Bogleheads.org

goodenoughinvestor

OP checking in: Thanks for all the good advice. Today, I sold half of my shares and have stopped thinking about it, so it was the right decision.

goodenoughinvestor

I know there is another long thread addressing a similar situation but reading through it just increases my agita. In general I am an index-fund, passive investor. But last year when I had a bit of cash in my Roth I bought some Tesla on a whim. I thought/think it is possible that it will become extr...

goodenoughinvestor

It's weird how the news keeps saying that the middle class got stiffed while the rich gained, but around here it's just the opposite. The politicians in the high tax states keep complaining too, but it seems to mainly hit people in the higher brackets (and million dollar houses), which is not the m...

goodenoughinvestor

I will pay $1,000 more, or about 14%, in federal income tax, than I would have if the tax laws hadn't changed. This is due to a combination of the loss of personal exemption and SALT deduction.

goodenoughinvestor

Electronics. The prices are "competitive"--sometimes, but not always, less than everywhere else, but they increase the warranty, returns are a breeze and if you have issues their concierge service will deal with say, Samsung, for you which is a great help.

goodenoughinvestor

An update on my experience, which went very smoothly: 1. Applied on-line for two accounts: the required savings and the CD. I had to upload pic of driver's license. I used a credit card to fund the savings account with $5 (no fee). Process took maybe 5 minutes. 2. Linked the savings account to my Al...

goodenoughinvestor

Was able to join easily on-line, no need for soc sec card, just a pic of driver's license.

goodenoughinvestor

If this policy covers home care then she might very well use it for 2-plus years.

goodenoughinvestor

I've searched the forums and haven't found an answer to this. I also can't find an answer in IRS advisories. If possible, I'd like to contribute EE bonds tax free to my daughter's grad school tuition. (She's no longer a dependent.) Can I: 1. Redeem the bonds and transfer to my own already existent 5...

goodenoughinvestor

I'm in the process of setting up my CD. I went through the process of becoming a member and opening a $5 savings account online. Keep in mind that this requires a hard pull on your credit report (TransUnion for me). The CD process can only be done on the phone. I'm not sure if you could become a me...

goodenoughinvestor

Another vote for Nannychex--you can also use their service for home healthcare workers (elder care)

goodenoughinvestor

Thanks. That was extremely helpful.

goodenoughinvestor

I have a new part-time job that requires me to contribute 5% of tax deferred income to a 401a. (The employer also kicks in 8%.) In addition, there is a 403(b) plan that I'm entitled to contribute to, and Roth is an option for this. I'm also self-employed and in recent years have been contributing th...

goodenoughinvestor

The problem with all of this advice is that, by definition, real estate is local. In some areas, FSBO or Redfin are common while in others they aren't. Only take advice from someone who knows your specific area very well. For example, in my town most sellers use an agent. When you see someone sellin...

goodenoughinvestor

For a high-quality sofa that's been damaged there's actually a company that will come and fix. They're called Fibrenew. They can re-dye and make scratches and cuts "disappear." I think the company is a franchise and truth is I only know the work of the guy in Manhattan, who has a legendary...

goodenoughinvestor

The only thing I would add to the good advice you're getting here is to keep in mind that once the now hypothetical baby (and younger siblings!) arrives life changes quite a bit. Your partner (or you) might no longer want to work full-time--or it might not be cost effective if childcare is very pric...

goodenoughinvestor

My advice is to only take advice from knowledgeable locals on whether to hire a realtor and, if so, which sort. No matter how well-meaning, advice from someone who has zero experience in your Chicago-area market is worth just that--zero.

goodenoughinvestor

good question--I'll ask. Meanwhile, anyone know if the gifting idea is kosher?

goodenoughinvestor

Good friend of mine's widowed 82 year old father wants to downsize from family home to a condo. Has to buy because there are no rentals in the area where he lives. He's active in the community, socially, and doesn't want to move out of town. House is worth $1,000,000 (seller's market--people are pay...

goodenoughinvestor

I am currently engaged in one of those nightmare bureaucratic billing snafus with Directv, which I just had installed 3 weeks ago. The merging of att and directv is the opposite of seamless. I have spent a documented 5 hours of phone time and 2 hours in an ATT store over the past week and I still do...

goodenoughinvestor

1. Get her the same type that you have (iPhone or Android). 2. Your Mom has to find some local place--like an Apple store-- that will be respectful and treat her like they would their own grandmother.My 88 year old mom has become almost a mascot at her local Verizon store. She goes in all the time a...

goodenoughinvestor

Only two anti-wrinkle strategies are scientifically proven to work. By scientific I mean double-blind, controlled studies. I'd consider everything else a scam. 1. Sunblock (for prevention). 2. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and tazarotene (Tazorac). You can get a prescription for the ...

goodenoughinvestor

I can't find the answer to this, maybe because it's so obvious, but I want to doublecheck: I have a solo 401K plan. Can I use non-retirement savings to make my maximum employee contribution now, in January, before I have actually earned the income? I am certain that I will earn enough to cover the m...

goodenoughinvestor

I just converted a lot of my retirement equity holdings to cash, which changes my asset allocation from about 60/40 to 40/60. The election news/poll results have me absolutely terrified and, as I am approaching retirement age I am, to be blunt, really scared about direction. Of course, I can't predi...

goodenoughinvestor

thank you--that worked.

goodenoughinvestor

I'm trying to get Quicken to automatically download activity from my new Fidelity Visa. Based on info posted on a previous thread, I ID'd the credit card as coming from Elan. When Quicken asks for user name and password I put in my Fidelity info and then it asks me a security question that I can't a...

