Search found 37 matches

by ecotone
Tue Aug 31, 2021 11:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any other apps similar to Personal Capital ?
Replies: 22
Views: 2491

Re: Any other apps similar to Personal Capital ?

Seeking Alpha is an option. But PC is nice since you can link to your Zillow home owners page to get a rough estimate of your property value.
by ecotone
Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's your cash position
Replies: 155
Views: 30433

Re: What's your cash position

Sitting at 4% right now. In the process of beefing up my cash position as I have the expectation of a number of large expenses on the horizon (new house, new baby, etc. etc. etc.).
by ecotone
Fri Mar 30, 2018 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resign from job or possible termination
Replies: 76
Views: 12565

Re: Resign from job or possible termination

If you have PTO available, use it and spend the time job hunting.
by ecotone
Sun Mar 04, 2018 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Zealand - Bucket list trip
Replies: 34
Views: 4685

Re: New Zealand - Bucket list trip

My wife and I just got home from 2 weeks in New Zealand. A couple of thoughts: 1. Flying domestically within New Zealand is wonderful. We hopped around the island via Air New Zealand and am so happy we did. Airfares are reasonable, and the airports are very easy to navigate. Plus, on most domestic flights airport security is VERY light. At a couple airports (Nelson & Rotorua) there aren't any security lines for any passengers. It made seeing the islands very easy. 2. Milford Sound (as mentioned above) is wonderful. We stayed in Queenstown and took an Air Milford flight to the air strip at the fjord. It's a lot more expensive than driving yourself or taking a coach, but it's amazing. Plus, if you take an early flight, you beat all the bu...
by ecotone
Mon Feb 26, 2018 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on Credit Cards?? [Credit card vs. debit card]
Replies: 108
Views: 8477

Re: Thoughts on Credit Cards??

Love the cash back cards. I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for my business travel and brought home considerable "free" money last year. Sadly, my company is moving to an American Express card that does not offer cash back. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.

Like others have mentioned the Fidelity 2% cash back card is also really nice. My wife and I use it for anything we can - especially the, mostly, fixed costs associated with our house (weekly lawn care, heating/cooling bills, cable/wifi, etc) - the cash is then deposited directly into our brokerage account. Not spending any more or less, but get the couple hundred bucks each year.
by ecotone
Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick Tax Question
Replies: 4
Views: 542

Re: Quick Tax Question

I removed the confusing language.
by ecotone
Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick Tax Question
Replies: 4
Views: 542

Quick Tax Question

Hoping the folks here can validate that I'm thinking about my family's tax situation properly.

Taxable Income:
His - $178,075
Hers - $66,751
Total Household - $244,826

Our employers would, based on our current salaries, withhold the following amounts from our paychecks:
His - 32% (new tax bill)
Hers - 22% (new tax bill)

We file taxes jointly, so when it comes time to file in CY19, I would expect the following rates to apply:
24% under new tax bill for 2018

Question - should I manually adjust our federal withholding with our employers to mirror the 24% rate that we anticipate paying for CY18?

Thanks in advance!
by ecotone
Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Short Commute or Nicer House?
Replies: 142
Views: 14012

Re: Short Commute or Nicer House?

I’m starting a new job, in the same field, with similar benefits and pay simply for the change in commute. Will go from 10 hours per week down to 1.5 hours per week. Can’t wait spending my additional free time working on the house, and kicking back on the deck.

Commuting for me was something I desperately wanted to do away with.
by ecotone
Tue Jan 16, 2018 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Besides Bogleheads, What Are Your Favorite Forums?
Replies: 113
Views: 24704

Re: Besides Bogleheads, What Are Your Favorite Forums?

Flyertalk
Wine Berserkers
Wine Disorder

(I like wine)
by ecotone
Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will never not upgrade Business travel again
Replies: 21
Views: 4079

Re: Will never not upgrade Business travel again

Buying up to either an EconomyPlus type product or First Class may also earn Premier Qualifying Dollars that help you earn elite status faster. Furthermore, some airlines will change your fare class to a first class (or equivalent) fare which would also yield far more Premier Qualifying Miles and Segments.

