Search found 460 matches

by Buckeye
Fri Jan 17, 2020 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How high is health insurance going to go?
Replies: 79
Views: 7528

Re: How high is health insurance going to go?

I figured a 70k/yr pension, 2M in savings, and 600k paid off house would be enough... Maybe not...
Seems like it would easy with all that. Just part of the gains from your investments would cover $3k a month premiums. Your savings should still grow albeit slower. If you don't have enough of savings in taxable you could consider a SEPP large enough to cover the premiums give or take.
by Buckeye
Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SS question
Replies: 7
Views: 1324

Re: SS question

For a close approximation you could use https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/

Enter an early retirement date and it will generate amount of your benefit at age 62. Then you can calculate benefit for later start date.

For example.....if born 1960 and later..... the benefit would be X/0.7 at age 67 and it would be X(1.8) at age 70.....where X is the benefit at 62.
by Buckeye
Thu Feb 28, 2019 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SS Estimate if you stop working early?
Replies: 10
Views: 1553

Re: SS Estimate if you stop working early?

I've played with the 'Quick' calculator and I believe you can enter your retirement date in that one.
by Buckeye
Sat Jan 19, 2019 1:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Savers Credit dilemma
Replies: 18
Views: 1995

Re: Savers Credit dilemma

If you make 84k I think you’d need to defer 42.5k to get 20%.
by Buckeye
Wed Nov 08, 2017 4:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did we make it to "The 2 Comma Club"? Maybe not?
Replies: 21
Views: 4468

Re: Did we make it to "The 2 Comma Club"? Maybe not?

Are your retirement accounts all Roth type? If not then you'll owe taxes on some or all of it. So IMO actual true value of retirement accounts is probably smaller than listed.
by Buckeye
Sun May 07, 2017 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Stay home with kids?
Replies: 103
Views: 12159

Re: Stay home with kids?

No inheritance. No windfall. We've never made six figures...combined.....and we still chose one parent stay at home full time. Zero savings for years.

Not really even close. Well worth it. :happy
by Buckeye
Fri May 05, 2017 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Washer/Dryer Set
Replies: 25
Views: 6002

Re: Recommended Washer/Dryer Set

We bought new Speed Queen washer and dryer less than two years ago.

Noise and vibration issues galore. I need to call them out for dryer again soon...probably will need a new drum. Rollers already replaced.

Good thing I have a 5 year warranty (got in on a special that added two years). I'm aware I am of the minute minority with this brand......But no way I could recommend this brand.
by Buckeye
Sun Dec 25, 2016 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reliable washer/dryer brands
Replies: 42
Views: 17750

Re: Reliable washer/dryer brands

We bought a new dryer and a new washer about 11 months ago.....both Speed Queen. Unfortunately in our case they have both been disappointing.


(First call about 8 months ago was for a bad bearing that was replaced. Several months later the call was for the washer which needed a new spring (spin cycle became frequently very wobbly). Now I need to call again for what sounds like a bad drum bearing in the dryer....again. :annoyed )
by Buckeye
Sat Dec 10, 2016 1:36 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Boglehead's newest millionaire
Replies: 89
Views: 13092

Re: Boglehead's newest millionaire

Chris001122 wrote:
Well, I hinted to my wife that we were close last night. I re-calculated it this morning, and my work 401K numbers must not have adjusted until after 6:00 last night. But after the adjustment, I gained another $600 or so and that put us over the 1,000,000 total. I really wanted to know the exact day for some reason. So now I know. December 9th, 2016! I also really wanted to know if I would make it before 50. Well, I am 50, but at least I made it before 51. :)
Congrats!
Is your 401k a roth one? If not are you taking into account taxes when determining the total?
by Buckeye
Sun May 22, 2016 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Work or stay at home mom or change careers
Replies: 64
Views: 8930

Re: Work or stay at home mom or change careers

Stay at home! Though she only worked part time she did have outstanding benefits, so it stung quite a bit when she quit. Actually I wanted us both to work part time instead of her quitting but it wasn't feasible for me....though I got to work plenty of 32 hour weeks instead of 40+. :happy
by Buckeye
Thu Apr 21, 2016 5:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any stay at home parents regret the decision?
Replies: 100
Views: 16964

Re: Any stay at home parents regret the decision?

