Search found 433 matches

by AnimalCrackers
Thu Mar 01, 2018 4:53 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3606
Views: 562361

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

We hit $1M net worth (including home equity) in January, according to Quicken. And, we pushed our savings rate above 32%, which I think is more significant.

The wife was mostly unimpressed . . . probably because our future retirement dates are essentially fixed in the distant future, due to the age-requirements in the formula for our pensions.

We did not celebrate. (Actually, I kind of celebrated alone . . . by gawking at the figures in Quicken.)
by AnimalCrackers
Thu Mar 01, 2018 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walking shoes for plantar faciatis?
Replies: 61
Views: 11888

Re: Walking shoes for plantar faciatis?

GS wrote: Thu Mar 01, 2018 9:08 am Brooks Addiction Walker for walking shoes and Superfeet insoles for other shoes. Cured my problem.
+1

Custom orthotics in Brooks Addiction Walkers. You might want to read the hundreds of reviews of this shoe on Zappos.com.

Ultimately, though, only ultrasound treatment was able to cure my plantar fasciitis.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric Energy Usage
Replies: 86
Views: 7914

Re: Electric Energy Usage

Home energy audit first - don't just think "insulation" - air sealing is critical (don't want to be heating unconditioned space like the attic) +1 Why guess at the most cost-effective way to lower your energy bill, save the planet, etc? Your power company or county or municipality may offer a rebate for much of the cost of the audit, like my utility did. And, if you have a contractor take action based on it, the contractor may credit you for the balance of the audit, like mine did. I've had two such audits, and they were money well spent. I suspect your first priority will be thorough air-sealing of all the ceiling penetrations, flue, etc., and then attic insulation. Air sealing is important and much, much easier before adding in...
by AnimalCrackers
Wed May 31, 2017 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me determine a savings percentage..
Replies: 19
Views: 2293

Re: Help me determine a savings percentage..

Years ago, I used figures from this article and built an Excel spreadsheet to make a composite aspiring retiree of me and my wife. I used the savings rate figure the spreadsheet generated to find a minimum rate for us to save, while we used any leftover funds to pay down debt, save for college, or other expenses.

http://corporate.morningstar.com/ib/doc ... elines.pdf
by AnimalCrackers
Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: About lawn sprinkler sytem
Replies: 16
Views: 2918

Re: About lawn sprinkler sytem

We have a mix-and-match system, and it works really well: a Weathermatic SL1600 smart controller with an extra module for more zones, wired Weathermatic weather station (temperature and moisture sensor), Irritrol valves, 6-inch Rainbird spray bodies with MP Rotator spray heads.

I can't say enough about the value of a smart controller and the MP rotator spray heads (now owned by Hunter). They make the system super efficient, as confirmed by an outdoor water use audit provided through my county a few years ago.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I cut the cord a couple years back but think I'm going back to cable
Replies: 47
Views: 10880

Re: I cut the cord a couple years back but think I'm going back to cable

I briefly used Unlocator to circumvent the blackout rules that prevented me from watching my local MLB team on MLBTV through our Rokus.

It worked pretty well, but I ultimately decided I didn't care that much, because I prefer to watch my childhood team, which is out of market.

https://unlocator.com/
by AnimalCrackers
Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quiet Bedroom overhead fan
Replies: 25
Views: 3607

Re: Quiet Bedroom overhead fan

We have had a 54 inch Litex ceiling fan that we bought from Costco.com for years. The fan itself is surprisingly quiet. You can barely hear it on the low setting. When it started to wobble a bit and make a clicking noise a while back, I tightened all the accessible fasteners, e.g., blade, housing, base. That solved the wobble and the clicking noise. So, it's back to near-silent.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Impact driver (and possibly drill) recommendations
Replies: 36
Views: 4645

Re: Impact driver (and possibly drill) recommendations

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Kit (2-Tool). $149.

I bought and supplemented a six piece combo kit that included both, and now I almost never use the 18v Skil drill set that preceded it.
by AnimalCrackers
Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1st Post...TSP inter-transfer
Replies: 9
Views: 1645

Re: 1st Post...TSP inter-transfer

Without knowing more, if I were you I'd:
1) cancel the appointment with the Edward Jones "advisor";
2) see if the local library has a copy of "The Bogleheads' Guide To Retirement Planning," obtain, and read carefully; and,
3) consider exchanging the entire balance of the TSP into the L2020 fund.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Feb 21, 2017 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is 60/40 too conservative for 31 year old?
Replies: 69
Views: 11789

Re: Is 60/40 too conservative for 31 year old?

