Search found 449 matches

by mattshwink
Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is VTI Safe from Vanguard’s Problems?
Replies: 74
Views: 9154

Re: Is VTI Safe from Vanguard’s Problems?

...It takes a lot of research to run VTI and some very clever software engineering... And how much does that skill mean to you, the retail investor in dollars? https://imgur.com/KVe8Qlc.png After twelve years: Vanguard $51,402 Schwab -$56 less Fidelity -$92 less I feel sure most Fidelity customers are not losing sleep over underperforming Vanguard by an average of -0.015% per year. So if Vanguard were one day to turn stupid and start under performing the others by -0.015%, how bad would that really be? I'm not going to jump ship now over fears that at some time at the end of the year, I might find out that that year Vanguard had made me $9 less than I could have made at Fidelity. I have no idea what you are trying to say. Please read my or...
by mattshwink
Thu Jan 11, 2024 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is VTI Safe from Vanguard’s Problems?
Replies: 74
Views: 9154

Re: Is VTI Safe from Vanguard’s Problems?

if Vanguard’s fund managers start to leave for greener pastures (e.g., better comp), could the fund’s performance suffer?
It's an index fund. It tracks the domestic stock market. It's not a pick the hot stock/sector fund. So the answer to your question is no.

Now index funds are a little more complicated then I'm making them out to be, but not that much. I could, for example, see the fees (expense ratio) go up a few basis points. But index funds can't lose performance if they track an index. They either track the index, or they don't. If they don't, they've got bigger problems (because if you say you do something as a fund and don't do it or do something else instead you're going to have problems with the SEC and FINRA).
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 01, 2024 3:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906946

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

mattshwink wrote: Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:22 pm In percentage for 2023, -17.62%. In dollars though up 337k, after inheriting 800k.
2023 - Really good year. Up 19.74%. In dollars up just over $700k.
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 01, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082207

Re: Share your net worth progression

2009 $274k
2010 390k
2011 432k
2012 612k
2013 828k
2014 1.12 mil
2015 1.22 mil
2016 1.16 mil
2017 1.43 mil
2018 1.39 mil
2019 1.84 mil
2020 2.20
2021 2.4 mil (June)
2021 2.7 mil (EoY) - Age 47
2022 3.0 mil (EoY) - Age 48, Spouse 45 (down almost 18%, but inherited 800k)
2023 3.74 mil (EoY) - Age 49, Spouse 46. Really good year. Started investing in Taxable.

Bought first home in 2006. Sold it in in 2016 and bought current home. Roughly 60.2% equity of $630k (not included in above)
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wi Fi extenders
Replies: 41
Views: 4106

Re: Wi Fi extenders

However, it is another mesh system and my revered computer person has this to say about mesh systems: "Those mesh network things are typically pretty bad." I am a "computer person". IT is my career. I have an older Orbi mesh system for about 5 years now. I love it. Once we got it, no more dead spots in the house, dropped connections, speed and quality (both measured, not anecdotal) got markedly better. My inlaws had a similar problem when they wanted to stream over a fire stick that was a floor above and on other side of the house. Orbi to the rescue. Not only allowed the fire stick (and when sitting in that are on their Ipad) to connect, but streaming worked just fine, no drops or pauses. Mesh is a game changer, and it...
by mattshwink
Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you seeing home prices go down in your area?
Replies: 49
Views: 4725

Re: Are you seeing home prices go down in your area?

I live in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC. In my neighborhood (~500 homes) there isn't a lot of volume, but a home right behind my sold for the 2nd or 3rd highest for the neighborhood in the fall Other homes are selling for near highs (one goes on the market next week, we'll see how fast they get to closing and if they sell for at or above list).

