Search found 285 matches
- Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Botched 401(k) Contributions
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2233
Re: Botched 401(k) Contributions
My employer just blames our payroll processor anytime there is an issue. HSA contributions seem to be a reoccurring problem with it taking up to 6 weeks at times for the contributions to be deposited into my HSA account. While not as costly a mistake as your problem (the only thing I lose is 6 weeks in the market) I have decided to just let it slide.
- Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:45 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Spoke with a CFP...underwhelming!
- Replies: 51
- Views: 6633
Re: Spoke with a CFP...underwhelming!
This is a non issue if the advisor is fee only.JW-Retired wrote: ↑Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:36 amDid you both agree that the SWR of 4% was before his cost? Leaving you to net for example 3%?unstoppable wrote: ↑Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:59 am 3. We both agreed on the SWR of 4% and most of the common mentions there...
If not, how did he skirt that fact of arithmetic?
JW
- Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:43 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Spoke with a CFP...underwhelming!
- Replies: 51
- Views: 6633
Re: Spoke with a CFP...underwhelming!
re: Tax efficient fund placement
The CFP's main goal is likely to create a workable plan that the average client can easily stick to. Portfolio wide asset allocation management may be unnecessarily complex for most of his clients so he creates a more simplified plan that will still lead to financial success.
The CFP's main goal is likely to create a workable plan that the average client can easily stick to. Portfolio wide asset allocation management may be unnecessarily complex for most of his clients so he creates a more simplified plan that will still lead to financial success.
- Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:11 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Correlation between the FIRE movement and one of the greatest bull markets
- Replies: 158
- Views: 17387
Re: Correlation between the FIRE movement and one of the greatest bull markets
Fellow posters,
Please remember that FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. One can be interested in the FI aspect of FIRE without pursuing the RE aspect. Just because someone has a blog or some part time job doesn't mean they are not FIRE.
Please remember that FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. One can be interested in the FI aspect of FIRE without pursuing the RE aspect. Just because someone has a blog or some part time job doesn't mean they are not FIRE.
- Sun Aug 26, 2018 7:44 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: UTMA account - VTSMX vs. FZROX
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1269
Re: UTMA account - VTSMX vs. FZROX
I am using Vanguard ETFs in my son’s UTMA (at Vanguard) until he has enough of each fund to purchase Admiral fund versions. The ETFs have much lower ERs than the investor level mutual funds.
- Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Laminate Floor making 'popping' noise
- Replies: 30
- Views: 7428
Re: Laminate Floor making 'popping' noise
It only bothers you because you are the one that installed it. When I did my downstairs I accidentally created a stair step pattern for a couple planks (boards lengths were staggered but the two plank pattern on the boards ended up stair stepped) in my kitchen and while it still bothers me whenever I see it my wife says she loves the floor and I need to get over it.
But as others said, an oscillating tool is your best bet. When I installed mine I didn’t remove the groove against the wall on the starter row because I didn’t have a table saw but when I set the gap I forgot to take that into account. I used the oscillating tool after the fact to trim the groove off before I put the quarter round over it.
But as others said, an oscillating tool is your best bet. When I installed mine I didn’t remove the groove against the wall on the starter row because I didn’t have a table saw but when I set the gap I forgot to take that into account. I used the oscillating tool after the fact to trim the groove off before I put the quarter round over it.
- Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Custodial Account (UTMA) and short term capital gains
- Replies: 3
- Views: 457
Custodial Account (UTMA) and short term capital gains
Hello,
I would like to make some changes to my son's portfolio as well as harvest some gains. I have harvested gains in the past but they were always long term capital gains. However now I would like to sell some funds with short term capital gains in order to clean up his portfolio (this is related to TD Ameritrade changing their free ETF list). My question is whether the $1,050 deduction for unearned income applies to short term capital gains as well.
Thanks
I would like to make some changes to my son's portfolio as well as harvest some gains. I have harvested gains in the past but they were always long term capital gains. However now I would like to sell some funds with short term capital gains in order to clean up his portfolio (this is related to TD Ameritrade changing their free ETF list). My question is whether the $1,050 deduction for unearned income applies to short term capital gains as well.
Thanks
- Mon May 28, 2018 12:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?
- Replies: 104
- Views: 22915
Re: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?
Do you have any interest in road riding as well? I ask because you can get a nice high end alloy or mid level carbon fiber bike and a direct drive trainer (different training programs can automatically change the tension) for $3k total. That way you can ride in the house and also hit the road when you get tired of riding inside.
