Search found 52 matches

by PavlovsCat
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1558

Re: Taxable Account Question

In the not so distant future I’m going to be limiting my AGI for ACA and FAFSA eligibility. I’m going to be primarily withdrawing from my 457b, however, will need to withdraw some additional income that does *not* raise my AGI. In order to do this, I’m trying to figure out how to use my funds in my taxable brokerage account. What can I invest in (bonds?) in my taxable account that will not have much capital appreciation? I’m fine taking yield from bonds (and reducing what I withdraw from my 457b) and using that as income rather than reinvesting. However, I will also need to be able to sell some of what I’m holding in that account every year without having much capital appreciation (in order to keep my AGI low). My thought is that I would t...
by PavlovsCat
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1558

Re: Taxable Account Question

9Iron wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:19 am I prepared ahead of retirement, by creating a monthly cd ladder.
I live off of Dividends, Interest, Cd withdrawals and then I do an Roth Conversion at year end.
A CD ladder had not crossed my mind- I’m still a few years away and considering all options, thank you for this suggestion!
by PavlovsCat
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1558

Re: Taxable Account Question

Just to make sure we're on the same page (you may already know some or all of this)... ACA subsidy is determined by your federal MAGI, which includes muni interest. Therefore, while munis may be good for managing tax liability (especially for people in higher brackets), they may not be useful for managing MAGI (although there may be a small benefit in that the dividends are bit lower than the corresponding dividends from a nominal bond fund). Vanguard (and maybe other fund providers) has California-specific muni funds, if you're interested in that. For US stock funds and US nominal bond funds (and balanced funds containing both) in a taxable account, your MAGI can go up due to any or all of the following: - taxable dividends (qualified and...
by PavlovsCat
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1558

Re: Taxable Account Question

globalpatriot wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:47 pm
Yeah, I am in the same boat. Maybe if I pay off my mortgage? That would stop me from withdrawing $2900 a month.

Good luck!
Gonna pay that off right before I call it quits, I think that’s a must-do. Good luck to you as well!!!
by PavlovsCat
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1558

Re: Taxable Account Question

globalpatriot wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:27 pm Maybe this article helps? https://www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/wi ... -eligible/

Frankly there is big deal in November that will determine if the subsidy cliff happens again... :sharebeer
I’ve got the basics that are in the article; I’m looking for what to do with my funds in my taxable account that won’t bump my AGI up as I drain them down (once I’m no longer working and can’t take advantage of HSA/403b/457b deductions.) Thank you though!
by PavlovsCat
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable Account Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1558

Taxable Account Question

In the not so distant future I’m going to be limiting my AGI for ACA and FAFSA eligibility. I’m going to be primarily withdrawing from my 457b, however, will need to withdraw some additional income that does *not* raise my AGI. In order to do this, I’m trying to figure out how to use my funds in my taxable brokerage account. What can I invest in (bonds?) in my taxable account that will not have much capital appreciation? I’m fine taking yield from bonds (and reducing what I withdraw from my 457b) and using that as income rather than reinvesting. However, I will also need to be able to sell some of what I’m holding in that account every year without having much capital appreciation (in order to keep my AGI low). My thought is that I would ta...
by PavlovsCat
Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long car extended warranties and inflation? Could it now be an OK deal?
Replies: 18
Views: 1423

Re: Long car extended warranties and inflation? Could it now be an OK deal?

I've owned several Subarus, and needed repairs on some, but never anything of much concern before about 150,000 miles. I would still run and hide from a warranty with that high of an upfront cost, especially when you investigate and find out what they "don't" cover. Honda had some factory offered warranties that were very low in cost, and could be worth it if you drove a lot. With people driving less there's less mileage related expenses to worry about, you end up timing out of the warranty before you put many miles on the car. I bought a new Honda passport AWD Elite not long ago and was thinking about that Honda extended warranty. I’m retired and don’t drive much. Keep cars forever. What are your thoughts on this? j🌺 Honda warra...
by PavlovsCat
Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long car extended warranties and inflation? Could it now be an OK deal?
Replies: 18
Views: 1423

Re: Long car extended warranties and inflation? Could it now be an OK deal?

Shop online. I’ve helped friends and family buy probably a dozen or so warranties over the last decade. Most are $1k+ cheaper than your local dealership, with some of the more extreme examples being $3-4k cheaper.
by PavlovsCat
Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cat Food
Replies: 31
Views: 3161

Re: Cat Food

A good amount (30%?) of cats die from renal failure, enough so that we feed wet food only. We’ve learned through the decades that if you feed only wet food, you’ll know the first sign of kidney disease is when you see them drinking water from their fountain.

