Search found 597 matches

by Pinotage
Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 43350

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Thank you so very much for your service, your generosity, and your patience.

You've impacted more people than you can ever know, count me among those very grateful for you.

:sharebeer
by Pinotage
Thu Jan 25, 2024 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone wished they had worked a few more years before retiring?
Replies: 89
Views: 14726

Re: Anyone wished they had worked a few more years before retiring?

WhitePuma wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:02 am Unless that extra money can buy more time, then it’s a false trade off.
Truth.

Plus, as one becomes older, one gets all these inheritances anyway so not sure what the big deal is.
by Pinotage
Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: employer throwing me into the meat grinder - need to be talked off the ledge
Replies: 146
Views: 24394

Re: employer throwing me into the meat grinder - need to be talked off the ledge

HomeStretch wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:20 pm
worrier1 wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:59 pm … I suppose it comes down to whether the people making the decisions care enough about the customers to keep you around to continue providing your expertise. As opposed to taking it for granted that you'll just make yourself available half of your life (w/o negotiating with you what sort of compensation could make up for that). …
OP, perhaps I missed an update in this thread but what did you end up doing in your situation?
+1 would love to hear an update!

I remember reading this thread when first posted. Hope things have improved for the OP.
by Pinotage
Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chicago Vacation
Replies: 56
Views: 4748

Re: Chicago Vacation

Horologium wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:48 pm
alfaspider wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:28 pm I suggest skipping school and stealing a classic Ferrari owned by your friend's dad. Then you can visit the art institute, attend a Cub's game, and attend the Von Steuben day parade (making sure to hitch a ride on a float). When you return the Ferrari, be sure to wind the milage backward, but watch out for the plate glass window behind.
It will be July, so school will be out. So, need to impersonate your girlfriend's dad to get her out of school early to join you. :mrgreen:
This is great advice.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

:sharebeer
by Pinotage
Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what net worth did you start not sweating the "small stuff"
Replies: 137
Views: 28591

Re: At what net worth did you start not sweating the "small stuff"

Deprogrammed myself at around $5-6m. Don’t look at gas prices, groceries or even airfare any more. Honestly… I didn’t even bother to haggle on my last cars. Paid full MSRP. I didn’t save up & invest all this money so I could keep pinching pennies my whole life. I did it so I didn’t need to care anymore. Would you mind sharing more about this "deprogramming"? Curious to learn about your mindset before and how you changed it. TLDR: Once I hit >50x expenses, I began to budget based off SWR vs “needs”. As many other Bogleheads, I lived quite frugally until I hit FI or “my number”. Same car for over 200k miles, did the work myself fairly humble housing, flew economy, you name it. I basically lived off one pay check each month, and...
by Pinotage
Mon Jan 01, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what net worth did you start not sweating the "small stuff"
Replies: 137
Views: 28591

Re: At what net worth did you start not sweating the "small stuff"

Deprogrammed myself at around $5-6m. Don’t look at gas prices, groceries or even airfare any more. Honestly… I didn’t even bother to haggle on my last cars. Paid full MSRP. I didn’t save up & invest all this money so I could keep pinching pennies my whole life. I did it so I didn’t need to care anymore. Would you mind sharing more about this "deprogramming"? Curious to learn about your mindset before and how you changed it. TLDR: Once I hit >50x expenses, I began to budget based off SWR vs “needs”. As many other Bogleheads, I lived quite frugally until I hit FI or “my number”. Same car for over 200k miles, did the work myself fairly humble housing, flew economy, you name it. I basically lived off one pay check each month, and...
by Pinotage
Wed Dec 27, 2023 5:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax 2023 offer
Replies: 282
Views: 51772

Re: TurboTax 2023 offer

exodusing wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2023 4:32 am
dogagility wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2023 3:12 am I believe the Amazon $10 gift card deal has arrived.
https://www.amazon.com/TurboTax-Deluxe- ... B0CNBMPZGV
https://www.amazon.com/TurboTax-Premier ... B0CNBLKJ9H
That's Federal. Federal and state is https://www.amazon.com/TurboTax-Deluxe- ... B0CNB9RPLR

Price is about the same as the Nov 25 offer and prior years.
Thank you both for posting, looks good - same net price as last year on 12/28 for premier federal + state download.

