Search found 580 matches

by jaj2276
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Minnesota
Replies: 43
Views: 3179

Re: Things to do in Minnesota

Bogleheads never disappoint.

I just drove 350 miles on Friday night, ski'd on Saturday, and then drove 350 miles back on Sunday so driving is of no concern of mine (I imagine my kids and wife aren't as big of a fan as I am). I mentioned flying into MSP as I imagined that was the best chance of me getting a direct (or at least 1-stop) flight from South Carolina. If I have to take a non-direct then I'll look at going to Fargo instead (CHS -> ATL -> MSP probably not that much different than CHS -> ATL -> Fargo).
by jaj2276
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Minnesota
Replies: 43
Views: 3179

Re: Things to do in Minnesota

HomerJ wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:50 pm
jaj2276 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:35 am Edit 1: The week trip will take place sometime between late June and early August.
Things to do in Minnesota in July? Scratch mosquito bites, mostly.
I live in South Carolina and I've spent a few summers in Alaska so unfortunately I'm well versed in the dance with mosquitoes. Fortunately for me I'm not anti-deet so deep-woods OFF works wonders.
by jaj2276
Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Minnesota
Replies: 43
Views: 3179

Re: Things to do in Minnesota

SubPar wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:39 am I live in the Minneapolis suburbs. What time of the year are you coming?
Gawd, that would have been important to share! Sometime in late June thru early August.
by jaj2276
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Minnesota
Replies: 43
Views: 3179

Things to do in Minnesota

Hi, My family has drawn Minnesota from a hat for our state trip this year. In years past I've been fortunate to receive many recommendations on previous state trips (Iowa, Indiana, Maine, Delaware/Maryland) from the fine folks here on Bogleheads. Our two kids are 6 and 8. I love to hike but my kids aren't there yet. I love to drive and hit as many different parts/regions of a state. Given the younger kids, we tend to shy away from cultural adult attractions (museums, etc.). So with that small bit of lead-in information, does anyone have any suggestions for Minnesota? I imagine we'll be flying in to Minneapolis and staying for about a week. Edit 1: The week trip will take place sometime between late June and early August. Edit 2: I'm not opp...
by jaj2276
Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900072

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

IRR: -4.9% Net Worth: +12.29% Worst Account: -99.5% (Crypto!) Best Account: +35.6% (Hedge Fund) Asset Allocation: 55% Equities (2/3 US, 1/3 Intl), 35% Bonds, 10% Precious Metals/Crypto -- My IPS said that crypto couldn't be more than 1% of my net worth. 2021 had caused it to creep up to 2%. Fortunately the 100% loss in that account didn't nuke my overall portfolio. -- The hedge fund isn't included in the asset allocation because it doesn't really match any asset class and is uncorrelated to any of the asset classes I can invest in. It's now grown to 33% of my entire portfolio so my real asset allocation is: 37% Equities, 21% Bonds, 7% Precious Metals, 1% Cash, and 33% alternative. Even though I like diversification, if I could invest more i...
by jaj2276
Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Avoiding the dividend - sell before ex date?
Replies: 2
Views: 457

Re: Avoiding the dividend - sell before ex date?

johnanglemen wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:03 pm Fidelity says the ex date for Fidelity Total International (FTIHX) is tomorrow, 12/16/22 (per this: https://institutional.fidelity.com/app/ ... ?navId=324)

Does this mean that if I sell a holding today, I avoid the dividend? It doesn't explicitly mention a record date.

Thank you.
Yes.
by jaj2276
Sat Dec 03, 2022 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: UGMA -Uniform Gift to Minor Account
Replies: 7
Views: 494

