Search found 1196 matches

by BuckyBadger
Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Experiences from those who have scaled back before full retirement
Replies: 6
Views: 985

Experiences from those who have scaled back before full retirement

I've been looking for some experiences from people who have scaled back but not fully retired for a while before a "full" early retirement. My husband (44) and I (43) have always targeted an early retirement (50-ish) but our jobs are quite stressful (especially mine) and we have a daughter about to enter kindergarten and I've recently started running numbers to see if we could do a scaled back version of our working live until we reach our planned retirement age - or a little past to make up for last savings. The stress from work is affecting my sleep and frequently making me miserable, but the money is great which is why we've been able to save so much already. My thought: in 1 or 2 years I scale back to either an industry WFH or...
by BuckyBadger
Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For people with EVs what do you for road trips?
Replies: 122
Views: 10996

Re: For people with EVs what do you for road trips?

You've gotten great comments but I'll add mine! We have a Tesla MYLR and a Kia Telluride. We also have a nearly 5yo and take many road trips. We regularly take an approximately 200 mile road trip - about 3 or 4 times a year. It's along major highways and we take the Tesla. We stop along the way for lunch and to charge not because we have to charge, but because it's convenient to stop then and there's a nice charger next to a steakhouse that give you 20% off if you're using the Super Charger. We regularly take an approximately 150 mile road trip - about 2 times a year. It's along major highways and we take the Tesla. We stop along the way to top off to charge, because it's more convenient that charging at the end point, and doing the whole t...
by BuckyBadger
Thu Mar 30, 2023 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla (or EVs in general) - real-world inconveniences?
Replies: 139
Views: 13450

Re: Tesla (or EVs in general) - real-world inconveniences?

Chiming in - but you've gotten good responses! I have a MYLR. Bought a M3LR in in 2019 and loved it, but when the small badger got bigger and her stuff got bigger, we decided to get a bigger car. I looked at all the new EVs available at the time - which are looking great!! EV6, Ioniq, Mach-E, and a few others. Decided that after having a Tesla, we weren't ready to let go of some of the tech and the supercharger access, so found a great used MYLR. (Some of the intangibles that I couldn't give up are silly tech things - using your phone as a key, the app that lets you precondition the car, Dog Mode, Camp Mode, the entertainment stuff that keeps kiddo occupied when one parent is running an errand and the other parent is waiting in the car with...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA contribution from previous employer, Dec 1st change employment, no high deductible plan?
Replies: 4
Views: 313

Re: HSA contribution from previous employer, Dec 1st change employment, no high deductible plan?

Nate79 wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:32 am He will need to use the excess contribution return process by the HSA provider for all 2022 contributions and their associated gains. That's what the form is for. You will pay a 6% penalty for every year that you leave the money in the HSA - so yes, it needs to be removed now.
Going back into TurboTax and indicating that he was not covered by a HD plan didn't change our refund at all - so does the transaction I have to do with the HSA administrator not have an impact on my 2022 taxes? I'm having trouble getting to the exact same questions, so maybe I'm doing it wrong, but can I just go through the HSA administrator or do I need to sort it out and get an amended W2 before I can file?
by BuckyBadger
Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA contribution from previous employer, Dec 1st change employment, no high deductible plan?
Replies: 4
Views: 313

Re: HSA contribution from previous employer, Dec 1st change employment, no high deductible plan?

Okay I think I understand the "last month" rule and it's the opposite - if you're employed at the END of the year you can contribute for the entire year.

And I found a form on the HSA site about excess contributions, but still not sure how it applies. It was mostly a company contribution - I have no idea how to get it back to the company if it was in error. I still don't understand why I have anything from this company for tax year 2022 when his employment ended at the end of 2021!!

I don't know how to unravel this if I even have to...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA contribution from previous employer, Dec 1st change employment, no high deductible plan?
Replies: 4
Views: 313

HSA contribution from previous employer, Dec 1st change employment, no high deductible plan?