But I've been seeing other homes in the area go for less. And starting in the fall I saw something I hadn't seen in about two years, price drops. So I think prices are down overall. Buyers have more leverage than they had (which was almost none before).
by mattshwink
Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Only invest in cd and treasuries
Replies: 25
Views: 2921

Re: Only invest in cd and treasuries

I know several people who really can’t take a yearly loss of 25 percent, or a 2-3 year loss of plus 30-40 percent. Last year if you were 60/40 or 70/30 your bonds did awful as well. I've been slowly sliding from 100% stocks towards a 70/30 or 60/40 (at 2% a year). Last year (2022) my target was 86/14. This year my target is 84/14. I'm still accumulating (previously on in tax advantaged, this year adding taxable). While I'm down from 2021, I'm break even from 2020 and above 2019 and before. Markets don't just go up. Sometimes they go down (2018, 2022). Sometimes they go sideways (2011, 2015). If you've won the game preservation of capital is a perfectly reasonable strategy (as log as your funds will last you all the way through retirement)....
by mattshwink
Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?
Replies: 139
Views: 18973

Re: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?

My concern would be if there are any legislation that would pass this year they would remove back door Roth? I don’t want to do a backdoor Roth and get into trouble later So it's unlikely they would pass legislation that would affect the current tax year. But anything can happen. They could also pass something at the end of the year. They almost passed something in September banning it from Jan 1 2022. But with the current split government there’s no way it’s going away Almost being the operative word :happy I agree though, that it's completely within their power to do so. I just view it as a low risk and contribute at the beginning of the year. Even though the rule requiring RMDs and to discharge non-spousal inherited IRAs within 10 years...
by mattshwink
Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?
Replies: 139
Views: 18973

Re: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?

gavinsiu wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:24 pm My concern would be if there are any legislation that would pass this year they would remove back door Roth? I don’t want to do a backdoor Roth and get into trouble later
So it's unlikely they would pass legislation that would affect the current tax year. But anything can happen. They could also pass something at the end of the year.
by mattshwink
Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?
Replies: 139
Views: 18973

Re: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?

This made me wondering however - how many people have taxable investment accounts? Adding to my previous response in this topic, I moved $6,500 from taxable to Roth IRA today. I sold ETF in taxable and bought similar but not substantially identical ETF in Roth IRA. Felt like... nothing, really. Just a motion of moving assets between accounts. So I transfer cash (bank account) to my Traditional IRAs (mine and spouses) and then do the rollover to the Roth IRA when the funds clear (usually takes a few days). In the past I had a taxable account. Then used those funds to purchase and renovate a house. Right now taxable is only EF (money market). But I expect to start expanding it this year. This week or next expect to move ~30k to Taxable (VTSA...
by mattshwink
Tue Jan 03, 2023 8:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?
Replies: 139
Views: 18973

Re: Are you guys still maxing Roth IRA in January?

Already did. Should have left the bank account today. Usually takes a few days to settle into the Traditional account and then I'll do the conversion. Should be done by end of the week. Paying debt is a perfectly acceptable use of accessible funds. But you can't makeup IRA space. But don't react to what you think what markets will do. Nobody knows nothing. That advice is as true this year as it is any year. If you choose to wait, you have until tax day 2024 to contribute to your IRA. There is only one year (once I was saving enough money) that I deferred my contribution, and that was when I bought my second house and had some renovations going on. I wanted the free cash flow. Once the finances were more certain, I contributed in March (two ...
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 02, 2023 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How is this possible? [Negative return on investment over past 10 years]
Replies: 110
Views: 17374

Re: How is this possible? [Negative return on investment over past 10 years]

I have a similar, though better (ending) story than this guy. In October 2012 my Aunt passed away. She left her IRA to my brothers and I, approximately $180,000 split three ways. So we each got $60,000. It took a bit to get the funds transferred, so the funds arrived in my Vanguard account in February 2013. The funds had previously been invested by a financial advisor (and friend) who worked for Genworth Financial. When I got the statement back in 2012 I was appalled. Dozens of investments (mostly individual stocks). There was churn. Dividend reinvestments were counted as trades and triggered fees. On top of that the AUM was 1%. The cherry on top was to establish our own inherited IRAs at Genworth, they charged $5K each (no, that's not a t...
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 02, 2023 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Park and fly Dulles
Replies: 7
Views: 747

