Search found 1106 matches

by Small Law Survivor
Fri Mar 15, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re London Neighborhoods, Hotels?
Replies: 21
Views: 1636

Advice re London Neighborhoods, Hotels?

Wife and I are traveling to London for a week late summer. We are museum-lovers, and plan to spend a lot of time in various museums, and perhaps to take some day-trips outside the city. We are real tourists! But, we don't know London - where should we stay? I have one friend who knows London pretty well. His advice was to look at South Kensington and Bloomsbury, and avoid Soho/Covent Garden and South Bank. He recommended Artist Residence (https://www.artistresidence.co.uk/our-hotels/london/) and also suggested looking at hotels in the Sloan Square area. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance. Small Law
by Small Law Survivor
Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tour Company - Vietnam
Replies: 11
Views: 1294

Tour Company - Vietnam

My wife and I (both early '70s) are planning a trip to Vietnam for early 2025. We will go with another couple that are friends. The other couple has never used a tour company before. And we have only used a tour company twice - Road Scholar both times (France and Costa Rica). While we've been reasonably happy with Road Scholar, sometimes their accommodations and meals are less than we have liked. They really try to hold down costs, and you see that with some of their hotel, meal and transportation choices. There are a huge number of travel companies that go to Vietnam. But, we'd don't have information on any of them. We are not looking for "luxury" travel, just something a step up from Road Scholar, but with the same educational e...
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your ****Coffee Bean*** discoveries and preferences: Brand-type-source? Grinds? Brews? Presses? Drips? Perks? Pour overs
Replies: 272
Views: 26534

Re: Your ****Coffee Bean*** discoveries and preferences: Brand-type-source? Grinds? Brews? Presses? Drips? Perks? Pour o

I've been reading this thread with interest - a lot to learn and benefit from here! However, I have a specific problem. We use a french press. We have purchased many coffee bean grinders, and they quickly become jammed up. I have to open and clean them frequently, which is really a hassle I'd like to avoid. Recently, we've been buying Primos brand from Amazon, coarse ground, to avoid the jammed-up grinder issue. I'd like to buy and grind our own beans - is there a solution to the grinder problem? If we can grind our own beans without this difficulty we will move to organic beans. But finding a good seller that will coarsely grind organic beans has been impossible. Thank you. Primos: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0713P1N2Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt...
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Mar 10, 2024 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any Azul Wells fans here?
Replies: 9
Views: 1092

Any Azul Wells fans here?

I've been watching Azul's videos on Youtube. They are very soothing - he shoots them walking around the countryside - not sure how the manages this technically. He has a nice smile, and a soothing voice/demeanor. He's a retired financial advisor. His videos are short, and tend to be philosophical, sort of. His central theme is - life is short, don't short-change yourself. Retire early if you can.

I think I'm becoming an Azul groupie. Well, at least a fan.

https://www.azulwells.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@AzulWells
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Miami Beach Hotel for one night
Replies: 10
Views: 1245

Re: Miami Beach Hotel for one night

Sorry, clarification. We are in Costa Rica now. We had planned to fly back to Boston on Feb 25, and have plane reservations for that. However, upon arrival and consideration we concluded that flying home in one day is just not worth the strain. We would get home around midnight after more than 12 hours of airports, flight time and auto travel. So, we decided to abandon those tickets and break it up into two days, with an overnight in Miami. There are two lessons here. As you age you can’t handle travel like you did when younger. From now on we will break it up, as we are doing for the first time on this trip. To borrow an expression, aging happens slowly at first, then all at once. The second lesson is that spending a couple of grand to mod...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Miami Beach Hotel for one night
Replies: 10
Views: 1245

Miami Beach Hotel for one night

We are in Costa Rica, and it occurred to us that flying home to Boston in one day is too hard on us. We wouldn’t get home until midnight, and this is just too hard on our 70+ year old bodies. I think it was Leo Tolstoy who said that the biggest surprise in a man’s life is old age. I can vouch for that So, we just arranged to fly into Miami, stay overnight and fly to Boston the following afternoon. I don’t know Miami at all, but we will have an afternoon and evening there, and I’d like to make the most of it. But, I have no idea where to stay. I’m looking at Google Hotels and Trip Advisor, and it’s overwhelming. I think it would be fun to stay on Miami Beach or South Beach where all the action I read about takes place. Contemporary hotel on ...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who In Their Right Mind Files Gift Tax Returns? And Why?
Replies: 114
Views: 16148

Who In Their Right Mind Files Gift Tax Returns? And Why?

