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OldSport

I’ve been working at a major tech company for almost a year now. Never worked at a place this big before. I’m doing research work. The work is really interesting and challenging - it truly is a dream job. And yet I just don’t feel like I’m doing well, at all. I’m having difficulties finishing tasks...

OldSport

BSME, Megacorp, 15 years experience, Lead Engineer, MCOL Area
$165k Base
16% Bonus
8% 401k Match
Excellent Benefits
~50-55hr weeks

OldSport

Same thing happened to me! I was only eligible for HSA 5 months of last year, so my limit isn't a round 3050 anyway. It's reassuring that this isn't a big deal. The amount you can contribute is not prorated based on your time in plan. You are eligible to contribute the entire amount. The only way y...

OldSport

My understanding is that you are limited in contributions to tIRA, but that you can convert as often as you want - please correct me if I am mistaken.

OldSport

IMO you don’t need to sell FXAIX (assuming it is held in a Taxable account) as the tax inefficiency on $20k is not significant. Turn off reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions so you don’t buy more. Invest in VTI or ITOT going forward. FXAIX is a Fidelity S&P 500 Index Fund. How ...

OldSport

Even at the age of 30 you are being too aggressive by being 100% stocks. There are lots of threads on this and lots of people post about doing this but a large part of it is likely just that the stock markets have been through a fantastic bull market and are at an all time high so people are overly...

OldSport

I'm curious if there is an efficient way to know what mutual funds beat their benchmarks in 2019. My guess would be not many since many US funds were up 30 percent or more. I'd also be curious to know of any mutual funds that did beat the markeit what their historical returns are. I'm asking not so...

OldSport

I have read that the recommended approach to performing the backdoor Roth is as follows: (1) contribute to a traditional IRA (without taking deduction), and invest in a stable fund (such as Prime money market fund) so as to reduce risk of price changes prior to conversion. (2) convert to Roth the n...

OldSport

IMO you don’t need to sell FXAIX (assuming it is held in a Taxable account) as the tax inefficiency on $20k is not significant. Turn off reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions so you don’t buy more. Invest in VTI or ITOT going forward. FXAIX is a Fidelity S&P 500 Index Fund. How ...

OldSport

Any thoughts on SCZ and ISCF? SCZ for either taxable or tax advantaged with ISCF for tax advantaged.

OldSport

Foreign small caps is fulfilled by the one and only: VSS Vanguard Foreign Small Cap index fund. There is no other. Not really suitable for my taxable account though as it is not tax efficient enough for me. If you don't mind losing money, then Emerging Markets small-cap value might be DGS. And any ...

OldSport

Looking for advice on International ETFs for a taxable account. Can use Vanguard and/or Fidelity platform to invest in the ETFs. I am one of the BHs that embraces and welcomes tilting. I am not looking to be talked out of tilting, so welcome advice from those that tilt. Specifically looking for the ...

OldSport

alex123711 wrote: ↑
Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:55 pm
Any recommendations for some good quality work/ dress shoes? I'm not really too sure what to look for or where to look but i'd like some nice/ good quality shoes any ideas on what brands etc to look for?

Have generally been happy with Johnston & Murphy $100-160 selections.

OldSport

I've got about 100K worth of Audio Equipment. Slippery slope - if I had discovered this site earlier, I would have socked more money away - and probably would have been happy with a 10K audio system too. Still - if any audiophiles here - love to hear what their systems look like... Well, if you tru...

OldSport

Ah that's a tough one. How old is your kid? For pure earning potential, demand, and impact, right now it's hard to bet against technology specifically computer science/software of some kind. Recessions come and go, I'm old enough to remember 2001 and 2009 and the impact on the tech sector as I imag...

OldSport

39 y.o. married with three kiddos (8,6 and infant). I will have 25-30k cash available to purchase a new car next month from year end bonus. Currently driving a 14 year old Camry and 9 year old Highlander that are running just fine. Considering new Sienna purchase in 2020 that will be 35k and tradin...

OldSport

For the Net Investment Income Tax, modified adjusted gross income is adjusted gross income (Form 1040, Line 37) increased by the difference between amounts excluded from gross income under section 911(a)(1) and the amount of any deductions (taken into account in computing adjusted gross income) or ...

