Search found 109 matches

by NDfan27
Sat Feb 10, 2018 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to enter tax information for forms that I don't have?
Replies: 20
Views: 2129

Re: How to enter tax information for forms that I don't have?

I have a somewhat similar situation except that I have no idea how much interest to enter. My wife closed her old savings account and I'm pretty sure she made less than $10 in interest. She no longer has a working login or any statements. Do I just overestimate the amount so I don't trigger an audit over a few dollars? Why not call the bank and ask the amount of interest? My name isn't on the account so they won't give me the information. I could keep waiting for my wife to call (credit union is on the other side of the country) but I'm impatient. Haha. I assume we'll need to provide information to prove it is her. Not sure how to track down her old account number without old checks or statements... was just wondering if there was an easie...
by NDfan27
Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to enter tax information for forms that I don't have?
Replies: 20
Views: 2129

Re: How to enter tax information for forms that I don't have?

I have a somewhat similar situation except that I have no idea how much interest to enter. My wife closed her old savings account and I'm pretty sure she made less than $10 in interest. She no longer has a working login or any statements. Do I just overestimate the amount so I don't trigger an audit over a few dollars?
by NDfan27
Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is there any reason not to? [4% Checking]
Replies: 36
Views: 5370

Re: Is there any reason not to? [4% Checking]

I have a similar account at my local credit union. It's far from a hassle for me but I don't go out of my way other than just counting my transactions later in the month (I like to monitor my transactions anyway so this doesn't cost me extra time). My account requires 10 transactions for 2.26% on up to $25k and I have to log into the account once a month. It also refunds ATM fees if I meet those requirements. I simply use my debit card for purchases under $10 and I don't have to think about it much.

I only use that credit union so it seems like a no-brainer for a couple hundred dollars in interest each year.
by NDfan27
Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403(b) help
Replies: 13
Views: 1821

Re: 403(b) help

Just a data point. Two coworkers and I established SB NEA Roth 403b accounts last month. All accounts were created within two Weeks and funded. We had no problems. Due to recent vanguard custodial changes, I am contemplating rolling my vanguard 403b to SB NEA in the near future to avoid Vanguard's new $60 annual fee ($5 monthly) charge and it would also avoid SB NEA $35 annual charge for accounts under 50k. That move would allow me to have admiral fund fees and no other charges (basically unheard of in education field). Since I just established my first Roth 403b, I need to confirm with SB NEA if they view the total of 403b and Roth 403b together as an account balance. If so, that would qualify me avoid $35 charge for 403b and Roth 403b. T...
by NDfan27
Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403(b) help
Replies: 13
Views: 1821

Re: 403(b) help

Aspire is truly your best choice. We went through this last summer with my wife's school district. Amazingly, they just gave me the AXA advisor's name and I drilled him about expenses. He was the son of a district manager in the school system. Not sure how "conflict of interest" never came up. Anyways...I asked again and the district person said they also worked with Aspire. I did my due diligence and we chose Aspire. Online tool is just "OK," but nothing special. Fees are super low. We ended up using this space to Total Bond allocation....as we have a ton of bond funds in our taxable account and I'm slowly trying to get them in the 403b. Aspire is the way to go. Thanks for your reply. Seems AXA is a bit predatory.... D...
by NDfan27
Tue Jun 13, 2017 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discover It Cashback
Replies: 3
Views: 844

Re: Discover It Cashback

Thanks. My wife called anyway and support told her the same thing. He even told us to call back if we got declined because the payment was still pending (I just paid it off a few minutes ago). Not bad customer service.

I might just go buy it tomorrow to avoid the extra hassle.
by NDfan27
Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discover It Cashback
Replies: 3
Views: 844

Discover It Cashback

My wife and I have a credit limit on the card up to $1500 but she has been using it for other purchases. We've only spent about $500 that would qualify towards this quarters category and we were wanting to replace our grill that got damaged in an ice storm last month (I know. Kansas,right?).

