Search found 5189 matches

by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The NAR settlement doesn't mean what you think what it means
Replies: 42
Views: 2157

Re: The NAR settlement doesn't mean what you think what it means

hash1848 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:44 pm<>I don't really care what a jury found.<>
You have me convinced once you say it this way - solid position.... Follow the money and it's pretty clear from the cheap seats....
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employer withheld taxes from my paycheck but wasn't paying the IRS and state
Replies: 14
Views: 1604

Re: Employer withheld taxes from my paycheck but wasn't paying the IRS and state

Don't play cop here... Your W2 is what it says and the IRS/State should be talking to the employer if they did not remit, so open an issue for both to resolve.
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How worthwhile is Zillow to estimate home value?
Replies: 28
Views: 1668

Re: How worthwhile is Zillow to estimate home value?

Retired in CA wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:02 pm Zillow thinks that my home has 0 bedrooms and 1 bathroom (both numbers are wrong), so I doubt that the estimate has much value.
Claim the house and update it... Update any other address you like while your there :shock: (snark at the fact that anyone can claim anything with minimal info)
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I-ORP Dead or Reconstructing?
Replies: 12
Views: 1663

Re: Is IORP Gone?

tibbitts wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:56 pm
rob wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:53 pm I saw it in some video from Rob Berger and wanted to try it out... but seems it's offline/gone - checked down-for-just-me and looks like it's everyone. Anyone know anything before I move on?
It doesn't really matter because it hadn't been updated for years and nobody that I'm aware of was encouraging its use any longer. It's unfortunate that it couldn't have been refined to eliminate some of the widely criticized characteristics and of course updated to current tax laws/limits.
Thx.... I've watched a few of Rob's videos recently and maybe it was an old one but I really thought it was a recent one. No issues... Moving on....
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I-ORP Dead or Reconstructing?
Replies: 12
Views: 1663

Is IORP Gone?

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

I saw it in some video from Rob Berger and wanted to try it out... but seems it's offline/gone - checked down-for-just-me and looks like it's everyone. Anyone know anything before I move on?
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 92
Views: 7397

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

gunny2 wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:55 am Why not just email them to yourself? Or Google drive? You sure don't need to pay for anything.
Please don't ever email sensitive files.... Email is not the least bit secure.
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 302
Views: 27406

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

I want to add one more thing if not already discussed. Deep Blue from IBM beat Garry Kasparov in 1997. Watson from IBM won Jeopardy back in 2011. Watson was supposed to take over the medical profession. What happened? This instance is interesting to me... Not because the machine beat him as that was always going to happen with enough processing power and refined algorithms nor that a simple chess program today will beat most people - most of us are just not that good so it's a meaningless compare - but Kasparov's impressions of playing it at the time. Deep blue was restarted during the games which he likened to playing different opponents with different personalities & objectives. "Watson" was a series of technologies & a...
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cameras, Binoculars and Jackets for Alaska Cruise
Replies: 21
Views: 1267

Re: Cameras, Binoculars and Jackets for Alaska Cruise

1. What camera would be best for the cruise? We have old cameras (both 14-16 year old now): a Canon Powershot SX110IS point-and-shoot with 10x zoom, and a Canon T2i SLR w/ a 18-135mm lens. The SLR has been very bulky to carry and with my (lack of) skills I generally just set it to Auto, dont really use it to its potential but it still takes better photos than the P&S. I see technologies have got better now ('mirrorless cameras', video recording resolutions are far better today than my cameras, much better sensors). What Camera would you recommend? For someone who rarely uses the SLR and assuming you don't want to reignite that hobby and spend real $$... I would just get a good 2nd hand EF or EFs longer lens. The prices of EF glass has ...
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Navigating Speakers for in home theater
Replies: 41
Views: 2651

Re: Navigating Speakers for in home theater

madbrain wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:24 pm Of course, how much to spend really depends on your expectations. But good speakers can last for decades.
Adding to this point.... My main speakers on the AV stuff (I have several complete systems now days but you don't need to go down that road) that are still used every day were purchased in the late 80's and at the time were worth more than my car :shock: They started as the only speakers in a bi-amped 2 channel system and now live as the mains in a 5.1 system. Components have moved over time but I still love the sound of them, so they can be a long term purchase.
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15076

