Search found 62 matches

by Startingover2019
Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need Advice / Never invested- $100K in Savings - Whats right to do..
Replies: 11
Views: 1604

Re: Need Advice / Never invested- $100K in Savings - Whats right to do..

I don't understand why people are afraid to post their income on an anonymous online forum.
This is not a discussion you are having with your friends or in laws.
The people asking these questions don't know you and don't care how much you make. They are just asking that question in order to assist you in your questions.
No need to beat around the bush in "25%" tax bracket, which apparently does not exist.
It's an anonymous online forum OP that is geared to talk about all things money. Stop being embarrassed or shy about your income.
by Startingover2019
Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082098

Re: Share your net worth progression

January 2018 - Age 39 = +400K - started my divorce February 2019- Age 40 = -200K - divorced and taken to cleaners by parasitic ex husband January 2020- Age 41 = +(50-75K) paid off debt and climbing back up. January 2021 -Age 42 = +500k - Good paying job, no leech to suck me dry, no children; paid off two small houses; invested, continued to be cheap. January 2022- Hopefully will hit 900K Above numbers from 2018-2019 are approximates as I didn't write numbers down. Didn't help that my ex had access to all accounts and refused to get on a budget. I just know that I ended up in the hole two years ago as my ex gleefully signed the papers. $500k is awesome for coming back from negative balance. Thank you. While it sucks to start over, at least ...
by Startingover2019
Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082098

Re: Share your net worth progression

January 2018 - Age 39 = +400K - started my divorce
February 2019- Age 40 = -200K - divorced and taken to cleaners by parasitic ex husband
January 2020- Age 41 = +(50-75K) paid off debt and climbing back up.
January 2021 -Age 42 = +500k - Good paying job, no leech to suck me dry, no children; paid off two small houses; invested, continued to be cheap.
January 2022- Hopefully will hit 900K

Above numbers from 2018-2019 are approximates as I didn't write numbers down. Didn't help that my ex had access to all accounts and refused to get on a budget. I just know that I ended up in the hole two years ago as my ex gleefully signed the papers.
by Startingover2019
Sat Feb 22, 2020 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it safe to reuse glass (Gerolsteiner) water bottles
Replies: 35
Views: 3817

Re: Is it safe to reuse glass (Gerolsteiner) water bottles

Hey all, I drink quite a bit of Gerolsteiner, so I have a bunch of empty bottles. I could recycle them, etc., but I'd rather reuse them (in the name of reduce, REUSE, recycle). I'm specifically talking about these bottles (I buy them from Trader Joe's for best price): https://www.instacart.com/products/87284-gerolsteiner-mineral-water-25-3-oz Is there anything safety-wise I should be concerned with? I did some research online, but didn't find anything conclusive. Thanks in advance for thoughts/comments. Best, RJ The first of the 3 R's is Reduce, as in Reduce consumption/need for new products. I would question why someone is buying mineral water in energy intensive glass bottles that have been shipped around the globe. BOOM! There is such a...
by Startingover2019
Sat Feb 22, 2020 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it safe to reuse glass (Gerolsteiner) water bottles
Replies: 35
Views: 3817

Re: Is it safe to reuse glass (Gerolsteiner) water bottles

Starfish wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:57 pm
dbr wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:12 pm You should probably research how to clean and sterilize glass bottles. Then you are good to go.
Do you sterilize you plates and glasses?
Hahaha
by Startingover2019
Sat Feb 22, 2020 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field
Replies: 99
Views: 6100

Re: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field

Trust me, her parents tried to get her to have a more marketable major but she is very passionate about fashion design. She is multi talented, but all are arts related things like painting and photography. Reality may set in now. But they still paid? Sounds like they assisted her to a life of minimum wage. Unless you know the right people. Did you even read this thread? A 25 year veteran CFO of a Fashion Design Wholesale Distributor just posted that the degree is valuable. The granddaughter is creative, has other skills and interests that are related to the fashion field, and has only been out of school a couple months. What is the point of mocking the school choice she and her family made? The fashion industry is highly competitive, but t...
by Startingover2019
Sat Feb 22, 2020 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field
Replies: 99
Views: 6100

