Search found 942 matches

by 8301
Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: At what mortgage rate would you pay it off early?
Replies: 258
Views: 22502

Re: At what mortgage rate would you pay it off early?

I have never understood the "sleep well at night" camp on this question. If I paid off my mortgage I would still owe: 1. Annual property tax of $22k+ 2. Maintenance of the property, repairs/replacement of things that break. I just had to buy a new dishwasher after five years of using the old one. Another $1k out the window. 3. Annual insurance of $1-2k 4. Utilities of $4-5k So getting rid of $18k in mortgage interest per year is supposed to land me in some kind of nirvana state of contentment? :confused What matters is not mortgage interest only, but the mortgage payment every month for the life of the mortgage. Depending on the life of your mortgage, the mortgage payment may be as high as $100k a year. You may have to make sure ...
by 8301
Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: At what mortgage rate would you pay it off early?
Replies: 258
Views: 22502

Re: At what mortgage rate would you pay it off early?

I have never understood the "sleep well at night" camp on this question. If I paid off my mortgage I would still owe: 1. Annual property tax of $22k+ 2. Maintenance of the property, repairs/replacement of things that break. I just had to buy a new dishwasher after five years of using the old one. Another $1k out the window. 3. Annual insurance of $1-2k 4. Utilities of $4-5k So getting rid of $18k in mortgage interest per year is supposed to land me in some kind of nirvana state of contentment? :confused What matters is not mortgage interest only, but the mortgage payment every month for the life of the mortgage. Depending on the life of your mortgage, the mortgage payment may be as high as $100k a year. You may have to make sure ...
by 8301
Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: At what mortgage rate would you pay it off early?
Replies: 258
Views: 22502

Re: At what mortgage rate would you pay it off early?

I have never understood the "sleep well at night" camp on this question. If I paid off my mortgage I would still owe: 1. Annual property tax of $22k+ 2. Maintenance of the property, repairs/replacement of things that break. I just had to buy a new dishwasher after five years of using the old one. Another $1k out the window. 3. Annual insurance of $1-2k 4. Utilities of $4-5k So getting rid of $18k in mortgage interest per year is supposed to land me in some kind of nirvana state of contentment? :confused What matters is not mortgage interest only, but the mortgage payment every month for the life of the mortgage. Depending on the life of your mortgage, the mortgage payment may be as high as $100k a year. You may have to make sure ...
by 8301
Sun Nov 12, 2023 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to donate car?
Replies: 22
Views: 2430

Re: Where to donate car?

Many charitable places advertising/seeking auto donations are shady operations. I donated an old minivan to a "charity". For tax purposes, I tried to contact the "charity" numerous times, but they never got back to me. There have been news reports on such shady operators.
by 8301
Sun Nov 12, 2023 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4521
Views: 616899

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

My bathroom ventilation fan was getting really loud. It is a very old unit. I thought that I might have to replace it. So I did some research on Youtube. It didn't look easy to me. May have to cut the dry wall on the ceiling. I took a look and saw tons of dust inside the fan. I remove most the dust using my shopvac then applied some W40 on the motor. The noise is mostly gone. :) Great post! How did you reach the motor to apply the W40? Did you just remove the cover? How did you know where to put the oil? The cover was held on by two springs and was very easy to remove. I basically sprayed some W40 on the shaft of the fan. I think as part of regular maintenance, I should vacuum the fan once every couple of years. My bathroom fans are old an...
by 8301
Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure
Replies: 52
Views: 5534

Re: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure

I would ask my dentist for a referral. I had old #18 crack at the end of January (bottom left molar, last tooth). I went to an Endo who didn’t think the tooth had a good outlook so chose to have it extracted. I got a couple of recommendations from my dentist, did a little research and picked an oral surgeon based on online reviews and total time in business. I had the tooth extracted and a bone graft done in early March. They said I had good bone structure so it was a relatively small graft. I will go back in June for an x-ray and if all looks good, they will schedule me for the post. 3 months after that heals I will then get a crown, which my regular dentist will do. I debated not replacing the tooth but decided to go ahead with the impla...
by 8301
Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend a month on food?
Replies: 334
Views: 29195

Re: How much do you spend a month on food?

