Search found 490 matches

by TheHiker
Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5434

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

Is an hour drive worth $2000? It is in my book.
BA is totally fine compared to Delta. Flew BA to London a few times with no issues.
by TheHiker
Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portugal trip
Replies: 19
Views: 1453

Re: Portugal trip

Had no problem using Uber in Portugal.
No problems with the rental car either. I do not remember if they required a deposit, but it was returned in full if they did.
As far as I recall, the toll transponder is required to be included with the rental car in Portugal. So it is very much hassle free. You must have a transponder as there is no way to pay without it.
by TheHiker
Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need better sound for music enjoyment
Replies: 20
Views: 2894

Re: Need better sound for music enjoyment

I am using a cheap Yamaha receiver with a pair of decent speakers which sit next to the TV.
Works well for music, TV and games. I don't feel that I need the sound bar.
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tech Compensation
Replies: 39
Views: 5179

Re: Tech Compensation

There were boom and bust cycles in the tech industry. Boom years were mid-to-late 90s and then again late 2010s-to-early 2020s.
This is when an ordinary engineer or manager with some luck could be bringing home 1M per year.
The bubble has deflated now and million dollar compensations are few and far between.
There may not be another boom in 20 years, who knows.
by TheHiker
Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Replies: 426
Views: 136849

Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones

Just hit the 5M mark. First million was by far the hardest.

12 years to 1M
6 years to 2M
3 years to 3M
2 years to 4M
1 year to 5M
by TheHiker
Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country
Replies: 23
Views: 2058

Re: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country

My favorite is driving north from SF along the coast to the Redwood National Park. From there can go to Crater lake (doesn't have redwoods, but is worth visiting) and back down I-5. Or you can go in reverse. Avenue of the Giants is the road through the redwoods that you should take. Eureka/Crescent City are the nearby towns where we stayed in the past. I would not stay a week in either. Eureka has a bigger city center with some old victorian buildings. Last trip we rented an AirBnb cabin in the redwoods near Crescent City which was nicer than staying in town. If you plan on driving from Arizona then Sequoia/Kings Canyon/Yosemite has sequoia (not redwood) trees which you shouldn't miss. There are also redwood groves near SF (Santa Cruz area,...
by TheHiker
Tue Feb 20, 2024 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House purchase questions
Replies: 22
Views: 2461

Re: House purchase questions

570k house seems reasonable given your income.
I you have better plans for your cash, you should not pour it into the house. Instead you can pay more towards the principal if/when you earn extra cash.
By doing that we paid our first 30 year mortgage in 10 years (it helped that we were able to refinance when the rates fell).
by TheHiker
Tue Feb 13, 2024 12:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reasons not to rollover my 401k?
Replies: 32
Views: 3399

Re: Any reasons not to rollover my 401k?

Sounds like "yes to rollover" to me.
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
Replies: 60
Views: 5515

Re: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?

acegolfer wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:55 pm A few yrs ago, our 10 yo dishwasher started to leak. After research, I found the cause. $10 part, straight forward replacement. I believe the part was water inlet valve.
Yes, they are easy to replace. I had to do it several times over the years.
The only problem is that leaking $10 part can easily do hundreds of $$ in damage to the kitchen so I also had to replace some wooden paneling etc.
I
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Understanding 4% rule
Replies: 41
Views: 3888

Re: Understanding 4% rule

This is the problem with the SWR strategy that it does give different results in these identical situations.
One can argue that they are not exactly identical because the second person has more information about the market performance when they make a decision.
It would make sense if market ups and downs were random and the success rate was a mathematical probability.
But markets are not random and I would expect a sound strategy to adjust rather than keep spending...
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anticipating a lay off
Replies: 25
Views: 3749

Re: Anticipating a lay off

Front load/max out your 401k and use your FSA balance.
Assume you will lose company account access immediately.
Make sure you can log in to HSA, 401k, health insurance etc from your personal account.
Save copies of your paychecks and move personal docs off your work computer.
Take all personal belongings from the office. Some employers will let you collect them on the layoff day, others won't.
Figure out if you will be taking Cobra (employer may pay for some if it as part of the package or may not). If not, go to the doctor/dentist before health insurance runs out.
Connect on LinkedIn or elsewhere with all your coworkers.
And yes, update your resume, prepare for interviewing and start looking.
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%
Replies: 67
Views: 6286

