Search found 1052 matches

by remomnyc
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I submit claim to home insurance?
Replies: 39
Views: 3697

Re: Should I submit claim to home insurance?

I would not submit a claim and I would raise the deductible to $5k. My parents had a $1k deductible and a leak in their roof. I called to see if the insurance company would cover it and how much. The insurance adjuster came out and said the coverage was $1,015, so I didn't file. Later we got a check for $15 from the insurance company asking for proof that the $1,000 was spent on the repair even though we didn't file a claim. At the same time, the policy expired and they doubled the premium. I didn't get the premium notice and the insurance expired (don't ask how). Due to the claim on record and expired policy, we were unable to get insurance without REPLACING the roof. After replacing the roof, we got insurance at 2x the cost. I recently re...
by remomnyc
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?
Replies: 57
Views: 8455

Re: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?

Retired 6 yrs ago at age 52: 55% equities/45% fixed, comprised of 1-yr cash, 3-yr CD ladder and BND.
Now: 78% equities/20% fixed (BND)/2% cash. I will gradually reduce fixed to 5 yrs of expenses when I start collecting SS at age 70.

I was conservative when I retired to protect against SORR. As my CDs matured and during the brief stock market plummet during Covid, I plowed fixed into equities because I realized 10 yrs of expenses in fixed was sufficient for me to sleep well at night. Watching the bond "bloodbath" as rates rose, if I had to do it over, I may have chosen differently on fixed income.
by remomnyc
Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with inheritance in relation to impending retirement
Replies: 6
Views: 1082

Re: What to do with inheritance in relation to impending retirement

If you are where you want to live, why don't you use the funds to buy a home? Not sure what homes cost where you live, but if you need a mortgage and rates are high, you can refinance if/when they drop. It sounds like you have no cash outside your 401k, IRAs, so I would use the money to rebalance and buy at least 5 years of fixed income (CDs, treasuries, bonds) in your 401k/IRAs and buy stocks in taxable. See the wiki regarding tax-efficient fund placement. If you retire and the stock market is down, you can draw down fixed income from your 401k/IRAs.
by remomnyc
Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement: what was more expensive than anticipated?
Replies: 80
Views: 19458

Re: Retirement: what was more expensive than anticipated?

So far everything has been cheaper than anticipated (so many expenses related to office life went away), especially taxes, but I may be upgrading the travel expenses. Our kids are tall and are balking at traveling with us on long flights in economy where their knees are jammed in their face. They'd rather stay home. They're willing to travel economy with their friends, but most of those flights are 3 hours or less. Our travel destinations are often 8 to 13+ hours. We'll have to find enticing travel destinations closer to home or upgrade. We like their company and we'd rather spend to travel with them now while we're able than leave them buckets of cash when we're gone. I guess you could say our kids are more expensive than anticipated.
by remomnyc
Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Winning the game and Dry Powder
Replies: 157
Views: 25965

Re: Winning the game and Dry Powder

livesoft wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:38 am Sure, as long as you keep your dry powder in something like VTI or BND.
That's where I store my dry powder, too.
by remomnyc
Sun Dec 17, 2023 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
Replies: 657
Views: 133009

Re: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?

Selling and inadvertently renting for 7-1/2 years while the market galloped away from me. Regret the deals I lost because I wouldn't go up another $10k to $50k.
by remomnyc
Sun Dec 17, 2023 7:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your opinion on family members likely consideration
Replies: 8
Views: 1632

Re: Your opinion on family members likely consideration

Definitely doable. Due to the house value, they will have the option of downsizing, moving to a LCOL area, taking out a HELOC or doing a reverse mortgage if they deplete their portfolio. They are probably at peak spend right now. Their expenses will decrease as they age until they need care. Agree home should be appropriate to age in place.
by remomnyc
Sun Dec 17, 2023 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Do You Value Your Time At?
Replies: 126
Views: 21026

Re: How Much Do You Value Your Time At?

I value my time so much that I retired early so I could hoard it and spend it, leaving lots of dollars on the table.

