Search found 181 matches

by Soul.in.Progress
Sat Sep 17, 2022 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips to improve executive presence.
Replies: 41
Views: 5843

Re: Tips to improve executive presence.

Similarly shy guys have had some success with local Toastmasters groups. Everybody takes a turn speaking and it should be a mutually supportive group, as everyone has to give the same little talk and everyone is trying to get more comfortable speaking. Often, the problem isn't shyness but simply not liking to talk. Many people can talk, give speeches, etc. perfectly fine. The "problem" is that they don't like doing so, so they don't often choose to do so. They can give 500 speeches and be competent and comfortable doing so, but they still don't want to. This is a distinct problem from being a poor speaker. This! In my career I was a scientist who eventually had to deliver presentations at conferences to very large audiences (1000...
by Soul.in.Progress
Sat Jul 16, 2022 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Would You Leave Over A Lack of Roth 401K?
Replies: 23
Views: 1451

Re: Would You Leave Over A Lack of Roth 401K?

Given how happy you are with other aspects of your job, I know I wouldn’t leave the job over lack of Roth 401k.
How much do you and your SO contribute to each of your Roth IRAs each year? To me, that is an important question here (unless I missed it).
And please don’t say you don’t qualify because that means you haven’t read up on Backdoor Roth.
by Soul.in.Progress
Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reason not to buy iBonds?
Replies: 99
Views: 10273

Re: Any reason not to buy iBonds?

I have a decent amount of I bonds, and buy more each year, but if we’re listing potential reasons not to: I seem to recall a thread from several years ago where people were greatly concerned about the potential for not being made whole if fraud occurred in TD accounts.

If I find that thread I’ll link it here
by Soul.in.Progress
Fri Jun 10, 2022 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay a CFP? What am I doing wrong? 38M/38F/2 kids
Replies: 63
Views: 6969

Re: Pay a CFP? What am I doing wrong? 38M/38F/2 kids

In addition to what others have mentioned wrt better understanding your expenses, I would add that I’m thinking you are under contributing to 401k. That would help you save in taxes, plus be able to put more money away tax deferred while you’re younger. Do you have a reason perhaps for putting more in other investments vs 401k?
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Jun 01, 2022 1:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bummed. Tropical storm likely for South Florida this weekend. Looking to cancel our trip
Replies: 17
Views: 3313

Re: Bummed. Tropical storm likely for South Florida this weekend. Looking to cancel our trip

Sorry about your plans having to change.
I suggest either Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA.
Really charming cities with lots to do, they had a personality of their own.
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the Eiffel tower worth a visit?
Replies: 79
Views: 8151

Re: Is the Eiffel tower worth a visit?

Most definitely it is! Been to Eiffel a few times and walked the stairs each time as far as one could go, then took elevator the rest of the way up. Great experience, much better than waiting in horrendous ground floor lines at the tower.

Also, google for the best place to take a picture of yourself with the full Eiffel Tower in the background (but close enough to be a beautiful shot), because that spot is worth a visit too. It’d be a separate spot from Eiffel altogether, it’s maybe a subway stop or two from the Eiffel Tower stop—I forget the name. Your kids will post that picture for sure!

TLDR rest of the responses.
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reducing retirement $ for family trips: bold idea or bad idea?
Replies: 42
Views: 5348

Re: Reducing retirement $ for family trips: bold idea or bad idea?

Yes, do it!! I don’t know your kids ages but based on your age, I’m guessing they are elementary school age? That’s a fantastic age to increase travel. US and Europe and even Asia and Africa were all great with kids in elemtary and middle school. High school gets busy even with summer activities and there was less chance for us to go as a family during those years.
I highly recommend taking advantage now given your financial stats and pension future.
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu Jan 27, 2022 6:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many times has it been "different"?
Replies: 47
Views: 4825

Re: How many times has it been "different"?

To echo what others have said differently, this is what I believe:

Every decline/crash/sell-off may have a different cause, but the fact it will end (that recovery will happen) is the same.

