Search found 5505 matches

by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to determine fund quality?
Replies: 15
Views: 826

Re: How to determine fund quality?

I'd compare the total bond market option returns vs BND or VBTLX. It should be similar. Then do the same for the international fund against a vanguard international index fund.

In general, any fund in a 401k thats low ER and an index fund will be good quality. The only variable would be the exact index they track.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: selling real estate for passive income
Replies: 9
Views: 1246

Re: selling real estate for passive income

Go do a quote on a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA). This is the only annuity endorsed by Bogleheads as it's sold like a commodity, has low cost and gives you monthly payments with no frills. I did a quote recently for a 47 year old male and with $250k invested, you can get $1500 a month. No renters stopping payments, no stocks giving you dividends but dropping in value and generating tax liability. You will pay tax on a portion of the payments from an SPIA, the gains. I would say that indeed, even dividend producing funds like SCHD is better than what you were getting from your real estate investment where you weren't even collecting 1% of the property value a month which is a minimum guide for either keeping or selling. I'm heavy ...
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska trip without taking a cruise - help
Replies: 53
Views: 4880

Re: Alaska trip without taking a cruise - help

I'm wondering if family members that still get motion sickness even with a scopolamine patch are able to travel long distances in a car. I assume many natural attractions are accessed via windy roads?
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Argument against people that say stock market is rigged, so don’t invest in it
Replies: 80
Views: 5750

Re: Argument against people that say stock market is rigged, so don’t invest in it

Even if individual stocks are rigged, you cant really "rig" the entire market over long periods and thats what I invest in.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-WiFi Dishwasher Needed Software Update
Replies: 33
Views: 3007

Re: Non-WiFi Dishwasher Needed Software Update

Its possible some sensor got a little outside of its voltage limits and the update just loosened the limits.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blackout shades for bedroom
Replies: 30
Views: 2239

Re: Blackout shades for bedroom

To get near blackout conditions you need to use shades and curtains IMO.

We bought shades from blinds.com and they work well. Blinds.com has perpetual 40% off sales so don't rush. Light still gets in around the edges but its not bad with your eyes closed, maybe a "20 minutes after sunset" amount of light from the 3 windows in the room.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 06, 2024 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Job Goes Poof
Replies: 23
Views: 4234

Re: Job Goes Poof

If you can afford it then I dont see why not. You should try to max all tax advantaged space possible.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cruising from Miami
Replies: 13
Views: 1330

Re: Cruising from Miami

Can you buy a lounge pass to make the airport time more enjoyable?
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What if you can't access your money?
Replies: 45
Views: 4353

Re: What if you can't access your money?

If a Carrington class magnetic storm knocks out power and internet, we're all going to be in the same boat. Some gold or cash wont help much and will probably make you a target.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling used appliances
Replies: 9
Views: 941

Re: Selling used appliances

Post them on craigslist or facebook marketplace. Don't worry about removing the electronics unless you've done something to them or know they are unsafe.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen counter top stools
Replies: 10
Views: 917

Re: Kitchen counter top stools

For that price you may be able to have a local woodworker make them custom for you.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Teaching wealth building as a new career
Replies: 28
Views: 3667

Re: Teaching wealth building as a new career

This is a hobby not a career. You'll never find more than a handful of people willing to pay for this advice.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Franklin Life Insurance Company Policy from 1958
Replies: 5
Views: 505

Re: The Franklin Life Insurance Company Policy from 1958

Anovice wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:02 am My brother found a $1,000 life insurance policy that my parents purchased in 1958. I am the name insured and they, who are deceased, are the beneficiaries. It was purchased from The Franklin Life Insurance Company of Springfield Illinois. They were liquidated in 1999 and after a few consolidations, I believe their policies are now with AIG. Might this policy have any cash surrender value?

Thank you.
It probably started pulling the premiums from the cash value at some point. But I would fire off a few emails and see if any info comes up. I doubt anything will but you never know...
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Cabinet Cost
Replies: 37
Views: 3268

Re: Kitchen Cabinet Cost

Id almost certainly flip the dining and kitchen. Thats a terrible terrible place for a fridge.