A few years ago we gifted our daughter around $38,000. I filed a gift tax return. My tax preparer prepared it, and I had to mail it in - no online filing. My tax preparer told me that there was some humongous number of these things sitting around waiting to be processed. This year (2023) we gifted out daughter $32,000. But, we also took her on an expensive vacation. And gave her various in-kind gifts. We certainly are over $32,000. I'm wondering whether it makes any sense to file a gift tax return for 2023. I can't imagine that many people do this. Apparently, around $250,000 of these are filed annually. That small number suggests to me that most people don't bother. What if she gets married and we pay for the wedding? Do we have to file a ...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help on Moving Programs/Software to New Macbook
Replies: 8
Views: 866

Re: Help on Moving Programs/Software to New Macbook

This is all great advice, thank you! I am reinstalling software (Libreoffice, Evernote, Adobe, and so forth directly. Have not used File Sharing, but will explore that now. Interesting, once I installed Chrome not only did all my bookmarks transfer over, but the login credentials seem to have moved with them. Thanks again, this was really helpful.
by Small Law Survivor
Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help on Moving Programs/Software to New Macbook
Replies: 8
Views: 866

Help on Moving Programs/Software to New Macbook

I picked up a new Macbook Air this morning. My old Macbook is about five years old. I'm a "download on impulse without worrying about it" type. My applications folder shows over 90 applications. The problem is that many of them have never been used, or were just used a couple of times and abandoned. I know that when you delete an application sometimes files remain on the computer, hidden g_d knows where. This computer is haunted - inexplicable stuff pops up all the time. It's like a 12 room house filled with pizza boxes, unopened furniture boxes and empty sardine cans in a corner of the basement. Ghosts hide in the attic. I'm pretty sure a lot of the software is undeletable. I don't think the computer is infected, but I sure would...
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Return My New Apple Watch?
Replies: 83
Views: 6305

Return My New Apple Watch?

I am a fan of the iPhone and Apple computers. And here in Boston it seems like everyone is wearing an Apple watch. I'm not exaggerating. So, I figured I'd get myself one as a new year's present. A Series 9 with cell service. I've had it for a week, and I have to ask - what's the appeal? Apart from exercise and health features, it doesn't do anything the phone doesn't do, and of course it does it on a tiny screen. Sometimes it does less than a phone (no browser, for example). From what I can see, it's just another expensive gaudy gadget designed to complicate and junk up my life. Maybe it's a status symbol. I'm leaning heavily to returning it before the 14 day Apple return period lapses. Am I missing something? Might it grow on me? What's yo...
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in San José , Costa Rica
Replies: 3
Views: 1169

Things to do in San José , Costa Rica

We are going on a one week trip to Costa Rica with Road Scholar. However, we're planning to spend a couple of days in San José before the Road Scholar program begins. I'd appreciate any thoughts about what we might enjoy doing during those two days. Either in San José or one-day excursions out of San José.

Thanks in advance.
Small Law Survivor
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Nov 19, 2023 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying Home with Partner
Replies: 10
Views: 1068

Buying Home with Partner

Well, my 29 year old daughter is about to close on a house in Rhode Island, with her boy friend (SO). So far, they haven't hired lawyers to draft a co-ownership agreement. And, with all the activity and stress of buying this house I suspect they've given little thought to this so far. I suspect they are planning to deal with this after the closing. I completely agree that they need separate lawyers, or that they need to hire one lawyer and waive conflicts. They will both be on the mortgage, of course. Joint and several liability, I'm sure. However, the down payment will not be 50-50. The SO is putting down more than 50% of the down payment. My immediate question, as they are about to close is - how is this reflected in the deed? Yes, I am a...
by Small Law Survivor
Wed Nov 15, 2023 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to deal with bank's "immediate occupancy" requirement
Replies: 3
Views: 739

How to deal with bank's "immediate occupancy" requirement

My daughter is buying a house in Rhode Island. She intends to do a month of renovations before moving in. However, the loan documentation requires her to represent/certify that she is moving in "immediately." Can she get away with a month of renovations before moving into the house? What will the bank do if it learns about this delay? The insurance company? ....