:beer
by Pinotage
Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Prius Prime - $4,500 Lease Cash Offer - how does this compare to paying cash?
Replies: 10
Views: 2146

Re: 2023 Prius Prime - $4,500 Lease Cash Offer - how does this compare to paying cash?

I hope to add more to this thread on Tuesday evening. If the car arrives at the dealership on time, I'll be driving 2 hours to the next state (a zero emissions state - they seem to get more allotments from Toyota) to purchase a 2024 Prius Prime SE with no market price adjustment and $4,500 lease cash. I plan to buy out the lease, but even with the additional lease fees, I'll be ahead by doing the lease vs outright buy. It took a ton of searching, dealing with nonsense like "we have gotten one all year and we will only sell it to buyers within 20 miles of the dealership", $5k markups over Toyota suggested price and cars loaded with $3k of stuff worth $200 by the dealership, etc. Fingers crossed for no last minute bait and switch! ...
by Pinotage
Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tempting 7-figure job offer (FAANG vs AI startup)
Replies: 93
Views: 13444

Re: Tempting 7-figure job offer (FAANG vs AI startup)

CletusCaddy wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 12:46 pm One more con - you may be asked to directly contribute to the downfall of humanity.
Agreed. That's not sleep well at night territory for me.

But seriously, OP, the opportunity and compensation are so far outside my realm of experience, it is almost impossible to comprehend. You seem to have laid the options out pretty well. Per your posting history, you've actively sought to leave environments like this is the past...so maybe there is a lesson from past-you in there somewhere.

I also really enjoy that this post was directly next to "How to Stop Breathing Through Mouth at Night?" on the board index earlier today. Now locked, but you gotta appreciate a good juxtaposition.

:D
by Pinotage
Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much to save by age 35?
Replies: 30
Views: 4833

Re: How much to save by age 35?

Net worth of one million is right about on track for Bogleheads. In various surveys, we have shown to have a median net worth of $1.3 million in our mid 30s. Must have missed the survey... I could have helped drive that number down :oops: I thought I was doing well with about half that! I'm 32... Can someone independently calculate expected account values in 21 years? 28 years? The numbers I’m calculating seem large. Thank you! $150,000/year (single income) Married Filing Jointly (35, 34 years old) Tax Rate: <22% federal, <5% state Two Children (9, 6 years old) No Debt Total Net Worth: $1,000,000 Consistent/Reliable Yearly Additions Traditional 401k: $23,000 (employer profit sharing) Traditional 401k: $23,000 (individual) Roth IRA: $14,000...
by Pinotage
Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips on car rental
Replies: 72
Views: 13119

Re: Tips on car rental

Came here expecting questions about how much to leave in a tip jar at the rental car counter :D

To the OP - Costco is my default, occasionally shop around.

When using the Costco travel site, make sure to scroll all the way down on the "grid" page displaying vehicle tier and rental company. Sometimes the luxury/specialty tiers are buried low on the grid and shockingly are less expensive than something high demand like an intermediate SUV.
by Pinotage
Sat Dec 16, 2023 6:37 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3623
Views: 569175

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

Normchad wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 12:36 pm
stoptothink wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:01 am As of our paychecks this morning, we crossed past $200k of direct savings (pair of 401ks, family HSA, taxable brokerage, VMFXX for house fund) for the year. First time we've ever done that and we still have a pair of paychecks on the 31st and need to cash out wife's RSUs that just vested. This is on gross HHI ~$290k-$300k.
Congratulations! That’s very impressive.