Re: Park and fly Dulles

So we're local. We stopped driving years ago. Years ago we'd drive to the Franconia/Springfield Metro garage park in the long term spaces, and fly. For the past 5 years or so we just uber/lyft in both directions. It probably costs a few bucks more than parking ourselves, but it's worth the time and hassle we get back (maybe an hour each way). We do this for Dulles now too. The Dulles Metro extension is now open. There are stations in Ashburn and Loudon. And Silver Line stations all the way to Falls Church. So if you find a good hotel deal and they run a shuttle to the station easy access to the airport. That being said this eats time. But could be cheaper. I would look at a one-way car rental from Pitt to Dulles and then take the free hotel...
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082207

Re: Share your net worth progression

mattshwink wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:07 pm 2009 $274k
2010 390k
2011 432k
2012 612k
2013 828k
2014 1.12 mil
2015 1.22 mil
2016 1.16 mil
2017 1.43 mil
2018 1.39 mil
2019 1.84 mil
2020 2.20
2021 2.4 mil (June)
2021 2.7 mil (EoY) - Age 47
2022 3.0 mil (EoY) - Age 48, Spouse 45 (down almost 18%, but inherited 800k)

Bought first home in 2006. Sold it in in 2016 and bought current home. Roughly 56% equity of $543k (not included in above)
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906946

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

In percentage for 2023, -17.62%. In dollars though up 337k, after inheriting 800k.
by mattshwink
Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How is this possible? [Negative return on investment over past 10 years]
Replies: 110
Views: 17374

Re: How is this possible? [Negative return on investment over past 10 years]

I have a similar, though better (ending) story than this guy. In October 2012 my Aunt passed away. She left her IRA to my brothers and I, approximately $180,000 split three ways. So we each got $60,000. It took a bit to get the funds transferred, so the funds arrived in my Vanguard account in February 2013. The funds had previously been invested by a financial advisor (and friend) who worked for Genworth Financial. When I got the statement back in 2012 I was appalled. Dozens of investments (mostly individual stocks). There was churn. Dividend reinvestments were counted as trades and triggered fees. On top of that the AUM was 1%. The cherry on top was to establish our own inherited IRAs at Genworth, they charged $5K each (no, that's not a ty...
by mattshwink
Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401-k or IRA???
Replies: 3
Views: 367

Re: 401-k or IRA???

Sounds good to me.

Did you leave this job after age 55 but you are younger than 59.5 and want to withdraw funds for retirement. The rule of 55 allows you to do this without the 10% penalty (you still have to pay taxes on traditional IRA balances, of course).
by mattshwink
Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your age and asset allocation ?
Replies: 1156
Views: 152023

Re: What is your age and asset allocation ?

48

2022
52% Domestic Stock Market
26% International Stock Market
14% Domestic Bond
8% REIT

2023
51% Domestic Stock Market
25% International Stock Market
16% Domestic Bond
8% REIT
by mattshwink
Sun Dec 18, 2022 12:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tesla [stock] still a good option?
Replies: 113
Views: 15130

Re: Tesla [stock] still a good option?

No one knows. I'm an index investor.

At some point in the recent past, folks thought it was worth twice what it was now. Most of what has changed has nothing to do with the fundamentals of the company.

Having said that, a few things are true:
1. By standard metrics, they are still an overvalued company. They are still overvalued by at least double. They are currently somewhere trading around a multiple in the 40s. They should be at the 20s (or below).