I will do things I want to do for free, but you can't pay me enough to do something I don't want to do. Even if I could get somewhere on public transportation for $3, if the weather's nice and I have time, I prefer to walk, even if it takes over an hour to get there. It's not about money. It's about what I want. Even though I dislike cooking, I'll cook things I can't buy better than I make. Having money lets me pick and choose.
by remomnyc
Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2905
Views: 515106

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]

A lot supply is frozen because people with mortgages below 4.0% don't want to give them up. A lack of supply provides price support for sales, despite rate increases.
by remomnyc
Sat Nov 25, 2023 5:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What to invest in Roth for 13 year old
Replies: 78
Views: 13627

Re: What to invest in Roth for 13 year old

Tom_T wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:42 am VT or VTI, depending on your feelings about international.
This is what both my kids have in their Roth.
by remomnyc
Mon Nov 20, 2023 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling Mom’s house without a realtor? (Ohio)
Replies: 31
Views: 3274

Re: Selling Mom’s house without a realtor? (Ohio)

I would hire an agent, but I would pre-negotiate a lower commission if it sells to the interested parties you've already identified.
by remomnyc
Mon Nov 20, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taking Social Security at 62
Replies: 635
Views: 85512

Re: Taking Social Security at 62

I had reflexively thought I'd take it at 70 until I ran the #s in opensocialsecurity.com. Since I'm married, the optimization answer is it depends. Basically, the highest PIA should file at 70 and lowest at 62.
by remomnyc
Sun Nov 12, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement withdrawals done evenly or avoid selling stocks when market is down?
Replies: 54
Views: 6777

Re: Retirement withdrawals done evenly or avoid selling stocks when market is down?

quantAndHold wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 11:13 am Personally, I withdraw when I need the money. I just sell whatever moves things towards my target AA. In practice, that would mean selling stocks when the market is up, and bonds when it’s down.
This, except my target AA is not fixed. The fixed income portion declines annually as I get closer to SS age until I reach 5 years of expenses, at which point it will be static.
by remomnyc
Sun Nov 12, 2023 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need advice about a Reverse Mortgage A.S.A.P.
Replies: 9
Views: 2086

Re: Need advice about a Reverse Mortgage A.S.A.P.

What is the current value of the property? What are the real estate taxes and home owner's insurance? Is her social security (which is now the higher of hers or your dad's) and pension (if any) sufficient to coverage real estate taxes, home owner's insurance, and living expenses (food, utilities)? You may have to fund any capital improvements (e.g. replacement of appliances). Assuming that the line of credit is maxed out and no further withdrawals can be made and your mom will make no payments on the loan, the monthly fee will continue to increase and accrue; however, no payments are due. If your mom lives long enough, the balance may exceed the value of the home; however, she can't lose her home as long as real estate taxes are current. If...
by remomnyc
Mon Nov 06, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did anyone spend too much in early retirement?
Replies: 71
Views: 14342

Re: Did anyone spend too much in early retirement?

When I retired, I felt I could buy anything I wanted but not everything I wanted. We had been house hunting for a while. We spent WAY over our budget on a new place. The year before the new home, my withdrawal rate was 3%. The year of the home purchase, my withdrawal rate was 14%. Last year it was 2%, so I guess I didn't spend too much.
by remomnyc
Mon Oct 30, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Simplification vs. Optimization in your financial life... most valuable areas / where do you draw the line?
Replies: 70
Views: 9076

Re: Simplification vs. Optimization in your financial life... most valuable areas / where do you draw the line?

I opened treasurydirect when Ibonds were paying high interest rates but will likely exit as too much hassle having another account. It’s a hassle dealing with multiple small lots of ibonds — I had bought $40k for my kids (also for low tax with the kiddy tax) so will gradually spend on their private school tuition over the next 2 years I’m not sure if the extra few hundred dollars was worth the hassle of separate taxes + another account, particularly since I need to only spend on their expenses so can’t more the money out all at once only when their monthly tuition is due. Thanks for reminding me to close the Treasurydirect account I opened in 2022. My $10k at redemption is $10,912, but had I keeled over today, my heirs wouldn't have known ...
by remomnyc
Fri Oct 13, 2023 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Small Drip Coffee Machine
Replies: 77
Views: 8389

Re: Best Small Drip Coffee Machine

I LOVED the coffee the Zojirushi 5-cup Zutto made. After breaking a few glass carafes, I gave up and bought a coffeemaker with a stainless steel carafe. I still miss my Zojirushi. To this day, it is still my favorite drip coffee. If you're a gentle dishwasher, I highly recommend it.
by remomnyc
Fri Oct 13, 2023 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?
Replies: 229
Views: 22971

Re: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?

My dad didn't have a pot to piss in, so he told his daughters they were on their own. When he discovered days before the wedding that my sister was serving drumsticks, macaroni salad, a green salad, sodas and a sheet cake from Costco, he ended up catering food and bringing alcohol because he had invited multiple friends. Her wedding budget was $10/person but she and her husband went to Hawaii on their honeymoon. My dad regretted not spending money on her wedding.
by remomnyc
Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Simplification vs. Optimization in your financial life... most valuable areas / where do you draw the line?
Replies: 70
Views: 9076

Re: Simplification vs. Optimization in your financial life... most valuable areas / where do you draw the line?

