Search found 145 matches

by airborne
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29136

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

OP here. Thanks to everyone who posted. Pls keep the stories coming. How are you going to use this information, in a personally actionable way? (or for a family member or friend) Actionable if you have a goal of earning $500k+ but don't know which fields to enter and have an aversion to blood and/or guts. It's quite enlightening, actually. :mrgreen: People who make $500k didn't second guess about which field to enter. Do you really think that you decide to become a $500k 10x engineer and then magically do this starting next Monday? :mrgreen: No need to be rude and condescending. As a teen I tried to research the highest grossing careers which would mesh with my interests in an attempt to narrow down my options, and I pursued one which will...
by airborne
Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29136

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

22twain wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:29 pm
sunset wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:19 pm OP here. Thanks to everyone who posted. Pls keep the stories coming.
How are you going to use this information, in a personally actionable way? (or for a family member or friend)
Actionable if you have a goal of earning $500k+ but don't know which fields to enter and have an aversion to blood and/or guts. It's quite enlightening, actually.
by airborne
Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29136

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

Friends I recently came across a couple of posts on this forum where the posters revealed that their annual salaries are close to, or exceeds $1 million at a fairly young age. They were professionals, not entrepreneurs nor business owners. Apart from the medical sector, I am curious as to how these posters were able to achieve these salary levels. If any readers are making above $500,000, and are under 40 years, and not in the medical field , would you mind sharing with us, in which field / profession you are in, and what your career path was (i.e. where did you go to university, what was your major, how did you land the first job, and what was your progression like)? Thank you Sunset FYI….according to this article in CNBC, you can make $5...
by airborne
Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146489

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

The more I use Monarch, the more I am pleased with my decision to part with my money to subscribe to it. Wonderful interface and some additional functionality to what Mint provided. New features seem to be rolling out regularly.
by airborne
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing 401k passively at Schwab
Replies: 6
Views: 743

Re: Investing 401k passively at Schwab

I have a PCRA through Schwab as well.

I use:
--SCHB - Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF ER 0.03%
--SCHF - Schwab International Equity ETF ER 0.06%
--SCHZ - Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF ER 0.03%

Simple, low-cost, and it has been easy to manage with good user interface and customer service.
by airborne
Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146489

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

Really greatful for this thread. I've made the switch Monarch, which is better than Mint in several ways. Feeling like a blessing in disguise honestly. Of course, I'm not pleased with having to pay for the tool, but in the grand scheme of things, $100 a year is a reasonable cost for something that helps me track my spending and budgeting so efficiently. The increased motivation from having confidence in all my financial tracking will pay dividends in the long run and help me achieve my goals faster. And just like Mint I use it constantly, so it's worth it to me. I think Remit Sethi might refer to this as agonizing over a "$3 question." Importing data from Mint was painful and required a lot of cleanup but I'm pretty happy with th...
by airborne
Thu Nov 02, 2023 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146489

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

Based on what I'm seeing and reading Monarch is the closest product to what Mint provides, and I'm likely to switch to Monarch for that reason. I tried Personal Capital in the past and was turned off by a multitude of factors, not least of which was the cold calling and harassment by their staff.

Does anyone have serious criticisms of Monarch before I pull the trigger and make the switch?
by airborne
Sun Jul 02, 2023 6:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What’s harder to hack: 401ks or self-directed accounts?
Replies: 6
Views: 621

Re: What’s harder to hack: 401ks or self-directed accounts?

Marylander1 wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 6:16 pm This doesn't seem actionable, unless you're identifying targets to hack, in which case it's about illegal activity.

Based on the OP's post count I'd imagine they are looking for the most secure place for their retirement funds.
by airborne
Sun Jul 02, 2023 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best day for Caribbean travel in July or August?
Replies: 7
Views: 764

Re: Best day for Caribbean travel in July or August?

I can't speak to quiet planes necessarily, but the later in hurricane season the more likely a major storm could disrupt your travel I'd imagine.
by airborne
Thu May 18, 2023 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Marcus $100 bonus
Replies: 273
Views: 35686

Re: Marcus $100 bonus

It has been a nightmare trying to get my bonus deposited into my account. The "bonus tracker" disappeared months ago, reappeared after a chat with customer service and subsequently disappeared again. Now time has come for the deposit and it's nowhere to be found.

