Search found 1068 matches

by GrowthSeeker
Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?
Replies: 42
Views: 4602

Re: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?

jay50 wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:30 am Such good information! Thanks. I think the hard part is identifying exactly which of the two types of funds you reference are on my chart! However, if my chart shows all state percentages as well as the larger US govt percentage, can I figure that both sets of percentages apply to that particular fund? Thanks again!
The % for your state applies to Tax-Exempt dividends, such as a muni bond fund.

The % US Govt obligations applies to Ordinary Dividends.

Ordinary Dividends, btw, equals Qualified dividends + Nonqualified dividends + Section 199A dividends (maybe a few other types?) but does not include Tax-Exempt dividends.
by GrowthSeeker
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?
Replies: 42
Views: 4602

Re: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?

Hello. I too have a VA situation. This whole issue is mind boggling. Why can’t it be spelled out on the mutual fund and uit supplemental information chart? The chart relates to federally exempt income. What do we do with the individual state and US possessions percentages? And with the US government securities percentage? Are these percentages that VA taxes or doesn’t tax? Thanks for info. Hi, not sure how much of the following you already have, but even if you already know all this, it may help others. For how much of a tax exempt fund's dividends are allotted to each state, some 1099s provide that information in the details, Vanguard always publishes a pdf file. For 2023, the Tax-exempt interest dividends by state for Vanguard municipal ...
by GrowthSeeker
Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?
Replies: 42
Views: 4602

Re: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?

Fast forwarding to 2023 tax preparation: This is the first year I'm using H&R Block software for my state tax return (PA has their own tax return which I had been using). I was a bit perplexed on how to report the government obligation deductions for my state on the H&R return. Luckily, I did a computer search and discovered 'The Finance Buff's explanation. 2023 State Tax-Exempt Treasury Interest from Funds and ETFs At the above link toggle down to the 'Table of Contents' and select H&R Block (Turbo Tax or 'Free Tax USA' options) for a detail explanation. When you check the box at the bottom of your 'Dividend and Distribution' page of your tax software page (titled 'From U.S. Treasury obligations') you will see: Enter your U.S....
by GrowthSeeker
Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?
Replies: 42
Views: 4602

Re: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?

Fast forwarding to 2023 tax preparation: This is the first year I'm using H&R Block software for my state tax return (PA has their own tax return which I had been using). I was a bit perplexed on how to report the government obligation deductions for my state on the H&R return. Luckily, I did a computer search and discovered 'The Finance Buff's explanation. 2023 State Tax-Exempt Treasury Interest from Funds and ETFs At the above link toggle down to the 'Table of Contents' and select H&R Block (Turbo Tax or 'Free Tax USA' options) for a detail explanation. When you check the box at the bottom of your 'Dividend and Distribution' page of your tax software page (titled 'From U.S. Treasury obligations') you will see: Enter your U.S....
by GrowthSeeker
Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PSA: EFTPS login change [IRS - Electronic Federal Tax Payment System]
Replies: 19
Views: 2861

Re: Attempting IRS login; ID.me verification failure

I used to have a login to IRS.gov. Now ID.me is the only way to login to IRS. I do have an IP PIN each year, which was why I tried to login; but my IP PIN came in the mail. But when I tried to complete the ID.me registration, I did get a login and password, they sent a link to my cell phone, I clicked to take photos of my driver's license which seemed to work - first the front, then the back; but then the button for continuing onto the next step is still greyed out. Unable to proceed. Also tried taking photos offline and using the stored photos from my photo library on the phone. Same functionality: seems to work fine but the button to continue on is greyed out. I tried each way about 3 times. There is no message that the photo wasn't clear...
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Nov 24, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reverse Osmosis vs. Ultrafiltration
Replies: 24
Views: 3271

