Search found 564 matches
- Sun Feb 03, 2019 4:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: My Understanding of IRS Safe Harbor Rules ...
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2470
Re: My Understanding of IRS Safe Harbor Rules ...
Piggy back question to be clear on this since I'm trying to find this answer too: The AGI used to determine the 100% vs 110% of prior years tax to withhold is the PRIOR year's AGI, ie 2017 AGI for this current tax season? For me: withheld 75% of tax liability for 2018 but withholdings were 105% of ...
- Sun Feb 03, 2019 10:38 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: My Understanding of IRS Safe Harbor Rules ...
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2470
Re: My Understanding of IRS Safe Harbor Rules ...
Piggy back question to be clear on this since I'm trying to find this answer too: The AGI used to determine the 100% vs 110% of prior years tax to withhold is the PRIOR year's AGI, ie 2017 AGI for this current tax season? For me: withheld 75% of tax liability for 2018 but withholdings were 105% of m...
- Sun Feb 03, 2019 10:20 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Subwoofer for music recommendations
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1052
Re: Subwoofer for music recommendations
Love the SVS love. My budget was around yours when I was looking for a new sub. We have the PB-1000 and it's an absolute monster for games and movies, which was our main use. Our room is 18x40x8 and it can shake nails out of the drywall 😂. I have heard great things about the SB version for music. No...
- Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:28 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is it ever worth purchasing an extended warranty for a vehicle?
- Replies: 90
- Views: 4875
Re: Is it ever worth purchasing an extended warranty for a vehicle?
Paying for a warranty is essentially prepaying for repairs. You are betting you'll have at least $1200 in repairs over the next 3 years. I paid like $800 for one on my Subaru a while back. Actually got the starter replaced under that warranty but it only cost about $500. So I still technically spent...
- Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:37 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Military Paying down Mortgage Early
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1189
Re: Military Home Purchase
Yes there is sense, but it depends on what accounts you're already using to hold that $24k in retirement per year. Curious how you reached $60-70k in net equity in your home after only a a few years.
Otherwise agree with above to strongly consider renting.
Otherwise agree with above to strongly consider renting.
- Sat Jan 19, 2019 1:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gas station prices and quality
- Replies: 116
- Views: 10541
Re: Gas station prices and quality
Same, my motorcycle is notorious for having issues running E10. Cars tend to have an mpg bump on pure gasoline vs 10% ethanol blend that makes up for the cost difference.lthenderson wrote: ↑Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:08 amI am more concerned with finding a gas station that has non-ethanol blended gas.
- Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:24 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Investing/saving for downpayment in 3 years
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1005
Re: Investing/saving for downpayment in 3 years
Just remember unless you are saving a very large amount for down payment, the difference between a 2.5% money market fund and a 3.5% short term bond fund or CD is going to be a couple hundred to maybe a thousand dollars over that short duration.
- Tue Dec 25, 2018 1:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Massive losses; what if I die [before offsetting the losses]?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 7045
Re: Massive losses; what if I die [before offsetting the losses]?
IIRC, the $3000/year is solely income offset. You can still use the rest to offset any capital gains for the rest of your life as well.
- Sun Nov 25, 2018 7:58 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: VTSAX vs. VTSMX [Vanguard Total Stock Admiral vs. Investor share class]
- Replies: 5
- Views: 778
Re: VTSAX vs. VTSMX
It means VTSAX is now your only choice! Congrats!
- Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:25 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: When will you backup the truck on stocks
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10084
Re: When will you backup the truck on stocks
Couple of posts asking what are these cash reserves doing and case of opportunity cost. Let me put it this way as I have a different take on this. If my portfolio went up more than I expected in the last few years, which it did, then my need to take risk has reduced, therefore building up new money...
- Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:13 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: When will you backup the truck on stocks
- Replies: 102
- Views: 10084
Re: When will you backup the truck on stocks
This is why these dry powder type situations are not very sound: Most recent peak was in Mid/Late Sept at around $74 for VTSAX 10% drop puts you at about $66.7 If your cash has been waiting since Mar 2018 or earlier, you're likely losing money. 20% drop? Any cash waiting prior to May 2017 probably l...
- Mon Oct 08, 2018 11:04 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Biggest bubble in the history of mankind(?) Is it time to sell?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 3994
Re: Biggest bubble in the history of mankind(?) Is it time to sell?
Ron Paul is calling this the Biggest bubble in the history of mankind and is forecasting a 50% drop in stocks: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/05/ron-paul-us-barreling-towards-a-recession-and-theres-no-escape.html Even Jack Bogle suggested to sell 5 or 10% of equities at the Bogleheads conference, and...
- Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:01 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Surprised by Jack's answer to Fidelity's 0 mgmt fund threat
- Replies: 77
- Views: 8302
Re: Surprised by Jack's answer to Fidelity's 0 mgmt fund threat
2) When they respond, their response will optimize for the new investor. It will not benefit the existing, loyal Fidelity customer. For the existing Fidelity customer to get the benefit they must do a sale/buy in to the new fund (ie a taxable event). Not correct. They cut ERs on their existing fund...
- Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Ally Savings vs Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Need Advice
- Replies: 77
- Views: 13200
Re: Ally Savings vs Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Need Advice
... I'm not saying FDIC/NCUA insurance isn't useful/valuable. But just to consider what it's actually insuring you against: your bank failing and your money "disappearing" along with it. Money in a savings account is used by the bank itself as capital to produce interest (for the bank and you) via ...
- Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:06 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Ally Savings vs Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Need Advice
- Replies: 77
- Views: 13200
Re: Ally Savings vs Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Need Advice
I think people tend to overvalue FDIC. It ensures your money if the bank/CU goes under up to a certain amount. Vanguard's federal MM vmfxx is paying over 2% now. For that fund to have a problem it would mean the US government is not paying on its securities, in which case your dollars are going to ...
- Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Ally Savings vs Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Need Advice
- Replies: 77
- Views: 13200
Re: Ally Savings vs Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Need Advice
I think people tend to overvalue FDIC. It ensures your money if the bank/CU goes under up to a certain amount. Vanguard's federal MM vmfxx is paying over 2% now. For that fund to have a problem it would mean the US government is not paying on its securities, in which case your dollars are going to b...
- Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Riding lawn mower repair help?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1226
Re: Riding lawn mower repair help?
Eureka! I solved it! The clutch is the silver and black section in the middle that's spinning inappropriately (bumps the steering arms so you know it's not supposed to spin). Looked at the parts schematic for the engine/clutch and there's nothing that seems to hold it in place. But there's that smal...
- Thu Oct 04, 2018 6:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sold Home - 2 days after buyer claims they found an issue with A/C
- Replies: 119
- Views: 12191
Re: Sold Home - 2 days after buyer claims they found an issue with A/C
Tell them no and inform your realtor that you don't want to be contacted again. The house closed, it's done. Can't stress this plan enough. Ignore them ENTIRELY and tell your realtor to have ZERO contact with them. If they are scamming you they will go away. If they are legit your realtor may accid...
- Wed Oct 03, 2018 5:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sold Home - 2 days after buyer claims they found an issue with A/C
- Replies: 119
- Views: 12191
Re: Sold Home - 2 days after buyer claims they found an issue with A/C
We actually had the same issue happen but as buyers: bought a home, HVAC was about 18 years old, about a week after we move in it's dead. Had one company recommend replacing everything. Had a friend's dad who does HVAC look at it, found a loose fitting and no refrigerant, tightened up and refilled. ...
- Sun Sep 30, 2018 8:53 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: First-time victim of credit card fraud
- Replies: 48
- Views: 3994
Re: First-time victim of credit card fraud
Who cares? Ive been a "victim" of credit card fraud like 5 times. Doesnt bother me one bit. Simply call the credit card company, explain the situation, they kill that card and send you a new number. Its not like you're responsible for the charges. Yes, I know they can charge you a fee...they never ...
- Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: cell phone plans--google fi?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2072
Re: cell phone plans--google fi?
Been on Fi for 3 years. The network is great and overseas has worked flawlessly in St. Lucia and Scotland. We had two Nexus 5x and they were crap. Two screens broke way too easily, both phones bootlooped and had to be sent in for repair. One phone the rear camera glass broke. All that in less than 2...
- Fri Sep 28, 2018 5:41 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Riding lawn mower repair help?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1226
Re: Riding lawn mower repair help?
Always surprised where people choose to ask questions. Lawnmower repair forum... Good places for parts are www.repairclinic.com or www.jackssmallengines.com. Both sites have diagnosis aids and / or videos. It's annoying to start a new forum and experiences on Bogleheads are varied. Hoping maybe som...
- Thu Sep 27, 2018 7:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Riding lawn mower repair help?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1226
Re: Riding lawn mower repair help?
Which housing is spinning? A cover over the PTO clutch? Look at the housing and mounting bolts to inspect for damage. Does the part you think is spinning inappropriately look like anything seen in the diagram here (as a fairly generic example): https://www.green-parts-direct.com/john-deere-parts-di...
- Wed Sep 26, 2018 9:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Riding lawn mower repair help?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1226
Riding lawn mower repair help?