This experience hasn't been worth $100 and I'm tempted to pull all my cash from Marcus due to their ineptitude with a simple promotion.
by airborne
Sat Feb 25, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

A) But, if you are in a state like New Jersey with a very high property tax, your cost of owning could still be higher than renting. So, there might not be a finite number. One thing we can be fairly confident about is that landlords pass on their property taxes to renters. Generally, the same logic applies to insurance, maintenance, and other ongoing "operating" costs. There is no good reason to assume renters can avoid these sorts of costs such that it would result in a perpetual accumulating gain for renters. Of course costs are passed through. However, not everyone is renting from an individual who would have the same cost structure as themselves. Many rent from extremely large firms who are able to have much lower cost struc...
by airborne
Wed Feb 15, 2023 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

Honestly this has been the dynamic at play as long as I've been watching this market. The only people I know who own in this market are those who have been told they're "supposed" to buy and those who have multiple homes (major wealth). Those who can't afford to buy in the neighborhood and have been hellbent on buying have moved to outer neighborhoods with fewer amenities (and thus lower HOAs) and fewer neighborhood attractions. Also they've spent tens of thousands on home repairs, upgrades or assessments which far exceeded their HOA savings, but I digress. I mean...it's not a surprise if you're in SF or somewhere like that where renting makes more sense. Generally speaking, the higher the property value (including running cost s...
by airborne
Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

I think two things tip the balance in favor of renting in this situation: property taxes and scale for the "landlord." Major developers and investment firms are able, I assume, to work out tax deals (or at least offset taxes in some fashion), and their scale allows for less expensive unit cost for providing services and upkeep. That could be part of it, but that still seems like a really huge difference to be explainable only in terms of those costs. Just my two cents, but I would be interested to see what those condos are actually selling for in, say, a couple years from now. Thanks for the clarification re: comps. Sounds like they are indeed comparable. I agree with Unparticular, here. Something somewhere is priced askew for th...
by airborne
Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

But from time to time I begin to wonder if I'm "throwing money away" like the committed disciples of homeownership claim. A quick search indicates the only other time that phrase was used in this iteration of this conversation was when a poster was suggesting that their relatives say that sort of thing. There obviously may be exceptions, but I think at least most people here have explicitly conditional views on the possible financial benefits of homeownership, such that they would agree that renting is not always financially suboptimal, and that you are quite right to do an individualized, market-based analysis. And so I do a quick comparison for my individual situation. Current rent: $3100 Comparable (in size and amenities) cond...
by airborne
Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

Due to lifestyle factors, I cannot imagine not renting. But from time to time I begin to wonder if I'm "throwing money away" like the committed disciples of homeownership claim. And so I do a quick comparison for my individual situation. Current rent: $3100 Comparable (in size and amenities) condo on the market a few blocks away: $595,000 list price HOA: $1003/mo Property taxes: $1139/mo Insurance: $218/mo With a $150k (~25%) down payment I'm looking at a total monthly payment of about $4900, plus all the associated costs for the transaction itself. All for the privilege of now being responsible for my own maintenance and upkeep and being tied down for long enough time to recoup my sunk costs and make up for the missed opportunit...
by airborne
Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

Due to lifestyle factors, I cannot imagine not renting. But from time to time I begin to wonder if I'm "throwing money away" like the committed disciples of homeownership claim. And so I do a quick comparison for my individual situation. Current rent: $3100 Comparable (in size and amenities) condo on the market a few blocks away: $595,000 list price HOA: $1003/mo Property taxes: $1139/mo Insurance: $218/mo With a $150k (~25%) down payment I'm looking at a total monthly payment of about $4900, plus all the associated costs for the transaction itself. All for the privilege of now being responsible for my own maintenance and upkeep and being tied down for long enough time to recoup my sunk costs and make up for the missed opportunity...
by airborne
Sat Feb 11, 2023 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

