Search found 82 matches

by fleetwdl
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Corrected 1099s?
Replies: 4
Views: 284

Re: Corrected 1099s?

Schwab, again. Not uncommon for them.
by fleetwdl
Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Late 30s checkup- Roth VS Trad
Replies: 14
Views: 1389

Re: Late 30s checkup- Roth VS Trad

DW and I found ourselves with $2M+ in tax deferred (403b, 457, self-directly retirement) as we approached retirement, and now we are facing substantial RMD's and the associated taxes and Medicare IRMAA x 2 penalties as our income did not drop substantially after retirement. If I could have a do-over, I would have paid taxes earlier and used all means available to end up with most retirement investments in Roth. This not only to lower AGI, but also for the inheritance we will be leaving our children. Estimate how much your present Trad IRA will be worth when you are age 73, and what your RMD would be for that year: 2,000,000/26.4= $75,xxx as a rough example.
by fleetwdl
Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retired teachers seek advice moving IRAs to Roth.
Replies: 21
Views: 2107

Re: Retired teachers need some advice on this plan....

There are numerous "steak dinner" "new" Roth Conversion strategies being advertised right now. I see a new one every time I turn on my computer. Each and every one has been an annuity product, and most "give" you a bonus up front to help pay for taxes while converting. They are expensive, complex annuities, which are unnecessary as you can do your Roth conversions without their help. Hopefully, you gleaned this information from the presentation.
by fleetwdl
Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Questions about Whole Life
Replies: 128
Views: 9631

Re: Questions about Whole Life

If you decide to dump the whole life, be sure to secure enough term insurance to protect your family BEFORE you ditch the whole life. You never know when you may become a high risk due to unforseen health issues.
by fleetwdl
Sun Feb 11, 2024 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What types of volunteering do you enjoy?
Replies: 49
Views: 3949

Re: What types of volunteering do you enjoy?

Hospice, mostly serving veterans.
by fleetwdl
Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aftermarket tow hitches?
Replies: 21
Views: 1529

Re: Aftermarket tow hitches?

Stick with brand name. E.trailer usually has choices for you. If DIY you don't want to get one that doesn't fit quite right or needs adjusting. You also don't want to be inspecting the quality of welds to decide if you trust them or not. I've DIY'd drawtite, uhaul and curt with no problems. You don't plan to tow, but things happen and you may want to tow a trailer when kids or grands go to college, parent needs to re-locate to assisted living and wants to keep everything (ask me how I know), or other circumstances. It will be nice to have a hitch that you know and trust.
by fleetwdl
Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?
Replies: 113
Views: 8869

Re: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?

RE Assets: 10%
Other Assets: 90%
Total Assets: 100%

Mortgage Liabilities: 0%
Other Liabilities: 0%
Total Liabilities: 0%

Net Worth: 100%

We're retired.
by fleetwdl
Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Combo car jump starter/air compressor rec
Replies: 25
Views: 2791

Re: Combo car jump starter/air compressor rec

Loser: Stanley. The jump start works OK, but the air pump was only good for a couple of tires before becoming useless.
by fleetwdl
Sun Dec 31, 2023 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Newly divorced: how to find help going forward with my finances
Replies: 22
Views: 3697

Re: Newly divorced: how to find help going forward with my finances

I don't have the answer to your title question, but I have funds with TIAA. I discovered that my contracts with TIAA traditional are not eligible for roll-out. I would have to annuitize them for payout over 10 years. Since I don't need those funds during retirement, I am just leaving them to grow slowly until my death, whereupon my beneficiary should be able to remove as a lump sum (or so a TIAA phone agent told me). On the other hand, I had funds not in Traditional, which I rolled out to Vanguard with no trouble.
by fleetwdl
Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring from managed Ameritrade to self managed Vanguard
Replies: 5
Views: 521