2. The amount of competition in the EV space has been increasing (they are still the leader by a wide margin)

3. Costs in the EV sector have been going up
by mattshwink
Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A list of Backdoor Roth questiion to verify
Replies: 10
Views: 956

Re: A list of Backdoor Roth questiion to verify

A bit of background, my portfoliio consists of * 401Ks, some with after-tax. * Contributory IRAs * Roth IRAs * Inherited Roth IRA * Inherited IRA I am in the process of rolling my Contributory IRA to my 401K. So you're rolling your "Contributory" IRA to your 401k? Is this the traditional IRA? 1. How soon can I do a backdoor Roth after my Contributory IRA are transfer to the 401K? From what I can tell so far, I should be able to do it immediately after the rollover is complete. Yes. Simply open a "traditonal" IRA. Then once the funds clear initiate a rollover to a Roth IRA. I do this every year for my wife and I. I also keep the traditional IRAs open (0 balance) 2. I am over 50, my wife is younger than 50, so my contribu...
by mattshwink
Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 5 year rule and inherited Roth IRA - solved
Replies: 5
Views: 736

Re: 5 year rule and inherited Roth IRA

The 5 year rule does not apply to inherited IRAs.

You generally can't roll or convert inherited IRAs. You can only withdraw from them. There is no clock on inherited IRAs (other than RMDs, which depend on when the IRA was inherited - whether it needs to be fully withdrawn in the 10 years following the date of death).

I would also look at this thread in regards to RMDs. Depending on when the IRA was inherited, you may not have to withdraw this year:
viewtopic.php?p=7004123#p7004123
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-53.pdf
by mattshwink
Mon Dec 12, 2022 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Delays New Guidelines for Inherited IRAs [including July 2023 further extension]
Replies: 65
Views: 11472

Re: IRS Delays New Guidelines for Inherited IRAs

So, did the IRS backtrack from what I understood they had indicated previously, that distributions were really supposed to happen in 2021 and 2022, but that as a special exception, they would forego penalties for those two years, and that one would normally have to make some sort of RMD each of the ten years? It seems so. That last line seems pretty clear: "The beneficiary is allowed, but not required, to take distributions prior to that date." Interesting. We (my wife) just inherited an IRA from her dad (within the last month). The RMDs would be somewhere in the $40,000 range starting next year (we do have to take some of the rest of his RMD this year, since he had not fully fulfilled his RMD for 2022). But we're planning to tak...
by mattshwink
Wed Dec 07, 2022 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD - New Inherited IRA - withdrawal strategy and taxes
Replies: 4
Views: 807

Re: RMD - New Inherited IRA - withdrawal strategy and taxes

if you two decide to retire before emptying out the inherited IRA, consider how that might affect potential ACA tax credits Thanks! Will do. At least a few years out, but will think about it. My plan in retirement, even with the Inherited IRA, is to take out to the top of the 12% bracket (over the next 10 years RMDs should be between $30,000-$50,000). I think most Bogleheads seem to favor taking out closer to 1/10 per year for the 10 year period, but it's clear you've put a lot of thought into your plan, and it's reasonable. Yeah, 1/10th would put us into 32%. This year isn't part of the 10 (he died this year) but we'll take to the top of 24%. If I took to the top of 32 every year I'd deplete completely with four years remaining. So we'll ...
by mattshwink
Tue Dec 06, 2022 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD - New Inherited IRA - withdrawal strategy and taxes
Replies: 4
Views: 807

Re: RMD - New Inherited IRA - withdrawal strategy and taxes

Sorry for your family's loss. Thanks A couple thoughts: You didn't mention it, but do you and your wife have access to workplace retirement accounts and/or max them out? (401k, 457b, 403b) The inherited IRA could help you max those out. With the contribution limit at $20,500 and going up to $22,500 next year (plus Roth IRA $6,500 x 2) you could contribute ~$58,000 into these tax advantaged retirement accounts next year. We do, contribute the max currently, to both of our 401ks and backdoor Roth's for each of us. That doesn't even include an HSA, if you have access to that, as well. I'd probably start taking 1/10, but I'd definitely take out enough to at least max all of those contributions. We don't have access to a HSA With the TCJA tax r...
by mattshwink
Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD - New Inherited IRA - withdrawal strategy and taxes
Replies: 4
Views: 807

