Search found 2318 matches

by friar1610
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Awesome Portfolio: 20% Stocks..20% Bonds..20% Cash..20%Real Estate, 20%Gold
Replies: 38
Views: 3898

Re: Awesome Portfolio: 20% Stocks..20% Bonds..20% Cash..20%Real Estate, 20%Gold

Jared Dillian is a guest on the Mar 5 podcast of “The Compound and Friends” and the portfolio is discussed.
by friar1610
Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping children young active duty officers
Replies: 28
Views: 2468

Re: Helping children young active duty officers

Retired Navy but not an aviator. I haven’t read all the posts in this thread. This is a link to a DoD RMC (Regular Military Compensation) Calculator. It purports to show the value of military compensation when factors such as tax advantage on untaxed housing allowance are considered. When I was on active duty, I took RMC with a grain of salt but certainly did acknowledge that there were a number of aspects to military compensation that made it more valuable than it looked at first glance. I just did a quick computation for a single O-1 (Ensign or 2nd LT) living off-base in my MA zip code and came up with $91,000 annually. It would be less for, say, Pensacola, FL but I didn’t have its zip code in my head. Playing around with this calculator ...
by friar1610
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tricare Retired Reserve: wow it sucks wth?
Replies: 25
Views: 2333

Re: Tricare for Life: wow it sucks wth?

Could you clarify what you’re referring to? TRICARE for Life (TFL) is the Medicare Supplement for military retirees 65 and older who are paying for Medicare Part B. It is free for eligible beneficiaries and includes an excellent drug plan.
by friar1610
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sharing why we went with Vanguard PAS
Replies: 69
Views: 6692

Re: Sharing why we went with Vanguard PAS

I’ve found this thread very timely and interesting. Two or 3 times during the past 20 years I’ve gone through the drill of having VG work up a proposal showing what they would do with our assets if we were to sign on. Each time, I remained unconvinced that we would be .3% better off than we are/were with my DIY, heavily BH-influenced approach. So I‘ve remained our portfolio manager. Recently, as I’ve tried to write a set of instructions for my wife to follow in the event of my demise, I’m finding that the what (names of financial institutions, account numbers, phone numbers, etc.) is pretty simple. But the how and why (Roth conversions, rebalancing, QCDs, sequencing of key financial events, etc.) is a lot more complicated and results in inc...
by friar1610
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
Replies: 156
Views: 9919

Re: Your Original Medicare Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?

Original Medicare + TriCare for Life (supplement for retired military folks) has served us very well. When we moved here 10 years ago I had a little trouble finding a PCP who was both taking new patients AND accepting Medicare assignment. So I signed on with a guy right out of training in his first job. He has been perfectly fine (and now has 10 years experience). His group practice has been acquired by a major Boston hospital and that has made a number of specialists more easily accessible.
by friar1610
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?
Replies: 57
Views: 8504

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

Ages:78/77
Retired: 19 years
AA Actual (Goal)
- Equities 54%. (50%)
- Fixed: 38% (45%)
- Cash: 8% (5%)
Close to rebalance time.
by friar1610
Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Quantify the Value of Military Retirement - Methodology Questions
Replies: 113
Views: 9709

Re: Quantify the Value of Military Retirement - Methodology Questions

Whatever method you use to quantify the value, don’t forget to consider the cost of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to cover your spouse in the event of your death. If you haven’t elected SBP, your pension ends when your life does. You can cover your surviving spouse for up to 55% of your pension amount (also inflation adjusted) but it will cost you 6% of your pension each month. If you’re not already familiar with how this all works you owe it to yourself to learn about both the benefits and the costs.
by friar1610
Tue Feb 27, 2024 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cancer Diagnosis Hubby
Replies: 36
Views: 4542

Re: Cancer Diagnosis Hubby

I agree with those who say you need to develop an estate plan with the assistance of an attorney versed in estate matters.This could take some time. So, as an interim (and probably final) step, I suggest you both make sure your various financial accounts have properly identified beneficiaries and contingent beneficiaries. You can generally name beneficiaries very easily, either on-line or by filling out a form and mailing it in. That will ensure the major financial assets go to whomever you want them to go to even absent a will. (Even with a will, beneficiary designations take precedence over a will if there is a conflict.) This is not the only estate action you need to take but it is an important one that is fairly simple and expeditious w...
by friar1610
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow
Replies: 148
Views: 22531

Re: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow

BeaverBeliever wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:25 pm One of the most fascinating threads I've read in a while. Good luck to OP. And thanks to everyone for the amazing advice.
I agree. I’m long out of the work force, never had a job anything like Meg’s (actually, didn’t work in the private sector for very long at all as I was career military) yet I found this to be an extremely interesting thread and will continue to follow it.
by friar1610
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you live healthy?
Replies: 107
Views: 8119

Re: How do you live healthy?