Actionable TO DO: ignore the headlines, follow your IPS plan, stay the course, rebalance if you’ve hit a trigger, buy and hold, etc

Do NOT do: panic and sell out, stand scared on the sidelines, ignore your IPS or rebalance bands, pay heed to scary headlines, think that it will stay forever down or declining.

I also really like this thread, note the date of it:
viewtopic.php?t=308970
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu Jan 27, 2022 6:25 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy 98th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎂🍰🎉🎊❤️🎁⭐️
Replies: 264
Views: 19411

Re: Happy 98th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎂🍰🎉🎊❤️🎁⭐️

Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Taylor!
Thank you so much for your wisdom and kindness—both come shining through in your posts.
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Building a front porch: regrets and recommendations
Replies: 45
Views: 4739

Re: Building a front porch: regrets and recommendations

coalcracker wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:13 pm Thanks for the thoughts so far, and glad to hear people love their front porch!

We live in a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood and love our neighbors. While we have a great back yard and deck, we miss the random interactions with folks walking by that we used to have from the front porch in our old house. I hope it will be money well spent :D
Friends of ours added a large, covered but unscreened front porch and this ^ is one of the huge side benefits. Besides neighbors walking by and waving or a quick hello, the porch also has a lovely ambience and is a favorite place to be for the family and their guests.
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase 'took' $3800 from my son's account and closed it
Replies: 83
Views: 13573

Re: Chase 'took' $3800 from my son's account and closed it

I’m so sorry that this happened to you/your son. It is incredibly frustrating as we know first hand: a very similar thing happened to my then 19-year old son from Chase. Then it happened at Citi. Then we gave upon big banks and had no problem with DCU :D , which I learned about from this wonderful forum. We had even more money at stake, and I was sweating buckets (probably more than my son even though it was his hard earned money) because I didn’t have trust that the [large] check would arrive in the mail without some possible nefarious interception along the way. It eventually arrived, thank goodness, but the big banks could not tell us why he got flagged other than the fraud dept flagged it (as someone upstream mentioned, banks are weirdl...
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for Europe Trip in July 2022- Iceland, Amsterdam, Brussels
Replies: 31
Views: 2621

Re: Suggestions for Europe Trip in July 2022- Iceland, Amsterdam, Brussels

Re: Netherlands, while in Amsterdam, my spouse and I took one look at the line for Anne Frank's house and decided to skip it. About 10 years ago, when I had a business trip to Amsterdam (and naively thought it would be my only business trip there :mrgreen: ), I was super excited to see the Anne Frank’s house. I had relatively recently read the book (as an adult) and really enjoyed the writing—the ending, not so much :( Because I was going to be presenting at a conference in the afternoon, I only had the morning available to try to see the house. I had found somewhere—I can’t recall whether it was a website or a book—that you could buy tickets online ahead of time and skip the line completely. That worked like a charm, and saved me hugely c...
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu Oct 28, 2021 4:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Asked to change job title - what to pick?
Replies: 14
Views: 2236

Re: Asked to change job title - what to pick?

“Head of “ is at least two levels higher than “senior manager” in three Corps / Megacorps I have worked at. I’d use that in this scenario.

On resume you can use Head of X (Director) or something like that.
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Oct 25, 2021 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Useful items for seniors (80+ years)
Replies: 57
Views: 7011

Re: Useful items for seniors (80+ years)

PoppyA wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 5:53 pm I gave Mom a subscription to international food snack box’s. She’s always been an adventurous eater & seems to enjoy getting a “mystery” box each month.

I wish they had a subscription box for older womens face creams, soaps, etc. Mom has always been a lotion/potion hound when it comes to her face!
My neighbor is middle aged but loves the Ipsy glam bag that comes every month, its versions are listed here: https://www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com ... auty-boxes

I think with Ipsy you can customize to get more of things (like moisturizers) and less of things (like makeup), but maybe your mom will enjoy?
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Oct 25, 2021 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Not ["One More Year"] but Last year - Finally ready
Replies: 37
Views: 6295

Re: What is "OMY"?

calmaniac wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 5:46 pm What is "OMY"??