RMD - New Inherited IRA - withdrawal strategy and taxes

My father-in-law passed away a few weeks ago, and my wife (daughter) inherited a portion of his IRA. It was held at Vanguard and was transferred to her Vanguard account. It must be completed be discharged in 10 years (so 2032). But we do have a required withdrawal of the portion of his remaining RMD for 2022, which is $12,523.13. But the real question, is how much to we pull out each year (should we go above the RMD amount, I think the answer is yes but I want to know what others think)? I'm 48, wife is 45. We are in the 24% bracket. At the end of next week I'll work on figuring out exactly how much space we have left for 2022. We probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000 of space in the 24% bracket. So right now my plan is to ...
by mattshwink
Sat Jan 15, 2022 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help Needed: Website Server Capacity Options
Replies: 6
Views: 1052

Re: Help Needed: Website Server Capacity Options

I'll echo what was said above. There are a lot of options out there. For example, both AWS and Azure have burstable instance types that can scale CPU usage (to a point). You can even change instance types with a few clicks (and a few minutes of downtime).

But the real questions are what are you paying right now and what plan at hostgator do you have? It's not meeting your need, so you'll likely need to pay more. Their Value hosting plan maybe what you need. Or you can shop elsewhere. There are lots of providers out there.
by mattshwink
Sat Jan 15, 2022 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PBGC [Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation]
Replies: 17
Views: 2027

Re: PBGC [Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation]

MyPBA. If there's another PBGC website I'm not aware of it. MyPBA is basically a simple 90's era website that says, "if you need anything, call us or send us a snail mail". I can't even change my phone number on that site even though there's a page claiming I can change my personal details. The phone number they have for me is a landline that was disconnected at least 5 years ago and the field is not editable. I can request my monthly payment on the site but if I go back to the site sometimes it shows I have an open request and sometimes it shows I have no open requests. It's not exactly confidence inspiring. There are several sites, the main pbgc.gov site, MyPBA, and another called MyPAA. I can assure nothing about the site is 9...
by mattshwink
Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PBGC [Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation]
Replies: 17
Views: 2027

Re: PBGC [Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation]

PBGC is part of the gubmint. They sometimes move slower than the private sector in technological innovation. I am going to take issue with this. Disclaimer: I don't know, nor did I ever, speak for PBGC. I did work there for over 15 years in two stints, all in iT. I have not worked there in over four years. I was a contractor with several different companies. PBGC is actually closer to the front end of computing compared to other government entities. While I was there, I was a part of several IT innovations that were pretty cutting edge, and used as examples from the vendors for other government entities. One of the challenges of working there in IT was the frantic pace. After leaving (or even while competing for other contracts while there...
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 14, 2022 9:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4685470

Re: U.S. stocks in free fall

UpperNwGuy wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:53 pm
mattshwink wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:23 pm
abuss368 wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:06 pm Did I read correctly that Total International is positive year to date and US is negative?
VTIAX YTD +0.55%🚀
VTSAX YTD -3.31%
Where are you getting these numbers? Vanguard's 1/14/2021 numbers for the ETF shares are:

VXUS YTD +0.77%
VTI YTD -2.72%
Google
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4685470

Re: U.S. stocks in free fall

abuss368 wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:06 pm Did I read correctly that Total International is positive year to date and US is negative?
VTIAX YTD +0.55%🚀
VTSAX YTD -3.31%
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy now in a housing market that has 2x'ed?
Replies: 85
Views: 11163

Re: Buy now in a housing market that has 2x'ed?