SOME EDITS BELOW!! My husband changed employment - we believed on January 1st, 2022. But we still got a W2 from the previous employer with a 401k contribution (which lead to an over contribution, which I'm trying to sort out, but at least I think I understand how to deal with) and an HSA contribution. At the new company, my husband did not have a high deductible plan and did not have a HSA. Looking at the HSA account, it seems that there was a $620 company contribution and a $112.69 employee contribution made in January 2022 and labeled as "Tax Year 2022". When I go through TurboTax I'm a little confused about how to put this in. Does this mean that technically he was covered by his old high deductible plan on January 1st 2022? Sh...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Feb 08, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cruise Transportation - Big Family
Replies: 38
Views: 3056

Re: Cruise Transportation - Big Family

... Just not something wife is comfortable doing without another adult. I would be curious if a lot of women on here take Ubers/Lyfts by themselves. Yes, we do. I'm a woman, and would not be at all concerned with taking an Uber or Lyft in broad daylight to a cruise port in Florida. Agreed. If I didn't take Ubers by myself, how would I get places when I travel alone out of town? But perhaps your wife doesn't travel alone, either. Or go to, say, a work conference and have to get to a hotel from an airport. During the daytime from a hotel to a cruise terminal with several kids along for the ride and a spouse in another Uber? The risk of foul play is zero. She can share her trip with you and you can follow along the entire way. I'm not sure wh...
by BuckyBadger
Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Google Pixel 7 / Android 13 - Thoughts? Privacy Issues?
Replies: 4
Views: 680

Re: Google Pixel 7 / Android 13 - Thoughts? Privacy Issues?

We're a Google family and have had pixel phones for years now. I've just given in - I lock our credit and just let whatever else happens, happen.

Google calendar pulls things out of my email for me and puts them on my schedule and those little conveniences really help on a day to day basis. All our smart home stuff works great.

I enjoy the perks and don't sweat it. I have no secrets and don't particularly care who has my data. I can ignore targeted ads just fine.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

I hesitate to bring this up, because last time I did I was told that my personal experiences were not valid.

But there is an element of danger and discomfort to stopping at gas stations regularly, especially as a woman alone. I can't count the number of times I've been approached and harassed at a gas station. It's very frightening to be stuck there, unable to leave, while someone intimidating is requesting a handout or won't stop talking to you.

Others have made the point that the same thing can happen at a charging station on a road trip, which is true. But I'm usually not road tripping alone and it's a much more limited number of times.

Not having to stop at gas stations around town is a real benefit for many people.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: induction cookware and the dishwasher
Replies: 15
Views: 1597

Re: induction cookware and the dishwasher

I wash all my induction compatible cookware in the dishwasher.
by BuckyBadger
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

I found the post in question. Yes, I remember the previous thread where you told of the strains of opening a cabinet to get the plug. Still wondering why you haven't sold the LEAF (which is probably worth more than you paid for it) to get another used Prius C or for that matter a Corolla Hybrid. From previous thread: Maybe it takes 10 seconds for you. In my case the only plug in my garage in behind a cabinet. We had to cut a hole in the back of the cabinet to gain access to it (cabinet is too heavy to move). So when I want to charge I have to open the cabinet, plug in the charger, uncoil the cord without pulling the charger out of the wall and plug the car in. Reverse the process when unplugging. Might I ask why you didn't just leave the ch...
by BuckyBadger
Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

I bought a 2022 Nissan Leaf S in June. Replacement for a totalled Toyota Prius C. It was a rushed and ill-informed decision. Had I known then what I know now I would have waited and bought a Corolla Hybrid. I didn't do my research so shame on me for buying it. The Leaf needs to be charged very frequently due to its limited range. And it is slow to charge. As in 5 miles/hour of charging slow. It is our first EV and will be our last. Let me fill up at a gas station once every week or two and get 4-500 miles of range in a couple of minutes. It's a shame that you're letting one of the very first and arguably one of the most limited EVs change your mind on an entire class of cars for the rest of your entire life. There are many fast charging EV...
by BuckyBadger
Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

Ricola wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:15 pm Don't hit any road debris on the road. :shock:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ghway.html
And I'll say again. An ICE or hybrid car is many times more likely to catch fire. It's so frequent, indeed, that they don't write an article about it every time it happens like they do with EVs. EV fires are disproportionately highly reported in the news.
by BuckyBadger
Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