Re: Reverse Osmosis vs. Ultrafiltration

I just looked up UF, and the site I found said it filters out whatever is larger than 0.02 microns. It does not filter out minerals, whereas RO does filter out minerals. 0.02 microns equals 20 nanometers. A typical bond between atoms is on the order of 1 Angstrom which is 0.1 nanometers. A typical molecule that has, say, 30 atoms which is (AFAIK) about the size of forever chemicals is probably on the order of 1 nanometer. So I would assume that UF does not filter out forever chemicals, based on the assumed "mesh size". Activated carbon does have the ability to absorb lots of things. If there are PFAS (forever chemicals) in the water, I would assume the activated charcoal component of the water system absorbs some of if, maybe all ...
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Nov 24, 2023 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [2023 TurboTax Desktop now requires account login to activate]
Replies: 126
Views: 67407

Re: [2023 TurboTax Desktop now requires account login to activate]

Black Friday Deal on Amazon for HRB
https://www.amazon.com/Block-Software-D ... r=8-3&th=1
H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2023 with Refund Bonus Offer (Amazon Exclusive) (PC/MAC Download)
$24.99
[Edit: sorry I posted in the wrong thread; unable to delete since it has been replied to]
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [2023 TurboTax Desktop now requires account login to activate]
Replies: 126
Views: 67407

Re: 2023 TurboTax DESKTOP to require website login.

Joe Public wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:34 pm What are some good alternatives for someone who is looking for a desktop option with no login/user account requirement?
yes. I was going to put this in the first post.
So 2 questions:

Good TT alternative for desktop use?
If any read the old TT files to copy in prior years info?

Thanks in advance.
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [2023 TurboTax Desktop now requires account login to activate]
Replies: 126
Views: 67407

2023 TurboTax DESKTOP to require website login.

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] I received an email from TurboTax that suggests we will have to login to their website in order to activate TT to use on a desktop. I don't recall that being necessary in the past (I have purchased from Amazon). Should this be a cause for concern? Time to switch to a different tax software? Or no big deal? copy of email follows: "Hi there, We’re reaching out to our TurboTax Desktop customers to share an important change to how you’ll install and activate your software this upcoming 2023 tax season. To install and activate TurboTax 2023 on your computer, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your existing Intuit Account (or create an account if you don’t already have one) before entering your licen...
by GrowthSeeker
Sun Jan 29, 2023 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxable status for Vanguard cash funds (VUSXX VMSXX VYFXX VMFXX)
Replies: 51
Views: 6914

Re: Taxable status for Vanguard cash funds (VUSXX VMSXX VYFXX VMFXX)

Scorpion Stare wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:32 pm
GrowthSeeker wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:03 pm As a wild guess, I'll guess that the letter is accurate as a summary of the entire year whereas the webpage profile is a snap shot as of a certain date.
Also, the letter gives a percent of income while the web page gives a percent of assets.
Northern Flicker wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:40 pm T-bills are one type of govt obligation, and are included in the 37.79% number.
Thank you both.
by GrowthSeeker
Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxable status for Vanguard cash funds (VUSXX VMSXX VYFXX VMFXX)
Replies: 51
Views: 6914

Re: Taxable status for Vanguard cash funds (VUSXX VMSXX VYFXX VMFXX)

According to Vanguard’s 2022 US Government Obligations Income letter , the Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX) had 37.79% of its income from US government obligations. (The handling of such cases varies from state to state; some will let you exclude that percentage from your taxable income, while others only let you exclude funds with over 50% of assets in government obligations. VMFXX currently has 41% of NAV in T-bills and other government obligations.) Yes, the letter and pdf file say VMFXX had 37.79% of its income from US government obligations. But the VMFXX profile webpage shows under Portfolio composition, about half way down the page, and this is as of 12/31/2022: US Govt obligations 39.20% US Treasury Bills 1.80% I'm inclined to bel...
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Dec 23, 2022 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big problem with rollover
Replies: 36
Views: 3769

