Search found 10346 matches

by 123
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Analysis for a trade to protect downside.
Replies: 6
Views: 325

Re: Analysis for a trade to protect downside.

If you want to protect your downside on a stock that you hold you could buy a put. The put gives the owner of the put the right to sell the stock at the specified price for the time period purchased with the put.
by 123
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Value of Suspended Spousal Benefit
Replies: 15
Views: 1553

Re: Value of Suspended Spousal Benefit

EricGold wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:30 pm ...Follow-up question: During the 18 months that my wife's spousal benefit is suspended because I suspended benefits until age 70, will her suspended benefits be paid at a later date ?...
Benefits that are suspended as a result of a request will not be paid later, they are lost.

If beneficiaries could suspend benefits and have them saved to be paid at a later date it would open the door to a lot of income manipulation for tax reasons or income manipulation in connection with other public or private benefit programs.
by 123
Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska cruise recommendations
Replies: 20
Views: 1488

Re: Alaska cruise recommendations

Princess or Viking cruises might work for you. Viking has no kids allowed, its mostly oldsters from my impressions. Princess does have kids but they're with families (often including grandparents). Princess doesn't particularly attract families with teenagers because its seen as somewhat stodgy. The "problem" with Viking is that its twice as costly as Princess. We've been on a couple of Princess cruises, including Alaska, and there were few teenagers, but that could partly be because we traveled when (USA) school was in session. I think paying attention to the school calendar can limit the number of kids, at least from the USA passengers.
by 123
Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Over 80, take more than minimum RMD? Advice?
Replies: 18
Views: 1884

Re: Over 80, take more than minimum RMD? Advice?

... if you’re a much older senior then converting some IRA to a Roth is for your kids and Legacy…hard to justify conversion otherwise... I have a somewhat different take on the value of converting traditional IRA to Roth for legacy purposes. Yeah, it sure would be nice to get some tax free Roth inheritance but if I have to pay taxes on the money I take out of the account I think I am more likely to leave the money in the account. I don't think those who have worked a long time and have been "savers" always appreciate the different mindset of the "spenders". In many cases the funds in the account will be more carefully utilized if there is a tax associated with their removal from the account. If you convert the funds to ...
by 123
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Value of Suspended Spousal Benefit
Replies: 15
Views: 1553

Re: Value of Suspended Spousal Benefit

Thanks, 123 Below is a specific example I would be delighted to implement. Can it be done ? At my age 66/8 and wife 65/2 I claim and suspend At age 67/0 wife claims, but her spousal benefit is suspended due to my suspension At my age 70 I unsuspend, while wife aged 68/5 suspends her spousal benefit At wife age 70 she unsuspends her spousal adjustment Wife FRA spousal benefit is $1500 in 2024 dollars. When she turns 70 would she receive a one time payment of ($1500*36) 2024 dollars, adjusted for COLA between 2024 and the year she turns 70 ? Your spouse does not receive any increase in her spousal benefits after her FRA (except COLAs). Even though your benefit will be increased when you get DRCs those DRCs do not impact your spouse's benefit...
by 123
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cameras, Binoculars and Jackets for Alaska Cruise
Replies: 21
Views: 1272

Re: Cameras, Binoculars and Jackets for Alaska Cruise

carloslando wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:48 am ...1. What camera would be best for the cruise?..
95%+ of the time a current model iphone or similar will get the job done. For the extra 5% the sky is the limit on how much inconvenience you can endure, shots you will miss in preparation, and expense you can bear in acquiring "better" equipment.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account
Replies: 15
Views: 1086

Re: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account

DTalos wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:08 pm ...Presumably, an advisor can look up all their former high school and college classmates on their system during downtime to see how much they have achieved financially, correct?
Most financial organizations have computer controls that log all attempts to access/browse accounts. Access to an account that is not related to a service/sales lead for that account would likely prompt an inquiry by the firm's compliance department. A simple parameter like a close range of date of birth of the employee and account holder, say plus or minus 3 - 5 years can be helpful in potentially identifying snooping situations.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account
Replies: 15
Views: 1086