My wife went from 25-30 hours to about 20 hours after first kid was born and I went from 44-48 to 40 and we did part time daycare.

After second kid my wife quit altogether.....and I continue to work 40 (no p/t option for me)

No regrets. I just asked my wife if she misses work....and she said not at all. And I know I certainly love her being a SAHM.
by Buckeye
Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Late Starters
Replies: 66
Views: 10994

Re: Late Starters

Zero savings until 30 and negative net worth until 35. We've never made six figures...combined...and no inheritances. With one modest non-cola pension...we should be able to retire at 60-62.
by Buckeye
Sat Mar 05, 2016 6:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sump Pump replacement
Replies: 21
Views: 2916

Re: Sump Pump replacement

I just replaced mine after 13 years.

The new pump along with some new pipe and cement cost me about $125 and about 3 hours of time including store trip and some quick comparison shopping. Menards store brand...Barracuda.
by Buckeye
Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Any risk in] Paying cash for services [when offered a discount]
Replies: 61
Views: 15722

Re: Paying cash for services

IMO Tax dodging.

I had a contractor years ago that charged 20% more if you didn't pay with cash.
by Buckeye
Sun Feb 28, 2016 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Maxing tax deferred contributions or saving for a home
Replies: 4
Views: 687

Re: Maxing tax deferred contributions or saving for a home

In your case I'd say keep renting and keep maxing.

Don't buy a home for the wrong reasons.
by Buckeye
Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leave Thermostat Alone or Adjust It?
Replies: 81
Views: 9342

Re: Leave Thermostat Alone or Adjust It?

Winter 69 during day and 67 at night. Natural gas.
by Buckeye
Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA - Invest all in January or spread throughout the year?
Replies: 24
Views: 3938

Re: Roth IRA - Invest all in January or spread throughout the year?

We usually make contributions once per year around Feb. (bonus time for me)
by Buckeye
Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What age did you hit $100,000?
Replies: 136
Views: 28508

Re: What age did you hit $100,000?

Our NW reached zero at around 35 and hit 100k around 40.

(no inheritances and we always make <6 figures combined)

At almost 50 we have recently dropped our savings quite a bit to enjoy 'in the now' more.
by Buckeye
Sun Nov 29, 2015 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Too much in tax-advantaged accounts?
Replies: 115
Views: 16155

Re: Too much in tax-advantaged accounts?

I dropped my retirement savings to about 10k a year. My wife now saves only 2k a year in a Roth. We were saving 22k a year recently. We are both approaching age 50 with no inheritances, a minimal future pension, and minimal taxable. As the taxable grows we spend it down.

We want to live (and spend) more 'in the now.'
by Buckeye
Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Age when you started to max out your retirement accounts?
Replies: 177
Views: 36907

Re: Age when you started to max out your retirement accounts?

Only ever maxed out one year... and we were in our early 40's.
by Buckeye
Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping at a Barbershop
Replies: 54
Views: 8651

Re: Tipping at a Barbershop

I get about 15 haircuts a year. $12 + $3 tip.
by Buckeye
Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help! Wife and I don't know what to do with our money!!
Replies: 64
Views: 10438

Re: Help! Wife and I don't know what to do with our money!!

You could consider your retirement fully funded! Just use withdrawals from your account to fully fund your Roths every year and to offset your reduced net take home pay that will happen when you fully fund your 401ks.

Must feel neat to be done saving for retirement in your 20's!

Though not very tax efficient....you might consider dumping the whole thing in Target Retirement 2050.
by Buckeye
Sun Aug 30, 2015 5:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Aug 2015 correction: what Bogleheads did...
Replies: 143
Views: 16225

Re: Aug 2015 correction: what Bogleheads did...

I consider this Monday being the 31st and next Monday being Labor day.
by Buckeye
Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?
Replies: 449
Views: 95634

Re: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?

In our mid and upper 40's.....been 50/50 for years.

Love the simplicity.

We'll probably change our allocation once roughly 15 years from now to 1/3 and 2/3......or to 1/4 and 3/4.
by Buckeye
Wed Jun 10, 2015 6:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance and Economic Outpatient Care for a Boglehead
Replies: 75
Views: 9459

Re: Inheritance and Economic Outpatient Care for a Boglehead

6%

Vast majority in the form of gifts during my 20's and 30's. Very little total inheritances.
by Buckeye
Tue Feb 24, 2015 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do we have enough to retire?
Replies: 51
Views: 13017

Re: Do we have enough to retire?

