Search found 2063 matches

by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 4:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10211

Re: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

lwfitzge wrote:I'm withdrawing 4% as I'm not of age to collect pension and SS...once that happen I too will drop to 1% or less..
At the risk of stirring up a hornets nest, I think quite a few folks in the less than 1% group likely have a defined pension and SS to go along with their low withdrawal rate, and a few others might have an inheritance. If you take these factors into account, what we're seeing is an almost perfect bell curve, although I would bet that a good number of the less than 1%'ers did it without a defined pension or inheritance, just hard work being responsible for it.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 4:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10211

Re: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

By the way, for the 570 or so who viewed but didn't vote (likely due to not being retired yet), you can see that there are good things waiting for those who follow the path to financial freedom...low cost, buy and hold investing with a decent asset allocation.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10211

Re: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

With 41 votes cast, I think we're seeing a trend. Almost all retirees voting had a withdrawal rate recently of less than 4%, with a large majority having less than 2%, and with a huge number having less than 1%. I'm a little surprised, but not overly so. Most BHs seem to have lived their lives by living below their means, saving and investing, and staying out of debt as much as possible, not to mention building fine retirement portfolios. This isn't to say that folks with a 4% or 5% withdrawal rate aren't all of the above too, only that they probably had less opportunity to save as much due to circumstances probably beyond their control, but they too seem to have made it to the promised land anyway. I know that these votes are heavily influ...
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10211

Re: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

Res: Sorry, I could not find an appropriate poll question. I retired in June of 1982 at the age of 57. We had about a $1 million dollar portfolio to last us the rest of our lives. I didn't know about safe withdrawal rates (the Trinity Study wasn't published until 1998). We had no computers, Internet, Monte Carlo, or sophisticated calculators. We only knew that we had to be careful to make our money last ($1M at 4% = $40,000/year before tax). So what happened? We simply withdrew what we needed and kept an eye on our portfolio balance. Most years our balance went up and we spent the money on vacations, luxuries and charity. When our balance went down we tightened our belt and economized. Our plan has worked well. Best wishes. Taylor Thanks, ...
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10211

Re: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

sscritic wrote:Where are the negative percentages for those of us who add to our retirement accounts from what is left over from our pensions and social security? If a positive percentage is a withdrawal, a negative percentage would be an addition.
I believe a negative percentage would be less than 1%.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees
Replies: 87
Views: 10211

POLL: Withdrawal Rates For Real Retirees

Just wondering. Only count what you withdraw from your actual investment portfolio. Don't count pensions or SS.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 17, 2013 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Continuous Variable Transmissions
Replies: 78
Views: 11886

Re: Continuous Variable Transmissions

I drive a 2005 Nissan Murano, with CVT. It's the best thing since sliced bread, really. Not a single problem as of today. It took a few days to get use to not changing gears, but it's really nice.
by ResNullius
Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Floundering seniors must preserve capital - maximize income
Replies: 15
Views: 3464

Re: Floundering seniors must preserve capital - maximize inc

I don't think annuities would be a good investment at your relatively young age. On the other hand, you have a huge portfion of you investments tied up in extremely low yielding stuff, too much stuff if you ask me. I would start from scratch. How much do you need over and above SS and pensions? What asset allocation will allow you to sleep at night? Will a reasonable withdrawal from this asset allocation satisfy your needs over and above SS and pensions? Really, you should read one of the suggested books, because there's no free lunch when it comes to income in retirement. Good luck.
by ResNullius
Sat Mar 16, 2013 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!
Replies: 97
Views: 20758

Re: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!

"CashYou're talking about the bimodal income distribution. NALP helpfully has charts on this going back to the class of 2006: http://www.nalp.org/salarydistrib

Here is the most recent chart, for the class of 2011:

Image
Yes, but only around 18,000 law grads answered this survey. What about the other 40,000 law grads that didn't answer for the same year? Do you think there might be a bias towards those who had decent paying jobs?
by ResNullius
Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!
Replies: 97
Views: 20758

Re: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!

