Search found 344 matches

by og15F1
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Question - Upper Mgmt Position
Replies: 6
Views: 1624

Re: Career Question - Upper Mgmt Position

Just logged in again after awhile and wanted to thank the posters above for their insight. That's all true.

Towards the end of last year I interviewed for what's basically the same position but with a competitor. It was an opportunity to test drive the interview at that level. I came out as the top candidate. They decided to leave the position unfilled without making any offers.

I'm using the information I learned in that process to prepare to interview for the same position internally. I'll come back to review your input when/if the situation presents itself. Thanks again.
by og15F1
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Excess Traditional IRA Contribution - Paging Alan S.
Replies: 2
Views: 377

Re: Excess Traditional IRA Contribution - Paging Alan S.

Thank you for input and the quick response
by og15F1
Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Excess Traditional IRA Contribution - Paging Alan S.
Replies: 2
Views: 377

Excess Traditional IRA Contribution - Paging Alan S.

My wife and I are under age 59.5 and are in the following situation: 1. In April 2017 we made a contribution of $5500 to my wife's traditional IRA in anticipation of it being a deductible contribution. 2. In December of 2017 I was awarded a larger-than-usual bonus. 3. We filed our 2017 taxes in March of 2018 at which time I learned that the bonus put us over the MAGI limit for deductible Traditional IRA contributions. 4. On 4/12 I called Vanguard and had the excess contribution and associated earnings removed. Vanguard withheld federal and state taxes on top of the contribution and earnings. The cash was distributed to me via two checks with a trade date of 4/16/18. Tax day in 2018 was on 4/17. 5. We recently received 2018 Form 1099-R from ...
by og15F1
Sun Sep 23, 2018 4:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Question - Upper Mgmt Position
Replies: 6
Views: 1624

Re: Career Question - Upper Mgmt Position

Thanks for the replies. My OP was more about getting the ideas out there and didn't go into detail of the personal nuances. My current boss holds the position. He shares his opinions and I see his challenges. It's largely due to personality and his lack of a relationship at the top. There's a position, his boss, between the $100M and the $1B P&L. There's been turnover in that position and seems to be a consistent lack of a relationship at the top as well. If that were improved it would be best for everyone. I think the person at the top, from our interactions, is reasonable in and, I agree, it would obviously be best to build the relationship organically. The challenge is that the three roles are spread out geographically and naturally ...
by og15F1
Sun Sep 23, 2018 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Question - Upper Mgmt Position
Replies: 6
Views: 1624

Career Question - Upper Mgmt Position

These are some questions for Bogleheads that are, or have been, upper managers. When you moved into the role, or for someone moving into this type of role, what would you suggest asking of senior management prior to starting the position? I work at a Megacorp headquartered outside the US. I'm in the succession plan to take over a $100M/yr P&L. I've seen some of the challenges that the person currently in the position deals with and want to address those prior to eventually accepting the position. My ask: 1. Dedicated face time with senior management (person running a $1B/yr P&L) throughout the year to align our vision and clarify goals. 2. Compensation increase commensurate with the responsibility. Ideally with an executive separati...
by og15F1
Sun Sep 23, 2018 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anecdote: PMI Removed
Replies: 9
Views: 2875

Re: Anecdote: PMI Removed

LawEgr1 wrote: Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:30 pm Needless to say, that's $$ straight back in to our pocket!
Nice. Thanks for sharing.
by og15F1
Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anecdote: PMI Removed
Replies: 9
Views: 2875

Re: Anecdote: PMI Removed

itsgot8 wrote: Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:41 am So, is LTV in reference to the current appraisal price of the house or the original mortgage amount?

If a home had an initial mortgage of $100,00, with $90,000 remaining and home is now worth $180,000, how would those aforementioned rules apply?
It is in reference to the appraised value.

In your example the LTV went from 90% down to 50% (assuming the loan amount is still $90k). It would be below the 80% LTV requirement and PMI could be removed.

