Search found 512 matches

by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?
Replies: 83
Views: 3945

Re: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?

watchnerd wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:33 am
RobLyons wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:09 am Add to that, there's other costs such as many EVs go through tires much faster
I didn't know this.

Why do EVs go through tires faster?
Weight and torque. EVs are heavier and have instant power.
by JoeJohnson
Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: YouTube TV
Replies: 102
Views: 11457

Re: YouTube TV

FedGuy wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:51 pm I dropped YouTube TV after their previous price increase. I don't know what disappoints me more: that they're continuing to raise prices, or that they have enough price-insensitive subscribers to permit them to raise prices.
The last price increase was in 2020. This price increase is pretty close to what inflation has done in the last few years. $8 / $64.99 = 12.3% increase.

I'd be shocked if this causes anything but a small number of users to flinch.
by JoeJohnson
Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice re: transferring Roth IRA to Fidelity
Replies: 6
Views: 571

Re: Advice re: transferring Roth IRA to Fidelity

This can all be done online as described above. Moved significant other's money from Ameriprise ( :annoyed ) to Fidelity. You provide the type of account (Roth), account numbers, and PDF of latest statement. Garbage Ameriprise funds transferred over and were not liquidated. It took a few days in total. Liquidated and bought Fidelity funds thereafter (1 day to sell, 1 day to buy).

Edit: Not sure if DPOA changes things. If required, just tell the financial advisor their services will not be needed
by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 11, 2023 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What distribution Code for non taxable Roth IRA Early distribution?
Replies: 9
Views: 602

Re: What distribution Code for non taxable Roth IRA Early distribution?

The 1099 sounds correct. Code J

You'll have to tell Tax Act that you have basis in Roth contributions on Form 8606, Part III. I'm not familiar with TaxAct, but have done similar in TurboTax and HR Block

https://www.taxact.com/support/21802/20 ... in-program
by JoeJohnson
Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 27 inch or 32 inch monitors
Replies: 54
Views: 2741

Re: 27 inch or 32 inch monitors

Dual 24" were too wide for me, let alone dual 27" or dual 32"

I went with one 28" (not curved). A single, curved 32" ultrawide would have been great, too.
by JoeJohnson
Fri Jan 27, 2023 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: January Gas Bill - Wowza
Replies: 77
Views: 8466

Re: January Gas Bill - Wowza

Natural Gas is cheaper per therm vs last year in our Midwest locale
by JoeJohnson
Thu Jan 05, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Rav4 Prime SE - $3500 over MSRP
Replies: 67
Views: 8297

Re: 2023 Rav4 Prime SE - $3500 over MSRP

yoga wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 7:27 am Found an east coast dealer charging MSRP for the prime and put a deposit down in September, number 35 on list, 1.5 year expected wait. Just got a call this week, an xse is available. People must be backing out. We're going to jump on it and it's a year early!!
I'm not at all surprised people are backing out. The tax credit going away due to the Inflation Reduction Act made these vehicles overpriced relative to the hybrid.
by JoeJohnson
Fri Dec 30, 2022 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rav4 vs CRV 2023
Replies: 49
Views: 5736

Re: Rav4 vs CRV 2023

theplayer11 wrote: Fri Dec 30, 2022 6:27 pm the CX-5 is the perfect blend of reliability, affordability, luxury..and actually fun to drive(especially with the turbo). After test driving most of the vehicles mentioned in this thread, the CX-5 was the clear winner.
OP is looking for a road tripping vehicle for family of four. The CX-5 is a poor choice given lack of cargo volume.
by JoeJohnson
Fri Dec 30, 2022 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 6 previous owner truck
Replies: 46
Views: 3799

Re: 6 previous owner truck

Stupendous wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 12:21 pm Carfax isn't a guarantee. I will never trust a Carfax after my personal experience.

I had a motor catastrophically fail on a sports car within warranty. The motor was replaced under warranty and I sold the car shortly after. Found the car online for sale and the Carfax showed nothing about the motor being replaced.
That's normal for Carfax. Only some dealers report repairs and maintenance; often with vague description. Carfax is better at showing history of title, registration, accidents, etc. Of course, even those are not 100% accurate.
by JoeJohnson
Thu Nov 24, 2022 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy a car before retirement or after retiring?
Replies: 34
Views: 2684

Re: Buy a car before retirement or after retiring?

