Search found 113 matches

by DorothyB
Fri May 01, 2020 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for link to value I-bonds
Replies: 5
Views: 619

Re: Looking for link to value I-bonds

Dr Cheese - YES, that is the one I was looking for. Thank you!!!

Jack - I haven't tried storing the numbers on their site. I used to go there to calculate the balances, but since I update my finances each month, the other site makes it easy for me to record 6 values at a time easily.
by DorothyB
Fri May 01, 2020 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for link to value I-bonds
Replies: 5
Views: 619

Looking for link to value I-bonds

My computer died and I lost the link I had bookmarked. I know I got it on this site, but can't find it. This is NOT the treasury website, but another site where you put in the date you purchased the bond and it brings up a tab that has the value of those bonds each month for several years.

Does anyone have this link that they can share with me?

Thanks!
by DorothyB
Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Global Entry [wait time for interview]
Replies: 70
Views: 6011

Re: Global Entry [wait time for interview]

Does anyone have experience with doing a walk-in appt in the Houston area - not the IAH location that requires a boarding pass, but the other location or Sugarland or anywhere else close to Houston?
by DorothyB
Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long term Care Insurance
Replies: 58
Views: 5374

Re: Long term Care Insurance

I'm single and was healthy until this year. I purchased my LTC policy maybe 13 years ago? Due to my father's service, I qualified for the Federal LTC Insurance. I shopped that with an agent after qualifying and purchasing it. The agent at that time said that he couldn't come close to matching the benefits at that cost.
by DorothyB
Mon Dec 23, 2019 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Want to do my taxes by hand for once - how do you know which forms you will need?
Replies: 26
Views: 2063

Re: Want to do my taxes by hand for once - how do you know which forms you will need?

Another vote for FreeFillableForms - I've used this for several years. Also, yes, be sure to read the instructions for the various forms.
by DorothyB
Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: In or Near Retirement with Only Six Figures?
Replies: 126
Views: 19227

Re: In or Near Retirement with Only Six Figures?

In a year that you have to pay long term care costs while waiting for your LTC insurance to kick in... a lot of Bogleheads suggest paying LTC costs with a regular (not Roth) IRA as your taxes will be likely quite low due to your high medical expenses that year. Good point depending on timing. This year I had high medical bills so am itemizing and deducting them. With the tax changes a few years ago, I went to an every other year itemize and every other year do standard deduction. I use DAF to lump the majority of my contributions in the itemizing year and pay property taxes in Jan and Dec of that year. If I haven't withdrawn too many quarters of income from the IRA yet, then keeping income low and deducting medical would be a great plan.
by DorothyB
Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Credit card payment habits
Replies: 72
Views: 7780

Re: Credit card payment habits

I track my balances like a checking account so I know what I owe every week.

I pay the bills in full a few days before due date. I almost exclusively use my 3 USAA cards (one gives better rewards for gas & groceries, another for restaurants & fast food, and then I use the 3rd for pretty much everything else.

I go to the USAA website and pay from my linked checking account.
by DorothyB
Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amazing market, how to protect the gains?
Replies: 60
Views: 7592

Re: Amazing market, how to protect the gains?

I am retired. Since bonds could go down at the same time the stock market does, I have been keeping the amount that I would need to withdraw for spending in the net four years in accounts outside the market (money market fund within IRA, I-bonds with funds that have already been withdrawn from IRA, et). That means that if the market drops, I don't have to sell funds "at a loss" the first four years. I slept quite well during the little bumps we have had in the last few years.
by DorothyB
Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: In or Near Retirement with Only Six Figures?
Replies: 126
Views: 19227

Re: In or Near Retirement with Only Six Figures?

I retired a few months before turning 57, so no soc sec for me for a while. My retirement savings was a little under $900K. (a little under $800K if you exclude the Roth IRA which I plan to use as Long Term Care waiting period and truck replacement, not technically retirement savings) As others have said, a lot depends on expenses (mine are relatively high even though my house is paid off. I still have property taxes of over $5K in 2015. I also have horses.) and other sources of income. I received severance pay. I get a relatively small pension payment each month. In addition, beginning at age 60, I have been receiving survivor benefits from my ex-husband's soc sec (less than 1/4 of what I will receive on my own soc sec when I turn 70). How...
by DorothyB
Sat Dec 07, 2019 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving Vanguard Mutual Funds to Fidelity Donor Advised Fund
Replies: 19
Views: 2977

Re: Moving Vanguard Mutual Funds to Fidelity Donor Advised Fund

I have done two transfers now - with the last one being in November. Both times, I transferred an after-tax mutual fund with Vanguard to my Fidelity Donor Advised Fund. Both worked without any issue, but it did take several days.