Can we pay off the balance now and still get the 5% bonus on the grill this month?
by NDfan27
Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]
Replies: 138
Views: 18792

Re: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]

Wow. I'm surprised it's so cognitively challenging to some people. Just wow! :oops: Good bosses will solicit feedback and use criticism to improve their management. They realize that a supportive working environment where employees get credit for their efforts is best for everyone. But people have egos and nobody likes to be criticized in front of others (especially those they're supposed to be managing or their superiors). I've never heard of anyone being receptive to public criticism. So it isn't going to change the behavior and you've just created an even larger rift between you and your boss. If a politician starts criticizing their electorate, then there is a good chance that they'll lose their political office in the next election to...
by NDfan27
Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]
Replies: 138
Views: 18792

Re: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]

I know this discussion is about companies rather than countries. But as I look around the world, I can't help noticing a general pattern that the quality of life is vastly better in countries where the citizens are more free to criticize their leaders. There is something drastically wrong with the picture some people are painting here. The difference here is that politicians are supposed to answer to the citizens of that country, not the other way around. It's really an apples and oranges comparison. I can criticize my government all I want and I won't face any consequences as long as I don't threaten them will bodily harm. Most companies operate more like a dictatorship. Sure you can criticize the leadership but you're probably going to c...
by NDfan27
Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]
Replies: 138
Views: 18792

Re: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]

OP, you may indeed feel there are "bullying, intimidation tactics, hostile environment, etc." Please understand these are not uncommon, not illegal (with very few specific exceptions for certain extreme behavior) and you are likely to encounter this sort of thing at various points in your career. If it's bad enough, it's usually just best to change jobs. Better just suck it up and get used to it. It's amazing how how people accept the dysfunction as if it supposed to be normal. As if the hard working, well mannered person is the one with the problem and there is nothing wrong with being overbearing and rude. In the real world, David rarely beats Goliath. It's better to approach things in a manner that isn't contrary your own self...
by NDfan27
Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]
Replies: 138
Views: 18792

Re: Why never speak badly about boss? [Need Bogleheads' wisdom]

I agree with everyone telling you to mention grievances with your boss in private. But using some tact goes a long way. I also agree that the book How to Win Friends and Influence People has a ton of "common sense" advice that few actually put into practice. I would read the book and try using it's advice in your personal life before trying it out on your boss or coworkers. And more than just providing constructive criticism, I would try to go out of your way to help your boss or make them look good. Working with your boss may change their attitude towards you or change their demeanor entirely. It talks about that in the book too. But sometimes nothing works and that boss is truly a toxic person whose sole purpose in life is to ma...
by NDfan27
Tue Apr 18, 2017 4:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe on SPIVA Survey
Replies: 12
Views: 2918

Re: Larry Swedroe on SPIVA Survey

What percentage of index funds trail the returns of their benchmarks over the last 5, 10 and 15 years? Don't all of them, slightly, at least due to their ER? Presumably. Nobody seems to notice that while, say, 90% of actively managed funds underperform their indices nearly all index funds underperform theirs. :idea: We notice. The idea is that we know how much underperformance to expect. Active funds promise to beat be their benchmark but underperform as just as often and make you pay more for it. The math shows that fees make up most of the difference. Even a difference of 0.5 in the expense ratio makes a huge difference over 40 years. So while some active funds will beat their index, the vast majority will struggle to beat similar index ...
by NDfan27
Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Contribution limits to 401k, 403 b etc.
Replies: 5
Views: 1080

Re: Contribution limits to 401k, 403 b etc.

I don't know if you can contribute the full $18k to both the 403b and 401k (I've never heard of someone having both options). But I do know that you can contribute up to $18,000 to a 403b and another $18,000 to a 457 if you have both options and that doesn't include employer matching contributions... IRAs are separate as well and you should be able to currently contribute up to $5,500 if your AGI is low enough.

If you're over 50 then the limits increase but I'm assuming you're younger than that.
by NDfan27
Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: roth vs. traditional IRA
Replies: 4
Views: 647

Re: roth vs. traditional IRA

I'm pretty sure your income is too high for either.