That has been my conclusion given the amount of money thrown at owning a home which does not translate into equity combined with the opportunity cost of not being fully invested in the stock market. Why doesn't home ownership translate into equity? If you assume a renter having extra cash invested in the market, it is only fair to assume that a homeowner's home equity also grows via Real Estate appreciation. You don't have to assume the same return, but shouldn't be 0% vs 10% kind of thing. I didn't say home ownership doesn't translate into equity. My point was that a not-insignificant chunk of home ownership costs do not translate into equity (e.g, HOA fees, mortgage interest, transaction fees, etc.). Of course, as I stated earlier, there...
by airborne
Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

Oh, man. I was hoping this would be the thread where this debate would be settled here once and for all. There are numerous buy vs rent simulators already out there, and the conclusion is also obvious. I think the rent camp resorts to arguing their personal circumstances as to why renting makes sense for them. Which is fine for them, but I don't understand why they try to speak generically at the same time. I am in the "rent" camp, but there is no one right answer. Everyone's situation--financial, personal, otherwise--is different. There are many non-financial reasons why owning may be better than renting or vice versa. I would say, however, that after reading these threads I've found the purely financial component of the rent vs...
by airborne
Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy vs. Rent
Replies: 951
Views: 58678

Re: Buy vs. Rent

Oh, man. I was hoping this would be the thread where this debate would be settled here once and for all. There are numerous buy vs rent simulators already out there, and the conclusion is also obvious. I think the rent camp resorts to arguing their personal circumstances as to why renting makes sense for them. Which is fine for them, but I don't understand why they try to speak generically at the same time. I am in the "rent" camp, but there is no one right answer. Everyone's situation--financial, personal, otherwise--is different. There are many non-financial reasons why owning may be better than renting or vice versa. I would say, however, that after reading these threads I've found the purely financial component of the rent vs...
by airborne
Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: ESPP share delivery time
Replies: 13
Views: 1123

Re: ESPP share delivery time

Thanks for all the responses. It is interesting to see that it varies so much from one day to over a week. Since I've been enrolled in my current ESPP shares have always been available in my account before the next trading day so I never figured in much of a risk of being forced to hold the shares for long. (My company's stock tends to be quite volatile, which has the potential to wipe out my entire discount price over the course of a few days.)

Based on your responses I'll reevaluate my participation in the plan for the next offering period.
by airborne
Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: ESPP share delivery time
Replies: 13
Views: 1123

Re: ESPP share delivery time

SmileyFace wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:33 am Why not simply ask coworkers?
My current company is 24 hours (so I have a single day risk) - but not sure how that helps you.
I'm just trying to get a feel for what other corporations do. My coworkers have the same lag time I as do.
by airborne
Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: ESPP share delivery time
Replies: 13
Views: 1123

ESPP share delivery time

For those of you who participate in their employer's ESPP, what is the typical lag you experience between the share purchase and the shares appearing in your brokerage account? I understand not all ESPPs allow for immediate sale of shares, but mine does. In the past offering periods the shares have appeared in my brokerage within hours of market close on the purchase date. This has allowed me to set an order to be executed upon the next market open. However, our last offering period had a much longer lag and my employer claims it is abnormal to receive shares fewer than two days to two weeks after the purchase date. What is your experience, and if many of you do indeed experience a lengthy lag how do you mitigate the inherent risk of owning...
by airborne
Thu Jun 23, 2022 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Renting for life - a bad idea?
Replies: 735
Views: 88285

Re: Renting for life - a bad idea?

furwut wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 10:45 am After spending the morning reading this thread from the beginning I’m none the wiser except to say it’s a highly personal and locally variable decision. Just don’t buy because it’s “the thing responsible adults do at a certain age”.
This is likely the most accurate post on the thread. I just can’t understand the seemingly religious fervor parts of the pro-ownership crowd have. If it’s best for you, great; it isn’t best for everyone no matter how you try to rationalize your opinion.
by airborne
Sun May 29, 2022 12:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Uber and Lyft Are Out of Ideas, Jacking Up Prices in Desperation for Profit
Replies: 62
Views: 10777

