Search found 526 matches

by zebrafish
Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Audit - Backdoor Roth
Replies: 59
Views: 23586

Re: IRS Audit - Backdoor Roth

I've just received a CP2000 for 2015 (!) tax year in regards to backdoor Roth and IRS claiming I owe taxes on this. Same issue as described above where I used Turbotax for my return. IRS seeking almost $5000 in back taxes/penalties/interest. No audit.

Submitting 8606 and 5498 to IRS today.

Will post follow up about resolution/non-resolution.
by zebrafish
Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Disability Insurance
Replies: 43
Views: 4640

Re: Physician Disability Insurance

There are 4 physicians in my 100 physician multispecialty group that have become disabled permanently over the past 6 years. Their ages were: 52, 62, 56, and somewhere in early 50s. They all had plently of money saved to personally make it to SS and beyond without trouble, but the 2 that I talked to about finances said they are paying very high rates for their care as part of their disabilities which would have derailed plans to a large degree. It would have made them less able to pay for their kids' college. That number of personal acquantences being disabled for that many work years has convinced me that the price I pay for disability insurance is worth it. I'm also aware of physicians who have become disabled from my last 10 years worki...
by zebrafish
Tue Jul 14, 2015 11:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Reducing Specific Risk from Employer Stock
Replies: 16
Views: 1457

Re: Reducing Specific Risk from Employer Stock

Your concern about having too much money tied up in a single stock is WISE.

My parents had 50% of their retirement assets in stock from my father's employer-- a midwest mid-sized regional bank that went under during the recent financial collapse. This resulted in over $1.5 million down the drain. *POOF* A very expensive mistake.
by zebrafish
Tue Jul 14, 2015 11:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician: Which Job to Choose
Replies: 32
Views: 5477

Re: Physician: Which Job to Choose

Would also argue that if you have any type of call/shift/overnight work, the shorter commute is also a safer option for your health-- less likely to fall asleep while driving home. Also, if you have call responsibilities, any commute just kills your weekend/nights even more.
by zebrafish
Tue Jul 14, 2015 11:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician: Which Job to Choose
Replies: 32
Views: 5477

Re: Physician: Which Job to Choose

I would argue that short commute is underrated.

I spent 3+ years commuting 2.5 hours per day. It wears on you. Also, you realize that that 2.5 hours could be spent with your wife, your kids, your hobbies, etc.

Once I got the chance to work within 10 minutes of home, I jumped on it. Now I use every second of that ex-commuting time with my family-- mostly my kids. As your kids get older, you can do more stuff with them. They have more activities. That time is precious. It cannot be bought.
by zebrafish
Tue Jul 14, 2015 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resident with newfound Moonlighting income...what to do?
Replies: 5
Views: 1898

Re: Resident with newfound Moonlighting income...what to do?

I would refinance the student loans to a lower percentage and then pay them off as fast as possible with the moonlighting money.

I might bump my emergency fund a little bit.

You could put more pretax money away in retirement funds. But my major focus would be the loans.
by zebrafish
Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician: Which Job to Choose
Replies: 32
Views: 5477

Re: Physician: Which Job to Choose

Go with your gut.

All sound like pretty good options.
by zebrafish
Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions about pension
Replies: 3
Views: 717

Re: Questions about pension

These all sound like questions for your HR/benefits department.

I think the answers here depend on the details of your plan, which the HR/benefits department is there to explain for you...
by zebrafish
Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need a credit card (22 years old)
Replies: 36
Views: 6382

Re: Need a credit card (22 years old)

I personally would not do business with the Megabank corps for philosophical reasons which I won't go into (but could easily be inferred).

I would recommend finding a local credit union and considering a savings/debit/credit card with them.
by zebrafish
Fri Jul 10, 2015 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In-laws not saving for retirement -- help!
Replies: 47
Views: 19538

Re: In-laws not saving for retirement -- help!

sawhorse wrote:... is there any way your wife can make them realize that they have a problem? That's the first step...

