Search found 250 matches

by bogglehead
Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Southwest Companion Pass Earned - Where to?!
Replies: 24
Views: 2363

Re: Southwest Companion Pass Earned - Where to?!

Lots of direct flights from MDW to DEN. Denver is great to visit any time of the year.
by bogglehead
Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?
Replies: 44
Views: 3884

Re: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?

Thanks for all of the replies -- I'm reviewing them carefully and researching some of the alternative ideas posted. I mentioned this to my Dad and he might be interested in coming along too -- he's experienced in African/Middle East travel, but never southern Africa (only northern countries). I realize that those are entirely different places, but it would be nice if he wanted to come along.
by bogglehead
Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?
Replies: 44
Views: 3884

Re: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?

centrifuge41 wrote:I think many people doing this flight and turning it around quickly are trying to rack up status miles with AA to meet their executive platinum challenge :)

If you have limited vacation time, you can make short trips work. Just have to decide what you need to see and what's strictly optional, plan well, and move quickly. That's all I can say. Haven't ever been to South Africa (or Africa in general).
You're right, that's where I got the idea. I'm already planning a two-week, more relaxed vacation at Xmas/New Year's, but I didn't have an opportunity to take any time off this summer, so a one week trip in late October/early November seemed like a fun idea.
by bogglehead
Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?
Replies: 44
Views: 3884

Re: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?

Thanks for both of the replies. I was thinking of staying in Kruger, but having the car so I can do my own driving excursions. Would it be worthwhile to spend one night back in J'burg (downtown or elsewhere)? I've never been on any really long flights before, but I typically have no problems sleeping on planes generally, so I think I would be okay at sleeping overnight and staying on some sort of half decent schedule.
by bogglehead
Fri Sep 13, 2013 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?
Replies: 44
Views: 3884

Traveling to Johannesburg for 3.5 Days -- Worth It?

This may sound nutty, but I'm curious to get some input. I will preface this by saying that I have never done anything like this (very limited international travel), but it could be fun. I've been looking for a get-away for later this fall and have thought through the following itinerary. Washington D.C. -> Heathrow: fly overnight, arrive at 7am; spend the day exploring London, return to the airport for 9pm flight. Heathrow -> Johannesburg: fly overnight, arrive at 10am. I would then spend the next 3.5 days in Johannesburg, leaving from the Johannesburg airport at 10pm on day 4, stopping back in Heathrow (for only 2 hours), and then home to DC. This particular itinerary is very cheap and the time lines up perfectly for when I expect to have...
by bogglehead
Tue May 07, 2013 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Having a renter deposit rent directly at bank?
Replies: 32
Views: 4527

Re: Having a renter deposit rent directly at bank?

My LL did this and it worked out fine for the three years I lived there. He would give me 12 deposit slips when I renewed my lease and I just dropped the money in the bank on the 1st. I had a checking account but never did figure out how to "push" it from my bank to his, so I just dropped off a check. Was easy enough and everyone was happy.
by bogglehead
Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Review my plan to ditch satellite service
Replies: 45
Views: 8489

Re: Review my plan to ditch satellite service

Thanks for the info about PlayOn. I just made the switch to OTA antenna and Roku and have been very happy thus far. But even though I can pick up the basic channels I have no idea what time stuff comes on. For $60 to PlayOn, I can watch all of the streaming shows AND record them on DVR, and then stream them over my Roku box. Awesome idea. Well worth the bit of effort to set this all up. For a $200 one-time fee, I've now got a very solid entertainment package and no ongoing costs.
by bogglehead
Fri Apr 19, 2013 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Future Divorce
Replies: 41
Views: 5883

Re: Future Divorce

Streptococcus wrote:
It takes 2 people to get mariage, and it is never only one person's fault.
I would disagree with this statement. If your wife decides she's really a lesbian, that wasn't your fault. Speaking from personal experience... :oops:
by bogglehead
Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grad school loans, savings, and more
Replies: 23
Views: 2322

Re: Grad school loans, savings, and more

market timer wrote:This is what I'd do (and did, in a similar situation):
Max out 401K
Backdoor Roth
Cash in taxable investments to pay down student loans
Funnel all extra cash to pay down student loans
Borrow against 401K to pay down student loans
Borrow from credit cards at 0% (2-3% after balance transfer fees) to pay down student loans

Don't be sad. You earn almost $300K/year.
Would you still max out 401k/Roth with no match? That's the part I'm stuck on.
by bogglehead
Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Grad school loans, savings, and more
Replies: 23
Views: 2322

