Search found 372 matches

by TOJ
Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 5973
Views: 1008364

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

This is a long thread so I haven't read all of it. I use Fidelity for most everything. I have a couple old 401ks that were rolled over to Vanguard before I found Fidelity, years ago. Now the CMA is my checking account and I have rIRA and a tIRA there.

I will throw out the suggestion to look into the Fidelity credit card as well. 2% cash back on everything, if you deposit it to a Fidelity investment account, of which the CMA is one. It's a great system.
by TOJ
Thu Dec 22, 2022 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Role of RSU equity in overall portfolio allocations
Replies: 10
Views: 864

Re: Role of RSU equity in overall portfolio allocations

They are $0 until they are vested, and they are sold for cash when they do vest. Then I use the cash how I would treat a cash bonus. A combination of investing using my existing AA, paying off debt, or keeping it as cash while I increase 401k withholdings.
by TOJ
Thu Dec 22, 2022 8:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: FZDXX money market fund hitting 4.10% yield
Replies: 139
Views: 23886

Re: FZDXX money market fund hitting 4.10% yield

I'd use these funds within the bond or fixed income portion of my AA. I feel like chasing yield with checking account dollars or cash savings is exposing you to unnecessary risk. I guess it depends on what this cash means to you. My CMA is my liquid savings / checking account combination and I made the decision to keep its risk at zero. Like I mentioned, zero risk gets you 2.21% right now, and you don't have to move your money to different online banks. For sure, to each their own.
by TOJ
Thu Dec 22, 2022 8:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: FZDXX money market fund hitting 4.10% yield
Replies: 139
Views: 23886

Re: FZDXX money market fund hitting 4.10% yield

The lack of FDIC insurance on these money market funds is what has kept me from using them for checking account purposes. The banks in the core position are paying 2.21% APY right now, which is good enough considering you get FDIC insurance and none of the risk described above ("breaking the buck").
by TOJ
Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BlackRock and Vanguard begin to allow Fund clients to proxy vote fund investments
Replies: 67
Views: 7835

Re: BlackRock and Vanguard begin to allow Fund clients to proxy vote fund investments

I work in an industry that deals with activist investors and politics more than most. I often wondered why Larry Fink gets to vote with my shares, small though they may be. Glad to see there is a way to let the mutual fund investors vote. Hopefully Fidelity follows suit.
by TOJ
Mon May 10, 2021 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Impact of 2021's Child Tax Credit Expansion
Replies: 2
Views: 574

Impact of 2021's Child Tax Credit Expansion

Hello,

I am a recipient of the child tax credit, to the tune of $4k per year.

In 2021, the IRS is expanding it to $6600 for my situation. But, they want to distribute half of it this year instead of at tax time.

Is my thinking correct, that I need to plan for a $3300 child tax credit for upcoming tax season? E.g., it's expanded to $6600 but only $3300 will be on my return. I could potentially owe $700 more than expected, assuming I make no changes on my W4.

So, for someone who likes to minimize federal refund/payment, how should I accommodate this expanded credit on my W4? Right now I have $4k for my credits. Do I change to $3300 or $6600?

Any help is appreciated.
by TOJ
Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: CARES Coronavirus Related Distribution
Replies: 4
Views: 590

Re: CARES Coronavirus Related Distribution

Thanks. I was tripping up on the literal word-for-word reading of the criteria. This remains an option in my back pocket, hoping the paycut can be restored sooner rather than later.

Yes a furlough would have been better because then I get some time back.
by TOJ
Fri Apr 10, 2020 1:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: CARES Coronavirus Related Distribution
Replies: 4
Views: 590

CARES Coronavirus Related Distribution

Apologies if this has been asked or if we're waiting on more details.

I am receiving a 30% salary reduction due to COVID19's impact on the economy. I am not getting furloughed, and working the same hours (salary), and myself or no one in my family have gotten the illness.

Will I be eligible for a CRD? I feel adversely impacted due to the virus, but of course I need to fit the IRS definition.
by TOJ
Mon Oct 15, 2018 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replacement for Google Finance price quote function
Replies: 153
Views: 49310

Re: Replacement for Google Finance price quote function

This stopped working for FZROX (fidelity's 0 ER fund).
by TOJ
Mon Sep 03, 2018 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Fencing question
Replies: 50
Views: 5151

Re: Neighbor Fencing question

Drawing upon my years in suburbia, the fence is a split cost and typically falls directly on the property line. The panels alternate, pretty/ugly, along the length of the shared boundary.

