Search found 2531 matches

by CFM300
Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern
Replies: 48
Views: 2730

Re: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern

maddogio wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:24 pm
snackdog wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:38 pm Case Western ... classmates midwestern.
There are more international students at Case than there are Ohioans. I wouldn't be surprised if fewer than a third were Midwestern.
jpohio wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:36 pm The comment about Case having more international students than Ohioans is, I think, correct.
Undergraduate class of 2026:

15% Ohio
11% Midwest
16% Outside US

https://case.edu/admission/apply/facts-figures
by CFM300
Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement Calculator With SS Bridge.
Replies: 9
Views: 719

Re: Retirement Calculator With SS Bridge.

meowcat wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:55 am I use Firecalc, and entered my retirement date and SS filing date but it's not clear if success includes the bridge.
Sounds like you're talking about a gap, rather than a bridge. If your retirement date is earlier than your SS date, then Firecalc will know that you need to withdraw more money prior to the start of your SS income, and less after your SS income begins.

If you're planning to construct your own bridge, then just deduct the cost of the bridge from your portfolio in Firecalc and set your SS start date to your retirement date. (Because that's how an actual bridge works: you set aside funds from your portfolio to provide an SS-equivalent income prior to your first actual SS payment.)
by CFM300
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern
Replies: 48
Views: 2730

Re: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern

White Coat Investor wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:16 am
Northern Flicker wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:30 amI think UCSD and UW in Seattle are likely ranked higher than UC-Davis or Case Western in biological sciences,
Never seen that rank list. Can you share it?
Here's a 2022 ranking from US News. Graduate schools.
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-sc ... s-rankings

#17 - UCSD and UC-Davis (tied with UCLA)
#23 - U of Washington
#58 - Case Western

Niche has a 2024 ranking of undergrad Biology programs:
https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/b ... r-biology/

#32 – UC-Davis
#35 – Case Western
#41 – UCSD
#42 – U Washington
by CFM300
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon "eligible for return" cost
Replies: 30
Views: 1995

Re: Amazon "eligible for return" cost

TheOscarGuy wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:00 am
heartwood wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:49 pm DW ordered a Travelon Expansion Crossbody Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MYTDJZV?ps ... ct_details
...
Biggest surprise $18.05 postage to return a $48.47 purchase.
...
You may have to handle and pay dearly for a return.
always look for free returns for such purchases.
I guess return options are customer or location specific, because when I click OP's link, Amazon tells me,

"Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges"
by CFM300
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: QBI (Business Income) deduction for Self-Employed
Replies: 8
Views: 655

Re: QBI (Business Income) deduction for Self-Employed

johnpau wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:13 pm Let me know what you think.
Don't forget state taxes. My state doesn't have a QBI deduction, but contributing to a traditional 401(k) still reduces my state taxable income.
by CFM300
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does restating Solo 401(k) plan start new plan-form 5500-EZ question
Replies: 7
Views: 726

Re: Does restating Solo 401(k) plan start new plan-form 5500-EZ question

Nver2Late wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:42 am I unfortunately updated my sequence number to 002 on the restatement application.
I don't remember completing the adoption agreement when restating my plan. I assumed that Vanguard pre-filled it for me, but I could be wrong.

Perhaps you should get Vanguard to revert the sequence number to 001 on your restatement adoption agreement, and then file amended 5500s.
by CFM300
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does restating Solo 401(k) plan start new plan-form 5500-EZ question
Replies: 7
Views: 726

Re: Does restating Solo 401(k) plan start new plan-form 5500-EZ question

Vanguard, a few years later, had me do a restatement (as I understand is required by the IRS) with an effective date of 1/1/2022. That was assigned restatement sequence number 002. Where are you seeing the 002 sequence number? When I restated my plan, I completed an adoption agreement that listed the "plan sequence number" as 001. On that same form, under Effective Dates, part B was checked, "Existing Plan Amendment or Effective Date." Under that, the initial plan document effective date was shown on the left, and the effective date of the amendment or restatement was shown on the right. Based on all of that, I *assume* that my plan sequence number remains 001. However, I am unable to find the plan sequence number anywh...
by CFM300
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard i401k, opinion letter?
Replies: 13
Views: 1911

Re: Vanguard i401k, opinion letter?