Re: Big problem with rollover

So I attempted to transfer my IRA to 401K at Vanguard. I follow the instructions by Vanguard to transfer the funds. I was told that the fund would be sent to from IRA to 401K and I would not received a check. I was told that I needed to do a separate Transfer form to my IRA. There was only one option to do. Now it appears Vanguard has sent me 2 checks for indirect rollover. They said they cannot reverse this and since you can only have 1 rollover per year, I will need to pay taxes on one of them. They said that funds have been sent out and there is nothing they can do about it. What are my options? I appeared to be screwed. (1) Trying to understand why there was a system failure: do you have any idea why they sent TWO checks ? Were there t...
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Nov 25, 2022 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax 2022 [purchase discount thread]
Replies: 394
Views: 52216

Re: TurboTax 2022 [purchase discount thread]

Most Bogleheads would use Premier? TT Deluxe + State gives me everything I need: Just brokerage accounts with simple funds, no Investment properties or LPs. I did some consulting in 2021 and had a bit of Schedule C income, Deluxe handled it. +1 I used to buy TT Premier until I read David Jay ’s TT posts. If you have investments, business income or real estate transactions, TT Deluxe will handle it just fine. However, the TT Deluxe software will give you a marketing “upsell” when using the software to a more expensive TT program that is worded in a way to make you think TT Deluxe can’t handle it (when it will). Could you clarify what exactly is the difference, then, between Deluxe and Premier? When you say "Deluxe will handle it just f...
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Nov 25, 2022 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax 2022 [purchase discount thread]
Replies: 394
Views: 52216

Re: TurboTax 2022 [purchase discount thread]

Is this it?? Amazon Black Friday TT Fed + State $45.99

https://www.amazon.com/TurboTax-Deluxe- ... r=1-1&th=1

TurboTax Deluxe 2022 Tax Software, Federal and State Tax Return, [Amazon Exclusive] [PC/MAC Download]
List Price: $69.99 Details (with a line crossing out the 69.99 price)
With Deal: $45.99
You Save: $24.00 (34%)
by GrowthSeeker
Sat Jan 29, 2022 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do i calculate how much ROTH conversion I need
Replies: 29
Views: 4065

Re: How do i calculate how much ROTH conversion I need

My gut feeling based on your post (and gut feelings are not always accurate) is to go into the 24% bracket to the NIIT threshold. But optimizing Roth conversion strategy depends not only on current data and predictions about the future, but also on what future time frame you're optimizing for : for your life expectancy, your spouse's life expectancy, or your heirs? To be more practical, you could consider three options in increasing order of difficulty (1) i-orp is a quick way to look at your situation. There is a short learning curve but you can get a rough idea. (2) The Retiree Portfolio Model is a massive Excel spreadsheet (also compatible with LibreOffice Calc) created by a Boglehead BigFoot48. Much more detailed answers. Much steeper l...
by GrowthSeeker
Sat Jan 29, 2022 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ugh - TurboTax saying we owe taxes on our backdoor Roths - how to fix?
Replies: 24
Views: 2568

Re: Ugh - TurboTax saying we owe taxes on our backdoor Roths - how to fix?

If it were two individuals on two different returns, one individual might be under the income limit. But if you're MFJ, then I don't know.
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Nov 02, 2021 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Manual flaxseed mill
Replies: 26
Views: 1478

Re: Manual flaxseed mill

I'm curious as well. I haven't tried it, but maybe a large mortar and pestle would do the trick. But I worry that the small hard seeds might want to go all over the place. So I'm thinking a large rough surfaced mortar and pestle like a Mexican stone molcajete. But I'm just speculating.
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with incessant beeping in neighbor's house
Replies: 27
Views: 11410

Re: Help with incessant beeping in neighbor's house

I am hoping the BH community will have an answer for this problem. My friends have a next door neighbor who is almost never home (for months at a time), and for 2 weeks there has been a beeping coming from inside the neighbor's house. It is very annoying, keeping people awake at night. No one knows how to contact the owner. Fire dept was called, they came, and were not interested. Police were called, also not interested. Visit to City Hall: apparently they will send a letter to the owner. Issue One: trying to get authorities to take matter seriously enough to act on it. Issue Two: perhaps try to identify what type of device is making the sound since that may turn out to be something that will get more interest from the authorities. On that...
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are Bonds necessary if you have a pension and SS?
Replies: 28
Views: 3959

Re: Are Bonds necessary if you have a pension and SS?