And thank you for the many great posts you make here.
Agreed on both fronts. Congrats, stoptothink!
by Pinotage
Mon Nov 20, 2023 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Called to the Principals office [401(k) investment choices questioned]
Replies: 107
Views: 14322

Re: Called to the Principals office [401(k) investment choices questioned]

So what' s the verdict OP :D If you decided to keep the meeting how did it go? ETA - I've received this call before. My 403b is almost all fixed income. In my follow up conversation with the plan advisor, I just stated my 403b fit in to my household's overall investment asset allocation and I had no concerns. No discussion of other account locations, contents, or values. No further questions followed, so I took the opportunity to ask the advisor about how funds get added to our plan and the possibility of after tax contributions. Apparently I was one of just a few people who have ever asked. It was a cordial conversation, and the advisor called me back ~6 months later to let me know an after tax/Roth conversion option was being added for th...
by Pinotage
Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1082138

Re: Share your net worth progression

These posts are killing me. Am I the only one still down 10% from early 2022? You are not the only one. I hit $2.1M liquid net worth at the end of 2021 and today I am still at $2.1M despite plowing in close to $400k over that time. Just curious - how did that happen? SPY is only ~4% off those highs from late 2021, not even including dividends. Even if you had invested that $400k at the exact wrong time, the losses shouldn’t be that large. Thanks for making me feel worse. If it makes you feel any better, we’re basically in the same boat, investable net worth virtually the same as two years ago despite plowing in a similar figure. Frankly this is not so terrible considering the dips along the way. Without November to-date we’d still be well ...
by Pinotage
Sat Nov 11, 2023 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Important financial decision I have to make, I could really use some outside perspective
Replies: 30
Views: 7150

Re: Important financial decision I have to make, I could really use some outside perspective

The numbers say sell. If the property is paid off you say it will bring in $7500 a month before tax. That's 4.7% of the equity assuming a value of $1,900,000. You can get a higher yield than that in a tax free muni bond ladder with near zero risk and hassle. A good paid off piece of investment real estate should get you more like 8-12% to make it worth the illiquidity and hassle factors over a 3 fund portfolio. And it's not clear if you're actually factoring in long term Capex expenses and irregular" expenses that inevitably arise even if they are every 5-10 years. Or the risk of continuing skyrocketing insurance premiums and other expenses. Plus you'd be diversifying your assets and income stream if you sell. I feel like you are not ...
by Pinotage
Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Scott Burns: The Case For a Simple Retirement Plan
Replies: 19
Views: 5311

Re: Scott Burns: The Case For a Simple Retirement Plan

Very much enjoyed this interview with Burns.

I listened to it yesterday morning while running and was particularly struck by one of his summary comments.

When asked to share a lesson or two he wished he'd learned sooner, part of Burns' reply:

"To sum up briefly, I’d say take agency in your life. You are the most important actor in your life. You are not helpless. You have decision power, and you have the capacity to manage your life, and you will manage it better than the vast majority of offers you receive from people whose income will be increased because they made you an offer."

Powerful words and delivered with a sense of gravity and understanding.
by Pinotage
Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worked 25 yrs... how to calculate social security?
Replies: 49
Views: 5786

Re: Worked 25 yrs... how to calculate social security?

Insane. I see social security assumes you will be DISABLED or DEAD only 10 years after retiring (it clearly states this on website in calculator section). What a nice life... get taxed to DEATH your entire life... get HORRENDOUS healthcare and then get PEANUTS and they hope you DIE soon after "retiring" at a very old age of 65ish... the sooner you die the better so they don't have to pay $$$. My BIGGEST regret in life is not INVESTING, INVESTING, and then INVESTING more and then INVESTING MORE like my life depends on it!! I so badly wish when people would asked me "what do you do for fun"... my answer would have been "I invest!!!!". My entire life I have been a struggling entrepreneur putting things on hold un...
by Pinotage
Sat Oct 14, 2023 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worked 25 yrs... how to calculate social security?
Replies: 49
Views: 5786

Re: Worked 25 yrs... how to calculate social security?

