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runnergirl

My 401-K allows after-tax contributions plus pre-tax contributions plus employer contributions up to $51,000. Due to a higher than usual bonus, the employer match (based on a percentage of salary and bonus) was higher than I had figured. After maxing out the $17,500, plus the match, my after-tax con...

runnergirl

In 2013, I had an excess contribution to my Roth IRA of $506.11 ($30.47 of this is earnings). These moneys came from an after-tax 401-K conversion to my Roth. I want to understand my options. (1) Withdraw this amount and pay a 10% penalty plus taxes. (2) Or recharacterize to a t-IRA (don't want to d...

runnergirl

Trying to decide whether to purchase a TIPS ladder in my Roth IRA or to rely on the TSP G fund for retirement (spanning mid-50's to 100). The TIPS rungs would be purchased yearly at auction in the Roth and held to maturity. Only the yield is so low I wonder if the G fund can substitute. I also have ...

runnergirl

No they do not. It's like they want people to choose the CDHP and are making it ever more unfeasible to choose the HDHP. I'm not sure why they would do that. My calculations are: If we spend 0-$1061.31, the HDHP is a better choice If we spend $1062.31+, the CDHP is a better choice The most we could ...

runnergirl

Thank you for taking a look. The details are: HDHP costs $5828.68/year deductible is $1500 ind/$3000 family coinsurance is 80% after deductible is met out of pocket max is $3000 ind/$6000 family no HRA contribution by employer tax savings (28% fed, 8.25% state) is $2223.07 (although some years bumps...

runnergirl

My employer's HDHP plan has gone up a lot this year. Over $500 for 2014. The CDHP, in contrast, only went up 10%. I chose the HDHP for 2013 because I wanted the HSA for which I deposited the maximum and plan to use for retirement. I calculated the break-even point, after tax savings and employer con...

runnergirl

Thank you for your help. I will check out that website. Am I right that the higher earner cannot collect spousal benefits on the lower earner's record at age 62 if he his also eligible for his own reduced benefit at age 62 (and that benefit is substantially more than the spousal benefit)?

runnergirl

the younger spouse (by 2 years):
age 62: $1900
age 67: $2634
age 70: $3273

the older spouse:
age 62: $552
age 67: $784
age 70: $784

the younger spouse comes from a family of average longevity. the older spouse comes from a family of above average longevity.

runnergirl

If spouses A and B have an FRA of 67, and spouse A is 2 years older than spouse B and a low wage earner (spouse B is a high wage earner), what should this couple's social security strategy be in order to maximize benefits? They do not need to rely on social security and could wait until age 70 if ne...

runnergirl

Are you receiving a 1099 from the purchaser? :happy Bruce That and the correct cost basis is the market price of that particular piece of jewelry at the time it was gifted. If I buy a brand new Mercedes and then resell it for scrap after iron prices have had a huge run it is still a big loss, not a...

runnergirl

Thank you for all the responses so far. I sold it to a place that gives 95% of spot value. The pieces were not designer jewelry. It was of the type that is found on 47th Street (thick chains, bracelets, etc.)--given by many Asians to brides as gifts. So not the typical mall mark-up. Are you saying 2...

runnergirl

If the prices are all over the place, then what should I tell the IRS is my basis? What do they expect as proof when I have no idea, and the various donors are either deceased or don't remember?

runnergirl

I recently sold several troy ounces of 24-K gold jewelry. The difference in spot price between the date this gold was gifted to me and the date of sale is over $1000/troy oz. I know this because I looked up the historical gold prices. I have to pay a 28% collectibles capital gains tax. How do I figu...

runnergirl

This is my first year with an HDHP. Prior to this, we paid very little for health care costs because of a generous insurance plan. The other day someone in the family ended up at the ER. I am very nervous as to the bill. Haven't received it yet. Does the insurer negotiate a good rate for customers w...

