Search found 356 matches

by kelvan80
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling stocks, going full on BH
Replies: 38
Views: 3986

Re: Selling stocks, going full on BH

70/30 rebalance once a year or if I notice our allocation is off by +-5%
by kelvan80
Sat Dec 02, 2023 4:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient
Replies: 121
Views: 13484

Re: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient

It's made me appreciate being able to pickup more shares when doom and gloom are in the streets. Highly recommend an IPS for when the sky is falling.
by kelvan80
Sun Nov 12, 2023 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wedding cost ettiquette
Replies: 106
Views: 12966

Re: Wedding cost ettiquette

We got married 3 weeks after my college graduation, albeit 21 years ago. A registry is customary for shower gifts and most people gave $$ for the wedding. It might be nice for them to replace some household items that are worn etc from college or indulge in nicer knives, etc. I don't think getting info from strangers is even helpful on whose paying for costs. I'd have an upfront conversation about what you want to pay for, what you don't, and find out what the groom's family wants to help with. We paid for our own photographer, hotel room the evening of, honeymoon, limo, half of my dress, donation to the church, wedding license, grooms tux. Expenses for the bridesmaids and groomsmen were covered by themselves. My daughter is probably gettin...
by kelvan80
Mon Sep 11, 2023 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tmobile Home Internet - Anyone ?
Replies: 19
Views: 2640

Re: Tmobile Home Internet - Anyone ?

We had it and it was sufficient in Washington, Poulsbo area for the price but here in Colorado it was lacking so we had to switch to Xfinity after the move.
by kelvan80
Mon Sep 04, 2023 1:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's the worst annual return on physical real estate?
Replies: 76
Views: 10597

Re: What's the worst annual return on physical real estate?

Bought a house at the height of the market in 2006. 11 years later and after $40k of upgrades it was still worth less than we bought it for. Of course we took a depreciation loss on taxes when we rented it but yea we lost quite a bit on that one. Our last purchase is up almost 200% in 5 years. We didn't see that coming. It was a foreclosure so got it cheap then the market went crazy in that area.
by kelvan80
Mon Sep 04, 2023 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Substitute Teaching in Retirement?
Replies: 22
Views: 4202

Re: Substitute Teaching in Retirement?

I substitute teach. Pay will be based on location and it isn't difficult to find online if you search up whatever district she would like to sub in. A full day for us is 8:25 to 4:15 so not quite 8 hours, not sure where the 6 hours she is being told comes in. In my district after you work 30 assignments it's $170/day. I really recommend you like children and teaching. It's not just babysitting kids all day. You need to be able to run a lesson plan and be incredibly patient with the ones who struggle, there can be in between 1-5 kids in each classroom right now that has some kind of behavioral or learning difficulty. I do love the flexibility and availability to be near my children, one who has type 1 diabetes. I've developed an amazing rela...
by kelvan80
Thu Jul 20, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Saving for down payment
Replies: 9
Views: 1414

Re: Saving for down payment

I wouldn't want to take too much risk with money needed in 5 years so I'd probably save in CDs and hope for the best. Right now they are paying around 4.5-5% and that's good enough for me to protect my principal. Remember more reward also means more risk.
by kelvan80
Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did you teach your children about money?
Replies: 50
Views: 3912

Re: How did you teach your children about money?

1. You teach by example. Volunteer somewhere.

2. I don't think a 12 year old needs to know how much a person makes. I think they should be responsible for buying certain things so they can start to learn how much things cost and then every year escalate that a bit more until they are independent of you by the time they graduate college (this age will be different for everyone). They can buy stuff with birthday money, babysitting money, and then eventually a first job. Encourage saving, discourage debt. You have to live it though. They'll watch what you are doing and if you model it for them it'll come eventually even if a bit longer for the ones who are naturally spendy.
by kelvan80
Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student loan, AOTC and 529
Replies: 2
Views: 329

Student loan, AOTC and 529

Can you take a $10k loan to take advantage of the AOTC (assuming enough qualified expenses) and then payoff the student loan with $10k from the 529? We are looking at doing this senior year as it'll be the last year she is eligible for AOTC and we have a significant amount of $$ leftover. Some will be used for master's and the rest will be passed on to other siblings. I'm having a hard time finding something the way all 3 work together and don't want to skirt rules. Just trying to understand.

Thanks!
by kelvan80
Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much time for the second million?
Replies: 57
Views: 13119

Re: How much time for the second million?

14 years, then 4 years
by kelvan80
Wed Jun 28, 2023 12:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much time for the second million?
Replies: 57
Views: 13119

Re: How much time for the second million?

Rule of 72 will give an estimate of how fast your money will double if you want to look that up. Of course that is without new contributions so it might be a bit faster.
by kelvan80
Sat Jun 10, 2023 12:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BOGLEHEADS on Facebook?
Replies: 22
Views: 2838

Re: BOGLEHEADS on Facebook?

