Search found 316 matches

by Postmon
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need Help :Should I wait for the correct price to invest in FSKAX if I invest monthly
Replies: 12
Views: 1247

Re: Need Help :Should I wait for the correct price to invest in FSKAX if I invest monthly

Jayking2046 wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 3:33 pm I have 70 %stocks and 30 %bond in my 401k . So for my first personal brokerage I am thinking of investing in FSKAX fully for the first few years then will start to add the bonds along the way.
Rather than adding bonds along the way, I'd suggest accumulating only FSKAX (stocks) in your brokerage account and rebalancing in your 401K to maintain your 70/30 ratio. You can do that without any tax consequences. Better to have bonds in the 401K for tax efficiency. If you ever get to the point where your 401K is all bonds, then start buying them in your brokerage account.
by Postmon
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?
Replies: 9
Views: 762

Re: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?

Point wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 4:14 pm why not take the distraction, and have him work to gain income at the max amount to contribute to his own Roth
Yes, I've been doing something like that. The Trust funds his Roth contribution but he thinks the $'s are coming from me.
Now I'd like pull more out of the Trust's TIRA but figure out a way to keep it out of his sight....until the time is right.
by Postmon
Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?
Replies: 9
Views: 762

Re: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?

barnaclebob wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:55 pm Does he know about the trust/IRA?
No, it would just create issues at this time.
GreendaleCC wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:59 pm If the money doesn’t leave the trust, how would it count as a distribution to him?
That's what I figured. I'm just trying to figure out a creative solution to avoid any struggles!
by Postmon
Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?
Replies: 9
Views: 762

Re: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?

Leesbro63 wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:27 am Is there a ROTH IRA conversion opportunity here?
That was my first thought but since it's an Inherited IRA it's not allowed :(
barnaclebob wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:32 am Whats his tax filing status?
Single -- I was thinking filling up the 12% bracket might even make sense.
by Postmon
Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?
Replies: 9
Views: 762

Opinions on Accelerating RMDs from Kid's Trust?

My 20 year-old college student is the beneficiary of a simple trust and I'm the trustee. Over half of the assets are in an inherited TIRA. He's required to take RMDs over his lifetime so the current distributions are relatively low. They get deposited into a brokerage account in the Trust. In the next 3 - 10 years he may want to start tapping into the Trust for say a car, maybe a down payment on a house, etc. However, there may not be enough in the brokerage account. A few questions: 1) What are your thoughts on taking distributions from the TIRA that are greater than the RMD at this time? He's likely to be a low earner for at least the next 5 years so I doubt he'll be able to save enough on his own. When it's time for him to retire, the TI...
by Postmon
Tue Jan 16, 2024 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need Help :Should I wait for the correct price to invest in FSKAX if I invest monthly
Replies: 12
Views: 1247

Re: Need Help :Should I wait for the correct price to invest in FSKAX if I invest monthly

Congratulations on the decision to start a monthly investment program. That's a great way to build wealth. I'll assume you have an overall asset allocation plan (%Stock/%Bond) and the $2K/month into FSKAX will get you there? If not, you may want to add what your goal is and what retirement savings options (e.g. 401K) are available to you. But, to answer your specific questions: 1. Since there's no way to know what the price will be in 3 months, I would invest the $2K now unless you know the price will be lower then. 2. Similar answer as in #1 -- how will you know the correct price? I would recommend that you set up an automatic investment program with Fidelity. You can have them automatically pull the $2K from your bank account on the same ...
by Postmon
Fri Dec 29, 2023 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I setup UTMA or 529 for newborn?
Replies: 16
Views: 1608

Re: Should I setup UTMA or 529 for newborn?

I would not set up a UTMA. There's no way of knowing if they'll be responsible enough with that amount of money falling into their lap at 18 or 21. It could be a blessing or a curse. Unfortunately, there are too many kids at those ages (and older!) who would blow right through it or do something irresponsible with it. I'd go with a 529 or do something where you or a trustee has more control.
by Postmon
Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax Gain Harvesting in a Simple Trust?
Replies: 5
Views: 449

Re: Tax Gain Harvesting in a Simple Trust?