Thanks in advance.
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455369

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

OK FactualFran, I'm obviously math-challenged here. I wrote: The coupon (interest) payments will be $ 552.37 (.04856 * $22,750)/2, correct? (I am ignoring the accrued interest that I'll receive with the first coupon payment) You wrote: The coupon rate of 0.375% is the annual interest rate that will be made as two semiannual payments. $25,000 of par amount will pay $ 46.88 ($25,000 * 0.375% / 2) as each semiannual interest payment. What am I doing wrong? If, for the sake of simplicity, we round the .04856 current yield up to 5% (.05), that amount on the $22,750 purchase price would be $1,137.5. Half of that, the semi-annual payments, would be $568.75, which is close to my number, and far from your number. I'm misunderstanding something here...
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Nov 11, 2023 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re Photography Software for Holiday Card Touch Up
Replies: 3
Views: 425

Advice re Photography Software for Holiday Card Touch Up

We'd like to "photoshop" a couple of photos that we plan to use for our holiday cards this year. This is (I think) simple stuff - my wife wants to touch up a few skin blemishes in the photos. I think this may require nothing more than using a "paintbrush" tool to copy skin color from one location and use it to paint another. At least I hope that's all. I have next to no experience with photo editing. I do know that there are many free and low cost internet photo editors. Could you recommend one for this purpose that I could use? I also am more than willing to outsource this to someone online (or in person?), although I am not sure how to do that, or wether it would be effective, since she'd have to communicate to the pho...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455369

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

OK FactualFran, I'm obviously math-challenged here. I wrote: The coupon (interest) payments will be $ 552.37 (.04856 * $22,750)/2, correct? (I am ignoring the accrued interest that I'll receive with the first coupon payment) You wrote: The coupon rate of 0.375% is the annual interest rate that will be made as two semiannual payments. $25,000 of par amount will pay $ 46.88 ($25,000 * 0.375% / 2) as each semiannual interest payment. What am I doing wrong? If, for the sake of simplicity, we round the .04856 current yield up to 5% (.05), that amount on the $22,750 purchase price would be $1,137.5. Half of that, the semi-annual payments, would be $568.75, which is close to my number, and far from your number. I'm misunderstanding something here ...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Nov 10, 2023 12:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455369

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

I'm new to buying Treasury notes on the secondary market. I'd appreciate comments/answer to these questions: I'm using CUSIP 91282CBC4, which was available on the secondary market yesterday. Treasury announcement for this note: https://treasurydirect.gov/instit/annce ... 1224_3.pdf Assuming a $25,000 purchase, yesterday Vanguard's brokerage provided the following information. (I just looked and the Note is still available today, but I'll use yesterday's numbers for this example.) Assume that I will hold to maturity. Face value: $25,000 Maturity date: 12/31/2025 Principal: 22,750.00 Accrued interest $33.88 - the current owner is entitled to this money, so I'm paying him this as part of my purchase price Accrued no. of days 133 - this is the ...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)
Replies: 17
Views: 2067

Re: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation

So Cas -

when GPT stated -
Difference Between Face Value and Principal (Discount): The difference between the face value of the bond ($25,000) and the amount you paid for it ($22,750), which is $2,250, is considered a capital gain, but it is treated as ordinary interest income rather than capital gains for tax purposes. This is known as the bond's "original issue discount" (OID), even though you're not the original purchaser. Since Treasury bonds are exempt from state and local taxes, you'll only owe federal tax on this income.
It should have used the term "market issue discount" or simply "market discount"?
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Nov 10, 2023 8:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)
Replies: 17
Views: 2067

Re: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market via Vanguard Brokerage (with ChatGPT4 explanati

Lyrrad wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 2:29 pm Personally, I first tried secondary market investing by buying a single Bill that matured a few weeks out. I could watch the market value increase each day until it matured and get a feel for the process.

Bills bought on the secondary market and held to maturity should have the same tax treatment as Bills bought at auction.