- Tue May 08, 2018 7:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How much car to buy on $250K income, $200K NW, newborn on the way
- Replies: 81
- Views: 13823
Re: How much car to buy on $250K income, $200K NW, newborn on the way
I would probably buy a quality used car in the $10-15k range regardless of my household income. That may seem low to many on here but cars are just something I don’t value spending a lot of money on.
- Tue May 01, 2018 9:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Have you quit eating sugar? Tell me how!
- Replies: 129
- Views: 17849
Re: Have you quit eating sugar? Tell me how!
Why limit your intake of whole fruit? Ever meet a fat person that blames it on too many bananas? I guess if eating fruit leads you to eating candy then I can see why you would want to limit your intake.
- Mon Apr 16, 2018 12:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Allegiant Airlines...Anyone watch CBS 60 Minutes?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 16193
Re: Allegiant Airlines...Anyone watch CBS 60 Minutes?
I have looked at Allegiant in the past but found Southwest to be cheaper if I bring a carry on and 1 checked bag. However, my local airport is a fortress hub for Southwest so that may play a big part in them being cheaper.
- Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:51 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
- Replies: 93
- Views: 21580
Re: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
I was referencing median individual income (what the median individual earns), not median household income.invst65 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:47 pmMedian household income is $59,039 as of 2016. So a portfolio that yields $40k/year @ 4% for a household is about 75% of median income, not 150%.Runner01 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:47 pmNot a lot of money in what context? The median individual income in the US is around $26k/yr so I would think that an amount of money that produces over 150% of the median wage (based on 4% swr) in the wealthiest nation to ever exist would seem like a lot of money to many people.
- Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:47 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
- Replies: 93
- Views: 21580
Re: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
Not a lot of money in what context? The median individual income in the US is around $26k/yr so I would think that an amount of money that produces over 150% of the median wage (based on 4% swr) in the wealthiest nation to ever exist would seem like a lot of money to many people.
- Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:43 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
- Replies: 93
- Views: 21580
Re: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
Articles like these always seem so judgmental that these secret millionaires don’t share the same values as the average American. If they did, they would just be another broke American!
- Fri Mar 16, 2018 9:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Those with high savings rate: why?
- Replies: 317
- Views: 70372
Re: Those with high savings rate: why?
For us I think it is 2 main points.
1. No desire to stretch our housing and auto budgets like many Americans. We are perfectly happy driving $10,000 used cars and living in our 1,100 sq ft house (living in a lower cost of living area also helps).
2. A lesser version of depression era mentality. Entering the job market between the dot com bubble and the Great Recession has caused us to never count on our salaries increasing or even consistently having a job (we have been lucky in this regard though).
1. No desire to stretch our housing and auto budgets like many Americans. We are perfectly happy driving $10,000 used cars and living in our 1,100 sq ft house (living in a lower cost of living area also helps).
2. A lesser version of depression era mentality. Entering the job market between the dot com bubble and the Great Recession has caused us to never count on our salaries increasing or even consistently having a job (we have been lucky in this regard though).
- Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:18 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Vanguard REIT Fund Forms 1099
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1611
Re: Vanguard REIT Fund Forms 1099
No, it doesn’t look like 1099s are available yet. Vanguard says “mid February” and Turbo Tax says February 14th.
- Tue Feb 13, 2018 5:42 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Did you learn anything from the market correction?
- Replies: 160
- Views: 17930
Re: Did you learn anything from the market correction?
Every time we have a correction I have a strong desire to dump more money into the market. However, since I always invest as money becomes available, I don’t ever follow through with that desire. Oh well.
- Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: what to do with patent plaques and other work awards?
- Replies: 45
- Views: 6028
Re: what to do with patent plaques and other work awards?
We hang unwanted patent plaques in our conference rooms that customers and vendors will be in. We often end up with a bunch of duplicates but we spread them out so it isn’t as noticeable.
- Fri Jan 12, 2018 9:15 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Lower tax rates for 7 yrs.-Are you switching to Roth 401K
- Replies: 65
- Views: 8527
Re: Lower tax rates for 7 yrs.-Are you switching to Roth 401K
We will continue using a traditional 401(k) due to the EITC. We also contribute $2k to an IRA so my wife (SAHM) can qualify for the saver's credit and that will likely be Roth unless we are close to moving up a tier of the saver's credit.
- Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:18 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Embarrassment Preventing Retirement Work: A factor for you?
- Replies: 133
- Views: 17074
Re: Embarrassment Preventing Retirement Work: A factor for you?
I would feel sorry for those people if they started gossiping about you working a part time job. What sad insignificant lives they must live.