Re: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field

Trust me, her parents tried to get her to have a more marketable major but she is very passionate about fashion design. She is multi talented, but all are arts related things like painting and photography. Reality may set in now. But they still paid? Sounds like they assisted her to a life of minimum wage. Unless you know the right people. Did you even read this thread? A 25 year veteran CFO of a Fashion Design Wholesale Distributor just posted that the degree is valuable. The granddaughter is creative, has other skills and interests that are related to the fashion field, and has only been out of school a couple months. What is the point of mocking the school choice she and her family made? The fashion industry is highly competitive, but t...
by Startingover2019
Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field
Replies: 99
Views: 6100

Re: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field

Not to be a negative Nellie here but my granddaughter did EXACTLY the same thing and finally got tired of minimum wages jobs working retail. Trying to find an opening using her fashion design training proved nearly impossible. She went back to school and got an accounting / CPA degree and is making great money with many opportunities available. Trust me, her parents tried to get her to have a more marketable major but she is very passionate about fashion design. She is multi talented, but all are arts related things like painting and photography. Reality may set in now. But they still paid? Sounds like they assisted her to a life of minimum wage. Unless you know the right people. Did you even read this thread? A 25 year veteran CFO of a Fa...
by Startingover2019
Wed Feb 19, 2020 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field
Replies: 99
Views: 6100

Re: New Grad with fashion design degree looking for job in that field

carolinaman wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:37 am
LifeIsGood wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:12 am Not to be a negative Nellie here but my granddaughter did EXACTLY the same thing and finally got tired of minimum wages jobs working retail. Trying to find an opening using her fashion design training proved nearly impossible. She went back to school and got an accounting / CPA degree and is making great money with many opportunities available.
Trust me, her parents tried to get her to have a more marketable major but she is very passionate about fashion design. She is multi talented, but all are arts related things like painting and photography. Reality may set in now.
But they still paid? Sounds like they assisted her to a life of minimum wage. Unless you know the right people.
by Startingover2019
Tue Feb 04, 2020 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: US Citizen Moving to Europe for High-Income Job
Replies: 10
Views: 1897

Re: US Citizen Moving to Europe for High-Income Job

You have a terminal illness. Life is short.
Do it. And I would think about selling my house in the states if I had one. You don’t really need it.

However I did marry poorly and I am now a divorced doc in my forties, do not exactly a model for good decisions.

However you seem to be on the right track and need to enjoy whatever time you have left.
by Startingover2019
Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mechanics of maintaining two homes
Replies: 37
Views: 4449

Re: Mechanics of maintaining two homes

msk wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2020 1:12 am If you want this lifestyle for many years duplicate everything, including cars once the long drive gets boooooring. A suitcase per person back and forth is tolerable. DW packs her favorite teas/herbs/etc. into her suitcase for use fresh the first few days. I have friends with 3 homes. They triplicate everything, including cars. Another couple did not wish to look after a second home at the secondary location, so they bought a 5-star hotel and reserve one suite for themselves year round. Extra friends and family members just book more rooms. If you do not wish to duplicate, it's simply not worth the bother IMHO.
Wow, to just up and buy a 5star hotel. Definitely a rich people thing.
by Startingover2019
Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mechanics of maintaining two homes
Replies: 37
Views: 4449

Re: Mechanics of maintaining two homes

Two homes are 1710 miles apart. This is our 7th Winter in a warmer place. Currently we drive back and forth in a minivan.... Anything except clothes and personal electronics has been duplicated. Before we got 2nd house, we experimented with other approaches to getting warmer during Winter. Having 2nd house is cheaper once you get to 4 or more months of rentals. We have a house watcher for the Winter house when we aren't here ( $50-60 a month). He comes by every week to check the place out. 2nd. house has separate water valves for irrigation and domestic usage so we can turn off water and reduce chance of sudden water damage. 2nd house in extremely low crime area. Between nosy neighbors, security patrols, and local police crooks have it tou...
by Startingover2019
Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 400lbs, delivery or pick up?
Replies: 71
Views: 9668

Re: 400lbs, delivery or pick up?

jebmke wrote: Mon May 04, 2015 4:26 pm Can you post a picture of your cat. I'm prepared to be amazed.
Hahahahahahahahhaha!!!!!
by Startingover2019
Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: to pre-nup or not?
Replies: 133
Views: 14427

Re: to pre-nup or not?