Re: UGMA -Uniform Gift to Minor Account

Folks. I am trying to get some clarification on UGMA -Uniform Gift to Minor Account. 1. If the account is to be opened at a bank, how is the account titled? Ex. If dad opens the account for his child, will it be titled "dad for the benefit of child", or simply "dad" only? 2. If grand dad wants to fund/deposit to this account, does he write a check payable to child or dad? Thanks When I was such a minor, the account title was like this: JOHN SMITH JR. UTMA <state> <optional: UNTIL AGE xx> JOHN SMITH SR. CUST SSN: <John Smith Jr.'s SSN> The <UNTIL AGE xx> would be needed if you want it to not be 21, and the state UTMA allows that. Checks would be written out to John Smith Jr. It'd probably UTMA not UGMA. UGMA is the older...
by jaj2276
Fri Nov 18, 2022 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Burned out - looking for better childcare
Replies: 123
Views: 10140

Re: Burned out - looking for better childcare

The house rule is that all non-metal/ceramic dishes must be hand-scrubbed Why. Because the high heat and detergents of a dishwasher ruin them. Huh? We've had some of our daily use dishes for over a decade and there is nothing wrong with them. How are they ruined? To save on energy AND not having to worry about which dishes are "dishwasher safe" (which I take to mean is able to withstand the heat of the heating elements), we run the dishwasher after dinner with Heat Dry turned off. When it's done I open the dishwasher and shake all the non-metal/ceramic dishes off. I leave the door slightly ajar and the next morning everything is dry and that's when the dishes get put away. I'd be shocked if dishwasher detergent causes any measura...
by jaj2276
Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Input on Family Mortgage
Replies: 21
Views: 2995

Re: Input on Family Mortgage

... Has anyone used a lawyer and self-serviced the loan? Any benefit to setting this up through an LLC or C-Corp? Any risk of me being accused of being a predatory lender? I'm in a Midwestern red state, fwiw. Caveat Emptor understood re: doing business with family. Thanks! I've written two mortgages, both to the same family member. They used an attorney (required in my state) and selected me as their lender. I communicated with the attorneys about the terms of the financing and the mortgage notes were filed with the county. I made clear to them prior to lending the money that I took my lending position seriously and I wouldn't hesitate to foreclose on their house to protect my investment. The family member sends me a check every month and ...
by jaj2276
Thu Sep 15, 2022 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard website succumbs to "Fisher-Price" UI design
Replies: 843
Views: 112363

Re: Vanguard website succumbs to "Fisher-Price" UI design

... ... ... The new cost basis page is absurd. When you select cost basis you get to a page that literally shows you nothing. It just shows you the option to "expand" the account you want to see information on. Why would you go to the cost basis page if you didn't want to actually see the cost basis information? The old website just showed you all the information, already "expanded" as it were. Then when you do expand it in the new design you have to scroll hoizontally (horizontally!) to see all the columns of information. What? How is that possible? What other website works that way? And if you want to see the specific share information it takes you to another page just for that fund, so you have to go back to see ever...
by jaj2276
Fri Apr 15, 2022 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Child tax returns
Replies: 2
Views: 751

Re: Child tax returns

I'm an even bigger idiot than I already believed myself to be! I incorrectly assumed that the amount over $1100 but below $2200 could be applied to any capital gains. So I tax gain harvested short-term capital gains (2020 and 2021). I can clearly see on the wiki that the amount between $1100 and $2200 applies a 0% rate to long-term capital gains only. I'm not sure why I didn't make that connection until almost two years later. I now understand why the taxes seemed so high for my kids. I thought I was dealing with this rough equation: tax = ((DIVS + CG) - $2200) * some_tax_rate Which "lumps" all the capital gains together. Instead I'm dealing with the rough equation below and I'm clearly losing the offset of the second $1100 entire...
by jaj2276
Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Child tax returns
Replies: 2
Views: 751

Child tax returns

-- In 2020, Child 1 had unearned income of $2238 ($1000 capital gain from a tax gain harvest sale, $1238 dividends). They had no earned income. I filed a 2020 tax return for the child. Child 1's tax return also included Form 8615 to figure their tax. -- In 2020, Child 2 had unearned income of $1971 ($1000 capital gain from a tax gain harvest sale, $971 dividends). They had no earned income. I did not file a 2020 tax return for Child 2 as I assumed they owed no tax so didn't need to file a return. -- In 2021, Child 1 had unearned income < $2200. -- In 2021, Child 2 had unearned income > $2200 (apparently the parent is not that bright). Questions: 1) I'm reading Publication 929 and it says that kids with unearned income over $1110 must file a...
by jaj2276
Wed Mar 23, 2022 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Arizona
Replies: 19
Views: 1998