I'm a little confused. Maybe this simple example would help. Assume the Trust has ordinary income of $10,000 and capital gains of $3,000. Is this the correct tax calcuation for the Trust before DNI? Ordinary Income Tax on $10,000 $0 – $2,900: 10% ---> $2,900 x 10% = $290 $2,901 – $10,550: 24% ---> $7,100 x 24% = $1,704 ordinary income tax: $1,994 Long Term Capital Gains Tax on $3,000 $0 – $3,000: 0% ----> $3,000 ordinary income x 0% = $0 $3,000 – $14,649: 15% ----> ($7,000 ordinary income x 0%) + ($3,000 cap gains x 15%) = $450 capital gains tax: $450 So, if we don't distribute income to the beneficiary, the Trust would owe tax of $2,444 ($1,994 + $450)? Then, let's say we distribute $10,000 to the beneficiary as DNI. She would get a K-1 an...
by Postmon
Thu Dec 28, 2023 12:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax Gain Harvesting in a Simple Trust?
Replies: 5
Views: 449

Tax Gain Harvesting in a Simple Trust?

My spouse has a simple trust that was left to her that includes a Brokerage account, Traditional and Roth IRA. The trust's income consists of non-qualified dividends from the Brokerage account and RMDs from the IRAs. The brokerage account does NOT generate any capital gains. We determine the amount of income to distribute each year (DNI) to minimize total taxes. Since the funds in the brokerage account have appreciated over the years, there will be long-term capital gains if/when sold. Given that these are the current Long-Term Capital Gains Trust Tax rates: $0 – $3,000: 0% $3,000 – $14,649: 15% $14,650+: 20% Is there any reason not to sell funds in the Brokerage account each year to realize $3,000 in long-term gains (or whatever the 0% top...
by Postmon
Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH Partner for Intermediate Treasury Fund?
Replies: 1
Views: 235

TLH Partner for Intermediate Treasury Fund?

I'd like to TLH between intermediate treasury bond index funds (prefer to stick with 100% Treasuries).

Would you consider these to be substantially identical?

from: ishares IEI: duration 4.7, er 0.15
to: Schwab SCHR: duration 5.41, er 0.04

If so, how much of a difference in duration should I be looking at?

Would these work?
Fidelity FUAMX: duration 6.69, er 0.03
Fidelity FUMBX: duration 2.70, er 0.03

Thanks for your input!
by Postmon
Wed Nov 10, 2021 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA Healthcare: Bronze beats Silver/Gold/Platinum for High Use?
Replies: 12
Views: 1844

Re: ACA Healthcare: Bronze beats Silver/Gold/Platinum for High Use?

This is actually quite common. It is often the case that the high-deductible plan (Bronze level) works out best at either low healthcare spending or high healthcare spending. I'm glad I ran the numbers to look at total estimated cost. I'm sure most people don't. Seems misleading that the metal tiers are marketed as Bronze for low use, Gold/Platinum for high use. Straight from the website https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/your-total-costs/ : Generally speaking, categories with higher premiums (Gold, Platinum) pay more of your total costs of health care. Categories with lower premiums (Bronze, Silver) pay less of your total costs. (But see the exception about Silver plans below.) So how do you find a category that works for you? -If y...
by Postmon
Tue Nov 09, 2021 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA Healthcare: Bronze beats Silver/Gold/Platinum for High Use?
Replies: 12
Views: 1844

ACA Healthcare: Bronze beats Silver/Gold/Platinum for High Use?