By Bills, I am referring to the zero coupon bonds with initial terms of less than a year.
Clarification - I do understand bills. I am interested in notes and bonds
by Small Law Survivor
Thu Nov 09, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)
Replies: 17
Views: 2067

Re: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market via Vanguard Brokerage

OK, I asked ChatGPT4 about this. Here is it's explanation. Is this correct? When a treasury bond matures, the way the accrued interest and the difference between the face value and the purchase price are treated for tax purposes varies: Accrued Interest: The accrued interest you paid at the time of purchase ($33.88 in your case) is not taxable to you since you are simply reimbursing the seller for the interest that accumulated while they held the bond. Instead, you will be able to deduct this amount from your taxable interest income. When the bond pays out interest, you will have to report the full interest payment as income on your taxes, but since you've already paid the previous holder their share of the accrued interest, you're only act...
by Small Law Survivor
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)
Replies: 17
Views: 2067

Re: How Can I Best Self-Educate of Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market via Vanguard Brokerage

This has everything you need: https://thefinancebuff.com/buy-treasury-secondary-market.html I am particularly interested in the tax implications of buying bonds on the secondary market. The guide you referred me to states: When you buy Treasury notes or bonds in a taxable account, buying them on the secondary market adds more complications to your taxes than buying new issues. You’ll need to know what to do with accrued interest and, if applicable, amortizable bond premium (see IRS Schedule B Instructions). They’re not impossible to deal with but it’s still extra work. However, this guide doesn't provide any explanation of the tax issues. This is what I am focused on. Thank you. Maybe you saw this already, but if not, worth a read: https:/...
by Small Law Survivor
Thu Nov 09, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)
Replies: 17
Views: 2067

Re: How Can I Best Self-Educate of Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market via Vanguard Brokerage

pizzy wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:27 am This has everything you need: https://thefinancebuff.com/buy-treasury ... arket.html
Yes, I am reading this. I am particularly interested in the tax implications of buying bonds on the secondary market. The guide you referred me to states:
When you buy Treasury notes or bonds in a taxable account, buying them on the secondary market adds more complications to your taxes than buying new issues. You’ll need to know what to do with accrued interest and, if applicable, amortizable bond premium (see IRS Schedule B Instructions). They’re not impossible to deal with but it’s still extra work.
However, this guide doesn't provide any explanation of the tax issues. This is what I am focused on.

Thank you.
by Small Law Survivor
Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)
Replies: 17
Views: 2067

How Can I Best Self-Educate on Buying Treasury Notes and Bonds on the Secondary Market (I added ChatGPT4 explanation)

I've been buying treasury bills at auction for my taxable account and I'd like to expand to notes and bonds. However, I'm reluctant to buy on the secondary market because I don't feel that I fully understand exactly how that works.

I suspect that this is very simple. Nevertheless, is there a website, BH post, Youtube video that explains this briefly and efficiently?

Thanks in advance,
Small Law Survivor
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Nov 06, 2023 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Larry Kotlikoff discusses new book Social Security Horror Stories]
Replies: 87
Views: 10844

Kotlicoff: Talking Social Security Horror Stories with Terry Savage and How to Protect Yourself from the System

[Small Law Survivor's post has been merged into the ongoing discussion about Larry Kotlikoff's "Social Security Horror Stories" - moderator Kendall.] Larry Kotlikoff has a new podcast where he and Terry Savage talk about social security "claw backs." They also talk about how inefficient and generally messed up SSA is. "Talking Social Security Horror Stories with Terry Savage and How to Protect Yourself from the System" https://larrykotlikoff.substack.com/p/talking-social-security-horror-stories?utm_source=podcast-email%2Csubstack&publication_id=810284&post_id=138496040&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_medium=email&r=dvrn8#details They have co-authored a book this topic, and been inte...
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Oct 08, 2023 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?
Replies: 10
Views: 1004

Re: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?

All very helpful, good points. Yes, I know that a replica would have no resale value - it would be just for our private enjoyment.
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Oct 08, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?
Replies: 10
Views: 1004

Re: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?

quantAndHold wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:46 am A few years ago, I lived near a coffee shop that hung them on the walls and sold them, but the price was more like $200, not $1300. I never got close enough to them to look at the brushwork or compare them to the originals, but from a few feet away they looked great.

I love Velasquez, btw.
Thank you!
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?
Replies: 10
Views: 1004

Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?