OP: You may consider your options with respect to changing cash flow in retirement. Getting a loan may also be more difficult. This is a great foresight on your part to consider this scenario. Enjoy your new car, whatever you decide.

To all responding about driving a car until the wheels fall off: OP didn't ask for your opinion IF they should buy a new car. OP asked BEFORE or AFTER retirement :sharebeer
by JoeJohnson
Thu Nov 24, 2022 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiring June 2023 - Accelerate 401k to get max?
Replies: 23
Views: 2326

Re: Retiring June 2023 - Accelerate 401k to get max?

OP - are you saying the company does no match at all until December?

Overall, yes, it is beneficial to you to fill tax advantaged accounts. Traditional vs Roth is the big question here. Current and future tax brackets are important. ACA income limits, if you're going to use ACA health coverage, , lowering income might make you eligible for IRA limits, etc etc
by JoeJohnson
Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inflation Reduction Act - Clean Energy tax credit for home purchases
Replies: 82
Views: 10739

Re: Inflation Reduction Act - Clean Energy tax credit for home purchases

Does the $8K incentive in 2023 from the Inflation Reduction Act apply if I purchase a heat pump online on 1/1/23 and have a handyman install it in 2023? Or does the heat pump have to be installed by a licensed HVAC company? Thank you in advance :) The rules have not been decided. It's going to be quite a while before any of this is decided because it will be run by individual states. From November through January, DOE will hold a series of listening sessions to engage a wide array of stakeholders, including direct engagement with states and Tribes, labor, industry, and others, on these consumer rebate programs. Following the listening sessions, DOE will issue a Request for Information for public input in early 2023. DOE anticipates that th...
by JoeJohnson
Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inflation Reduction Act - Clean Energy tax credit for home purchases
Replies: 82
Views: 10739

Re: Inflation Reduction Act - Clean Energy tax credit for home purchases

This IRA is all very confusing. Like another post, I am in need of replacing my 17 year old Natural Gas Hot Water Heater. Looks like I can get a $300 federal credit for purchasing an Energy Star product this year, but maybe not so next year. Looks like a $600 credit next year, but not clear if a Natural Gas HWH is still covered or only the vastly more expensive Hybrid Heat Pump or Solar type. :?: While there have been many good links posted by others they are usually very generic and not very detailed. Has anyone found any 3rd party resources that are a little more specific on products, etc.? Have you found a natural gas WH that qualifies for this year's $300? Not all models will qualify. And to be frank, I haven't seen a natural gas tanke...
by JoeJohnson
Mon Aug 22, 2022 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accountant fees? Was this fair?
Replies: 68
Views: 4996

Re: Accountant fees? Was this fair?

Zeno wrote: Mon Aug 22, 2022 8:22 pm Redacted
You have been entirely out of line in this topic and I kindly ask you to refrain from attacking OP and their profession. This forum is a wonderful place.
by JoeJohnson
Sun Aug 07, 2022 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone ever explicitly refused promotion for better work-life-balance?
Replies: 90
Views: 8199

Re: Anyone ever explicitly refused promotion for better work-life-balance?

That said, my impression is that the early stages of management don't pay much better than what a top individual contributor makes, but the longer you manage (as unappealing as it may be), the more you'll make above and beyond an individual contributor. Absolutely. The big money is in Director & particularly above in big corporations. Not just comp, but stocks, deferred comp, etc. Taking on a management role might be worth the slog if you have the desire AND ability to progress higher. For me, as others have mentioned, there is a concept of "enough" money. I'm well compensated as a maxed out IC. Little desire to manage people (2 examples on my team have made that perfectly clear). ZERO desire to go Director+ (Directors do lit...
by JoeJohnson
Sun Jul 31, 2022 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Post-marriage finance checklist
Replies: 53
Views: 4442

Re: Post-marriage finance checklist

Marshall-Dillon wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 11:36 am
JoeJohnson wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:59 am
Marshall-Dillon wrote: Sat Jul 30, 2022 8:05 pm Does she have a post marriage checklist where she outlines all of the contributions she will be making to the future of this relationship?