I don't make enough to have your issue but you make want to search for forum for information on backdoor Roth conversions. I think that's the only decent IRA option for those in your situation. Personally, I'd make sure you understand the process well before you try it.
by NDfan27
Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Breaking up with my Financial Advisor
Replies: 56
Views: 7724

Re: Breaking up with my Financial Investor

Most here will tell you to simply let Vanguard (or whoever who chose to go with) handle the transfer. Your old adviser can talk to them. They will likely try to call and convince you to stay. They know most people hate confrontation and they will use any number of tactics to get you to stay. Mine pointed out that he hadn't charged my the front load that they usually do and he had successfully timed investing my Roth IRA at the bottom of the 2008 crisis... I later found out that the front load was waived simply due to my account being a sub account under my dad's name at the time (which is no longer was) and that timing is more luck than skill. I didn't argue with him, just told him that there was nothing he could say that would change my mi...
by NDfan27
Tue Mar 07, 2017 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEICO auto rates vs. USAA: too good to be true?
Replies: 210
Views: 60131

Re: GEICO auto rates vs. USAA: too good to be true?

Brewman wrote:Similar experience for my daughter. She was initially with liberty mutual when she moved out of state. She got a quote from Geico that was half the LM rate she was paying for virtually the same coverage. LM warned her that Geico was famous for giving a teaser rate that they would bump up after 6 months. She went with Geico and just had her 6 month renewal and the rate stayed exactly the same! Go figure?
That's funny because Liberty Mutual did exactly that to me. They've been raising my premium by 20% each year for the last few years but this year will be the first where they're higher than the previous quotes I received.

I'm shopping around again. Thought I'd try the independent agent route as well.
by NDfan27
Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403b Abandon Ship?
Replies: 34
Views: 3505

Re: 403b Abandon Ship?

uncle otto wrote:Going through the hoops now, but I know it will be worth the effort in the long run.

I have an "adviser" connected with my current set-up....do you think I even have to notify him of the exchange?
403(b)s are a pain compared to everything else I've dealt with. I've been trying to sort out my wife's 403(b) for months. Though it would help if she checked her email at least once a month. :oops: ...We'll get there eventually.

I wouldn't worry about contacting your current adviser. Your new provider should be able to handle everything.
by NDfan27
Fri Feb 17, 2017 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Edward Jones
Replies: 9
Views: 2019

Re: Leaving Edward Jones

I was in almost the same boat as you are. I found this forum a couple months ago and had my Roth IRA with EJ since I was in high school. I starting reading about fees in college and started using Scottrade to buy ETFs but had no idea what I was doing and was on the waiting list for a Robinhood account when it started. Robinhood is ok to play with but I wouldn't devote much to it until you've maxed out your 401k/IRA space and taken care of any outstanding debt (pretty tall order). I only had a few hundred dollars in my account but only lost money over the last two years. I thought I was being clever by purchasing stock in companies that had recently dropped due to bad news. I figured that everyone was selling off of emotions and I would bene...
by NDfan27
Thu Feb 16, 2017 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: -$280k Net Worth Has Me Up At Night
Replies: 68
Views: 11853

Re: -$280k Net Worth Has Me Up At Night

I don't know much about rentals but I have been thinking more about the pros and cons since my dad has started talking about putting a large part of his retirement into purchasing a few. Why wouldn't he purchase a REIT instead? OP in this thread tells us his yield is $380 per month on a $130,000 investment. That's about 3.5%. Don't REITs generally yield about 5% these days? If you buy a REIT ETF, you're diversified across commercial, residential sectors and geography. If you buy one property, if it burns down, if you have one bad tenant, or if the city decides to put its sewage treatment plant next door, that's it. The REIT price will go up and down with the market-- but so will the price of the one property you buy, too, you just don't ge...
by NDfan27
Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: -$280k Net Worth Has Me Up At Night
Replies: 68
Views: 11853

