Search found 1182 matches

by DTSC
Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trade date versus settlement date
Replies: 4
Views: 430

Re: Trade date versus settlement date

02nz wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:38 pm Appears it's the trade date that matters: https://finance.zacks.com/stock-sale-re ... -9690.html
Whew! Thanks!
by DTSC
Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trade date versus settlement date
Replies: 4
Views: 430

Trade date versus settlement date

Can someone please educate me regarding the Trade date versus the Settlement date when selling and buying mutual funds? Specifically, which tax year is the trade considered to have occurred if the Trade date is 12/31/2020 but the Settlement date is 1/4/2021 due to the New Year holiday. I'm asking this question with respect to tax loss harvesting - and I obviously made the trade way too close to year end. TIA!
by DTSC
Sat Dec 05, 2020 10:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?
Replies: 14
Views: 1783

Re: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?

Thank you everyone!

You folks are awesome! You saved me thousands of dollars over the years. With COVID-19 my W2 income dropped enough so that I fell into 0% LTCG rate. I needed to know how much I can sell from my taxable account. But I couldn't find an accountant who would just charge me for an hour or two to pick his brain about this. They all want to do all my taxes for me, which I don't need. Bogleheads for the win, again!

BTW, I *do* know how to buy Vanguard merchandise though. PM if you are interested, I'm not supposed to broadcast this information.
by DTSC
Sat Dec 05, 2020 7:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?
Replies: 14
Views: 1783

Re: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?

Spirit Rider wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:44 pm Correct, both add to your AGI unless the latter is reduced by any capital loss carryover. The former will not directly be reduced by any capital loss carryover, but the lessor of $3,000 or any capital loss carryover balance will reduce your AGI.
Thanks again. Just one last question, is the long term capital gains tax rate based on AGI, or taxable income, ie AGI minus, in my case, $24,500 standard deduction?
by DTSC
Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?
Replies: 14
Views: 1783

Re: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?

Spirit Rider wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:54 pm Non-qualified dividends are subject to ordinary income tax rates.

Qualified dividends are subject to long-term capital gains tax rates.
Thank you! But both count towards taxable income with regard to determining the long term capital gains rate, correct?
by DTSC
Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?
Replies: 14
Views: 1783

Re: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?

RyeBourbon wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:27 pm You can see what the percentages were for 2019 here - https://advisors.vanguard.com/VGApp/iip ... endfigures

I imagine they will be similar for 2020.
Thank you! So let’s say 50% of dividends are qualified and 50% not. How does this figure into my taxable income? I guess I don’t know how qualified and non-qualified dividends are taxed.
by DTSC
Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?
Replies: 14
Views: 1783

How to Figure Out Qualified versus Ordinary Dividends?

Wise Bogleheads! Can someone please explain how I can determine how much qualified and ordinary dividends I will receive this year, before the year ends, and before 1099-Div forms come out? I am trying to target my taxable income this year for tax planning purposes. The plan is to sell a number of shares of VTSAX to realize long term capital gains, but still stay under the $80,000 income limit for MFJ so that I can still be at the 0% long term capital gains tax rate. So, to figure out how much VTSAX to sell, I need to figure out how much I will receive in dividend income, in addition to my W2 income, before 12/31/2020. I currently own only 2 funds in my taxable account, VTSAX (total stock market) and VFIAX (500 index). Quarterly statements ...
by DTSC
Mon Jul 20, 2020 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying Prescription Eyeglasses Online
Replies: 50
Views: 7431

Re: Buying Prescription Eyeglasses Online

flyingaway wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2020 11:12 am Where to get a prescription for the online eyeglasses? I think most of them are associated with an eyeglasses store, such as at Walmart or Costco.