Re: Uber and Lyft Are Out of Ideas, Jacking Up Prices in Desperation for Profit

I use them occasionally, but prefer pubic transit since it's cheaper and I think it's more respectable to support than Lyft/Uber. I used to ride public transit often, but I have found myself using Lyft/Uber almost exclusively lately as public transit has become uncomfortable at best and unsafe at worst (this is not hyperbole; it is my personal experience). At the same time rideshare pricing has become out of control. It's a frustrating situation having to pay even more now just for a safer transportation option. The "wait & save" option on Lyft has become my friend. I check the rates well before I'm planning to leave and have no problem selecting a 10-25 minute wait for pickup if the savings are significant. Also, I'm conside...
by airborne
Thu Mar 31, 2022 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Renting for life - a bad idea?
Replies: 735
Views: 88285

Re: Renting for life - a bad idea?

It's funny how people who tell my how much their house has appreciated since they bought it rarely tell me how much they have put into the house in that same time. Real numbers, Charlotte, NC area, so not San Francisco or Boston, but not middle of Iowa, either. Purchase $743,511 October 2017, brand new house, new build. Mortgage of $550,000. Appraisal $975,000 March 2022 What have we put into it? - a dishwasher $1,300 - paint $3,000 - misc air filters/lightbulbs - say another $1,000 which is a vast overestimate I did not count lawn maintenance or house cleaning, as I was responsible for that as a rental tenant. So we've created an absolute return of $425,000 on a $198,811 investment in 4.5 years. Our mortgage also allows for a tax deductio...
by airborne
Wed Feb 16, 2022 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reason not to park home purchase savings in i bonds?
Replies: 20
Views: 1342

Re: Any reason not to park home purchase savings in i bonds?

I don't think you're missing anything. Seems like a good strategy to me.
by airborne
Thu Jan 27, 2022 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196815

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

I can't seem to find this bit of information anywhere: Is the tax to be levied on WA residents who are employed and earn money in a different state?

However, it appears the legislature has kicked the can into Summer 2023 (and hopefully again into eternity).
by airborne
Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best site to find good rates on international flights?
Replies: 39
Views: 4133

Re: Best site to find good rates on international flights?

Gardener wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:33 pm
bob60014 wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:29 pm Google Flights to search, but book directly with the airline(s)!
Google flights is excellent. Thanks.

Why is that, sir? Trying to learn as much as I can about this. Thanks.
I agree with bob. Generally booking direct with the airline always provides the best fare, but it always leads to fewer frustrations when your itinerary doesn't go to plan. Flight disruptions and cancellations are corrected much more quickly and easily when you've booked directly with the operating airline.
by airborne
Sun Dec 19, 2021 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who is planning to do a backdoor Roth in early January?
Replies: 51
Views: 4777

Re: Who is planning to do a backdoor Roth in early January?

Dontsell1 wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 5:34 pm We now have a final answer. Manchin has sunk the bill.
To be accurate, a majority of the Senate has sunk the bill.

It's prudent to consider this pending legislation in the respect that "retroactive" rules could cause many people major headaches. I'm not sure what my plan is in January. I may keep investments in my taxable account a little longer into the year than normal before I do the backdoor Roth just in case. I feel as though any rule changes happening later in the year couldn't reasonably be retroactive to January.
by airborne
Sun Dec 12, 2021 9:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Well, you've all convinced me... 1% into SCV
Replies: 49
Views: 5293

Re: Well, you've all convinced me... 1% into SCV

000 wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 5:31 pm
Tinyz wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 9:59 am EMXC is just too expensive. There is no easy way to avoid China and these firms knows what we want. look at that unholy expense plus spread. :twisted:
XCEM has a lower ER but higher spread and fewer stocks. The effective annualized cost of spread depends on how long you hold.
Correct. I'm not trading and I don't recall the spread being heinous last time I purchased a batch for a long-term hold. A 0.25% ER is worth removing China from EM holdings to many people, and with it being such a small portion of the portfolio honestly it's negligible.
by airborne
Sat Dec 11, 2021 9:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Well, you've all convinced me... 1% into SCV
Replies: 49
Views: 5293

Re: Well, you've all convinced me... 1% into SCV

1% in nearly anything isn't going to move the needle much, as others have said.