Have dogs so I get outside and walk for ~45 minutes 365 days a year Have exercise equipment and subscription that allows me to get a variety of regular exercise without having to leave my house and regardless of weather (thus limiting excuses/making it easy to exercise even on busy days. ) Almost never snack and keep zero snacks around the house Never eat traditional fast food, and rarely eat "upgraded" fast food (e.g., Shake Shack) Aim for two plant-heavy (not necessarily vegetarian) meals per day - with everyday breakfast being a smoothie containing at least one veggie Eat almost no heavily processed food (including some of the most heavily processed - dairy and meat substitutes and gluten free food) Only drink alcohol socially...
by friar1610
Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to surrender I BONDS with a maturity date of 2030 and 2031
Replies: 27
Views: 2728

Re: When to surrender I BONDS with a maturity date of 2030 and 2031

patrickscott, I have a roughly similar situation that differs in some details. I’m concerned about them all maturing over a 2 year period, particularly if only one of us is still around (compressed tax brackets for single filers). Part of our estate plan calls for endowing a college scholarship upon the death of the 2nd of us. I decided to start paying that pledge down and redeemed one I-Bond last month. I sent it all to the college, so the entire redemption amount will be deductible. I may do a few more of those over the next few years to at least reduce the ultimate tax hit while also accomplishing the donation goal. But I’m still in a quandary over what to do with the majority of the bonds, so will be watching the responses you get clos...
by friar1610
Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to surrender I BONDS with a maturity date of 2030 and 2031
Replies: 27
Views: 2728

Re: When to surrender I BONDS with a maturity date of 2030 and 2031

patrickscott, I have a roughly similar situation that differs in some details. I’m concerned about them all maturing over a 2 year period, particularly if only one of us is still around (compressed tax brackets for single filers). Part of our estate plan calls for endowing a college scholarship upon the death of the 2nd of us. I decided to start paying that pledge down and redeemed one I-Bond last month. I sent it all to the college, so the entire redemption amount will be deductible. I may do a few more of those over the next few years to at least reduce the ultimate tax hit while also accomplishing the donation goal. But I’m still in a quandary over what to do with the majority of the bonds, so will be watching the responses you get close...
by friar1610
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8508

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

Back in the day I had a ‘97 Lexus ES-300. Great engine and very reliable.

I now drive a 2015 Volvo XC-70 in-line turbo 6. Also a great engine. I actually bought it used after they (regrettably) stopped building XC-70s. Being a lifelong Volvo wagon fan I wanted one mo’ XC-70. Perfect vehicle for me.
by friar1610
Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIAA-CREF funds to be re-named "Nuveen"; some TC funds will have SALES LOADS?
Replies: 50
Views: 6092

Re: TIAA-CREF funds to be re-named "Nuveen"; some TC funds will have SALES LOADS?

Sales loads? What decade are we in? It is hard to remember that when TIAA first began offering mutual funds to the public, the financial press "take" was that Vanguard was about to see some worthy competition. TIAA was widely expected to be a low-cost leader. I remember a “Money” magazine from around that time (maybe 25 years ago?) that had a picture of the then-TIAA/CREF President on the cover. The accompanying article was about T-C entering the retail mutual fund market. It was effusive about T-C’s success in handling retirement investing for its non-profit target market and postulated that it would be equally successful with the new venture. I believe there was even a quote from John Bogle to the effect that VG welcomed compet...
by friar1610
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone know of a good fixed hourly rate Financial Advisor?
Replies: 15
Views: 1521

Re: Anyone know of a good fixed hourly rate Financial Advisor?

stilllurking wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:55 am RickFerri.com

I have a friend waiting to speak with him. Though based on your holdings, you can probably post it here for a crowd sourced opinion.
I had Rick do a portfolio review several years ago and was pleased with the results. It’s my understanding that Rick bills himself as an investment advisor, not a financial advisor. Lotsa folks (myself included) tend to use the terms interchangeably but if the OP wants financial advice on matters beyond investing (e.g., insurance, estate matters) an investment advisor may not be the ticket.