I'm on my second fully electric car. I had a Tesla 3 and decided I wanted something bigger. After shopping around, I did go with another Tesla, a used Model Y. The EV6 and Ioniq and MachE are great cars, but the Y is bigger with more storage and at this point in time (but probably not for much longer) Tesla has the only charging infrastructure to allow road trips with little inconvenience. I've also gotten very spoiled by the constant over-the-air improvements and the ability to precondition, not have a physical key, etc. As far as how long it takes to charge, it's just a different way of thinking. I've NEVER run out of miles during my daily drive, and I drive quite a bit. Kid drop off, work, activities, date night dinner all in one day. I...
by BuckyBadger
Mon Nov 21, 2022 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

Thanks for that! Gives me a new perspective. Oh, and I meant to say this but totally forgot! Another benefit of EV is the vastly less complicated mechanics. An EV has many many fewer moving parts compared to an ICE. There's just fewer things to go wrong! You used to be able to say, maybe, that there's more "technology" than in an ICE, but that's certainly not the case any more. ICE cars all have complicated interfaces, too, now. To me, a hybrid is just the worst of both worlds. And battery replacement of modern EVs is also overstated. I think maybe the old Leafs did have problems, but a Tesla or other modern batteries should last several hundred thousand miles. I test drove the Volvo EV (the XC40, I think) and it was a very nice ...
by BuckyBadger
Mon Nov 21, 2022 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]
Replies: 310
Views: 25477

Re: All-electric vs. hybrid cars. Teach me! [Car with tech bells and whistles that’s not a Tesla]

I'm on my second fully electric car. I had a Tesla 3 and decided I wanted something bigger. After shopping around, I did go with another Tesla, a used Model Y. The EV6 and Ioniq and MachE are great cars, but the Y is bigger with more storage and at this point in time (but probably not for much longer) Tesla has the only charging infrastructure to allow road trips with little inconvenience. I've also gotten very spoiled by the constant over-the-air improvements and the ability to precondition, not have a physical key, etc. As far as how long it takes to charge, it's just a different way of thinking. I've NEVER run out of miles during my daily drive, and I drive quite a bit. Kid drop off, work, activities, date night dinner all in one day. I,...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Aug 31, 2022 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Empty nesters who don't downsize - why?
Replies: 78
Views: 6121

Re: Empty nesters who don't downsize - why?

We live in a house with 4 bedrooms and 3700 square feet. The house next door is similar.

When the family of 4 moved out, a retired couple moved in. They moved to the area to be near their kids and grandkids and wanted their house to be the gathering place for everyone.

The husband practices his short game in the yard every day and mows the lawn about 3 times a week.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Aug 31, 2022 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cruise Line Preferences and Comparisons
Replies: 41
Views: 5106

Re: Cruise Line Preferences and Comparisons

We've cruised both Carnival and Princess pre-Covid (and pre-child). We did the Princess to Alaska, as Princess tends to have better Alaskan cruises (as far as we knew at the time). We're going on our first cruise with our 4 year old in a few months. Carnival is fine for us, and significantly less expensive. Now with a child traveling with us, we can get two adjoining rooms for less than one room on a Disney cruise. We care more about the "not being at home" aspect, so the fact that Carnival is less fancy is fine for us. We also don't care about being on the biggest and newest ship. I just want to only unpack once and then not have to deal with anything else for a week. As I recall, food was great, entertainment was great, and the ...
by BuckyBadger
Tue Aug 02, 2022 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Master Bathroom Reno Advice
Replies: 80
Views: 9858

Re: Master Bathroom Reno Advice

Also consider an outlet inside the vanity cabinet. It's nice to keep charging toothbrushes or hair dryers out of sight.
by BuckyBadger
Tue Aug 02, 2022 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Master Bathroom Reno Advice
Replies: 80
Views: 9858

Re: Master Bathroom Reno Advice

I agree a bench of any sort might be too much in a shower of that size. But, somewhere to place ones foot while shaving is VERY important! Luckily they have little toe rests they can put in to help elevate your leg. A small corner bench would accomplish the same thing, but I think you should have SOMETHING of that sort. We re-did our entire master to put in a bigger shower since we had only about a 3.5x3.5 shower, as well. We used the space where the tub was (we have several other tubs in the house). Consider if this might be a possibility for you. We have a large shower with a bench that I do really love and find myself using quite a lot. We also have two shower heads - one mounted high on the wall, and a hand held mounted lower on the adj...
by BuckyBadger
Tue May 10, 2022 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Baby Financial Check-In
Replies: 16
Views: 1834

