Search found 3304 matches

by WhiteMaxima
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire with $1.75M at age 43?
Replies: 169
Views: 11259

Re: Can I retire with $1.75M at age 43?

Health related cost will dry out 1.75M very easily.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15199

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

the price increase after vs before covid is about 40%. (don't ask me where this number is coming coming from, just shop a house and get a hair cut and you will know, ask UAW worker why they insist a 40% pay raise). So today's 5M is about 3M or 2.5M in 2019. Gold price is $1393/oz in 2019 and today is $2200/oz. I use gold standard to measure purchase power. A 57% price increase. Go figure.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15199

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

Even with a paid house, the maintaince repair, insurance and property tax could easily cost 10-20k/year on west coast. So 60k minus 20k housing cost minus 10k personal income tax will leave you only 30k/year disposable money. It will be very difficulty due to high cost on the west coast. 200k/year for a couple is not very luxury life on west coast.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15199

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

5.0M is probably the level that people would spend more comfortable. With 4.0% withdraw rate, this 5M will allow 200k/year withdraw rate with 99% successful rate. I am aiming this figure with paid house.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Holding 100% stocks after FI best option for longer time horizons?
Replies: 74
Views: 8128

Re: Holding 100% stocks after FI best option for longer time horizons?

Yes, you could hold 100% in equity as long as your expense budget is covered by not being forced to sell equity in case of market crash and extend bear market.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion - Source for Paying Taxes
Replies: 26
Views: 2051

Re: Roth Conversion - Source for Paying Taxes

after tax cash. Such as pension and SS
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
Replies: 80
Views: 5142

Re: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?

Snow tire is good when temp drop below 45F.

Typically Snow Tire+AWD > snow tire+FWD > All season tire + AWD > All season tire + FWD > All season tire +RWD
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Guilt about having to spend Roth IRA money
Replies: 33
Views: 5339

Re: Guilt about having to spend Roth IRA money

imagine this: we only on this planet for only 30k days. what to make, save and invest money for?
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Guilt about having to spend Roth IRA money
Replies: 33
Views: 5339

Re: Guilt about having to spend Roth IRA money

Money is made to be spent. Use your Roth. I sometime take my Roth out to fund my chidren's Roth since they have longer investment horizon.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I am Financially Ignorant and Seeking Guidance
Replies: 33
Views: 3704

Re: I am Financially Ignorant and Seeking Guidance

Borrow up to 50Kx2=100k from your and spouse 401k plan at 8% interested rate. Pay off the dame 20% American Express CC loan 1st.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Credit Card Late Fee
Replies: 16
Views: 1829

Re: Fidelity Credit Card Late Fee

setup an auto pay at least for the minium to avoid fees and downgrade of your FICO.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pay cleaning lady for snow day?
Replies: 119
Views: 10093

Re: Pay cleaning lady for snow day?

YeahBuddy wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:51 am I would pay her for the snow day.

WhiteMaxima wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:07 pm I DIY cleaning. I pay myself extra for snow day. I bought a few audiophile cables to reward myself :happy :happy :happy
As a side note... Do cables matter? Serious question as I'm just starting my journey and have some beginner 8 ohm Sony SSCS5 bookshelf that came with 16 gauge cable. I put the banana clips on them and they sound great now with my Wiim pro (has DAC). wondering if I should try 12 or 10 guage or other. driven by a Fosi audio BT20A Pro (300x2 max). thanks
cable do matter to sound quality. just don't over done and over pay them.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12256

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

It is very smart and humble to drive a well maintained and safe old car.
by WhiteMaxima
Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pay cleaning lady for snow day?
Replies: 119
Views: 10093

Re: Pay cleaning lady for snow day?

I DIY cleaning. I pay myself extra for snow day. I bought a few audiophile cables to reward myself :happy :happy :happy
by WhiteMaxima
Tue Feb 13, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safest way to pay bills electronically
Replies: 72
Views: 6108

Re: Safest way to pay bills electronically

I use my new CC to pay for my bills and gain sign in bonus for traveling. So far so good.
by WhiteMaxima
Mon Feb 12, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Staying in 12% tax bracket w/ annual Roth conversion
Replies: 26
Views: 4004

Re: Staying in 12% tax bracket w/ annual Roth conversion

GaryA505 wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:43 am Filling the 12% bracket with Roth conversions can become tricky when SS starts. Due to taxation of SS, your effective tax rate in the 12% bracket is then 20.2%. And, if you pass the 22% threshold, you enter SS tax torpedo territory and you're at 40.7%.

