Search found 585 matches

by sesq
Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is now the time to switch from variable Heloc to fixed rate Heloc?
Replies: 7
Views: 905

Re: Is now the time to switch from variable Heloc to fixed rate Heloc?

I would be tempted by that fixed rate. I have a slightly higher amount on my HELOC - 130K at TF 2.24%. I really think the pressure is on the fed to keep rates low and expect that if they raise it, it will be slow, despite inflation. I expect to be able to pay off my note within 3 years without moving anything around, sooner if rates balloon.
by sesq
Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financing $26k Condo HOA Special Assessment
Replies: 19
Views: 3262

Re: Financing $26k Condo HOA Special Assessment

I would bump up the refi amount. If in six months this blows over and you don't need the money you can push it against the mortgage and get a 2.5% return.
by sesq
Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Having “The Talk” [with an elderly parent about Inheritance]
Replies: 101
Views: 33469

Re: Having “The Talk” [with an elderly parent about Inheritance]

Sounds like your conversation will be pleasant. Just be prepared for the worst also. My seemingly well to-do father had a stroke and we found out that he had a maxed out reverse mortgage and $120K in credit card debt. He died six months later leaving his wife with just social security. He retired early (from corporate law) in 1990 with something like $1.5M and worked as an estate planning attorney until his stroke. Turns out he was a terrible small business man and spent himself into the ground.
by sesq
Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on taking 2 Jobs Simultaneously.. implications for background check in the future?
Replies: 91
Views: 12693

Re: Thoughts on taking 2 Jobs Simultaneously.. implications for background check in the future?

I once took a package when I left a certain mega-employer. I left because of a merger/too many cooks in the kitchen. They had a policy where they kept anyone whose position was eliminated due to the merger on the payroll for an additional 90 days. So if some one was doing checks they would have seen an overlap of 90 days with two employers.

I would check the moonlighting policies at your mega-corp. Its prohibited without permission at my company, so if I went and drove for Uber on the weekends and didn't ask permission I would be subject to termination.
by sesq
Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security / 35 highest earnings years
Replies: 95
Views: 15092

Re: Social Security / 35 highest earnings years

I am currently working in my 33 year. 20 of those years were at the max. My monthly benefit (my spreadsheet hasn't updated for inflation in a couple years so its a little behind) if I stopped today is $2,782 at 67. If I wait until I have 35 max years it would be $3,272. So I am at 85% of "maxing" it under the current system. Is it worth working 15 more years for $500/mo - not in my opinion. I would be fine with a few 0 years, since the bend points are calculated cumulatively, meaning I am past the lifetime wages that were credited at 90% and 32(?)% and now only 15% of each years contributions get credited to my account. Interesting, some of the proposals to impose SS on incomes above $400K only credit the persons account at 2%, an...
by sesq
Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recommended Car Insurance Limits?
Replies: 50
Views: 8734

Re: Recommended Car Insurance Limits?

OpenMinded1 wrote: Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:38 pm Not sure, but I don't think tenants by entirety protects the equity in your house from personal liability lawsuits. Might be something to look into.
Well, I do have an umbrella also. But that said, tenants by entirity both my wife and I would need to have the judgement against us for the creditor to make a claim, otherwise they are denying the innocent party enjoyment of the property.
by sesq
Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is It Worth The Hassle To Refinance Your Mortgage if Small?
Replies: 19
Views: 2609

Re: Is It Worth The Hassle To Refinance Your Mortgage if Small?

Go for a Heloc. I got mine for 2.24% from Third Federal (takes a long time to close, about 60 days, not much communication while they are "processing"). Its a variable rate, so you need to have some confidence that you will pay it off/down before the fed starts hiking rates, but no closing costs.

I have a loan with a similar balance, access to RSU's that will vest, the ability to scrape some cash together/take a 401(k) loan if the rates were to pop. Hope to pay it off over the next 2-3 years. I took out a line larger than I needed (I think 200K is their max) which gave me a line of credit as well.
by sesq
Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recommended Car Insurance Limits?
Replies: 50
Views: 8734

Re: Recommended Car Insurance Limits?

