Search found 664 matches

by nyclon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Continuous Glucose Monitor
Replies: 13
Views: 804

Re: Continuous Glucose Monitor

I haven’t heard of anyone able to get one without a prescription. Companies like Levels will provide one albeit at a high subscription cost.
by nyclon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam
Replies: 53
Views: 5992

Re: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam

The thing that is addictive about Amazon Prime is that shipping is free, period, no ifs, ands, or buts. An even with free shipping, typically--not always, but typically--Amazon prices are competitive with local brick-and-mortar stores. To pick one completely at random: "my" toothpaste is Sensodyne Pronamel Repair. The Amazon price, with free shipping, 3.4 ounces, pack of one, $6.98, free shipping, free delivery tomorrow. CVS, in stock at the local store, pick-up price, $8.79. Walmart, in stock, pickup in store $6.98. Costco: doesn't have it; I can buy a different kind of Sensodyne, but must buy four, $31.99/4 = $8 each. I don't pretend to understand pricing. Amazon prices are not necessarily bargains, but they typically are compe...
by nyclon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam
Replies: 53
Views: 5992

Re: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam

Toons wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:34 pm Been using walmart plus since inception
Use same day delivery all the time
Scan and go App in the store
Fuel prices,10 cents a gallon
Paramount Plus
Returns from home
98.00 a year I see value

Not going to a physical store
Time saved if nothing else
:happy
+1 and can get gas from Sam’s club which is often more than 10 cents of discount especially on premium

Walmart+ costs me zero with American Express platinum

According to the app I’ve saved 217 hours from being in the store; 9 full days of my life. App is easy to use especially for reordering- and- they have subscribe and save.
by nyclon
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Making Sense Of Treasury ETF's?
Replies: 9
Views: 956

Re: Making Sense Of Treasury ETF's?

bmstrong wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:53 am https://etfdb.com/etfs/bond/treasuries/

Do the BH have a favorite or go to Treasury ETF? I'm trying to decide if I just want to roll my slush into an ETF or buy through my Brokerage? (TD is out, even though they streamlined the process, it's still a nightmare.)
I like vanguards actively managed funds: VFIRX (short), VFIUX (intermediate), and VUSUX (long).
They have the capacity to buy non treasury but gov issued securities, up to a small %.

Currently there is a big difference between the positioning of VFIUX (more on the shorter end this month) vs VGIT , for better or for worse.
by nyclon
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How good is the level of preventive care in the US at detecting serious issues?
Replies: 3
Views: 577

Re: How good is the level of preventive care in the US at detecting serious issues?

It is non existent. What you describe should be the normal course - get a calcium score, contrast scan, monitor in depth lipid panel, insulin resistance- I could go on with the list and how the levels for being “at risk” are currently set at levels where you’re already sick. The healthcare system and medical schools are designed to treat existing conditions and distribute drugs and medical procedures rather than focus on preventive measures. If you want a scan that would help detect what you describe, first you’ll need a doctor to call in a request (even though you may want to pay out of pocket - you are not free to call purchase such a service) and then pay around $1500+. If you are interested in such services try to find a more modern med...
by nyclon
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Personal Performance Dashboard Issue
Replies: 10
Views: 1531

Re: Vanguard Personal Performance Dashboard Issue

My performance dashboard has a time period named “all” which appears to include returns since inception. It also breaks out contributions, withdrawals, income, and gains nicely Does "all" happen to fall within 10 years for you? Just curious. If I click "all" it still only shows me 10 years. If I click "custom", everything prior to 2014 is greyed out on the little calendar. I have been a Vanguard customer since the early 1990s so there is 30 years+ history to show... but as far as I can tell, not on the website... Can you check and see if these two actions (clicking on all, and clicking on custom) behave the same for you? Many thanks. Cheers This is really unfortunate. I am not at 10 years. I wonder if 2014 is ...
by nyclon
Wed Mar 06, 2024 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When to switch from dealer to independent for service
Replies: 52
Views: 4336