[/You still need an eye exam. Get a paper prescription from the optometrist. Zenni site will walk you through on how to enter the numbers. You do need a friend to measure youR PD (pupil distance)
by DTSC
Mon Jul 20, 2020 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying Prescription Eyeglasses Online
Replies: 50
Views: 7431

Re: Buying Prescription Eyeglasses Online

You still need an eye exam. Get a paper prescription from the optometrist. Zenni site will walk you through on how to enter the numbers. You do need a friend to measure youR PD (pupil distance)
by DTSC
Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling ETF partial shares
Replies: 6
Views: 639

Re: Selling ETF partial shares

onthecusp wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:06 pm Most brokers have a "sell all shares" option in the trading screen/pop-up. Not available in Vanguard?
I didn't see it, but maybe I missed it. Will look next time. Thx!
by DTSC
Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling ETF partial shares
Replies: 6
Views: 639

Re: Selling ETF partial shares

MotoTrojan wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:38 pm
DTSC wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:25 pm I usually buy mutual funds and not ETF's. I did buy some VTI last year because I did not have the $3000 minimum to invest in VTSAX.

Now I have enough for VTSAX, but how do I sell partial shares of an ETF? I have 28.52 shares of VTI in a Vanguard Roth IRA account. When I tried to sell it, Vanguard would only let me sell whole number shares, so I sold 28 shares. I'm left with 0.52 share. How do I liquidate this completely?

Thanks in advance!
I believe if you liquidate the 28 it’ll automatically liquidate the remaining fractional shares. Is this in an IRA?
Yes, it is a Vanguard Roth IRA
by DTSC
Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling ETF partial shares
Replies: 6
Views: 639

Selling ETF partial shares

I usually buy mutual funds and not ETF's. I did buy some VTI last year because I did not have the $3000 minimum to invest in VTSAX.

Now I have enough for VTSAX, but how do I sell partial shares of an ETF? I have 28.52 shares of VTI in a Vanguard Roth IRA account. When I tried to sell it, Vanguard would only let me sell whole number shares, so I sold 28 shares. I'm left with 0.52 share. How do I liquidate this completely?

Thanks in advance!
by DTSC
Tue Feb 12, 2019 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is this just too simple
Replies: 41
Views: 7512

Re: Is this just too simple

Obviously you worked very hard and saved very hard too. Congrats! Only comment/question is how to keep your kids and grandkids from being spoiled when they eventually inherit your estate. Well I am not sure that one can do much from the grave so we have tried to teach our children by example and so far for the most part so good. 4 out of 4 are college grads, three are grad school grads or professionals ( PA ) and one wild child is a teacher/coach! So...we only have three grandkids and they are very young but we expect that our kids will use whatever funds we leave them to make the world a better place. I have looked at restrictive measures in our trust and all that but honestly I am just not a fan of that. I dont think for a second that pe...
by DTSC
Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is this just too simple
Replies: 41
Views: 7512

Re: Is this just too simple

Obviously you worked very hard and saved very hard too. Congrats!

Only comment/question is how to keep your kids and grandkids from being spoiled when they eventually inherit your estate.
by DTSC
Wed May 30, 2018 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have $3m at 33, "approach to career" advice needed
Replies: 157
Views: 41107

Re: Have $3m at 33, "approach to career" advice needed

Check out ChooseFI podcast. Many of your questions (and not the financial issues) are addressed there.
by DTSC
Wed Mar 21, 2018 9:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Was my experience with a CPA typical?
Replies: 23
Views: 4900

Re: Was my experience with a CPA typical?

nisiprius wrote: Tue Mar 20, 2018 11:31 am It reminds me of the time my brother broke some relatively minor bone at summer camp. I wasn't there, this is my mom's sorry. They drove up there immediately. The nearest doctor happened to be a general practitioner; they still existed in the 1950s. He set the bone and put it in a cast, with a fine outcome as best I can remember. My mother didn't know whether to be pleased or alarmed that before he got started, he began by taking down a medical textbook and consulting it.

(Side note: it is a curious thing that general practice has all but vanished from medicine, but not from surgery...)
Would you rather have the doctor put on a confident front, not look up the textbook, and just *pretend* to know what he was doing and winged it?
by DTSC
Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My Portfolio – Youngish Investor – Can I Improve?
Replies: 8
Views: 1006

Re: My Portfolio – Youngish Investor – Can I Improve?

