Search found 172 matches

by Dudette
Mon Nov 20, 2017 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transfer Money from South Africa
Replies: 9
Views: 1623

Re: Transfer Money from South Africa

We are looking at opening an account in South Africa as an option, will be there in a month. We have only 5 days to get account open and money transferred if we go this route. So off the airplane and straight to bank and hope it all works out. We closed an account there 3 or 4 years ago so maybe we can simply reopen the old account.

Some times things in Africa take a lot time especially the week before XMAS when everyone is in vacation mode.
by Dudette
Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transfer Money from South Africa
Replies: 9
Views: 1623

Re: Transfer Money from South Africa

Thanks for the restructuring advice!
by Dudette
Sun Nov 19, 2017 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transfer Money from South Africa
Replies: 9
Views: 1623

Re: Transfer Money from South Africa

Thanks. That explains a little bit of the why. We have been working with a trust company for 15 months on the estate. We have finished with the everything but the life insurance. We have filled more forms over that time than anyone would ever believe. Everything besides the insurance was able to be transferred to our bank account. Options 1. If we "donate" to a relative would we be subject to tax if its was gifted back and transferred to US? The gift limit is $14K to avoid taxes in US. I would envision transferring in amounts less than $10K for foreign transfer disclosure reasons (simplify paperwork), less than $14K per year for gift tax. 2. The other option is opening bank account and transfer direct. 3. Use Forex company noted p...
by Dudette
Sun Nov 19, 2017 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transfer Money from South Africa
Replies: 9
Views: 1623

Transfer Money from South Africa

Hello, We need to transfer part of an inheritance, between $10K and $20K, from South Africa. My spouse is a former SA citizen who's passport has expired and as such would need to reapply for citizenship. In order to transfer the money, the life insurance company is saying our bank in the US would need to register with SA Exchange Control Authorities. The other option is to transfer to an account in South Africa. They suggested we "donate" the money to a relative who could then transfer to us. Well, we are not going to donate our money. So what are options to get the money out? 1. Open bank account in SA? 2. Get cashiers check? Do US banks take foreign cashiers check? Should we make checks less than $10K to simplify things. 3. Use ...
by Dudette
Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fund Parent's Trusts
Replies: 18
Views: 4022

Re: Fund Parent's Trusts

Wow. Thanks for the very thorough response! In addition to the below responses, did I correctly indicate above who should own each type of assets (inside vs outside trust) - especially the annuities and whole life insurance? There are so many more important issues here than whether you probate their Wills. Why did you even mention it? Agree. I put that in there to explain some of why including bank accounts and car in the list. The bank account can vary considerably. If they're 78 and worth over $5 million, they probably don't need life insurance. However, if their health issues are likely to affect their life expectancy, they may want to keep their life insurance. If there's enough gain in the policies, they may also want to keep them, sin...
by Dudette
Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fund Parent's Trusts
Replies: 18
Views: 4022

Fund Parent's Trusts

Hello my dear Bogleheads. I need help with “funding” my parent’s trusts. They created two separate trusts, one for mom and one for dad, over a decade ago for estate reasons. However, they never funded the trusts. As a combined estate, they will currently exceed the federal estate tax limit of $5.45M as a combined estate by a small amount and the Illinois estate tax limit of $4M. We are also looking to avoid the $100K probate limit. They have a fairly complicated investment portfolio that is not very Bolglhead-like. In the short term I want to get the trust funded. In the longer term I will follow-up with discussion on how to better invest unless it is pertinent to the trust discussion. I am also consulting with my parent’s lawyer. Questions...
by Dudette
Mon May 30, 2016 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell Rental to Pay Off House?
Replies: 23
Views: 2993

Sell Rental to Pay Off House?