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

FoolishJumper wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:23 pm Realtors have done well at making a system that is quite monopolistic but not considered as violating anti-trust laws, and no one (other than buyers and sellers) is incredibly incentivized to change things.
This is the part that I find repugnant in RE txns... It's clearly anti competitive and monopolistic and enriching institutions rather than buyers & sellers - a cartel by definition. Yet it's allowed to continue and the non-buyer/sellers fight (or pay off) anyone that tries to change any part of this morass.
by rob
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Roof - Exterior Design Ideas
Replies: 7
Views: 674

Re: New Roof - Exterior Design Ideas

I think that house would look great with look alike slate roofing... I think they make stamped metal roofs with that stamped shape & look - metal would obviously be more $ but also add more durability.
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14913

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

RickBoglehead wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:02 pm Most people who keep a stack of cash likely lived through the Depression.
I think that is too long ago for this to be the case.... Most defn have that ending by 40/41. It might be more common in the group that were adults before the general availability of credit cards - although that was earlier in the US.
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2465

Re: Election spam texts

Funniest one recently.... I got one in a used car I purchased a few years ago. Some political nonsense.

Then it dawns on me... I didn't have my phone. No one else in the vehicle.

Quick google tells me: That the car has a cell signal in it's own right for the weather/gas-station-list gadget OR maybe a second? one for on-star. I've never used or activated either but I mean... my car gets spammed and not me. :oops:
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to use Google 401k for 2-3 fund portfolio
Replies: 63
Views: 6218

Re: Google 401k choices shockingly bad

The difference between total market & sp&p500 is overblown in these parts. They are "substantially identical" to steal a term from the IRS :D Your post might be confusing to people, because as many people know and may rely on for tax purposes, S&P 500 and total market seems *not* substantially identical according to the IRS Ok... I'm sorry but it's a joke as indicated by the ":D" which shows as :D if you have emojis enabled. For future readers, it's was meant as a joke using a play on words and the conflicting meaning of combining those words from a completely different topic. I was implying that the performance of total US stock market and s&p500 is very very similar. I was also implying that although w...
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to use Google 401k for 2-3 fund portfolio
Replies: 63
Views: 6218

Re: Google 401k choices shockingly bad

The difference between total market & sp&p500 is overblown in these parts. They are "substantially identical" to steal a term from the IRS :D
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:11 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Is an investment property worthwhile? (Australia)
Replies: 6
Views: 1221

Re: Is an investment property worthwhile? (Australia)

Some areas are putting limitation on rent increases, mandatory insulation requirements, every contractor thinks a landlord can pay more than resident for the same work and on. The benefit in neg gearing is marginal (as above only on higher income). If I could go back in time, I would not do it.
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14913

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Broken Man 1999 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:13 am
snowday2022 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:50 am
Murdock7591 wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:26 am I believe it's a good idea to have some cash on hand in one's home.
I have $5K in various bills wrapped in aluminum foil in my freezer.
Why the freezer rather than room temperature? Hiding spot?
In the freezer it becomes cold, hard, cash!

Broken Man 1999
lol... I nominate this as the best response for 2024 so far...
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How is a broker going to make money off me?
Replies: 62
Views: 5786

Re: How is a broker going to make money off me?

Gradient Descent wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:08 am Payment for order flow, interest on settlement fund balances, upselling their own products and services, etc.
This... plus adding your assets to the we have $x trillion under mgt and $y billions of inflows last year in their marketing. Fees to fido make no difference if you can arrange your money to be out of the main areas of revenue... and sounds like your doing that now.
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?
Replies: 4
Views: 822

Re: SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?

Thanks!