...

I'm also astonished they would ask you to sign a loan for that amount. How do they think you're going to be able to afford it with an interest rate that is surely pretty high given their history?
Well, there is a pretty big disconnect if someone comes and asks you to cosign a 2 million dollar loan (unless you're a billionaire!) To me, getting someone to realize this is a problem sounds like a multistep process. :beer
by zebrafish
Fri Jul 10, 2015 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In-laws not saving for retirement -- help!
Replies: 47
Views: 19538

Re: In-laws not saving for retirement -- help!

Correct, we did not co-sign the loan (it was for 2M yikes). We know their business is because we asked why they needed us to co-sign. They know some of our finances through my wife, but I usually try to avoid talking finances with family unless they ask. I think this was a wise decision, because the bank can come after your assets for any debt for which you cosign. I would make sure you and the spouse are on the same page moving forward about what "help" means and how much "help" you are willing to provide. Some people feel the need to prop up family members financially. Some don't. To me, this doesn't sound like a promising situation for you to become involved with on a financial level. Sounds like a very high risk for...
by zebrafish
Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Worst financial book you have read (or will admit you have read)
Replies: 94
Views: 26643

Re: Worst financial book you have read (or will admit you have read)

abuss368 wrote:Donald Trump How to Get Rich. Also Think Like a Billionaire.
Ha!

For someone who has read so many of your very thoughtful and well-written posts, that is pretty hysterical. I guess all of us have a skeleton or two in the closet. :beer

I'd say "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" is sort of like the equivalent of a checkout "news" tabloid. Not full-on investment "porn", but perhaps close.

This thread has definite potential.
by zebrafish
Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on Whole Life Insurance as part of retirement portfolio
Replies: 20
Views: 6557

Re: Advice on Whole Life Insurance as part of retirement portfolio

Actually, I would question your need for term life insurance as it sounds like you have no real dependents.

I didn't get term life until I had dependents (ie kids) as my spouse works and has a good job with good benefits.

Why exactly do you need any life insurance at the moment? Seems like you don't.
by zebrafish
Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on Whole Life Insurance as part of retirement portfolio
Replies: 20
Views: 6557

Re: Advice on Whole Life Insurance as part of retirement portfolio

I would assume that since I maximize all my retirement accounts and save a good amount of my income, there isn’t any reason for me to need a permanent death benefit as I should have a solid retirement portfolio in 30 years. This would be correct. If you can get term life (and you should w/o problem if you are healthy), get a 30 year TERM policy. Don't beat yourself up too much. By complete luck, I was almost ready to sign up with a very similar shyster in a whole life policy at the end of medical school. What I still can't believe is that my medical school actually sponsored this guy to give our entire class a pitch for whole life in our lecture hall! I still wonder whom he paid off for that opportunity. Absolutely amazing. Fortunately, I ...
by zebrafish
Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: off shore investment companies
Replies: 4
Views: 795

Re: off shore investment companies

To be serious for a second--

Listen to that little voice saying "run!"

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No one around here will be a proponent of get rich, quick-type schemes.
by zebrafish
Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: off shore investment companies
Replies: 4
Views: 795

Re: off shore investment companies

:oops:

I hear there are a lot of investment opportunities in Nigeria, only 5 countries to the West.

In fact, a very persistent person keeps emailing me and is most willing to share in a very lucrative opportunity, if I only wire him a bunch of cash.

I can't imagine any problem that might come out of this.

None at all.

:oops:
by zebrafish
Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vehicle suggestions for Tall?
Replies: 50
Views: 10060

Re: Vehicle suggestions for Tall?

Subaru Outback wagon.

I'm 6'3" and there is a ton of extra clearance for my head.