I would have a prenup. Another thing I would consider is a legal agreement regarding the home. I have a family member that bought a house with his fiance. They broke up before marrying. Now they live together, she doesn't pay half the bills, she lost her job for a while, won't agree to sell, etc. and it is a mess. Sort of a War of the Roses story? No friendly touching? This family member is a pushover making it worse for him. Also, he put down more money than she did and the house was underwater for a long time (not sure if it still is). She also refused to refinance their 6.5% mortgage so they are paying way more interest than they should be. If she does walk away he cannot afford the house on his own. Complete disaster. He needs to take ...
by Startingover2019
Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: to pre-nup or not?
Replies: 133
Views: 14427

Re: to pre-nup or not?

For sure get a prenup. Ask me how I know.
by Startingover2019
Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My 60 y/o parents have basically 0 for retirement & will have no SS/Medicare
Replies: 166
Views: 19262

Re: My 60 y/o parents have basically 0 for retirement & will have no SS/Medicare

I don't understand. One does not lose status by not renewing green card. https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/failed-renew-green-card.html "If you did not renew your green card on time, you should do so as soon as possible. Don't panic and think that you have lost your permanent residence itself. The green card is merely evidence of your status, and letting it expire does not, in and of itself, damage that underlying status." However, "The key thing to understand, however, is that one of your obligations under U.S. immigration laws is to carry a valid green card with you at all times, if you are age 18 or older. (See § 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).) If you are caught with an expired g...
by Startingover2019
Tue Jan 14, 2020 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What age did you reach 100K networth?
Replies: 433
Views: 102004

Re: What age did you reach 100K networth?

Not there yet. As a physician at age 41. Bad marriage to a user loser and starting all over after finally divorcing his evil ass.
Will plan on being at 300k by years end God willing.
by Startingover2019
Tue Jan 14, 2020 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What age did you reach 100K networth?
Replies: 433
Views: 102004

Re: What age did you reach 100K networth?

Probably around age 15 but I wasn't aware. My grandparents set up a trust for me for college and invested in 100% stocks through the bull of the 80s and 90s; I graduated college in 2006 with around $225K left in the college fund if I remember correctly. Add to that the $17K or so I'd stashed in a Roth IRA since my first job and no debt, and I was on unquestionably good footing for a 22 year old. I invested the trust in real estate (a condo homestead and 5 rentals) and started saving 20% of my income from day one. Now I'm 29 with a net worth of $608K (there were a few more annual exclusion gifts along the way plus a $75K inheritance, but otherwise I've mainly just maxed retirement accounts and let the rentals amortize a little). Born on thi...
by Startingover2019
Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Opportunity cost of helping out relatives
Replies: 54
Views: 5717

Re: Opportunity cost of helping out relatives

KlangFool wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:02 pm
Stef wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:31 am
I could easily help him out and finishing it in a couple of months. But that would delay my retirement by 3 months. Maybe he won't be the last one? Maybe I'll delay my financial indepedence by 1-2 years helping out others?
Stef,

1) And, how does that help this person in the long-run? You are giving him fish instead of helping him to fish.

2) You are making this person dependent on you. How does this help either of you?

3) We, (uncles and aunties), pooled our money and sponsored many of our nephews and nieces (not our kids) to come to the USA for a college education. That is a worthwhile investment.

KlangFool
This is also helpful as well.
by Startingover2019
Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Opportunity cost of helping out relatives
Replies: 54
Views: 5717

Re: Opportunity cost of helping out relatives

You could easily get a reputation as Mr/Ms Moneybag with the relatives. If you're giving away money there will be no end to it. Do you have or plan to have your own family here that will need all your income for their support? I'm 28yo with no kids planned within the next 5-6 years. But I get your point. Is it my moral obligation to do it? Am I a selfish person if I just look out for myself? Bless others you love when you are blessed. Nothing wrong with that. I am African and help out as well. As far as the house, you don’t have to assist him with the whole 7k. You can do about 1k total. That is still a lot for him and something you won’t miss in the grand scheme of things. Honestly, people who aren’t from poorer countries, or didn’t grow ...
by Startingover2019
Thu Jan 02, 2020 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082098

Re: Share your net worth progression

slow&steady123 wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:41 pm Hi folks,

Below is my net worth progression. It has taken some time with wife and I working hard to get here. I am missing a couple of years due to gaps in exact tracking. We have two young boys, the older one will start going to college in a couple of years; so, really have to work for another 10 odd years till both kids are out of college.