If I’ve mischaracterized Rick’s professional offerings, he (or anyone else) should feel free to correct me.
by friar1610
Sun Feb 11, 2024 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing friend's tax return. In 2021, he contributed to Roth IRA despite being over income limit
Replies: 12
Views: 1136

Re: Doing friend's tax return. In 2021, he contributed to Roth IRA despite being over income limit

My daughter does her own taxes using TT. She just discovered that, due to a lot of overtime in 2023, her earnings had exceeded the upper limit for Roths and she had over contributed to her Roth. She simply called her custodian (Fidelity) and they recharacterized the contributions as deposits to her taxable brokerage account in about 2 days.
by friar1610
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Massachusetts 1099 HC from Medicare
Replies: 4
Views: 481

Re: Massachusetts 1099 HC from Medicare

When I was doing taxes in previous years for AARP Tax Aide (in MA), our software (Tax Slayer) simply wanted to know if the client was on Medicare. If yes, no further questions were asked and no supporting documentation was asked for.
by friar1610
Sun Jan 28, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?
Replies: 44
Views: 6577

Re: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?

Thanks to all who responded - very useful info and perspectives. I’m going to see how the snafu with Vanguard plays out before making a decision. Up until now I I was always one of the people who chined into threads on poor Vanguard service with, “I’ve never had any problems.” I don’t want to overreact to what may be an isolated problem but the older I get the more important not dealing with hassles becomes.
by friar1610
Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?
Replies: 44
Views: 6577

Re: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?

I am a Fidelity client and find it slightly amusing that many are posting about losing the picture of a rep that they don't use or want to use - why is this an issue to anyone? I am not sure I ever had a rep although I have met with the branch manager. I also have his email and phone number to reach him if there are issues I want him or his team to help me out with - for me, having his contact information and a physical location to go to if needed, are the most important. I self manage the accounts, but have asked for advice at times, get the turbotax offer, and appreciate the help they have provided. I don't care that there is no picture on my account when I sign-on. Curious how helpful it is to have a brick and mortar Fidelity office at ...
by friar1610
Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41954

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

srouen wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:38 am Bought workout equipment. I exercise so much more now that I don't have to go to the gym.
For me, that was a positive byproduct of the pandemic. Gym closure drove me to my basement for exercise and I’ve gotten to prefer not having to drive to gym, being on their schedule for classes, paying for membership. Only downside: there are no other people in my basement to kibbitz with.
by friar1610
Mon Jan 22, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41935

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy birthday! Thank you, in particular for your sage investing advice and your WW2 service to our great country.
by friar1610
Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Driving from USA to Canada for international flight
Replies: 18
Views: 1313

Re: Driving from USA to Canada for international flight

[
I think poutine would be a terrible fate for someone wanting a biscuit. :happy
Or anything else.
by friar1610
Fri Jan 05, 2024 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am at 19/81; what should I do, please
Replies: 32
Views: 5352

Re: Am at 19/81; what should I do, please

Chief, I haven’t read all the posts in this thread in great detail, but I get the drift. You and I appear to be similar - debt-free, late 70s but active, retired military living well on pension + SS + RMDs. To me, your AA seems pretty conservative but the good news is that your situation is such that you can pretty much be successful on any AA you choose. Some would recommend you swing for the fences and go with a very high equity allocation because you can . Others would say go conservative because you don’t need to task risk . I come down somewhere toward the mid-point of those arguments and have a 50-50 (give or take) allocation. 40% equity is about as low as I’d want to go. 60% would definitely be the upper limit for me. You appear to h...
by friar1610
Tue Dec 26, 2023 7:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Request for Ibonds redemption strategy
Replies: 9
Views: 1151

