Search found 1721 matches
- Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:04 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
- Replies: 81
- Views: 9486
Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
My parents-in-law are on-track to run out of money. They are relatively young, around 70. FIL is a former executive from the tech industry and has a massive ego. He retired in his 40's with a 7-figure NW and has spent the last 25 years living a luxury jet-setting lifestyle. He thinks an amazing investor and spends hours per day trading individual stocks, reading stock newsletters, etc. Their family next egg is down to the $700k range, mostly in individual tech stocks, and they are withdrawing around $80k/year to sustain their lifestyle. They have some small amount of SS, but not much due to working a long time outside the US. My MIL is worried sick and has physical ailments that come from the stress of worrying about running out of money, ...
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's your primary credit card?
- Replies: 117
- Views: 10235
Re: What's your primary credit card?
My wife and I are 3-card Chase users. The reserve card for travel, the preferred card for dining out and streaming services, and the freedom card for everything else. There are other card combinations out there which can get you better rewards, but considering our spending habits and travel habits we are happy with keeping all the points in one company, and then multiplying them by 1.5 when transferred to the reserve card. I will say I kind of miss my AmEx gold card I got rid of after 20+ years as it was really good for groceries and dining out, but the $250 annual fee just wasn't covering the benefit for us, plus transferring points from AmEx to Delta is not the cheapest thing. I’m considering my options and looking at both reserve and pr...
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Need Help Finding a Hobby
- Replies: 76
- Views: 5946
Re: Need Help Finding a Hobby
I suggest an activity where you make something. It could be a craft, as there are many communities that socialize around them, such as knitting, woodcarving, kitemaking, etc. Lots of satisfaction to be found, but you’ll need to consider what types of movements give you pain.
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:25 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How to use Google 401k for 2-3 fund portfolio
- Replies: 63
- Views: 6207
- Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:23 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wool slippers worth it?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 5209
Re: Wool slippers worth it?
We don't wear shoes in the house, and I have been buying cheap slippers from Kohls, but they end up getting gross after a month or so. The cheap polyester felt holds moisture and smells and the insole breaks down. I was looking at some nicer Halfinger wool slippers. They're around $120. Are all wool slippers worth the extra price? It seems like they'd last longer and not get smelly and gross. People rave about Ugg slippers, but I don't like fuzzy slippers with shearling inside. Way too hot. Wool seems like a nice compromise. It’s not so much the wool vs other materials that will make your purchase “worth it”, as there are so many other variables to a shoe/slipper/moccasin design that influences comfort, fit, longevity, etc. I like wool ove...
- Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Laid off and want to downshift
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4757
Re: Laid off and want to downshift
You are extremely wealthy at such a young age. What am I missing, in terms of why you need to even withdraw the $22k a year from taxable? Doesn’t seem to me that you would have a shortfall with well over $200k annual income. This would essentially be to allow us to move money into tax-advantaged accounts (401k/Roth IRA/TSP) while still maintaining the $150k post-tax spend level we want. Our annual investment contributions would be: 31k per year to 401k/TSP 14k per year to Roth IRA I would not be able to continue our spend level and do this without drawing down taxable. You should have said, "Do you think we will be ok saving 23K for retirement and moving 22K a year from taxable accounts into retirement accounts?" Everyone would h...
- Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can I splurge on a family vacation to Hawaii?
- Replies: 56
- Views: 4789
Re: Can I splurge on a family vacation to Hawaii?
If not now, when? Do you think when you are 80, or 90 if you live that long, you will look back and say "Dang, I sure wish we hadn't spent that 30k on a Hawaii vacation"? You have solid income going forward, way more than us, and I am committed to doing as much travel as we can while we can. There are no guarantees in life, and it's not a dress rehearsal! "Dang, I sure wish we hadn't spent that 30k on a Hawaii vacation"? This got my attention. We haven't had a vacation in 4 years. Oldest daughter was a drug addict and alcoholic and ended up in jail for DUI(s) and lost her license for 5 years. She got clean and sober in jail and we committed to driving her to and from work every day. For 4 years. She gets her license bac...
- Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Laid off and want to downshift
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4757
Re: Laid off and want to downshift
You are extremely wealthy at such a young age. What am I missing, in terms of why you need to even withdraw the $22k a year from taxable? Doesn’t seem to me that you would have a shortfall with well over $200k annual income. This would essentially be to allow us to move money into tax-advantaged accounts (401k/Roth IRA/TSP) while still maintaining the $150k post-tax spend level we want. Our annual investment contributions would be: 31k per year to 401k/TSP 14k per year to Roth IRA I would not be able to continue our spend level and do this without drawing down taxable. You should have said, "Do you think we will be ok saving 23K for retirement and moving 22K a year from taxable accounts into retirement accounts?" Everyone would h...
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Research on primary residence vs stock market+renting?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 5056
Re: Research on primary residence vs stock market+renting?
I doubt there are any studies on this. I can say for myself if I had never purchased any of the homes I have in my lifetime, and instead kept the money in equities as well as paid an equivalent amount into them, I would have a lot more money now.
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: When/Why would you need Trust over Will
- Replies: 97
- Views: 6407
Re: When/Why would you need Trust over Will
We would change the beneficiary?toddthebod wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:11 pmWhat happens if the beneficiaries of your taxable brokerage die before you?angelescrest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:37 pm I admittedly haven’t spent a lot of time looking into what’s required in CA, but despite what everyone here says about needing a trust, I’m not sure why I would need that. We don’t own real estate, and our financial accounts (retirement, savings/checking, taxable brokerage) all have named beneficiaries which would avoid probate. We don’t have any debt.
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: When/Why would you need Trust over Will
- Replies: 97
- Views: 6407
Re: When/Why would you need Trust over Will
I admittedly haven’t spent a lot of time looking into what’s required in CA, but despite what everyone here says about needing a trust, I’m not sure why I would need that. We don’t own real estate, and our financial accounts (retirement, savings/checking, taxable brokerage) all have named beneficiaries which would avoid probate. We don’t have any debt.
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Laid off and want to downshift
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4757
Re: Laid off and want to downshift
You are extremely wealthy at such a young age. What am I missing, in terms of why you need to even withdraw the $22k a year from taxable? Doesn’t seem to me that you would have a shortfall with well over $200k annual income.
- Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How close am I to FIRE?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 5136
Re: How close am I to FIRE?
Maybe $1.5M off target, or if you sell your rental, half that? That could be only a couple years away, or a lot more, depending on the stock market and how you are invested. You’re getting close, though. That’s a long retirement, though, just keep in mind when both kids are in school (it will come so fast), things will feel a lot different. Or, sell one property and rent the primary home for a few years while living somewhere like Lisbon, San Jose, or Chiang Mai, and you could FIRE now. Your kids are so young you have a few years to do whatever you want in ways you can’t when they start school. Your expenses would be a fraction, and you build in your much decreased budget funds to have family visit you on holidays. If the market goes well, ...
- Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: tipping shuttle driver ?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3964
Re: tipping shuttle driver ?
Yup. I often see shuttle drivers who are clearly going out of their way to be friendly, helpful, and show hustle. I always have money ready to go for these drivers. Others, I don’t tip. But that all said, it’s all so subjective I don’t like the entire process itself.tibbitts wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:28 am+1GreendaleCC wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:26 amExactly.lthenderson wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:17 am I never have but I would consider it if they helped with my luggage. The ones I have ridden in the past just sit in their seat and play on their cellphone while we board and put our luggage on the rack.
If it’s a big shuttle bus where the driver just opens the door, then nothing.
If it’s a van with a driver that helps you with your bags, then a few bucks seem worthwhile.
- Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can I afford this house? (Update 3/2/24)
- Replies: 68
- Views: 8370
Re: Can I afford this house?
FWIW, did you read about the recent survey that showed over 93% of homebuyers in ‘22 and ‘23 have regrets, with some experiencing very high remorse? If this is your first home purchase, chances are you’ll find there are a lot of additional expenses that come from being a homeowner, and of course there’s the underappreciated fact that you’ll want to spend a lot more on consumer items and durable goods to furnish it appropriately. I remember the feeling of buying my first place. Pretty much nobody could have changed my mind, being stubborn that I was, feeling certain it was a good decision. It ended up being my worst financial move. Doesn’t mean that will be the case for you, but I think it’s wise to always consider the worst and have a backu...