Re: Grad school loans, savings, and more

I'm in basically the same situation as the OP (higher loan balance, not as long out of law school yet, so slightly less salary ($185K)). I struggle with the 401(k) decision as well given my marginal tax rates. At my firm (and most), there is no 401(k) match, so is the wisdom to not put anything into retirement and just slog away on the student loans as soon as possible? So far I'm contributing 2% of my salary (just to have something going in), but nothing more. On top of that, I have a slim emergency fund (1-2 months' expenses) and I use whatever is left over every month to pay down my debt. It sounds like I should beef up the EF and then use the rest for student loans? Is this the best course of action?
by bogglehead
Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time homebuyer - 20% down vs 3% down
Replies: 43
Views: 4429

Re: First time homebuyer - 20% down vs 3% down

Can you point to which banks are offering 3% down with no PMI (even with a small rate bump)? I've come across 3% down conventionals recently, but they had PMI (and pretty high PMI at that).

To answer your question -- I have no idea, I'm trying to figure out a very similar situation right now.

In case anyone would like to chime in on my situation, the question is largely the same, except that I have student loans with an interest rate of ~7% and make too much to deduct the interest. I'm leaning towards a lower down payment and then concentrating on paying off my student loans (I don't have any other debt), before trying to pay down the mortgage. Thoughts?
by bogglehead
Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Twins on the way!! Need term life insurance
Replies: 18
Views: 2505

Re: Twins on the way!! Need term life insurance

I got some quotes from term4sale and Zander recently and I realized that they both use the same backend software and they spit out the same quotes. I allowed each one to contact me and I had a flawless process with Zander and never heard from the agents on term4sale. I'd recommend Zander again, it was a very easy and (relatively) quick process.
by bogglehead
Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Special Employee Mortgage Options - Help Me Choose
Replies: 11
Views: 1605

Re: Special Employee Mortgage Options - Help Me Choose

Thanks for posting the name of the credit union. I've looked at a similar product (the 100%, not the ARM) from Navy Fed CU and this one appears to be a better deal -- the biggest swipe at NFCU's product is the origination fee and discount points, along with relatively high closing costs. I would check with your CU re: discount points and closing costs, but that appears to be a decent product for no down payment. And to answer your other question, the no PMI (at least in my experience looking at similar products) is for the life of the loan. There's some insurance implicit in the higher interest rate, but there's no further PMI payments.
by bogglehead
Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Special Employee Mortgage Options - Help Me Choose
Replies: 11
Views: 1605

Re: Special Employee Mortgage Options - Help Me Choose

Can you post the name of the credit union -- thanks.
by bogglehead
Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a new car this winter?
Replies: 24
Views: 2407

Re: Should I buy a new car this winter?

The side story to this is that I plan to do a major summer adventure with each of my daughters before they grow up and leave home. Adventure #1 is cycling down the Pacific coast with the daughter who is into cycling with me. The plan is to fly out to Oregon buy the bike and gear up at my parent's house. Spend about 3-4 weeks bike touring down the Pacific Coast and then have the rest of the family meet us in California with a vehicle that can haul everything back home. That sounds awesome. Since you're buying in Oregon, are you getting a Co-Motion or something else? I certainly hope to do something similar with each of my kids when they get a bit older. And you should buy the new van. After shopping for a deal in the used market for 6+ mont...
by bogglehead
Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trips with infants
Replies: 22
Views: 2879

Re: Road trips with infants

We recently did a 22-hour trip (completed in only 23 hours) with four kids ranging from two to five-and-a-half. It wasn't that bad, but we really made great time at night. In addition to lots of things already mentioned, make sure you fill up the car every time you stop so that you won't have to inadvertently stop when everyone is sleeping and disturb them. I made sure to do this and was really glad I topped off somewhere in TX when I was able to get all of the way through Oklahoma and into Kansas before stopping again.
by bogglehead
Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

UPDATE -- We Survived! As promised, here's a little post-mortem on our trip. We drove from northern Colorado to Billings, Montana on Wednesday morning and came back late Friday. We were planning to stay another day but decided against it when the weather turned a bit cooler and we didn't have any cold weather clothes for the kids (my fault -- my wife packed them and I inadvertently took them out). Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how well the kids did all sleeping in one room (four kids ranging from two to just under six) and they were amenable to pretty much everything. The one big plus was that we selected a campground with a pool -- it was very nice to be able to go swimming and clean off a bit, as well as cool down the first day...
by bogglehead
Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