Re: Request for Ibonds redemption strategy

I’ve been noodling over a similar “problem” for a while. I have about $130K (face value) in I-Bonds currently valued at around $300K. I will have to pay the piper the majority of the taxes. by 2031-2033 as those are the years when the bonds reach maturity. Don’t have the entire strategy figured out yet. But I’ve decided that next year (2024) I’m going to redeem enough to make a significant dent in a legacy pledge I’ve made to my alma mater. This will take me to top of the 1.4x IRMAA tier but I’ll just have to suck it up. The earned interest on the redeemed bonds will be offset by the corresponding tax deduction so it shouldn’t increase my tax bracket. I’ll probably do the same the following year to complete the pledge. After that I’ll judic...
by friar1610
Mon Dec 25, 2023 8:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]
Replies: 97
Views: 13682

Re: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]

I have a batch of I-Bonds bought back in 2001 when the fixed component of the interest rate was 3.4%. My “good” problem is coming up with a plan to redeem them such that I neither leave too much on the table nor create a tax problem by redeeming too many of them in the same year. I have the same "problem" with I-Bonds purchased from 07/1999 to 02/2002. Of course, some of the issue of leaving too much on the table can be alleviated by reinvesting the gains. For us, SS will kick in starting 09/2028 & 03/2029 respectively. And then RMDs for me in 2031. So I'll spread the sales out over 4-5 years and probably be done by the end of 2030. In the grand scheme of things the absolute amount of dollars given up by selling early wouldn'...
by friar1610
Sun Dec 24, 2023 7:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]
Replies: 97
Views: 13682

Re: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]

I have a batch of I-Bonds bought back in 2001 when the fixed component of the interest rate was 3.4%. My “good” problem is coming up with a plan to redeem them such that I neither leave too much on the table nor create a tax problem by redeeming too many of them in the same year.
by friar1610
Sun Dec 24, 2023 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need advice on cleaning fungus and mold from crawl space...
Replies: 36
Views: 3311

Re: Need advice on cleaning fungus and mold from crawl space...

I’ve read about the first half of the posts in this thread but not all of them. I had a major remediation done in my unfinished, unheated but insulated basement a couple of years ago. There was mold on most of the exposed floor joists and on a lot of stuff I had stored there. The inspector theorized that the building materials had been exposed to cold, wet weather and did not have the chance to dry properly before the basement was enclosed. The basement is very humid in the summer and I was not sufficiently attentive to keeping it dehumidified. The combination created an ideal environment for mold to grow. I had all basement insulation removed, a thorough remediation done (physical scraping/sanding of all floor joists and open wall studs) a...
by friar1610
Fri Dec 22, 2023 4:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Essentially target date funds become too conservative
Replies: 83
Views: 10586

Re: Essentially target date funds become too conservative

Before I found out about total index funds, I was using target date funds. The way I handled the AA was just to choose a more distant date fund. For example, instead of choosing a 2030 fund, I'd choose a 2060 fund. An excellent solution you just have to be knowledgeable enough to do that. I use a life strategy for that reason as my portfolio core. I would hold the assets individually and save a bit but if something happens to me I know rebalancing will happen. My wife has no interest in such matters. We use a Life Strategy fund as the core of our IRAs. (There is a comparable TD fund but we don’t want the AA to change over time). The IRAs also include an additional short-term fixed income slice equal to several years worth of RMDs. That’s i...
by friar1610
Tue Dec 19, 2023 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Instant Pot cooking
Replies: 70
Views: 12365

Re: Instant Pot cooking

Old school pressure cooker is superior because you can use it during a blackout on top of a wood burning stove. I agree, it's one of the items I've stockpliled for the coming zombie apocalypse. Doubles as a nice weapon as well! We got caught in the East Coast super rain/windstorm yesterday and lost power for 24 hours. Fortunately we had a single power line run over from our kind neighbor’s generator and we cycled the power between uses during the period. My wife had been planning on “jacket potatoes” for a light supper anyway. (Baked potatoes served with broccoli and melted cheese.) Thought we were SOL without the oven, BUT…my wife found a recipe for “baking” potatoes in the InstaPot. The skins weren’t as crisp and crunchy as they would ha...
by friar1610
Sat Dec 09, 2023 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Exercises for physical balance]
Replies: 43
Views: 5835

Re: [Exercises for physical balance]

