Search found 67 matches
- Tue Jan 02, 2024 4:28 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
- Replies: 3606
- Views: 562131
- Sat Jul 15, 2023 9:05 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How many years prior to retiring did you start moving a % of retirement into Bonds?
- Replies: 81
- Views: 8749
Re: How many years prior to retiring did you start moving a % of retirement into Bonds?
Not retired yet but plan to do so in the next 3yrs or so.
I was 70/30 in March 2020. I had decided that was my sweet spot based on risk tolerance.
In April 2020, moved all bonds in my 401k into VTI and became 100% stocks against my better judgment but it worked out I just started buying bonds this year to get back to my target allocation. I will need to add bonds to my taxable to get to 70/30.
I was 70/30 in March 2020. I had decided that was my sweet spot based on risk tolerance.
In April 2020, moved all bonds in my 401k into VTI and became 100% stocks against my better judgment but it worked out I just started buying bonds this year to get back to my target allocation. I will need to add bonds to my taxable to get to 70/30.
- Fri Jun 23, 2023 11:04 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Finding the Financial Adviser Who Knows Taxes
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6561
Re: Finding the Financial Adviser Who Knows Taxes
You can try Allan Roth, he is a CPA and CFP. Looks like he is taking on new clients ($450/hr or project based) https://daretobedull.com/services/ Investment Advisory – Reengineering your portfolio using efficient and effective products designed to lower fees and taxes and, therefore, build significantly more wealth for you. Portfolio construction to lower risk and increase expected returns. Tax efficiency – investing is simple – taxes aren’t. Portfolio simplification for ease of management. Redeployment of trapped underperforming assets (e.g. expensive variable annuities). Redeployment of cash to highest paying alternatives. We offer potential clients a brief review to help us both determine if Wealth Logic can provide value. Believe it or ...
- Tue May 09, 2023 12:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: No SAT required in college
- Replies: 61
- Views: 5529
Re: No SAT required in college
Yeah, I did find that both UF and FSU require SAT or ACT scores. Not in CA but DD wants to try few out of state schools, UCs and UF are on the list
- Tue May 09, 2023 12:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: No SAT required in college
- Replies: 61
- Views: 5529
Re: No SAT required in college
This topic is very near and dear to me as I have a rising senior in high school and have been collecting data on schools.
So far we have found the following
1. Test Blind - in our list only the UCs are test blind
2. Test Optional - considered if submitted as part of the their comprehensive review
3. Test Optional in name only - they expect students to submit test scores and highly recommended
4. Test Required
Couple of schools in our list provided stats that 42% of incoming freshman class did not submit test scores. Most schools seem to land in #2 or #3 in our list.
DD is going to take SAT and ACT again to see if she improves her scores and then decide to either submit or not.
So far we have found the following
1. Test Blind - in our list only the UCs are test blind
2. Test Optional - considered if submitted as part of the their comprehensive review
3. Test Optional in name only - they expect students to submit test scores and highly recommended
4. Test Required
Couple of schools in our list provided stats that 42% of incoming freshman class did not submit test scores. Most schools seem to land in #2 or #3 in our list.
DD is going to take SAT and ACT again to see if she improves her scores and then decide to either submit or not.
- Thu May 04, 2023 3:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: In Hindsight, did you retire at the right time?
- Replies: 109
- Views: 12905
Re: In Hindsight, did you retire at the right time?
I moved up my target to 50 as well. Looking forward to it, 3 more years to goWannaretireearly wrote: ↑Thu May 04, 2023 3:30 pmKenai, you are my idol! I am 5 years away from 50 & cannot wait.
- Thu May 04, 2023 3:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Will We See 20 Year Old Hybrid Cars?
- Replies: 178
- Views: 22218
Re: Will We See 20 Year Old Hybrid Cars?
Another data point, we had a 14yr old camry hybrid going strong on original battery until 2 months ago when it got totalled by the insurance company.