Insane. I see social security assumes you will be DISABLED or DEAD only 10 years after retiring (it clearly states this on website in calculator section). What a nice life... get taxed to DEATH your entire life... get HORRENDOUS healthcare and then get PEANUTS and they hope you DIE soon after "retiring" at a very old age of 65ish... the sooner you die the better so they don't have to pay $$$. My BIGGEST regret in life is not INVESTING, INVESTING, and then INVESTING more and then INVESTING MORE like my life depends on it!! I so badly wish when people would asked me "what do you do for fun"... my answer would have been "I invest!!!!". My entire life I have been a struggling entrepreneur putting things on hold un...
by Pinotage
Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: leaving IRA to grandchildren rather than high earning children for tax purposes
Replies: 35
Views: 2535

Re: leaving IRA to grandchildren rather than high earning children for tax purposes

Consider the case of someone who has children in a high federal earned income situation and those children's situation is expected to stay that way or even step up to a higher or highest taxing brackets in the future. Would using a grandchild who for their beginning working years being in much lower tax liability be a option to prevent Uncle Sam from gorging on the inherited funds. I'm thinking the primary consideration maybe the character of the grandchild but is there legal considerations that must be overcome? Out of curiosity, would you discuss this plan with your children prior to proceeding? If tax minimization is one of your goals it might make sense to know how this could line up with your children’s plans. Also worth considering t...
by Pinotage
Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does the target amount for retirement need to be adjusted for inflation?
Replies: 14
Views: 1802

Re: Does the target amount for retirement need to be adjusted for inflation?

Does this mean that I need to adjust my target 2.5M for 20 years of inflation? So assuming an average 3% inflation rate, then my target amount should be 2.5M * (1.03)^20 = 4.5M. Is that right? I think it would be better to adjust your target every year, or every few years, based on inflation that has actually occurred. That is, think of your target as always being in "current dollars." This avoids the uncertainties of trying to guess 20 years of future inflation. This also allows you to adjust for changes in your own priorities and circumstances. Agree. It is interesting how actual inflation, changes in priorities, and changes in personal circumstances interplay. The future can look a lot different than what you expected a few ye...
by Pinotage
Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:07 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 38181

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

Very sorry for your loss, and thank you so much for sharing with the community.

Appreciate you helping others learn through the experience. What you have shared will help many others and is certainly a tribute to your Mom's legacy.
by Pinotage
Fri Oct 06, 2023 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Prius Prime - $4,500 Lease Cash Offer - how does this compare to paying cash?
Replies: 10
Views: 2146

Re: 2023 Prius Prime - $4,500 Lease Cash Offer - how does this compare to paying cash?

That’s confusing to me as well, although the offer is geographically limited to a few different regions. I am seeing it for the upper Midwest and mid Atlantic.
by Pinotage
Fri Oct 06, 2023 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Prius Prime - $4,500 Lease Cash Offer - how does this compare to paying cash?
Replies: 10
Views: 2146

2023 Prius Prime - $4,500 Lease Cash Offer - how does this compare to paying cash?

Casually in the market for a new Toyota Prius Prime. Noticed a "Lease Cash Offer" of $4,500 TFS (Toyota Financial Services) Lease Cash listed on Toyota's website. I am not familiar with leasing. Ultimately want to buy a car and hold for years, either by paying cash or financing and paying off early. But if this effectively lowers the price of the car by $4,500 - I might go for it. The fine print reads: 4,500 Cash from Toyota Financial Services, Inc. on the lease of a new 2023 Prius Prime from participating dealer's stock and subject to vehicle availability. Must lease through your dealer and Toyota Financial Services to qualify for cash and cash must be applied as capitalized cost reduction on lease. There is no cash back option. ...
by Pinotage
Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Were you nervous when you retired?
Replies: 147
Views: 22035

Re: Were you nervous when you retired?

Claudia, did you end up retiring and taking the position overseas? Absolutely. Fear is our greatest enemy, and it's tricky, very tricky. Will trick you into thinking all the reasons to say "no" are logical. Almost tricked me. Don't ever listen to it. Comfort is the death bed of hopes and dreams. I've sensed from your responses to me that you're struggling with your own fear, and your fear is disguising itself cleverly as logic, prudence, and patience (that will have you saying "no" until the very end). Don't give in to it. Embrace the change that will make you look back on your life with gratitude, not regret. You can stay in your comfortable job but be dead inside. Only you know whether this is true, but I have a frien...
by Pinotage
Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What do we call ourselves ? [as DIY "Do It Yourself" Investors]
Replies: 43
Views: 3825

Re: What do we call ourselves ? [as DIY "Do It Yourself" Investors]

A small but stubborn minority of posters here present the acronym as "DYI" for some reason.