Of course, if your SS is already 85% taxable, filling the 12% bracket doesn't add to that problem.
Therefore, one better to do Roth conversion before 63.
by WhiteMaxima
Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reasons not to rollover my 401k?
Replies: 32
Views: 3399

Re: Any reasons not to rollover my 401k?

You can rollover your previous 401k into tIRA which will have more investment options. Typically 401k option is conservative like SPY500 Russel2000 and Int'l Index. In tIRA, you can invest more agressive in such as Nvedia, Tesla etc.
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Feb 09, 2024 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Birthday gift for kids at 13
Replies: 32
Views: 2581

Re: Birthday gift for kids at 13

one Mac Mini and two shares of AAPL.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Feb 08, 2024 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any audiophiles on this forum?
Replies: 321
Views: 40907

Re: Any audiophiles on this forum?

Thiel speaker, Krell amp, Sony SACD player here.
Desktop system: Mac Mini-> Qobuz 96khz/24bit streaming->Denafrips DAC->Woo WA-3 Tube Amp->Sennheiser HD600 headphone
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Feb 08, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time
Replies: 143
Views: 14854

Re: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time

85% SS will be taxed if your RMD is high. If you have less RMD, then take SS at 67 or even 62 will probably collect more money with less tax.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1414020

Re: Best place to Roll Over Amex points

I just booked an air ticket to europe using my Amex Gold sign in points (90k). $250 fee will off set some by eating out 4% and grocery shopping (4%).
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Feb 07, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: NVidia splitting this year?
Replies: 36
Views: 8986

Re: NVidia splitting this year?

Make me feel I have more share of NVDA. Let's do it.
by WhiteMaxima
Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to Start Soc Sec
Replies: 61
Views: 6812

Re: When to Start Soc Sec

70s is very old to enjoy the money. But, SS pays more at 70s. Depend on your life expectancy.
by WhiteMaxima
Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
Replies: 166
Views: 20742

Re: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking

Cut expense and do Roth conversion.
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Staying in 12% tax bracket w/ annual Roth conversion
Replies: 26
Views: 4004

Re: Staying in 12% tax bracket w/ annual Roth conversion

One couple could target for 12% (15% after 2026) tax bracket
$89,450 + Standard deduction $27700 = $117150.

This would include your expense plus Roth conversion.
Retire in low cost area and convert more Roth.
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Holding VGT in Roth IRA
Replies: 29
Views: 2464

Re: Holding VGT in Roth IRA

I help my little girl to set up her Roth. 50% VOO 25% VUG 25% VGT, 50 years away to harvest. Done.
by WhiteMaxima
Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?
Replies: 332
Views: 24680

Re: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?

Even if you pay off your mortgage, you will still have to pay property tax with national average of 1%. Would your pay off your life time property tax in a lump sum if you have the cash?
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Jan 26, 2024 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth conversions in the 22 & 24% tax brackets.
Replies: 144
Views: 14415

Re: Roth conversions in the 22 & 24% tax brackets.

I am targeting 12% (pre-2026or 15% (after 2026) tax bracket for Roth conversion. 22% to 12% is almost double the rate. 15% to 24% is almost 10% of extra tax.
by WhiteMaxima
Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best cookware to buy
Replies: 143
Views: 13731

Re: Best cookware to buy

Programable rice cook (Zojirushi)
Hammered iron wok
Steam wok
Clay pot for soup and strew
Bluestar range

That' all I need.
by WhiteMaxima
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can We Retire in Hawaii? Please Critique
Replies: 214
Views: 37536

Re: Can We Retire in Hawaii? Please Critique

I would rent on Hawaii island if I choose to retire there. Invest the 800k into VT and use the dividend (2.0% I believe) to pay for rent there. Establish your residency in a tax free state (SD with just a merely a mailbox). fly to Hawaii when you like and fly back to mainland when you feel sea sick.
by WhiteMaxima
Mon Jan 22, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension or lump sum pay out
Replies: 37
Views: 4242