CFM300 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:54 am I can't find a copy of the plan document from when I restated the plan in 2021.
Found my plan document and IRS opinion letter from my restatement in 2021. The IRS opinion letter is identical to the one linked in this discussion.
by CFM300
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard i401k, opinion letter?
Replies: 13
Views: 1911

Re: Vanguard i401k, opinion letter?

Based on this PDF, https://www.vanguard.com/pdf/s578.pdf , there appears to be an IRS approval letter at the end with a date of 9/21/20 and serial of Q704157a. Any news on whether this is the current opinion letter? Just spent 45 minutes on the phone with Vanguard. Spoke with two different reps, both in the small biz department. Both had zero clue about the 5500-EZ form, the IRS letter, or how I or they could easily access an electronic copy of the current plan document for my solo 401(k). Their only solution was to request that VG's "document archives department" send me a paper copy in 7 to 10 days. I have the plan document from when I originally adopted the plan in 2014. That plan document contains an IRS letter dated 5/28/201...
by CFM300
Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard just won't stop sending me paper mail
Replies: 36
Views: 3911

Re: Vanguard keeps mailing prospectuses

dollar_elbow wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:02 pm Despite this, I receive prospectuses in the mail several times a year for each fund I invest in (seems to be mostly for my 401k).
...
it a legal requirement that they send them?
Not sure if it's a legal requirement, but Vanguard told me that could not stop sending me paper prospectuses for funds held in my solo 401(k), regardless of my mail settings for that account.
by CFM300
Sat Mar 09, 2024 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4595

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

CygX1 wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:30 am During my employee benefits season last fall I researched VERY carefully to confirm the Enhanced Delta Dental plan would cover this procedure at 80%. ... So I purchased the insurance and my son had the procedure in January.
It sounds like you bought the insurance because you knew that your son needed the procedure. In that case, shouldn't the claim be denied as a pre-existing condition? Dental insurance isn't like the ACA.
by CFM300
Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47
Replies: 90
Views: 7911

Re: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47

knightrider wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:11 am
CFM300 wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:45 am What type of skiing and how often and how long are you doing these other sports?
Downhill skiing. I practice my sports a lot. Like many hours a week :-)
Please detail the physical exercise you do each week besides your three 45-min running/bench/chin-up sessions. Be specific.
by CFM300
Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47
Replies: 90
Views: 7911

Re: Plateaued with my 45 minute workout - Age 47

knightrider wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:33 am other sports I do ( like skiing and squash )
What type of skiing and how often and how long are you doing these other sports?
by CFM300
Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Clarifying Tax Reporting of Sole Proprietor Solo 401(k) Contributions
Replies: 10
Views: 1269

Re: Clarifying Tax Reporting of Sole Proprietor Solo 401(k) Contributions

GoldenBear17 wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:43 pm I know the formula and can figure it out and check with online calculators too. So I'm pretty confident I'm doing it right.
That's what I do.
GoldenBear17 wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:43 pm I don't know if most tax software will correctly calculate how much you're allowed to contribute and warn you if you try to contribute more than that.
TurboTax will calculate your max for Traditional contributions, so that's one additional check for me. Not sure about Roth.

P.S. I have no idea why those sites you linked are telling people to deduct solo 401(k) contributions on Schedule 1, line 8. Makes no sense.
by CFM300
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Solo 401k $500 annual tax credit from Secure 2.0? Anyone understand this?
Replies: 26
Views: 2859

Re: Solo 401k $500 annual tax credit from Secure 2.0? Anyone understand this?