Re: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account

DTalos wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:48 pm I am not interest in advisory services, but out of curiosity what are fees (% of AUM) of advisors at brokerages vs independent ones?
AUM fees generally range from 0.5% to 2% annually but they will generally pick funds/holdings with higher expense ratios that add another 1% - 2% in costs as well annually. Of course they may offer annuities with 7% first year exit charges as well as non-public limited partnerships that might net them a commission of 10% - 25% with a discount of possibly double that if you are ever able to liquidate it later on. Yes they smile the whole time.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account
Replies: 15
Views: 1086

Re: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account

The advisors at brokerage firms go after accounts with large balances of idle/loose cash in the default settlement account since that represents opportunity for them. I have found that if I put that same cash in a "purchased" MMF or t-bills, which work just as well as cash for me, they don't call.

I suspect they just work off standard parameter driven computer reports. They're salespeople who don't want to waste time poking around in accounts but they will peek before they call so they can figure out what pitch works best for folks with investment selections like yours.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?
Replies: 51
Views: 4093

Re: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?

I think all aspects of the real estate business from benefit from the collapse of the fixed fee structure. They will add new fees and hide them in all kinds of new ways we can't even imagine today. In place of a single bundled commission fee there will be a plethora of new fees and charges to deal with. The possibilities are endless, advertising fees, fees for "for sale" sign placement, rental, and removal, open house charges, walk-through fees for showing the home to prospective purchasers, listing fees, hourly charges for accommodating appraisers and home inspections, etc, gobs and gobs of fees like you've never seen before. Many of the fees might not be dependent on the closing of a sale.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this a termite?
Replies: 19
Views: 2428

Re: Is this a termite?

Wikipedia tells me that carpenter ants eat wood and can be a pest causing damage to buildings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_ant

You should worry.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 611

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

A 403(b) can be rolled-over into an IRA https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/rollover_chart.pdf
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Value of Suspended Spousal Benefit
Replies: 15
Views: 1553

Re: Value of Suspended Spousal Benefit

If your wife starts a reduced spouses benefit and has some non-payment months before her FRA (due to your suspended benefits) her benefit will be automatically adjusted to give her credit for the months before her FRA that she did not receive a benefit for. There is no lifetime reduction for months she did not receive a payment for. The adjustment of the reduction factor may not be processed till some time after her FRA but any retroactive adjustment in her benefit would then be paid. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615482

COLA benefit adjustments apply to all benefits, even those that are suspended.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there any way to convert a deductible IRA to 'backdoor' Roth IRA?
Replies: 3
Views: 393

Re: Is there any way to convert a deductible IRA to 'backdoor' Roth IRA?

A Roth conversion is most useful and valuable when you can pay the costs of (each) conversion from funds outside the IRA (i.e. taxable accounts). That way you get the full amount converted into a tax-free investment space. If you have to pay the taxes out of the proceeds of the Roth conversion you aren't getting the maximum potential value from the conversion.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 16
Views: 1581

Re: funeral preparations

brandy wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 1:37 pm ...What can I do to "prepare" for my funeral--which will be a cremation?
Prearrange and prepay. Tell your close relatives and carry a card from the cremation company/organization in your wallet on top of your driver's license/state ID. You can prearrange and prepay disposition of ashes as well, as you wish.
by 123
Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: UTMA Mystery
Replies: 2
Views: 329

Re: UTMA Mystery

UTMA accounts don't have any special tax benefits so the manager of the account, the in-law, could withdraw the funds at any time and deposit them in another account, or spend them (presumably for the child's needs). You could search the state records (often available online) for unclaimed property in the name of the child in case there was money in the account that was escheated to the state due to inactivity in the account. You could request an IRS transcript for the child's SSN to see where accounts for the child (as taxpayer) have been located.https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript It won't tell you balances and it may not include account numbers but it should show amounts of taxable income reported to an SSN and who reported it...
by 123
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 1924