Re: Transferring from managed Ameritrade to self managed Vanguard

I recently completed bringing inheritance funds from my mother's investments, which were held in Schwab. I contacted Vanguard and gave them permission to request transfer from Schwab. A mix of Schwab and other mutual funds and ETF's (18 in all) moved over to Vanguard as shares in the same funds. I then proceeded to sell all those shares and the dollars were dumped into the Vanguard money market settlement fund. I accomplished that on line without help from customer service. I am now investing in a few Vanguard ETF's. The whole thing took a few days, it but was relatively painless.
by fleetwdl
Wed Aug 02, 2023 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WWYD - Car situation
Replies: 59
Views: 5031

Re: WWYD - Car situation

WW I Do? Trade it for a Lexus and never look back.
by fleetwdl
Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Windfall Taxable Invest
Replies: 7
Views: 1000

Re: Windfall Taxable Invest

Thank you all for the answers. I had not considered VT. I had considered gifting children before, and we'll probably increase that along with increasing our charitable giving.
by fleetwdl
Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Windfall Taxable Invest
Replies: 7
Views: 1000

Windfall Taxable Invest

I expect an inheritance windfall of 9xx,xxx in the near future. DW and I are retired and have more than adequate income for life through pensions, SS, retirement accounts, and cash. This extra money would likely just be left to our children. My thought is to just place into tax-efficient ETF's with a mix of domestic and international. This will have to be a taxable account.
I am asking for recommendations for ETF's and for what percent I should consider placing in international. We just turned 70 and are in reasonably good health. Thanks
by fleetwdl
Mon May 15, 2023 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617450

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

I did not drive up to Georgia and write a check for that numbers matching 1969 Corvette big block that I have wanted for about 20 years now.
by fleetwdl
Fri May 05, 2023 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estate Matters - selling vehicles
Replies: 74
Views: 5304

Re: Estate Matters - selling vehicles

Are you using an attorney to guide you through the execution of the estate? They should be able to advise you. When I handled my sister's estate, her car went to Carmax. If the beneficiary doesn't agree to sign off on the execution of the estate, they will be holding up the distributions for everyone, including themselves. Greedy people are seldom patient people.
by fleetwdl
Fri May 05, 2023 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Seeking advice on allocation of retirement savings
Replies: 20
Views: 2081

Re: Seeking advice on allocation of retirement savings

I would not let your present advisor invest for you based on their initial recommendations. Once you have your estate planning documents in place, shop around for an investment advisor. My mother used a company for her investments that charge 0.6% of AUM, and they put her in funds with reasonable rates for active management. Based on your writing it seems that you want an advisor going forward, but you know enough to recognize some of the fundamentals. If you would be comfortable with advising over the phone or web-ex, you might give Vanguard a call and decide if you would like to try their personal advisor service. You could bring your old 403b and your IRA's to Vanguard, and choose either index or active managed funds. When your total AUM...
by fleetwdl
Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used RAV4, CR-V, or Santa Fe?
Replies: 41
Views: 3476

Re: Used RAV4, CR-V, or Santa Fe?

The Rav4. Should be good for 200k with normal maintenance. Never a used Hyundai. If you like the CR-V find proof of recent timing belt change or you'll be looking at a $1k maintenance item almost immediately. We are on our 2nd Rav4. No trouble with either.
by fleetwdl
Mon May 16, 2022 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: share your story about renting out a single family home-good or bad
Replies: 40
Views: 4153

Re: share your story about renting out a single family home-good or bad

We rented out our Florida home for 9.5 years while we lived and worked in Ohio. We had it managed by a realty company for 10% fee. We did not allow smoking or pets. Renters don't care for the home like you will, and we had to replace A/C and appliances and other maintenance work. The management company would check with me before spending over $200 on a repair. The house stayed rented the entire time. We went into it expecting to replace flooring, paint and replace appliances upon return. All in all it worked out pretty well and we paid off the mortgage during those years and moved back into the house. Even though I am handy around the house, I wouldn't rent out the house without using a management company. They handle all the complaints, wh...
by fleetwdl
Tue Dec 14, 2021 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA Subscriber Savings -- 2021 Distribution
Replies: 53
Views: 21779