Great, thanks for the help. :)
by kelvan80
Fri Jun 09, 2023 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BOGLEHEADS on Facebook?
Replies: 22
Views: 2838

Re: BOGLEHEADS on Facebook?

I am concerned because it is the official page and I want to make sure our members don't get scammed.
by kelvan80
Thu Jun 08, 2023 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BOGLEHEADS on Facebook?
Replies: 22
Views: 2838

Re: BOGLEHEADS on Facebook?

Who runs the FB group? It appears there us a scam posted underneath Mr. Bogles profile picture about bitcoin.
by kelvan80
Thu Apr 27, 2023 12:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Obvious dumb SS questions.
Replies: 9
Views: 2097

Re: Obvious dumb SS questions.

I'm guessing it is because his profile will contain his information and potential payout and benefits.
by kelvan80
Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing bank accounts
Replies: 14
Views: 2249

Re: Closing bank accounts

You can actually close them prior to taking them down to zero (if ccs) but hopefully you aren't carrying month to month balances on these cards. For $$ accounts you could transfer out the majority of the money and consolidate. Be aware you'll take a credit hit if you think you'll be needing a loan for a car or house soon.
by kelvan80
Sun Mar 05, 2023 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall
Replies: 81
Views: 9218

Re: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall

Maybe if you phrased it as what would you like to spend an extra $10k on this year? That's 3.5% x $300k. If numbers aren't her strong suit and she's never managed any of this before then it's all too overwhelming for her. That is more than you all have saved for retirement so it sounds like she is paralyzed and doesn't want to lose money that obviously someone worked so hard to leave to her. It's completely understandable.
by kelvan80
Sun Mar 05, 2023 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall
Replies: 81
Views: 9218

Re: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall

Amex high yield is paying 3.5% right now. I'd at least park it there instead of the 1% account. Other than that, it's her money if she's not comfortable plunking it down in the market this late in the game then I'd listen to her. Maybe use it to fund a Roth IRA for both of you every year? What does she envision using the money for?
by kelvan80
Thu Mar 02, 2023 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DW is resigning job to stay home with 2 kids
Replies: 83
Views: 10498

Re: DW is resigning job to stay home with 2 kids

How much of her income goes to taxes, eating out dinners, outsourcing things like cleaning the house? If you can still continue to save for retirement and have her stay home if that's her heart's desire (it was mine) then I think you'll be fine. Hopefully she is like minded financially. I stayed home, but I also became our finance person devouring every book I could get my hands on and we were still able to max out both of our Roth's and his TSP every year and save in their 529's still. If she is going to lose her income but not have a preset spending plan for what is leftover after goals this could be a little muddy. Do you guys converse well about money issues or is she going to feel like you are telling her what to do?
by kelvan80
Wed Jan 18, 2023 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 35k inheritance
Replies: 21
Views: 2968

Re: 35k inheritance

Both your wife and you are eligible for Roth IRAs based on your income. You could contribute to 2022s IRA up until April 18th this year and also contribute the maximum amount for 2023 at the same time. You are eligible for catch up contributions based on your ages. There are some really attractive CD rates right now that you could dump the rest of it into for your emergency fund. I would do this unless you are fully funded for retirement. Do you know what to expect for social security payments for you and your spouse?
by kelvan80
Fri May 20, 2022 10:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How often are you rebalancing these days?
Replies: 87
Views: 9727

Re: How often are you rebalancing these days?

First time yesterday since 2020. I moved about 2% from G fund to stocks so I could feel like I was doing something. If it drops another 3 to 4% I may move some more.
by kelvan80
Fri May 13, 2022 12:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Update: Issues with possession after house closing
Replies: 151
Views: 15001

Re: Issues with possession after house closing

nydoc wrote: Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:48 pm They want to live in the house with their stuff until they close on their next house which they think can happen within 24 hrs of our closing.
Why do you think it can't happen within 24 hours of closing? Those funds from the sale of their home will be wired to the next title company (there are no checks cut) so that they can close the next day. We've done it multiple times, sometimes on the same day, sometimes the next day. It's absolutely possible. It should be in the contract how much they have to pay you after staying one day, two days, etc. If anything longer than 24 hours I would charge them by the day.
by kelvan80
Tue Apr 12, 2022 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Almost 40 and trying to catch up - Am I doing this right?
Replies: 13
Views: 2318

Re: Almost 40 and trying to catch up - Am I doing this right?