This is the first year we'll be using the healthcare.gov marketplace for health insurance. We've already decided on the insurance company and their 12 plans offer the same services. So, I'm trying to determine which will be the most cost effective. My understanding was that the Bronze plans (low premiums) would be best for low use and the Silver/Gold/Platinum (higher premiums) would be best for higher use. In order to estimate total annual cost (premiums, copays, coinsurance, annual deductible) the website has a feature where you can select low, medium or high use for each family member. I ran various scenarios from all low use to all high use and was surprised at the results. For the most part,the Bronze plans also had the lowest estimated...
by Postmon
Sat May 08, 2021 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trust investments
Replies: 16
Views: 1520

Re: Trust investments

I guess it depends on what the distributions are going to be used for at 21, 25 and 30? I'm assuming you don't know and it could range from spending to saving for retirement? If that's the case I'd do 60/40 in a 3 Fund.
by Postmon
Sat Apr 24, 2021 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2011 Subaru w/ Low Miles -- Would you Buy?
Replies: 26
Views: 3030

2011 Subaru w/ Low Miles -- Would you Buy?

A relative offered to sell me his 2011 Legacy 2.5i with only 48K miles for a low price.  He's the original owner, it's in mint condition, well maintained and has had no problems to date. Reliability is my main concern as it will be for my kiddo to commute back and forth to college.  I was originally planning on a similar aged Toyota/Honda with 80-100K miles but when this Subaru became available I thought it was a no-brainer.  Now I'm hesitant after reading about issues with the CVT and headlight bulbs constantly burning out (not easy to replace).  I'm looking to get 3 or 4 relatively headache-free years out of it (or about 50K miles).  What does your crystal ball say?
by Postmon
Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Short term bond fund
Replies: 6
Views: 1290

Re: Short term bond fund

What are you trying to accomplish with it?
by Postmon
Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax "Date of Withdrawal" - electronic paymet of Federal
Replies: 28
Views: 3340

Re: Turbotax "Date of Withdrawal" - electronic paymet of Federal

mrmass wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:00 am IRS is processing the payment today. I see the amount pending in my bank account
Was your withdrawal date April 2? I called IRS 30 minutes ago and still on hold. If yours was April 2, that gives me (April 3) hope and I'm gonna hang up!

EDIT -- After 45 minutes, agent picks up and transfers me to: "we're extremely busy and can not take your call, please call back, goodbye" :annoyed
by Postmon
Sat Apr 17, 2021 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax "Date of Withdrawal" - electronic paymet of Federal
Replies: 28
Views: 3340

Re: Turbotax "Date of Withdrawal" - electronic paymet of Federal

My date was 4/3 (2 weeks ago) and still waiting!
by Postmon
Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax "Date of Withdrawal" - electronic paymet of Federal
Replies: 28
Views: 3340

Re: Turbotax "Date of Withdrawal" - electronic paymet of Federal

mike_in_ny wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:35 am Has anyone else had similar issues?
Yes, I'm in the *exact* same boat as you and still waiting. IRS website said to wait 7-10 days before calling so hopefully they'll take our money this week. I'll update as soon as the payment is withdrawn.
by Postmon
Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab vs Fidelity - For Brokerage/Banking/Debit & Credit Card Use
Replies: 50
Views: 11027

Re: Schwab vs Fidelity - For Brokerage/Banking/Debit & Credit Card Use

You can use the Fidelity debit card at any ATM and they'll refund the fees (not sure if there are any exceptions).
by Postmon
Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why use anything but treasuries?
Replies: 48
Views: 8970

Re: Why use anything but treasuries?

I've always been 60/40 and used an Intermediate Treasury fund rather than a Total Bond fund for the reasons mentioned above. Pick one of each, compare their performance and you'll see they are similar. The key for me is that in times of panic, Treasury Funds do well (flight to safety) while Total Bond often takes a temporary hit. Take a look at charts of each last March. When the sky is falling and you don't know what tomorrow will bring, my Treasuries help me sleep at night.
by Postmon
Tue Oct 27, 2020 1:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Impressive Results from Financial Planner -- Time to Surrender?
Replies: 35
Views: 4117

Re: Impressive Results from Financial Planner -- Time to Surrender?

It's an AUM fee of 1.5%. Besides the CAGR, what struck me was that the Stdev wasn't much greater than the others and the Sharpe and Sortino ratios were quite higher.