OpenMinded1 wrote: Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:02 pm Is money held in tax-advantaged retirement investments, in other words IRAs, 401Ks, 403bs, 457s etc., protected from personal liability lawsuits? If yes, shouldn't this be considered in the decision of whether or not to get an umbrella policy and how much coverage it should provide?

All of my assets are either in 401(k)s, IRAs or my house (tenants by entirety). I have a $2M umbrella because I could definitely have my wages garnished.
by sesq
Thu Apr 29, 2021 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discuss Net Worth with Adult Children
Replies: 176
Views: 21545

Re: Discuss Net Worth with Adult Children

My dad had a stroke a few years ago and passed six months later. At the time of the stroke he was forced into stopping his work. He had a 30 year corporate career, retired early at 55, "got bored" and opened his own estate planning/financial planning firm six months later. Worked the next 25+ years, with my mom helping out. He was a financial planner and showed me a compound interest chart when I went off to college that guided my life. I figured they were worth a few million and I would get a 1/4 share (4 kids) one day. The reality was when he had a stroke, he was something like 120K in the hole to credit card companies and had a reverse mortgage on the house equal to its value. He basically ran his small business like he did whe...
by sesq
Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term insurance - free lunch?
Replies: 25
Views: 2740

Re: Term insurance - free lunch?

Are you going to save money? If so, 20 years is fine. The risk premium start to spike at 25 or 30 years level term when I was on the market 15 years ago. I don't need insurance anymore but its a marginal call. You are shopping from two "name brand" insurance companies. You may want to try a broker to see if you can get similar coverage for less. 15 years ago SelectQuote was big, I shopped with them and USAA (a military friendly insurer with a good rep). Went with USAA, but would have gone with the other if there was savings in it. In general if the company is well rated, I wouldn't worry about it much. Whole life is trash. I did $1MM on me and 500K on my wife. It was probably around the rule of thumb of 10X salary at the time.
by sesq
Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash: a survey
Replies: 93
Views: 8812

Re: Cash: a survey

1) about 3% - have a line of credit that could move it to 9%
2) about 5-6 months (almost entirely in I-bonds, LOC could make it 18 mos)
3) Age 48 - accumulating with a target date of age 55.
by sesq
Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1080815

Re: Share your net worth progression

investingdad wrote: Fri Jan 01, 2021 9:50 am We increased a bit over 20% this year, I'm pleased.

The major milestone synopsis:

Age 30, 200k NW
Age 39, 1 million NW
Age 47, 3.85 million NW

Portfolio of funds, 70:30 equities. No Tesla stock ;)
We were close in 2014 (first page), but you have really turned it on since I am at a mere $2.5M. Guess that dual income thing was pretty handy. Congrats on your progress. I hope to hit the finish line in the next few years (7 is the target when the kids leave the house, maybe sooner if the opportunity presents).
by sesq
Wed Jan 06, 2021 11:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What percent of net worth should a persons house be?
Replies: 206
Views: 25207

Re: What percent of net worth should a persons house be?

I agree its kind of pointless, but it is something I have tracked since I have owned real estate.

First house (2004) was 152% of my net worth, mortgage was -120% of my net worth and equity was 32%.
Current (fourth) house is a Higher COL area and is 28% of my net worth, mortgage is -6% and the equity is 22%.

