Agree with others - absolutely go to at least Tulum to see the ruins. Chicin Itza is not terrible close.
Also - make sure you visit at least one cenote. If you go to Tulum, Gran Cenote is close. They are spectacular, clear, freshwater swimming holes.
Would also highly recommend snorkeling out on the coral reef. You can get a local boat from the town center of Puerto Morales for next to nothing.
Search found 231 matches
- Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cancun in a few weeks
- Replies: 52
- Views: 4826
- Sun Sep 30, 2018 11:02 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best neighborhoods in Atlanta
- Replies: 46
- Views: 5251
Re: Best neighborhoods in Atlanta
We used to live in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood, which would satisfy your requirements for a walkable, densely populated neighborhood. We loved it, close to downtown, piedmont park, reasonable distance to Emory university. Good luck!
- Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: San Diego - where to stay, what to do with 6 year old
- Replies: 30
- Views: 3050
Re: San Diego - where to stay, what to do with 6 year old
In addition to the stuff you mentioned, there is a ton of free stuff to do in San Diego. One of my favorite things is hiking in Torrey Pines, there's hikes for all ages and levels there. When my kids were that age, they also loved the beach at the Del Coronado and the powerhouse park in Del Mar (closer to Legoland). You could also spend an entire day in Balboa park (where the zoo is located). Check out the Dr. Seuss gardens.
- Wed Jul 18, 2018 7:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Europe travel Qs [Questions]
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5279
Re: Europe travel Qs
https://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/summer
If you go to Salzburg sometime over the next 6 weeks, make it a day trip. The festival is great, but it is very crowded and the Hotels are either all booked or very expensive.
If you go to Salzburg sometime over the next 6 weeks, make it a day trip. The festival is great, but it is very crowded and the Hotels are either all booked or very expensive.
- Sun May 27, 2018 8:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?
- Replies: 104
- Views: 22898
Re: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?
Disclaimer - I don't own one, but am thinking about getting one, but have been holding off because of the cost.
I've noticed that on craigslist, there are lots of treadmills, ellipticals, nordictrak's etc..., but I've been looking for 6 weeks and have yet to see a Peleton bike. I'm going to assume that's because people actually use them
I've noticed that on craigslist, there are lots of treadmills, ellipticals, nordictrak's etc..., but I've been looking for 6 weeks and have yet to see a Peleton bike. I'm going to assume that's because people actually use them
- Thu May 03, 2018 1:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to finance new home-IN a hurry!
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2476
Re: How to finance new home-IN a hurry!
If you can come up with 20% down, why not just get an 5/1 ARM for the new house, then refinance after you sell the old one? That's what we did last summer. If you can't come up with the 20% down, then a HELOC would make sense.
- Sat Apr 28, 2018 10:26 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Lake Tahoe
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3693
Re: Lake Tahoe
If your family needs something to do while you're at your conference- I would highly recommend this, my teenage kids had a blast.
http://granlibakken.com/adventure-park/
http://granlibakken.com/adventure-park/
- Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How can I get a passport?
- Replies: 64
- Views: 8919
Re: How can I get a passport?
We did it this, made an appointment, took us a grand total of 20 minutes for two passport applications. We live in a large city, and were able to make an appointment for a Saturday morning at a busy post office downtown. Definitely beats what we did last time, which was stand in line for 3 hours at the local library.nolesrule wrote: ↑Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:51 am Go online to the USPS website and make an appointment.
https://tools.usps.com/go/pages/schedul ... /index.jsp
- Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:28 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Berlin - how many days and where to stay?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3338
Re: Berlin - how many days and where to stay?
since you only have a limited amount of time in Berlin, and there is so much to see, I would recommend taking a bike tour. We did this as a family last year, and it was fantastic. I’d recommend doing it on your first day, then going back to explore some of your favorite sites later. You cover much more ground than a walking tour, and are much closer than a bus tour.
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Colorado Summer Vacation - what to see and where to stay
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7393
Re: Colorado Summer Vacation - what to see and where to stay
If you're going to stay in Downtown Denver, I would schedule a tour of the Denver mint.
Your kids would probably love one of the alpine slides as well, there are many throughout the are. Most of the ski areas will let you take mountain bikes up the gondolas and bike down. Loads of fun, but if you're not an experienced mountain biker, make sure you take the green slopes down
Your kids would probably love one of the alpine slides as well, there are many throughout the are. Most of the ski areas will let you take mountain bikes up the gondolas and bike down. Loads of fun, but if you're not an experienced mountain biker, make sure you take the green slopes down
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:30 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 529 as tax-free savings account for private school
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4093
Re: 529 as tax-free savings account for private school
As others have mentioned- I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle to run it through a 529 if you're going to just going to withdraw in a year or two. The main advantage of the a 529 is the tax-advantaged growth.