Re: First Baby Financial Check-In

Congratulations! I didn't read the whole post. Get term life insurance on both parents. 10X annual salary is a good starting point, probably 20 year term. Hopefully your job provides disability insurance since it is evidently very expensive to buy your own. 10x is not enough for a 27 year old in a high income career. If he died yesterday, the family loses 40 years of income. At such a young age, the incremental cost of more term insurance is peanuts. It's not intended to replace 40 years of income. It's intended to bridge the gap between the time the person is deceased and time for spouse to grieve/raise child and transition. I may be wrong, but I thought the common suggestion was enough to pay off a house and get any minor kids through to...
by BuckyBadger
Sat Mar 05, 2022 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cashflowing College Costs
Replies: 101
Views: 8687

Re: Cashflowing College Costs

You want to pay for it. I don't know why people are trying to convince you otherwise. BuckyBadger, If your parents give you the following options: A) Spend 240K on college education. B) Spend 120K on college education and they give you 120K. Would you choose (A) or (B)? I paid for my kids' in-state college education. They would have to spend their own money if they want to spend more. My kids graduated college with 20K to 30K of their own savings/investment. They were happy that they did not spend all of the money in college education. KlangFool I would choose A. I did make that choice. My dad offered me $10k a year to go to an in-state school that would have given be discounts based on my SAT scores. It's an excellent school and a target ...
by BuckyBadger
Fri Mar 04, 2022 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cashflowing College Costs
Replies: 101
Views: 8687

Re: Cashflowing College Costs

You want to pay for it. I don't know why people are trying to convince you otherwise. BuckyBadger, If your parents give you the following options: A) Spend 240K on college education. B) Spend 120K on college education and they give you 120K. Would you choose (A) or (B)? I paid for my kids' in-state college education. They would have to spend their own money if they want to spend more. My kids graduated college with 20K to 30K of their own savings/investment. They were happy that they did not spend all of the money in college education. KlangFool I would choose A. I did make that choice. My dad offered me $10k a year to go to an in-state school that would have given be discounts based on my SAT scores. It's an excellent school and a target ...
by BuckyBadger
Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When do you pay your credit card bill?
Replies: 194
Views: 16381

Re: When do you pay your credit card bill?

Bogle7 wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:06 pm Constantly.
Do not wait for bill.
We are hoping to lease/buy a new car in June and I am trying to keep all the credit scores above 800. The current range is 802 to 832.
I don't know how much that matters. I have a credit score of 846 and I pay what's due after I get the bill.
by BuckyBadger
Fri Mar 04, 2022 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cashflowing College Costs
Replies: 101
Views: 8687

Re: Cashflowing College Costs

Would it be nice if you'd done 529 contributions bit by bit for the last 18 years? Sure! But you didn't, so now you work with what you've got. Just a sidenote, but I have been around long enough that I remember many people suggesting back in what would have been relevant times for the OP that people should make sure to first maximize their tax-protected contributions before considering 529s. And some people were dubious 529s were really all that better of an idea than taxable accounts as the next place to put excess income. Of course opinions varied, but two standard points made in those discussions were that there were typically ways of getting at least some college funding back out of retirement accounts as needed, and also that low-cost...
by BuckyBadger
Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When do you pay your credit card bill?
Replies: 194
Views: 16381

Re: When do you pay your credit card bill?

I pay the statement amount the day before it's due. I do in and schedule that after glancing at the charges. And I do mean glance. Very quick.

I do, however, have an automatic minimum payment set to pull from my bank so that if I forget to go in and pay in full, or if I am hit by a bus, I'll still pay the minimum payment. I'll pay some interest, but I won't have a late payment on my credit report.
by BuckyBadger
Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cashflowing College Costs
Replies: 101
Views: 8687

Re: Cashflowing College Costs

I'd do the refi. Then pay if off as quickly as is reasonable for you.

My opinion, of course, coming from someone whose parents paid for my college and for that I will be eternally grateful for the start it gave me in life.

You want to pay for it. I don't know why people are trying to convince you otherwise.

You have the assets, but not the cash.

