Search found 207 matches

by 2sls
Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 228036

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

I know the promotional discounts but can you just transfer the funds out of Chase after closing? I couldn't find this info anywhere
by 2sls
Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 228036

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

Does anyone know what are the terms of Chase's relationship pricing? Do you need to keep the funds with them for the duration of the loan or can you move it out after some time?
by 2sls
Tue Oct 27, 2020 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance with positive closing credit - is it taxable income?
Replies: 0
Views: 234

Refinance with positive closing credit - is it taxable income?

Hi,
I am refinancing with the closing fees rolled into the loan - which has resulted in a positive $2000
credit at closing.

Will this create any taxable income for me? Logically I want to say no, but just checking here. If it does I will obviously get them to take it out.

Also is there a guide for what closing costs I can deduct? The two unknowns for me are points and state mortgage taxes.

Thanks!
by 2sls
Thu May 16, 2019 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick help - mother bought some "fixed annuities" I have no clue what they are
Replies: 5
Views: 980

Quick help - mother bought some "fixed annuities" I have no clue what they are

She bought something through her Fidelity account - the security information is as follows: Company Name New York Life Product Name New York Life Secure Term MVA Fixed Annuity II Issue Date 05/31/2016 Registration Type INDIVIDUAL Qualified? Yes Qualified Plan IRA Pre-Tefra Cost Basis Not Applicable Cost Basis N/A Surrender Charge Free Date 05/30/2019 Guarantee Period 3 years Interest Crediting Rate 1.30% Rate Guarantee End Date 05/31/2019 She called me up to ask what she should do once the 3 year period is up - except I have no clue what type of instrument this is. Should I think of this as some sort of CD? She is approaching age 70 so I need to do some research on RMD for her. My preference for her would be to invest in kind of CD ladder s...
by 2sls
Sat Mar 09, 2019 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID
Replies: 63
Views: 5772

Re: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID

I went back to the trade confirmation page on Vanguard and it did state the cost basis was using FIFO so I did have an opportunity to catch this earlier - I always relied on the email confirmation in the past which doesn't say anything about the cost basis. In case it wasn't obvious, this was my first time doing tax lost harvesting. Now that I see the FIFO cost basis, I am confused once again because it failed to completely deplete the earliest lots and allocated some cost to subsequent lots. So who knows what the heck they are doing - this error would be in my favor slightly since costs have been rising. I just checked my cost basis methods which have remain unchanged since I made this sale and they are all SpecID. Short of fat finger clic...
by 2sls
Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID
Replies: 63
Views: 5772

Re: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID

I acknowledge having no documentation (screenshot) showing my side - but this wasn't a problem I was expecting to have either. Furthermore, Vanguard didn't provide me any documentation either way (FIFO or SpecID) in my confirmation emails of the order and its execution. If they did I would have followed up then instead of now.

This is obviously a learning lesson for me and hopefully others will also be aware of this possibility.
by 2sls
Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID
Replies: 63
Views: 5772

Re: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID

Further clarification

1. Yes these were covered shares

2. I will try again with Vanguard to see if they are willing to change the cost basis - but basically the secured message is claiming that their system did not show that I picked a particular lot to sell.
by 2sls
Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID
Replies: 63
Views: 5772

Re: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID

A couple of answers to the questions:

1. I original used secure message to get them to investigate the issue. The representative said he contacted the department that handles this who verified that I did not click on specific identification in their logs and so the system defaulted to FIFO.

2. I will always use screenshots from now on.

3. My main question is whether I can still file using my chosen cost basis instead of Vanguard's reported cost basis and the consequences for that? I don't mind keep tracking of the lots myself but I worry if it will trigger some other problem.
by 2sls
Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID
Replies: 63
Views: 5772