In general the equity has been between 11% and 51%. I like it to be as low as possible. I am going to have house paid off by the time I reach retirement. Hopefully around 15% of my net worth. I will later downsize and it will be single digits - my ideal scenario is a house worth 300K (property taxes, insurance) and a net worth north of 3.5M.
by sesq
Thu Dec 17, 2020 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1080815

Re: Share your networth progression

I have data starting when I was 31 (a year after marriage). Prior to that it was a long slog to $100k at around 28 or 29. 7.2004 - $257k ye 2004 - 298k ye 2005 - 324k ye 2006 - 346k ye 2007 - 376k ye 2008 - 300k (ouch) ye 2009 - 418k ye 2010 - 422k (wow, +$4k) ye 2011 - 492k ye 2012 - 679k ye 2013 - 902k ye 2014 - 1.12M EDIT ye 2015 - 1.21M EDIT ye 2016 - 1.53M EDIT ye 2017 - 2.07M EDIT ye 2018 - 1.89M EDIT ye 2019 - 2.15M EDIT 12/01/20 - 2.42M EDIT My key has been mostly consistent savings. The market has both punished (2008) and blessed us (2013). EDIT I am a tax accountant, so my NW is presented net of my deferred tax liability. I use a 30% rate to estimate my liability on tax deferred accounts. This is a highly conservative estimate an...
by sesq
Fri Jun 12, 2020 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Bank savings interest rate dropping from 1.25% to 1.10%
Replies: 81
Views: 10338

Re: Ally Bank savings interest rate dropping from 1.25% to 1.10%

Citi dropped from 1.65% to 1.35%.

I am thinking about paying down the mortgage and opening a HELOC for emergencies. Has some risk, I acknowledge.
by sesq
Fri Jun 12, 2020 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Size Home For A Family?
Replies: 87
Views: 7216

Re: What Size Home For A Family?

I like three car garages so that makes the houses larger. I tell my family we are moving when the youngest finishes high school because I hate the property taxes. I am in a 4400 SQ FT house and has a lot of useless spaces - formal dining room, living room, sitting room off the master, back stairs - probably combine to about 1,000 useless sq feet. But we have a three car garage that we park two cars in and have the third bay for kids stuff.

Ironically the kids bedrooms are small. It also has an office, so that has been good. And we have a guest room. We housed a couple for about a month or so who needed to be local due to a high risk pregnancy.
by sesq
Fri Jun 05, 2020 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Payoff Mortgage with HELOC
Replies: 13
Views: 1490

Re: Payoff Mortgage with HELOC

I have been toying with something similar. Take a look at Bank of America. If you are preferred rewards and auto-pay it you can get your rate to 2.78% if you borrow 150K and keep it outstanding for 3 months. They had a lower teaser rate for a while but I didn't jump on that. I see Fifth Thirds mentioned also, but I am not in their service area so I haven't looked up the rate.
by sesq
Wed Mar 25, 2020 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1080815

Re: Share your networth progression

how you made 2 million, would you mind sharing your current portfolios, socks and bond we like to learn from you .i have been thinking always how other people made such big money there must be something we can learn from you,,, I do not think it is invasion of privacy jut exchange idears and educational. Sorry, haven't logged in for a while. I was still at about 75|25. I invested only in index funds and got awarded shares in my company stock. I think my allocation may have drifted up a bit as I check today I am 70|30 despite being down several hundred thousand in the sell off. I think up until recently the biggest driver was having a high salary and savings rate. I have taken a step back a bit in my latest job but finishing my third decade...
by sesq
Wed Mar 25, 2020 7:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If a mortgage is a negative bond . . .
Replies: 23
Views: 2270

If a mortgage is a negative bond . . .

Do I pull bond money out of my 401(k) and payoff my mortgage? In the senate bill there is a provision that lets people pull up to 100K from their retirement accounts and pay no penalty, repay the distribution over three years and/or spread the income taxes over 3 years. There is also a provision that doubles 401(k) loans to 100K from 50K (repaid over 5 years). I have a mortgage of 242K @ 3.125% not deductible because I tax the standard deduction. In my 401(k) I have about 216K of bonds. I would need to pull about 150K from my retirement bonds to pay off the mortgage (I have some other non EF cash). Its a small tweak but ever since I read (Allan Roth's?) comment "why would you lend at 1-2% and pay 3%" it has bothered me. Until now ...
by sesq
Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: House all of my bond contributions in 401K? Viability of 401K
Replies: 6
Views: 670

Re: House all of my bond contributions in 401K? Viability of 401K

Have you read the wiki on asset location?