The simple fact is that very few law grads get a job that pays even $100K pre year, even after 5 years of experience. Most law grads end up working for the government at some level, earning between $40K and around $90K. Others end up in small firms, where they can earn from little or nothing up to maybe $50K, much more if they are able to build their practice. I don't know the exact stats, but I doubt more than about 10% to 20% of law grads today, who are lucky enough to get a job using their law degree, start at more than around $50K. A very small percentage (maybe 2% or 3%) can and do hit the jackpot, but I sure wouldn't go to law school counting on getting one of those jobs, because you'll have to be in at least the top 10% of your class...
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do we have enough to retire?
Replies: 108
Views: 25047

Re: Do we have enough to retire?

HomerJ wrote:
bottlecap wrote:I think you're close, but a 4% withdrawal rate is not a sure thing. On the bright side, you will be eligible for social security within the next decade, which will help a lot.
And they're both high earners, so SS benefits are going to be close to 2000/month EACH... They'll be getting at least $40k (inflation-indexed) a year from SS someday.
I currently get $30K per year in SS, not counting my wife (and she will get close to the max when she hits the magic age). On top of this, I get Medicare, which saves me a fortune over what I was paying for individual BCBS. My wife will get a similar savings when she hits Medicare.
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Carlyle Group Lowers Investment Minimum to 50K
Replies: 9
Views: 2074

Re: Carlyle Group Lowers Investment Minimum to 50K

They must need a large pool of suckers.
by ResNullius
Wed Mar 13, 2013 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!
Replies: 97
Views: 20758

Re: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!

I think this thread reveals that there is a consensus that BigLaw jobs suck. So you don't really want to put yourself in a position where your debt load is so great that you are fighting for one of these coveted high paying jobs that actually sucks. Lesson number one to me is do whatever you can to keep your debt load as low as possible. My feeling is that I would never advise anyone to go to law school if I thought when they got out they would just go straight into BigLaw. There are other options out there, you just have to be smart about how to position yourself to maximize your opportunities to find yourself in a job you actually can enjoy. ================= As I posted earlier, I was one of those impossible to satisfy senior partners in...
by ResNullius
Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!
Replies: 97
Views: 20758

Re: Quitting job and starting law school in the Fall - help!

Retired partner here from a large firm. Unless you plan on being in the top part of your class, you aren't likely to get a high paying job, regardless of law school. Personally, I would never advise someone I know to go to law school today. As for summer clerk jobs, they are fewer and further between than in past years, so you can't count on that either. This isn't to say that you won't have great success, only beware of what awaits you. I had a good career, but times have really changed in the practice of law, and not for the better. Anyway, good luck.
by ResNullius
Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dow 36,000 "This time it will happen"
Replies: 7
Views: 1280

Re: Dow 36,000 "This time it will happen"

DOW 100,000. I know it will happen, I just know it.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where And How Do You Carry Your Cell Phone?
Replies: 61
Views: 5480

Re: Where And How Do You Carry Your Cell Phone?

I don't carry a cell phone. I do have a $99/year TracFone that I keep in my car in case of an emergency on the road, but I've only used about 10 minutes over the past 7 or 8 years.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investors lag S&P 500 over past 15 years
Replies: 23
Views: 2716

Re: Investors lag S&P 500 over past 15 years

Financial porn, and not really good at that.
by ResNullius
Sat Mar 09, 2013 7:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 4 million dream safe portfolio
Replies: 7
Views: 2814

Re: 4 million dream safe portfolio

55% fixed (short and intermediate) and 45% equities (SP500 and Total Market). A 50% drop in equities would still leave you with more than $3M, which isn't a bad fallback position, particularly since equities would make a comeback.
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 08, 2013 4:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

Steve K wrote:My goal number is 2.5m, anything over 2m will meet my retirement needs and wants. Hoping, planning, and on track to be there within 6 years.
Sail on, and good luck.
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 08, 2013 4:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Experts: Are Higher-Than-Average Fees Worth It for Funds
Replies: 21
Views: 2052

Re: The Experts: Are Higher-Than-Average Fees Worth It for F

Higher fees are worth it for the financial advisor and the fund company. Wouldn't want them living in small houses or driving old junkers. I don't know about the rest of you, but the main reason I worked hard, saved and invested is to make sure some financial advisor keeps current with his country club dues. Low fees are the only way to go if you want to keep you money in your own pocket.
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

irwinmfletcher wrote:I am always surprised in these threads how many plan to have multiple millions (over $2 mil) by 40. By my math even saving $50,000 a year starting at 22 (no easy feat) and earning 7% a year won't get you there by 40 assuming you start with $0.