Good points about how long they've been in these funds -- I just got a snapshot so I'll have to ask. I definitely understand past performance is not a predicter but it's tough to convince someone who's not a DIY'er and trusts the planner.
by Postmon
Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Impressive Results from Financial Planner -- Time to Surrender?
Replies: 35
Views: 4117

Impressive Results from Financial Planner -- Time to Surrender?

Many years ago I helped a friend with his finances and set him up with a 3-Fund portfolio (42 US/18 Int'l/40 FI). He recently told me that a financial planner got to him about 5 years ago and he agreed to move a portion of his assets over to him. The planner put him in a portfolio that's approximately 60/40 and includes over 15 funds/etfs. I was suspicious so I backtested it in Portfolio Visualizer from 2015 - 2020. To my surprise it's been doing significantly better than our beloved 2 and 3 funders. Now he's considering moving the rest of his assets over the planner and he wants my advice. I'm not sure what to say given these results. In fact, I'm starting to 2nd guess my own 3-funder! Thoughts? Most of the equity is split among these sect...
by Postmon
Wed Mar 06, 2019 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling Car
Replies: 46
Views: 3417

Re: Selling Car

I've sold 4 cars on Craigslist. I always go to Carmax first to get their price so I have a "real" number to work from. I find the KBB, Edmunds, etc. not necessarily realistic. From there I'll search the online sites for my make/model/year to get a feel for what's out there. I'll typically price my vehicle somewhere between the Carmax offer and the dealer asking prices, leaving some room for negotiation. In my CL ad, I always ask for a name, phone number, and email address to weed out the scammers. When someone contacts me, I'll go right to the google machine to check them out. When someone is interested in looking at it, I'll typically do it over the phone to feel them out before giving my address. My last buyer came with cash (as...
by Postmon
Fri Jul 13, 2018 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying Used Honda/Toyota -- How old is too old?
Replies: 16
Views: 2515

Buying Used Honda/Toyota -- How old is too old?

We want to buy either a used CR-V or RAV4 for our teen to commute to school (30 minutes each way on highway). We want something safe/reliable but want to send the message that it's no frills transportation (e.g. a few steps up from a "beater"). We'd prefer to spend under $10K which would get us something in the 2007 - 2010 range with 100,000+ miles. But, would go up to around $13K (2012/13 , 70-80K miles).

Given that, how old and how many miles on a well-maintained one-owner vehicle would you think is worth considering?
by Postmon
Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Honda - How to confirm it was serviced on time?
Replies: 18
Views: 1651

Re: Used Honda - How to confirm it was serviced on time?

Okay, so if I want to see documented service records and the car has a clean history, at a minimum the only ones I should expect to see are regular oil changes and 3 year brake fluid?

I'm definitely planning for my mechanic to inspect it, but before taking it to him I want to eliminate anything that wasn't maintained well.
by Postmon
Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Honda - How to confirm it was serviced on time?
Replies: 18
Views: 1651

Re: Used Honda - How to confirm it was serviced on time?

Is there anything in the service history besides oil changes and the 3-year brake fluid change that I should expect to see on a CRV in the 2010 - 2013 range?
by Postmon
Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Honda - How to confirm it was serviced on time?
Replies: 18
Views: 1651

Used Honda - How to confirm it was serviced on time?

I'm looking to purchase a used CRV from a private-party . Today I met a guy with a 2012/75K miles who said the only maintenance he ever did was change the oil and replace the battery. I was surprised that nothing else was done so I searched for factory recommended maintenance schedules and was only able to find the Maintenance Minder. If I'm understanding this correctly, are there no fixed mileage/time based schedules except for changing brake fluid every 3 years? The car will indicate when it's time for a service based on sensors? So, If that's the case, how do I ensure that all maintenance was done when needed? I know there should be a history of regular oil changes, but other than that, is there anyway to validate that the vehicle was se...
by Postmon
Sat Jul 07, 2018 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which advanced tech is necessary in cars?
Replies: 86
Views: 6425

Re: Which advanced tech is necessary in cars?