FeralCat wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:47 pm Roughly $600/mo for food at home for myself: a vegetarian with occasional seafood. This doesn't include beer/wine on the weekend or coffee beans. I rarely eat out as it is pretty much $100/person with tax and tip for a basic meal that really isn't better than what I can make at home. It is $8/dozen here for pasture-raised eggs, and the same price for a half-gallon of grass-fed milk. Supporting animal welfare is important for me.
by 8301
Sat Nov 11, 2023 6:47 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2024!
Replies: 136
Views: 42654

Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2024!

larkspur wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 2:58 pm Last day in office December 19, 2024
Age 66

Thanks to Bogleheads, I invested in no-load index funds starting in 1999 and stayed the course. :sharebeer

I'm planning to go back to my hobbies and spend a lot more time outdoors.
by 8301
Sat Nov 11, 2023 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure
Replies: 52
Views: 5534

Re: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure

Did you go through a dental implant and by whom? Your regular dentist, an endodontist, a periodontist, a dental surgeon, or some other dental specialist? I am also wondering who is the best person for dental implants. First implant (No. 18) was dentist -> oral surgeon -> dentist. I was a patient of the dentist for about 5 years prior. The oral surgeon was highly recommended, had great credentials and references. I felt very comfortable. Nothing unexpected, all procedures on time and billed as per treatment plan. Going on 10 years now and (knock, knock) no issues. I did not take the sedation, just a couple of Valium. Second implant (No. 9) has been as they say "A long journey in bad shoes." Started the journey in early January and...
by 8301
Fri Nov 10, 2023 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Impact of IBM replacing 401(k) match with Retirement Benefit Account
Replies: 32
Views: 18861

Re: Impact of IBM replacing 401(k) match with Retirement Benefit Account

The Excess 401K plan is a non-qualified savings plan, it allows tax deferral but the balance represents a liability on the IBM balance sheet, rather than an account balance protected by statute. If IBM were to go belly up before you receive a payout (in full at separation, or over 7 years if elected), you stand in line with other IBM creditors ... and not at the front of the line either. It's offered to employees whose compensation is high enough to prevent a full normal 401K match given regulatory constraints, but participation requires the employee to accept the aforementioned risk. When I was an employee, I took advantage of it mainly to get the full match and lower taxable income, figuring my risk was pretty low all things considered. ...
by 8301
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Impact of IBM replacing 401(k) match with Retirement Benefit Account
Replies: 32
Views: 18861

Re: Impact of IBM replacing 401(k) match with Retirement Benefit Account

1BossDogs wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:09 pm Gladiators2Swansons - do the math. So in my case - the latest IBM pension move cuts their contribution to my retirement by about 2/3rds. I max my 401K out and contribute ~$27K/yr - they matched $27K in 2022. I also put 27K into the Excess 401K and they matched $2.7K. New RBA estimates a $12K contribution. What a joke.
Is your employer's match $27K, 100% of your 401k contribution?
What is Excess 401k?
by 8301
Tue Nov 07, 2023 1:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Planning to Engineer My Own Layoff for Retirement
Replies: 29
Views: 4939

Re: Planning to Engineer My Own Layoff for Retirement

DoubleComma wrote: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:53 pm The best way to get out is to resign. 8-10 weeks of severance shouldn't matter in the long haul, neither should unemployment insurance, if you really are retiring. Health Insurance could matter, depending on your situation, but you would still have access to COBRA if you resign.
+1
Tough to sell to bogleheads :D
by 8301
Sun Nov 05, 2023 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Flexible Time Off - What happens when you cross the invisible line?
Replies: 101
Views: 94698

Re: Flexible Time Off - What happens when you cross the invisible line?