Might be reaching but maybe there's a Boglehead on here with some experience fixing riding lawn mowers. Was mowing this evening, hit a bump and the blades stopped spinning. Made no noise when switching the electric clutch on and off. Pulled it into the garage, looked underneath and saw the two wires...
- Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:13 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How and When to Tell a Prospective New Employer about a Needed Disability Accommodation
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1652
Re: How and When to Tell a Prospective New Employer about a Needed Disability Accommodation
Standing desk is no big deal these days. Many are $300 units that stand on a regular desk. I'd wait for the offer. This, as well as the others. A standing desk is the fad thing too in a lot of workplaces so they're not unusual. We have dozens of them at my gov job. Varidesks are a few hundred $. As...
- Tue Sep 25, 2018 5:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
- Replies: 89
- Views: 6567
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Given the choice of following the instructions of the highly trained team of engineers that built your car, or the wrench monkey at your local garage, always go with the engineers. I change the oil in my famly's cars (full synthetic) every spring when the weather turns nice. ... And company who is ...
- Mon Sep 24, 2018 6:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your single most expensive mistake?
- Replies: 293
- Views: 26202
Re: What is your single most expensive mistake?
Only applying to 3 medical schools. Ended up getting accepted too late to get a 4 year military scholarship and had to settle for a 3 year scholarship. Cost me about $32k
- Mon Sep 24, 2018 5:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ventilated car seats?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 4465
Re: Ventilated car seats?
Rented a car in Hawaii that had ventilated black leather seats. It was very nice especially with the top down.
- Sat Sep 22, 2018 8:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Another job interview ‘skip the tie’ question
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2144
Re: Another job interview ‘skip the tie’ question
Show up naked. Conveys unbridled confidence and new age open-mindedness. Both essential qualities in marketing in our current culture.


- Thu Sep 06, 2018 6:23 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Bike Suggestion
- Replies: 40
- Views: 3179
Re: New Bike Suggestion
Lots of good advice here. IMO, if this is going to be your first "real" bike purchase, I would buy new from a good local bike shop. You won't notice the difference as a novice between a Tiagra or 105 drivetrain or at least it won't matter as much as getting a comfortable, fitted bike. Here's why: yo...
- Fri Aug 24, 2018 8:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: My son is 1 years old now I want to save money for him Help me with some options on where to save
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1474
Re: My son is 1 years old now I want to save money for him Help me with some options on where to save
If you're worried about use for non-school, just put it in your own taxable account. Spend on whatever you like.
- Thu Aug 16, 2018 5:42 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I Max Out Tax-Deferred Accounts?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2417
Re: Should I Max Out Tax-Deferred Accounts?
If you're in the 35% tax bracket that means current income is $400-600k assuming MFJ. A $2.5M portfolio will provide about $100k/year at 4% withdrawal rate. Are you sure you are going to be able to cut your income needs by 75+%? Especially if you are asking about whether $60k tax advantaged should b...
- Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: ESOP - Diversification options
- Replies: 11
- Views: 766
Re: ESOP - Diversification options
I would do the full 50% without the slightest hesitation. It isn’t about “performance”, it is about RISK . Right now you two have horribly concentrated risk. Two thirds of your retirement portfolio and both of your jobs are dependent on one company. There were hundreds of Worldcom employees who wer...
- Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:37 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
- Replies: 240
- Views: 22399
Re: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
Excessive means more than necessary. The ER is more than necessary for the potential VTSMX investor when that investor can go to Schwab or Fidelity, pay less, and be invested with $1 (at Fidelity). The only argument for someone to be out of the market until that person accumulates $3,000, have to p...
- Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:31 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
- Replies: 240
- Views: 22399
Re: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
I am unsure why Fidelity just did not cut the expense ratio's to their existing index funds. Now anyone with capital gains may not be able to invest in the new offerings. I would assume it has to do with their internal index saving some $ potentially. They did drop their existing funds to essential...
- Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4645
Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?
I sampled some Flor de Caña dark rum My kind of thread..... :) "Everyday" rums - Flor de Cana 5 year old "Special Day" rums - Flor de Cana 25 I'm a big fan of Flor de Caña, but for some reason it doesn't like me. Even a single shot always gives me a headache the next morning. Flor de Caña. But, onl...
- Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:17 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
- Replies: 240
- Views: 22399
Re: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
Or is that a form of brand loyalty/anchoring bias that behavioral economics has shown makes people more willing to shell out $ unnecessarily? Not saying everyone should dump their current funds immediately but don't just say stuck with Vanguard just cause...
- Sun Aug 05, 2018 8:37 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do you think I am being too conservative on buying a house?
- Replies: 46
- Views: 4007
Re: Do you think I am being too conservative on buying a house?