Re: USAA Subscriber Savings -- 2021 Distribution

I received mine, but it was credited to my insurance bill, which was actually at zero at the time. Also, it was pretty small--I speculate due to all the national advertising that did not used to be necessary.
by fleetwdl
Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife's a teacher, car damaged by school employee, school want us to submit claim on our insurance
Replies: 42
Views: 4704

Re: Wife's a teacher, car damaged by school employee, school want us to submit claim on our insurance

Check your local and state laws. When I worked at a State university in Ohio, I had the displeasure of explaining to people that state law required them to use their insurance first, before the State would cover any of their loss. Public secondary schools may be protected that way also.
by fleetwdl
Tue Nov 30, 2021 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Cost Once-in-a-lifetime "Vacation"
Replies: 196
Views: 23485

Re: High Cost Once-in-a-lifetime "Vacation"

Go for it! You can afford it. Just cash flow it. No loans or any of that other stuff. Congratulations!
by fleetwdl
Tue Nov 02, 2021 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Easement requested by utility company
Replies: 37
Views: 5325

Re: Easement requested by utility company

If I understand your description, I would ask for the line that now hangs over your driveway to also be placed underground. That way you should have no tree maintenance going forward and you won't have electricity hanging over your driveway. This would be a cost to your neighbor, but he gets something of value, as do you.
by fleetwdl
Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you get a raise before being fired?
Replies: 47
Views: 7535

Re: Do you get a raise before being fired?

In my experience there are often good reasons why an employee has been involved with the disciplinary process. Do not listen to that person. As others have written, look at how you've been treated by upper management recently. Feel blessed and soldier on doing great things for your team and your company.
by fleetwdl
Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can anyone help me find a solution to my QCD problem?
Replies: 55
Views: 4427

Re: Can anyone help me find a solution to my QCD problem?

I ran up against the same thing with my mother and her Schwab account. After I wrote a couple of QCD checks from her IRA, they required us to begin going through the request, mail check process that you describe. I think there must be some regulatory requirement that they are responding to.
by fleetwdl
Tue Aug 31, 2021 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Down payment for son's townhouse
Replies: 29
Views: 4016

Re: Down payment for son's townhouse

If he has shown you that he can manage money then gifting him the $50k to reduce his initial debt would be a good idea. Obviously, you wouldn't gift him the funds just to get him in a house that he couldn't afford going forward. Others have given you the tax strategy for the gifting. The loaner will require a letter from you to document the source of the funds. I have done this with both my children to get them up to 20% down on home purchases, and I haven't regretted it. One is even repaying the gift because he wants to.
by fleetwdl
Mon Aug 30, 2021 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's the point of a FSA?
Replies: 65
Views: 5100

Re: What's the point of a FSA?

I've used it for years without failing to meet my chosen expense target. As for filing, I just copy my Blue Cross record of claims which break out the member $ responsibility and insurance responsibility. So complete one form and create one pdf and email to Chard-Snyder. $ shows up in checking account...ez peezy. $650 for 10 minutes work annually. If we ever do not have enough expense as we near the end of the year, we will just purchase those prescription polarized progressive sunglasses that DW has been wanting.
by fleetwdl
Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to become an Adjunct Professor?
Replies: 63
Views: 6338

Re: How to become an Adjunct Professor?

I taught as an adjunct for several semesters at a public two-year college. I did so for the satisfaction of teaching others, as the pay did not begin to cover the time devoted to developing, prepping and delivering the classes. Student reviews can have an effect on your work as an adjunct. A student torpedoed me on the end of year assessment because I would not give him credit for a clearly unsatisfactory answer on a test question. A young staffer in the Dean's Office included that data in a "statistical analysis" of my assessments(class size of 14) and determined that my pedagogy skills needed a lot of work. I found other ways to volunteer my services after that.
by fleetwdl
Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reliability of whole house generators
Replies: 40
Views: 4023

