Search found 2000 matches

by feh
Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keeping 5 years' expenses in cash/short-term vs. more conventional retirement AA
Replies: 43
Views: 5005

Re: Keeping 5 years' expenses in cash/short-term vs. more conventional retirement AA

hcs77135 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:34 pmI think resisting rebalancing for 4 years would be tough, especially if rebalancing into beaten-down equities!
I read the Otar book several years ago. I could be wrong about this, but from what I recall, the "rebalance in presidential years" suggestion was based on what provided the best returns over the last X decades (it was compared to several other rebalancing schemes). It wasn't based on any kind of logic as to why that was best. I don't think the differences from the various approaches were significant.

And since the future may not be like the past, I wouldn't feel obligated to follow that suggestion.
by feh
Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keeping 5 years' expenses in cash/short-term vs. more conventional retirement AA
Replies: 43
Views: 5005

Re: Keeping 5 years' expenses in cash/short-term vs. more conventional retirement AA

If I'm reading your numbers correctly, I think this means your total portfolio is 25x expenses?

I personally wouldn't be comfortable with that much in equities, but using historical data you'd probably be ok.

Go to firecalc.com and see how your equity percentage changes your success/failure rate.
by feh
Sat Mar 09, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: To buy iBonds now or wait? What do you recommend?
Replies: 11
Views: 1856

Re: To buy iBonds now or wait? What do you recommend?

tibbitts wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:39 pm
Aguilar wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:36 pm I have been buying ibonds the last few years and am thinking of buying more now. Worth purchasing by end April to lock in the 5.27% composite rate for the first 6 months, or do you think it's better to wait 'till May?
I don't think the composite rate matters as much as the fixed rate, and if I had to guess I'd go with the fixed rate before the May reset.
+1

Recently gift-boxed for the next 2 years, as 1.3% is the highest it's been in a very long time. Of course, it may be even higher in May, but a bird in the hand...
by feh
Sat Mar 09, 2024 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: what to do with I Bonds
Replies: 24
Views: 3060

Re: what to do with I Bonds

Onlineid3089 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:46 am I'd probably cash in the May 2022 bond and use 10,000 of that to purchase a new one. That'll move you from 0% fixed rate to the current 1.3% fixed rate.
+1

Also +1 to the "I Bonds are a portion of my fixed income holdings and I am just holding them".
by feh
Sat Mar 09, 2024 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: percentage of taxable dvidends/gains that are non-qualified
Replies: 1
Views: 284

percentage of taxable dvidends/gains that are non-qualified

Brokerage account is 100% equities, with 1/3 ex-US and 1/3 small-cap value. Common index funds and Avantis funds are held. Over the last 3 years, the percentage of divs/cap gains (according to 1099 from brokerage) that are qualified are:

78%
90%
67%

Those number are in reverse chronological order.

Just wondering why the large disparity from year to year, and if others have the same experience. Would be nice to know what the percentage would be before the end of the calendar year for potential Roth conversions.

Thanks.

PS - most of these holdings are not ETFs, and I cannot replace the traditional mutual funds with ETFs without incurring significant capital gains
by feh
Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estimated taxes - W2 & K1
Replies: 9
Views: 1138

Re: Estimated taxes - W2 & K1

Why not pay taxes as the income is realized?
by feh
Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Could I-bonds really return >10% in hyperinflation scenarios
Replies: 52
Views: 8086

Re: Could I-bonds really return >10% in hyperinflation scena

nisiprius wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:25 am
So, which just feels closer to the truth, prices have gone up about 30% since 2014 or prices have tripled since 2014?
Peoples' perceptions or personal inflation rate are not relevant.

The inflation rate used for I Bonds is documented. It's not going to be fudged.
by feh
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Could I-bonds really return >10% in hyperinflation scenarios
Replies: 52
Views: 8086

Re: Could I-bonds really return >10% in hyperinflation scena

Day9 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:22 pm Thanks all for the replies. While I don't think treasurydirect would default, I am worried they might use a lowball metric and I-bonds will yield way less than what my family experiences in inflation.