I recently subscribed to a program of daily exercise routines focused on older folks. (I’m 78). At least one day per week is balance/agility. The instructor has an educational video on balance as well and I’ve been trying to incorporate the various balance suggestions into my daily routine (I.e., in the course of daily activity when I’m not formally “exercising). One that I’ve found useful is brushing my teeth while standing on one foot. My electric toothbrush runs for 2 minutes so I break it into 4-30 second segments - right leg for 30 seconds while doing upper outside surface of teeth, left leg for 30 seconds while brushing upper inside surface, same routine for bottom teeth.
by friar1610
Tue Dec 05, 2023 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Uninterested Spouse
Replies: 166
Views: 23704

Re: Uninterested Spouse

I get frustrated by my wife’s apparent lack of interest in investing. Then I think, “How interested am I in routine bill-paying, tracking cash flow, knowing when the property tax bill is due, etc.?” Well, my interest in bill-paying is about equal to her interest in investments. Between the two of us, we’ve got the finances - both tactical and strategic - well covered. When one of us is no longer around, the other will just have to learn. She’ll probably learn investing better than I’ll learn monthly cash management.So I’ve given up in trying to interest her in investing. What I need to do is leave good documentation and as simple a portfolio as possible. This means simplicity trumps optimization (e.g., bond fund instead of bond ladder, life...
by friar1610
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Winter Exercise
Replies: 57
Views: 7670

Re: Winter Exercise

A couple of ideas if you expand beyond the treadmill:

- snowshoeing: great cardio workout and gets you outdoors.

- 2 subscription services for all-around fitness. You’d only need a tablet with Wi-Fi and few dumbbells for equipment:
- teambodyproject.com
- ElderGymAcademy.com

Discovered snowshoeing when I lived in VT and loved it. I’ve since “moved south” (MA) and don’t get to do it as much. Daily Team Body Project workouts in my basement kept me from going to seed during COVID. I’m currently evaluating Elder Gym as a potentially more age-appropriate program (I’m 78). Both subscriptions are similarly priced based on how long you sign up for. (About $15/month for a 3 month plan).
by friar1610
Wed Nov 22, 2023 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?
Replies: 123
Views: 17408

Re: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?

Haven’t been to a gym since COVID - I work out at home now. But back when I did, I used to wear Champion C9 gear, available only at Target. I don’t think Target carries it any longer. Good quality support undershorts, gym shorts and wicking t-shirts at lower prices than the front-line brands. After spinning class (where I got pretty sweaty), I’d swap the wicking shirt for a dry cotton tee to do my weights and stretching. Never thought of the gym as a place to make a fashion statement. I have a neighbor who’s a big cyclist. I understand it if he wears all the cool bike togs for an outdoor ride. But sometimes he’d show up at spinning class and he looked like he was dressed for the Tour de France (including the hat). Tastes vary but I thought ...
by friar1610
Tue Nov 21, 2023 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which down jackets are better/comparable to REI?
Replies: 53
Views: 9263

Re: Which down jackets are better/comparable to REI?

I bought an REI hooded down jacket last season. I like it very much EXCEPT for the zippers. I think they opted to buy the zippers from the low bidder and got what they paid for. Otherwise, it’s warm, comfortable and good-looking. I couldn’t find anything at L.L. Bean that I liked as much (and for years Bean was my “go-to” store for clothing). I think Bean’s quality has slipped in recent years but that’s a topic for another day.
by friar1610
Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coast FI jobs
Replies: 66
Views: 9863

Re: Coast FI jobs

I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned finding something to do as an independent contractor. One example, since the OP mentioned teaching, is tutoring. That can be done online or in person, and the "job" comes with none of the drawbacks of a real teacher position. You schedule the work for when you want to do it, do only as much as you want to do, and tutor only the subjects and kids' age range you're comfortable with (which could include college students). I haven't done it myself, but it seems like it would offer a high ratio of satisfaction to aggravation. One variant of online tutoring that I might personally try when I finally have the time for it is helping high school kids write their college essays. I've done this wi...
by friar1610
Wed Nov 15, 2023 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coast FI jobs
Replies: 66
Views: 9863

Re: Coast FI jobs

This is wear I believe the system is backwards. Teachers, first responders skilled trades should be making the six figure salaries and well I will bite my tongue. Volunteer at at children’s hospital or something like that will be very rewarding to your soul. I was a 28 year Naval officer. In my earlier Navy years I thought teaching would be an ideal second career in that the modest teaching salary would be bolstered by my military pension, summers off, etc. The more I looked into teaching, the more I realized it would not be the right fit for me, at least in the conventional pulic school setting.I’ve scratched the “itch to teach” by doing volunteer adult literacy tutoring in settings ranging from inner-city to my current gig of teaching a ...
by friar1610
Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TD Website - How do I see Fixed rate?
Replies: 7
Views: 793

Re: TD Website - How do I see Fixed rate?