I commute weekly from ORD-SAT for work and will upgrade myself to First Class occasionally for the aforementioned statistical benefits. Having a bigger seat, dinner, and drinks helps too.
by ecotone
Tue Sep 19, 2017 9:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the main purpose of rebalancing?
Replies: 59
Views: 6719

Re: What is the main purpose of rebalancing?

My 401(k) provider offers an automatic rebalancing feature (guessing many do...) and I appreciate this feature. It forces me to buy low and sell high once a year. Not the perfect process, but it keeps me (and my portfolio) honest.
by ecotone
Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How many funds in your retirement accounts?
Replies: 56
Views: 6539

Re: How many funds in your retirement accounts?

my workplace 401(k):
VTIAX (international)
VSMAX (small cap)
VFIAX (s&p)
VBTLX (bond)

my rollover roth (held at fidelity):
FUSVX (s&p)
IXUS (international)
AGG (bond)
by ecotone
Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where To Put My Emergency Fund?
Replies: 58
Views: 11176

Re: Where To Put My Emergency Fund?

In the event of a significant power outage, retailers can't verify your checks and may not take them (do you carry checks around with you?), ATMs don't work, and credit cards don't work either. It's happened several times in the U.S. And yes, fire resistant boxes are cheap and easily available. And if you're using an ATM, I'm guessing that at least part of your EF is in a savings account earning next to nothing anyway, but perhaps you have a high yield savings account tied to a debit card. Your concern for earnings is noted, and I share it. That's why most of my EF is invested in Wellesley Income, which generates enough earnings to keep my entire EF well ahead of inflation. Maybe I'm naive, but in a scenario like the one you're describing,...
by ecotone
Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Creating Multiple Streams of Income
Replies: 12
Views: 2919

Re: Creating Multiple Streams of Income

fine wine arbitrage...not as easy as it used to be.
by ecotone
Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 85/15 too aggressive at age 35?
Replies: 104
Views: 23258

Re: 85/15 too aggressive at age 35?

my wife and i are 36 and we are at 85/15. my plan is to reassess at age 40.
by ecotone
Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hospitals are offering their own insurance plans
Replies: 15
Views: 2067

Re: Hospitals are offering their own insurance plans

If it's a slide show I'm not clicking. There are a number of ways to save a few percent here, a few percent there. Often saving means giving up something- choice of provider, option to sue, etc. The real problem is that it costs a lot to treat very sick people. So you can either not treat sick people or spread the cost. No other real solution. i would disagree with this statement. while you're right that it costs a lot to treat sick people, insurance carriers have created incentives for their members to receive preventative care (sometimes, completely for free). additionally, hospitals and health system have spent billions of dollars attempting to identify and engage with patients that may be high-risk (as defined by a wide range of attrib...
by ecotone
Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hospitals are offering their own insurance plans
Replies: 15
Views: 2067

Re: Hospitals are offering their own insurance plans

only some hospitals and health systems are financially sound enough and have the proper network to go this route. consolidation is continuing up and down the system of care as well, so it's natural to expect these provider-sponsored plans to increase.

some mid-tier (usually defined by revenue and available beds...not quality) health systems see these programs as a separate, and highly-lucrative revenue stream (which is highly debatable) and will pilot them with their employees first.
by ecotone
Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you splurge on?
Replies: 133
Views: 18047

Re: What do you splurge on?

Wine. Wine. Wine.