Re: -$280k Net Worth Has Me Up At Night

KlangFool 1) Yes I can contribute to Trad 401k - changing that at work today. 2) Rental property was cash flow positive last year (first full year) - $2,574 total (avg of $214.50 a month) Mortage - $708.24 Condo HOA - $96.00 Waste removal - $15.02 Total Expenditure: $819.26/month Total Rental Income: $1,200.00/month I don't know much about rentals but I have been thinking more about the pros and cons since my dad has started talking about putting a large part of his retirement into purchasing a few. Are your insurance and taxes wrapped up in your mortgage payment? Have you had to pay for any maintenance on the property? Even if nothing has needed to be fixed or replaced to this point, it's almost assuredly going to happen eventually and th...
by NDfan27
Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: -$280k Net Worth Has Me Up At Night
Replies: 68
Views: 11853

Re: -$280k Net Worth Has Me Up At Night

KlangFool 1) Yes I can contribute to Trad 401k - changing that at work today. 2) Rental property was cash flow positive last year (first full year) - $2,574 total (avg of $214.50 a month) Mortage - $708.24 Condo HOA - $96.00 Waste removal - $15.02 Total Expenditure: $819.26/month Total Rental Income: $1,200.00/month[/quote] I don't know much about rentals but I have been thinking more about the pros and cons since my dad has started talking about putting a large part of his retirement into purchasing a few. Are your insurance and taxes wrapped up in your mortgage payment? Have you had to pay for any maintenance on the property? Even if nothing has needed to be fixed or replaced to this point, it's almost assuredly going to happen eventuall...
by NDfan27
Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $600 annual fee for 401K??
Replies: 15
Views: 2588

Re: $600 annual fee for 401K??

jazman12 wrote:Get out of Dodge
My dad's financial adviser lives in Dodge City... and I never thought about using this line. :oops:
by NDfan27
Thu Feb 02, 2017 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I say YES or NO to this new job responsibility?
Replies: 44
Views: 5266

Re: Should I say YES or NO to this new job responsibility?

ralph124cf wrote:What exactly does the word "partner" mean in this situation? In most businesses that are partnerships, all partners have access to the books. How are raises decided? Do the partners vote? In most partnerships, there is no real "boss" who decides your raise, profits are split, perhaps not evenly, but still split.

Ralph
I'm curious about this as well. How many of the partners have access to the books? Everyone but you? Only one person?

This is important information if you own part of the partnership and I'm pretty sure you have a right to that information. If not, then I wouldn't buy more shares. Who know what they are doing with it?
by NDfan27
Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bobbie Christensen "She explains how to find safe and secure investments with 100%+ growth per year."
Replies: 55
Views: 7579

Re: "She explains how to find safe and secure investments with 100%+ growth per year."

Speaking of poor editing and Nigerian scams, I recently read an article that explained why these scams don't seem to get more sophisticated over time (it can't be that difficult to compose an email that you're going to send out millions of times, right?). But the article explains that the scammer wants most people to immediately delete it. They don't want to sift through responses from those who will never send money. They only want the most gullible to give the email a second look... It actually explains that the best deterrent is responding to the emails (as long as you don't send money). Maybe we should be giving these authors a little more credit. I'm sure they don't want Bogleheads showing up at their seminars. A somewhat modest fee, r...
by NDfan27
Thu Jan 26, 2017 12:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investment Apps? Acorns, Robinhood Etc....
Replies: 27
Views: 5760

Re: Investment Apps? Acorns, Robinhood Etc....

Wise banyan looks good, no fees is always a plus. 19% already? Sounds good glad you are happy with it! Vanguard? I know the name, but not familiar with their products. My 401k offers nothing from them. Are they a brokerage? Vanguard is the company founded by Jack Bogle who is the namesake of this website. They are the largest provider of mutual funds and are known for low cost index funds. They are also a brokerage firm. Basically they were the first company to offer low costs index funds which form the cornerstone of Bogle's investing philosophy. Nowadays there are other companies competing in the same market but Vanguard is presumably the most popular choice on this board. Does Vanguard require minimum investment to get started? Min depo...
by NDfan27
Thu Jan 26, 2017 12:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investment Apps? Acorns, Robinhood Etc....
Replies: 27
Views: 5760

Re: Investment Apps? Acorns, Robinhood Etc....