Unlimited PTO is another ploy by employers with ulterior motives; It is designed to take advantage of paranoid employees who are too scared to take their time off. Companies like to say "its for the benefit of the employee" which we all know is a ploy. The idea of having "unaccrued salary liablilty" is also a ploy- companies don't care about that as much as taking advantage of the employees. Employee A is dedicated, been with company 20 years and takes 15-20 days Employee B is much newer, takes 25-30 days, not as strong a work ethic or consience. Company is banking on higher performers to use less time, thereby saving money on Employee B's. Eventually, by being out of office so much the Employee B won't be as essential ...
by 8301
Sun Nov 05, 2023 9:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buy Borrow Die & Risk
Replies: 75
Views: 18498

Re: Buy Borrow Die & Risk

But what I'm trying to say here is that borrowing against assets instead of selling them is not the type of behavior that is generally thought of when folks think about "leverage investing" which involves borrowing to purchase more stock. Ignoring taxes, what is the difference between these two scenarios: 1) borrow $5000 against portfolio, use it to pay rent and buy food 2) sell $5000 of stock, use it to pay rent and buy food, then borrow $5000 against portfolio, use it to purchase more stock You cannot ignore taxes. Taxes are the key. It is all about capital gains taxes vs. interests on borrowing. Some companies such as Apple borrow while keeping a massive pile of cash offshore to avoid US corporate taxes. Billionaires also borr...
by 8301
Sun Nov 05, 2023 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What brand and model of typewriter do you have and how much did you pay for it?
Replies: 111
Views: 10316

Re: What brand and model of typewriter do you have and how much did you pay for it?

Sandtrap wrote: Sun Nov 05, 2023 6:19 am My lst Adler.
Fully restored, mint condition...$484.00
Adler J2, 1975, made in Western Germany, Pica font.
Very nice touch but the J4/5's have "touch control" adjustments. This one doesn't.
Image
Here's a link to the "TypePals" website where folks exchange "real typewritten letters" globally, on paper, in an envelope, with a postage stamp.
https://www.typepals.com
Do you type on an aergramme to send by airmail?
by 8301
Sun Nov 05, 2023 6:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buy Borrow Die & Risk
Replies: 75
Views: 18498

Re: Buy Borrow Die & Risk

Watty wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 12:17 am Two things to consider;

1) The step in cost basis is not engraved in stone and there has been talk of eliminating that. I do not know of any pending legislation to do that right now but because of board rules we cannot discuss possible law changes but the step up in cost basis never really made a lot of sense to me.

2) By using leverage you would be increasing your sequence of returns risk.
A sequence of return risk needs 2 conditions met at the same time, deep market drop and withdrawal. If you do not withdraw money from your portfolio, the size of your final portfolio is independent of the sequence of returns. Your accumulated debt will be affected, but this kind of game is only for big boys to play.
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: laid-off - tips for interviewing
Replies: 51
Views: 7001

Re: laid-off - tips for interviewing

Its important because the potential employer may contact you most recent former employer. Technically that employer can only confirm employment dates and job title, but often are asked if you would be eligible for re-hire in the future. If they answer the eligible for rehire question, you would want to anticipate what they will say and not let it contradict what you say. They can ask whatever they want, but my understanding is that absolute majority of the companies would only confirm the title and employment dates. It is hit or miss on the rehire eligible question. Some places won’t some will and a few dill only answer if the answer is yes. It’s also a useless question. Because often times laid off employees are not eligible for rehire as...
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure
Replies: 52
Views: 5534

Re: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure

Did you go through a dental implant and by whom? Your regular dentist, an endodontist, a periodontist, a dental surgeon, or some other dental specialist?
I am also wondering who is the best person for dental implants.
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: laid-off - tips for interviewing
Replies: 51
Views: 7001