If 100% of your expenses are covered by SS and pensions, then you are at infinity X since your uncovered expenses equals zero.
So you can do anything you want with your portfolio, since you will never need to spend any of it. So your time frame is that of your heirs' life expectancy. So all or mostly stock makes sense, other things being equal. Theoretically.
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with incessant beeping in neighbor's house
Replies: 27
Views: 11410

Help with incessant beeping in neighbor's house

I am hoping the BH community will have an answer for this problem. My friends have a next door neighbor who is almost never home (for months at a time), and for 2 weeks there has been a beeping coming from inside the neighbor's house. It is very annoying, keeping people awake at night. No one knows how to contact the owner. Fire dept was called, they came, and were not interested. Police were called, also not interested. Visit to City Hall: apparently they will send a letter to the owner. Issue One: trying to get authorities to take matter seriously enough to act on it. Issue Two: perhaps try to identify what type of device is making the sound since that may turn out to be something that will get more interest from the authorities. On that ...
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Intermatic timer
Replies: 31
Views: 4197

Re: Intermatic timer

+1 for the idea it could be a GFI on one of the outlets in the bathroom that is on
the same circuit. Test if any outlets in the room are not working, if not press the reset button until it clicks
by GrowthSeeker
Sun Jul 18, 2021 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wireless Router Recommendations for House?
Replies: 59
Views: 5125

Re: Wireless Router Recommendations for House?

Is there a typo?? Georgio6, <<Can you explain connect them via wire and put one on each floor?>> Run a long Ethernet cable between the two routers and connect them Internet service -> WAN port of Router 1 ----> LAN port of Router 1 ---> Ethernet cable between floor -> LAN port of the Router 2 I always thought the output from the LAN of the first router would go as input to the WAN of the second router. Internet service -> WAN port of Router 1 ----> LAN port of Router 1 ---> Ethernet cable between floor -> WAN port of the Router 2 Correct? Incorrect? Also, regarding MESH. It seems you are comparing MESH to a wired connection and of course the MESH will surely be inferior. But what about MESH vs other wireless options? How does MESH rate vs w...
by GrowthSeeker
Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:55 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: I want to simplify my portfolio [Russia]
Replies: 13
Views: 2197

Re: I want to simplify my portfolio [Russia]

Check out this page in the wiki where it says "Approximating total stock with two funds".
By adding some VXF to your existing VOO you can approach the equivalent of Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)

82% Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX or VOO)
18% Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXAX or VXF)

VTI = 82% VOO + 18% VXF

So this could be done with future purchases if you wish to have VTI instead of VOO. Just incrementally buy shares of VXF instead of VOO.
However, the difference in performance over the long term between VTI and VOO is likely to be not very much difference at all.
by GrowthSeeker
Sun Jul 11, 2021 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to rotate out of an ETF into another similar one without a taxable event?
Replies: 27
Views: 2794

Re: How to rotate out of an ETF into another similar one without a taxable event?

Two points to make: The value of your premiums is tied to the probability of the option being exercised. If way out of the money then your premiums are going to be next to nothing, so the strategy isn't even worth doing. So expect to be in the situation where you can be exercised. Writing calls is not free money. 1st point: ^ this 2nd point: if writing covered calls is such and easy and fool-proof method, then everyone should have already moved a significant percent of their money into this strategy and the ETFs that specialize in this strategy should be going through the roof - no, they should have already gone through the roof. I did 30 seconds of research and found PBP, Invesco S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF. No doubt there is a better and mor...
by GrowthSeeker
Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable / Window AC
Replies: 24
Views: 2751