My advice is to obtain a Pre-Nup and keep all accounts separate. I would also encourage her to obtain employment to assist in the finances.
Going to be pretty challenging considering OP said college + no income for 5 years
Somehow I managed to work and pay my entire way through college.
Good for you. Not particularly relevant to the OP. :sharebeer
by JoeJohnson
Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Post-marriage finance checklist
Replies: 53
Views: 4442

Re: Post-marriage finance checklist

Marshall-Dillon wrote: Sat Jul 30, 2022 8:05 pm Does she have a post marriage checklist where she outlines all of the contributions she will be making to the future of this relationship?

My advice is to obtain a Pre-Nup and keep all accounts separate. I would also encourage her to obtain employment to assist in the finances.
Going to be pretty challenging considering OP said college + no income for 5 years
by JoeJohnson
Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $2.5M networth under 40 now what?
Replies: 163
Views: 23696

Re: $2.5M networth under 40 now what?

It really wasn't much of a question, to be honest. The range of responses to such a thread are very predictable. That in retrospect I tend to agree with. Looking for an answer that isn’t easily answerable and will have a range of responses. At the time really was confused on what to do. Now just staying the course. Having skimmed only the first page of this thread, that would be my advice to you. Wait 5 years to re evaluate. Keep adding to your savings to: 1. Increase your financial security, 2.Increase your lifestyle with increased ability to spend, 3. Increase your control over your life. This is opposed to the Fire philosophy where one gains a certain amount of savings relatively early in life, aided by modest spending, and then decides...
by JoeJohnson
Fri Jul 29, 2022 4:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Fed vowed to crush inflation with higher rates. The stock market rallied. Here’s why.
Replies: 39
Views: 4427

Re: The Fed vowed to crush inflation with higher rates. The stock market rallied. Here’s why.

So rather than a few conspiracy type ideas, I can't come up with a definition of "neutral" that makes any objective sense.... Anyone else...? Very generally, it's the short-term interest rate at which there is full employment and maximum utilization of economic resource while keeping inflation positive, low, and stable [/b]. Lots of fuzzy terms in that description, but that is the general idea as I understand it. The rate is unobservable and likely changes over time. Another aspect of the interpretation is that the fed and its members engage in strategic interactions with market participants, which can add layers of interpretation to what they say. That is not a conspiracy theory but just a fact of the circumstances. Well if thei...
by JoeJohnson
Sat Jul 09, 2022 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Central A/C bad capacitor symptoms?
Replies: 55
Views: 4484

Re: Central A/C bad capacitor symptoms?

cestan wrote: Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:29 pm funny just had capacitor replaced by tech today total cost 286 in florida but with temps 105 tomorrow and pissed off wife it was priceless
Similar last year. A/C motor wouldn't turn on. After hours, on hottest day of the year. Paid $263 for emergency call / capacitor.

At the time, it was worth every penny. At minimum, we were going to get a hotel room ($150?), so $263 for an immediate fix was great.

Lessons learned: 1) always have a spare capacitor for the A/C....2) Buy a ranch instead of 2 story house. Too hot upstairs in the summer when the power is out or the A/C quits working. Too much siding and windows when your town is destroyed by a storm but that's a story for a different thread :beer
by JoeJohnson
Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax loss harvesting - check-up
Replies: 1
Views: 352

Tax loss harvesting - check-up

Hello Bogleheads! Looking to tax loss harvest (TLH) from Total Stock (VTSAX) to S&P 500 (VFIAX). Just want to double-check a few mechanics VTSAX is auto invested monthly in taxable account and I receive dividends every quarter in taxable & IRAs. Jan 14th - taxable lot Feb 15th - taxable lot Mar 14th - taxable lot Mar 22nd - dividends reinvested (Taxable and IRA) Apr 14th - taxable lot 30 Day Window Previous 30 days: Purchase VTSAX - April 14th. Upcoming 30 days: Will make sure May auto investment does not go to VTSAX. My 401(k) paycheck purchases do not go to VTSAX 61 day Holding Period for Dividends Shares purchased on March 14th have NOT met the 61 day holding period. These shares received a dividend March 22nd. Summary Questions ...
by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 05, 2022 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ready to FIRE. Am I missing anything?
Replies: 281
Views: 20384

Re: Ready to FIRE. Am I missing anything?