Vanguard used FIFO cost basis when I specified SpecID

I attempted to make a tax loss harvesting sale last December with specific identification on a particular lot that had a high cost basis. To my surprise my 1099 ended up using FIFO with a much lower cost basis (an earlier acquisition as the prices have been rising). This resulted in a 5 figure swing from a loss to a gain. So I contacted Vanguard and they said that their records show I did not use specific identification and that was that. I don't have any proof other than the fact that I specifically clicked on the lot that I wanted to sell when I was making the transaction (even making sure that I was selling the exact size of that particular lot). (Because I don't have any hard proof I will admit that there is some small chance I imagined...
by 2sls
Wed May 23, 2018 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank Xfer Limits
Replies: 3
Views: 636

Re: Bank Xfer Limits

This is regulation D - been around for a long time - meant to nudge people to save more.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/regulationd.asp
by 2sls
Fri May 18, 2018 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you know your marginal tax rate?
Replies: 27
Views: 4042

Re: Do you know your marginal tax rate?

You just blew my mind! Never imagined a mini Turbotax\tax planner replicated inside Excel. I would have paid money for a tax simulator addon that reads the data from Turbotax.

OK back to the spreadsheet - this is too much fun.
by 2sls
Fri May 18, 2018 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you know your marginal tax rate?
Replies: 27
Views: 4042

Re: Do you know your marginal tax rate?

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I realized a bit later after this exercise that simulating via software is probably closer to the truth and easier especially since I completely ignored the new AMT.

I was primarily motivated to learn the tax code a little better and to do some post-tax comparisons of bond funds and therefore couldn't just wait until the new software rolled around.

And thank you for correcting some of my calculations :)
by 2sls
Mon May 14, 2018 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you know your marginal tax rate?
Replies: 27
Views: 4042

Do you know your marginal tax rate?

I am asking (and partially answering) this question because it seems like a fundamental input into decision making involving any type of tax arbitrage or extra income earning opportunities. Am sharing some data and calculations in order to improve the quality of the discussion and to invite improvements from more experienced posters as I'm sure others have already done similar calculations. This is for a MFJ couple (all information as of 2018 except I haven't factored in the new SALT limitations) a) AGI is ~ 350-400K primarily W2 (32% marginal federal bracket) b) 20K of mortgage interest annually from home purchase pre 2017. c) Our marginal state tax rate ~ 10% (our state does not care about source of income so no extra calculations for fur...
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

I am at work now but when I go home I'll measure the frequency of the sump pump. According to my email alerts (I have a sound-based webcam that emails me based on an audio threshold next to the sump pump), the frequency has dropped, so that's already suggestive that the original drainage was just re-circulating as some have surmised.

I did not know that 3 gallons of discharge per cycle is low - so I think my plan of action is to

identify an "expert" (this is not easy either)
1) to check the drainage of the french drain
2) to open up the sump pump cover and check the check valve\float and whatever else is there so we actually know what's going on

Any advice on the type of expert I should be looking for would be appreciated.
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

Yes, the contractor's stance is that this is completely normal and due to the high water table. When I suggested that the french drain is not working properly - he just dismisses it.
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

It sounds like the contractor replied when he offered to install another sump pump at cost, so he must be relatively certain that this is "normal." However, normal implies everything is working properly. He may have had a civil engineer inspect the property since he definitely does not want an expensive settlement anymore than you. I think I would talk with him about an independent evaluation, stating that you do not want a dispute, recognize he is the contractor and more knowledgeable than you, and ask him to give you information that makes him certain this is normal. You could even state that you are not trying to be difficult, just legitimately concerned. Send letters reporting the conversation "for protection of us both....
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

The home is new and under the 1 year new warranty but this builder has tried to persuade me that it's all normal several times. Once I figure out if it's the drainage into the existing french drain issue, I plan to take this to him and see what he will do. I am also trying to contact the city building inspectors who were supposedly supervising this whole operation and get their take. This has been an incredibly frustrating experience to say the least. Sorry you are having such problems, and with a new home. How much time is left on that 1 year? ASAP, start sending certified letters with return receipts to the builder, documenting everything. Start with reminder about when/how/how often you have already contacted him, etc., to memorialize a...
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

grettman wrote:I don't have anything to offer other than the fact I understand how you feel and I hope you get this resolved. I am a worrier by nature and when I have been in similar situations it has ripped me inside and out. Good luck. Try to stay positive.
thank you grettman - the burden of this entire job is on me and I am also a natural worrier.