Re: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%

You are better of with a loan and the CD even if you are in a high tax bracket.
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safest way to pay bills electronically
Replies: 72
Views: 6099

Re: Safest way to pay bills electronically

In my experience, online bill pay from the bank quietly stops working whenever the company changes their billing system, resulting in missing payments. Though not frequent, it happened to me more than once.
I set up payment on the billing company site instead.
Some bills you can pay with credit card. Others require a checking account.
Credit card should be the safer option. For the checking account I don't know if it makes much difference which side you set it up on. You could be billed the wrong amount either way...
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone appealed a drug price with Kaiser? Mine quadrupled.
Replies: 22
Views: 2658

Re: Has anyone appealed a drug price with Kaiser? Mine quadrupled.

Check with the drug manufacturer if they can provide assistance. In my experience with crazy expensive brand-name drugs, you just need to ask.
by TheHiker
Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it worth the risk to install thermostats myself, or should I pay to have them installed? Homeowners insurance
Replies: 39
Views: 3879

Re: Is it worth the risk to install thermostats myself, or should I pay to have them installed? Homeowners insurance

Go ahead and install. This is not something that one needs a permit for. With a C wire it should just work.
I diy replaced an old mercury thermostat with a Nest five years ago and works perfectly even without the C wire.
The wallplate that came with it was barely large enough to cover the spot where the large old thermostat was. I wish it were half an inch wider, but it works.
by TheHiker
Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?
Replies: 22
Views: 1808

Re: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?

Depends on how you plan to use the bridge.
E.g. if in your retirement budget you count on 4400 guaranteed income then you set aside 4400x96 in cash to bridge the gap. I.e. (b).
by TheHiker
Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Freetaxusa vs Turbotax
Replies: 121
Views: 16806

Re: Freetaxusa vs Turbotax

I have been using free fillable forms for a number of years without any issues. They support all the forms I ever needed.
I don't know if I trust my personal info to them more than to the other options though.
This product does not come direct from the IRS, but from a third party (the name buried in the terms of service on their website is On-Line Taxes, Inc).
by TheHiker
Wed Feb 07, 2024 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do 401k plans (at Fidelity) distinguish betweenRoth 401K balances & after-tax converted to Roth 401k balances?
Replies: 8
Views: 499

Re: Do 401k plans (at Fidelity) distinguish betweenRoth 401K balances & after-tax converted to Roth 401k balances?

Vanguard shows my converted 401K balances as "ROTH IN PLAN CONVERSION" (there is a "view by source" option that shows the contribution source).
by TheHiker
Fri Feb 02, 2024 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?
Replies: 55
Views: 4948

Re: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?

Doctor Rhythm wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:35 pm
TheHiker wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:21 am I find that it is often cheaper to rent a car for a day and drop it off at the airport than the other options.
Going from the airport taking a cab is the easiest.
I’m not sure I understand the workflow. Doesn’t this require getting a ride to the airport car rental agency to pick up a car, in which case you’re already at the airport?
Pick up the car locally the day before, drop it off at the airport.
by TheHiker
Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?
Replies: 55
Views: 4948

Re: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?

I find that it is often cheaper to rent a car for a day and drop it off at the airport than the other options.
Going from the airport taking a cab is the easiest.
by TheHiker
Thu Feb 01, 2024 12:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Love my job, told re-lo for RTO or no advancement [Return To Office]
Replies: 128
Views: 9761

Re: Love my job, told re-lo for RTO or no advancement

Big Dog wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:45 pm I think you answered your own question in your 'long story short...

You basically have 3 choices:

1) relo to the company office (I'd ask for relo assistance since you were hired remote)
2) remain remote and get zero promotions (and likely minimal salary increases)
3) seek another remote job
Relocating for the promotion which may or may not happen does not make much sense.
2 and 3 are not mutually exclusive. Can stay remote for now and start looking.
by TheHiker
Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Direct File is now live
Replies: 28
Views: 3240

Re: IRS Direct File is now live

It's a start. Hopefully they expand to cover a wider range of incomes.
by TheHiker
Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
Replies: 60
Views: 5515

Re: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?