I would be annoyed that the neighbor caused the problem but I know this didn’t happen overnight. I would agree to split the cost and be angry at myself for not catching the issue earlier. People are generally poor at placing trees. Place it as close to the fence as possible to avoid losing yard space. Now branches are your neighbor’s problem. Anyway, it’s nice having a neighbor who cares, and I wouldn’t want to get into an angry situation with a neighbor over this. Split the cost and use this opportunity to ask him to take care of the tree going forward.
by TOJ
Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: bench vise recommendation
Replies: 20
Views: 2040

Re: bench vise recommendation

I bought the yost 445 on amazon 3 years ago and it’s been great in my very light duty use.

You could also peruse craigslist for an old USA vise and restore it. Would be a fun project and have a lifetime vise when you’re done.
by TOJ
Mon Aug 27, 2018 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: REITs without malls?
Replies: 20
Views: 2505

Re: REITs without malls?

Don't underestimate the malls' ability to reinvent themselves. Malls as you know it might be done, but there is plenty of experimentation around creating new service- & experience-based businesses alongside the retail. And changes in retail strategy, too. Best Buy is profitable, no one would have ever foreseen that.
by TOJ
Mon Aug 27, 2018 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: shopping laptop
Replies: 5
Views: 925

Re: shopping laptop

I was just in your situation, and this post is being typed on my new (2017) Dell Latiude 7480 from the Dell Outlet. It was a "scratch and dent". $700 for what was originally $1600. Good specs, great quality. I recommend it. They have plenty in your price range. Dell Latitudes are their business line, with a higher build quality designed to last longer than just a couple years.
by TOJ
Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice needed on final house negotiations
Replies: 37
Views: 3052

Re: Advice needed on final house negotiations

I've been the seller in this situation. I dropped price to appraisal and got rid of closing cost assistance to close the deal. This enraged me but I had another house to buy and needed to close. The appraisal being the very last step is terrible. The house is no longer staged, so the pressure is there to finish the deal in hand, and you are mentally already moved on. Now the bank says you need to take less on the house. Just a maddening experience all the way around.
by TOJ
Thu Aug 23, 2018 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Test your cognitive biases
Replies: 89
Views: 7144

Re: Test your cognitive biases

I scored the top. What's the correct answer on the guaranteed gain/loss vs chance to lose questions? And the confidence.

I chose guarantee to win and chance to lose. Was more confident on the gain than the loss.
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Solutions for Printing from a Chromebook
Replies: 16
Views: 1795

Re: Solutions for Printing from a Chromebook

You need to set a static IP on the printer. Then in your router configuration, exclude that IP from the list of IPs the router will dole out dynamically. In effect you tell the printer to always use one IP, and you tell the router to reserve that IP for the printer. Google how to do this for your specific devices. It was simple on my brother printer and netgear router. Then, go into the chromebook and set up google cloud print for one of the users. Then, share the printer with the other user. Basically, the printer has an owner and a user. Then you can print anywhere you are logged into chrome. I went through all of this and once you do the above you will stop having issues. It’s a bit in the weeds technically though. Currently it only work...
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time for new phone, Buy or Lease?
Replies: 30
Views: 2643

Re: Time for new phone, Buy or Lease?

What are the terms of the phone lease? Never seen that. The options I've seen usually involve buying the phone either up front or with 0% interest over 24 months (AT&T). Both cost the same total dollars.
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take auto loan 0.9% if I can afford cash?
Replies: 162
Views: 13672

Re: Take auto loan 0.9% if I can afford cash?