Since you're going to be living there the real question is what is the cost of rent vs buying? In 2006 I was married for a year and we had been renting. We were saving up a down payment for house a few years down the line. But when we got the notice to renew our lease it was much higher then we had been expecting. We looked in the local rental market and it was much the same. So we bought a house for a mortgage not much more than our rental cost (only $150, which the tax savings more than paid for). Of course, we did put 10% down, and had an additional 10 year balloon for the other 10% (which we paid off in the less than 5 years). It was a crazy time, Near the height of the housing bubble. We sold in 2016 and bought a new home. When we sold...
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds: What Are They Doing? Are They Doing Things?? Let's Find Out!
Replies: 2297
Views: 258122

Re: Bonds in free fall

Today was filled with pain In our IRAs combined we have about $25,000 in bonds. We were down ~$25 today. I don't consider that pain. The pain is hidden. You don't see the inflation impact until you go to the store. I was at the store today. I go once to twice a week. I've noticed. I do a budget at the end of every year. I haven't upped the grocery budget in a while, but did so at the beginning of this year by 17%. Will I next year? Only time will tell. But I also recognize my total portfolio was up a little over 20% last year. So I beat inflation handily. Will I in 2022? I'll let you know in 11.5 months. But it's not about winning years, it's about winning over the next ~50. Blips don't bother me. If they did I'd panic over every drop (lik...
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds: What Are They Doing? Are They Doing Things?? Let's Find Out!
Replies: 2297
Views: 258122

Re: Bonds in free fall

Robot Monster wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:18 pm Today was filled with pain
In our IRAs combined we have about $25,000 in bonds. We were down ~$25 today. I don't consider that pain.
by mattshwink
Fri Jan 14, 2022 12:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me get the best mortgage rate!
Replies: 4
Views: 1009

Re: Help me get the best mortgage rate!

So every bank/lender is a little different....what are they offering you? And are you putting 20% down?

A lot of places won't show you anything until they talk to you, and some even run your credit first (amerisave, loandepot, others).

I really like aimloan.com for seeing rates.

Nerdwallet.com can be useful, but won't show rates, but can get you in touch with folks that will help.

bankrate.com will show rates from multiple lenders, can be useful for comparison and finding a better deal too.
by mattshwink
Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What % of your Gross income is your house payment ? (HCOL)
Replies: 114
Views: 9858

Re: What % of your Gross income is your house payment ? (HCOL)

A little complicated, because of bonuses. While my bonus is not large (roughly equals one paycheck), my wife's is about 16% of her pay for the year. So I'll give the number for most months, and them one that annualizes our bonuses (which both come in February):
"Normal Month"
19.54%

With Bonuses Annualized
15.96%
by mattshwink
Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What % of your Gross income is your house payment ? (HCOL)
Replies: 114
Views: 9858

Re: What % of your Gross income is your house payment ? (HCOL)

A little complicated, because of bonuses. While my bonus is not large (roughly equals one paycheck), my wife's is about 16% of her pay for the year. So I'll give the number for most months, and them one that annualizes our bonuses (which both come in February):
"Normal Month"
19.54%

With Bonuses Annualized
15.96%
by mattshwink
Sat Jan 01, 2022 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backdoor Roth 2022
Replies: 8
Views: 1271

Re: Backdoor Roth 2022

I'm not.
by mattshwink
Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082207

Re: Share your net worth progression

mattshwink wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:31 pm 2009 $274k
2010 390k
2011 432k
2012 612k
2013 828k
2014 1.12 mil
2015 1.22 mil
2016 1.16 mil
2017 1.43 mil
2018 1.39 mil
2019 1.84 mil
2020 2.20
2021 2.4 mil (June)
2021 2.7 mil (EoY) - Age 47, Spouse 44

Bought first home in 2006. Sold it in in 2016 and bought current home. Roughly 53% equity of $505k (not included in above)
by mattshwink
Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are REITs considered stocks in asset allocation?
Replies: 5
Views: 818

Re: Are REITs considered stocks in asset allocation?