OMG! Curious people want to know.
One more year, as in one more year of working to stash more money before retiring.
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Master’s Degree and Sunk Cost Fallacy [Edit: Resolved]
Replies: 91
Views: 8231

Re: Master’s Degree and Sunk Cost Fallacy

I am sorry for this hardship and I would encourage you to view it as one more speed bump /milestone (albeit one with emotions and burnout) to achievement of crossing the finish line. I don’t know what field you’re in, but I know that my MS degree changed the trajectory of my career in ways I never anticipated at Megacorp. I had less redundancy in my role over the years, more novelty, definitely more personal satisfaction, more exposure within the industry (customers /conferences), and higher salary. It took me four long years to do it while in my 20’s, since I was working in my full time career job after finishing my undergrad and was doing my MS part time in evenings (homework and study over nights and weekends). I hated also that I had to...
by Soul.in.Progress
Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apple Watch - do you like it / use it?
Replies: 104
Views: 10622

Re: Apple Watch - do you like it / use it?

Texgal17 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:32 pm Are you able to listen to music with the Apple Watch without having your iPhone on your person? Example, out on a walking trail without WiFi, using my Apple AirPods? Can the watch hold your iTunes music on it?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, you sure can! This is one of my primary uses of my Apple Watch. That, plus:
- using the watch to find my Phone (multiple times a day) :oops:
- triaging incoming texts (quick reads)
- tracking fitness
- wallet / Apple Pay
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Oct 06, 2021 3:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do I purchase original artwork?
Replies: 37
Views: 3690

Re: How do I purchase original artwork?

We had a close friend who loved purchasing from https://www.parkwestgallery.com/
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Sep 19, 2021 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alamo Skip the Counter
Replies: 4
Views: 608

Re: Alamo Skip the Counter

Yes!! I absolutely recommend using it if the Alamo at the airport you arrive to supports it. I used it twice this year and it saved a ton of time. The main thing to remember—when you go through the skip the counter preregistration process before your trip—is to goALL the way through the process until you get a barcode. I once apparently didn’t go all the way through (because it was my first time and I must have not noticed there is a final step), and it was the same as not having done it. :oops: So get to that final step where there is a bar code that says something like “show this to the lot agent”, and you’ll get to skip any lines. Also tell anyone on the ground at Alamo that you have “skip the line”, they’ll point you to the fast path.
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone used Avail Car sharing recently?
Replies: 0
Views: 521

Anyone used Avail Car sharing recently?

Hello all!

As I’m looking for alternatives to car rentals at LAX, I’m wondering if anyone has used “Avail car sharing”. https://availcarsharing.com/

It says that it’s backed by Allstate. I thought it might be a good alternative to Turo, since I was concerned after reading some comments in this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=294316

Has anyone used it, and do you get hit with extra fees or other concerns?

Thanks in advance!
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to best experience the Florida Keys?
Replies: 34
Views: 3896

Re: How to best experience the Florida Keys?

Another recommendation for Hawks Cay, which is a resort on Duck Key near Marathon. Nice and central in the middle of the keys, away from party scenes (felt nice and residential), but also had a ton of resort activities: multiple pools on site, dolphin center on-site, restaurants onsite, free bikes, mini golf, soccer, basketball, volleyball all on site, ocean in our backyard which we used our own stand up paddle boards on. No beach per se, but there’s a small man made one for younger kids. We took a day trip to Key west since it’s a little over an hour to get to. We rented a unit with a kitchen.
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu May 27, 2021 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Global Entry Interview conditional approval (365 day clock)...
Replies: 54
Views: 7060

Re: Global Entry Interview conditional approval (365 day clock)...

TimeRunner wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 7:48 pm I had the same experience on GE renewal - 5.5 weeks (completed yesterday) and no interview. But...I would guess that the interview depends on the information you submitted. A reasonable theory is that if you haven't changed addresses, employers (or retired from previous employer of record), didn't change your name, nothing pops on your credit report, customs records, etc, that it would probably pass the screen for a no-interview renewal. If you're flagged, you're forked. :P
Yah, I think those are really great points you raise. My home airport doesn’t have a TTP center on site, so I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to arrange that again!
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu May 27, 2021 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Global Entry Interview conditional approval (365 day clock)...
Replies: 54
Views: 7060

Re: Global Entry Interview conditional approval (365 day clock)...