2004 $705,814
2005 $925,035
2006 $1,170,913
2007 $1,367,905
2008 $1,455,373
2009 $1,804,552
2011 $2,252,285
2012 $3,080,632
2013 $3,481,003
2014 $3,819,309
2015 $4,031,656
2016 $4,432,303
2017 $5,056,723
2019 $6,195,696

Slow&Steady!!
What are you gonna do with all that extra money in 10 years? Why do you feel like you even need to keep working? Just curious.
by Startingover2019
Thu Jan 02, 2020 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082098

Re: Share your net worth progression

slow&steady123 wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:41 pm Hi folks,

Below is my net worth progression. It has taken some time with wife and I working hard to get here. I am missing a couple of years due to gaps in exact tracking. We have two young boys, the older one will start going to college in a couple of years; so, really have to work for another 10 odd years till both kids are out of college.

2004 $705,814
2005 $925,035
2006 $1,170,913
2007 $1,367,905
2008 $1,455,373
2009 $1,804,552
2011 $2,252,285
2012 $3,080,632
2013 $3,481,003
2014 $3,819,309
2015 $4,031,656
2016 $4,432,303
2017 $5,056,723
2019 $6,195,696

Slow&Steady!!
What are you gonna do with all that extra money in 10 years? Why do you feel like you even need to keep working? Just curious.
by Startingover2019
Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much were you able to save this year?
Replies: 142
Views: 13698

Re: How much were you able to save this year?

cshell2 wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 7:20 am
Startingover2019 wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:59 am
cshell2 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:25 pm About 29K. 19K to 401K, 7K to Roth and the rest to college savings.

I only grossed 50K though. There was another 16K in child support, but I have one kid in private school and another still needing childcare.
Ok, how do these numbers even work? How do you survive? 16+29=45. And you make 50k gross?
I'm not sure what you're showing by adding child support to savings? I grossed 50K at my job + 16K in child support = 66K total income for the year, but child support isn't included in my taxable income.
I thought you had to pay child support. Not that you were receiving it.
by Startingover2019
Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much were you able to save this year?
Replies: 142
Views: 13698

Re: How much were you able to save this year?

cshell2 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:25 pm About 29K. 19K to 401K, 7K to Roth and the rest to college savings.

I only grossed 50K though. There was another 16K in child support, but I have one kid in private school and another still needing childcare.
Ok, how do these numbers even work? How do you survive? 16+29=45. And you make 50k gross?
by Startingover2019
Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much were you able to save this year?
Replies: 142
Views: 13698

Re: How much were you able to save this year?

cshell2 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:25 pm About 29K. 19K to 401K, 7K to Roth and the rest to college savings.

I only grossed 50K though. There was another 16K in child support, but I have one kid in private school and another still needing childcare.
by Startingover2019
Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Starting from zero..literally.
Replies: 47
Views: 6737

Re: Starting from zero..literally.

At 41, after marrying a gold digger who spent and spent, and took me to cleaners in divorce, I am literally starting over again. NW currently is about $0.

Thankfully, no more bad decisions and have a pretty big shovel and no kids, so I think I will be OK.

Will see where I am this time next year. Plan on NW of 300k God willing.
by Startingover2019
Sun Dec 29, 2019 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 224000

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

piper wrote: Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:16 am Another construction guy here. I see numerous people making six figures in the non union plumbing trades. There are also plenty of 7 figure incomes, including myself in the trades. who would have thought? Not as many blue collar workers on here as i would have thought either.
What do you do?
by Startingover2019
Fri Dec 27, 2019 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleep Masks & Ear Plugs
Replies: 35
Views: 2913

Re: Sleep Masks & Ear Plugs

Being a light sleeper doesn't necessarily have to be related to sleep apnea. Some people are just light sleepers. OP and I are some of those people. No need for a doctor visit because one is a light sleeper. That's a bit of overkill. Yes which could lead to falling asleep during the day, it was a cause of operator of Amtrak train speeding, and ultimately crash and in a separate story the bus driver crash. Nevertheless what is health insurance for? best of luck There are other symptoms that lead to suspicion for sleep apnea. Like being overweight, having a thick neck, snoring, daytime somnolence. Some people, even skinny ones without apnea, are just light sleepers. OP, if you have some of the above, then yes, you could have sleep apnea. Or,...
by Startingover2019
Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Narrowing down where to live
Replies: 55
Views: 6671

Re: Narrowing down where to live

22twain wrote: Fri Dec 27, 2019 1:42 am
Bernard wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2019 11:09 pmGainesville, Florida, away from the coast and with actual mountains
:shock:

I've driven through the Gainesville area a number of times and don't recall anything that could be even vaguely described as "mountains." I do remember some rolling terrain along US-27 in the vicinity of Clermont, further south (northwest of Orlando).