I sincerely doubt there is "No change in price whether paying by cash or loan. " No offense intended, but it sounds like you played all your cards early. There are usually rebates associated with taking in-house financing vs paying cash or outside financing. In fact, there are usually additional rebates that apply if you opt for (or only qualify for) their non-promo rates (meaning you pay 3%+ instead of the 0%, 0.9%, etc). In other words, if you finance, the car is going to cost you $30k. All the haggling is doing is dividing the cost between principal and interest. Price of the car magically goes up $4k if you go for promotional financing. Let them slide as much of the cost onto the interest side of the equation by choosing the d...
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best consumer products - made in USA
Replies: 62
Views: 4812

Re: Best consumer products - made in USA

Not sure where they're made, but I went a decade with an Oxo manual can opener before it was accidentally tossed in the trash. A cheap replacement was acquired, used for a month, then intentionally tossed in the trash. New Oxo manual can opener should be in my mailbox today.
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokerage checking: Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard
Replies: 36
Views: 6877

Re: Brokerage checking: Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard

No complaints with my Fidelity cash management account. I quite like it, actually. But admittedly, I've never had the Vanguard or Schwab equivalent.
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Housing affordability - what is your take?
Replies: 74
Views: 9990

Re: Housing affordability - what is your take?

Single, no kids, good apartment in a good neighborhood with surprisingly low rent and good management, why bother even considering buying something? Some thoughts: https://jlcollinsnh.com/2013/05/29/why-your-house-is-a-terrible-investment/ That isn't a great reason to buy. That price appreciation has roughly kept pace with the SP500. Yep and that makes it an insanely great reason to buy. Run the math on how much more money the person who chose to buy that house in 1999 has versus the one who chose to rent that house and invest in the S&P 500 has. At a high level you are basically ignoring the dividend of the house (i.e. a place to live:)). Yeah, I've been thinking about that more since I posted. It was a very broad, general statement t...
by TOJ
Wed Aug 15, 2018 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Housing affordability - what is your take?
Replies: 74
Views: 9990

Re: Housing affordability - what is your take?

OP,

There is a real estate forum out there somewhere where someone making $120k is complaining that they can’t max their 401k and Roth IRA because of their $4k/mo PITI. Unfortunately the rest of the market is choosing for you. The rest of the market is willing to forego retirement savings in order to afford the house they want. Prices have gone up because people will pay, unfortunately.
by TOJ
Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Marriage [How should finances be handled?]
Replies: 74
Views: 10171

Re: Marriage [How should finances be handled?]

Combine it all, no hiding anything, no lying, no allowances. Need communication on expectations. Need compromise. If she wants to splurge this month, you dial back. And vice versa. If she has radically different financial goals and habits than you, don’t get married. Tightwads and spendthrifts don’t change all that much.
by TOJ
Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replacement for Google Finance price quote function
Replies: 153
Views: 49310

Re: Replacement for Google Finance price quote function

Just want to say thanks again for this. Google finance has routinely forgotten some mutual fund tickers which blows up my whole spreadsheet. Even now, Marketwatch has the new zero-cost mutual fund whereas google doesn't. FZROX.
by TOJ
Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity Files for Four Fidelity ZERO℠ Funds (0.00% ER)
Replies: 814
Views: 112370

Re: Fidelity Files for two Fidelity ZERO℠ Funds (0.00% ER total stock and total international mutual funds)

corn18 wrote: Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:36 pm
1030danielle wrote: Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:29 pm It’s dawning me that all this talk about the minutiae of this change reminds me of how I got mired in the devilish details before deciding on the simple three-fund portfolio. I kept trying to create the “perfect” portfolio before deciding on the “good enough” portfolio.
Trying to remind myself now to Keep It Simple and Stay the Course.

:happy
Nailed it. I am paying $346 / year on a million dollars. Don't let better get in the way of good enough.
Man. I'd change brokerages for a gas tank's worth of savings.
by TOJ
Tue Feb 27, 2018 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "FREE" Employer Group Life - Really Costs You !
Replies: 52
Views: 6143

Re: "FREE" Employer Group Life - Really Costs You !

nickjoy wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2018 11:37 am The age brackets and cost facctors are below:

Under 25 $0.05
25-29 $0.06
30-34 $0.08
35-39 $0.09
40-44 $0.10
45-49 $0.15
50-54 $0.23
55-59 $0.43
60-64 $0.66
65-69 $1.27
70+ $2.06
That is this telling me? Cost per $1000 over $50k per month, year?
by TOJ
Tue Feb 27, 2018 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bonuses and trad 401k and supplemental income tax
Replies: 1
Views: 411

Bonuses and trad 401k and supplemental income tax

My employer did not exclude the pre-tax 401k contribution from my bonus before it was taxed. They did this last year too. Is this correct? Fictional numbers below:

Bonus = $1,000
Pre-tax 401k = 5%
FICA = 7.65%
Supplemental income tax = 22%

What I got:
$1,000 - 50 - 76.5 - 220 = $653.50

What I was expecting:
$1,000 - 50 - 76.5 - 209 = $664.50

Obviously it all comes out in the wash when I do my taxes. But the real bonus and 401k withholdings are larger and so the difference between the two calculations is not quite as insignificant. I decided to ask here since my company's payroll department is not infallible.
by TOJ
Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: # X Gross = Home price?
Replies: 81
Views: 8710

Re: # X Gross = Home price?