I like SCV (10% AA) and I also like EM (5% AA out of a total 20% intl). But I share your concerns about China and my new EM money is going into EMXC (iShares Emerging Markets ex-China). That might be a consideration if you'd like to keep EM exposure.
by airborne
Sat Dec 04, 2021 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA portfolio
Replies: 9
Views: 1414

Re: HSA portfolio

For ease, simplification, and to keep me from looking at my HSA too often I just picked a target date fund that generally has the same asset allocation the rest of my portfolio has. Low fee, low maintenance, set it and forget it.
by airborne
Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Saving for a Down Payment and Mortgage Types
Replies: 8
Views: 872

Re: Saving for a Down Payment and Mortgage Types

elle wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:11 am I’m curious why not ibonds for savings if the horizon is a couple years. Ibonds are penalty free after a year if I remember correctly and interest rates are great right now.
Agreed that I Bonds are a good strategy for a portion ($20k-$40k) of the funds. Point of correction--ability to withdraw after one year, penalty free after five years. But the penalty of three months' interest is quite trivial when compared to the money languishing in a savings account or money market.
by airborne
Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WSJ subscription rate is negotiable
Replies: 129
Views: 20005

Re: WSJ subscription rate is negotiable

Escapevelocity wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:34 pm
MechEngOSU wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 11:12 am Well, I've just confirmed what I've always known....that I'm a terrible negotiator. I'm on month 12 of the $4 deal and the rep I talked today did not give me the extended 6 month option at $4. The lowest I got was $19. I may check out the Apple news route that was discussed earlier.
just cancel it and sign up for another $4 deal in a few weeks or a month.
How often do these promotions occur? My subscription expires in July and I'd rather reset a little early than go a month or two without a subscription.
by airborne
Sat Nov 20, 2021 10:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WisdomTree 90/60 US Efficient Core Fund [NTSX] (formerly US Balanced Fund)
Replies: 857
Views: 158017

Re: WisdomTree 90/60 US Efficient Core Fund [NTSX] (formerly US Balanced Fund)

I've long been considering adding NTSX as my core long-term holding in my taxable portfolio, although the thing that's been holding me back is the lack of tax-loss harvesting options if/when there's a price drop/bear market in the future. Unlike NTSX, there are a lot of great tax-loss harvesting pairs for total stock market and SP500 index funds, which I took advantage of during the big market drop in early 2020. Curious what others think of this potential dilemma of holding NTSX in taxable. I would think VOO would be a good TLH partner after a significant drop. The whole premise is that NTSX loosely tracks the SP500 with theoretically milder drawdowns. Take the tax loss from NTSX and purchase VOO at a steeper "discount." I'm cer...
by airborne
Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Los Cabos
Replies: 10
Views: 1516

Re: Trip to Los Cabos

I stayed at that particular resort in the past month. It is more secure than any other resort I've been to in Mexico, and it is a bit more isolated than resorts you'll find in Cabo San Lucas or Cancun. There's a guard post on the road into the resort area and plenty of security staff at the hotel entrance. Anytime I came and went they were documenting license plate numbers of the cars I got into or out of and my room information. The grounds are immaculately maintained. I would recommend the resort itself. As for your other two questions, I really can't speak to any kid-friendly activities as that isn't normally where my attention is focused. There is a small town center about five minutes driving west of the resort with a few restaurants ...
by airborne
Wed Nov 10, 2021 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Los Cabos
Replies: 10
Views: 1516

Re: Trip to Los Cabos

I stayed at that particular resort in the past month. It is more secure than any other resort I've been to in Mexico, and it is a bit more isolated than resorts you'll find in Cabo San Lucas or Cancun. There's a guard post on the road into the resort area and plenty of security staff at the hotel entrance. Anytime I came and went they were documenting license plate numbers of the cars I got into or out of and my room information. The grounds are immaculately maintained. I would recommend the resort itself. As for your other two questions, I really can't speak to any kid-friendly activities as that isn't normally where my attention is focused. There is a small town center about five minutes driving west of the resort with a few restaurants a...
by airborne
Fri Nov 05, 2021 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What would you do? [going to Cancun]
Replies: 79
Views: 7694