You might want to check out Choosefi.com if you haven't done so already
by DTSC
Sat Jan 27, 2018 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What hourly consulting rate outside my day job?
Replies: 28
Views: 2821

Re: What hourly consulting rate outside my day job?

Don't forget that you have to pay self employment tax on the moonlighting income. On the plus side, you can open a SEP or SIMPLE IRA
by DTSC
Tue Jan 23, 2018 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Losing job soon but have big nest egg -- problem?
Replies: 25
Views: 5423

Re: Losing job soon but have big nest egg -- problem?

You might well be able to retire!

Also might be able to do some Roth conversions if you have low income

Have you listened to the choosefi podcast or the website choosefi.com?
by DTSC
Sat Jan 06, 2018 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018
Replies: 23
Views: 3208

Re: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018

How long was the train between Oslo and Bergen? Nice scenery? We'll be there in mid-March, so it should be mid-way in terms of mostly daylight or night. The train ride from Oslo to Bergen is one of the most spectacular in Europe. Here's a description: https://www.raileurope.com/blog/11474-oslo-to-bergen-by-train The direct train is about 6.5 hours. There's an option for a package tour that involves several trains and a ferry called "Norway in a Nutshell," which makes for a long day but really awesome views, if the weather is nice. I wouldn't bother with upgrading to Komfort class, as it's not that much better than regular class (unlike in Sweden, where First Class is considerably nicer). There's also a night train from Oslo to Be...
by DTSC
Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018
Replies: 23
Views: 3208

Re: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018

That sounds like my next dream trip! But there is so much to see in Norway, I hope you are looking forward to that as much as the Northern Lights, which can be spectacular. (If just the NL, Alaska, Canada, and even Northern USA have spectacular NL as well.) Have only been in Norway between May and September, I remember making snowballs in mid-June along the roadside in Telemark. March can be pretty cool, and probably cold in Northern Norway. Have only been on the water in boats and ferries over fjords, so no knowledge on the planned trip. One way with train or plane back to Bergen or Oslo sounds good. I love Bergen with its mountains and bryggen and going up the mountains to get a view of the city. The Fløibanen Funicular goes up Fløyen Mo...
by DTSC
Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018
Replies: 23
Views: 3208

Re: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018

The northern lights go with the sunspot cycle, which is 11 years long. If I remember right we are significantly past the peak. Anyway- I have done the Hurtigruten partway although in the early summer. The stops are short. Not very much like a cruise ship. I remember drinks were expensive. You might be better off just going to Tromso, a decent sized city above the Arctic circle, or taking the ship and then staying there for a while. Thanks. I think this is just over the "hump" of the peak cycle. So, this is the best we can do; waiting will be worse. And yes, that's why we are thinking of getting off at Kirkenes and spending a few days there. RM I have not been to Kirkenes but I don't think there will be enough to do for a few days...
by DTSC
Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018
Replies: 23
Views: 3208

Re: Northern Lights cruise, Norway, March 2018

How long was the train between Oslo and Bergen? Nice scenery? We'll be there in mid-March, so it should be mid-way in terms of mostly daylight or night. The train ride from Oslo to Bergen is one of the most spectacular in Europe. Here's a description: https://www.raileurope.com/blog/11474-oslo-to-bergen-by-train The direct train is about 6.5 hours. There's an option for a package tour that involves several trains and a ferry called "Norway in a Nutshell," which makes for a long day but really awesome views, if the weather is nice. I wouldn't bother with upgrading to Komfort class, as it's not that much better than regular class (unlike in Sweden, where First Class is considerably nicer). There's also a night train from Oslo to Be...
by DTSC
Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Snow Tires? Worth it?
Replies: 147
Views: 11856

Re: Snow Tires? Worth it?

It really depends on where you live and the roads you drive on.

