Search found 843 matches

by Traveler
Thu Jan 07, 2021 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What did you spend in 2020?
Replies: 204
Views: 16055

Re: What did you spend in 2020?

stan1 wrote: Thu Jan 07, 2021 5:49 pm
7eight9 wrote: Thu Jan 07, 2021 3:10 pm 4.1K Food
2.0K Household (everything from paper towels to a new computer)
0.2K Medical
0.1K Clothing
0.9K Gasoline
0.1K Vehicle Maintenance
0.4K Gifts
0.4K Internet
0.7K Electricity
0.4K Natural Gas
0.6K Cellular
3.9K HOA
1.7K Car registrations / insurance
1.3K Property tax
0.4K Home insurance

17.1K total

2 adults - MCOL area
Wow, those HOA costs are out of control! Almost as much as food! I hope you are getting a nice pool, play tennis, etc. for that.
That's not bad if it's a condo. My townhouse HOA fees are my fourth largest expense. Includes a couple utilities, external maintenance (roof, painting, siding repair), landscaping, pool and clubhouse.
by Traveler
Thu Jan 07, 2021 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What did you spend in 2020?
Replies: 204
Views: 16055

Re: What did you spend in 2020?

$45,307 not including income taxes. Single female. Not nearly as much travel as normal but more spent on charity this vs 2019.
by Traveler
Sun Jan 03, 2021 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the right saving strategy to buy a home in HCOL area?
Replies: 31
Views: 3434

Re: What is the right saving strategy to buy a home in HCOL area?

Since you don't have kids yet, I might think about waiting until I have them and they're a year or two before going to school to decide on "good" school districts. Some change over time and what is good now might not be as good in 6-8 years when your first child is ready to attend.
by Traveler
Fri Nov 27, 2020 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?
Replies: 145
Views: 8775

Re: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?

I sponsored a couple families through a local charity and might do a couple more before the season is over. Due to Covid, they are not taking actual gift donations this year but rather buying gift cards so while it was easier to donate, I didn't get to go shopping which is usually fun for me.
by Traveler
Sat Oct 10, 2020 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Debt Free! Thank you Bogleheads!
Replies: 11
Views: 1924

Re: Debt Free! Thank you Bogleheads!

Congratulations on being debt free!
by Traveler
Fri Oct 09, 2020 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your Target Savings?
Replies: 64
Views: 9134

Re: What is your Target Savings?

smitcat wrote: Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:47 am
Traveler wrote: Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:41 am I save about 50% of gross income. There isn't a lot of rhyme or reason to that number, just what I have been able to do over the last 5 or so years so it has more or less become the norm. I want for very little (except enough savings to retire sooner rather than later) so life is good.
"I save about 50% of gross income."
That only works at specific income levels.
I have found that a metric that utilizes expenses (thank you KlangFool) to be much more valuable.
It also works more unbiversally with varied incomes and cicumstances.
Ok, how about this? I save at least two times my household expenses less income tax
by Traveler
Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your Target Savings?
Replies: 64
Views: 9134

Re: What is your Target Savings?

I save about 50% of gross income. There isn't a lot of rhyme or reason to that number, just what I have been able to do over the last 5 or so years so it has more or less become the norm. I want for very little (except enough savings to retire sooner rather than later) so life is good.
by Traveler
Thu Jul 16, 2020 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice on a more livable place
Replies: 145
Views: 14815

Re: Advice on a more livable place

Isabelle77 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:57 pm Vancouver WA area. Affordable but still the west coast, no income tax state, PDX is a good airport, good schools, some Asian culture. Rainy but mild. Beautiful scenery.
Don't go to the Pacific NW if you want sun. They can go for weeks without seeing it. The scenery is nice but to enjoy more than looking at it through a rain dotted windshield, you will be traipsing through mud. I grew up in Portland and the weather is awful. Good news is that in a 30 minute local news segment, 20 minutes will be on their crap weather.
by Traveler
Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job offer - lateral comp
Replies: 26
Views: 2424

Re: Job offer - lateral comp

Pomegranate wrote: Wed Jul 08, 2020 8:58 pm
RocketShipTech wrote: Wed Jul 08, 2020 8:44 pm What F500 company pays its Directors less than $200k all in? With no equity?