runnergirl

I am trying to cancel an unnecessary term life policy with Northwestern Mutual Life. The agent says I cannot do it mid-year because I paid in full at the beginning of the year. He said I must wait until the renewal date and then ignore the bill letting the policy lapse. I would like to cancel now an...

runnergirl

Thanks. So if I'm in the 28% tax bracket under the regular system and also in the 28% tax bracket for the AMT, then I still get the same amount of deduction either way?

runnergirl

I am debating whether or not to pay off my mortgage which has a rate of 2.875% with 11 years left on a fifteen-year. I am in the 28% federal/8.25% state tax bracket. Every year, I have been hit with the AMT. This is due to high property taxes, high state income taxes, and two dependents. If I have n...

runnergirl

update - I talked to them and they reversed the fees for Jan-April. For some inexplicable reason, they refused to refund the fee for May. It was too much trouble to stay on the phone any longer so I didn't argue the $3. What's important is that the balance is now above $5000 and they will no longer ...

runnergirl

I bet you got hit with the $3 fee for the first month since you started with less than $5K and that the fee in the first month reduced your balance below $5K for the remaining months. The only month I got his with the $3 investment fee was the last month I had a balance under $5K on one day during ...

runnergirl

Anyone using HSA Bank for their HSA? In January, I deposited $6450 into an HSA with them. I kept $5000 in a minimally paying savings account and transferred $1450 into their investment account with TD Ameritrade. I have been charged a monthly fee of $3 since then. My understanding was that $3000 in ...

runnergirl

Michaels charges way too much.

runnergirl

Thank you for your thoughtful responses. Yes, I am the child of immigrant parents and a lot of the guilt comes from the cultural expectations. I would actually like to help out but am really put off by his sense of entitlement, greed, and evasiveness. When I helped him with the home purchase, he was...

runnergirl

One of my parents made a good living while I was growing up and saved a good deal as well. My parents paid for most of my college education too. However, as a result of some poor financial and personal decisions starting about 15-20 years ago, this parent is living on social security and a small pen...

runnergirl

Bump.

runnergirl

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at the rental contract and the only thing it says regarding cleaning is: Cleaning once a week is provided. Daily maid service can be provided for an additional fee. We encourage guests to tip the cleaning staff. A dollar per visit is a guideline. We did not opt f...

runnergirl

I recently went on vacation and rented a condo through VRBO. At the end of the stay, we left some dirty dishes (no dish washer in the place), garbage in the bin (no cover on the trashcan, not made aware of any garbage chute), and some crumbs on the floor and surfaces. We left no spills, stains, or a...

runnergirl

I don't know about laws in Wisconsin, but my family has 8 x 529 plans for a $2500 state tax deduction for each account (total of $20,000 a year). I have two children. I opened one for myself, my spouse, son, and daughter. My spouse opened one for himself, for me, son, and daughter. When the children...

runnergirl

Interesting. Had not considered induction. What do you like about induction over gas?

runnergirl

I have my new car fund rolled up in my asset allocation rather than in a segregated account. When I need a car, I'll just withdraw the money and then rebalance. Question is which account should I withdraw from? I have a 401-K, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, I Bonds, regular savings and checking account,...

runnergirl

I am looking for a new kitchen range/oven - 30 inches. Any recommendations for brand? I have a gas range/oven right now - GE Profile Performance. I heard it's better to have gas stove-top, electric oven. Any other features to look for? I am a foodie and can use something high performance.

runnergirl

Thanks gtaylor. Interesting, I assume I have to pay taxes on any gains, if any, while in the 401-K? Where will that be reported?

runnergirl

I wrote in a couple of weeks ago regarding an accidental overcontribution to the after-tax 401K portion of my $51,000 limit. Although the limit had not been reached yet, the amount contributed to the AT portion would have prevented me from filling up my pre-tax $17,500 space and my employer match sp...