Re: laid-off - tips for interviewing

OP, Many of my ex-employers went out of business after many rounds of laid off. Given many of my ex-employers are megacorp, they were in the news. Nobody thought that the reason to be laid off by the employer was performance related. The management was famous for their incompetence. KlangFool Losing a job is frustrating and may be even demoralizing, but don't become angry, belligerent, or combative. Try refraining blaming the management for the layoff. Once a cynical and negative attitude is formed, it will last and may affect your career in an undesirable way. Take this as a valuable learning experience and as an occasion to reevaluate your career direction. That was not my point. My point is the reason for someone to be laid off could be...
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: laid-off - tips for interviewing
Replies: 51
Views: 7001

Re: laid-off - tips for interviewing

Sorry to hear. It's only been a couple weeks and we're going in to holiday season so try and make this a vacation. I'm sure you can figure out a couple months of expenses. Most importantly, now is NOT the time to settle for a pay cut and certainly NOT by those amounts (110K -> 59K? C'mon!). It shows desperation. Good luck! Actually when OP agreed to the interview, he had shown desperation. So, it is pointless to go to the interview. KlangFool Unfortunately, yes. S/he has zero bargaining power at the interview now. No, not so quick. When a company approves a hiring requisition, it does not always have a clearly defined role. This is even more so for high level positions. I have seen many times employers readjusted the positions depending on...
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: laid-off - tips for interviewing
Replies: 51
Views: 7001

Re: laid-off - tips for interviewing

KlangFool wrote: Thu Nov 02, 2023 1:55 pm OP,

Many of my ex-employers went out of business after many rounds of laid off. Given many of my ex-employers are megacorp, they were in the news. Nobody thought that the reason to be laid off by the employer was performance related. The management was famous for their incompetence.

KlangFool
Losing a job is frustrating and may be even demoralizing, but don't become angry, belligerent, or combative. Try refraining blaming the management for the layoff. Once a cynical and negative attitude is formed, it will last and may affect your career in an undesirable way. Take this as a valuable learning experience and as an occasion to reevaluate your career direction.
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attractions around Atlanta
Replies: 2
Views: 407

Attractions around Atlanta

My family plans to visit Atlanta around the end of November or early December. We are all adults. Can anyone recommend in-town or nearby places to visit? We have been to Atlanta a few times and have been to CNN, Olympic Park, Carter Museum, Ebenezer church, CDC, and a few other places. We haven't had a chance to try "Southern" foods except Mary Mac's Tea Room. Are there any places known for Southern cuisine? We stayed in Buckhead last time.
by 8301
Sat Nov 04, 2023 12:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gift Tax: Married Couple Gifting to Children
Replies: 22
Views: 5356

Re: Gift Tax: Married Couple Gifting to Children

What are considered gifts to be included? Do I have to track every expense incurred which might benefit the children such as meals, trips taken together (car expense, airfare, other transportation costs), entertainment, moderate birthday gifts, etc? Housing and living expenses if lived together?
by 8301
Wed Nov 01, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Flexible Time Off - What happens when you cross the invisible line?
Replies: 101
Views: 94698

Re: Flexible Time Off - What happens when you cross the invisible line?

If I'm compiling a list of people to lay off, the older guy who takes ten weeks off is at the top. This is so sad. What a horrible work culture. In Europe people are actually treated with respect, have job security, and get work done, as well. Imagine that. What's sad? While it's not guaranteed, it's likely that the person taking 10 weeks off is less productive overall than someone taking less work off. At the very least, that's what the executives will see. I say this as someone who is one of few (out of 6k+ employees) who was allowed to continue working from home and who has an extremely flexible schedule. Although I got that autonomy because I have a long history of being productive, I am very aware that means I am more likely than othe...
by 8301
Wed Nov 01, 2023 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Flexible Time Off - What happens when you cross the invisible line?
Replies: 101
Views: 94698

Re: Flexible Time Off - What happens when you cross the invisible line?