Re: When to switch from dealer to independent for service

Dottie57 wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:58 pm There appears to be a lot of hate or dislike for dealership service departments. I use the dealership and they appear to have done well by my cars. My cars have run well. I wouldn’t know how to evaluate an independent shop.
+1
by nyclon
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Personal Performance Dashboard Issue
Replies: 10
Views: 1531

Re: Vanguard Personal Performance Dashboard Issue

My performance dashboard has a time period named “all” which appears to include returns since inception. It also breaks out contributions, withdrawals, income, and gains nicely
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E*Trade solo 401(k) Form 5500-EZ filing
Replies: 17
Views: 1719

Re: E*Trade solo 401(k) Form 5500-EZ filing

This year the IRS added a question at the end of the 5500-EZ which appears to be in relation to selecting code “3D”, which many in this thread select. Does anyone know the answer for E*Trade? The new question: “12. If the plan sponsor is an adopter of a pre-approved plan that received a favorable IRS Opinion Letter, enter the date of the Opinion Letter [MM/DD/YYYY] and the Opinion Letter serial number [ ]” As a reminder, code “3D” is: “Pre-approved pension plan – A pre-approved plan under sections 401, 403(a), and 4975(e)(7) that is subject to a favorable opinion letter from the IRS” The Opinion Letter is generally included along with the plan document. If you don't have a copy (you should) you can probably download it from E*Trade. Thanks...
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E*Trade solo 401(k) Form 5500-EZ filing
Replies: 17
Views: 1719

Re: E*Trade solo 401(k) Form 5500-EZ filing

This year the IRS added a question at the end of the 5500-EZ which appears to be in relation to selecting code “3D”, which many in this thread select. Does anyone know the answer for E*Trade?

The new question:
“12. If the plan sponsor is an adopter of a pre-approved plan that received a favorable IRS Opinion Letter, enter the date of the Opinion Letter [MM/DD/YYYY] and the Opinion Letter serial number [ ]”

As a reminder, code “3D” is:
“Pre-approved pension plan – A pre-approved plan under sections 401, 403(a), and 4975(e)(7) that is subject to a favorable opinion letter from the IRS”
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?
Replies: 18
Views: 1456

Re: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?

Some munis have call features that create various scenarios that can affect duration. So various duration labels for munis and treasurys aren’t apples to apples when it comes to measuring convexity and duration.
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?
Replies: 18
Views: 1456

Re: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?

Yes most folks who discuss risks with munis are referring to drawdown risk since fixed income is “safe assets” and you may need to withdraw. That’s likely why many limit the allocation to less than a third. There is default risk too, which is mitigated to some extent with diversification. Someone mentioned inflation risks, which exist with nominal assets. Default risk seems like the biggest concern to me — it’s likely mitigated by diversification, but a major crisis could hurt these. It seems that would be reflected in general drawdown risk. However, I’m finding not a lot of evidence that munis have higher drawdown risk. If anything, it seems the opposite most of the time. In addition, their lower yields would make them less sensitive to i...
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?
Replies: 18
Views: 1456

Re: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?

Yes the risk exists with mutual funds. Run some scenarios on portfolio visualizer to compare drawdowns between the two asset classes, keeping duration apples to apples. Bernstein recommends roughly no more than 1/3 of fixed income in municipals and the rest in treasuries. YMMV based on the size of your portfolio- most folks seem to limit the amount munis due to drawdown risk- but who knows - there could be major default risk at some point. I’m a little confused about what you’re saying the risk is. I replied to someone saying they had a hard time selling. But I think you’re saying the risk is that they will go down in price, which is a very different risk. I see essentially no difference in drawdown risk for short term treasuries vs short ...
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Let go from Megacorp at 42....can I retire?
Replies: 90
Views: 22528

Re: Let go from Megacorp at 42....can I retire?

