Search found 4211 matches

by am
Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase Sapphire or Private Client Banking?
Replies: 24
Views: 6062

Re: Chase Sapphire or Private Client Banking?

Only use for chase sapphire banking has been free checks and atm reimbursements.

I qualify for private client but feel like it doesn’t offer any more and has more hassles, dealing with bankers, etc.
by am
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?
Replies: 28
Views: 3524

Re: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?

I switched to 100% vang mm for two kids one 1.5 yrs out and the other 3.5 yrs. I have enough in the accounts for state school tuition and would rather get 5% than potential negative returns and not have enough. Was a no brainer for me.
by am
Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k and access at 55 question
Replies: 4
Views: 639

Re: 401k and access at 55 question

My employer allows access to 401k penalty free at 55. Does this rule apply only if I am retired or can I separate from employer and still access funds if I work part time somewhere else? Unless you qualify for a different penalty exception, you must have separated from service in the year you reach 55 or later for the penalty exception to apply. Your elective deferrals to the plan cannot be withdrawn until you reach 59.5 if you are still employed (except for hardship distributions if the plan offers them). Once you are separated at 55 or later, your distributions are penalty free. However, the plan may only offer full distributions with no partial distributions, and that usually compromises the benefits of the penalty waiver. Are you sayin...
by am
Mon Feb 05, 2024 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k and access at 55 question
Replies: 4
Views: 639

401k and access at 55 question

My employer allows access to 401k penalty free at 55. Does this rule apply only if I am retired or can I separate from employer and still access funds if I work part time somewhere else?
by am
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Everyone see NVidia this morning?...good for IRA account?
Replies: 48
Views: 9543

Re: Everyone see NVidia this morning?...good for IRA account?

These types of hot stocks end up badly a lot of times.
by am
Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Newretirement (free) "chance of success" much lower than others?
Replies: 17
Views: 2304

Re: Newretirement (free) "chance of success" much lower than others?

3.2% swr. Good to go. No one can guarantee you 100% success. You can adjust spending if things aren’t going too well at that level of assets.
by am
Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 12989

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

It was easier for the older generations of doctors to love their profession as they were their own bosses in private practice. They ran things how they like and worked for themselves on their terms.

Not so much for this generation of doctors who are often employed by for profit health systems or private equity backed ventures which remove all autonomy from doctors. They set high productivity requirements often based on wRVUs. Doctors are just cogs in the wheel in these systems.

I believe this difference has led to the current thinking of doctors. They have become highly educated shift workers who punch in and out. Working for the paycheck. Often lacking fulfillment with high rates of burnout.
by am
Sun Jan 28, 2024 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 12989

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

Not sure what this surgeon wants to hear? You love your job but do you want to do it until the end? Retire because you will regret working so much when you’re dying? Do what you love until the end? It’s a personal decision and no one knows except you! I am a non surgical MD who does not have the same feeling about their profession. Many MDs fall into my camp, especially if you look at burnout studies. I am looking forward to the day when I no longer have to carry the responsibility on my shoulders. When my time is truly mine and no one tells me what to do, how much to do or what to do. Hate the understaffed busy off hour shifts I work. I am going part time and will see. If that doesn’t do it will go more part time at another employer likely...
by am
Tue Jan 23, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What happened in 2012 that US stocks took off?
Replies: 28
Views: 3143

Re: What happened in 2012 that US stocks took off?

Maybe the US dollar has risen compared to foreign currencies. I didn’t realize how much influence the price of the dollar has on foreign market returns until I followed recently.
by am
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: At what invested net worth do contributions start to matter less?
Replies: 48
Views: 8281

Re: At what invested net worth do contributions start to matter less?