OldSport

Another NIIT question. For sake of argument, let's assume gross income (non investment): $275k. $38k 401k contributions and $7k HSA. That reduces $275k to $230k, below the $250k, but let's say there are $30k in some combo of capital gains and dividends (let's say $10k LTCG, $5k STCG, $5k qual div, $...

OldSport

Thanks. Am I correct in my understanding that maxing 401k contributions, healthcare premiums, and HSA contributions reduce MAGI for NIIT purposes, but tax exempt interest is still tax exempt (not subject to NIIT itself) but is added back to AGI to calculate MAGI? I will not hit NIIT until 2021. Taxa...

OldSport

If you're planning to buy... the 2019 RDX has a 2/5 for reliability from Consumer Reports. Q5 gets a 3/5. But in my experience with Acura, the repairs and maintenance are fairly cheap. Never owned an Audi. Didn’t realize Honda’s quality had dropped off so far... I've had a couple Acuras and an Audi...

OldSport

Just relish the fact that the extra income above a low threshold will not be paying the 6.2% FICA tax. How so? My individual income is a little above FICA limits (get a nice short'-lived "raise" in late October). DW will be a new grad. While income is very good for a new grad and will push us joint...

OldSport

I haven't received one from Vanguard. I have received them from banks, and in situations where I thought it was ridiculous and disturbing--for example, when I hadn't taken any action on a 5-year CD in three years, because it was a five-year CD . The most troubling aspect of your story is that it in...

OldSport

I went through a similar realization a few years ago related to both AMT as well as NIIT, and my philosophy at the time was to do as much I could to optimize the tax situation in year one (without having a net negative effect), but to accept that making my portfolio more tax efficient is a long-ter...

OldSport

I like FIVFX and FISMX. Both much better than the respective asset class Vanguard Index funds.

OldSport

heyyou wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 04, 2019 11:44 pm
My equity exposure is divided into ten equal slices. Yes, there is some overlap, but not enough to make a difference.

What are the 10 equal slices?

OldSport

I currently tilt 10% SC and 10% SCV, but I also tilt 10% MC and 10% MCV, so 40% total tilt. I rebalance monthly with new contributions. Large Cap Growth has owned everything recently, so I'm hoping this eventually pays off. I realize that while the revered & long time closed Primecap Fund has domina...

OldSport

I'm a firm believer in Indexing for domestic equities, but it seems the International Index construction has a much higher % of losers vs. winners than domestic and International markets may not be as efficient as domestic. What are thoughts on Actively Managed International? For example, Vanguard I...

OldSport

We have a very nice Samsung Refrigerator that is only 6 years old. The freezer had been frosting for the past 6 months or so and is now not cooling properly. Has anyone experienced this? The specific model is below: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-31-6-cu-ft-french-door-refrigerator-with-thru-t...

OldSport

And this site is not representative of anything average or normal. But there are many doctors, engineers, and business owners posting the larger numbers. Also some of that is regional, people living in high cost of living areas, where all make more than national averages, does not always mean net i...

OldSport

The math on these are flawed. They assume new vehicles every 5 years and getting nothing back when selling/trading in the 5 year old vehicle. 9% real return is unrealistic. Maybe 5% tops. I enjoy cars more than utilitarian transportation, but would never buy a German luxury vehicle. I drive a 3 year...

OldSport

Also, what is a highly compensated employee (HCE)? I'm assuming I fall between making too much to directly contribute any to Roth but not a HCE, but not sure. For these purposes you don't want to be a HCE.* Being a HCE imposes additional restrictions. It does not bring any benefits.* And to answer ...

OldSport

Thanks. My plan does allow Roth 401k contributions, but I think I can only contribute up to $19k in trad 401k or some combo of traditional/Roth up to $19k. Any excess contributions above $19k do go into a separate after Tax 401k. The limit is high enough that wouldn't be an issue, but I only want to...

OldSport

Interesting discussion. THIS is exactly why I promote a five fund portfolio. Equity portion can be something like this (assuming 70/30 US/Intl): 35-40% Total Stock 30-35% Small Cap or SCV 15-20% Total Intl 10-15% EM We cannot predict or time the market. All we do know with a reasonable degree of cer...

OldSport

I am currently maxing out all known tax advataged space: 401k, Backdoor Roth, HSA. I heard about a Mega Back Door Roth (MBDR), and did a forum search, but still don't fully understand it. From the search, I gathered that the MBDR is in the 401k and has to do with the 401k plan rules. Is that right? ...