3% of your non real estate is $240k which won’t cover your burn of $250k but it’s close. You have to account for taxes and other expenses (expense ratios, health, etc), but you’re close - however at 42 with three young children I’d be wary of going to a withdrawal rate higher than 3.25%. You don’t talk about the real estate and if it’s cash flowing. Bottom line if you want to retire, move some stocks into fixed income so that you can sleep at night. Figure out if it’s 50/50, 60/40 etc that makes you comfortable. Yes you’ll pay capital gains but this will empower you to endure market cycles and set up for a long retirement. Perhaps move to a 0% tax state while you rebalance - you can always move back. The final step is to reduce your $250k b...
by nyclon
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?
Replies: 18
Views: 1456

Re: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?

Yes the risk exists with mutual funds. Run some scenarios on portfolio visualizer to compare drawdowns between the two asset classes, keeping duration apples to apples.

Bernstein recommends roughly no more than 1/3 of fixed income in municipals and the rest in treasuries. YMMV based on the size of your portfolio- most folks seem to limit the amount munis due to drawdown risk- but who knows - there could be major default risk at some point.
by nyclon
Sat Feb 24, 2024 5:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private Equity Vanguard
Replies: 24
Views: 2428

Re: Private Equity Vanguard

Confused here. When I think of "private equity", what comes to mind, is that a professor at the local university wants to commercialize his research, taking it off-campus. He needs money. Along comes somebody who wants to diversify beyond public markets. Our hero then fronts a few $M, "leading a funding round" (in this case, seedling) to get the company started. In exchange, he or she gets a seat on the board, and maybe even gets a C-suite position. There are no "funds"... no Blackrocks or Blackstones. What am I missing? Ummm with all due respect, you're standing in front of the largest Royal Caribbean cruise ship and squinting like "hmm I don't see any boats here, what am I missing" PE refers to a h...
by nyclon
Wed Feb 21, 2024 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private Equity Vanguard
Replies: 24
Views: 2428

Re: Private Equity Vanguard

I just got an email where Vanguard would have a call arranged to pitch me a PE option I didn't realize VG did this. In Googling a bit it seems like they offer a Harbourvest option or something. Is this a Fund of Funds? Anyone have the broad deets here? Knee jerk instinct is sort of like Groucho Marx...I don't really want to be invested in any PE option that actually wants me haha. Assume fees, lack of liquidity, and K1 crap I would need to mess with every year. That said if they have figured out a better mousetrap I don't want to overlook the opportunity just based on my knee jerk instinct if that is a dated or incorrect view Your hunch is correct. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad product. Search this forum for Harbourvest and you’ll find rele...
by nyclon
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exercise Is Overrated
Replies: 32
Views: 3425

Re: Exercise Is Overrated

As long as those cookies are improving your grip strength. “Grip strength has been proposed as a biomarker. Supporting this proposition, evidence is provided herein that shows grip strength is largely consistent as an explanator of concurrent overall strength, upper limb function, bone mineral density, fractures, falls, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, depression, sleep problems, diabetes, multimorbidity, and quality of life. Evidence is also provided for a predictive link between grip strength and all-cause and disease-specific mortality, future function, bone mineral density, fractures, cognition and depression, and problems associated with hospitalization. Consequently, the routine use of grip strength can be recommended as a stand-al...
by nyclon
Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting young - teaching a 5 and 7 yo about investing
Replies: 9
Views: 728

Re: Starting young - teaching a 5 and 7 yo about investing

My partner is going to start teaching his kids (5.5 and 7.5 years old) about money and investing. Their grandma sends them $5 bills on a weekly basis and since my partner pays for everything, they never spend the cash. He has opened up accounts for them through his Charles Shwab and wants to invite them to deposit grandma’s weekly $5, with a $1 match for every deposit made. He wants to show them how it will grow if invested in something that generates interest. He is also thinking about opening a 529 for them His main question is: when your kids are young and you’re divorced, what is the best way to both help them save for future expenses and learn about money, as well as save for college? Have them use the money to buy juice boxes, sticke...
by nyclon
Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best banking/brokerage options for 8-figure portfolio
Replies: 18
Views: 2472

