Search found 535 matches

by zzcooper123
Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are these two funds "substantially identical?"
Replies: 18
Views: 1537

Re: Are these two funds "substantially identical?"

Have the Bogleheads arrived on any consensus on the loss harvesting of tax exempt bond funds?
by zzcooper123
Thu Jan 21, 2016 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing for retirement vs. college
Replies: 15
Views: 2153

Re: Investing for retirement vs. college

It is hard to beat long term compounded returns to build wealth. For a high earner, the upfront state tax savings and untaxed returns of a 529 might make sense. It didn't really for me with my two college kids. Tuition is going up 5-8% year and the College nickels and dimes me to death. Fees for everything. Plus they seem to not care whether they add value to my kids' education. A taxable account under the current cap gains rate would have made more sense. I am progressively gifting my Stock funds to my kids at 0% tax. The Am. Opportunity Tax Credit is a big help to affordability. You could borrow from your 401k. Push your kids to get college credit in High school. Maybe first 2 years at Community college. State schools only. If you make an...
by zzcooper123
Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician MBA?
Replies: 30
Views: 5036

Re: Physician MBA?

Why don't you start your own side business? You will learn more about Business that from any MBA. It is doubtful that an MBA will magically bring a fulfilling and high paying job into your life.
by zzcooper123
Wed Dec 02, 2015 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Doctor Strategies
Replies: 74
Views: 13820

Re: Doctor Strategies

The biggest question is: what is your student loan debt?
How you manage this greatly impacts your financial future.

Remember asset protection.
Start a home based business.
Don't forget to fully self-actualize
by zzcooper123
Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PhD Mechanical Engineer --> Law School?
Replies: 47
Views: 6944

Re: PhD Mechanical Engineer --> Law School?

How about testifying in Court as an engineer? A high demand for qualified experts especially in engineering. Don't need law school to get this type of training. Look at SEAK courses.
by zzcooper123
Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Stock Index Not Going to Crash" vs. "Coming Stock Market Crash"
Replies: 11
Views: 2188

Re: "Stock Index Not Going to Crash" vs. "Coming Stock Market Crash"

I go to Real Clear Markets occasionally. You can look at the most bullish and bearish commentaries on the same day. Both cannot be correct. Both can be wrong.
by zzcooper123
Fri Nov 06, 2015 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to take advantage of 15% tax bracket?
Replies: 37
Views: 6052

Re: How to take advantage of 15% tax bracket?

It is hard to beat a 0% tax rate.
Why not take all your cap gains now and worry about Roth conversions later?
Remember the brackets go up a little every year.
by zzcooper123
Sun Oct 25, 2015 6:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Throwing in the Towel (paying off mortgage)
Replies: 21
Views: 2788

Re: Throwing in the Towel (paying off mortgage)

A long term low rate mortgage is a precious commodity...why pay it off? Asset protection and an inflation hedge wrapped up in one package. At your ages, you don't have any better uses for the cash? Why does a paid up mortgage make your spouse happy? The mortgage obligates the Bank more than it does you, as long as you pay every month, they cannot take your House away. The Bank would certainly like you to pay it off if rates start to move up.
by zzcooper123
Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual Primary Care Premium
Replies: 20
Views: 2337

Re: Annual Primary Care Premium

I for one, appreciate the value of a PCP that knows me and wants "my business." The idea of your own personal physician is fading fast. Patients don't know what they are missing. Instead they will interact with a rushed Primary care doc, if not a NP or PA, who is more interested in generating revenue to his employer than making an efficient, accurate diagnosis. Counseling and advice? ...forget it.
The concierge model anticipates a 70% drop out rate on conversion.
by zzcooper123
Wed Sep 30, 2015 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rebalancing in a taxable account
Replies: 7
Views: 1057

Re: Rebalancing in a taxable account

In my taxable account I am slowly moving stocks to bonds until I reach a 30/70 mix . Trying to keep taxable income in the 15% bracket to avoid cap gains. May take 3-5 years depending on the Markets.Gradually moving from S&P 500 type funds to small cap value and international. After a few years, will start on rising equity glidepath to 60/40 for maybe 10 years, depending on health, tax laws, Market performance etc.
Have done most of this re-balancing in tax deferred accounts.
by zzcooper123
Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TLH for absolute dummies [Tax Loss Harvesting]
Replies: 342
Views: 84114