Can I ask what you are trying to accomplish? Trying to figure out when to stop saving? When to give up? I’d keep saving until you have “enough” in the famous words by Mr Bogle. How much is enough is a good question I think. Because until you have enough every dollar will help pay for a meal you may need. Imho The idea at to ask at what point is saving futile seems to be asking the wrong question in retirement planning. I agree in that while it is a thought exercise, is it providing any sort of useful or actionable information? I mean if you haven't saved enough to retire, then you keep saving. If you have saved enough, then do whatever you want including save more to enable higher spending in retirement. Determining the relative "usef...
by am
Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is anyone else putting “fun money” into NVDIA?
Replies: 54
Views: 6221

Re: Is anyone else putting “fun money” into NVDIA?

Wonder if there will be an AI fueled bubble like there was late 90s for internet?
by am
Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Max contribution non gov 457b
Replies: 8
Views: 1031

Re: Max contribution non gov 457b

retiredjg wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 7:37 am
am wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 7:19 am Anyone know what the max non gov 457b contribution is for 50+ in 2024? Does the catch up also apply to this account?
There is no "after 50" catch up in a non-governmental plan.

But there could be a "within 3 years of retirement" catch up in your non-governmental plan and (among other details) it apparently can be an additional $23k if the employee did not make full elective deferrals in previous years.

See the link posted by tonyclifton.
How is within 3 yrs of retirement defined? Is this by the plan or individual? If by plan, what is typical age?
by am
Sun Jan 07, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Max contribution non gov 457b
Replies: 8
Views: 1031

Max contribution non gov 457b

Anyone know what the max non gov 457b contribution is for 50+ in 2024? Does the catch up also apply to this account?
by am
Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 367
Views: 98191

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

Agree. This strategy could wipe you out. Much riskier than stock/bond portoflio. I have a <1% allocation to this and constantly think of capitulation with losses. Have stayed the course for about 3 years with mild losses. I've treated the last few years as an extremely valuable learning experience with ~5% of my portfolio. Bailed from HFEA in 2022 but transitioned into a much more diversified levered strategy. It'll take time to dig out but that's the price of learning under fire. This strategy makes more sense jumping into after the market gets crushed. But you have to get out when volatility spikes. The thing is that not only can you get wiped out, but you may experience gut wrenching volatility only to trail sp500 returns. There is no r...
by am
Wed Jan 03, 2024 10:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 367
Views: 98191

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

This is why levered strategies fail most investors. Capitulation. Agree. This strategy could wipe you out. Much riskier than stock/bond portoflio. I have a <1% allocation to this and constantly think of capitulation with losses. Have stayed the course for about 3 years with mild losses. I've treated the last few years as an extremely valuable learning experience with ~5% of my portfolio. Bailed from HFEA in 2022 but transitioned into a much more diversified levered strategy. It'll take time to dig out but that's the price of learning under fire. This strategy makes more sense jumping into after the market gets crushed. But you have to get out when volatility spikes. The thing is that not only can you get wiped out, but you may experience g...
by am
Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can someone explain to me what's actually driving returns?
Replies: 77
Views: 12246

Re: Can someone explain to me what's actually driving returns?

Isnt the bottom line of returns simply company profits and growth over the long run?
by am
Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 367
Views: 98191

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

I've decided that I'm done with this strategy after sitting at a 44% unrealized loss in the ROTH IRA that's hosting the UPRO/TMF. Too wild for my risk tolerance lol. I've started another ROTH IRA that only contains VTI. From here on out, future contributions are going to that one. Still holding onto the UPRO/TMF IRA, but I plan to eventually roll the funds into the IRA that has the VTI. I plan to at least hold the TMF until I reach a point where I'm comfortable transferring it into VTI. Here's my question. Does anyone smarter than me (most anyone :D) see any reason not to transfer the UPRO into my VTI IRA right now? I want to exit the strategy, and I'm at a solid gain with the UPRO. I would leave the TMF (currently down 88% :oops: ) in the...
by am
Tue Jan 02, 2024 2:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Good Sources for Penny or Low Stocks?
Replies: 11
Views: 1234

Re: Good Sources for Penny or Low Stocks?

I bought a bunch of penny stocks for fun some years back and made some money on two of them ctic and celldex. Overall a win.
by am
Sun Dec 24, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How many brokerage accounts do you have?
Replies: 164
Views: 16347

Re: How many brokerage accounts do you have?