"The 60/40 Solution: The ideal asset allocation for today’s
market and for the future is
more conservative than you thought"

Maybe a bit dated, but probably worth a look.

http://web.archive.org/web/200612140619 ... in6040.pdf
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Sep 29, 2015 3:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dividend Mantra Sells Out
Replies: 28
Views: 11595

Re: Dividend Mantra Sells Out

I used to follow that blog closely. DM was a lot more interesting to me before he quit his day job, bought a car, and moved to Michigan and back.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Audit - and efficient heat
Replies: 5
Views: 887

Re: HVAC Audit - and efficient heat

We made signifcant home energy efficiency upgrades in 2015. This book was extremely helpful: Insulate and Weatherize: For Energy Efficiency at Home (Taunton's Build Like a Pro) Paperback – October 18, 2012 by Bruce Harley.

My suggestion would be to read it cover to cover before spending any money or even calling to arrange an energy audit with blower door test through your utility company.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wedding Anniversary in Cape Cod
Replies: 40
Views: 4421

Re: Wedding Anniversary in Cape Cod

FWIW, if I ever go back to Cape Cod in the summer, I am taking my parka and my wetsuit.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thrift Savings Plan vs Roth TSP
Replies: 13
Views: 2623

Re: Thrift Savings Plan vs Roth TSP

I found this author's 2 or 3 articles on the issue helpful: http://thefinancebuff.com/most-tsp-part ... h-tsp.html
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Nov 14, 2014 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Harry's razors
Replies: 53
Views: 19495

Re: Harry's razors

Don't know who Harry is but, I am also in the DE camp. I have been using this one below for years: http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Heavy-Double-Razor-Included/dp/B000QYEK88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415999017&sr=8-1&keywords=merkur+heavy+duty+double+edge+razor+34c And these are the razors I use. They last over a year. http://www.amazon.com/STAINLESS-Polymer-Coated-Double-Safety/dp/B0017QSSIC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415999131&sr=8-1&keywords=sharp+razor+blades The best shave with the least amount of irritation. The blades above last me about a year. I looked into switching from Mach 3 Turbo cartridge razors to a Merkur DE razor, but ultimatly rejected it. Maybe I made a mistake. Doesn't it take you a long time to shave? I...
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Money saved by buying a hybrid or electric car?
Replies: 81
Views: 10337

Re: Money saved by buying a hybrid or electric car?

I found this calculator helpful when making a similar decision recently: http://www.befrugal.com/tools/electric-car-calculator/
by AnimalCrackers
Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis?
Replies: 47
Views: 7840

Re: Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis?

Brooks Addiction walkers from Zappos (with custom orthotics).
by AnimalCrackers
Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY Winterizing Sprinkler / Irrigation System
Replies: 17
Views: 12325

Re: DIY Winterizing Sprinkler / Irrigation System

This website has been very helpful to me and my irrigation system: http://www.irrigationtutorials.com/winter.htm
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Low Gas Prices => Deals on Hybrid/Electric Cars
Replies: 7
Views: 1135

Re: Low Gas Prices => Deals on Hybrid/Electric Cars

Depending on the make and model, you may have 100,000 miles of life left in your current car. I suspect that, even if you're right about a pending cost increase in hyrbrid or electric cars, the amount you'd save by timing the purchase just right would be dwarfed by the amount you'd save in just not buying a new car.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Sep 05, 2014 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pre paying insurance premiums
Replies: 10
Views: 904

Re: Pre paying insurance premiums

technovelist wrote:I pay annually rather than monthly for exactly that reason.
We do the same. We save 1/26th of the annual premium into a saving account biweekly and then pay the premium to the insurance company once a year. Same thing with disability insurance premiums, auto insurance premiums, etc. All to avoid various fees. There's no similar savings for our umbrella policy premium, so we automatically pay that one monthly.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Sep 05, 2014 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New or Used Prius
Replies: 11
Views: 2477

Re: New or Used Prius

We just bought a 2008 Prius (49,000 on odometer) from a good friend.

