Search found 294 matches

by max12377
Tue Mar 19, 2024 4:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lifelong renter looking to become first time (cash) homebuyer - do I need agent? Or only lawyer & inspector?
Replies: 23
Views: 2279

Re: Lifelong renter looking to become first time (cash) homebuyer - do I need agent? Or only lawyer & inspector?

I agree with what was said here. I once almost bought a for sale by owner who didn't want to pay my re agent. So I was left to my own devices and, quite frankly, I had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully, my agent still helped me a little behind the scenes. I ended up walking away from the deal due to the seller wanting me to ignore the bank appraisal. It created a bad vibe. I am always willing to walk away. Be VERY careful and inspect the heck out of the property - including the sewer line, drainage, etc Avoid fomo Take your time and control your emotions. Hot markets can make you think you have to force your hand & you can end up with lots of remorse. Finally, and most importantly, interview multiple re agents and then select one. I ...
by max12377
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It seems that intermediate bond funds generate the lowest yield now
Replies: 11
Views: 2491

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

Interesting observation and one that I had also made recently. It begs the question that what is so special about the 5 and 10 year durations that they are so depressed. Could it be related to the purchase of MBS by the Fed? Just curious.
by max12377
Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?
Replies: 65
Views: 10335

Re: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?

Nice to see some conservative portfolios. I suspect that those with more aggressive ones may have pensions, real estate income, or low SWRs . I am not as brave as I get closer to retirement and the fear of SORR is real. Don't want to mess things up just when I am about to jump off. Note: I am 57 and almost retired so I'll bite :-). Those next 3 years will go quick. I recently went to 65/35 from 70/30. Working my way towards 60/40 or maybe even 50/50. My goal is to have a simple portfolio that I don't think about other than maybe once per year. Not sure if that is achievable, but that's the goal. Currently, I hold my nose and keep half in Total Bond, half in shorter duration Bonds/MMKT. I tend to buy more Total Bond when it tanks as I ultima...
by max12377
Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire with $1.75M at age 43?
Replies: 169
Views: 12574

Re: Can I retire with $1.75M at age 43?

I see no reason why you can't at least test it out. I was at a job for 20 years and the last few became horrific. I flat out quit the job with no job to go to. Sounds irresponsible, until you consider the fact that I was single, no dependents, and had enough to just about retire. Seems you are in a similar circumstance. Listen, you can always find another job if you find that early retirement is not working for you. It's your life and, ultimately, you just have to trust your own judgement because you'll get quite a diverse set of opinions (since everyone is looking at it from their own lens).
by max12377
Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion better in market downturn?
Replies: 20
Views: 1899

Re: Roth Conversion better in market downturn?

This may be controversial, but if you think the market is due for a downturn, convert but buy bonds for now. Then just txfer to stocks during the downturn. That way, you don't lose your window to convert.

I know the oft stated recommendation is to have all stocks in a Roth, but, in my case, my Roth is fairly large and I need to keep myself from selling in a downturn. So I have, say a 75/25 rather than a 100/0 in my Roth. If I never intended to use my Roth and it was destined for future generations, a 100/0 makes more sense.
by max12377
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The recent surge: stand pat or "sell high?"
Replies: 54
Views: 6563

Re: The recent surge: stand pat or "sell high?"

Only thing I can guarantee is that, if/when things do correct, there will be someone on this forum proclaiming how obvious it was and how they timed things perfectly. I know when I try to time things (and I am just as guilty as the rest), it generally does not work in my favor. And even if I was an expert timer, I realize it's mostly luck anyways. In general, I try to stick to a given Asset Allocation and rebalance if I think things are a bit frothy. In other words, I have no idea what to do, so I keep a fairly conservative AA. That said, It does seem a bit frothy, so I may skim a little bit off the top. But, so far I have been too lazy to do so. I try to stay away from making large AA moves unless I have some sort of life event that change...
by max12377
Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th
Replies: 53
Views: 10305