Hello. I live in Seattle and real estate is going a bit nuts here. The equity in the rental (condo) is getting to point where it I sold it I could simply pay off the house. The rental is a downtown view property which will be going up in value (location near viaduct that is coming down) and has high rental income. The question is should I simply sell or keep as long term investment. What do you get when you do the math? The HOD's are relatively high. Below are the details of the house and rental. We are in the 28%/33% tax rate. We have solid 401K/IRA/Taxable investments and a pension. We are around 50 years old. House Value.................................. 900000 Loan Base............................386250 Loan Rate...........................
by Dudette
Mon May 02, 2016 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business to Business Cost Accounting
Replies: 7
Views: 970

Re: Business to Business Cost Accounting

That's it except the question was about the tax part. So creative accounting (over invoice, under invoice) to avoid taxes is illegal. Also that I'm not doing and not a he. I wouldn't be certain that whatever they're doing is illegal without fully describing the situation to an accountant, and the line between "legal" and "illegal, but practically unenforceable, unless the items sold are commodities with well-known values" may not be too distinct. Sorry for the pronoun/actor mistake. That's about where I am at this stage. Really don't want to be involved with this, does me no good in life, just question now. '"If you are talking about members of a consolidated group, it has absolutely no effect on the consolidated f...
by Dudette
Mon May 02, 2016 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business to Business Cost Accounting
Replies: 7
Views: 970

Re: Business to Business Cost Accounting

dltnfs wrote:I think he's trying to quietly move budget from one project at a large company to another, by getting the vendor to over-invoice one and under-invoice the other. Probably not illegal (unless that ends up e.g. evading tax, on purpose or by accident), also not a great idea.
That's it except the question was about the tax part.

So creative accounting (over invoice, under invoice) to avoid taxes is illegal.

Also that I'm not doing and not a he.
by Dudette
Sun May 01, 2016 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business to Business Cost Accounting
Replies: 7
Views: 970

Business to Business Cost Accounting

Hi! Got a question.

Is it legal for a Company A to lower the price of one item it is selling to Company B and increase the cost of another item they are selling to Company B in order to shift costs for the programs Company B is working on?
by Dudette
Mon Sep 07, 2015 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: WA state 529 program (GET) change worth it?
Replies: 28
Views: 7936

Re: WA state 529 program (GET) change worth it?

Kid is in 6th grade. Always liked the diversity the GET program gave with bond like returns and security. Olympia and the GET program screwed things up by first increasing the rate to buy into the fund to an excessive amount (over-reaction to market volatility) and now Olympia reducing tuition rate. The tuition at current rate is not excessive relative to other schools. They should have kept the tuition the same. Reducing tuition is simply stupid vs giving aid where it is needed. Education isn't simply a teacher lecturing about a book anymore. Need labs, hands on experience - this takes money. The GET program is essentially dead, only the uninformed will invest in. I plan to move money to my other account at DFA or move to UTAH where I can ...
by Dudette
Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Middle Level Exec - Compensation Package
Replies: 3
Views: 1056

Middle Level Exec - Compensation Package

Hello, Looking for help on a mid level exec compensation package. Specifically a friend was going to leave a job because the hours were too extreme for years on end. Friend found a job and gave notice. Old job turned around and said you can take the summer off and write your own package. Really need help as neither friend nor I have experience here. Most of the help needed is in how to craft the Long Term Incentive Plan. Basic Package Salary: ~10% Increase Hours Worked - Hire person below to reduce work load Leave: Time off this summer and 4 weeks every 4 years. Short Term Incentive Plan (same as now). Performance bonus (stock, $) Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP): This is where help is needed. For a long term incentive plan to ensure mutual ...
by Dudette
Sat Apr 04, 2015 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying off Boat with Heloc
Replies: 18
Views: 2743

Re: Paying off Boat with Heloc

I have a strict no sell policy on taxable investments. Keeps me honest. Whenever I get a raise - I increase my investments accordingly and make it feel like money is tight.

Also, one job has been secure in our family also and the other less so until lately. While we can pay our bills with one income - we have been conservative (slow) in paying off loans to keep more cash/liquid investments on hand.

So we'll pay off the boat with the heloc and then the heloc in due time.
by Dudette
Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying off Boat with Heloc
Replies: 18
Views: 2743

Re: Paying off Boat with Heloc

Probably will pay off the boat and charge ahead on with the heloc. I don't see interest rates going up too fast to worry about (though some day I would like to get 4 or 5 percent on safe investments again).

I here you on the take away house issue but we are pretty safe. We have about 1.2 in reserve (all liquid investments in total) and have between 40% and 60% equity in the properties.

Rental is a large downtown Seattle view property - so rental income is good and going up fast, ~60% in 6 years since the real estate downturn.

