Search found 10374 matches

by 123
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: AVGV and etf trading in general question
Replies: 4
Views: 356

Re: AVGV and etf trading in general question

AVGV is a fund-of-funds that is made up of 6 other Avantis etfs. The prospectus indicates that while AVGV has a target percentage for each of those other etfs it allows a percentage range for each of those etfs. So in the normal course of events its quite possible for composite price of AVGV not to be in agreement with target percentage prices of each of the component etfs. Prospectus: https://avantisinvestors.prospectus-express.com/summary.asp?doctype=pros&cid=avantisll&fid=025072216 The etf has an interesting expense. It charges a separate fee for the "bundling" of its component etfs over-and-above the expenses of each of those etfs. I guess a fee is necessary to support deciding how much of each of the six component etf...
by 123
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Idea of buying land for family restaurant
Replies: 23
Views: 1345

Re: Idea of buying land for family restaurant

What do you think the current price/value of the restaurant land and building would be if you bought it today? If you leased the land and building to a non-relative today how much would the lease payments be? The property should be a stand-alone reasonable investment before you consider any discount to family. Sometimes when property values change, like when a property is acquired, existing businesses are no longer viable at that location. Lease costs can go up due to owner greed but also due to higher carrying costs of a new landlord purchases the property with a loan. Would the purchase make business sense for you if non-family members took over the location? If the property owner is considering a sale you have more leverage as a buyer no...
by 123
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase
Replies: 42
Views: 2017

Re: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase

Pay cash. A boglehead has bigger fish to fry with their time (any loan will involve a transaction reconciliation effort). Yes, "A penny saved is a penny earned" but the amount of juice you get from the squeeze has to be considered.
by 123
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security Break-Even Calculator That Includes Opportunity Cost of Waiting?
Replies: 16
Views: 1510

Re: Social Security Break-Even Calculator That Includes Opportunity Cost of Waiting?

I think most people would just consider the early social security payments as additional investment capital they've accumulated prior to FRA, or age 70, and compare the value of that "working" for them versus the higher monthly benefit. If they're directing it toward stocks they're able to harvest gains as they see fit versus being stuck with the higher monthly benefit that relentlessly increases their taxes. Social security is just another cash flow that you have to whip into your tax strategy. There are many different approaches as to how investors plan to address social security payments. I think holding off till age 70 could be simply an avoidance strategy so folks don't have to think about it. It's that old defer gratificatio...
by 123
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 4081

Re: How many credit cards do you have

I've gotten along just fine with 3 personal cards for 20+ years, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. I use Visa for grocery/food/Costco expenses, MasterCard for household and personal expenses (Amazon, subscriptions, etc) and American Express for personal travel (including gas/auto/hotel expenses). I use separate corporate card for business travel. Using cards for different purposes makes it easier for me to track spending and spot fraudulent transactions (happens every two or three years).

Spouse has their own cards.
by 123
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is an easement worth?
Replies: 20
Views: 2002

Re: What is an easement worth?

GeoMetry wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:07 pm ...How much should I offer the HOA for the right to put a driveway across there?
If I were the HOA I wouldn't tolerate the intrusion of a driveway that we might end up maintaining or incur liability in connection with. It would not seem to provide any benefit to members of the HOA. A stray driveway might impact the "look" of the HOA development. A driveway, with possible curb cut, could open up development to areas the HOA prefers to remain undeveloped.

Maybe there's a way to buy the property from the HOA but that's likely going to involve survey and various legal costs that will likely exceed the value of the property.

You might have better luck developing access through a location that is not the "easiest".
by 123
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What percentage should I negotiate to sell my house?
Replies: 18
Views: 1238

Re: What percentage should I negotiate to sell my house?

I'd offer the seller's agent 1.5% and the buyer's side 3.5% and price your house to the high end of the acceptable range. You want the buyer's side to really push your house, and they well if they make the most money doing so. They may even more likely encourage above-market offers since they make even more money doing so. Capture that greed in your favor.
by 123
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:05 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Career break to maximise time with kids?
Replies: 43
Views: 3143

Re: Career break to maximise time with kids?

I would first explore the possibility of a 3 - 12 month time off. Of course the best time is when there is a break in school, like for the summer. Maybe 3 months a year for a couple of years will work out. If parents are readily available all the time time with the parent becomes less special for the child. Once kids begin to socialize with other kids, in preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school they generally prefer to spend time with other kids rather than their parents. If you're around the house you'll just be transporting them to activities with other kids when you're not cleaning the house or doing laundry. Consider your work situation and possible alternatives. You have a good career but some careers fade fast if you are out of ...
by 123
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare question with no work history
Replies: 28
Views: 2229

Re: Medicare question with no work history

Since the wife has no entitlement to benefits unless her husband receives benefits the husband may need to consider whether there is any significant economic gain to husband and wife by waiting till age 70. Depending on their other income and tax situation they could be seriously disadvantaged by waiting till age 70 since that could mean more ongoing SSA benefits will be subject to tax. RMD issues and IRMMA can also come into play.
by 123
Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Different Traditional IRA Basis Federal versus State (California)
Replies: 2
Views: 194