Perhaps we have an inordinate number of NYC investment bankers and Silicon Valley entrepreuer Bogleheads?
There are a lot of doctors on this Board.
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I stay or go thoughts [retire early]
Replies: 35
Views: 3875

Re: Should I stay or go thoughts

If she doesn't hate her job, she should seriously consider working until 55. You never know what might happen in the future, but a solid pension can't be beat. If she's a teacher, you already get more than 3 months off a year, counting holidays during the school year.
by ResNullius
Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

You are correct in that this is an upper middle class number. I had written upper middle initially, then changed it because most people who are upper middle-class don't think they are. I was trying to adjust "modest" to what I believe someone who reads this board would consider modest. Let's use the correct term on these boards please... Upper middle class is the correct description. My one beef with the Bogleheads is that many of them have no idea how well they are doing... People making $100k a year are not living a modest middle-class lifestyle... I have lived a modest middle-class lifestyle, and it was a lot lower than $100k a year. Yes, I think many financial advisors think you're in the "mass affluent" group if yo...
by ResNullius
Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

Rick Ferri wrote:Here is a simple formula that I introduced in my first book, Serious Money:

1) Figure your annual spending in retirement
2) Subtract annual Social Security and other non-investment income
3) Multiply the remaining amount by 20.

That's close to your number.

Rick Ferri
I'm curious. What asset allocation would you use to make this work for a normal lifetime.
by ResNullius
Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

I'm surprised that 3% of households have $2M at retirement. Good to hear, because I thought it would be less. That means that a lot more have at least $1M. Success is good, except in certain circles.
by ResNullius
Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting from nothing
Replies: 24
Views: 3791

Re: Starting from nothing

At your age, I would go 100% in the SP500 fund. It has the lowest costs, and it will do just fine when compared to all the other funds. Invest enough to get the match, then pay off your debt. As you mentioned, if you and your parents are willing, take advantage of them for your emergency fund, other than to have a couple thousand in cash handy. Just my two cents.
by ResNullius
Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

Rick Ferri writes. I find that most people who have lived an modest middle-class lifestyle can live well in retirement if they accumulate $2 million in an investment portfolio (2012 dollars). The latest numbers I looked at showed that about 3% of American households at retirement have portfolios of $2 million or more. So the working definition of "modest middle-class lifestyle" being used here is the top 3% or so of the US wealth distribution. In this case what happens to the lower 97% who have failed to reach "modest middle-class status"? :D Median family income in the US is about $60,000 per year. How are a typical working husband and wife raising children supposed to accrue anything close to a portfolio of $2 million...
by ResNullius
Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your number? Why?
Replies: 258
Views: 37564

Re: What's your number? Why?

Having worked with thousands of people to help find their "number" for an investment portfolio, I can make a few observations: Your "number" in saving depends on: 1) the percentage of retirement spending for basic needs, which cannot be reduced, and discretionary which can be reduced and is reduced with age. 2) other sources of income (pensions, rental income, inheritance, annuities, Social Security, etc) 3) whether other assets can or will be sold over time (land, second home, airplane, collectibles) 4) how much a person want's to leave behind for heirs or charity to inherit. In very general terms, I find that most people who have lived an modest middle-class lifestyle can live well in retirement if they accumulate $2 ...
by ResNullius
Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Merrill Edge
Replies: 8
Views: 1470