I found this MMM article interesting, especially regarding the battery life issue: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/03/ ... ble-maker/
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Kaiser vs Blue Shield
Replies: 83
Views: 26685

Re: Kaiser vs Blue Shield

billern wrote:I like not having to deal with or worry about whether something is in network or not. Go to a Kaiser facility and you are guaranteed not to run into out of network issues.
I place a high value on avoiding costly out of network surprises, too, and my family has been happy with Kaiser for seven years.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: REITS, emerging markets, small cap growth, or all three?
Replies: 8
Views: 1016

Re: REITS, emerging markets, small cap growth, or all three?

retiredjg wrote:
kazper wrote: Perhaps I need to stick with the three fund portfolio and quit over analyzing everything. :oops:
Pretty much can't go wrong with this choice. Adding some emerging markets in Roth IRA will complete the portfolio.
FWIW, that's ultimately what I did, after I concluded that overweighting the REITs, small-value, etc., (already present in the TSP S fund) wasn't worth the complexity. (I passed on the F fund, too.)
by AnimalCrackers
Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I waive Federal Employees Group Life Insurance?
Replies: 12
Views: 6220

Re: Should I waive Federal Employees Group Life Insurance?

FWIW, the wife and I are both feds. We have two kids. We're both healthy. We kept basic, waived optional life insurance, and both bought term policies through term4sale. IIRC, it seemed like the optional life insurance offered came at a premium in exchange for not having to undergo (and pass) medical exams associated with other life policies.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Timing cap gains & losses fun
Replies: 8
Views: 946

Re: Timing cap gains & losses fun

rkhusky wrote:
AnimalCrackers wrote: Broadly both, but more specifically, they were purchased during or after March 2012. I mentioned 2009 because IIRC, that's when brokerages had to start calculating and providing basis information for covered shares.
Reporting did not start until 2011. Mutual fund reporting did not start until 2012.
OK. Thanks for the correct info.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Timing cap gains & losses fun
Replies: 8
Views: 946

Re: Timing cap gains & losses fun

rkhusky wrote:
AnimalCrackers wrote:I plan to liquidate a taxable account that will have a balance of about $8k in stock and bond ETFs (purchased no earlier than March 2012)

...

because the purchases were after 2009 or something,
Which is it? Purchased on or after March 2012? Or after 2009?
Broadly both, but more specifically, they were purchased during or after March 2012. I mentioned 2009 because IIRC, that's when brokerages had to start calculating and providing basis information for covered shares.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Timing cap gains & losses fun
Replies: 8
Views: 946

Re: Timing cap gains & losses fun

livesoft wrote:I don't see any complexities in this. The 1099B from Fidelity should download automatically into TurboTax and you will just have to confirm that the info is correct on the forms. Pretty easy I would think.

Presumably you are not automatically re-investing.
Thanks for weighing in. No, I am not now nor have I ever automatically reinvested.
by AnimalCrackers
Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Timing cap gains & losses fun
Replies: 8
Views: 946

Timing cap gains & losses fun

I plan to liquidate a taxable account that will have a balance of about $8k in stock and bond ETFs (purchased no earlier than March 2012) between now and say 01.31.15. I plan to use the proceeds to pay down a student loan, so I’m not selling solely for the tax consequences. The account has scores of single-share lots, including short-term gains, short-term losses, long-term gains, and long-term losses. (It was fun accumulating them as little impulse purchases, what can I say?) We’re in the Roth IRA phase-out range, so knowing what I know about our 2014 taxable income and our projected 2015 taxable income, I want to minimize 2014 taxable income (even at the expense of increasing 2015 taxable income). Should I, as I’m tentatively planning on ...
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Aug 05, 2014 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Opinions appreciated on current physician disability policy
Replies: 23
Views: 2108

Re: Opinions appreciated on current physician disability pol

I'm not qualified to answer your specific questions, but the White Coat Investor probably is. My glib advice: buy EmergDoc's book, email him, tell him you bought his book, and then make him answer your specific question(s). :)

http://whitecoatinvestor.com/disability ... roduction/
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: REITS-worth the time to add 10% into portfolio
Replies: 32
Views: 4338

Re: REITS-worth the time to add 10% into portfolio

Ask yourself why you don't add other VG sector funds for diversification, such as Energy, Health Care, or Precious Metals . . . . I had a separate REIT allocation, but dropped it. That was my thinking, too. I figured I'd basically be overweighting the companies that were already represented in (2.5% of?) TSM. When I was looking into it, I ran across these words by John Norstad in reply to an advocate of holding a separate REIT allocation: "Every subset of TSM has non-perfect correlation with TSM. REITs aren't special this way. According to your logic, we should increase our allocations to all the subsets for the same reason. But that's not possible - you can't overweight everything! The fact that a subset of TSM has a non-perfect or e...
by AnimalCrackers
Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First time home buyer ?'s
Replies: 15
Views: 1988

Re: First time home buyer ?'s

FWIW, my wife and I bought our first house in 2006.

Before we made any big decisions, we both spent a long, long time reading at the Mortgage Professor's website: http://www.mtgprofessor.com/

That website contains a wealth of information on the industry. We also bought a copy of "Home Buying for Dummies" and read it cover to cover.