I'm not sure why you would have "non-qualified" shares.
by DorothyB
Tue Nov 19, 2019 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard intentionally delaying fund transfer to Fidelity DAF?
Replies: 31
Views: 4838

Re: Vanguard intentionally delaying fund transfer to Fidelity DAF?

I did one VG fund "in kind" xfer to my Fidelity DAF earlier this year and it went smoothly. Just initiated my 2nd one - faxed it to Fidelity over the weekend. Will see how it goes.
by DorothyB
Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I thought Pyrex glass food storage containers were supposed to be durable?
Replies: 35
Views: 8079

Re: I thought Pyrex glass food storage containers were supposed to be durable?

Trader Joe wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:41 pm
I have never heard of anyone using any pyrex item for "food storage".
I use pyrex dishes to store all of my leftovers, including some in the freezer. When I make large quantities of a dish, I divvy it up into pyrex dishes. I also use larger pyrex dishes to put my cut-up watermelon, cantaloupe, etc in
by DorothyB
Fri Sep 27, 2019 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirees - do you hold extra cash for a bear market?
Replies: 93
Views: 12060

Re: Retirees - do you hold extra cash for a bear market?

I have very little bond exposure in my portfolio. Instead, I keep the amount that I would need to withdraw from my 401k for the next 3 years in various "safer" investments like savings, i-bonds, etc. This will keep me from needing to sell funds during the first 3 years of a down market.
by DorothyB
Tue Sep 24, 2019 8:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard brokerage account transition
Replies: 237
Views: 35821

Re: vanguard investment platform

asset_chaos wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2019 4:04 pm I too have declined to switch to the brokerage only platform. I use dividend redirection, and the brokerage only platform does not allow that. When approached by Vanguard to switch, I've explained that when they fix the dividend redirection, I'll be ok to switch. Until then, I'm not going to volunteer to change.
I have not switched to the brokerage platform either.

I have my dividends sent to my checking account. Is that what you mean by dividend redirection?

Thanks!
by DorothyB
Wed Apr 17, 2019 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to hold 2-3 years of living expenses
Replies: 28
Views: 6519

Re: Where to hold 2-3 years of living expenses

However, I'm reading it differently than you are. When I put in 5 years, I see the -3.279 and 90% - is that what you are seeing that you are interpreting as the average annual loss of 3.3%? When I read the verbage above that, it says "Percentage Beating Annual Return over Period(s)" so that tells me that 90% of the time the return is 3.3% less than the "average" of just over 7%. They could give better guidance to interpreting the generated tables and use better titles. However if you scroll farther down the page they have an explanation from a sample table. They highlight the first row of the example with 90% in the left column and 4.899% in the right column, then say the line means "90% of 40 year periods beat or ...
by DorothyB
Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to hold 2-3 years of living expenses
Replies: 28
Views: 6519

Re: Where to hold 2-3 years of living expenses

I've been retired since late 2014. I calculate the amount I will need to withdraw from my retirement savings and have 4 years (less estimated dividends) outside of my Vanguard equity / bond funds. The purpose of this money is to be able to not sell my funds when the market is way down. Because I have this buffer, I am very comfortable with having an asset allocation within my Vanguard equity / bond funds that is about 90% equities. Including my buffer, I am at about 65% US equity, 10% foreign equity, 10% bonds and 15% buffer (cash) If you're comfortable with the risk of this then it makes sense, but keep in mind the market can be down for protracted periods. Even ignoring the example of Japan and looking at just the US market, the data you...
by DorothyB
Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to hold 2-3 years of living expenses
Replies: 28
Views: 6519

Re: Where to hold 2-3 years of living expenses

I've been retired since late 2014. I calculate the amount I will need to withdraw from my retirement savings and have 4 years (less estimated dividends) outside of my Vanguard equity / bond funds. The purpose of this money is to be able to not sell my funds when the market is way down. Because I have this buffer, I am very comfortable with having an asset allocation within my Vanguard equity / bond funds that is about 90% equities. Including my buffer, I am at about 65% US equity, 10% foreign equity, 10% bonds and 15% buffer (cash) Each year I've been pulling some of this "cash buffer" out of my IRA without going into the next higher tax bracket. If I use the "already out of IRA money", I need less since I don't have to ...
by DorothyB
Sat Apr 06, 2019 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Standard Deduction vs Itemizing - Experience this year
Replies: 52
Views: 7255