- Wed Feb 07, 2024 1:20 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Recently laid off from FAANG, should I go work for a non-profit or try to stay?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 9250
Re: Recently laid off from FAANG, should I go work for a non-profit or try to stay?
Do you know how the nonprofit is funded? They are primarily funded through institutional donors. You might want to take some time to read up on coast FIRE. Or at least do some calculations on how long it would take you to achieve your goals with reduced contributions. Toddler through early to mid teens is a great time to figure out work life balance and spend more time with family. Just be aware that for the next few years, more time with family will likely feel like a lot of work. That being said, what makes you so sure you would have better balance with the non profit? Will there be pressure to participate in social fundraisers off the clock? Will have to check coastFIRE, thank you! Based on Glassdoor and the interviews I had, I'm fairly...
- Tue Feb 06, 2024 10:47 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Are any BH's not wealthy?
- Replies: 165
- Views: 25613
Re: Are any BH's not wealthy?
This isn't a woe is me post but sometimes reading this forum makes me depressed as to how far financially I seem to be behind most of the people who post here. I know we are all responsible for our path in life. But... I read many "I have $1.5m in a Roth IRA and no debt and my household income is $200k per year" posts. Are any BH's here not wealthy? Just normal middle or lower class people? It would be nice to know I'm not alone, that's all. If you are willing to share, how old are you, what’s your income, and your overall retirement savings? It’s one thing to think this way when you are 25, another if you’re 65. I first logged onto BH when my income was quite low (entry level with little security), and I had a lot of debt. After...
- Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
- Replies: 166
- Views: 20720
Re: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
Also further delay chances of any retirement. Thanks for sharing, OP. It’s worth taking a moment to recognize that this is an example of catastrophism. You most certainly will have a retirement, and a great one at that. A number of items can be removed from your budget without destroying you or your children’s life, even if it’s unpleasant. In fact this might be a great time for them to learn about making important life decisions around using limited financial resources. As was suggested, getting ACA quotes will help you plan for a worst case scenario and make the fear of uncertainty diminished. I don’t think it was mentioned, but if it still feels like this ruins your well laid out plans, then you and your spouse may need some pillow talk...
- Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
- Replies: 166
- Views: 20720
Re: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
Most ppl posting here have no idea what it costs to live in NY or CA. I live a middle class lifestyle too with similar costs. One vacation a year, no extravagances. No one can believe that. I think you underestimate how many people posting here actually do live in those places and just have a different definition of the extravagances one can indulge in for $10k a month beyond housing costs. If you can afford your lifestyle, no one cares. If you are panicking about whether or not you can afford your lifestyle, taking a close look at what your spending is getting you can go a long ways to alleviating the stress and making choices based on your family's priorities. Yup, I live in one of these two VHCOL places. Housing takes up a huge amount o...
- Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:57 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
- Replies: 166
- Views: 20720
Re: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
+1Triple digit golfer wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 5:01 pm Please tell me this is a joke. You're worth $6 million.
OP, it really does feel like a joke.
Even if you lost your job tomorrow, you’d be fine. At 3%, that’s $180k. But no, you still have an amazing income. The amount of cash you have alone should give you comfort.
If you are truly panicking, you need to sit down and go through some cognitive exercises. Are you fearful that you will lose your nest egg? Is her job less making you feel less secure in your own job? Go ahead and play out the worse case scenario, you will see that you are in an incredibly enviable position nonetheless.
- Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a used car: what's your limit?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 6209
Re: Buying a user car: what's your limit?
As for mileage, I think it really depends on what kind of car you are buying. We only buy Toyotas and Honda's. When I bought my first 4Runner, it had 60k miles on it, but I didn't care because it was a 4Runner and you can drive them forever. I drove that car for 20 years and sold it at 220k miles with almost no problems. My second 4Runner I bought was 4 years old and also had 60k miles, and it doesn't bother me one bit. That car just hit 100k and we've had zero problems with it. We also just bought a 13yr old Tundra that had 65k miles, and I expect to be able to drive that for at least 10 more years, minimum!. Would I buy a Nissan or Kia that had that high of a mileage? I can't imagine I would. The sentiment on Bogleheads these days tends ...