It triggers me the same way as when I read "ROTH" vs "Roth" and I appreciate this thread for giving me the opportunity to get that out.

To the question in the OP, I think personal finance as hobby sounds totally fine :beer
by Pinotage
Mon Jul 24, 2023 6:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quote for replacing three door frames
Replies: 19
Views: 2590

Re: Quote for replacing three door frames

The bank is requiring me to replace the wood around two door frames, and the garage door, due to some rotting around the bottom. Just cut the rotten sections out and splice in new wood and paint. $20 in materials and 3 hours labor. Turns out there's some rot on the door frame itself. It may or may not be possible to do a patch job. First contractor dropped out, but I'm getting a second bid today. Bumping old thread from 2020 OP - how did this work out? I need to complete similar work, and not sure what discipline to contact. Carpenter, Door Guy/Gal, "Exterior" company etc.. Ours is an exterior patio door, weather damage/rot to bottommost portion of jamb and brick mould. Doesn't look terrible but is certainly not improving via my ...
by Pinotage
Mon Jul 17, 2023 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are we buying too much house?
Replies: 216
Views: 17778

Re: Are we buying too much house?

Looking for advice from my fellow bogleheads ... Just to clarify - are you already under contract for the new house? https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7356706#p7356706 My 0.02 is that based on your projected income you can definitely afford it, but I agree with other posters who've cautioned to give it a year or two more before committing. Another year or two would allow her to settle in to practice, make sure she enjoys her work setting and hours, and bank some serious $$$. TBH with such an incredible income you're unlikely to make an unrecoverable mistake. But I wouldn't be in any rush to necessitate that income, perhaps the most valuable thing it can buy your family is choice and flexibility. (Also you say you've been in ...
by Pinotage
Mon Jul 17, 2023 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quote for replacing three door frames
Replies: 19
Views: 2590

Re: Quote for replacing three door frames

The bank is requiring me to replace the wood around two door frames, and the garage door, due to some rotting around the bottom. Just cut the rotten sections out and splice in new wood and paint. $20 in materials and 3 hours labor. Turns out there's some rot on the door frame itself. It may or may not be possible to do a patch job. First contractor dropped out, but I'm getting a second bid today. Bumping old thread from 2020 OP - how did this work out? I need to complete similar work, and not sure what discipline to contact. Carpenter, Door Guy/Gal, "Exterior" company etc.. Ours is an exterior patio door, weather damage/rot to bottommost portion of jamb and brick mould. Doesn't look terrible but is certainly not improving via my ...
by Pinotage
Sun Jul 16, 2023 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to coordinate auto-insurance coverage with new umbrella policy?
Replies: 10
Views: 1151

Re: How to coordinate auto-insurance coverage with new umbrella policy?

Will your umbrella policy also be issued by State Farm? If so, ask them what they require.

Any umbrella insurer may have specific requirements for your auto coverage but it is often easier coordinated when all policies are with the same company.
by Pinotage
Fri Jul 14, 2023 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your biggest financial regret?
Replies: 51
Views: 4070

Re: What is your biggest financial regret?

JPH wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 3:35 pm
helloyou wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 3:20 pm
Beensabu wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 2:38 pm Paying for a graduate degree that I will never use and have to leave off my resume in order to get interviews.
Sorry, I laughed at that one :mrgreen:
Agree. This one should be headlined. I can only imagine; but understand perfectly.
Love this and understand it as well.

Picturing: “Sorry <applicant>, we are interviewing ABOVE water basket weavers ONLY. Good day.”