I won't chase bonuses, opening and closing accounts. My spouse has zero interest in anything financial, so I'm trying to move toward simplification. I'm trying to close as many accounts as possible and eventually get to one brick and mortar bank and a 3-fund portfolio at one firm. That's the goal. I still have a ways to go.
by remomnyc
Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which banks offer HELOCs on NYC co-op apartments?
Replies: 8
Views: 1296

Re: Which banks offer HELOCs on NYC co-op apartments?

After shopping around, I got mine years ago with Chase. There was a $40 annual fee and a $400 cancellation fee if it was cancelled within a certain number of months or years. The rate was Prime minus points, but I can't remember exactly. It was the most competitive rate among all the banks (Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, and Wells Fargo) I shopped at the time. The underwriting process and closing were quick and painless. I cancelled it in 2014, so Chase may no longer be in HELOC the business.
by remomnyc
Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feasible to fly with 2.5 and 1.5 year olds?
Replies: 64
Views: 5218

Re: Feasible to fly with 2.5 and 1.5 year olds?

Really depends on your kids. Ours were terrible in cars (lots of motion sickness and screaming), but fine in planes and trains. We flew domestically starting at 6 weeks and internationally to Europe and Asia at age 6 months. The kids started flying using the unaccompanied minors service at age 5. I hated traveling with them when they were young only because of all the stuff we had to drag along (car seats, toys, snacks, food (lots of remote beach destinations do not have jarred baby food) diapers, wipes, etc).
by remomnyc
Wed Oct 11, 2023 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Have you increased bond allocation lately?
Replies: 64
Views: 7045

Re: Have you increased bond allocation lately?

No, I want to increase it but I'm staying the course (my course, that is).
by remomnyc
Sun Oct 08, 2023 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell everything
Replies: 100
Views: 21769

Re: Sell everything

I was just wondering if I should buy more BND, but my IPS says my fixed income should not be greater than the # of years of expenses to SS or less than 5 years of expenses. Even though my fixed income has dropped one year, I also aged one year, so my IPS says do nothing. It's hard not buy more BND since it's down so much. I do love a sale.
by remomnyc
Sun Oct 08, 2023 10:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: At what point does BND become attractive?
Replies: 141
Views: 23823

Re: At what point does BND become attractive?

Rowan Oak wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2023 9:09 pm
retiredjg wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2023 1:17 pm
At what point does BND become attractive?
I think it is attractive now. :happy
+1
Agreed.
by remomnyc
Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question for retirees that keep at least a years expenses...
Replies: 21
Views: 3154

Re: Question for retirees that keep at least a years expenses...

Yes, stop reinvesting dividends in taxable. I retired in 2018. Until now, I sold a year's worth of expenses and replenished annually. This year, I now have two months left (which will be more when I get 4Q dividends), but I'm considering just selling what I need monthly after dividends going forward. There was great comfort in having a cash stash when I first retired, but I realize that I'm unperturbed by volatility. It's been painful to watch my bond stash diminish in value month after month as rates rise, but time is my friend, so I want to leave my funds in as long as possible so time can work for me.
by remomnyc
Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: UPDATE Debating quitting with no new job lined up - possible FIRE?
Replies: 72
Views: 12475

Re: Debating quitting with no new job lined up - possible FIRE?

You can afford to quit. Look for a new job where you have a supportive boss, co-workers you like, meaningful work, and decent hours; otherwise, don't work.
by remomnyc
Thu Sep 21, 2023 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What length of time to have Term Life Insurance?
Replies: 69
Views: 5418

Re: What length of time to have Term Life Insurance?

We bought 20-year term for each of us after the kids were born to cover college costs, mortgage, and childcare costs for the surviving parent in an amount not to have hardships but not enough to have a life of mindless leisure.
by remomnyc
Sun Sep 03, 2023 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone else feel guilty retiring early???
Replies: 86
Views: 9519

Re: Anyone else feel guilty retiring early???

