Search found 620 matches

by my name
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7879

Re: Purchase new car in 2024

Sampan wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:09 pm I have the same Corolla with similar mileage. I think you've made a sensible decision.
Thanks Sampan !
by my name
Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7879

Re: Purchase new car in 2024

Thanks for all the great feedback and advice and your experience. It has helped me now and in the future. I have finally decided what to do for my case. I bought new tires, stay safe. And wait a year or two to get a hybrid as that increases in production as manufacturers move away from all gas. No need for a charging station, much lower purchase price than all electric, good milage for my driving style - low mileage, city miles, less highway. I still want those safety features in new cars today, I'll get there. The world may need all electric eventually, they'll become more stable and lower cost in the not-so-distant future. So, let the early adopters that can afford them have fun now. I think hybrids are having "their day" start ...
by my name
Mon Jan 08, 2024 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for cordless electric snow blower suitable for northeast
Replies: 58
Views: 7379

Re: Recommendations for cordless electric snow blower suitable for northeast

The smaller 24" EGO is almost as highly rated as the larger top rated 28" model (lesser speed, but likely lighter), and you can save about $1000 ($1500 versus $2300). Here is Consumer Reports rating. https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/snow-blowers/ego-snt2405/m401926/ To think, before moving to a rental (retirement community), I used the TORO large electric (cord) for decades. It was fine, I was so glad to find something so reliable that was not a big gas monster. It was low cost and like vacuuming the carpet, if I used it every 6" (before the 8" max). On a straight 50 X 100 ft sidewalk and 20 ft driveway. So, in a big storm, I'd go out a few times and "vacuum" my sidewalk, sometimes middle of the nigh...
by my name
Sun Jan 07, 2024 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7879

Re: Purchase new car in 2024

tibbitts wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:34 pm Camry is new for 2025, and will be hybrid-only, so I'm guessing more of an interruption to production than if it was just a carry-over as it was last year. There is a very slim selection available.
OK, it's all starting to make sense now. That could be behind the serious "shortage" of cars that have the current ICE Corolla design. It's an artificial shortage so there won't be a big backlog on the lots when they switch to the hybrid-only model in a year. They are keeping stock low as they are gearing up for a hybrid-only future. Selling higher cost / more profitable cars to the "sedan" buyer.
by my name
Sun Jan 07, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7879

Re: Purchase new car in 2024

tibbitts wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:15 pm I would guess with the significant changeover coming in the 2025s the situation will get worse before it gets better. The Camry will be only hybrid now, so one less question to answer, but that may be driving demand for the few remaining ICE-only leftovers.
What specifically is the changeover in 2025? One person said in a internet car review that Corolla was being remodeled in 2025. My local dealer said he had not heard that, but the Camry was. And what do you mean that the Camry will be the only hybrid now?

This website has the list of Corolla redesigns / generations.
https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-co ... %20economy.
by my name
Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD
Replies: 72
Views: 12236

Re: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD

GeoMetry wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 12:52 pm Like many conversations this thread has drifted ....
Yes, discussions can do that. But some posts are on target or else are related, so the original thread was not "hijacked", I think.

I don't need my RMD for spending, my post is not clear about that specifically, and i do talk about my choices and what I do and why.
by my name
Sun Jan 07, 2024 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD
Replies: 72
Views: 12236

Re: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD

Dealing with IRMAA is harder ... It might be easier to be poor. Too many unknowns, and I just accept IRMAA "as is". As someone said, be glad you made money. You can't avoid taxes or IRMAA reliably, it'll happen. I made decisions decades ago when everything, including 401ks, were new. Really good advice and strategy were scarce. Some people had elaborate spreadsheets to try to figure it all out, for best timing and trying to "harness every tax savings strategy known". That was just exhausting and stressing, and each "advice" was maybe not the answer. It took a long time to find enough good info to realize that at 65, when you had lower income pre-RMD, it did not make sense for a single person to convert a few d...
by my name
Sat Jan 06, 2024 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7879

Re: Purchase new car in 2024

All of you have given me some fantastic feedback. I appreciate all the info you share, much to think about.
by my name
Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbo Tax not calculating tax correctly
Replies: 19
Views: 2675

Re: Turbo Tax not calculating tax correctly

I get my last tax form in late January (Vanguard brokerage seems to be doing that since last year, and not late February). You'll be doing a TT update periodically if you add in tax form data as each form is received (I do).