To dispel any confusion:

- I Bonds are the inflation-adjusted Savings Bonds available only through Treasury Direct

- iBonds ETFs are Black Rock’s defined maturity ETFs available via Brokers

Similar names make it confusing but very different products.
by friar1610
Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to donate car?
Replies: 22
Views: 2430

Re: Where to donate car?

I’ve donated a number of cars. The most recent donation was to Good News Garage in Burlington, VT. As far as I know, Good News Garage operates only in New England. It is affiliated with the Lutheran Church (of which I am not a member). Whereas most car donation programs auction off the cars and then use the proceeds for their work, GNG gives the cars to needy families/individuals after making necessary repairs so the cars are safe and serviceable. That way the recipients can have transportation to get to work, shop, etc. I received a very nice than-you note from the recipient of my last donated car. If I ever donate another car it will definitely go to GNG because I am impressed with their mission of helping people to help themselves. goodn...
by friar1610
Thu Nov 09, 2023 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a way to fix this RMD error?
Replies: 5
Views: 990

Re: Is there a way to fix this RMD error?

Thanks. I hadn’t mentioned that the Roth conversion will come from my VG IRA. My gut tells me to KISS by not getting two institutions involved in the same action. I’ll have the credit union put the accidental distro back into the certificate I hold there. Then I’ll convert from my VG T-IRA to my VG Roth IRA. One lesson learned for me is that having all IRA funds at the same institution (VG, in my case) makes life easier. The CU has a much more awkward process for doing QCDs than VG does. At VG it’s a simple internet transaction and - poof! - it’s done. The CU, as much as I like it for routine banking, makes you fill out a paper form for each QCD and then mail/fax it in. The only reason I used the CU for the QCDs was that my lower performing...
by friar1610
Thu Nov 09, 2023 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a way to fix this RMD error?
Replies: 5
Views: 990

Re: Is there a way to fix this RMD error?

Thank you -appreciate it. I verified with the credit union that I can replace the distribution as it’s within 60 days. Just to keep it neat and clean, I’m going to do that and, once that transaction is complete, I’ll do the Roth conversion as a separate event/transaction.
by friar1610
Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a way to fix this RMD error?
Replies: 5
Views: 990

Is there a way to fix this RMD error?

I erroneously took two RMDs of identical (relatively small) amounts from my credit union IRA certificate. My intent had been to complete my RMD for the year with a single distribution of X dollars. Instead I did it twice, adding up to 2X dollars. I had taken a number of QCDs earlier in the year and the single X dollar distribution would have finished me off for this year. So now I’ve taken the required amount plus an extra X dollars by virtue of the 2nd distribution. The amount of the excess distribution is not so great that I can’t live with it. But since I have to pay the taxes on the 2nd distribution anyway, is there any way I can turn it into a Roth conversion after the fact? I suspect not but thought it was worth asking. Surely if ther...
by friar1610
Sun Oct 29, 2023 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Building a House -- Review my modular house floor plan
Replies: 53
Views: 6343

Re: Building a House -- Review my modular house floor plan

Have not read this entire thread.

Based on an A-frame I had and to which I added a deck (on the right side of center) and a “catwalk” (to the left side)…make sure your deck extends far enough out from the house so you can put up a ladder that reaches the peak of the house/upstairs windows without being at too steep an angle. If you can’t do that you’ll be challenged painting and washing upstairs windows.
by friar1610
Tue Oct 24, 2023 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Replies: 115
Views: 13995

Re: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

The bitter truth is the world's appliance manufacturers have combined into a handful of manufacturers which own all the brands.

Likely the components all come from similar places (China etc) and the assembly, it depends.