Doesn’t sound right to me.
There is huge inflation in titles nowadays. Mine is just a 'tech manager' and I report to a 'senior manager'. I oversee 3 small teams. My ex colleague offered me a director title in his company - it's about overseeing 2 small teams and $10k less total comp :annoyed
I agree that titles seem to be inflated, although I think it is especially true in smaller companies. I think that is one way they attract people to join. That said, sometimes smaller companies offer much more breadth of opportunity/responsibility than megacorps.

I would jump ship if I were the OP.
by Traveler
Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E-file but sending payment by mail
Replies: 21
Views: 1143

Re: E-file but sending payment by mail

For those who may think I'm a troglodyte, my state doesn't give me an option for online payment except via credit card that charges a 2.3% fee which I'm not about to pay. So Certified Mail it is with a, god forbid, paper check.
by Traveler
Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E-file but sending payment by mail
Replies: 21
Views: 1143

Re: E-file but sending payment by mail

Thank you, everyone! I will look into IRS Direct Pay
by Traveler
Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E-file but sending payment by mail
Replies: 21
Views: 1143

E-file but sending payment by mail

I e-filed my taxes but chose to send what I owe via mail. Do I need to include a copy of the entire return with my check and payment stub or do I just include the payment stub and check? Seems they already have a copy of the return.

I've never done it this way so want to make sure I'm doing what is required but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. Thank you!
by Traveler
Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Really hard to avoid "Keeping up with the Joneses"!
Replies: 313
Views: 37310

Re: Really hard to avoid "Keeping up with the Joneses"!

ddurrett896 wrote: Thu Jul 02, 2020 9:03 am I'm very comfortable saying "I can't afford that."
I usually say "I don't want to afford that"
by Traveler
Wed Jun 03, 2020 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife's expectations of subsidizing her friends' lives
Replies: 82
Views: 5920

Re: Wife's expectations of subsidizing her friends' lives

You had me at "weekly spa day" (which is at least $300 a pop) but then I kept reading and you topped it with paying for others' vacations and retirement. SMH. Another good reason for me to stay single. I have no advice that you haven't already received.
by Traveler
Wed May 27, 2020 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1:1 salary and stock jobs?
Replies: 80
Views: 8095

Re: 1:1 salary and stock jobs?

At my fortune 100 company (not tech), one must be at the VP level or above to have variable comp of 100% or more of base
by Traveler
Sun May 24, 2020 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?
Replies: 415
Views: 38319

Re: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?

I've lost 75 lbs in the last year with about that much more to go. So I was morbidly obese. I've lost 50+ lbs several times in the past and 100 lbs another time. I believe I am an expert at losing weight but obviously not at keeping it off. Right now I track everything I eat. I use WW which assigns a points value to food based on calories, saturated fat, sugar and protein. I also track calories. Similar to my financial life which is pretty good, I look at what I eat as a bank account. I am allotted so many points or calories and when I've used them, I've used them. I think the key to keeping the weight off is acknowledging and committing to doing this forever. I also believe that losing weight is ~90% what you eat and only ~10% related to a...
by Traveler
Wed May 20, 2020 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employer cut 403b contribution to zero
Replies: 86
Views: 7479

Re: Employer cut 403b contribution to zero

I don't know about you, but during the last two-three months I have not been spending as much. You could use that savings to fund a retirement account.
by Traveler
Fri May 15, 2020 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has Your Spending Changed Since The Shutdown?
Replies: 180
Views: 10332

Re: Has Your Spending Changed Since The Shutdown?

Nothing has gone up except maybe groceries a bit. Many things are less than before:
* 15% discount on car insurance renewal
* less eating out
* less travel (zero right now)
* even cell phone is less because I'm on home wifi almost 100% of the time
* dishwasher detergent, haha, is more because I seem to have a never-ending supply of dirty dishes
* utilities are the same
* about the same on clothes - I'm losing weight so still buying some new items
* less on haircut/color
by Traveler
Sun May 03, 2020 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has Your Spending Changed Since The Shutdown?
Replies: 180
Views: 10332

Re: Has your budget changed? What items have you cut out?