As to something to do, we specifically picked a campground with a pool so that we can go swimming (multiple times likely, we go swimming a lot as it is). In addition, we plan to hike during the day and possibly take in a baseball game while we're there, so the "camping" aspect is more secondary to just getting away for a bit. I'm definitely planning to bring some camp chairs (or what I have, which I think are camp chairs), and lots of bug/sun spray. In the end, we didn't buy much stuff that we didn't already have. I purchased two cheap air mattresses (sleeping pads might be better, but these will be okay for now and for kids), a battery lantern, 3 flashlights, the tent, some better tent stakes, and that's it. Everyone else we're b...
by bogglehead
Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate all of the replies. We never camped much when I was a kid (other than going to Boy Scout camp by myself), so this is an activity that I would like my family to enjoy, so we're definitely easing them into it. We set up the tent in the yard this weekend and slept in it one night just to get a feel for it. I'm planning to bring food for the first day and purchase food the second day. In the future I'd like to cook more, but I think it will be a more fun experience if we just spend a bit more money on the first outing and go out to lunch/dinner. As to the comment -- why go to MT, what if it sucks, long way to drive, etc... -- I considered this, but have (1) always wanted to visit MT and so why not, (2) it's f...
by bogglehead
Thu Jun 28, 2012 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. After doing a bit more searching online last night, I made reservations for two nights at a campground near Billings, MT, so we're going to go north instead of west this time (still ~7 hours from my house). I've never been to MT and have always wanted to go, so I think it will be a lot of fun.

I'm going to buy a few things this weekend -- but ultimately, we're going to have some fun, but not push it (two nights seemed to be a good trial run and we'll definitely get sandwiches/pizza to keep it simple).
by bogglehead
Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

I think a pop-up may be something I'd like to do long-term, but I think we'll try the tent thing this summer -- minimal investment to try it out. I do think that most of the places we're considering are going to be pretty dry this time of year (and I'm definitely the fair weather type), so I think we'll be okay.
by bogglehead
Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

Good point about reservations. I'm researching places now -- and considering going a bit further north to beat a bit of the heat -- and most of the campgrounds I've checked still have tent spots available, but I'll make a decision soon and book something because it seems likely that we might end up seeing a bunch of last minute reservations.
by bogglehead
Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

Thanks everyone, these recommendations give me a lot of things to think about. As to why no RMNP -- we actually live about an hour north of Denver and get to RMNP very often, so we're hoping to go further afield (and w/ the fire last week in Estes and the fire in Fort Collins, the air quality stinks for sleeping outside around here). I'll check into the charcoal thing at the campground and see what they say, but the no fire possibility is a good tip. As to the heat -- tell me about it! It was 106 at home the other day. If the weather hasn't broken, we might go somewhere else. I don't know how long we'll stay in Moab -- we're very flexible w/r/t our plans, so we might do a day there or go to Dinosaur National Park instead... we're very flexi...
by bogglehead
Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

Re: Taking a Family Camping Trip, Need Gear, What is "Necess

I think psteinx hit the nail on the head with his response, but thanks to everyone for their suggestions. We go hiking as a family with some regularity, so we have most hiking stuff, but this is just a way for us to get out a bit further from home and not be rushed with coming back in the same day or having to spring for a hotel room. Our family is me, my wife, and four kids (between 5.5 and 2.25 years old). We are a surprisingly active bunch, so we'll try out the camping thing for a few nights and see how it goes. We live near Denver, so I'm thinking Moab (Arches NP) as a first trip might be fun. We're planning to stay at an RV/campsite place a bit off of the NP property -- my wife really wants a pool for people to splash around in so we f...
by bogglehead
Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got
Replies: 53
Views: 5697

UPDATED: Took a Camping Trip, Needed Gear, What I Got

I'm taking a 2-3 day family camping trip in a few weeks (sort of an impromptu decision) -- what gear do I need? I've got the tent covered, but that's it. We're planning to stay at a campground right next to our car, so we should have convenient access to anything we can store there (e.g. ice chest), and there is a BBQ area at the campground to cook out. What stuff do we need to be relatively comfortable sleeping?