Re: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th

I've always enjoyed "Taylor's Gem's" while full well knowing that the real gem is Taylor himself. Happy 100th!
by max12377
Tue Jan 30, 2024 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 42510

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Getting up really early and going for a walk first thing. I grab a coffee/tea and I'm out the door. Walking in the morning before the world has woken up is a totally different experience than walking later on. I am near a body of water and frequently will walk beside it. It's as if the place is all my own. In the winter I always walk with over the ear bluetooth headphones when listening to YouTube or Podcasts or whatever. They filter noise and as a bonus they keep my ears warm!
by max12377
Fri Jan 12, 2024 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Return of excess contributions due to error by former employer
Replies: 2
Views: 596

Re: Return of excess contributions due to error by former employer

Thanks. I will send them another notice as well.
by max12377
Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Return of excess contributions due to error by former employer
Replies: 2
Views: 596

Return of excess contributions due to error by former employer

Hi All- So I ended my last contract job on 12/31/23. I may retire fully but I am not 100% sure just yet. In the meantime, my former employer has not quite been on the ball and has contributed to both my HSA and 401k in 2024. I did notify them, but no response so far. If I fully retire this year, I will not be eligible to contribute to a 401k or HSA. I will not have a health plan with an HSA and I will not have income, so I am pretty sure BOTH these additions need to be removed for the 2024 tax year. Are both of these items handled the same way at tax time? Looking at another thread on the topic, I believe the answer was: Report these as "Other Income" on my tax return for the 2024 year, while, at the same time, taking a distributi...
by max12377
Thu Jan 04, 2024 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?
Replies: 74
Views: 18785

Re: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?

I did a consult. There is no doubt that their ultimate objective is to get you to sign up for their services. My advisor disappeared one day once he finally realized I am fully self directed. Odd, because he suggested we would meet yearly before the end of our last meeting then quietly disappeared. Oh well. This aforementioned advisor's parting put me back into the pool of "folks without an advisor" (I think it's noted in the upper left when you log on if you have a person or not). Occasionally I still get a call from someone wanting to review my portfolio. I also tend to get directed to "investment services" when I call for a simple help desk question and then I just reinforce that I am self directed. Overall, my experi...
by max12377
Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For Those Who Are Retired Do You Keep Cash Accounts
Replies: 57
Views: 12582

Re: For Those Who Are Retired Do You Keep Cash Accounts

For those of you who are retired and spending down your portfolio, what percentage, if any, do you keep in a safe cash type fund or saving account I’m getting ready and thinking about how to do this between these three options: Option 1: Take out what I need from my portfolio when I need it. No cash type accounts. Keep all the money working. Option 2: Keep a cash type account, a small fixed amount, in case of those times when a new roof, a new car, or other surprises pop up. More or less a very small cushion. Option 3: Cash type account with around 3-5% of total portfolio. This would be used for option 2 issues along with using some of the cash as a cushion during down turns in the markets, so we could spend a bit more if needed or wanting...
by max12377
Tue Dec 05, 2023 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Question - Inherited IRA Federal Withholding
Replies: 5
Views: 415

Re: Tax Question - Inherited IRA Federal Withholding

Thanks! I was overcomplicating things. Looking back, I think I was trying to turn the withholding into its equivalent "estimated tax payment" in my brain. Much easier to see now that I know these are handled separately on the tax forms.

Much appreciated.