This conversation seems to have gotten muddled. There are two credits, a startup credit and an auto enrollment credit. Solo 401(k) administrators cannot qualify for the former, but it appears the latter is fair game. The IRS page linked above states: "An eligible employer that adds an auto-enrollment feature to their plan can claim a tax credit of $500 per year for a 3-year taxable period beginning with the first taxable year the employer includes the auto-enrollment feature." But the only definition of "eligible employer" given on that page is the same as for the Retirement Plans Startup Costs Tax Credit. And that definition seems to exclude anyone with a solo 401(k) for the reasons stated by SuzBayan. Digging further,...
by CFM300
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Solo 401k $500 annual tax credit from Secure 2.0? Anyone understand this?
Replies: 26
Views: 2859

Re: Solo 401k $500 annual tax credit from Secure 2.0? Anyone understand this?

SuzBanyan wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 6:30 pm
How can a Solo 401k ever get past the NHCE restriction? And even if you could, how can an existing Solo 401k get past the “employees not substantially the same as in another plan during the last 3 years.”
So the auto-enrollment tax credit is not something that could apply to individuals with a solo 401(k) correct?
by CFM300
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Contribution
Replies: 13
Views: 1731

Re: HSA Contribution

You mention "our HSA," but HSA accounts are individual, like IRAs. You also mention reducing your AGI by $4,850. However, if you and your wife are on an HSA-eligible family insurance plan, then you and your wife can can contribute up to $7,750 total, allocated however you like between your individual accounts. (100% into yours, 100% into your wife's, 50%/50%, etc.) In addition, because you're each 55 or older, you can each contribute an additional $1,000 to your own account. All of this assumes that you have HSA-eligible health insurance.

But I think what you're really asking is whether you have to have earned income to contribute to an HSA, and the answer is no.
by CFM300
Tue Feb 20, 2024 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxable status for Vanguard cash funds (VUSXX VMSXX VYFXX VMFXX)
Replies: 51
Views: 6936

Re: Taxable status for Vanguard cash funds (VUSXX VMSXX VYFXX VMFXX)

mangoheadgolf wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:45 pm And VUSXX is state tax free.
Not 100%.
by CFM300
Tue Feb 20, 2024 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3285

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

I've used Direct Pay for years. No issues. I print the confirmation screen to PDF before closing the browser tab, and I also check a box requesting an email confirmation. The email doesn't specify the amount of payment or any other details, but it does provide the confirmation number. There's a look-up payment feature on Direct Pay, if you want to check the status of the transaction.
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

livesoft wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:40 pm Do you understand what number you should get if you divide the foreign tax paid by a fund (which you should know by now) by the percentage in column 3?
For VFWAX, the result will be close to what one would expect, but not exactly. See this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=423203
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

Aguilar wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:34 pm So what's the verdict on how to go about this?
Asked and answered, several times.

viewtopic.php?p=7717859#p7717859
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

In FreeTaxUSA software, I'm asked to enter a value for Foreign Income. This value is what appears in box 1a in Form 1116. So isn't the value in 1a supposed to be just dividends for your intl mutual funds plus foreign taxes paid? Box 1a on your 1099-DIV is total ordinary dividends. Line 1a on Form 1116, will be the amount of ordinary dividends from the fund multiplied by the col 1 percentage from the Vanguard FTC document. This is what I thought originally. If I'm reading livesoft's responses here correctly, that is not correct. That is for calculating foreign source income, not foreign income, which is what box 1a in form 1116 is for. i don't think you read livesoft's response correctly, and line 1a of Form 1116 is asking for foreign sourc...
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

At this stage, I have calculated foreign income two ways: adding up dividends for VTIAX and VFWAX from my monthly statements plus foreign taxes paid AND 2, adding dividends for those two funds from the 1099-DIV and not adding foreign taxes paid. These approaches get me slightly different results perhaps bc of the VFWAX reporting issue mentioned a few posts up. So, I plan to use the larger number, from the first method of calculating foreign income. This is the approach you recommended. I’m still asking if someone can confirm if this is right. What you've done is what I would do to find the Total Ordinary Dividends for your international funds. But I would then multiple each fund's total by the column 1 percentage listed on the Vanguard FTC...
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

Aguilar wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:47 am In FreeTaxUSA software, I'm asked to enter a value for Foreign Income. This value is what appears in box 1a in Form 1116. So isn't the value in 1a supposed to be just dividends for your intl mutual funds plus foreign taxes paid?
Box 1a on your 1099-DIV is total ordinary dividends. Line 1a on Form 1116, will be the amount of ordinary dividends from the fund multiplied by the col 1 percentage from the Vanguard FTC document.
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