Re: Merrill Edge

Personally, I would stay away from Merrill Edge. I have a MM Savings Account at BOA, where I keep my cash. When I set it up, I told the person at the local bank that I would close the account immediately if I ever receved a call from anyone from Merrill. The old ML, and the new ME, are rip-off artists of the first order, at least that's how I feel about them, and my MM account isn't small.
by ResNullius
Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Vanguard employees view Vanguard
Replies: 23
Views: 3998

Re: How Vanguard employees view Vanguard

I've been with Vanguard for about 25 years now. Except for the first 2 years or so, I've had the same Flagship Rep the entire time. She works out of their office in Charlotte. Vanguard must be doing something right, because I can't think of many businesses where you see the same person for 25 years.
by ResNullius
Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Preserving capital question
Replies: 4
Views: 809

Re: Preserving capital question

Get rid of the gold and silver. Stay invested. At your age, you won't have squat when you reach 65 if you jump in and out of the market in response to current events or the opinions of talking heads or financial advisors. It's your money, why not make the most of it.
by ResNullius
Tue Mar 05, 2013 4:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5-year high news
Replies: 12
Views: 1698

Re: 5-year high news

For equity investing to make any sense at all on a buy and hold basis, then "new highs" need to happen all the time, not just once every 5 or 10 years.
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 6:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The year before and after the start of retirement
Replies: 26
Views: 2684

Re: The year before and after the start of retirement

VictoriaF wrote:
ResNullius wrote:The safest thing is to work full-time until you die, then you'll never have to worry about your portfolio running out of money.
What if you never die?

Victoria
You're completely correct. Past performance is not a predictor of future performance.
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 4:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The year before and after the start of retirement
Replies: 26
Views: 2684

Re: The year before and after the start of retirement

Reminds me of an article I saw about the things you should do "the year before and after you died."
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Too heavy in cash
Replies: 15
Views: 2750

Re: Too heavy in cash

I'd move $300K to Vanguard short-term investment grade bond fund. If taxes are a concern, then go with the tax-exempt version. Just my two cents.
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need android app for finding car in crowded parking lot
Replies: 21
Views: 2179

Re: Need android app for finding car in crowded parking lot

Boy if you figure out some way to do this automatically for rental cars you will make a fortune. I have "lost" a rental car a few times over the years at some hotel or parking garage and could not find it. That is a real PIA. The worst time was when I rented a white small chevy and parked it at a big convention at a DC hotel where I was late for a speaking engagement. Then I came out 3 hours later from one of the lobby exits and could not find my car. But I did find 3ish other white chevies that were not mine. :oops: :oops: It turned out there were four exits from that hotel lobby and I had to go out each one and search the parking lot by each to find my car. Duh... Hope someone has a solution. Bill Wow, this reply brought back m...
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The year before and after the start of retirement
Replies: 26
Views: 2684

Re: The year before and after the start of retirement

The safest thing is to work full-time until you die, then you'll never have to worry about your portfolio running out of money.
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 12:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ article on "The 4% Rule" Here is the link.
Replies: 66
Views: 22930

Re: WSJ article on "The 4% Rule"

4% was supposed to allow for the stock market fluctuation--for the full range experienced historically, and/or in Monte Carlo simulations. And it was supposed to have enough of a safety margin to be a reasonable planning guide for thirty years into the future. And less than 15 years later they are saying "oops?" You nailed it once again Nisi. I guess they are expecting worse times than we had during the Great Depression. 1210 I don't pray at the alter of the 4% SWR, but I also get tired of reading stories by so-called financial experts who sit back and conjure up situations that bear no rational relationship to past or reasonably anticipated future events. It's very difficult to imagine that there will be a 30-year period that is...
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nissan Murano vs. Acura RDX vs. ??
Replies: 35
Views: 15922

Re: Nissan Murano vs. Acura RDX vs. ??

