Search found 118 matches
- Tue Feb 23, 2021 5:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best decision(s) in your financial life
- Replies: 138
- Views: 8979
Re: Best decision(s) in your financial life
In 1985, when I was 24, I got a bookkeeping job at a small company (actually a local franchise of a bigger company). My boss, who owned the local branch and was a super nice guy, described a benefit called a "401k plan." I'm not sure I even listened to his description, I just waited polite...
- Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Car Spending Advice
- Replies: 104
- Views: 6856
Re: Car Spending Advice
I love this thread. I don't think this (arguing against the Volvo) is the hill you want to die on. Get her whatever car she wants. Maybe wait until after the baby comes; perhaps somehow your current cars will prove up to the task of conveying an 8 pound human :happy BUT BEWARE the unbelievable monet...
- Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:19 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [wiki] Callan periodic table of investment returns
- Replies: 109
- Views: 8376
Re: [wiki] Callan periodic table of investment returns
I disagree on a Growth of 10k chart because it gives the wrong impression that Emerging Market Equity is what you should be investing in (if you started in 2001). What happens when you start investing in other years, such as 2007? Instead, how about the "Growth of Capital" chart that's in...
- Mon Jan 18, 2021 5:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Taxable Account Mutual Funds: Schwab or Vanguard
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1627
Re: Taxable Account Mutual Funds: Schwab or Vanguard
I have Vanguard ETFs at Schwab. Seems to work well. Considered moving to Vanguard to hold Vanguard MFs there but have other accounts (Roth IRA, tIRA) at Schwab and there's too much risk, in my case, of neglecting an account at a different brokerage. I need to keep it pretty simple!
- Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Nurse practitioner as primary care provider?
- Replies: 76
- Views: 6052
Re: Nurse practitioner as primary care provider?
This thread is rather entertaining to read being a nurse practitioner. Although not in primary care. Lots of varying opinions out there for sure. Have a blessed day. This!! I have read this whole thread with my mouth hanging open. Luckily I am mostly amused, not horrified. Amazing number of wrong a...
- Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Re: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
Will convert to Roth on Monday morning. The Fidelity guy who helped me get the funds into the IRA said "you can literally transfer the funds to Roth the moment we're done funding the IRA" which seems to be untrue; I can't transfer to the Roth today. I will do it first thing Monday morning...
- Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Re: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
Celia, thank you for your detailed reply. It is VERY helpful to have carefully worded and clearly stated information when you're trying to get your head around a bunch of concepts you haven't really considered before. I appreciate it very much! I am going to read your post (and the whole thread) sev...
- Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Intro and Personal Finance Advice
- Replies: 59
- Views: 6301
Re: Intro and Personal Finance Advice
Good for you sticking with your plan. It's not easy to stop using/pay down credit cards. Although easier since COVID, no restaurants to go to, right?
- Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Re: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
There are several things to consider here. 1. Do you need to do Roth conversions on your tax-deferred accounts (your 401k, His 403b, and your tIRA)? Some people actually need to do Roth conversions to reduce the amount of money subject to RMDs at age 72. This is frequently done in early retirement ...
- Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Re: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
We have a taxable account worth 19% of our total investments. And yes, starting in 2021 we will have enough reduction in income to be able make direct contributions to a Roth (95% sure of this, will calculate our AGI for 2021 to be sure). *But I'm worried we won't have extra cash to make those cont...
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: REIT vs owning rental property
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2554
Re: REIT vs owning rental property
I HATE it when Roto Rooter tells me this:
"there's also large decorative rocks and coral bits and broken marbles in there that can't be pushed down."

"there's also large decorative rocks and coral bits and broken marbles in there that can't be pushed down."

- Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Re: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
Ok, given some more info, I have to back up a step and ask you why you are motivated to move your existing TIRA money into a Roth at all. What benefit do you believe that will net you? (It is possible that it won't actually net you any benefit.) The rule of thumb is that if you are in a lower tax b...
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 4:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Re: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
I just KNEW y'all would help me :happy ! I mentioned both converting and back-door-ing because I'm not sure how exactly we would get Roth monies to happen. Yes, our income was too high to contribute directly to Roth in the past. And yes, starting in 2021 we will have enough reduction in income to be...
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1785
Should I roll tIRA into 401k before I retire?
