Search found 936 matches

by ddunca1944
Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points
Replies: 154
Views: 21380

Re: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points

Soon2BXProgrammer wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:00 pm
Watty wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 1:58 pm Do you know if spouses can both apply separately and both get the 100K bonus?
Yes, just do not add each other as authorized users. You can claim all the household income to apply even though you are applying seperately.
Why is that? I just got the CSP and added my husband as an authorized user. Will that prevent him from getting his own?
by ddunca1944
Tue Mar 03, 2020 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Many Accounts for Cash?
Replies: 52
Views: 5521

Re: How Many Accounts for Cash?

abuss368 wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:03 pm
dwickenh wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:50 pm I use one Rewards checking account at my local bank that pays 2.07% for cash up to 30,000. I do not find a need to keep more than 30,000 in cash so it is my only cash receptacle. It is simple to direct my dividends and interest into this account. There is no reason to complicate things.
What bank pays that high rate on checking?
My credit union pays 3% on checking up to $15K (free checking; we are required to make 12 debits/month which is easy and have two auto deposits - also easy since SS and pensions are automatically deposited)
by ddunca1944
Sun Mar 01, 2020 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another refi question: which option?
Replies: 4
Views: 509

Re: Another refi question: which option?

The loan amount is $101,500. Current payment is $545. The payment would be $435 with the first option and $477 with the second.
by ddunca1944
Sun Mar 01, 2020 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another refi question: which option?
Replies: 4
Views: 509

Another refi question: which option?

We are refinancing our mortgage. Same lender (Navy Fed CU). This is a 30 yr fixed rate. We hope to live here the rest of our lives. Our current rate is 4.8% (for a 30 yr fixed). My main objective was to lower our monthly payment We have locked in a rate of 3.1% with a quarter of a point. This would lower the monthly payment by $110. I figure the break even point at about 30 months. There is a loan origination fee of 1% and the estimated closing costs are around $2K However, the lender has offered a "Streamlined" option of 3.8%, no origination fee, no appraisal; the loan would simply be redone for a flat $250. It would lower our monthly payment by $68. The breakeven point is only 4 months I'm leaning towards the 3.1% even with the ...
by ddunca1944
Wed Feb 05, 2020 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: who do you bank with and why?
Replies: 168
Views: 21400

Re: who do you bank with and why?

Our local credit union is great! We get 3% interest on our no-fee checking account (must meet some minimum, easy requirements). The folks there are friendly and helpful. We pay $15/yr for their “Premier Club” which gets us a box of free checks and 50%off our safe deposit box fee.

We have IRA CDs and mortgage at Navy Federal Credit Union for the great rates. Also great people and if we ever become unhappy with the local CU, we’ll move our checking account there.

Other IRA accounts are at Vanguard
by ddunca1944
Wed Jan 22, 2020 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to reduce spending -- suggestions?
Replies: 73
Views: 7912

Re: How to reduce spending -- suggestions?

GlacierRunner wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:26 am When I was tracking money closely I used a speadsheet. For a while I used the free spreadsheet offered by pear budget. Many people swear by "you need a budget" (YNAB).
I'm one of the "YNABers". We're retired. We have x amount to live on. Using YNAB keeps me cognizant of exactly what each dollar is spent on; it forces me to make choices and establish priorities. It also shows DH "yes, we CAN afford to do xxx"
by ddunca1944
Wed Jan 22, 2020 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you track your monthly expenses/overall financial picture?
Replies: 39
Views: 4874

Re: How do you track your monthly expenses/overall financial picture?

YNAB for managing cash flow, a spreadsheet for managing overall assets. Separated for the same reasons as @bogleblitz above. I update the spreadsheet about twice per year or when I feel like it. YNAB takes about 1 minute per day on average; perhaps an extra 10 minutes once or twice per month. It’s the single best tool I’ve used for really nailing down our expenses and increasing our savings rate to the max. You easily have time to do this. With 8-10 accounts you will spend more time chasing account log ins than you would just manually updating a spreadsheet to get your overall picture. +1 Another YNAB user here. Makes it easy to track spending and stay cognizant of where the leaks are. I use a couple of simple spreadsheets to manage the re...
by ddunca1944
Tue Jan 07, 2020 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: discard 2009 tax return documents?
Replies: 46
Views: 4713

Re: discard 2009 tax return documents?