If you get rid of that peninsula then you can get a table with some leafs that can expand into the kitchen a little bit for when you have a lot of guests. Nobody cares if a dining room is a little tight on Thanksgiving.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do if I am subpoenaed as a witness but I have overseas travel plans
Replies: 28
Views: 4156

Re: What to do if I am subpoenaed as a witness but I have overseas travel plans

It seems very early for them to be talking about a trial. Its only been a week. Also I'd bet good money that the date youve been given will be changed.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Undersizing whole house generator?
Replies: 62
Views: 4929

Re: Undersizing whole house generator?

There was an ask this old house episode on this. Essentially they added a sub panel next to the main panel where only the generator loads were on the sub panel. Then there was a transfer switch that would switch power over to the sub panel and make sure the grid wasn't being backfed by the generator. It didn't look that complicated but I'd guess a pro would charge anywhere from 2k to 5k for it.

And now i see that video has already been linked.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Cabinet Cost
Replies: 37
Views: 3268

Re: Kitchen Cabinet Cost

Finding people who do good work is really hard. If its in your budget and you trust the guy, don't sweat over getting the lowest price. Yeah its a high price but not anywhere near into "idiot stamped onto forehead" territory. You wont be thinking about the cost of this kitchen remodel in 5 years if it goes smooth.

A contractor who isn't up to your standards will be remembered every time you see the little mistakes that aren't worth arguing with them to fix.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial coach as a side hustle?
Replies: 22
Views: 2287

Re: Financial coach as a side hustle?

The problem is that the people who need coaching on personal finance either cant afford it or they want to have their "money guy" make them feel good and manage their money so they can tell their friends about how good their "money guy" is and that they always beat the market.
by barnaclebob
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what point in a car’s life do you try miracle elixir fixes?
Replies: 36
Views: 3373

Re: At what point in a car’s life do you try miracle elixir fixes?

I once had a very slow radiator leak. I tried one of the stop leak tablets and it worked until i sold the car 20k miles later with 175k on the odometer.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 01, 2024 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airline Miles and Hotel Points
Replies: 37
Views: 4523

Re: Airline Miles and Hotel Points

I think the chase sapphire reserve card has some pretty good point transfer bonuses when you move chase points to specific airline systems. The system takes some learning but its supposedly one of the best if you travel a decent amount.

I pretty much only fly alaska or their partners so I keep it simple with an alaska card.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 01, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Timing of Amended Return
Replies: 7
Views: 817

Re: Timing of Amended Return

Horsefly wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 11:46 am Hmmm... I take it no one has any experience with an amended return? Not even an opinion?
My opinion would be to wait as long as possible before tax day or until your current return status goes to "return approved" or whatever the wording is.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What good is tax deferred?
Replies: 122
Views: 15670

Re: What good is tax deferred?

ivgrivchuck wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:13 pm
barnaclebob wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:01 pm
ivgrivchuck wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:34 pm - Money on tax deferred is taxed once (when you take the money out)
- Money on Roth is also taxed once (when you put it in)
- Money on taxable is taxed many times (When you put in [income tax], during accumulation [dividends] and when you take it out [cap. gains])
This is a bit of mischaracterization. Each dollar in taxable accounts is only taxed once but at different times.
That's not the right way to look at it. Another way to put it is (maybe you like this more?):
- Roth: You pay taxes on seed.
- Traditional: You pay taxes on harvest.
- Taxable: You pay taxes on both seed and harvest
We haven't said anything thats in disagreement.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Window Warranty
Replies: 25
Views: 3433

Re: Window Warranty

Alaska_Skeeter wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 5:59 pm I also hope to get quotes from Lowes and Home Depot.
Don't.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What good is tax deferred?
Replies: 122
Views: 15670

Re: What good is tax deferred?

ivgrivchuck wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:34 pm - Money on tax deferred is taxed once (when you take the money out)
- Money on Roth is also taxed once (when you put it in)
- Money on taxable is taxed many times (When you put in [income tax], during accumulation [dividends] and when you take it out [cap. gains])
This is a bit of mischaracterization. Each dollar in taxable accounts is only taxed once but at different times.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What good is tax deferred?
Replies: 122
Views: 15670

Re: What good is tax deferred?