Is anyone concerned about having 7 figure sums at one brokerage?
by am
Sat Dec 16, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
Replies: 210
Views: 134255

Re: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M

Go for it. You’ll never feel safe. It will always feel risky to pull the plug. Meanwhile , precious time is going by. Just have a plan B and flexibility.
by am
Mon Dec 04, 2023 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity.com Having Problems?
Replies: 5
Views: 1054

Re: Fidelity.com Having Problems?

For the past month, I have had an error message saying that digital assets held at Coinbase can not be displayed. Previously, I can see Coinbase assets on my landing page at fidelity.com
by am
Sun Dec 03, 2023 11:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Safe withdrawal rate for portfolios composed of SP500 only
Replies: 53
Views: 6892

Re: Safe withdrawal rate for portfolios composed of SP500 only

Im going to do 5% portfolio value with 3% initial portoflio floor. Easy peasy.
by am
Tue Nov 28, 2023 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

A couple of quick thoughts as an early-retired MD: First, is it realistic that you can find part time work in your specific field that would not require call/nights/weekends? And would that job have benefits (most importantly health insurance, although maybe that can be covered by spouse)? This is so dependent on your specialty. Second, depending on the ages of your children, they may be part of your expenses far longer than you are anticipating. I think it’s the expense side of the equation that matters the most. Part time work exists in my field with business hours but pays relatively low. Like a 50% paycut or more but would still be enough if wife has income One of my biggest fears is the kids payroll going for far longer than I think. ...
by am
Tue Nov 28, 2023 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

Step back and think about what you really want and what actually makes you happy and healthy. What’s the disconnect between what you’re doing and what you want to be doing? And why are your expenses so high? I hike with some doctors who live off of far less. Is it a function of location? You said your home was paid off, so I’m trying to get my head around your expenses. Is lifestyle creep preventing you from doing what you want? I want to thank everyone for the helpful Comments. I am inching my way towards making a move but want it to be a good move so am taking my time. I am so used to saving thats its hard to let go. But as I approach 50 I realize that time left is running shorter and I see what can happen to people in my line of work at...
by am
Mon Nov 27, 2023 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

One way to look at this is that you could retire today if you can cut expenses to $110k/yr (3% of $3.7M). Alternatively you can work longer to be able to spend more. Right, 110k would be before taxes. I like 5% of portfolio balance with floor of 120k. I think that worked in the past for 40+ yr retirements. There is 20k pension in 12 yrs then ss in 17. Inheritances likely. Plus I could do part time much lower pay work as long as I am able. I doubt I will be sitting around as a 70 y/o wishing I had more money and did not cut back. Plus my wife covers near our expenses with her income but who knows how long that will last? I guess I am risk averse and afraid of unknowns. I am thinking however that stress and 40+ hr weeks with non stop work, q...
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

James.534 wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 10:42 am I think you need to figure out what the problem is first. Do you truely dislike your job or do you dislike being a physician. Because if it is the latter, you can probably coast , but not a level like you are used to financially. The adolescent and early adult years, tend to be alot more expensive for kids in ways you will never think of until you are in it. If you dislike "this job", then find a new job or create one. I did this as a physician a few years ago.
Good question. Not sure if irregular hours of job, non stop work, quotas, high responsibility of being physician, realizing more that life is short and time running lower? I want more days where I wake up and have nothing to do.
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell I bond for higher fixed rate?
Replies: 23
Views: 5834

Re: Sell I bond for higher fixed rate?

jeffyscott wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 9:25 am For me it makes sense to redeem the 0% I-bonds that I bought in 2021 and 2022 and invest the proceeds in TIPS (currently at around 2.3% real).