Should the number I get if I’m using the dividends listed on my three 1099-DIV (for my intl funds only) equal the number I get if I’m adding up the dividends plus foreign taxes paid on my brokerage statements? I get a slightly different number: $6967.53. Generally speaking, the two totals should match. But something happened with Vanguard's FTSE ex-US fund (WFWAX) last year, such that the totals are slightly off. If one of your 1099-DIVs is a consolidated Vanguard brokerage account, then look at the page titled, "Other Receipts and Reconciliations." There you'll probably see entries for VFWAX that match the difference between the two totals you calculated. The entries are entitled "Increased to cost basis." I don't real...
by CFM300
Fri Feb 16, 2024 12:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?
Replies: 55
Views: 4704

Re: Do qualified + nonqualified dividends = ordinary dividends?

I added up my 2023 dividends for my two intl funds (VTIAX, VFWAX) plus the foreign taxes paid in 2023 and got $6955.75. This is not the same number I got previously when I multiplied ordinary dividends per fund x the percentage from Vanguard's FTC doc, and then added all the #s up. The first number you calculated in the quote above ($6955.75) is the amount that goes in Box 1a, assuming the dividends you're adding up are the actual dividends posted to your account. However, if you're using the dividends listed on Vanguard's consolidated 1099-DIV for brokerage accounts, specifically the page entitled "Detail for Dividends and Distributions," then those dividend amounts already include foreign taxes paid, so you wouldn't want to add...
by CFM300
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What inferior good do you love?
Replies: 232
Views: 25969

Re: What inferior good do you love?

Timex Ironman watch. Classic, 30-lap.
by CFM300
Thu Feb 08, 2024 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question Regarding How to Complete Form 5500-EZ
Replies: 6
Views: 856

Re: Question Regarding How to Complete Form 5500-EZ

toddthebod wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 3:31 pm I don't know why you resurrected this 3 year old thread, but just to clear up any confusion for future readers:
2b. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
(Do not enter your Social Security Number)
Someone sent me a link to the thread, as evidence that it might be okay to use their SSN. I disagreed, and felt compelled to respond to the thread without realizing that it was several years old. Apologies for that.

To be clear, the question was about line 3b, not 2b. Although the same instructions apply.
by CFM300
Thu Feb 08, 2024 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question Regarding How to Complete Form 5500-EZ
Replies: 6
Views: 856

Re: Question Regarding How to Complete Form 5500-EZ

the11diesel wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 4:27 pm the instructions say, “A plan administrator must have an EIN for Form 5500-EZ reporting purposes. If the plan administrator does not have an EIN, apply for one as explained in the instructions for line 2b.”
...
I am at a loss for what to put into the Plan Administrator's EIN field for Form 5500 EZ.
...
If I find something definitive, I will post in this discussion. If not, I plan to use my social security number as well.
???
by CFM300
Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calculating a "true" SAT average admissions score
Replies: 67
Views: 5782

Re: Calculating a "true" SAT average admissions score

Cuttlefish wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 11:57 am [The president of Darmouth] ignores studies indicating that high school grades are a much better predictor of success in the first year of college than SATs.
My understanding is that the predictive success of high school grades has been steadily decreasing as grade inflation has been steadily increasing. Then grade inflation greatly accelerated during the pandemic, making their predictive value much worse.
by CFM300
Wed Jan 17, 2024 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel in LA
Replies: 29
Views: 3134

Re: Travel in LA

wabbott wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:31 pm I suggest driving Hwy 1 around Rancho Palos Verdes instead of the freeways. Looking out at Santa Catalina on one side and the Palos Verdes hills on the other is a bit more pleasant than being stalled in traffic in downtown LA.
What you're describing is Palos Verdes Drive. Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) doesn't come onto the peninsula.
by CFM300
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best secure email to use instead of gmail?
Replies: 140
Views: 33459