We did get dinged on the value of the vehicle due to it being hybrid with 150k miles on it but that did not deter us from getting another hybrid
We did get dinged on the value of the vehicle due to it being hybrid with 150k miles on it but that did not deter us from getting another hybrid
- Mon May 01, 2023 10:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car Buying Agent
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1822
Re: Car Buying Agent
This is the complete opposite of my experience trying to find a Venza XLE for my daughter. I did eventually find one after looking at dealers in the 500 mile radius but not less than MSRP but w/o the dealer added junk. I am curious which part of the country are you at, if you can share. Thanks
- Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a car in 2023
- Replies: 124
- Views: 17286
Re: Buying a car in 2023
We are in the market for a new car as well. It really depends on the brand for supply. My daughter wants a hybrid, so the choices were limited. Honda had supply but my daughter did not like the drive. She chose a Toyota model as mentioned by Jack, they are the worst hit by the supply issues. Here's the process I am following I used Google maps to find Toyota Dealers in the 300 to 500 mile radius and look at their inventory (cars.com or autotrader search were not helpful at all), some dealers are good about marking "sale pending". I found dealers at major cities were pre-sold and had a long waitlist, we found vehicles in rural areas but the color combination did not work for us. In my search so far found there are 3 types of deale...
- Tue Apr 25, 2023 8:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a car in 2023
- Replies: 124
- Views: 17286
Re: Buying a car in 2023
This is interesting, I have never heard of this service. How much do they charge ? How long did it take? I assume it depends on the brand too.
- Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a car in 2023
- Replies: 124
- Views: 17286
Re: Buying a car in 2023
We are in the market for a new car as well. It really depends on the brand for supply. My daughter wants a hybrid, so the choices were limited. Honda had supply but my daughter did not like the drive. She chose a Toyota model as mentioned by Jack, they are the worst hit by the supply issues. Here's the process I am following I used Google maps to find Toyota Dealers in the 300 to 500 mile radius and look at their inventory (cars.com or autotrader search were not helpful at all), some dealers are good about marking "sale pending". I found dealers at major cities were pre-sold and had a long waitlist, we found vehicles in rural areas but the color combination did not work for us. In my search so far found there are 3 types of dealer...
- Thu Apr 06, 2023 3:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1216
Re: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
Ah, that makes sense. I never worked for a company that had after -Tax match. I was hoping for the match up to 22.5K in Roth 401K, will see if that does happen. Thanksmarcopolo wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 2:05 pm
The new law allows matching in Roth 401k for contribution below the elective limit ($22.5k for 2023).
Prior to that, matching on the contributions below the elective limit had to go into a pre-tax account.
That is very different than the after-tax contributions (above the $22.5 limit). The matching for that has always been allowed by the IRS (i got them for many years), but not all plan allowed them.
- Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1216
Re: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
That's interesting, I wasn't aware of it.
WCI Secure Act 2.0 Changes excerpt wrote: Roth Matching Contributions
Starting with the passage of the Secure Act 2.0 at the end of 2022, employers will no longer have to use pre-tax dollars to match the contributions of 401(k) participants. They will have the option to make Roth matching contributions. Presumably, this will also apply to the entire contribution to solo 401(k)s and to profit-sharing contributions (including partner self-matches). This may even eliminate the need for anyone to bother with the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA process.
- Thu Apr 06, 2023 11:32 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1216
Re: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
As per the Fidelity rep Employee contributions go first then the match. I have not tried it though.
Our company still hasn't started matching in After Tax 401k which the Secure2.0 does allow, hoping that changes next year
- Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1216
Re: how does the $66,000 IRS Annual Additions Limit work with mega backdoor Roth?
I have the same issue and have to manage the After-Tax contribution to not exceed your limit to not lose Employer Match. Fidelity is our 401K provider and I call them each year to see if they can provide this feature, shouldn't be hard but they don't seem to be interested
So every year I get close and lose about $100 to $300 short of the max. I also need to account for the pay raise mid year for the pretax and match.
So every year I get close and lose about $100 to $300 short of the max. I also need to account for the pay raise mid year for the pretax and match.
- Thu Jan 26, 2023 10:41 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If you are TRULY financially independent, why would you still work?