OP singlehandedly turned a 5 day work week system into a 4 work week system. Since his job can be done in less time, he should propose a HC trimming.
by 8301
Sun Oct 29, 2023 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Items that are worth the money for the quality
Replies: 553
Views: 64825

Re: Items that are worth the money for the quality

Martin Logan Electro-Static audio speakers (I own Expressions 11A). From hometheater.com: "No dome or cone speaker I've ever heard can compare." +1000! I’ve been a fan of electrostatic speakers since owning a pair of Acoustats decades ago. I only have the ML ESL X, but I have paired it with a ML subwoofer, so it sounds pretty sweet in our listening room. I power ours with an Anthem Integrated Amplifier, which has Anthem Room Correction software built in, which is very handy in our challenging space. Another thing worth the money is TIDAL streaming music service. It just sounds better over a quality sound system. When I was a kid, a real kid, electrostatic speakers were called condenser speakers and were generally inferior to dyna...
by 8301
Sun Oct 29, 2023 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Items that are worth the money for the quality
Replies: 553
Views: 64825

Re: Items that are worth the money for the quality

life in slices wrote: Sun Oct 29, 2023 9:28 am I ended up getting rid of all my knives -
I also would like to rid of some kitchen knives. What is the proper and safe way to dispose of them?
by 8301
Sun Oct 29, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Items that are worth the money for the quality
Replies: 553
Views: 64825

Re: Items that are worth the money for the quality

Carguy85 wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:03 am
ncbill wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:39 am What puzzles me are those who build two-story homes with brick on 3 sides and vinyl in the back.
Almost like they are trying to fool people that they are wealthier than they are but I understand many want as much sq ft for as little as possible. Around here it’s more common just to have brick/stone on the front and 3 sides vinyl siding not just the back. I can’t help but think of the relatively small cost savings considering all the silly depreciating crap people spend money on. This all being said our first 2 homes were like those above and yes we wasted lots of money on dumb crap. Although we did not have them built that way.
Facade
by 8301
Sun Oct 29, 2023 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Items that are worth the money for the quality
Replies: 553
Views: 64825

Re: Items that are worth the money for the quality

squirm wrote: Sun Oct 18, 2020 5:05 pm Most of it really depends on the person. You can rave about since high end tv, but that doesn't impress me or my wife. We're absolutely fine with 720p or whatever, we're not tv people and consider any extra $$$ into a tv is a waste.

Good quality lawn chair is important to us cause we sit, talk and look out into the forest for hours.
I stopped watching TV since digital TV was introduced and ABC, NBC, and CBS were channels 2, 4 and 7.
by 8301
Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: severance package negotiating
Replies: 46
Views: 6546

Re: severance packaging negotiating

wwhan wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:51 am
8301 wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:43 am ........
What does a company expect to gain from offering rewards to those walking out the door on their own? To open a flood gate of resignation? Have they worked for free? I have seen many long time employees leaving without anything from their employers. The only exception was a company with a policy of accelerated vesting of equity compensation for those over a certain advanced age.
I am looking at RSU worth a few years of my t-comp.
Part of my retirement/layoff package was a stipulation not to work for a competitor for 2 years to retain my RSU stock options.
by 8301
Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: severance package negotiating
Replies: 46
Views: 6546

Re: severance packaging negotiating

pizzy wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:18 am
jebmke wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:17 am
pizzy wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:16 am People get severance when they quit/retire?
if you play your hand correctly, yes. Very situation specific.
Interesting. I assume "situation specific" when it's resign/retire in lieu of termination.
What does a company expect to gain from offering rewards to those walking out the door on their own? To open a flood gate of resignation? Have they worked for free? I have seen many long time employees leaving without anything from their employers. The only exception was a company with a policy of accelerated vesting of equity compensation for those over a certain advanced age.
I am looking at RSU worth a few years of my t-comp.
by 8301
Sun Oct 22, 2023 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Did inflation reduce your DCA amount every month?
Replies: 177
Views: 15105

Re: Did inflation reduce your DCA amount every month?