Yes. They are including in Total Stock Market funds. I include my REIT as my stock allocation.
by mattshwink
Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277366

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Hi Boghlehead, I need advise, though not totally refi related. I've recently made an offer for a condo in New York City and the seller accepted. I have a credit score in the 800s and will be paying at minimum 20% down payment. I'm currently looking for a lender and was wondering what's the best way to approach this. I'm looking at bankrate.com and using that as a benchmark. I see people suggesting online lenders such as Better.com /Rocket Mortgage but would it be better to get a loan from a bank/credit union where there is a physical brick and mortar vs an online company? Any suggestions or advise? Has your offer been accepted? Then shop around. Where the best deal is can vary greatly. One of the important considerations is how long you ex...
by mattshwink
Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277366

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Hi Boghlehead, I need advise, though not totally refi related. I've recently made an offer for a condo in New York City and the seller accepted. I have a credit score in the 800s and will be paying at minimum 20% down payment. I'm currently looking for a lender and was wondering what's the best way to approach this. I'm looking at bankrate.com and using that as a benchmark. I see people suggesting online lenders such as Better.com /Rocket Mortgage but would it be better to get a loan from a bank/credit union where there is a physical brick and mortar vs an online company? Any suggestions or advise? Has your offer been accepted? Then shop around. Where the best deal is can vary greatly. One of the important considerations is how long you ex...
by mattshwink
Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your age and asset allocation ?
Replies: 1156
Views: 152023

Re: What is your asset allocation and age, are you retired?

46 and 43. Both still working. Target AA is:
53% VTSAX (Total Domestic Stock Market)
26% VTIAX (Total International Stock Market)
12% VBTLX (Total Bond Market)
9% VGSLX (REIT)
by mattshwink
Sat Jun 05, 2021 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opening a Roth 401(k): Asset Location question
Replies: 27
Views: 1963

Re: Opening a Roth 401(k): Asset Location question

Keep in mind any match in 401k is traditional. They will give you that breakdown, just keep it in mind if you later roll it to a Roth IRA so they do it right.
by mattshwink
Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $2.1M Vacation Home?
Replies: 25
Views: 4313

Re: $2.1M Vacation Home?

You could buy the home in cash if you need to. Your income should support this easily. A 30 year would be in the range of an extra $6,000 a month (15 would be in the $11,000 range). So new expenses would be $32,000-$37,000. So if you can afford the payment and keep saving (which you same to say you will, just with minus the new mortgage payment). I'd only give pause if the new payment pushed your expenses above $45,000 a month. Even then, you would still be saving, but it probably pushes things out retirement a good bit further. Also, if you are still contributing to those 529s I'd stop. Let it ride. As for should you buy it? That's up to you. You can easily afford it with cash. Even with a mortgage it should is easily doable). If it's some...
by mattshwink
Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $2.1M Vacation Home?
Replies: 25
Views: 4313

Re: $2.1M Vacation Home?

You could buy the home in cash if you need to. Your income should support this easily. A 30 year would be in the range of an extra $6,000 a month (15 would be in the $11,000 range). So new expenses would be $32,000-$37,000. So if you can afford the payment and keep saving (which you same to say you will, just with minus the new mortgage payment). I'd only give pause if the new payment pushed your expenses above $45,000 a month. Even then, you would still be saving, but it probably pushes things out retirement a good bit further. Also, if you are still contributing to those 529s I'd stop. Let it ride. As for should you buy it? That's up to you. You can easily afford it with cash. Even with a mortgage it should is easily doable). If it's som...
by mattshwink
Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $2.1M Vacation Home?
Replies: 25
Views: 4313

Re: $2.1M Vacation Home?

You could buy the home in cash if you need to. Your income should support this easily. A 30 year would be in the range of an extra $6,000 a month (15 would be in the $10,000 range). But you didn't tell us your expenses (other than your primary mortgage). So if you can afford the payment and keep saving (which you same to say you will, just with minus the new mortgage payment). So I'd say if your total expenses now are double your mortgage (so in the range of $30,000 a month) even with the new payment you are fine. I'd only give pause if the new payment pushed your expenses above $45,000 a month. Even then, you would still be saving, but it probably pushes things out retirement a good bit further. Also, if you are still contributing to those...