What I am planning on doing is to withdraw the 10k/yr from accounts that were set up ~10 years ago and have appreciated considerably. Then contribute that same amount. In a way, I'm "locking in" my gains.
What I am planning on doing is to withdraw the 10k/yr from accounts that were set up ~10 years ago and have appreciated considerably. Then contribute that same amount. In a way, I'm "locking in" my gains.
- Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Colorado Summer Vacation - what to see and where to stay
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7393
Re: Colorado Summer Vacation - what to see and where to stay
If you want to hike, I would recommend at least a little time in Estes Park, not far from Denver and the entry to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley Hotel is a classic.
- Tue Feb 27, 2018 5:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Physical cash
- Replies: 121
- Views: 12117
Re: Physical cash
We keep a couple thousand dollars next to the gun in the safe. Just in case.
- Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Signed up for American Express - "Premium" car rental insurance
- Replies: 56
- Views: 13265
Re: Signed up for American Express - "Premium" car rental insurance
I've used the "premium car rental Insurance" through amex for a couple years, and had to actually file a claim with them over the summer for some windshield damage in a rental. They were very easy to work with, only took a single phone call and the issue was resolved. They contract out to a third party though, so not handled directly by amex.
- Fri Feb 16, 2018 8:34 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rant about relocation mortgage assistance, and a question
- Replies: 54
- Views: 4537
Re: Rant about relocation mortgage assistance, and a question
I was in a very similar situation last year, starting a new job, had not sold my previous house and was under contract for a new house ($1.5M). We worked with an independent mortgage broker who found us a Jumbo 5/1 ARM ($1.2M) that we kept for a total of 5 months. We sold the old house and refinanced soon after. I would avoid the big banks and instead find an independent mortgage broker. Some, including mine, even have their own investors. They were willing to accept a signed contract for my new position.
- Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:07 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: how did you determine your risk tolerance?
- Replies: 154
- Views: 13696
Re: how did you determine your risk tolerance?
You may not really know your market tolerance until it actually hits a 50% decline. It's easy enough to say 'it's a buying opportunity' when it's a 10% decline, but things are different when you're assets are down 50%. see below, funny, but true...
http://theirrelevantinvestor.com/2018/0 ... et-bottom/
http://theirrelevantinvestor.com/2018/0 ... et-bottom/
- Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Munich to Venice
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1551
Re: Munich to Venice
We are flying into Munich from the US, and then taking a Mediterranean cruise out of Venice, so I think what we'll end up doing is Munich - Salzburg - ?Innsbruck? - Venice. We have an entire week to make the trip, so lot's of hiking/sightseeing on the way. Trains, partly for the experience, but mainly for the ease of travel.
Thanks for the input!
Thanks for the input!
- Thu Feb 08, 2018 4:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Munich to Venice
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1551
Re: Munich to Venice
Thanks for the suggestions! Would it be reasonable to to do Munich - Salzburg - Vienna - Budapest - Venice all in one week? Or is that too much traveling.
- Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:25 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Munich to Venice
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1551
Munich to Venice
Family of 4 (two teenage boys) Have a week to travel from Munich to Venice in July. Any suggestions from the board on how to spend our time?
- Sun Jan 14, 2018 8:10 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
- Replies: 3606
- Views: 562492
Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Years ago, when our net worth was still negative, I set a goal of financial independence being $3.5M, or $140,000/yr at 4% withdrawal rate. Well we hit that number last week!
Unfortunately, what I didn't realize all those years ago is that the goal should have been $3.5M in investable assets, not NW. And that I wouldn't feel comfortable with a 4% withdrawal rate, but instead will focus on a reaching enough to support a 3.5% withdrawal rate.
So while we've still reached $3.5M in net worth, we're still some years off from financial independence
Unfortunately, what I didn't realize all those years ago is that the goal should have been $3.5M in investable assets, not NW. And that I wouldn't feel comfortable with a 4% withdrawal rate, but instead will focus on a reaching enough to support a 3.5% withdrawal rate.