I've used Robinhood for the last two years. I was single and don't buy toys so I felt like I could justify having $500 to play with. Mostly I bought stocks that had suddenly dropped due to a major news break. I remember Lumber Liquidators was one, Sandridge energy was another (it's now gone bankrupt but I made money on it). Overall, it was kinda fun despite losing money when it was as said and done. I probably won't use it in the future though. I find combing through my expenses and finding ways to save money is more fun and a better use of my time. I like all the new concepts that have come out over the last few years though. Robo-advisors, saving apps (Acorns), free trading are all pretty cool. The only thing I'm using now is Personal Cap...
by NDfan27
Mon Jan 23, 2017 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting my electricity usage under control
Replies: 34
Views: 5707

Re: Getting my electricity usage under control

Agree the Kill-a-watt is very handy, but it only helps for plug-in devices. Do you have a SmartMeter ? If so, I would recommend looking into this device : https://rainforestautomation.com/rfa-z109-eagle/ You can check power consumption in real time from your smartphone without having to physically go to the meter. This is very useful as you can go around your house and try to turn things on/off and see the effect on your instantaneous power consumption. I work for a utility that is just finishing our SmartMeter (AMI) deployment. We had a customer ask about these devices so we set one up for him and my boss (he wanted to play with it too). They're definitely worth it, IMO. We also lend Kill-a-watt devices to our customers so it's worth chec...
by NDfan27
Mon Jan 23, 2017 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car
Replies: 945
Views: 151202

Re: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car

I've never had a primary vehicle with fewer than 150k miles on it. The 1996 Nissan I drove through high school and college got up to about 210k before I gave it to a cousin (who promptly wrecked it). Now I "drive" a 1998 F-150 with about 180k miles (I put less than 5k miles on it a year).

However, I should be getting a new work truck this year. Even at 170k, this one is pretty beat up but I'm not one to complain. The guy who drove it before me must've had a lot of fun.
by NDfan27
Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving away from Fidelity 401K choices to lower cost funds/ETFs
Replies: 15
Views: 1353

Re: Moving away from Fidelity 401K choices to lower cost funds/ETFs

The S&P 500 index isn't a bad substitute for Total Market.

Are you saying that you'll have to move your 401k contributions to the brokeragelink account every month? It seems like a huge hassle to have to do it manually and you want to be in the market as much as possible. Having a portion of your 401k sitting on the sidelines until you move it and pay the $8 fee doesn't sound like a great option, IMO. You'll probably end up doing that at least 12 times a year... But if you really have to pay ~0.7% ER, then that might be the way to go.

If you post all of your 401k options with their ERs, then other posters might be able to find some decent options.
by NDfan27
Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hoping to retire within 20 years - advice/comments appreciated!
Replies: 8
Views: 2151

Re: Hoping to retire within 20 years - advice/comments appreciated!

I'm not an expert on Fidelity options but are you in the Index version of Fidelity Freedom Funds? My dad was in their active funds (which have the same name) and he was paying close to 0.7% ER. According to Fidelity, even their Index funds don't get below 0.1% but your plan might get a better deal.
by NDfan27
Mon Jan 23, 2017 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving away from Fidelity 401K choices to lower cost funds/ETFs
Replies: 15
Views: 1353

Re: Moving away from Fidelity 401K choices to lower cost funds/ETFs

Have you taken a close look at all of your current 401k options with Fidelity? They might all be bad but I just looked at my dad's options this weekend and he has access to Vanguard Total Stock Market at 0.02% ER and Vanguard Total Bond Market at 0.05%. He was in a target date fund that was terrible... I had to point out to him that he's getting a better deal than I'm getting at Vanguard on the same funds. Fidelity also has good index funds of their own but they weren't available in his plan. Brokeragelink might also come with extra fees. You might want to check that out before pursuing that option too. At least my 401k has a self-directed TD Ameritrade option with a $10/month fee. My dad also had the Brokeragelink option but I didn't have ...
by NDfan27
Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Hold Times
Replies: 5
Views: 1376

Re: Vanguard Hold Times

Btw, as far a wait times go, I think I've read that calling early or late in the day helps a lot. I've never had to sit on hold for more than few minutes and I've made a number of calls over the last few months transferring several accounts.

