Search found 64 matches

by tdirgins
Sat Aug 27, 2022 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Questions on Retirement Plan/T-Bill Ladder
Replies: 3
Views: 828

Re: Questions on Retirement Plan/T-Bill Ladder

Thanks for your feedback!

We are going to try the ladder for the next few years for a few reasons including sequence of returns risk. Things are a little shaky right now so I'd like to play it a little on the safe side. I am thinking of using a variable spend approach from the portfolio with an estimated floor each year (from the ladder).

I hadn't really considered a different approach for pre and post-SSA. Something to think about!
by tdirgins
Fri Aug 26, 2022 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Questions on Retirement Plan/T-Bill Ladder
Replies: 3
Views: 828

Questions on Retirement Plan/T-Bill Ladder

Hello everyone, Longtime lurker, infrequent poster. I would love to get some opinions on our retirement plan. I am mostly retired (working part-time) and my wife is planning to depart MegaCorp before the end of the year. We plan to snowbird for the next few years before going fulltime in Florida where we own a home. We've got a few years to go until tapping into IRAs. Our planned sequence of withdrawals is: Cash/T-Bills Taxable (his/hers) IRAs (his) IRAs (hers) Pensions (his) Social Security (his) Social Security (hers) Emergency funds: One year of Expenses Debt: Mortgage on retirement home. 294k balance @3.25% 28.5 years remaining Tax Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly Tax Rate: 35% Federal, 6.85% State (NY) State of Residence: NY (for ...
by tdirgins
Mon Mar 28, 2022 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question About ACA/Income in 1st Year of Retirement
Replies: 34
Views: 5441

Re: Question About ACA/Income in 1st Year of Retirement

Yes, we keep plenty of cash. I was really just concerned re: the AGI issue for the first year. Thanks for the feedback!
by tdirgins
Mon Mar 28, 2022 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question About ACA/Income in 1st Year of Retirement
Replies: 34
Views: 5441

Question About ACA/Income in 1st Year of Retirement

My wife and I are getting ready to retire fully in 2023 and I am running cost scenarios for ACA. I was worried that our first year of ACA coverage would be crazy expensive as we would be using 2022 AGI. Then I saw this on the Healthcare.gov site:

"Marketplace savings are based on your expected household income for the year you want coverage, not last year’s income." For those who have FIREd, does that really mean I just enter an estimated income for 2023 when applying for coverage? What happens if I make more than the estimate? Does the government claw back the money?

I have looked through many threads and have not seen this question answered. Thanks for any guidance!
by tdirgins
Sat Jan 08, 2022 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 Investment Advice
Replies: 8
Views: 979

Re: 529 Investment Advice

Option 1 for sure. I did something similar.
by tdirgins
Mon Dec 10, 2018 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retired in your late 40s or early 50s?
Replies: 87
Views: 17300

Re: Retired in your late 40s or early 50s?

Resigned from a job earlier this year that I once loved but grew to really dislike. I'm 52 and DW is 50. I am lucky in that she is highly compensated and plans to work another 4 or 5 years. We also planned for many years to retire early and were prodigious savers and investors. I started a consulting practice after I left megacorp, then realized I didn't want to get right back into what I was doing. Now I coach HS sports year-round, and I love it. While the pay is a joke, I love working with kids. Better late than never to find your calling! I'm also planning to walk the Camino de Santiago next summer....because I can. I agree with other posters that the days fill up with stuff to do. I used to complain about stay-at-home moms...not so much...
by tdirgins
Sat May 12, 2018 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on building a timeless mens wardrobe?
Replies: 68
Views: 10211

Re: Advice on building a timeless mens wardrobe?

Dappered.com does a $1500 wardrobe breakdown every year. Check this out: https://dappered.com/2017/11/how-to-wea ... robe-2017/
by tdirgins
Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Needed with non-profit investment account
Replies: 1
Views: 320

Help Needed with non-profit investment account

Hoping I can get some advice on an investment strategy for a non-profit organization to which I belong.

The finances are a bit of a mess--we are the beneficiaries of a trust that recently closed, and will receive a check for about 600k. We have about 300k of assets in a separate account. When the trust (comprised mostly of individual stocks and bonds) was active, it spun out about 25k in dividends per year, which we need for operating expenses.