- Fri Dec 29, 2017 1:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: FAFSA with low income but high net worth
- Replies: 39
- Views: 6730
Re: FAFSA with low income but high net worth
As others have already pointed out, lower your household agi below $49,999 and there is no asset test. Simple enough.
Edit: this only applies to FAFSA
Edit: this only applies to FAFSA
- Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ford Fusion under Safety Recall for 2 Years - Ford Can't Fix - help
- Replies: 87
- Views: 15810
Re: Ford Fusion under Safety Recall for 2 Years - Ford Can't Fix - help
My wife’s Honda had the passenger airbag recalled and they told her not to let anyone sit in the front seat for a few months while the part was on order. She told them she drives clients around and it would be ridiculous for them to sit in the back so after a lot of back and forth they gave her a loaner for a few months. Maybe you could try that?
- Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: opinions requested on student college decision / financial related
- Replies: 87
- Views: 7281
Re: opinions requested on student college decision / financial related
If you send her to the $65k/yr school it seems to me like you are setting your daughter up for unrealistic expectations in life given she is pursuing a career in nursing. She will be surrounded by others whose families can afford such an expensive school and that may cause her to attempt to live a lifestyle that a nursing career will not afford. That is, unless you expect her to marry rich or you are going to subsidize her lifestyle after graduation.
- Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:55 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Investing help family of four....Do nothing?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3192
Re: Investing help family of four....Do nothing?
One alternative is to lower your agi below $50k to qualify for the simplified needs test which ignores assets.
Have you considered what "financial aid" would look like for your family? Are you willing to potentially limit your future wealth in order to qualify for subsidized student loans?
Have you considered what "financial aid" would look like for your family? Are you willing to potentially limit your future wealth in order to qualify for subsidized student loans?
- Thu Sep 21, 2017 9:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: The money trail...import vehicle vs domestic.
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3844
Re: The money trail...import vehicle vs domestic.
I think it is important for everyone to have a good understanding of where they spend their money and the potential implications so personal decisions can be made. I've worked for 3 different Japanese companies and 1 Dutch company in a different industry so I have a reasonable understanding of the concept. Ultimately, I make my own purchasing decisions based on what is best for my family (overall value). However, at least 10% of my decision is based on where my hard earned money is going. My matrix from best to worse: - American Owned, American made: US gets the taxes, US gets the jobs - American Owned, Foreign made: US gets the taxes, retains control of company, controls suppliers, etc. - American Ally Owned, US made: US Ally, American Jo...
- Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:30 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Earned Income Credit ???'s for First-Timer . . .
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1381
Re: Earned Income Credit ???'s for First-Timer . . .
This will be the second year that we are eligible for the EITC and I can confirm that tIRA contributions have not increased our EITC. You could however contribute to a tIRA enough to push yourself into the 20% savers credit tier (less than $40k AGI). Do you have access to an HSA? Contributions made through your employer will increase your EITC.
- Fri Sep 01, 2017 8:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Robert Kiyosaki - rich dad, poor dad
- Replies: 45
- Views: 8865
Re: Robert Kiyosaki - rich dad, poor dad
I borrowed Rich Dad Poor Dad and Cash Flow Quadrant from the library due to all of the talk I heard about them. I would say that I didn't really learn anything new from the books (and some information was either poorly worded or wrong). I guess I would be okay recommending the books to a financial newbie for motivation to make a change. I would also recommend Dave Ramsey for the same reason.
- Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:19 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bad Idea to Have Zero Credit Cards?
- Replies: 129
- Views: 10379
Re: Bad Idea to Have Zero Credit Cards?
This article is talking about pin transactions which is not the same thing as using your debit card as "credit" when you swipe it.mhalley wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2017 10:20 pm I'm sorry, but there is no way a debit card has the "exact same protection" as a cc, despite what Dave Ramsey says.
http://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/consum ... 499186879/
- Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bad Idea to Have Zero Credit Cards?
- Replies: 129
- Views: 10379
Re: Bad Idea to Have Zero Credit Cards?
We used only a Visa debit bank card (swiped as "credit", never used the PIN number) for years with zero hassle. We rented cars, booked rooms, and bought plane tickets with zero issues. Our credit union even gave cash back when the card was swiped as "credit". You are also afforded the exact same fraud protections and you can read it on Visa's website.
- Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Article on Savings - Are BHs the 1% ?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 4942
Re: Article on Savings - Are BHs the 1% ?
Not surprised to be honest. It is somewhat troubling though to see the median for 56-61 is $17,000.
Nice to see that even though we earn near the median household income we apparently have 24x the median retirement savings (both early 30s w/ sahm) .