Things I Considered:

Blankets
Air Mattresses
Lights of some type

What else is really necessary? I don't want to spend a ton of money because I'm not sure how much more use it will get this year, but I'm all ears to everyone's suggestions.
by bogglehead
Wed Jun 27, 2012 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: email problem personal
Replies: 6
Views: 1671

Re: email problem personal

This happens to me all of the time (I had a very early gmail address -- think jsmith@gmail.com) and it's somewhat annoying. There are no less than 6 people who "think" they have my email address and I get tons of email from them/their families/their business associates. In the last few years, I've gotten scans of their birth certificates/social security cards, past due bills, bank statements, VERY personal pictures, etc... I just delete it now. In the beginning I used to respond but it kept happening, so I just delete and move on. I wouldn't worry about it OP -- if you make a big stink about it, the person will likely keep the emails around because they clearly have some value to you; if you don't worry about it, I'm sure the pers...
by bogglehead
Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gadgets you use, gadgets you don't, etc.
Replies: 50
Views: 6432

Re: Gadgets you use, gadgets you don't, etc.

As a result of this thread, I bought a $20 radio-controlled helicopter from Amazon -- it's super fun and getting a lot of use now. I've only had it for a few days, but I already feel like I recouped my money by how much fun it is. Thanks for the tip -- highly recommended!
by bogglehead
Tue Jun 05, 2012 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wife?
Replies: 21
Views: 2242

Re: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wif

livesoft wrote:Yeah, but what about all those dividends that were not declared on your tax returns since you were married? Are you going to file amended returns?

I have never personally received or cashed a dividend check. I'm unsure whether the custodian has done so or whether they have (1) escheated to the state (as mentioned earlier) or (2) are being reinvested. In any event, I can't imagine they amount to more than $10 annually so they don't strike me as being more than de minimis.
by bogglehead
Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wife?
Replies: 21
Views: 2242

Re: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wif

You're right, just got around to dealing with it this year -- it's not exactly my top priority. I forgot that I made the thread last year, sorry for the repeat.

The grandmother thing is a bit confusing to me as well -- I'm unsure of the exact timing. I know the stock came from the grandmother, but am now unsure whether it was given at her death or before. It doesn't really matter, I'm glad to pay the full 15% tax on $1350 and move on. And as was mentioned, my procrastination earned me $150, which pretty much covers the taxes!
by bogglehead
Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wife?
Replies: 21
Views: 2242

Re: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wif

Default User BR wrote:
igghy wrote:Is that how long term capital gains are taxed, your marginal rate -15%?
No, currently there is a separate tax structure for LTCG. It's 0% for tax brackets 10% and 15%, and 15% for all other cases.


Brian

Thanks for clarifying this. We won't be in the 15% bracket this year, so I guess we'll be looking at a tax bill of 15%.
by bogglehead
Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wife?
Replies: 21
Views: 2242

Re: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wif

Replied once, but it didn't go through, sorry if it eventually shows up.

In a nutshell, I have no idea about the basis, but even if we assume it's $0, we're only out a few hundred bucks on money we never knew anything about so I'm not too bummed. If there's no easy way to roll it into something else, I'm glad to just cash it out.

One question -- I know that dividends have been being paid, but I'm not sure if the checks have been cashed (ever). If the dividend checks go uncashed, will the dividends be automatically reinvested into the account?
by bogglehead
Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wife?
Replies: 21
Views: 2242

UTMA Account from Childhood --> Tax Implications for Wife?

My wife has an UTMA account that was opened when she was a child. It contains 24 shares of a single stock and is currently worth about $1350. She didn't know this account existed until recently -- she is 30 years old. We've just gone through the process to remove her Dad (the custodian) from the account and it is now in her name as an adult individual.

What are the tax implications here? If there's some way we can shield it from taxes, we might be interested in rolling it into an IRA/Roth/something else, but we're otherwise just planning to cash it out and then use the money as a part of our overall financial strategy. Thanks everyone!
by bogglehead
Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Justifying 2007 Acura MDX purchase
Replies: 42
Views: 3685

Re: Justifying 2007 Acura MDX purchase

We were planning to do three across in our Saturn Vue, but then we found out it was TWINS! Bummed about having to buy a van, but what you gonna do? :-)
by bogglehead
Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stronglifts 5x5 program
Replies: 32
Views: 5943

Re: Stronglifts 5x5 program

I started with the bar since I've never consistently followed a strength training program before (just lots of cardio and running) and I can see the benefit for total newbs like myself. The only lift I did consistently before was the bench press, so I'm really trying to work on my form for the other lifts by starting off light. I have to say though, even at 100 pounds on the squat, it's pretty tough. I can't imagine squatting my bodyweight and beyond, but I guess I'll get there relatively quickly.