The question is what to do now? We would like to simplify and be very conservative with the principal, but depend on the dividends to keep the lights on. I am not a dividend investor so this is pretty new to me. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
by tdirgins
Tue Oct 24, 2017 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken's future direction - a cause for concern
Replies: 516
Views: 99571

Re: Quicken's future direction - a cause for concern

After 20 years of downloads, bugs, and manual entry to fix placeholders, I am officially out. Personal Capital and other online planning tools (e.g. Fidelity, i-orp, FireCalc) do everything Quicken once did (that I need) but do it much better...and for free.
by tdirgins
Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Learning Guitar
Replies: 30
Views: 6725

Re: Learning Guitar

For a beginner guitarist, I highly recommend Justin guitar: http://www.justinguitar.com.

In true Boglehead fashion...it's free! (unless you would like to donate)
by tdirgins
Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restaurant tipping
Replies: 200
Views: 55530

Re: Restaurant tipping

The people wishing for tipping to "go away" should take a trip to France for a meal, where tipping is not encouraged except for sucker tourists. Be careful what you wish for. The service there is abyssmal.
Try walking a mile in someone else's shoes...waiting tables is hard work.
by tdirgins
Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How does a Boglehead handle stock options?
Replies: 29
Views: 5932

Re: How does a Boglehead handle stock options?

This questions has been asked before and my answer is always the same. Assuming the options are above water, sell on the day they vest and add to your AA.

Have I lost out on upsides? Yes I have. Have I avoided stock declines that rendered options worthless? Yes I have.

I have never worried about the tax implications. Take the money and run!
by tdirgins
Mon Oct 06, 2014 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 or not
Replies: 38
Views: 5964

Re: 529 or not

We are in the NY plan and live in NY. Our kids are 15 and 12 and we have been contributing for years. Started with meager 50-100 deposits on a an irregular basis. When we finally got our act together we had the same conversation you're having. We are planning to give our kids a full ride with no loans. Kids will provide their own spending money/spring break/fun money. We actually contributed more than the NY deduction amount of 10k/year, and the funds have grown nicely. We like the idea of the college money being in its own account. When trying to figure out how much to save, we used this calculator because it works for multiple kids, and shows deposits and withdrawls: http://www.jhinvestments.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID={A283791B-75F7-4B31-...
by tdirgins
Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tell me about Paris
Replies: 65
Views: 11551

Re: Tell me about Paris

I have traveled to Paris many times for work. My advice is to avoid the touristy areas and focus on off-the-beaten path areas whenever possible. If your kids are a littler older, I highly recommend a bike tour. - http://www.bikeabouttours.com/_2014a/biketour_parisday.htm is a great one. Paris is very safe as long as you use common sense. Pickpockets can be found in the most touristy areas, especially around the Eiffel Tower. Do not fall for the "Did you drop this ring?" scam. I agree with skipping Versailles. Taking a taxi from the airport is easiest, although you can use the metro pretty easily. The only issue is traveling with kids/bags and making transfers. I would avoid the hassle and use a taxi. The Metro is incredibly conven...
by tdirgins
Thu May 22, 2014 3:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Your 529 Plan - Thoughts and Strategies
Replies: 43
Views: 8049

Re: Your 529 Plan - Thoughts and Strategies

1. How old are your children who you're saving for? 15/12 2. Which 529 Plan do you invest in? NY 3. What's the current balance? 132k/146k 4. How much do you contribute and how often? How did you come to this number? 1000 per month per kid. Used the John Hancock college planning calculator which allows you to enter multiple kids and spits out inflow and outflow reports. It's great. 5. What are the underlying investments? Vanguard Growth Index,Vanguard Total Bond Market Index. I adjust the %'s of these manually as each child ages. 6. Are you satisfied with the 529 Plan you invest in? Why or why not? yes. costs low, returns have been solid. Plus I get a 10k state tax deduction. 7. What percentage of higher education cost do you hope to cover f...
by tdirgins
Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recommended "All Inclusive" in Caribbean
Replies: 8
Views: 3433

Re: Recommended "All Inclusive" in Caribbean

Just got back from Jewel Runaway Bay in Montego Bay Jamaica. It was great, especially for kids. Lots of "kid camp" (they had their own playroom, counsellors, arts and crafts, movie night, etc...) and adult activities (golf, tennis, disco, karaoke). Multiple pools (one with a swim up bar), and the food was pretty good for an all inclusive. Highly recommended.