- Thanks for confirm on the Henry burnt area.
- On parking at Henry - Yeah wishful thinking and I was hoping it was less of a zoo than Muir. I have the parking app but looks like must buy day of and not ahead (I know you can book parking ahead for Muir ahead).
- Big Sur has always been on my list to see, so will be going anyway. I have driven down the coast to Carmel before and it was beautiful but spouse has never anywhere in CA so wanted a full day trip just drive & stop and repeat.
- Thanks for the additional links, will kick those around.
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisor says my portfolio is akin to a retiree at age 34
Replies: 80
Views: 8054

Re: Financial Advisor says my portfolio is akin to a retiree at age 34

No. Same fund. Different share classes. You'd also run into the problem if you held a different S&P 500 fund since they're tracking the same index. If faced with an IRS auditor, could you explain how Fidelity's and Vanguard's S&P 500 funds are not substantially identical? Opinions vary on this and since the IRS has zip definitions :oops: . I used to be in this ultra conservative position but I gave up guessing what the "rules" are when none are specified. I don't even know what the "substantially" modifier means since "identical" has an unchangeable definition. If you want, flip the tax sheltered fund to total US so you don't have to worry going forward. I would drop the vested RSU's especially since t...
by rob
Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 302
Views: 27406

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

- their relationship with knowledge is different. If you can carry, in effect, the world's largest encyclopaedia with you, or a complete map of your city that is personalised to your location - then old fashioned skills that I spent years developing are just not needed This has to start with get off my grass but in my professional circles; I've become more and more dismayed at the lack of core understanding on technical topics. This is not a knowing how to google some fact but an application of knowledge skill that has been dwindling. Maybe it's always been like this and I'm metaphorically on a rocking chair guarding my lawn, but more and more of the conversations I've been in are flabbergasting. In the context of this conversation, it sho...
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4405

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

See if dentist will do a lower payment in full without insurance (might no longer be an option).

Appeal it anyway... Your not going to win but I do this out of spite when stuff like this happens. I know it costs them money to process the appeal and sadly I get something non-financial out of that.
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14913

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

In greenbacks - almost zip apart from what's under the couch or in my wallet - might be able to find $100. When I was traveling for work, I usually had a couple of hundred on me but no longer an issue.

I do have a couple of grand of foreign currency of various types left over from trips. I don't spend for no reason to use it when overseas and since I will be back, I don't cash it back to USD. It kicks around until the next trip and rinse & repeat. I guess whoever puts me in the ground will have to deal with whatever is left over 8-)
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?
Replies: 4
Views: 822

SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?

I know I can google it but getting a lot of conflicting info out there - a lot due to recent fires & storms, so looking for recent or personal info and this crowd seems to have great non-finance knowledge.

Planning a week in San Francisco in May and looking for somewhere to go hiking for 3-4/5 moderate hours in the redwoods (will have car). There is tourist central with Muir-woods but was planning to drive down the coast maybe to Big Sur, so Henry Cowell jumped out as a good option heading south (plus it's a bit away from the city daytrip crowds).

For the people with recent knowledge - what park/forest do you suggest? Which parks were least affected by the fires?


PS - I'll obviously take any suggestions for the city also :D
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electrical Outlet Covers
Replies: 48
Views: 3697

Re: Electrical Outlet Covers

I have used these through the house and I paint them the same color as the walls.
by rob
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Reduce $258k Capital Loss Carryforward?
Replies: 18
Views: 2182

Re: Should I Reduce $258k Capital Loss Carryforward?

Keep in mind that in a flat inflation environment these are great... but with inflation recently those losses are becoming less valuable in real terms. I started using up my carry overs last year and might really hit them this year due to this.
by rob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Docking Station Recommendation
Replies: 3
Views: 559

Re: Docking Station Recommendation

Lots of options but I grabbed this one at the start of COVID for work and it's been great. More $ gets better functionality.
by rob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: close to retiring - what to do with company 401k
Replies: 13
Views: 1627

Re: close to retiring - what to do with company 401k

What's your age? I would NOT roll it over if you are 55 this year and not yet 59.5 this year. You can potentially (if plan allows for partial withdraw) "rule of 55" to remove $ without paying the penalty. If your basically 60 or above, I would roll it over to get better options. Note: There may be some difference in creditor protection if that is an issue for you.
by rob
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 92
Views: 7397

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

Yes - I use backblaze BUT I supply the key and since the encryption is done client side only encrypted files land on their servers. It limits the functionality on their website but I don't care about that. The restore works fine but again, I have to supply the key.