Yes you have enough to retire rather easily.
by Buckeye
Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Primecap: The Best Stock Pickers You've Never Seen
Replies: 32
Views: 6792

Re: Primecap [Kiplinger article]

Core here since it opened.

I'm guessing probably time to dump it now.
by Buckeye
Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you generally spend more when using credit cards?
Replies: 71
Views: 5417

Re: Do you generally spend more when using credit cards?

Yes.

I didn't start using credit cards until I was over 35. And absolutely no doubt about it....I spend a little more now because of the cards. But I don't consider that a bad thing. :happy
by Buckeye
Sat Dec 20, 2014 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Major Life Decision -- Do we need to keep working?
Replies: 56
Views: 9873

Re: Major Life Decision -- Do we need to keep working?

Since you are interested in either consulting or working fun jobs after you "retire"....the answer is an easy NO.
by Buckeye
Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I being cheap? [wedding/engagement ring]
Replies: 192
Views: 18846

Re: Am I being cheap? [wedding/engagement ring]

Most women are attracted to conspicuous consumption, particularly if the spending is on them, and especially so when it involves a possible mate.

Make her happy and buy it.
by Buckeye
Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you tip on the tax? [Restaurants]
Replies: 124
Views: 11155

Re: Do you tip on the tax?

I'm surprised so many people tip percentage. Person 1 at a table orders a $10 pasta dish. Person 2 orders a $30 steak. Same amount of interaction with the wait staff. Think drinks too. Person 1 orders Bud. Person 2 orders Chimay. Same work for the bartender/waiter. Why tip differently? I tip on quality of service and the number of people, not the cost of the food. I dunno....If everyone did it this way then wouldn't the better workers lose their incentive to gravitate towards the better more expensive restaurants? (at least in theory) Regardless I start with 15-20% in mind and then often adjust it depending on multiple factors. I have tipped 50% or more at a cheap restaurant with good food and good service. I also once paid cash and left n...
by Buckeye
Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Your biggest "Missed Money" event that still kills you?
Replies: 102
Views: 14123

Re: Your biggest "Missed Money" event that still kills you?

About 7 years ago my wife said would we should by stock in this new eatery that had opened up nearby.

She loved the food!

I did my investigation and analysis and determined that we had already missed the easy money and that Chipotle stock wasn't going much higher anytime soon. :annoyed
by Buckeye
Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do you plan to save in your 529 plan?
Replies: 105
Views: 24778

Re: How much do you plan to save in your 529 plan?

Nothing.

We have never maxed out our retirement savings and probably never will.
by Buckeye
Mon Aug 11, 2014 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Convince me I can make a dumb (car-related) purchase
Replies: 56
Views: 18576

Re: Convince me I can make a dumb (car-related) purchase

Used? You can afford a new S5 or Cayman.

Go for it!
by Buckeye
Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: average American eats out 203 times per year
Replies: 105
Views: 11895

Re: average American eats out 203 times per year

Roughly 300 for us.
by Buckeye
Mon Jul 21, 2014 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hw many credit cards to own?
Replies: 123
Views: 86268

Re: Hw many credit cards to own?

3 with total annual fees of about $220.
by Buckeye
Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Helping My Grandmother
Replies: 54
Views: 5570

Re: Helping My Grandmother

Can she work?

My Mom went back to work at 66 for 11 more years working part-time in a restaurant kitchen. She made an additional 4-7k annually during those years....and really enjoyed it for the most part.
by Buckeye
Wed Jul 16, 2014 8:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Millennials (with jobs) are super-saving their retirement
Replies: 65
Views: 13905

Re: Millennials (with jobs) are super-saving their retiremen

I'm seeing the same thing.

It seems like most of the newer kids (age 20's) where I'm at are definitely active in retirement savings.

One I started working with early last year started at 19 in 2007 while in college and hit six figures saved well over a year ago before he was 25.....all the while enjoying the ride....bought a house and a nice vehicle and a 4-wheeler....and travels a bit too! Smart kid. I think he makes about 70k a year.