So while we've still reached $3.5M in net worth, we're still some years off from financial independence
- Sun Jan 14, 2018 5:27 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Help with 529: Save for College vs Pay for Private School
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1593
Re: Help with 529: Save for College vs Pay for Private School
Here is what I plan on doing, please correct me if I'm wrong:
I have some fairly significant gains in my 529. I plan on taking withdrawals to use for private middle school, and then put the corresponding amount into a different 529. This way I am "capturing" my gains. If the market takes a downturn, I can withdraw the new 529, and not pay any penalties. If the market goes up, I still benefit from those gains.
I have some fairly significant gains in my 529. I plan on taking withdrawals to use for private middle school, and then put the corresponding amount into a different 529. This way I am "capturing" my gains. If the market takes a downturn, I can withdraw the new 529, and not pay any penalties. If the market goes up, I still benefit from those gains.
- Thu Dec 28, 2017 12:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Upsizing Real Estate for Location/Ease
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1687
Re: Upsizing Real Estate for Location/Ease
I would do it. I think you are underestimated the benefit of being only 5 minutes from work, and her being 10-15 as opposed to 30 minutes.
- Thu Dec 28, 2017 6:59 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 529 and the new tax law
- Replies: 4
- Views: 903
Re: 529 and the new tax law
If you have any gains, why would you NOT? My strategy will be to use the maximum allowed and then replenish with new funds. That way, if I am overfunded for college, the gains and penalties will be less.
- Sun Nov 26, 2017 8:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Scanner Software for PDFs
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1185
Re: Scanner Software for PDFs
I believe acrobat pro is only available as a subscription now. Nuance makes an excellent PDF creator/manipulator which can be purchased outright.
- Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: LED Lightbulbs - Recommended Brands
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4211
Re: LED Lightbulbs - Recommended Brands
I use almost exclusively Halco ProLED lights. They are more expensive, but to my eye, they are closer to incandescent bulbs than the Cree and FEIT bulbs I have tried from Costco. Also have not had a single failure yet, but it's only been about 3 years for the oldest ones.
- Thu Nov 09, 2017 2:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Password manager without browser extension?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3474
Re: Password manager without browser extension?
I've been misquoted! That was someone else's reply to my original postbrad.clarkston wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2017 1:39 pm30 years in the IT Engineering field tends to lead me to not believe that statement from 99.9% of people
- Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:52 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Password manager without browser extension?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3474
Re: Password manager without browser extension?
Copying and pasting passwords through your operating system should be avoided. If I recall correctly, all open applications have access to the clipboard, which could be a major problem if you have any malware running. That’s the main advantage of the browser extensions and auto fill scripts, along with convenience
- Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:17 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: With panicked homeowners selling their flooded homes for 40¢ on the dollar, investors are flocking to Houston
- Replies: 35
- Views: 7894
Re: With panicked homeowners selling their flooded homes for 40¢ on the dollar, investors are flocking to Houston
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/mat/sec5.pdftexasdiver wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2017 12:23 am I think most newer houses in the Houston area are built on slab foundations. At least those in the suburbs that I’ve seen. There’s no raising them.
Perhaps smaller older houses in older neighborhoods are built on pier and beam foundations that can be raised. But the ordinary suburban home built in the last 40 years or so? I don’t think so.
There are contractors who elevate the house and the slab. It's not cheap, hence my comment about not everyone being able to afford it, but it can be done, and has been done quite regularly. Here is one such contractor, http://www.dawsonfoundationrepair.com/flood-plains/.
- Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Earplugs that work on low frequency noise?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 9843
Re: Earplugs that work on low frequency noise?
I think that you may be surprised if you ask them to move the time back an hour.
Check with your city as well, our city ordinance prohibits construction work and lawn work before 9am on weekends, your city may have something similar.
Check with your city as well, our city ordinance prohibits construction work and lawn work before 9am on weekends, your city may have something similar.
- Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:11 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: With panicked homeowners selling their flooded homes for 40¢ on the dollar, investors are flocking to Houston
- Replies: 35
- Views: 7894
Re: With panicked homeowners selling their flooded homes for 40¢ on the dollar, investors are flocking to Houston
It's a very sad situation overall. Many of these homes have been flooded three years in a row. The solution is to raise them onto piers above the base flood elevation level, but that is expensive and many of the homeowner's don't have the resources to do so. When most of these homes were built, they were not in a flood plain. The flood plain has expanded and changed dramatically due to urban sprawl and lack of planning on a city-wide, county-wide and regional basis.
- Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:20 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 30yr Mortgage Refi Rates
- Replies: 16
- Views: 3430
Re: 30yr Mortgage Refi Rates
Zillow has been my go to place for mortgage rates for he last few years.
- Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:54 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Maximizing retirement plan contrib after closing practice
- Replies: 0
- Views: 354
Maximizing retirement plan contrib after closing practice
I closed a medical practice early this year and let all of my employees go. I had a 401k plan that has been terminated that had a safe harbor (4%) match for my employees. The practice is no longer open, but technically the business is still active, I'm still receiving insurance payments, etc... Can I open a SEP before the end of the year and contribute more to that account? What would be the maximum I could contribute if my employee contributions have been 18k and employer contrib 9k?
- Thu Aug 31, 2017 8:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2 comma club (my way)!!
- Replies: 60
- Views: 14599
- Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should we sell a home to a friend's daughter?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4667
Re: Should we sell a home to a friend's daughter?
Another option would be to make it clear from the beginning that the property will be sold "as is". That way the onus is on them to identify any potential problems, and then decide whether or not to proceed.
- Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor, Maine
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4617
Re: Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor, Maine
Lot's of good recommendations - our favorites are the hiking (wild blueberry bushes for snacks!), biking on the carriage trails, and kayaking. If you have kids, I would strongly recommend Diver Ed's Dive-in Theater Boat Tour. It's fun and hilarious, and as a bonus, educational as well.
- Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:13 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do You Take Your Credit Card Receipts?
- Replies: 85
- Views: 11505
Re: Do You Take Your Credit Card Receipts?
What do you do when the receipt you take from a restaurant doesn't match up with the charge on your credit card statement? I went to a restaurant recently and the credit card statement charge is $20 more than the receipt I took. Do I call the restaurant or the credit card company, or do nothing?
- Mon Jun 26, 2017 4:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best Practices for Managing Paper Receipts
- Replies: 28
- Views: 5099
Re: Best Practices for Managing Paper Receipts
Let me know how it's going when your scanning 2 years worth of statements with your smartphoneF150HD wrote:Thank me later.
Fujitsu iX500 ScanSnap Document Scanner + EverNote (FREE)
https://www.amazon.com/Fujitsu-ScanSnap ... i+snapscan
$444 for a scanner?
your smartphone can do it for free w/ any one of a number of free pdf scanning apps.
I scan receipts for things of value w/ a warranty (TV, fridge, washer, tools etc). Store in online storage uploaded directly from my phone once the receipt is scanned.
Similar for any paperwork I need (mortgage refi etc)
The scansnap is one of the best purchases I have ever made.
- Fri Jun 16, 2017 2:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mortgage amount vs savings vs interest deduction
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3004
Re: Mortgage amount vs savings vs interest deduction
buckstar, 1) Why do you assume that the 6% return is solely in the qualified dividend? A more reasonable assumption would be 2% to 3% dividend and the rest in capital gain. <<And you neglected to consider the MID on the $36k in mortgage interest. >> 2) Then, we throw in property tax, homeowner insurance, lawn care, "keep up with the Jones" and so on. The MID becomes a roundoff error. But, what is the point anyhow? OP would not listen anyhow. His peers, real estate agents, and everyone else will sell him the idea of buying a 1.3 million house. It is good for the economy and everybody including me. Everyone will make money from the deal. KlangFool KF, 1) I assumed qualified dividend instead of non-qualified because the tax rate is ...
- Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mortgage amount vs savings vs interest deduction
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3004
Re: Mortgage amount vs savings vs interest deduction
Reston, etc are not DC - they are exurbs. The commute in from Reston to DC is almost an hour. If you want to live in NW DC or Arlington, $1.3M will buy you a ranch home. One other factor to consider is that a jumbo loan above $1M is considered a 'super jumbo' and has higher rates and different underwriting standards. I would certainly look at Penfed for a jumbo mortgage origination. Klang Fool - I won't argue with you regarding the suitability of buying a $1.3M house, but your argument is a little disingenuous. The OP is in the highest marginal tax bracket, so even if they earn $24k a year solely in qualified dividends, they are paying 20% tax on that. And you neglected to consider the MID on the $36k in mortgage interest. You're argument w...
- Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: To buy or not to buy and move?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2806
Re: To buy or not to buy and move?
Five thousand sq ft for two people in their 70s seems quite large! I imagine as you get older, you will value that space less and less, and maybe even regret it as it will get difficult to care for. I would recommend moving close to family and downsizing, and furthermore if your are going to love close to family, I would move VERY close. There is a huge difference between being 5 minutes away can being 30 minutes away. Five minutes away means you can see your grandson whenever you want, being able to pick up after school or drop off in morning, attend ball games, etc.....
- Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Source for Finding and Understanding Medical Billing Codes
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1357
Re: Source for Finding and Understanding Medical Billing Codes
This is the Medicare website, you can search by code, and see what medicare reimburses for each code. There are modifiers and adjustments for multiple codes, so your physician is likely not making as much as you think.
https://www.cms.gov/apps/physician-fee- ... ement.aspx
https://www.cms.gov/apps/physician-fee- ... ement.aspx
- Fri May 12, 2017 9:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can you suggest a mortgage lender who does not resell
- Replies: 67
- Views: 18159
Re: Can you suggest a mortgage lender who does not resell
As mentioned above, you can specify that you don't want to escrow your insurance and property tax. Usually this will result in either a higher rate or increased closing costs. If you don't escrow, it doesn't really matter who your loan servicer is.
If you are hell bent on having your originator not sell your loan, I would also recommend PenFed.
If you are hell bent on having your originator not sell your loan, I would also recommend PenFed.
- Thu May 04, 2017 9:59 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Public University (Texas) Retirement Options
- Replies: 25
- Views: 5360
Re: Public University (Texas) Retirement Options
I would caution both of you NOT to count on spending your entire careers at one institution.
This is your first job out of training. I think most people will tell you that you learn more in your first two years of practice than you did during residency, both about medicine, and about the business of medicine. Both you and the job will change over the coming years, so please don't make any major decisions assuming you will stay at one job for 20+ years.
food for thought...
This is your first job out of training. I think most people will tell you that you learn more in your first two years of practice than you did during residency, both about medicine, and about the business of medicine. Both you and the job will change over the coming years, so please don't make any major decisions assuming you will stay at one job for 20+ years.
food for thought...
- Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:15 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: More advice for BigLaw Survivor, please?
- Replies: 233
- Views: 39194
Re: More advice for BigLaw Survivor, please?
BLS-
Just a bump to say thank you for a fantastic post and your updates, which I hope you continue to do periodically.
I hope/plan to be in your position somewhere in the next 4-6 years (albeit with college expenses still to pay for), and your post has been inspirational.
Just a bump to say thank you for a fantastic post and your updates, which I hope you continue to do periodically.
I hope/plan to be in your position somewhere in the next 4-6 years (albeit with college expenses still to pay for), and your post has been inspirational.
- Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: million dollar condo?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 5641
Re: million dollar condo?
Certainly you can afford it, I'm just not sure it's the correct decision for you. Why not wait until after you have kids to make that decision? You may decide that when you have kids you will want a yard for them. Or maybe you will want to live in area with other young families so there are lots of kids around. I would be loathe to make a million dollar decision right now with kids only 1-2 years away, when having kids can change so many things.
- Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can we afford private school tuition
- Replies: 42
- Views: 7540
Re: Can we afford private school tuition
Just remember that with private school tuition comes other expense: yearly donations, class trip fees, etc...
- Thu Mar 30, 2017 4:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Spring Break Trip to Disney World
- Replies: 68
- Views: 7739
Re: Spring Break Trip to Disney World
Express pass at Universal is totally worth it. I wouldn't go without it.
- Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:37 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Portfolio Review and Our Complete Economic Situation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2154
Re: Portfolio Review and Our Complete Economic Situation
Does your business have employees? If not, I would strongly consider a defined benefit plan. If structured correctly, you will be able to defer taxes on a much, much larger share of your income.
I use employee fiduciary for our 401k plan, they are very good, with low, transparent fees and let you pick your own investment options.
I use employee fiduciary for our 401k plan, they are very good, with low, transparent fees and let you pick your own investment options.
- Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: When & how much to donate?
- Replies: 108
- Views: 12149
Re: When & how much to donate?
Congratulations on your success! You will receive no criticism from me, only encouragement. I would say donate as much or as little as you want, just donate something. The more strongly you feel about the cause, the more you and the cause will benefit.
- Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:36 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Macbook Pro 15 (2016 Model): Worth the Upgrade?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1229
Re: Macbook Pro 15 (2016 Model): Worth the Upgrade?
I just made the same upgrade you are proposing. Was it worth it? For me, yes because my 2012 MacBook Pro was dying. It was the first Mac I've had that I would describe as a lemon, as I had (hardware) problems with it from year one of ownership. Having said that, it still lasted me 4 years without having to spend any money on repairs. The new model is significantly lighter, and significantly faster. The new touchbar feels 'gimmicky' to me, I've had mine for about 3 months now and haven't found it particularly useful except for the TouchID , which is very nice for unlocking, installing software and especially using 1Password. But, this model is very expensive. If my 2012 was still working well, I'm not sure I would feel the upgrade was worth ...