I live in the Chicago suburbs but have never needed anything more than all weather tires in any of my front wheel drive cars, but obviously your conditions might be much more difficult.
by DTSC
Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggested reading for Norwegian coast trip
Replies: 18
Views: 1745

Re: Suggested reading for Norwegian coast trip

You must be taking the Hurtigruten ferry. Lucky you!

Check out this website. http://www.codyduncan.com. Spend as much time in Lofoten as you can, though
You might not have much daylight if traveling in the winter

Bring money. Lots of it. Norway is the most expensive place I’ve ever visited, surpassing nyc, Tokyo and Hong Kong. But also the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to as well.
by DTSC
Sun Dec 03, 2017 6:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any retired boglehead doctors out there?
Replies: 78
Views: 13649

Re: Any retired boglehead doctors out there?

I disagree. Where there's a will, there's a way. You might not be able to work in your desired city or hospital or make what you want or need (based on your chosen lifestyle or debt burden) to make, you can work for 40 hours a week somewhere. That's not true for everyone. Some of us MDs are originally from very modest means and are responsible for supporting extended family, not just spouse and kids. And as mentioned by TheNightsToCome, some specialties are pretty much full-tilt or quit. You name the specialty and I'll find someone doing it less than full-time. No doubt it's easier in some specialties and some areas than others. But if part-time is a priority, you can make it happen. I can't say I've seen too many part time primary care (I...
by DTSC
Sat Dec 02, 2017 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any retired boglehead doctors out there?
Replies: 78
Views: 13649

Re: Any retired boglehead doctors out there?

I have yet to meet a doc who regretted going part-time. In fact, most docs would be dramatically happier if they would just cut back to full-time. "In fact, most docs would be dramatically happier if they would just cut back to full-time." +1 Many don't have the option. I disagree. Where there's a will, there's a way. You might not be able to work in your desired city or hospital or make what you want or need (based on your chosen lifestyle or debt burden) to make, you can work for 40 hours a week somewhere. That's not true for everyone. Some of us MDs are originally from very modest means and are responsible for supporting extended family, not just spouse and kids. And as mentioned by TheNightsToCome, some specialties are pretty...
by DTSC
Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Credit card companies forgiving debt after death?
Replies: 48
Views: 14075

Re: Credit card companies forgiving debt after death?

mega317 wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2017 2:24 pm
Chuck wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:06 pm
DTSC wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:02 pmShe told me that if she had know they would forgive the debt, she would have charged his funeral on the card.
My guess is they would only cancel balances from before the actual time of death.
But that's a pretty funny thing for her to say.

OP: Just by a quick googling looks like AUs are usually not on the hook. Is there something actionable to this thread?
Sure there's something actionable - if you're dying of cancer, pre-pay your funeral on a credit card!
by DTSC
Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Credit card companies forgiving debt after death?
Replies: 48
Views: 14075

Re: Credit card companies forgiving debt after death?

oxothuk wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:33 pm
Chuck wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:06 pm
DTSC wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:02 pmShe told me that if she had know they would forgive the debt, she would have charged his funeral on the card.
My guess is they would only cancel balances from before the actual time of death.
Using the credit card after death would be fraud.
I suppose he could have arranged and paid for his funeral before dying - he died from a slow chronic illness.
by DTSC
Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Credit card companies forgiving debt after death?
Replies: 48
Views: 14075

Re: Credit card companies forgiving debt after death?

I have heard one widow tell me that Chase forgave her late husband's debts ~$15,000 after speaking with her about it and ***without her specifically requesting that the debt be forgiven***. She told me that if she had know they would forgive the debt, she would have charged his funeral on the card. I don't know if this is state-specific; she lives in Illinois.
by DTSC
Sat Oct 14, 2017 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you buy in Asian food stores?
Replies: 98
Views: 12232

Re: What do you buy in Asian food stores?

Being Asian American, I just buy "food".