Can anyone speak to this worry of mine?
Of all the things to worry about in life, this is about #15863
by feh
Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bank’s savings account vs. US treasuries
Replies: 34
Views: 4555

Re: Bank’s savings account vs. US treasuries

seanbaby wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:54 pm Noob question: is there any reason to put cash into savings account vs. buying short term treasuries, other than the liquidity advantage? Treasuries pay about a percentage point more.
The amount of cash you're referring to is pertinent. I might jump through hoops for 3 or 4 figures but not if the annual difference is $50.
by feh
Mon Feb 19, 2024 6:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reinvest or withdraw Dividends to supplement income stream in Retirement?
Replies: 27
Views: 3069

Re: Reinvest or withdraw Dividends to supplement income stream in Retirement?

Randtor wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 1:52 pm I have been reinvesting our dividends in our taxable and non-taxable accounts.
Do not reinvest taxable dividends. It really is that simple; there is no maybe.

If you don't need the full amount for expenses, then reinvest according to your desired AA.
by feh
Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 2023 US Government %'s on Fidelity Money Markets
Replies: 19
Views: 1957

Re: 2023 US Government %'s on Fidelity Money Markets

MrNister wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:47 pm
cfo wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 1:54 pm
MrNister wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 6:14 am Does any one know what the percentages are for:

1) FZDXX
2) SPRXX
...
I used Fidelity® Money Market Fund - All Classes for both, resulting in a rate of 4.05%.
Thank you cfo
SPAXX is higher; see Fido's doc.
by feh
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA subsidies vs. Roth IRA conversions- how to decide?
Replies: 12
Views: 1404

Re: ACA subsidies vs. Roth IRA conversions- how to decide?

secondcor521 wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:42 pm I treat the loss of subsidies as a tax, parallel to the federal income tax and state income tax.

What many people fail to understand that the marginal rate of the loss of subsidies is much higher than the "applicable percentage" figure in the Form 8962 instructions. See the first several paragraphs of this article for an explanation: https://seattlecyclone.com/marginal-tax ... r-the-aca/
+1

Have looked at this question repeatedly over the last year, as spouse and I (both 58) recently retired. We have chosen subsidy over Roth conversion.

I have not mastered RPM, so I cannot "prove" this is the best option, but back-of-the-envelope calculations says it is.
by feh
Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 2023 US Government %'s on Fidelity Money Markets
Replies: 19
Views: 1957

Re: 2023 US Government %'s on Fidelity Money Markets

Based on my review for my taxes: SPAXX = 41.18% - Fidelity® Government Money Market Fund FZFXX = 24.19% - Fidelity® Treasury Money Market Fund Correct. I just switch my core account from FZFXX to SPAXX for the higher percentage I can deduct from my state taxes, assuming the percentages will be similar for 2024. Not too happy that the "Treasury MM Fund" is only 24% treasuries. :annoyed It is confusing. I kept my holdings in FZFXX based on glancing at the current portfolio holdings. It seems that FZFXX currently holds more US T Bills and US T Coupons vs SPAXX - but who knows how that plays out over a full year. If the percentages are inverted for 2024, I will be doubly annoyed. ETA - for 2022, both funds were close to 30%, so who k...
by feh
Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 2023 US Government %'s on Fidelity Money Markets
Replies: 19
Views: 1957

Re: 2023 US Government %'s on Fidelity Money Markets

greenrebellion wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:12 am Based on my review for my taxes:

SPAXX = 41.18% - Fidelity® Government Money Market Fund
FZFXX = 24.19% - Fidelity® Treasury Money Market Fund
Correct.

I just switched my core account from FZFXX to SPAXX for the higher percentage I can deduct from my state taxes, assuming the percentages will be similar for 2024.

Not too happy that the "Treasury MM Fund" is only 24% treasuries. :annoyed
by feh
Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The cost for setting up living trust
Replies: 22
Views: 1775

Re: The cost for setting up living trust

Maybe get other quotes? Those numbers seem very high to me.

Spouse and I have been looking at writing a RLT over the last year, and the numbers we've been quoted are in the $4-8K range.
by feh
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxes- how to document tax exempt interest
Replies: 11
Views: 1417

Re: Taxes- how to document tax exempt interest

Geologist wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:04 am My 1099-INT (not from Fidelity) includes T-bill interest in the box for US Government obligations, so there is nothing special to document or calculate.
But it does not include anything related to money market accounts that may have US debt obligations. That needs to be determined by the tax filer.