Max
by max12377
Tue Dec 05, 2023 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Question - Inherited IRA Federal Withholding
Replies: 5
Views: 415

Tax Question - Inherited IRA Federal Withholding

Hi- I apologize in advance for my ignorance.. I will probably get obliterated for asking. let's assume no state tax.. 24% marginal rate If I withdraw $5000 from an Inherited IRA and withhold 70 percent, it looks like it ends up being $3500 that get added to line 25b on the 1040 (.7*5000). So, an additional $3500 gets added to my total payments to help reduce what I owe in taxes. Cool. However, shouldn't it be $3500 - .24(3500) = 2660 that should go on line 25b? I am withholding 3500 to pay down taxes, but that 3500 itself hadn't yet been taxed. Why would it not then be $2660 that goes in line 25b, since if I took the money out and dropped it into a bank account, I would owe tax on it. I don't know why I am brain farting on this .. Please he...
by max12377
Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Panicking because of potential loss of health insurance. Please help!]
Replies: 56
Views: 4926

Re: Got laid off- please HELP with the Marketplace insurance process

Insurance companies that have ACA plans have people trained to help you navigate the ACA marketplace. I recommend you talk to one of them to understand the ins and outs of signing up for ACA. It's a free consultation and these folks do this as their job. It was more than worth it for me. Put my mind at ease.

-Max
by max12377
Sat Nov 25, 2023 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Re: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

Eagle33 wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:13 pm Did you do a practice run using 2022 tax return to see if you could get the software to match your actual 2022 return?
I did not, but I like the idea. Thank you!
by max12377
Wed Nov 22, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Six Times Renting Is Cheaper Than Owning
Replies: 115
Views: 16689

Re: Six Times Renting Is Cheaper Than Owning

UpperNwGuy wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:55 am
rich126 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 11:43 am Renting is mostly for short term situations. I couldn't imagine knowing I am going to be retired and renting unless I had no other option.
I have been retired for ten years and have been renting the entire time. Not a problem.
:sharebeer
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Re: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

This is a tax question I am hoping someone can help me with. If I include my Roth conversions on my taxes, my AGI on my 1040 goes over the limit for which I am allowed to make a Roth contribution. However, I have read that MAGI for the Roth contribution limit excludes Roth Conversions. If so, where in the world is this particular flavor of MAGI calculated and how can I verify that I am not going to be penalized? This is so confusing. I may just reverse my Roth contribution to be safe. I figured I would check in here first to see if others ran into this. I am using Turbotax. Thanks! Max Don't reverse your contribution - calculation of MAGI for the purpose of Roth contributions does NOT include Roth IRA conversion money. Here's H&R Block...
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Re: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

I would have thought that you could calculate this in your head and would not need software. Take your AGI from TurboTax and subtract off the amount of Roth conversions in dollars, right? Correct. If I remove the the Roth conversions, I am safe. I just wanted Turbotax or some Tax form to confirm this before I file my taxes next April rather than rely on the internet telling me it's OK. Did you run it through TurboTax before coming to the internet? I did. First time I did it, Turbotax barked at me and told me I owe a penalty. Then I went back and looked at the boxes for the 1099-R (which I don't receive till next year) and picked a different one that made TurboTax stop barking. It didn't make me feel good though, because I had no idea what ...
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Re: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

I would have thought that you could calculate this in your head and would not need software. Take your AGI from TurboTax and subtract off the amount of Roth conversions in dollars, right? Correct. If I remove the the Roth conversions, I am safe. I just wanted Turbotax or some Tax form to confirm this before I file my taxes next April rather than rely on the internet telling me it's OK. Did you run it through TurboTax before coming to the internet? I did. First time I did it, Turbotax barked at me and told me I owe a penalty. Then I went back and looked at the boxes for the 1099-R (which I don't receive till next year) and picked a different one that made TurboTax stop barking. It didn't make me feel good though, because I had no idea what ...
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Re: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

FiveK wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:20 pm See MAGI for Roth IRA purposes.
Perfect. Just what I was looking for. Thank you !
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Re: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

livesoft wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:18 pm I would have thought that you could calculate this in your head and would not need software. Take your AGI from TurboTax and subtract off the amount of Roth conversions in dollars, right?
Correct. If I remove the the Roth conversions, I am safe. I just wanted Turbotax or some Tax form to confirm this before I file my taxes next April rather than rely on the internet telling me it's OK.
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Six Times Renting Is Cheaper Than Owning
Replies: 115
Views: 16689

Re: Six Times Renting Is Cheaper Than Owning

Oh boy, you just stirred up the hornet's nest. Here we go again .. :happy
by max12377
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit
Replies: 13
Views: 1049

Tax Question: Roth IRA conversions and impact on Roth Contribution limit

[Topic is now in Personal Finance (Not Investing) - tax question. mod mkc]

This is a tax question I am hoping someone can help me with.