Its an age old question, Roth vs Trad. Your kids will inevitably hear a lot of people very confidently stating to put everything in roth so you never have to pay taxes again on it. This is a short sighted opinion.

My advice is:
1. Fill Trad 401k to pretax max,
2. Fill roth IRA to the limit.
3. Choose any of the following:
3a. either after tax trad 401k/ Mega backdoor
3b. just contribute after tax roth 401k
3c. save in taxable for pre retirement goals.
4.Only switch from pretax trad 401k to roth 401k when you know it will be beneficial in retirement.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to buy if you had 0% capital gains tax?
Replies: 13
Views: 1566

Re: What to buy if you had 0% capital gains tax?

FunTimes wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:30 am Yep, understood. I have a decent amount of unrealized gains from before the PR move. I need to make sure not to sell those shared when I'm doing "sell and re-buy". I wonder if Vanguard can partition them into a separate account for me.
You just need to use SPEC ID for your basis and not sell anything before the move.

But trying to sus out the gains on lots before/after move would be more difficult and probably require your own accounting. Because if one of your holdings has 90% of its gains while you live in PR then it would probably still make sense to tax gain harvest.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen remodel
Replies: 14
Views: 1791

Re: Kitchen remodel

Big divided sink. I really miss the creategoodsinks.com sink from our old house

Get cubby to put a microwave in, not an expensive build in. You want to be able to replace a microwave easily and not care about the cost.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24661

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

FootballFan5548 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:07 am but for the first time in my life I've got plenty of cash to spend, but no clue what to spend it on. I guess I'll buy more VTSAX
You aren't buying VTSAX, you are buying X months of retirement.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8520

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

Isabelle77 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:24 am The concern for me would be that I happen to be at home during a break in or my teenagers are.
The vast majority of people who break want no signs of human or large dog activity and will run if they happen to get into an occupied house. They don't want to deal with the extra risk when they can hit a different empty house after their pawn earnings run out.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8520

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

What do you keep in your house that a burglar would realistically want? The answer for me is basically nothing - a $1,000 TV, which is attached to the wall, maybe? The keys to my car (which is insured)? I have lots of expensive art, but nothing that your average thief is going to recognize as worth taking down off the wall and pawning. In light of that, I removed my security system and don't even lock the doors when I leave. Also, get a dog. There are ongoing subscription costs but they come with a full suite of features in addition to security. We got robbed by a tweaker once. I accidentally left a window open. They took small electronics, jewelry, my green jansport backpack with a leather bottom from grade school :annoyed, and all of our...
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to find good realtor with no word-of-mouth references
Replies: 17
Views: 2105

Re: Best way to find good realtor with no word-of-mouth references

For most listings, realtors really only earn their pay when something starts to go sideways with a deal. Otherwise with some basic knowledge (declutter, deep clean, good photos etc) most properties sell themselves so long as they have an MLS listing.

Unfortunately its going to be really hard to get an honest assessment of how good a realtor is based on how much extra effort or creativity they put in when things go wrong.

The advice of seeing who has sold condos in your unit is a good starting point.
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reluctant breadwinner
Replies: 14
Views: 1199

Re: Reluctant breadwinner

Without any numbers or even indication of your salary progression its not possible to give financial advice. I just say that I hope you aren't sinking your families money into the business anymore.
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contract shall survive the closing, Home purchase FL
Replies: 17
Views: 1676

Re: Contract shall survive the closing, Home purchase FL

We were about to sign an offer to purchase a house when we realized that the words we wanted added to the contract were not on the real estate offer contract. The words are: "This contract shall survive the closing". All other home purchases we made in Georgia stressed the importance of this because once the closing is over, this document is dead, so any disclosures seller made are irrelevant . We had two lawyers in Georgia tell us this many years ago. The agent said in Florida that this is not part of the fill in the blank contract and that the agency's lawyer said it cannot be done and they won't do it. I wanted to handwrite it in, but was told I can't. We refused to sign and she said to contact a real estate attorney for a sec...
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you pro-actively replace old SIM cards?
Replies: 14
Views: 2168

Re: Do you pro-actively replace old SIM cards?