I have blind spot monitoring on one of my vehicles. The one negative I've noticed is I've become too dependent on it. When I drive a vehicle without it, every so often I find myself changing lanes without doing as good a blind spot check as I should.
by Postmon
Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

I just don't get why you would take serious risks of a non ACA plan for a family of four when you can get a fully ACA compliant Kaiser plan I look at healthcare as two parts: routine and non-routine. For routine, I'd be okay with the Kaiser HMO or an EPO. However, when we get into non-routine I believe HMOs and EPOs pose a risk because you *may* be limited in your ability to get the best possible care. There are just so many things that can happen, so many ways of treating them, and every day there are new technologies introduced and not everyone has access to them (e.g. the robot I mentioned earlier). So, when it comes to the unexpected and non-routine, I find it risky to be limited to a single network. As far as the risk of a non-ACA pla...
by Postmon
Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

pintail07 wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:33 am FYI, the US Health Plans have dramatically changed, no longer a discount plan but a PPO 3-5000 deductible, 80/20 to max out of pocket of 5-7000, Cigna network.
The US Health Group plan is still in the back of my mind. I spoke to a couple of local insurance brokers. They said to stay away but they may not be neutral. Comments found from googling are not good but not exactly a reliable source.

How would I go about evaluating whether this company/plan is a viable alternative?
by Postmon
Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

OP, if I were you, I'd go with the HMO, probably Kaiser, and not one of those non-ACA options. You're in northern Virginia, not rural North Dakota. So you'll likely have good care under an HMO. I would agree for routine care. However, I looked at the facilities included in the HMO and EPO. Surprisingly, neither includes the largest healthcare system in my area, INOVA. Although INOVA isn't the only game in town, there can be a huge difference between network capabilities. I recently had a not so uncommon procedure that typically requires a 2-week hospital stay with pain and a long recovery. However, one of the INOVA facilities is the only one in the area that has a certain robotic machine --- it allowed for a 2-day stay, no pain, lower risk...
by Postmon
Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

Petersen and National General have short-term plans with national PPO networks that can be extended for up to 12 months. Thanks! I'll definitely look into those. If the provider you want isn't in network, you can pay full price for the appointments which would still be a lot less than paying for a PPO plan. Not really concerned about going out of network and paying full price for a few appointments here and there. I'd be worried if one of us needs something like a complex/rare surgery and the top hospital/doctors that perform it are out of network. I ran a Kaiser family (of 4) Bronze plan in Northern VA and got 1232/mo Kaiser Silver plans in the $1,400 -$1,600/mo ranges Here are my options from the exchange (Affordable :confused Care Act?)...
by Postmon
Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

Rupert wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:19 pm Have you contacted the insurance companies directly?
Yes, all the compliant plans are on the gov't exchange. The only off-exchange plan I was able to find was the short-term one from UnitedHealthCare.
by Postmon
Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

Rupert wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:11 pm You could still choose an HDHP and have out-of-network coverage,
Where would I find one? The healthcare.gov site only offers the one PPO with no options. The only other choices are EPOs and HMOs.
by Postmon
Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

Rupert wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:49 pm Do look at the PPO issue more closely.
I guess I'm more concerned about a scenario where something major happens and the provider we want to see is not in-network and we're stuck with a mediocre provider.
Da5id wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:56 pm HDHP with HSA can be a PPO
I'd be happy if the exchange offered me a high-deductible PPO rather than one with a premium close to $50K/year!
by Postmon
Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Re: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

Do you mind if I ask why you insist on a PPO plan if you are all healthy with no pre-existing conditions? Just in case anything major were to happen we want the flexibility to go out-of-network (but may need to re-think this!). "Anything you are diagnosed for must be treated within the same six-month period as it will be considered a pre-existing condition for whatever insurance you buy at the end of the short term period--including another short-term policy. So I'm not sure what you mean by "renewing" it. If something happened and we could not renew the short-term policy, we'd enroll in an ACA plan. Do you have access to employer provided insurance in the near future? If not, can you get a job that pays very little, but pro...
by Postmon
Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?
Replies: 66
Views: 7282

Risks of Non-ACA Compliant Health Insurance?

