Search found 11129 matches

by JBTX
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Side Hustle Payment Options
Replies: 4
Views: 435

Re: Side Hustle Payment Options

I am getting into a side hustle providing consulting to a company in my spare time. I already have a W-2 job and fall in the 24% bracket in State of California. The side hustle payments for 2024 may end up being around 30K-40K. My question is how should I receive my payments? Get paid by 1099-MISC, or would it make sense to rather open an LLC and get run my work through that. I have never done anything other than W2 and hence looking for inputs. For years I just ran my consulting as a straight up sole prop. I deemed my liability risk to be low, and didn’t worry about. Whether that was wise I am not sure, but it worked out OK. Also I’m not an expert on such matters, but I think LLC protections on work that you do, personally, are limited. T...
by JBTX
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 4020

Re: How many credit cards do you have

Citi shop your way. They have various promotionals and right now they have 10% back each month if you spend $1000, or $2000, on groceries gas and restaurants. This is running through end of 2024. To the extent I don’t reach $2000 in a month, it is usually pretty close I’ll go in store and buy an Amazon gift card to get over $2000. $2400 cash back in a year is not too shabby, plus there are additional points accrued, from 1% to 5% depending on category, so it really is closer to 12-13%. Thanks ! I could never remember the category promotions for all the cards we have. I prefer the fixed category cards as I print some stickers with the category bonus and stick them on each card :) But I'm not going to do it with rotating categories / promoti...
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 4020

Re: How many credit cards do you have

Wow - for those with dozens of cards, may I ask why? For various discounts. Groceries, restaurants and gas 10% Utilities phones internet streaming cable 5% Amazon 5% Walmart online 5% Everything else 2% Some of the other cards were opened for upfront bonuses or miles. If there is no annual fee I usually don’t close the card. May I ask which card is giving you 10% on groceries / restaurants / gas ? I think If found my next card. https://robinhood.com/creditcard/ 3% on everything is hard to beat. No annual fee, but you need to have Robinhood Gold, which I already have. Citi shop your way. They have various promotionals and right now they have 10% back each month if you spend $1000, or $2000, on groceries gas and restaurants. This is running ...
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 4020

Re: How many credit cards do you have

I have about 3 dozen. I actively use about 5. I sell tradelines on about 10. I get low balance forgiveness on about 7. Some are baking for future tradeline sales. Some were acquired to get the bonus for getting it and maybe spending so much in so much time. I see zero reason to cancel any of them. If you think this many reduces my credit score, it's 831, so no, it doesn't. Between my wife and myself usually 3 -4, but over the years we have opened and closed over 80. Our credit scores are a tad lower, in the 820-ish range. What do you mean by "selling a tradeline" ? Addendum: I found the answer ^^ No way. That is a ticket to Hades Yeah that’s a bridge too far. Putting strangers on your card, to boost their score, for a few, just s...
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 4020

Re: How many credit cards do you have

gunny2 wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:31 pm Wow - for those with dozens of cards, may I ask why?
For various discounts.

Groceries, restaurants and gas 10%
Utilities phones internet streaming cable 5%
Amazon 5%
Walmart online 5%
Everything else 2%

Some of the other cards were opened for upfront bonuses or miles. If there is no annual fee I usually don’t close the card.
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 4020

Re: How many credit cards do you have

madbrain wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:58 pm 42 . Just kidding, it's actually 21. All on full auto-pay.
Helps to have them all tracked in Quicken.
Probably have close to that many. I’m not even sure. Like you, all autopay, all tracked by quicken.
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Feeling stuck with the mortgage
Replies: 34
Views: 3461