Re: Things to do in Arizona

We live in coastal SC so we're used to high humidity 90-100 degree heat. We've been in the Southwest during the summer months although not necessarily in July in Arizona (Utah in August). I think we'll try to plan indoor activities at lower altitudes and outdoor activities at higher altitudes. And then if we want to do something outside when it's 110+, we'll be cognizant of the fact that the activity can't be that strenuous nor that long.

Thanks for all the suggestions and warnings.
by jaj2276
Wed Mar 23, 2022 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Arizona
Replies: 19
Views: 1998

Re: Things to do in Arizona

samsoes wrote: Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:21 pm Meteor crater site and museum near Winslow: https://meteorcrater.com/

(By the way, I heard in a song one time that there are seven women in Winslow. Take it easy!)
Oh man, I forgot about this one! I watched Starman back when I was a kid and this featured prominently. I will definitely add this to the list.
by jaj2276
Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Arizona
Replies: 19
Views: 1998

Re: Things to do in Arizona

Things my wife has tentatively scheduled:

Phoenix
-- Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Williams
-- Train ride to the Grand Canyon

I like Picacho Peak, will obviously not do the difficult hikes but it does seem like there are easy/child hikes.
by jaj2276
Tue Mar 22, 2022 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Arizona
Replies: 19
Views: 1998

Things to do in Arizona

After a two-year hiatus, we're back to doing our yearly pick-a-state-out-of-a-hat vacation. We drew Arizona and we're going the week of July 4th. We've vacationed in both Utah and New Mexico so are at least familiar with that region.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do/see in Arizona? It will be me, my wife, and my two girls (ages 6 and 4).
by jaj2276
Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Maine
Replies: 87
Views: 10863

Re: Things to do in Maine

This was by far our least favorite state trip. A combination of younger kids, an older mother, and absurd crowds torpedoed any enjoyment. Flying in to Boston and the driving up to Maine was a breeze.
by jaj2276
Sun Oct 24, 2021 1:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Carryover losses and tax gain harvesting
Replies: 6
Views: 1007

Re: Carryover losses and tax gain harvesting

There is no purpose in using up carryover losses to tax gain harvest. If the carryover losses are still there when you eventually sell, they will offset an equal amount of capital gains, so you break even. If the carryover losses have been exhausted, you got to deduct $3K per year from your ordinary income because you had the carryover losses, and you now pay tax on an equal amount of capital gain, at a lower rate and years later, so you come out ahead. However, if you have some other reason to take a gain, carryover losses make it less costly. For example, if you need to either sell stock or take out a loan, carryover losses reduce the cost of selling stock. If you want to get rid of a fund with capital gains (and don't want to donate it ...
by jaj2276
Sun Oct 24, 2021 1:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Variable Percentage Withdrawal (VPW)
Replies: 2256
Views: 605724

Re: Variable Percentage Withdrawal (VPW)

At the request of OP in another thread, I've been using VPW for 3 years (this year being the 4th) to make some of our yearly charitable giving from a DAF I started in 2016. At that time I was 40 and wanted this lump sum to cover 20 years of charitable contributions. The portfolio started with $107,213. It's invested in the Moderate Growth portfolio which is 45% Balanced Index, 45% Wellington, and 10% Total Intl Stock. From that I put in 56% Domestic Stocks, 10% Intl Stocks, and 34% Domestic Bonds to the VPW spreadsheet. I haven't changed this allocation so if Wellington has shifted any, I haven't picked it up (I assume Balanced will remain 60/40 and Intl will be 100% intl stock). Here are the portfolio values along with distributions: Year...
by jaj2276
Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Carryover losses and tax gain harvesting
Replies: 6
Views: 1007

