Search found 46 matches
- Tue Feb 02, 2021 1:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sell house before or after major repair??
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2359
Re: Sell house before or after major repair??
Agree with JHarkin here...old houses often have some foundation PITAs. And many folks who love old houses will blink, but not balk at this (but then JHarkin and I are weirdos, we are part of old house forums!) But if you are in Central Jersey and college town, I gotta think it's Princeton. If so, it...
- Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Geico or Progressive auto insurance?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2393
Re: Geico or Progressive auto insurance?
But doesn't an independent agent take a cut? I think that's one reason why State Farm tends to be expensive... you're paying for the "privilege" of going through a local insurance agent (although with State Farm, not independent). Yes, but actually, they get a commission from the sale (or...
- Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Avoiding Probate: TOD or Trust for home
- Replies: 28
- Views: 1460
Re: Avoiding Probate: TOD or Trust for home
I strongly recommend you consult an elder care attorney or a civil att'y who handles a lot of Probate in CO. Laws vary by state. In OH, all assets must be in the trusts' name prior to death, otherwise, the entire estate gets thrown into Probate. Trust me, I know from personal experience...my great a...
- Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
Re: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
$250K in salary and looking at a low $300K house?? I know this isn't your direct question but at basically a 1:1 on salary to house you are extremely comfortable. My bigger question is where is all the other money you have made over the years? You dont just "arrive" at a $250K salary so y...
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
Re: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
No your fear isn't irrational in the sense that housing prices have gone down in the past, so it is rational to think that you may end up selling for a loss. That said, so what? I would do a thought experiment to consider what is the worst that could reasonably happen. Let's say that the day after ...
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
Re: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
@checkyourmath @campy2010 @59Gibson @Miguelito Agree with your general sentiments. Relatively low cost home (nationally) and it's not stretching me financially. So just jump already ;) I'm pretty much there. Just went over to remind myself of the yard. It's veddy nice. Some room to stretch out witho...
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
Re: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
Your retirement savings appear low relative to your salary. Maybe consider a lower priced home in order to beef up savings? This is likely not the feedback that you are seeking... Thanks, but I feel very confident where I am from a retirement perspective. It's just me, no kids, and no plans to pass...
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
Re: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
Lots of responses, thank you. I'll try to answer the ones with specific questions. Usually the biggest danger with house values is if you buy high and then due to a job loss/relocation are forced to sell it at the low price (assuming renting it out is impossible). I would say at your age, a nice eme...
- Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3157
Emotional risk of losing $$ on a house purchase
So, I've been a BH'er for a awhile, and read up on almost everything. Here are the stats: 1. Single, early 50s. No kids 2. Salary $250k 3. $800k in retirement savings, another $300k in savings. Prefer to downshift within in the next 5 years 4. Recently moved from Boston to a MCOL area (Shaker Height...
- Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New Home Purchase: Mortgage Rate Thread
- Replies: 0
- Views: 321
New Home Purchase: Mortgage Rate Thread
Since there is a monster thread for refinances, thought I'd start one for new home purchase mortgages. I executed a contract today for new primary residence. $330k purchase price, house in OH. Can easily put down as much as $200k. 750+ credit. Prefer a 10 year mortgage as I want to retire/downshift ...
- Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can my wife and I afford a $600K + house?
- Replies: 134
- Views: 15059
Re: Can my wife and I afford a $600K + house?
Totally, sounds like you are pretty intent on buying a house. Even if you could hold off 18 months, if you are dedicated, you could pay off the car loans. That's almost $1k a month in savings/spend flexibly. A little one doesn't need space until they are up and running. Plus, it would allow some fle...
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: waited too long to buy a house - but starting to feel priced out..
- Replies: 33
- Views: 5442
Re: waited too long to buy a house - but starting to feel priced out..
There are wise words, noted above, about trying to buy at the height of the market. And, in a HCOL (I know Seattle, my sister has lived there 20+ years and I spent a year out there too). If you are dead set on staying in the metro area and buying now, you want to find houses without competition. Tha...
- Sat Oct 17, 2020 6:17 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is programming still a valuable skill to learn?
- Replies: 250
- Views: 20666
Re: Is programming still a valuable skill to learn?
I've lead Product teams (and Scrum teams) and find that the best software developers are the ones who are the most adaptable, though not necessarily the best individual "coder", for lack of a better word. And among these the absolute top tier programmers are the ones that have a great sen...
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 5:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1187
Re: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
Good discussion, thanks. I will certainly not be paying the mortgage off in 2 to 5 years. If I take out a 15 year, I want to repay it in 10, and if I take a 10, I will probably pay it off in 7 (I don't want a mortgage in retirement, that's for darn sure). Good input on lower rates on larger mortgage...
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Any suburban SFH investors selling out? [Single Family Home]
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4236
Re: Any suburban SFH investors selling out?
I did. It was one of the guiding factors in the timing of my cross country move. Solid stupid high, have banked the $$$, waiting for the downtown to buy my SFH and potentially reinvest the remainder of the profit in other SFHs. What are you renting now? Is it just you, or do you have a family? Just...