Why is your SIM card wearing out? I never need to remove mine.
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: deposit on new car
Replies: 21
Views: 2591

Re: deposit on new car

I wouldnt put down any deposit until a vehicle was found. It cant be that hard to find one if it exists.
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to find franchise opportunities?
Replies: 17
Views: 1925

Re: Where to find franchise opportunities?

Are you really building an asset with a franchise or are you buying a job and leasing a business model?
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I got my tax refund today--and it doesn't match what I filed!
Replies: 31
Views: 5549

Re: I got my tax refund today--and it doesn't match what I filed!

I think I once randomly got an exact $1200 treasury dept check and couldn't figure out what I did wrong on my taxes. A few months later the IRS sent a letter telling me why. I expect you'll get one of those letters eventually.

Turned out I forgot to enter an estimated tax payment on my return.
by barnaclebob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car brake lights won't turn off after install of new battery
Replies: 29
Views: 2592

Re: Car brake lights won't turn off after install of new battery

bookgirl wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:52 pm
lightning wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:43 pm Just to follow up. it is a $1 plastic button that you have to push into a hole on the brake pedal so that it actuates the switch when the pedal is released. The hard part is getting your head under the dash with a flash light to see where it goes.
It was the pin/button or whatever it's called. The two truck driver kindly briefly fixed it. But as soon as I drove it the brake lights came back on. Guess I shouldn't have canceled the tow. Is this something I can fix myself? Would have to be soon as battery will die with brake lights on and stay on when car is turned off.

What is the part called?
Why are you getting a tow for a vehicle thats driveable?
by barnaclebob
Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me out of buying a Nissan Armada!
Replies: 29
Views: 1985

Re: Talk me out of buying a Nissan Armada!

SUV's have a much higher rollover risk. You are replacing one danger with another. Do nothing.

The other day i checked my blindspot, started changing lanes to the left on a major suburban thoroughfare when a car passed someone in the left lane via the left turn lane. When i saw them they were alongside a foot away and going 20mph faster. I swerved fast enough to feel a little understeer on dry pavement with no further loss of control. Maybe modern stability control would have the same result on a large suv, maybe not.
by barnaclebob
Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow
Replies: 148
Views: 22990

Re: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow

Ill say that I think you are right being mostly honest with your boss and she is spot on that dealing with people who are either in denial or are lying/gaslighting is much more frustrating than an honest slacker (and I use that word in a jealous way lol).

She may have motivation to help you get a separation agreement because you are making life easier on her and if she can replace you with a better performer then her numbers get better.
by barnaclebob
Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House buying and mortgage payoff plan
Replies: 16
Views: 2088

Re: House buying and mortgage payoff plan

the money earmarked for the new house down payment was already in a MMF, so is the origin fund and tax implications of this already a done deal? Yes, the MM fund is saved over time as a MM fund, so nothing was sold to incur taxes on it. I dont undestand why you say you'd be left with only 45k of i bonds as liquid assets when you say you have 1.7mil of taxable investments. Those are liquid. Or are you counting unvested RSU's there? "Liquid" might be me abusing the term. I meant liquid as in cash or near-cash. The 1.7M is all in stock index funds, and so is subject to a dive if there is a big bear market. Not counting unvested RSU's in my portfolio numbers. Dedicated emergency funds aren't necessary at your level of assets. An emer...
by barnaclebob
Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Handling Inheritance In A Marriage
Replies: 49
Views: 5652

Re: Handling Inheritance In A Marriage

twh wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:04 pm 26 year stable marriage...always co-mingled in the past...one child 24...just put the inheritances in you joint account.
Terrible advice IMO even for stable long marriages.

You should NOT pool the funds nor have each other be sole beneficiaries. If you want to ensure the money goes to your daughter then you'll want to set up an appropriate estate plan.