I know we don't have to keep old tax returns, but what I do is save the return as a pdf and store it on a thumbdrive. I keep paper copies for 7
years then shred them. I have almost 20 years' tax returns on one thumb drive that I keep with the paper returns.
by ddunca1944
Mon Dec 23, 2019 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Electronic Wallets for Teenagers
Replies: 16
Views: 1582

Re: Electronic Wallets for Teenagers

I'm 75 and just started using Apple pay. I hate carrying a lot of cards. I'm finding a lot (maybe most) of the places I shop accept it. I still get my 2% rewards by using my CapOne card; I can choose which card I want to use. I even store my Medicare supplemental card and my Part D prescription card in it.

love it. (learned about it on this forum, so THANKS!!)
by ddunca1944
Sun Dec 01, 2019 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How not to feel poor...
Replies: 78
Views: 14575

Re: How not to feel poor...

Financial security has always been important to me. My husband and I were never big earners, but we were both big savers. Consequently we now enjoy a comfortable (but not lavish) retirement. I still buy most of my clothes at thrift stores. I enjoy the fun of the hunt and the thrill of a good find. We love to travel. We used to travel on a pretty tight budget - it was still very enjoyable. As we've gotten older, my husband had a very scary bout with cancer and we realized that our time here is limited. Experiences are more important to us than possessions. We still travel, but now spend more : longer trips and a bit more comfort. The memories we have are priceless. I'm with your wife. Listen to her. And enjoy whatever time you have left. Non...
by ddunca1944
Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What high interest savings are you using NOW & any BONUSES?
Replies: 7
Views: 891

Re: What high interest savings are you using NOW & any BONUSES?

My credit union is paying 3% on checking balances (to a limit of $15K) so I am keeping a maximum amount there.
by ddunca1944
Thu Oct 10, 2019 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Married with Separate bank accounts
Replies: 44
Views: 4729

Re: Married with Separate bank accounts

Married 27 years. Our finances have evolved. We have "Ours", "Mine" and "His" accounts.

All income goes into the "Ours" joint account. We each get a set amount of spending money each month that goes into the "Mine" and "his" accounts. I don't even want to know what he spends his on (he's restoring a hot rod). He'd be annoyed to know how much I give my grandkids and spend on genealogy.

Any decision that affects both of us is discussed before any spending happens.

I manage the "Ours" account, but he has full access to it.
by ddunca1944
Thu Oct 10, 2019 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you carry your passport with you during international travel?
Replies: 110
Views: 12271

Re: Do you carry your passport with you during international travel?

I agree with the posters who say "it's situational". As a general rule, I leave my passport in the hotel safe. I have a copy on my iphone and I give my travel partner a paper copy to keep in their luggage.

If I'm in a country that requires I carry it on me, I do so. If my guide tells me to keep it on me I do so. but, generally, I'm comfortable leaving it in the hotel safe.

If the hotel safe seems "sketchy" I carry it in my money belt under my clothing.
by ddunca1944
Sat Sep 28, 2019 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Humana Part D - ILLINOIS - premiums up up up
Replies: 94
Views: 11374

Re: Humana Part D - ILLINOIS - premiums up up up

I’m in WA and have Humana fir Part D.
Current premium is $26.60

It’s more than doubling for 2020.

I’ll be changing
by ddunca1944
Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did you do your income taxes?
Replies: 96
Views: 9342

Re: How did you do your income taxes?

Turbo Tax Deluxe. $29.95 at Amazon
by ddunca1944
Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413670

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Citi has so many application pages without the 24 month language it almost makes their policy irrelevant. In the last few months between my wife and I we've accumulated 240,000 AA miles from 4 Citi AA signup bonuses. There are Citi Hilton links without the 24 month language as well. Sometimes the links get taken down, but then a new one always pops up. Drew, what are you planning on doing with all those miles? I have 160K AA miles and have found them virtually impossible to use at any reasonable value. I'm going to finally burn 75K (if I only use them one way) or 150K (if I use them roundtrip) getting to Africa on Qatar Airways, but have been nothing but frustrated with their award availability in general. It's kind of a catch 22. AA miles...
by ddunca1944
Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ?? purchasing grocery store cards to maximize cc rewards
Replies: 6
Views: 1038

?? purchasing grocery store cards to maximize cc rewards

Chase has notified us that they are closing our rewards card for lack of useage (we've switched rewards cards). The card is good til the exp date of May. However, Chase IS offering 5% rewards on grocery store spending starting April. I was thinking of putting $500 on a grocery card on April 1 for the reward. I've never used a rewards cc to purchase a grocery store card... Will that work?
by ddunca1944
Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Total Annual Expenses
Replies: 57
Views: 6674

Re: Total Annual Expenses

tdhg566 wrote:
CoAndy wrote:Right now, we are probably at about $70,000.
depending how you define things, we're probably at that point too.

