Search found 248 matches
- Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retiring early from windfall, mid 30s, what is the correct asset allocation to use?
- Replies: 85
- Views: 8653
Re: Retiring early from windfall, mid 30s, what is the correct asset allocation to use?
I would suggest getting umbrella insurance that follows you worldwide. It’s a small investment to protect against downside risk that will end your fun. Also, I suspect you will need the services of a CPA if you are living internationally 99% of the time. I would also encourage you to find a personal...
- Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:32 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Specific Early Retirement question/Path - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Replies: 64
- Views: 6481
Re: Specific Early Retirement question/Path
Definitely concur. That's my biggest fear. That's why i want to increase my accounts with an additional 1.5-2M over the next 5 years to build in that extra cussion. Ignoring new contributions, getting from $3M to $5M over 5 years would require ~ 11% per compounded return. Not sure how much of that ...
- Thu Jan 07, 2021 2:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Specific Early Retirement question/Path - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Replies: 64
- Views: 6481
Re: Specific Early Retirement question/Path
Definitely concur. That's my biggest fear. That's why i want to increase my accounts with an additional 1.5-2M over the next 5 years to build in that extra cussion. Ignoring new contributions, getting from $3M to $5M over 5 years would require ~ 11% per compounded return. Not sure how much of that ...
- Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:23 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Specific Early Retirement question/Path - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Replies: 64
- Views: 6481
Re: Specific Early Retirement question/Path - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For completeness of planning, have you modeled out scenarios where TSLA declines 25%, 50%, etc? before you diversify out of it?
- Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Double-checking: Can I re-use existing Roth IRA for Megabackdoor?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 244
Re: Double-checking: Can I re-use existing Roth IRA for Megabackdoor?
Great - thank you
- Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Double-checking: Can I re-use existing Roth IRA for Megabackdoor?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 244
Double-checking: Can I re-use existing Roth IRA for Megabackdoor?
My new employer does not offer in-plan conversions for after-tax 401K, but does allow withdrawals. As such, I plan to withdraw after-tax 401K balances into a Roth IRA (I am aware that it may make sense to move any gains into a traditional IRA). Question: Can I have the money transferred into an exis...
- Sat Jan 02, 2021 6:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Hit a milestone!....Time for a review
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2258
Re: Hit a milestone!....Time for a review
We are around the same age, with a similar asset allocation (although I don't hold gold). I'd like to trend up to 60/40 from roughly 50/50, but will probably end up somewhere in the 55/45 range as well. The math is clear that a higher equity exposure (say 75/25) would make me wealthier in the long r...
- Fri Jan 01, 2021 10:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Negative real return for BND?
- Replies: 157
- Views: 11332
Re: Negative real return for BND?
Correct. Bond funds are yielding negative real returns. Bonds make no sense right now. We came to this same conclusion and thus hold our fixed income in cash. We know we are losing money on a real return basis each year, but the appreciation in equities in recent years has more than offset the &quo...
- Wed Dec 30, 2020 12:24 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Portfolio perspective and check up: $4.5M at 42, 80/20
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1440
Re: Portfolio perspective and check up: $4.5M at 42, 80/20
I’ve never participated in deferred comp because I don’t like the single company risk associated with it. I’d be interested to know if anyone is aware of any recent examples of a company being unable to fulfill its obligations as a cautionary tale, or if I’m just paranoid.
- Tue Dec 29, 2020 8:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can I afford to leave my job at 39?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 5150
Re: Can I afford to leave my job at 39?
What I would *not* do is start a business that puts a bunch of your investment portfolio at risk. With your annual spending and portfolio size, your main risks are [1] failed business with personal liability, [2] insufficient insurance for unexpected calamity, e.g. umbrella, health, etc., [3] lifest...