You die, your wife remarries, daughter doesn't get along with new guy, wife dies without an estate plan, new husband had a will/trust leaving all of his assents to his kids.
by barnaclebob
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What fund to hold while waiting for MBR distribution
Replies: 12
Views: 1013

Re: What fund to hold while waiting for MBR distribution

Dont sweat the small amount of time out of the market. It will be a minor impact to your overall gains and sometimes its just the way the world works. Just do whats easiest, don't try to be perfect. And yes you are correct that paying taxes on MBDR gains before they are converted isn't worth sweating over, nor are losses. As far as I know, anything that happens before the money comes out of your 401k is irrelevant to the basis. There's nothing to track. Even if there is its small potatoes. Invest your after tax contributions in whatever they will be invested in your roth, make the conversion. Don't watch the markets and don't worry about any losses. These concerns are probably 3 orders of magnitude down the chain of influence to your overal...
by barnaclebob
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House buying and mortgage payoff plan
Replies: 16
Views: 2088

Re: House buying and mortgage payoff plan

Buy the new house, move in and then sell the old house. Moving is hard. Trying to squeeze everything into a few weeks is not fun. Spend the extra few thousand to do it at a reasonable pace.

I dont undestand why you say you'd be left with only 45k of i bonds as liquid assets when you say you have 1.7mil of taxable investments. Those are liquid. Or are you counting unvested RSU's there?

You might look into down payment +250k second mortgage to be paid by current house proceeds + the remainder as the primary mortgage.

Why do you need to keep so much money in a money market account, i dont understand why the portion about selling 200k to "reduce risk".
by barnaclebob
Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:08 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has passive investing broken the market?
Replies: 136
Views: 16716

Re: Has passive investing broken the market?

This nonsense comes up often since probably the early 90's if not earlier.

My favorite take is that index investing is "immoral" because it just rides the coat tails of the smart people putting the real work in. :greedy
by barnaclebob
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College cheating, what would you do?
Replies: 64
Views: 4453

Re: College cheating, what would you do?

Or the cheater is ahead of the game. Knowing how to use ChatGPT productively. In the real world, the employer only cares whether the job is done. What tool that the person choose to use is not important to them. KlangFool I'll bet good money that the roomate isnt using ChatGPT "properly" which means to use it to help compose your own thoughts and ideas into better sentence structures. She'll be in for a rude awakening when hitting the real world where you don't turn in a 5 paragraph essay on how to sell more lawn mowers to ace hardware or whatever shell end up doing. OP, it really sucks to live with cheater like this but advise your daughter to keep her head down and complete the work the right way. It will pay off, especially if...
by barnaclebob
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ditch Wells Fargo Advisors
Replies: 24
Views: 3215

Re: Ditch Wells Fargo Advisors

Before making an large adjustments its imperative to understand the tax consequences. An in kind transfer to a new brokerage isnt a taxable event but changing your investments is. If this is all in a 401k, traditional IRA or the roth versions of either (and probably a few other tax advantaged accounts) then you can change investments with no issues. If its a taxable account (i.e. a regular investment/brokerage account) then youll need to know what your cost basis is for each of your investments. Any with losses can be sold and then the right amount of investments with gains can be sold to cancel that out. Hopefully you arent "stuck" in too many investments with large gains. At the very least set all dividends and distributions to ...
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Might need to replace car: are used Tesla's the value play right now?
Replies: 41
Views: 5771

Re: Might need to replace car: are used Tesla's the value play right now?

Check to see what your insurance rates would be first and good luck if you ever need a repair. Latest I heard was that the steering wheels were delaminating and Tesla was blaming it on owners for using lotion on their hands...

Buyer beware.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to keep money in a main checking account safe?
Replies: 57
Views: 3544

Re: Best way to keep money in a main checking account safe?

Forgoing the massive convenience of online account access just to prevent someone from possibly accessing the account seems silly. Just dont give your 2FA code 2 or password to anyone. This inst rocket science.
by barnaclebob
Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage recast or not
Replies: 5
Views: 564

Re: Mortgage recast or not

tintingwu wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:02 pm
Thanks. What if I recast to bring the payment down, but continue to pay my current monthly payment, thereby paying more towards principal every month? Does it equate to the same thing?
Yeah it should math out the same. If your interest rate is lower than what a money market pays these days then you can put that extra principle into the money market to effectively arbitrage the difference.