If you end up unfortunate enough to have a cat in renal failure, the lowest phosphorous foods are all wet, so it will be recommended that you switch at that time.
by PavlovsCat
Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Air Purifier
Replies: 37
Views: 3562

Re: Air Purifier

We’ve used Blue Air at home and work for the last decade or more. They make a considerable difference in reducing smoke during wildfire season. A close friend uses them in conjunction with a Purple Air monitor and it improves his air quality significantly. I’m not sure about other companies. Deals can be had on eBay and Amazon.
by PavlovsCat
Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Engagement Ring Insurance
Replies: 39
Views: 3330

Re: Engagement Ring Insurance

I’ll add an alternative perspective from another thread:
Wife has around a $15k ring. We bought insurance, pretty inexpensively (~$100 a year?). She cracked the center diamond, valued at over $10k from the crown straight to the bottom. Had to pay a deductible of $1k, got it replaced with a less expensive diamond, pocketed the difference. Diamonds are a sham, but if you get an expensive one, get it insured.

Edit: much cheaper to insure through our primary insurance provider than a secondary company.
by PavlovsCat
Sun Aug 30, 2020 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My LenderFi refinance is going well
Replies: 1849
Views: 215602

Re: My LenderFi refinance is going well

time916 wrote: Sun Aug 30, 2020 3:12 pm I just went on the lenderfi website and got a message that they couldn't find any loans for my scenario.
I want to refi a 98K mortgage with 500K equity in the home. Could it be the loan is too small for them to refi?
Just tried for ours at 245k and got the same message.
by PavlovsCat
Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FYI - Disney+
Replies: 44
Views: 8070

Re: FYI - Disney+

Glockenspiel wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:11 pm My 5-year old son and I are excited to watch Hamilton on Disney+. My wife and I saw it in the theatre before I knew all the songs. I’m assuming Hercules Mulligan will cut out the one “bad word” that he says in the theatre, or I’ll mute it quickly when I know it’s coming.
The F bombs are all changed.
by PavlovsCat
Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Landlords: How are you doing this year?
Replies: 163
Views: 24351

Re: Landlords: How are you doing this year?

One rental, renters are 2+ months behind on rent now. Haven’t paid this month, so it may be three months unpaid. Evictions halted until end of September, so not really sure what to do other than hope they make good on their word that they’re going to catch up once unemployment comes through. Rough times.
by PavlovsCat
Sat Jun 27, 2020 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Solar with battery/tesla wall
Replies: 116
Views: 10899

Re: Solar with battery/tesla wall

Didn’t find solar batteries to be worth it, the local installers wanted like $7k apiece and they were only enough to power our house for like half a day during the summer. Don’t pay more than $3/watt.
by PavlovsCat
Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime Membership Question [Considering to drop membership]
Replies: 136
Views: 15554

Re: Amazon WITHOUT Prime?

The streaming service makes it worthwhile to me. I complained about an order being late once, and they refunded all of the items in the order (more than $100). Amazon is weird.
by PavlovsCat
Sat May 23, 2020 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Self Isolating Winter Getaway Ideas
Replies: 19
Views: 2207

Re: Self Isolating Winter Getaway Ideas

I’d stay away from Hawaii plans. Their mandatory quarantine disallows renting a car and leaving your rental for any reason other than medical (not even food shopping is allowed). Unless you can make plans with a great refund option, Hawaii is a huge gamble.
by PavlovsCat
Wed May 13, 2020 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better Mortgage refi question
Replies: 20
Views: 5294

Re: Better Mortgage refi question

2quiker wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 10:19 am
need403bhelp wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 7:57 pm
2quiker wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 12:47 pm
FYI, Better does have a $2,500 American Express credit after closing offer. Would do that if you haven’t locked yet.
What do you mean, they give $2,500 after you close with Better Mortgage?

And free appraisal.
by PavlovsCat
Sun May 10, 2020 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BJJ -martial art
Replies: 58
Views: 4454

Re: BJJ -martial art

Started last year, in my late 30s. I have never found an exercise I enjoyed until BJJ. I do it for the health and social reasons. A few guys I train with compete, I don’t. Go to a place where it’s not UFC prep e.g. the demographic is diverse (not just the muscle bound college crowd, we have a few of those gyms in our town). For me, the health benefits far outweigh the risks.
by PavlovsCat
Sun May 10, 2020 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Jags4186 wrote: Sat May 09, 2020 1:54 pm I have to say, I’m really jealous of everyone saying they have 3% or less rates with very little or 0 costs. I’m currently locked in at 3.25% with a lender credit covering all refinance costs. I decided to call around to some of the places mentioned here the best someone was willing to do was a LoanDepot rep would would match the rate and give me $200 extra...not enough for me to bail on the guy I’ve used without any issue 3 times now. He also was going to make me pay a $20 credit check fee and a $495 appraisal fee up front which he’d reimburse me if we closed.