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-eff ... _placement

I have my bonds in tax deferred mostly as I believe the expected returns are the likely returns. I only have tax free and tax deferred investments. I adjust my tax deferred assets by an estimate 30% future tax rate and compare the asset allocation on a raw and adjusted basis.

When I had a taxable account I tried to steer the international stock allocation towards the taxable account as it would let me take the foreign tax credits. I have since sold those off as I had other uses for the money. The credits are good, although foreign stocks do pay more dividends and not all of the dividends qualify for the lower rate.
by sesq
Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth Conversions
Replies: 12
Views: 1120

Re: Roth Conversions

It all comes down to expected tax rates. I am in my working years and have considered making conversions up to the top of the 24% bracket but ultimately decided against it. In my spreadsheets I estimate a future tax cost at 30% (Fed/State/means testing) which would suggest 24% (no state right now but I move) would be an opportunity. Truth is it probably suggest I am too pessimistic/conservative in my 30% estimate. I think the 12% conversions are no brainers unless you have some appreciated capital assets that your would like to realize gains at the zero percent rate in those years. You are essentially capturing your full bracket those years. If you have charitable plans in your estate you would want to not convert any of those funds (expect...
by sesq
Sun Aug 19, 2018 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: personal injury lawsuit
Replies: 25
Views: 3444

Re: personal injury lawsuit

I was in a lawsuit for personal injury / product liability from a garden tool. We settled one case to fund the experts in another. It took over seven years and in the end the doctors and lawyers pocketed more that I did, and my left leg was amputated in the deal. I do think you should be compensated for harm, just be aware that it can take a long time. My contingency fee was 1/3. My medical insurers were able to recover against my settlement for the doctor's bills they paid. In some instances they paid their share of the contingency fee, in other cases it was less. The final numbers were close to 1/3 to lawyers, 1/3 to doctors and 1/3 to me, but in fact my portion was a little less. This was mostly due to expert witness fees and insurance c...
by sesq
Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What is the best current account aggregator online?
Replies: 26
Views: 6899

Re: What is the best current account aggregator online?

I use Mint and a google finance spreadsheet. Mint does a terrible job on the investment side. I used to use it to pull share quantities and the like. At some point the data got corrupted so it doesn't place the decimal in the right spot. So once a month I go to the underlying websites to update my spreadsheet. I like mint for tracking ongoing spend and often use it to look up historical transactions. The budget categories aren't great as they often double up transactions in random ways. I mostly budget by way of setting annual savings goals so I am not that worried about looking at the day-to-day allocation of spend. I am actually trying to reduce the number of institutions I use. I am sure that will change when I decide I want more sign on...
by sesq
Tue May 29, 2018 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much is a Roth worth?
Replies: 48
Views: 8300

Re: How much is a Roth worth?

I tax adjust my asset allocation and net worth. To do this I treat the roth assets as a $1 is a $1. For tax deferred assets I book a liability for future taxes at 30% (estimated fed/state/means testing) so $1 is worth $0.70. For my taxable account I track my lots separately and do ST or LT capital gains and book a liability accordingly. So for the gain portion, LT gains $1 is worth about 80 cents and each $1 of basis is worth $1.

Not sure if that is what you are asking?
by sesq
Tue May 29, 2018 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Owning house in a trust?
Replies: 34
Views: 6578

Re: Owning house in a trust?

I had my house in trust a couple houses ago. It made doing refinancing and HELOC's more difficult. I have moved a few times and I have stopped bothering to put it in the trust. My will directs my assets to the trust so after probate it will get there while I want the trust to modulate when my kids get theirs.