If one has I Bond interest, that info also needs to be provided manually.
by feh
Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PSA and question about Fido money market funds
Replies: 4
Views: 576

Re: PSA and question about Fido money market funds

kaseg wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:24 am If you have funds that hold government securities, you'll need the "U.S. government securities income" info from here: https://www.fidelity.com/tax-informatio ... nformation

Its not available for 2023 yet.

If you hold treasuries directly, it should be reported as interest from treasuries on your 1099.
Do you know when Fido usually has that info available?
by feh
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PSA and question about Fido money market funds
Replies: 4
Views: 576

PSA and question about Fido money market funds

First the PSA - given how low interest rates have been over the last many years, I never bought individual treasuries or used money market funds based on treasuries. This year and last were the first time I needed to tell Turbotax that "I have some interest/dividends that should not be taxed by my state of residence." So - make sure you take advantage of that situation! Now the question - individual treasuries and I Bond interest is pretty easy to identify/track, but my primary MM fund at Fidelity is FZFXX, of which a portion is not taxable by my state. I was hoping there would be a concise source of what that percentage is, but I couldn't find one. Looking at https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/316341304 it app...
by feh
Sun Feb 04, 2024 6:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Echoes of Dot Com Bubble?
Replies: 230
Views: 24296

Re: Echoes of Dot Com Bubble?

WhitePuma wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:55 pm Let me start by saying that I didn't live through the dot.com era as an investor (I was too young, and clueless about markets). So I never experienced the euphoria, the growing wall of worry, the painful downfall, etc. of that period.

Today, I hear/read stories in which people say this 'feels' a lot like the dot.com era from 1998-2000. I'm in no position to assess the validity of that sentiment, however. So I come here to my financial peeps to get a reality check on this. In what ways is today's market (including investor sentiment, greed level, valuations, etc.) similar to and/or different from 1999?
As somebody that was investing during the late 90s, I'd say today feels nothing like that period.
by feh
Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feedback on "Millionaire Fastlane"
Replies: 69
Views: 7416

Re: Feedback on "Millionaire Fastlane"

latetotheparty99 wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:54 pm
KlangFool wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:45 pm 1) What is your current portfolio size?
~700k USD. All of it is in VTI and S&P (retirement) except emergency fund which is in MMFs.
2) What is your annual savings/investment?
~160k annually. I just have the rough numbers for 2023. This is expected to be ~200k in 2024.
3) What is your current annual expense?
~80k. But no wife/kids/house. So this will change in future.

All values are post-tax.
IMO, you are the poster child for the boglehead approach: able to save/invest a great deal of money while young. There is no reason for you to take risks.

Keep doing what you're doing and you'll be FI before you are 40.
by feh
Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Crypto taxes
Replies: 16
Views: 2371

Re: Crypto taxes

rkrules wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:04 am I prefer to do my own taxes - any suggestions/recommendations for tools that would help me do crypto taxes correctly ? I know it’s similar to other capital gains but crypto has too many transactions (staking and all), so little confused/cumbersome. Also not all of them provide tax forms.
I've used cointracking.info and my own spread sheet, but I've never staked anything.
by feh
Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 13135

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

+1 to all the previous posts of "spend what we need/want to, and make sure it's reasonable".
by feh
Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: when to start SS, ACA subsides, Roth conversions
Replies: 6
Views: 819

Re: when to start SS, ACA subsides, Roth conversions

mkc wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:36 pm I've tried both Pralana Gold and the Retiree Portfolio Model free spreadsheet here on Bogleheads. I prefer RPM because I can dig into the details.
I tried playing with RPM last year and just couldn't make heads or tails of it...it's just too confusing. And I'm a technical/left brain kind of guy.

I imagine if I was willing to invest hours I could learn its ins and outs, but I'm looking for something more straight forward.
by feh
Sat Jan 20, 2024 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: when to start SS, ACA subsides, Roth conversions
Replies: 6
Views: 819

when to start SS, ACA subsides, Roth conversions

Married couple, not yet able to take SS, but trying to plan for the future...

According to opensocialsecurity.com, our maximum SS benefit would be for her to take SS as soon as possible and for him to wait until 70. Of course, that conclusion ignores other factors, like ACA subsidies and Roth conversions.