The TIPS are being bought in tax deferred while the I-bonds proceeds will go to stocks in taxable, offset by selling stocks in tax deferred. I only bought the I-bonds for for the short term high nominal yields and I had sold stocks in taxable to fund the purchases. So I am now reversing that.
Would it make sense to sell all I bonds with 0 fixed and reinvest in tips fund to capture high real yields?
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

Back of the envelope, let's call your future expenses $200K and your current savings per year $200K, and you want 30X expenses to retire, so ~$6M. At 5% growth that'd mean you can retire in 5 years if you keep working vs. 10 years. You are also more exposed to sequence of return risks in the coast fire scenario. If we had a 10 year down market, that means you may need to work 20 years, not 10. But it doesn't really sound like you'd be sad to work 20 years part time in a worst case scenario, so I'm not sure it would change your decision. Something about grinding and being unhappy until the day my portfolio hits “my number” gives me a bad feeling. Like what if that day doesn’t come for a decade or something happens to my health or worse? Wou...
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

Expenses are high but will go down as kids get launched in next 4-8 yrs. Thinking right now about 250k per yr. Part time job + wife’s income would cover comfortably.
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Re: Coastfire opinion.

You don't say what your retirement expenses would be, or how many years of expenses per year you can save at your current job (or fraction of expense-year.) I suspect once you look at those two numbers you'll see staying at your current job for 1 year is probably worth 3 to 5 "coasting" Then there's the fact that "lower paid" jobs are generally worse than higher paid - more micromanagement, stress, etc. Unless you're a fortunate person with some dream career waiting in the wings that happens to be low paid. Nearly everybody just ends up sticking it out for 2-3 more years and then fully retiring (that's what I did!) I am an MD so once I retire I can’t really go back. My part time job would be similar to what I do in my f...
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Coastfire opinion.
Replies: 38
Views: 6690

Coastfire opinion.

I am approaching 50 and not happy at my current job. I want to switch jobs and go part time. I would like to reduce stress and have more time and energy to do other things. My goal would be to cover expenses and let the portfolio grow over the next 5-10 years. Not sure when I want to retire. Thinking that if I can find something tolerable part time I can keep working for years to come. Part time + wife’s income would cover expenses. Current portfolio 3.7 mil in mix of stocks, bonds, cash. I have a small gov pension for 20k at 62 and social security of about 33k per year at 67 based on earnings until this year. House paid off. Currently saving 150-200k per yr as couple. Plugging numbers into compound interest calculator for some scenarios: 3...
by am
Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell I bond for higher fixed rate?
Replies: 23
Views: 5834

Sell I bond for higher fixed rate?

Does it make sense to sell any of the following I bonds to get the current higher fixed rate?

IAAAD 01-01-2022 3.38% $10,000.00 $11,240.00
IAAAC 01-01-2021 3.38% $10,000.00 $11,532.00
IAAAB 04-01-2020 3.58% $10,000.00 $11,632.00
IAAAA 11-01-2018 4.45% $10,000.00 $12,396.00

Not sure if I am interested in investing new money into I bonds when inflation is dropping and money markets are paying 5%+?
by am
Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing With Workplace Setbacks on FIRE Journey
Replies: 61
Views: 10133

Re: Dealing With Workplace Setbacks on FIRE Journey

toddthebod wrote: Mon May 22, 2023 3:24 pm I feel sad for people who make themselves miserable for the first 30 years of their adult life just so they can sit on their butts for the last 30 years of their life. Find a new job or career that is at least somewhat meaningful that you don't go into just looking forward to the day you can quit.
Well said. Totally agree. Life too short and uncertain to be miserable waiting for better days
by am
Sat Oct 21, 2023 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Retirement Savings
Replies: 464
Views: 109709

Re: Physician Retirement Savings

Nice to see that a post of mine from 7 years ago was resurrected. Medicine has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Not only the science of medicine, but the business of medicine. Medical school costs are dramatically higher and the debt-load of graduates are staggering. That is just for medical school and not including undergraduate debt that has also skyrocketed. Very few Residents can afford to start a practice or private practices able compete with institutions for new Residents so institutions now have a stronghold on many markets. This has created a crisis for succession planning in private practices that are aging. In comes PE and the consolidation of medical practices even further. I make less for procedures nominally than I ...
by am
Fri Oct 20, 2023 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Retirement Savings
Replies: 464
Views: 109709