Kf, I noticed that the number of your postings approaches 30,000. I wonder if you had redirected the efforts and time from this forum to your work, ... 8301, I work for myself. Convince me why it is a good idea. i) Make it worth my effort. The worst performing employee get 1% pay raise. The best performing employee get 4% pay raise. Everyone in my group get the same bonuses. My portfolio earn about the same as my gross income. What is the ROI of additional effort? ii) I am only keeping this job because of the work life balance. I am financially independent. I have "enough" money. iii) Even when I am working at about 50% capacity, I am working harder than about 50% to 80% other employees. And, I am producing a lot more. If your ad...
by 8301
Sun Oct 22, 2023 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Did inflation reduce your DCA amount every month?
Replies: 177
Views: 15105

Re: Did inflation reduce your DCA amount every month?

I compared many service and good price. The 40% price increases is my number of my consumption. Inflation eat away my cash flow, stain my free cash flow which suppose to DCA into my investment. I don’t know why people on this forum is ignorant or their income increase exceed the inflation. I know that prices have gone up, but have not paid much attention. Weekly Costco shopping bills are up from $150-$200 to around $250. Haircut and some restaurant bills are also up by around 40%. Taxes are also up by quite a bit somehow. I have not cut back and am not a desperate cult follower screaming a silly chant or spell "Pay yourself first," and am not engaged in categorizing spending, this spending from this budget and that expense in tha...
by 8301
Sat Oct 21, 2023 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If I take an RMD in kind, will dividends be qualified or not?
Replies: 25
Views: 2727

Re: related question: what is the acquistion date for the shares?

ee_guy wrote: Sat Oct 21, 2023 9:03 am I use SPEC ID for all shares in all accounts. I took a RMD of VFIAX in kind as a RMD on date xxx. The shares were originally purchased years ago on date yyy - all prertax. Vanguard recorded the transaction as a RMD on date xxx fulfilling the RMD requirement for the year. Under SPEC ID, the shares acquisition date in the taxable account was shown as yyy.

If I sell the shares one day after xxx, what is the cost basis and is the gain short term or long term?
Since the cost basis of IRA is zero and the entire amount of the withdrawal is taxable, my logic tells me that it becomes the cost basis and that the clock resets. Wrong?
by 8301
Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping on expensive prix fixe dinner
Replies: 157
Views: 16751

Re: Tipping on expensive prix fixe dinner

TomatoTomahto wrote: Sat Oct 21, 2023 6:29 am
TravelforFun wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 8:00 pm
TomatoTomahto wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:38 am One of my kids makes much more money than many of his friends. It’s sometimes a problem, because he’s a foodie but doesn’t want anyone to feel bad. Their solution is that “whoever picks the restaurant, pays” and they take turns picking. The important thing is a meal among friends, not whether one meal is pizza (albeit great pizza) and the other meal is Michelin star quality.
Not fair for the foodie. Friends should take turn choosing the restaurant but everyone pays his/her share.
Respectfully, horrible advice and contrary to principles we’ve tried to teach him. Some of his friends simply could not afford those dinners.
Going Dutch?
by 8301
Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?
Replies: 134
Views: 15822

Re: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?

Exchme wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:15 pm
A t-IRA of $2M for a single person is very large. I'm guessing the math would favor the top of the 32% bracket, but it's hard for me to get excited about them at that level given the other uncertainties involved. The top of the 24% bracket feels like the minimum I would be looking at.
The size of tIRA is not limited by income, but how long you have contributed.
by 8301
Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?
Replies: 134
Views: 15822

Re: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?

ehh wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:24 pm Wise words from retired@50.
CarlinRI wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:40 pm All my saving are in IRAs either Roth or traditional IRAs.
How do you plan to pay the tax on your proposed mega-conversions? If from the tIRA, think carefully. In general, using tIRA funds to pay the tax is not considered good form.