Also I learned about tenants by entirety and I believe that is the better way to hold title in PA for asset protection.
by sesq
Wed May 23, 2018 7:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Edelman & Financial Engines merging
Replies: 36
Views: 6951

Re: Edelman & Financial Engines merging

JoeRetire wrote: Wed May 23, 2018 2:32 pm
sesq wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 10:39 pmThe fees they charged here were a bit over $400/mo and north of 2% AUM inclusive of fund fees.
They don't charge "north of 2%". 2% is the max.
For most it would be "south of 2%".
My recollection is that it was 2.24% inclusive of the fund fees but that was 14-15 months ago and I read the paperwork in a single sitting. Given the size of her portfolio this is consistent with my comment of $400/mo in fees. Aside from the expenses the portfolio was logical. It was sliced and diced into narrow allocations. My opinion is this meant to intimidate the client versus a simple 2-3 fund portfolios.
by sesq
Tue May 22, 2018 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1995

Re: Old Hot Water Heater

Ha, in the same position but the house I am buying is 15 years old with a "warranty". Mine, natural gas, standard 75 gallon unit is in the basement right next to the sump pit. Part of me is debating keeping the corner clear (huge basement) and seeing if the warranty may get a chance to replace it over the next 12 months. But I hear horror stories about those warranties so I am not sure I'd want to suffer through that process. Life is busy.
by sesq
Mon May 21, 2018 10:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ideal time/balance to start HSA drawdown?
Replies: 6
Views: 1038

Re: Ideal time/balance to start HSA drawdown?

I am not inclined to do the math on your final bullet but I think there would be a lot of variables like whether you planned to retire early and the timetable when you would stop working/stop contributing. With a 30 year time horizon and a the thought that your account may double several times you might be at the point where stopping makes sense, or at least limit the growth in the account to the excess over current year out of pockets. I seem to recall some fidelity (or similar) studies suggesting that retirement medical costs excluding long term care in the ballpark of $250k per person which may mean you are overfunded. I think the conversion of an HSA from a tax free account to a tax deferred account if inherited by a non-spouse is a bit...
by sesq
Mon May 21, 2018 10:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Edelman & Financial Engines merging
Replies: 36
Views: 6951

Re: Edelman & Financial Engines merging

AtlasShrugged? wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 6:33 am Ok, time for someone to say something nice about Ric Edelman. I am not an Edelman client - I did not want to pay the 1.5% AUM fee. :shock:

There is one service though that Edelman does provide that I feel gets lost in the Ric-Ripping:
Your point is taken but I think the forum has the Ric-Ripping correct. My sister-in-law is one of their clients. She was proud that she acquiesced to their suggestion that she save an additional $500/mo. The fees they charged here were a bit over $400/mo and north of 2% AUM inclusive of fund fees. My sister-in-law is emotional and I was told to back off, so I did. I hope Edelmen surprises us all and moves lower dollar value accounts onto the robo platform. I doubt it.
by sesq
Fri May 18, 2018 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Must See in South Dakota
Replies: 59
Views: 7791

Re: Must See in South Dakota

If you like the kitschy stuff roll south from Rushmore to Crazy Horse and on to Alliance, Nebraska for Carhenge. Its exactly what it sounds like, but quite the trifecta in my opinion.

I also adore the Corn Palace for a 20 minute side trip assuming you are riding by on the highway.
by sesq
Sun May 13, 2018 6:08 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What Percentage CASH are you?
Replies: 168
Views: 24798

Re: What Percentage CASH are you?