The only way I could afford more than 3x gross income is if I had a very large down payment. For the average folks who are putting down less than 20%, or as low as 5%, even a 3x multiplier would be impossibly tight on the monthly budget. I would question if such budgets are allowing for retirement savings. The magic is when you buy a house within reason and let your income rise and get it paid off ASAP.
by TOJ
Thu Feb 15, 2018 8:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Inflation Works (NYT)
Replies: 21
Views: 3234

Re: How Inflation Works (NYT)

saltycaper wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2018 8:00 am
TOJ wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:45 am What I don't understand is how we've had 0 inflation for quite awhile now...
We haven't had zero percent inflation. It was negative for a while in 2009 and near zero/negative in 2015, but otherwise it has been positive.
My mistake. How many years has it been below target?
by TOJ
Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Inflation Works (NYT)
Replies: 21
Views: 3234

Re: How Inflation Works (NYT)

What I don't understand is how we've had 0 inflation for quite awhile now, which was below what the fed wanted. Now that it has unpegged from 0, there is worry. From the article in the OP: "The fear now is that inflation will start to rise more quickly, potentially crimping global growth or forcing borrowing costs higher. "

So the fed has worked tirelessly to raise inflation to an arbitrary target, and now that they are beginning to get what they want, we now all understand that this could crimp growth.

EDIT: Great article by the way. Thanks for sharing.
by TOJ
Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4652258

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

Looks like the good guys are out in front today.
by TOJ
Thu Feb 01, 2018 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doubling of Standard Deduction--Really??
Replies: 56
Views: 9267

Re: Doubling of Standard Deduction--Really??

2017 MFJ with one child: Standard Deduction $12,700 Personal Exemption $4,050 x 3 = $12,150 Total: $24,850 Brackets: 10% up to $18,650 15% $18,651 to $75,900 25% $75,901 to $153,100 28% $153,101 to $233,350 Child tax credit $1,000 for each child (max before phaseout) 2018 MFJ with one child: Standard Deduction $24,000 Personal Exemption - None Brackets: 10% up to $19,050 12% $19,051 to $77,400 22% $77,401 to $165,000 24% $165,001 to $315,000 Child tax credit $2,000 for each child (max before phaseout) For most people this is a win Remember the bracket changes are temporary. If your win is dependent on the new tax brackets, you'll start to give it back in a few years. At that point in time for most people it will become a loss. "Tempor...
by TOJ
Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or wait?
Replies: 21
Views: 3241

Re: Invest or wait?

The market was "overvalued" at DOW 18K when Trump was elected. We're now at 26K. No one can tell you where it'll be in another year. But in another 30 years, all signs point to it being higher than it is today.
by TOJ
Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Overpaying Car Insurance?
Replies: 15
Views: 2756

Re: Overpaying Car Insurance?

Looks high to me. I got a quote from AAA the last time my policy was up, and they were on the high end. But, you do have low deductibles. Raising those could help.
by TOJ
Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax withholding for newly married couple with semi-disparate incomes?
Replies: 6
Views: 1014

Re: Tax withholding for newly married couple with semi-disparate incomes?

I'd do single/0 for both of you until the IRS witholding calculator is ready. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-wit ... calculator

Once it's done, plug in all your actual numbers and see how much tax you will owe. Then, set both your exemptions to something like married/30 (to effectively have 0 dollars withheld) and in the "additional withholding" box, put in the number of dollars required to meet what the calculator said. Divide that amount between the two W4s.
by TOJ
Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is dry cleaning worth it?
Replies: 23
Views: 4442

Re: Is dry cleaning worth it?