Re: TLH for absolute dummies [Tax Loss Harvesting]

Have we come to consensus on the six month Rule for tax loss harvesting tax free bond funds? Has anyone done this on Vanguard?
by zzcooper123
Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TLH for absolute dummies [Tax Loss Harvesting]
Replies: 342
Views: 84114

Re: TLH for absolute dummies [Tax Loss Harvesting]

:twisted: Now if we can just get the IRS to offset dividends with capital losses...
by zzcooper123
Wed May 27, 2015 5:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Removed credit freeze, lender still can't pull report
Replies: 8
Views: 2993

Re: Removed credit freeze, lender still can't pull report

I recently went through the same thing. The mortgage company insisted that all agencies were not open. I checked with each agency and all were unfrozen. The mortgage agency tried again and it worked.
by zzcooper123
Tue May 26, 2015 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pediatric Practice
Replies: 15
Views: 3314

Re: Pediatric Practice

A solo pediatrician?...not a viable business.
Are you aware of the reimbursement for vaccines?
Call schedule?
by zzcooper123
Sun May 17, 2015 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MDs--Academics or Private Practice?
Replies: 47
Views: 9070

Re: MDs--Academics or Private Practice?

A false dichotomy. Don't restrict yourself to one employer. Think like you are the CFO of your own life. Private practice is not likely to be viable very long. Maybe concierge. Unless you are making money for somebody you will get canned. Either way things are changing fast. Develop multiple skills in Medicine. Be willing to take on jobs others physicians might reject. Get a reputation as being flexible and cooperative.
by zzcooper123
Sat Apr 18, 2015 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: long term capital gain tax vs. roth conversions
Replies: 50
Views: 8872

Re: long term capital gain tax vs. roth conversions

Right now I am taking it year-by-year. If I can use up the cap gains by age 65, I will aggressively Roth convert for 5 years to age 70 and live off my high basis taxable account. If death seems imminent over that period, then I stop gains harvesting to snag the step-up basis for my heirs. You never know.
by zzcooper123
Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: long term capital gain tax vs. roth conversions
Replies: 50
Views: 8872

Re: long term capital gain tax vs. roth conversions

I am in a similar situation. I am trying to take my maximum capital gains to remain in the 15% (0% rate) bracket. Roth conversions will have to wait until my cap gains have been used up.
I am aware that this will increase my future RMD's.

Is this correct thinking?
by zzcooper123
Tue Apr 07, 2015 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 766
Views: 151004

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Anything by Steven Baxter. I loved "Evolution" and the Vortex series.
by zzcooper123
Sun Apr 05, 2015 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician tail coverage
Replies: 20
Views: 5673

Re: Physician tail coverage

Consider paying for a part time policy with the same company. Pay this discounted premium to wait out the Statute of Limitations (one year from discovery in Ohio) and then drop the policy. If OB or peds are involved this will not work, although Ohio has a 4 year Statute of Repose.
Not fool-proof by any means, but cheaper.
by zzcooper123
Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: physicians [Frustrated, considering early retirement]
Replies: 132
Views: 18891

Re: physicians

Change your attitude.Think outside-the-box. There are multiple, low-burnout, part-time opportunities for physicians. Get out of the "I have to be in Practice" mode.
by zzcooper123
Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Eek - I was terminated!! Quick Questions
Replies: 21
Views: 4175

Re: Eek - I was terminated!! Quick Questions

I can see pre-paying the Auto loan if the finance company requires lower insurance deductibles than you normally have paid.
by zzcooper123
Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The lowest stock allocation you plan to stay with
Replies: 79
Views: 19060

Re: The lowest stock allocation you plan to stay with

Just retired this year. Currently at 35/65. Anticipate going to 30/70 in 2016 with another capital gain harvest. Then rising equity glidepath to 50/50 over next 5 years.
by zzcooper123
Tue Nov 04, 2014 5:34 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2015!
Replies: 256
Views: 78304

Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2015!

Finishing up in clinical Medicine January 31, 2015.
by zzcooper123
Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:53 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Livesoft - Thank you
Replies: 44
Views: 8887

Re: Livesoft - Thank you

Livesoft has definitely changed my investing style. I credit his advice with my ability to retire early.