Remember once upon a time when "they" said expenses would go down in retirement? I'm still waiting...

+1

Some expenses went down, but that was offset by other expenses that went up. Overall, our retirement spending is about the same as it was pre-retirement.
by ddunca1944
Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you keep spouse informed of family finances?
Replies: 38
Views: 7246

Re: How do you keep spouse informed of family finances?

Similar situation here. DH is happy to have me handle all the finances. He has no idea what the checking balance, the cc balance or even the retirement account balances.
Once a year, about the time I do our taxes, I insist on a sit down and I review everything with him.

I have a file labeled "If I get hit by a truck" in my desk. He knows it's there. One doc in the file is "how the bills are paid". It lists all income sources, amounts and dates the get deposited. It also lists all the auto payments, amounts and accounts that get debited.

I have a thumbdrive with all passwords on it hanging over the computer.

I believe I could be in a coma for months and things would go chugging along fir months.... :D
by ddunca1944
Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do you spend on food in a year?
Replies: 155
Views: 14998

Re: How much do you spend on food in a year?

My YNAB report shows we spent $7450 on groceries in 2016 for the 2 of us. That is just groceries, no alcohol, no pet products, no household. Just food.
We spent $2115 eating out.

For 2015 we spent $7427 on just groceries and $2200 eating out

For 2014 we spent $6856 on groceries and $1959 eating out

We are both retired. We generally eat out 2-3 times a month.
by ddunca1944
Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413670

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

giesen5 wrote:If you are into Avios, crazy deal out there....

Sign up for Match.com and get 150 Avios for every dollar you spend - new subcribers only. Comes out to .67 cents per mile, pretty sweet deal. This weekend only.

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/ ... g-website/
Hmmm. Not sure DH would approve...
by ddunca1944
Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question for Retired Members--life mistakes
Replies: 74
Views: 15233

Re: Question for Retired Members--life mistakes

1) Off the top of your head, what was the biggest mistake(s) you make with regard to your retirement when you were young, and when you were in your 50's
Not learning enough about investing, particularly asset allocation and risk tolerance


. 2) The same question, only in reverse; What was the smartest thing you did when you were younger and in your 50's
Saving the max we could.

We are now in our 10th year of retirement. We are doing great
by ddunca1944
Wed Feb 08, 2017 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413670

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

CSR question: If you get the CSR and the 100k points, what airlines can they be used for? How do you redeem those cards.
Do you use their website to search for flights? Or book flights on your own and use the points to pay? (I'm accustomed to the CapOne card....
by ddunca1944
Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any downside to Grandparent 529
Replies: 20
Views: 4243

Re: Any downside to Grandparent 529

There is a potential downside if you expect the grandkids to qualify for need-based aid.... Grandparent 529 may be treated differently than parental 529, reducing aid. I don't think this is correct. My understanding is that grandparents' 529 balances are not reported at all for a grandchild's financial aid application. Others above have pointed out the new, more favorable, rules for counting college expense payments from grandparents' 529 accounts as part of a grandchild's income during college. Death of a grandchild, scholarships, and attendance at no-expense military or coast guard academies all result in no 10% penalty for 529 withdrawals. If a grandchild does not incur any type of post-secondary educational expense the money can be re-...
by ddunca1944
Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Financial Moves You've Made
Replies: 158
Views: 27720

Re: Best Financial Moves You've Made

My best financial move was to. marry a debt adverse saver. Obviously that was not the main reason I married him, but it turned out tobe a great financial decision.
by ddunca1944
Fri Jan 06, 2017 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual Vacation Budget
Replies: 320
Views: 44824

Re: Annual Vacation Budget

We are a retired couple. We live on pension/SS income and spend our RMDs on one international trip a year 3-4 weeks long. Around $20K
by ddunca1944
Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase Sapphire ending its Reserve 100,000 bonus point offer
Replies: 40
Views: 11132

Re: Chase Sapphire ending its Reserve 100,000 bonus point offer

tj wrote:
ddunca1944 wrote:The annual fee is $450! That take a chunk from the benefits from tne bonus
not really. You get $300 in travel credits per calendar year, so you get $600 less $450....plus another $1,000-$1,500.