If you do a last refresh (update) in early February and have any outstanding issues, or at any time, create an account and use the TT AnswerExchange. I have always gotten quick great Q&A help.
by my name
Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD
Replies: 72
Views: 12236

Re: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD

I schedule my RMD for early December. This gives me wiggle room to take the RMD earlier based on personal expenditure need or market craziness, or even as per above, it allows use of a federal waiver of making an RMD that year. I deduct 30% to cover taxes (based on estimated tax due per last year's return and EOY statement review). This means I do not have to do estimated taxes quarterly or have withholding on several income sources. Set-it and forget it. I have been "rebalancing" my funds by taking RMDs from the Vangard Federal Money Market Fund in the IRA account and moving that to the same fund in the taxable account. If I need to rebalance, I could move it to one of the other taxable funds. Yes, I have some "cash" fu...
by my name
Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Turbo Tax version?
Replies: 15
Views: 2125

Re: Which Turbo Tax version?

My situation is similar to yours. I keep using Premier and order the CD to keep a library over the years. The sale cost in the New Year is only $64, and Deluxe is $20 less so not much difference. (Amazon and probably other stores). Soon I'll probably sell some ESPP stock and would need Premier. I can use the What-If form now to estimate scenarios for selling ESPP in the future, or to just estimate next year's taxes, etc. I use their excellent answer exchange for tax Q&A like managing and selling rental real estate out of state. Even off season I get good answers.
by my name
Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7879

Purchase new car in 2024

I am now wanting a new car. I found a great post here, I believe, when I bought my 2015 white Toyota Corolla over the internet. Someone had a brief post on how to write a request for a quote. State the make/model without add-ons. No talk of trade-in, No visit or phone call. Just wanted the out-the-door price with fees, taxes, etc. I'm trying to think if there was any other info requested. I did visit my local dealer. I used the internet for maybe 10 other dealers. All out-the-door prices were in the same ballpark, and I bought from my local dealer. 3 internet dealers were old fashioned and were slick and tried to get me to visit, and I ignored them. This week in 2024, I visited the local Toyota dealer, asking about a similar car. (I am in a...
by my name
Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this safe? Walmart pop-up asks if I'm a robot; click here
Replies: 21
Views: 6706

Re: Is this safe? Walmart pop-up asks if I'm a robot; click here

bradinsky wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:39 am Many dealings with Walmart online, poking the “I am not a robot” button & never an issue.
Interesting. There are so many that get into an endless loop. And it began long ago. And I never saw this until today, often at Walmart.com
by my name
Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this safe? Walmart pop-up asks if I'm a robot; click here
Replies: 21
Views: 6706

Re: Is this safe? Walmart pop-up asks if I'm a robot; click here

Silk McCue wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:47 am Do as you wish but that is an overreaction to the situation. This presents no risk to you.
I kept doing as the pop-up asked, also trying the second method it allowed. But it kept looping many times, not letting me in. Annoying at best, impossible at worst. VPN is a solution if one has that. I prefer to stay away from anything that is that flaky.
by my name
Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this safe? Walmart pop-up asks if I'm a robot; click here
Replies: 21
Views: 6706

Re: Is this safe? Walmart pop-up asks if I'm a robot; click here

I'm now getting the Walmart pop-up. Don't see any reasonable "why" when doing a google search. I turned on my VPN and do not have the problem. Given no other website had the problem that I could see, it seems likely a Walmart server issue of some kind. Given that there are posts like here that are older, it has been around a while. But never happened to me before. I got it with the Edge browser but also with Firefox which clears the history with each close of Firefox.

I would just stay away from Walmart on-line.
by my name
Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Picking a bond fund within 401k plan
Replies: 17
Views: 1649

Re: Picking a bond fund within 401k plan

My employer institutional funds in 401K were great.
by my name
Thu Jan 21, 2021 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-R tax form for wrong state
Replies: 4
Views: 382

Re: 1099-R tax form for wrong state

Thanks, everyone.
by my name
Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-R tax form for wrong state
Replies: 4
Views: 382

Re: 1099-R tax form for wrong state

Thanks, makes sense it is too small for NJ to deal with.
by my name
Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-R tax form for wrong state
Replies: 4
Views: 382

1099-R tax form for wrong state

My 1099-R tax form for pension is wrong. I moved from NJ to PA in 2019. Apparently I let the brokerage know in January 2020. So I now have one tax form for NJ and one for my new state PA. This is Fidelity and the person answering their phone says they make no correction to tax forms unless it is their error.