Re: Feeling stuck with the mortgage

Hello all! :beer I purchased a $260k home next to an expanding highway in a fast growing exurb area in late 2019 in order to be close to work in the nearby big city 30 min away. I refinanced for a 30 year 2.9% rate in 2020. Then COVID hit, and I started working remotely and for better pay. Then came a 7k fence upgrade because the dogs were getting out, then after home warranty expired, a 1k roof repair, $500 plumbing repair, a few broken appliances, 2 new babies and high risk medical bills, added insulation , upgraded electrical and solar (we own EV’s and live in a hot desert)... Basically, a lot has already been sunk into this home, and its still in need of cosmetic work. Additionally, the general area, lifestyle, and vibes have changed f...
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: QBI (Business Income) deduction for Self-Employed
Replies: 8
Views: 652

Re: QBI (Business Income) deduction for Self-Employed

Hi, For self employed, you can take QBI (qualified business income)deduction around 20% if we are qualified. IL State As self-employed ( sole prop), if I contribute to my Solo 401(k) I see that it automatically reduces my QBI as well. If we don't contribute to solo 401(k) it then increases our QBI number on taxes. Which one is better to take ? Contribute to Solo 401(k) deferred and take the tax deduction now. This will reduce QBI deduction numbers. Don't contribue to Solo 401(k) deferred. This will increase QBI deduction number. (or) Balanced approach: Contribute to Solo roth 401(k), no tax deduction now since its a roth contribution. This will increase QBI deduction number as well. Let me know what you think. Depends on your marginal tax ...
by JBTX
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Terrible experiences with Express Scripts
Replies: 12
Views: 1584

Re: Terrible experiences with Express Scripts

I used these contacts when I had a protracted issue with them and they were responsive.

https://www.elliott.org/company-contact ... s-scripts/
by JBTX
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good polo shirt brand that lasts
Replies: 46
Views: 5820

Re: Good polo shirt brand that lasts

Joseph a banks has decent shirts.
by JBTX
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Setting up a trust
Replies: 5
Views: 739

Re: Setting up a trust

What kind of trust do you need? Why do you need a trust at all? I honestly don't know if I need one but talking to friends who set them up tells me I need one. :confused I'm married with no kids. Have the basic stuff like home, retirement accounts, etc. I'm not so worried about in the event of one of us passing first as the remaining person will take care of what needs to be done. But what if both of us pass at the same time? We often drive/travel together and accidents do happen so my main concern is what will happen when we both pass at the same time. Don’t know your state but you likely don’t “need” one. There are benefits, but setup costs also. If the benefits of a trust are worth having (which isn’t clear in your case they are) then I...
by JBTX
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Understanding Inherited IRA with delayed RMDs
Replies: 17
Views: 886

Re: Understanding Inherited IRA with delayed RMDs

This discussion was a pretty good summary of inherited Ira distribution rules

https://www.morningstar.com/retirement/ ... rited-iras
by JBTX
Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does ERISA *really* provide 401k asset protection?
Replies: 76
Views: 7099

Re: Does ERISA *really* provide 401k asset protection?

My attorney said that assets are protected while in the ERISA plan and exposed when taken out. The comments above suggest that the protection for funds removed from the plan may depend on your state law Not sure about this...google Brown's judgement against OJ Simpson "While pensions and retirement income are off the table, David Cook, a lawyer for the Goldman family, said that he will make every effort possible to force Simpson to hand over whatever other income he earns that's not protected by law. Cook thinks that in today's world it would be easy for Simpson to make money in fields like social media or reality TV, or otherwise figuring out a way to turn his celebrity into cash." I think what Afan is saying is that in some cas...
by JBTX
Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?
Replies: 104
Views: 9002

Re: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?

Many of things you deem to be necessities most people view as luxuries:

- you must live in this town because of family
- you absolutely cannot commute for more than 15 minutes.
- you must take this job in more expensive side of town
- you don’t want to miss out on future house price appreciation.

Most people compromise on these things all the time in order to meet financial goals. You have set up the constraints such that you must buy this house. You’ll be in top 1% of earners and yet still living paycheck to paycheck.
by JBTX
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you assume legislative cuts in Social Security and other federal benefits?
Replies: 49
Views: 2123

Re: Do you assume legislative cuts in Social Security and other federal benefits?