In terms of the check valve - as you can see from the picture, I don't see anything there beyond what you see because the plate is sealed so that the radon gas doesn't come out.

But, I can verify that exactly 3 galleons of water comes out of the hose- whether that's the max or some is being diverted back, I dunno...
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

I do have gutters as well and they extend out to the yard.

Yes, the builder offered to build me a second sump pump at cost so I am thinking of that as well.

Still waiting for more data on the sump pump frequency it is currently running every 2:40 minutes.
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 8:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

The home is new and under the 1 year new warranty but this builder has tried to persuade me that it's all normal several times.

Once I figure out if it's the drainage into the existing french drain issue, I plan to take this to him and see what he will do. I am also trying to contact the city building inspectors who were supposedly supervising this whole operation and get their take.

This has been an incredibly frustrating experience to say the least.
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

BTW, the thing that's odd about the water leak theory is that the sump pump wasn't running at all before it rained 14 days ago for several months. Also I never heard anything when I was next to the sump pump. After it rained, I hear the water flowing into the sump pump constantly and hence the pumping.
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

I guess the question is how the french drain was setup in our case. We were told that the french drain extended out to the yard where it slopes down to the street and thus we didn't think re-circulation would be the case as it seems here. thanks for the alarm tip we did buy one as I was already freaking out 5 days ago and you're right, the backup battery pump can easily fail (we have one). Our french drain drains into the sump, and the sump pump goes out to the edge of the yard near the street. The flow in the street goes to a storm drain. That is apparently the normal/legal way in our area, you can't drain into the house sewage outflow as that can exceed the capacity of the sewage system. When we bought the house the sump pump went into th...
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

I can see water coming out of the new hose I installed - yes, every pump outputs 3 gallons of waters.

For the water leak, I will let the water discharge for a while, and measure the change in sump pump frequency. If it slows down then obviously the original drainage was an issue.

If it doesn't improve, then I will go take a look at the water meter. I'll take pictures of them as well when we get to that step.
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

I bought a PVC adapter and drainage hose from home depot and have the white PVC pipe in the picture connected to it with the end flowing out towards the front of my yard as a temporary solution - this is obviously not permanent as I want to pinpoint the problem. Regarding the point about not discharging into the french drain - my builder originally (before buying the home) said that this was part of the strategy in accordance with the city inspectors so I don't know what's supposed to happen - obviously it's not working. The french drain is supposed to drain out into close to the street so unless it's blocked\not installed correctly\whatever, I don't know why it could be re-circulating. I will report back to see if the sump pump cycling slo...
by 2sls
Wed May 11, 2016 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

I'm going to grab a solid pipe as well - that was my concern as well given the wetness around the area - the builder claimed that the city doesn't allow them to use solid but this can't be the solution.

In terms of the water behind the wall - whom should I be calling for this type of analysis and why would this be an easy fix? I'm a neophyte as that sounds like a big problem - permanent damage already in a house less than a year old?
by 2sls
Tue May 10, 2016 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Re: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

That's a good idea. I've been trying to figure out how to reroute it. Basically I don't even know what kind of hose\pipe to buy. I measured the interior diameter of the pvc pipe and it's just under 2 inches but it doesn't seem to be a standard part to connect to from my cursory browsing of home depot and amazon. Arghhh
by 2sls
Tue May 10, 2016 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!
Replies: 46
Views: 33622

Is a home disaster looming? sump pump running constantly please help!

hi, We bought a new construction in an area that's supposedly known for high water tables. Our home has a sump pump with a battery backup. It rained about 2 weeks ago and the sump pump has been running constantly, roughly 2-3 every cycle with no improvement in the last 10-12 days. I asked my neighbor (who also has a new construction) and his has been running every 30 minutes. I contacted our builder who just blamed it on the high water table. He refused to come and take a look. When we bought the house it was originally disclosed that there were 2 french drains along the sides of the house where the discharge connects to so that the water is supposed to flow out to the street sewers. I see the discharge pipe connected to some conduit underg...
by 2sls
Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!
Replies: 27
Views: 6154

Re: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!

