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theduke wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:14 pm If the daughters can find previous tax returns, that could give them some idea of their finances.

If "Dad" isn't in any condition to give the daughters any information, this is a very good idea. Since "Mom" more than likely hasn't changed anything since last year. That is a good place to start.

ceej wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:57 pm Any advice as to how to transition my fiancée and I’s finances post-marriage? What did you do / do you recommend for a healthy financial relationship that could have worked for you? Topic can be as broad as you see fit!

Is this a first marriage for both of you with no kids from a previous relationship? That might make a difference.

I don't know if it was the best, but certainly the craziest funeral I ever attended took place at a traditional funeral home. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) was planned by the deceased. She had cancer for years and years, but knew it was only a matter of time. She asked to have the attendants at the entry doors of the chapel hand out those Groucho big nose and glasses to be worn by everyone throughout the service. She had a very similar nose and asked her significant other to mention that she didn't want to be the one with the biggest nose at her own funeral. She planned her favorite songs to be played, including Bob Dylan's "Everybody Must Get Stoned". It was all very lighthearted and exactly how she wanted it. Many family me...

I had a Volvo with about 50K on it when I changed the timing belt. It was about 11 years old and I didn't want to deal with it breaking. Better safe than sorry!

I will be leaving my federal government job at the end of the month after less than five years of federal service. I need to decide what to do with my retirement (FERS) contributions upon leaving. I have the option of requesting a lump sum refund payment (with interest) of these deductions or leaving the deductions in the retirement fund in case I return to the federal government. The refund payment of contributions is not taxed, however, the interest on the contributions are. I'm leaning toward requesting the refund, as I think chances are higher I don't return to federal service, but I can't completely rule it out. What are other's thoughts on this? If I request a refund, how should I handle it? I assume I'll have to move it into a taxab...

thedaybeforetoday wrote: ↑Fri Mar 10, 2023 12:33 pm Take all vacation/sick/personal time. Take belongings.
Spend that time looking for another job.
Then quit, whether a job has been found or not.
No reason needed.

Agree 100%!
And, DO NOT talk to HR or sign anything!

I retired at 62 and planned on waiting to take SS until I "needed" it.

Then at 63, I read Mike Piper's book Social Security Made Simple and decided in my case, I'd take SS right then.

Absolutely no regrets. And, as others have said, I haven't left money on the table. That will only happen if I live past the breakeven point...or will it? Meanwhile, I put the SS into savings. I don't have a crystal ball.

The IRS sends us a new PIN number every year since our Federal taxes were hacked years ago. Haven't had to re-apply, it just shows up in the mail.

With interest rates as high as they are and rising, plus house prices going down in many parts of the country, if I were you I’d wait until you have at least 20% down to skip paying PMI. Then, I’d wait for interest rates and house prices to stabilize. No real rush.

I enjoyed reading your success story and your tips.
Happy retirement!

sep wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 11:43 pm Some additional considerations; How are the fees in the Voya Financial ECAP vs the TSP and are your investment options at least as good as the TSP? If TSP gives you a better deal, then you may want to just leave it there. If not, then rolling over the TSP might make sense.

Is the Voya Financial ECAP a qualified employer sponsored plan which will afford you the same legal protection from bankruptcy and lawsuits as the TSP?

Lastly, I understand your general situation, I retired from active duty after 20 years in 2004 and have worked in Civil Service first with the Air Force and now with the Army since 2005. Went down the contractor trail from 2004-2005 too.

Isn't OP talking about FERS, rather than TSP?

I've sold multiple vehicles on Craigslist. Since 2018, I found that there were better avenues, because of vehicle values. Sold a 2018 vehicle to Carvana, back in the day when they paid too much for vehicles. Sold a 2021 to a dealer out of state, who beat all car listing services by thousands of dollars. I found him by listing on Autotrader.com. There are more than 1/2 dozen car buying sites, you should explore them all. What worked in July may not be top of list in January. Yes, Craigslist allows the anonymous capability until you're ready to transfer title. I've sold hundreds of things on CL and only a handful of people have any idea of more than my first name. I have sold a handful of items on FB. It lacks the anonymity, and is full of s...

I contributed to a private (union) multi-employer 401k for years. Then, worked for the fed for just a few years, contributing to the TSP. I rolled my 401k savings into the TSP at that point.

When I left the fed, I kept the money in the TSP and went back to contributing to the previous multi-employer 401k until I retired. My TSP allocation is mainly G-fund.

I go back and forth about rolling the TSP savings back to the 401k, but leaving enough money in the TSP to keep it open (options are always good!). Still haven't done anything though.

Hubris wrote: ↑Mon Dec 26, 2022 12:15 pm Check out our neighbor, Stella Nall at https://stellanall.com/

I like her style!

dwade1109 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 6:28 pm Thank you all for the thoughtful and informative responses!

For more information we would be going first week of May.
Definitely traveling business as a great and also she gets motion sickness so would be more comfortable. Can use miles more easily for Sydney (since American is operating) but that is not determining factor.

Sounds like Japan is the winner! The only other destination I thought of was France but I think Japan seems safer, more polite folks, and oddly easier to navigate which is a big focus for her.

I've been to both. Japan, especially Tokyo, is easy to navigate as an American that can't speak or read Japanese. I was pleasantly surprised. Have fun!