According to Wikipedia, the highest point in Florida is Britton Hill in the Panhandle, at 345 feet above sea level.
OMG, I was thinking the same thing. I even shot my friend an email who lives there wondering the same thing. Mountains? In FL? Big hills maybe?
by Startingover2019
Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Narrowing down where to live
Replies: 55
Views: 6671

Re: Narrowing down where to live

I am non-LDS and in SLC and agree with poster above that the air quality is quite bad this time of year. Cost of living is going up with the booming population and those issues may drive me out of the area in the next year. I like this part of the country for outdoor recreation. Enjoy cycling, hiking, camping, backpacking, etc. An ideal location for me is a metro area 500k+, L-MCOL, moderate climate, low taxes. Spokane, Reno, El Paso, Boise, Albuquerque seem like possibilities, and I'm interested to know if anyone thinks one of those stands out in a particularly good or bad way. Lived in Albuquerque for four years. I have lived in a lot of places. Out of all the places, ABQ has the best weather year round, hands down. Never realized it whi...
by Startingover2019
Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Narrowing down where to live
Replies: 55
Views: 6671

Re: Narrowing down where to live

If you want short winters and you don't want too much rain and you want something that's not too conservative, that doesn't leave many places, especially if you also want the outdoors right on your doorstep. Much of California, but it's likely too expensive. It can be harder to find good schools as you leave suburbs, so there's a tradeoff there involving cost of living, political climate, and access to outdoors. I'm assuming in order the most important criteria are: 1. Meets your budgetary restrictions 2. Short winters 3. Quality schools 4. Access to nature 5. Suits your political tastes Consider: Asheville, NC Charlottesville, VA Chattanooga, TN Little Rock, AR Bowling Green, KY Great recommendations. I've been to Asheville and Charlottes...
by Startingover2019
Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleep Masks & Ear Plugs
Replies: 35
Views: 2913

Re: Sleep Masks & Ear Plugs

retire2022 wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:19 am Op

Best you go see a sleep doctor, could be sleep apnea, do you snore?

Do you have allergies or stuffy nose?

A sleep test will diagnose this.

I have sleep apnea, this is no joke, and should be taken seriously.
Being a light sleeper doesn't necessarily have to be related to sleep apnea. Some people are just light sleepers. OP and I are some of those people. No need for a doctor visit because one is a light sleeper. That's a bit of overkill.
by Startingover2019
Wed Dec 25, 2019 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Narrowing down where to live
Replies: 55
Views: 6671

Re: Narrowing down where to live

reisner wrote: Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:21 pm Yes, to Utah if you can take the dryness. Personally I find the traffic and the newness abhorrent in towns that have grown fast like St. George. I'd prefer New Meico, which also has great outdoorsy things to do. Also, the west slope of Colorado, Bend or Eugene OR, the Olympic Peninsula, Bucks County PA, Cape Cod Jackson WY if that's not out of your price range, Portsmouth NH.
The OP specifically states he wants short and presumably mild winters. Most of the places you are mentioning have significant winters. Wyoming is pretty frigging cold and windy.
by Startingover2019
Wed Dec 25, 2019 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Narrowing down where to live
Replies: 55
Views: 6671

Re: Narrowing down where to live

Thanks all. The plan is to cast a wide net, do a lot of research and travel to top places on the list. After doing some more research on Utah, the winters may be too long. And based on some of the city data posts that I read, it may be too conservative for my preference. I bet I'd like it there, but I don't think it'll be on the top of my list. In terms of Tuscaloosa, I'll have to look up the schools. What are the mountains, lakes and rivers like? I don't know much about the city or AL in general but will look into it some. Actually as someone who lived in Birmingham AL for almost two years, I would suggest you give AL a look. Most people stereotype AL because it's poor, and in general overall conservative and possibly backwards in the sma...
by Startingover2019
Wed Dec 11, 2019 10:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $1.05 fee for changing my address?
Replies: 23
Views: 4047

Re: $1.05 fee for changing my address?