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

I would recommend a non-hybrid Toyota Corolla SE. I like my cars like I like my investments, economical and reliable.
by 123
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 1924

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

I would sell it and get a Toyota. "Luxury" vehicles tend to be costly on service and repairs because owners have already bought into the brand loyalty thing. Sometimes all you want from a car is for it to be reliable and relatively trouble-free. Toyota and Honda figured that out.
by 123
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15084

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

Not to worry. Salespeople will always find a way to be compensated. Perhaps they'll charge sellers an upfront fee to market a house, 50% paid at time of listing and 50% paid at time of closing. Maybe sellers will get service options, some might generate a sale quickly, others in a year or two, depending on how much the seller is willing to pay. Competition can make things interesting and spark innovation.

Business methods will change with new pricing methods. Maybe agents will start charging admission fees to enter "open houses". Perhaps folks will eventually long for the "good old days" of the 6% commission paid at closing.
by 123
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for mobile phone plans for a high schooler
Replies: 10
Views: 968

Re: Suggestions for mobile phone plans for a high schooler

worthit wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:53 am ...Would like to have parental controls and sort of have the ability to monitor the usage (websites accessed, texts etc.)...
By the time a kid is in high school you have to realize that its past the age for a phone with parental controls. Parental controls can be circumvented. A good option for service is Mint Mobile prepaid. Unlimited talk and text and 5GB of data for $15 monthly if you prepay a year at a time.
by 123
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension Protection: Life Insurance vs More Survivor Benefits?
Replies: 35
Views: 2555

Re: Pension Protection: Life Insurance vs More Survivor Benefits?

MrCheapo wrote: Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:10 am ...but if I die b/w 55 and 65 that will make it a bit tough (in the sense we can't help the kids as much)...
By the time you retire the kids should be ready to pitch in and help you.
by 123
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lowering credit limit - and then raising it - will there be a credit check? Its a long story...
Replies: 5
Views: 828

Re: Lowering credit limit - and then raising it - will there be a credit check? Its a long story...

If you only have power of attorney she is still free to request any credit limit increase/restoration she wants. The only way to restrict her financial freedom is to be established as a formal conservator for her through the state court system. A conservatorship removes her ability to make her own financial decisions. If she is able to knowledgeably make her own decisions (however poor her choices may turn out to be) the chances of being established as a formal conservator for her, without her consent, is likely zero.

You have a difficult situation. She can revoke power of attorney at any time. Granting a power of attorney does not restrict her ability to continue to act on her own behalf.
by 123
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Seeking end of career 401(k) advice
Replies: 11
Views: 1775

Re: Seeking end of career 401(k) advice

bradpevans wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:26 pm ...how did she get 1.2MM into HSA?
+1 When I saw the HSA number it almost knocked me out of my chair.
by 123
Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?
Replies: 115
Views: 10533

Re: What do you keep in your safe deposit box at bank?

Inherited family jewels. Possibly of more sentimental than monetary value but I don't know.
by 123
Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents' Financial Situation/Crisis [Heir to estate with more debt than assets]
Replies: 29
Views: 3404

Re: Parents' Financial Situation/Crisis [Heir to estate with more debt than assets]

...I just want to get a sense regarding what, if anything, I would be obligated to do when they pass... Generally states have procedures in place to deal with the disposition of assets after a death. They are often triggered when a lender begins foreclosure proceedings when payments on a loan are no longer received. If there are any assets left each state has an unclaimed property function where assets can be forwarded. If family members don't wish to become involved the courts have mechanisms to deal with that. Potentially family members may receive notification but generally those are notifications only, family members are generally not required to participate. There are often court-appointed/assigned lawyers available to handle things, ...
by 123
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How is a broker going to make money off me?
Replies: 62
Views: 5788

Re: How is a broker going to make money off me?