2sls, everything you've mentioned indicates your house is under insulated for your climate. The frost on the Windows is a problem with poorly insulated frames/spacers. Poor insulation in the walls will also contribute. If your garage is 50 deg warmer than the outdoors, you are losing a lot of heat from your house into the garage. Iceicles on your roof are from heat escaping into your attic, heating the undersides of your roof causing the snow to melt. The water runs down the warm roof but then freezes as it goes over the waves that aren't heated. If you have frost and/or mold inside your attic, you have air and moisture moving into your attic indicating poor air sealing. I recommend you get a formal energy audit. They are most effective wh...
by 2sls
Mon Jan 18, 2016 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!
Replies: 27
Views: 6154

Re: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!

Too weird for me (and I'm not saying that in a bad way). We only get frost on our Anderson double-paned windows when 1) the temp is below zero for most of the night, and 2) the insulated shades are drawn. House temp is 69 during the day, shut off at night, and drops to about 61 by morning (if it's been a cold night). Relative humidity is 37-44 at any given time (in the winter). No conditioning of the air at all. Not sure how you're getting frost with such low temps and low humidity. But what blew my mind though is your garage. I've got the same conditions (attached/insulated it myself/unheated) and the best I can get is about 20 degrees above the outside temp in the winter. You're blessed my friend, truly blessed. Yooper, I wonder if it's ...
by 2sls
Mon Jan 18, 2016 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!
Replies: 27
Views: 6154

Re: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!

I would check to see if you have adequate ventilation in your attic,you are getting condensation ! Does the home have a crawl space that could be checked for water? it's possible your not getting air exchange due to an overly insulated and air tight house.when you use the bathroom to bath and shower do you run the bathroom fan to get rid of the moisture? this could help a little, are your eves blocked in your attic?remember your attic needs to get ventilation! it's very important to get that moisture OUT. Golfview - yes actually the ventilation in the attic is an open question. We have had several inspectors go look through our ventilation in the attic. They said that there are a number of areas of frost inside our attic due to leaks aroun...
by 2sls
Mon Jan 18, 2016 5:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!
Replies: 27
Views: 6154

Re: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!

First thank you to czeckers nordsteve and many others for such detailed answers. I understand from nordsteve's equation that I can either raise the temperature or lower the humidity (this is with a whole house unit yes). I have done both, but as pointed out by edge, I do have wood floors and there is a risk of a crack when the humidity level is too low (don't know what that level is, I'm currently at 20%) Today when I woke up I didn't see any frost, so I guess my current combination of indoor temp\humidity is holding steady (it was 1F today). Looking into the future, I guess there isn't anything more to be done and will think of this as optimizing my temperature\humidity level rather than as a housing defect [yes to Sheepdog's question that...
by 2sls
Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!
Replies: 27
Views: 6154

Re: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!

Freddy, having seen the pictures,, is the air leakage most likely from the open spacing where the thermal imaging is showing blue?

Relatedly, is this a cause of the window\casing being defective or it is a matter of me caulking\weatherstripping the sides? (I am a complete neophyte)
by 2sls
Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!
Replies: 27
Views: 6154

frost on windows - any experts (or people who have dealt with this)? Images inside!

Just today I noticed frost developing inside my windows facing my backyard (west) - about 10 windows have this problem. I am trying to diagnosis what could be going on that is causing this to happen. I even read a previous thread concerning this [https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46875] and I'm hoping the data I've collected will be helpful in figuring it out. As a starting point, I've taken photos of one room with two identical windows side by side (they both have frost). The room's relative humidity is 24% and 64F temperature. These are windows built by Andersen (I don't know the exact model number) and installed by the contractor\seller (this was a spec home). The outside temperature is averaging -10F today and was warmer ...
by 2sls
Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: looking for guidance in home purchase
Replies: 5
Views: 811