- Sat Dec 26, 2020 10:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
Re: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
I had this all worked out, planning to execute as follows: * Port Verizon mobile number to Google Voice * Verizon service cancels upon porting of number to GV * Sign up for European carrier for local usage in Europe (where we ill be living full-time) * Sign for AT&T pre-paid plans when visiting ...
- Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Anyone retire pre 55 without any pensions?
- Replies: 101
- Views: 13639
Re: Anyone retire pre 55 without any pensions?
In truth, I'm not sure that "retiring" at 48 is a good idea without a strong idea of what comes next. While there were some parts of working that I enjoyed, there were some that I didn't. I would say the same thing about retirement! This is what I worry about. I am tentatively planning on...
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1160
Re: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
I would personally sell it. When I went to grad school for 18 months, 720 miles away, all paid by my employer, we made the mistake of renting out our house instead of selling. We paid a manager. We checked on the house during visits back to the area paid by my work. Besides the anxiety and the sept...
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1160
Re: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
I would personally sell it. When I went to grad school for 18 months, 720 miles away, all paid by my employer, we made the mistake of renting out our house instead of selling. We paid a manager. We checked on the house during visits back to the area paid by my work. Besides the anxiety and the sept...
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1160
Re: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
Duplicate post - deleting - see below
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1160
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1160
Re: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
Maybe have a full-time caretaker to live there and handle day-to-day issues. Obviously this is a > $1M home so there probably is a mother-in-law suite the caretaker could live in. You should be able to find a trustworthy person who would take this on for free rent. Sister and friends could check up...
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1160
Would you rent your house out in this scenario?
We will be on international assignment for the next 2-3 years, and plan to keep our home in the U.S. during this time, as we plan to return to the house when we finish the assignment. We also plan to come back to visit ~4x per year, including a month in the summer. We have family and friends that ca...
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
- Fri Dec 18, 2020 7:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
Re: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
If we used GoogleFi when back in the US for short-term visits of 1-2 weeks, we would have to pay the base monthly fee of ~ $20 per line plus $10/GB. Assuming 1 GB used, that’s $30 for every trip home, per line.
- Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:08 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
Re: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
Why do you need to cancel the US service again? I thought you have some international add-ons you can use. I'm debating something similar in my situation but keeping a US phone is on the table for me. We will be living in Europe for multiple years. Verizon int’l monthly plan starts at $70, on top o...
- Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
Re: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
Porting a number to Google Voice, or any carrier, will instantly cancel that line. If you need temporary numbers, you will need to create new lines and likely pay a new activation fee. It might be much cheaper to use a prepaid account for a few weeks, or if you are 100% certain you know your accoun...
- Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
Re: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
Why do you need to cancel the US service again? I thought you have some international add-ons you can use. I'm debating something similar in my situation but keeping a US phone is on the table for me. We will be living in Europe for multiple years. Verizon int’l monthly plan starts at $70, on top o...
- Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1371
Check my steps: U.S. to Europe cell phone plan switch
As part of our international assignment move (to Europe), I need cancel our family cellular service in the U.S. (4x lines with Verizon) and sign up for service with a local European carrier. We want to keep our U.S. mobile numbers by converting them to Google voice numbers, so friends and family bac...
- Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:36 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: where to put excess money?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1260
Re: where to put excess money?
I keep telling myself I need to set up an automated monthly index fund purchase to automate dollar cost averaging the excess cash into the market. I can’t bring myself to put it all in at once despite the statistical likelihood that it is the right move more often than not.
- Wed Dec 16, 2020 11:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Security w/r/t connecting to a router w/ cable
- Replies: 6
- Views: 546
Re: Security w/r/t connecting to a router w/ cable
A starting point would be to look at all active DHCP leases on your router and see if the cameras are on a different subnet than your laptop. Also, if your wireless cameras have a local login, see if you can reach it via the laptop.
Why doesn’t your neighbor just buy a wireless adapter?
Why doesn’t your neighbor just buy a wireless adapter?