Good luck to you.
Not the best way to preserve the tax-advantaged space.

If $100k comes out as RMD in the future, OP may spend or save $80k after taxes. Or take $100k now and convert $80k to Roth after paying $20k for taxes. It all depends on the size of tIRA.
by 8301
Wed Oct 18, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is This How The Workplace is Run Now?
Replies: 15
Views: 1779

Re: Is This How The Workplace is Run Now?

TomatoTomahto wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 11:13 am For better or worse, you are old school. It’s probably a good time for a needed recession.
I agree on both points.

On the first one:
The way engineering is done these days has drastically changed over the years thanks to computers and software. Years of experience, expertise, and deep knowledge have been replaced by the skill of how to use engineering software. Now they will value fluid dynamics FEM software over Kelly Johnson. They used to ask "did you analyze?" Now, they ask "did you simulate?"
by 8301
Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much commute is too much?
Replies: 82
Views: 6692

Re: How much commute is too much?

calmaniac wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:17 am I've never had a commute longer than 15 minutes one way, my entire adult life. My own sense is that life is too precious to waste it in a car for multiple hours a week.

That said, I think the OP's current job with its career opportunities (and long commute) make sense as an investment in the future...with better work opportunities and a shorter commute to come.
Wasting1-3 hours or 8-9 hours a day? It is your choice.
by 8301
Tue Oct 17, 2023 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private school offering no AP courses in high school
Replies: 139
Views: 13673

Re: Private school offering no AP courses in high school

I was a strong but not particularly exceptional student in high school. By graduation, I had enough AP credits to enter college as a sophomore. I'll echo the posts above about AP credits permitting a certain degree of flexibility in college coursework. I changed majors several times in my first two years in college, and those credits allowed me to still graduate on time while learning what I did and did not like in different disciplines. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to change majors without that extra breathing room, and almost assuredly would have soldiered on to a degree in a field for which I was not well suited. I'll note one benefit of AP credits I'm not sure I saw mentioned here. At my flagship state university (at least...
by 8301
Mon Oct 16, 2023 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private school offering no AP courses in high school
Replies: 139
Views: 13673

Re: Private school offering no AP courses in high school

graduating a year early means starting to earn that professional salary a year earlier than those who take the full 4 years. and also got off to an "early" start towards retirement. With all due respect this sounds like madness to me. These are young people still growing up and who neeed a variety of experiences and personal exploration. These are not cash generating robots making a mad dash to the end of their lives. I'm seeing more and more kids, increasingly anxious and depressed, being pushed into a mercinary approach to their college years and their careers. Don't parents here remember their own lazy backpacking trips across Europe the year after college? Agree to disagree - strongly. Since you brought it up, I'd suggest tim...
by 8301
Mon Oct 16, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you read, Kindle recommendations, and indecision with the Kindle store?
Replies: 95
Views: 6828

Re: How do you read, Kindle recommendations, and indecision with the Kindle store?

So, what is the recommendation for reading for a long time without eye strains? Kindle Paperwhite for Kids? Does it display math equations including funny symbols well? Not too expensive, long battery life,... Is e-Ink better than LCD?
by 8301
Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private school offering no AP courses in high school
Replies: 139
Views: 13673

Re: Private school offering no AP courses in high school

On the practical side, scoring AP scores is not to save time and expense of a college education, but to enhance the entrance to elite colleges. Feynman spent full four years at MIT for his undergraduate education. Huh? College education is more than job training bootcamp. Most of my kid’s cohort at Yale had plenty of AP/IB credits. Many of them used them to skip some prereqs for courses; nobody he knew used them to graduate early. He used them to take graduate level courses and get a combined MS/BS in 4 years. As his advisor said, “you busted your butt to get in, why would you want to leave early?” It’s important to remember that, at schools giving generous financial aid, kids didn’t have a financial incentive to graduate early. :sharebeer
by 8301
Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private school offering no AP courses in high school
Replies: 139
Views: 13673