Would it be nice if you'd done 529 contributions bit by bit for the last 18 years? Sure! But you didn't, so now you work with what you've got.
by BuckyBadger
Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help deciding between Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Replies: 16
Views: 2600

Re: Help deciding between Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

I have the 3. I bought it before the Y was available and no one was quite sure when it would come out, and I needed a car then. There was a little tax rebate left, but not the full value. Maybe like 2.5K? I love my 3 and it's SUPER fun to drive. It's my commuting car and as such, transports my toddler to and from school. She also loves it! My 6'4" husband only occasionally ride in it and rarely drives it as it's a little small for him overall. Had both been available when I was purchasing, I would have gotten the Y. With the price of used cars now, I considered selling the 3 to buy the Y, but there's still a delay on getting the Y into my hands, so I decided to just stick with what we had. I would like it if my husband likes the 3 bett...
by BuckyBadger
Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Meal Kit Delivery Services
Replies: 32
Views: 2788

Re: Meal Kit Delivery Services

chris319 wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:38 pm
If you sign up you get $75 worth of free food. If you don't sign up, you get nothing.
This is true, but they don't show me their full menu unless I sign up and give them my credit card number and go through the whole rigmarole. Not seeing the full menu doesn't help me decide.
Here is the menu without signing up. It just a selection on gobble.com

https://www.gobble.com/menu/
by BuckyBadger
Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traditional fireplace or electric? What to do for new construction home?
Replies: 85
Views: 8039

Re: Traditional fireplace or electric? What to do for new construction home?

Aesthetically, a wood burning fireplace is delightful and many would say far superior to a gas fireplace.

However :D :D :D

I had a wood burning fireplace in my last house and used it perhaps 4 times in 7 years.

I have a gas fireplace in my current house and use it nearly every day in the winter.

I had no intention of using either fireplace for actual warming purposes.
by BuckyBadger
Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Meal Kit Delivery Services
Replies: 32
Views: 2788

Re: Meal Kit Delivery Services

chris319 wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:24 pm If I cancel the service then that kind of defeats the purpose of signing up in the first place.
How so? If you sign up you get $75 worth of free food. If you don't sign up, you get nothing.

Gobble also wasn't my favorite. I think I probably liked Hello Fresh best, but I haven't used any of them in at least a couple of years.
by BuckyBadger
Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Meal Kit Delivery Services
Replies: 32
Views: 2788

Re: Meal Kit Delivery Services

dukeblue219 wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:00 pm These are not really serving the same space as Grubhub, which is just restaurant delivery, but more of the Blue Apron / Home Chef / Hello Fresh market. In addition to those services which deliver ingredients and recipes for you to prepare, there are others that deliver ready to cook meals on a subscription basis.

None are economically competitive with buying raw ingredients and cooking at home, nor are they intended to be, but they should be far cheaper than Grubhub every night. The value is in convenience or the variety of meals you might not normally eat.
This. Gobble isn't anything like GrubHub or UberEats. It has a completely different model and isn't at all comparable to food delivery services.
by BuckyBadger
Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Meal Kit Delivery Services
Replies: 32
Views: 2788

Re: Meal Kit Delivery Services

I've used nearly all the subscription meal services, and they're all like that as far as the subscription goes. If you want to try them - try them. Then cancel your subscription. I think there was one (Hello Fresh, maybe?) that let you put your order on indefinite hold, but all the other ones required at least a small amount of input from you on a semi-weekly basis. If you want to try it and you can be trusted to cancel your subscription afterwards, go ahead and try it. If you think you'll forget and end up with food you don't want, then don't use the gift. Gobble isn't any more nefarious than any of the other ones. Source: I've tried Home Chef, Green Chef, Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Gobble, Every Plate, Martha & Marley Spoon, and probabl...
by BuckyBadger
Mon Dec 13, 2021 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stationary bikes
Replies: 49
Views: 5358

Re: Stationary bikes

I love my Peloton, but you certainly don't need to spend that much. I enjoy the interface, though, so it's worth it to me. Many people like the Echelon. It's closer to $500 that $300, but it's very popular and I believe I've seen them at Costco. You can use a non-Peloton bike with the Peloton app for something like $15 or les per month if you'd like to follow their classes based on effort rather than their actual numbers. I think there are Peloton/Echelon resistance conversion tables out there as well. I'd definitely look on Craigslist for a used bike, too. Have you considered rowing? It's a wonderful exercise and very low impact. I would get a Sunny rower off amazon if I had the space for it in my home gym. In fact, I keep considering gett...
by BuckyBadger
Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Just out! Roomba J7+ Anyone tried it? Worth it?
Replies: 34
Views: 4450

Re: Just out! Roomba J7+ Anyone tried it? Worth it?