You will never see another CC offer like this in your lifetime which is exactly why Chase is nerfing it.
I'm not following... How does the $600 less $450" compute? I understand the $300 annual benefit, nut $600?
by ddunca1944
Thu Jan 05, 2017 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase Sapphire ending its Reserve 100,000 bonus point offer
Replies: 40
Views: 11132

Re: Chase Sapphire ending its Reserve 100,000 bonus point offer

The annual fee is $450! That take a chunk from the benefits from tne bonus
by ddunca1944
Thu Jan 05, 2017 9:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase Sapphire ending its Reserve 100,000 bonus point offer
Replies: 40
Views: 11132

Re: Chase Sapphire ending its Reserve 100,000 bonus point offer

I'm very interested in this card. Can someone tell me how easy it is to redeem the points? Am I limited to specific airlines? Or is it similar to the Cap One Venture card?
by ddunca1944
Sun Jan 01, 2017 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are your portfolio/investments?
Replies: 38
Views: 5154

Re: What are your portfolio/investments?

Retired couple (72 & 68) in our 10th year of retirement

All investments are in IRA accounts
51%. VG Wellesley
21% VG Life Strategy Conservative Allocation
21% VG Life Strategy Income Fund
6% VG Short Term Bond Indx
2% cash

VG's Portfolio Analysis shows 30/68/2 (stocks/bonds/cash
by ddunca1944
Sat Dec 31, 2016 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it safe to use debit cards? Anybody here have one compromised?
Replies: 67
Views: 8727

Re: Is it safe to use debit cards? Anybody here have one compromised?

rec7 wrote:Would love to hear what others have to say about this. I have heard it is a nightmare if one is compromised. This is my only checking account.
Last July, we made a trip to Canada where I used my debit card twice to withdraw cash. After I returned, our credit union called me about possible fraudelent attempts to use our debit card #. One fraudelent withdrawal if $200 had gone through before the cu closed the card. We had new cards in a couple of days and the $200 was back in our account in less than a week.

It was a minor annoyance, but hardly a nightmare.
by ddunca1944
Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Monthly Expenses in line or too much
Replies: 81
Views: 10693

Re: Monthly Expenses in line or too much

Still 2 days left for 2016 and according to YNAB app we spent: Electricity and gas average $1440 annually Water and garbage $720 Internet and cable $840 Cell phones $660 Car insurance $1860 Life insurance and disability insurance $1930 Food $6600 Gasoline 921 Restaurants $2980 Entertainment $532 Miscellaneous expenses $1800 Total spent this year $20,885 These expenses not including property tax, home insurance and travel. This is young family with 2 preschoolers. This got me curious: I also use YNAB, but rarely use the report feature. These are our annual expenses for the same categories: Water & garbage $724 Internet & cable: $1521 Cell phones (includes payment for a grandson's phone) $2402 Car Ins $815 Life Ins/disability ins 0 F...
by ddunca1944
Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Monthly Expenses in line or too much
Replies: 81
Views: 10693

Re: Monthly Expenses in line or too much

sandramjet wrote:
JDCarpenter wrote:
sandramjet wrote:
KlangFool wrote: The only person that matters is you.
+10

BTW, and not to derail anything here, but what exactly defines a "HCOL", "LCOL" or "MCOL" area?

High/Medium/Low Cost of Living (Sometimes you'll see VHCOL for San Fran/NYC....)
I guess I wasn't clear... I understand what the acronym means. What I don't know is how does one define, for a given area, which category does it go in. In other words, other than subjective views, is there an objective measure of what constitutes HCOL vs LCOL, etc.
I was wondering tne same thing. I have no idea whether the area I live in is LCOL, MCOL, or HCOL. I THINK it is MCOL, but don't really know.
by ddunca1944
Wed Dec 28, 2016 2:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?
Replies: 118
Views: 13645

Re: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?