So do I just ignore NJ and deal with it if they contact me? It is not taxed income by NJ nor by PA.
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait until 70 to take social security?
Replies: 161
Views: 19476

Re: Wait until 70 to take social security?

ObliviousInvestor wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:30 pm
my name wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:26 pm Still did not work for me, tried different browser as well. (shift + Ctrl) + r or Ctrl + F5
Can you make a post in this thread?
viewtopic.php?t=251065&view=unread#unread

To look into the issue, I would need to know the inputs used. (Using the link under the submit button is probably the fastest way to share those inputs.)
Here is the problem. I am over 70. You state that at the website you directed me to. You might want to post this fact at the calculator so people don't use it if it does not (yet) work for them.
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait until 70 to take social security?
Replies: 161
Views: 19476

Re: Wait until 70 to take social security?

This is very well said. I agree with all points. For my DW and I (she is 2 years younger than me with a PIA that is 25% of mine), our plan is to have my DW claim at her full retirement age of 67 (based upon her own work record) with me deferring to age 70. When I do begin to collect my benefit, my DW will get the spousal benefit step up to 50% of my PIA (at my full retirement age). This is pretty much optimal according to this SS calculator (https://opensocialsecurity.com/). Until then, we plan to Roth convert to fill the lower tax bracket(s). The link above, if you change the default calculation info - the calculation just spins and never stops calculating. I've tried it more than once. If you leave the default numbers alone, it gives a s...
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait until 70 to take social security?
Replies: 161
Views: 19476

Re: Wait until 70 to take social security?

This is very well said. I agree with all points. For my DW and I (she is 2 years younger than me with a PIA that is 25% of mine), our plan is to have my DW claim at her full retirement age of 67 (based upon her own work record) with me deferring to age 70. When I do begin to collect my benefit, my DW will get the spousal benefit step up to 50% of my PIA (at my full retirement age). This is pretty much optimal according to this SS calculator (https://opensocialsecurity.com/). Until then, we plan to Roth convert to fill the lower tax bracket(s). The link above, if you change the default calculation info - the calculation just spins and never stops calculating. I've tried it more than once. If you leave the default numbers alone, it gives a s...
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When I win the lottery tonight
Replies: 10
Views: 1008

Re: When I win the lottery tonight

H-Town wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 1:10 pm Sir, I have a bridge I want to sell to you.
I've been warned about people like you. Serious ideas only, please. But if it is the Brooklyn Bridge ....
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When I win the lottery tonight
Replies: 10
Views: 1008

Re: When I win the lottery tonight

goodenyou wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 12:53 pm I would be sure that, if you have heirs, be sure that you documented that they paid for half the ticket. Of course they did, right?

This way you can give them what is rightfully theirs without having to have them inherit it with the big tax consequence.

:beer
Oh. Do you have a way for me to do something similar? I mean, $200 or $400 million for tax is a little extreme, don't you think?
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When I win the lottery tonight
Replies: 10
Views: 1008

Re: When I win the lottery tonight

Greentree wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 12:53 pm Go out and treat yourself to something nice. Like a 2022 Toyota Corolla.
This is right on the money! I now have a 2005 Toyota Corolla and a whopping 53,000 miles. I have started to think about what my next car will be. But then, I'll be able to buy anything I want tomorrow (or Wednesday), so maybe it is time for a Subaru Forester.
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When I win the lottery tonight
Replies: 10
Views: 1008

Re: When I win the lottery tonight

Normchad wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 12:51 pm I’ll be happy to take a 1% AUM fee for this bomb diggety advice.
Thank you. You have improved my vocabulary! I had to look that one up. Google has everything. (How I wish I had invested that spare $50K I had in the late 1990's when Google went public.)
by my name
Sat Jan 02, 2021 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When I win the lottery tonight
Replies: 10
Views: 1008

When I win the lottery tonight

Tonight's Powerball drawing jackpot is now $384 million. Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing jackpot is now $432. I'm pretty sure I'll win both. What do you recommend I do with my winnings? When I drive up to Harrisburg to claim my prize(s), I imagine they will hand me a check, or more likely a form that says where to send the money. Warren Buffet says Index Funds. So maybe I should simply wire it over to my brokerage. And have $10k automatically transferred every month to my bank account to pay for groceries. At my age - mid-70's - I check off on my tickets to take the money in a lump sum, not annuity. And about half will go to federal and state taxes. I'm thinking something very safe, rather than aggressive growth. I'm not looking to make ind...
by my name
Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait until 70 to take social security?
Replies: 161
Views: 19476

Re: Wait until 70 to take social security?