I'd definitely payoff car loans as others suggested and then possibly the mortgage regardless of the rate. I think you guys are doing great. Just keep plugging away and soon you'll see the magic of compounding.
by kelvan80
Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need to reduce FIOS bill
Replies: 25
Views: 2944

Re: Need to reduce FIOS bill

We switched to the Tmobile tower for $50/ month. It's not available in all areas yet though. Cancelled everything else.
by kelvan80
Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Often Do You Measure Your Net Worth?
Replies: 229
Views: 19363

Re: How Often Do You Measure Your Net Worth?

Mint updates it daily. It no longer bothers me to see the fluctuations.
by kelvan80
Tue Mar 22, 2022 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell house in super hot market or wait for appreciation?
Replies: 36
Views: 4284

Re: Sell house in super hot market or wait for appreciation?

When you say all profits will be tax deductible, don't forget about depreciation recapture. Also have the major systems been updated? It would stink to keep a house for 3 years only to have to put a new roof or HVAC in it for the renters? I'd sell. Keep it simple.
by kelvan80
Sun Mar 20, 2022 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA : many pitfalls to Target Circle Earnings
Replies: 36
Views: 8789

Re: PSA : many pitfalls to Target Circle Earnings

As it turns out I had $10 on there so this was a timely reminder.
by kelvan80
Sun Mar 20, 2022 7:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA : many pitfalls to Target Circle Earnings
Replies: 36
Views: 8789

Re: PSA : many pitfalls to Target Circle Earnings

I don't use the app at all. I just occasionally login online at target.com and enable to spend on the next transaction. That way when I put my phone number in the next time it automatically comes off. Only problem is if my teenager uses my account before me ha ha.
by kelvan80
Sun Mar 20, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestion for one week in DC with 9&7 yr old
Replies: 40
Views: 3195

Re: Suggestion for one week in DC with 9&7 yr old

Botanic Gardens has an awesome children's garden. We loved it. Depending on the price you might want to consider the Trolley Tour which allows you to hop on and off at all the monuments and some other major museums. The zoo is amazing and can take a whole day.
by kelvan80
Fri Mar 04, 2022 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Landlords: best strategy to raise rents?
Replies: 44
Views: 6027

Re: Landlords: best strategy to raise rents?

We locked in a 5 bedroom house in the PNW precovid for $2700. We love our rental and we only had a year left before moving out of the area so really didn't want to have to find a rental locally. Our landlords raised it less than 10% to cover the increase in insurance/taxes which we gladly paid since we had signed a 2 year lease and we are still under market rents for the area. We take immaculate care of this house. It is probably cleaner than when we moved in even though we have 4 children. A good tenant is worth their weight in gold. Maybe do a pre-inspection of the property so you can see what the inside of the house looks like and whether you even want to keep them as tenants.
by kelvan80
Fri Mar 04, 2022 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When do you pay your credit card bill?
Replies: 194
Views: 16411

Re: When do you pay your credit card bill?

Doom&Gloom wrote: Thu Mar 03, 2022 6:51 pm The CC auto-schedules a pull of the statement balance from my checking account on the due date. No issues at all so far.
This is what we do. I review our transactions daily or at least weekly so there are no surprises.
by kelvan80
Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can term life face value be reduced?
Replies: 37
Views: 2534

Re: Can term life face value be reduced?

Not really answering the question (which is usually a pet peeve of mine) but since they are still expecting parents and they don't really know anything about their future expenses with said child (maybe additional children too?) they may not want to reduce the life insurance policy after all. And we all know the future can change.
by kelvan80
Fri Feb 18, 2022 2:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 401K Fees - Am I Missing something?
Replies: 9
Views: 731

Re: 401K Fees - Am I Missing something?

What are the expense ratios of the funds that you selected?
by kelvan80
Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Twins on the way. Should I increase my term life insurance and other things to consider.
Replies: 20
Views: 1737

Re: Twins on the way. Should I increase my term life insurance and other things to consider.

Consider hiring a night time doula for you and your partner to help with feedings, a housekeeper if you can afford it at least twice a month and increasing your food budget if you have one whether nursing or using formula. Look in to how much time you can legally take off of work paid and unpaid to help your partner adjust to this new way of life. Developing some good routines now that make things like laundry, making coffee/lunches at night, unloading dishwasher (little stuff that when done make things go so much smoother in the day). Make sure she gets time to take a shower everyday. Only allow family to stay with you if they are going to actually be helpful. Freezer meals that can be chucked right into the crockpot are a lifesaver.
by kelvan80
Thu Jan 27, 2022 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do you invest 529 funds?
Replies: 32
Views: 2808

Re: How do you invest 529 funds?