Dress shirts go to the dry cleaners because I have no interest in spending time ironing. My slacks are wrinkle free and look good just going through the washer and dryer. My shirts that say "wrinkle free" are not truly wrinkle free. They always look much better ironed and lightly starched. We use a dry cleaners that picks up and drops off at our house, saving even more time. This costs me at most $40/mo.
by TOJ
Wed Jan 24, 2018 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Working in the real world
Replies: 118
Views: 13208

Re: Working in the real world

I had to: - move away from a LCOL city I love to a MCOL city I don't particularly care for - change jobs twice - have a long commute - work in THE boom and bust industry In order to cross just barely into 6 figure territory. Worth it though. Can provide for my family and save for the future. $40-60k is not going to fund a SAHM/single income lifestyle with any money to save leftover at the end of the month. Totally anecdotal, but the majority of people I know are not willing to move cities or jobs. They want what they know. All of my significant pay increases came from a job move. You have to want it; can't get lax and comfortable. EDIT: I too am astounded by the levels of income around here, but I don't think there is much embellishment goi...
by TOJ
Wed Jan 24, 2018 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dear wife quits job and now we are down to 1 income
Replies: 190
Views: 23208

Re: Dear wife quits job and now we are down to 1 income

4) You find a way to increase income; additional work or a whole new job.
by TOJ
Wed Jan 24, 2018 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying This Week: IPhone X or IPhone 8 Plus
Replies: 35
Views: 5140

Re: Buying This Week: IPhone X or IPhone 8 Plus

I upgraded to an iPhone 8 from a 6+ a month or two before the story emerged about them surreptitiously nerfing phones. My 6+ had gotten unbearably slow. The 8 is a fine phone and I'm not the type to be an early adopter of brand new stuff, so the X wasn't for me. Had the story regarding them steering people to upgrade emerged sooner, I would have upgraded to an Android device. Not telling you that they are slowing down your phone, nor that they're doing it because of the battery, nor that replacing the battery would restore performance, is inexcusable. They very clearly wanted you to buy a new phone; no one instinctively replaces a battery when slow speed is the symptom. Next phone will certainly be an Android. If Honda could reach out and l...
by TOJ
Tue Jan 23, 2018 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ever been offered company stock at a set gross value instead of # shares at a fixed price?
Replies: 9
Views: 1282

Re: Ever been offered company stock at a set gross value instead of # shares at a fixed price?

Isn't this how every RSU program works? I think the difference here is that this HR person is claiming that the OP will get $12,500 of stock every year, regardless of share price. Which is a better deal than a standard RSU program. Unless the price of the stock goes up, then it's worse. The RSU programs I'm accustomed to would give you $50k of stock up front in a restricted account, but the yearly distributions are a fixed number of shares (in this case, 25% of the number of shares). So if the price goes down to $40k immediately, you're only getting $10k each year. OP: You should be aware that those yearly distributions will be taxed as if they were a bonus. In most cases, assume nearly a third doesn't reach your personal brokerage account...
by TOJ
Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trying to pay down mortgage, but...
Replies: 32
Views: 4006

Re: Trying to pay down mortgage, but...

Just take a monthly average of your total principal-only payments so far and then opt for B with that number. Had to do this same thing, myself. The single large chunks randomly throughout the year are more satisfying, I agree.
by TOJ
Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can You Say...Auto Insurance
Replies: 36
Views: 3871

Re: Can You Say...Auto Insurance

The solution is simple: get quotes online from all the major companies. It's easy. Geico played this game with me every year. Sometimes even their slight rate increases left them competitive, but last month they raised it again and Progressive had them beat by 20%. The companies depend on most people not going through the "hassle" of switching, despite it being very simple. Or most people not understanding there's no contract involved; it's easy to switch mid-policy, too. Pay in full with a cash-back credit card for a cherry on top. There is no incentive to be loyal to auto insurance companies. I suspect within a couple hours you could have a quote from this entire list: AAA Allstate Geico Nationwide Progressive Travelers State Fa...
by TOJ
Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cutting cable
Replies: 51
Views: 5225

Re: Cutting cable

Internet-only is not cheap enough for us to be worth it. When you add up the cost of the internet service and then content subscriptions, you're within a couple lunches of the cost of internet + TV (+ sports + DVR + movie channels + live news + don't have to buy a Roku or antenna). Went through all this the last time the cable subscription was up. Comcast has their pricing figured out in my area. Would have to get very slow internet for the price break to be worth it.
by TOJ
Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Going to one income-seeking testimonials
Replies: 101
Views: 8175