I hope those tips help. Best of luck to you.
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead Rules Of Thumb To Investing?
Replies: 23
Views: 4311

Re: Boglehead Rules Of Thumb To Investing?

I've found this article pretty close to what I think are the rules of thumb: http://whitecoatinvestor.com/the-default-portfolio/
by AnimalCrackers
Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP Advice
Replies: 6
Views: 950

Re: TSP Advice

OP, you may be interested in this article from The White Coat Investor: http://whitecoatinvestor.com/should-you ... ributions/
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Jun 13, 2014 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will adding [air duct] returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?
Replies: 60
Views: 25033

Re: Will adding returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?

OP, we solved a very similar problem by installing inline duct fans in the basement in the ducts that led to two offending bedrooms on the second story, one with a rheostat.

They look kind of like this: http://www.amazon.com/Fantech-FR-150-Ce ... 029&sr=1-7
by AnimalCrackers
Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth TSP
Replies: 12
Views: 1427

Re: Roth TSP

I continually struggle with the same type of decision.

These articles help me worry about it:

http://thefinancebuff.com/case-against-roth-401k.html

http://thefinancebuff.com/most-tsp-part ... h-tsp.html
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Jun 03, 2014 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fitness tracker recommendation
Replies: 12
Views: 1778

Re: Fitness tracker recommendation

I've been wearing a Polar Loop since mid February. I knew it was waterproof, which was a big selling point for me, but it's more comfortable and lighter than I'd anticipated. I rarely take it off.

The most significant change in my physical behavior since putting it on: I now almost always use a bathroom at work that's 315 steps from my desk. :D
by AnimalCrackers
Thu May 15, 2014 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New homeowner: lawn care advice
Replies: 87
Views: 31913

Re: New homeowner: lawn care advice

Executive summary: Mow at the highest setting, leave clippings on the lawn, water infrequently (but deeply) - an inch once a week, feed your SOIL instead of your grass (with simple materials available at your local feed and seed). The basic idea is to create an ideal soil ecosystem for your lawn to thrive instead of "feeding" your lawn with a periodic artificial chemical sugar high. I do that, too. OP, if you're interested, you may want to find a feed store and spread 20 or more pounds per 1,000 square feet of feed grains on the lawn about every six weeks or so. I spread the following in the following sequence: cracked corn, soybean meal, Milorganite (from big box hardware store or florist), cracked corn, soybean meal. One other ...
by AnimalCrackers
Thu May 01, 2014 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay down variable loan or invest
Replies: 19
Views: 3911

Re: Pay down variable loan or invest

deleted
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay down variable loan or invest
Replies: 19
Views: 3911

Re: Pay down variable loan or invest

I probably should have mentioned this in the original post, but I have also read the following article by EmergDoc that includes among the list of nine loan/investing priorities: "1) Pay off high interest debt. Any credit cards or consumer debt at 8% or higher should be paid off ASAP." and "2) Invest in tax-protected accounts. If you are a resident max out your personal and spousal Roth IRAs. If an attending, max out your 401K, SEP-IRA, HSA and any other retirement account that allows you full marginal tax rate deductions." and "3) Pay off non-deductible loans between 5% and 8%. These include most current student loans." and "7) Pay off loans with after-tax rates below 3%." http://whitecoatinvestor.co...
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay down variable loan or invest
Replies: 19
Views: 3911

Re: Pay down variable loan or invest

HardKnocker wrote:Get rid of the debt.
I hear you.

No mater how you cut it, there is a greater-than-zero chance that the variable rate would rise right up to the 8.25% cap come some July 1 before I completely pay it off.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay down variable loan or invest
Replies: 19
Views: 3911

Re: Pay down variable loan or invest

Ketawa wrote: you are comparing guaranteed returns from paying debt to expected returns from equities.
Thanks for the replies and help. I picked 60/40 for the comparison, because I somewhat expect our glide path to end there. You're right on the issue, as I see it. The guaranteed return from paying debt will change from year to year, and it could skyrocket or simmer perhaps far below the return on my other options for a long time. I have no idea.
by AnimalCrackers
Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay down variable loan or invest
Replies: 19
Views: 3911

Re: Pay down variable loan or invest

jimb_fromATL wrote:The rate could go up a huge amount before it would really be signficantly better to pay off the debts first.
If I'm extending your logic correctly, jimb_fromATL, the rate of the loan would have to rise above 10% before you would advocate paying down the loan over investing more in the TSP (expected 8% return and avoidance of 25% tax rate)?