Re: Private school offering no AP courses in high school

I wouldn’t send my kid to such a school. Here’s why. A smart kid with ready access to AP courses can get a lot of college credit before stepping on campus. And this opens up lots of options. -take a lighter course load so you can do a better job at the classes you do take -graduate early and save a lot of money -get a bachelors and a masters in just 5 years or whatever -free up time in their schedule to take lots of interesting electives Yes. I graduated from college in 3 years due to AP classes. It was well worth it. IB can fill the same niche if the school offers it. Same Some colleges do not accept AP classes/scores as credit. For example, Caltech. https://cce.caltech.edu/undergraduate/ugrad-admissions#:~:text=Please%20note%20that%20we%...
by 8301
Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If dividend irrelevance is true, then why did ...?
Replies: 144
Views: 19353

Re: If dividend irrelevance is true, then why did ...?

According to the information theory, an announcement of dividend payout carries little to no information since it is well predicted. I am not crazy enough to call and wake you up at 3 am to announce that the sun will rise in the morning. Information is a measure of uncertainty. No uncertainty, no information. A dividend increase announcement is well predicted? How would that square with the common increases in share price after the announcements? Feel free to have a look through the many links I have sent on this morning to research and let me know which ones you are using in support of your "no information in announcements" belief. Dividend payout is often announced during a quarterly earnings announcement. What moves the share ...
by 8301
Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private school offering no AP courses in high school
Replies: 139
Views: 13673

Re: Private school offering no AP courses in high school

I wouldn’t send my kid to such a school. Here’s why. A smart kid with ready access to AP courses can get a lot of college credit before stepping on campus. And this opens up lots of options. -take a lighter course load so you can do a better job at the classes you do take -graduate early and save a lot of money -get a bachelors and a masters in just 5 years or whatever -free up time in their schedule to take lots of interesting electives Yes. I graduated from college in 3 years due to AP classes. It was well worth it. IB can fill the same niche if the school offers it. Same Some colleges do not accept AP classes/scores as credit. For example, Caltech. https://cce.caltech.edu/undergraduate/ugrad-admissions#:~:text=Please%20note%20that%20we%...
by 8301
Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you read, Kindle recommendations, and indecision with the Kindle store?
Replies: 95
Views: 6828

Re: How do you read, Kindle recommendations, and indecision with the Kindle store?

jebmke wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:44 am
Sandtrap wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:33 am
NYCaviator wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:27 am I have an iPad that I use for reading the paper, but I've never really enjoyed reading a book on it. I like to disconnect when I read a book, and having the iPad or iPhone there with all of the distractions makes it less enjoyable. It's also impossible to use outside at the beach or pool 8-)
+1
So true.

j :D
airplane mode, or Focus in Apple environment.
Nothing beats paper for serious reading or study which you want to digest, understand, and keep the knowledge.
by 8301
Sun Oct 15, 2023 3:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If dividend irrelevance is true, then why did ...?
Replies: 144
Views: 19353

Re: If dividend irrelevance is true, then why did ...?

Short-term price movements are noise, and press "explanations" of what caused them is made-up storytelling. You are using them to challenge the Modigliani-Miller theorem of dividend irrelevance. That's like challenging the theory that the seasons in the temperate zone are caused by changing day length, by observing that the weather over the last few days got a few degrees warmer, even though the days got a few minutes shorter. Without including dividends, e.g. looking only at price-per-share growth, the difference in performance between the dividend-focussed Vanguard Equity-Income Fund, VEIPX, and the 500 Index Fund, VFINX, is huge: Source https://imgur.com/ZJfMwzD.png With reinvested dividends, i.e. the full total return, most o...