Search found 1734 matches

by Gnirk
Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?
Replies: 15
Views: 1624

Re: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?

We just sold our home, and both the listing agency and selling agency were paid 2.5% each.
We had no regrets paying the commission, because our agent earned every penny of it. He worked very hard for us ( we are several states away for several months), arranging for deep cleaning and repairs. Luckily for us he lives across the street from our home that we were selling, and turned the alarm off and on when necessary so the other agents weren’t given the alarm code. He also screened every offer, and advised us not to even respond to one of them. We sold our home for our asking price, with minimal cost to us for small repairs resulting from the inspection.

Having a really good, thorough, and experienced agent can make all the difference.
by Gnirk
Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees apparently tend to maintain assets - lessons for BH investors?
Replies: 129
Views: 16929

Re: Retirees apparently tend to maintain assets - lessons for BH investors?

Nearing the end of life one sees friends and relatives who are constrained financially and the tough choices that can lead to. Many will retain assets so as to avoid having to go to a Medicaid nursing home. In many cases it’s not because these folks lack imagination, it’s very well justified circumspection or even fear of becoming what used to be known as a “public charge” or a “burden on one’s children.” In 2024, the cost of a home health aide can be as high as $41 per hour, plus double pay for certain holidays. For an in home registered nurse, you may be looking at $150k per year. How much will one need to pay in ten years? Reporting from the front I can say that LTCI in my family’s case is proving to be an enormous help if doing private...
by Gnirk
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: partial xfr IBonds from conversion account
Replies: 0
Views: 812

partial xfr IBonds from conversion account

I found the instructions to transfer I-Bonds from my conversion account to my regular account. However, I have a question regarding transferring part of a bond. I've not tried this yet, and don't want to mess anything up,so if I want to transfer half of an I-Bond, do I transfer half of the FACE Value or half of the CURRENT value? I don't want to assume one or the other, before I try it. If anyone has tried this, what did you do? "Log into your primary TreasuryDirect® account. Click the ManageDirect tab at the top of the page. Under the heading Manage My Securities, click "Transfer securities". On the Transfer page, choose the button beside the security type you want to transfer and click "Submit". On the Summary pag...
by Gnirk
Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial planning for dementia
Replies: 12
Views: 1801

Re: Financial planning for dementia

I am self-insuring because I have no choice, and have planned accordingly.
My mother had Alzheimer’s for 12 years, 8 of those were in long term care. She was diagnosed at 78, and LTC insurance paid for 4 years, the other 4 years were paid from her investments.
Her aunts were diagnosed around age 80; one lived to 102 and the other to 105. I have no idea how their LTC was paid for, as both were widowed.
by Gnirk
Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama
Replies: 96
Views: 16961

Re: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama

I think you made the right choice, and I’m very sorry the relationship rift continues.
by Gnirk
Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disclaiming part of will - RE property
Replies: 32
Views: 1998

Re: Disclaiming part of will - RE property

I disclaimed a portion of an inheritance to my daughters. I just drafted a letter with the details and gave it to the estate attorney, who included it in probate. I live in Washington state.
by Gnirk
Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question about Inheritance
Replies: 31
Views: 3035

Re: Question about Inheritance

Re: the inherited IRA.
I take the RMDs from the IRA I inherited from my mom as Qualified Charitable Distributions. No taxes owed on QCDs.
by Gnirk
Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best cookware to buy
Replies: 143
Views: 13730

Re: Best cookware to buy

I have the following, some of which I bought at Marshall’s or HomeGoods at discounted prices, or on sale at other stores.
All Clad D3
1) 1 1/2 qt. saucepan
2) 2 qt. saucepans
1) 3 qt. saucepan
1) large saute’ pan
1) large covered straight-sided fry pan
1) small non stick deep fry pan with lid

1) 3 qt. Le Creuset enameled cast iron Dutch oven

I no longer have the strength to lift the larger Dutch ovens, and I can roast a whole chicken in the smaller one.
I also have a 6 qt. stock pot for cooking pastas, soups, etc.