Are you in a state Better operates? They will beat your current offer by $1k and you can get an additional $2.5k by going through the Better.com/with/Amex link.
by PavlovsCat
Sun May 10, 2020 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Regret Concept 2 Model D purchase
Replies: 25
Views: 3957

Re: Regret Concept 2 Model D purchase

buckeye7983 wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 10:48 am If you have purchased a Concept 2 Model D rowing machine and regret purchasing it, why? Was there something about it that surprised you after purchasing? If you no longer use it, what aerobic exercise has replaced it and why?

Thanks!
Just sold mine for more than what I paid, the second hand market is crazy right now. If you regret it, now is the time to sell. Edit: bought it without having ever rowed. Prefer barbell exercises and doing Jiu Jitsu for aerobics.
by PavlovsCat
Sun May 03, 2020 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: airbnb Question
Replies: 5
Views: 636

Re: airbnb Question

Bigfish wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 8:22 am It appears that he does.
If per his policy you are owed a refund, you should receive it. Hosts set their own policies, some allow cancellation but do not offer a refund of any sort. You may have to contact Airbnb if he does not respond.
by PavlovsCat
Sun May 03, 2020 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Dealers not really wanting to make a deal
Replies: 245
Views: 40324

Re: Car Dealers not really wanting to make a deal

Shop online! I do all of my car shopping online, I think it’s the way to go. I typically find the closest 15 dealerships, don’t give them my zip code, and ask them each to itemize base price, destination and document fee, with the only extras being TTL. I make a spreadsheet of contact info and current offers, and I send the lowest offer to the other 14 and go through a few cycles. It takes a few hours over a few week period, but I’ve never paid over invoice, and usually come within a couple hundred of invoice minus HB. I don’t purchase any add ons or warranty, etc.with the car, and I don’t finance; I shop warranties via dealerships across the nation (~$1000 for 7 years/100k has paid off a few times for me.) If you go in and try to make a de...
by PavlovsCat
Sun May 03, 2020 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: airbnb Question
Replies: 5
Views: 636

Re: airbnb Question

Does the host have a cancellation policy that allows refunds? Each host has their own set of rules.
by PavlovsCat
Mon Apr 13, 2020 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085851

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Watched “The Tale of a Princess Kaguya” with the kids. Pretty cheerful movie with one of the roughest endings I’ve ever seen in a movie. Weighed on my mind the last few days.
by PavlovsCat
Thu Apr 09, 2020 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

I hate sounding like a shill, but I recommend everyone at least check out Better Mortgage using the better.com/with/Amex link. Better has a price match guarantee and promises to beat your estimate by at least $1000, and, if you have a personal (non-business) Amex card you get $2500 after closing. Appraisal is free too. Make sure you go through the link though. My understanding is this is a targeted offer only. I have both personal and business Amex card but didn't get the email. Would jump on it if I can get the $2500 rebate but I don't think I qualify. Numerous reports on other forums of non-targeted people getting the $2500 back. I myself was not targeted, but used the link and confirmed with my officer that my account was flagged for th...
by PavlovsCat
Thu Apr 09, 2020 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

kski74 wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2020 1:28 pm After missing a 2.875% several weeks ago on a 20-year, I'm looking at a 3.125% with no points on a 30-year refinance and a $2,565 lender credit.

Origination Fee $1,195
Appraisal Fee $400
Credit Report $60
Flood Cert $8.75
Closing Fee $595
Lender's Title Insurance $1,045
Recording Fee $205
Lender Credit $2,565.5

Does this seem fair?
I hate sounding like a shill, but I recommend everyone at least check out Better Mortgage using the better.com/with/Amex link. Better has a price match guarantee and promises to beat your estimate by at least $1000, and, if you have a personal (non-business) Amex card you get $2500 after closing. Appraisal is free too. Make sure you go through the link though.
by PavlovsCat
Wed Apr 08, 2020 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