It takes them a ridiculously long time to respond to online messages though. My average wait time on those seems to be at least two or three days and a few have never gotten a response as far as I can tell. Just call after the markets close.
by NDfan27
Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Hold Times
Replies: 5
Views: 1376

Re: Vanguard Hold Times

You didn't by chance use your browser's foward/back buttons during the process, rather than Vanguard's navigation buttons? I did recently and ended up making a purchase without clicking submit or receiving a confirmation code. Nope. I finally got through to someone after 1:05:11 on hold. I was told that my application triggered a "double synergy" issue, where someone else had my last 4 digit social and zip code! I was pretty worried but they said it's actually not that uncommon. I need to mail in a w-9 to open my account. I am still worried about this other person with my last 4 social and zip.... I don't think they're saying that someone has your social security number. Just that someone else has a number with the same last 4 di...
by NDfan27
Tue Jan 17, 2017 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Option to Transfer Over my 401k to a Self Directed Account through TD Ameritrade
Replies: 10
Views: 1832

Re: Option to Transfer Over my 401k to a Self Directed Account through TD Ameritrade

I might be in a similar boat based on your description (assuming this is your current employer). My 401k offers a self-directed option through TD Ameritrade. I don't think I can go over 50% of my total account value (the rest has to stay with the 401k provider) and there is a monthly fee of $10 (I think this is the only fee)... The ER of my current options is 0.24% for their S&P 500 index and 0.32% for their Bond fund. Overall, I figure there's a point were I could benefit from opening a self-directed account but my account value has to grow quite a bit to reach the break even point. I'd need for it to be a decent margin before I went through the extra work as well. You might see if there are any additional fees associated with this acc...
by NDfan27
Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Traditional 401k vs Roth 401
Replies: 4
Views: 805

Re: Traditional 401k vs Roth 401

Thanks for saving me the work, Duckie. I was going to go back and link the article tonight.
by NDfan27
Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anybody try to get another 403b option offered?
Replies: 12
Views: 1301

Re: Anybody try to get another 403b option offered?

krow36 wrote: Hi NDfan27. Were you able to find anything in writing to prevent moving the 403b matching account from the Security Benefit SFR to the Security Benefit NEA Direct Invest? Did you talk to the rep about it? Another poster has the same deal with SB and a match going to SFR and he was able to switch it to Direct Invest.

Thanks for the SB adviser story!
I guess I missed that story. That sounds the exact same situation we're in. The rep said they had never heard about it. I think another poster said they got the same response when they asked but I also wouldn't be surprised if they pretended not to know.

I guess I'll just fill out the SB direct invest application and see what happens.
by NDfan27
Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Traditional 401k vs Roth 401
Replies: 4
Views: 805

Re: Traditional 401k vs Roth 401

I agree with bloom. It took other posters on this board a while to pound it through my thick skull but a traditional 401k is better for the vast majority of people (I'm in almost the exact same situation as your daughter as far as tax bracket and age).

1. Contribute up to matching in traditional 401k
2. Max Roth IRA
3. Max out the traditional 401k

I read a very informative article by The Finance Buff that explained all the advantages of the traditional over Roth. I think it was called The Case Against Roth 401k.
by NDfan27
Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anybody try to get another 403b option offered?
Replies: 12
Views: 1301

Re: Anybody try to get another 403b option offered?