Because of this thread I discovered that my GE expired last month. I'm not sure what it's going to mean to renew an expired GE rather than a soon-to-be-expired GE, but I guess I'll find out. Filled in the data tonight, waiting for conditional approval now. Oops, based on this thread, I discovered that my GE expired in 2020 also. If it was a normal travel year last year, I would’ve noticed :oops: Anyway, ZinCO, any update on whether the renewal is “smooth” even though yours was expired? Thanks for any insight! As a matter of fact I just checked the Trusted Traveler Program site and I've already been approved (did not receive an email), no interview required. So apparently renewing after expiration is not a problem. Got the email that my sta...
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu May 27, 2021 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting around in Hawaii during Covid?
Replies: 36
Views: 4383

Re: Getting around in Hawaii during Covid?

I was there back in late March. The rental car issue is very real. Also, many Uber drivers weren't working because they were making more staying home on unemployment. This is what our couple of Uber drivers told us and the hotel valets. We actually used taxis a few times in Oahu. When in Maui we had a minivan from Avis. I've been renting cars for over twenty years at many different locations and I've never seen the lines and chaos that I saw in Maui two months ago. Good luck! I was just in Maui in mid May, traveling on a Costco vacation package that included air, hotel, and car. I was worried about what the car situation would be based on what I had read and seen on the news, but was pleasantly surprised to find no lines or chaos at the ca...
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed May 26, 2021 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poor Timing Between Buying and Selling Home
Replies: 23
Views: 2805

Re: Poor Timing Between Buying and Selling Home

Does your area have the situation where buyers are buying sight unseen? If so, you won’t need to get it ready, just get it on MLS. If not, just do the minimal necessary prep. Go over your to do list and comb through it crossing things off.
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed May 26, 2021 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gambled on a trip to Europe
Replies: 59
Views: 8374

Re: Gambled on a trip to Europe

WhyNotUs wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 3:59 pm Another person mentioned Sintra, that was the most touristy place that we went on our trip. We rented ebikes to ride up there and the line of buses was overwhelming. We ended up with a short visit and then got out of there and into the forest nearby and the ocean towns below.
That’s too bad, but good to know if I ever make it to Portugal again :? I was definitely there during a non-tourist month (it was for a business trip), so I guess I got lucky. I don’t remember many other tourists, just the delight of Sintra :happy
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed May 26, 2021 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gambled on a trip to Europe
Replies: 59
Views: 8374

Re: Gambled on a trip to Europe

I agree with others who recommended two places in particular:

- Seville was an unexpected highlight of our family trip to Spain. We ALL talk about wanting to go back there, particularly the old town by the cathedral.
- Sintra was an absolutely delightful experience in Portugal. I would totally go back there again too. It was just a day trip from Lisbon for us—which was enough—but I’m sure one could spend more time there if desired.

Enjoy!!
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Apr 14, 2021 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: events that require unfreezing credit
Replies: 21
Views: 1417

Re: events that require unfreezing credit

IIRC, we had to unfreeze credit for starting a new cell phone plan. But I think there was a promo deal we utilized that caused this. We really wanted to just pay for the phone all at once, but the math on the promo deal saved a non trivial amount, so we opted to do the promo. It was several years ago so I don’t remember the details other than we had to unfreeze credit.
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pre-retirement to-do list
Replies: 31
Views: 4337

Re: Pre-retirement to-do list

Lots of great input upthread, and I would add something I learned from Bogleheads before I early retired: apply for a home equity line of credit if you own your home. Although I was well prepared with my emergency fund, asset allocation, and fixed income amount in case of any major event, it was nice to know that I had another backup fund source to tap just in case. And I believe the HELOC is much easier to get if you’re employed.
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Global Entry Interview conditional approval (365 day clock)...
Replies: 54
Views: 7060

Re: Global Entry Interview conditional approval (365 day clock)...