Re: looking for guidance in home purchase

We're trying to buy our first home. We've done a lot of homework and found a home that we think has some potential. My spouse and I have not retained a buying agent in the hopes that we can negotiate more favorable terms. We haven't submitted the purchase offer yet because we're looking for some advice on our negotiation strategy. Based on my market research of recent comp sales, we think the home should be selling at a 4% discount to the listing price. We're hoping to buy the home at a 7% discount overall from representing ourselves. If that is the case, we were thinking of making the first offer at a 9% discount to give us room to move up to 7%. Does this seem like a sensible strategy? Your advice is much appreciated here. The seller may...
by 2sls
Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: looking for guidance in home purchase
Replies: 5
Views: 811

Re: looking for guidance in home purchase

harrychan wrote:First time buyer and buying without an agent working for your behalf is not an ideal scenario. Are you planning to use the seller's agent in hopes of getting an edge to having your offer be accepted over others? I would much rather find your own agent but come up with a competitive offer rather than trying to save 2-3% and miss out on an ideal home. In the realm of things, if you plan on staying at the home and if you indeed did your homework, your home should increase in value and easily make up what you are trying to save.
No - we are not entering into any dual agency.
by 2sls
Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: looking for guidance in home purchase
Replies: 5
Views: 811

looking for guidance in home purchase

We're trying to buy our first home. We've done a lot of homework and found a home that we think has some potential.

My spouse and I have not retained a buying agent in the hopes that we can negotiate more favorable terms.

We haven't submitted the purchase offer yet because we're looking for some advice on our negotiation strategy. Based on my market research of recent comp sales, we think the home should be selling at a 4% discount to the listing price. We're hoping to buy the home at a 7% discount overall from representing ourselves. If that is the case, we were thinking of making the first offer at a 9% discount to give us room to move up to 7%.

Does this seem like a sensible strategy? Your advice is much appreciated here.
by 2sls
Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 27 yr old reaches $1m net worth [Update: With lies.]
Replies: 56
Views: 16551

27 yr old reaches $1m net worth [Update: With lies.]

[Thread merged into here. Title was "This guy has to be a Boglehead?", see below. --admin LadyGeek]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/27-year-o ... 23184.html

cool story, I wonder if he's an user here.
by 2sls
Tue Oct 14, 2014 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ebola preparation
Replies: 55
Views: 4747

Ebola preparation

I am worried about a possible Ebola outbreak- suppose that tomorrow there was an announcement of a new case in your city.

What would\can you do?

What are things you've already done to prepare in advance for the full possible set of contingencies?

I'm hoping this thread can help clarify the extent of the situation (and reduce unwarranted FUD) but also provide practical advice.

thanks
by 2sls
Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A fund/ETF API that has historical prices?
Replies: 6
Views: 2565

Re: A fund/ETF API that has historical prices?

you can pull data from quandl's api
by 2sls
Mon Aug 25, 2014 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k transaction price different from ticker symbol prices
Replies: 1
Views: 452

401k transaction price different from ticker symbol prices

I am using Securian and buying VITSX and I don't understand the trade price I am executing at. First off, they don't use the same share unit because the the price per unit is 31.83X smaller. When I compare their share unit price across days, I get a different ratio, it's always 31.83XXX but the third digits are different. e.g. first column is trading date, second is Securian price, third is Yahoo closing (adjusted), fourth is the ratio 8/20/2014 1.57385 50.1 31.83276678 8/6/2014 1.519212 48.36 31.832292 7/23/2014 1.569501 49.96 31.83177328 7/9/2014 1.561356 49.7 31.83130561 Finally Securian is reselling this to me at a 8 basis point ER, while Vanguard charges 4 basis points, which is fine, since it's disclosed. But this seems just hidden- e...
by 2sls
Sun Apr 06, 2014 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: tearing my hair out with multiple state tax return
Replies: 11
Views: 2990

tearing my hair out with multiple state tax return

IN 2012 my spouse and I lived in California and worked in California and part of 2013. In the second half of 2013, I found a new job in the midwest and moved and started the job while the spouse stayed and continued to work in California. I checked and there is no reciprocal tax treaty between the two states. I am using Turbotax, with two states, but I have no idea if I am doing the state taxes correctly as I am guessing there is some interaction between the two states that I am failing to grasp. Can someone who's unfortunately had the same headache as me in the past shed some light on the process? Namely, I would like an intuitive (if possible) understanding of how the sources of our wages are treated by two different states, namely the sp...
by 2sls
Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone have experience with Harvard Extension school?
Replies: 22
Views: 8063