Is there a simple answer for how many years you have to live (single) so that you actually breakeven on taking SS later? Assuming historical yields etc. Some of us who have other income to support us until age 70, and have a probability of living a long life, choose to delay SS to maximize the lifetime benefit. Consider the breakeven about age 80. Any benefit after that is considered "getting more" over your lifetime. But life will likely cost much more at that time, too, whether groceries or medical and LTC costs. Here are articles on using a breakeven calculator, and deciding when to take SS. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020615/how-do-i-calculate-my-social-security-breakeven-age.asp "The break-even age will var...
by my name
Tue Dec 29, 2020 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait until 70 to take social security?
Replies: 161
Views: 19476

Re: Wait until 70 to take social security?

bltn wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 4:02 am This is the way to decide on social security benefits. "If you can afford to wait, wait."

An 8% increase in your guaranteed annuity benefit every year is hard to beat.
I agree. And it is better than that. SS is a guaranteed inflation-adjusted annuity from the U.S. government. So besides the 8%, you get any cola as well. And the lower the prevailing interest rates, like recent years, the better the deal. The most common mistake is starting to collect SS too early.
by my name
Mon Dec 28, 2020 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait until 70 to take social security?
Replies: 161
Views: 19476

Re: Wait until 70 to take social security?

Like some above. Single. Waited until 70 to maximize the benefit, receive about the most that SS will pay. (Some refer to it as maxing the max). I think of it as insurance in case I live (longevity insurance). Turns out that SS and a very small pension cover my bills and day-to-day living expenses. RMDs are reinvested after paying estimated taxes.

About the same time I began receiving SS benefits, I also began RMDs. Be aware of the tax and IRMAA surcharges for Medicare premiums. Yes, they will happen and SS for me is taxed at its max. But as someone said, you made money, don't worry about it.
by my name
Sat Dec 26, 2020 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re-Thinking Rewards Checking Accounts
Replies: 51
Views: 5088

Re: Re-Thinking Rewards Checking Accounts

... this large balance might be exposed to debit card fraud or errors. Accordingly, I would suggest that this setup should be considered only if you can put a fairly low limit on the size of the debit card transactions. It is one thing to try to get back $100 transferred fraudulently and quite another to try to get a $10,000 transaction reversed. I doubt the debit card would even allow a transaction of that size and likely has a daily total limit... Most debit cards have a Visa " Zero Liability " promise, as long as any fraudulent activity is reported in a timely manner... I expect the bigger concern is ... I have to fight to get my money restored to me ... I've had no problem for a decade with my debit card / accounts. I set a l...
by my name
Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re-Thinking Rewards Checking Accounts
Replies: 51
Views: 5088

Re: Re-Thinking Rewards Checking Accounts

The reward checking accounts were great during the years of the great recession. The regional banks needed cash. When brokerage MM accounts were paying nothing, the banks were paying 4% interest on up to $25,000. It was great for money you needed to or wanted to keep in cash, and insured. I had an account at 2 banks, and 3 at one point. I was making a few thousand $$$ a year. To get my 10 debit card swipes per account, I'd ring up the $1.09 bananas at the grocery store, and put the rest on the Amazon Chase card that paid me 3% for anything bought at Amazon, 2% at restaurants, gas or drug stores, and the rest 1%. Chase lets you use your rewards to pay down your credit card bill - so cash back - or you can use it to discount Amazon purchases ...
by my name
Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction
Replies: 9
Views: 925

Re: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction

neilpilot wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:52 pm Before year end, make a Roth conversion to bring your income just under the IRMAA threshold? Just realize that anything over $150k, if MFJ, may reduce any stimulus adjustment.
Roth is a great play for many. I recently got Turbo Tax 2020, and used it this morning. I was relieved to see my numbers play out. Without RMDs, my income dropped enough so I will have no IRMAA surcharges for a year (in 2 years based on the 2020 tax return). And my AGI drops so the stimulus credit kicks in which helps me now (If you are single, the ceiling for full stimulus is $75k).
by my name
Fri Dec 25, 2020 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction
Replies: 9
Views: 925