Live lobsters at $5.99 per pound at H-mart, when they are on sale.
by DTSC
Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Two Nights in Quebec City - Must See Suggestions, anyone?
Replies: 16
Views: 2209

Re: Two Nights in Quebec City - Must See Suggestions, anyone?

tennisplyr wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:14 am Lots of great French food, hard to go wrong.
The baguettes are to die for. I haven't been able to find anything close in the US. Happiness is a fresh out of the oven baguette.
by DTSC
Tue Oct 03, 2017 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are credit cards rewards worth it?
Replies: 103
Views: 14409

Re: Are credit cards rewards worth it?

Absolutely!

The key thing is to apply for new cards every 90 days to get the significant sign up bonuses. If you get 50,000 miles for spending $3000 in 3 months, that's 16% cash back (assuming 1 point = $0.01). What if you got 10-20% back on all your expenses each year? Heck, I even pay my property taxes with credit cards to get the bonuses.

No, it won't ruin your credit; my credit score is still >800

We haven't paid for the last 40 nights in hotels.

We have flown over 30 round trips for free or close to free (taxes only)

Learn more at sites like Millionmilesecrets.com
by DTSC
Tue Oct 03, 2017 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel camera reviews of what you own and why?
Replies: 25
Views: 3019

Re: Travel camera reviews of what you own and why?

I own a Nikon D5100

I actually *use* my iPhone.

It's often just too inconvenient to lug around a somewhat fragile 1 pound device, even if it does take better pictures. Not to mention the pain of downloading the pictures, etc.
by DTSC
Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Places to see in Chicago
Replies: 45
Views: 5861

Re: Places to see in Chicago

I hope you had a good time. Come back here soon!
by DTSC
Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Magic of Savings Rate
Replies: 97
Views: 14945

Re: The Magic of Savings Rate

+1 Glad I'm not the only one to have noticed this. Discussions like this and the low income Bogleheads thread really display the inherent differences between the Boglehead community and the MMM community views. It seems Bogleheads wish to save enough to be FI (15%), by lowering investment expenses, to maximize their income for spending, while continuing to work until a standard retirement age of ~65. Mustachians wish to save as much as possible, by lowering expenses everywhere, in order to reach FIRE as soon as possible. Thus each has a different goal: Bogleheads maxing money to spend, Mustachians maxing time to spend. I frequent both forums, and tend to read much more than I post. As a 24 year old who started reading both forums when I wa...
by DTSC
Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice Badly Needed---Meeting with Financial Advisor
Replies: 49
Views: 5670

Re: Advice Badly Needed---Meeting with Financial Advisor

The plan that this gentlemen came back with involved disability insurance, whole life insurance, and an IRA. Of course he had very convincing reasons for why I should have all of these things. I told him, being that I have no dependents or spouse, and that I'm relatively healthy, I didn't really think I was interested in disability insurance or whole life insurance just yet . Naturally, he had all of his figures and charts to show why I should get these things young and how "cheap" they were. I'm sure the information he was providing was not "wrong", but when I resisted, he basically just said "ok, how about you still do the insurance, but we'll lower how much you contribute monthly so you can save more? " Whe...
by DTSC
Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Places to see in Chicago
Replies: 45
Views: 5861

Re: Places to see in Chicago

This is a little different, but we had a great time, and a full belly too

http://www.chefdrivenfoodtours.com/
by DTSC
Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking advice on 1.2m (now 900K) house purchase
Replies: 192
Views: 22568

Re: Seeking advice on 1.2m house purchase

TuesdayGal wrote:I am considering a purchase of a 1.2M house (cringing), single (ie. no safety net) )
This says it all. Trust your own instincts.
by DTSC
Thu Jun 22, 2017 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good camera - new baby coming
Replies: 64
Views: 9847

Re: Good camera - new baby coming

My experience is that size matters. You'll have enough to carry around. After your child outgrows the diaper bag, dragging a DSLR around is just too much of a pain. Smartphones are readily available and do a good job, but don't have a good enough flash for indoor use. Therefore, if I had to do it over again, I'd get a small mirrorless compact DSLR-like camera.
by DTSC
Sun Jun 04, 2017 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Teachers: what are your best personal finance tips?
Replies: 180
Views: 35984

Re: Teachers: what are your best personal finance tips?