Re: Standard Deduction vs Itemizing - Experience this year

In the past, I always itemized. No mortgage, but property tax and sales tax deductions (no state income tax here) as well as charitable contributions. Since, in the past, my contributions have all been cash (well, check), the $5K limit doesn't affect me. With the new tax laws, I am itemizing every other year. I am utilizing a Donor Advised Fund so that in years that I itemize, I can deduct almost two years worth of charitable contributions. I am a bit under the $10K SALT limit in a normal year, but since the property tax bills are issued in the fall, paid by most in December so they can be deducted, but not past due until Jan 31, I am able to pay two years worth of property taxes in one year which puts me over the SALT limit but allows me t...
by DorothyB
Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How will you spend your retirement money?
Replies: 86
Views: 11886

Re: How will you spend your retirement money?

I've been retired since late 2014, shortly before turning 57. It was a bit earlier than expected originally.

My goal has been to live in the same lifestyle I did pre-retirement and I have been successful at doing that or a very slightly better lifestyle.

I travel to Panama for about 2 1/2 weeks usually three times a year (up from once a year for a shorter period pre-retirement). I have done a couple of cruises also.

I started doing endurance horseback riding (only limited distances or shorter) as soon as I retired. That means at least a few weekend trips each year.

I still live in the same house which was paid off before I retired.
by DorothyB
Sun Mar 17, 2019 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is there a free tax program that will print out the numbers?
Replies: 12
Views: 1637

Re: Is there a free tax program that will print out the numbers?

I use Free Fill Fillable Forms and really like it.
by DorothyB
Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: For those retired a few years
Replies: 58
Views: 6071

Re: For those retired a few years

I retired in Oct 2014 shortly before turning 57. Comparing my 2014 budget before I knew I was going to retire with my 2019 budget (and some of increase is due to inflation): Retirement savings $30.0K $0.0K Income Tax (2014 is actual) $18.2K $7.9K Housing & Utilities $17.5K $17.3K Charitable Giving $13.1K $9.9K Car replacement $12.0K $0.6K (have enough now) Pets (dogs, horses, chickens) $8.8K $11.4K Automotive $6.3K $5.7K Food $6.2K $5.7K Vacations $4.0K $7.0K Endurance Riding $0.0K $3.1K My healthcare expenses have gone up a little bit (LTC cost increased slightly, retiree medical is a little higher than employee) but nothing life changing. I paid $36 every two weeks for insurance and now pay $192 / month so increase of about $114 / mon...
by DorothyB
Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What Do You Spend The Most On Annually?
Replies: 153
Views: 11282

Re: What Do You Spend The Most On Annually?

I do a budget annually, then keep it updated several times per month. I'm going to give 2018 actual then 2019 budget. I am single and retired early

1. Housing (Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, Improvement, Maintenance) 25% 23%
2. Food & Drink (Restaurants, Groceries, Cookware) 9% 8%
3. Transportation (Insurance, registration, fuel, maintenance) 9% 8%
4. Entertainment (Music, Concerts, Movies, Games, Events, Hobbies) don't really track like this
5. Retirement Savings (I like to consider it an expense as part of budget) Retired, so n/a
6. Vacation 5% 9%
7. Other (describe)?
Charitable Donations 12% 13%
Federal Income Tax 11% 11%
Healthcare 7% 8%
Pets (dogs, horses, chickens) 20% 15%
Endurance riding 2% 4%
Misc 1% 1%
by DorothyB
Wed Jan 02, 2019 10:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Social security deferral and COLA's
Replies: 17
Views: 1762

Re: Social security deferral and COLA's

Arby wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2018 7:49 am Forgetting about COLA for a second, is it true that the effective yield for waiting between FRA of 66 years and 66 years 1 month is about 8.3% but for waiting between 69 years 11 months and 70 years is only about 6.3%?
There are two time spans to look at:
1) the "cost" (monthly benefit reduction) of starting soc sec before full retirement age - this link illustrates the decrease in benefits https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/agereduction.html

2) the "benefit" (monthly benefit increase) due to waiting beyond full retirement age to start soc sec benefits - for this, see this link - it is pretty much straight line 8% / year (but increases by month) https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/1943-delay.html
by DorothyB
Fri Dec 28, 2018 9:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What do you do with dividends?
Replies: 51
Views: 5788

Re: What do you do with dividends?