If I include my Roth conversions on my taxes, my AGI on my 1040 goes over the limit for which I am allowed to make a Roth contribution.

However, I have read that MAGI for the Roth contribution limit excludes Roth Conversions. If so, where in the world is this particular flavor of MAGI calculated and how can I verify that I am not going to be penalized?

This is so confusing. I may just reverse my Roth contribution to be safe. I figured I would check in here first to see if others ran into this. I am using Turbotax.

Thanks!

Max
by max12377
Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Still buying bond funds?
Replies: 43
Views: 6852

Re: Still buying bond funds?

I drop $$ into my bond fund every single week. Hard to watch it drop, but compared to how fast and far stocks can drop, it's tolerable.

I am a little tempted to sell my BND ETF and buy the equivalent mutual fund right after just to wipe out the red and make me feel better. :sharebeer
by max12377
Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND exceeding my patience - need something different
Replies: 169
Views: 19919

Re: BND exceeding my patience - need something different

Timely post for me. I have been thinking the same thing. Just seems like a constant drubbing with this fund as rates continue to rise. Hard to say when it will end when the pundits are predicting things will go higher. So far I have resisted the temptation to sell, but my patience has also worn a little thin. I am sure there will be a bounce the day I sell, so if I do drop it, I will only DCA out of it over time. On the flip side, it is nice to see the estimated yearly income go up consistently. I just wanted to post to say you are far from alone. As a possible alternative, I see others on the forum use a short term and an intermediate term paired together in a 50/50 combo, so that when intermediate goes down, they fund it with short and vi...
by max12377
Thu Sep 21, 2023 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tips on staying the course
Replies: 44
Views: 3653

Re: Tips on staying the course

KingRiggs wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2023 12:22 pm
blimp wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2023 1:15 am
LazyDaze wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 6:12 pm I want to be be a Boglehead, I just need help over the hump.
You may appreciate this guided meditation for then the stock market is dropping by JL Collins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOGU94eL07E&t=304s
THIS is absolutely fabulous...I might listen to it on a loop during a 10-hour flight coming up... :sharebeer
I love that link. As an aside, I happened to see this one right next to it: https://youtu.be/eikbQPldhPY?feature=shared. Warning: Not for those who are averse to cursing, but quite funny in my opinion. It references what is known as "F U Money". Lots of you may have seen it already but in case you haven't.
by max12377
Fri Aug 18, 2023 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who has (or had) a Fear of Retiring?
Replies: 104
Views: 11436

Re: Who has (or had) a Fear of Retiring?

I do. This is purely psychological, but to retire means I will be (hopefully) no longer working "for the rest of my life". It forces me to come to terms with the fact that 'the rest of my life' is a lot shorter than it used to be. That is a hurdle I can get over, I think, because my life is limited whether I am working or not. It's just a weird psychological quirk that I am bothered by leaving work behind - what am I nuts? I should want to leave work behind because my time is limited! The bigger fear, for me, is I am afraid I won't know what to do with myself. I am actively addressing that now and building on my hobbies and bucket list items, so I have things to look forward to. I was out of work for about 6 months a couple years ...
by max12377
Fri Aug 18, 2023 6:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: YouTube Premium
Replies: 29
Views: 3836

Re: YouTube Premium

I signed up for YouTube premium as a trial before a vacation so I could listen to it on my drives. I kept it and it has been worth it for me. I listen to all sorts of stuff (Jazz Piano tutorials, History, Comedy, Finance, etc) and don't really watch regular TV any longer.