MattE wrote: Wed Apr 08, 2020 11:04 pm Didn't know anything about the Amex offer till you said that -- don't have one and wouldn't have opened one just for the credit anyway. A+B+C total was 100% of that. Total cash to close is a $110 recording fee, 8 months tax escrow, 2 months insurance escrow, 15 days prepaid interest on top of that.
Oh, they’re doing a significant amount of lender credit then? It just seemed a bit high. How much are they charging you for points? I locked with them yesterday for $914 A+B+C and $2000+ lender credit on top of the $2500 from AMEX.
by PavlovsCat
Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

MattE wrote: Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:52 pm Just locked with Better for 2.5% on a $285K 15 year fixed with $4800 in total closing costs, $550 of which will get refunded at settlement since we didn't need an appraisal. The online rate quote originally came back with $5800 in closing costs, but the mortgage agent assigned to me got another $1K knocked off almost instantly when I told him my tripwire for moving forward with anything was 2.5% with < $5K in closing costs. Aimloan had them slightly beat prior to that ($5600 in closing costs on 2.5% 15 year fixed) but was not willing to negotiate on points or fees to lower that.
If they were going to charge you for the appraisal, it sounds like maybe you didn’t use the Amex link? Also, how much of those closing costs are A+B+C?
by PavlovsCat
Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Just locked a 2.875% 15 year with Better. While not the best 15 year out there, there were zero points and I’m hopefully going to be receiving the $2500 Amex credit.

Loan cost: $914
Taxes/Prepaid/Escrow: $2201
Lender credit: $2066
Total out of pocket: $1049
Amex Credit (hopefully): $2500
by PavlovsCat
Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277065

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

gurusw wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:38 pm
gurusw wrote: Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:25 pm Hi,

Are people still getting their refinance requests served for jumbo?

I am looking for a jumbo loan. My current rate is 4.125%

I had a broker start the process, got a quote for 3.625% and appraisal was done. But now the broker says that no bank wants to give jumbo loan. However appraisal is good to get 80% loan w/o me having to spend anything out of the pocket.

If anyone is giving the jumbo loan, can I use the appraisal that was done on Mar 14?
Hi, does anyone know the answer to my question?

Also bankrate is not showing up rates in my zip code (California). What tools do BH use to find refi deals.
Since you’re in California, check out Owning.com.
by PavlovsCat
Tue Mar 24, 2020 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What credit card are you using that is not Citi 2% cashback?
Replies: 57
Views: 19130

Re: What credit card are you using that is not Citi 2% cashback?

CSR for 3% Dining & Travel
Amex Gold for 4% Grocery Store
CF for 5% categories
Chase Ink Preferred for 5% at office stores, which I use to buy Amazon GC to fill my Amazon account... 7.5% back on travel when paired with CSR.
by PavlovsCat
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Amazon order & delivery processes?
Replies: 30
Views: 3614

Re: New Amazon order & delivery processes?

Prime deliveries for me are showing as April 21st.
by PavlovsCat
Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When is private (elementary) school worth it?
Replies: 100
Views: 11301

Re: When is private (elementary) school worth it?

California credentialed school psych here. Depending on your district, check for dual language immersion schools in your area. Our daughter was reading late elementary chapter books prior to the start of kindergarten, and even with both of us working in education we pondered what to do for quite some time. She is now in a dual language immersion (currently 100% taught in Spanish, and we are a monolingual English home). The other option is to push grade promotion. I don’t love it, personally, but the research does support it. Or, ask to have your kid attend a first grade class for certain subjects, even if not enrolled in that grade. Don’t bother asking for an IEP in California, they’re for kids with disabilities here. Your school should hav...
by PavlovsCat
Sat Sep 14, 2019 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BMW - extended warranty?
Replies: 28
Views: 2774

Re: BMW - extended warranty?

I’ve helped family member purchase about a dozen factory warranties over the year. Use google to find the lowest priced manufacturer dealership warranty. Never go third party, they can use salvaged parts, non-OEM parts, or flat out go out of business.
by PavlovsCat
Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wedding/Engagement Ring Insurance
Replies: 64
Views: 6629

Re: Wedding/Engagement Ring Insurance

Wife has around a $15k ring. We bought insurance, pretty inexpensively. She cracked the center diamond, valued at over $10k from the crown straight to the bottom. Had to pay a deductible of $1k, got it replaced with a less expensive diamond, pocketed the difference. Diamonds are a sham, but if you get an expensive one, get it insured. Edit: much cheaper to insure through our primary insurance provider than a secondary company. It's definitely a sham. That is why I am having a hard time paying insurance for it. The fact that the replacement may cost you $15k+ is how this should be viewed, sham or not. If you're having a hard time paying insurance for it, I bet you really did not want to buy the diamond in the first place. I was fine buying ...
by PavlovsCat
Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wedding/Engagement Ring Insurance
Replies: 64
Views: 6629

Re: Wedding/Engagement Ring Insurance

Wife has around a $15k ring. We bought insurance, pretty inexpensively. She cracked the center diamond, valued at over $10k from the crown straight to the bottom. Had to pay a deductible of $1k, got it replaced with a less expensive diamond, pocketed the difference. Diamonds are a sham, but if you get an expensive one, get it insured.