Does that answer your question?
by og15F1
Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anecdote: PMI Removed
Replies: 9
Views: 2875

Re: Anecdote: PMI Removed

It sounds like you were able to use the property improvements within 2 years route to get below 75%, but there's nothing in the guidelines that says you can't so the same at 3, 4, or more years. How was the bank able to make that restriction? I don't know. I checked the original loan documents which were from a no-name local lender. I recalled that they made mention of removing PMI. Unfortunately I couldn't find those terms. The PMI terms did make mention of the Homeowner's Protection Act of 1998. I don't know how that interacts with the Fannie Mae guidelines. The mortgage was sold off within a couple months and is currently held by a major bank. The mailing that describes how to remove PMI says regarding "Cancelling PMI based on the ...
by og15F1
Sat Aug 11, 2018 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anecdote: PMI Removed
Replies: 9
Views: 2875

Anecdote: PMI Removed

This is being posted just to share my anecdotal experience with the community. Consider it a data point in the Bogleheads home buying guidelines (mandatory 20% down, mortgage no greater than 2x income, etc.). In 2016 we purchased our first home. It's in southern California. We rented for around a decade first, moved between states, switched companies to raise income, and lived below our means to try and scrape together the down payment. We were in the situation where our lease was ending, interest rates were pretty low, and rent was increasing. It was a seller's market with lots of demand. I distinctly remember going early to an open house (prior to the start time) on the day it hit the market, multiple families were there viewing it, we ma...
by og15F1
Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Rollover - writing a HSA check from old custodian to new custodian?
Replies: 10
Views: 1750

Re: HSA Rollover - writing a HSA check from old custodian to new custodian?

Thank you hoppy08520 and Spirit Rider for sharing your research. It's very helpful.
by og15F1
Wed Jan 03, 2018 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes on Bonus
Replies: 3
Views: 962

Re: Taxes on Bonus

Both options will have the same result on your taxes for 2018.

If you don't need the $5k now, and if increasing your 401k contribution will be reflected in your bonus check, then the prevailing wisdom would be to send the bonus into your 401k in February. This will give it more time in the market.
by og15F1
Wed Jan 03, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Rollover - writing a HSA check from old custodian to new custodian?
Replies: 10
Views: 1750

Re: HSA Rollover - writing a HSA check from old custodian to new custodian?

hoppy08520 wrote: Tue Jan 02, 2018 10:50 am The Finance Buff wrote an article about doing a rollover instead of a transfer when you are switching between HSAs: How To Rollover an HSA On Your Own and Avoid Trustee Transfer Fee.
Thank you, this is very timely for me.

To proceed with this method, I need to "request a reimbursement" through my HSA to have the funds transferred to my checking account. "Request a reimbursement" is the terminology used on their website. Will this create any anomalies for tax reporting next year? This HSA doesn't know that I'm rolling over the funds. Will they report it to the IRS as a distribution?
by og15F1
Thu Dec 28, 2017 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Multipurpose Bonds in Taxable
Replies: 2
Views: 579

Re: Multipurpose Bonds in Taxable

I bonds for one can be a very effective emergency fund. One drawback is having to ante up the deferred tax if you cash out and another is being forced to give up a possibly valuable allocation of tax deferred space that can only be reacquired slowly. Thank you dbr The cost to ante up the deferred tax is fine. It's "the cost of doing business" to hold the I bonds as part of an emergency fund. Also, I won't be giving up any tax deferred space. For anyone who finds this topic later, this was a useful article for me: https://seekingalpha.com/article/3965711-buy-bonds-tips-just-14-days-buy-10k-limit I ended up choosing I bonds because: Unlike an EE bond, they will increase in value prior to year 20. So I can cash out in an emergency w...
by og15F1
Wed Dec 27, 2017 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you see a meaningful change in your income with new Tax Bill?
Replies: 266
Views: 30480

Re: Do you see a meaningful change in your income with new Tax Bill?

Yes

The changes to the child tax credit are all upside for us.

It will be a wash between the new tax brackets, loss of personal exemptions, and cap on SALT.