Your plan is solid. Backed up by math and data. Enjoy the time off and see where it takes you. Ignore the judgemental posts. Cheers and congrats :sharebeer
by JoeJohnson
Wed Feb 23, 2022 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Repair Delays Due to Missing Parts - Going into month 3
Replies: 25
Views: 3272

Re: Car Repair Delays Due to Missing Parts - Going into month 3

8foot7 wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 6:10 am Your beef here is with your insurer. It’s their tail risk of part supply chain disruptions, not yours. Call the insurance commissioner for your state.
On what grounds is this risk on the insurer? OP likely paid the insurer for up to 45 days of rental coverage
by JoeJohnson
Wed Feb 23, 2022 6:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Repair Delays Due to Missing Parts - Going into month 3
Replies: 25
Views: 3272

Re: Car Repair Delays Due to Missing Parts - Going into month 3

I was in a car accident in mid December. (My car was only one year old, unfortunately.) This is a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Since then, I have had to rent a car. The auto body shop I am using was and continues to be backlogged, and they have had issues with getting parts. Two months later, I am still renting a car. My insurance company would not extend the rental beyond 45 days, so I have had to pay out of pocket for a one month’s car rental. Today, my auto body shop called me and said they STILL do not have a part from Toyota. This is the second or third time the part’s release was pushed back. He expects the part in mid March, but even then cannot promise that. If that is the case, I would have to pay out of pocket for a second month of a car ...
by JoeJohnson
Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you not purchasing due to inflation?
Replies: 284
Views: 22746

Re: What are you not purchasing due to inflation?

JoeRetire wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:02 am
phantom0308 wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 4:39 amCars aren’t going to cost this much forever.
I'm trying to remember the last time new car prices went down, and I can't come up with one.
Perhaps this time it's different.
Great Financial Crisis. It was an excellent time to buy a new vehicle. And houses. And really buy anything if you had the money and stomach to commit to a big purchase.

Cars are the epitome of supply and demand. We will see if the supply chain can catch up.
by JoeJohnson
Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Places for Lumber
Replies: 83
Views: 9898

Re: Cheap Places for Lumber

JoeJohnson wrote: Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:13 am
nordsteve wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 10:39 am 1/2" 4x8 OSB sheets $21.55 today in single quantity at local HD.
1/2" OSB continues to drop like a rock

$15.55 this week
1/2" OSB is back up to $35 vs $15 it was six months ago
by JoeJohnson
Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How has inflation changed your expense/spending strategy?
Replies: 237
Views: 22378

Re: How has inflation changed your expense/spending strategy?

Zero changes to day-to-day

Mortgage and Auto are biggest line items. Both do not inflate and in fact have lowered with refinance.

We will drive (fuel) per normal and heat the house (natural gas) per normal.

Only thing I'll defer is rear deck rebuild if material or labor is unusually high next year.
by JoeJohnson
Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay raises for 2022
Replies: 421
Views: 58396

Re: Pay raises for 2022

What are your expectations of pay raises in 2022 due to rising inflation? I was thinking the usual 2-3% isn't going to cut it this time around with the CPI coming in at close to 6% for the last few months but I am wondering if employers are still going to try their luck with the usual raises. Are you going to push for a higher adjustment? If so, are you going to argue about the inflation numbers or make your argument in other ways? CPI is 6% year over year. Recall something unusual was going on a year ago that caused abnormal prices in the market. 2 year CPI increase (pre-pandemic) vs Oct 2019 is around 3.7% annually. Doesn't sound so crazy does it? I don't expect my employer to base raises on CPI. I expect my employer to be adjusting to m...
by JoeJohnson
Sat Oct 02, 2021 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sirius/XM Latest Pricing "Game".
Replies: 57
Views: 7273

Re: Sirius/XM Latest Pricing "Game".

Thank you for this. I believe this is what I'll do. I can stream for the second car temporarily. After both expire in December I'll call and hope for this "get me back" deal. Actually, the 12-year deal I've taken is not an "extra buck a month" as 8foot7 states. The $72/yr includes tax/fees, so each deal is essentially $5/month + tax/fees. No extra $1/mo if you go for a year. My last 1-year renewal was $71.84 all in. Do they actually offer a $5/ month renewal or is it $30/ 6 months? The reason I ask is that AmEx Platinum gives me a $20/ month credit however I currently just do the $30/ 6 month deal when I threaten to cancel. Will they actually allow me to be billed monthly therefore I can use my credit without paying any...
by JoeJohnson
Sat Oct 02, 2021 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sirius/XM Latest Pricing "Game".
Replies: 57
Views: 7273

Re: Sirius/XM Latest Pricing "Game".