Re: Reliability of whole house generators

I use a portable gasoline powered generator with a transfer switch but...Two of my neighbors have whole house generators, and neither one worked during Hurricane IRMA. When choosing your generator, consider who will conduct maintenance, who is likely to be available for service during a weather event, and who has good access to parts for your generator. Switches, computer boards, starters etc. will sometimes fail at the worst time. Finally, if using propane, do a calculation to determine how long your propane supply will run the generator. When evaluating whether to buy one for my house, I was surprised at the high rate of propane consumption.
by fleetwdl
Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wheel alignment upsell
Replies: 39
Views: 4320

Re: Wheel alignment upsell

I've had new cars that need alignment. By the time you see uneven wear, the tire is shot and will not get better even with alignment. While alignment is a popular upsell, getting it done once is probably worth it. After that you may not need it often unless you are driving in a rough environment.
by fleetwdl
Sun May 16, 2021 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2018 Toyota RAV4 low mileage coolant leak
Replies: 13
Views: 2278

Re: 2018 Toyota RAV4 low mileage coolant leak

Take a hard look at the water pump. Could be weeping and evaporating without dripping. I've replaced a couple of these early on RAV4's. The odor can leak into the interior when this is going on.
by fleetwdl
Wed May 12, 2021 3:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can A Stock Go To Zero?
Replies: 23
Views: 2201

Re: Can A Stock Go To Zero?

I once purchased $1500 of my company's stock at a discount through payroll deduction. I later sold all 375 shares for $1. Not one dollar each, but a dollar total. That was pretty close to zero/share.
by fleetwdl
Thu May 06, 2021 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I-bonds
Replies: 2
Views: 505

Re: I-bonds

Exactly what I wanted to confirm. Thanks!
by fleetwdl
Thu May 06, 2021 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone regret choosing Interest Only Mortgage?
Replies: 22
Views: 2942

Re: Anyone regret choosing Interest Only Mortgage?

This scenario is essentially borrowing money to invest. I would never do that. DR
by fleetwdl
Thu May 06, 2021 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I-bonds
Replies: 2
Views: 505

I-bonds

So I recently purchased $5000 of I-bonds for the first time, and I used a tax refund (joint filing) for the transaction. I know that I can purchase another $10k in 2021 electronically. Can I purchase $10k and DW purchase $10k for an annual total of $25k for household?
by fleetwdl
Sat Apr 24, 2021 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: John Deere D105 mower
Replies: 14
Views: 1429

Re: John Deere D105 mower

I've had one for 4-5 years now. Changed the oil once. Had no problems. I mow about .5 acre, some in the woods. Not commercial grade, but did not cost $4k either. This is Florida so I use it 9 months for grass and then a couple times for getting the oak leaves up.
by fleetwdl
Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $1M / $5M Geico Umbrella Policy in Florida: Are These Numbers Insane?
Replies: 40
Views: 4565

Re: $1M / $5M Geico Umbrella Policy in Florida: Are These Numbers Insane?

Recent quote from USAA $418/$2m. in north central Florida. Would expect higher in Miami or Tampa.
by fleetwdl
Thu Mar 18, 2021 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the BEST thing you spent money on?
Replies: 461
Views: 69273

Re: What is the BEST thing you spent money on?

This isn't exactly adoption so....Helped cover cost of IVF which resulted in twin grandchildren. Best ever!
by fleetwdl
Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps
Replies: 28
Views: 9735

Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Google your brand and model number to determine exactly which unit you have. The 5 chirps vs 1 makes me suspicious that you may have a CO meter or combination smoke/CO alarm unit. My experience has been that the CO sensors tend to go bad and, if so the unit must be replaced.
by fleetwdl
Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why to work more?
Replies: 26
Views: 2349

Re: Why to work more?

Reminds me of earlier in my career when I would do some consulting work outside of my 40+ hour full-time job. After a while it just did not make sense to continue. I was paying both halves of the employment tax plus marginal tax rate on the earnings, and then if I spent the remainder of the earnings it was taxed at 7%. The tax code is constructed to herd the majority(of those willing to work) toward the middle.
by fleetwdl
Tue Mar 02, 2021 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy this 4Runner with my current situation?
Replies: 46
Views: 4420

Re: Should I buy this 4Runner with my current situation?