You do have to trust their client side app is not shipping that key to the server.
by rob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 302
Views: 27406

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

HanSolo wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:46 am Another flip side is that nobody really knows whether AI will cause another 737 MAX-type disaster.
It didn't. It was deterministic logic deliberately inserted into the systems that was not understood by the pilots.
by rob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow
Replies: 148
Views: 22531

Re: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow

soccerrules wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:28 pm im in my late 50s and the reality of "limited time" left, has me retiring in the next few months. Listening to a podcast it was described as a 3 legged stool with Finances, Health and Time as the legs. For many and likely most BHr's we will run out of health and time before we run out of finances.
I am leaving a career and job I no longer enjoy -- Life is too short.
Best wishes
I love this point of view.... We talk about the 3 legs been pension/savings/social security but this is only a tree in the forest of time & health.
by rob
Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 302
Views: 27406

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

Politely and respectfully disagree again. When my nieces and nephew are my age there will be congressional debates on "what is life?" and "should we give ChatGPT an SSN?" We are talking about the potential birth of a new lifeform which supplants humans as the most intelligent species on the planet. Humans have been the smartest creature on the planet for quite a while, that is fixin' to change quick, fast, and in a hurry. I'm not proposing Terminator (movie) situation, but the Turin test will be a distant memory 10 years from now. Yeah... and this is the type of political hype I'm dealing with (mentioned earlier). The pin is out of realistic discussions even in groups that should know better... New senescent life form ....
by rob
Mon Feb 26, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 302
Views: 27406

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

Same but different.... Most of the "AI" stuff is nonsense.... Most is better algorithms due to more processing power as a lot of the techniques have been around a long time. A lot of teams in my world are wasting vast time on this for questionable internal political purposes.

Some uses will stick and find purpose but most is a vast waste of time and dollars..... What that means to investing, who knows.
by rob
Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What got you out of poverty?
Replies: 111
Views: 12856

Re: What got you out of poverty?

- Education
- Saying yes to every stretch task (even when inside was shaking to death)
- Putting in the hours and effort

and most importantly... been incredibly LUCKY
by rob
Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wine - what are we paying more for … ?
Replies: 185
Views: 32766

Re: Wine - what are we paying more for … ?

FeralCat wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:44 pm A $9 bottle of wine to me can taste like motor oil. It used to be that I could find a good bottle of wine for $15, but with inflation it is now about $20. The people who work at the liquor store nearby are helpful in picking wines. I have no idea what more expensive wines taste like. I simply can't afford them.
First off, I'd stop drinking motor oil... Your not going to find one that tastes good no matter how many you try. :wink:

Individual tastes vary but there is certainly a range of wines that are good on the lower end. Most of the everyday wines I drink are under $20. That price point for me has gone up a few dollars over COVID but still lots of options.
by rob
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8508

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

If you haven't driven one of the modern turbo 4s, they are pretty smooth. Generally better gas mileage, and they have tons of acceleration. There's a reason automakers are doing away with old V6s. If you're used to old 4 cylinder engines, these are a lot different. I have yet to drive one that hasn't had noticeable and bothersome turbo lag. Having said that, I haven't driven the newest Lexus NX and RX, I have seen reviews claiming the turbo 4s in those are a lot smoother, so I probably will have to test drive them. They still mostly have terrible turbo lag but less than the past and far better than the days of old - most people are not going to notice, especially here where A to B and cost is the major criteria. Worth driving some to get y...
by rob
Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sign up for two ACA plans
Replies: 31
Views: 2328

Re: Sign up for two ACA plans

JustHappen wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:12 amI don't know which one is more important: the surgeon or the hospital? It drives me nuts!
I'm sorry... I would go with the hospital rather than surgeon but obviously it's a crappy "choice" :x .
by rob
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Managing my parent's small portfolio
Replies: 6
Views: 1011

Re: Managing my parent's small portfolio

Your creating a potentially large issue for them... I would not touch the US if your not a citizen nor resident.
by rob
Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend on work/ dress shoes?
Replies: 86
Views: 9041

Re: How much do you spend on work/ dress shoes?