This is a great car for tall people
by zebrafish
Tue Feb 17, 2015 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage for a medical resident (before start date)
Replies: 18
Views: 3061

Re: Mortgage for a medical resident (before start date)

Buying a house isn't a good "deal" if you move in 5 years and you: 1) Can't sell the property immediately and end up paying several months' mortgage payments for an empty property waiting to sell 2) Property values decrease and you end up underwater and need to pay to leave 3) Both #1 and #2 occur With a 5 year window, the risk of any of the above occurring is huge. On top of this, you already have 80K debt. They rental market may be "terrible", but purchasing a home in your situation may be "more terrible". Depending on the cost of the house you plan to purchase, you might have to write a large check to leave the property you "own". Also, if you own a property, then you have the hassle of upkeep and ...
by zebrafish
Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Guidance Greatly Appreciated
Replies: 4
Views: 891

Re: Guidance Greatly Appreciated

I think the fact that you just did a rollover of your 403b to a vanguard IRA will wreak havoc with your plan to do a backdoor Roth. I think you will now need to pay taxes on any backdoor traditional IRA conversions depending on the amount of pretax money in the ex-403b now that it has been rolled over...
by zebrafish
Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying MD loans with HELOC
Replies: 5
Views: 1312

Re: Paying MD loans with HELOC

I would personally under no circumstances want the emotional stress burden of knowing my school debt was now a relative's HELOC.

But, as the previous poster said, personal finance is personal and finance
by zebrafish
Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dazed, Confused and Upset
Replies: 70
Views: 11836

Re: Dazed, Confused and Upset

There aren't a lot of people around here who haven't made financial mistakes of some kind. If they say they haven't, they're probably lying. As Freddy Mercury says, "And bad mistakes. I've made a few". All I have to say is dot com bubble. Fortunately, I the money I lost was chump change based on where my career was at the time. But that was my wake up call. If the EJ advisor has been involved with you for some time and is a (distant) family relation, you owe them some sort of personal correspondence-- letter, email, phone call, in-person visit-- something. I would keep it professional and courteous. Take the high road. If you talk to them on the phone or in-person, then don't allow them to change your mind, as it is likely that th...
by zebrafish
Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Increase Investing or Pay Down Mortgage?
Replies: 16
Views: 2859

Re: Increase Investing or Pay Down Mortgage?

seamonkey wrote:I wouldn't pay anything extra on that mortgage unless you're maxing out your tax-advantaged retirement contributions each year. Save as much as you can for retirement.
I think this is good advice. Tax-advantaged retirement contributions save you taxes now and help your retirement. You have a very low fixed interest rate. Also, over the long-term, your retirement investment rate of return should well out-perform your low, fixed interest rate.
by zebrafish
Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I sell or hold rental property?
Replies: 5
Views: 950

Re: Should I sell or hold rental property?

So you have about ~$20K in equity in the property?

I couldn't sell that bad boy fast enough if I could get out now. You're losing money month to month. So it isn't really a good investment property.

I'm not a real estate investor by any means, but I wouldn't want that liability or hassle in my life. I'd want out.

Why be a long distance landlord on a property that doesn't provide a positive cash flow based on the rental income?
by zebrafish
Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SoCal City Recommendations Young Family
Replies: 29
Views: 4202

Re: SoCal City Recommendations Young Family

There is no way I'd live in the Inland Empire, especially San Bernardino. You want to live closer to the ocean.

Try Irvine. It is about midway between the two with traffic. You can take Amtrak to LA/San Diego from Irvine.

Some of the cities mentioned slightly South-- San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, etc. are also nice but definitely smaller.
by zebrafish
Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Savings Rate vs. FUN
Replies: 43
Views: 5127

Re: Savings Rate vs. FUN

I would pay cash for the car :beer
by zebrafish
Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Totally Stressed. Husband lost job.
Replies: 46
Views: 23338

Re: Totally Stressed. Husband lost job.

This is not financial advice, but psychological advice.

My father lost his job when I was about 7 years old. I remember my mother having a huge psychological breakdown and the stress of that period of time has been a prominent memory for me. I think in some ways, it has influenced me to be risk-avoidant and frugal in ways that might not be good during my life.