I just clawed out of 8 months of unemployment so I am planning to set it at a years worth of expenses. Which on an after tax basis (I accrue capital gain tax and tax on tax deferred accounts) will be about 8% in cash, 20% bonds, 25% International equities 45% domestic equities and 2% company stock. I tend to lump cash and bonds together and I am angling for a 30% allocation to the pair, with a year of expenses in cash. My portfolio isn't on an IPS and there is a lot of flux in it right now with recent unemployment, moving for a new job (upcoming house sale and purchase), and what not. I have to decide how much of a mortgage I want to carry since the new place is in a higher cost of living area and we will have about a 15% more expensive hou...
by sesq
Sun May 13, 2018 5:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mega Backdoor when value is down?
Replies: 6
Views: 1170

Re: Mega Backdoor when value is down?

You have a basis in the initial contribution dollars. But I don't think you can claim a loss if the value rolled over is less than the basis because it is within a tax preferenced account. So I think the issue is what are you potentially giving up? Example one: After tax value $5,000; contribution value - $5,001. Net result, who cares. Example two: After tax value $5,000; contribution value $20,000. Perhaps not a great idea if I am right that you can't take a loss. I guess maybe it doesn't matter since the Roth growth is tax free so if your $5k grew to 20k in after tax with additional basis vs roth the result is moot. Perhaps preferable as no further monitoring of value vs basis is required. To your other point of hassle vs no hassle. Ask y...
by sesq
Thu May 03, 2018 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital gains in a trust
Replies: 8
Views: 1183

Re: Capital gains in a trust

Thank you all for the comments. The total financial assets of the trust is the 120K split between the two stocks. My dream scenario would be to liquidate both stocks and put it into a balanced fund or index funds with a 40/60 allocation or something like that. I would like to do this tax efficiently as this is all they have for financial assets (trust also owns the house they live in - maybe worth 100-150k, no debt). Since a trust gets to the 37% rate in a heart beat, the analysis is would she rather have 37% less or live with single stock risk - which could mean she loses 50% or more. In theory, with the 0% rate, it might be possible to liquidate the entire trust and not pay taxes, or do it over two years. She generally doesn't want that s...
by sesq
Thu May 03, 2018 5:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital gains in a trust
Replies: 8
Views: 1183

Capital gains in a trust

My father passed away recently and he had been the trustee to a trust for the benefit of my cousin. This trust holds about $120k in assets concentrated in two stocks (Microsoft and Constellation Brands). I think there are about 90K of capital gains in these stocks (mostly Constellation Brands he bought in 2012 and it went on a run). My cousin is unemployed with a special needs child. She is pulling 30K or so per year from the trust. She also has bad credit and doesn't want the trust money in her name. My concern is I am trying to figure out how to diversify these holdings without getting killed on taxes. I don't know a lot about trust taxation but it looks like the trust can pay taxes at a high rate unless the profits are distributed to the...
by sesq
Wed May 02, 2018 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Testimonials on moving with a family
Replies: 29
Views: 3804

Re: Testimonials on moving with a family

I go where the work is. I have moved several times pre-kids for jobs. With kids we went from MA to central PA (daughter 2.5 y.o.; son on the way), then to Houston (daughter 11, son 8) and now we are moving to Philly a year and a half later since the Houston job didn't work out. We will be 2 hr away from our old PA house so we may see those people from time to time. We are trying to get the kids through high school at this point (so, 9 years). But I think that may coincide with FI, so we may be ready to early retire then, so we move again then. Family is in New England and DC. Moving when the kids were young was kind of a non-issue from their perspective. Had we been close to family we would may have enjoyed having them close to get some hel...
by sesq
Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7759
Views: 1349457

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

Earl Lemongrab wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 12:06 am I saw on another thread that there's a Merrill Edge "1000" offer, but it runs out 4/13:

https://www.merrilledge.com/offers/1000offer#

It's another "Expo attendee" one, so usual caveats there.
I was on the phone with ME the other day and she told me that there a $1K incentive would be approved if I rolled over my old 401(k) with about $380K in it. Not sure I want to do it since I do the backdoor roth.
by sesq
Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help my wife when I die.
Replies: 37
Views: 5552

Re: Help my wife when I die.