100% at Vanguard (joint taxabke & each of our IRAs). Retired and trying to Keep It Simple
by ddunca1944
Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax Deluxe on sale at Amazon
Replies: 49
Views: 8609

Re: Turbotax Deluxe on sale at Amazon

Good Listener wrote:I was just at Costco last night and it was $49.99 for Deluxe. Did they change it today?
Last year Costco's orice for TT Deluxe was $39.95. In late Dec they had $10 off and I purchased it fir $29.99

I just went to costco,com and it is 39.99 - 10. With 3.60 for shipping. (Federal + efile, no state)

Total of $33.59
by ddunca1944
Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you track your finances?
Replies: 79
Views: 11543

Re: How do you track your finances?

YNAB for budgeting,& spending. A simple excel sheet for an annual budget & forecasting. Another excel sheet to track actual returns of retirement accounts (and % withdrawals - which vary annually)

Trying to KIS
by ddunca1944
Tue Dec 20, 2016 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The True Cost of Owning a Dog
Replies: 176
Views: 26609

Re: Cost of dog ownership.

I still think a dog is worth it. I've always had a dog since I was a kid. I can't see giving it up. I rather do something like go on cheaper vacations and save $1100 a year that way instead of not having a dog. +1 - I couldn't agree more. I spend about the same for my one year old Golden Retriever mix puppy. I have had dogs for the last 15 years. Last Sat, I spent nearly $400 at the vet ER when she was vomiting blood. (She's ok) If I had to cut expenses, there are lots of areas that I'd cut before I'd go to cheaper dog food or skimp on health care or grooming. The greeting I get when I get home, the look of love I get in the morning, the times when she lays down on top of my feet just to be near me. Priceless PS She was a rescue
by ddunca1944
Thu Dec 08, 2016 9:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Cash Equivalents" ?
Replies: 21
Views: 3288

Re: "Cash Equivalents" ?

I would include I Bonds, EE Bonds and Treasury Bills held to maturity... I wouldn't. I Bonds and EE Bonds cannot be sold for the first year of ownership. That's a serious liquidity restriction. T bills have a maturity up to 1 year, and can move quite a bit with interest rates. Maybe a 3 month T bill would qualify. Perhaps it would be helpful to understand the context under which the OP asked the original question... I do use "Cash Equivalents" as a specific part of my fixed income portfolio. In my view, equities and bonds (funds) may change in value depending on when sold but "Cash Equivalents" are typically redeemed at their face value even if not the next day. The 365 day rule seems reasonable to me as most of my &quo...
by ddunca1944
Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Cash Equivalents" ?
Replies: 21
Views: 3288

"Cash Equivalents" ?

Please help me understand what the term "cash equivalents" refers to
I assume it would include money market accounts, savings accounts and CDs. But would it also include short term bonds and/or short term treasuries? What else might be considered "cash equivalents"?

If thus is covered in tne wiki, please forgive the post
by ddunca1944
Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dad's Retirement Account
Replies: 19
Views: 2973

Re: Dad's Retirement Account

ruralavalon wrote:He could consider --
LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX) ER 0.12%, 20/80 stocks/bonds
Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) ER 0.14%, 30/70 stocks/bonds
Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares (VWIAX) ER 0.16%, 40/60 stocks/bonds
+1
We are retired. Our IRA accounts are divided between Wellesley and Life Strategy funds . The proportions are arranged so as to meet our desired AA. This has worked very well for us for some time now. Very low expenses and very good service with VG.
by ddunca1944
Sun Dec 04, 2016 11:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Wellesley Fund VWINX
Replies: 10
Views: 3630

Re: Vanguard Wellesley Fund VWINX

Retiree here. We' have 1/2 our retirement funds in Wellesley. We have held Wellesley for 12 years now and are very happy with it. I have a Roth IRA in Wellington.
The rest of our retirement funds are in VG's Life Strategy funds (Conservative Allcation and Income Fund).
by ddunca1944
Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recharacterizing Roth to Traditional worth it?
Replies: 13
Views: 1509

Re: Recharacterizing Roth to Traditional worth it?

I've recharacterized several times. A few minutes on the phone with Vanguard. Very easy.
by ddunca1944
Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on AA for the retired
Replies: 44
Views: 12491

Re: Thoughts on AA for the retired

abuss368 wrote:Remember, at some point, it becomes more important to protect what we have than to take more risks to get more!
THIS thought is the main reason I'm thinking of dialing back the stock portion.