Re: Best banking/brokerage options for 8-figure portfolio

You won’t get any perks anywhere until you pay up for AUM services. Having said that, you can always ask for things while they try to get you to buy their services. Mostly informational items on asset allocation, estate planning, family legacy, etc. JPMorgan is good bank to be with given the amount of branches, service, security, and infrastructure. Day to day you won’t do much but use Zelle, send wires, atm etc so may as well use them vs a less developed brand. You can bank there and keep it at that. As for investing, vanguard is a good option. At your asset level they will provide you with hands on legacy planning thoughts, higher touch service, and access to their trading desks for large trades. You’ll be able to use vanguard national tr...
by nyclon
Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax loss harvesting VWLUX
Replies: 6
Views: 931

Re: Tax loss harvesting VWLUX

You could stay in 50% vwiux / 50% vwalx for 30 days. Check portfolio visualizer - the performance of that mix is similar to 100% vwlux. There may be an amt component to the vwalx income.
by nyclon
Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why will vanguard not let me buy tax exempt money market fund ??
Replies: 32
Views: 3127

Re: Why will vanguard not let me buy tax exempt money market fund ??

I have federal money market fund in taxable account I would like to buy tax exempt money market instead to save on taxes . But when I tried I get a message saying this account cannot have this type of fund I saw California and New York tax exempt money market funds are available but it will not let me buy even those as I do not live in those states How do I get around this ? Is it an entity account(e.g., limited partnership)? Yes. It is a limited family partnership account I was not aware that this will prevent me from buying tax exempt money market fund ? Why is this restriction to this fund but not to limited term tax exempt which I already have ? Certain kinds of funds, and this may include money market accounts, are limited to "na...
by nyclon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 20% bond allocation: BND or US treasury note better?
Replies: 28
Views: 3053

Re: 20% bond allocation: BND or US treasury note better?

If you want intermediate term duration and treasury-only exposure a fund like VFIUX or VGIT may be appropriate. The fund managers will figure out which bonds to buy so you don’t have to set up a rolling ladder.
by nyclon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Just got laid off
Replies: 120
Views: 16232

Re: Just got fired

Don’t take this to mean anything about you. Having been in the situation and known many others who have as well, I know it’s frustrating and scary. Employment ultimately is a contract for you to be paid in exchange for giving the company your time. The add ons are the learning, people, experience, etc etc. But it boils down to economics. Once they don’t need or can’t afford your time they terminate the contract. It’s that simple. Nothing to do you with you as a human. Take some time to reflect and understand that this time will pass and the relationships you have with friends and family trump everything. Update LinkedIn and CV after you’ve taken some time to unwind and think about what you really want next so that you know how to position t...
by nyclon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It's possible to do worse than 10th percentile in Monte Carlo?
Replies: 21
Views: 2508

Re: It's possible to do worse than 10th percentile in Monte Carlo?

I was playing around with backtesting using portfolio Visualizer. Let's say I create a 100% stock 1M portfolio where I withdraw 40K (4%) + inflation. Using the portfolio Visualizer, I ran a monte carlo for 20 years, it returns a 10th percentile of 5.07% nominal and 0.89% real. See Link . I then run a backtest on portfolio visualizer from year 2000 and then 20 years. It return -2.04% nominal and -4.05% real. See Link . How do I interpret this? It's possible for the lower bound to go below 10th percentile? Is this more like 5th percentile? I thought perhaps this is an example that reality may not match simulation, but this is a backtested scenario so that 2000-2020 would already been part of the Monte Carlo data. The ratings agencies and ban...
by nyclon
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Struggling with appropriate level of financial help for an aging parent
Replies: 41
Views: 5318