After returning from the Prado museum in Madrid I am inspired to purchase a copy of Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez. It is a huge painting (10' x 9'), and I can't fit that size in my house. But I could handle a 4' x 3' reproduction. I have a distant relative who is in the art business in some remote way that I don't fully understand. I think he represents artists and sells their works to wealthy purchasers on cruise ships. In any event, his recommendation was to buy a hand-painted reproduction. There are a lot of these on Etsy and various art sites. Here's an example: https://www.handmadepiece.com/las-meninas-the-maids-of-honour-handmade-oil-painting-reproduction-on-canvas-by-artist-diego-velazquez.html This stuff is not cheap - the example ...
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Oct 01, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transamerica/vanguard variable annuity- keep it or get rid of it ?
Replies: 16
Views: 1279

Re: Transamerica/vanguard variable annuity- keep it or get rid of it ?

I'm in a similar situation. See my post on this here: viewtopic.php?t=328765

Investment in 1995: $50,000. Value today: $450,000. So, tax hit would be a lot bigger.

I'd be happy to share thoughts w/you on this - DM me if interested. Anyone else in the Transamerica life boat is welcome as well.

Small Law Survivor
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: So, DFA ETFs are No Longer Restricted to Advisor-Advised Investors?
Replies: 8
Views: 1664

Re: So, DFA ETFs are No Longer Restricted to Advisor-Advised Investors?

folkher0 wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:41 am Avantis (American Century) launched a series of ETFs using similar methodology as dimensional using managers who had defected from dimensional with competitive ERs and no need for financial advisor “gatekeepers.”

I’m sure DFA get the need to compete in the space or become irrelevant.

Question is: if these funds aren’t “special” anymore (with limitations on funds inflows) will they “work” to exploit the value factor?
Yes, have seen Paul Merriman mention Avantis funds.

All of this just shows how easy it is to "fall behind" in the investment world. But does it matter? I sure as heck hope not. :)
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: So, DFA ETFs are No Longer Restricted to Advisor-Advised Investors?
Replies: 8
Views: 1664

So, DFA ETFs are No Longer Restricted to Advisor-Advised Investors?

Ok, so I don't read as much on BH as I used to. One consequence of this is that I don't keep up with the latest and greatest. However, I have seen a couple of mentions of DFA ETFs, and from that I've inferred that DFA funds/ETFs - which for a long time seemed to be the Holy Grail of investment choices - are no longer limited to financial advisors. I recall that advisors had to attend DFA training and swear their loyalty to DFA to obtain access to these investments. And then us poor investors had to hire one of these folks to get access. This is no longer the case? Huh. So, a quick internet search shows that DFA has 25 ETFS - https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds?ac=equity&ft=etf Puzzlingly, some of these have been in existence for dec...
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Jonathan Clements on Vanguard Total World for Long-Term Roth Money
Replies: 24
Views: 3981

Jonathan Clements on Vanguard Total World for Long-Term Roth Money

I was listening to Clements on the Bogleheads® on Investing Podcast 060: Jonathan Clements on “My Money Journey" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ocpG5Xhzuo&t=2741s At round the 45:00 point Clements says that he does not expect to need the money in his Roth IRA. This will go to his heirs, and he says that he has invested it 100% in Vanguard Total World fund - "because I don't want to worry about it I've stuck it all in the V. Total World stock index fund. I'm just going to let it ride until I shuffle off this mortal coil ...." Clements is 60. I am 72, wife 70. Apart from the difference in ages, I am in the same situation, and I have been thinking about this as well. The chances that we'll need money from our Roth (~$1.5 m...
by Small Law Survivor
Thu Aug 10, 2023 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Need to Rebalance, But the Tax Hit Will be Large - Please Advise Me
Replies: 21
Views: 2798

I Need to Rebalance, But the Tax Hit Will be Large - Please Advise Me

I’d appreciate any advice and thoughts on the following issue. I’m 72, wife 70. Our investments (rounded) are as follows: Taxable - $1.6 MM Roth IRA - $1.5MM Traditional IRA - $1.65 MM Variable annuity (Vanguard/Transamerica) - $500,000 HSA - $150,000 TOTAL: $5.4MM At age 72 our base “withdrawal” plan is relatively simple: starting next year (when RMDs begin for me), we will withdraw (very rough numbers) $100,000 from taxable, $50,000 from tIRA for RMDs. Add to this $150,000 our $75,000 social security and you hit the roughly $225,000 “spend” number that represents our annual spending. This is a roughly 3% withdrawal rate. If the portfolio goes up, we’ll increase that. If it goes down we’ll reduce it. Each of these accounts/buckets is rough...
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Aug 05, 2023 1:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Self-Educate re Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market in Taxable?
Replies: 11
Views: 1147