We'll net significant savings.
by og15F1
Wed Dec 27, 2017 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Multipurpose Bonds in Taxable
Replies: 2
Views: 579

Multipurpose Bonds in Taxable

Dear Fellow Bogleheads, I'm interested in your recommendation of the appropriate bonds to act as an additional tier to our emergency fund. The EF is generally for the purpose of providing for our single-income family if I end up out of work temporarily. We have term life and disability insurance. We have 6 months of expenses in cash that we want to supplement with investments. The bonds would be purchased with new money on top of our existing EF. The BH philosophy of "Placing cash needs in a tax-advantaged account" is familiar. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Placing_cash_needs_in_a_tax-advantaged_account https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46462 There are some specifics of our taxable account that lead me to look for...
by og15F1
Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you sign a non-compete for a side-gig consulting agreement?
Replies: 44
Views: 5194

Re: Would you sign a non-compete for a side-gig consulting agreement?

Some thoughts:

1. Check your state laws to develop an opinion of whether the agreement is enforceable. See: California.

2. Consult an attorney.
by og15F1
Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can someone explain how AMT works?
Replies: 12
Views: 2854

Re: Can someone explain how AMT works?

This is the best (simplified) explanation that I've found:
http://thismatter.com/money/tax/alterna ... um-tax.htm
by og15F1
Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bogleheads' Silent Majority
Replies: 255
Views: 50328

Re: The Bogleheads' Silent Majority

Apparently January is the last time I logged in to post

I watch the forum almost daily

I'm doing nothing with regards to my investments

Everything is within its bands

Today's events are just part of the natural downward yin to the recent prolonged upward yang
by og15F1
Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the international portion of your portfolio and why?
Replies: 140
Views: 22132

Re: What is the international portion of your portfolio and

I have about 50% of equities in international. It's close to market weight and easy to handle for rebalancing purposes. The ETFs I use are VXUS and VEU.
by og15F1
Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Down Payment Math Problem
Replies: 14
Views: 3389

Re: Another Down Payment Math Problem

Thanks everyone for the replies

I will talk it over with my boss (DW) :wink:
by og15F1
Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?
Replies: 18
Views: 4556

Re: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?

Do the math on paper of what your portfolio value, and withdrawals, would look like with various AA's given 50% stock declines over various periods of time. Think hard about how you'd deal with it. I'd model a realistic AA and see if you're still FI. Exactly. Now what tool lets me do this? I was under the impression that fireCALC did just that -> with the monte carlo sampling of historical events to figure out bands of future $$. If my $$ never goes to 0 -- or even gets close -- then, from my perspective, how I would deal with it is <meh>, no worries. Just for kicks, I took a 3% SWR and started Jan 1, 1929 and an 80/20 AA. Should be close to worst case. Portfolio survived and then flourished. (survived until ~1942, so that's 10+ years of b...
by og15F1
Tue Jan 06, 2015 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you calculate your savings rate?
Replies: 44
Views: 7524

Re: How do you calculate your savings rate?

DFrank wrote: In calculating our personal savings rate I do not include our 401k company match, or additional home equity resulting from mortgage payments. For the denominator I only include our salary income, not dividends, interest, cap gains.
I agree with this. This is what enables you to do an apples-to-apples comparison with savings advice to see if you're on track each year.
by og15F1
Tue Jan 06, 2015 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?
Replies: 18
Views: 4556

Re: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?

john94549 wrote:Ryman, as I mentioned, I doubt any "tool" will be able to predict the future.
I agree. And wouldn't use a tool like firecalc to pick an AA that looks successful in the rear view mirror.

If one's portfolio isn't massive relative to one's expenses then I doubt that person would really have the willingness/ability to take the risk of losing 40% of assets for what might be a prolonged period. Do the math on paper of what your portfolio value, and withdrawals, would look like with various AA's given 50% stock declines over various periods of time. Think hard about how you'd deal with it.

I'd model a realistic AA and see if you're still FI.
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?
Replies: 18
Views: 4556

Re: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?

TFinator wrote:
og15F1 wrote:
ryman554 wrote:assuming an 80/20 AA
Are we to assume 80% stocks or bonds...?
In general stocks come first.
Right - which is why 80/20 for age 50 thru 90 seems ... uncomfortably aggressive to me

I figured I'd give OP a chance to clarify before I jump to the conclusion
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?
Replies: 18
Views: 4556

Re: How do I know when I'm Financially Independent?

ryman554 wrote:assuming an 80/20 AA
Are we to assume 80% stocks or bonds...?
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you calculate your savings rate?
Replies: 44
Views: 7524

Re: How do you calculate your savings rate?