At no point did the OP ask for opinions on the utility of robot vacuums versus manual vacuums, so maybe we could stop that chatter. If OP wants a robot vacuum and can afford it, there's no reason they can't get one.

My husband has been itching for a robot vacuum and has watched hours of youtube videos about them! He's very interested in the J7+, but we don't have any personal experience with it at this point.

I don't think we knew about the subscription service. That makes it sound like cell phone contracts or car leases - they're rarely the most cost effective, but if you want the newest technology and can afford it, it makes it easy and you don't have to worry about repairs.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying condo in beach area for personal use and rental
Replies: 23
Views: 2570

Re: Buying condo in beach area for personal use and rental

How much do the 1/2/3BR units typically rent for, for a prime season week? Your name implies Wisconsin, but the rest of the post implies that you live elsewhere (Florida-ish?) and that the unit under consideration is near there. If you could provide more geography, you might get more useful answers. What do owners who use the program get for their 40%, besides the flow of customers? Does that 40% include cleaning before/after a rental? Are more junior badgers likely on the way in the next few years? Do you have friends and/or (non-immediate) family who might also use the place? When I joined, we were in Wisconsin! Now we're in NC and the condo is in Myrtle Beach, SC. No more badgers in the plans. 40% includes cleaning before and after and ...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying condo in beach area for personal use and rental
Replies: 23
Views: 2570

Re: Buying condo in beach area for personal use and rental

Were you aware that the IRS restricts personal use of rental property to 15 days per year. That is if you want to write off your expenses/depreciation. Also families and kids take a toll on rentals. Some people treat rentals very poorly. Be prepared to spend more that you think on maintenance and upkeep. I'm not sure about depreciation, but there would be no expenses outside of the HOA fees, so I'm not sure if a 15 day limit would matter to us, but that's definitely something to look into. As far as maintenance and upkeep, that's not a concern. If a renter ruins the carpet, the rental management replaces it. The fact that it's so hands-off is key to us even considering it. The management company keep everything to the same level of finish ...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying condo in beach area for personal use and rental
Replies: 23
Views: 2570

Buying condo in beach area for personal use and rental

Since we've had our Little Badger we've found ourselves gravitating to a specific beach vacation spot. It's a popular tourist location about 3 hours and 15 minutes away with lots of things to do at her age and for years in the future. We've gone about 6 times over the past two years - so even during Covid we traveled there and could have gone more. We've stayed almost exclusively at a specific "resort" that is a high rise condo that has a lot of kids pools and activities and whatnot. On our last visit we toyed a little with considering buying a unit in the high rise condo. The units themselves aren't super pricy (~$150k for a 1 bedroom, ~250k for a two, and ~350k for a three with minor variations based on view and floor). The HOA ...
by BuckyBadger
Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: tax return missing? What does "not processed" mean?
Replies: 3
Views: 584

Re: tax return missing? What does "not processed" mean?

hamhocs wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:54 am It could be on hold if you requested a Stimulus payment in your return. Some of those need to be manually verified.
Didn't get any stimulus payment - nothing weird at all about the return. No reason for delay I can think of except that I got a refund this year and usually I pay a little.

Do you think that wording means the IRS got my return?
by BuckyBadger
Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: tax return missing? What does "not processed" mean?
Replies: 3
Views: 584

tax return missing? What does "not processed" mean?

I efiled using TurboTax on May 12th - I have a confirmation text from TurboTax saying, "Great news, BuckyBadger! Your federal return was accepted by the IRS. Check your email for a confirmation message." Usually we owe a couple thousand - this year we're supposed to get back about 4k due to the new child care credit I guess. I was keeping an eye on my account and when I didn't see my refund come in, I created an IRS portal account on June 14th and it says: "Your 2020 Tax Return Is Not Processed The due date has passed. If you've already filed, processing usually takes 21 days (electronic returns) or six weeks (paper returns)." I'm not sure what to do. I understand if they got it and it was processing, but doesn't it say ...
by BuckyBadger
Thu Dec 31, 2020 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do you calculate savings rate and what is your annual goal?
Replies: 39
Views: 2729

Re: How do you calculate savings rate and what is your annual goal?