ZinCO wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:03 pm Because of this thread I discovered that my GE expired last month. I'm not sure what it's going to mean to renew an expired GE rather than a soon-to-be-expired GE, but I guess I'll find out. Filled in the data tonight, waiting for conditional approval now.
Oops, based on this thread, I discovered that my GE expired in 2020 also. If it was a normal travel year last year, I would’ve noticed :oops:

Anyway, ZinCO, any update on whether the renewal is “smooth” even though yours was expired? Thanks for any insight!
by Soul.in.Progress
Sat Feb 20, 2021 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: No Heat Foods?
Replies: 92
Views: 6253

Re: No Heat Foods?

Some ideas that weren’t mentioned yet (or I missed if they were):

- Pita bread and hummus (or pita chips).
- Any tortilla wrap-type sandwich with hummus and loaded with vegetables
- Tacos with either flour or corn tortillas (both don’t have to be warmed up), lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, and if you want to use I heated black beans from a can (though I usually heat canned beans)
- chicken salad on croissants (chicken salad made from chicken from a can, plus mayo, celery, etc)
- a caprese or burrito salad with tomatoes, balsamic dressing, burrata or fresh mozzarella, basil, ...
by Soul.in.Progress
Fri Jan 01, 2021 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Critique my 2020 spending
Replies: 74
Views: 5360

Re: Critique my 2020 spending

OP, I don’t see categories for personal,care, such as haircuts for the four of you, hair color (if your wife gets hair color or highlights), or if your wife gets manicures, waxing, etc. Do you have a teen daughter, or only sons? Because if you have a teen daughter, it’s possible that she has some of these personal care expenses too. I raise this because it wasn’t listed in your expense list, yet it could be something your wife is spending on if you’re unable to see where she’s actually spending money. And I think some level of personal care expenses are certainly reasonable. I personally find it odd if one person in a marriage hides spending, but that’s just me. Otherwise, expenses look reasonable (we choose to have less subscriptions than ...
by Soul.in.Progress
Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is this Vanguard "transition" e-mail legit?
Replies: 29
Views: 4594

Re: Is this Vanguard "transition" e-mail legit?

One way to tell it’s legit is that it doesn’t tell you to “click the button or link below”, or “claim your million dollar prize by calling this <unrecognized> number”, use a fear tactic like, “ your PayPal account has been hacked“, nor indicates that you have “to respond within 24 hours.” It tells you to simply log onto vanguard.com and follow the instructions once you’re inside; it also calmly tells you why they’re doing this change and doesn’t make it urgent.
by Soul.in.Progress
Fri Nov 13, 2020 7:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taylor Sends His Best to Fellow Bogleheads
Replies: 334
Views: 34163

Re: Taylor Sends His Best to Fellow Bogleheads

You’re looking great, Taylor!

Hope you’re back on your feet, feeling great, in no time :happy
by Soul.in.Progress
Fri Sep 18, 2020 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toddler Education
Replies: 43
Views: 2999

Re: Toddler Education

Introductory Board games:
Candy land (a classic)
Hullabaloo. (Super fun!!)

Legos (the toddler size ones)
Any kind of building blocks or building sets for tiny hands, there are so many.

A play kitchen with play food and pots and pans.
Helping you in the kitchen too.

Household tasks (indoor or outdoor) with their own size broom for example, or rake, etc

Play doh and associated sets

Puzzles with large pieces are excellent for learning

Activity books like dot to dot are perfect starters for toddlers.
by Soul.in.Progress
Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this guy trying to scam me on a car I'm selling?
Replies: 172
Views: 16870

Re: Is this guy trying to scam me on a car I'm selling?

I don’t trust any strangers who try to butter me up without even knowing me. Too suspicious.