I don't. Seems like two different calculations. Including it in the denominator gets you towards a calculations of Saved/Save-able. Excluding it gets you towards a calculation of Savings/Income. If it is money your employer handed you it is income, seems to me. If someone gets "paid" by your definition $95,000 and saves $5k of that and gets another $5K match, how is that any different from some getting $100K and saving $10K? How is one saving 5% vs the other saving 10% in any meaningful way? I look at it differently What's different is that a person can't spend the 401k match so I don't consider it income. It's video game money until you're able to withdraw it. It seems the IRS looks at it the same way - not reported as income or...
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are markets becoming inefficient?
Replies: 15
Views: 2625

Re: Are markets becoming inefficient?

Rodc wrote:Probably not. For one thing day traders don't control a large percentage of the market cap. Frankly they trade far less than the robo traders, both in speed and volume.
This
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Hussman finally admits the obvious
Replies: 16
Views: 3720

Re: Hussman finally admits the obvious

lack_ey wrote:Wow, time to give up on the market. When the doom and gloomers change their tune, now that's the red flag. I'm out, guys. brb hiding in my bunker behind my gold stash

:wink:
Seriously
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you calculate your savings rate?
Replies: 44
Views: 7524

Re: How do you calculate your savings rate?

lolbatross wrote:
letsgobobby wrote:I hope you include company match in your denominator.
I do now!
I don't. Seems like two different calculations. Including it in the denominator gets you towards a calculations of Saved/Save-able. Excluding it gets you towards a calculation of Savings/Income. The latter seems to be how most retirement guidance is given. EG: save 20% of your gross income for X years to get 80% income replacement in retirement. Your calculation drives people to save more / be more conservative - which is probably a good thing overall.
by og15F1
Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Down Payment Math Problem
Replies: 14
Views: 3389

Re: Another Down Payment Math Problem

Thanks everyone for the replies. It seems like there is a consensus - wait and save more. I have a question about that, which I'll get to: It seems like you, I mean the hypothetical family, could generate some pretty decent cash savings if you reduced retirement savings. ... A giant question is, how bad do you want to own rather than rent? i mean, you're talking about the place you live, so there's a lot of value decisions besides money to make. for instance, we bought our house last year. In hindsight, i would have kept renting for a while, not because of cost but because of the hassle of maintenance. 1. It's not clear to me why a Boglehead would reduce retirement savings? After reading this forum for a few years I struggle to understand t...
by og15F1
Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Down Payment Math Problem
Replies: 14
Views: 3389

Another Down Payment Math Problem

Somewhat of a word problem. No real right or wrong answers. I'm interested in your opinions. A husband, wife, and kids moved to a location they plan to live at for 10+ years (near wife's family) and think they're ready to buy a house. The parents are early 30s, single income, 150k/yr. Income is from the construction business as a W2 employee; as it relates to stability (or not). They plan to buy a small 3 bedroom townhouse (nothing extravagant) for $325-$375k. They weren't sure where/when they were going to want to buy and so had prioritized retirement savings over a down payment. They pay just under $2k/mo renting a similar place/similar location now. They're a pretty good Boglehead family. They max all retirement accounts now and will con...
by og15F1
Thu Oct 17, 2013 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Investing and E-fund with pending court case
Replies: 5
Views: 752

Re: Investing and E-fund with pending court case

Thanks for the input. I've been trying to think of some analogies to the situation but prefer not to elaborate other than to say it is not a criminal case. Obviously this is a situation with a major unknown. If I knew the end cost I could do the math. I speculate that the ultimate cost will be $25k to $50k. What I gather from the responses is that my co-Bogleheads would generally agree with my approach thus far of not investing in taxable until I had enough cash to cover the expected costs without depleting my emergency funds. I will stick with Grabiner's suggestion to continue maxing the IRAs but will also max our 401k options. There is a taxable account I can tap to cover the expected costs unless there is a major market downturn. That sa...
by og15F1
Mon Oct 14, 2013 12:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Technical Recruiters
Replies: 10
Views: 1508