All of these are easy to clean and maintain, and well worth the cost to me. I’ve had most of the All Clad for nearly 15 years and love them.
by Gnirk
Tue Jan 23, 2024 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?
Replies: 113
Views: 8869

Re: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?

Primary home plus snowbird home = 15%
Other assets = 85%
No mortgages and no other liabilities.
by Gnirk
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contesting a will
Replies: 41
Views: 5208

Re: Contesting a will

Personally, if I had no family other than cousins who I was not close to and didn't keep in touch with me, and there was someone who helped me and looked after me, such as a close neighbor, I would make that person my beneficiary!
by Gnirk
Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What men's perfume do you recommend as a favorite
Replies: 63
Views: 5917

Re: What men's perfume do you recommend as a favorite

mfswatz9 wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 5:56 pm None. The older I get, the more offensive colognes and perfumes annoy me. I finally had to stop going to my opthamologist because he always smelled of aftershave/cologne.
👍
by Gnirk
Sun Dec 24, 2023 7:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Am I the only investor allocating more towards Bonds in 2024?
Replies: 149
Views: 30600

Re: Am I the only investor allocating more towards Bonds in 2024?

Capricorn51 wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 8:12 am Actually I am a bit drifted from my target aa (40/60) to 42/58, and I am thinking to rebalance using (I am 72 and still working, but must start taking RMD's next year) 2024 RMD's and investing tilted more strongly to fixed income.
I am in a similar boat, but 8% CDs, 50% bonds, and I’m not planning on rebalancing, because 95% is in taxable and we are in the 24% bracket.
by Gnirk
Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 58408

Re: New to Costco

Clothing. Good quality, very reasonable prices. This fall I bought beautiful Merino wool sweaters, lightweight down coat, socks for extremely reasonable prices.
Non-perishable bulk foods.
Fresh meat, that I re-package into smaller servings,
Seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables.
Gasoline. It’s the cheapest and with cash back, really the cheapest.
Ziplock bags (when on sale), name brand laundry detergent.
by Gnirk
Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How do you retirees monitor withdrawal rate (SWR) vs portfolio size?
Replies: 49
Views: 7679

Re: How do you retirees monitor withdrawal rate (SWR) vs portfolio size?

We normally don’t calculate or pay attention to our SWR. We are still frugal, and at our ages are fortunate to have more than enough. However, for curiosity, I did some calculating. We normally withdraw around 2% per year, except this year we withdrew 20% to purchase a smaller, single story house for cash. Our large 2 story home is on the market, and when it sells, hopefully sooner rather than later, those funds will go back into the pot. Until then, our withdrawal rate will be somewhat higher because we’re paying insurance, taxes, HOA dues and utilities on both homes.

Edited to note that 95% of our retirement funds are in taxable accounts, and the $$ for the house had been stashed in CD's for this sole purpose.
by Gnirk
Fri Nov 10, 2023 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I ask my in-laws to change their trust?
Replies: 83
Views: 9931

Re: Should I ask my in-laws to change their trust?

I wouldn’t ask your in-laws to change their trust; to me that is overstepping the boundaries. They want their children to inherit, and it’s their estate to do with as they wish. That being said, your husband may be able to disclaim a portion of his inheritance to your children, depending upon how the trust is written and the laws of your state.
My mom made it clear to my brother and I that she was leaving everything to the two of us, and that if we wanted to share with our children, it was up to us. I did just that, and disclaimed a portion to each of my daughters.
by Gnirk
Sun Oct 22, 2023 11:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bank calling on source of funds
Replies: 73
Views: 9660

Re: Bank calling on source of funds

We decided to be proactive when transferring slightly less than that into our credit union checking account. I called the credit union and gave them a heads up that we were transferring large amounts into our account because we were buying a house. They appreciated it and put a note on our account.Easy-peasy.
by Gnirk
Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Moving $$ out of Ally
Replies: 12
Views: 2350