goodenoughinvestor

etrade offers a Roth option for solo 401k "employee" contributions.

goodenoughinvestor

First: fix the doors and anything else that's part of your house that needs repair. Next: Get consultations from HVAC companies, mold remediating companies and maybe plumbers about the odor. Make sure you have a lot of professionals advise you, particularly if anyone suggests you need a very expensi...

goodenoughinvestor

House buying is, by definition, local. So take the advice of people who know the particular market you're househunting in. In a very competitive seller's market with multiple bids and people offering cash deals, refusing to waive means you are probably not going to get the house (unless your bid is ...

goodenoughinvestor

One issue with Freetax: It doesn't seem to let you upload 1099-B, Int, Div etc forms from financial institutions directly into your return the way Turbotax does. You have to input it all manually. Not a problem if you aren't dealing with a lot of transactions. But if you are it can be pretty onerous...

goodenoughinvestor

If she opens a self-employed 401(K) she can use a Roth option for the "employee" contribution (you can contribute up to $18000, or $24000 if 50+). Not all financial institutions that offer individual 401Ks offer the Roth option but if you search this site you'll find threads that mention t...

goodenoughinvestor

From their lips to God's ears

goodenoughinvestor

There's some dissonance in your question because the times when it is most important to be around for your kids are not always the times when it will be most enjoyable or rewarding for you. Kids are "easiest" when they are in grade school. But it is more important to be around when they ar...

goodenoughinvestor

If I recall correctly, I didn't sign on with either Directv or Dish because they offered two-year contracts that only guaranteed a monthly price for the first year. They reserved the right to charge you anything for year two and if you wanted out there was a hefty cancellation fee. Why would I agree...

goodenoughinvestor

The West Wing (Netflix) holds up really well to binging. Also, if you can deal with subtitles I recommend: Rita--about an inappropriate but beloved Danish school teacher--a comedy that grapples with social issues Danish style. Such an international viewer favorite that Netflix paid to produce a thir...

goodenoughinvestor

I am facing virtually the same situation. I scheduled and then cancelled a diagnostic test when the facility's billing department called and said the cost to me (including my small deductible and then 20% copay) would be $1400. So I went for a second opinion. The second doctor (affiliated with a dif...

goodenoughinvestor

Each year I check the allowable contributions to my individual Roth (401)K (employee) and Roth IRA. (In 2014 it was $29500). I then "fill up" my 0% capital gains bracket by that amount by selling shares of a mutual fund that has appreciated significantly. On the same day that I sell, I use...

goodenoughinvestor

To answer the original question about Comcast's internet pricing: what's really going on here is that their price for internet service alone is outrageously high--and for a reason: they want to avoid customers only using them for internet service--and then using that internet access to receive video...

goodenoughinvestor

To answer the question about what info interviewers are given....We were told: name, address, name of high school, ethnicity, expected major and interests. We were given no info on GPA, test scores or class rank and were discouraged from asking about them--not the point of the interview. At least on...

goodenoughinvestor

I too interviewed applicants for an ivy league school for many years. My takeaway is that the interview does not matter much to the admissions committee--what does matter is that the student shows up for the interview because this indicates interest and therefore greater likelihood that he or she wi...

goodenoughinvestor

1. Admission to elite colleges (especially private ones but also some of the "public ivies") is really a lottery system. Thanks to his test scores, GPA and extra-curriculars, your son has made the "cut-off"--which means he gets a lottery ticket for each school. If he has a "...

goodenoughinvestor

My understanding is that if your work income does not put you above the 15% cap but your capital gains do, then your work income will still be taxed at up to 15% (not more) but you will also have to pay tax on the "excess" capital gains (the amount that puts your total income above 15%)

goodenoughinvestor

A cautionary tale: Adult children fixed up house to sell it after mother died. They put a lot of money into updating kitchen, etc. They were so pleased by their efforts they decided to try to sell house themselves and forgo agent commission.They priced it above market value and it sat and sat despit...

goodenoughinvestor

If the city can give you a defnitive, exact amount for permits and fines then you should request a credit back at closing. This is better for two reasons: you can close faster (that's good for seller, too) and you can be in charge of the process and make sure it's done absolutely right. The seller h...

goodenoughinvestor

I don't think there's anything nefarious on part of the seller--when you sell your house you'd like the money as quickly as possible with the least possibility of a deal going south. Keep in mind that a 21 day close may not be literally "21 days." At least in my neck of the woods there is ...

goodenoughinvestor

are you sure you can easily replace the tiles? my understanding was that it is not possible without removing kitchen cabinets but I never thoroughly researched so don't know for sure.

goodenoughinvestor

I chose to go with etrade for my solo 401K specifically because I wanted the Roth option, not offered by Vanguard etc. It was easy to set up and so far, no problems. Once, I earmarked a contribution for the wrong year, quickly noticed the error after completing the transaction, called them up and th...

goodenoughinvestor

I use this strategy to shift my taxable gains into a Roth 401K. I am self-employed with a low income but sizable balances in taxable accounts with significant long-term capital gains. So each year I figure out how much I can withdraw from these accounts while staying within the 15% bracket. Then I u...

goodenoughinvestor

If you have a very academically talented and driven kid he should consider applying to four types of schools: 1. State flagship. If you're lucky enough to live in one of the handful of states with highly rated state schools (I'm thinking California, Virginia, Michigan, Texas...) perhaps your search ...

goodenoughinvestor

When my mother became a widow and was overwhelmed by the financial decision-making I took the advice I received from wise BHers and hired a fee-only financial planner/cpa to pore over my mother's finances and come up with a plan. I believe the total cost was about $700. Fortunately, it turned out my...

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