Re: Technical Recruiters

I've worked with them as an employee and as an employer. I would continue to use them in both cases. I think the important thing to keep in mind, as an employee, is that they work for your potential employer. They are loyal to themselves first (so they want you to get a higher salary which they make a % off of) and loyal to your employer second (so they keep getting work). Share the minimum of information with them and expect that everything you say will be shared with your new employer. Be very careful if you get other offers from other recruiters/companies and do not raise the issue of asking your current employer for a counter offer. That is a way to get the recruiter to torpedo your chances with a new employer. I'd also suggest you try ...
by og15F1
Mon Oct 14, 2013 12:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Investing and E-fund with pending court case
Replies: 5
Views: 752

Investing and E-fund with pending court case

My household is expecting a court case to materialize in the short to medium term and I am looking for insight as to how to adjust my emergency fund / cash on hand / investing plan. We have consulted some lawyers, retained one, and will possibly retain a second. As it relates to cash/e-fund, the question is really how much do I (does anyone) think it will cost to pay them. For what? For how much time? Unknown as of now. It will likely include some case prep, some negotiation, and one to two trials. Our annual spending is mid five figures including vacations and charity. We have around 12 months of expenses (a little more) in checking type accounts. Normally I would keep less aside for the e-fund but for now am just diverting cash to these a...
by og15F1
Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Considering new job. How much value is a 401k to you?
Replies: 16
Views: 2270

Re: Considering new job. How much value is a 401k to you?

Retired now, but if I was still in the job market in-service withdrawals wouldn't be a big concern for me. The 401K is a tool for saving for retirement and the easier it is to get the money out the more tempted I might be to do it. Regarding the value of a 401K, it is part of the total compensation package and should be evaluated from that perspective, not in isolation from the other financial considerations. I'm not concerned about the temptation. I diligently invest in after tax, and withdraw only to move into my Roth. As for the second point, I agree. Let's assume for this exercise that all other benefits in the package are equal. Well if everything else is equal, as in the two companies are next door to each other and the employees of ...
by og15F1
Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ring setting question
Replies: 4
Views: 768

Re: Ring setting question

I have checked one smaller local jeweler

The free setting seems to be when you buy the stone from them...
by og15F1
Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on MS in Hydrogeology?
Replies: 10
Views: 2758

Re: Thoughts on MS in Hydrogeology?

Honestly, I met a person who worked in this field who struggled to find a job and later got arrested after attempting to rob a bank :moneybag :oops:
by og15F1
Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: POLL: How much do you like your job?
Replies: 41
Views: 4620

Re: POLL: How much do you like your job?

Well if I like it somewhat that has to mean I also dislike it somewhat

I voted for like it somewhat because I try to be somewhat of an optimist

There are things I like and definitely things I don't like
by og15F1
Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ring setting question
Replies: 4
Views: 768

Ring setting question

Hello I have a loose diamond that I want to get set into a ring for my wife. Some jewelry stores of various size/reputation charge widely different prices for the rings based on material, setting type, ring design, etc. but all charge around $200-$250 for the labor of actually setting the diamond into the ring. I plan to get a very basic ring (meaning minimal design / handiwork) in something like 14k white gold. This runs between $200 and ~$500 depending on how fancy the jeweler's store is ... My wife already has an engagement ring and wedding band and this is a considerably bigger stone so the overall package doesn't have to be very extravagant. So, my question is: what have you paid for getting a stone set into a ring and what is your adv...
by og15F1
Thu Aug 01, 2013 2:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Esurance?
Replies: 17
Views: 3675

Re: Esurance?

stoptothink wrote:I have had Esurance for about the past 3yrs. Never had to file a claim, but the prices are great.
Same

We formerly used Progressive, then when prices kept going up we switched to a smaller company with an agent I'm friends with, and when those prices kept getting too high we got esurance. So far so good?
by og15F1
Thu Aug 01, 2013 2:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying a house vs investing?
Replies: 26
Views: 4310

Re: Buying a house vs investing?