Re: Moving $$ out of Ally

boater07 wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 6:14 pm Has anyone moved a large amount of money out of Ally.
I would like to transfer to V money market.I'm leaning
to wiring the funds. Hate to go thru my bank first
Yes, we just moved a large amount from Ally to our checking account because we are buying a house. ACH worked fine, whough we had to do it over several days as there is a limit of $150,000 per day on ACH. However, no limit on wire transfer as I understand. You should probably check directly with them.
by Gnirk
Sat Oct 07, 2023 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Individual vs Trust Account upon death
Replies: 22
Views: 1886

Re: Individual vs Trust Account upon death

I was trustee on my mom’s Vanguard accounts. Vanguard asked for a signature medallion guarantee, but I couldn’t get one from her credit union because the amount in her account exceeded their guaranty limit. When I explained this to Vanguard, they then used voice recognition which I had set up on my own accounts.
by Gnirk
Fri Oct 06, 2023 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend a month on food?
Replies: 334
Views: 29222

Re: How much do you spend a month on food?

We spend about $350 per month for the two of us, on the average, but we also eat out 2 times per week, but that goes into our "recreation/enetertainment'' expenses. Okay, I also live in the South Sound (more or less), and 350/month for 2 people in groceries is way less than we spend (Gig Harbor area). We spend 350-400 on groceries every 2 weeks. (granted, that includes liquor, wine, and pricey Asian market food) I'm guessing alcohol makes up a good chunk of groceries and restaurant cost. We don't drink. But we do enjoy a good cut of steak, seabass, tuna, salmon, crabs. We enjoy food so we don't really hold back on groceries purchase or restaurant meals. We don't have a budget, but just track our spending. I usually buy organic food wh...
by Gnirk
Fri Oct 06, 2023 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone here ever deposit an ibond or ee bond at a bank
Replies: 34
Views: 5482

Re: Anyone here ever deposit an ibond or ee bond at a bank

Yes. I've cashed inherited EE and I bonds at my credit union for several years, as they mature. If you cash inherited ones, you will need to bring a copy of the death certificate.They provide a detailed breakdown of principal and interest.
by Gnirk
Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:00 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 37399

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss ofyour Mom. Thank you for all you do for us on the Bogleheads Forum; I really appreciate your insight and contributions.
by Gnirk
Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend a month on food?
Replies: 334
Views: 29222

Re: How much do you spend a month on food?

We spend about $350 per month for the two of us, on the average, but we also eat out 2 times per week, but that goes into our "recreation/enetertainment'' expenses.
by Gnirk
Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone still favor Vanguard?
Replies: 359
Views: 48425

Re: Anyone still favor Vanguard?

We are fine with Vanguard, despite the small frustrations which arise now and then.
by Gnirk
Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Leaving inheritance to grandchildren-Will you?
Replies: 57
Views: 6984

Re: Leaving inheritance to grandchildren-Will you?

My daughters are my primary beneficiaries. We often travel together. Should all three of us perish near or at the same time, my step-granddaughters are my secondary beneficiaries.
Other than that, neither my husband nor I leave anything directly to the grandchildren.

However, my husband has paid for all four granddaughters' post-secondary education, and provided them with cars for their 16th birthdays.
by Gnirk
Mon Sep 11, 2023 10:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inheritance & How It Impacted Your Money Life
Replies: 216
Views: 25538

Re: Inheritance & How It Impacted Your Money Life

I inherited a substantial amount from my widowed mother when I was in my early 70's.

Did I know how much I would inherit? She never spoke about her finances, other than to tell me to invest in Vanguard Index funds. I only became aware of it after I became her DPOA and managed her finances for 10 years (she had dementia), She was always frugal to the nth degree, followed Boglehead principles most of her life, and after taking over her finances I realized she had lived WAY below her means.