Boats are money pits - had to replace the outdrive with low hours. Yikes! We write the boat off as a second home because we sleep on it more than two weeks a year. Crazy write-off but we'll take it.
by Dudette
Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying off Boat with Heloc
Replies: 18
Views: 2743

Paying off Boat with Heloc

Hello,

Here's the deal...

Boat Loan - $35K @ 6.74% with about 7 years left
Heloc ~ $195K paying @ 3.74% paying off at ~$5K per month.

Paid a lot more interest last year on the boat relative to the heloc. Interest rates going up but don't think fast enough to be a worry.

No other debt beside normal mortgage on house and rental property.

Should I pay off the boat?
by Dudette
Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Undisclosed 401K Fees - Large SP500 Company
Replies: 9
Views: 894

Re: Undisclosed 401K Fees - Large SP500 Company

Thanks for getting back to me.

The evidence is new statements showing them selling X amount of my SP500 fund on a monthly basis which currently my largest fund. I made the assumption the policy is to sell from the largest fund.

I called them and the management company said the policy was started a few months ago. I walked through the disclosure of fees with her and she could not find the fee. She could not account for how the fee was being shown going back in time beyond the start of the policy.

I would expect a different policy regarding fees besides selling a fund of their choosing.
by Dudette
Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Undisclosed 401K Fees - Large SP500 Company
Replies: 9
Views: 894

Undisclosed 401K Fees - Large SP500 Company

I work for a large company. With the new rules coming out - it appears they are showing that they selling part of the largest fund I own on a monthly basis to pay for expenses. The disclosure of fees and expenses does not disclose this fee. To be fair - the fee is relatively small - but we are a 100,000+ employee company. Looking at electronic records it appears that they electronically created expense records showing this fee in the past that wasn't shown previously. My questions are this: 1. Is this fee legal given the new rules? 2. Can they sell my funds (take my money) to pay this fee that is not disclosed? 3. Isn't there tax issues with them being paid with tax free money? 4. Anything else I should think about? This is besides the fact...
by Dudette
Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tenant Issues - Died with ~15K damage to property
Replies: 21
Views: 4074

Re: Tenant Issues - Died with ~15K damage to property

We are contacting our rental agent today for her advice. We are going to get people in asap to get quotes on the work required. With more accurate quotes, we will decide on what to do. With the issue of the estate, I think you are right in needing a lawyer. We don't even know how to find the estate holder other than the daughter. We have been accomodating as possible - putting in assessable features at our expense. We didn't confront the daughter on the damage - that said we were shell shocked at the amount of damage - we looked at each other and just said this is unreal. They clearly didn't care. Carpets - $2K Cabinets - $2K Floors - $4K Patch holes and replace doors - $2K Paint - $2K Counter tops - $3K Tile Repair - $1K Replace Shower doo...
by Dudette
Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tenant Issues - Died with ~15K damage to property
Replies: 21
Views: 4074

Tenant Issues - Died with ~15K damage to property

Hi, We had our tenant die after living in place for 3 years. The place has maybe $15K of damage. The lease was in her name alone because her daughter who lived with her had no credit. We required them to pay 6 months in advance because of the daughters credit issues - so they are paid through the end of April. The mom died in January and we weren't notified even though the lease was in her name. There was about 1 month extra for damages in the lease. When they moved in, while the were very sloppy, the damage was being done but nothing like we are seeing now. Seems that they decide she was so sick they didn't care. They moved a hospital bed onto our wood floors. They spilled dialysis fluid on the carpets. The mother put major gouges, holes i...
by Dudette
Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Vanguard Funds and ETF's?
Replies: 2
Views: 495

New Vanguard Funds and ETF's?

I did a quick search and didn't find any threads of late.

Is Vanguard planning on opening up any new funds or ETF's? I haven't seen anything lately. They may be a victim of their own success - the volume of business they do will create liquidity problems.

I would like to see FTSE or MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap - similar to EEMS, EWX except lower expenses. Anything else people would like.

PS - I just found out the hard way about Vanguards no cancellation policy on funds buys even it the trade won't go through until next Tuesday afternoon. Kind of a joke policy.

PSS - I went from a neutral position to all stocks in December. I know - don't time the market. But it has worked in the past (see my previous calls). All aboard!!!
by Dudette
Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frontier Markets Fund - EEM Equivalent
Replies: 7
Views: 750

Re: Frontier Markets Fund - EEM Equivalent

The link is for the MSCI Frontier Market Fund from iShares - not VWO vs EEM.