Depending on where it leaked, the repair may be as simple as DIY replacing the rubber gasket.
Modern dishwasher are energy and water efficient so they tend to no not clean/dry as well.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 12897

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

Not retired yet.
I think looking at the different strategies is useful when planning the retirement to get an idea on how to budget X dollars to last N years, but 1/N feels like the most reasonable plan to me. It is also the most intuitive and easiest to calculate.
I hope that when I do retire, I just spend what I need without obsessing over formulas.
If my yearly budget gets vastly different from 1/N in any given year, that would be the time to reevaluate the strategy.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401(K)Question - What am I missing?
Replies: 11
Views: 1016

Re: 401(K)Question - What am I missing?

salvaje wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:31 pm Am I understanding this correctly? I'm in a situation where my employer does not match any of my 401(k) contributions. I've been contributing faithfully for years but had this thought... Am I not potentially better off paying taxes now and then only paying long term cap gains on the growth rather than delaying tax payments now but then having to pay income tax on any amounts (including growth) I take out of the 401(k)? I'd imagine that my income tax bracket will not fall below the long term cap gains rates. What am I missing?
That Roth 401K may be a better option for you.
There is no cap gains tax in Roth 401K.
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"
Replies: 112
Views: 11776

Re: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"

Don't think the issue is specific to ACA.
We had many billing code "errors" over the years with an employer-sponsored plan insurance.
These sometimes required resubmitting claims multiple times with different codes and/or three-way calls with dr office and insurance to sort things out. All of these were eventually resolved in our favor.
What we did learn is that medical billing is complicated and one needs to keep track of visits, networks, bills, claims, payments and stay on top of things and check for mistakes. Whether or not these mistakes happen unintentionally or not (knowing that some people will just pay), I can only guess.
by TheHiker
Tue Jan 23, 2024 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Access to funds in an American credit union while abroad?
Replies: 17
Views: 1427

Re: Access to funds in an American credit union while abroad?

I used an ATM card from a CU in many different countries over the years. Never had a problem.
They do sometimes block their Visa cards in certain random countries. They advised me to use a non-Visa ATM card instead which is what I am using.
There are ATM fees and currency exchange rates.
The ATM will often offer you an option to convert currency at a certain rate. This rate is often poor so I just rely on the network to do the conversion.
I suspect cashing a cashier's check may be difficult or impossible in a foreign country (e.g. may need to deposit to a local bank account and wait for it to clear).
by TheHiker
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New house replacing locks
Replies: 36
Views: 4076

Re: New house replacing locks

For smart locks I would not go with a random brand off Amazon, especially if it is has an internet connection. Working in internet security, I know enough not to trust any of these.
We have a Schlage Encode Plus which is convenient. It worked fine for a few years until it didn't.
I took it apart and the issue was with thin wires wearing out and breaking. The way it was made, it was only a matter of time.
But their warranty is good and they replaced the failed lock so there is that.
by TheHiker
Mon Jan 22, 2024 11:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me buy Red wine to drink in 10-20 years
Replies: 8
Views: 1556

Re: Help me buy Red wine to drink in 10-20 years

I don't know much about old wine. We found a few cases of dusty wine bottles (10-15 years) in the basement of the house we bought.
They were apparently improperly stored. A few bottles were OK, but we poured most of it down the drain.
I guess one needs to do the research on how to care for it over the years to prevent oxygen exposure, not just leave it in the basement and hope for the best.
by TheHiker
Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Domed skylight and summer heat
Replies: 9
Views: 1103

Re: Domed skylight and summer heat

We replaced the plastic bubble with a modern glass skylight and added blinds. We also added insulation to the skylight shaft in the attic.
All of this helped reduce the summer temps, but adding blinds helped the most. We chose the most simple manually-operated design (we only close them once a year in the summer and open in the fall).
You should be able to order blinds to fit your existing skylight. DIY installing them may be a bit tricky depending on how difficult the skylight is to access.
by TheHiker
Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell house on open market vs. to "investors?"
Replies: 32
Views: 2714

Re: Sell house on open market vs. to "investors?"