Re: Anyone have experience with Harvard Extension school?

if you are really motivated to learn- take a class on Coursera, free and 100% better quality.
Harvard Extension school is a joke
by 2sls
Wed Jul 24, 2013 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: first time home buyer- warning bells?
Replies: 23
Views: 3313

Re: first time home buyer- warning bells?

to update- we passed and there was apparently another offer that was also accepted but I don't know the price- we'll see in a few months what eventually happened. The price being asked was not bargain basement either so I don't think we made a huge error in passing either way.

Thanks so much for the advice- in the future, I will get specialists to inspect the property rather than a generalist.
by 2sls
Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: first time home buyer- warning bells?
Replies: 23
Views: 3313

first time home buyer- warning bells?

After much searching, we found a SFH that meets many of our needs, however being a Boglehead, I like to do my due diligence, and I discovered several facts that make me question whether whether we should go ahead with the offer. I'm asking for the collective wisdom here to help us first time buyers to separate the signal from the noise and tell me what is important and what is not. Here are the pertinent facts- I'll start with why we like the place. SFH in a great neighborhood, renovated 4 years ago (when the current seller took possession), some high end finishes inside. Now onto more facts This house is agent owned and it's also a REO. It's not even on MLS but our buying agent knew about it somehow. He said the house is under going pre-fo...
by 2sls
Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: To what degree is $ negotiation part of the hiring process
Replies: 13
Views: 1876

Re: To what degree is $ negotiation part of the hiring proce

what's the problem? by definition this candidate is worth more than your offering price. Offer more or you won't be able to hire him or her
by 2sls
Tue May 14, 2013 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do your adult children know about your investments?
Replies: 30
Views: 3689

Re: How much do your adult children know about your investme

walking across the street could be very expensive- you could get hit by a car. this is not what the discussion is about
by 2sls
Tue May 14, 2013 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA when future income is uncertain :(
Replies: 3
Views: 1396

Re: Roth IRA when future income is uncertain :(

Currently we also have a t401k and also a r401k, in addition to the two rIRAs.

So it sounds like I can't simply withdraw my contribution and take a wait and see approach- or I can, but then I can't make a contribution for 2013 if I withdraw.
by 2sls
Tue May 14, 2013 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA when future income is uncertain :(
Replies: 3
Views: 1396

Roth IRA when future income is uncertain :(

Like clockwork my partner and I contribute to the limit of our Roth IRA every calendar year- meaning this year we already contributed to our 2013 limit of $11000 total.

However very recently our careers have changed and it seems very possible that our 2013 income might touch the MAGI limit of 178-188K.

My basic question is what should I do at this point? Have I crossed the Rubicon already or is there a way to undo my contribution and take a wait and see approach to see if I qualify and if not, try one of the backdoor strategies.

Thank you!
by 2sls
Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation for Wireless Home Monitoring System
Replies: 6
Views: 1403

Re: Recommendation for Wireless Home Monitoring System

I second the suggestion to use a Foscam\BLUE IRIS setup. You can get an app on most phones that will connect directly to the system. I also get an email alert if anything triggers the motion detector in specified hours\days of week.

You need:
IP cameras (foscam is a leading brand)
blue iris software (this is another way to control the cameras instead of a mobile phone app)
android\iphone apps that can connect to IP cameras
time in setting up the IP protocols.
by 2sls
Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to select a first time home- sanity check
Replies: 17
Views: 1855

Re: How to select a first time home- sanity check

@Ilnative: yes we agree with you that we would not want to stand out as the best house on the block. Thanks for the tip on researching the neighbors! I guess if I visit the county tax office I should be able to get the names etc- or do reverse address search but that's probably less reliable.

@investingdad: yes, we are also happy to learn that there are other people out there with similar tastes since that's exactly the kind of person whose house we are likely to like! You've given me hope. Thanks for the tips!

@valuethinker: yep we will try to focus more on the location and be more open to renovations down the road.