I'm retired, so in the withdrawal phase. So, all dividends go to my money market account within the IRA and become part of my quarterly withdrawals.
by DorothyB
Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What common everyday inconvenience have you intentionally suffered for frugality?
Replies: 152
Views: 14302

Re: What common everyday inconvenience have you intentionally suffered for frugality?

I have a 2002 CR-V with just over 199K miles. The door locks have been funky for a couple of years now. Remote will lock or unlock all doors ONLY if the driver's door is already in the locked or unlocked state that I want the other doors to switch to. Then the front passenger window quit working (luckily in the up position :) ) Not paying to fix either of these.

Then the key quit working in the driver's door most of the time. I do intend to get this fixed next year.
by DorothyB
Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AT&T Landline - what's considered "Long Distance"
Replies: 22
Views: 2115

Re: AT&T Landline - what's considered "Long Distance"

I switched to Ooma a few years ago. It is working fine. For me, in greater Houston area but not in city limits, there was one direction that long distance was only several miles away - just used my cell phone for all long distance pre-Ooma.
by DorothyB
Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can't get Quicken 2010 to work on new computer- Help! Alternatives (eg CountAbout), or??
Replies: 32
Views: 4048

Re: Can't get Quicken 2010 to work on new computer- Help! Alternatives (eg CountAbout), or??

I use the sunset version of Microsoft Money - free :) Doesn't download from banks, but I prefer to enter my own transactions.

For budgeting - I do my annual budget in excel, then use the Bills section to put it in MS Money. As long as my cash flow for the year is zero, I'm good :)

I don't use the budget part of the program, but it does have one.
by DorothyB
Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Deleted]
Replies: 32
Views: 6403

Re: Current Drawdown Scorecard

Thanks for posting this and keeping it updated!
by DorothyB
Wed Dec 19, 2018 5:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Itemizing Strategy as applicable to new tax calculations
Replies: 3
Views: 366

Re: Itemizing Strategy as applicable to new tax calculations

I'm bunching now also.

My property taxes are billed in the fall and due by Jan 31st so that gives me the opportunity to pay them in December or in January easily.

I opened a DAF in Dec 2017 so was able to deduct most of my 2018 charitable giving in 2017.

I will be doing standard deduction in 2018.

I will be itemizing in 2019 - prop taxes paid in Jan & Dec so 2 years worth which takes me over the SALT limit; 2019 contributions and will also put most of 2020 planned giving in the DAF in 2019.
by DorothyB
Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When do Social Security payments count as income?
Replies: 24
Views: 3337

Re: When do Social Security payments count as income?

I started receiving Social Security Survivor Benefits with first payment the third Wed of Jan 2018. I did not receive a tax form for 2017.
by DorothyB
Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Purchase of 2018?
Replies: 265
Views: 28477

Re: Favorite Purchase of 2018?

I paid ~ $7K to have a 5' black vinyl chain link (cyclone) fence w/ gate (opens w/ controllers or key pad) across the front of my property.

I LOVE it!! Wish I had done it years ago.
by DorothyB
Fri Dec 14, 2018 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retiring next year, would appreciate some advice
Replies: 30
Views: 4213

Re: Retiring next year, would appreciate some advice

A few random thoughts:

1) There is NO WAY I would keep all of my savings (or even more than 10% of it) invested in one company. So, the first thing to do (and this can most likely be done immediately) is to sell most of that investment and instead purchase some index funds.

2) Pension - personally I chose the annuity as "longevity insurance". I don't care about leaving money behind, but do NOT want to "run out" of money while I am still alive. You should do the option that continues the payments to your spouse should you pass before here.
by DorothyB
Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do Bogleheads Bucket?
Replies: 143
Views: 18049

Re: Do Bogleheads Bucket?