- Tue Dec 15, 2020 11:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New assignment relocation advise
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1024
Re: New assignment relocation advise
I would ask the company if, in lieu of relocation $, they will pay a reasonable rent for where you will be living during the assignment. This assumes you like your current house, and plan to return to it.
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:24 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2021!
- Replies: 130
- Views: 13526
Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2021!
A bit surprised there aren’t any “early” ( <50 ) retirees on the list yet, given the focus on this forum on hitting your number and exiting the race.
- Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best VPN for international use (with US IP address)?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 622
- Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best VPN for international use (with US IP address)?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 622
Best VPN for international use (with US IP address)?
Hi - I would like recommendations for the best VPNs for long-term use in Europe, that will provide a U.S. IP address. Specifically, I am looking for VPNs for both Windows (PC) and iPhone. I realize that "best" is subjective, but to me this generally means: * Reputable company * Easy to use...
- Fri Nov 13, 2020 4:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Microsoft urges users to stop using phone-based multi-factor authentication
- Replies: 83
- Views: 9082
Re: Microsoft urges users to stop using phone-based multi-factor authentication
Microsoft is addressing the wrong crowd. I do not decide what type of 2FA I use. That is setup by the bank or financial institution. I have to follow the authentication method they provide. This is not a user based decision. I will ignore the MS concerns. Agreed. I would use Authenticator/app for 2...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:20 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is there ever a time when markets are simply too expensive?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4210
Re: Is there ever a time when markets are simply too expensive?
I've responded to the OP's concern by continuing some baseline automated investment into a total market fund while at the same time targeted things which appear cheaper at that moment -- lately international stocks, emerging markets, small cap value, etc -- with any extra money which finds its way ...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 3:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Short term holding of cash exceeding FDIC limits
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2089
Re: Short term holding of cash exceeding FDIC limits
I wouldn’t especially worry about it but, if you want to worry about it: You could use a Fidelity cash management account which will spread your money across its program banks, to a max of 1.25 million FDIC insured. If was going to suggest the Fidelity CMA as well. +1 :sharebeer This came up in a f...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 3:28 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is there ever a time when markets are simply too expensive?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4210
Re: Is there ever a time when markets are simply too expensive?
To echo the point about interest rates being low, the valuation of stocks is directly inversely correlated due to the present value of future cash flows generated by corporations. Does anyone know of a "normalized" historical PE graph that corrects for this impact of rates? More accuratel...
- Wed Nov 11, 2020 3:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Short term holding of cash exceeding FDIC limits
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2089
Re: Short term holding of cash exceeding FDIC limits
Have you already set up multiple ownerships accounts (single, joint ownership, different POD beneficiaries) to extend your FDIC coverage at your current institution? That might be the easiest path, although I just set up a new account at Marcus.com and transferred money into it, all in about 30 minu...
- Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1556
Re: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
A ton of companies can successfully send 2FA to GV. A couple can't. The % is heavily weighted toward those who can, if I were you, I might just try and see. Someone above mentioned Chase cannot, and that's been my experience. There's been one other, that does not come immediately to mind though. I'...
- Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1556
Re: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
The biggest risk you run is that even if Google Voice works today, your bank might change their policy in one, or three, or five years and then you'll be locked out of your account until your next trip back to the US. That's what happened to me. Wow. Buy a prepaid SIM from a US GSM carrier and use ...
- Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1556
Re: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
The 2FA through text are kind of outdated now, most use the authenticator apps like google auth. The problem with the SMS codes is the whole phone port out scams that happened. Try to see if whatever app/site you are using supports the auth type through the authenticator app Unfortunately, support ...
- Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1556
Re: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
I don’t know what “short-SMS” is, but I get 2FA from many institutions on my GV number, including banks and my doctor’s portal website. I think the only place that my GV number WON’T work for a text code is Wells Fargo, so I just have them call me. Is email an option? I know BoA offers to email my ...
- Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1556
2FA while overseas (Google Voice doesn't support short-SMS codes?)