Need to read up more as Kuwait is something like 34% of the index. Hopefully they limit exposure otherwise its another poor fund design for diversification like FRN and EWX.
by Dudette
Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frontier Markets Fund - EEM Equivalent
Replies: 7
Views: 750

Re: Frontier Markets Fund - EEM Equivalent

FRN is something like 31% Chile and maybe 45 to 50% Latin America. I'm looking for something more balanced.
by Dudette
Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frontier Markets Fund - EEM Equivalent
Replies: 7
Views: 750

Frontier Markets Fund - EEM Equivalent

iShares is coming out with an MSCI Frontier Market Fund. Bout time. Wham bam thank you...

http://community.nasdaq.com/News/2011-1 ... yid=107221

Vanguard what is taking you so long!!!
by Dudette
Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Computer Warranties: Worth the Cost?
Replies: 21
Views: 2612

Sometimes...

A friend bought a laptop and got the warrantee. Two days before her LSAT or Finals for law school (forget which), her computer died and the test required a computer with info on the computer.

A computer was fedex'ed to her law school, the law school computing department dropped everything to rescue the info on her hard drive a few hours before the test. She did fine and passed.
by Dudette
Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Washington Get Pricing
Replies: 8
Views: 1713

Email from the GET programs: UPDATE: The new unit price for 2011-12 is $163 The GET Committee established the new unit price at their meeting September 8. With a marked decrease in state assistance, our universities have had to increase tuition substantially and place a greater share of the cost on the individual student and his or her family. Projections are for continued double digit tuition increases over the next few years. Since the GET Program is guaranteed to cover the cost of future tuition, no matter how much it increases, the unit price must be strong enough to ensure long-term stability for the Program. It also must be ready to pay college expenses, as promised, to the thousands of families who are saving for college with GET. Un...
by Dudette
Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Washington Get Pricing
Replies: 8
Views: 1713

Re: Washington Get Pricing

stratton wrote:
letsgobobby wrote:I myself am stunned by the 39% price increase, since tuition this fall and next are to increase by 16% annually, or only 35% in the next 2 years; GET seems to be trying to sneak in more than 2 years worth of increases in just 1 year.
A Seattle Times article mentioned this (no link) when they decrease school funding more money has to be added to GET to keep funding at the required level. It appears they aren't doing that and having future GET purchasers make it up.

Paul
Basically the tuition is going up (due to less support from state) so the Washington Get has to go up to cover.

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/20 ... cal-issues
by Dudette
Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Washington Get Pricing
Replies: 8
Views: 1713

Washington Get Pricing

New Purchases - $163 (was $117)

http://www.get.wa.gov/newaccounts.shtml

Redeem - $102.23

http://www.get.wa.gov/usingunits.shtml

Seems like they changed a bunch or rules. Glad I was done a couple years ago.
by Dudette
Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New Fund: Powershares MENA Frontier Countries Port. (PNMA)
Replies: 22
Views: 3345

Frontier Index

Off all the index, I prefer the S&P Indexes such as this one...

www2.standardandpoors.com/spf/pdf/.../SP_Frontier_BMI_Factsheet.pdf

They have versions that limit the max country weighting to 15% which is great.
by Dudette
Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best way to get small value tilt?
Replies: 10
Views: 2568

invest in emerging markets small cap value...small cap value US will no longer have the performance difference of the past...even consider frontier small cap value...
by Dudette
Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What you learned from lost decade?
Replies: 61
Views: 8938

1. Don't listen to bogleheads for allocation, weighting and market timing decisions. 2. New money is critical to any investment strategy prior to retirement. 3. Cash is your friend. 4. When I feel good about my returns it is time to increase my diversifiers (cash, bonds, etc). 5. The bond party is over. 6. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth - example, the Washington Get program was obviously the best investment for college 5 to 10 years ago...glad I bought 4 years in lieu of many people advising to invest in the market...won't be surprised if get 10%+ returns over 18 years... 7. Overweight high risk returm investments and balance with diversifiers. Underweight core investments. 8. You can't keep smart people from innovating...emerging / f...
by Dudette
Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: most uncertain time of my life concerning investing
Replies: 27
Views: 2362

Emerging markets will continue to grow. I have a class of emerging markets that I call Middle Markets in my spreadsheet. Middle markets are emerging markets minus Brazil and China and markets that are truely developed (South Korea etc.) I overweight some of these relative to the MSCI EM Index to better diversify my porfolio from country and regional issues. My overweighting takes into account the valuations in each individual country relative to the countries historical valuation and valuation of the the markets in general (developed and EM). This weighting is evolving in my portfolio as money becomes available. I am treating Frontier markets like bonds for my portfolio. If the valuations are reasonable/low and politics have the right traje...
by Dudette
Mon May 30, 2011 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Alternative savings options for education?
Replies: 13
Views: 1269

Curious what investment option you have in your 401K plans.