I don't think my parents understood how their reaction and stress translated to us kids. Despite your best efforts, your kids will feel the stress you are going through. I would considering talking with them about it, and letting them know that despite the difficulty, you are going to make it through this together and that everything will be ok.
by zebrafish
Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consider freezing your credit
Replies: 66
Views: 12100

Re: Consider freezing your credit

In my state, it costs $10 to freeze with each agency. I believe it is $10 to unfreeze or temporarily unfreeze.

It is relatively easy to do by phone or online.

When you freeze credit, each agency issues you a PIN that you must keep in a safe place. This PIN is needed to unfreeze or temporarily unfreeze.

There is a section on the Clark Howard website about doing this with phone numbers and web links...

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-h ... uide/nFbL/
by zebrafish
Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consider freezing your credit
Replies: 66
Views: 12100

Consider freezing your credit

Let my story be a warning to others... I received a free credit monitoring for one credit agency as a "gift" after a megacompany leaked my personal information in a data breach several years back. On Tuesday morning, I received an email stating that my credit report had changed. Turns out, on the prior day a person who had stolen my identity had secured a $3000 loan in my name via an online lender. They had my SS# among other info. About 8 hours and $100 later, I have filed a police report, gotten an affadavit notarized, called all three credit agencies to put a fraud alert in place, and sent copies of the affadavit/police report to the loan company return receipt requested, etc. Having gone through this (and it ain't over), I hav...
by zebrafish
Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Offered Promotion, but longer commute
Replies: 37
Views: 5831

Re: Offered Promotion, but longer commute

I spent 3 1/2 years commuting 75 minutes each way to work before I landed a transfer where my commute was cut to 10-25 minutes.

When you have a family, the extra/wasted time spent in the car just eats at your soul. I think it also takes a toll on your health in terms of stress and fatigue.
by zebrafish
Sat Aug 16, 2014 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Counselors
Replies: 44
Views: 4069

Re: College Counselors

cheesepep wrote:This is kind of unusual for me. When I was in high school and looking to apply for college, I did all of the grunt work and research myself. I spoke to no counselors and just read 1-2 magazines. I wrote the college entrance essays all by myself with no one checking them and I ended up in a decent UC school.

This is where money comes into play; if you have it, you can hire a professional college counselor/advisor and have a greater chance of getting into a better school. Kind of unfair I say.
It is a sad world we live in. :oops:

Instead of telling our kids we walked to school uphill both ways, we can just say we actually wrote our college entrance essays. Think of the shocked looks on their faces when we say this.
by zebrafish
Fri Aug 15, 2014 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Salary Negotiation (Bay Area)
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Help with Salary Negotiation (Bay Area)

Zabar wrote:
Methedras wrote:Now, the un-fun part comes up, when he asks me to propose the initial salary.
The rule of thumb is that whomever mentions an initial salary loses. If it's the employee, it sets a ceiling; if it's the employer, it sets a floor. If he asks you what you're looking for, simply state, "More than I'm making now. But the exact amount depends upon the total package." Then ask what he's offering.
I agree with all this. If you cave and give a number, it will likely cost you. If the person negotiating won't give you a number, then that might be telling you something about working for them.
by zebrafish
Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you tip this tour guide?
Replies: 22
Views: 3210

Re: Would you tip this tour guide?

I think it is always good to tip if the person made a good faith effort to do their best.

However, I would make a point of posting negative reviews (or honest reviews of this negative situation) on TripAdvisor and other sites.

When I travel, I put a lot of faith into customer reviews. You will help out the next group of travelers by doing so.
by zebrafish
Wed Aug 13, 2014 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oldest age to start medical school?
Replies: 44
Views: 9056

Re: Oldest age to start medical school?

LaMD wrote:I'll never tell my kid to go to med school, nor will I tell him NOT to go. I'll tell him why I went, what I love about my job, what I don't love about it, and the reasons why I would or wouldn't do it again if given the chance. My dad, also a doc, did the same for me, so I went through it all knowing it was my choice 100%.