Are there tools online that can look at your entire financial picture to help with the "when to start SS" decision?

Thanks.
by feh
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Floating Rate Funds
Replies: 23
Views: 3296

Re: Floating Rate Funds

FBN2014 wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 12:17 pm Are floating rate funds a good choice for a bond fund substitute? What are the risks? Which do you like? What percentage of the portfolio is okay to use floating rate?
Run a search. This has been discussed in the past.

I've used floating rate funds (SAMBX and FFRHX) in the past with a relatively small portion of my fixed income, particularly when the yield on total bond was horribly low. Note that in a recession, these funds behave more like equities than bonds.

I don't hold any at the moment.
by feh
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?
Replies: 94
Views: 15630

Re: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?

tonyclifton wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 4:15 am OP, I think you will find most platforms to monitor all your investments, including those at multiple brokerages or banks, aren’t great. Have you tried Quicken or building your own spreadsheet?
+1

Even when 90% of our funds were at Fidelity, I didn't use them to track my portfolio. I use a spread sheet and the M* online tracker.
by feh
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When should I start changing my stock and bond ratios?
Replies: 40
Views: 6258

Re: When should I start changing my stock and bond ratios?

We were 100% equities until 5 years before semi-retirement (10 years before full retirement). Went to 67/33 at that point and worked down to 60/40 by full retirement.
by feh
Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?
Replies: 36
Views: 3384

Re: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?

rustlers wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 4:00 pm Unlike many here, l love the Net worth calculation, and do it every new year to see my trends and metrics. It is a scorecard of your financial life.

Since it is highly likely that the PRE tax retirement accounts have a built in future tax liability, and have no step up, it needs a liability line on the balance sheet.

Therefore I reduce those accounts only by 20%, as a proxy for the tax impact.
Feel free to do so, but that's not net worth.
by feh
Wed Jan 03, 2024 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Investing in taxable vs paying extra principal
Replies: 5
Views: 656

Re: Investing in taxable vs paying extra principal

At 6%, I would probably pay down the mortgage.

That being said, it doesn't have to be one or the other. When we had a mortgage on our first house, we put some money in taxable investments and some toward the mortgage.
by feh
Sun Dec 31, 2023 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDI percentage for FZROX, etc.
Replies: 11
Views: 1302

Re: QDI percentage for FZROX, etc.

mffl wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:29 pm
arcticpineapplecorp. wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:59 pm in 2022 it looked to be 91% (page 9 of pdf, link below):

https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/060 ... Letter.pdf
Ok, nothing guaranteed, of course, but if I have to guess (which I do), the safe guess is that nothing earth shattering has happened in the last year that would cause these funds to be >90% qualified for years and then suddenly be 0% qualified as Fidelity's tax info page suggests?
Correct.

My guestimate for tax planning (before the actual numbers are known) is 90% qualified.
by feh
Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which ACA plan considering deductibles, taxes and Roth conversions?
Replies: 10
Views: 1476

Re: Which ACA plan considering deductibles, taxes and Roth conversions?

Spouse and I are 57, on ACA for 2 years now.

We are prioritizing ACA subsidies over Roth conversions.
by feh
Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SPAXX Alternative?
Replies: 16
Views: 3086

Re: SPAXX Alternative?

If I live in a state w/ 5% income tax, am I better off with SPAXX or FZFXX?
by feh
Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Still worth it to buy iBonds yearly?
Replies: 28
Views: 5450

Re: Still worth it to buy iBonds yearly?

dukeblue219 wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:28 am
feh wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:23 am I think the current inflation rate has nothing to do with determining if you want TIPS in your portfolio.

I Bonds are a great option, if you need/want TIPS. And the fixed rate is the highest it's been in 16 years.
Series I savings bonds are not TIPS
Perhaps not, but they provide the same purpose in a portfolio: inflation protection.
by feh
Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Still worth it to buy iBonds yearly?
Replies: 28
Views: 5450

Re: Still worth it to buy iBonds yearly?

I think the current inflation rate has nothing to do with determining if you want TIPS in your portfolio.