I've got a 2005 Murano. Best car overall I've ever owned, and I'm 63 years old. It's called a poor man's luxury car.
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ article on "The 4% Rule" Here is the link.
Replies: 66
Views: 22930

Re: WSJ article on "The 4% Rule" HERE is the link

I read this article earlier today, and I thought there was one major flaw. The data on which the 4% SWR is based includes the 30 and 40 year periods following the start of the Great Depression. It's hard to imagine that current or anticipated future events, other than a total financial collapse around the world, would be worse than the 30 to 40 year period following 1929.
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to invest RMDs I don't need
Replies: 21
Views: 4511

Re: How to invest RMDs I don't need

So, if you are taking RMDs and don't need the money, but want to keep some or all for your use or for your heirs, then you should pay the taxes and reinvest in either tax-exempt bonds or tax-efficient equity funds. In order to best reduce AGI and MAGI, the use of tax-efficient equites would seem best. Do I have this right?
by ResNullius
Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to invest RMDs I don't need
Replies: 21
Views: 4511

Re: How to invest RMDs I don't need

I just read the underlying article. Wow, it was a well written and informative article, with virtually no junk on the side, which is a little amazing in this day and age. It seems to cover the question completely.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing Inheritance
Replies: 19
Views: 3113

Re: Investing Inheritance

To the OP. You originally mentioned that you want to finish your undergrad degree and possibly get a PhD. If you go the PhD route, there's a decent chance you'll be at least in the running for a fellowship, which would pay your tuition, fees, and a stipend. This is what my son is doing right now. He's currently completing his PhD, but it has cost him nothing. The school pays for everything, including health insurance and $2K per month stipend, plus all tuition and fees. Be sure to check into all of this. Even if you don't get the whole thing covered, you still might get more than you think, and you won't have to pay anything back.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving $$ from Vanguard to Bank
Replies: 1
Views: 740

Moving $$ from Vanguard to Bank

Is it possible to have distributions from bond funds or stock funds transferred directly from the underlying accout to your personal bank account? Vanguard has a procedure for setting up a transfer for money from Vanguard to your bank, but I'm not sure whether it only works for money being transferred from Prime MM or whether Vanguard will transfer distributions directly. Thanks.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VG International Bond Index Fund
Replies: 24
Views: 2737

Re: VG International Bond Index Fund

My father in law spent the winter of 1944/1945 camping out in southeastern Belgium. It was very cold and some Germans were shooting guns at him and his buddies. He has not wanted to leave the U.S. since his return from that expedition (68 years) and would never willingly purchase anything "Made in Germany". I can respect his point of view, although I don't think it is rational.
==============
I think it's rational, and the same applies for vets of all wars. It's rational to have a hard time forgetting about what another nationality has done to you, particularly if they did their best to kill you, and they were successful in killing millions of others, some of whom you knew by name and shared a foxhole with.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need android app for finding car in crowded parking lot
Replies: 21
Views: 2179

Re: Need android app for finding car in crowded parking lot

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person who sometimes has trouble finding their car.
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: iMac or PC (windows)
Replies: 46
Views: 4147

Re: iMac or PC (windows)

I'm going to neet to get a new computer in the not to distant future. Question #1: Is the machine failing? I want to use my remaining AmEx Reward Points, and I have almost 300K points. Question #2: Are the points expiring? Anyway, I've been thinking about the iMac. Question #3: How is this related to the two earlier quotes? I'm currently using XP, so I'm going to have to change within the year due to Microsoft ending security updates. Also, my current hardware is quite old, updated a number of times already. I've got the AmEx points, so why not use them before somebody changes the rules or the things you can get with the points. By the way, I started with Windows 98 and it worked well for me, then went to XP. I've also started having some ...
by ResNullius
Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Surprised at actual marginal tax rate
Replies: 32
Views: 3893

Re: Surprised at actual marginal tax rate

I gave up long ago trying to figure out the tax laws. When I worked, I worked as hard as I could in order to earn as much as I could. Now that I'm retired, I try to keep my taxes as low as I can, but there isn't much I can do. Last year, I was in the 25% marginal bracket, but my effective rate was 16%, which was nice. I'm expecting the same this year, only with an effective rate of 15%, at least I'm hoping so. One of these days, I need to get someone smarter than me to figure out what the true sweet spot is for us and how to move things around to get in that spot. For now, I just want to avoid taxes, increase investment gains, and avoid the BH censors regarding politics.