<bins resume>
by Pinotage
Mon Jul 10, 2023 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone buying Mazdas? They are on the car lots
Replies: 153
Views: 21762

Re: Anyone buying Mazdas? They are on the car lots

Blame "just in time" manufacturing that from my understanding, Toyota invented. With supply chain issues, those with the least inventory in house are going to hurt the most. That's Toyota. On the other end of the spectrum is Stellantis. They've had no such issues as they didn't do the widespread cancellation of everything like many companies did. With blanket orders still in effect, chips continued to pour in and shortages didn't happen. I don't know why Toyota is so far behind everyone else in recovering. Chips aren't the huge issue they used to be. I retired from one of the chip companies (If your car has apple car play, it has one of their chips in it and most cars have hundreds of their chips) and in the last quarterly meetin...
by Pinotage
Fri Jul 07, 2023 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $13 Million Goal for Early Retirement (am I crazy?)
Replies: 320
Views: 83068

Re: $13 Million Goal for Early Retirement (am I crazy?)

Excellent progress! Appreciate you coming back to update, love these time capsule threads. :sharebeer
by Pinotage
Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: submit ?s: planning for early retirement / FIRE
Replies: 46
Views: 8094

Re: submit ?s: planning for early retirement / FIRE

Normchad wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 1:23 pm
BattyNatty wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 1:57 pm When you encounter families who are planning to stop working in about five years but already have the savings to retire now, do you put together a plan to spend more than usual over the next five years to start maximizing experiences/memories/happiness? (Inspired by the Die With Zero thread)
I like this question! I hope it makes the list!
+2 to this one - great question!
by Pinotage
Wed Jun 21, 2023 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Work is Dicey - Can I Retire Now?
Replies: 97
Views: 17639

Re: Work is Dicey - Can I Retire Now?

I think it could work but would be close. If I were in your shoes (and assuming I was done with nursing) I would most likely try to find some part-time work in something of interest to ease the burden on your savings at least until SS kicks in. Of course it can work. It is not close. It is not even close to being close. He's got $470,000 and needs $40,000 of income to last from age 60 to 70, when Social Security will be providing more than the $40,000 needed. He could put his portfolio in a mattress and still be able to get $40,000 a year for 10 years. If that mattress provides inflation adjustments and there are no unexpected large expenses, then sure. So an inflatable mattress will do the trick? Sorry. Bad joke. I actually did quit today...
by Pinotage
Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Preparing to relocate: can we afford this home?
Replies: 108
Views: 12951

Re: Moving mechanics - with time running out

FoundingFather wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2023 5:06 am
Here is the only strong advice I'll give you that isn't just my own prejudices on display - people make a lot of stupid decisions when they feel trapped, and it seems to me from your posts that you are starting to feel trapped and desperate. If that's true, find a way to step back, take a breath, and look at the situation with calm, fresh eyes. Whatever you decide, make sure it actually represents your values and desires, not some reflexive action because of the illusion of a lack of options.

Hang in there. :D

Founding Father
The above is OUTSTANDING advice for both this specific situation and life in general.

Very well said.
by Pinotage
Sun Jun 11, 2023 3:52 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3623
Views: 569175

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Sun Jun 11, 2023 12:19 pm
Stinky wrote: Sun Jun 11, 2023 12:17 pm Coopermonster, thank you for your touching post. I can only imagine the reality that you are living with your wife.

Congratulations on your financial progress. And enjoy Hawaii.

I’ll be praying for your wife’s full recovery.
& 1
And another.

Coopermonster - thank you for the authentic, and very personal post. Wishing you and your wife the absolute best and praying for your family.

Appreciate you sharing this reminder of true priorities.
by Pinotage
Sun Jun 11, 2023 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lost Interest in Dream Car? UPDATED
Replies: 147
Views: 18452

Re: Lost Interest in Dream Car?