I’ll be eligible for early SS in 2 years. I may or may not file at that point due to disabled adult child. Wife is 5 years behind me.

My best guess is I probably wouldn’t be directly affected, but my wife might. But it is possible that I could be affected as I am closer to the max monthly payment than not. It all really depends and I have no idea. Really for us whatever happens happens. It isn’t really going to change our plans.
by JBTX
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth vs TIPS Ladder - want both but wary of prorata rule
Replies: 19
Views: 1041

Re: Backdoor Roth vs TIPS Ladder - want both but wary of prorata rule

Wow! The level of sophisticated thinking in this forum is amazing! I am going to think about lakpr and your ideas. If I understand the variation you offer to lakpr's version is doing ND TIRA 7K contributions but also doing 401K rollover to open separate rollover IRA simultaneously and rest is same (and the marginal tax effect on amount difference between Roth vs traditional)? I will let JBTX answer, but I don't think rolling over the 401(k) to a separate rollover IRA is required. You are only trying to shift the investments from fixed income instruments to equities within a tax-deferred account. That can be a SVF --> equity fund move within your 401(k). JBTX's variation is to just what we call "tax-adjusting" the money to be move...
by JBTX
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth vs TIPS Ladder - want both but wary of prorata rule
Replies: 19
Views: 1041

Re: Backdoor Roth vs TIPS Ladder - want both but wary of prorata rule

Hi. I want to seek advice from this wise group regarding an investing question I have been grappling with. Background: Me (49) and wife (47) have been doing Backdoor Roth IRAs for a few years now, and are in high tax bracket. Also recently built TIPS ladder in taxable for ages 55 (target retirement age) to 59. Want to keep doing Backdoor Roth but also start building TIPS ladder for ages 60-69 in TIRA by rolling over old 401K to open TIRA. This is where the dreaded pro-rata rule comes in, that I want to avoid. No TIRAs currently, employer 401Ks have no brokerage link options to buy individual TIPS, do not like TIPS funds (or bond funds for that matter), Stable value fund is closest to my comfort but far inferior to individual TIPS IMHO. So ...
by JBTX
Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth vs TIPS Ladder - want both but wary of prorata rule
Replies: 19
Views: 1041

Re: Backdoor Roth vs TIPS Ladder - want both but wary of prorata rule

You could continue to make the non-deductible contributions to a tIRA, keep accumulating the basis. Within this n-d-tIRA, invest in TIPS ladder. Move the equivalent amount from fixed income to equities in your 401(k). You will be starting small, though. Only $7k per year (plus inflation adjustments applicable to IRA contributions) When you retire and you know you will not be adding any more to the 401(k), reverse the equation. Leave the 401(k) in place until the following year, do NOT rollover to a tIRA. Sell everything in the n-d-tIRA and convert to Roth and move to equities. You will owe taxes on the growth at the time of Roth conversion, but this is possibly going to be only 2% real growth per year, so the tax bite may not be onerous. I...
by JBTX
Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: National bank you can recommend for checking acct
Replies: 21
Views: 1336

Re: National bank you can recommend for checking acct

tj wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:15 pm
JBTX wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:08 pm I kind of like capital one. I’ve never actually stepped in one. Do everything online.
I didn't know they had branches.
I’ve seen ads for them on TV.

https://www.bankrate.com/banking/capita ... 0the%20U.S.
by JBTX
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: National bank you can recommend for checking acct
Replies: 21
Views: 1336

Re: National bank you can recommend for checking acct

I kind of like capital one. I’ve never actually stepped in one. Do everything online.
by JBTX
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling All Academics - What's Next
Replies: 35
Views: 3859