I muck around in my spreadsheets like many here. I even have some RMD planning although I am 45 not 27. Mine are on google docs and my wife has shared access. Prominently about 3-4 tabs in I have a tab I call the "Death Page". It is where I map out all the logistical things I keep track of and what she'd have to take over. I also spell out some advice and wishes that I'd want her to know. Especially obscure stuff like to spend down the HSA money early as she draws funds since HSA's inherited by non-spouses become tax deferred accounts, not tax free if use for medical. I still talk finances with her from time to time and she has picked up the basics. She took a greater interest this year and read Bernstein's "If You Can" ...
by sesq
Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FB
Replies: 356
Views: 43163

Re: Anyone Deleting Facebook?

I am not. I do an annual trip with a group of guys we use a FB group to handle logistics. I find my neighborhood discussion page occasionally useful, same for the buy/sell page (really sell page for my junk). I hid almost all of the political junkies. I don't post very much. Even less now since a friend of mine got me a job and I don't like to mix professional / personal.

I think it is interesting that they spam me almost daily trying to get me to repost a bit of nostalgia. The content generation is down.
by sesq
Thu Mar 22, 2018 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor IRA Roth - Commingling
Replies: 11
Views: 1748

Re: Backdoor IRA Roth - Commingling

Your contribution without a deduction becomes basis. The tax calc is the total amount converted less the applicable basis. The applicable basis is computed after applying the pro-rata rule. The wiki really covers this topic. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Backdoor_Roth_IRA OP - if you don't want to pay taxes on the 35K you should see if you can roll it into a 401(k). Either your employers or a solo 401(k). You can establish a solo 401(k) with a fairly trivial amount of business activity (the white coat investor talks about generating less than $100 doing online surveys as a separate business). You need to research whether the solo 401(k) provider accepts rollovers. I think Vanguard does not. But I think E-trade does. I don't remember, but ...
by sesq
Wed Mar 21, 2018 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home equity as part of retirement plan
Replies: 59
Views: 6421

Re: Home equity as part of retirement plan

I plan to downsize when my kids are out the door both in SQFT and cost of living. Some expenses are driven in part by the value of the house (property taxes, perhaps maintenance to the extent contractors price by the neighborhood) so in my spreadsheet I contemplate not just the additional capital that gets added to the pot but also I model out a few hypotheticals in terms of how much capital you need to hit the desired SWR.
by sesq
Thu Mar 08, 2018 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backdoor Roth... Am I misunderstanding something
Replies: 4
Views: 849

Re: Backdoor Roth... Am I misunderstanding something

If the target is 40K and the couple is over age 59.5, why not just withdraw from the traditional? Your question isn't really about the backdoor. The backdoor is a method for people who are over the income limit to make contributions to Roth IRA's. Since anyone one with compensation income can make nondeductible IRA contributions and conversions don't have income limits since 2010, the backdoor is that by making and immediately converting your nondeductible IRA you can fund a roth IRA over the income limit. If you have other traditional IRAs (not 401ks) then the pro-rata rule would make you allocate the basis and the conversion would not be tax free. Read more in the wiki: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Backdoor_Roth_IRA Now in your example...
by sesq
Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job is starting to suck the life out of me.
Replies: 80
Views: 13551

Re: Job is starting to suck the life out of me.

I agree to look but I also agree with those who suggest you appreciate what you have. Next week I am starting a new job after 8 months of being unemployed. We were fine, financially but being unemployed isn't great since so much of your life is uncertain. My nature wouldn't let me take time off and worry about it later. "It" was always looming.

Anyways, look around and look inside. It might be an attitude change is more important than a job change.

I'd say "It gets better" - but probably better to just up your savings rate. The sooner you control your destiny the better.
by sesq
Tue Aug 15, 2017 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Big family, small house dilemma -- kid bedrooms in basement?
Replies: 23
Views: 10063

Re: Big family, small house dilemma -- kid bedrooms in basement?