We also took the kids to Atlantis in the Bahamas. Not an all-inclusive but it was a lot of fun since it's attached to the giant water park. It was great, but the food was outrageously expensive.
by tdirgins
Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYC Comic Con
Replies: 12
Views: 1306

Re: NYC Comic Con

Yes, it's really crowded. It's Comic Con, and you're in New York. Double whammy.

My kids loved it and waited for hours to meet John Barrowman from Dr. Who/Torchwood. They also got autographs from William Shatner and 6th doctor (Dr. Who) Colin Baker. Anime girls everywhere, and the costumes were amazing. It was geek paradise. Definitely not for toddlers.

My advice is to not try to do it all in one day---it's just too much. Get there early and head straight for the autograph area, if that's your thing. Bring a traveling/folding stool if you have to wait. Water and snacks in a backpack are very helpful. The vendors are everywhere, but if you concentrate on the panels, it can be very enjoyable. Wear comfy shoes!
by tdirgins
Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BBQ Road Trip
Replies: 50
Views: 6317

Re: BBQ Road Trip

rokidtoo wrote:Just outside of NC - Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que in Williamsburg, VA.

http://www.pierces.com/
I ate at Pierce's every Friday night during the college years. A little hard to find but worth the trip!!!
The Brunswick Stew is to die for!
by tdirgins
Fri Mar 07, 2014 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Joint or Separate Accounts? - Married Couples
Replies: 82
Views: 8375

Re: Joint or Separate Accounts? - Married Couples

My wife was cleaned out by her ex-husband right before they divorced; consequently she asked for (and I readily agreed to) separate checking accounts.

We divvy up the big bills (she pays the mortgage, I pay pretty much everything else) The amounts are about the same. We have additional money auto-deducted from our checking accounts to fund a MM acct for big annual expenses (e.g. vacation) and and also a VG taxable account.

Any leftover money in the checking accounts can be routed into savings as necessary or used for "fun money" (going out, gifts, etc...) We have never had an argument about money in 20 years, so it works for us!
by tdirgins
Tue Feb 25, 2014 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which options to exercise?
Replies: 18
Views: 2070

Re: Which options to exercise?

I'm sure others will chime in on this but my strategy with any of the options I have ever had was the same. The day they vested I unloaded them, assuming they were in positive territory. Why wait for a possible market correction? You run the risk of having options worth nothing. I also never worried about the tax consequences because it's better to pay tax on a gain than to have no gain at all. :D

After selling, I reinvested the proceeds as per my AA. Have I had regrets? Yes-- I watched some of these stocks climb even higher. :oops: I'm smart enough to know I can't time the market though, so I keep to this strategy.
by tdirgins
Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds - Throw it all on the table!
Replies: 499
Views: 92671

Re: Bonds - Throw it all on the table!!!

1) List the bond funds, individual bonds, CD's, etc. that you invest in Total Bond and Total Intl Bond via VTTVX 2025 fund, VAIPX TIPS, NY LT Tax Exempt VNYUX, Limited Term Tax Exempt VMLUX 2) In which account what fixed income securities are held 401k, Rollover IRA, Taxable, Taxable 3) Allocation as a percentage of Fixed Income 29%,15%,10%,10% -- rest of fixed is in employer cash balance account 4) Allocation to bonds overall (i.e. age in bonds, etc.) 22% (rest in cash balance, total fixed is 36%) 5) Any other plans such as adding more bonds funds, consolidating and merging, etc. Not planning to add any bonds. I was advised to dump VAIPX TIPS during my Vanguard portfolio review at the beginning of last year. I didn't. In hindsight, it turn...
by tdirgins
Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poll: Early retirement investment vehicles
Replies: 44
Views: 4448

Re: Poll: Early retirement investment vehicles

I didn't see an option that fit our situation:

Traditional, Taxable, 401k, Penison
by tdirgins
Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Podcasts?
Replies: 22
Views: 3087

Re: Favorite Podcasts?

Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast - use headphones--definitely NSFW
NPR StoryCorps Podcast
Best of YouTube
GrateTV (BBQ/Smoker tips and tricks)
by tdirgins
Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Brooks Brothers outlet vs retail
Replies: 36
Views: 61815

Re: Brooks Brothers outlet vs retail

Having worked as a dress shirt and neckwear buyer for BB, I finally believe I am qualified to answer a question. :happy At the time I was at BB (10 years ago), we were in the process of moving all of our shirt manufacturing to Hong Kong and Malaysia with the excpetion of OCBD (made in Garland, North Carolina) and custom shirts (also NC). Most of the retail shirts were 100's and 140's 2 ply cotton, while the majority of the outlet shirts were 80's 2-ply. Many of the manufacturers were the same--the only difference was the fabric, and sometimes the fit. All non-iron shirts were made abroad because of the technological requirements, including refrigerating the fabric! The same was true for most of the other departments--everything is designed ...
by tdirgins
Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's Leather Belt: Recommendations?
Replies: 45
Views: 9803

Re: Men's Leather Belt: Recommendations?

I have this guy make belts for me. Made in USA and look great.
Don't be scared off by the circa 1997 website.

http://www.leathergoodsconnection.com/
by tdirgins
Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How did you decide to sell your stock options?
Replies: 18
Views: 2471

Re: How did you decide to sell your stock options?

A portion of the options at my old company vested each year. As long as they were above water, I exercised them. Even if I thought they might go up, I always exercised on the vest date. Why? I am not a market timer nor can I predict the future. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

The same went for my restricted stock grants. I am not going to lie, the fact that I sold at 27 and the stock is now at 61 stings a little, but there are no guarantees in life. I took the money and ran.
by tdirgins
Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: NY 529 Help
Replies: 3
Views: 453

Re: NY 529 Help

If you are not planning on any other additions next year, then it wouldn't hurt to wait until Jan to invest the 5k to get the deduction.

I went with the Individual plan and adjust at specific points . My plan looks like this:
100% Growth - age 0-10
75% Growth 25% Bonds - age 11-14
50% Growth 50% Bonds - age 15-17
100% Interest Portfolio- age 18

Working great so far.
by tdirgins
Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poll: $ monthly contribution to 529/college savings
Replies: 60
Views: 12569

Re: Poll: $ monthly contribution to 529/college savings

We have two kids and I have been putting away 1k per kid per month fot he last 5 or 6 years. I started the first 529 with the older one (now 14) when he was a baby but did not set up auto-deductions. Big mistake. I would drop in 50 or 100 bucks when I remembered to do so.

Only the first 10k of (NY) 529 is deductible, but I am overfunding strictly for peace of mind. I am assuming no financial aid and private 4 year schools for both kids. Hoping for public 4 year, with some extra left over for grad school. My goal is to have college fully funded and the house paid off before the kids hit college so I can hit the eject button. :sharebeer
by tdirgins
Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wrist Watches
Replies: 81
Views: 11917

Re: Wrist Watches

There are plenty of good quality mechanical watches at reasonable prices.

Bernhardt Binnacle Diver (next on my list, great watch)
https://www.bernhardtwatch.com/index.php?id=31

I agree with amoeba's comments about Seiko. I am wearing an Orange Monster today--the thing is built like a tank.

Take a gander at the Watchuseek affordable watches forum. Lots of good recommnedations there.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/
by tdirgins
Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using Quicken 2013?
Replies: 77
Views: 20140

Re: Anyone using Quicken 2013?

I am in exactly the same boat. I know I need to upgrade to maintain download capability but I am dreading the thought of all the issues. I have 15 years of transactions so I will be backing up like crazy. I am going to wait as long as possible (i.e. April) to see if most of the issues are resolved. :annoyed
by tdirgins
Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your most intense movie scene
Replies: 155
Views: 19635

Re: Your most intense movie scene

Come and See is amazing, but definitely not for the squeamish. Truly horrifying. :(

Schindler's List - when the kids are scrambling to hide

Some other intense scenes:

Aliens - Waiting for Bishop to pick up Ripley and Newt at the top of the elevator shaft

Three scenes from East of Eden that get me everytime:
When Cal (James Dean) tries to give his father the money. Heartbreaking.
When Cal confronts his father about his mother: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d92f_DaEqAE
Final Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYWpp-qKuQ

Honorable mentions:
Breaking Away (Bike Race)
Field of Dreams (Ray decides to keep the farm, Moonlight Graham and the hot dog scene, Final scene)
by tdirgins
Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fitness Regimen
Replies: 29
Views: 14425

Re: Fitness Regimen

Great advice so far. Diet will have the biggest impact on your body--it's the thing I struggle with the most---I LOVE to eat. That being said, a regular fitness regimen will definitely help. I started P90x back in April and the body transformation has been amazing. I have since added in a little Insanity cardio to step things up a little. Yes, the infomercial is annoying--but I can't argue with the results http://www.teambeachbody.com/connect/message-boards/-/message_boards/message/229382950 . Lots of support on their forums as well. Workouts are 6 days a week, and there are three phases, with workouts differing slightly in each phase. The last week of each phase is a "recovery week" with additional yoga and less strength training...
by tdirgins
Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: what is the ROI on your 529 accounts so far?
Replies: 28
Views: 4321

Re: what is the ROI on your 529 accounts so far?