How did people ever effectively change their address before the internet? Why do you feel the need to do an online form “just to be sure”?
by Startingover2019
Sun Dec 08, 2019 12:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Follow Up: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 371
Views: 48778

Re: Follow Up: Husband's Surprise Debts

I'm going to tread gently into turf that I hope won't get my post deleted... So, you and DH have VERY unequal incomes. I was in this situation for many years (me on the low side) with DH#1 and then on the high side with DH#2. My high earning MBA daughter went into her marriage knowing that she would ALWAYS out-earn her book editor DH by 3 or 4 times and they sought premarital counseling to figure out how to address this before they got married. One of the things you might want to figure out, going forward, is how equitably to apportion responsibility for various financials BEFORE they are due so that there are no surprises. Sometimes in a marriage, we make assumptions about who is going to get the oil in the car changed, but we never talk ...
by Startingover2019
Thu Nov 28, 2019 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying for Grad School: Refinance or Student Loan?
Replies: 19
Views: 1519

Re: Paying for Grad School: Refinance or Student Loan?

I went to medical school and don’t remember ever asking my parents to co-sign for any of my loans. They were about 120k. Didn’t ask them to sign for undergrad either.

If her income is going to start at 125k and you yourself say that she is “very responsible”, why do you even feel the need to be involved?

She’s an adult now. Let her do adult things and pay for them on her own without involving you. It’s part of life. So is paying interest on a loan.

You as a parent need to learn to let go as well. She doesn’t need you for this. Why do you feel the need to save her interest when she can afford it without tying up your house in more debt?
by Startingover2019
Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Follow Up: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 371
Views: 48778

Re: Follow Up: Husband's Surprise Debts

I am going to jump in on the camp of “get rid of that house”.

Seriously, why would an elderly couple, trying to get out of debt before retirement need a 3000 sq ft house? Can you not see how maintaining that house is eating away at your money, i.e taxes on a $900K property the sprinkler system not including electric, and gas on a large house? These maintenance items could be cut by half if you downsize.
Can you purchase a 2000 or less sq foot house for less than 350k where you live and use some of the money from the sale of your house to pay down all your debt and put the rest away?
Please get unstuck from this house. It’s an unnecessary expense.
by Startingover2019
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 183
Views: 22388

Re: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts

Frankly it seems there are two questions here, and only two: 1. Is your husband willing to put you in exclusive control of finances and go on a cash allowance provided by you? 2. If he is not willing to do so, are you willing to leave him? All of the rest is noise, quite honestly. You don't need a financial planner, or an accountant, or even an attorney at this point. You need a stiff drink and to throw your shoulders back and confront this. Your staying in this marriage needs to come attached at the hip with your complete control of finances and him with a cash allowance or a prepaid debit card, the amount of which could be up for discussion. If he won't work with you and you won't leave him, then you have no power or leverage. You can't ...
by Startingover2019
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 183
Views: 22388

Re: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts

Is your husband willing to put you in exclusive control of finances and go on a cash allowance provided by you? She doesn't need to be in total control. They just need to be a total team (and she can sell that a lot easier) She needs access to all accounts and all passwords, and she can watch the money. And what happens then when she sees a bunch of money going out, confronts him and gets nowhere? Total waste of time and even more money. There's no need to put him on an "allowance"... She just needs to be an equal partner. That's fair, and he should agree to that. If she can see all the accounts, and watch the money coming in and money going out, the problem should be solved. I agree there's no point in asking over and over where...
by Startingover2019
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 183
Views: 22388

Re: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts

Is your husband willing to put you in exclusive control of finances and go on a cash allowance provided by you? She doesn't need to be in total control. They just need to be a total team (and she can sell that a lot easier) She needs access to all accounts and all passwords, and she can watch the money. And what happens then when she sees a bunch of money going out, confronts him and gets nowhere? Total waste of time and even more money. There's no need to put him on an "allowance"... She just needs to be an equal partner. That's fair, and he should agree to that. If she can see all the accounts, and watch the money coming in and money going out, the problem should be solved. I agree there's no point in asking over and over where...
by Startingover2019
Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 183
Views: 22388

Re: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts

So how come OP seems clueless that she can get SSI from him if he’s getting it from her? I am confused.
by Startingover2019
Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts
Replies: 183
Views: 22388