Re: Calling All Academics - What's Next

I was in academia in a hard science. I wrote grants, held an endowed chair, and then left it all to work in a for-profit company. As for work-life balance, academia was more hours working in the lab, trying to publish, mentoring, writing grants, going to meetings. Working in a for-profit company was less hours and higher pay for me for doing the same things except writing grants. But don't get me wrong: One has to create a product that people will buy. In Academia I was selling research in the form of Nature, Cell, and Science articles to NIH, NSF, American Cancer Society, other granting agencies. In the corporate world I was selling scientific services and equipment to pharmaceutical companies, universities, and other laboratories. There ...
by JBTX
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling All Academics - What's Next
Replies: 35
Views: 3859

Re: Calling All Academics - What's Next

I was in academia in a hard science. I wrote grants, held an endowed chair, and then left it all to work in a for-profit company. As for work-life balance, academia was more hours working in the lab, trying to publish, mentoring, writing grants, going to meetings. Working in a for-profit company was less hours and higher pay for me for doing the same things except writing grants. But don't get me wrong: One has to create a product that people will buy. In Academia I was selling research in the form of Nature, Cell, and Science articles to NIH, NSF, American Cancer Society, other granting agencies. In the corporate world I was selling scientific services and equipment to pharmaceutical companies, universities, and other laboratories. There ...
by JBTX
Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: credit score dropped 100+ points after Chase started reporting First Republic mortgages
Replies: 15
Views: 1986

Re: credit score dropped 100+ points after Chase started reporting First Republic mortgages

In terms of quickly pay your credit card down early, except for a very small amount, and then pay at at the due date. That way it shows up in the debt utilization score. If you pay it off early to zero I’ve heard it doesn’t enter the calculation. I don’t know this for a fact, I’ve never tried it.

Longer term having more available credit to improve your utilization score may help. Also don’t close any old or high credit limit cards.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2.9% CC and 0.25 ACH fees
Replies: 14
Views: 1509

Re: 2.9% CC and 0.25 ACH fees

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-cur ... nuses/amp/

If it were me and I hadn’t done it before I’d probably open a card each month and get the bonus, at least the higher ones. This works particularly well if you can get business cards.

Eventually you will run out of cards which at that point you’d go to plan B, whatever that may be.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RIP edmunds.com....how can one evaluate the value of a used car now?
Replies: 25
Views: 4278

Re: RIP edmunds.com....how can one evaluate the value of a used car now?

gunny2 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:23 pm
JBTX wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:45 pm Blackbook prices tend to be more conservative.
I went to that site and it insisted on getting all my contact info to "talk to a product specialist." Yeah, hard pass.
Yeah it’s been years since I looked at it. It does look a lot different now.

I usually use cars.com. I’d rather see what actual cars are selling for vs some generic value assessed.
by JBTX
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Married Filing Jointly, Over Roth Phase Out, Can't Backdoor
Replies: 15
Views: 1299

Re: Married Filing Jointly, Over Roth Phase Out, Can't Backdoor

We haven’t done Roths in years, due to large rollover IRAs. I’m not sure in the past rollover to 401k was an option to us. If the 401k isn’t great it is kind of a tail wagging the dog scenario. I don’t know that I’d rearrange my entire portfolio for the ability to do a Roth.

Open a taxable account with highly tax efficient index funds. You could tweak your portfolio a bit to put the most tax efficient equity funds in taxable and less tax efficient equity funds in Roth.
by JBTX
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Married Filing Jointly, Over Roth Phase Out, Can't Backdoor
Replies: 15
Views: 1299

Re: Married Filing Jointly, Over Roth Phase Out, Can't Backdoor

retiredjg wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:28 pm Oh it makes my head hurt.... :twisted:
Indeed.
by JBTX
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grass seed or plugs for bare patches
Replies: 4
Views: 737

Re: Grass seed or plugs for bare patches

So what type of grass are you talking about, and where? I’m not sure a grass you can seed is typically one you would plug, and vice versa.
by JBTX
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College degree worthwhile for marketing?
Replies: 124
Views: 8472

Re: College degree worthwhile for marketing?