The categories that are down for me include gas (but I don't drive much anyway), eating out (this has curtailed to twice a month), entertainment (Netflix at $9 is the only spend here now), and travel (budget is $1500/month so this has gone to zero and I now have two airline credits to use in the future).
by Traveler
Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help us save more money on a monthly basis.
Replies: 50
Views: 4282

Re: Help us save more money on a monthly basis.

This is an easy one.
1) cut cable and get netflix: save 172/month. Given your spend on Amazon, you are likely a Prime member so you already have that streaming service. You will never have nothing to watch.
2) Clean your own house: save 500/month
3) Mow your own lawn: save $100/month
4) Cut down on spending $740 on Amazon and Target crap: save $300/month
5) What goes into Miscellaneous at $850/month? save: $500/month
6) Uber at $629/month? Get a cheap car for all-in $300/month: save: $300/month

Total saved: $1872/month, $22,464 per year
by Traveler
Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I cancel my travel in France and Belgium in mid May?
Replies: 75
Views: 7061

Re: Should I cancel my travel in France and Belgium in mid May?

I would postpone it and eat the $300 air bnb cost to cancel. September and October are wonderful months to go to Europe so maybe look at postponing until then (don't rebook yet and see how this virus evolves).
by Traveler
Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Happens To Your Battery When Your Car Is Parked For Weeks?
Replies: 90
Views: 5977

Re: What Happens To Your Battery When Your Car Is Parked For Weeks?

I've been going for almost daily solo drives just to get out of the house. Letting it sit for weeks on end seems like a waste.
by Traveler
Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What will you do first, once COVID pandemic is over?
Replies: 271
Views: 22577

Re: What will you do first, once COVID pandemic is over?

Get a hair cut and color. Then book a two-week trip somewhere. Where should I go?
by Traveler
Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How are you going to use your stimulus money?
Replies: 222
Views: 16400

Re: How are you going to use your stimulus money?

I won't be getting a check but since there are few places to spend money right now, I am saving more than usual
by Traveler
Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 945
Views: 107604

Re: So what are you cooking

I made salmon with mango salsa and rice for dinner tonight. I'm getting pretty low on a few items so need to go to the grocery store and hope they are stocked up again. Tomorrow I will make chili which will last a few days in case the store is picked over.
by Traveler
Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Work From Home] - What does your company pay for?
Replies: 83
Views: 5831

Re: [Work From Home] - What does your company pay for?

Just our regular laptop. I am still going into the office (by choice), but I do wonder if I missed the cot handout to those working from home. Seems many are napping on the job. Shouldn't take 60+ minutes to get a response to an email when it's not during lunch time hours.
by Traveler
Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:00 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?
Replies: 505
Views: 68874

Re: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?

My industry is relatively busy right now. My company is encouraging people at corporate to work from home but it is our decision whether we do or come into the office. I am choosing to go in. It is really quiet with very few in the office. More zoom meetings and conference calls now, but otherwise not much changed.
by Traveler
Sat Mar 14, 2020 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are federal student loans now 0%?
Replies: 24
Views: 2959

Re: Are federal student loans now 0%?

Seems that if the government wants to put money in the hands of people (presumably to spend, but there are fewer things to spend on right at the moment so not sure this is the best way of driving the economy), it would temporarily reduce the payroll tax
by Traveler
Sat Feb 08, 2020 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Merit Scholarships - Advice and Strategies?
Replies: 109
Views: 11891

Re: Merit Scholarships - Advice and Strategies?

I grew up in Portland and was basically paid to attend Oregon State (presidential scholarship plus numerous other one-off scholarships). I would take UW over Reed any day of the week but it probably depends on what your daughter wants to study and whether she wants to be at a large or small school.
by Traveler
Sat Feb 01, 2020 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do you replace water heater?
Replies: 29
Views: 2829

Re: When do you replace water heater?