Re: Going to one income-seeking testimonials

We went from DINK to single-income 1 kid, then 2 kids. I had to buck up and get a better job, but we're in roughly the same situation as the OP except with a more expensive mortgage. You can do it, but will have to adjust your expectations for savings. You learn to pound the pennies when it comes to monthly bill items like cable, internet, car insurance, auto insurance, wireless, etc. You will also have to learn to compromise on the wants. When you were making $150k, either of you could buy something and it not hurt the finances much. Now it will be more of a trade off. I can tell you that from experience, SAHMs do not just sit home and help count money. Expect a line item on the monthly budget for outings during the day that was not there ...
by TOJ
Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: AA mix vs paycheck mix percentages
Replies: 12
Views: 1091

Re: AA mix vs paycheck mix percentages

Yes, but growth on the stock side (or a market crash) would mean you need to do periodic rebalancing to maintain your overall AA. For example, contributing 60:40 throughout a long bull market may end up looking like 80:20 by the end, due to stock growth.
by TOJ
Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2018 Withholding Tables
Replies: 88
Views: 15526

Re: IRS announces new withholding tables for 2018

Trying to make sure I am figuring this right. Income of around $95,000 Married filing jointly Pre-Tax Payments of $22,500 ($18,500 to 403b, $4,000 in insurance premiums) Standard Deduction of $24,000 Taxable income ends up at $47,725 Tax liability is $5,346.02 Two child credits Tax bill of $1,346.02 Am I missing anything here? This would create a withholding need of $56.08 per pay over 24 pay periods. This is about 1/6 of my current withholding. Your math checks out. Isn't that nice? I am in a similar but not exact situation. The child tax credit is huge. I'm getting a 25% tax cut. If you get a bonus, the amount you need held from ordinary paychecks is even smaller. The 22% supplemental tax taken out of my bonus and stock will leave me pai...
by TOJ
Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best High Interest Banking Accounts (With Bill Pay): (Checking/Savings/MMA?)
Replies: 8
Views: 1547

Re: Best High Interest Banking Accounts (With Bill Pay): (Checking/Savings/MMA?)

I recommend taking a look at a Fidelity Cash Management Account. It's effectively a checking account with regard to direct deposit, billpay, and chekc writing. The secret sauce is that you can invest within the account. E.g., you can put together an automatic CD ladder right within the account. Or hold short term treasuries. They refund ATM fees so you can use any ATM you want, if needed. I don't recall the interest rate on cash within the account. It's not good.
by TOJ
Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage APR 4.96% - too high?
Replies: 58
Views: 6821

Re: Mortgage APR 4.96% - too high?

JuztVZ wrote:petulant, thank you for tackling the APR specifically in your reply, this was helpful!

It's interesting because I actually thought it was a big gap between 4.3% and 4.9%, so that's why I decided to post the question in the forum to see what you guys take on it was.

For reference, I've talked further with the bank and the 4.9% APR was for a 5% down payment, it goes down to 4.7% with a 10%, and to 4.4% with a 20%. The main thing driving down the APR is of course the mortgage insurance.

Closing costs amount to $4,000 in all cases. Escrow and prepaid interest are an additional $4,000 or so.

Mortgage insurance and interest rate are different things.
by TOJ
Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ: S&P 500′s Rally Is Falling Behind the World
Replies: 15
Views: 4265

WSJ: S&P 500′s Rally Is Falling Behind the World

New article from the WSJ about how some global indices are beating the S&P 500. Obviously you can say anything you want by selecting certain years, but it's interesting nonetheless, particularly because of all the discussion about whether or not to hold international stocks.

http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2017/03/ ... the-world/
by TOJ
Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rechargeable AA & AAA Batteries:NiMH or Li-Ion?
Replies: 25
Views: 3922

Re: Rechargeable AA & AAA Batteries:NiMH or Li-Ion?

Yes, NiMH is what you're looking for for AA and AAA. LiIon are higher voltage batteries for special applications, like high performance flashlights and RC cars. Look for an 18650 to see what I am talking about. You don't want it.

Look for Panasonic eneloop.

NiCad are trash.