Perhaps you move a couple kids down and then soundproof the bedrooms a bit. Could be as easy as adding a second layer of drywall to the walls and ceilings. Adding insulation to the voids could help too. AVSforum (home theater) has a lot of resources on this topic in their dedicated theater forum. I don't think you will want to do the full treatment that is needed to contain subwoofers and massive speakers but I don't know your kids.

I would not want to lose the garage.
by sesq
Tue Aug 15, 2017 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your Movie Collection?
Replies: 43
Views: 6125

Re: Your Movie Collection?

I was going to say it hasn't been added to in years but then I remembered we get the kids new movies at christmas. We take long car trips to visit family and have dvd players in the car for them. We make them agree on a movie which can sometimes take a long time. They are starting to watch some of my old movies like Star Wars which is a big improvement on some of their kid's movies. They loved some "Hello Kitty" dvd that had terrible writing and a voice actor with a screaching voice.
by sesq
Tue Aug 15, 2017 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA - Mute button for Gas Station TV!
Replies: 22
Views: 4325

Re: PSA - Mute button for Gas Station TV!

So far I have a mental list of gas stations around me that don't have those things. Next time I get stuck I will look for your button. Hope I find it!
by sesq
Sun Jul 30, 2017 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I purchase Lake House for Primary
Replies: 28
Views: 6968

Re: Should I purchase Lake House for Primary

My parents liked lake houses and we lived in one until I was 8. There was a chain link fence between the house and the lake to cut down on the drowning risk. The beach would somehow accumulate rocks (or the sand would erode away) so a standard punishment in our family was to go pick 100 rocks off the beach and into the barrel we kept there. When the barrel was getting heavy we would take the barrel out to the middle of the lake on the boat and dump them in. We also had a raft floating off the property that was fun to swim out to and jump off. It was yellow plastic (we called it the yellow thing) and you could swim under it into an air pocket. We were reminiscing about it a couple months ago at a family gathering. Good memories. My mother lo...
by sesq
Sun Jul 30, 2017 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on taxable account - yearly additions.
Replies: 7
Views: 1719

Re: Advice on taxable account - yearly additions.

I only recently exceeded my tax preference opportunities and started taxable. I keep a spreadsheet in part so that I can calculate my deferred taxes on appreciated (or depreciated) shares. I have an IF/Then formula that adjusts the rate based on whether the tax lot would be at short term or long term rates. It is uber nerdy but fun.
by sesq
Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing/ Finance podcasts
Replies: 16
Views: 2461

Re: Investing/ Finance podcasts

My list (some business ones):

Money for the rest of us
Grants Interest Rate observer
Planet Money
Marketplace
Financial Advisor Success + XYPN Radio (both Michael Kitces affiliated who I admire)
White Coat Investor
WSJ - Your Money Matters (short like 6/7 minutes)
HBR (Harvard Business Review - I am selective about the topics that interest me)
Clark Howard (great for a while then gets repetitive)
Dave Ramsey (good for a month, now only listen rarely, repetitive)
Tim Ferriss (some biz topics, lot of self help)
Tony Robbins

I have a few unrelated ones that I listen to also. I like having a selection available so I can pick and choose. I don't catch every episode of most of these.
by sesq
Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garage Remodeling
Replies: 14
Views: 2861

Re: Garage Remodeling

In my last house I did the DIY epoxy from HD/Lowes when we first moved in. I took extra precautions when I did adding a polyurethene clear coat on top that I got off the internet. I still had "hot tire pickup" where part of the epoxy is ripped off. That part wasn't so attractive but did not materially change the overall utility. A few years later we did a full install of gladiator products. There is typically a sale in January at all the big retailers (amazon, HD, Sears, Lowes) and I had a spreadsheet that tracked the price difference of all the hooks, shelves and wall parts themselves. By shopping around, using coupons, shopping portals and buying discounted gift cards we knocked 20% off for sure. We undid some of those savings r...