- Replies: 427
- Views: 40895
- Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:27 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Working after Financial Independence
- Replies: 307
- Views: 32115
Re: Working after Financial Independence
Congratulations KlangFool ! :sharebeer I am happy for you, have followed your threads with interest. This time you control your destiny and can leave on your terms if you aren't happy with the situation. We are almost FI (~45x Exp - > Goal is 50x) earlier than expected. Things that keep us working a) We are still young (early/mid forties) and life can happen b) health insurance and college costs c) Work is not stressful, so keep chugging along. Every year we add about 2 to 3x Expenses with just the savings due to RSU vesting. Portfolio growth is now more than the savings last few years as the crazy ride continues. At this point it's just the fear of unkown that keeps us going as we are still glass half empty when it comes to life as we were...
- Wed Feb 05, 2020 12:30 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
- Replies: 22381
- Views: 2119085
Re: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
I am not a big fan of percentage asset allocations for people once they reach financial independence. I think when you near that point you should start measuring risk in dollar terms. That's interesting...what's your thinking on that. Here is another thought. I you are financially independent with a $1,000,000 50/50 portfolio you have $500,000 equities for long term growth and $500,000 for fixed income for safety. Well you portfolio grows to $1.2 million, with 50/50 you would go $600,000/$600,000. But stop and think about it. If you were FI at $1 million 50/50 you essentially said you only need $500,000 equity risk to be FI so at $1.2 you could go $500,000/$700,000. On the other hand you had also determined you only needed $500,000 fixed i...
- Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:39 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Sad news: LadyGeek's husband has passed
- Replies: 352
- Views: 37260
Re: Sad news: LadyGeek's husband has passed
I am very sorry for your loss. May God give you the strength to get through this tough time.
- Wed Dec 11, 2019 10:09 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: After-tax 401k Strategy
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2625
Re: After-tax 401k Strategy
Here's something to think about or ask your 401K provider as Fidelity (my 401K) provider did not take care of it.
57K = 19.5K + Employer match + After-Tax 401K
When I front load my pre-tax 401k, Fidelity would stop @ 19.5K but that's not true for After-Tax, there is no limit for it other than 57K total. So if I am not careful about my After-Tax contribution, it will eat into my employer's contribution and I will loose the match.
57K = 19.5K + Employer match + After-Tax 401K
When I front load my pre-tax 401k, Fidelity would stop @ 19.5K but that's not true for After-Tax, there is no limit for it other than 57K total. So if I am not careful about my After-Tax contribution, it will eat into my employer's contribution and I will loose the match.
- Mon Nov 11, 2019 4:39 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
- Replies: 3606
- Views: 562131
Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Congratulations! We all are guilty of moving the goal posts but when the time comes you will know , enjoy
- Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What car fits comfortably 3 adults with luggages?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 4464
Re: What car fits comfortably 3 adults with luggages?
We usually carry belts for all the suitcases as the airlines handle them poorly. The two bags in the front passenger are tied together and the seats are pushed forward so they don't have much movement. When you brake hard the bags don't move much if at all tend to move forward and not towards the back seat.BogleMelon wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:18 am Aren't you guys worried that during an accident or even a very hard brake these bags will fly free inside the cabin, injuring the passengers?!
Yes, some one can hit us from the side then all bets are off. oh well , life is too short enjoy it
- Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What car fits comfortably 3 adults with luggages?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 4464
Re: What car fits comfortably 3 adults with luggages?
We make trips every other year to South East Asia, 4 checked bags is very common. We sometimes do 6 bags
In my camry (non-hybrid) , I can easily fit 4 checked bags and 2 cabin bags with one car seat, a teenager and my wife
The trunk can take 2 checked bags fairly large suitcases and 2 cabins. In the front passenger seat I can easily put the 2 checked bags and any other misc stuff. 2 kids and wife sit in the back seat. Airport is about 70 miles from our home and we make this trip pretty comfortably.
Not sure what size are your sedans but you should have plenty of room.
In my camry (non-hybrid) , I can easily fit 4 checked bags and 2 cabin bags with one car seat, a teenager and my wife
The trunk can take 2 checked bags fairly large suitcases and 2 cabins. In the front passenger seat I can easily put the 2 checked bags and any other misc stuff. 2 kids and wife sit in the back seat. Airport is about 70 miles from our home and we make this trip pretty comfortably.