Carryover losses and tax gain harvesting

I read the wiki on tax gain harvesting but I'm not clear on when someone should use realized losses. My situation is I'm in the highest federal tax bracket, in a 7% state tax bracket, and get hit with a significant amount of NIIT and add'l medicare tax. Last year I had the opportunity (sold on March 20, 2020) to take losses for the first time in a long time. This year I've also had the chance to take add'l losses. I took no realized gains last year and had not planned to take any gains this year or in any future year until I stopped working. My default thinking was I'd take the $3k against ordinary income each year and then offset against any realized gains in the future when I needed to realize those gains. Is that the best approach? Or sh...
by jaj2276
Sun Oct 03, 2021 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which auto-insurance companies do not charge higher premiums for no-fault accidents?
Replies: 6
Views: 1024

Re: Which auto-insurance companies do not charge higher premiums for no-fault accidents?

fortunefavored wrote: Sun Oct 03, 2021 8:16 am ...
There is no such thing as "not at fault" for insurance companies. People who make claims are higher risk, so they charge more.
...
This is only half the story. Even if you didn't make a claim you are still higher risk to the insurance company. It makes some intuitive sense as maybe you drive more often than others or drive a particular route that lends itself to accidents, etc. It doesn't seem fair at all but there's nothing fair about insurance.
by jaj2276
Sun Oct 03, 2021 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Economics / Accounting track at a non-Ivy / "non-prestige" school outcomes
Replies: 86
Views: 6995

Re: Economics / Accounting track at a non-Ivy / "non-prestige" school outcomes

I haven't read the other replies so this might have already been addressed. I didn't attend an Ivy and didn't really do any research before selecting the school I went to. After completing my education and having 6 job offers coming out of school, I settled on two very important factors. 1) Make sure the school you choose has both a career resource center and holds job fairs on campus that are well attended by companies. If these two things aren't in place then the job search will be super difficult. It seems incredibly hard these days to land "a first job" w/o significant help/greased wheels from the university. 2) Try and get *some* experience during college (internship or p/t job). My interviews were easy relative to my peers' ...
by jaj2276
Sun Oct 03, 2021 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which auto-insurance companies do not charge higher premiums for no-fault accidents?
Replies: 6
Views: 1024

Re: Which auto-insurance companies do not charge higher premiums for no-fault accidents?

Unfortunately you aren't going to find any. Even "accident forgiveness" companies/policies just charge you more for the insurance (i.e. the forgiveness is baked in to the price). From the insurance company's point of view, you are a higher risk now since you (obviously) drive in an area where there are uninsured and/or terrible drivers. I got in a wreck where we were on a two-lane, one-way street and the lady in the right lane decided she wanted to turn left at an intersection (she wasn't used to one-way streets and thought the left lane was for opposite traffic). Guess who was in the left lane, slightly behind her, going straight through that same intersection? Me. She hit my back right quarter panel with her left front quarter p...
by jaj2276
Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wiki - Kiddie tax update
Replies: 41
Views: 5102

Re: Wiki - Kiddie tax update

gobel wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 2:01 pm
jaj2276 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 1:30 pm ....
Thanks for those! I suggest we make these two figures from the IRS site prominent in the wiki as I think that will answer a lot of questions.
by jaj2276
Sun Sep 19, 2021 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wiki - Kiddie tax update
Replies: 41
Views: 5102

Re: Wiki - Kiddie tax update

I doubt I can provide accurate information on this topic as it applies to the wiki (sscritic's concerns) but I wish this particular wiki was constructed differently. I filed a tax return for my oldest (age 5) in 2020 and I still don't know whether I needed to. Some high level questions I had: -- I had capital gains due to tax gain harvesting AND dividends. Are these treated equally as unearned income? Is there ever any difference between the two? What if I had LT/ST capital gain distributions from the holdings themselves as well? -- Is there something different about the first $1100 and the second $1100 as it pertains to the statement "no tax due if unearned income < $2200"? I think I understand the first $1100 to be the standard ...
by jaj2276
Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I still carry Term Life Insurance?
Replies: 39
Views: 4248

Re: Should I still carry Term Life Insurance?