Re: Portable / Window AC

For reasons I will spare you, unless asked, I am going to be without central air for up to two weeks this summer while some work goes on around the house. My plan is to get by with a window unit for the bedroom, pray for a not horrid summer and dress in natural fibers. So, which type of AC unit to get: a window unit or one that is on wheels. I like the idea of the latter. Anyone have insights? The cost isn't the prime concern. https://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-6-000-BTU-DOE-115-Volt-Portable-Air-Conditioner-with-Dehumidifier-Function-and-LCD-Remote-in-White-LP0621WSR/314714112 https://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-6-000-BTU-115-Volt-Window-Air-Conditioner-with-Remote-in-White-LW6017R/300422895 I have a location where I only h...
by GrowthSeeker
Mon May 24, 2021 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 25x expenses for retirement?
Replies: 22
Views: 4617

Re: 25x expenses for retirement?

My understanding of how the "25" is calculated when using the term "25x": the numerator is your investable portfolio (I think that most do not include their Emergency Fund here), not your house, not your rare stamp collection; the denominator is your annual expenses minus any ongoing income that will continue after retirement (do not include dividends and interest; but do include ongoing rental income for example). What about things like SS and pension income? My understanding is that if you are retiring, say, in your late 60s and pension and SS are starting right away, you would include those and subtract them from expenses when calculating the denominator. But if you're 50, and years away from any SS or pension, then d...
by GrowthSeeker
Wed May 19, 2021 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggest a beginner Python course
Replies: 41
Views: 7034

Re: Suggest a beginner Python course

The MIT classes don't look to be self-paced, is that correct? Does this mean I need to attend at specific times/days, and not at my own pace? The Harvard and Coursera one's look to be self-paced as far as I can tell. Here are additional free options available... Coursera: www.coursera.org/learn/python Harvard : www.edx.org/cs50 MIT: ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-189-a-gentle-introduction-to-programming-using-python-january-iap-2011/ I recommended this MIT course to my wife who did not have programming experience which she completed with some effort: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-0001-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-in-python-fall-2016/ Its edX ...
by GrowthSeeker
Tue May 18, 2021 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggest a beginner Python course
Replies: 41
Views: 7034

Re: Suggest a beginner Python course

I recommended this MIT course to my wife who did not have programming experience which she completed with some effort: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-0001-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-in-python-fall-2016/ Its edX version: https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-7 +1 for the edX version. This is a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course). You can take for free for no credit, or you can pay a small amount (e.g. $75) for credit. There are 2 MIT courses (maybe more) at edX.org on Python (I took both, free versions) First: MITx - 6.00.1x Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python ( same course as linked above ) Second: MITx - 6.00.2x I...
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 27, 2021 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job Exit Interview
Replies: 100
Views: 13648

Re: Job Exit Interview

I haven't read the other replies.
Years ago I would have said something about giving accurate feedback to help the company.
No longer.
Just smile, don't go out on any kind of limb, don't give any significant feedback, don't give any reason for them to want to hurt you later, don't give any personal info about yourself, don't burn any bridges.
But do take the opportunity to ask them any questions about benefits, 401k accounts, pensions, final paycheck, etc.

HR is not your friend.
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 27, 2021 5:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Struggling with 2021 Roth Conversion Timing
Replies: 36
Views: 2893

Re: Struggling with 2021 Roth Conversion Timing

I figure out early in the year about how much I want to convert. Then I wait. If there is a big drop in the market, I might do some conversion right then; otherwise I wait until near the end of the year.

But this year, we don't know what the tax brackets are going to look like for 2021, do we? During I think the first year of Clinton's presidency, as I recall, a law was passed near the end of the year raising the tax rates, but it was made to take effect retroactively back to the beginning of the year. So this year, I might do a partial conversion if there is a market drop, but I think I'll wait to see what it means to be converting up to the top of ?what? bracket.
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 27, 2021 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: trapped in EJ by whole life insurance policy
Replies: 42
Views: 4985

Re: trapped in EJ by whole life insurance policy

Are you sure that the insurance policy was the ONLY thing VG said couldn't transfer?
ie are you sure there is not also some propriety EJ fund that can only be held at EJ?