Not sure what size are your sedans but you should have plenty of room.
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: laddering life insurance
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1834
Re: laddering life insurance
Makes sense, thanks.bling wrote: ↑Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:30 pm you are correct. in my spreadsheet i used a target salary that i want to replace, calculated how much money i would have saved, plus investment growth, and ended up having this weird ladder thing that i have. it's an imperfect science. but basically, due to compound interest, investments grow faster and faster, so the insurance needs drops the same amount, hence why my ladders are the way they are.
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wife's car hit in a parking lot - how to deal with various issues?
- Replies: 67
- Views: 7246
Re: Wife's car hit in a parking lot - how to deal with various issues?
I own a 2002 Camry with 167K miles, last year I was rear ended by a teen driver. The kid called his Dad and he was the phone with me trying to pay out of pocket.
It was just a bumper replacement.. estimate was $900, he did pay me, so it all got worked out.
Your situation seems complicated as the 2nd estimate will definitely total the car , the value is around 3 to 5K , so $1600 shud be fine if true. The issue maybe if they find more damage when they replace the door then the estimate could go beyond the value of the car.
It was just a bumper replacement.. estimate was $900, he did pay me, so it all got worked out.
Your situation seems complicated as the 2nd estimate will definitely total the car , the value is around 3 to 5K , so $1600 shud be fine if true. The issue maybe if they find more damage when they replace the door then the estimate could go beyond the value of the car.
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car
- Replies: 945
- Views: 150249
Re: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car
Close to 167K on my 2002 Camry, still runs like a charm but burning oil lately, need a quart about 1000 miles.
Wife's car just crossed 115K , that's a 2010 Camry Hybrid.
Wife's car just crossed 115K , that's a 2010 Camry Hybrid.
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: laddering life insurance
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1834
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 6:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: laddering life insurance
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1834
Re: laddering life insurance
I am curious as to why the amounts are based on the Annual income vs Annual Expenses and time to FI. When I did this last year, I ended up with laddering based on 1st Kid getting launched and paying off the mortgage for the 1st 10. Second one for 20Yr, for the 2nd kid and also accounting for FI for the Spouse if she chooses not to work for rest of her life.
If the stock market continues the climb and the savings rate stays the same, I might cancel the 20Yr after full FI.
- Mon Oct 28, 2019 1:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 15 vs 20 year term life???
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2843
Re: 15 vs 20 year term life???
$1300 vs $1800 a year. Also my employer provides a $1M policy as a benefit until retirement. By age 59 my daughters will be 26 & 23 y/o so by then our financial obligations should be lower. These prices seem high. I got two policies worth 1M each for 10yr and 20Yr term @ the age of 42 for $470 and $750 per yr from term4sale.com You might want to check them out to compare the prices with your broker. W.r.t 15 vs 20 yr, you are correct that 15yr should be sufficient for the kids to be out of school and launched in life. Few things to consider - Does the spouse work ? - Can your spouse live w/o having to work ? - Also consider increased expenses to outsource the things you would have done around the house - Cheaper to get insurance now th...
- Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hybrid w/CVT or Non-Hybrid 8 speed
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2049
Re: Hybrid w/CVT or Non-Hybrid 8 speed
My wife drives a 2010 Camry Hybrid (118K miles) that we bought new in 2009 , so far the battery is doing very well and just regular maintenance. We were concerned about the 8yr battery warranty as well. We are looking at the Highlander Hybrid 2020 to replace my 2002 Camry (160K miles) when available in the spring. My concern is that the 2019 Hybrid had 300 HP but 2020 only has 240 but better fuel efficiency. We will need to test drive it and decide. Rav4 Hybrid on the other hand has 219 HP compared to 203HP for the non-hybrid and better fuel efficiency. You might be aware of the 3/4 tank fill issue with RAV4 hybrids , not sure if it's fixed in the 2020 RAV4s but it's concerning that both Toyota and Honda don't seem too concerned with issues...