Re: What would you do? [going to Cancun]

This is anecdotal, but I visit Cancún often (2x/month in the high season, not so much in the summer) and haven't felt remotely unsafe in the hotel zone. Given the irregularity of these occurrences and the unlikelihood you wouldn't be in close proximity to such an event during your stay, I wouldn't fret too much. BUT. If this is really weighing on your mind and could lead to a less-than-relaxing vacation for you, perhaps consider another location. The Baja Peninsula is by its nature a bit off the drug trade route. Perhaps San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas would be a lower-stress option for you in Mexico.
by airborne
Fri Nov 05, 2021 9:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906584

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

I recently discovered the BogleheadsReturns spreadsheet which has helped me determine my returns across my accounts and time frames. Really great resource.

YTD (as of month-end October) up 18.3% across tax-advantaged and taxable accounts. Taxable account is up 19.0% Mainly broad index funds or ETFs, a healthy (~10%) bit of SLYV small cap value, and the taxable account has a small portion for trading in and out of stocks which has turned out well so far.
by airborne
Wed Nov 03, 2021 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay raises for 2022
Replies: 421
Views: 63536

Re: Pay raises for 2022

It's fascinating how many systems are out there for pay increases. (And also, to an extent, how many people seem to assume the system they're in is "normal".) Over the years I've experienced: - retail, where I basically never stayed long enough to get anything - a small, privately owned firm, where raises were based on unclear factors, including owner whim and general profitability, and I got 13%, 17%, and 0% over three years - a university, where it was basically cost of living adjustments every year, except the one time my boss also got us equity bumps based on low pay compared to similar positions elsewhere in the same university system - a mid-sized firm, where raises were entirely based on a strict review process; raises ran...
by airborne
Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you negotiate rent price?
Replies: 155
Views: 8696

Re: How do you negotiate rent price?

Seems to me the original question was asked and answered, OP doesn't like the answer and the short form back-and-forth is unproductive.

That being said, everyone upthread has made pretty good points. It might be time for OP to look for a new residence if they don't want to pay higher rent as leverage is virtually nil from the sound of it. If you decide to stay at a higher rent at least try to get some improvements made to the apartment to get your money's worth.
by airborne
Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are downsides of ESPP @ 15% discount ?
Replies: 92
Views: 15405

Re: What are downsides of ESPP @ 15% discount ?

unfortunately not in my case.. Fidelity sends me a message "Your shares will be deposited to your account within 5 business days". And I work for a Fortune 100 company so expected better. This stock unfortunately has almost tripled in the last 3 years but the way it rose and fell unfortunately I made zero in the last ESPP period and I will actually lose money in this one.. so perhaps I am just unlucky with it.. which is why I am changing my strategy and holding on this time around with the hope that it will recover. Last time the stock skyrocketed right after I sold it. Very strange. Perhaps you should reach out to your ESPP administrator in HR. My company uses Fidelity as well and I don't encounter that issue, so it seems to be ...
by airborne
Thu Oct 07, 2021 10:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are downsides of ESPP @ 15% discount ?
Replies: 92
Views: 15405

Re: What are downsides of ESPP @ 15% discount ?

stocknoob4111 wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 3:12 pm
sparksfly wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:51 pmThis is practically free money if you sell immediately
It isn't, that is the whole argument. If you're unlucky with the timing you can lose all your gains. This is simply due to the brokerage delays that happen with the ESPP sale. You lock in the sales price but your shares are delivered several days later.
I can't speak for your ESPP, but my shares are available in my brokerage account immediately upon the purchase occuring after market close. The next morning I can sell them in the pre-market if I so desire. There's very little risk of a major price change occuring in the meantime.
by airborne
Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: can I borrow money to buy I-bonds?
Replies: 10
Views: 1577

Re: can I borrow money to buy I-bonds?