Re: Physician Retirement Savings

Nice to see that a post of mine from 7 years ago was resurrected. Medicine has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Not only the science of medicine, but the business of medicine. Medical school costs are dramatically higher and the debt-load of graduates are staggering. That is just for medical school and not including undergraduate debt that has also skyrocketed. Very few Residents can afford to start a practice or private practices able compete with institutions for new Residents so institutions now have a stronghold on many markets. This has created a crisis for succession planning in private practices that are aging. In comes PE and the consolidation of medical practices even further. I make less for procedures nominally than I ...
by am
Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: HEDGEFUNDIE's excellent adventure Part II: The next journey
Replies: 14343
Views: 1970814

Re: HEDGEFUNDIE's excellent adventure Part II: The next journey

corpgator wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:15 am Once in a lifetime buying opportunity nearly every day now on TMF. I feel for those who stuck to the rebalancing schedule. I'm hurting enough with the small DCAing I've been doing.
In 6 months there may be an even better once in a lifetime opportunity 🙂
by am
Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hardtime understanding the benefit of a 457b plan (non-gov.)
Replies: 16
Views: 1251

Re: Hardtime understanding the benefit of a 457b plan (non-gov.)

aristotelian wrote: Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:18 am The benefit is tax deferral. Same as 401k except that you can withdraw without penalty at any age. Perhaps you are assuming she would have to withdraw upon leaving employer, but that is not the case. She can wait until retirement or any time you are in a lower tax benefit.
You can withdraw money at separation from employer. There may be options as to the length of withdrawal (all at once or over 10 years). You can also rollover if new employer has a non gov 457b.

In my opinion, a financially stable well rated system makes this as good as a 401k (almost)
by am
Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hardtime understanding the benefit of a 457b plan (non-gov.)
Replies: 16
Views: 1251

Re: Hardtime understanding the benefit of a 457b plan (non-gov.)

Benefit= deferring pay until in lower bracket. Tax deferred growth. Money protected in case of personal lawsuit (since not yours).
by am
Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another retirement thread - would you be comfortable?
Replies: 37
Views: 4044

Re: Another retirement thread - would you be comfortable?

You’re probably fine. I retired at about the same age with similar assets. You will need to understand your spending though, and your kids will need to understand that they’re now adults, responsible for their own lives, and you can’t afford to keep doing the $20k here and $40k there thing with them. Agreed. And my I ask how long you've been retired? No regrets? 7 years. Absolutely no regrets. The first couple of years, persistently concerned about finances. Should I have worked another couple of years? Are we spending too much? And so on. Eventually, I realized that I wasn’t going to go back to work, so things are what they are, the finances seemed to be okay, and that settled down. My situation is a little different, since my wife was al...
by am
Mon Sep 25, 2023 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much to target in 529 for covering full tuition?
Replies: 75
Views: 8370

Re: How much to target in 529 for covering full tuition?

I don't find either of those thing rare at all on here. Look at the Networth progression thread for the first, and all the college funding and estate planning threads for the later. This is tangential to the OP, but IMO it is uncommon here to commit to fully funding private education. Most posters believe in CC or state flagship, giving their kids a financial stake in college, and funding their own retirement first. Then there are the many threads about how private colleges are a waste of money etc. You think not "committing to fully funding a private education" equates to an "unwillingness to help your children"?!? If you have 3.8M in your 40s, yes. I stand by what I said. Most posters here would rather retire earlier ...
by am
Mon Sep 04, 2023 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard-can’t add outside investments
Replies: 18
Views: 2951

Re: Vanguard-can’t add outside investments

mhc wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 9:48 am I use to link my outside accounts to Vanguard, and it would update automatically, but it would always break. I finally gave up this year and switched to Full View at Fidelity. I prefer Full View. It has issues, but I like it better than Vanguard's tool.
I like full view for networth and aggregating all my accounts in one place. I can’t however get a nice representation of stock% versus bonds, expense ratio, etc. Their spend app is not very good as well.
by am
Mon Sep 04, 2023 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard-can’t add outside investments
Replies: 18
Views: 2951

Re: Vanguard-can’t add outside investments

retired@50 wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:57 am
am wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 7:12 am ... When I click on add outside investments, I can only manually add investments.
As far as I know, it's always been a manual process, and you need to update the share totals as needed (quarterly is probably fine).