Have been waiting for a livesoft book or blog or something....
by zzcooper123
Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Air Purifier for Allergies
Replies: 29
Views: 4810

Re: Air Purifier for Allergies

Look into SLIT treatments. Very effective. Much easier than injections.
by zzcooper123
Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 766
Views: 151004

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

You said Asimov is just "OK" ?

I have the same problem reading modern SciFi which seems more attuned to Science Fantasy.

I loved "Evolution" by Baxter.

Lately I just read compilations of short Science Fiction.
by zzcooper123
Sat Sep 06, 2014 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Injury on MBTA: Financially worth it to hire an attorney?
Replies: 27
Views: 3003

Re: Injury on MBTA: Financially worth it to hire an attorney

I suspect the City attorneys would turn this into a prolonged nightmare. No easy cash. Could everyone with back pain sue for potholes now? Why just on city buses ? Why not people riding in cabs and private cars?

Sorry, this is a sore spot for me.
by zzcooper123
Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International in Taxable - Advantage?
Replies: 8
Views: 1406

Re: International in Taxable - Advantage?

Aren't foreign dividends taxed at the full rate? Only domestic stock dividends receive preferred rates. To me, this seems like a big deal in large taxable funds .
by zzcooper123
Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906915

Re: What are you up YTD?

Was 60/40, recently re-balanced to 50/50 with lots of muni bonds...which have been berry berry good to me. Probably up ~8% YTD. Stuck in lots of S&P500 fund...waiting til January 1, 2015 to tax gain harvest.
by zzcooper123
Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reading Suggestions
Replies: 12
Views: 1250

Re: Reading Suggestions

I continue to read and re-read Larry Swedroe's book on Alternative investments.
by zzcooper123
Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Portfolio Proposal
Replies: 23
Views: 3708

Re: Retirement Portfolio Proposal

Maybe read; "Reducing the Risk of Black Swans: Using the Science of Investing to Capture Returns With Less Volatility" by Larry Swedroe for ideas about asset allocation.
Read Wade Pfau's comments on rising equity glide path in Retirement.
Consider any part time work to allow deductions for HSAs, Health Insurance, short term capital losses against earned income.
Retirement considerations at age 58 go way beyond simple asset allocation.
by zzcooper123
Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire early?
Replies: 28
Views: 5529

Re: Can I retire early?

Retire ASAP. If you can find some Independent Contractor work for some cash you can deduct HSA's, solo 401ks,TIRA's, business expenses, auto expenses, CME (overseas conferences?), HDHP's and zero out your income. This will allow you to take out maximum capital gains every year to stay in the 15% bracket and still pay no federal tax. By continuing to work, you are essentially over-funding your Soc Security accounts. There is very little ROI to continuing to fund Soc Sec for your remaining lifespan. By delaying Soc Sec benefits and with the ongoing inflation adjustments you can probably compound your Soc Sec payments by 8-10% year from age 62-70. Try doing that with investments. Your large taxable account gives you tremendous options. You pro...
by zzcooper123
Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Minimizing Capital Gain Tax
Replies: 10
Views: 1611

Re: Minimizing Capital Gain Tax

I believe that your daughter will pay Cap Gains taxes at your top rate, which is likely 15% or more. So even if you gift the shares to your daughter and you have $1 over the 15% bracket, she will pay CG at your rate on the entire amount.
by zzcooper123
Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 35
Views: 4875

Re: Karen, single, 61, $2 million.

If she had very large unrealized Cap Gains in a taxable account, would she be better off not Roth converting to the top of the 15% bracket? The i-orp calculator seems to always Roth convert something.
by zzcooper123
Tue Jul 01, 2014 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 17
Views: 1879

Re: investing/personal finance as competitive sport

Livesoft...you will let the rest of us know about those beneficial IRS rules you uncover, won't you?
by zzcooper123
Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tilt Question
Replies: 16
Views: 1716

Re: Tilt Question

Larry Swedroe's latest book would suggest pairing a SV/ISV tilt with LOW beta. It would appear staying away from Total Market funds is suggested. At least that is what I got from the book.
by zzcooper123
Sat May 31, 2014 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax free living via Capital gains/dividends?
Replies: 20
Views: 2047

Re: Tax free living via Capital gains/dividends?