- Fri Sep 27, 2019 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Efficient way of transferring Euro to USD
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2028
Re: Efficient way of transferring Euro to USD
+1 , I have used Transferwise for Europe and Asia. The rates have been good and the fees are nominal. Service is as quick as a wire transfer.
- Mon Sep 23, 2019 5:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Camry Questions
- Replies: 101
- Views: 8282
Re: New Camry Questions
I don't trust the push-button start systems. There's nothing wrong with just a key. A caveat on the push-button start - at least for the Mazda CX5. When the fob button battery dies (which ours do every two years), the car will not start . The spare key in the fob doesn't help - it will get you into the vehicle, but the push-button start doesn't function. Apparently the fob battery powers the security transmitter that validates the fob. (Don't ask how I found this out :oops: ). I prefer the more "traditional" key with buttons for the door and trunk. One can still start the vehicle after manually unlocking the door. FYI, if the battery dies in your CX-5 fob, you can still start the car by pushing the button with the fob, logo end t...
- Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I see a fee-only financial advisor or keep DIY?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1867
Re: Should I see a fee-based financial advisor or keep DIY?
Mainly to see if there are opportunities I am missing. BH forum is not so good for asking for "give me a whole life analysis"... For example a lot depends on one's risk tolerance, savings rate, lifestyle etc.. That's where I think someone who deals with this day in and day out can give me quick advice based on my unique situation. Basically I need a back and forth dialog.. Based on your requirements, you will be well served by a "Fee only" FA. You can try to find one in your area using "https://garrettplanningnetwork.com/". Consolidation of accounts can still be done independently to Fidelity. I just went thru that process. Luckily my wife's and my company's 401K are also with Fidelity which simplified a lot.
- Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:37 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: I am buying a new house soon ( first buyer ...) advice ...
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2147
Re: I am buying a new house soon ( first buyer ...) advice ...
Congratulations on building your home!!
Instead of comparing interest rates comparing APR from various lenders and loan options will be helpful as well.
Instead of comparing interest rates comparing APR from various lenders and loan options will be helpful as well.
- Mon Mar 25, 2019 5:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Move beyond stocks after couple mil ?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 7060
Re: Move beyond stocks after couple mil ?
This is an excellent thread. I was in the same camp of debating, is there more beyond the passive investing. More so because of friends who are leveraging to invest in real estate and seem to be doing well. I have no aptitude for business and dealing with people is not my forte and I am no handyman
I am content with 3 fund portfolio and will continue to do so
I am content with 3 fund portfolio and will continue to do so
- Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:56 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Financial Plan advice
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1761
Re: Financial Plan advice
You have gotten good feedback on the retirement aspect. I have one other additional comment regarding the Life insurance.
Considering that the spouse is bringing in only 5K, your term life amount seems low. Also, it's tied to your employer. I would recommend to bump that, also get external quotes from Term4Sale.com. These were much cheaper than the employer options for me.
Your savings rate is very good, just need to keep it going for a while more.
- Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:38 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Besides your core.. anyone also hold a play account?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 4552
Re: Besides your core.. anyone also hold a play account?
If you've got the time and sufficient error margin, then getting aggressive on a market downturn can make sense, but approaching retirement date, sequence of return risk is a big concern. I may not follow some of those dramatically reducing equity risk entering retirement, but I won't be increasing it either, regardless of the market conditions. I might increase it well into retirement if all goes well and try to increase the inheritance funds I completely agree, it really depends on when the next downturn occurs w.r.t my time horizon and my savings. Once I reach FI, I will be more conservative until late into my lifetime. Looking backwards, 2008-2018 wasn't so bad, thanks to the recovery, but there's no guarantee the next one will turn ou...
- Tue Feb 05, 2019 9:12 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Besides your core.. anyone also hold a play account?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 4552
Re: Besides your core.. anyone also hold a play account?
Actually , I am not. Also, I don't need another 10x gain to FI. I just need 30% of my liquid asset growth to reach FI.