Re: How Can I Self-Educate re Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market in Taxable?

student wrote: Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:27 am I don't want to deal with extra tax paperwork, so I only buy T-bills (auction and secondary market) but I don't sell them. Then no capital gain/loss to consider.
This is what I was curious about - if you buy a T-bill on the secondary market and hold to maturity the only income is the state tax-free income? Is this true of T bonds (more than one year) as well?
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Self-Educate re Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market in Taxable?
Replies: 11
Views: 1147

Re: How Can I Self-Educate re Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market in Taxable?

That is quite an exaggeration, depending on your life expectancy. :mrgreen:
Yes, I am greatly inclined to exaggeration. :oops:
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Verizon router (3100) losing "reach" - why might this be happening?
Replies: 10
Views: 799

Verizon router (3100) losing "reach" - why might this be happening?

I have a Verizon 3100 router (the white tower router). It's two years old. Until recently it reached all the rooms in my house. But now it is not reaching some rooms. Otherwise it seems OK (speedwise). Nothing has changed in term of location or blockage.

Any idea what's going on? I could ask Verizon to replace it, but before I do that I'm wondering whether this could be an age-related problem (the router, not me), or something else. I know from past experience that you can accumulate a lot or devices on a router and that a factory reboot might fix some problems, but but I haven't done that yet - should I, or should I try something else?

Thanks in advance.
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Can I Self-Educate re Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market in Taxable?
Replies: 11
Views: 1147

How Can I Self-Educate re Buying Treasuries on Secondary Market in Taxable?

I know there is a massive treasuries thread (over 3,000 posts) discussing how to buy treasuries, but this is just too long! You could spend a lifetime reading this thread: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=378350 I would like to buy treasuries (bills and possibly notes) on the secondary market in my taxable account. However, I simply don't understand (have never been taught) how to read these offerings and what the tax implications are for a taxable account. Avoiding the Massachusetts state tax is a big draw, but I don't want to avoid those taxes on interest and end up paying earned income/short term cap gains tax on the bills/notes. Is there a concise explanation of this in the 3,000 thread post or somewhere else on BH? Or o...
by Small Law Survivor
Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 574487

Re: What are you listening to now

Listening to an ECM playlist I compiled. Am using Tidal, Roon and my KEF LS50 speakers.

List includes Benjamin Lackner, Marylin Crispell, John Acbercrombie Avishai Cohen, Paul Bley, Tord Gustavsen
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Jul 24, 2023 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Can I Self-educated on Airline Points/Miles
Replies: 166
Views: 13294

Re: How Can I Self-educated on Airline Points/Miles

People here are recommending simple 2% cashback cards for those who don't want to turn this into a hobby (me). How can I determine which 2% card is best? Any recommendations?

Small Law Survivor
by Small Law Survivor
Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Can I Self-educated on Airline Points/Miles
Replies: 166
Views: 13294

How Can I Self-educated on Airline Points/Miles

This seems to be a complicated topic - I've listened to a few podcasts to get the feel for it, but I really need some kind of "points for dummies" tutorial. Any advice on where to start? Apparently people are fanatical about this. I don't need to get fancy, I just don't want to leave easy money on the table. An example of what I mean by confusing. I called AA to have them add miles from a recent trip to my AAdvantage account. The person I spoke with said "can I send to an offer for a Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®?" I said yes, and now I have an offer for this card, which includes 50,000 miles and $99 fee waived for first 12 months. Looks good, but there must be a hidden negative for somethi...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Jun 23, 2023 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bogleheads Thoughts on REITs in post-COVID Real Estate Environment - Is It Different This Time?
Replies: 4
Views: 1148

Bogleheads Thoughts on REITs in post-COVID Real Estate Environment - Is It Different This Time?

