people's thoughts.
by northstar22
Sun Apr 07, 2013 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Early Retirement LS [Lump Sum] vs. Waiting for fixed annuity
Replies: 10
Views: 1510

Re: Early Retirement LS [Lump Sum] vs. Waiting for fixed ann

Assuming you are going to get 6% return seems a little optimistic. Not that it can't happen, but to get that you're going to have to invest in risky assets and could wind up negative.

You're not going to find a guaranteed 3% anywhere right now.
by northstar22
Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Municipal bonds going forward
Replies: 22
Views: 2828

Municipal bonds going forward

I have a moderate amount of cash I've been thinking about moving into a municipal bond fund (may be needed in the next year or so, and yes I could stand to lose 10%). My question is, are theoretical risks to the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds already priced into the municipal bond funds, the same way they would be priced into a stock fund?

This is not meant to be a political discussion or a discussion of future legislation. I know the usual risks involved with investing in this sort of fund and want to know if there is additional risk I should be aware of. If the risk is already priced in then I'm fine with it.
by northstar22
Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: fixed indexed annuity
Replies: 58
Views: 5227

Re: fixed indexed annuity

I have dealt with this problem. About a year ago my mom was talked into buying an equity indexed annuity with her 401k money (she didn't tell me about it). This was about the time I was discovering the bogleheads, and in the year since I have become her investment advisor and fired the one that sold her the annuity. I spent many hours trying to understand the "product" and figured out the basics, but still don't really understand it, and I feel like I am way above average in financial literacy. I'm sure this is by design. My way of dealing with this has been to treat the EIA amount as part of her "bonds" allocation, and have the rest of her investments in stocks. Additionally, the annuity allows 10% "free" with...
by northstar22
Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a car for my daughter
Replies: 70
Views: 6844

Re: Buying a car for my daughter

livesoft wrote:It seems that the BMW would cost $8,000 so the comparison might be to other vehicles that one can get for $8,000 and not to a more expensive Civic or Prius.
I agree with this. There's a middle ground between buying a new car (even a Honda) and asking a 16 year old to buy their own car, which usually isn't very realistic. My parents had an extra car so I was able to use that when I was in high school, and I certainly wouldn't have been able to afford my own car, but never dreamed of seeing a new car in the driveway for my 16th birthday.
by northstar22
Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No home - do I need Umbrella Insurance?
Replies: 19
Views: 3396

Re: No home - do I need Umbrella Insurance?

I'm in a similar situation- relatively high income and negative net worth. I just increased my umbrella to 2 million because of not wanting to expose my future income stream.

You do want renter's insurance, not just for your belongings but for liability in your apartment.

I read an example once that if you accidentally trip someone in a bar and they injure themselves and sue you, your auto insurance isn't going to cover it and your future wages can be targeted. Hence the importance of umbrella insurance.
by northstar22
Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dividend reinvestment strategy
Replies: 4
Views: 1647

Re: Dividend reinvestment strategy

Do you have an IPS? You should have a targeted international allocation and stay the course with it. If you're not comfortable with international, then don't have it or keep it a low percentage, but whatever you do, don't be constantly changing how much international to hold based on your current feelings about its level of risk.

As a sidenote, if it fact international stocks are more risky that would imply they will have a higher future return.
by northstar22
Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you think Daylight Saving Time is useful to people?
Replies: 30
Views: 1863

Re: Do you think Daylight Saving Time is useful to people?

It seems to me the main benefit is switching daylight from early morning hours (before most people are awake) to early evening hours (when the vast majority of people are awake) so that the daylight can be used for outdoor activities.

Countries near the equator have no use for it as they don't have a huge seasonal difference in amount of daylight.

In Arizona, during the summer people wait until the sun goes down before going outside for walks, etc. (because of the heat).

So my personal opinion is it's quite useful. In fact, I don't think it would be a bad idea to be on DST all of the time (just make it standard time). People who wake up at 4am probably have a different opinion.
by northstar22
Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 12
Views: 817

Re: A question about editing Wikipedia

A bit of a sidenote, but just this morning I was listening to a freakonomics radio podcast ("women are not men") in which they stated that 80-90% of wikipedia editors are men. The hypothesized reason is that women are more uncomfortable with conflict, and there apparently tends to be a lot of conflict with wikipedia entries (just as you are describing).
by northstar22
Sat Mar 02, 2013 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backdoor Roth [Deductible or Non-Deductible Contribution?]
Replies: 4
Views: 1451

Re: Backdoor Roth [Deductible or Non-Deductible Contribution

I am in Illinois, so it looks like in my case it's better for me to deduct it so I can get a state tax break out of it, though it's interesting to see all the different options there are. I sure had no idea about the state tax break before, and am going to make sure turbotax gets that right. Thanks to Alan and Epsilon, your advice is very much appreciated.
by northstar22
Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backdoor Roth [Deductible or Non-Deductible Contribution?]
Replies: 4
Views: 1451

Backdoor Roth [Deductible or Non-Deductible Contribution?]

I make too much to contribute to a Roth, but was not yet eligible for my employer plan in 2012. Normally I would just contribute to a Traditional IRA, but I plan on doing backdoor Roth contributions in 2013 and future years (when I am eligible for my employer plan) so I don't want money in a tIRA (I know another alternative is to roll this into my employer plan once I have that account, but I didn't do that). I did a standard tIRA contribution in December, followed by a conversion to a Roth a few days later. The question is, when doing my taxes, does it matter if I record the original contribution as a deductible or non-deductible contribution? It seems to me the end result is the same (I'm paying taxes on the money now), but Turbotax seeme...
by northstar22
Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fun Education- KhanAcademy
Replies: 20
Views: 3529

Re: Fun Education- KhanAcademy

I've been using it lately to learn a little more about the federal reserve. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/cor ... /banking-1