I don't do "buckets", but I DO have a "buffer". Basically my annual expenses are covered by: social security survivor benefit, pension, dividends from my retirement mutual funds and withdrawals from my retirement savings. I keep approx 4 years worth of "withdrawals from my retirement savings" out of the market - it is in money market funds, i-bonds, etc, etc. When the market is "normal", I sell funds to cover that portion of my annual "income". When the market is down, I can use my buffer funds so that I don't have to sell funds that are down and "lock in" the losses. If the market is down over four years, then I would have to start selling funds (or quit spending so much) but I wo...
by DorothyB
Thu Dec 13, 2018 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Critique my SS/RMD Tax Plan
Replies: 18
Views: 1815

Re: Critique my SS/RMD Tax Plan

Withheld taxes are treated as if they are payed throughout the year. Your plan is similar to what I plan on doing. .Some retirees avoid the need to make estimated payments by having enough tax withheld from required distributions from IRAs at year-end to cover their tax bill for the year. You can even have federal income tax withheld from your Social Security income if you are receiving benefits. https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/small-business-taxes/estimated-taxes-common-questions/L1luHqVdl A quote from your link " If you know early in the year that you will have to make estimated payments, each of the four payments should be 25% of the amount due. But what if you receive income during the third quarter that, for the first time, ...
by DorothyB
Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Might sell VTSMX (Total Stock) under $10k...need advice
Replies: 6
Views: 990

Re: Might sell VTSMX (Total Stock) under $10k...need advice

Where did you get the numbers you posted? Are they the dividends paid out this year? or are they gains if you sell the fund?

If you sell the fund, the amount you would be taxed on is the excess of what you get over your "basis". Your basis is what you paid plus any reinvested dividends that have already been taxed.
by DorothyB
Thu Dec 13, 2018 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Critique my SS/RMD Tax Plan
Replies: 18
Views: 1815

Re: Critique my SS/RMD Tax Plan

Technically the IRS might have an issue with it, although it might or might not be caught, flagged or questioned. You are supposed to pay the tax in as the income is earned. Will post link and then some quotes from it: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes "Taxes must be paid as you earn or receive income during the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments." "For estimated tax purposes, the year is divided into four payment periods." "If you didn’t pay enough tax throughout the year, either through withholding or by making estimated tax payments, you may have to pay a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. " "However, if your income is received ...
by DorothyB
Fri Nov 30, 2018 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nullify Sequence of Returns Risk by Borrowing?
Replies: 31
Views: 2556

Re: Nullify Sequence of Returns Risk by Borrowing?

I got through about half of the responses :) My thoughts: 1) the 4% withdrawal rate takes inflation into account (assuming it stays sort of normal), but you are correct that your pension, etc may be "less in future dollars" due to inflation 2) I am withdrawing quite a large % now - 5.1% estimated for 2019 and increasing a bit each year due to inflation until I start my social security benefits at age 70. Then it will drop down to less than 3% of the estimated balance when I turn 70. I'm not concerned about being over 4% now because even drawing down my balance, I should be under 4% at age 70. 3) Hoping your wife lives several more years, but assuming that she will pass before you - will your expenses go down significantly enough a...
by DorothyB
Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay Myself
Replies: 3
Views: 796

Re: Pay Myself

You don't "pay yourself on 1099". Instead you file Schedule C and just report self-employment income. You are actually required by tax law to report all of your self-employment income even if paid in cash.
by DorothyB
Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gift tax question
Replies: 176
Views: 10358

Re: Gift tax question

You need to be careful - short term loans (or any loans) have "imputed interest" so your parents may be required to pay taxes on "interest" if it is a loan.
by DorothyB
Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all 50-60 year old homeowners with kids/families
Replies: 36
Views: 4972

Re: Calling all 50-60 year old homeowners with kids/families

I delayed remodeling my kitchen until after my house was paid off and I was maxing out my retirement savings. I don't regret that.

However, a lot will depend on age, cost of renovations, how much they will change your life, where you are w/ retirement savings, etc.
by DorothyB
Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: DAF and Tax Question
Replies: 9
Views: 903

Re: DAF and Tax Question

I did similar last year. I put my 2018 contributions in a DAF in Dec 2017.

My plan is to do the standard deduction in even years and itemize w/ 2 years of contributions in odd years. So, 2017 had contributions for 2017 & 2018. 2018 I will do standard deductions. 2019 I plan to do regular contributions and then also fund the DAF w/ 2020 contributions. I will likely donate a mutual fund that has unrecognized gains.

One thing to be aware of is that it takes a bit of time for the DAF grants to happen - and some new ones can take weeks. My regular one goes through quickly. Also, there is a minimum amount per grant ($50 for Fidelity). So, I have made some contributions that won't be deducted this year.
by DorothyB
Fri Nov 23, 2018 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How many vacations per year is optimal?
Replies: 53
Views: 6363

Re: How many vacations per year is optimal?