... Her: dropped term life insurance last year ... Not only would I recommend you keep your life insurance, I'd recommend taking out a 10-yr life insurance policy on your wife. Why? Well if she were to die, how would you take care of the kids? Not knowing anything about your day, paying a place for before/after school care and/or hiring someone to run the errands for the kids while you are still working would help tremendously. I'm talking my own book as I have life insurance on my wife for just that purpose. We don't rely on her income at all (the traditional reason for life insurance) but the added cost of needing help around the house would make a dent on my income if I didn't have life insurance to cover that amount. Definitely somethi...
by jaj2276
Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I still carry Term Life Insurance?
Replies: 39
Views: 4248

Re: Should I still carry Term Life Insurance?

TxAg wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 8:45 pm ...

Her: dropped term life insurance last year
...
Not only would I recommend you keep your life insurance, I'd recommend taking out a 10-yr life insurance policy on your wife. Why? Well if she were to die, how would you take care of the kids? Not knowing anything about your day, paying a place for before/after school care and/or hiring someone to run the errands for the kids while you are still working would help tremendously. I'm talking my own book as I have life insurance on my wife for just that purpose. We don't rely on her income at all (the traditional reason for life insurance) but the added cost of needing help around the house would make a dent on my income if I didn't have life insurance to cover that amount.
by jaj2276
Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Midlife career doldrums - how to cope
Replies: 74
Views: 13795

Re: Midlife career doldrums - how to cope

... With that said, it's safe to say I have officially reached the proverbial midlife crisis. ... For those who have gone through something similar, what good or bad financial decisions did you make during this period that were positive or that you regret? ... I haven't "gone" through it, I'm currently in it (like a lot of posters it seems). Mid 40s, two young kids, working a job that pays well but isn't all that enjoyable. I work in a small company so there's no "position" I can move to. Yesterday I thought to maybe put in a golf simulator but I've come to the conclusion that the enjoyment won't last long. I imagine I'll like it but I doubt it will change my overall feeling about life in general at this point. When you...
by jaj2276
Wed Aug 18, 2021 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheaper Iced Lattes?
Replies: 29
Views: 3384

Re: Cheaper Iced Lattes?

I brew a pot of regular coffee with dark roast beans and then pour in large mason jars stored in the fridge. Each morning I pour a cup of already cold coffee and then add a little bit of Italian Cream creamer (Walmart and Aldi have store-brand versions otherwise I just use Nestle's version). It's incredible. Not sure if that's a "latte" or not. Sometimes I'll substitute chocolate milk for the creamer which gives me less sweet/rich but a mocha kick.
by jaj2276
Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disappointed in Fidelity 2% Cash Back credit card
Replies: 221
Views: 23451

Re: Disappointed in Fidelity 2% Cash Back credit card

I thought the above poster said Synchrony is already charging 3% today :confused I don't know what they saw though, as far as I've looked around, I don't see any mention of foreign TX anywhere official-ish. It's right on the Terms and Conditions when you apply. Looks like it's already in place for new card applicants. https://apply.syf.com/cs/groups/public/documents/et_tcdoc/e049364.pdf Synchrony is just starting to promote their own 2% cash-back credit card. Currently that card is invitation only as I went to mastercard.syf.com, clicked on Apply which then takes you to a page that says "Coming Soon". I already have the card so clearly it's "available" but not "widely available." When I login to the site (agai...
by jaj2276
Fri Jul 09, 2021 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disappointed in Fidelity 2% Cash Back credit card
Replies: 221
Views: 23451

Re: Disappointed in Fidelity 2% Cash Back credit card

Marseille07 wrote: Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:34 pm
jaj2276 wrote: Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:55 am
trevorshhh wrote: Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:53 am
anon_investor wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:48 pm
Tommy wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:31 pm The only problem I have with this card is international transaction fee - had to use another card for travel
Is there a 2% or better CB card that has no foreign transaction fee?
Paypal (through Synchrony Bank) has a 2% cashback card on everything and no foreign transaction fee. No annual fee either.
Edit: Just saw that it's currently invitation only.

Synchrony Bank itself has a 2% cashback card on everything. No annual fee, not sure about foreign transaction fee.
Really? I see "apply now" via Paypal.