Re: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction

Thanks, all, very informative and helpful. Sounds like it'll just play out over time.
by my name
Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction
Replies: 9
Views: 925

Re: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction

neilpilot wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:34 pm Isn't 2021 IRMAA dependent on TY2019 income? The lack of RMD may provide relief for your 2022 IRMAA.
Thanks, that seems what I am reading. Wondering if anyone has any other insight given this year (or two maybe?) where RMDs are not required.
by my name
Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CARES Act and IRMAA reduction
Replies: 9
Views: 925

CARES Act and IRMAA reduction

I received a letter from the SSA that showed I have large surcharges for IRMAA Medicare premiums B and Part D that are taken from my SS monthly deposit in 2021. However, because of the CARES act, I am not taking an RMD this year. For this reason, my income for 2020 dropped to the point I should have no surcharges. What are the steps to now stop the SSA from deducting the surcharge from my SS monthly deposit in the new year 2021? It is not a life change event where you can appeal, like loss of a pension. Or do you have to let this play out and eventually the SS will see the tax return and automatically adjust the surcharge? I read that the surcharge is based on a tax return from 2 years ago so this is pretty confusing. In 2021 assuming an RM...
by my name
Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there any advantage to using wealth management or private banking?
Replies: 33
Views: 4719

Re: Is there any advantage to using wealth management or private banking?

What professionals would you use to set up and trust with doing bill pay, taxes, etc. if you should become incapacitated and without trusted and/or available relatives /friends? Is it the (non-solo) practice with estate attorney and CPA/accountant? I know some set up with a bank's financial arm to play roles like executor, POA, etc.
by my name
Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to put "mad money"?
Replies: 31
Views: 2786

Re: Where to put "mad money"?

I left some "mad money" of IBM company stock alone after retirement. Hoped it would do a "Microsoft". Still waiting.

Then, I recall when Google went public and it seemed to be the successful "search" company after the failure of Alta Vista (with DEC) in the 1990's ("the best search engine no one ever heard of" was the saying back then). I had cash to throw at Google, but I was conservative and did not. So I lost out getting on that train. Then, I have much in standard index funds that have the FAAMA mega companies included, so maybe I got to the same place by a different path with a bit less risk but also less reward, but enough.
by my name
Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pennsylvania estimated taxes
Replies: 2
Views: 415

Re: Pennsylvania estimated taxes

Thanks, Mike. This document is quite clear. Fortunately, no retirement type income is taxed in PA. I just face interest and dividend income from non-retirement accounts. And that is summed up by my brokerages quarterly with most at year end. On the other hand, PA has no deductions or credits (very few, specialized). It is a simple state.

I had been using my annual RMD withdrawal in part to simplify tax payment from that. Then, no need to withhold or do estimated taxes. But no RMD this year ... who knows what next year will be like.

Thank you.
by my name
Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pennsylvania estimated taxes
Replies: 2
Views: 415

Pennsylvania estimated taxes

In Pennsylvania, what is the estimated tax based on? Is it like federal in that you can pay based on last year's tax paid? Last year I moved to PA in November so paid $2 in tax. Or do I have to figure out the new year's income for estimating tax?

I find no real clarity of PA's safe harbor for estimated taxes. There is something about living a full year in PA last year, and it may be that moving mid-year means you cannot use the safe harbor.
by my name
Mon May 18, 2020 2:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Social Security is an asset....yet again
Replies: 129
Views: 7499

Re: Social Security is an asset....yet again

I think of SS as insurance, in case I live, and waited until age 70 to collect with the biggest possible monthly checks. Now 72, I am very happy to have "maxed out" SS. (Sadly, along with RMD, pension and such, the SS takes the max 85% federal tax hit).