Re: Different Traditional IRA Basis Federal versus State (California)

Alan S. wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:36 pm You could use the lower federal basis for both. This is not shorting CA, rather it increases your CA tax bill somewhat and they certainly wouldn't mind. Conversely, if you were to use the higher CA basis for both, you would be underpaying your federal tax bill.
Thank you Alan S. I guess I got confused. I really appreciate your ability to zero in on all the IRA issues that appear here with your expertise.
by 123
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife's name not on the deed
Replies: 6
Views: 1163

Re: Wife's name not on the deed

California now allows a beneficiary deed for real estate. It's just a contingency deed in the event of your passing. If you divorce you have to remember to revoke it, otherwise years later ex-spouse may get the house. If you add a spouse to a regular deed you need their cooperation to get them removed.
by 123
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Different Traditional IRA Basis Federal versus State (California)
Replies: 2
Views: 194

Different Traditional IRA Basis Federal versus State (California)

I did a partial Roth conversion so a tax issue I have avoided thinking about has arisen. Many years ago in the golden state of California it was possible to have a higher Federal deductible traditional IRA contribution than was permitted by California. I think the difference was on the order of $500 or $1,000 each year before California came to it's senses (might be an overstatement) and they got in sync. So my California traditional IRA basis is higher than my Federal basis. But due to no additional traditional IRA contributions in the last 25 years it's been a long time since I would have filed a Form 8606 and I doubt the IRS or California Franchise Tax Board has those available. While I have no difficulty completing Federal and Californi...
by 123
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: With Schwab Robo advisor, can I select specific ETFs?
Replies: 9
Views: 733

Re: With Schwab Robo advisor, can I select specific ETFs?

IIRC there are indirect costs at Schwab for their Robo offerings. Schwab establishes an ongoing partial cash position in the robo account and that cash is held in a very low interest bank account instead of a MMF. Schwab makes money from the interest rate difference between what they pay the account holder and general MMF rates. Many of the "free" offerings at Schwab turn out to be very expensive because Schwab's business model is to make profits from cash in customer's accounts. As an example (made up). If you have $100K in a robo account Schwab might require $10K to be held as cash as part of its robo allocation. Your interest loss on that $10K at 5% would be $500 annually. That $41.66 monthly for the "free" robo servi...
by 123
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fiduciary advisors vs not - how important do you think it is
Replies: 33
Views: 2270

Re: Fiduciary advisors vs not - how important do you think it is

So if a fiduciary advisor only has high cost and otherwise ineffective products are you better off because they sell you the "best" of the lot?
by 123
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: refrigerator water filter cap
Replies: 12
Views: 643

Re: refrigerator water filter cap

On our Whirlpool refrigerator the "replace" indicator seems to be timed to come on about 6 months after your reset it. The replace indicator doesn't measure water quality, it's just a timed reminder. If you just reset the control panel button the alert will go away for 6 months without changing the filter. I change our filter about every 2 years, we don't use it that much. The filter will eventually deteoriate/clog and the flow of water will diminish. Depending on your local water supply you may want to get a special "bypass" filter that just lets the water through without filtering, you still have to reset the alert about every 6 months. My understanding is that there are some refrigerator models (or manufacture years) ...
by 123
Sun Mar 24, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Number of healthy years with no dependents
Replies: 23
Views: 1626

Re: Number of healthy years with no dependents

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Lots of variations and sources for that quote.

Best to make the most of each day as they come along, you never know when they will stop.
by 123
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: consequences of working widow taking SSA spousal survivor benefits before her FRA
Replies: 15
Views: 1107

Re: consequences of working widow taking SSA spousal survivor benefits before her FRA

Navillus1968 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:00 pm ...You & your Mom should visit the local SSA office- they can explain which claiming strategy is optimal for your mom.
+1 The amount of any widow's benefit can depend on when her husband began to receive his benefits and various special rules, like the widow's 71.5% rule. If her husband received any reduced benefit (before his FRA) it is possible that her highest widow's benefit might be available before her FRA. There are various calculations involved.

Once a benefit begins it remains at that level except for COLAs.
by 123
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inheritance Considerations for Son Living Abroad
Replies: 16
Views: 1360

Re: Inheritance Considerations for Son Living Abroad

stanford73 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:41 am ...but our son would need to be a citizen to have any rights at all. It's concerning.
Perhaps his plans include becoming a citizen of the Philippines if he plans to live there indefinitely. Many countries allow dual citizenship. Even if he becomes a citizen of the Philippines eventually you may want to address the possibilities for the interim period.
by 123
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annuity Consideration: I'm the House
Replies: 19
Views: 1965

Re: Annuity Consideration: I'm the House

...The expected life expectancy of someone buying an annuity is generally better/longer than the population at large. This is because someone who has known health issues is not likely going to purchase an annuity. That would be a "bad bet" for the annuitant. Likewise, someone who thinks that they are going to live longer than average is probably more likely to purchase an annuity. This would be a form of adverse selection... Yes some people might come out ahead, but the majority don't. +1 I worked in the life insurance industry for awhile as well. The life insurance/annuity companies have pretty much figured all the angles out and reduced their chances of losing money wherever possible. Yes the individuals receiving annuity payme...
by 123
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Time Filing Kid's Tax Returns and Roth Contributions
Replies: 14
Views: 661

Re: First Time Filing Kid's Tax Returns and Roth Contributions

MrCheapo wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:35 pm [
Thanks but to be clear you meant the IRA deadline is 04/15/20*24* right?