It just seems very weird to me: an insurance policy being part of an investment account.
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Hiring an Advisor Could Increase Your Returns by $1,731,060
Replies: 77
Views: 12664

Re: Hiring an Advisor Could Increase Your Returns by $1,731,060

Beware of ads. They are selling something. If an ad sparks one's interest in a new topic, it's fine to learn about the new topic (which is what you're asking I think). But I generally take ads with less than a grain of salt.

So if I read a headline: "Hiring an Advisor Could Increase Your Returns by $1,731,060", I assume it's compared to maybe keeping money in a bank account. Or I immediately think up a new headline: "NOT Hiring an Advisor Could Increase Your Returns by $2,731,060"
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Data point from a 20 year early retiree (parents)
Replies: 56
Views: 8076

Re: Data point from a 20 year early retiree (parents)

... The conversation started when I asked him about his SS payment as I wanted to get some input for my own model. A long time ago he was fairly cutting edge with computers (he and a buddy decompiled the original Atari code for fun and, uh, may have pirated software amongst friends)... but he’s been disengaged since at least 2000. So the idea of an Internet community like this to learn from as I have is not something he’d put much stock in. That he was once a "computer guy" is kind of a big deal. He might have some interest in your modelling. Even if you don't try to change his mind on the 0:100 AA, if you were to model your situation and also model his situation (if he's interested) then that could lead to an "aha!" mo...
by GrowthSeeker
Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Data point from a 20 year early retiree (parents)
Replies: 56
Views: 8076

Re: Data point from a 20 year early retiree (parents)

For whatever reason, my dad is fixated on receiving monthly dividend checks. I suspect this has worked against him based on the funds he’s in as I’ve looked up the fees... think 1.5%. He believes cash in the bank in CDs is better and safer than invested in equities. I’m not going to change his mind as he’s been talking to the same advisor for 20 years. In any case, I thought this was a good, real life case study that fellow BHs would find interesting. Thank you for posting this. It is a good data point. My first thought was: he started retirement at 33x with let's call it 2.3 times SS (his SS, her SS, their pension) and through uber-conservative investing and the dreaded financial advisor is now down to half the original amount after 20 ye...
by GrowthSeeker
Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Muni bond logic?
Replies: 8
Views: 1221

Re: Muni bond logic?

Pilotmath, It's true that the multiplying factor to get the Tax Equivalent Yield of a muni bond in the absence of state tax is (1/(1-t)) where t is the tax rate. But it looks like what you might have done is you may have both multiplied the Muni rate by the factor and then also divided the Taxable ETF's rate by the factor. Just do one of those, not both. To use the numbers in the OP, if we have: Muni (MUB) 2.08% with TEY of 2.667% . Taxable (AGG) 2.14% , equivalent to 1.669% after tax in the 22% bracket. Compare 2.667 with 2.14 or compare 2.08 with 1.669. I'm sure you already know this, but just in case there was any confusion. But, yes, Muni is higher with these numbers, subject to the numbers being apples to apples; not sure how the risk ...
by GrowthSeeker
Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Help me get a basic education in cryptocurrency
Replies: 187
Views: 17988

Re: Help me get a basic education in cryptocurrency

I appreciate this discussion, since I have wondered the same thing as the OP (and probably many others). One response was to ask if there was a specific question about cryptocurrency. So I thought: what is the greatest reason I haven't bought any Bitcoin? Q: How do I resolve my crypto-reluctance related to the belief that I would be 'x' away from losing the entire value of my investment? ... where 'x' can be: a) a forgotton password b) a faulty thumb drive c) a hacker d) a Presidential Executive Order -------- another question Q: Can you define the word 'protocol' as it relates to cryptocurrency? This is why I wrote you must use proper protocols like Aave or Synthetix to see what is happening today, and why it's so revolutionary. I understa...
by GrowthSeeker
Sat Apr 17, 2021 6:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ideal Bond allocation by age
Replies: 94
Views: 13887

Re: Ideal Bond allocation by age

The ideal AA is a function of several variables:
- age
- financial ability to tolerate risk
- stomach's ability to tolerate acid due to risk
- portfolio value relative to annual expenses
- years remaining of human capital ; ability to produce income.