The way the tax brackets are structured it seems like they are almost paying you to retire. After a lifetime of contributions there seems to be little benefit in "topping off" Social Security.
Maybe I should get out of the way and let someone hungrier and needier take my place .
by zzcooper123
Sat May 31, 2014 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax free living via Capital gains/dividends?
Replies: 20
Views: 2047

Re: Tax free living via Capital gains/dividends?

How about this? Start a small business...deducting relevant travel, computers, home office etc. and pay no Payroll tax. Whatever is left contribute to solo401k to zero out earned AGI. The self-employed can deduct HSA from gross income to age 65 and Health Insurance premiums from earned income.
A lot of your expenses can be made deductible and you can still stay in the 15% bracket.
by zzcooper123
Sat May 17, 2014 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: It's Time to Scrape Some Cream Off the Top
Replies: 7
Views: 1792

Re: It's Time to Scrape Some Cream Off the Top

I will be moving rapidly to a 30/70 mix over the next 12-24 months. I subscribe to Pfau's Rising Equity Glidepath in early retirement.This will mean moving from Stocks to High Quality Bond funds in my IRAs. Then I will start taking maximum Cap Gains (lowest basis) in my taxable account to stay in the 15% bracket (nothing beats zero federal tax) and moving this into intermediate munis. After deductions and 401k contributions, any earned income will zero out leaving a lot of headroom for cap gains.

I just got Larry Swedroe's new book "Reducing the Risk of Black Swans" on low beta/high tilt portfolios. Excellent reading.
by zzcooper123
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: paydown strategy for mortgage
Replies: 43
Views: 6296

Re: paydown strategy for mortgage

Why anyone would want to pay off a low rate, long term Mortgage escapes me. Are all your other housing expenses going to evaporate, too ?

If corporations didn't maximize their debt-to-equity ratio; the CEO would be fired.
by zzcooper123
Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hit your #, Still want to work, does your savings % change?
Replies: 47
Views: 7144

Re: Hit your #, Still want to work, does your savings % chan

Save a year of basic expenses in a taxable account.
Then go on sabbatical for a year to figure out what you want to be when you grow up.
Do it.
by zzcooper123
Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Presentation for Retiring Physicians
Replies: 5
Views: 1066

Re: Presentation for Retiring Physicians

No, whitecoatinvestor is geared more toward younger physicians in the acquisition stage.
by zzcooper123
Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Presentation for Retiring Physicians
Replies: 5
Views: 1066

Presentation for Retiring Physicians

I am thinking of putting together a presentation/lecture for retiring physicians.

Older physicians appear to be well represented in this forum.

Must-have topics? Ideas?

What unique concerns for physicians? Is this too narrow a topic?
by zzcooper123
Sat Apr 12, 2014 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costa Rica?
Replies: 14
Views: 2451

Costa Rica?

Anyone been to Costa Rica?

Anyone been to Puerto Vallarta ?
by zzcooper123
Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Transmission rebuilt ($2k) or buy a new car? [Honda Civic]
Replies: 23
Views: 24432

Re: Transmission rebuilt ($2k) or buy a new car? [Honda Civi

Check for "Goodwill" rebates especially if you are a frequent Honda buyer. I got half off a transmission overall on my 2003 Accord. I would have sold the car otherwise.
by zzcooper123
Mon Mar 10, 2014 6:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you get through the market crash in 08-09
Replies: 104
Views: 9744

Re: How did you get through the market crash in 08-09

The whole melt-down seemed so stupid and unnecessary, that I really didn't pay attention until 2009. Guess I kept waiting for a rebound for so long it actually happened. Tried to throw all the cash I had into Stocks, but didn't have much to put in. Should have tax loss harvested more aggressively. Back then I wasn't listening to the guru of TLH...livesoft.
by zzcooper123
Sat Mar 08, 2014 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: File FAFSA with 7 figure non-retirement portfolio?
Replies: 42
Views: 7198

Re: File FAFSA with 7 figure non-retirement portfolio?

I had the same EFC results from the FAFSA and stopped completing it after my daughter's freshman year. She continued to get her merit-based scholarship.
I also had concerns about the laying out my entire financial situation onto a (possibly) unsecured site.
I heard a story where a high earning neighbor was reimbursed $500 by the institution to complete the FAFSA. The college must have wanted the data pretty bad.