At a limit of $10,000 per person I'm not sure the interest rate arbitrage is worth it for such little payoff.
by airborne
Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gauging Risk to Personal Safety While Traveling [Chicago]
Replies: 105
Views: 12359

Re: Gauging Risk to Personal Safety While Traveling [Chicago]

A quick perusal of CWB (mentioned by Kellerreiss above) indicates shootings in River North for 2021 are as much as 2013-2020 combined, robberies in River North are up 46% from last year and higher than any year 2001-2016 (but admittedly lower than 2017-2019), the Loop had 3 people shot in 2019 (two of which were self defense) compared to 25 so far this year, and Wicker Park has 32 carjackings so far compared to 6 by September 2019, with Lincoln Park carjackings up 100% from 2019. Relying on the city-wide statistics you posted, and dismissing crime as a problem of "gang and drug corridors" might be a costly mistake. This appears to be data cherrypicking. That increase in robbery was almost entirely due to one very strange night of...
by airborne
Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gauging Risk to Personal Safety While Traveling [Chicago]
Replies: 105
Views: 12359

Re: Gauging Risk to Personal Safety While Traveling [Chicago]

Yes, we downtown residents of Chicago are experiencing far more street-crime and violent crime episodes than two years ago. We live in Streeterville, north of Chicago River, east of Michigan Ave, in downtown area, very near Navy Pier and Northwestern Hospital. We're long-time downtown residents who work downtown, who only two years ago frequently travelled all over Chicago without much concern about personal safety. So I'm that local resident who can directly speak on this topic. Street-crime is out of control in downtown Chicago, including the Loop business district, the Art Institute/Millennium Park tourist areas, Michigan Ave/Oak Street/State Street/Rush Street retail corridors, River North area which contains lots of bars and restauran...
by airborne
Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase branch declines signature guarantee for TreasuryDirect form
Replies: 91
Views: 21192

Re: Chase branch declines signature guarantee for TreasuryDirect form

My local Chase branch manager stamped my TD form with a signature guarantee without much fuss. At first they thought they needed a Medallion whatever but when it was determined a simple signature guarantee would do the job they had me on my way quickly.

I echo those who say try another branch and make it clear a medallion isn't necessary.
by airborne
Fri Sep 24, 2021 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost of car ownership vs. uber / lyft / ride sharing
Replies: 73
Views: 7016

Re: Cost of car ownership vs. uber / lyft / ride sharing

OP, I've done some partial calculations, and found it to be *highly* idiosyncratic to one's situation. For instance, I've known people in car-centric locales like suburban Detroit and Southern California who lived years without a car, because their particular neighborhood had shopping & medical within a few blocks. Conversely, I've known people in Manhattan who rarely walked because the sidewalks were acoustic nightmares that reeked of urine, steaming garbage, and diesel fumes. If you travel with gear, pets, children (carseats), etc, it can significantly tip the balance in both cost and (even more so) convenience. This is all very true. To find a truly helpful answer, OP would need to talk to someone who is in a similar location/situat...
by airborne
Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2021 I Bonds: what's your plan?
Replies: 468
Views: 98035

Re: 2021 I Bonds: what's your plan?

Johnny99 wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:44 am I want to use $20k (wife and I) to buy iBonds this year. What is the potential advantage or disadvantage to waiting a few more weeks to November for the updated rate?

Thanks
My understanding is there is no advantage to waiting since the fixed rate is highly unlikely to move above zero.

You will receive six months interest at 3.54% and then six months beyond that you will receive the Nov 1 rate. The disadvantage to waiting is pushing back the 12-month lockup on your cash by an additional six weeks or so.
by airborne
Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you all doing for emergency funds?
Replies: 131
Views: 19613

Re: What are you all doing for emergency funds?

For us, checking is about 2mo of living expenses and emergency funds about 6mo of expenses. Given that we spend $10-$15k/mo, that's quite a bit of money! Currently, it's split between checking and Ally, basically paying nothing. With inflation running at 5%/yr and expected to stay there for 3yrs, it's quite expensive to stick to this strategy. I'm curious what you all are doing about this problem? [Blockchain technology (cryptocurrency) comments removed by admin LadyGeek] I have not noticed this addressed so I will ask. What is an emergency for you? Considering you are on this forum I would assume you are saving 15-20% or more of your income. If not then your emergency fund is the least of your problems. With that in mind again what is an ...