We are preparing for a move to Europe, from the U.S., and I am trying to sort out how I will keep accessing my online accounts using two-factor authentication (2FA) after we move. I was planning to use Google Voice with a U.S. number, but Google Voice apparently no longer supports short-SMS, or more...
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 6:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: So many options. Too many options. Help
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1327
Re: So many options. Too many options. Help
Personally, I would put a good chunk of the house proceeds into the new mortgage, but I don't like debt of any kind. If you do this, I would suggest getting qualified for a HELOC in case you need some liquidity, as it doesn't sound like you have a lot of cash on hand after the $200K is allocated. I ...
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 12:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Going “all in” on paying mortgage
- Replies: 178
- Views: 14609
Re: Going “all in” on paying mortgage
I think about paying off the mortgage as a fixed income investment, but since it's illiquid (hard to get the cash back out, requires HELOC, etc), you need to ensure you have a comfortable buffer of cash/fixed income left over afterwards to survive a period of unemployment, or spending during an equi...
- Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which diet soda pop do you enjoy?
- Replies: 234
- Views: 13943
Re: Which diet soda pop do you enjoy?
Diet Ginger Ale, although when poured over ice it has the effect of looking like I am drinking a whisky on the rocks when on video calls, which has prompted at least one question from the person on the other end of the call... need to go with solid-colored mugs...
- Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Security Cameras: Local DVR or Cloud?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1090
Re: Security Cameras: Local DVR or Cloud?
For a local DVR set-up, you will need to run a cable from the camera to the Also, accessing a local DVR remotely (e.g. when you aren't home) requires you to set up port forwarding on your home router and then fuss making sure you have a mobile app with the right set-up. Doable, but a pain. It doesn...
- Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Security Cameras: Local DVR or Cloud?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1090
Re: Security Cameras: Local DVR or Cloud?
For a local DVR set-up, you will need to run a cable from the camera to the DVR. For a fence location, I would think this would be a real pain, as the DVR will be inside in some out of the way location (like a media cabinet, or home office, etc.) Unless you are using battery operated cameras, you w...
- Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Security Cameras: Local DVR or Cloud?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1090
Re: Security Cameras: Local DVR or Cloud?
For a local DVR set-up, you will need to run a cable from the camera to the DVR. For a fence location, I would think this would be a real pain, as the DVR will be inside in some out of the way location (like a media cabinet, or home office, etc.) Also, accessing a local DVR remotely (e.g. when you a...
- Tue Oct 13, 2020 12:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Coin & Stamp Appraisals
- Replies: 5
- Views: 625
Re: Coin & Stamp Appraisals
Personally, I would be worried that if you had a few really high-value coins or stamps in there, the appraiser would be able to keep those for himself without telling you, and if you are not a sophisticated collector, you wouldn't know any better. Perhaps I'm paranoid about these things.
- Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: US to Europe expat offer - a few tax questions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1902
Re: US to Europe expat offer - a few tax questions
You have a good expat package and as outlined seems consistent and similar to mine (Asia, Africa and Middle East) during my expat roles. One item - pets? Are they going? Transport companies - make sure it is included in your allocation. In most cases you get $$ for everything and you elect how to s...
- Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: US to Europe expat offer - a few tax questions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1902
Re: US to Europe expat offer - a few tax questions
Your package sounds reasonably standard from what I remember (having moved from US to Europe and then to Asia over the years). Recall that my apartment rental agreements were in my company’s name and my rent was paid for directly by them for the first few years until that part of my package “locali...
- Fri Oct 09, 2020 7:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: US to Europe expat offer - a few tax questions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1902
Re: US to Europe expat offer - a few tax questions
I've done it (and so has the spouse, prior to that, in another country), and the terms appear to be similar. I agree about finding about post-expatriation support. I recall having a lingering foreign tax credit, which can be tough to burn down. You should look to the IRS or Embassy website for the ...