You can debate the value if you are just starting college, but if you are most of the way through it would be a waste to just give up at this point. Without it she will likely be doing sales all of her life. She doesn’t know at this point if she will like that or not.

Also assuming she doesn’t work at the same company all of her life, it’s always a plus to be able to fill out the college part for education on application forms. She may run into some sales jobs that are slightly more technical and not having a degree could disqualify her.

If she wants to go towards management, the degree will help too.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Estimate Return Rates for Retirement Planning
Replies: 67
Views: 6233

Re: How to Estimate Return Rates for Retirement Planning

Charles Joseph wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:54 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:58 pm These are forecasts and guesses. Trying to get down to a fund level is a level of accuracy that just doesn’t exist.

When I plan in broad strokes I plan with an estimated real (after inflation return).

TIPS- bonds are currently at around 2% real. I’d probably plan for bond funds between 1-2% real.

For stock funds I’d probably use 3-4% real.
I'm reading William Bernstein's "The Investor's Manifesto", and using his simple "formulas" for forecasting, your numbers hit the nail on the head.
That’s good to hear thanks for letting me know. I think they directionally fall within what Bogle said over his last decade.

Given I’ve said it most likely it will be wrong.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4593

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

My recommendation is to find your company’s Director of Benefits. They probably have a contact with Delta Dental, an account manager type. They are highly motivated to find a resolution as they are dealing directly their decision making customer. This method was by far the most effective method of managing disputed claims. You just won’t win working through the normal process. It’s designed to wear you down and make you give up. In my experience my employer self-insured employee benefits (medical, dental, etc). The 'insurer' just processed the claims - the company actually paid the claim. I appealed several denials over the years (several thousand dollars in total) to the employer's Director of Benefits and the company always agreed with m...
by JBTX
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: McQ in the Wall Street Journal
Replies: 12
Views: 2057

Re: McQ in the Wall Street Journal

Great article. One quote really struck me: He found that a $10,000 investment in 1926 in the index that became the S&P 500 would have grown to just under $198,000, 30 years later, with all dividends reinvested. That’s a perfect example of how well buy-and-hold works, even during one of the worst periods for US stocks. The great rally post-1949 had healed the wounds of the 1930s by that point. The thing that struck Jason was my finding that an ordinary fund investor, paying the average load, and bearing active manager performance shortfalls, and bearing expenses, only got $98,000 over the same period. Before Bogle, buy-and-hold didn't have the same payoff in the world--you couldn't come close to the index returns. Now you can. Someone s...
by JBTX
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father died and I'm totally overwhelmed on what to do
Replies: 58
Views: 11272

Re: Father died and I'm totally overwhelmed on what to do

Dad's hospital bills are going to start coming and I don't know anything about Medicare. What could I expect?
Personally this would be among my lower concerns. You can let those float for many months. Nothing is likely to happen immediately if not paid. When you get time you can follow up with vendors and Medicaid to see if they are covered. If they aren’t paid and resolved they will be a claim against the estate.
by JBTX
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4593

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

CygX1 wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:05 pm
JBTX wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:01 pm
somewhatentertained wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 3:59 pm Have you checked with your medical insurance or was this strictly a dental procedure?
This is a good point. Sometimes surgical dental procedures can be covered by medical.
It's not covered by our medical insurance.
Like I said before that try your company’s director of employee benefits, or the equivalent.
by JBTX
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4593

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

somewhatentertained wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 3:59 pm Have you checked with your medical insurance or was this strictly a dental procedure?
This is a good point. Sometimes surgical dental procedures can be covered by medical.
by JBTX
Sat Mar 09, 2024 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4593