Re: Struggling with appropriate level of financial help for an aging parent

I’m curious how others approach this topic. My mother (widowed, age 70, good health, but starting to feel aches and pains) is ready to sell her SFH and downsize to an apartment/condo. I am her only child. She is a 5-hour flight away, and there is a mutual desire for her to move close enough so that we can help her as she ages. Her income is social security (approx. 13K/year). She is debt-free, pays next to nothing in property tax or utilities, and her home is worth 250-280K. About 20K of cash aside from that. Financially this works well for her, but she’s far away, aging, in a very isolated and rural area. She has no other assets, insurance (life, long term care) that I am aware of. We (myself 42, spouse 43, and 6yo child) live in a HCOL a...
by nyclon
Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Received Vanguard Brokerage 2023 Consolidated Form 1099
Replies: 21
Views: 1835

Re: Received Vanguard Brokerage 2023 Consolidated Form 1099

Artsdoctor wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:14 pm This is all going to depend on your accounts. If you're still on the old mutual fund platform, your 1099 was available last week. If you're on the new platform with relatively straightforward investments, your 1099s are available now. If you have a more complicated portfolio (for example, individual bonds), you'll probably get your 1099s in early February.
Received yesterday as well - with the individual bonds and written call options.
by nyclon
Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Crazy to invest $200K in VTIP (Short-term Inflation Protected) in a taxable brokerage account?
Replies: 35
Views: 3813

Re: Crazy to invest $200K in VTIP (Short-term Inflation Protected) in a taxable brokerage account?

rich126 wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:40 pm I would just buy treasuries, maybe 1-3 yrs and roll them over as needed. You say you don't know the exact date that you need the money but it isn't a big deal to sell a year treasury 6 months into it. Anyhow that is what I did with money intended for a house.
+1
by nyclon
Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA broker reference for NY state exchange
Replies: 2
Views: 437

Re: ACA broker reference for NY state exchange

eugeneD wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:30 pm Does anyone work and can reference a reputable and knowledgeable broker who can help fill out the ACA application on the New York State exchange, choose a plan, explain the process, etc? Dozens of those brokers are listed on the website, and it's hard to know who is good. If it's not allowed to be posted on the forum, please pm me.
Thanks
Great folks here and they just began supporting ACA. https://fairsquaremedicare.com/
by nyclon
Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 35681

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

Normchad wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:03 pm
nyclon wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 7:59 pm 9 years post university to gross $1m.
14 years post uni to have $1m saved.
The delta went to taxes, helping family, loan repayments and VHCOL expenses.
Sounds familiar.

I graduated university at 23 and got a good job. Had some debt, but not huge. It took me until the age of 30 to reach a net worth of zero.

Then ten more years of saving and investing in S&P500 to reach $1M.

So all in all, it took me 17 years to reach $1M net worth, and my portfolio was the vast majority of that.
I believe I hit a net worth of zero about 6-7 years post uni. Lots of penny pinching to get there and beyond. Whatever savings I had were in the indexes. Endured 2 layoffs and extended unemployment during the initial years.
by nyclon
Thu Jan 04, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 35681

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

9 years post university to gross $1m via W2s. Towards the end began a side hustle that doubled my income.
14 years post uni to have $1m saved.
The delta went to taxes, helping family, loan repayments and VHCOL expenses.
by nyclon
Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbo Tax Business for an Estate Income Tax Return - State Support?
Replies: 21
Views: 1546

Re: Turbo Tax Business for an Estate Income Tax Return - State Support?

Looking at the forest rather than the trees: 1. If estate planning has been done that means you likely have the money to pay a professional. 2. A good professional will ensure your planning remains intact and the IRS does not begin to question your planning. 3. Missteps can not only be costly but adversely change the lives of those involved. I think it is tough to go from using TT DIY pre-estate planning and post - while the numbers can be simple the filing aspects are not. You may want to just pay up. Thank you, nyclon, I appreciate your comments. This is a First and Final Estate Income Tax Return for an Estate that closed this year. So there is no planning. It's over. But I have zero interest in messing anything up or opening up issues w...
by nyclon
Wed Dec 27, 2023 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbo Tax Business for an Estate Income Tax Return - State Support?
Replies: 21
Views: 1546

Re: Turbo Tax Business for an Estate Income Tax Return - State Support?