Re: Pension or lump sum pay out

$2600/month after 62, lump sum=$460,000 in 2022 when interest rate was 0.25%, lump sum reduced to $300,000 now when inerest is 5.25%. Big loss of cash value of pension. I think I will wait and see. I might DCA my pension into VTI if I choose pension option when I retire.
by WhiteMaxima
Sat Jan 20, 2024 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension or lump sum pay out
Replies: 37
Views: 4242

Pension or lump sum pay out

My company pension has option to take lump sum or fix amount pension payment (no cost of living adjustment till life ends). Shall I take lump or just pension payment? The lump sun could roll into pre-tax 401k plan. Thanks.
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27431

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

I own S&P500 index so already include AAPL. I like Apple product. I will stay the course.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Jan 18, 2024 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39213

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

For wealthy frugal BH retiree, it is super to live in no-state-tax state. Less consumption=less sales tax, smaller home=smaller property tax & insurance. No state tax Roth conversion. no state tax RMD. :moneybag :moneybag :moneybag
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: To rebalance or not rebalance?
Replies: 53
Views: 6436

Re: To rebalance or not rebalance?

many times, it is better not to rebalance, let the winner run further.
by WhiteMaxima
Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Suggestions for 100x moonshots
Replies: 108
Views: 21535

Re: Suggestions for 100x moonshots

Las Vegas :sharebeer
by WhiteMaxima
Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for 65" HDTV
Replies: 60
Views: 6804

Re: Looking for 65" HDTV

I still hold my 65" Pioneer plazma Quro flat screen TV. Very saturate and natural color. In a dark cold winter night, I can feel the warmth of TV.
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Jan 12, 2024 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A million dollars cash, all-in VTI right away or let it sit in VMFXX and wait for dips?
Replies: 35
Views: 4115

Re: A million dollars cash, all-in VTI right away or let it sit in VMFXX and wait for dips?

dollar cost average. 3k per day and you will get it all in VTI in a year. Then stay the course.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD
Replies: 72
Views: 11879

Re: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD

I'm thinking about a situation where all of a persons living expenses are covered without any money from their IRA but the person is still required to take an RMD. My thinking is that they should do it as early in the year as possible (after QCDs if they are so inclined.) My reasoning is, all of the investments will simply be transferred from the IRA to a taxable account so if the investments have gains during the year they are better off because those gains will be taxed at long term capital gains rates instead of regular tax rates and only when they realize the gains. If the value of the investments goes down then they could claim some capital losses that they would not have been able to get any credit for if those losses had occurred in...
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Jan 11, 2024 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV
Replies: 71
Views: 7659

Re: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV

Get a Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivan.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Too much pre-tax investments vs post-tax?
Replies: 30
Views: 3776

Re: Too much pre-tax investments vs post-tax?

My ratio of pre-tax (401k, IRA) to post-tax (Roth, HSA, 529) is 65:35. My target is 50:50.
by WhiteMaxima
Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4Runner - new or used
Replies: 77
Views: 8471

Re: 4Runner - new or used

I have a 3rd gen 2000 4Runner V6 5-speed MT. Best reliable SUV ever. I use it as overland explorer. On HWY commute, I use my 1993 Geo Prizm (aka Toyota Corolla) I4 5-speed MT. Best reliable sedan ever.
by WhiteMaxima
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 9-10 days in Turkey - where would you spend it?
Replies: 38
Views: 5207

Re: 9-10 days in Turkey - where would you spend it?

9-10 days in Turkey. It is barely enough

Istanbul 3-4 days
Izmir->Fethiye side trip to Ephesus Aegean coast 3-4 days
Bodurm ->Kas-> Antalya coast 3-4 days
Konya ->Ankala 2-3 days.
Two weeks are minimal.

I rented a car at istanbul (don't need car in Istanbul, use public trans)
by WhiteMaxima
Sat Jan 06, 2024 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pros and Cons of settling in midwest vs Seattle WA
Replies: 44
Views: 4625

Re: Pros and Cons of settling in midwest vs Seattle WA

Seattle is very expensive compare to midwest town. Are you going to rent or buy a house in Seattle. Prepare to spend 2x compare to midwest town. Other expense will also be higher than midwest town. Seattle is the one of the expensive city to live in USA. Keep this in mind.
by WhiteMaxima
Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Marriage tax penalty and getting a prenup in early 30s
Replies: 121
Views: 17236

Re: Marriage tax penalty and getting a prenup in early 30s

My advice: don't get married if pro marriage asset is No 1 issue for you. You don't need to get married to have kids.