Be careful though. If you do, as I did, and sign up via Apple store, you will pay more per month than if you signed up directly through Google. Here is the video that tipped me off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bd_NP-90g. I cancelled my apple subscription and signed up directly with Google after I discovered this.

-Max
by max12377
Thu Aug 17, 2023 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fidelity Down? [Website]
Replies: 138
Views: 9714

Re: Fidelity Down?

Down again for me.
by max12377
Tue Aug 15, 2023 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fidelity Down? [Website]
Replies: 138
Views: 9714

Re: Fidelity Down?

Down for me too.
by max12377
Wed Aug 02, 2023 6:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?
Replies: 140
Views: 16303

Re: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?

Well, this is probably cheating but I would wake up in the bed/house I grew up in. Parents would still be living, life would be as complicated as which baseball cards I would want to trade, and the neighborhood kids would be at the door ready to play football in the street.
by max12377
Thu Jul 27, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Income Management for Obamacare subsidies - single person
Replies: 5
Views: 765

Re: Retirement Income Management for Obamacare subsidies - single person

Gotcha. Thank you so much for your reply. Much appreciated!
by max12377
Thu Jul 27, 2023 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Income Management for Obamacare subsidies - single person
Replies: 5
Views: 765

Retirement Income Management for Obamacare subsidies - single person

Hey Bogleheads- I just want to double check to see if I have this right. As a single person, I need to keep my MAGI pretty darn low to qualify for any Healthcare tax credits. Am I calculating this correctly? Note: I have taxable, Roth and tax deferred monies to draw from. Numbers are approximate. Let's say I want to draw $60000 per year from 57 until 65 (so 8 years). To qualify for Obamacare, I estimate I would roughly need to keep my MAGI to $35000 or under. ============================================ Income Stack: Reportable Income for Obamacare: Inherited IRA: $5K / year (will be NY State tax free) Qualified Dividends from taxable account: $10K / year (will owe NY state tax but federal should be zero because these are qualified and my i...
by max12377
Wed Jul 26, 2023 4:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Renting for life - a bad idea?
Replies: 735
Views: 88321

Re: Renting for life - a bad idea?

The money that I have saved by renting for many years, instead of buying, was invested and created a portfolio that can now easily pay my rent and rent increases. This is no different than paying off a mortgage. Perhaps "Renting for life" is a misnomer for most of us here that are pro-renting. We are renting because of the fundamentals of the current housing market, and if the fundaments changed, most would probably just buy. In retirement I wlll be leaving HCOL problems behind anyways. I don't want to die in an urban jungle on the East Coast. Good luck to everyone. This is exactly the situation I find myself in (and I am not in a HCOL). Because I have been investing all along, the rent basically covered for me by my just my bond...
by max12377
Fri Jul 21, 2023 4:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The early 2000, a terrible time for investing?
Replies: 86
Views: 8385

Re: The early 2000, a terrible time for investing?

I remember coming into the office and a guy bragging about his investments. This was a couple days off the peak of the market. I didn't have a clue, so I bought MSFT, INTC and CSCO. Promptly got my a-- handed to me starting just a few days later. Lucky for me I didn't have a lot to put in, but it still smarted. I recall some girl in the office was telling me about some company called Google and the new QQQ index.
by max12377
Thu Jun 29, 2023 10:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: When to reduce risk in Roth accounts?
Replies: 35
Views: 4135

Re: When to reduce risk in Roth accounts?

I think having some fixed in Roth can be a good thing, especially if you need to keep your income controlled for ACA or IRMAA or a host of other subsidized goodies that you would otherwise not be privy to if you just pull from a tax deferred account and inadvertently bumped up your reportable income. So, I am not in the 100 percent equities in Roth for that reason. For those that don't have the above constraint, by all means, go 100 percent equities, but for those of us that need some control over reportable income, it makes sense to keep some fixed for withdrawals in years where you need help with healthcare subsidies. I am trying to work this whole "withdrawal order" dance out and it is much tougher for a single person since you...
by max12377
Fri Jun 16, 2023 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hit a rebalancing band, so IPS says must rebalance!
Replies: 65
Views: 6159

Re: Hit a rebalancing band, so IPS says must rebalance!