The 6 months for $30+tax remains the lowest possible price as far as I know. I believe they also do a $72 for one year, which may be worth the extra buck a month to have to call half as often to fight for the renewal. I don’t think there’s any reason to pay more than that. You may have to hang up once and go without the service for a day but they’ll always end up offering it to you. For 2 cars I’d just have them both off the service and then call on the same day to sign them both up. So let your current car lapse and then call in December. Not sure if there’s a better way than that. Thank you for this. I believe this is what I'll do. I can stream for the second car temporarily. After both expire in December I'll call and hope for this &quo...
by JoeJohnson
Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Follow up on GEICO—car likely to be totaled
Replies: 27
Views: 3081

Re: Geico total loss claim

Totaled a car a few years ago with GEICO. Was less than six months old and less than 5k miles. They promptly paid a fair market value that was almost what I initially paid for the car.
by JoeJohnson
Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Places for Lumber
Replies: 83
Views: 9898

Re: Cheap Places for Lumber

nordsteve wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 10:39 am 1/2" 4x8 OSB sheets $21.55 today in single quantity at local HD.
1/2" OSB continues to drop like a rock

$15.55 this week
by JoeJohnson
Sun Aug 08, 2021 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: food prices going through the roof?
Replies: 124
Views: 12526

Re: food prices going through the roof?

wander wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 2:05 pm Lumber prices are going up to. If you are diy, you know what I mean.
Lumber prices are abnormally high, but they are not going up. In fact, lumber is dropping significantly

viewtopic.php?p=6159302#p6159302
by JoeJohnson
Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Battery powered lawn mower recommendation
Replies: 93
Views: 6339

Re: Battery powered lawn mower recommendation

I have the Makita 18 in walk behind. It was $399 and comes with 4 batteries (2 go in the machine at a time). It works spectacularly for us. My wife has no trouble starting it, I never have to change the oil or clean the carb. I can do our 1/4 acre yard on 1 set of batteries. My wife mows more slowly and usually has to change batteries near the end, but it's a 30 second endeavor. The mower is also much quieter and I feel comfortable cutting the lawn later in the evening (when the temp is cooler) than I did with my gas mower. Coming with 4 batteries is great if you are handy in any way, Makita has one of - if not the - largest selection of battery powered tools. So now I can buy any Makita product as a bare tool and use my mower batteries in...
by JoeJohnson
Wed Jul 21, 2021 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Places for Lumber
Replies: 83
Views: 9898

Re: Cheap Places for Lumber

Ring the bell, crank the klaxon: Retail lumber prices are dropping!!! I have evidence. This last year, when I go to Home Depot, I cruise by and check two items: 1) 6x6 pressure treated timber, 2) 5/8" engineered underlayment, 4x8 I watched the underlayment go from about $20 all the way to $83. The timber went from about $30 to $70. In the last week the underlayment dropped from $83 to $81. The timber is down $2 to $68. Hey, it is progress. Signs of the commodity market finally trickling through to retail. PS: I know that place in Bellhaven, NC well. Nice place, but even though it is small town, they draw regionally and are the only game around. At my local Home Depot, the 6x6x12 timber just cratered to $43. From $68 to $43 in 3 weeks....
by JoeJohnson
Sun Jul 18, 2021 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
Replies: 60
Views: 7817

Re: Battery Powered Lawn Mowers

All this talk of maintaining battery at optimal charge levels and temp….sounding to make gas maintenance a piece of cake (check air filter, oil level, spark plugs). Like some of us are saying, the better systems do this thinking for you. And if it is hot, just wait a while before charging. Just like you wouldn't re-gas your mower when the muffler is blindingly hot. What does a hot muffler have to do with gas tank? :oops: Nothing, if every drop of gas goes in the tank. But in the real world a few drops get spilled, and not infrequently some hits the muffler and instantly vaporizes into a nearly explosive air-fuel mixture. Been there, done that, experienced the pucker. Interesting. Never seen a mower with the gas neck anywhere near the hot e...
by JoeJohnson
Sun Jul 18, 2021 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
Replies: 60
Views: 7817

Re: Battery Powered Lawn Mowers

Tubes wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 10:51 am
seawolf21 wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:02 pm All this talk of maintaining battery at optimal charge levels and temp….sounding to make gas maintenance a piece of cake (check air filter, oil level, spark plugs).
Like some of us are saying, the better systems do this thinking for you.