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

How could I have known an expensive dental procedure would not be covered before purchasing an expensive insurance plan, given the reason for the denial is not included in any documentation available to patients? My son recently had extensive periodontal (gum) treatment that he absolutely needed. During my employee benefits season last fall I researched VERY carefully to confirm the Enhanced Delta Dental plan would cover this procedure at 80%. I carefully read all materials available to me and I confirmed that the procedure code D4273 is a covered benefit. So I purchased the insurance and my son had the procedure in January. We have received the Explanation of Benefits and the procedure is denied. The reason cited is a policy guideline/exc...
by JBTX
Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Bank Bonuses
Replies: 122
Views: 17185

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Bank Bonuses

SpideyIndexer wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:25 pm Curious if there are sometimes hefty fees to close an account which paid a bonus.
I’ve done dozens and never encountered them. I am always careful to follow T&C
by JBTX
Wed Mar 06, 2024 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lemon used car - Texas
Replies: 3
Views: 511

Re: Lemon used car - Texas

Thanks for the responses. I’m try to get over the anger as the dude is such a Jack arse. Eating $6500 is something I don’t do easily, granted in the end it’s my own fault.
by JBTX
Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lemon used car - Texas
Replies: 3
Views: 511

Lemon used car - Texas

2 months ago bought a car for young adult daughter. $7000, 15 years old, 150k+ miles. No doubt I overpaid. I could have bought the same car for $5500, but I let my guard down because a friend really recommended the seller, who is a mechanic and will occasionally sell cars he has worked on for clients. The supposed attraction is he is a good mechanic, and he will warranty any parts he replaced and he is an hononrable guy. Yada Yada yada. I fell for it. Within 2 days the cylinders were misfiring. He fixed that, at his expense. A few days later another cylinder misfired. He fixed that, at his expense. Almost immediately out of the shop the service engine light came back on but seemed to run ok. A couple of weeks later took it in for an oil cha...
by JBTX
Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Payoff mortgage or maintain liquidity?
Replies: 52
Views: 3699

Re: Payoff mortgage or maintain liquidity?

It is highly situation dependent. But for me, if there is no net cost to holding the mortgage, or even if the net cost of holding the mortgage is modest, I prefer the liquidity. There is always a chance rates will go down and I can refinance at a lower rate. Paying off a mortgage does not make me feel good, or bad, or anything.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Estimate Return Rates for Retirement Planning
Replies: 67
Views: 6233

Re: How to Estimate Return Rates for Retirement Planning

These are forecasts and guesses. Trying to get down to a fund level is a level of accuracy that just doesn’t exist.

When I plan in broad strokes I plan with an estimated real (after inflation return).

TIPS- bonds are currently at around 2% real. I’d probably plan for bond funds between 1-2% real.

For stock funds I’d probably use 3-4% real.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Being a HCE caused Fidelity 401k to send me check, what about W2?
Replies: 14
Views: 826

Re: Being a HCE caused Fidelity 401k to send me check, what about W2?

My recollection is when this happened to my wife years ago the income is recognized in the following year when the refund is received.

If it is an option it may be worth a discussion with the employer to move to a safe harbor plan. That’s unltimately what my wife’s company did.
by JBTX
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are We in a Stock Market Bubble? (Ray Dalio)
Replies: 132
Views: 15789

Re: Are We in a Stock Market Bubble? (Ray Dalio)

Please apply a heavy dose of critical thinking to anything Ray Dalio says before you incorporate into your knowledge base. He is a shameless self promoter and he is one of the best in the world at it. Bridgewater has a cultish culture. His economic model is made up by him and is not credible. I used to have a fair amount of respect for him, but now my views regarding him are more nuanced. It’s pretty clear he is an eccentric and a horrible person to work for with heavy narcissistic tendencies. That said, I do think some of his writings on macro economic concepts have value and I found that particular blurb on bubbles to be pretty insightful. His stuff can be educational and interesting but often not very actionable. While he doesn’t have t...
by JBTX
Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 12% Now, 12% Later: Roth Conversions Worth It?
Replies: 41
Views: 5455

Re: 12% Now, 12% Later: Roth Conversions Worth It?