When I retired early, people would ask if I would ever work again. I said I wouldn't want to take a job away from someone who needed it.
by remomnyc
Thu Aug 24, 2023 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Umbrella insurance and underlying coverage
Replies: 24
Views: 2731

Re: Umbrella insurance and underlying coverage

I recently increased my underlying from $300k to $500k and called my umbrella insurer to notify them and to see if my umbrella rate changed. No impact. YMMV.
by remomnyc
Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much to save for college education - public and private
Replies: 97
Views: 15958

Re: How much to save for college education - public and private

If you have one child, stop contributing now. That $200k will likely double. You may already have overfunded if your child goes to state or gets scholarships. I funded two 529 accounts assuming full pay private with max federal loan. One chose private and one chose state, so I will have leftover funds that will be used for grad school.
by remomnyc
Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Condo buying and financing question…
Replies: 26
Views: 2227

Re: Condo buying and financing question…

My only question would be the new construction. How much is sold out? How much do you pay up front and how much upon delivery? What happens if the project isn't completed? Upon completion, what are your protections against defects? What is the reputation of the developer? Have you looked at other projects they've finished?
by remomnyc
Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help Annette Keep Working and Not Retire
Replies: 648
Views: 62207

Re: Help Annette Keep Working and Not Retire

I would be tempted to work 3 more years for the extra $10k of cola'd pension. That $35k pension plus $40k social security would cover 83% of your $90k expenses. At 20/80, your $1.55M portfolio is $1.24M bonds, or 14 years of expenses at $90k, which you can access now or at 59-1/2 without penalty if they're in deferred accounts. Any future retirement savings should be contributed to stocks. Having too conservative of an allocation really exposes you to inflation risk and makes it LESS likely your money will last. I think Rick Ferri recommended a minimum of 30% to a maximum of 70% in stocks. If you're retiring early, I would recommend MORE stocks, not less. I agree with the suggestions for sabbaticals, if available. Does your employer let you...
by remomnyc
Sun Aug 20, 2023 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone ever tried partial FIRE?
Replies: 45
Views: 5554

Re: Has anyone ever tried partial FIRE?

JoMoney wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 4:54 pm It doesn't sound like "Financially Independent" if you're still reliant on a job's income, it also doesn't sound like "Retired Early".
It sounds like "underemployment"... which has been a thing for a long time, just not something framed as a desired goal :?
Agree. After FIRE, I ended up working during the pandemic to get away from my family who was home quarantining. I needed none of the income from the job, only space away from my family. If you need to supplement your income, you are not FI, but you may be able to RE if you're willing to work a side hustle or part-time.
by remomnyc
Sun Aug 20, 2023 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bad experience - worth moving accounts
Replies: 63
Views: 4888

Re: Bad experience - worth moving accounts

I had a similar experience. I had paid for a checked bag but when I checked in, I was told I needed to pay to check the bag. Luckily, I had a copy of my booking clearly showing the checked bag. Translate your booking confirmation and dispute it with the airline and always bring it with you to check in in the future. Another time I paid $75 to check a bag that wasn't delivered to me until after I returned from my trip. I had charged it on my Chase Sapphire Visa. I wrote to Lufthansa, the carrier, who told me to contact Swiss Air, who told me to contact Lufthansa. I disputed with Chase when I hit the wall with the airlines. Chase contacted the vendor and denied me because the vendor refused to refund. I told them I had proof that the bag wasn...
by remomnyc
Wed Aug 02, 2023 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?
Replies: 140
Views: 15947

Re: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?

At home. I'm retired and living exactly where I want to be. I enjoy traveling less and less due to the traveling part, but no matter how magical the place I visit is, I'm always excited to come back home.
by remomnyc
Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone else seeing sharp rise in homeowner's policy?
Replies: 87
Views: 9395

Re: Anyone else seeing sharp rise in homeowner's policy?

16% increase. No claims. Not in flood or fire zone.
by remomnyc
Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Have you recovered from the market downturn?
Replies: 117
Views: 10800

Re: Have you recovered from the market downturn?

Nope. I retired in 2018 and to protect against sequence of return risks, I was heavily bonds. My bonds have yet to recover. I'm still down about 10% from all-time highs. My stocks, including those purchased to rebalance during the pandemic, are doing nicely.
by remomnyc
Thu Jul 27, 2023 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term Life: How Much and For How Long
Replies: 77
Views: 7338

Re: Term Life: How Much and For How Long

You can get coverage when you're pregnant. I got my 20-year term when I was pregnant with my second child in my late 30s. It was $500/yr for $1M. Would it have been cheaper to get a 25- or 30-year term 5 years earlier before either child? Maybe, but I didn't price it out at the time. We no longer need the coverage, but it's so cheap, we decided to pay the premium until it expires.
by remomnyc
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When did you feel you could get out of Rat Race
Replies: 42
Views: 5299