I don't go by percent - I go by a specific dollar goal. How we got there was sort of arbitrary but it's been working for us. After grad school and post docs and whatnot, it wasn't until 2012 that we were both making "normal" salaries for our jobs. When I really started paying attention in 2013 we maxed 2 401k/403b, 2 backdoor Roths, a family HSA, got ~$23k of company match, and put $6k into a taxable account, This was ~$81,500. This seemed like a good goal - we figured it was probably about a year of retirement expenses especially if it sits around for 30 more years. So I took this number, increase it by 3% every year, and that is my goal. Any shortfall is made up by taxable account contributions. For example, due to covid, my com...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Re: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

Always compromises. 1) Could you store your linens in the cabinet under your sinks (or in another room) and do away with the closet? This would also give you the substantial square footage of the walls. You could then straighten out your tub and move it towards the newly available "north wall". Having the tub centered on the window is not necessary and gets in the way of opening and closing the window. There are plenty of examples in magazines of how this looks. Crucially, it would be then possible to do away with the glass shower wall at the foot of the tub. These changes would make the room look larger and greatly increase the functional space of the shower. 2) Another idea is to build the shower where the vanities are in your ...
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Re: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

Icamp wrote: Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:29 am What about moving the vanity to the back wall? You would have much more counter space.
Originally didn't because that lack left void in my diagram is a linen closet that opens to the right. But thinking now that reframing that into open shelves isn't a terrible idea. The very far back corner is a utility pass through area (not sure what that's called) so sadly we can't just take the whole linen closet out completely.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Re: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

One more thought I just had to keep the WC.

Image

It blocks the linen closet door, but that could maybe be closed up and the space reframed into open shelves on the side near the bath tub.

Is it weird to separate the vanities like this?
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Re: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

Watty wrote: Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:26 am
BuckyBadger wrote: Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:20 am Maybe you creative folks have a different idea?

This was the first idea......
I have not used one but what about using a Japanese style plunge bath instead of a traditional style bath tub? They are basically a deep one person hot tub that you sit in instead a laying down.

That would leave you a lot of floor space for a large shower.
We actually did consider that quite seriously - but it was a non-started for my husband. He didn't like the feel of sitting to bathe.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Re: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

Icamp wrote: Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:21 am Do we have the ability to move doors? Are you in a climate where having plumbing in exterior walls is a possible freeze issue?
I'd prefer not to move doors - at least on the one main door.

Live in NC so not a huge risk, but I don't want to borrow trouble either.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: So what kind of raise did you guys get for 2021?
Replies: 251
Views: 26900

Re: So what kind of raise did you guys get for 2021?

Due to Covid, we did not get any raises or COL adjustments in July 2020 like we usually do. 403b match was also suspended for 12 months. Things have improved to the point that we will get 2.5% COL increase in January 2021, but match will still not resume until July 2021. I'm hopeful that merit and COL increases will be reviewed again in July 2021 as usual.
by BuckyBadger
Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Re: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! It looks like we're not too far off base, and that most agree that we should get what we want - within reason! And yes - the 6'4" husband is not the one shaving legs in the wee little shower ;-) To address a few comments: I'm aware of some of the drawbacks of freestanding tubs and the one we're getting has been "tested" by sitting in it at the store and is solid surface, so it's better about heat retention but also isn't so heavy that it requires extra support in the flooring. I'm in LOVE with this tub. I'm brainstorming a few more layouts that might allow us to keep the toilet room but it's hard to keep it in there with the space available. There's a linen closet that's not helpin...
by BuckyBadger
Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations
Replies: 30
Views: 3043

Bathroom remodeling - price/value considerations

We're considering a remodel to our master bathroom and I'd love to get some opinions and hear some experiences from those of you who have gone through this before. Currently we have a serviceable master bathroom but it's not up to par with what is otherwise a pretty nice house. The bathroom is overall about 11'x11' with a double vanity, a little toilet "room," a 31"x44" shower (plastic pan, 12"x12" tiled walls that match the floor tile), and an alcove tub that is a short oval - too short to stretch in, but so oval it's hard to fill with hot water - and a soaking depth of only 12". (I love baths, but I do them in one of the other bathrooms which although still don't have much soaking deoth are still better ...