DH and I have a relatively large amount of our retirement savings in tax deferred vehicles (401k, 403B, and one tIRA which contains 100% pre-tax money). We have no Roth savings. We have a taxable account worth 19% of our total investments. I am thinking about ways to get some money in a Roth. I am s...
- Sat Dec 12, 2020 11:38 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 401k - High Fees - Need Advice
- Replies: 15
- Views: 953
Re: 401k - High Fees - Need Advice
I succeeded in nicely "pestering" my employer to get more index funds into their 401K plan. What I discovered is that the persons (owners of the company) on the financial committee that meets with/takes recommendations from the local financial services company that makes the company plan w...
- Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:57 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I pay off my new house I'm building?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2126
Re: Should I pay off my new house I'm building?
That leaves the question of how to get my money back in the market for the long term. I think your idea is a good one. But I still have a gut feeling things are going to go south after the new year . I think I'll plan to make a lump sum investment of half in February or so then start DCAing the res...
- Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What have you baked recently?
- Replies: 336
- Views: 39127
Re: What have you baked recently?
Lemon almond ricotta cake which I will serve with a dollop of lemon curd and a few berries, tomorrow for my daughter's birthday. We are going to try to have cake with a few family members outside in the afternoon. Not sure how it will go; weather report for tomorrow mid 50s and overcast. I wish I ha...
- Sun Nov 29, 2020 12:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - how prepare for future?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4712
Re: Son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - how prepare for future?
I strongly recommend looking into getting insulin from Canada or another country. It's several times less expensive for the same product. There are several online support groups and forums for both patients and parents. Have you looked at and/or joined them for tips and advice? My wife is on a bunc...
- Sun Nov 29, 2020 12:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - how prepare for future?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4712
Re: Son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - how prepare for future?
I have a good friend whose 18 year old daughter, whom I have known since she was born, was diagnosed with T1 at age 6. My friend says having double insurance coverage for her daughter (my friend and her ex both work for a public university) has been extremely helpful. They have been astonished at t...
- Sat Nov 28, 2020 3:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How can I reduce my annual expenses: Budget help
- Replies: 133
- Views: 9703
Re: How can I reduce my annual expenses: Budget help
Lots of people who care about their health spend a lot on supplements. The evidence (high quality medical studies) is that in well-nourished Americans most supplements are not needed; some can even be harmful. It is however, VERY big business for the manufacturers. I think vitamin D could be argued ...
- Sat Nov 28, 2020 3:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - how prepare for future?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4712
Re: Son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - how prepare for future?
I have a good friend whose 18 year old daughter, whom I have known since she was born, was diagnosed with T1 at age 6. My friend says having double insurance coverage for her daughter (my friend and her ex both work for a public university) has been extremely helpful. They have been astonished at th...
- Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How do you handle Christmas presents with your spouse?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 2560
Re: How do you handle Christmas presents with your spouse?
My husband and I debate nearly every year about which day our wedding anniversary is--I am sure it's May 24 and he is sure it's May 25. We never actually check to verify. The debate is kind of fun. You may guess that we got married on one week's notice in a judge's office with two friends as witness...
- Sat Nov 28, 2020 9:43 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Housing once you have considerable assets
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4594
Re: Housing once you have considerable assets
I'm about to turn 60 and will "retire" (will quit my day job but not sure I won't work at something else next) very soon. We live in a modest house in a very pleasant older neighborhood, bought in 1995 when my kids (now gone) were very small. I'm watching friends, especially those who are ...
- Sat Nov 28, 2020 9:24 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Housing once you have considerable assets
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4594
Re: Housing once you have considerable assets
This sentiment, said this way, is the thing. Love me some Bogleheads......TomatoTomahto wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 7:49 am OP, congrats on hitting the two comma club. Now, be careful not to get out over your skis. Man plans and God laughs.
- Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best fruit & veggie peeler?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 1744
Re: Best fruit & veggie peeler?
I like y--shaped peelers (my husband prefers the other shape) and buy them for $1.49 at Ikea whenever I am in there. I am in Ikea infrequently so I just buy 5 or 6 of them, plenty to last for the next 10-12 years! They are sharp enough to peel just about anything cleanly.
- Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Re: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
Thanks, everyone, for answering and for being knowledgeable!! I did email Allan Roth about this and he is a fan of this product. His off the top of his head suggestion is no more, and possibly less, than 50% of our bond allocation to TIAA. The rest to a liquid bond fund.