- Sat Feb 03, 2024 3:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Recently let go from work while pursuing MBA - need advice.
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3852
Re: Recently let go from work while pursuing MBA - need advice.
Yes, this is a big red flag for me, and as such I have little to offer the OP. If this is what they believe, they should not be pursuing this degree and wasting their dad’s money or their own time.
Otherwise, pursuing an MBA while freelancing on the side is about as good as it gets for a graduate student.
- Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:03 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 20-30X income, is that the "retirement rut"?
- Replies: 90
- Views: 13494
Re: 20-30X income, is that the "retirement rut"?
Your investments routinely fluctuate by 5% or more a day? +1 My thoughts Your investments routinely fluctuate by 5% or more a day? 100% stock portfolio and S&P500 can fluctuate up to 2-4% which is 40,000-80,000 which is about the annual net income... There there has been days to weeks where my portfolio has gained or lost more than my annual net income. I don't see how I needed to clarify that part.... Your OP implied that the volatility in your portfolio value somehow was correlated with your ability to stop working, because you could gain or lose your salary in a day (not weeks). And you provided the $100,000 benchmark. So what’s the relevance of your comment about your portfolio ups-and-downs to your decision-making process — the in...
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:50 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
- Replies: 429
- Views: 41875
Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Happy Birthday Mr. Larimore! Thank you…for everything, but most of all for being a legendary role model.
- Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: College counselor/consultant
- Replies: 65
- Views: 4579
Re: College counselor/consultant
We have hired a private college counselor for our daughter. She goes to a huge public high school and the school counselors there are tasked with academic and student mental health counseling in addition to college counseling, and the first two take up all of their time and resources. They each have hundreds of kids assigned to them so they can't know most, if any, of them well. My husband and I both attended college way back when but the college application process and landscape are very, very different now and our experiences are pretty irrelevant. The counselor we hired knows the current landscape well, has been through it with hundreds of students, and I believe will save us all wasted time and heartache. It has been extremely helpful ...
- Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are car washes necessary?
- Replies: 116
- Views: 12615
- Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: If you love outdoors/hiking, what do you do in the winter?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 5756
Re: If you love outdoors/hiking, what do you do in the winter?
I have been stuck indoors for a few days now and trying to see alternatives that other people do when it is cold outside. We have been considering moving to a better weather area of the country but we are not yet financially ready. When I lived in northern climates, with extreme cold, snow, and ice for 5 months, plus no infrastructure to go on walks in those conditions except for the street with danger of getting run over by a truck, I got fat, depressed, and unhealthy. Couldn’t hike anywhere because it was private land and you could get shot. Had a treadmill, but hated it. Since leaving for much warmer climates, I exercise outdoors all year long, and am in the best fitness, health, and happiness of my life. I like cold and snow, but the c...
- Wed Jan 10, 2024 8:47 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account Pilot
- Replies: 462
- Views: 98944
Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account Pilot
Yeah even Barron’s seems to be wrong about this. On Vanguard’s website it still says it’s only for some existing customers.
- Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:02 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1817
Re: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
Thanks StevieG, that looks like a good one. I hope it serves you well for many years to come.StevieG72 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 5:21 pm My washer failed, I bought a GE model from Lowe’s. Good price and works great, larger tub than previous washer.
No warranty, when it fails I will replace. I expect many years of service from this washer.
I was looking for something with intuitive controls, nothing fancy.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-4-2-cu-ft-T ... lsrc=aw.ds
- Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1817
Re: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
Questions: 1. What is the best retailer to buy an appliance these days (if it matters)? I only know of the usual suspects: Best Buy, Home Depot. 2. What is the best warranty to buy? I don't know much about these, so am assuming you get one at the retailer, or aftermarket. The repairman mentioned Assurant, but he also said he used to work in warranty, so I have no idea what bias he might have. Happy to solicit any opinions about LG washing machines, and which model/features we should go with. 1. The best place is to not use a big box store but a local dedicated appliance store with their own service truck or crew that they use. By going with a big box store, you've guaranteed that any problems you have in the future will be farmed out to th...
- Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:08 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Quality of Life vs. Saving More - How much to sacrifice?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 9594
Re: Quality of Life vs. Saving More - How much to sacrifice?
- Housing (rent): $1269 a month - Salary: $195K a year Retirement Contributions - Fidelity Investments: $3,500 - $4,000 a month - Employer 401K (10% match): $1,400 a month metallihorsemen, A) You are making 195K per year. You are saving 60K to 66K per year. You are spending about 60K to 70K per year. You are spending a lot of money beyond the rent. If you spend less on everything else, you could spend on more housing. B) How does it makes any sense for you to pay a lot of taxes by not maxing up your 401K? Why would you choose to pay more taxes instead of spending your own money? KlangFool My monthly take home pay due to taxes and withholdings is about $10,000 a month. Take Home: $10,000 - Fidelity Investment Contribution: $4000 - 401K Cont...
- Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1817
Re: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
Thanks for the recommendations. I just put in an order for an LG machine through Costco. Good perks, but it's unfortunately a long wait. I can't find anything that suggests a more expensive washing machine will last any longer and thus save money.
- Wed Jan 03, 2024 7:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1817
Best place to Buy a Washing Machine & Warranty
Looks like our 11 year old Samsung washing machine needs to be replaced. I replaced the pump a few years ago, which was a pain to figure out, but this time the repairman says it's likely the motor and shocks (he said he wasn't 100% sure but said everything else looked good). I'm reluctant to just get rid of it, as I could probably replace the motor myself, but I just don't have any spare time in the upcoming weeks. Repairs (at least around here) are very expensive, he would've charged us $500+. We paid $500+ to fix our matching Samsung dryer last year, too. I'm thinking of going with an LG (Speed Queen doesn't seem to be worth the extra expense), and given that there are so many problems with appliances these days, I'm also thinking of gett...
- Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: love your tablet?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5958
Re: love your tablet?
Why do you seek an excuse to spend money, especially if you don't like them? you know nothing about me but conclude I'm looking for an excuse to spend money? kind of offensive. lol, of course none of us know anything about you, and yet you’re asking strangers for help to fall in love with something again, despite having given all your previous tablets away and you articulating no need for one. :confused I must have hit some kind of nerve if you’re feeling offended. Not my intent, but hey, it’s a peculiar post for a financial forum. I already gave you actual feedback on how I use mine, which includes responding to your question. yes, attributing the rationale behind my post as excuse to spend money rather than an honest desire to recapture ...
- Sat Dec 30, 2023 4:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 2023 was a retired investor's dream
- Replies: 41
- Views: 6357
- Sat Dec 30, 2023 4:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: love your tablet?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5958
Re: love your tablet?
lol, of course none of us know anything about you, and yet you’re asking strangers for help to fall in love with something again, despite having given all your previous tablets away and you articulating no need for one. I must have hit some kind of nerve if you’re feeling offended. Not my intent, but hey, it’s a peculiar post for a financial forum. I already gave you actual feedback on how I use mine, which includes responding to your question.gips wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:47 pmyou know nothing about me but conclude I'm looking for an excuse to spend money? kind of offensive.angelescrest wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:09 pm Why do you seek an excuse to spend money, especially if you don't like them?
- Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: love your tablet?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5958
Re: love your tablet?
Why do you seek an excuse to spend money, especially if you don't like them? If it doesn't work for you, stick with your laptop.
I use mine excessively, but almost exclusively as a personal device for reading news and viewing media. It's in my hands 99% of the time while I'm either on a sofa or on the bed. Occasionally for note-taking during meetings, I'll carry it with an attached chiclet-style keyboard, the combination which I like. But it will never replace my laptop.
I use mine excessively, but almost exclusively as a personal device for reading news and viewing media. It's in my hands 99% of the time while I'm either on a sofa or on the bed. Occasionally for note-taking during meetings, I'll carry it with an attached chiclet-style keyboard, the combination which I like. But it will never replace my laptop.
- Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Share your net worth progression
- Replies: 4273
- Views: 1071996
Re: Share your net worth progression
I´m surprised so many people are tracking this. Why would you? I think it would be odd not to track. Personally, as someone who has always had some anxiety around being financially stable, tracking it reminds me 1) I am trending in the right direction towards financial independence and 2) I have the financial means to support myself and my family should something occur unexpected. When I first found bogleheads.com, I found some comfort seeing others report their progress. Right, and I would add: How will you know you have enough to retire if you don't track this? Through my tracking I know that I'm now close to being financially independent. I'm not where I want to be yet, but it meet my basic needs. Knowing that, if I suddenly found mysel...
- Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:45 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
- Replies: 5248
- Views: 899542
Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Overall investment portfolio increased 31.5% this year, or Beardstown ladies math.
I.e., this includes our own contributions + employer contributions, combined of which was about 30% of the dollar increase. I'll worry about actual returns when I'm retired and/or unable to contribute to my portfolio.
I.e., this includes our own contributions + employer contributions, combined of which was about 30% of the dollar increase. I'll worry about actual returns when I'm retired and/or unable to contribute to my portfolio.
- Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 100K milestone, consolidating to 3-fund, general plan checkup
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1622
Re: 100K milestone, consolidating to 3-fund, general plan checkup
The plan looks good! If your 401k is traditional, I would allocate all bonds there to potentially reduce taxes later on (stocks grow faster than bonds so better if this happens in Roth). Good idea, but given that i didn't have access to a 401K when i was in public service, 90% of my retirement savings is in my Roth IRA. I might try to shift the mix in that direction as i move over funds from the inherited IRA. I could probably change from a TDF to a 3-fund in my 401K for more control of the allocation as they thankfully offer a reasonable number of low-cost vanguard index funds and free re-balancing service in that account. You could make you 401k all bonds and your Roth all stocks which would maintain your allocation. Not something you do...
- Tue Dec 26, 2023 7:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: how much do you think you need to retire?
- Replies: 279
- Views: 56330
Re: how much do you think you need to retire?
Current target is roughly $2M in current dollars, based on the goal to retire at age 55, and a 3.75% withdrawal rate. This includes $1.3M for retirement income, and $700k to buy a home without a mortgage, and keep enough cash to bridge to age 59.5 (*) and protect myself against currency risk (I'm planning on retiring in the eurozone). (I will hopefully be able to use the rule of 55, so may not need that much cash, but I'd rather not base my plans on that). Would love to hear more about your plans and thinking behind buying a house at retirement, as I am currently contemplating this. This isn’t often discussed here, as it’s 35% of your portfolio—plus the additional cash needed to get you through another 4.5 years. Tax implications? Portfoli...
- Sat Dec 23, 2023 3:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Need to buy sister out of her half of the house. How to do it correctly?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 6278
- Sat Dec 23, 2023 3:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: First Time Tax Loss Harvester
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3536
Re: First Time Tax Loss Harvester
Also - do you think FSKAX considered similar enough that it would violate the wash sale rule if I bought FSKAX in my 401k which is through Fidelity? No. They follow different indexes. Here is a list of possible Tax-Loss Harvest (TLH) retail partners with the indexes they follow: US Total Stock VTSAX (VTI) - CRSP US Total Market Index SCHB - Dow Jones US Broad Market Index ITOT - S&P Total Market Index IWV, VTHR, TIEIX, BKTSX - Russell 3000 Index SWTSX, FSKAX - Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Index FZROX - Fidelity US Total Investable Market Index SPTM - S&P Composite 1500 Index US Large Cap VFIAX (VOO), IVV, SPY, FXAIX, SWPPX - S&P 500 Index VLCAX (VV) - CRSP US Large Cap Index IWB, VONE - Russell 1000 Index SCHX - Dow Jones US...
- Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: how much do you think you need to retire?
- Replies: 279
- Views: 56330
Re: how much do you think you need to retire?