Thanks for posting. It's nice to see someone post their activity more prospectively rather than retrospectively. Much more helpful in the scheme of things.
by max12377
Fri Jun 09, 2023 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Still trying to believe in bonds
Replies: 214
Views: 51469

Re: Still trying to believe in bonds

My issue with Bonds is I don't see how we can have the 10 year drop and not have more inflation. In order for the yield curve to revert, long term rates have to go up or short term rates have to go down. I am not convinced that short term rates will go down any time soon, although I keep hearing about a pause/pivot suggesting this will be so. So I am probably wrong. Selfishly, I am also rooting for the 10 year to go up so I can have less competition when buying a condo (in cash) as the 10 year is tied to mortgage rates. So holding an intermediate bond fund is counter to that idea. However, it seems like this is a pipe dream as it appears the real variable is inventory. Argh, wrong again. That said, I still hold BND because, as noted, I am o...
by max12377
Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire at 50?
Replies: 112
Views: 18517

Re: Can I retire at 50?

Just read the thread and will follow along. I am single and close to retirement myself. It is hard to make the jump so kudos to you for taking the leap.

At the moment my job is pretty low stress so I keep going, but I know that can change at any time.

I think what has kept me from retiring so far is the crazy inflation of the past couple years. It has been pretty scary. However, when I run the numbers they look good. So much to think about.. But I do agree that time is way more important than money. I feel time much more acutely now that I am older. How many more nice summer days to I want to forego for a paycheck when I could be out on my bike.. hmmm..

Please keep us updated OP. Hope you have an awesome retirement!

-Max
by max12377
Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Message from Fidelity - You may have paid $X more in taxes this year. Call us.
Replies: 10
Views: 2042

Re: Message from Fidelity - You may have paid $X more in taxes this year. Call us.

kojima wrote: Fri Jun 02, 2023 6:11 am How does Fidelity know how much you paid in taxes last year? Does the IRS share information with Fidelity?
They estimate it based on you being in the highest federal tax bracket. That's why it says "you may have" and then there is a long explanation about their methodology/rationale. I'm fairly certain it's just a way to try to get you to call them. As I noted in another post, I keep checking "don't show this again" and they continue to show it to me again.

I just ignore it at this point. I move it to the bottom of the page.

Not a big deal in the scheme of things. Thanks for all the replies!
by max12377
Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Message from Fidelity - You may have paid $X more in taxes this year. Call us.
Replies: 10
Views: 2042

Re: Message from Fidelity - You may have paid $X more in taxes this year. Call us.

fetch5482 wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:08 pm Is this how you see it? Can you not click "..." then "don't show again" option?
Image
Haha.. Yes, I always click it away and it always comes back!
by max12377
Thu Jun 01, 2023 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Message from Fidelity - You may have paid $X more in taxes this year. Call us.
Replies: 10
Views: 2042

Message from Fidelity - You may have paid $X more in taxes this year. Call us.

Hi there- So, I keep getting this "you may have paid X more in taxes this year" on my Fidelity front page. I basically have a large position in vti in my taxable account, so I assume that is what they are talking about. Yes, I am paying taxes on the quarterly distributions, but so what? I tax loss harvest when I can, and I don't think dumping my taxable account into Muni's is the best thing to do (all my bonds are in tax deferred). When I click the link, it wants me to speak to an Advisor. I am a self-directed investor, so I close out the link. It keeps coming back. I ignore it. My question is, has anyone called the advisor for this message and, if so, what is it that they tell you to do? I have no intention of calling them and ge...
by max12377
Wed May 31, 2023 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone feel like they missed out by not buying real estate?
Replies: 232
Views: 38160

Re: Anyone feel like they missed out by not buying real estate?