We opened up a fidelity ROTH for her in her name, but we contribute to it.
Yes 4/15/2024. I will correct original post.
by 123
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Time Filing Kid's Tax Returns and Roth Contributions
Replies: 14
Views: 661

Re: First Time Filing Kid's Tax Returns and Roth Contributions

...Also, we can contribute $7778.15 to her Roth right? The IRA contribution limit for 2023 was $6,500 assuming she was under age 50 all year. The IRA contribution deadline is April 15, 2024 for tax year 2023. When you submit the contribution you must clearly indicate that it is for tax year 2023 to ensure proper credit. We are assuming the child does not have other income that would preclude a direct IRA contribution. To reduce the probability of oversights and errors you should ensure that the contribution is received and credited by April 15, 2024. The rules say a postmark date can be used but these days you don't know how quickly the post office applies the postmark and whether the envelope with the postmark stays with the contribution ...
by 123
Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Kids W2 form
Replies: 4
Views: 512

Re: Kids W2 form

You can confirm no tax with withheld by reviewing pay stubs. Any tax due can be paid when a tax return is filed.

A new W-4 can be completed with the employer to change withholding.

With young workers many sometimes elect no tax withholding and may earn more than they expect during a calendar year. They also may have other taxable income that they don't consider the tax implications of.
by 123
Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: money from 401
Replies: 5
Views: 658

Re: money from 401

Holding money in near-cash keeps it safe but does provide protection from inflation. If you want to avoid the stock market and feel the bond market is too risky given recent interest change impact on bond values the best options are likely CDs or treasury bills. Treasuries or CDs available through a discount broker like Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard might work for you. I tend to recommend Fidelity to my friends.
by 123
Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Highly Concentrated Position In Zero Cost Basis Holding
Replies: 23
Views: 1440

Re: Highly Concentrated Position In Zero Cost Basis Holding

delamer wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 3:52 pm ...What is currently being done with dividends?
+1 If dividends are being automatically reinvested turn that feature off and let dividends go to cash. If dividends reinvest the problem with single stock concentration is just getting worse.
by 123
Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifted cash for home purchase to single son, for now!
Replies: 11
Views: 1539

Re: Gifted cash for home purchase to single son, for now!

Metsfan91 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:10 pm ...Put your name on the deed along with your son. This should protect the house from your future daughter-in-law.
+1 This is likely the most effective legal mechanism to protect the "gift". If there is a mortgage on the property having your name on the property and mortgage could impact your ability to get your own separate loan or mortgage for other needs even if you expect your son to be able to afford the mortgage himself.
by 123
Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost
Replies: 52
Views: 3317

Re: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost

We are generally always on some Xfinity/Comcast deal or promotion. A couple of years ago the best package offer included their phone service, it was cheaper than the same package without the phone service. So we had the package with phone service but never plugged a phone into the new modem they supplied for the promo (free). When the promo ended we returned their modem that supported the phone feature and switched to another promo plan using our own modem. With the promotions you have to carefully consider all aspects of the deal and promptly take action when the promotion period ends.
by 123
Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Growing Tomatoes in Five Gallon Buckets
Replies: 39
Views: 4458

Re: Growing Tomatoes in Five Gallon Buckets

One area I lived in could not grow tomatoes because the nighttime (really 24 hour) low temperatures did not consistently remain above 55 degrees. There is some variation but if you're in an area that gets chilly nights all year it can be very difficult for tomatoes to grow and blossom (regardless of daytime high temperatures).
by 123
Tue Mar 19, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling Land in Panama
Replies: 3
Views: 783

Re: Selling Land in Panama

She could contact the person who facilitated the transfer of the land to her (who could be familiar with the area) and ask for suggestions.
by 123
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Analysis for a trade to protect downside.
Replies: 7
Views: 513

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: 16
Views: 1926

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: 27
Views: 2354

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: 1960

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: 16
Views: 1926

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: 1458

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: 16
Views: 1583

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: 16
Views: 1583

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: 16
Views: 1583

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: 120
Views: 9454

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: 27
Views: 3183

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: 672

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: 16
Views: 1926

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: 405

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: 48
Views: 4437

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: 347

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: 2206

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: 2206

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: 238
Views: 22601

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: 24
Views: 2060

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: 38
Views: 2964

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: 6
Views: 968

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.