I would be concerned about the same thing - how do you know you got the market price.
The investor is making money on something. Either their offer is below market or they pocket the commission or both.
I suppose there may be cases when the house is difficult to sell in the open market because it has some issues, needs to be paid in cash and the owner is happy to unload it at whatever price. But it does not sound like this case.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are car washes necessary?
Replies: 116
Views: 12618

Re: Are car washes necessary?

We rarely wash our cars in California. Usually only after road trips to get rid of mud and bugs.
Cars don't rust here which would be the main concern. I would wash the car where salt/rust is an issue.
I suppose the tree sap will turn into crust eventually which may need to be removed with alcohol.
But for a 2006 car you may end up spending more on car washes than the car is worth.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wallet stolen at work. How to keep handbags/totes secure at work?
Replies: 29
Views: 3704

Re: Wallet stolen at work. How to keep handbags/totes secure at work?

I suppose a locked desk drawer is much better than leaving things out in the open. People usually grab what they see.
A safe suggests there is something valuable inside so someone may decide to take it.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pacific NW trip in August
Replies: 27
Views: 2267

Re: Pacific NW trip in August

So many outdoor things to do! You cannot go wrong.
I would suggest either Olympic NP or the Cascade loop on the WA side.
Vancouver island on the BC side is also very nice. Went camping there a number of years ago.
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
Replies: 33
Views: 2825

Re: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X

For semi-regular expenses like this I estimate them the best I can and average over the number of years.
E.g. a new car every 10 years for 40K is 4K/yr, a new roof every 20 years for 30K is 1.5K/year etc.
For smaller items like minor home repairs which happen every year I just include them in the baseline based on the average over the last few years (there is always something small that needs to be replaced every year like a water heater or a dishwasher or a garage door or a faucet).
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39188

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

You need to assess your own situation in a particular state as the costs of living are very different.
But generally when there are no income taxes, the state has higher other taxes (property, sales) and/or provides fewer services or subsidies (e.g. healthcare).
A typical retiree pays little income tax and may end up paying more elsewhere.
For a rich retiree the math may be different.
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 17, 2024 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Decision] Leave my job or wait to be let go?
Replies: 75
Views: 7042

Re: [Decision] Leave my job or wait to be let go?

I was in a somewhat similar situation 10 years ago when job-related stress caused chronic health issues which made it impossible to continue full speed at work. Most of the stress was self-inflicted. I was considering quitting. Decided to stay and take it easy at work. I.e. work from home, don't take on any assignments I don't want to do, don't put any more effort than absolutely necessary and stop worrying about deadlines and performance reviews (the worst thing they could do is fire me). Deadlines change all the time for all sorts of reasons. One year later I got promoted and kept working there for 5 more years before leaving for greener pastures. I did have a very supportive boss who gave me enough flexibility to keep going without killi...
by TheHiker
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get rid of car
Replies: 50
Views: 4699

Re: How to get rid of car

Had that happen several times. Usually you can just jumpstart (easy if you can park another car next to it). If not, replace the battery. New battery is $150-200 at Walmart or auto parts place.
If you cannot do it yourself, I am sure the tow truck can do it.
by TheHiker
Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UK Trip Estimate
Replies: 104
Views: 9491

Re: UK Trip Estimate

We spent 3 weeks in Scotland 3 years ago (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands, islands, lochs, castles). Spent about 6K for two people, including flights, hotels/bnbs, train, ferry, car rental, tickets to castles, museums etc. I thought we spent a bit too much.
We did a London trip a few years earlier. While it is pricey, it is not more expensive than a big US city like NYC.
50K sounds very expensive for a 1 month trip.
by TheHiker
Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands
Replies: 33
Views: 3916

Re: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands

FYI Amsterdam banned most airbnbs (much like NYC) so your only choice may be a hotel. The ban on vacation rentals in Amsterdam has been overturned in court. Many American tourists are not aware that Europe has aparthotels. These are booked like hotels, but they are actually serviced apartments. Most of them have two-bedroom apartments for families. Can only share my experience trying to book accommodation in Amsterdam. There are some apartments listed on airbnb. I contacted a few. Most either never responded or said they were "over quota" or "not available". Some suggested to "pay in private". There are aparthotels, yes. They are akin to extended stay hotels in the US and have more space, kitchen etc. There is...
by TheHiker
Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401K Options Not Great - Need Advice!
Replies: 22
Views: 2002

Re: 401K Options Not Great - Need Advice!