Regards,
Last I checked there was Yodlee account aggregator but I can’t find it anymore.
by am
Mon Sep 04, 2023 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: replacing bonds with money market funds
Replies: 23
Views: 2344

Re: replacing bonds with money market funds

Now’s a good time to lock in total bond fund and tips given the returns are expected to be beat inflation. Money markets may not do so for more than a short time period like a year or less.
by am
Mon Sep 04, 2023 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard-can’t add outside investments
Replies: 18
Views: 2951

Vanguard-can’t add outside investments

I noticed this morning that I can not add outside accounts to vanguard. I am trying to analyze my portfolio. When I click on add outside investments, I can only manually add investments. There is no way I see to add an outside account like Fidelity or Chase. Has anyone had success doing this?
by am
Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help Annette Keep Working and Not Retire
Replies: 648
Views: 62245

Re: Help Annette Keep Working and Not Retire

mary1969 wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:05 pm just reading thru this thread. i am always surprised with lack of savings given the income. especially with no kids.

anyway, i just resigned from my position as a courier at age 58. spent almost 30 years at the CME. last 8 years as a courier. kids almost thru college. i made $55k in a brutally hard job. much easier leaving a $55k job than a $300k plus job. have $4.1 in investable assets and $850k home that is paid off. Not sure what I am going to do. Wife works and this provides health insurance. She make $60k a year. Our expenses are around $120k a year (excluding college). good luck Annette.

How 4.1 mil and 850k home on that salary does not make sense to me?
by am
Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?
Replies: 34
Views: 3594

Re: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?

Thanks, for the book recommendation and advice. My money is definitely not easy, but comes with loads of stress and long hours. My labs are heading the wrong way as well, not sure if age or stress add to it.
by am
Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?
Replies: 34
Views: 3594

Re: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?

pizzy wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:31 pm
AnnetteLouisan wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:28 pm
pizzy wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:26 pm
AnnetteLouisan wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:23 pm I have 40x saved but X changes and mostly goes up so I’m continuing to work.
There are many folks around here like you that will never retire before the American “normal retirement window” no matter their multiple of X saved.
If X were static, fine, but it isn’t. X is a wildcard.
Add 25% to your current X, what’s your multiple now? Still above 25X?
It’s now 20X but X is tough to figure out exactly as I posted above. Also X is covered by my partners business and a potential part time lower income job I can switch into.
by am
Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?
Replies: 34
Views: 3594

Re: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?

I have 40x saved but X changes and mostly goes up so I’m continuing to work. There are many folks around here like you that will never retire before the American “normal retirement window” no matter their multiple of X saved. If X were static, fine, but it isn’t. X is a wildcard. I agree. It’s tough to figure out X because most of it is non fixed expenses. We have no mortgage but expensive insurances on cars, umbrella, disability, life, etc. at least some of which will go away soon or end. Traveling with multiple kids is much more than traveling as 2. Traveling off peak times is much cheaper. Kids activities like tennis, tutoring, etc are real expensive. Food and clothes for 2 is less. But who knows if kids will need help after college?
by am
Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?
Replies: 34
Views: 3594

Re: Still worth saving and staying at the same job?

snowday2022 wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:22 pm You’ll get a more precise answer if you provide more details about your expenses, sources of savings, expected SS and pension amounts, debt status, etc.
No debt . House paid off.

SS not counting this years income at 62 22000 67 31250. 70 38750

Pension small about 10-20% anticipated expenses per year with cola at 62

Savings source - job high income, about 1-2x expenses saved per year

Expenses- tough to calculate precisely but now about 2x but will go down to 1x once kids are in college. Most expenses covered by my partners business income or my potential part time income.