Re: When did you feel you could get out of Rat Race

I agree sitting out is a risky proposition, especially at age 60. You should either retire because you have enough and if you don't find something else later, it's irrelevant, or you should try to find a different job while you're still employed that is less hours and/or stress and more to your liking. In the meantime, make sure you take all the vacation you're entitled to and see if your company allows you to purchase additional time off. My former employer allowed anyone to purchase up to two additional weeks (i.e. unpaid leave). If you decide to retire, make sure you have a good handle on expenses, especially insurance.
by remomnyc
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2905
Views: 515106

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]

Prices have been stable in my building, but nearly all the new buyers are 100% cash.
by remomnyc
Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 30 percent equity allocation in retirement
Replies: 65
Views: 5978

Re: 30 percent equity allocation in retirement

When I retired, I placed 15 years of expenses in fixed income, reducing as I age since social security will eventually cover my fixed expenses. When I start taking social security, I will probably keep a constant 5 years of expenses in fixed income and leave the rest in equities.
by remomnyc
Fri May 19, 2023 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: what do you do? Go to work and hire out vs do it yourself?
Replies: 50
Views: 4561

Re: what do you do? Go to work and hire out vs do it yourself?

I cook (most of the time), do laundry, and taxes. I despise cooking, but my cooking is better than most restaurants. I don't mind doing laundry or taxes. Everything else I outsource.
by remomnyc
Fri May 19, 2023 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: To buy the house or not to buy the house
Replies: 23
Views: 3263

Re: To buy the house or not to buy the house

Do not split the downpayment with a family member. The family member may suddenly need to be repaid.
by remomnyc
Mon May 15, 2023 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 350k in cash, keep waiting to buy a house?
Replies: 35
Views: 6274

Re: 350k in cash, keep waiting to buy a house?

With your $1,400 rent, you have the equivalent of a rent controlled apartment in NYC, which are golden handcuffs. It won't make sense financially to buy, so unless your landlord suddenly jacks up your rent or your neighborhood becomes shootout central, the decision to buy will be an emotional one. If you want to buy a nicer place in a nicer neighborhood, keep your cash available (but invest it into money markets or short-term CDs) and keep looking. It took us 7-1/2 years to find a new place after we sold our last one.
by remomnyc
Mon May 15, 2023 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your gifting approach?
Replies: 13
Views: 2263

Re: What is your gifting approach?

I subscribe to give with warm hands. Right now, we're paying for college, but we told them they're on their own afterwards. I won't start gifting until they have demonstrated their independence because I don't want to encourage reliance on economic outpatient care.
by remomnyc
Mon May 15, 2023 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nanny vs daycare for a 3 month baby
Replies: 24
Views: 3088

Re: Nanny vs daycare for a 3 month baby

Friends whose jobs had long or unpredictable hours (e.g. lots of travel) chose nannies. It's hard to do daycare unless you have regular hours. We did nanny from age 3 to 6 months and then daycare. We chose daycare because we didn't want to be reliant on one person and the expense, if you hire legally, is significantly more than daycare.

Yes, your child is more likely to catch whatever virus is running around in daycare. That said, our oldest was never sick. Our youngest was constantly sick the first year. We rotated staying home when he was sick and burned through many of our vacation days. His first year was rough, but he is about to graduate high school and until this year, he had taken almost no sick days. YMMV.
by remomnyc
Mon May 15, 2023 7:39 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: What would you do with 100k?
Replies: 32
Views: 5243

Re: What would you do with 100k?

I'd blow $5k on something I really wanted (at 28, for me, that would have been travel), set aside enough to cover one-year of expenses, and invest the rest in 2 stock funds, US and international.
by remomnyc
Thu May 11, 2023 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: new home purchase advice... in over my head?
Replies: 101
Views: 8405

Re: new home purchase advice... in over my head?

Jumping on the too much debt band wagon. I, too, would feel uncomfortable if so much of my income were dedicated to debt payments. You can afford the home. Consider putting enough down that your monthly carry does not exceed 30% debt-to-income and maybe you won't feel over your head.
by remomnyc
Thu May 11, 2023 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Brother Liquidated His Entire Retirement and I'm ... Jealous?
Replies: 224
Views: 27210

Re: My Brother Liquidated His Entire Retirement and I'm ... Jealous?

It’s not a bonehead move to quit a job you hate. It’s not a bonehead move to become a stay-at-home parent with a one-income family as long as your marriage is strong, your spouse is okay with it, you have funds sufficient to cover job loss, and adequate life, health, and disability insurance. The bonehead move was cashing out the pension.

Don't be jealous. Many people could do what he did and most don't because it's not prudent. Make sure you continue to save and invest but spend, too, so you're not saving all the good stuff for the end.