You can build a good three fund portfolio with these options.
I would do 86% stock (120 minus age) with 20% international.

69%, TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (Institutional)[TISPX] (.05)
17%, Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral[VTMGX] (.07)
14%, TIAA-CREF Bond Index Fund (Institutional)[TBIIX] (.07)
by TheHiker
Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for 65" HDTV
Replies: 60
Views: 6799

Re: Looking for 65" HDTV

Went to Costco to buy a 65" OLED, ended up buying a 75" Sony non-OLED.
Was surprised by how much dimmer the OLED was (which, as I understand, is a deliberate compromise to avoid premature burn-in).
Our TV is in a bright room and we watch it during the day sometimes so that was a factor. For a dark room at night won't be an issue.
Tuner is irrelevant if not using rabbit ears. Sony's tuner works quite well though, better than old TVs which required a bigger antenna.

You can ignore the smart features, of course. But we ditched the external box and use the built-in Google TV which works fine. But the smart features of any TV will eventually become obsolete.
by TheHiker
Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands
Replies: 33
Views: 3916

Re: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands

It is doable, but seems like too many places. I would do Amsterdam on a separate trip.
In fact, we are doing in on separate trips. Italy last year, Netherlands this year.
Cinque Terre is a bit out of the way and hard to see by car. Will be very crowded in the summer.
Tuscany is right in between Rome and Venice and there are many towns you can drive to. The scenery is very beautiful. We stayed on a farm in Tuscany as an alternative to an aribnb in a city (google agriturismo).
Or take the train and stop over in Florence?

FYI Amsterdam banned most airbnbs (much like NYC) so your only choice may be a hotel.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)
Replies: 64
Views: 7593

Re: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)

I change oil when the "change oil" reminder comes up. The reminder is exactly for this purpose. Why overthink it?
In the old cars I followed the schedule in the manual.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone consider taking investment accounts offline?
Replies: 95
Views: 15492

Re: Anyone consider taking investment accounts offline?

While WiFi is not immune to hacking, the risk of your router getting hacked is lower than that of your many online accounts getting hacked.
Even if you did lock the account, it would not protect against company network getting hacked and your identity getting stolen (account number, name, address, phone number, SSN etc). The hacker can use the stolen identity to call and ask to transfer the money out.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Withdrawal Rate Math
Replies: 36
Views: 4649

Re: Withdrawal Rate Math

One should also take taxes into account. Withdrawing 4x the yearly amount in a single year may result in significantly higher taxes.
by TheHiker
Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is 7 Years a short time period in stocks?
Replies: 19
Views: 3441

Re: Is 7 Years a short time period in stocks?

Stocks were essentially flat from 2000 to 2013 so I would not count on positive returns in 7 years.
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: who pays 401k fees?
Replies: 53
Views: 5173

Re: who pays 401k fees?

rustlers wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:34 pm
TheHiker wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:53 pm My 401k charges a flat $5/year fee (regardless of whether you are a current or a former employee).
That's awesome.
Is it a FAANG or other megacorp?
Yes, a tech megacorp
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 10, 2024 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 3 weeks in Italy - how much cash?
Replies: 14
Views: 1740

Re: 3 weeks in Italy - how much cash?

Should be fine. I usually take 100-200 euro from an ATM when I arrive in case my card does not work somewhere.
Most places take cards so I rarely need cash. After covid nobody seems to use cash anymore.
by TheHiker
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: who pays 401k fees?
Replies: 53
Views: 5173

Re: who pays 401k fees?

My 401k charges a flat $5/year fee (regardless of whether you are a current or a former employee).