In fact, I was spending so much money on wine that I had neglected feeding my retirement accounts properly. I was recently able to sell a bunch of my wine (for a tidy profit) which I've used to turbocharge my financial situation. Still my biggest financial drain, but I've dialed it back considerably.
by ecotone
Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card to Pay Mortgage Payment
Replies: 32
Views: 5146

Re: Credit Card to Pay Mortgage Payment

When I've been in similar situations, I've used the money to buy birthday gifts/holiday gifts for family members, put the money towards everyday purchases like food or gas. If you're in a major city and have a transit card, you could apply portion of your money to your transit pass too.
by ecotone
Wed Jun 14, 2017 11:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Poll: 401K Match
Replies: 99
Views: 23467

Re: Poll: 401K Match

50% company match on the first 6% of any contribution.
by ecotone
Tue Jun 13, 2017 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rollout Begins for Person-to-Person Digital Payments Backed by Banks
Replies: 25
Views: 5319

Re: Rollout Begins for Person-to-Person Digital Payments Backed by Banks

Been using this service via ClearXchange for since it was rolled out to WF checking/savings holders and it's a great system. I've swapped $ with friends at Chase/BoA (so far) instantaneously using just their email address. Works perfectly.
by ecotone
Tue Jun 13, 2017 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who takes financial chances and why is this forum so financially conservative?
Replies: 139
Views: 21534

Re: Who takes financial chances and why is this forum so financially conservative?

I'm 36 and feel that my approach to saving/investing is more aggressive than much of what I read on here. My assumption is that many people who actively contribute are older than I am, so I am not surprised by the philosophical tilt. I like to plan & study and reading/learning about smart investors personal approach is helpful and interesting...whether or not it falls in line strategically with mine.
by ecotone
Mon Jun 12, 2017 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Market up but funds are down
Replies: 18
Views: 1871

Re: Market up but funds are down

what funds do you own?
by ecotone
Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does anyone feel they missed out on AMZN, NFLX,TSLA?
Replies: 113
Views: 18958

Re: Does anyone feel they missed out on AMZN, NFLX,TSLA?

My wife is not into investing, but a couple years ago we decided to, as a team, decide on a couple brands/stocks that we wanted to invest in. We focused on brands that we use in our daily life and value their services. The exercise was primarily a way for me to try to jump start her interest in investing and we ended up buying shares of NFLX, AMZN, FB, & GOOGL (the now infamous FANG portfolio via Jim Cramer).

We cannot retire on our gains, and the portfolio does have some crazy swings, but I always have a smile on my face when I get a text from my wife quoting a ticker price to me.

:happy
by ecotone
Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me choose an EXPENSIVE* red wine for a gift
Replies: 69
Views: 19613

Re: Help me choose an EXPENSIVE* red wine for a gift

And if you want good quality French wine, be prepared to pay double the price of a similar quality from another country. As a rule of thumb, if you want a good wine, be prepared to pay per bottle more than £15 for a white wine and more than £20 for a red wine. This is what I tell my friends when they ask me about. And stay away of sugar in wine, it is called residual sugar or RS. Where to begin... Good quality French wine does not have to be double the price of similar wines from other countries. I am a wine collector and have no idea where this statement comes from. Stay away from sugar in wine? Again...this is very bad advice. If producers use sugar properly - such as many of the traditional German Mosel Riesling producers (JJ Prum being...
by ecotone
Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a house for the 1st time - what should I look out for?
Replies: 21
Views: 3857

Re: Buying a house for the 1st time - what should I look out for?

if you are looking in an area that receives normal amounts of rainfall, assess the potential for drainage issues in/around your yard.
by ecotone
Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How Much for 529 Plan
Replies: 39
Views: 6195

Re: How Much for 529 Plan

Hogan773,

Are you going to adjust your AA based on the changes at Bright Start? I have an account (no children yet) with, what looks like, a similar AA as you. The new funds look like a good change. Thoughts?
by ecotone
Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [News about changes to the Illinois 529 plan]
Replies: 10
Views: 3748

Re: A Letter From the Illinois State Treasurer

Hogan773 wrote:I was happy to see this email. Illinois' fund expenses were already low-ish to begin with (for the Index options at least) but lower is better, I always say!

I see they changed away from Oppenheimer too. That is a good move and will make some people happy who remember when Oppenheimer screwed the pooch a few years ago.

Do we think that will mean a change in the website etc, or will they retain the same front-end and have Union Bank just take over in the background?
Sure hope so...
by ecotone
Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying first class, business, versus economy.
Replies: 184
Views: 29493

Re: Flying first class, business, versus economy.