I am currently @ 50/50 AA, will move my AA when a correction occurs, my IPS states the following
SP500 drops 30% from peak -> 60/40 AA
SP500 drops 40% -> 70/30 AA
SP500 drops 50% -> 80/20 AA
I will currently reach FI in 11 years w/o any gain from the market, just with my contributions/savings so I could ideally be 0/100 AA but I can tolerate a 50% drop in the market and still sleep well at night, might not reach FI @ 54 may have to delay until 60+.
- Mon Feb 04, 2019 12:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Besides your core.. anyone also hold a play account?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 4552
Re: Besides your core.. anyone also hold a play account?
Just curious what pthers are doing.... rarely do anything but rebalance the core depending on balance bands but have a play portfolio = to about 7% of total and trade 9 or 10 times a year there. What about you? Before I discovered BH, I was/am a Buffet follower. But never had enough money to dabble with stocks after maxing the retirement accounts. In 2008 I couldn't resist my self and took some money out of the Emergency Savings (used to 2 yrs worth of expenses in CDs/MM) to invest in stocks as everything was on sale :) It was about 10% of my networth at the time...not trading but holding for long term of undervalued blue chip stocks. After 10 yrs..it was 10x that amount. I have now moved that to core holdings after LTCG. Now, I am waiting...
- Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much assets to self insure (Life) ?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1149
Re: How much assets to self insure (Life) ?
Update
After analyzing in detail, I ended up with two term life policies , 10Yr and 20Yr for 1Mil each. It took a while as they wanted to do some blood work and surprisingly everything came back clean. It's been 7 years since my last annual..that's on the list for this year
This will ensure spouse will not have to work if I pass away today. I did not consider SS survivor benefits in my analysis.
Thanks everyone for your inputs.
After analyzing in detail, I ended up with two term life policies , 10Yr and 20Yr for 1Mil each. It took a while as they wanted to do some blood work and surprisingly everything came back clean. It's been 7 years since my last annual..that's on the list for this year
This will ensure spouse will not have to work if I pass away today. I did not consider SS survivor benefits in my analysis.
Thanks everyone for your inputs.
- Wed Jan 30, 2019 6:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Financial goals for 2019 (specific)
- Replies: 86
- Views: 9971
- Wed Jan 30, 2019 9:17 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Financial goals for 2019 (specific)
- Replies: 86
- Views: 9971
Re: Financial goals for 2019 (specific)
UpdateFire2030 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:59 pm My goals for 2019
1) Bring spouse up to speed on our financial life, w/o mansplaining/tears She has no clue if I pass away in an accident, causing me sleepless nights off late.
2) Sell vested options and pay towards mortgage
3) Stay the course on savings
#1 is the hardest, we might as well be broke or in debt, she wouldn't have a clue
#2 closed out the mortgage yesterday, debt free !! Significant milestone towards FI.
#3 all savings updated to 2019 limits and on auto pilot. Mortgage money diverted to Fidelity to buy index funds.
Working on #1, slides are ready, just need to find the right time
- Thu Dec 20, 2018 9:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Lap top recommendation
- Replies: 42
- Views: 3037
Re: Lap top recommendation
I cannot recommend a specific model as it's personal preference and depends on your budget
1) CPU : Intel (i5 or i7 ) , AMD (Ryzen 5 or 7)
2) Display : 1080P
3) Screen: Size - 13" min (lighter) or 15" , touch screen is personal pref
4) 2-in-1 : i.e tablet mode and laptop mode personal pref
5) Storage : SSD , avoid HDD, if you need a ton of storage go the Hybrid route
6) RAM : 8GB min expandable to 16GB preferred
Read Consumer reports for brand reliability ratings. My daughter has HP Spectre x360 for the past couple of years, has been doing well with all the abuse it suffers. Work laptop is Dell, used to be thinkpad and still prefer thinkpad.
1) CPU : Intel (i5 or i7 ) , AMD (Ryzen 5 or 7)
2) Display : 1080P
3) Screen: Size - 13" min (lighter) or 15" , touch screen is personal pref
4) 2-in-1 : i.e tablet mode and laptop mode personal pref
5) Storage : SSD , avoid HDD, if you need a ton of storage go the Hybrid route
6) RAM : 8GB min expandable to 16GB preferred
Read Consumer reports for brand reliability ratings. My daughter has HP Spectre x360 for the past couple of years, has been doing well with all the abuse it suffers. Work laptop is Dell, used to be thinkpad and still prefer thinkpad.