All of your investments should be managed as one portfolion.
by Dudette
Mon May 30, 2011 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Alternative savings options for education?
Replies: 13
Views: 1269

Bob's not my name wrote:We've seen posters in this forum with student loan rates from 1% to 10%.
touchet...its is a balance is it not...
by Dudette
Mon May 30, 2011 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Alternative savings options for education?
Replies: 13
Views: 1269

Bob's not my name wrote:
Dudette wrote:Target the smallest one first.
Target the highest rates first.
Not if you are buying a house. The quantity of loans and the amount go to your score and your ability to get a loan. They are paying off in such large chunks that the one year interest doens't matter. Student loans rates are usually not that different anyway.
by Dudette
Mon May 30, 2011 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Alternative savings options for education?
Replies: 13
Views: 1269

1. Max out 401K. In this income area there are not a lot of other options for avoiding taxes. The rule for 401K's is to have substatially equal payments - this means you should have the percentage set to spread investments over the year. I pay attention to the last months to have slightly over earlier but so my last payment also gets full matching. 2. In a taxable account, set up core low cost, low tax funds. VTSMX, VFWIX, VEIEX or the etf equivalents. This will serve as long term investments for retirement, college, etc. This will also be part of money that will help if you are out of a job, need emergency money. Don't do as others have noted and pay off all your debt first. You need to have emergency backup money. I have some investments ...
by Dudette
Mon May 23, 2011 8:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much allocation to Emerging Markets is too much?
Replies: 80
Views: 13823

Global X is working on a Next 11 etf...Probably be out pretty soon...

http://etfdb.com/2010/global-x-planning-four-new-etfs/

edit...

NXTE Symbol

http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/201 ... -etf-nxte/
by Dudette
Mon May 23, 2011 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much allocation to Emerging Markets is too much?
Replies: 80
Views: 13823

Bongleur wrote:But is there a fund/etf that tracks CIVETS ?
No CIVETS etf yet.

The is also discussion about the Next 11 (etf) - countries other than BRIC.

There is a lot of opportunities in emerging/frontier etfs to come up with a better fund that has better political and geographical diversity. Little disappointed in the design of the funds. A fund that limits any one country weighting to say 20% would be great. FRN with 31% Chili and EWX with ~ the same in Taiwan is silly.

The civets index shown isn't the best either. A few big companies. Prefer a little larger x-section of the companies in the countries that exhibit and benefit from internal growth within the country.
by Dudette
Sun May 22, 2011 6:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much allocation to Emerging Markets is too much?
Replies: 80
Views: 13823

Bongleur wrote:
Dudette wrote:I might like to pick up something along this lines if it was available to diversify my EM portfolio.

http://www.risk.net/structured-products ... ooks-brics
Seems to require a subscription to access the content.

Synopsis ???
The is just the CIVETS index and an ETF that might be made.

Here is a link. Click on the fact sheet...

http://www.standardandpoors.com/indices ... --p-rcv---

CIVETS Exposure...

Colombia 12.4%
Egypt 4.9%
Indonesia 28.3%
South Africa 31.6%
Turkey 21.8%
Vietnam 10 1.0%

What I look for more are countries that are at the cross roads of trade...CIVETS fit the bill. Same things that applied 2000 years ago apply today...
by Dudette
Sun May 22, 2011 3:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much allocation to Emerging Markets is too much?
Replies: 80
Views: 13823

I might like to pick up something along this lines if it was available to diversify my EM portfolio.

http://www.risk.net/structured-products ... ooks-brics
by Dudette
Sun May 22, 2011 3:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much allocation to Emerging Markets is too much?
Replies: 80
Views: 13823