I travel fairly often for work; 75,000 - 150,000 miles/year over the past 10 years. It can be a bear being away from friends/family while I travel, but it's nice cashing in points and/or certificates when the family travels. I end up in first class on many domestic flights due to automatic upgrades and domestic first class is not worth paying up for in my opinion. International first/business is different and I don't hesitate bumping myself up via miles, dollars, or a combination of the two. A general rule of thumb is that the United States airlines business/first product is far worse than most of the international airlines. An upgrade to first class on Singapore Airlines or Ethiad is far superior to ANYTHING available on United/Delta/Ameri...
by ecotone
Wed May 31, 2017 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I drink or sell my Pappy 12 year?
Replies: 74
Views: 17550

Re: Should I drink or sell my Pappy 12 year?

i'll buy it. send me a pm...
by ecotone
Tue May 30, 2017 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How best to care for someone who frequently falls
Replies: 32
Views: 4100

Re: How best to care for someone who frequently falls

One quick fix to make mobility easier is to remove any floor coverings (carpet, area rugs) that might be the cause of tripping/falling. This is a commonly overlooked design aspect of many dwellings and is also the cause of many in-home falls.

While this (most likely) will not solve the problem, it may chip away at the cause of the night-falling.
by ecotone
Fri May 05, 2017 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job Decision
Replies: 53
Views: 6116

Re: Job Decision

Take the job. I've found that it's easier looking for a new job while you have one.

best of luck!
by ecotone
Fri Apr 21, 2017 10:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What bond index recommendations for $10K in Roth IRA?
Replies: 11
Views: 1701

Re: What bond index/fund recommendations for $10K in Roth IRA?

25 years is a long time. without knowing much about your investment objectives and current financial situation, i would suggest evaluating a 60/40 equity-to-bond split. something like VTI (45%) VEA (15%) and BND (40%) would (most likely) earn you quite a bit more than the projected 2.75% you quoted.
by ecotone
Sun Apr 09, 2017 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA Rules Question
Replies: 11
Views: 1067

Re: Roth IRA Rules Question

Kevin M wrote:
ecotone wrote:Fidelity keeps reminding me to contribute to it, but my wife and I make more than the $194,000 limit imposed on married couples for Roth contributions.
Are you familiar with the "backdoor Roth" method? Backdoor Roth IRA - Bogleheads

I agree with others that you should seriously consider contributing to a traditional 401k instead of a Roth 401k. The Case Against Roth 401(k).

Kevin
Thanks Kevin - the link you provide re: the negatives of Roth's was very insightful. Appreciate it.
by ecotone
Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA Rules Question
Replies: 11
Views: 1067

Roth IRA Rules Question

Greetings,

Situation: I rolled over a workplace Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA based at Fidelity after leaving my employer last summer. Since then, I have established a new Roth 401(k) with my new employer and contribute to that from every paycheck. Fidelity keeps reminding me to contribute to it, but my wife and I make more than the $194,000 limit imposed on married couples for Roth contributions.

Question: If I were to deposit, say, $100 from my checking account into this Roth account, how is that $100 ultimately treated? When it comes time to remove my money from the account in my 70s, would I pay taxes on the growth of the $100?
by ecotone
Sat Apr 08, 2017 1:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Taking-In $2 Billion a Day in New Cash
Replies: 30
Views: 6914

Re: Vanguard Taking-In $2 Billion a Day in New Cash

Video by Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2017-04-07/vanguard-taking-in-2-billion-a-day-in-new-cash-video "Vanguard Taking-In $2 Billion a Day in New Cash" Vanguard taking in $2 Billion a day in new cash in Q1 2017. Where is the money coming from? Is it being pulled from other investment companies or is it new money flowing into the market? It seems like there is severe asset price inflation. Vanguard's latest projection from their capital assets pricing model is that a 80/20 - 60/40 portfolio has only about 50% chance of returning 4-5% long term. That's IIRC from the latest white paper on their website dated 2017. I think, historically, about 1/2 of the return from the S&P comes from dividends. And that would...