And if it is hot, just wait a while before charging. Just like you wouldn't re-gas your mower when the muffler is blindingly hot.
What does a hot muffler have to do with gas tank? :oops:
by JoeJohnson
Sat Jun 05, 2021 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12851
Views: 1124301

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

P.S. The rate table also offered 2% with about $2750 in credits; we paid a small amount ($680) in points to lower the rate to 1.875%. This turned out to be a sub-optimal choice because the rates fell the evening after we closed. Now Better is offering 1.875% (15 yr) with zero points. Points are a trade off between money now versus money in the future. I assume the lender knows what they are doing more often than not, and I am worse than the lender at pricing money now vs money in the future. Therefore, I assume I am better off with no points and investing any cash I may have used to buy points in VTI. I am interested to know if my theory has any holes. Only that the rate table is not linear. For instance, lurkman has a $3,430 pricing impro...
by JoeJohnson
Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career options for a burnt out CPA
Replies: 62
Views: 7148

Re: Career options for a burnt out CPA

mlipps wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 3:17 pm Rather than looking at pure sales roles, I think you should consider implementation & solution consulting roles at some of the financial software companies such as Oracle, Workday, etc. They are often happy to have people who have been in the weeds as end users to support new clients in getting started with their tools. It will leverage your people skills without putting you immediately into a commission/sales based role, although you could certainly grow into that if you have the right skill set. It will almost certainly pay better and should have a much more reasonable "busy season" than a true accounting role.
OP would likely have zero experience with large, corporate ERPs mentioned
by JoeJohnson
Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career options for a burnt out CPA
Replies: 62
Views: 7148

Re: Career options for a burnt out CPA

I will throw something out of left field: I left the then Big 8 firm I was at after three years and went to get an MBA. I just checked and the average numbers of years of work experience is 5 at my school currently, so you would just be a little more experienced than average if you started in the Fall of 2022. I had a concentration in Finance at grad school and found the combination of a CPA and MBA in Finance to be a powerful one. I was in investment management and, thanks to being a CPA, I had a much better grasp and understanding of financial statements than most of my peers. If you went for an MBA there would be a lot of possibilities open - consulting, financial services, etc. I don’t know if it would be worth it if it wasn’t a Top Te...
by JoeJohnson
Mon Apr 26, 2021 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Expensive lesson from Amica - any recourse?
Replies: 87
Views: 8533

Re: Expensive lesson from Amica - any recourse?

I've had AMICA for 40 years. Every policy renewal comes with a first page entitled " IMPORTANT CHANGES TO YOUR HOMEOWNERS RENEWAL POLICY ". It's a letter, addressed to me, and that's the first page. My last renewal explained that they had increased the value. Couldn't be more clear. If a change such as is described here was on that first page (all the policy packets are online), that's pretty clear. Best wishes to OP on his claim, AMICA was more than fair on mine (well, one Boglehead disagrees... :wink: ) +1. Received a weakened policy from Progressive recently and it was listed in the letter at renewal. One such change that is a direct result of Texas winter storm. I'll mention it here since there could be many Texans in this th...
by JoeJohnson
Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why leasing a new car is always the best option even if you intend to keep it forever
Replies: 182
Views: 24180

Re: Why leasing a new car is always the best option even if you intend to keep it forever

rakamaka wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 1:51 pm Lease calculation is based on MSRP value.
Cash buyer based on whichever negotiated out-of-door price (usually 10-20% less than MSRP?)

Lease always favors dealer/stealer.
Cash Bargaining favours BH type buyer.
False. Lease buyers do not pay MSRP. Price is negotiable just like any cash purchased vehicle
by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 27, 2021 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Owned a home, rented it for 2 years, then sold - Still owe tax?
Replies: 39
Views: 3411

Re: Owned a home, rented it for 2 years, then sold - Still owe tax?

