Search found 7 matches

by j70
Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to cut the cable cord
Replies: 67
Views: 9592

Re: Want to cut the cable cord

For all the people who suggest(ed/s) MLB.TV, NBA LP, etc., have you actually tried this? There's a reason why sports teams have huge TV deals and they're called blackouts.
by j70
Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Falling behind the age / salary curve?
Replies: 37
Views: 7080

Re: Falling behind the age / salary curve?

I also wanted to touch on a point mentioned upthread where its suggested a higher paying job means long hours and horrible colleagues. This is similiar to a recent bogleheads thread where the general perception was the BMW/swimming pool driving neighbors are typically eye-balls deep in debt. While it is true there are many people are financing a lifestyle, it is also true that there many of those BMW drivers who save a boatload and have a boat too.

My point here is that yes most higher paying jobs require some sort of sacrifice. However, given the profession and locale you may be in, the perception is not always the reality. There may be similar work-level jobs with better pay. Just ask around your office and you will be surprised.
by j70
Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Falling behind the age / salary curve?
Replies: 37
Views: 7080

Re: Falling behind the age / salary curve?

promotions count as pay raises too (well, as long as they pay you more, of course). How about promotions without raises? What do we call those? Getting the shaft? OP, I was a 28 yr-old engineer not too long ago (1-2 years?) when I was faced with a somewhat similar decision. From what you've written it sounds like you will stick it out but I can share my thought process and experience. Make use of it how you will. Not too long ago I had to decide between taking a job offer that increased my total compensation by about 20k (going from 90 to 110 roughly). Like your current situation, I was at the first company for 5 years and only achieved middling raises while noticing others who moved (and some who returned - the nerve of the company) get r...
by j70
Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My Review of Vanguard's Financial Plan
Replies: 55
Views: 12107

Re: My Review of Vanguard's Financial Plan

Bustoff, thanks for sharing this. It helps us non Voyager class folks a glimpse at the difference classes at Vanguard. I appreciate it.
by j70
Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle Fire without a credit card?
Replies: 17
Views: 42003

Re: Kindle Fire without a credit card?

A friend bought a Kindle Fire for a relative. The relative is financially incompetent and does not have a credit card or access to one. The friend bought the Kindle Fire thinking that it could be used with gift cards. However, it appears that Kindle Fire requires Amazon 1-click and Amazon 1-click appears to require a credit card to be on file. That won't work in this situation because the relative would simply buy stuff all day long. Surely there are millions of kids out there using Kindle Fire without access to a credit card. I can't figure out how to work around this issue. Any ideas how to make this work? Don't have a Fire but instructions here seem solid: http://www.gretchengalway.com/2012/01/02/kindle-fire-parents-turn-off-yer-one-cli...
by j70
Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard vs. Fidelity for 401k Rollover
Replies: 5
Views: 6562

Re: Vanguard vs. Fidelity for 401k Rollover

I did a Fidelity to Vanguard 401k rollover this year and was eventually successful. One annoying thing about the process on Fidelity's end was they would not send the funds directly to Vanguard. Instead, they'll cut a check and mail it to you. You will then have to mail that Vanguard. These extra steps create room for error. Glad it was over and done with.
by j70
Fri Sep 21, 2012 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Understand "Costs" (ER/Tax/FITC) for Taxable Account
Replies: 1
Views: 301

Help Understand "Costs" (ER/Tax/FITC) for Taxable Account

Bogleheads - I've been browsing the wiki and older topics to understand expense ratios, taxes on qualified and unqualified dividends, and the foreign income tax credit. Please help me put the pieces of this puzzle together. Before I begin, I should say the outcome of this will likely be pennies on the dollars to some but costs are costs and costs reduce investments. Here's the scenario: I have $10,000 (conveniently) and I'm looking to invest in either the Total Stock Market or Total Int'l Stock Market, VTSAX or VTIAX (Admiral shares). Let's also assume both funds yields 3% dividends and the US tax bracket will be 25%. Which option has the least cost after accounting for ER, taxes on dividends, and the foreign income tax credit? Assumptions:...