As far as the Synchrony Premier Mastercard, I'll consider if someone could confirm no foreign TX. I tried to search around but I didn't find much.
Just looked, there's a 3% foreign transaction fee.
by jaj2276
Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disappointed in Fidelity 2% Cash Back credit card
Replies: 221
Views: 23451

Re: Disappointed in Fidelity 2% Cash Back credit card

trevorshhh wrote: Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:53 am
anon_investor wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:48 pm
Tommy wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:31 pm The only problem I have with this card is international transaction fee - had to use another card for travel
Is there a 2% or better CB card that has no foreign transaction fee?
Paypal (through Synchrony Bank) has a 2% cashback card on everything and no foreign transaction fee. No annual fee either.
Edit: Just saw that it's currently invitation only.

Synchrony Bank itself has a 2% cashback card on everything. No annual fee, not sure about foreign transaction fee.
by jaj2276
Fri Jul 02, 2021 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategies for dollar cost averaging into top of the market
Replies: 37
Views: 4955

Re: Strategies for dollar cost averaging into top of the market

I have a set amount that I strive to invest every year. That goes in as soon as the funds are available (i.e. non-DCA).

Any leftover funds I hold back until I have a down month in my investing performance. I try to add as much funds as my loss. I totally understand this isn't economically rational but it helps me sleep at night by 1) getting a good portion of my money in the market ASAP and 2) buying stuff "on sale."
by jaj2276
Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost estimate for backyard refresh w/ in-ground pool
Replies: 9
Views: 1573

Re: Cost estimate for backyard refresh w/ in-ground pool

Ok, thanks for playing! We are in Charleston, SC. So a MCOL coastal city. The quote was $63k. In my mind, I had thought I was prepared to pay $75k, hoping it was going to come in somewhere between $40-$60k. The fact that it came in above that made me "disappointed" even though it was below my "prepared to pay" number. The psychology of money is weird. I think I was more upset at my wife for even throwing out an absurd number like $5k. I looked online at synthetic turf and they have the average cost for purchase/install at $13/sq ft which itself would be $45k. Obviously location is everything so who knows what the "average" should/would be in my area. The problem with getting multiple quotes is that it requires ...
by jaj2276
Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost estimate for backyard refresh w/ in-ground pool
Replies: 9
Views: 1573

Cost estimate for backyard refresh w/ in-ground pool

Are there any good resources to get an unbiased estimate of some work we're thinking of doing to our backyard? We have a small-to-mid size fiberglass in-ground pool with a huge concrete deck that takes up almost our entire backyard. Basically our backyard is the pool + deck. We also have a lot of trees so growing grass is difficult in the areas that are grass. With that said, the work we have in scope includes: -- Purchase and install roughly 3500 sq ft of synthetic turf (basically the entire pool deck and two side sections will become usable for our kids again). -- Remove 50 sq ft of decking to allow the pool equipment to be moved to a more remote location. This equipment movement will include electrical and plumbing of pool. -- Resurface ...
by jaj2276
Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience? [Now a "no annual fee" card]
Replies: 147
Views: 21300

Re: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience? [Now a "no annual fee" card]

Funny how things work. I just received an unsolicited offer for Synchrony's 2% cash back Premier World Mastercard. $100 bonus if $1k spent in first 3 months. From their flier: Get ready to earn more without having to keep track of your rewards. Because the Synchrony Premier card keeps it simple with no categories, limits or tiers -- no kidding! Earn 2% cash back on every purchase anywhere you go with no annual fee. The only negative from my perspective is the cash back earned is applied as a statement credit within 2 billing periods after an eligible purchase is made. It's really an accounting trick since I pay my balance in full so I simply "pay less" once the cash back credit is applied. I think I might go ahead and give this on...
by jaj2276
Thu Jun 24, 2021 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bogleheads, tell me about your 40's?
Replies: 300
Views: 83133

Re: Bogleheads, tell me about your 40's?