Nice to see that even though we earn near the median household income we apparently have 24x the median retirement savings (both early 30s w/ sahm) .
- Sat Aug 26, 2017 8:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: dresser for an adult?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2167
Re: dresser for an adult?
Thrift store/Salvation Army, just make sure you vacuum/clean outside and inside.
Paying more than $10-$20 for a dresser just seems pointless to me but YMMV.
Paying more than $10-$20 for a dresser just seems pointless to me but YMMV.
- Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:26 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Quietest tire for 2017 Honda CRV?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 16627
Re: Quietest tire for 2017 Honda CRV?
I can speak from experience that Cooper touring tires are very quiet and comfortable. They were a little pricey but well worth the money in my opinion.
- Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What should the savings be for an average professional
- Replies: 168
- Views: 25719
Re: What should the savings be for an average professional
Definitely not average but at age 31 we have $155k in cash and investments with my wife staying at home with our child and a HH income of about $55k.
My son is 2 and has $4k invested in his UTMA, I'm not sure how he compares to his cohort .
My son is 2 and has $4k invested in his UTMA, I'm not sure how he compares to his cohort .
- Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safe car for wife and baby
- Replies: 97
- Views: 11566
Re: Safe car for wife and baby
Why stop at an SUV? Maybe your wife could get her CDL, apparently Freightliner makes the safest semi trucks.
https://freightliner.com/blog-and-newsl ... ck-brands/
But in all seriousness, a new Volvo or Tesla anything is a good choice.
https://freightliner.com/blog-and-newsl ... ck-brands/
But in all seriousness, a new Volvo or Tesla anything is a good choice.
- Tue Aug 15, 2017 8:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Plan for making child pay for part of college
- Replies: 111
- Views: 10615
Re: Plan for making child pay for part of college
How would you even know? My transcript from Penn State makes zero mention of the fact that I attended a community college for the first two years.A quick check of Fortune 500 CEOs and board members can quickly illustrate how few CC graduates are in there.
- Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: kids think lazy if retire?
- Replies: 70
- Views: 11109
Re: kids think lazy if retire?
Seems like an awesome teaching moment. You are living proof that if you work hard and make intelligent choices with your money, you can sit at home and watch movies while other people have to spend 12 hours per day at a job they hate.
- Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:33 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Time to leave our dentist??
- Replies: 54
- Views: 9746
Re: Time to leave our dentist??
Last time my dentist found a cavity in an X-ray he showed me the X-ray and explained how he determined it's a cavity. Not sure if that is common practice among dentists.
- Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:06 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Designed an aggressive 20 year portfolio. Thoughts?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3653
Re: Designed an aggressive 20 year portfolio. Thoughts?
Historically value has outperformed growth, especially small cap value. Paul Merriman has discussed this in many articles on his website and others.
- Wed Jul 05, 2017 12:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I still buy index funds now at such a high price before an impending recession?
- Replies: 59
- Views: 11042
Re: Should I still buy index funds now at such a high price before an impending recession?
I am still waiting for the double dip recession in 2010 that many "financial experts" warned us about.
- Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:57 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New Baby - Wife stay at home for 1 year?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7886
Re: New Baby - Wife stay at home for 1 year?
My wife has a similar earning potential and we decided she would stay home until our child starts Kindergarten. We are happy with the decision are not concerned with any impact that it may have on her earning potential. To be honest, I am not looking forward to her returning to work as it is so convenient to have a parent at home full time. That is something that we will discuss when the time comes of course.
- Wed Jun 07, 2017 12:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Article: Compare ROI of college education vs S&P500
- Replies: 52
- Views: 6208
Re: Article: Compare ROI of college education vs S&P500
Hey now, I am only in my early 30s. Don't make me feel old!lightheir wrote:
That ship has sailed lonnnngg ago.
- Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Article: Compare ROI of college education vs S&P500
- Replies: 52
- Views: 6208
Re: Article: Compare ROI of college education vs S&P500
What about option #3? Get a full time job that pays for your college education! Yes, I know my situation is rare :P I'd say this is terrible advice for the typical 18-yr old college-bound person today. If you have enough time to work an 8hr legit workday that pays enough to cover the typical $30k+ required for room+board+tuition+expenses, you've picked a college or academic load that's so easy that you're sandbagging your way to missing the entire point of a challenging college experience, and you're spending so much time working that you're also completely missing out the vital social role of a typical college. I went to college solely to make myself more valuable to potential employers, I was not interested in the "college experienc...