OldSport

My HSA I'm holding 20% Total Bond, 20% Total Intl, 20% LC, 20% MC, 20% SC and rebalancing several times per year.

OldSport

Hello, I looking to see everyone's opinion if a hybrid strategy could work? Known facts: small cap and value have outperform in the past. The US has beaten international stocks over time during past. It is unknown if foreign will beat the US in the future. There are asset bubbles that form within t...

OldSport

Interesting comments. Adding Contrafund would not be the same because it is a higher cost actively managed funds. The 5 Fund Portfolio uses passively managed low cost index funds with 2 subclasses within domestic and international to capture periodic outperformance either of the broader market or th...

OldSport

If this portfolio is what you feel is best for you, there's nothing wrong with doing it this way. By adding additional small-cap and emerging markets, you're essentially making a bet that those sectors will outperform going forward versus a straight total-market allocation, but if that's what you w...

OldSport

I see a lot of argument for the Three Fund Portfolio, but has anyone tried a Five Fund Portfolio? The Three Fund Portfolio is pure Boglehead simplicity and works better than most investment strategies out there. I prefer the Five Fund Portfolio. It only makes sense if you're 60% or more equities, if...

OldSport

I took a new job with a megacorp about a month ago as a software engineer. Before this job I was always working at customer site, far away from corporate. While waiting for access to the work on the contact I was hired for my manager asked me to help working on a proposal even though I told her I’m...

OldSport

My DW was working for a company and contributed 6 months into their Fidelity 401k. Her employment classifcation was not eligible for 401k, but neither she nor her company knew this - they sent her 401k enrollment materials when she started, so she signed up. The company found this out and liquidated...

OldSport

You may want to hop over to the recent lengthy thread on Fidelity HSA transfers to aid in your decision (https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=263661) Basically, Fidelity recently started offering a no fee HSA so a lot of people on this forum are now rolling their HSAs over to Fidelity. ...

OldSport

Finally, be careful with reading older books by Bernstein, Ferri, and others. They have sort of changed their minds in the past few years. Livesoft: Bill Bernstein's last book was "If You Can." He recommends The Three-Fund Portfolio without "tilting." RIck Ferri currently recommends The Three-Fund ...

OldSport

I am 59 and BCBS health care insurance with $500 deductible for my family of 5 is $33k/year. (self employed) No health problems. No meds. $33 thousand sounds like a lot. But it works out to $550 per month per person. Sounds a lot better that way. Just saying... $33k per year just for premiums?? Wow...

OldSport

Super aggressive AA: 25% S&P 500 Index 25% Primecap Odyssey Growth OR VFMFX (pick your aggressive flavor) 25% Vanguard Tax Managed Small Cap 10% VINEX 10% Emerging Markets Index 5% Developed Intl Market Index I don't know if you can buy POGRX at Vanguard, but you can at Fidelity (for a $50 fee) and ...

OldSport

DrGoogle2017 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:20 pm
You can’t buy Odyssey through Vanguard. I tried but it didn’t work, maybe I’m missing something.

Are the Odyssey equivalents as good as the VG Primecaps? Can you buy at Fidelity?

OldSport

I’ve have Primecap for years with Vanguard in taxable and non taxable. But I did add Vanguard Cap Opportunity in the last 10 years when I research for biotech boom. My kids also have them through link to my account. So far so good, very pleased with them. I think they do beat the index. How do your...

OldSport

For risky funds to use in 5 years.

In terms of increasing risk:
VG Lifestrategy Income
VG Target Retirement Income
VG Wellesley

I use this type of fund as a higher tier emergency fund that I don't expect to use, but don't want to sell equities in a bear if I need to use it.

OldSport

... 3. What small cap funds in general do bogleheads recommend for long term investing? I don't recommend small cap investing. I have a S&P 500 index fund, which effectively has no small caps. If I was going to suggest something with small-caps it would be the "Total Market" fund which holds small ...

OldSport

I read that the zero funds are not actual true index funds, like S&P, MSCI, CRSP, Russell, etc. but are generic Fidelity constructed "index" funds from a smaller amount of stocks from a true index. I did not know that. That is helpful to know.

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