I replaced the water heater in my townhouse about 6 years ago and it was 29 years old! I had no idea it was that old and was on borrowed time. The current one will be replaced much sooner than that, haha
by Traveler
Sat Feb 01, 2020 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New RMD rules for 2020
Replies: 8
Views: 1473

Re: New RMD rules for 2020

I just learned of this on a Wall St Journal webinar yesterday. They also said the calculation/formula for RMDs is being redone (sounds like that is a proposal for the IRS according to previous post).
by Traveler
Thu Jan 23, 2020 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Thoughts - Taking a large pay cut
Replies: 39
Views: 3913

Re: Career Thoughts - Taking a large pay cut

I grew up in Portland and currently work in marketing in Atlanta. I find it hard to believe one can find too many marketing jobs in Portland that pay $200K+ unless they're in tech. People often ask me if I will ever move "home" to Portland and I say absolutely not - I would take a 20% pay cut and my housing costs would nearly double.
by Traveler
Tue Jan 21, 2020 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: to pre-nup or not?
Replies: 133
Views: 14258

Re: to pre-nup or not?

finite_difference wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2020 1:54 am If you’re not willing to give away half of your material assets to the person you marry, then you probably shouldn’t be getting married. I would live together for a while before deciding. No need to rush into things.
I think the problem is that I wouldn't be willing to give away half of my material assets to the person I divorce
by Traveler
Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When a bargain car loan is no "bargain"
Replies: 49
Views: 4555

Re: When a bargain car loan is no "bargain"

There are many things us normal(?) people would self-insure instead of padding the profit margins of the sellers of said insurance policies
by Traveler
Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying last year model car when new models are out
Replies: 44
Views: 4207

Re: Buying last year model car when new models are out

My last two cars (2002 Honda Accord) and a 2014 Nissan Maxima were bought when the new, redesigned models were coming out. I felt like I got a pretty good deal, especially on the Maxima. Neither car had more than ~100 miles on it even though they'd been sitting around a while.
by Traveler
Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Instacart Costco vs. costco.com (instacart) prices
Replies: 16
Views: 4254

Re: Instacart Costco vs. costco.com (instacart) prices

I am amazed with how much/often people have things like restaurant food and groceries delivered to their homes. My favorite local Chinese place no longer delivers and instead uses Grubhub, Uber Eats, etc. Well, that's fine except now there are delivery fees, the menu prices are higher and I still am expected to tip the driver. Why would I spend at least an additional $10 when I could simply drive 1/2 mile to the restaurant and pick up my own food? Unless I am immobile or sick, I choose to pick it up myself.
by Traveler
Mon Dec 16, 2019 6:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fell asleep at the wheel - Predicting a 2019 tax underpayment penalty
Replies: 31
Views: 4952

Re: Fell asleep at the wheel - Predicting a 2019 tax underpayment penalty

I did the same thing too (fell asleep at the wheel) but realized it in late October so I was able to change my withholdings for my final two paychecks and am hoping that is sufficient to avoid a penalty. Taxing bonuses at 22% does me a disservice when my marginal rate is higher than that. I will use the nifty new W4 next year to change my withholdings for the year.
by Traveler
Sat Nov 23, 2019 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spending money to make travel easier and luxurious?
Replies: 85
Views: 9629

Re: Spending money to make travel easier and luxurious?

Better seating on flights over 5 hrs - premium economy or above
Non-stop flights when possible, or at least the best times/routing
Hotels based on location (I rarely if ever stay in chain hotels and prefer boutique hotels with character)
Hotel rooms with something extra (balcony, ocean front, plunge pool, hot tub, rooftop deck, etc)
Global entry/pre-check
Travel clothes that pack well, are lightweight, don't wrinkle and are versatile for dressing down or up (Columbia Sportswear makes some good pants)
Not sure if you are a woman or not, but getting a blowout mid-trip is a nice treat so my hair looks good for a day or two
Functional (not necessarily expensive) luggage, purse, day pack
Taxis or other means to save steps
by Traveler
Sun Nov 17, 2019 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I Travel ot Ecuador?
Replies: 51
Views: 5522

Re: Should I Travel ot Ecuador?