I love this thread. I have a strange feeling of melancholy while reading it though. Enjoyed my 20s and 30s. I'm 42 and just had our 2nd and final kid (other kid is 2.5). I had no problems "turning" 40. Financially the family is in great shape. I am in the same shape I've been in for most of my life (not excellent, not poor, but good). However due to the responsibilities that *I've* chosen to take on (and when I've chosen to take them on), I see my 40s as cementing my lot in life and not feeling at all comfortable with that lot. It's a good lot but I'm not sure I feel comfortable being confined to one lot. I struggle with thinking that at 42 I still have over half my life to live but not a lot of leeway in how it's going to go. I ...
by jaj2276
Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience? [Now a "no annual fee" card]
Replies: 147
Views: 21300

Re: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience?

Alliant changing their cash-back card again, doing away with the $10k/month charge cap ($250/month cash back limit) and the annual fee. Now there are two tiers for rewards. Tier 1 gets you 2.5% on first $10k of monthly charges and 1.5% for all charges above $10k. Need to be eligible for, maintain, and meet monthly criteria for an Alliant Checking Account. Tier 2 gets you 1.5% on all purchases. Everybody gets Tier 1 for Q3 of 2021. Starting Q4 of 2021, eligibility starts to matter. Looks like you have to keep minimum of $1k daily balance in their checking account in order to qualify for Tier 1 (2.5% on first $10k of charges). In addition to the $1k minimum, you need to also have one electronic deposit to said checking account per month. hav...
by jaj2276
Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience? [Now a "no annual fee" card]
Replies: 147
Views: 21300

Re: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience?

Alliant changing their cash-back card again, doing away with the $10k/month charge cap ($250/month cash back limit) and the annual fee.

Now there are two tiers for rewards.

Tier 1 gets you 2.5% on first $10k of monthly charges and 1.5% for all charges above $10k. Need to be eligible for, maintain, and meet monthly criteria for an Alliant Checking Account.

Tier 2 gets you 1.5% on all purchases.

Everybody gets Tier 1 for Q3 of 2021. Starting Q4 of 2021, eligibility starts to matter.
by jaj2276
Thu Jun 17, 2021 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any experience with the Sleep Number bed?
Replies: 42
Views: 7741

Re: Any experience with the Sleep Number bed?

Love to hear all the positive mentions on this mattress. I'm not picky at all (I could sleep on plywood to feathers) so even if it's not all it's made out to be, I hope that it will make the wife happy.
by jaj2276
Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any experience with the Sleep Number bed?
Replies: 42
Views: 7741

Re: Any experience with the Sleep Number bed?

Madbull wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 3:41 pm ...

Edit - Holy necro-thread, haha.
Lol, ya I doubt the OP is still around to answer my question as it says his last activity was in 2019. Never hurts to ask though.
by jaj2276
Wed Jun 16, 2021 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any experience with the Sleep Number bed?
Replies: 42
Views: 7741

Re: Any experience with the Sleep Number bed?

We are going to go ahead with our purchase. I will let this forum know how things work out. Part of the cost of the bed is tax deductible if one has a bad back, neck, shoulders and has a note from their doctor saying that an adjustable bed may help their back, neck, shoulder..... part of the cost is considered a medical expense and can be claimed as a tax deduction. This is per our CPA. Did you end up purchasing it? What's your opinion 4 years in? I went ahead and ordered one for me and my wife because she wants a soft and I feel like I need a firm. The strange thing is *I* actually don't know what I need. I've been in many a mattress store and the soft beds feel so luxurious but I always end up getting a firmer mattress and I've never had...
by jaj2276
Sat Apr 24, 2021 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: H&R Block Software - Can't E-File Due to Form 1116 Country Issue
Replies: 20
Views: 2726

Re: H&R Block Software - Can't E-File Due to Form 1116 Country Issue

This bug is back in the 2020 version. Really sloppy work on their part. Simply removed the RC (which also removed the Regulated County field above it) worked. I did try to change it to RI as suggested earlier in the thread but that changed the country name to Serbia. I figured blank on both was better than Serbia/Ri.
by jaj2276
Sat Apr 03, 2021 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-DIV and K-1 Sec 199a Divs w/ H&R Block
Replies: 6
Views: 878

Re: 1099 and K-1 Sec 199a Divs w/ H&R Block

Nothing like replying to my original post. Writing things out sometimes helps make clear the "obvious" solution.