Well obviously there's more that goes into the decision and it isn't purely financial A couple years ago our family relocated for work (my job). We have been renting since and are prioritizing investing over purchasing a home. Part of the reason is that I'm rolling the dice and expecting the investments to outperform a home purchase over some medium to long term time horizon. Another part of the reason is that we do not want to stay in this area indefinitely. Another part of the reason is that the company I work for is basically a startup and we don't know what the company might look like in 3-5 years; or if it will even exist. So, instead of getting anchored to a place we don't want to be anchored to, we are living below our means and rent...
by og15F1
Wed Jun 19, 2013 1:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First car options, overwhelmed
Replies: 25
Views: 2890

Re: First car options, overwhelmed

lease something like a hyundai or a toyota corolla or a mazda3. you can get those for nothing down, $150/mo or so. or check out sites like swapalease.com and leasetrader.com As much as I don't like leasing, this is, I think, the best option. Leasing will get you a NEW car for under $200 a month. Cheap, dependable and about the cost of depreciation of any vehicle you would own anyway. I like it here also If OP is as tight on money as it appears then I don't think they want the risk of a 4 figure repair bill on a junker. With the lease on a tiny car $10k-$15k they get a brand car, under warranty, modest payments, and the car goes away in 2 years. If the commute is short an OP respects the odometer there won't be excess mileage charges. At th...
by og15F1
Sun Jun 09, 2013 1:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA account included as part of Emergency Fund?
Replies: 10
Views: 2119

Re: HSA account included as part of Emergency Fund?

pochax wrote:HSA is my first-tier medical emergency fund.
This. It's a nice side-pocket for COBRA premiums or something.
by og15F1
Fri May 31, 2013 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I on the right track?
Replies: 46
Views: 4396

Re: Am I on the right track?

I was looking for the M3. My #1 choice right now is the 2009-2011 E92 M3 Coupe. They're $45-55k right now. I figure I can get a decent 2012 328i sedan for $35-40k, but I might as well spend $5k more to have something I'll enjoy more. Being as you're talking about an M3, to me personally, that is something different. I think a 3 series gets you 80% of the way towards the financial commitment you're talking about making with about 20% of the soul of an M3. My advice here is probably different than most all other Bogleheads but I'd suggest you get a 24 month lease on a brand new M3. Yes you'll be out $25-30k with no piece of equipment to show for it. But you will be driving the brand new car that you want and you can make it go away - along w...
by og15F1
Wed May 29, 2013 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I on the right track?
Replies: 46
Views: 4396

Re: Am I on the right track?

Tell us the car you are considering.... Only then can we determine if you can afford it :) :sharebeer I signed in just to say the same thing It depends on what kind of a used car you're getting for $50k Blown out Maserati/Jaguar/Boxster and it's thumbs down On the other hand if we are talking about an M5... However that's $50k that won't be compounding over the next ~40 years until retirement. If you could drop it in a brokerage account today and get 5% real return on it over those 40 years then it would be worth $351k in today-dollars. http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm So...would you pay $351k for the same used car? That would be like giving away a brand new Ferrari 458+++ to get ... whatever
by og15F1
Fri May 24, 2013 1:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: RBD (Really Bad Day)
Replies: 31
Views: 3886

Re: RBD (Really Bad Day)

You might be paying too much attention to the news
by og15F1
Thu May 23, 2013 1:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: can i buy my sportscar?
Replies: 129
Views: 15151

Re: can i buy my sportscar?

sambb wrote:Thanks to all for the advice. After looking at 1 year old 911s and 2-3 year old boxsters, and feeling guilty about the money despite loving the cars, I bought a 2 year old convertible and love it. Spent high 30s, instead of 75-80k, and I am getting equal enjoyment i think. I want to thank everyone for the advice. It is nice to control one's occasional spending impulses, and i am happy with the choice.
As long as it was a convertible C4S, which I doubt, then it was a good decision. Otherwise you should have gotten a 991. smh.
by og15F1
Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use iPad or iPhone for auto navigation system?
Replies: 77
Views: 8654

Re: Anyone use iPad or iPod for auto navigation system?

I've also been using Waze, then Apple/Google maps, on an iPhone

I've had a Garmin but it hasn't been used in years...