Reasons why converting now at 12% seems optimal - rates are scheduled to go to 15% In 2026. That may or may not be changed, but it is the law as of right now - if you aren’t taking social security yet, it may be beneficial to do so before social security. The taxability of social security is tricky and could throw you into a higher marginal rate for a limited range. - IIRMA probably isn’t a factor but if you were to come into more income it could be - is there any chance of inheritance down the road that could push up tax rates? - if/ when one of you dies your tax brackets will be single and lower / rates higher - you don’t have to worry about RMDs or less so - future beneficiaries would benefit from no taxes (except if charity there may be...
by JBTX
Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security Question: When It Says to Take Benefits
Replies: 22
Views: 2427

Re: Open Social Security Question: When It Says to Take Benefits

When I use the calculator I used some of the alternative parameters. If you are/expect to be in good health you may choose to look alternative longevity tables. The average Boglehead likely has a longer lifespan than the average American. SS is based on the average American. Those in the top quarter of income /wealth probably live several years longer in average.

Choosing a different table may give you different results and may recommend a longer delay in taking them.

Also you can do a comparison to see how much different an alternative scenario is to the recommended. Sometimes a preferred alternative may not be that far behind the recommended scenario.
by JBTX
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Simple IRA rollover and Solo401k rollover.
Replies: 2
Views: 414

Simple IRA rollover and Solo401k rollover.

Two separate questions. 1. We would like to rollover a fidelity simple IRA, well over 10 years old, to a traditonal or rollover IRA. The fidelity rep said something about “comingling” issues specific to a SIMPLE IRA. What exactly was he talking about? For now and perhaps indefinitely the plan is to roll the entire balance over to a traditional / rollover Ira - with those being the only funds. 2. I have a vanguard solo 401k. It has a Roth and traditonal component. It is well under $250k. I haven’t worked self employed in several years and considering rolling it to a rollover IRA - mainly because of the absurdly excessive late filing fees if and when it is ever required. The future risk just isn’t worth it. I assume you would just - roll fund...
by JBTX
Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card bonus eligibility
Replies: 8
Views: 1109

Re: Credit card bonus eligibility

Yes you can get more than one type of card at a bank and get a sign up bonus for each. How many and what sort of time period delay, if any, is specific to each bank. Go to the doctor of credit website and look at other cardholders experiences for guidance.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/things-e ... cards/amp/
by JBTX
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What good is tax deferred?
Replies: 122
Views: 15668

Re: What good is tax deferred?

I am retiring later this year. I'll be 64. Like many of my peers, I dutifully saved for retirement using traditional (tax deferred) IRA and 401K. In recent years, I have (strategically) converted a fair amount to Roths. Because debts are paid off, I have also accumulated a good amount in taxable (which I now realize can be tax managed). So, after learning about asset location and tax strategies, it got me wondering... what is the value of tax deferred compared to Roth and taxable? About the only things I can think of - is having enough tax deferred saved to withdrawal a yearly amount equal to the tax deduction and kicking the tax can down the road if current taxes are high. I'd like to have a better understanding, so I can tell my 30-somet...
by JBTX
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing fear
Replies: 30
Views: 2940

Re: Investing fear

If you need it less than 10 years, I wouldn’t put all or most in stocks. If you don’t need it until longer than that if the market drops 50% the day after you invest it who cares because you don’t need it for 10 years. While it’s theoretically best to jump in all at once if investing portions incrementally over a period makes it easier, that’s a reasonable alternative. Also, while it doesn’t matter if it drops after you invest it, perhaps figure out how much of a drop will cause you serious anxiety. If you could stand a 20% drop, then perhaps put 40% in the market, because a 50% drop would be a 20% portfolio drop, and then invest the rest with safe investments. To an extent you have to experience a market tanking and then going back up to b...