A certain percentage of Bogleheads and similar low-profit brokerage customers die off every year. Those accounts represent high-profit potential when the survivors/beneficiaries claim the proceeds. Since they didn't work for the money its all free money to them, they're often happy to sign up for AUM advisory services so they don't have to think about anything. Ka-ching, ka-ching, the brokerage firms' philosophy of just amassing assets hits pay dirt again. That AUM cash stream might last 20 - 50+ years.
by 123
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms
Replies: 20
Views: 2829

Re: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms

This really sounds odd. Sounds a little on the shady side. In most cases the employer simply lays people off. At the time of layoff the employer presents a severance package. The employee generally has 30 days to accept the severance package (and can revoke it after accepting it within 30 days of it being presented). Acceptance of the severance package generally includes an agreement not to bring any legal proceedings against the employer. Sometimes an employer will add a sweetener, like paid medical for a few months, if the employee immediately signs the severance agreement (the employee still has 30 days to revoke it). The idea is to get the employee to accept things and "move on" as soon as possible. The employee doesn't have t...
by 123
Mon Mar 11, 2024 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When claiming SS with a young family would this reduce taxes?
Replies: 10
Views: 831

Re: When claiming SS with a young family would this reduce taxes?

ratdogg wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:00 pm ...But the question is, if i forego claiming for my wife, wouldn't my tax bill be lower?...
Yes, the benefit for each child is taxable income to each child respectively, it doesn't count as your income for tax purposes. As long as there are a couple of kids eligible you'll likely reach the family maximum. If your spouse receives a benefit that increases your taxable income as a couple (after various exclusions) no reason to do that earlier than necessary. Your spouse receiving a benefit could reduce benefit payment to kids so no gain to family.
by 123
Mon Mar 11, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Planning with age difference in spouses
Replies: 1
Views: 397

Re: Financial Planning with age difference in spouses

There is generally unlimited gifting between spouses.
bigxbomber11 wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:36 pm ... and be done near the end of life of the older spouse.
With only a 15 - 20 year age difference you never know, particularly when the younger spouse passes age 40 - 50.
by 123
Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasuries - Up or Down rest of 2024
Replies: 20
Views: 1804

Re: Treasuries - Up or Down rest of 2024

investing123 wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:35 am ...I am trying to decide which to buy - short term treasuries (VUSXX) fund or an 11 - 12 month CD. Both around 5.N% return right now...
Treasuries have easier liquidity than CDs so I'd go in that direction.

I've stepped aside from BND and have been using primarily 6 and 12 month t-bills for fixed income the last couple of years.

The SEC 30-day yield on BND is now around 4.5% so I'm tempted to call it a day and take the easy route with BND. You can squeeze yield from a lot of different places but its getting harder. If I'm only squeezing an extra 0.5% I'm beginning to lose interest. On $100K that extra 0.5% is $500 a year, maybe rounding error over the course of a year.
by 123
Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14915

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Around $500 used to replenish wallet as necessary. Cash mostly gets used at small markets and restaurants.

While clearing out a relative's home after a death we found a couple stashes of $200 - $500 in various clothing pockets in a closet.
by 123
Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Not filing state return because of zero tax
Replies: 15
Views: 1152

Re: Not filing state return because of zero tax

The best recommendation is to check the tax return filing rules for your state. State filing requirements differ. Even though your state tax obligation may be zero your state may not know that unless you file a return. While tax authorities receive income information (W-2, 1099's etc) they may not know about age, dependents, deductions, and other tax credits and provisions unless you file a return. If you don't file a return and one is required (even if there is no tax) you may get an inquiry at some point from your state tax authorities.
by 123
Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping children young active duty officers
Replies: 28
Views: 2469

Re: Helping children young active duty officers

klondike wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 2:23 pm ...What are other tax friendly ways that we could help them while we are still alive?...
With both kids in the military I don't think your financial support is necessary and may not be wanted. Let them experience the joys of self-achievement and figuring things out by themselves. You'll not be doing them any favors by trying to cultivate financial dependency on their parents.

Opportunities and growth in the military need to be appreciated in a different way then corporate America. It's about much bigger things than the almighty dollar.
by 123
Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Should I buy this Samuelson economics textbook?]
Replies: 16
Views: 1257

Re: [Should I buy this Samuelson economics textbook?]