We're in the process of moving my wife's contributions to Aspire as well. Her matching seems to be stuck with Security Benefit which is unfortunate (though overall a smaller piece of the pie). We've been trying to talk with Human Resources about it but I doubt we're going to have much luck there. This is a decent sized school district and I realize that we're not just asking for more options in this case. I had a fun meeting with the her SB adviser a couple months ago. After introductions, he sat down and started describing risk vs return with a very simple graph. I stopped him and asked why they put a teacher in her early 20's in 70% bonds and fixed income. Then I asked for a list of funds that were available. There was over 100 funds and ...
by NDfan27
Wed Jan 11, 2017 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to build passive income
Replies: 45
Views: 9955

Re: How to build passive income

Redneck bank. 1.25% megamoney account. It's not much more than 1% but it's 25% more and it's "where bankin's funner". https://redneck.bank/ That cannot be serious. 1.25% is the best I've seen... I wonder if they have to offer that to entice people to give them their money. My local credit union has a checking account that offers 2.26%... Of course, there are a few strings attached. It's only up to $25k and it requires you to check you account online and use the debit card 10 times to get the interest each month. I don't have a lot of extra cash and the requirements are easy to meet so it works well for me. It also refunds ATM fees up to a certain amount with is pretty awesome too. I always hated using ATMs because of those fees. ...
by NDfan27
Tue Jan 10, 2017 3:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Question - Quarterly Statements
Replies: 11
Views: 2492

Re: Question - Quarterly Statements

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I've received statements from both fund companies and I'm hoping to finally get the funds transferred over.... Only I wonder if I've already made too much of a mess of things for Vanguard (they haven't really impressed me too much with the service but I'm hoping this is the last contact I need to make for many years). I sent the documents and new statements in last week but now I'm wonder if I should've created new transfers instead of the ones I created last October. I fired off a quite online message this morning asking for the status of each transfer but I know it usually takes a few days for them to respond. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure if anyone else has had as much trouble ...
by NDfan27
Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: McDonald's Stock
Replies: 103
Views: 14080

Re: McDonald's Stock

We don't have a 5 guys, chipotle, panera, etc. in my home town but I've eaten ate plenty of each over the last 10 years. They're really not a fair comparison to a McDonald's though. I've never had a short wait at a Chipotle unless it was at an unusual time and the other places are pretty similar. IMO, true fast food is something I can grab in 10 minutes or less. The biggest competitor to McDonald's in my book is Wendy's. I'm always surprised when someone tells me that they prefer McD's. I just assume it's a nostalgic thing because their food is clearly lower grade. I don't even care that much about the nutrition comparison (when comparing fast food places). Their food tastes like profit margin... Not that Wendy's is all that great either. T...
by NDfan27
Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Accounts - Employer 401k Options / Taxable
Replies: 18
Views: 2271

Re: Retirement Accounts - Employer 401k Options / Taxable

I typed up a long response and saw the other recommendations which are about the same as what I had written (and much easier to understand).

I agree with using and equal mix of VVIAX and VIGAX to create something similar to the S&P 500. I'm not sure mid cap is needed at all but I'd consider a mix of the small cap funds (10-20% total). I'd avoid the international or buy the much cheaper vanguard total international index in another account. Same goes for bonds (just not taxable). Do you happen to have access to any target date funds in your 401(k) that you didn't mention? Those might be much easier than trying to create a 3 fund portfolio.

Also, I don't know much about taxes much less international taxes.
by NDfan27
Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Actively trading mutual funds
Replies: 35
Views: 4141

Re: Actively trading mutual funds

I apologize if this comes off as rude but I'm a little confused as to why you would choose this site for this discussion. There are a few here who do small amounts of active trading or maybe just come here for other advice but pretty much every other investing forum on the internet would yield better results. It's like going to a Chevy forum and asking which Ford to buy. They're going to tell you to not buy a Ford.