Edit: much cheaper to insure through our primary insurance provider than a secondary company.
by PavlovsCat
Wed Sep 04, 2019 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Good credit card for business
Replies: 5
Views: 586

Re: Good credit card for business

ashagru wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:01 am Hi All:

Starting a small business and have some expenses (rent, software licenses, client travel, etc.). Thinking about setting up a separate credit card so I can track expenses in one place. Do you have any recommendations? My estimate is that my expenses will be in $10-$20k range per year.

ALso, any preferences on personal credit cards?

Ashish.
Depends on your goal- cash back or travel? The signup bonus from the Chase Ink Preferred is pretty much unrivaled in relation to the AF. Also, where will you be doing most of your spending?
by PavlovsCat
Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Extended Car Warranty
Replies: 24
Views: 2286

Re: Extended Car Warranty

Purchased a new SUV caddy & dealer has an extra 3 year bumper to bumper warranty for $4400 financed at 0%. Sounds high but at $150/hour for repairs & being a luxury vehicle & basically a computer on wheels - would this be a smart purchase? Vehicle comes with 5 years or 50,000 miles whichever comes first. Extended warranty is additional 3 years or 30,000 miles. I typically drive 8,000 miles a year. I’ve helped family members buy 7 different extended car warranties over the year. Always shop dealerships online. Average savings is about $2k. Dealerships go markup crazy, but there is usually a couple dealerships in the nation selling close to cost. My dealership wanted $5k for my Acura RL warranty... bought the same one from an out...
by PavlovsCat
Mon Sep 02, 2019 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: semi-DIY solar panels
Replies: 39
Views: 4458

Re: semi-DIY solar panels

Eric wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 11:06 pm
unclescrooge wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:54 pmIt can't be rocket science.
That's what my BIL's electrician thinks, too. It makes me wonder why the price of the major players is so much higher. I guess it's still too hard to get good information/service so people are willing to pay a premium for the security of the major name.
There is a huge markup on systems, and all systems are subject to negotiation. Prices should be sub $3/watt installed with decent equipment. We recently got four bids: $16.5k,$18.5k, 21k, 23k, all with the same or equitable panels. All the same system size. We went with the 21k bid, as they had a better reputation e.g. a bigger fish, and they immediately matched our $16.5k bid. Scary to think how much markup we are still paying.
by PavlovsCat
Mon Sep 02, 2019 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: semi-DIY solar panels
Replies: 39
Views: 4458

Re: semi-DIY solar panels

My open-ended question for the forum is, what pitfalls should we be considering? Don't worry about family-related pitfalls, we'd all be going into this with our eyes open recognizing that there may be hiccups along the way. I'm interested in solar-specific issues, the kinds of things that would not be obvious to a general homebuilder and general electrician. My BIL pointed me to the two sites below for general info on panels and related hardware that we could purchase for installation. Thanks in advance for any thoughts! https://www.bluepacificsolar.com/solar-kits.html https://www.solarelectricsupply.com/residential-solar-system-cost Eric Take some time to read about string inverters, microinverters, and power optimizers. String inverters ...
by PavlovsCat
Sat Aug 31, 2019 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to *invest* additional funds?
Replies: 21
Views: 2926

Re: Where to *invest* additional funds?