runnergirl

Thanks. I only have a copy of the SPD, not the whole PD. I will request one. Alan, my after-tax contributions are close to $40,000 already, which does not leave enough room for me to maximize my $17,500 pre-tax deferral or the employer match (only matched during pay periods for which there is a cont...

runnergirl

Every year, I try to make sure that my contribution to a pre-tax 401-K, employer match, and after-tax contributions equal $51,000. By mistake, due to an unusually large bonus, the after-tax portion is greatly overfunded and will necessarily shrink the pre-tax ($17,500) and employer match space. I ha...

runnergirl

Thanks for helping to clarify this. I already roll out all my after tax contributions to a Roth so I realize now that any amounts that I am allowed to withdraw for the Inservice ER (I'm guessing part of the employer contributions) will have to be taxed. I might as well leave them in the account in t...

runnergirl

I recently discovered that my 401-K allows something called an "inservice ER". Apparently I am able to rollover a portion of my 401-K balance (about 10%) to an IRA. I am in my mid-40's. I max out the 401-K and also make after-tax contributions (to the 51,000 max) that I subsequently rollover to a Ro...

runnergirl

Ooma uses your existing phones whatever they may be.

runnergirl

I got the Ooma on sale at Amazon for $130-ish. Chose to port phone number for another $40. Very simple to set-up. Excellent voice quality. Excellent customer service. Tax of about $3.50 per month, but when I had Verizon, I had to pay the tax anyway on top of $30/month.

runnergirl

I use Talkatone on my iPad Mini and it works very well. At home, I have FIOS 15/5 (which actually gets around 5 down/7 up). On the road I have AT&T 4G LTE. Both work well on either speaker phone or with earPods. I have a basic phone with prepaid minutes as a back-up, but I greatly minimize my cell p...

runnergirl

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check out the Fellowes from Walmart.

runnergirl

The last paper shredder I had broke within a couple of uses. Any recommendations for a durable cross-cut shredder? I don't care if it takes too many sheets. Just home use.

runnergirl

On top of a $5500 contribution to a Roth IRA, I am also able to deposit approximately $26,000 per year into the Roth via an after-tax 401K conversion. I am already maxing out contributions to the 401-K. Not having the funds to max out both Roth IRA and $20K (joint) in I-bonds, where should my priori...

runnergirl

I have on order an iPad Mini with LTE. After my iPhone got stolen more than a year ago, I switched to a basic month-to-month phone. I miss having a data plan and having internet access on the go, however. I also tend to get lost a lot and would like turn-by-turn navigation. I had a Garmin, but that ...

runnergirl

I also have a 2.875% 15 year mortgage. Regarding TFB's recommendation to contribute the max to I bonds (which we are currently doing) and then selling off other bond funds to pay off the mortgage, does the recommendation apply to contributions to TIPS (in 401K) and G Fund (in TSP)? The TIPS/G Fund a...

runnergirl

She can check if her public library has an online course such as Rosetta Stone or Mango Languages. Both are very good introductions to the language. My public library offers these courses to residents for free via their website.

runnergirl

Have done two refi's with them. Some of their processors are unresponsive or inexperienced but I finally got one who was good and will only work with him in the future. Good rates and no surprises at closing. I like that they send a settlement person to your house at your convenience (even weeknight...

runnergirl

The dividends are for unvested stock so I did not pay for them. I typically sell as soon as they are vested.

runnergirl

For restricted stock awards, do you recommend having dividends reinvested in the company stock or taking the cash?

runnergirl

6% groceries - Amex Preferred cash (can buy gift cards to Home Depot, Lowes, and many stores at grocery store)
5% gas - PenFed
5% restaurants, movies, bookstores (incl everything at Amazon), video rentals - Citi Forward
1.5% everything else - Capital One Preferred

runnergirl

I am trying to figure out what sum of money to put in my emergency fund for unforeseen events. Many of the foreseeable events, such as medical bills and unemployment, can be planned for due to insurance and severance pay, and the occasional need for a new car or home repair can be reasonably budgete...

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