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Share your net worth progression
- Replies: 2475
- Views: 563913
Re: Share your net worth progression
Just me and da dog. Spent the first 15 years of my earning years doing what I wanted. Peace Corps, working at nonprofits, traveling the globe in the travel industry, started my own travel company....Which barely paid the rent, much less any space for saving. Went corporate (IT consulting) 16 years a...
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1187
Re: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
Just throwing this out there: what kind of maintenance expenses do you forsee for your new home in the next couple of years? New roof? Some improvement you want to do (a better fence for the doggo, a deck, a shed)? Can you cash flow 5K or 10K over the course of the month for something like this? Wh...
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1187
Re: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
Sorry, price of the house under consideration is 1.2x my annual salary. Not %


- Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1187
15 or 10 year mortgage...or cash
I recently moved to a lower COL area and am looking for a house. -Early 50s -Just me and the dog -Fully maxing out my tax free investments, including catchup contributions -Would love to retire in 5 years, 10 at the outside -Current job for 15+ years. Would like to think I have job security, but in ...
- Sat Oct 03, 2020 8:16 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Any suburban SFH investors selling out? [Single Family Home]
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4236
Re: Any suburban SFH investors selling out?
I did. It was one of the guiding factors in the timing of my cross country move.
Solid stupid high, have banked the $$$, waiting for the downtown to buy my SFH and potentially reinvest the remainder of the profit in other SFHs.
Solid stupid high, have banked the $$$, waiting for the downtown to buy my SFH and potentially reinvest the remainder of the profit in other SFHs.
- Mon Sep 28, 2020 12:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: A simpler car.
- Replies: 233
- Views: 16888
Re: A simpler car.
Personally, you are not alone. The forced dealer maintenance of newer model year cars is outrageous and I'll go as long as I can to avoid it. I don't need a dealer to install a new battery/reset codes, or do an oil change, for heaven's sake...it's their version of PAAS. IMHO, I'd get a 2015 or earli...
- Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:58 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: NE Ohio (Cleveland Area) Master Thread
- Replies: 222
- Views: 76820
Re: NE Ohio (Cleveland Area) Master Thread
Hallo!
I am a recent boomerang-er (grew up in NCO, left for 30 years, recently moved back) and would like to join the club.
Particularly interested in excellent fee for service financial planners here
Thanks!
Techie
I am a recent boomerang-er (grew up in NCO, left for 30 years, recently moved back) and would like to join the club.
Particularly interested in excellent fee for service financial planners here

Thanks!
Techie
- Sat Sep 26, 2020 6:25 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Possible Relocation to Columbus, OH Area
- Replies: 49
- Views: 3698
Re: Possible Relocation to Columbus, OH Area
I grew up in Central Ohio and this info is spot on. Columbus is often thought of as the largest suburb ever to grace the earth. It's bland and loaded with sprawl. Now, that's not necessarily bad and Cbus has definitely become more 'cosmopolitan' over the last few decades. But there is little 'histor...
- Sat Sep 26, 2020 6:10 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Capital One Venture credit card: Is this a good deal?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1588
Re: Capital One Venture credit card: Is this a good deal?
I'm part of Flyertalkers, a website devoted to frequent flyers. And there is a whole forum devoted to cards (and probably thousands of threads). They agree Chase Sapphire is one of the best. But you all should venture over there. Mind boggling how much folks will do to gather points.
- Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1924
Re: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
Since you already have a place you're renting which isnt that far off from what you're looking at from a P&I perspective, I'd only think about buying if being a home owner is a lifestyle choice you are interested in vs. investment return. The one thing with Cleveland is that the "nice"...
- Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1924
Re: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
Excellent strategy. Thankscelia wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:00 pm If you want to buy, I would think the most important thing is to find a stable, upscale neighborhood that has already been stable for 10 years. That would be more important to me than the specific house. Sort of like buying the cheapest house in the best neighborhood.
- Thu Sep 24, 2020 11:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1924
Re: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
Thanks all...but we sorta veered off topic... Which are 1. Strategies to buy in a market that has not historically had the kind of growth I'm used to on the coasts 2. Analysis considerations for Buy v Rent (given the historically high tax rates in NEO) I'm not looking for an 'investment' per se, I j...
- Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1924
Buying a house in a city with historically declining housing prices?
Hi Bogleheaders, I moved from the Boston area to greater CLE in the summer...mostly to be closer to family. Renting a very nice house for the time being and dipping my toe into looking at houses. Need some advice on buying in a type of COL area I'm not used to. Background: the CLE area market has hi...
- Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:51 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: "Parking" funds for eventual new house purchase
- Replies: 4
- Views: 655
Re: "Parking" funds for eventual new house purchase
Thanks Annu. I play the 'run everything thru my CC' game as I'm a frequent flyer. I like to amass points rather than cashback...funds my wanderlust.
But, it is an interesting thought...2.5% is not an insignificant amount for my annual purchase totals. Hmm. I do have plenty of points. Hmm.
But, it is an interesting thought...2.5% is not an insignificant amount for my annual purchase totals. Hmm. I do have plenty of points. Hmm.
- Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: "Parking" funds for eventual new house purchase
- Replies: 4
- Views: 655
Re: "Parking" funds for eventual new house purchase
Anon, thank you. I didn't realize the penalty phase was so short on some CDs. That's great. I have plenty in my emergency fund, plenty in my monthly checking 'slush fund', just wondered where I should park the $$$. Any reason to look at staggered CDs with higher yields? I am afraid that I'll get cau...
- Tue Jun 30, 2020 7:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: "Parking" funds for eventual new house purchase
- Replies: 4
- Views: 655
"Parking" funds for eventual new house purchase
Well, thanks to the forum, finally have the solution implemented to rebalance my 401k issue (WAAY too heavy in stocks). Now onto 'problem' #2: In 2 weeks, I will be selling my current residence and moving cross country. I expect to pocket a tidy profit from the home sale (250k+). Want to put 1/2 of ...
- Tue Apr 28, 2020 11:40 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Recession 101: Low COL/No mortgage v. Job Security
- Replies: 7
- Views: 713
Re: Recession 101: Low COL/No mortgage v. Job Security
No spouse, just a dog, a boat, cars and a lot of household crap 

- Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Recession 101: Low COL/No mortgage v. Job Security
- Replies: 7
- Views: 713
Re: Recession 101: Low COL/No mortgage v. Job Security
1 Wait 5 years until full retirement 2 Job search now while employed. Move when new job is secured. 3 Quit existing job, move into new home, sell old home, look for work, be prepared for possible long term unemployment and possible early retirement with reduced benefits. May need to continue workin...
- Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:44 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Recession 101: Low COL/No mortgage v. Job Security
- Replies: 7
- Views: 713
Recession 101: Low COL/No mortgage v. Job Security
Hi all, Well, need your help and points of view. I was heavily leaning toward (read:looking at homes to buy), before the meltdown, moving from my current high COL/job rich state (MA) to my home (OH). I've been at my current employer 15+ years and work in internal IT Leadership for a global professio...
- Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2604
Re: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
I think I wouldn't shuffle my current portfolio, but a question where to invest future funds. And thank you Northern, good ideas to mull over.
- Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2604
Re: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
@Rich126, I did that, using the calculators on the site. And I was on a 6 year plan to retire. Now, um, it might be a bit longer :) I posted allocations approx 5 minutes ago, I think this is what everyone was asking for (didn't know if that was too much info) @Northern Flicker, unfortunately, I thin...
- Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2604
Re: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
I don't know if this is too much info, but here goes. Please don't beat me up (I thought my company was auto-balancing my portfolio based upon age and risk, but I guess not). And, if I need to get to a professional to help, I will. I have: 401k Northern Trust S&P 500 (60%) Northern Trust EAFE (4...
- Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2604
Not savvy, lost a bunch, and scared
Hi, I am a single professional in my early 50s. Started professional career and saving/investing late (15ish years ago). Am not investing savvy (though I lead huge global projects, so I'm not dumb, just in this area!). I didn't want to look at my 401k, but curiosity got the better of me today. I'm d...
- Thu Feb 28, 2019 7:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Needing Help with the Flexible Retirement Planner
- Replies: 1
- Views: 376
Needing Help with the Flexible Retirement Planner
Hi All, I am trying to use the Flexible Retirement Planner to run a few scenarios thru. I am pretty basic person. Single, homeowner with mortgage, 401k + Benefit plan at work. Want to blow it all before I go ;) Maybe I am just dumb (and I've read up on the FRP forum), but at least the way I am enter...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1259
Re: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
Bloom, Trust me, in greater Boston, I am living in a small house (it's only 900 sq feet). My house costs less than most condos around here. RE costs are just insane. But I do appreciate the recommendations on the MM and CDs. I will look into those right away. I am using Flexible Retirement Planner, ...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 9:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1259
Re: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
Thanks Bloom, So, on my W2, it looks like approx $6k last year shows up as employer sponsored health care (DD). Am I hearing you say that I need to factor that into the magic $61k threshold/calculation? I will certainly look in on the Back Door option. I have NO idea :oops: It's funny you mention th...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1259
Re: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
Thanks Bloom. I am not doing the typical 4% draw down approach. I am unmarried and have no heirs (and will not have heirs) and I do not plan on leaving a gazillion dollars to my extended family. I am assuming I will take a more significant draw down to meet my retirement spending budget, and I am mo...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Luggage/travel recommendations?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 5333
Re: Luggage/travel recommendations?
Briggs & Riley makes excellent luggage. I use it on United all the time, both for domestic and international. I use a small Briggs & Riley backpack as my personal item. It attaches easily to both sizes of the wheeled luggage. This!! B&R is the preferred luggage for very serious traveler...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1259
Being more strategic on my pre-retirement investments
Hi, First time poster, long time admirer. I am still learning the ropes, so please be kind. :) Background/The Stats -Turning (gulp!) 50 this year -Single, 230k annual income -Homeowner in high COLA region (New England). Approx $320k mortgage left, with some significant old house deferred maintenance...