We also thought of the 529s as part of our overall allocation. DD is in college and still 100% equities. It worked out well this year. We took an end of the year distribution right before the market took a little nosedive. I estimate that of the distribution $850 was contributions and about $3400 was gains. I figured if the market tanked before a distribution we would just cashflow and reimburse ourselves later or let it go completely and pass it on to our younger generation of college goers who are only 7 and 4 now. If we didn't have the money to cashflow this we wouldn't have kept it as a strategy.
by kelvan80
Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds are doing their job so far
Replies: 180
Views: 21267

Re: Bonds are doing their job so far

G fund looking pretty good right about now. Glad we have 20% there for now.
by kelvan80
Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you all pay for TV and internet? rates just went up
Replies: 64
Views: 6238

Re: What do you all pay for TV and internet? rates just went up

Tmobile wifi tower $50/ month no taxes
Tmobile also pays most of our Netflix bill monthly as part of our unlimited cell phone.
Because we are military we have home internet, unlimited data for 4 cell phones and Netflix for $155/ month.

We cancelled everything else.
by kelvan80
Wed Jan 19, 2022 11:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DENVER - What are the good neighborhoods to look into for young families?
Replies: 40
Views: 4112

Re: DENVER - What are the good neighborhoods to look into for young families?

We're in the Denver area and in a similar boat: we prefer a $750k budget, but now are willing to go up to $1M (or even a little over). As crazy as the Denver market has seemed over the past 5 years, in just the past 9 months it's grown even more absurd (and shown no signs of stopping). We're not even sure how competitive we can be given all the fierce (and numerous) bidders, but we've also made peace with having to rent a single family house for 1 to x years if needed. The somewhat bountiful rental options across the metro area (including the locations and suburbs you're looking at) is a little bit of a bright spot, so you may want to keep that in mind if your ideal purchase timeline does not quite come to fruition. Thank you for this. We ...
by kelvan80
Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: un-solicited email re. mortgage, should I worry ?
Replies: 14
Views: 1701

Re: un-solicited email re. mortgage, should I worry ?

You can go to optoutprescreen.com to help cut down on offers. Not sure if it helps with the mortgage stuff.
by kelvan80
Wed Jan 19, 2022 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did anyone have their AMEX limit lowered the other day?
Replies: 16
Views: 1831

Re: Did anyone have their AMEX limit lowered the other day?

Oh I thought maybe other people were able to see what their limit was. I entered $4k and it said we were okay just as a one off but I'm not going to sit there and plug numbers when we don't use that card that much anyhow, just for the perks.
by kelvan80
Wed Jan 19, 2022 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did anyone have their AMEX limit lowered the other day?
Replies: 16
Views: 1831

Re: Did anyone have their AMEX limit lowered the other day?

How would I see what our limit is? I can't find it on our statement and it simply says no Preset limit.
by kelvan80
Wed Jan 19, 2022 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did anyone have their AMEX limit lowered the other day?
Replies: 16
Views: 1831

Re: Did anyone have their AMEX limit lowered the other day?

I didn't know the Amex platinum had a limit.
by kelvan80
Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing allowance for a 14 year old
Replies: 63
Views: 5351

Re: Managing allowance for a 14 year old

We expect a certain level of contribution towards the household (trash vacuuming laundry) and babysitting from the older two. For that we cover cell phone and car insurance. They get $35/month to manage for all toiletries, school supplies and clothes throughout the year. They babysit outside of our home and petsit or save birthday and Christmas $$ to earn any additional spending money they need.
by kelvan80
Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TSP form upload rejected
Replies: 31
Views: 3007

Re: TSP form upload rejected

If you have a smart phone there are multiple free scanning apps. I've had to use them to get documents for lenders etc and they've worked very well for me.
by kelvan80
Sat Jan 15, 2022 1:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy now in a housing market that has 2x'ed?
Replies: 85
Views: 11103

Re: Buy now in a housing market that has 2x'ed?

We have to move there for work as well this year. Luckily we've saved a nice down payment so our mortgage will still be a little less than rent would be but we refuse to get into a bidding war and will only be in the area 3 years. It is what it is.
by kelvan80
Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fido/Elan 2% cash back card no longer texts me
Replies: 16
Views: 1631

Re: Fido/Elan 2% cash back card no longer texts me

Basically I set it for transactions $.01 and above. I figured that'll get me all notifications.
by kelvan80
Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fido/Elan 2% cash back card no longer texts me
Replies: 16
Views: 1631

Re: Fido/Elan 2% cash back card no longer texts me

Thanks for posting. I've been meaning to turn this service on for this card for awhile since it's our primary. You can have it set up to text or email you after you verify it. And there are about 16 different settings to choose from based on what you want to get notifications about.
by kelvan80
Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Baby equipment - just trash it?
Replies: 44
Views: 4131

Re: Baby equipment - just trash it?

Freecycle is about 10 years ago. Look for Buy Nothing Groups on facebook in your area or Pregnancy Crisis centers that take these types of donations. Lastly just post on your own Social Media page if you have one, usually someone knows someone who is in need.