This may sound a little crazy, but a 2-3 year old Tundra SR5 double cab may be less expensive than a 4runner. The average combined gas mileage will be a couple mpg less, but the truck will be roomy, carry all your gear with a bed topper, and towing would be a breeze. Plus Toyota reliability.
by fleetwdl
Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Keeping a cool head during manic times.
Replies: 20
Views: 2209

Re: Keeping a cool head during manic times.

Your friends who are letting you know how much they are winning will not circle back to tell you how much they are losing when their hot single stock picks suddenly go into the crapper.
by fleetwdl
Wed Feb 03, 2021 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Should I Spend on Estate Planning?
Replies: 33
Views: 2655

Re: How Much Should I Spend on Estate Planning?

Three thousand sounds high to me unless you have them construct some complex trust document. Our situation was similar to yours except with two adult children. We decided upon will vs trust and had all the documents done by a good estate attorney for less than a thousand. We reside in Florida.
by fleetwdl
Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Waiting Till Age 70 to Draw SS
Replies: 129
Views: 11895

Waiting Till Age 70 to Draw SS

I read often that waiting to draw SS past the full benefit age increases the monthly SS payment by approximately 8%/year up to age 70. Does this hold true if one has no reportable earnings during the waiting period? I am 68 and about to retire, and I can easily wait until age 70 to draw SS. I wonder if my monthly payment will still increase 8% with no additional earnings?
by fleetwdl
Mon Feb 01, 2021 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax question: Can I "prepay" 2020 taxes with a 1040 (not ES) payment before filing taxes?
Replies: 23
Views: 2319

Re: Tax question: Can I "prepay" 2020 taxes with a 1040 (not ES) payment before filing taxes?

I have pre-paid several times when I've made large Roth conversions. I just send in the estimated tax for the entire conversion as soon as I convert (I know, not the most efficient). IRS has always accepted the payment and, thus far have had no trouble doing the math later when I file the 1040.
by fleetwdl
Tue Jan 26, 2021 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off Debt or invest?
Replies: 11
Views: 1308

Re: Pay off Debt or invest?

Keep enough taxable for your emergency fund and pay off debt as soon as possible. I would never invest in taxable while carrying debt at 9%--or debt at any percent for that matter. Yes, I follow Dave Ramsey and excluding his investment choices he gives good advice on handling debt. Good luck!
by fleetwdl
Sun Jan 03, 2021 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotels for travel through Georgia?
Replies: 37
Views: 3140

Re: Hotels for travel through Georgia?

I've stayed at Hampton Inn in McDonough, Ga. several times. We have found it to be decent and it is far enough south of the City.
by fleetwdl
Thu Dec 10, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mistook a commercial web page for an official DMV site while renewing registration
Replies: 21
Views: 2723

Re: Mistook a commercial web page for an official DMV site while renewing registration

I first encountered this business model when I lived in Ohio. They are very good at leading you into the bowels of their website. Don't be so hard on yourself. You actually got your fee back, so good on you!
by fleetwdl
Tue Nov 17, 2020 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I may die poor
Replies: 159
Views: 19832

Re: I may die poor

I had about $25k in retirement at age 40, and have a couple $M plus some pension and SS now. Get yourself debt-free and cash flow positive--you'll be fine.
by fleetwdl
Mon Nov 16, 2020 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question about "Maintenance standard" or HEMS in a trust
Replies: 82
Views: 6677

Re: Question about "Maintenance standard" or HEMS in a trust

ilan1h: I have no answer to your question, but a +1 for your taking this issue seriously. Grandpa left a small trust which allowed his second wife(SW)to live off the interest of a principle which would be distributed to us grandkids upon her passing. SW hounded the trustee(my Mother) for years to also give her the principle for her health and maintenance(stated in the trust if necessary)--even after trustee allowed the balance to fall far below the principle for the benefit of SW. We would have gladly given the lady all the funds had we thought she was in need, but she had a habit of giving cash to her "hardly ever working" youngest adult son. SW had a pension of unknown amount from first husband re-instated after Grandpa passed, ...