I don't think that other professional fields are "easier" by any means. But the time and $ that needs to be invested is generally greater in medicine, so it's even more important to make sure it's the right choice individually. Once you've gone through it, it's really hard to (financially) justify a major career change.
Well put :beer
by zebrafish
Wed Aug 13, 2014 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Place to Do Research on Orthopedic Surgeons
Replies: 28
Views: 4037

Re: Best Place to Do Research on Orthopedic Surgeons

From someone also in the business... I do not think there is any website, metric, or feasible way for an outsider to get an accurate assessment of a surgeon's skill. Sad, but true. Internet reviews are completely useless. Frequently negative reviews are from people with unreasonable expectations or complications, which aren't usually secondary to lack of skill. All surgery has risk. Whatever procedure is needed, make sure the person does this procedure relatively frequently. Referrals from other M.D.s are useful. If this is something complicated (sounds like not), then I would attempt to get someone with some experience. If the person is younger, then having done a fellowship in shoulder is probably beneficial. I would probably consider ano...
by zebrafish
Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $65k bonus for student loans...considering not taking it
Replies: 30
Views: 4746

Re: $65k bonus for student loans...considering not taking it

It would be hard to turn down 65K in debt forgiveness NOW, even if you had to pay taxes on this money. This represents over 20% of your debt burden.

You never know what the future will bring with your life, your priorities, or the loan forgiveness program.
by zebrafish
Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Getting started - downpayment vs. investing
Replies: 5
Views: 979

Re: Getting started - downpayment vs. investing

If your time horizon for needing the money is only 3-4 years, I would not invest in stocks. Stock investing is too risky for such a short time period.

I would use previous suggestion of CD or "high interest" savings account.
by zebrafish
Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports
Replies: 115
Views: 14380

Re: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports

Davebo: Your son is very lucky to have a father who is not only involved in his life but willing to ask questions, admit mistakes and rethink parenting issues when something seems "off." So, whether or not he ends up being into sports, he is likely to turn out just fine because of your attitude. I have 2 kids. One didn't like competitive sports. She likes dance. She never liked playing ball of any kind. She has the wrong personality to allow me to be her coach (I can barely help her with homework-- she's pretty oppositional). My other daughter is competitive, likes playing catch and games of all sorts. She is very coachable and likes having me coach her team. Fortunately, I have been coaching her for soccer team for over 2 years....
by zebrafish
Mon May 05, 2014 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Genetic Testing
Replies: 10
Views: 1891

Re: Genetic Testing

gatorking wrote:From 23andMe:
At this time, we have suspended our health-related genetic tests to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s directive to discontinue new consumer access during our regulatory review process. In the future, you may be able to receive health-related results, dependent upon FDA marketing authorization.
This should tell you all you need to know about the utility of this testing. :beer
by zebrafish
Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance
Replies: 81
Views: 12898

Re: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance

CFTY Gene Com Varients $700 [$4045] Molecular Pathology Interp $24 [$81] Thyroxine; Free $8 [$92] FMR1 Gene Detection $954 [$0] Mopath Procedure Level 2 $2550 [$850] This is somewhat helpful. CFTR genotyping should cost maybe ~$200-400; $700 is expensive, $4045 is ridiculous FMR1 Gene detection should cost maybe ~$300; $954 is high I am not that familiar with procedure billing/coding for molecular pathology, but the above pricing would include interpretation. Thus, $850/$2550 is very high. These tests are very common and so they are done by virtually all molecular pathology labs. CFTR testing of some sort (typically a mutation panel) is recommended by the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology ("ACOG") for all pregnant w...
by zebrafish
Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance
Replies: 81
Views: 12898

Re: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance

Deleted based on information provided later...
by zebrafish
Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance
Replies: 81
Views: 12898

Re: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance

Deleted based on information provided later...
by zebrafish
Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance
Replies: 81
Views: 12898

Re: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance

Deleted based on information provided later...
by zebrafish
Tue Apr 08, 2014 10:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance
Replies: 81
Views: 12898