- Sun Nov 15, 2020 2:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Re: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
The money in his account comprises both employer and employee contributions. I will try to find out if there is a version of the product that is more liquid. But we aren't likely to absolutely NEED it to be liquid in the next 10-20 years, I think.
- Sun Nov 15, 2020 2:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Re: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
Interestingly, RM, after today's conversations about TIAA Trad, DH shows subtle signs of interest ("Wait, why didn't I know about this when I took this job in 1995?" is one comment I heard today......). It's a little frustrating; he's a MATHEMATICIAN for goodness sake, why don't these numb...
- Sun Nov 15, 2020 1:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Re: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
To be clear, my memory is that Wealth Logic did inquire whether TIAA Traditional was available to us. At the time I did not understand the product (I probably still don't) well enough to get that it was IMPORTANT to find this out. I should have made DH find it out. At the time he was being crabby ab...
- Sun Nov 15, 2020 12:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Re: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
Looks like DH does have TIAA Traditional available to him (I'm trying not to be annoyed that we didn't confirm this a few years ago--I'm pretty sure Alan Roth asked me about this and at the time I couldn't get DH, who has less than no interest in all this retirement stuff, to find out) at the 3% rat...
- Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Re: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
I'm not sure about TIAA Traditional, I will have to check on that.
- Sat Nov 14, 2020 9:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1326
Fido vs TIAA bond index funds
About two years ago DH and I simplified our various retirement accounts and changed our AA from 70/30 to 50/50. We worked with Alan Roth at Wealth Logic on this; I had to rearrange a complex taxable account that had too many funds and too many expensive funds. In the rearrange Alan recommended bond ...
- Wed Nov 11, 2020 1:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: House Purchase Sanity Check
- Replies: 92
- Views: 6620
Re: House Purchase Sanity Check
This is an amazing thread--I am learning so much!! There is an amazing amount of perspective for the OP. And the plot keeps getting thicker. What I want to know is, what does your wife think of all this? Is she reading the posts/replies? I very much hope that whatever happens, you and she are FIRMLY...
- Mon Jun 22, 2020 10:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How do I calculate % of allocations across different accounts?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2023
Re: How do I calculate % of allocations across different accounts?
Back to the beginning of this thread where livesoft suggested using the "Analysis" tab at Fidelity and you replied you don't have that tab. It sounds like you have your "start page" set to NetBenefits which is the employer area. From there click on the Menu tab in the black bar (...
- Wed Jun 03, 2020 11:04 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Older Women Lifting Weights
- Replies: 166
- Views: 18283
Re: Older Women Lifting Weights
LadyGeek wrote: The Turkish Get Up is incredibly difficult to get the correct form. It took me over a week just to get close and it's still not right. All I could handle was a 10 lb weight. Today, I finally advanced to 12.5 lb. The best I can do is to focus on keeping my arm fully vertical for the d...
- Wed May 20, 2020 11:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Engagement Ring Help
- Replies: 85
- Views: 4938
Re: Engagement Ring Help
I second the idea of spending some time on Pricescope.com. You will learn a lot and I bet you will buy the diamond online when all is said and done. Find out what your girl really wants (hack her Pintrest account or solicit info from her besties). I have two fairly valuable/sizeable diamond rings. O...
- Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:53 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: iPhone for Grandparents
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1674
Re: iPhone for Grandparents
I much prefer to Zoom or FaceTime on an iPad than on a phone. I have had good experiences buying used phones and an iPad on swappa.com. My rules for Swappa include only buying from someone with existing ratings (and I do read the ratings) and I usually go for "mint" condition which often a...
- Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gardening 2020
- Replies: 227
- Views: 18010
Re: Gardening 2020
I have spent the last few days doing garden maintenance that has been deferred for many years (amazing what furlough from work results in). Pruned many overgrown shrubs and trees. Removed some perennials that have seen better days. Spread truckload after truckload of blended mint compost over every ...
- Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Seasoned Bogleheads; What 3 Things Have You Done Financially Related to the Economy Recently
- Replies: 112
- Views: 11527
Re: Seasoned Bogleheads; What 3 Things Have You Done Financially Related to the Economy Recently
1) Rebalanced according to plan. 2) TLH in my taxable account. 3) Reconsidered retirement at the end of 2020 (maybe not!). 4) Thanked my lucky stars that I have a Toto bidet toilet seat, which means TP is not needed, and is far more hygienic in the first place (just ask the Japanese, or anyone who h...
- Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Spring Break camping in Marin County
- Replies: 2
- Views: 326
Spring Break camping in Marin County
DH and I have been looking forward to a planned car camping and hiking trip with another couple to Samuel P Taylor State Park in Marin County California. Over the last few weeks it has seemed like a viable trip even with the virus situation. Now with the "lockdown" of 7 Bay Area counties i...
- Fri Mar 13, 2020 10:12 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Rebalancing into stocks when they fall is unrealistic
- Replies: 160
- Views: 14932
Re: Rebalancing into stocks when they fall is unrealistic
My investment plan (which I have only had for about a year) says rebalance Jan 1 and July 1 each year, and whenever the portfolio is 6% away from the designated AA of 50-50. July 1 of 2019 and Jan 1 of 2020 there was nothing to do, as I was still at 50-50 or very close. Yesterday I was at 44-56, and...
- Sun Sep 29, 2019 7:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Mid-Century Sofa - Quality of Online Brands / Midrange Chains
- Replies: 36
- Views: 6127
Re: Mid-Century Sofa - Quality of Online Brands / Midrange Chains
FWIW, I got a bed (The Culla Spindle) from Article. For the price (it was about 25% less than similar beds I saw online) the quality is great. Solid as a rock. Shipped beautifully, nothing scratched, broken, or missing, good assembly instructions. My daughter has a small sofa from Article which also...
- Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Waterpik
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3040
Re: Waterpik
I prefer water flossing to flossing with a string, but my hygienist recommends both. I try to do string flossing in the morning and water flossing before bed.
- Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Waterpik
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3040
Re: Waterpik
seity, will you share the technique you were taught? I don't know what the numbers are but my dial is set about halfway between min and max. I have turned it up higher but found somehow at the higher pressure I lost my grip on the handle easily. As some of you may have found out, two things happen w...
- Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:41 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hawaii vacation, any recommendations?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4439
Re: Hawaii vacation, any recommendations?
I have been to all the islands of Hawaii; each has its charms. I just got back a few days ago from O'ahu. Stayed in a darling older bungalow (Air BnB) in a cute neighborhood walkable to Queen's beach, Diamond Head, and Waikiki. I really like the big city options of Honolulu (had some terrific food) ...
- Mon Nov 26, 2018 11:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is good, quality luggage worth the price?
- Replies: 94
- Views: 8024
Re: Is good, quality luggage worth the price?
I have two rollerboards from Briggs and Riley. I bought them, very discounted, on Sierra Trading Post about 20 years ago. At the time I didn't know what B and R was. Now I understand what excellent luggage is. These two bags have been on hundreds of trips. They have been tossed around by the airline...
- Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "consultation fee": standard for preventative colonoscopy?
- Replies: 81
- Views: 6348
Re: "consultation fee": standard for preventative colonoscopy?
I am a nurse practitioner who assists at surgery (my employer is a reproductive endocrinologist and we do surgery one day per week, at an outpatient surgery center for straightforward laparoscopies, and at the main hospital for more complex cases). I don't see why a GI procedure like a colonoscopy s...
- Sat Nov 24, 2018 1:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Helping elderly Mom with finances
- Replies: 45
- Views: 3864
Re: Helping elderly Mom with finances
bironology wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 7:27 am Rick, duly noted, thanks for that advice. I agree autopay and account alerts are the way to go. Also noted on the predator risk. Not happening on my watch! I also will have PoA for my mom, in advance of when it's required. It can be a challenge to head of...
- Sat Nov 10, 2018 3:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Moving to NYC without a job
- Replies: 33
- Views: 5466
Re: Moving to NYC without a job
I recommend fleshing out in your head all the steps involved if you were to move to New York, not find work, and end up moving back to Seattle. If that would be disastrous for you, emotionally, financially, or logistically, then don't go until you have a job secured. If your evaluation of the worst ...
- Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Frustrating issue with VG website. Need advice.
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1961
Re: Frustrating issue with VG website. Need advice.
I have the same problem at Fidelity. Two accounts with zero balances from an employer I haven't worked for since 2008. I gave up trying to get Fidelity to delete the accounts and just opted in my settings to hide them. They are still there, but they don't bother me any more.