Did it change my life? Yes, because I can now take care of any long-term care expenses I may need, which gives me peace of mind.
by Gnirk
Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where do I find Vanguard capital gains on the website?
Replies: 6
Views: 484

Vanguard changed website again. Help please.

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

Vanguard changed their website, yet again. I can no longer find the dividends and capital gains paid out this year on our accounts. There used to be links at the bottom of the page. I think I’ve tried everything and can’t find it. Help, please?
by Gnirk
Sat Sep 02, 2023 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Converting old paper IBond with maiden name
Replies: 22
Views: 1667

Re: Converting old paper IBond with maiden name

FYI:
I mailed some I-bonds to TD in late June to change them into my name (I was POD) and they replied it will take 20 weeks to complete the name change and transfer into my TD account. Their fixed interest is 3.60%, so I don't want to cash them.
by Gnirk
Sun Aug 27, 2023 9:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Signing a personal check as Power of Attorney
Replies: 34
Views: 4270

Re: Signing a personal check as Power of Attorney

I had DPOA for my mother, I signed “ her name by my name AIF”. Fortunately, I had to sign very few checks, just her monthly check to her care home and to buy adult diapers for her at Costco. Her Medicare Advantage premium was debited directly from the checking account, as were the cost of her medications.
by Gnirk
Fri Aug 25, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rip Van Winkle goes looking for a new car this past week.
Replies: 53
Views: 6818

Re: Rip Van Winkle goes looking for a new car this past week.

FYI: We buy only Toyota cars because their seats do not cause me back pain. Every other make, from all of the American brands to the luxury brands Mercedes, BMW’s , and Audi’s kill my back after a 30 minute or less drive. For your wife, it will be worth the wait for the RAV4. I’ve also found that leather seats in the Toyota/Lexus cars seem to have more support than fabric covered seats, if that’s a consideration. For me, it’s the adjustability of the seat angle of Toyotas front seats that make the difference.
by Gnirk
Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: retirement spending
Replies: 167
Views: 17853

Re: retirement spending

Our lifestyle creep, if you can call it that, was more money spent on travel the first 8 years after retirement. As we’ve aged, our travel is almost non-existent due to DH mobility issues. However, we eat many more of our meals at restaurants now. DH looks at it as his entertainment, and I’m not crazy about cooking any more. We also gift more to our adult children. Yet we still continue to live far below our means.
by Gnirk
Wed Aug 23, 2023 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car buying help - challenges getting a vehicle at a reasonable price
Replies: 45
Views: 4405

Re: Car buying help - challenges getting a vehicle at a reasonable price

The days of negotiating for a good, or reasonable price on a new car are gone. Some dealers add on $5,000 plus as a market adjustment, others add on $$$ for exterior and interior protection coatings, a flashing brake light bar, roof racks etc. And there is a definite shortage of popular models; my DH has been trying to buy a Toyota Highlander Limited AWD Hybrid, and the few they have coming in were pre sold months ago…like up to a year, in some cases.

As a previous poster said, maybe you can do the financing and then pay it off immediately.
by Gnirk
Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for aging parents: 100k student loan, unequal will distribution, paying for care
Replies: 25
Views: 3352

Re: Advice for aging parents: 100k student loan, unequal will distribution, paying for care

Given that it sounds like they will need some sort of assisted living why not find a place now and sell the house? This effectively cuts out your sibling as you seem to want. Doesn’t make sense to worry about how an inheritance that will most likely be spent while your parents are still living will be split up. This. It may be that they will need all of their assets to pay for their care, and if they outlive their assets, then hopefully Medicaid will take over. When it’s time for them to move into assisted living or long term care, find a place that will accept Medicaid after a period of private pay. You are a thoughtful and caring son, but you need to take care of your health as well. I speak from experience regarding that last sentence. ...
by Gnirk
Wed Aug 16, 2023 1:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wild Caught vs Farm Raised Fish
Replies: 92
Views: 10573