Economics by Samuelson is a classic college textbook used in economics courses for years.
by 123
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Preparing for Marriage
Replies: 47
Views: 4723

Re: Preparing for Marriage

It's probably a good idea to have a mutual understanding of your expectations about having children. No, Yes, how many? Children can have a significant impact on your financial plans.
by 123
Sat Mar 09, 2024 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you have done differently if you could go back and restart your financial journey?
Replies: 68
Views: 5597

Re: What would you have done differently if you could go back and restart your financial journey?

I should have taken a couple of finance or accounting classes in my initial liberal arts degree program, I ignored business at the time because I guess it wasn't "fashionable". I only got full exposure in a MBA program 10 years later and realized how much I loved the stuff.

Unlike many posters I should have put LESS in 401K. I have been a rigorous and diligent saver all my life so the forced saving (via tax penalties) in 401K plans (none have had a Roth option) didn't really improve things for me, all my stock investments would be far more tax efficient had they been in taxable accounts. I guess a future benefit from RMDs will be that they are a kind of reminder that it will be time to spend (though I likely won't).
by 123
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mental health or Money: navigating the OMY question
Replies: 48
Views: 4796

Re: Mental health or Money: navigating the OMY question

I would not discuss my retirement objective with my manager or coworkers. I would start slacking off at work (or maybe just assert yourself) hoping they might want to get rid of me and I'd get a severance package. If I slacked off and got fired I would be okay anyway. Some pensions/retirement programs/companies have provisions depending on how gracefully you exit. Sometimes those are important, sometimes not. For example a bank might give a lifetime free checking account if you retire but not if you're fired. How long have you worked for this employer?
by 123
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need advice on Home addition.
Replies: 21
Views: 1874

Re: Need advice on Home addition.

$95K might be too high if you're located in Detroit but a bargain if you're in downtown Ann Arbor.
by 123
Thu Mar 07, 2024 1:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking Social Security Disability Temporarily
Replies: 14
Views: 959

Re: Taking Social Security Disability Temporarily

...So, when it comes to applying for disability, does one simply apply online or is it wise to use an attorney? There is likely little value gained with an attorney until the claim has been denied. The medical application process is relatively simple, just names and addresses of doctors and dates of treatment/evaluation and some questions about how the disability impacts you and limits your ability to work. The medical evaluators are primarily interested in medical records. Since attorney fees are often related to the amount of retroactive benefits awarded it is believed by some people that an attorney has no financial incentive to get benefits awarded quickly, they make more money the longer the case takes to progress through the appeals ...
by 123
Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking Social Security Disability Temporarily
Replies: 14
Views: 959

Re: Taking Social Security Disability Temporarily

If you are eligible for disability benefits those benefits would automatically convert to retirement benefits at your FRA. Delayed retirement credits are applied for any month from your FRA that you are not paid a benefit for. So you could receive disability benefits up until your first potential month of retirement benefits (your FRA). You could request that SSA suspend payment of your retirement benefits and earn DRCs for each month till age 70. At age 70 you could request that the benefit payments be resumed. You would be billed for Medicare Part B premiums during the period benefit payments were suspended. Whether it is a good idea to suspend benefits for the sake of earning DRCs is a very individual decision. If an individual was previ...
by 123
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking Social Security Disability Temporarily
Replies: 14
Views: 959

Re: Taking Social Security Disability Temporarily

You are not disadvantaged if you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The period in which you are eligible for disability is not used in the calculation of any future retirement benefits, that is why when individuals who receive disability benefits attain FRA they are transitioned to retirement benefits with no change in the benefit amount. An individual who has one, or more, periods of eligibility has those periods of disability dropped from the calculation of future retirement benefits. A person who medically recovers, or who demonstrates by their return to substantial work that they are no longer disabled, will have their period of disability ended and the future calculation of retirement benefits will be adjust accordin...
by 123
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cars Dilemma, what makes a better choice
Replies: 17
Views: 3380