Looking at the forest rather than the trees:
1. If estate planning has been done that means you likely have the money to pay a professional.
2. A good professional will ensure your planning remains intact and the IRS does not begin to question your planning.
3. Missteps can not only be costly but adversely change the lives of those involved.

I think it is tough to go from using TT DIY pre-estate planning and post - while the numbers can be simple the filing aspects are not. You may want to just pay up.
by nyclon
Fri Dec 15, 2023 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
Replies: 210
Views: 144222

Re: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M

At your young age and level of spend requirements I’d be targeting a 2.5% withdrawal rate along with a substantial treasury component (30-40% inclusive of some “cash” for liquidity). So, about $3.8M.

This would change if there are other income sources. For example 2.5% of what you have is $60,000 and you can supplement with $30,000 of income. However I wouldn’t be comfortable with 100% equities.
by nyclon
Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient
Replies: 121
Views: 13733

Re: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient

We haven’t had a crash since 2020, luckily.

A friend called me today and asked if I had read the recent article claiming that “bonds are not necessary in a portfolio”. I said I had not because when I saw the title of the article it made me think of the folks during the Great Depression who owned treasuries and felt fortunate to have them during that time.

“Surviving a stock market crash” likely means having peace of mind during the crash.
by nyclon
Sun Dec 10, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New TV QLED vs. OLED
Replies: 9
Views: 1403

Re: New TV QLED vs. OLED

Throwing this out there - just got a Hisense (a brand which I thought I would never purchase) and it is incredible. It’s a QLED. Here’s a review https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/hisense/u7k-u7-u75k
by nyclon
Thu Dec 07, 2023 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PIMCO ladder vs VWIUX
Replies: 1
Views: 366

Re: PIMCO ladder vs VWIUX

First of all, the duration of the ladder and vwiux is different.

With that out of the way, vwiux is cheaper, requires zero work on your end, and has a big team of people watching after it from all angles at one of largest asset managers with institutional pricing.

Vwiux seems like an obvious answer. Or one of vanguards shorter duration muni funds, if you want to stay in muni.
by nyclon
Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private equity being prioritized by ultra wealthy, but is that the right allocation for a couple w a net worth of 1.5m?
Replies: 35
Views: 6339

Re: Private equity being prioritized by ultra wealthy, but is that the right allocation for a couple w a net worth of 1.

Recently came across the Tiger 21 (https://tiger21.com/) member allocations for Q2 2022 - Q1 2023, which were: 31% private equity, 24% real estate, 22% public equities, 11% cash & cash equivalent, 7% fixed income, 3% hedge funds, 1% currencies & 1% misc. We max out all available retirement accounts & do backdoor roths annually, generally prioritize indexing, have a savings rate of ~25-40%, and have invested in a real estate syndication and a farmland fund. We don't have anything that currently falls under the category of private equity. Is adding that component (and if so, what percentage range) an appropriate way to add diversity and increase the FIRE potential of a couple w a current net worth (including primary residence) of...
by nyclon
Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Explain Crowd SAFE to me like I’m 5
Replies: 6
Views: 1129

Re: Explain Crowd SAFE to me like I’m 5

A few years ago I invested $150 into a small company with a Crowd SAFE on the Republic platform. I actually forgot about it until I just saw on social media that the company was expanding and doing another round of funding. At the time, I really thought of it as more of a donation than an investment. I was interested in what the company was doing and wanted to do a small contribution to help them succeed. But now it got me wondering, has anyone on here made anything off of these? Was it from an acquisition, IPO, or something else? How did you get notified? SAFE notes (simple agreement for future equity) give you certain rights to obtain preferred stock of a company during a future fundraise. Usually these notes convert to shares of preferr...
by nyclon
Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Healthcare.gov in Virginia
Replies: 3
Views: 424

Re: Healthcare.gov in Virginia

You may need to reconfirm your eligibility?
by nyclon
Tue Nov 28, 2023 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?
Replies: 123
Views: 17951

Re: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?