NY 529 Plan. All figures IRR. Both accounts opened in 2003.

Kid 1 (13) until this year was 100% Growth Stock Index Portfolio. Dialing it back a little each year from now to HS graduation.

75% Growth Stock Index Portfolio
25% Bond Market Index Portfolio

1yr 30.98%
3yr 15.60%
5 yr 10.33%

Kid 2 (10)
100% Growth Stock Index Portfolio. Same strategy as above.
1yr 32.37%
3yr 16.13%
5 yr 10.18%
by tdirgins
Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gibson Accoustic Guitars
Replies: 19
Views: 1735

Re: Gibson Accoustic Guitars

I thoroughly disagree with this. Quality guitars DON'T lose their value. If you see something of seemingly real quality in great condition for 50% less than new, either it's fake or they don't know what they have. Chances are better that it's fake. Every guitar I've ever bought used or traded for has been thoroughly inspected by my guitar tech before I agreed to the purchase/trade. Quality guitars hold their value VERY well. While I agree that there are fakes out there, I have to disagree with your disagreement. :happy: There is a mint Martin 2009 00-18v on the Unofficial Martin forum right now for $1650. Elderly has a new one for $2600 for sale and the MSRP (ok, we know no one pays this) is $3600. While this is "only" 37% off, I...
by tdirgins
Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gibson Accoustic Guitars
Replies: 19
Views: 1735

Re: Gibson Accoustic Guitars

As an owner of more than a few guitars, I offer the following suggestions: 1. No need to drop that kind of coin on a brand new guitar. Save yourself 50% off MSRP by hitting up craigslist. Tons of instruments that people never took the time to learn to play, or guys trading up for their next instrument. It's just like buying a new car--they lose 50% of their value when you walk out the door. Plus it's already opened up! Unoffical Martin Guitar forum has a good sales section with an enforced 72-hour return policy. Acoustic Guitar forum is also good for scoring a used instrument. 2. Martin makes a performance neck on some models--much more slender--similar to a standard Taylor neck. 3. The sound of guitars is incredibly subjective. While Marti...
by tdirgins
Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Visiting New York October 2012
Replies: 34
Views: 2556

Re: Visiting New York October 2012

Try venturing out from Times Sq. Yes, it's exciting...but no locals go there--tourists only. I would especially avoid eating in the vicinity. My favorite vegetarian is in the village. These two are great: Taim - 222 Waverly Place, between Perry and West 11th Streets. Hummus Place - 71 Seventh Ave South, near Barrow Street. Favorite pizza: John’s Pizza. 278 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. The real deal. Avoid any place named "Ray’s", "Original Ray's", "Ray’s Original", or any place within 5 blocks of Times Square. Spunto (65 Carmine St) is also very, very good. Favorite ice cream --Victory Garden. 31 Carmine Street Stop by after pizza! Lorely Restaurant & Biergarten: authentic old-school beer garden lo...
by tdirgins
Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Foreign film night recommendations.
Replies: 124
Views: 10678

Re: Foreign film night recommendations.

I typed a huge list and then got bounced out. :oops:
A few more:

The Memory of a Killer
Come and See (not for the squeamish...emotionally exhausting)
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Stalingrad
Persepolis
Farewell My Concubine
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
El Mariachi
Zentropa
Europa, Europa
The Nasty Girl
Brotherhood of the Wolf

For Cinema Paradiso, the origianl version is much better than the Director's Cut IMHO
by tdirgins
Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New York
Replies: 25
Views: 3360

Re: New York

chaz wrote:Eat at Carnegie Deli.
Katz's Deli is much better. East Houston and Ludlow.

Some other recommendations:

Central Park (lots going on in June)
Bronx Zoo
NY Botanical Garden (Rose Garden is amazing in June)
Another vote for the Tenement Museum.
http://www.tenement.org/

John's Pizza on Bleecker St. My vote for best pie in the city.