Re: Help: Husband's Surprise Debts

You need to get better information regarding Social Security benefits and other issues, because you are using bad assumptions to drive your decisions. You would be entitled to half of your husband’s benefit at his FRA, not just your benefit: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html So more in the way of $1500/month than $945 (based on what you said earlier). So income of around $1800/month total, or $22,000/year, from SS and the annuity. And that’s at a minimum, if you aren’t awarded part of his benefit in divorce proceedings. There are other issues like whether you are responsible for his credit card debt or his tax debt (as an innocent spouse) that an attorney could help you with. Plus an attorney could flush out any hidden ass...
by Startingover2019
Thu Nov 21, 2019 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Applied for 2 capital one cards same day -- a biz and personal card, but rejected
Replies: 5
Views: 498

Re: Applied for 2 capital one cards same day -- a biz and personal card, but rejected

Just apply for another card. There are a lot of options.
I just applied for two cards from American Express within a month of each other without any problems. A business and personal one.
by Startingover2019
Mon Nov 18, 2019 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy home with cash? vs. Loan options.
Replies: 21
Views: 1977

Re: Buy home with cash? vs. Loan options.

runner540 wrote: Mon Nov 18, 2019 7:45 am
Startingover2019 wrote: Sun Nov 17, 2019 8:26 pm The sad thing is that the OP considers 75k a low salary.
Only in CA and NYC probably. 75k is a good salary for a family. That will take you a long way in TX where you can get a nice, big house for 400k or so in any of the big cities.

You just have to get away from the Coasts.
$75k is the median 2018 household income in California. (https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Cens ... r18-01.pdf)
Probably below median in the metro areas where OP is shopping for a $900k house.
Yeah, that’s why I mentioned this is only considered low on either cost. Not in >75% of the rest of the US.
When I get called or emailed about jobs in LA, i very quickly say NO!
by Startingover2019
Sun Nov 17, 2019 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy home with cash? vs. Loan options.
Replies: 21
Views: 1977

Re: Buy home with cash? vs. Loan options.

The sad thing is that the OP considers 75k a low salary.
Only in CA and NYC probably. 75k is a good salary for a family. That will take you a long way in TX where you can get a nice, big house for 400k or so in any of the big cities.

You just have to get away from the Coasts.
by Startingover2019
Sun Nov 17, 2019 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy home with cash? vs. Loan options.
Replies: 21
Views: 1977

Re: Buy home with cash? vs. Loan options.

DesertDiva wrote: Sun Nov 17, 2019 4:58 pm
BogleBogleBogle wrote: Sun Nov 17, 2019 12:35 pm 4. Other advice or recommendations?
Nevada or Arizona.
Please follow this advice. Why oh why must you be stuck in a place you can’t afford a house?
by Startingover2019
Sat Nov 09, 2019 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: divorce, splitting assets?
Replies: 14
Views: 2793

Re: divorce, splitting assets?

OP, just read your post again. You are just talking of settlement not necessarily looking for assets.
Good luck.
by Startingover2019
Sat Nov 09, 2019 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can a prenup & liability coverage be enough to forego having a trust?
Replies: 43
Views: 4035

Re: Can a prenup & liability coverage be enough to forego having a trust?

Again, an umbrella policy does something completely different than the trust. Having your assets in trust in no way eliminates your need for insurance. If you routinely take money out of the trust for your support and continue that once married then the assets of the trust may not be so well protected in case of divorce. In some states judges look at where the money to support the family was coming from and can pull trust money into consideration in determining equitable treatment. It is worth discussing the protection you would have in PA but remember the decisions will be made by the state in which you would be living at the time of a divorce. Hi afan. Thanks for your post. :beer I have umbrella (and underlying renter's) for my own asset...
by Startingover2019
Sat Nov 09, 2019 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: divorce, splitting assets?
Replies: 14
Views: 2793

Re: divorce, splitting assets?

I would venture to say that many if not most divorce lawyers have minimal ethics and don’t have your best interests at heart. They care about how much they can bill you especially if they know you make a good living. They lie, lie, lie and sleep very comfortably at night. That being said, if your ex is secretive and deceitful you’re probably going to have to go through the discovery process. However know that the discovery process is expensive, and the other side can still lie. I would be more concerned about the debt that she may have you in, versus any assets you’re trying to get from her. Why are you trying to get assets? That’s another question. Will you stay at home dad? did you put her through school? Support her financially through s...