I have about 37% or so in emerging markets, roughly spread between large cap, small cap value, and frontier markets, a little lighter on the frontier side. I am putting about 31% of new money into emerging markets, roughly 11% emlc, 10% emsc, and 10% frontier. While there is a lot better correlation between the markets, the opportunities for growth are in these markets with the aging populations of japan, us, and europe weighing these markets down. Frontier markets are still a good diversifier with lack of correlation with the markets. I am mid 40's and fine with the risk. Over the last ten years or so the risk has been to be in the us markets. I'm with ya, except I'm still not sure on frontier markets. I was interested, did quite a bit of...
by Dudette
Sun May 22, 2011 1:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much allocation to Emerging Markets is too much?
Replies: 80
Views: 13823

I have about 37% or so in emerging markets, roughly spread between large cap, small cap value, and frontier markets, a little lighter on the frontier side.

I am putting about 31% of new money into emerging markets, roughly 11% emlc, 10% emsc, and 10% frontier.

While there is a lot better correlation between the markets, the opportunities for growth are in these markets with the aging populations of japan, us, and europe weighing these markets down.

Frontier markets are still a good diversifier with lack of correlation with the markets.

I am mid 40's and fine with the risk. Over the last ten years or so the risk has been to be in the us markets.
by Dudette
Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: International Shipping - Ebay
Replies: 1
Views: 440

International Shipping - Ebay

I have several items on Ebay. I got an inquiry from italy. Is there any concern with shipping to Italy if I get paid through paypal?
by Dudette
Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion for Non-deductible IRA 2005
Replies: 5
Views: 901

Most of the money is non-deductible. I cannot transfer to my 401K. The investments I want to be in to diversify are not available in the 401K anyway. I can convert by just a phone call so sending the money in first is not big deal. Thanks though. I called to make sure it wasn't any issue to have two conversions.
by Dudette
Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion for Non-deductible IRA 2005
Replies: 5
Views: 901

Thanks.

I have $7K total in the account with a $4K investment. I am going to convert, pay taxes, and add $5K (to convert). Any comments?

I have no idea why I put money into a non-deductable ira in the first place. Actually I do, we barely exceed the roth limits and when running the numbers it was a few percent better 25 years out-still it is simpler to just use low cost index funds in a taxable. I don't wanna keep track of the basis for 20 years when I want to take it out. Don't make a lot of mistakes when investing, that was one though. Keep it simple.
by Dudette
Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion for Non-deductible IRA 2005
Replies: 5
Views: 901

Roth Conversion for Non-deductible IRA 2005

Can I convert a 2005 non-deductible ira to a roth? What are the rules and issues with this. Limited info.
by Dudette
Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much should I fund the kids' 529s?
Replies: 27
Views: 3678

Paying into 529's to fully fund 4 years in state public university. So if kid goes to public I have not overpaid. Pay for anything above that using income, etc. Put other money into low cost taxable index funds that can be used for whatever in the future. What is 100% fully funded? Kid is 6. 4 years of Washington Get paid for plus $12500 in DFA All Equity. Adding $450 per month to DFA. Roughly $200K when 18. Both mom and dad went to private U's so there is a strong chance our kid will go to one (currently more than $50K per year). We plan on paying for all of our kids education and his roth equal to his income or max until he can afford it on his own. Many calculators out there - here is one... http://screen.morningstar.com/calculators/coll...
by Dudette
Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: a theoretical argument against tilting
Replies: 16
Views: 2181

non-theoretical

the market is rotating back to LV from LG...

D$mn 401K just eliminated LV option...#%$*^(*$*#*(%#*
by Dudette
Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Software Version
Replies: 27
Views: 3250

Here are the choices from Turbo-tax online - it and the other versions are on sale at costco ... it says for consultants to use the business version. Do I need that?

http://turbotax.intuit.com/

We understand the taxes for most part and I am an engineer, i.e. feel confortable I can figure it out. We've just been too busy with travel and such. Haven't tried the software before.
by Dudette
Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Software Version
Replies: 27
Views: 3250

Tax Software Version

Previously we had our taxes prepared for us due to the complexity. I would like to try them this year. What software/version should I get?

Key issues:

2 parents with income and kid with day care
Investments
Rental Property
One parent worked as contractor, self employeed, for one month and full time the rest of the year. Work from home partly.
Boat that can be written off as second home
Typical donations
Both house and rental property refinanced