OP here. In a bizarre turn of events, after echoing others here that a Miata might be a good choice, I scanned the local classifieds and one popped up at the right price, color (highland green over tan leather), 6sp manual, exhaust, intake, etc. The guy selling it was 20 years older than me! So, it's in the garage now. I like the advice that if I don't use it, I can sell it later without major financial damage. The car came with extensive suspension mods and other enthusiast upgrades suitable for track use. It will not be used as a freeway cruiser or winter car, but drives like a race cart. 40mph in this thing feels like 70mph in a normal car. I like it and am pretty sure I will get $10k out of enjoyment out of it. I have owned newer cars ...
by Pinotage
Fri Jun 09, 2023 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts or experiences with direct indexing?
Replies: 24
Views: 2765

Re: Thoughts or experiences with direct indexing?

You may appreciate the thread linked below, a forum member’s real time experience with direct indexing at Fidelity.

viewtopic.php?t=400301

Shout out to loghound for starting and maintains the thread.
by Pinotage
Fri Jun 09, 2023 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Receiving Inheritance - need advice
Replies: 10
Views: 2165

Re: Receiving Inheritance - need advice

Welcome to the forum!

This is a frequently asked question, check out the "Managing a Windfall" section for lots of good advice. Also consider searching for some past threads.

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Managing_a_windfall

Your plans so far sound reasonable - take your time and read up on options.

Strongly emphasize the "tell no one" standard advice.

Good luck!
by Pinotage
Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Forgot every security question for Treasury Direct
Replies: 45
Views: 11209

Re: Forgot every security question for Treasury Direct

Attempting to log in to my TD account this morning, had the same problem.

My experience 6/7/23 at about 2:00 CST - able to reach a real, live, and very helpful Treasury Direct employee in less than 5 minutes.

Walked through lots of questions to confirm my identity and all was good.

The rep said lots of new people have been hired and wait times have really dropped.

Progress!
by Pinotage
Sun Jun 04, 2023 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a retirement savings "crunch time"- and are we in it??
Replies: 37
Views: 6437

Re: Is there a retirement savings "crunch time"- and are we in it??

Where is the meat !? Got additional hard numbers (ball parking figures at least) to share - over the past 3 years !? As you’ve continue to save $185k/year over year - and maintain that discipline - it will take you long ways towards “your” goal/success .. Congratulations on your progress and update. Thanks for the update. How much has your investment grown since your initial post? Do you feel any different now? Thank you both for the posts. As far as numbers go, we've managed to save/invest a little over $200K on average each of the last three years. This includes our pre-tax retirement savings, employer matching, backdoor Roths, and > 75% of our after tax income. We reinvest dividends but those are not included in the $200K number. Our in...
by Pinotage
Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a retirement savings "crunch time"- and are we in it??
Replies: 37
Views: 6437

Re: Is there a retirement savings "crunch time"- and are we in it??

Silverado wrote: Sun Jun 04, 2023 6:40 am Thanks for the update. Always good to hear back after multiple years.

Keep it up, you should have grabbed some decent bargains.
Thank you for your post. I also really like it when posters come back after several years and update their threads.

Seeing these examples, especially with added detail like what went as planned/expected vs what did not, is inspiring to me.

Rather than simply telling myself "just keep at it and things will probably work out", it is great to see examples of plans unfold, evolve, and accomplishments along the way.
by Pinotage
Sun Jun 04, 2023 6:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a retirement savings "crunch time"- and are we in it??
Replies: 37
Views: 6437

Re: Is there a retirement savings "crunch time"- and are we in it??

In process of updating our retirement savings spreadsheets including projected rate of return and milestones along the way. This process has made me wonder if there is a retirement savings "crunch time" , and if we are in it. /snip/ Thinking the "crunch time" is the next 4.5 -5 years. 3 year update from OP - still crunching along. Looking back over the past three years, we've done a good job of sticking with planned saving and investing. Still have a lot of work to do on goal setting and determining what is next, though. Posting this update mainly as a personal check in and acknowledgment that we are ~60% through the self-identified crunch time from the OP. Will be interesting to see how we feel at the 4.5 or 5 year mar...
by Pinotage
Thu Jun 01, 2023 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taylor swift tickets in Chicago
Replies: 60
Views: 5445

Re: Taylor swift tickets in Chicago

billaster wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2023 1:30 pm I mean, it's just two Taylor Swift tickets, Michael. What could it cost? As much as a wrist watch?
:D
by Pinotage
Wed May 17, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best cities with lots of outdoor/hiking activities and good year round weather
Replies: 248
Views: 25332

Re: Best cities with lots of outdoor/hiking activities and good year round weather

These these threads come up pretty often, and feel like a “what do you daydream of” litmus test.