-- I unchecked "I want to combine businesses" so that H&R Block would generate the 8995-A.
-- I entered an additional 1099-DIV that contained only the Sec 199a dividends listed in my K-1. This amount then flowed to 8995-A and finally to Form 1040.
by jaj2276
Sat Apr 03, 2021 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-DIV and K-1 Sec 199a Divs w/ H&R Block
Replies: 6
Views: 878

1099-DIV and K-1 Sec 199a Divs w/ H&R Block

I've read the threads on Sec 199a dividends but haven't seen my exact issue (or I missed it!) so hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction. I'm using H&R Block Premium edition (desktop version) to do my 2020 taxes. I entered my 1099-DIV from Vanguard and there was a small amount of Sec 199a dividends. H&R Block picked these up and generated Form 8995-A by filling out Part IV. It took Form 8995-A Line 39 and put it on Form 1040 Line 13. All good as it seems it's the standard 20% of the Sec 199a dividend amount. I then get a K-1 from an investment I have and it also has Sec 199a dividends. There is no box/code combination for Sec 199a dividends on the K-1 (at least from what I can tell). The Sec 199a dividends are men...
by jaj2276
Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High earners, about how much tax do you pay?
Replies: 79
Views: 11379

Re: High earners, about how much tax do you pay?

For 2019, my federal and state taxes were 31.14% of my income (Form 1040 Line 7b). My income was high six-figures.

For 2020, my income is low 7 figures and my taxes are 40.8(!)% of my income. So for those people who say the rich don't pay their fair share, they shouldn't be talking about me.
by jaj2276
Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Realizing gains for UTMA/UGMA?
Replies: 16
Views: 2090

Re: Realizing gains for UTMA/UGMA?

I tax gain harvested this year in my daughter's UT(G)MA account and unfortunately went over the $2200 limit by a measly $38. The total breakdown was: -- $224 ordinary dividends ($215 qualified) -- $745 short term capital gains -- $1269 long term capital gains The tax due is $9. $9/$38 == 23.6% so I'm assuming I'm paying NIIT as well as the 20% cap gains rate correct? I have a couple of questions: -- Are there any special state tax return rules for minors? My state (SC) says that if you're expected to file a federal return then you're "generally required to file a state return." That seems a bit generic especially since the state return shows no tax due ($1138 of taxable income reduced by 44% of long-term gains and up to $3150 owes...
by jaj2276
Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Never saw myself buying gold ...
Replies: 302
Views: 34981

Re: Never saw myself buying gold ...

I never saw myself buying cryptocurrency but guess what I did this past week?

I have 10% allocation to PMs as part of my asset allocation. I've "finally" come around to taking that 10% allocation and splitting it up evenly among gold, silver, and crypto.

Crazy times indeed.
by jaj2276
Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is Bitcoin or Crypto currency valuable ?
Replies: 130
Views: 9631

Re: Why is Bitcoin or Crypto currency valuable ?

I just bought my first crypto (BTC) so it’s value will be on a downward trend.
by jaj2276
Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: sold $100 item on eBay...got bill from them for $200 shipping!
Replies: 50
Views: 7852

Re: sold $100 item on eBay...got bill from them for $200 shipping!

I've sold a few things on ebay and I always state that seller pays shipping. I then price accordingly so that in reality the buyer is paying shipping but it's just embedded in the cost of the item. I also don't bother with the shipping dimensions, etc., as that cost is on me. HOWEVER, I did learn a lesson that has turned me off from ebay because they are SO buyer-biased. Someone bought an item from me, it was accurately described, they paid a fair amount, but then decided they didn't want it. Ebay forced me to accept the item (I even had in the listing NO RETURNS). The buyer paid for shipping it back to me but it was based off of the dimensions on the listing (which I did not set). So when the package got to me I had to pay about 25% of the...