St Patrick's Cathedral
St John the Divine

If you are feeling adventurous, I would highly recommend a trip to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Bring an empty stomach.
http://kitchencocktail.blogspot.com/200 ... venue.html

Avoid the Today Show set at Rockefeller Center. No self-respecting New Yorker would be caught dead outside the studio. :D
p.s. I am a local.
by tdirgins
Thu Apr 05, 2012 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Podcasts
Replies: 42
Views: 6251

Re: Favorite Podcasts

Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast (great comedian, but NSFW)
Yeah, It's That Bad (hilarious re-visits of poorly-reviewed films, also NSFW)
Grate-TV (video podcast for hardcore BBQers)
The Moth
NPR StoryCorps (true-life stories)
Rick Steve's Europe walking-tour podcasts
Talkin Walkin (Kevin Pollak does the entire podcast as Christopher Walken)
by tdirgins
Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Tahitian over water bungalow vacation worth the price?
Replies: 90
Views: 10004

Re: Is Tahitian over water bungalow vacation worth the price

Finally, a question I can answer. :happy I honeymooned in French Polynesia 15 years ago. We spent a week in Moorea and another week in Bora Bora. Landed in Tahiti but did not stay there. We had discussed the over-water bungalow idea before our trip and decided to skip it to save the money. It turned out that we spent so little time in our room (well, a little :wink: ) that the extra expense would have been a waste. Plenty of rainforest tours, scuba and snorkeling, off roading, etc.... The bungalows we did have were literally right on the beach, and were significantly cheaper. We thought of ways to stay permanently (set up a lemonade stand, sell t-shirts) but it very expensive to live there as just about everything except pineapples and coco...
by tdirgins
Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fixing squeaks in hardwood floors (kit)
Replies: 9
Views: 1512

Re: Fixing squeaks in hardwood floors (kit)

I used these when I renovated my attic: http://www.homedepot.com/buy/flooring/h ... 14030.html

Heard about them on TOH. It was an unfinished attic. I drove about 500 of these screws to eliminate all squeaks before putting down carpet. Worked like a charm. A LOT of work though. If you are are leaving your hardwoods exposed, keep in mind you will need to fill those holes somehow.
by tdirgins
Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much do you contribute for 529
Replies: 73
Views: 5959

Re: How much do you contribute for 529

started small, 50$ then 100$ per month for each of my two kids. I've been maintaining 1k/month each for the past few years. Shooting for 100% for 4 year ( 1 private, 1 public) by the time the oldest is ready to go (6 years).
by tdirgins
Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My 8 Year Old wants to take music lessons
Replies: 34
Views: 3539

Re: My 8 Year Old wants to take music lessons

Be sure to check out Justin Sandercoe online:
http://www.justinguitar.com/

over 500 free easy-to-follow guitar lessons.

You can't beat in-person lessons, though. Highly recommended.
by tdirgins
Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Watch) band for an IWC Pilot's Watch
Replies: 14
Views: 4407

I have had good luck with this company:

http://www.fredawatchstraps.com/index.html
by tdirgins
Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you max out your retirement+IRA plan contributions?
Replies: 90
Views: 16963

His 401k 16,500
Her 401k 13,500 (victim of the dreaded HCE designation)
Kids 529 plans 24,000
by tdirgins
Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: tryin to get the most alcohol for the buck for college party
Replies: 99
Views: 11966

Everclear punch. You start out like this :) and end up like :P . Careful on the intake or you end like this :twisted: .
by tdirgins
Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Winter Boots - Reccomendations
Replies: 14
Views: 2133

Another vote for Kamik!
by tdirgins
Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Good calculators for Retirment and College Savings
Replies: 5
Views: 1946

I found the John Hancock college calculator to be very helpful. It's great because it includes an option for multiple kids, shows accumulation phase and withdrawls, allows for mutliple college types (state, private, both in-state and out-ofstate), and spits out a nice report to boot.

http://www.johnhancockfreedom529.com/pu ... ly,00.shtm
by tdirgins
Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: annual 529 contributions
Replies: 50
Views: 6860

I understand perfectly how a backdoor Roth works.


From the Wiki:
Caution
...employer plan such as a 401(k) (which may cost you if the 401(k) has poor investment options).

I would need to take a significant portion our current portfolio and roll it into our 401ks to minimize the tax bite from the conversion. There are crappy chopices there.