Current target is roughly $2M in current dollars, based on the goal to retire at age 55, and a 3.75% withdrawal rate. This includes $1.3M for retirement income, and $700k to buy a home without a mortgage, and keep enough cash to bridge to age 59.5 (*) and protect myself against currency risk (I'm planning on retiring in the eurozone). (I will hopefully be able to use the rule of 55, so may not need that much cash, but I'd rather not base my plans on that). Would love to hear more about your plans and thinking behind buying a house at retirement, as I am currently contemplating this. This isn’t often discussed here, as it’s 35% of your portfolio—plus the additional cash needed to get you through another 4.5 years. Tax implications? Portfoli...
- Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:38 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Share your net worth progression
- Replies: 4273
- Views: 1071996
Re: Share your net worth progression
Great job! And thanks for registering to share your story with us.eyes_onthe_prize wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:51 pm 2010 $259,000 (Age 34)
2011 $377,000
2012 $423,000
2013 $526,000
2014 $669,000
2015 $936,000
2016 $1,150,000
2017 $1,206,000
2018 $1,156,000
2019 $1,541,000
2020 $2,017,000
2021 $2,441,000
2022 $2,295,000
2023 $2,800,000
Three elementary aged kids, one strong marriage, one income, VHCOL, still a ways to go so wish me luck.
Registered to make this post after 10+ years silently reading the BH message boards. Thanks to all whose wisdom helped us get this far.
- Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:21 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fidelity - "Financial Consultants"
- Replies: 16
- Views: 3162
Re: Fidelity - "Financial Consultants"
Note a couple of things I noticed about Fidelity reps at branch offices. 1) They opened a branch near my home, and out of curiosity I looked at the bios of the reps in this new office. There was not one person to whom I would entrust managing a piggy bank full of pennies. None had any remotely impressive serious background, not academically nor in terms of prior experience. 2) I also saw job openings listed for branch reps. Makes it clear why my local branch ended up with such an unimpressive bunch of reps. Here is part of the LinkedIn job opening at my local branch : Financial Services Rep Qualifications • We provide all the training you need to develop the skills needed to service customers and study for your FINRA licensing exams! • You...
- Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a home w/o an agent.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 12190
Re: Buying a home w/o an agent.
Thank you for saying it like it is.barnaclebob wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:10 pm Unless in the extremely unlikely event that you have a savvy seller who understands that this is BS and tells the agent to accept less commission if there is no buyer commission to pay.
- Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
- Replies: 210
- Views: 133892
Re: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
When I lived in the middle of the country, I’d have said to the op absolutely yes, retire away! But here in CA, with two kids, and no paid off house? I say good luck. I wouldn’t do it at age 50, nor would I even do it without kids. We are the most frugal family by far in our circle, but my kids keeping having far more expenses the older they get, especially after elementary school, and we don’t even have to worry much about medical expenses (great insurance). Everything in this state is getting so much more expensive, so fast. Your $8k monthly budget will surely feel pressure, so you had better get comfortable saying no to everything they see all their friends doing, having, experiencing.
- Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
- Replies: 210
- Views: 133892
Re: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
I "retired" 10 years ago at age 42 (widowed stay at home mom) with 2 million, a paid off house in a mcol area, and a history of frugal living. Kids were 10 and 14. I was nervous about it then for a variety of reasons. Now I'm 52, on year 6 out of 8 of paying for college expenses, have started taking more expensive annual vacations with my kids, replaced my 1997 vehicle with a new rav4 in 2019, and just passed the 3m mark. I'm feeling much better! I spend about 50k/year + 30k/year more on college. The kids and I received social security survivor's benefits for the first 4, 6 and 8 years. I'm currently invested 55% stocks, 35% bonds, 10% cash. The stock market went up up up, then DOWN, and now back up. Some things to think about: H...
- Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Auto Insurance Increases in CA with Amica
- Replies: 127
- Views: 14792
Re: Auto Insurance Increases in CA with Amica
This is interesting and good context to have. I wish there was better communication from Amica well in advance so I could have had a heads up.talzara wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 3:13 pmAmica received approval for a 27% rate increase in California, with a range of 13.5% to 45.0%.
Since 5% is less than the smallest rate increase, your friend probably experienced only the previous rate increase from July 2023, which was only 6.3%. There will be another rate increase at the next renewal.
It is unusual to have two large rate increases within 5 months of each other, but the California insurance market is not in good condition.