Another vote to stay longer than a week. That isn't long enough :)
by DorothyB
Fri Nov 23, 2018 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Two I-Bond questions (strategy and withdrawal)
Replies: 7
Views: 1555

Re: Two I-Bond questions (strategy and withdrawal)

Remember that if you redeem an I bond before it is five years old, you will lose the last three months of interest.

I didn't realize that you could redeem a partial bond. I've been buying my $10K as 10 bonds of $1K each because I thought you had to redeem entire bonds. I did verify that the information given on redeeming partial bonds is correct - and it is!
by DorothyB
Fri Nov 23, 2018 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The psychology of withdrawing from your portfolio
Replies: 58
Views: 7495

Re: The psychology of withdrawing from your portfolio

For me, I knew that I would NEED to withdraw in order to be retired since I retired shortly before turning 57. I haven't had any issues withdrawing from my portfolio. Part of that is because I am a total nerd about my finances and have a spreadsheet showing that I shouldn't "run out of money" so withdrawing is "safe". The biggest challenge for me was (and still is a bit) moving from "this is my income, how will I spend / save / give it?" to "how much should my income be?" or "how much can I spend this year?" I started with saying I would increase my income by x.xx% per year, but am doing an additional lump sum increase in 2019. I withdraw quarterly either from my "mostly equity" mu...
by DorothyB
Thu Nov 01, 2018 8:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bond fixed rate = 0.5%
Replies: 90
Views: 11548

Re: I Bond fixed rate = 0.5%

Question for retired I bond purchasers: What are you selling to buy them? I have multiple sources of income: pension social security survivor benefits (will switch to my social security benefits at age 90) retirement savings My retirement savings are mostly invested in equity mutual funds with all dividends & capital gains going to a money market account. I keep four year's worth of the money that I would need to withdraw from retirement savings (excluding estimated dividends) out of the equity mutual funds. I consider this my "buffer" and will use it when the market is down instead of selling any equity mutual funds. Some of it is still in pre-tax IRA, but I am taking some out each year as I can without bumping into the next...
by DorothyB
Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA Multi Product Discount
Replies: 37
Views: 5553

Re: USAA Multi Product Discount

Thanks for posting about this. I looked into it and found that by adding a mutual fund account (will likely do the minimum $500 to a money market account), then I can save over $3 / month ($40 / year) starting when my auto insurance renews in Feb, so will put this on my Jan 2019 "to do" list.
by DorothyB
Tue Oct 23, 2018 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For those who paid off house - how did you do it?
Replies: 97
Views: 9876

Re: For those who paid off house - how did you do it?

I did option 1 (after maxing out my retirement savings options, I put all extra towards mortgage).

The issue w/ option 2 and 3 is that the market might lose money for a 3 or 4 year period.
by DorothyB
Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Making Winter Camping more comfortable
Replies: 39
Views: 3522

Re: Making Winter Camping more comfortable

Toons wrote: Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:23 pm I use a Propane Heater
Inside.
The vehicle
:mrgreen:
Please be really careful that it is well ventilated.
by DorothyB
Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Psychological vs. Real Risk
Replies: 21
Views: 1984

Re: Psychological vs. Real Risk

chevca wrote: Fri Oct 12, 2018 1:47 pm If one "needs" to sell equities for living expenses, they better have lots of $$ in equities or not have money needed for living expenses in equities. Shoot, even bond funds can go down. . . . Living expense money should probably be kept in the bank, so it's nice and safe. Keep some in stock, some in bonds, and pull a year or three years or whatever of living expense money out of whichever is doing better at the time. Keep it simple.
That is sort of what I am doing. I have what I think I would need to pull out for 4 years (after dividends, social security & pension) in money market and other investments that should be safe if stocks & bonds both go way down. The rest is invested mostly in stocks, some in bonds.
by DorothyB
Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Get rid of my Roth IRA?
Replies: 30
Views: 2359

Re: Get rid of my Roth IRA?

I would leave it. I have a Roth that is 8% of my total portfolio. I am in my 4th year of retirement.

I look at my Roth as a way to pull a large sum out for one-time purchases without impacting my income tax. If I were to have a large purchase such as a new roof, new truck, etc pulling that money (and the taxes due on it) might bump me up into the next tax bracket.