I haven't been to Ecuador but traveled by myself to Cartagena, Colombia and also around Argentina. I've also been to Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires (first time), but not solo. I wouldn't hesitate to go to Ecuador, especially with a tour group. I don't speak a language other than English and am a 47 year old female, as reference. I have traveled to 25+ countries by myself and have rarely even felt afraid, let alone at risk.
by Traveler
Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Tenant.... possibly
Replies: 28
Views: 2607

Re: New Tenant.... possibly

Can you ask for some paystubs to verify income? If he is new to the US, he probably doesn't yet have a tax return.
by Traveler
Sun Nov 10, 2019 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tale of 2 doctor job opportunities
Replies: 41
Views: 4718

Re: Tale of 2 doctor job opportunities

Disclaimer: I am not a physician and don't work in the healthcare industry - I am a businessperson working for a megacorp.

I would think the business skills you will learn in option #1 could be very beneficial in the future. I've always envied those who had the guts to start a business and not be a cog in the wheel of a large company.
by Traveler
Sat Nov 09, 2019 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do I Understand Safe Harbor rules correctly?
Replies: 27
Views: 3658

Re: Do I Understand Safe Harbor rules correctly?

retiredjg wrote: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:54 am
Lee_WSP wrote: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:37 am Why isn't company withholding from the bonus? It is not 1099 income and all applicable withholding would apply along with FICA taxes.
This was my question as well.
My bonus earlier this year was taxed at 22%, lower than my marginal rate. From a quick google search, for what it's worth, it seems that bonuses under $1M are taxed at 22%. So for some this may be more than enough and for others, like me, it is not enough.
by Traveler
Mon Nov 04, 2019 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fed dental plans in 2020: keeping, dropping or switching?
Replies: 33
Views: 4307

Re: Fed dental plans in 2020: keeping, dropping or switching?

If I had to pay $50/month for dental insurance premium with a standard max payout limit of $1500-2500, I would skip the insurance and self insure. Seems about the same as buying insurance for a cell phone or laptop (again, I would skip it).

As it is, my employer subsidizes my dental and this year the $1500 limit policy has no premium, it goes up to $7/month next year and I will keep it because my two dental cleaning appointments are more than the $84 in premiums and are covered 100% by insurance.
by Traveler
Sat Nov 02, 2019 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 40th Anniversary Travel Ideas
Replies: 26
Views: 2682

Re: 40th Anniversary Travel Ideas

I spent two weeks in October in Malta and really enjoyed it. It is small so you could base yourself solely in Valletta and do day trips to other parts of the island, or move around a couple times and explore other areas in more detail. Good food, temples/ruins 1000 years older than the pyramids, more cathedrals/churches than you can imagine, fortressed medieval towns, rugged coastline, friendly people, English language. It was great!
by Traveler
Sat Nov 02, 2019 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consider the next phase of our travel?
Replies: 37
Views: 3599

Re: Consider the next phase of our travel?

Why not revisit some places or countries you have been? Just because you may have been to Italy, have you been to the countryside? Umbria? Puglia? Sicily? Sardinia? The Lakes region? There is much more to Italy than Venice, Florence and Rome. This is just an example, but while I have traveled a fair amount, I return to some countries time and again because there is always more to see.

Another thing I've started doing is going to events/experiences while traveling - cooking classes, car races, concerts, theater, etc. For instance, you may have been to Germany, but have you been to the Oktoberfest? Have you been to the Monaco Gran Prix? Easter mass in St Peter's Vatican?
by Traveler
Fri Nov 01, 2019 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes on Bonus
Replies: 27
Views: 4079

Re: Taxes on Bonus

My experience this year is that bonuses were withheld at 22% which is actually not enough
by Traveler
Fri Nov 01, 2019 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Just got married] Looking for ways to cut down on my budget
Replies: 80
Views: 7864

Re: [Just got married] Looking for ways to cut down on my budget

Not sure I'm a good comparison since I am single with no kids but I earn gross ~$200K. Here is what I spend annually in decreasing order: Income/payroll tax: $48000 Travel: $17000 Household: $7200 (mortgage is paid off so this is mostly taxes, insurance and condo HOA) Food: $4800 Charity: $4000 Personal items: $3500 Gifts: $3300 Medical: $2000 (this varies) Entertainment: $1200 Miscellaneous: $800 Savings: ~$105,000 Your spending doesn't seem out of control, but some of your budgeting seems a little high, as others have mentioned. If it feels tight now, you might consider waiting a couple more years before having a child. That would alleviate the HVAC loan, get a couple more years of student loans paid off, and allow you to stockpile more a...