Re: Wild Caught vs Farm Raised Fish

I always buy wild caught fish. Can be double the cost of farm-raised, but particularly with salmon, the difference is so obvious that it makes the farm-raised fish seem gross (way fattier, pallid in color, kinda flavorless). I'd draw the comparison to good free-range eggs (bought directly from the farm, if you're really going for it) vs cheap cage eggs. The former will have a large, firm yolk that is a dark orange (because the hens are eating a wider variety of nutrient-rich food). The latter will have a sad, pale, small yolk that frankly becomes pretty unappealing by comparison - especially when consumed runny. Food quality is not an area that I would generally be willing to skimp on. Same here. I’m willing to pay more for what I consider...
by Gnirk
Tue Aug 15, 2023 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Premium for 2 million umbrella policy
Replies: 128
Views: 19878

Re: Premium for 2 million umbrella policy

$384 for $2 million; primary home in Washington, snowbird home in Palm Desert, 3 cars.
No kids or pets.
by Gnirk
Tue Aug 15, 2023 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking advice for CA hoarder intestate estate
Replies: 28
Views: 2998

Re: Seeking advice for CA hoarder intestate estate

Yikes! California is not the state to die intestate. My great-aunt died intestate, and her estate was in probate for more than 5 years before it was settled.
And the attorney handling the probate was paid handsomely out of the estate's assets.To be fair, she had no children, so the estate was divided between her brothers/sisters and their heirs if the brother/sister predeceased her.

Hopefully, she might listen to an attorney who's versed in such things to encourage her to create the legal documents needed.
by Gnirk
Sat Aug 12, 2023 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does cost of healthcare skyrocket when you are older
Replies: 70
Views: 8279

Re: Does cost of healthcare skyrocket when you are older

I had a conversation with a relative who complain that drugs they use are $600 a month, since they can't afford it they try to use an alternate medication that doesn't work as well but is affordable (in this case, it wasn't generics, but some other drugs). My mom who is older is apparently paying about $50 every 3 months for medication because her side of the family tend to be super healthy. There's talk of a retirement smile for cost. When you first retire, you do a lot of traveling and fun stuff but eventually slow down, but then healthcare cost increases as you age. For those who are older board members like in their 80's and beyond. Is this the case? In our case, yes this is true. We are lucky to have very reasonable health care costs ...
by Gnirk
Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cannot access bond trading on Vanguards website
Replies: 63
Views: 5109

Re: Cannot access bond trading on Vanguards website

It works for me when I use Firefox, but not Safari. So I just use Firefox when I’m on their Bond site.
by Gnirk
Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?
Replies: 115
Views: 10530

Re: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?

Yes. Until this year they held paper EE and I Bonds, and fine jewelry . All of the EE bonds have since matured, and I mailed the remaining Ibonds to TD to convert to electronic. They say it will take 20 weeks to convert the three bonds. So, now just jewelry. We have no place for a safe in our home.
by Gnirk
Tue Aug 08, 2023 9:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard QCD Checks
Replies: 12
Views: 1603

Re: Vanguard QCD Checks

Good question....hope someone answers it, because I'd like the answer too.
by Gnirk
Mon Aug 07, 2023 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car dealer upset with me for completing the "Seller" form on the vehicle title
Replies: 57
Views: 6369

Re: Car dealer upset with me for completing the "Seller" form on the vehicle title

bertilak wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:43 pm In my state the DMV web page says:
  • A dealer is not required to title in the dealership’s name if you sell or trade-in your vehicle to a licensed motor vehicle dealer. The vehicle stays in your name until it is sold to an individual, which may take months or in some cases, years. To protect yourself, file a Vehicle Transfer Notification.
This is what we do when we trade in a car at the dealership. In our stae, we pay tax only on the difference between the trade-in value and the price of the new car, so we prefer to trade.
If we sell to a private party, we fill it out completely, and also file a vehicle transfer notification with the DMV.
by Gnirk
Fri Aug 04, 2023 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spending Money on Travel
Replies: 65
Views: 8410