I Bonds are a great option, if you need/want TIPS. And the fixed rate is the highest it's been in 16 years.
by feh
Fri Dec 22, 2023 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?
Replies: 36
Views: 3384

Re: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?

jory1804 wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 7:38 pm I'm curious how others handle this situation?
net worth == assets minus liabilities today

Yes, it is that simple.

If you want to adjust values for taxes, inflation, whatever, you are calculating something else.
by feh
Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Unsettling Claim by Fidelity re Stock Fund Dividends
Replies: 35
Views: 4776

Re: Unsettling Claim by Fidelity re Stock Fund Dividends

Call_Me_Op wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:13 pm
sycamore wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:01 pm Agree with prior posters.

This is probably another of those topics that comes up every year around this time.
I thought that was true - but very surprised that i would get this answer from the rep even after she checked with others.
If you're looking for estimates today, I want to say roughly 90% of divs from run-of-the-mill index funds are qualified.

I did not go back and check previous years' tax documents; that's just my recollection.
by feh
Fri Dec 15, 2023 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When Did You Feel Financially Secure and Comfortable?
Replies: 134
Views: 30056

Re: When Did You Feel Financially Secure and Comfortable?

When annual expenses became less than 3% of portfolio.
by feh
Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146561

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

czaj wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:28 pm Empower/Personal Capital seems like a pretty clean and a good alternative. Free and no ads. I have also seen some $50 Amazon referrals online for signing up. The Mint app has always been pretty laggy for me and felt bloated. I was never surprised when it crashed. Empower also seems to have better investment tracking. I wanted to like Fidelity Full View, but it doesn't feel finished and isn't mobile friendly.
I used to use PC for investment tracking, but stopped when I decided to no longer share credentials for brokerages (security concerns).

When I was using it, I never evaluated it for expense tracking (ie. credit cards and checking accounts). How does it compare to mint?
by feh
Tue Dec 12, 2023 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156934

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

fetch5482 wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:23 am I only had the 20% offer until yesterday, but the following showed up on my summary page of "all accounts" today:
+1

This appeared on my accounts page sometime in the last few hours today.
by feh
Tue Dec 12, 2023 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156934

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

fetch5482 wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:30 am Received free fidelity last 2 years. Only showing the 20% discount so far this year. I have Over $2M in non-retirement accounts at fidelity with private group status.
+1, except I've received free TT for at least 5 years now.

Assuming the free offer will still be made.
by feh
Sun Dec 10, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146561

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

FWIW - I got Full View linked to Ally. The issue was that Ally won't send a OTP to a voip number, which I worked around.

I really only need an aggregator so I can view 2-3 CCs and 2-3 bank accounts in one place. I don't need budgeting functionality.

As I already had a Fido account and CC, it looks like Full View will suffice.
by feh
Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146561

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

Given the recent comments on CK, I think I might give Fidelity Full View a try, since I already have accounts there.

I tried linking Full View with my Ally accounts and wasn't able to. Anybody else have similar problems? Is there a workaround?
by feh
Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What income threshold do you keep yourself under in retirement?
Replies: 42
Views: 6051

Re: What income threshold do you keep yourself under in retirement?

At 57, our main concern is ACA subsidies.

We aim to keep household income under 250% FPL.
by feh
Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are the Benefits and Perks of Fidelity Private Client Group?
Replies: 46
Views: 6423

Re: What are the Benefits and Perks of Fidelity Private Client Group?

marcopolo wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:39 pm I will go against the grain here a bit.

I have found the following advantages.

You get access to their premium services CS number.
Calls are always answered quickly, reps seem better trained.

I have received free TT for a number of years.

The most valuable, but somewhat rare:
The assigned rep, as others have mentioned don't help much under normal conditions. But, if you have something go wrong, or are trying to do something out of the ordinary, they are a great single point of contact to chase down the issue/solution for you. At least that has been my experience.
Same experience here.
by feh
Sun Dec 10, 2023 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Home Purchase & Cash Offer vs. Mortgage
Replies: 21
Views: 3122

Re: Advice on Home Purchase & Cash Offer vs. Mortgage

gotoparks wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 2:38 am I wouldn't enter the transaction with one of the homeowners as my agent. I would get an independent buyer's agent. This stuff about not lowering the price is nonsense if there are problems with the house. I would also not do a cash buy if you are using most of the money you have. I don't like the deal as described and would not do it.
+1