I was bummed to see that the SL forums went away. I remember visiting there a bunch about two years ago, but they seem to have become a pay-only site now. Sort of lame, but I'm sure there are replacements.
by bogglehead
Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stronglifts 5x5 program
Replies: 32
Views: 5943

Re: Stronglifts 5x5 program

How's everyone doing on the SL program? I started a week or two after the OP, but just finished my 12th workout last night. I'm really enjoying it so far and have definitely noticed that my squat has gotten a lot better and I "feel" stronger. I can see that I'll probably max out on the OH Press pretty quickly though, it's definitely the toughest exercise for me.
by bogglehead
Sun Jan 15, 2012 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Websites/magazines for law students-to-be or 1Ls
Replies: 7
Views: 702

Re: Websites/magazines for law students-to-be or 1Ls

For a more cynical view, check out: http://insidethelawschoolscam.blogspot.com/

It's written by a prof at a top-40ish school and, although a bit overly cynical in my opinion, it does provide a lot of good information about the high costs of LS and the low payoff for many students.
by bogglehead
Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Student Loan Debt: Who Are the 1%?
Replies: 46
Views: 4360

Re: Student Loan Debt: Who Are the 1%?

Nonnie, I don't doubt that there is a budget crisis, but I still think that there is a mismatch being offered the students. We could debate about why do they have to live in California (there was an article recently where the U of N.D. is begging for out-of-staters to come, no tuition, etc... -- but oh wait, then they wouldn't live in Cali, oh no, the horror), but that's for another day. I clicked on your link and read about the students at Cal State - Northridge. Then I looked up their course offerings here: http://www.csun.edu/openclasses I scanned through the PDF and saw numerous examples of classes that are at 1/4 of capacity (w/ capacity being less than 50 students), at the expense of Gen Chem that is booked solid. I get that there's a...
by bogglehead
Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Student Loan Debt: Who Are the 1%?
Replies: 46
Views: 4360

Re: Student Loan Debt: Who Are the 1%?

If students in CA's system can't get core classes (assuming what you say is true), then the university administrators should be faulted for not scheduling as many courses as they need -- it's simple supply and demand. Just a thought. I beg your pardon--"simple supply and demand"? There is an extreme budget crisis in the state. It is slightly more complex than just scheduling more courses as instructors--even in CA-- don't work for free. Did you read the rest of what I wrote? I assume that upper level courses are still being offered, so cut down on smaller, specialized classes and beef up more core course offerings. I imagine this can't happen b/c some professor's contract says that he only has to teach Bio 101 once every fourth y...
by bogglehead
Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Student Loan Debt: Who Are the 1%?
Replies: 46
Views: 4360

Re: Student Loan Debt: Who Are the 1%?

If students in CA's system can't get core classes (assuming what you say is true), then the university administrators should be faulted for not scheduling as many courses as they need -- it's simple supply and demand. I haven't looked it up, but I imagine that they are still offering upper-level courses, such as (the entirely fictional, but probably similar) "Sociology 589 Feminism, Post-Modernism and the Regulatory State" to the four students who signed up for it. Cut that junk and offer more Sociology 101. Or better yet, don't offer any Sociology and instead focus on teaching things that will provide students marketable skills that they can then use to repay their massive student loans.

Just a thought.
by bogglehead
Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Self moving with U-haul
Replies: 33
Views: 4067

Re: Self moving with U-haul

Skip Uhaul and rent from Penske instead -- should be similar price, but much nicer trucks. I've had the brakes go out on a Uhaul truck and they're a mess to deal with.
by bogglehead
Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or Pay Down Debt?
Replies: 41
Views: 4165

Re: Invest or Pay Down Debt?

campy2010 wrote:
bogglehead wrote:Does anyone's advice change if (1) the 401K offered at a law firm is a Roth 401K plan, with no match; and (2) my income will be well above the regular Roth threshold in 2013, but not in 2012? I'm sort of piggybacking off of the OP's thread, but my situation is relatively similar.
Are you sure that the Roth 401k is the only option? A Roth 401k without a traditional 401k seems very unusual.
I'm not 100% certain, I believe it's the only option offered though. Why would it be unusual? Doesn't it have all of the same attributes of a regular 401k, just with the added Roth piece?