Re: Spending Money on Travel

Wannaretireearly wrote: Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:46 pm
Gnirk wrote: Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:24 pm My dad died at the age of 65, 9 months after his cancer diagnosis. My mom said she’s always regretted not traveling with my dad when he wanted to.
They had both the time and the money. Gives one food for thought.
Thanks for sharing. Similar story for my Dad, except he died at age 59 :(.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
by Gnirk
Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: estate planning for mixed family
Replies: 15
Views: 1541

Re: estate planning for mixed family

He's worried because if he dies, she will get his equity in the home and it might pass to her children. How does he feel about the reverse? If she dies, and her equity goes to him, and then his children?
by Gnirk
Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?
Replies: 140
Views: 15959

Re: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?

L’isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, France. Even though I don’t speak French.
by Gnirk
Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spending Money on Travel
Replies: 65
Views: 8410

Re: Spending Money on Travel

My dad died at the age of 65, 9 months after his cancer diagnosis. My mom said she’s always regretted not traveling with my dad when he wanted to.
They had both the time and the money. Gives one food for thought.
by Gnirk
Sun Jul 30, 2023 2:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash is part of your fixed income/bonds
Replies: 73
Views: 8077

Re: Cash is part of your fixed income/bonds

To me, it makes sense to include CD's in the bond portion because they are "tied up " for a set amount of time, unless cashed in early with a penalty. Whereas my actual cash is readily available without penalty. So instead of looking at my AA as 40/50/10 it's now 40/58/2. Mostly mental accounting, I guess.
by Gnirk
Sun Jul 30, 2023 1:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much did you spend on your cars?
Replies: 96
Views: 9595

Re: How much did you spend on your cars?

Purchased in late April, 2021 a new Lexus RX450H for slightly less than $54,000, including running boards, splash guards, taxes, license, etc. Just before the car market went really crazy. Traded in a 2015 Lexus RX350 for $28,000.00 plus the rest in cash.

DH has been trying to find a Toyota Highlander Limited Hybrid for well over a year; the Limited Hybrids are scarcer than hen’s teeth.
by Gnirk
Sat Jul 29, 2023 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Black Swan risk in "common sense" and "everyday people"
Replies: 31
Views: 3402

Re: Black Swan risk in "common sense" and "everyday people"

I bought a crossover SUVish vehicle instead of a sedan because I sit up higher, and have better visibility…not because everybody else is doing it.
My AA is 40/50/10 stocks/ bonds/ CDs-$, not 60/40 and I’m comfortable with that at the age of 79. Sometimes it drifts, but I don’t rebalance because 95% is in taxable. My husbands AA is more aggressive than mine.
We’ve lived in the same house for 29 years, and would like to downsize—- but a smaller, single story house would end up costing more than we’d net out of our large 2-story house because all our bedrooms are on the second floor and there isn’t much demand in our area.
Even if the stock market dropped by half we will still be okay.
We do Sleep Well at Night.
by Gnirk
Mon Jul 24, 2023 11:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If/when to fly business class? (Length of flight vs. cost)
Replies: 207
Views: 26616

Re: If/when to fly business class? (Length of flight vs. cost)

At my age, I opt for business or first class on domestic flights over 3 hours, and business class on international flights ( though I don’t see international travel in my future because of DH’s mobility issues). As a friend once told me “ if I don’t, my kids will”. I’m willing to pay for comfort when I have to fly.
by Gnirk
Mon Jul 24, 2023 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Replies: 77
Views: 5724

Re: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)

Yes, we've had our credit frozen for years. We don't anticipate needing any new credit cards. The only issue we've had was when my husband was buying a new car, and the dealer insisted upon running a credit check....when he was paying cash for the car! I "unfroze" the account, but the dealer was still not able to run the credit check. And golly, gee......he sold us the car for cash anyway! :annoyed