- Wed Dec 19, 2018 11:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax [2016 - 2021]
- Replies: 1053
- Views: 147446
Re: Fidelity free Turbotax
Thank you for this tip. I always login using netbenefits and never saw the free offer, only the $20 off. I was able to download the premier version for free. I owe you a cold oneMisterBill wrote: ↑Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:56 pmIt's not on Netbenefits. It's on the Fidelity.com site. If you don't have any Fidelity accounts other than your 401k, you won't get it.MathIsMyWayr wrote: ↑Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:50 pm How can I get to the link?
I entered Fidelity netbenefits: NOT here
Went to linked https://oltx.fidelity.com/ftgw/fbc/ofto ... #positions: NOT here
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7643
Re: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
Very well summarized, couldn't agree moregetthatmarshmallow wrote: ↑Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:32 pm
I agree. The important part seems to me to be whether the couple is on the same page with goals and preferences. Beyond that, it's just accounting.
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7643
Re: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
My questions are: How do you deal with cases where you want to do something expensive (like costs thousands of dollars, not the hundred dollar pocket money you get can cover) and your spouse doesn't? For example: 1. I took my mother on a ten day vacation which costed me say $5000. There is no way $100 per month allowance could cover this. I informed my husband that I wanted to take my mom on vacation. He gave me some advice about the place where we were going (because he lived there before) and me and my mom went on vacation. End of story. 2. My husband's supports his parents for most part. He also loves few nephews and nieces in his family and has bought them laptops, takes them on short vacations.This costs thousands of dollars per year....
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7643
Re: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
It's hard for me to wrap my head around keeping finances separate , joint/sep checking a/c is a small piece of the puzzle. I have never explored this or have the need to, I am already trying to reduce what we have and streamline. Some of things that concern me..but I am sure you guys have figured it out as lot of people are doing this.. - How is retirement planning done ? Each on their own ? if one person blows up the money let him/her work until they die ? - Do you each have a FI number ? - What happens to the medical bills or one of the spouse gets a chronic illness ? - Kids 529 - Spouse looses job or has to stay home to raise kids ? For us, we get some fun money per month and every thing else is one pool, one budget, one FI number - 2 ch...
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7643
Re: Marriage and separate accounts - how does it work?
Right. We have his/hers/ours and by now 99.99% of our money is in the ours account. That said, my husband couldn't tell you on a bet what our monthly expenses are, in aggregate or individually. He also has no idea how much is in the house savings account, what we pay annually for expenses such as property taxes and what our monthly credit card expense is. Once again, any system is a good system if it meets the needs of a couple. It's nobody else's business and nobody else's right to dictate how to manage marital money. +1 , my wife has no clue on how many accounts we have or what our monthly expenses/networth may be. All this is my fault though, for not really taking the time, working to rectify that. Once again, any system is a good syste...
- Thu Dec 13, 2018 1:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What percentage of your net worth is your home equity?
- Replies: 309
- Views: 29213
Re: What percentage of your net worth is your home equity?
Is it about time for LadyGeek to step in or I could stop reading the thread
- Tue Dec 11, 2018 6:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What percentage of your net worth is your home equity?
- Replies: 309
- Views: 29213
Re: What percentage of your net worth is your home equity?
This is an interesting thread indeed. We recently did our Estate Planning and the attorney's worksheet included a networth calculation. Networth = Assets - Liabilites Whether it's useful or not that's how the term is defined. This was the first time we actually counted the value of jewellery my wife has and it was a surprise to both of us :twisted: We chose not to add Car/Jewellery to the worksheet. Personally I keep track of both Networth (Investable+RealEstate) and Investable assets. For retirement planning I only use the investable assets, to me this is a personal choice and this works for me. But I always struggled with paying off the house vs investing. Now that I have 24x my expenses saved in Investable assets, plan to pay off the mor...