I have what are now very expensive dress boots that I bought several decades ago - purchased at an outlet way before they got trendy but still a few hundred bucks. I also have lizard skin boots and exactly zero sneakers, so might want to discount my opinion :D

I always wore them even after workplace became jeans or even less formal because I loved wearing them not because of others. I think over the decades maybe 2 people have noticed to say anything.
by rob
Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12481

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

jebmke wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:48 am Not for today but if you have a grill, they work well for pizza. I haven't done a pizza in the oven in many years. Always on the grill. We make our own dough but a pre-made dough should work also.
I know no help to OP but this is the answer.... Tried this some years ago just for a joke (didn't know it was real) and it worked incredibly well. We do it all the time in summer now.
by rob
Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parent requesting to have assets transferred out of their name
Replies: 46
Views: 3524

Re: Parent requesting to have assets transferred out of their name

CarefulCurator wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:13 pm <>3) I have all electronic account passwords<>
You really cannot login as someone else. I knwo we all do it in some ways for spouses or kids but in this scenario I think it's a BAD idea. Get the agent auth to see and use your own login as well as the trusts discussed above.
by rob
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:05 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: "Retired" Life Stage Virtual Chapter "Master Thread"
Replies: 130
Views: 53186

Re: "Retired" Life Stage Virtual Chapter "Master Thread"

Suggestion: Use the auto generated transcript features (not sure about zoom but others have this and is common) to take down all the words, then you can simply remove the pieces that people don't want shared to the world.
by rob
Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's your allocation for International Stocks?
Replies: 101
Views: 6955

Re: What's your allocation for International Stocks?

Unlike most here... I'm market weight rather than home country bias. In hindsight, US bias has done better.
by rob
Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: NVidia splitting this year?
Replies: 36
Views: 8984

Re: NVidia splitting this year?

Makes zero difference but we seem to be back in the dot-bomb era where stock splits create noise and get some to think it's good for the company. Then there was a trend where they wanted a higher stock price (Berkshire anyone) because that appeared good. Pendulum swinging back the other way now.
by rob
Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed
Replies: 71
Views: 6828

Re: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed

ZMonet wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:30 pm I'm working on removing the two dogs from my bed; then, I'll move on to the wife. You guys with just a spouse in the bed are my dream situation!
It's that whole denial thing... It's the dogs bed :D
by rob
Mon Feb 05, 2024 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Irrational Pre Retirement Retirement Nervousness?
Replies: 25
Views: 3235

Re: Irrational Pre Retirement Retirement Nervousness?

I have used 2 or 3 different Monte Carlo simulations which say we will be fine but they are very limited as they don't account for one time expenses. Not enough info to guess but FiCalc lets you add one time expenses at various points (inflation adjusted or not). This has us rolling in money! I have to play around with it some more. Thanks for the link! It can run simulations for a few different withdrawal methods (and has a concise summary for each) . They range from conservation to spend it all, so I like to see how different methods react to similar inputs (some need additional assumptions) . It can also override the unconstrained behavior and limit min or max withdrawals which I find useful. I find it one of the best tools out there an...
by rob
Mon Feb 05, 2024 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed
Replies: 71
Views: 6828

Re: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed

I've just accepted that my spouse will end up with ALL the blankets by morning. Once you get to the end of the trauma cycle and get to acceptance, your all good. 8-)

Maybe try two double/queen donna's - since they are so much larger than 1/2 the bed width, then the edges will not uncover you.
by rob
Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Irrational Pre Retirement Retirement Nervousness?
Replies: 25
Views: 3235

Re: Irrational Pre Retirement Retirement Nervousness?

Vinny_in_NJ wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:26 am I have used 2 or 3 different Monte Carlo simulations which say we will be fine but they are very limited as they don't account for one time expenses.
Not enough info to guess but FiCalc lets you add one time expenses at various points (inflation adjusted or not).
by rob
Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stopping 401k Contributions for Bonus
Replies: 44
Views: 4690

Re: Stopping 401k Contributions for Bonus

w5000 wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:06 am It would be nice if employers would just offer the option to set a fixed dollar amount. I think they use percentages so that they can "encourage" people who don't max out to increase their 401(k) contribution each year.
I suspect it's just easier. I had one odd ball employer that only allowed % for the regular 401k but only allowed $ for the catch-up - was strange.