I can't speak for others but I'm here because the wisdom here speaks to the one quiet sane voice in my head that I prefer to listen to. Those other voices may enjoy reading about how I can outperform the market but they can go to hell.
by NDfan27
Wed Dec 14, 2016 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First Taxable Investments - Getting Started
Replies: 16
Views: 2249

Re: First Taxable Investments - Getting Started

This is just my personal experience but I wouldn't expect much in the way of financial aid. Around 2007 when I was looking at a private school that had $40k+ tuition per year, they told me that my family made too much to qualify for anything except work study (I think they were making just over $100k combined at the time). I did have roughly $10k in a 529.

Maybe may parents accidentally inserted an extra zero somewhere on the FAFSA or being the first born just sucks that much but I don't think your kids are going to qualify for much based on need.
by NDfan27
Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Will it be better to move to Schwab from Vanguard?
Replies: 23
Views: 4368

Re: Will it be better to move to Schwab from Vanguard?

You made a comment about having high stock allocation because you started late. That is risky. Can you please explain further why this is risky? It isn't and you're not really starting that late. If you plan on retiring close to 65 than you have almost 30 years of growth ahead of you. 90-10 is reasonable and really only needs to be reduced if you're getting close to retirement or if the market swings keep you up at night. Btw, you can adjust your allocation and still use target date funds. Just change the retirement year to whatever fits your needs and comfort level. For example, maybe the Target 2035 if you're wanting a higher bond allocation or something like that. The benefit of target date fund is that they are truly a "set-it-and...
by NDfan27
Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Accounts - Employer 401k Options / Taxable
Replies: 18
Views: 2271

Re: Retirement Accounts Advice

I'm not sure if you knew this or not but the $18k contribution limit on a 401k does not include employer contributions. So you can contribute $18k + $4.5k match. I'd consider taking part of your taxable contributions and using it to max out your 401k first. Hey NDFan27, yes, I’m aware of the individual versus total limit, I’m investing in the taxable versus the max 401(k) just for some future liquidity. mrhelios, This does not make any sense. 1) If you contribute 5K to Trad. 401k, you get $1,250 of tax savings that you can contribute to your taxable account. 2) You can withdraw your Roth IRA contribution at any time. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IRA_conversion 3) You could withdraw your Trad. 401K contribution penalty free before 5...
by NDfan27
Mon Dec 12, 2016 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Telephoning Vanguard
Replies: 77
Views: 9371

Re: Telephoning Vanguard

Each person is welcome to take away what they find of interest in my recent interaction with Vanguard. However, my take aways are these: 1) I would be well advised to do my telephone business with Vanguard outside of regular business hours. I have put a Bold Markup on this point from their original letter to me. This suggestion of doing business outside of regular business hours seems to me a bit counter intuitive , but it is what it is and will be. I doubt you're alone in that assumption. This is probably part of the reason call volume is down. Well that and I'm assuming there are plenty of Vanguard customers who try to time the market. It would be interesting to know what percentage follows the Boglehead philosophy or has even heard of i...
by NDfan27
Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Accounts - Employer 401k Options / Taxable
Replies: 18
Views: 2271

Re: Retirement Accounts Advice

Hey NDFan27, yes, I’m aware of the individual versus total limit, I’m investing in the taxable versus the max 401(k) just for some future liquidity. As for 401(k) allocation I was thinking: VVIAX for VTSAX VTRIX for VTIAX MSPZX for VBMFX Thoughts? I was just checking because the total for your 401k was just shy of $18k and I had to be corrected on that number before. And I'm one of the less experienced Bogleheads here so take this with a grain of salt, but I'd consider using your 401(k) for mostly stock market indexes because the expense ratios on the international and bond funds seem pretty high to me. Maybe an even split of VVIAX and VIGAX would get you a good mix (not sure if that includes large, mid and small cap, I'd look into that). ...
by NDfan27
Fri Dec 09, 2016 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Accounts - Employer 401k Options / Taxable
Replies: 18
Views: 2271

Re: Retirement Accounts Advice

I'm not sure if you knew this or not but the $18k contribution limit on a 401k does not include employer contributions. So you can contribute $18k + $4.5k match. I'd consider taking part of your taxable contributions and using it to max out your 401k first.