I am definitely voting scam on this one.
by Soul.in.Progress
Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Positioning for retirement at 55
Replies: 15
Views: 2785

Re: Positioning for retirement at 55

The answer to this goal (for me anyway) was definitely a taxable account. You’re doing wonderfully with 401k, home equity, and are on your way with 529s. And I agree with the comments above about backdoor Roth. Above and beyond these, considerable savings in taxable enabled my retirement by 45, and you obviously have savings habits that will enable you to build up taxable over the next 15 years.

This will also allow you to read and act upon all the tax loss harvesting advice from Livesoft :D
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Sep 06, 2020 10:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Leaving your job: quitting for good vs sabbatical leave
Replies: 46
Views: 4501

Re: Leaving your job: quitting for good vs sabbatical leave

I can totally relate as I went through a very similar situation several years ago: had the prestigious job that most people would never think of leaving, liked many aspects of my role and what I actually did for wok, but had also been in a burn out stage and was financially independent. Add to that that I had some changes in management and other megacorp politics that made me think daily of “why am I still here [in what feels like a toxic environment] if I don’t need to be?” It definitely felt like a huge dilemma because as I said, I had reached a pinnacle and also liked so many things about my job. The reality is, and perhaps this will be helpful for you to consider, is that when I was in the middle of it, I couldn’t clearly see what else ...
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Aug 16, 2020 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best HSA Provider for Rollover
Replies: 31
Views: 2028

Re: Best HSA Provider for Rollover

Fidelity was super convenient for our HSA transfer needs, and had great options for investments.
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Jul 22, 2020 9:00 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3606
Views: 562314

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

Grt2bOutdoors wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2020 7:36 pm
whodidntante wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:04 pm This gambler paid off the mortgage yesterday. I expected a brief moment of elation but it was anticlimactic. I've felt more excitement walking away from a poker table with a couple grand more than I came with. Maybe one of y'all can feel the excitement for me. :beer
Congratulations. The elation will come when next months mortgage payment goes into your taxable account instead of the bank!
Well said!! And congratulations, whodidntante!!
by Soul.in.Progress
Mon Jul 06, 2020 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Manager vs. Direct report salary issues
Replies: 155
Views: 23100

Re: Manager vs. Direct report salary issues

Wow, not sure if this is an industry thing, but common sense says a manager makes more than direct reports. If it is a field where managers are usually former contributors who have been promoted up, then that makes sense in general. But there's always going to be a few indispensable workers who have outlier salaries and don't want to be managers. I don't see that's it's common sense that my boss has to make more than me just because he signs my time card. What is the point of becoming Mgr and taking in more stress and responsibility if total compensation isn’t better in some significant way? Just depends on the situation and the field. Managers aren't always former worker bees who got promoted up some fixed scale. In some fields managers a...
by Soul.in.Progress
Thu Jun 18, 2020 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I am beginner, it's hard to decide when to buy.
Replies: 41
Views: 2772

Re: I am beginner, it's hard to decide when to buy.

If the money is pegged for retirement and since you are 28, there is no need to make a “decision” on when to buy. The answer is now. Over the long haul, you’re likely to gain more by being in the market longer (which is why you should buy now), vs waiting for a day when the market is down.

Your “original idea was to leave it alone after invest. Then focus on my work.” was a wining idea, times 1000. This has two benefits:
1 - helps you get started on the path to tune out the noise, buy and hold, ...
2- focusing on work may result in increased career income, which is a win
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun Jun 14, 2020 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prenup? What Should It Say?
Replies: 233
Views: 15031

Re: Prenup? What Should It Say?

I find this thread very interesting. OP, I agree with folks who are advising you to reflect more, before making big decisions that impact finances. I don’t have specific comments on your original post question, but one idea for getting a close up view of dividing assets might be to watch the movie “marriage story” and also reflect on it. This isn’t relationship advice, it was a real eye-opener for me and probably anyone else who hasn’t gone through a divorce—it covered both the emotional as well as financial effects. It’s a well done movie and also has a child involved; might help you think about language and type of lawyers for a prenup. I wish you three the best in your situation, whatever that may be. Also, am I the only one here that is...
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is my thinking out of line with NOT funding a 529?
Replies: 41
Views: 3572

Re: Is my thinking out of line with NOT funding a 529?