I'm not a teacher, but heard a great interview of the author of this website. http://www.millionaireeducator.com/
by DTSC
Tue May 23, 2017 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heir died before receiving full share due
Replies: 11
Views: 3727

Re: Heir died before receiving full share due

On a practical level, what's the chance that an illiterate non-English speaking person in the Phillipines will contest whatever you do?

Just do what would be the most fair thing you would do here in the U.S.
by DTSC
Sun May 21, 2017 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vehicle recommendation for large family
Replies: 32
Views: 4469

Re: Vehicle recommendation for large family

Does your Odyssey have towing capability? That might be to cheapest way to go, if you more cargo space only on road trips.
by DTSC
Mon May 15, 2017 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying Major Appliances Online
Replies: 20
Views: 3649

Re: Buying Major Appliances Online

Try abt.com

Don't take my word for it, rated #1 about 2 years ago with Consumer Reports. We've bought 6 items from them over the years.
by DTSC
Sun May 14, 2017 9:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Was there a $$$ number after which things got easier?
Replies: 72
Views: 14722

Re: Was there a $$$ number after which things got easier?

It got a lot easier after my mortgage = $0
by DTSC
Thu May 11, 2017 11:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why save so much for when you're old?
Replies: 163
Views: 28047

Re: Why save so much for when you're old?

imareal1 wrote:Thanks for all the feedback. It seems like my perspective of middle/old age life is grimmer than what it is in reality. It's great to hear that people are able to find a balance and I'm super glad I'm starting to save already. Cheers.
Getting older SUCKS! Except the alternative (dying young) is even worse.

The thing I fear more than being old and sick - being old, sick and poor!!
by DTSC
Mon May 08, 2017 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Stay home with kids?
Replies: 103
Views: 12159

Re: Stay home with kids?

Pajamas wrote:
DTSC wrote:I'd have to go on Prozac or drink excessively.
Por que no los dos? :beer
Will gain too much weight!
by DTSC
Mon May 08, 2017 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hit 2M Net worth - Wanted to pass my gratitude to all wonderful people in this forum
Replies: 37
Views: 11640

Re: Hit 2M Net worth - Wanted to pass my gratitude to all wonderful people in this forum

Congrats!

$1M to $2M in just over 3 years! Very impressive!

Is it true that the first $1M is the hardest?
by DTSC
Sat May 06, 2017 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Stay home with kids?
Replies: 103
Views: 12159

Re: Stay home with kids?

I've thought about this issue a lot lately. I don't have the amount of money you have, but I have accrued enough to work part time or retire frugally. I generally like my job, but it can be stressful and demanding. After some thought, I realized that I just don't have the patience and overall temperament to be a stay at home parent. If I spent all day with my kids, we would probably have a worse relationship because my kids would feel I'm on their case all the time. Or, to dial back my Type A-ness, I'd have to go on Prozac or drink excessively. I've decided to work "part time" without making an outright declaration to do so. I am paid on production, so I purposely don't have my schedule packed full. If I'm paid less at the end of ...
by DTSC
Thu May 04, 2017 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife getting PhD, how to fund? (student vs 401k loan vs home equity, etc)
Replies: 50
Views: 9521

Re: Wife getting PhD, how to fund? (student vs 401k loan vs home equity, etc)

I don't have any experience with your wife's field, but many employers will cover educational expenses. Perhaps there is an office near the school that would accept her part-time, pay more than what her financial aid is covering, and keep her on for X years afterward in return for paying for the classes. From past experience, I've seen employers that cover MBAs require you stay on for two years post-graduation or you have to payback the tuition. It might take a year to make the right connections, but it's an option. In psychology, unless you work for a major university, very few employers will cover educational expenses. Most psychology students pay/ borrow their own way. Many have medical school level debts but without the doctor level in...