Re: Best secure email to use instead of gmail?

anagram wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:34 pm Incoming email from businesses are not an issue as they do not come from nefarious systems like Gmail or Outlook.
Most companies and organizations use Gmail or Outlook, you just don't realize it because they're using their own domain name. Anecdotally, the list includes Harvard, Peoria Public Schools, my local public library, McDonalds, Home Depot, Airbnb, Netflix, LinkedIn, United Healthcare, Dell, Goodwill... perhaps even bogleheads.org.
by CFM300
Sun Jan 07, 2024 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Squat / Bench Rack equipment for tight space
Replies: 59
Views: 14957

Re: Squat / Bench Rack equipment for tight space

ThankYouJack wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 8:13 pm Max I want to spend is $2k for a rack, bench, barbell, weights. Any recommendations?
https://www.roguefitness.com

Lots of options, high quality, excellent customer service.
by CFM300
Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity Solo 401(k) - How to characterize 2023 contributions?
Replies: 24
Views: 3016

Re: Fidelity Solo 401(k) - How to characterize 2023 contributions?

My understanding is it is too late for 2023 employEE contribution because you had until 12/31/23 to make your 2023 contribution determination signed and in writing for your records. Did you do this last year? The IRS 401(k) Plan Fix-It Guide discusses the case where "Eligible employees weren't given the opportunity to make an elective deferral (exclusion of eligible employees)." The corrective action is to "Make a qualified nonelective contribution for the employee that compensates for the missed deferral opportunity." Details here: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/401k-plan-fix-it-guide-eligible-employees-werent-given-the-opportunity-to-make-an-elective-deferral-election-excluding-eligible-employees Could the OP ar...
by CFM300
Thu Jan 04, 2024 9:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity Solo 401(k) - How to characterize 2023 contributions?
Replies: 24
Views: 3016

Re: Fidelity Solo 401(k) - How to characterize 2023 contributions?

SmokeyAbe wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 9:45 pm Would something like this suffice? Writing in the phrase "Maximum Legal Amount" in the "$" section of the 2nd & 3rd boxes on this form?
I used a similar form from Vanguard (called a "Salary Reduction Agreement") which included some additional statements such as "This agreement will be renewed automatically each January 1 unless my employer and I agree in writing to amend it." Saves me from having to complete the form every year.

Edited to add: Spirit Rider recommended the phrase "100% of compensation, not exceeding the allowed limit." See this thread: viewtopic.php?p=2633429#p2633429
by CFM300
Thu Jan 04, 2024 9:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity Solo 401(k) - How to characterize 2023 contributions?
Replies: 24
Views: 3016

Re: Fidelity Solo 401(k) - How to characterize 2023 contributions?

Nate79 wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 7:26 pm
SmokeyAbe wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:30 am You are correct that I'm more familiar with IRAs. Can you please explain what you mean by "whether or not an election was made"? I'm not familiar with the usage of the term "election" here. Thanks!
You needed to have created a physical, written and signed document that said I, SmokeyAbe elect to contribute $XX for 2023 employee contribution to my solo401k. Or something like that. By 12/31/23.

Clearly didn't happen so too late now.
I've read that Secure 2.0 introduced an exception for sole proprietors in the first year of a 401(k) plan -- namely, that both elections and contributions can be made until the April tax filing deadline.
by CFM300
Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Devices to Increase Hand-Grip Strength
Replies: 49
Views: 8028

Re: Devices to Increase Hand-Grip Strength

No special equipment needed. Just do as many of your deadlift sets as possible with double-overhand grip before switching to hook grip or straps.