We had a home as a primary residence, then I got a job in another state and we moved. We rented out the old home for for exactly two years, then sold it. I followed all the wizards in Turbotax this year and reported the fact that we sold the house. I had always believed that if one lived in a house for at least 2 of the last 5 years then it would be free of capital gain tax. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc701 However it seems like turbotax is estimating that we'll owe $30k tax on the sale! :shock: - Original purchase price in 2013: 565k - Basis at start of rental in 2018: 595k (ie. added 30k of improvements) - Sale price in 2020: 775k - Sales expenses: 45k (added up all the stuff in the sales contract) - Allocation of land/structure: 25% ...
by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2515
Views: 405892

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market

I don't think this housing increase is all that shocking given many circumstances. #1 is obviously the biggest reason. 1) We bought three years ago and our rate was 4.25%. Rates were down around 2.5% in 2020. This results in the ability to pay about 20% more for the house and still have the same payment as we did in 2018 . 2) Government money: stimulus 1, 2, 3. But let's not forget that many got a reduction in federal income tax, increased child tax credits, etc etc from 2018 to present. This increases ability to cash flow monthly and/or increased cash positions for down payment. Pay off other debts, etc. 3) Stock market boomed instead of busting. See #2. This helps with down payments. 4) Family resources as the greatest generation pass and...
by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 27, 2021 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Short term saving strategy taking into account taxes
Replies: 20
Views: 1505

Re: Short term saving strategy taking into account taxes

To person above; 520k is 40% of $1.3 million. A 20% down payment would be $260k. They have already committed 86k, which leaves $174k outstanding.

The biggest issue isn't cash on hand. The biggest issue is they cannot afford this house in the long-term and the OP is a gambler looking for a new job.
by JoeJohnson
Sat Mar 27, 2021 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Short term saving strategy taking into account taxes
Replies: 20
Views: 1505

Re: Short term saving strategy taking into account taxes

How exactly did you qualify for the $1.3m house??? The numbers don't add up. How much is your current house worth and the remaining balance?

Is any of the house deposit refundable? I'm not sure how these new builds contracts work, but I guarantee there is plenty of other suckers willing to buy that $1.3 house right now.

Unless I'm missing something obvious, you cannot afford this house. Period.
by JoeJohnson
Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ally Bank Removed Online Early Withdrawal From No-Penalty CDs
Replies: 148
Views: 17561

Re: Ally Bank Removed Online Early Withdrawal From No-Penalty CDs

indexfundfan wrote: Thu Mar 25, 2021 3:18 pm I used a phone rep last week to cancel my NP CD and the money was instantly transferred to my savings account. YMMV.
Same experience. Instant transfer
by JoeJohnson
Sun Mar 21, 2021 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Made a stupid move in my SEP-IRA account?
Replies: 12
Views: 669

Re: Made a stupid move in my SEP-IRA account?

No tax consequences for the SEP-IRA transactions. SEP is taxed at withdrawal. There will be capital gains in the taxable account if you sold or exchanged funds. I really hope you haven't done any transactions, but it sounds like already occurred. "Exchange" in Vanguard does NOT save taxes. What are you suggesting with the fund that I’m planning to sale VTIAX and buy VTSAX? How to do it correctly? I assume sale it with $4k gain to pay long Term capital gain and buy VTSAX. To be honest, I'm not sure how to help because you have not made it clear your current situation. What stocks do you currently own? How much did you purchase them? What date(s) did you purchase? What dates did you sell? We would like to help, but it's difficult w...
by JoeJohnson
Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I still get third stimulus recovery credit on my 2020 return?
Replies: 5
Views: 639

Re: Can I still get third stimulus recovery credit on my 2020 return?

If you did not get the third stimulus payment (or received a partial payment) based on your 2019 income, then there are two possibilities to receive an additional payment. The first is to file your 2020 tax return within 90 days of the tax deadline, so mid August. The IRS will send you a supplemental check for any additional stimulus based on the 2020 return. Alternatively, there will be an option on the 2021 return to claim a recovery rebate credit ( or whatever they are going to call it) for those receiving less than the full third stimulus amount but eligible for a higher amount based on the 2021 income. I will file my 2020 tax soon with AGI less than $150K. So you are saying I will not receive a credit for the third stimulus on my 2020...
by JoeJohnson
Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Made a stupid move in my SEP-IRA account?
Replies: 12
Views: 669

Re: Made a stupid move in my SEP-IRA account?

No tax consequences for the SEP-IRA transactions. SEP is taxed at withdrawal.

There will be capital gains in the taxable account if you sold or exchanged funds. I really hope you haven't done any transactions, but it sounds like already occurred.

"Exchange" in Vanguard does NOT save taxes.