What I did was look at several rules of thumb and more or less took the average.

My favorite rule of thumb is a kind of "stress test": suppose stocks suddenly dropped 50% in value but bonds remained unchanged. Your portfolio therefore, per these assumptions, would drop by half of whatever your percent allocation to stocks is. Adjust your AA so that this percent drop in pf value is within your comfort range. But that's just one rule of thumb.
by GrowthSeeker
Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Received bogus 1099G for Unemployment Compensation never received. [SOLVED]
Replies: 9
Views: 1257

Re: Received bogus 1099G for Unemployment Compensation never received. [SOLVED]

UPDATE:
I ended up filing taxes ignoring the bogus 1099-G. I had followed the instructions and reported the mistake at the State website. Today (4/17/2021) I received a corrected 1099-G showing $0.

I have updated the OP and the title to reflect this change.
by GrowthSeeker
Thu Apr 15, 2021 4:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The 4% Rule - Simplified?
Replies: 19
Views: 2112

Re: The 4% Rule - Simplified?

My understanding of the 4% 'rule' is as a rule of thumb. If you picked exactly 4% of your pf at retirement, withdrew that amount in year 1, then inflation adjusted that amount to be withdrawn in future years, then you would kinda sorta have a low percentage chance of running out of money 30 years later. If you go to earlyretirementnow.com, "Big Ern" has a great series on " Safe Withdrawal Rates " that has data analysis for retirement periods from 30 to 60 years, and also with various degrees of portfolio depletion. I just did a quick look at one of the pages there , and for a 30 year retirement period, under one standard set of assumptions, the difference in withdrawal rate between 100% capital preservation to 50% preser...
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 13, 2021 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mouse Help
Replies: 14
Views: 1447

Re: Mouse Help

There’s a guy named Shawn Woods who has a YouTube channel all about different ways of catching rodents. IIRC steel wool was superior to caulk; and expanding foam failed (maybe technique related)
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay IRS Estimated Payments?
Replies: 10
Views: 1410

Re: Pay IRS Estimated Payments?

Could the OP's problem be resolved by re-filing 2020 taxes along with "Form 2210 - Schedule AI - Annualized Income Installment Method"?
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay IRS Estimated Payments?
Replies: 10
Views: 1410

Re: Pay IRS Estimated Payments?

I also never know what my Roth conversion amount will be, so I have been using the 110% safe harbor (large Roth conversion puts me above the threshold).
I have heard that with quarterly estimated payments IRS only looks at the smallest one times 4.
Isn’t there some form for reporting income each month in which case maybe the Roth conversion would all show up in December and then maybe doing quarterly estimates according to your quarterly earnings would avoid penalties?

OP, was it a penalty or just interest?
by GrowthSeeker
Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 20.00 Small Potato Ethical Dilemma
Replies: 18
Views: 2348

Re: 20.00 Small Potato Ethical Dilemma

Although it is not necessarily relevant to the OP's question, I wonder how much the HOA's expenses will decrease because of the pool not being open, and how that relates to the decreased income they will receive due to the lower HOA fees.

But as an answer: is there anything specific in this tenant's lease that references the HOA fees and/or the use of the pool?
by GrowthSeeker
Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Total market funds returns less than 2% income since 2015
Replies: 19
Views: 2633

Re: Total market funds returns less than 2% income since 2015

On portfoliovisualizer I get a total return for VTSAX (total stock market) since 2015 of about 12.9% annualized.