Our accounts have been divided between Wellesley and the Life Strategy Moderate funds. Thinking of keeping the Wellesley part, but moving the other funds from Life Strategy Moderate and putting them into LS Conservative and LS Income to achieve a 40:60, 35: 65, or even 30:70 ratio.....
by ddunca1944
Sat Nov 26, 2016 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on AA for the retired
Replies: 44
Views: 12491

Re: Thoughts on AA for the retired

We are in our 9th year of retirement (ages are 67 and 72). Until now, we've kept our AA at about 50:50 by dividing our IRA accounts between two VG balanced funds. So far, I've been happy with our decisions. I am now thinking that perhaps it's time to dial back our risk level and go to 40:60 or 35:65. Other considerations are that our regular expenses are covered by pensions/SS. The IRA returns are for fun stuff (travel) and emergencies. We've limited withdrawals to 3%. I'd be interested in others' opinions about how they chose their AA. What factored into their decision. And also where they keep the assets they want in the least risky place. I would stay 50/50 considering your circumstances. I'm 74 and doing that. I appreciate all of the r...
by ddunca1944
Sat Nov 26, 2016 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: IRA for adult children?
Replies: 50
Views: 11357

Re: IRA for adult children?

I would like to set up IRAs for my adult children; if I give them money they just waste it. Is there a way to do this so I control the accounts until I'm no longer able? I was thinking of a ROTH IRA to keep it simple but a traditional would make it more expensive to take money out and may be a better choice. I'm looking to keep this as simple as possible and not get involved in trusts and such. As other posters have pointed out, the short answer is "no". But, this is what I did with my financially clueless grandson. I told him I was gifting him money with the provision it goes into a Roth IRA and he doesn't touch it. I printed out the pages for his signature and mailed it in. The account has my email so I will be notified with an...
by ddunca1944
Thu Nov 24, 2016 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on AA for the retired
Replies: 44
Views: 12491

Thoughts on AA for the retired

We are in our 9th year of retirement (ages are 67 and 72). Until now, we've kept our AA at about 50:50 by dividing our IRA accounts between two VG balanced funds. So far, I've been happy with our decisions.

I am now thinking that perhaps it's time to dial back our risk level and go to 40:60 or 35:65.

Other considerations are that our regular expenses are covered by pensions/SS. The IRA returns are for fun stuff (travel) and emergencies. We've limited withdrawals to 3%.

I'd be interested in others' opinions about how they chose their AA. What factored into their decision.
And also where they keep the assets they want in the least risky place.
by ddunca1944
Tue Nov 22, 2016 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you track your net worth? How long have you done so?
Replies: 110
Views: 16605

Re: Do you track your net worth? How long have you done so?

Yes. Annually when I do the taxes, I figure the nw on Dec 31

Began doing it 12 years ago (4 years before DH retired). We were talking to a FA about DH retiring and he suggested it. At his suggestion, I also began budgeting.

It gives me an overall picture of how we are doing.
by ddunca1944
Wed Oct 12, 2016 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Admirals Club
Replies: 19
Views: 3847

Re: Admirals Club

techthedj wrote:
ddunca1944 wrote:We have the GOES card and it's a great benefit when returning from international flights. But it hasn't gotten us TSA Pre status and I was told it could not be used for TSA pre lanes on domestic flights.
Do you input your Known Traveler Number at the time you make your airline reservation? You can't just walk up to the pre-check line without having your KTN processed though your reservation.
The last time (lastmonth) we were flying out of theUS on BA. They didnothave anywhere to putthe KTN #. When I've flown on US carriers, I'vebeen able to get TSAa Pre by inputting the KTN. Perhaps Isimply missed it though.
by ddunca1944
Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Admirals Club
Replies: 19
Views: 3847

Re: Admirals Club

GOES Interview is nonexistent, that means, literally in the case of all family members having these steps 1. Completed online app 2. Paid 100 fee online which was refunded back by CC provider 3. Status approved in about 2.5 months with proposed Interview 4. Showed up on said date and location and.. 5. Conversation.. Hello, take a seat for picture, SNAP, here is your laminated GOES ID Card, less than 5 minutes Able to use selfcheck for incoming international and fastlanes at major domestic airports, ID card always at hand when approaching and so far, always passed line of shoeless and beltless people .. never having to turn on computers, phones or tablets We have the GOES card and it's a great benefit when returning from international fligh...