/s
by CFM300
Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Messed Up How Do I Get Back In
Replies: 97
Views: 20987

Re: I Messed Up How Do I Get Back In

LaramieWind wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 6:52 am I am OK with all at once but the market is so high now. Should I wait until there is some correction. A percent each month?
Lump-sum half. Dollar-cost-average the rest.
by CFM300
Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Making MIL's PC safe as possible
Replies: 38
Views: 3648

Re: Making MIL's PC safe as possible

BH_RedRan wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:48 pm She clicked on a link in the MS Windows-based news feed or on a webpage she was taken to by the feed.
A basic adblocker (like uBlock Origin) would probably have blocked access to the scam site.
by CFM300
Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Exercises for physical balance]
Replies: 43
Views: 5954

Re: [Exercises for physical balance]

Suppose you have perfect balance and someone sneaks up and pushes you from the side. Or while walking, you're looking up at bird in a tree and trip on something you didn't see. Whether you fall will be determined mostly by how fast you can move your feet to regain your balance. The ability to move quickly depends on type II muscle fibers, which atrophy and are lost with aging. Resistance and power training can significantly slow the atrophy and loss. Footwork drills (like with an agility ladder) can probably help maintain or improve requisite coordination as well.
by CFM300
Tue Dec 05, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Panicking because of potential loss of health insurance. Please help!]
Replies: 56
Views: 4926

Re: Got laid off- please HELP with the Marketplace insurance process

BogleMelon wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:41 pm Now I can't claim NJ (since my workplace changed from NJ to IN) or Indiana!
"If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states."

https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemp ... r%20states.
by CFM300
Mon Dec 04, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are newer Kindles any faster?
Replies: 52
Views: 7130

Re: Are newer Kindles any faster?

I keep my Kindle in airplane mode nearly all of the time, and I have zero issues with speed. Having wifi off will definitely help with the battery. Might help with speed issues as well. Worth a try.
by CFM300
Thu Nov 30, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gmail - tips for organizing
Replies: 28
Views: 5950

Re: Gmail - tips for organizing

mander75 wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 9:42 am When I label an email - that email still stays in Inbox (with a corresponding label). I see that many keep Inbox empty by labeling. Could you please explain how to do it as I am not clear?
"Inbox" itself is just a label. So open the email and click on the little x at the end of the "Inbox" label. That will remove the email from your Inbox.

You can make labeling and removing from your Inbox a one-step process by using "Move to" rather than "Labels" on the top navigation.
by CFM300
Sun Nov 19, 2023 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you utilize AI (artificial intelligence)?
Replies: 126
Views: 12982

Re: How do you utilize AI (artificial intelligence)?

faanger101 wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 7:16 pm
CFM300 wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:54 am I use it to write code. Saves me a lot of time.
Can you give some examples? I tried it few times - anything that is slightly complicated than basic examples is at least suboptimal (in 50% cases just wrong). Medium level questions related coding gave me such a bizarre outputs that I saved them to share with friends :annoyed
What are you using? GPT-3.5? Maybe try something like GitHub Copilot.
by CFM300
Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you utilize AI (artificial intelligence)?
Replies: 126
Views: 12982

Re: How do you utilize AI (artificial intelligence)?

I use it to write code. Saves me a lot of time.
by CFM300
Fri Nov 10, 2023 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Citi - free checking and no ATM fee
Replies: 27
Views: 3866

Re: Citi - free checking and no ATM fee

Retired1809 wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:07 pm it's impossible to talk to a live person at Citi.
I talked to someone at Citi on the phone today, and I talk to someone at Citi every time I visit my local branch.
by CFM300
Sat Nov 04, 2023 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soundproof home gym in new house
Replies: 74
Views: 6072

Re: Soundproof home gym in new house

ScubaHogg wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:08 pm General clanking of things is probably the most frequent one. The deadlifts coming down on the platform probably the loudest one.
1. Buy rubber-coated change plates
2. Strategically add rubber or plastic strips to your rack to prevent metal-on-metal contact
3. Reduce the weight on your deadlifts, float each rep at the bottom, and lower the last rep to the ground gently.
by CFM300
Fri Oct 13, 2023 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Comic Sans MS typeface is sorta gone???
Replies: 24
Views: 3341

Re: Comic Sans MS typeface is sorta gone???

Comic Sans is often preferred by people with dyslexia.

https://www.thecut.com/2020/08/the-reas ... -good.html

Regardless of the merits of the font, is no one else puzzled by the fact that the font appears on one of his Chromebooks, but not the other? And that a deprecated font appears on his newer Chromebook, rather than his older?