- Mon Jun 05, 2017 6:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Article: Compare ROI of college education vs S&P500
- Replies: 52
- Views: 6208
Re: Article: Compare ROI of college education vs S&P500
What about option #3? Get a full time job that pays for your college education! Yes, I know my situation is rare
- Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Is there a way on earth to reduce SS taxes?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 7388
Re: Is there a way on earth to reduce SS taxes?
As noted, pretax HSA contributions through your employer lower your FICA taxes.
- Thu May 11, 2017 8:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bicycling Delaware Maryland Pennsylvania
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1811
Re: Bicycling Delaware Maryland Pennsylvania
York County Heritage Rail Trail is a 21 mile rail trail in south central PA. The rail trail meets up with the NCR trail at the PA/MD border and continues south another 20 miles or so.
I frequently do 50-100 mile road rides around York (I like riding west to Gettysburg) but I wouldn't say the road riding is worth driving a long distance for.
I frequently do 50-100 mile road rides around York (I like riding west to Gettysburg) but I wouldn't say the road riding is worth driving a long distance for.
- Wed May 03, 2017 8:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to Live on $60K or Less a Year?
- Replies: 248
- Views: 46241
Re: Where to Live on $60K or Less a Year?
York County PA
In no particular order:
Day trips to NYC, DC, Baltimore, and Phila
Less than 1 hour drive to the Appalachian Trail
3-4 hour drive to OCMD / Delaware beaches
Thousands of acres of state/county parks with miles of hiking in the county
Large senior population and plenty of medical facilities
COL is very close the national average
Median HH income is close to the national average
$300k would buy a gigantic house in York
Most types of retirement income are not taxed in PA
Lancaster county is also nice but has a slightly higher COL.
In no particular order:
Day trips to NYC, DC, Baltimore, and Phila
Less than 1 hour drive to the Appalachian Trail
3-4 hour drive to OCMD / Delaware beaches
Thousands of acres of state/county parks with miles of hiking in the county
Large senior population and plenty of medical facilities
COL is very close the national average
Median HH income is close to the national average
$300k would buy a gigantic house in York
Most types of retirement income are not taxed in PA
Lancaster county is also nice but has a slightly higher COL.
- Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:07 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommendation for Adults-only All-Inclusive resort/hotel?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 5857
Re: Recommendation for Adults-only All-Inclusive resort/hotel?
We really enjoyed our stay at Couples Negril. The resort was nice, the staff was attentive, and the beach was nice. We have also stayed at Couples Swept Away in Negril but it had a way different vibe (party/swinger atmosphere) that just wasn't for us. If you do go to a resort in negril I recommend paying extra to take the air shuttle to Negril aerodrome.
- Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Reimburse Medical Expenses in "Arrears" with HSA?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2456
Re: Reimburse Medical Expenses in "Arrears" with HSA?
That said, generally the more you can put in the better. Once you have your 401k match, HSA is often a better deal due to option to withdraw tax free. You can withdraw money for any purpose without penalty at age 65, though like 401k you pay income tax. You can withdraw for medical expense (which, unless you die young, seem mostly inevitable) tax free. You have no RMDs, so timing is up to you. My wife's employer offers a 401(k) match; mine doesn't. I'm working on that, but I won't hold my breath. :annoyed My wife and I otherwise max-out our Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA contributions (via non-deductible contributions that are eventually converted). So those *contributions* remain available to us at any time (except for the wait needed on conver...
- Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Any downside in buying a brand new house ?
- Replies: 71
- Views: 9218
Re: Any downside in buying a brand new house ?
A new house my mother lived in with her long term boyfriend experienced substantial settling to the point that interior doors could not be closed without forcing them. There was substantial cracking of the sheet rock as well. The worst part of the situation was that they had to pay for all of the repairs as the builder was bankrupt shortly after completing their house.
I would consider a manufactured home (not a "mobile home") if that is an option as they are built in a factory setting to repeatable quality standards.
I would consider a manufactured home (not a "mobile home") if that is an option as they are built in a factory setting to repeatable quality standards.
- Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are Fiat Cars Junk?
- Replies: 71
- Views: 9029
Re: Are Fiat Cars Junk?
$10k is by no means a tight budget constraint for a quality used car. I personally would skip the unreliable Italian car though and pick up a 5 spd Honda Fit (speaking for experience). They are reliable, economical, roomy enough for fit 5 non obese adults, and kind of fun to drive (with a 5 spd).
Here's a good example. One owner, low miles, and 5 spd for less than $7k. Same color and generation as mine (mine is an 07).
http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/v ... D%5B%5D%5D
Here's a good example. One owner, low miles, and 5 spd for less than $7k. Same color and generation as mine (mine is an 07).
http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/v ... D%5B%5D%5D