As others have said, it’s certainly not a requirement to fund a 529. However, with your plan to cash flow college, how certain are you that cash flow will be coming in at that time? In other words, how stable is your employment?
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed Jun 10, 2020 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset allocation for Vanguard 529
Replies: 5
Views: 631

Re: Asset allocation for Vanguard 529

This is a decent plan, and you can also consider using the glide funds were Vanguard automatically does the above for you. You might think ages three and one are busy, but oh, just wait till they’re older :D . The Vanguard glide funds sort of take care of it for you, so it’s one less thing for you to have to remember to do
by Soul.in.Progress
Tue Jun 09, 2020 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: investment priority recommendations - what do we fund next?
Replies: 38
Views: 1673

Re: investment priority recommendations - what do we fund next?

Congrats on a great start and a clear plan! My vote would be to increase number seven and my thinking goes as follows: the money you would otherwise put towards number five and six—if now redirected to number seven—could theoretically double by the time you have to pull it out for college payments, and that would cover almost one year of college. If you didn’t have other contributions to retirement already going in, I would’ve not recommended this; however since you’re already putting away money to retire (items 2-4). To be clear, I wouldn’t “trade” college funding for retirement savings, but since you are continuing to save for retirement, the next priority for me would be putting college money away to compound. You’ve got more time for re...
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun May 31, 2020 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fraudulent charges... Getting really tired of the number of times this happens and resulting hassle.
Replies: 70
Views: 7564

Re: Fraudulent charges... Getting really tired of the number of times this happens and resulting hassle.

Also be wary of any merchant—where you transact in person—who says “my card reader is not working correctly at the moment (or seems to be flaky today), can I see your card?” If they need to manually enter in your card information including the CVV number, they could be a middle man selling CC numbers. I had this personally happened to me at a hair salon (it was the only place I used that specific credit card for that was a non auto-pay transaction), and voila! The fraudulent charges stopped after I stop using that salon :annoyed and changed out my credit card. A friend of mine also had the same situation happen at a tourist spot he used on an annual vacation (getting asked to see the card for an in-person transaction and then fraudulent cha...
by Soul.in.Progress
Wed May 27, 2020 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College tuition- DIY or pay a professional?
Replies: 15
Views: 2509

Re: College tuition- DIY or pay a professional?

I recommend that you invest it yourself. From your post it seems you’re not a newbie to investing. Your approach seems reasonable to me. You can also use a target date fund or a Vanguard 529 glide path fund as others have mentioned. We’ve been very happy with the gains in our 529s, and no taxes on withdrawals.

If you use an advisor, then you’d very likely be helping to pay for his or her child’s college tuition in addition to your own. Do you want that?
by Soul.in.Progress
Tue May 26, 2020 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Move HSA to Fidelity or Elsewhere?
Replies: 39
Views: 4748

Re: Move HSA to Fidelity or Elsewhere?

I was very glad to get out of Optum bank for our HSAs. When I did my research, Fidelity seemed to offer exactly what I was looking for: no minimums, no ongoing fees, lots of low cost index fund choices, and excellent online service. I was able to transfer two different HSAs by a few online clicks and was very happy that it was straightforward, simple, and also that it is now part of a portfolio view along with some other accounts that we have at Fidelity.
by Soul.in.Progress
Sun May 24, 2020 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Instant Pot users here?
Replies: 165
Views: 22994

Re: Any Instant Pot users here?

I’m very attached to mine! I cook a ton, and it has been easily the handiest thing ever to come into my kitchen besides an assistant chef :D There are several things I love about it, the most important being the fact that it is mostly hands off, as opposed to standing over/near a stove and having to stir things. I also love the fact that I can sauté before sealing it up for the pressure cycle. The fact that flavors get sealed in, its mostly dummy proof, things like lentils and beets cook faster than over the stove, and there is just one pot to wash at the end are all bonuses. I have made many soups, many curries, rice, lentils, quinoa, oatmeal, pasta dishes, beets, chicken recipes, and am always on the hunt for anything else that I can try ...