Re: Expensive med. test not covered by insurance

Doctors, what would you do in a situation like this? Would you alert a patient if a group of tests could potentially cost them thousands out of pocket? Does your office call their insurance if there is a concern about coverage? I order DNA tests costing in the range of $500 to $6000+ almost every day and it is routine for me to discuss the cost of testing whether people have to pay for it or not. I think people should be aware of what things cost. This is part of the problem-- people having no idea of what things actually cost-- this is why we have a healthcare spending problem in the USA. I think it is very poor form that the person ordered this testing w/o discussing the cost with you. I would worry that someone who did this really doesn...
by zebrafish
Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bogleheads/Paul Merriman
Replies: 33
Views: 6877

Re: Bogleheads/Paul Merriman

Paul Merriman has a great podcast for someone who is just learning about indexing and investing. He is one of the "good guys".

In the pure indexing vs. slice/dice/small cap value debate, Paul Merriman is in the latter category.

His advice is generally Bogle-esque. Essentially, if you believe the small-cap value premium exists, you agree with his approach. There are a million threads on this board which arguing pure indexing (aka Taylor Larimore) vs. slice/dice/small cap skewing.
by zebrafish
Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Earthquake insurance in California
Replies: 27
Views: 2925

Re: Earthquake insurance in California

TimeRunner wrote:We carry it because:
1. Earthquakes happen here.
2. Our home is a substantial asset as well as a place to live where we choose to live.
3. We can't afford to rebuild it without using investment and retirement money that we want to live on, not put into our home.
4. We don't want to take out another loan on top of the mortgage this late in our careers.
+1
by zebrafish
Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to best support cancer research?
Replies: 9
Views: 1364

Re: how to best support cancer research?

I don't think you can go wrong with the American Cancer Society. Both my spouse and I have received funding and done some ad hoc reviewing for them. This is a very good organization which is funding very important basic science and clinical research that will help discover new cancer treatments.

Contacting an NCI Cancer Center and making a directed donation is also a great option if you want more "connection" with the target of your money.
by zebrafish
Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Seeking advice on Fund Choices, AA, IRA Custodian, etc.
Replies: 29
Views: 5372

Re: Seeking advice on Fund Choices, AA, IRA Custodian, etc.

4. Up until a few years ago, wife was contributing to traditional 401k, but then started contributing to Roth 401k. When we look up the 401k online, it indicates it is a Roth 401k. We need to better understand how this is split, also on the to-do list. Currently, 100% of your contributions appear to be going into a Roth or Roth 401k (post-tax). Your tax rate-- 33% -- is kind of high. You might want to look into the traditional 401k option (is it an option?) and consider whether you want to have some of your retirement contribution via this route. It will save you taxes now (33 cents tax on every dollar contributed). Now, no one knows what tax rates will be in the future, but generally, people have a lower tax rate during retirement (making...
by zebrafish
Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Seeking advice on Fund Choices, AA, IRA Custodian, etc.
Replies: 29
Views: 5372

Re: Seeking advice on Fund Choices, AA, IRA Custodian, etc.

1. What is the best strategy to simplify the investments in order to achieve the three/four fund portfolio allocation? One strategy you might consider: 1) Sell all your Roth investments and consolidate them into single money market fund (still within each Roth) 2) Transfer the Roth(s) to Vanguard (if you contact Vanguard, they can facilitate the transfer) 3) Create desired 3-fund allocation within the Roth(s) once they are moved to Vanguard using index funds 4) Within her Roth 401(k), I would personally just put it all into an appropriate Vanguard Target Fund to make life easy, as long as you are ok with the glide path for the fund you buy. This is such a simple, elegant, and low-maintenance way of handling things. 2. Any recommendations o...
by zebrafish
Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping for a haircut at Great Clips
Replies: 56
Views: 62632

Re: Tipping for a haircut at Great Clips

I drop a 20 for haircut w/o shampoo.

C'mon people! These people are working hard for their money. Spare a couple bucks, already.