I've had a small allocation to REITs for several decades. In fact, I invested $50,000 in Vanguard's Variable Annuity and until recently that was 60% REITs. In approx. 30 years that $50,000 grew to over $500,000. In part I ascribe this to aggressive rebalancing. Vanguard's REIT fund has been very volatile, creating a lot of rebalancing opportunities. However, I'm wondering whether I should abandon REITs. The headlines re the commercial real estate market are just terrible - empty office towers, closing suburban malls. It's just uniformly bad, and predictions for the future are terrible. Thus far I've been ignoring this. I don't want to sell this investment at the "bottom" or when it's in a bear market. But those headlines .... ... ...
by Small Law Survivor
Fri Jun 23, 2023 8:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bob Brinker's newsletter Market Timer is shutting down
Replies: 191
Views: 53078

Re: Bob Brinker's newsletter Market Timer is shutting down

Didn't realize he was still publishing that newsletter. I listened to him a lot back when his radio show was on, and learned a lot from it.
by Small Law Survivor
Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to stain a deck
Replies: 18
Views: 1966

How to stain a deck

We live west of Boston. We have several decks - three small, and one large deck. Trees overhang the large deck, and it gets no or almost no sun. Its damp year-round. The other decks do get sun. My wife and I stain all the decks every year. We do not sand them. The small decks hold the stain well, but the large (damp) deck does not - every year large amounts of stain come off, showing the wood. It's a mess. I'm not sure what we're doing wrong unless it's not sanding, but DIY deck staining is not working out for us. I've gotten an estimate from a good, reasonable painter we've used in the past, but it's a lot of money - almost $3,000 to stain all the decks. (yes, we live in the "west-of-Boston" inflationary bubble :) ) Before I hire...
by Small Law Survivor
Tue Jun 20, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re flying Boston/Logan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Replies: 32
Views: 2475

Re: Advice re flying Boston/Logan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Thank you all for these ideas. I'm so glad I asked here - BH never lets me down.

Now, a question to show you just how ignorant I am: there are many reference to "F" - "F seats", "Cathay Pacific F," ....

Is this a reference to "first class" or something else?

Thanks again.
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Jun 19, 2023 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re flying Boston/Logan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Replies: 32
Views: 2475

Re: Advice re flying Boston/Logan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

hunoraut wrote: Mon Jun 19, 2023 5:27 pm -break up your trip

-you can do this in only 2 stops instead of 3 (eg boston tokyo hcmc). japan also happens to be a great visit

-sleeping pills (ambien) do wonders in the air. highly suggest you try it at home first.
Yes, this is the kind of advice I need (!) My wife and I honeymooned in Fiji 31 years ago, and she introduced me to Ambien on that trip :) Haven't taken it since, but I'm up for it if we fly Boston to Tokyo! :)
by Small Law Survivor
Mon Jun 19, 2023 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re flying Boston/Logan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Replies: 32
Views: 2475

Advice re flying Boston/Logan to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

We have signed up for a Road Scholar trip to Vietnam in February. However, I am apprehensive about getting there. Boston -> Ho Chi Minh requires 20+ hours in the air, and I really dislike flying. I am tall, have back problems, and the seats are extremely cramped, even premium economy (straight economy is torture for me). And I get claustrophobic in an airplane cabin. I'm just not a good air traveler! So, although I have never flown business/1st class (except one time when an airline upgraded me London to Boston, for reasons I don't recall), I am seriously considering it for this trip. I'm not a sophisticated air traveler, but the way I'm thinking about this at present is - Boston to L.A. and overnight in L.A. (6 hours - I can do this with p...
by Small Law Survivor
Wed May 10, 2023 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 574487

Re: What are you listening to now

Lonnie Johnson, "Another Night to Cry"
by Small Law Survivor
Thu May 04, 2023 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Strange buzzing coming from inside my wall
Replies: 59
Views: 8658

Re: Strange buzzing coming from inside my wall

I had something like this. I thought it was some kind of electrical sound in the house, to the extent I consciously thought about it at all.

Mentioned it to my wife one day, and she said, "what sound?'

Turned out I had Tinnitus.
by Small Law Survivor
Sun Apr 16, 2023 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retirement Travel and Our Dog
Replies: 43
Views: 4821

Re: Retirement Travel and Our Dog

tibbitts wrote: Sat Apr 15, 2023 10:44 pm Why not reschedule the trip for when your daughter can take care of the dog? Since you presumably didn't schedule the trip without verifying that she could care for the dog, what happened such that she can't now?
She's coming with us :)