Athletic shorts and T shirt. Total cost for a quality and functional pair from Walmart is less than $15.

More importantly is what to wear on your feet. Whatever you do, don’t use jogging /running shoes for lifting weights / short runs / etc - use those for long distance if you’re doing that. Else get a shoe where you are lower to the ground and cushion isn’t like a cloud - it makes a huge difference.
by nyclon
Sat Nov 25, 2023 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?
Replies: 10
Views: 1413

Re: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?

tj wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2023 12:33 pm If you have ACA plan options that are most cost efficient than the HSA one, it wouldn't make sense.
Agreed - but amount of usage could change the conclusion, which makes the analysis impossible to get right.
by nyclon
Sat Nov 25, 2023 12:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the role of fixed income to you?
Replies: 118
Views: 16245

Re: What is the role of fixed income to you?

Peace of mind that pays.
by nyclon
Sat Nov 25, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?
Replies: 10
Views: 1413

Re: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?

Update here. As earlier posters mentioned the HSA contribution and its tax benefits would be at the margins. I ran some numbers, and in this case, it looks to be worth the effort, and indeed at the margins- but as you’ll see no one knows for certain because we’re talking about insurance and hypotheticals. Here’s the hypothetical: HDHP HSA Insurance plan annual premium: $15,000 2024 HSA contribution: $8,300 Marginal reduction in tax burden with HSA contribution: $3,000 (~36% of the HSA contribution) Taxes paid on $8,300 contribution: $1,975 (23.8%) There is a $1k tax savings in this situation, realized immediately. Going forward, all dividend and cap gains will be tax free. The obvious potential offset is out of pocket costs associated with ...
by nyclon
Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?
Replies: 10
Views: 1413

Re: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?

I’m picking this question up from another thread where it didnt get any responses. Does it make financial sense to contribute to a HSA for a young FIRE retiree? Assume they are using an ACA HSA-compatible plan. In theory it looks like this - their only income is from interest and dividends in taxable. They have 30x saved up (plenty of money). Young family. Contributions would have to come from the int/div + some sale of stock to cover withdrawal rate - which all incur 20-23.8% tax. Then the HSA contribution is made (which reduces their tax presumably by the 20-23.8% on the same amount). The interest and dividends are taxed regardless of what you do with them. If you aren't spending them, you might as well invest them in a tax-favored accou...
by nyclon
Mon Nov 20, 2023 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?
Replies: 10
Views: 1413

Funding HSA from taxable - does it make sense?

I’m picking this question up from another thread where it didnt get any responses. Does it make financial sense to contribute to a HSA for a young FIRE retiree? Assume they are using an ACA HSA-compatible plan. In theory it looks like this - their only income is from interest and dividends in taxable. They have 30x saved up (plenty of money). Young family. Contributions would have to come from the int/div + some sale of stock to cover withdrawal rate - which all incur 20-23.8% tax. Then the HSA contribution is made (which reduces their tax presumably by the 20-23.8% on the same amount). Does the family choose a HSA compatible plan or a low premium “easy pricing” plan where their costs are more predictable? The latter would seem important fo...
by nyclon
Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can You Have Too Much in an HSA?
Replies: 49
Views: 6710

Re: Can You Have Too Much in an HSA?

Does the HSA still make sense in a situation where someone is retired and drawing all income from taxable dividends / long term capital gains while on an ACA plan?

That would mean they’re paying up to 23.8% (ltcg+niit) on contributions. Or are they better off getting an “easy pricing” non-HSA ACA plan with lower premiums and more predictable costs?

This would be an early retiree (40s/50s) who’s not planning to withdraw for a few decades.
by nyclon
Sun Oct 29, 2023 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: StubHub [Tickets purchased, but no confirmation]
Replies: 23
Views: 4202

Re: STUBHUB

You may have purchased tickets that were short sold to you. The seller is likely locating cheaper tickets than what you paid less the fees they will incur to make a profit. This is standard practice.