Oh, you are absolutely right. GE is now “…a Haier company”. (I know this because the recordings I had to listen to during the endless hours waiting on the phone for a customer “service” rep kept telling me so.) Haier is indeed Chinese.
by friar1610
Tue Oct 24, 2023 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Replies: 115
Views: 13995

Re: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

I have not read all the posts in this thread.

See my earlier post re: frustration/dissatisfaction with GE.

viewtopic.php?t=397637&hilit=Refrigerator
by friar1610
Mon Oct 23, 2023 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review- Active-Duty Military
Replies: 24
Views: 3273

Re: Portfolio Review- Active-Duty Military

[ If I play my cards right, I can do 20+ and my post retirement job will be Trader Joes. If not, I'll do 20 and then get something more serious. I'm guessing that I will need to buy/pay for a house post retirement and that will be a big factor with what type of job we take. I've told my wife I'd like to do 20+, but I know it can change in a heartbeat. From what you've described, it seems that this(your) path would satisfy our spending needs in retirement which I guess is the ultimate goal. As for a serious post-military job, I wouldn't know where to begin. I do have a master's from a heavy engineering school, but I haven't done much in the business world. Thanks for the support! Depending on your military specialty you might be surprised h...
by friar1610
Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review- Active-Duty Military
Replies: 24
Views: 3273

Re: Portfolio Review- Active-Duty Military

Everything being equal 0-6 retirement check would have been better than a 0-5 retirement check. But consider assignments with regards to family life too. If there is anything we can do to help you yell. Thanks for your continued service and great job on the savings so far. I really agonized over 05/20 vs 06/20+. Ended up doing 28. Those extra years and higher rank have made a tremendous difference in our post-retirement finances. But, I was very fortunate to have had excellent assignments during those post-20 years. I would have exited earlier without a second thought if there had been any significant negative impact on our family. Clearly you have a long time to consider your options but just try to keep them as open as you can.
by friar1610
Thu Oct 19, 2023 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opinions on ST fixed allocation
Replies: 6
Views: 874

Re: Opinions on ST fixed allocation

Sycamore and southern lucky, Thank you for your suggestions re VTINX vs VSCGX and a ST bond fund. Here is my rationale for the two separate funds. I may well be overthinking things (which I sometimes have a tendency to do). With VTINX I’m at the mercy of the entire equity and bond markets when taking RMD/QCDs. If, as has recently been the case, both equities and bonds are down simultaneously, those distributions are diminished. If I have the separate ST bond fund from which to take distributions, the hit is not as great due to the lower duration. The countervailing argument is that since the IRAs are relatively modest anyway, it won’t make that much difference in the long run. And, over time, things would probably average out anyway. ETA: A...
by friar1610
Wed Oct 18, 2023 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opinions on ST fixed allocation
Replies: 6
Views: 874

Opinions on ST fixed allocation

Would appreciate opinions on the short-term fixed income portion of our IRAs. As a step in portfolio simplification my wife and I have settled on something like the following for our quite modest Traditional IRAs: - Part A: 75% in VG Life Strategy Conservative Growth fund (VSCGX) 40/60. - Part B: about 20% in a stable, short-term, hands-off, conservative fixed-income investment. - Part C: about 5% in the settlement MM fund for the current/next year’s RMD/QCDs This would leave us with an overall 30/70 AA in our IRAs. This would also keep our overall portfolio AA at the desired 50/50-ish. What should we use for Part B and why? - ST Inflation Protected (VTAPX)? Duration 2.5 years. - ST Treasury Index (VSBSX)? Duration 2.0 years. - something el...
by friar1610
Tue Oct 17, 2023 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home exercise / fitness app you recommend
Replies: 26
Views: 2452

Re: Home exercise / fitness app you recommend

Not an app per-se but I found a subscription to teambodyproject.com to be just the ticket when COVID drove me away from the gym a few years ago. For a nominal price* you get access to hundreds of instructor-led workout routines you can do at home and which focus on cardio, resistance, flexibility or whatever. I used my iPad in the basement to access them. Most workouts are in the 20-40 minute range and there are different levels of intensity to choose from.You can sign up for free and get access to a very limited number of workouts to try it out. Or, search for Team Body Project on YouTube where there also a number available for free. When the gym reopened I just stuck with TBP and found that, for me, it was preferable to driving to the gym...