With regards to your other question -- yes, the job is in a high tax area (not NYC taxes though).
by bogglehead
Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or Pay Down Debt?
Replies: 41
Views: 4165

Re: Invest or Pay Down Debt?

Does anyone's advice change if (1) the 401K offered at a law firm is a Roth 401K plan, with no match; and (2) my income will be well above the regular Roth threshold in 2013, but not in 2012? I'm sort of piggybacking off of the OP's thread, but my situation is relatively similar.
by bogglehead
Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or Pay Down Debt?
Replies: 41
Views: 4165

Re: Invest or Pay Down Debt?

Why not use the $5K Roth space as an emergency fund -- park $5K/year in there and put it in a money market account so that it is very liquid and you don't lose the Roth space? Any problem with this approach?
by bogglehead
Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or Pay Down Debt?
Replies: 41
Views: 4165

Re: Invest or Pay Down Debt?

:sharebeer fellow clerk! I'm definitely conflicted about this invest/debt discussion as well. I'm going to be receiving a substantial clerkship bonus in the fall and plan to use it to pay off my car and build up a bit of an e-fund, but then beyond that I guess I'll start plugging away at my student loans (my 401K doesn't kick in for 6 months) once my e-fund is big enough. I've got a young family to support so I feel like a bit of a cushion in necessary in my case -- you never can tell when it might come in handy. The other thing in the back of my mind is that I've been on IBR for the last 18 months, so I'll have 2 of the 10 years necessary to have my loans forgiven under IBR out of the way. I don't think I'm coming back into government serv...
by bogglehead
Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or Pay Down Debt?
Replies: 41
Views: 4165

Re: Invest or Pay Down Debt?

Are you in the second year of a fed clerkship in a low COL area? Just guessing based on your post -- I'm in my second year of clerking but make ~$71 in a slightly higher COL area.

To expand on people's points -- I have similar (actually more) student loan debt than the OP and I thought conventional wisdom was to skip the Roth/401K for now and that the only permissible investing is 401K up to the match level. Am I wrong in thinking this? I believe this is what the BH wiki says; is the difference due to OP's $100K+ salary and upside earning potential?
by bogglehead
Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stronglifts 5x5 program
Replies: 32
Views: 5943

Re: Stronglifts 5x5 program

I've tried it, but the weighted squats really hurt my previously injured ankle and I gave it up. I should try it again, it does appear to be a great program if you can stick with it.
by bogglehead
Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth?
Replies: 6
Views: 611

Re: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth?

Yours is an interesting case. At 60K, you're still in the 25% bracket, maybe more with state. Not so clear. The OP does say he(?) is married, so I would guess MFJ filing status. I do agree that the OP ought to estimate whether, down the road, he will remain eligible for a direct Roth contribution. If not, I agree that it adds an extra motivation to get rid of the trad IRA one way or another, either by Roth converting it now, or transferring it into a future employer's 401k. The phaseout range for direct Roth contributions begins at $169K AGI for 2011 MFJ. Bogglehead, I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, but when you write "Income in 2011", did you mean AGI or taxable income or gross wages or net income after paycheck withh...
by bogglehead
Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth?
Replies: 6
Views: 611

Re: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth?

ThePrune wrote:
bogglehead wrote: I think the traditional wisdom is not to invest (especially lacking any type of 401(k) match) when I can get a guaranteed 7% return upfront by paying down my student loans.
Yes, that is traditional wisdom. Although traditional wisdom doesn't fit every situation, in your case with $200,000+ debt at 7% interest, I'll cast a vote that you follow it.

I agree with you. I've been a student for far too long so I look forward to having all of this work pay off when I start making "real" money next year (in August, hence the spread). My first plan is to build up an emergency fund and then start putting whatever I can on my loans.
by bogglehead
Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth?
Replies: 6
Views: 611

Re: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth?

Default User BR wrote:Yours is an interesting case. At 60K, you're still in the 25% bracket, maybe more with state. Normally that would favor tax-deferred investing over post-tax (Roth). However, you anticipate very large increases in income, which will probably put you out of the direct Roth contribution realm soon. An existing TIRA would have to be included in attempts at back-door Roth. Will your new job have a 401(k) or similar plan? If so, and it accepts rollovers of IRA funds, then that would be a solution to the second consideration.

Brian

I think I'm even lower than 25% b/c I have several kids so my AGI goes way down once that is factored in. My new job offers a Roth 401K, but no match. Does that change your answer at all?