My spreadsheet includes SS in my AA as follows, and I do see its estimated life value. At 72 it won't likely go away:

Stock ---- $X
Bonds ---- $X
MM ------- $X
Bank ----- $X
SS -------- $300,000
House --- $250,000
by my name
Mon May 18, 2020 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retiring fairly young with a govt pension and trying to put together a plan
Replies: 37
Views: 5291

Re: Retiring fairly young with a govt pension and trying to put together a plan

Your $100,000 pension looks great at age 50. It won't at age 70. The $60,000 in annual fixed expenses will increase each year. And the pension will never increase. Assume in 20 years your annual expenses almost double growing to $108.367. This is based on a small 3% rate of inflation. But the costs you list often increase more than that. You don't know the future, and you have less to pay expenses with each passing year. You may sicken or otherwise no longer be able to work should you need income. Your back-up investments are roughly $800,000. If we get mired down in a long recession, that may stagnate or decrease in value for a while. Who knows. I remember not too long ago when the stock market went from 14,000, I think, down to 6800. Scar...
by my name
Sun May 17, 2020 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Municipal bonds - concerns?
Replies: 31
Views: 3177

Re: Municipal bonds - concerns?

Like you, I do not know enough about bonds, so stick with funds as recommended above. I found great success with Vanguard's state tax-exempt muni funds. These states have had their fiscal challenges so their muni funds have performed really well, often outperforming taxable bond funds (before tax consideration). In a crisis, I am one who "stays the course" with my funds. It was great to see my NJ muni fund sail through the great recession. I slept well at night. When I moved to PA last year, it was easy to sell the NJ fund without worry about a tax hit (too tiny to see). Then buy into the PA muni fund, that performs as well. If you don't live in a state that has one of these funds, there are national tax free bond funds. People ha...
by my name
Sun May 17, 2020 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Still using total bond market?
Replies: 182
Views: 29946

Re: Still using total bond market?

I retired in 2009 and no longer add money to funds. It is more about holding on to what I have. Like some above, I put my IRA bond portion into Vanguard Intermediate-term Bond Index Fund (VBILX). It had been historically outperforming the TBM and overtime seemed as safe. I also have some bonds via Vanguard Global Wellington (VGYAX). Bought into that when it began a few years ago, it's been interesting to watch as it was my first move into international. I am content with what I have. In my taxable account I have a Vanguard tax exempt state muni fund (first NJ and now PA). These states have had their fiscal challenges so their muni funds have performed really well for their category, often outperforming taxable cousins (before tax considerat...
by my name
Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't log on to Vanguard website
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Can't log on to Vanguard website

retired@50 wrote: Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:34 pm True, but there won't be any trading until Monday either. You can probably call them prior to market opening on Monday and get things sorted.
Good points, Retired@50. Thanks.
by my name
Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't log on to Vanguard website
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Can't log on to Vanguard website

David Jay wrote: Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:14 pm You You You And you So you
Ah, I never said Vanguard did anything to cause the problem. Actually, it is what they don't do. They don't have help over the weekend leaving customers locked out of their accounts all weekend (regardless of who did the "action" that caused the problem). Bad customer service.
by my name
Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't log on to Vanguard website
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Can't log on to Vanguard website

gmaynardkrebs wrote: Sat Feb 29, 2020 11:02 am I vaguely remember having this same problem with a new laptop. I think you'll need to call them up. Then change the setting when you get in.
Yes, a Monday phone call. In the past this happened and I was able to resolve this over the phone with the voice verification. It is just there is no help over the weekend, that is poor service.
by my name
Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't log on to Vanguard website
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Can't log on to Vanguard website

retired@50 wrote: Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:18 am Restore the cookies from backup.
If not,
Call Vanguard Monday and set up your voice as your password. The voice recognition can be handy if your computer is giving you trouble in the future.
Regards,
No back-up, so yes, it looks like a Monday phone call. I do have voice recognition, and that does not help me this weekend as there is no live person to answer the phone until Monday.
by my name
Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't log on to Vanguard website
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Can't log on to Vanguard website

Seasonal wrote: Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:57 am When it doesn't recognize your computer, it usually asks you security questions or wants to send you a code by voice or text message. What exactly is it doing?

You might also try the app if you have a smartphone.

See this similar thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=303909
I get this message followed by fields for name and password. "Vanguard does not recognize this computer or device. We can't log you on because you've chosen to restrict access from unrecognized devices."

Using a smartphone app doesn't seem to make sense as that would also not be a recognized computer.

You link is for a not recognized phone number. Different problem.
by my name
Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't log on to Vanguard website
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Can't log on to Vanguard website

HueyLD wrote: Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:03 am I accessed Vanguard site this morning using both Safari and Win 10. No problem whatsoever.
Huey, it has to do with a setting I have - to recognize the computer.