The total return takes into account both the dividend and the share price appreciation.
by GrowthSeeker
Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TV size question
Replies: 105
Views: 8397

Re: TV size question

I thought of this method the other day:
Sit in the room where the TV will be, or more accurately sit a distance from a wall equal to the distance between where you will be sitting and the future TV position.
Now pull out your cell phone, put on a video, turn it sideways to resemble the shape of a widescreen TV.
Hold the phone a distance from your eyes so that you're happy with the detail in the picture you can see. Now without moving the phone, focus your eyes on the wall beyond the phone. Whatever part of the wall is eclipsed by your phone is the approximate size of the TV you should get.
Just a theory, I haven't done this so I don't know how accurate.
by GrowthSeeker
Wed Mar 24, 2021 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: mega mega roth conversion
Replies: 23
Views: 2480

Re: mega mega roth conversion

OP, I have the same mega Roth conversion mindset, but I temper my ideas with math.

Whatever you do right now, note that any Roth conversion done now will be for 2021 and we don't yet know what the tax rates will be for 2021. I think it was in 1993 that, IIRC, taxes were raised near the end of the year but were made retroactive to the beginning of that year.
So make your plan but wait and see what tax law changes occur for this year.
by GrowthSeeker
Wed Mar 24, 2021 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Desperately asking for help - Thank you!
Replies: 39
Views: 6407

Re: Desperately asking for help - Thank you!

The unpleasant truth is that in the universe of investments, most of the mantras that everyone says and ideas that everyone believes are wrong. So my number one recommendation is: start reading and learning but be prepared to find out that many of the ideas you understand about investing are ideas you will change your mind about after your educational journey is well underway. Be prepared for the uncomfortable feeling we all get when we experience cognitive dissonance. So get ready for a journey, you'll learn a lot and it will be worth it. A lot of the false financial beliefs are related to the fact that someone is making a profit based on their financial recommendations: a salaried pundit on TV, an insurance salesman's commission, "bu...
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Mar 23, 2021 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerator Dimensions - How closely do these need to be adhered to?
Replies: 11
Views: 1590

Re: Refrigerator Dimensions - How closely do these need to be adhered to?

One other thing to consider is (and this will depend on how far towards the back wall you push the refrigerator in) whether the walls on the left and right will impinge on the opening of doors.
Sometimes pulling drawers outward inside the fridge require that the outer fridge door be opened to some angle so that the racks that are on the inside of the outer door will be out of the way enough. This would be almost impossible to know without actually seeing the model and checking for this.
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Received bogus 1099G for Unemployment Compensation never received. [SOLVED]
Replies: 9
Views: 1257

Re: Received bogus 1099G for Unemployment Compensation never received.

Thanks for the rapid replies. Just to be clear, AFAIK I did (within a half hour of receiving this) go to the website, https://unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov/ and did file a claim there. I received an email response indicating the claim was received. Also, for about 5 years I have had an annually updated IRS IP PIN (someone unsuccessfully tried to get my Federal tax refund once). The email response included the following language (I should have put this in the OP): According to the Ohio Department of Taxation: Generally, you should not include unemployment benefits you did not apply for as income on your federal and state income tax returns. You do not need to have a determination from ODJFS on your ID theft claim or a corrected 1099-G to file yo...
by GrowthSeeker
Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Received bogus 1099G for Unemployment Compensation never received. [SOLVED]
Replies: 9
Views: 1257

Received bogus 1099G for Unemployment Compensation never received. [SOLVED]

I received a 1099G from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services for $2,487 of Unemployment Compensation for 2020. I am a resident of Ohio, but I'm retired and have never received Unemployment Compensation at any time during my lifetime. Helpful information came with this form regarding what to do in case you "did not apply for Unemployment Benefits in 2020", and I did follow those instructions. Basically this was a link to a website where I was able to report that this was in error. What I don't know is whether I need to include this with my Federal and/or State (of Ohio) tax return: I am currently assuming "no", but I am hoping someone who has a more accurate knowledge base than I have will be able to advise. T...