Re: Cars Dilemma, what makes a better choice

Sell Tesla since it's a company vehicle and loss (if any) should be recognized on business return.
Rogue should be a suitable vehicle for business presence.
by 123
Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do?? [Vanguard warning about closing account for calling too frequently]
Replies: 74
Views: 6820

Re: What to do?? [Vanguard warning about closing account for calling too frequently]

Switch from calling to snail mail for your questions and concerns. If its not worth the time to draft a letter it may not be worth the time to call.
by 123
Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSA possible reporting error?
Replies: 32
Views: 2695

Re: SSA possible reporting error?

Perhaps another person(s) is also using your SSN accounting for the additional earnings. Might be a good idea to get a transcript from the IRS to see what's reported for tax issues to your SSN.
by 123
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If/how/how much to financially assist kids that choose not to go to college
Replies: 48
Views: 3794

Re: If/how/how much to financially assist kids that choose not to go to college

If you pay for a bail bond for one child are you obligated to bail out the second child regardless of the charge?

I don't think you can always financially balance the support given to different children living different lives. I think a parent has to provide support when and where needed but trying to balance seems to depend on family dynamics. Some children may be successful self-achievers without college, trying to even out support to them may be a sign to them that you don't have full confidence in their ability to be self-sufficient.
by 123
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: sauna or hot tub, which to get and why?
Replies: 51
Views: 4429

Re: sauna or hot tub, which to get and why?

A sauna is strictly an indoor experience works year-round in many climates. I don't think a sauna would be an attractive option if you're located in a hot muggy climate much of the year.

An outdoor hot tub can be a very relaxing experience, particularly if the weather is chilly. Years back I lived in an apartment complex that had a large outdoor Jacuzzi in the pool complex. While I did use it some on summer evenings it really was great in cooler weather with the steam clouds rising from it.

The hot tub would use a lot more energy than the sauna. If you've got a good private outdoor location I'd prefer the hot tub.

As a longtime boglehead you likely deserve to have both.
by 123
Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment to pay for my annual Life Insurance Premiums
Replies: 21
Views: 1366

Re: Investment to pay for my annual Life Insurance Premiums

You may want to contact the insurance company and request a current in-force illustration for the policy. Universal Life Insurance uses annual renewable term (ART) insurance to price the insurance part of the policy. The price for ART goes up every year with your age. In early policy years the excess of the policy premium you pay over the internal cost of ART to the insurance company is used to fund an investment/reserve/cash account. The annual premium is based on certain expectations of the success of the investment component. A current in-force illustration for the policy will tell whether you can afford to keep the policy in force for 20 years. Even though you are paying a consistent premium the increasing cost of ART can consume the in...
by 123
Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adjustable Bed
Replies: 19
Views: 1667

Re: Adjustable Bed

It might be worth considering a hospital bed. They are available for rental so you can explore them at many medical equipment stores. The advantage of a hospital bed is that the mattress is designed to bend and adjust. There are manual and electric models to accommodate adjustments. Some features often required in hospital may be optional in the home like side rails etc. It may be worth a visit to a medical equipment rental store to see what might work for you. Hospital beds are often used when a patient has to recover from hospitalization at home and a regular bed may not be suitable for a variety of reasons.
by 123
Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Idea: Partial Home Ownership as Investment
Replies: 5
Views: 762

Re: Idea: Partial Home Ownership as Investment

BetterPaws wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:28 pm ...would any investor be interested in buying into partial ownership of a primary residence of someone's, with the condition to receive fixed percentage of house price upon sale, as their return? For example, an investor-"owner" could put down 20% of the house price, but takes 30% (yes, could be little higher or lower) of the "share" of the house and claim 30% of the final value upon sale...
Death or divorce of a co-owner are significant risks. The investor (you) would have to have the means/capital to fund any mortgages and expenses for up to a year or two if the co-owner dies, divorces, desserts and you have to go through legal proceedings to force a sale.