My point is that the 457(b) investments are better than taxable investments for you. Paying off your primary mortgage may be a better deal than either one. If so, the money that was previously used to make payments on the mortgage will be available for investing, and you should invest it in the 457(b) rather than in a taxable account (unless you need it in a taxable account for liquidity). If you don't pay off your primary mortgage, it is better to invest extra money in the 457(b) than in the taxable account, although you probably shouldn't sell anything in the taxable account for a significant capital gain to max out the 457(b). Got it. Now I just need to see what funds in the 457b annuity options are actually worth it, they range from ex...
by PavlovsCat
Sat Aug 31, 2019 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to *invest* additional funds?
Replies: 21
Views: 2926

Re: Where to spend additional funds?

vineviz wrote: Sat Aug 31, 2019 2:54 pm
Wiggums wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:10 pm
Tyler Aspect wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:02 pm Paying off the 6% loan has the best return.
I agree
Me too
Decided to sell that rental, now trying to figure out what to do with the proceeds.
by PavlovsCat
Fri Aug 30, 2019 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA family contribution
Replies: 32
Views: 3026

Re: HSA family contribution

Spirit Rider wrote: Fri Aug 30, 2019 6:04 pm Does your wife have her own HSA account. If not, as I said in my last paragraph above, it would be advantageous for her to have her own HSA to start the clock on her establishment date. What is your reason for not wanting to split the family maximum between the two of you?
She does not. Last year she wasn’t working, so she was on my insurance, so I had opened the HSA and did a family max contribution. I guess I could have her open one and split? We are planning on not touching the funds for a few decades and investing them in the meantime, she could technically still be reimbursed out of my HSA, right?
by PavlovsCat
Fri Aug 30, 2019 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to *invest* additional funds?
Replies: 21
Views: 2926

Re: Where to *invest* additional funds?

This is discussed on the wiki: Paying down loans versus investing Yes, you might get a higher return by investing in stock, but only with more risk. Paying down your home mortgage is a 4.25% risk-free return. The return is 3.85% after tax if you itemize only CA tax, or 2.83% if you itemize both CA and federal. The best you can do on a low-risk investment in a taxable account is 1.73% on Admiral shares of Vanguard CA Long-Term Tax-Exempt. This is the most fair comparison; if you want to take more risk, you can do that even if you do pay off the mortgage, by moving investments from bonds to stock. A further benefit is that you should be able to pay off the primary mortgage entirely, either immediately or very soon. This will improve your cas...
by PavlovsCat
Fri Aug 30, 2019 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA family contribution
Replies: 32
Views: 3026

Re: HSA family contribution

Question here- I have my own HDHP, sponsored by me, covering only me. My wife has her own HDHP covering herself and our three kids. Can I still fund an HSA with 7k while my wife doesn’t fund any, or does she need to be the one doing the funding of it? Under the rules for married people, if either spouse has a family HDHP then both spouses are considered covered under a family HDHP. The family maximum contribution can then be allocated in any way agreed to by the spouses. However, an employer can only allow HSA contributions by salary reduction based on that employer's coverage. You would only be able to contribute the individual limit through your employer. You would be able to make up the balance of the family limit with direct contributi...
by PavlovsCat
Thu Aug 29, 2019 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA family contribution
Replies: 32
Views: 3026

Re: HSA family contribution

Question here- I have my own HDHP, sponsored by me, covering only me. My wife has her own HDHP covering herself and our three kids. Can I still fund an HSA with 7k while my wife doesn’t fund any, or does she need to be the one doing the funding of it?
by PavlovsCat
Thu Aug 29, 2019 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early
Replies: 76
Views: 5422

Re: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early

School psychologist here. It depends on the kid. I have a close friend who finished undergrad at 19 followed by a 3 year Master’s by 22. Very analytically minded, and socially strong. No issues.

I’ve grade promoted a number of kids over the years, and been witness and spoken out against other grade promotions. My personal belief and experience has been that the home environment provides a safe-to-fail environment, which some kids need.

BH is a collection of cognitively capable, successful individuals. The other side exists; I’ve known a number of early grads that have begun spiraling at 16 and never been able to pull out of it, aggravated by added stressors of college.
by PavlovsCat
Sun Aug 25, 2019 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to *invest* additional funds?
Replies: 21
Views: 2926

Re: Where to *invest* additional funds?

MotoTrojan wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:11 pm
BlackDiamond wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:27 pm Why not refi that high 6%?
This is the obvious first step, agreed.
After looking a bit more closely at the numbers, we have decided to sell this property. After looking at the numbers a bit more closely, this property is barely breaking even, thanks to double HOA fees of more than $2100/year.

Now the question is what to do with the leftover funds? Taxable investment account or pay down primary mortgage? Assuming even a ~6% return, a brokerage account would be a better choice, right?
by PavlovsCat
Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to *invest* additional funds?
Replies: 21
Views: 2926

Re: Where to spend additional funds?

abuss368 wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:38 am I would consider both starting a taxable account (many advantages) and paying down the mortgage on the primary residence.

Why would you pick the primary home loan over the 6% home loan?

Thanks again!