I do. But I accept it because it was my choice to rent for longer than I probably should have. In short, I have owned a couple houses over my lifetime and the last one was a money pit that I could not wait to get rid of. It put me off from owning a house as I was spending an inordinate amount of my time fixing things, pulling weeds, ad infinitum. I am single, no kids, 50+y/o male who likes to live as simply as possible. The last couple years of inflation really hit me financially since, looking in the rearview mirror, I could easily have had a paid off house years ago, a rental or two, or jumped on a 2 percent mortgage when they were all the rage. I held off primarily because I was convinced this housing euphoria was a bubble in the making....
by max12377
Fri May 05, 2023 5:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you tip at Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts?
Replies: 206
Views: 18382

Re: Do you tip at Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts?

I don't tip, but I only order a small black coffee, so I figure there isn't much to tip for. Plus things cost so much more now it is getting ridiculous. I need to cut back on my visits, but I don't go for the coffee. I just go to get away for a few hours.
by max12377
Thu May 04, 2023 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I or Can I not convert 403B into a Roth IRA?
Replies: 11
Views: 1107

Re: Can I or Can I not convert 403B into a Roth IRA?

My understanding is that, if you are no longer working at the employer that holds your 403b, you can perform the rollover to a Roth IRA (and, of course, pay the taxes). You would effectively be moving out of your Employers plan into a separate brokerage Roth account to do so. But you are still working there, so this is not an option. If you are still working at the employer that holds your 403b, a potential option is to do what is called an 'in plan' Roth conversion, if the plan allows it . It sounds like yours doesn't. Mine does, but I have Roth 401k options inside my plan. The penalty only applies if you are withdrawing money out of an account pre-59 1/2. If, pre 59 1/2, you do a rollover from A to B and the money stays in as it travels f...
by max12377
Sun Apr 30, 2023 7:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many are holding cash right now?
Replies: 203
Views: 31420

Re: How many are holding cash right now?

I have more in 3-12 month TBills than I care to admit, but for a potential large purchase (condo for cash). If I decide against that large purchase, that money will go right back into bond funds. I don't like being out of bond funds, but can't take duration risk on a portion of my savings just yet. I do however maintain a portion in total bond for the long term though.
by max12377
Thu Apr 27, 2023 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice Needed on Missed Opportunity Obsession
Replies: 35
Views: 4394

Re: Advice Needed on Missed Opportunity Obsession

So I agree that many folks have thoughts like these. I do, and trust me, you are far from alone. A few thoughts: 1. It was not necessarily a bad decision. It could have been a good decision, just a bad outcome. I have made decisions that turned out poorly, but if I went back to the time I made them, I could not have known the twists that were approaching. 2. Focus on what you want to do now. The time and energy you spend replaying the past is time and energy you could be using to design an awesome future. 3. You can't know for certain what would have happened if you bought that house. You could have moved in and taken a different road to work that day and had an accident. So many things could play out that you would never know. I think our ...
by max12377
Thu Apr 27, 2023 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about Prioritizing Investments - Roth Conversion vs Taxable Investing
Replies: 19
Views: 1946

Re: Question about Prioritizing Investments - Roth Conversion vs Taxable Investing

IRMAA at 65 will be based on the tax return you file at 63, so watch your income starting at that point. --Gotcha. I am making a timeline of all this as there are clearly key times to be wary of as you move through retirement. ------------ Dividends are generally qualified unless you are doing a lot of buying and selling. Yes they add to your income, but they are taxed at lower long term capital gains rates and could be 0%. --Tx. Saves on taxes which is nice. Unfortunately they still add to income so I learned that I have to make sure to separate my optimal income plan from my optimal tax plan. ---------------------- RMDs begin at age 75 if you are not close to age 70 yet. The age 73 step was for people who were close to RMD age when the la...