Our COBRA plan expires in a few months so we're looking at alternatives. We (family of 4) prefer to continue with a PPO but healthcare.gov only offers one plan and the premium is $3,700/month ! :shock: We're in Northern Virginia, all healthy with no pre-existing conditions, and do not qualify for a subsidy. If we want the flexibility of a PPO-like plan, I've found three options that are not ACA compliant. These plans have "reasonable" premiums (<$1,000/month) and deductibles that we could live with. 1. UnitedHealthCare Short Term I'm leaning toward this one. Premium is less than $1,000/month. Supplemental plans are also offered. 6-month term will be available in 2018. If for some reason, we do not get renewed, we'd get an ACA plan...
by Postmon
Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Maximum limit for Fido Ex-US Index (FSGDX)?
Replies: 26
Views: 2870

Re: Maximum limit for Fido Ex-US Index (FSGDX)?

slin wrote:I was told:

- The $100k limit is the maximum holding you are allowed to have of that fund, full-stop. Not per day, not per-order, not electronic limit only, but that is the maximum you can hold of that fund.
Very strange. I hold a lot more than that in a single account and have made phone trades for well over $100K.
by Postmon
Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Maximum limit for Fido Ex-US Index (FSGDX)?
Replies: 26
Views: 2870

Re: Maximum limit for Fido Ex-US Index (FSGDX)?

It's total $'s per day. Can't break into smaller orders. There are a number of online transactions that have dollar limits per day. Anytime I run into those situations, I call in and the rep is able to place the order. Although it's inconvenient, my guess is that they do it to prevent online fraud.
by Postmon
Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Maximum limit for Fido Ex-US Index (FSGDX)?
Replies: 26
Views: 2870

Re: Maximum limit for Fido Ex-US Index (FSGDX)?

An online order is limited to $100K but the rep can place the order for you over the phone. But, he/she first needs to get approval from the fund manager.
by Postmon
Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Washer died. Seeking recommendations for a top loader.
Replies: 65
Views: 8659

Re: Washer died. Seeking recommendations for a top loader.

We've been debating between a front-load LG high efficiency and the old fashioned Speed Queen top loader (with agitator, not high efficiency). I think we're going Speed Queen. Objective is clean clothes and dependabilty -- not the latest techology. Plus, hate the idea of the long cycle time with the HE models. Not to hijack the thread but trying to decide on mechanical vs. electronic controls? Apparently the SQ electronics have been used for years at laudromats so I'm assuming they're reliable? Plus, you get a 5 year warranty vs. 3-year on the mechanical ones. I've always thought electronic controls are more likely to fail early while mechanical are more likely to fail over the long-term. Electronics would be an additional $200 total on the...
by Postmon
Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which of these is the best tax loss harvest partner for Vanguard Total Stock?
Replies: 6
Views: 1549

Re: Which of these is the best tax loss harvest partner for Vanguard Total Stock?

When you tax loss harvest, the funds are not supposed to be "substantially identical." Therefore, I would not risk using a Total Market fund for VTSAX. That would leave you with VLCAX from your list. If you just want a single fund, an S&P 500 index would work as well. If you do a search, lots of info on this same question.
by Postmon
Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your car buying strategy?
Replies: 84
Views: 12762

Re: What is your car buying strategy?

I've found the "free" buying services to be a joke. For example, when I was in the market, the Costco special price was more than the price that the dealer posted on their website. If you really want the best price without negotiating, this is worth the $250 fee: http://www.checkbook.org/auto/carbarg.cfm.
by Postmon
Sun Sep 27, 2015 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VWO vs IXUS [Vanguard Emerging Mkts vs. iShares MSCI Core Total Int'l]
Replies: 7
Views: 2091

Re: VWO vs IXUS [Vanguard Emerging Mkts vs. iShares MSCI Core Total Int'l]

danstelter wrote:
Postmon wrote: What are you trying to accomplish for your international allocation?
I'm trying to find long-term DOW outperformers.
Aren't we all! :wink: Around here most believe It's impossible to predict what's going to outperform so we shoot for the average at minimal cost. Many believe there may be a premium in small/value funds over the long term so they tilt or slice/dice their portfolio in that direction. If your crystal ball shows Emerging Markets outperforming just pick a low cost EM index fund to include as part of your international allocation. Maybe some combination of a total international fund such as IXUS and an EM fund such as VWO or IEMG.