In contrast I had zero retirement savings at age 30. No regrets...just saying.
by Buckeye
Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Millionaire Next Door: Are You One?
Replies: 187
Views: 32600

Re: The Millionaire Next Door: Are You One?

Nope.

Not a millionaire AND new car shopping to boot. :)
by Buckeye
Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Medical School Worth it Financially?
Replies: 66
Views: 10187

Re: Is Medical School Worth it Financially?

I just visited a ENT doctor recently who examined me for several minutes and suggested a procedure to be done on a different day. A couple weeks later I got a statement from my insurance showing charges of over $600 including a $400 one for surgery.

I called insurance company and mentioned the surgery was suggested for a future visit. The insurance lady asked if the Doc had put anything in my ear. I said yeah for a minute when he was checking it out. She said well that's why....and the insurance actually paid out over $400 on this visit.

The waiting room was packed as well.

So yeah it can very worth it financially.
by Buckeye
Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Late starters: what age did you start investing?
Replies: 94
Views: 17826

Re: Late starters: what age did you start investing?

I was about 32 and my wife was almost 30. Our net worth remained negative for the first 3 years or so.
by Buckeye
Fri Jun 13, 2014 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I buy time in my gov't pension plan?
Replies: 24
Views: 3456

Re: Should I buy time in my gov't pension plan?

I'd say do it.

They may have changed it a bit in 2012, but that's minor to what will most likely happen in the future IMO.
by Buckeye
Sun May 25, 2014 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The in-laws are broke!
Replies: 128
Views: 22705

Re: The in-laws are broke!

Yeah home equity should help out. My in-laws are broke finally after having sold there house and spending all the home equity they got....mostly on vacations.

Hey you can NOT take it with you...so I'm glad they enjoyed their 60's immensely.

They have enough steady income to take of themselves till the end and are enjoying retirement...even though the traveling is a lot less these days. :happy
by Buckeye
Fri May 23, 2014 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recommended savings rate
Replies: 9
Views: 1567

Re: Recommended savings rate

Yes it does.
by Buckeye
Sat May 03, 2014 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why am i stressed after being laid off? (3yr expenses saved)
Replies: 15
Views: 3550

Re: Why am i stressed after being laid off? (3yr expenses sa

This will also drastically impact your mating opportunities.
Then again it might help. I met my wife over 20 years ago while unemployed (and in debt). Had I been working with much less free time...I doubt I would have ever met her.
by Buckeye
Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tell Me I'm Stupid To Consider Quitting My Job and Moving
Replies: 163
Views: 50083

Re: Tell Me I'm Stupid To Consider Quitting My Job and Movin

I had a friend who quit a stable engineering job in Ohio in his late 20's back in the 1980's. After quitting he spent about two years traveling and working odd jobs. He spent roughly a year in Montana and eventually made his way to Alaska. Shortly thereafter he re-entered the engineering profession, found his wife, had one kid....and has been living very happily ever since.
by Buckeye
Thu Apr 24, 2014 1:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Lottery value more than 4 times all possible tickets
Replies: 13
Views: 3180

Re: Lottery value more than 4 times all possible tickets

Having $13.9 million in cash. Maybe 139 each adding $10,000 or 1,390 people each adding $1,000.
people (or amount) X10 :happy
by Buckeye
Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: POLL: why carry cash?
Replies: 243
Views: 25466

Re: POLL: why carry cash?

About 25% of our grocery and toiletry shopping is done at a regional chain store that does not take credit cards to keep costs down. And I hate writing checks.
by Buckeye
Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What age did you reach 100K networth?
Replies: 433
Views: 101627

Re: What age did you reach 100K networth?

I think I was 39. We've never made 100k combined in a year yet (she works p/t) and might never actually do so.....and zero inheritances. :happy
by Buckeye
Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can you please convince me to get a credit card?
Replies: 101
Views: 101226

Re: Convince me to get a credit card

We use credit cards a lot.

Total annual fees on our 3 cards are about $220. And every year or so when I do the math they are more than justified (vs. strictly no annual fee options).....for the way we use them.

But I make no mistake in realizing they indeed do influence our spending. Absolutely no doubt about it....we spend more than we would otherwise if paying cash. But I consider that a good thing overall. :)