I'll add my $0.02 that extra mortgage payments probably aren't the best use of your funds.
As far as home cost, i'll just say that I firmly believe that one of the biggest drivers for my family's current excellent financial position is owning an inexpensive home. YMMV.
As far as home cost, i'll just say that I firmly believe that one of the biggest drivers for my family's current excellent financial position is owning an inexpensive home. YMMV.
- Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:19 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: UK vacation help
- Replies: 15
- Views: 860
UK vacation help
Howdy all! Wife and I are planning a fairly short notice trip to the UK in about 5 weeks. Debating between doing Ireland, Scotland or both. We have 9 days, 2 of which will be travel days so really 7 total days to spend. My inclination with that short of a timeframe is pick one country to avoid wasti...
- Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:08 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: If everybody indexed, the only word you could use is chaos, catastrophe
- Replies: 107
- Views: 17168
Re: John Bogle warning
There was recently another thread on this topic: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=218396 I am certainly not an expert on how the stock market actually functions, but it seems to me the problem would be self-correcting. People are moving to index funds now because there are more arti...
- Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:22 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fidelity Files for Four Fidelity ZERO℠ Funds (0.00% ER)
- Replies: 798
- Views: 82504
Re: Fidelity Files for two Fidelity ZERO℠ Funds (0.00% ER total stock and total international mutual funds)
For those willing to swap funds for 4 no less in ER, what do you think about VG TSM (VTSAX) YTD yield of 6.74% compared to Fido TSM (FSTVX) at 6.69%? That 5 bp difference in yield covers the ER difference. 10 year differences of 10.78 vs 10.71% is a 7 bp difference, respectively so probably even co...
- Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:01 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fidelity Files for Four Fidelity ZERO℠ Funds (0.00% ER)
- Replies: 798
- Views: 82504
Re: Fidelity Files for two Fidelity ZERO℠ Funds (0.00% ER total stock and total international mutual funds)
For those willing to swap funds for 4 no less in ER, what do you think about VG TSM (VTSAX) YTD yield of 6.74% compared to Fido TSM (FSTVX) at 6.69%? That 5 bp difference in yield covers the ER difference. 10 year differences of 10.78 vs 10.71% is a 7 bp difference, respectively so probably even cov...
- Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best BBQ in San Antonio
- Replies: 43
- Views: 3376
Re: Best BBQ in San Antonio
Augie's Barbed Wire Smokehouse
- Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Toughest Purchase of my Life. Engagement Ring time
- Replies: 207
- Views: 10629
Re: Toughest Purchase of my Life. Engagement Ring time
Take her to a jewelry store for a date and see what she likes. So glad my wife liked the $1000 ring.
- Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:08 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Taxable investing and moving to 3 fund portfolio
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1063
Re: Taxable investing and moving to 3 fund portfolio
Those would be good options. Could also consider holding international equities in taxable for foreign tax credit. Look into it more before deciding. Otherwise shift to the portfolio you want now rather than waiting.
- Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ashley furniture experience? 2000 dollars for 13x8x8 sectional
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4363
Re: Ashley furniture experience? 2000 dollars for 13x8x8 sectional
Bought a blended leather couch and loveseat for about $800 maybe 6 or 7 years ago. They have slip covers on now because the "Durablend" is all kinds of flaking apart. Admittedly it's partly our dogs fault but all she did was sleep on it. Disappointed. How long did you get out of it before it starte...
- Sun Jul 22, 2018 9:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1835
Re: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
I thought these kinda things just happened to me... No. I ALWAYS find a way to take a simple project and make it inexplicably harder. This project for example: attach hose, open valve, close valve, detach hose. Unscrew old rod, screw in new rod. Done. Somehow new rod falls into tank, impossible to ...
- Sun Jul 22, 2018 8:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1835
Re: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
I'm not sure what flushing the tank and a new anode rod is going to due to quiet the heating of the tank... If the heating element is making a lot of noise, then that should probably be replaced or serviced. Ig you are selling in a year, then a new hot water heater might help, even if just a basic ...
- Sun Jul 22, 2018 8:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1835
Re: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
Sorry, but I had to laugh at your post! Reminds me of when the heating element on my water heater failed, and I thought to myself "how hard can it be to replace that?". I looked up the part on-line, drove to home depot, and proceeded to shutoff the water valve above the heater. But the valve was br...
- Sun Jul 22, 2018 8:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1835
Re: Any Boglehead plumbers? Need help.
I wouldn't worry about the anode rod in the tank, but I think you need to buy another one because the anode is supposed to be electrically connected with the tank a certain way and I don't think the one you dropped in there will be effective. But I generally consider tank-type water heaters have a ...