BTW - you should probably post your entire plan to get comments before doing anything.
by Postmon
Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VWO vs IXUS [Vanguard Emerging Mkts vs. iShares MSCI Core Total Int'l]
Replies: 7
Views: 2091

Re: VWO vs IXUS [Vanguard Emerging Mkts vs. iShares MSCI Core Total Int'l]

Two different animals: VWO is Emerging Markets and IXUS is Total International Market including Emerging Markets. If you're interested in an iShare EM fund, check out IEMG.

What are you trying to accomplish for your international allocation?
by Postmon
Wed Sep 23, 2015 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: three-fund portfolio vs slice and dice
Replies: 11
Views: 2499

Re: three-fund portfolio vs slice and dice

David Jay wrote:
Postmon wrote:
David Jay wrote:RE: the simplicity argument - I plan to simplify to 3 fund in retirement so I can leave my wife with something she can understand and maintain.
Don't forget there will likely be a huge cost if you plan to simplify in the future -- capital gains taxes. :twisted:
100% of assets (beyond my emergency fund) are in tax-advantaged accounts. No tax issues. :D
That makes it even easier. You can make it foolproof and go with a fixed allocation fund like one of the Vanguard Life Strategy funds. :beer
by Postmon
Tue Sep 22, 2015 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: three-fund portfolio vs slice and dice
Replies: 11
Views: 2499

Re: three-fund portfolio vs slice and dice

David Jay wrote:RE: the simplicity argument - I plan to simplify to 3 fund in retirement so I can leave my wife with something she can understand and maintain.
Don't forget there will likely be a huge cost if you plan to simplify in the future -- capital gains taxes. :twisted:
by Postmon
Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New SUV, $50G, Pilot/Highlander/Other
Replies: 151
Views: 32265

Re: New SUV, $50G, Pilot/Highlander/Other

CPO Mercedes or Lexus. Vehicles are like new and you likely get a warranty as good as or better than the new ones you're considering. Plus someone else already took the hit on new car depreciation. :beer
by Postmon
Sat Apr 25, 2015 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling on eBay with local pickup using PayPal - Dangerous?
Replies: 22
Views: 34979

Re: Selling on eBay with local pickup using PayPal - Dangero

d_green wrote:I don't want to just refund him the money and cancel the sale, so I am somewhat at a loss at what to do.
As Dirty Harry said: "You gotta ask yourself one question. Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?" :twisted:

You could cancel the sale and then you won't have to worry about a chargeback but then you run the risk of a negative feedback. What does this buyer's feedback look like? Quantity, comments, % postive? How long has he been an eBay member? You should have his name now, so google him and see if anything shady comes back. If everything checks out, it's a risk of doing business.

I gave up with eBay for local sales. Craigslist is your friend for that.
by Postmon
Sat Apr 25, 2015 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling on eBay with local pickup using PayPal - Dangerous?
Replies: 22
Views: 34979

Re: Selling on eBay with local pickup using PayPal - Dangero

Although bill of sale or something like that might stand up in court, I don't know why everyone is suggesting that. IT WON'T WORK FOR PAYPAL :oops: . Let's get back to the OP's questions: 1.) Is allowing PayPal payment with local pickup problematic? Not necessarily, but you lose Paypal seller protection if the buyer decides to do a chargeback. Do I lose some seller protections by allowing PayPal payment in local pickup situations? No, you lose ALL of it! Should I ever allow this in the future - can I require cash payment when I create local pickup auctions in the future? Absolutely. Cash for in person pickup is the only way to go. 2.) Is there some form of proof of pickup I can generate that eBay will accept? No. I was thinking about maybe ...