I wonder if anyone has ever made an actionable decision on relocating based on info gleaned here, or at least starting with info from these discussions.

OP - if you digest all of the responses, identify one of the suggestions as the place you and your family will move to, and actually move to that place - PM your new address and I will mail you a fruitcake as a housewarming gift.
by Pinotage
Fri Apr 28, 2023 4:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Treating children financially equal
Replies: 259
Views: 21629

Re: Treating children financially equal

I tend to think of school as a different ballgame than other large financial help (like down payments, etc.). I'm assuming both kids have the opportunity to go to graduate school and (at the moment) only one is choosing it. As it stands, both are given equal opportunities. If you suddenly give the adult kid who doesn't go to school $130k because they didn't go, that may seem seriously unfair to the one who did go to school - almost like a punishment for going to school. So if this is the plan, it should be clear before the other has their school paid for so that each child can make an informed decision about what they wish to do. In the simplest terms you really have 3 choices: 1. fund each equally 2. fund one more because they do what you...
by Pinotage
Tue Apr 25, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Upgrading to a $3.1m house in Bellevue, Washington
Replies: 81
Views: 24878

Re: Upgrading to a $3.1m house in Bellevue, Washington

chenzi wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 5:18 pm Thanks everyone! Backed out of the deal. Feeling quite relieved - big difference between 4K monthly mortgage payments (my current home) during a job loss and a 18K monthly mortgage!
Wow what a relief, very glad this worked out for you. Best wishes navigating your job search and whatever comes next.

Good luck!

:sharebeer
by Pinotage
Tue Apr 25, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Helping kids buy a home
Replies: 182
Views: 15310

Re: Helping kids buy a home

but doesn't actually mean you are treating your kids equally. If some of the kids don't need it and therefore don't take the offer, the result is that you are going to be giving a substantial gift to one kid and not the others. To stay fair, OP would have to do that for each grandchild. And what if some of them are already in college or have graduated or won’t be going to college? "Equal" and "fair" are not the same thing. I'm one of the three executors of my parents' trust (should I outlive them). All distribution requests go through the three of us by majority vote. My parents have three kids (including myself) that are reasonably well-off and four that are relatively broke. You better believe that my parents' poorer ...
by Pinotage
Mon Apr 24, 2023 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying someone to cut down a tree vs. doing it yourself
Replies: 112
Views: 8355

Re: Paying someone to cut down a tree vs. doing it yourself

Silk McCue wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 9:50 am
Luke Duke wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 9:44 am
You sound like a lot of fun at parties.
I'm available by the hour.

Cheers
Great - I’ll ask my neighbor if they’d be willing to foot the bill for you to attend a party I’m throwing :D
by Pinotage
Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbors asked my spouse for money to cut down their trees
Replies: 259
Views: 28087

Re: Neighbors asked my spouse for money to cut down their trees

Stinky wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:01 pm
Normchad wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:14 pm
yatesd wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 3:37 pm
Mountain Doc wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 3:26 pm I would never ask a neighbor to contribute to something like that. However, I likely would contribute if asked. Kindness among neighbors makes life better.
+1
+2
+3
+4

It is tacky to ask, but ultimately the peace of mind resulting from the tree being removed would be worth the 250-500 to me any day of the week.

Honestly at that price point, this will likely be one of those things that has bugged you forever, and after it’s done you’ll think “I can’t believe it was that straightforward/cost effective. Wish it had been taken care of years ago.”

As others have said I wouldn’t pay until after the tree was removed and the site cleaned up, and I’d make it clear that this is a one time thing.