Anywhere Disney. Used to be a major fan, even worked for the company for over 20 years. Lived in LA area, so went to Disneyland from the time I was a tot until my own kids grew up. Vacationed in Florida with weeklong trips to Disney World about a dozen times. The last time was three years ago. Cannot even stomach it now!

zanza wrote: ↑Fri Dec 16, 2022 7:44 am A search on the topic of Christmas gifts revealed a thread on gifts for employees and another for adult children. I am wondering if anyone has special gift/tradition for adult siblings, adult nieces and nephews - some married with children, others not.

These folks buy what they need when they need it; cash or gift certificates seem impersonal (but maybe what they really want).

We have started doing food (chocolate/cookie/fruit, etc) baskets - the thought being they can share with company, take to work, etc.

Do you have any fun, different ideas?
TIA

Fun or different? Not really. But, every year I send an out-of-state friend a different fresh Christmas wreath from LL Bean a couple of weeks before Christmas.

<CLIP>Yea that's the upside to Chase and especially USBank you can walk into a branch and get it resolved far quicker. <CLIP> Really? Don't get me started on USBank. Last year, my husband went into our local USBank branch to open a trust checking account when his mother died. After about a month of screwing him around with what paperwork they needed (including a copy of the entire trust, her death certificate, etc.), the "banker" finally asking for the ORIGINAL trust documents (the ones the lawyer in another state holds), he huffed out and went across the parking lot to the Chase branch and had the account open in less than a half hour. Talk about a B&M bank not having their stuff together! USBank is the worst around here!

For the past several years, we have owned a car (dog and airport car) until the wheels fall off and leased a car (travel and job commuter). Now that we are retired, we still do as we have in the past. It works for us.

Watty wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:18 am

miamivice wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:10 am Just wondering if Bogleheads have any other opinions?

I have a much smaller 0% auto loan that I could pay off at anytime.

I have the payments set up to automatically be paid so there is nothing to do until I get to the final payment.

I have not figured it out but I would guess that keeping the loan is making me a hundred dollars a year or so which is not a lot but I will take it.

Same situation here. I had to buy a car in July 2020 when my car completely died. I bought a 2019 used/certified car for a deep discount. At that time, they couldn't give used cars away. They were coming in faster than they could sell them. I was surprised when the dealer offered a 5-year 0% loan. I'm not in any hurry to pay it off.

Watty wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:18 am

miamivice wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:10 am Just wondering if Bogleheads have any other opinions?

I have a much smaller 0% auto loan that I could pay off at anytime.

I have the payments set up to automatically be paid so there is nothing to do until I get to the final payment.

I have not figured it out but I would guess that keeping the loan is making me a hundred dollars a year or so which is not a lot but I will take it.

Same situation here. I had to buy a car in July 2020 when my car completely died. I bought a 2019 used/certified car for a deep discount. At that time, they couldn't give used cars away. They were coming in faster than they could sell them. I was surprised when the dealer offered a 5-year 0% loan. I'm not in any hurry to pay it off.

Ate leftovers for lunch and dinner!

<CLIP> - Either Corona del Mar Beach or Laguna (Heisler Park), 1 hour <CLIP> I'm a So Cal native; actually lived in Burbank, worked for Disney, Warner Bros. and Universal for over 30 years, also got married in Laguna Beach. I think your plan to go on the WB tour is great and much more "up close and personal" than the "just built for the tour" Universal. But, that's not what I want to talk about. If you go to Laguna Beach, I don't think you are giving yourself enough time. Laguna Beach is off the beaten path from Interstate 5 and will take up nearly half your scheduled hour to get there. It is a beautiful quaint California beach town and you might want to spend a couple of hours there. I find it much more interesting tha...

Thank you in advance to veteran Las Vegas home buyers for any advice. We are thinking about buying a condo/townhouse in Las Vegas, specifically The Lakes or Summerlin area. We have purchased homes in San Francisco and New York but never in Las Vegas. We have a large HELOC line of credit which we will use to buy this second home. We will hire a property management company and rent it for 2 - 4 years with the intention of using it as a second home later. Purchase price $300k-$350k. Recently we saw a unit we liked and asked the realtor to request Disclosures. She informed us that we "need to write an offer and that's when you will get Disclosures and you can cancel the purchase if see something you don't like". After that email we r...

Wow Nelly! I wonder if my late mother-in-law left all sorts of money on the table? The story: My mother-in-law was widowed in the mid-70s, when she was in her 40s. Her husband was in his 50s and had a very good career going until his untimely death. She was married a couple of years later, but that marriage was annulled within a year for a variety of reasons. Then, a few years later (around 1980), she married her last husband. He was a teacher. When she was 65, she took a very low Social Security payout due to her limited work history. Her husband at the time didn't get SS because of his teachers pension. About seven years ago, her last husband passed away. At that point in time, could she have claimed SS survivor benefits on her first hus...

Wow Nelly! I wonder if my late mother-in-law left all sorts of money on the table? The story: My mother-in-law was widowed in the mid-70s, when she was in her 40s. Her husband was in his 50s and had a very good career going until his untimely death. She was married a couple of years later, but that marriage was annulled within a year for a variety of reasons. Then, a few years later (around 1980), she married her last husband. He was a teacher. When she was 65, she took a very low Social Security payout due to her limited work history. Her husband at the time didn't get SS because of his teachers pension. About seven years ago, her last husband passed away. At that point in time, could she have claimed SS survivor benefits on her first husb...

Since someone has to pay the taxes eventually, I'd leave your parents' assets available to them for their care. You and your sibs can pay the taxes on anything left to you/sibs after they are gone.

Imagine a scenario where one of you dies in an accident and the survivor now jointly owns your home with your partner’s mother. An unlikely occurrence on one hand. But I bet it’s happened somewhere in this big country of ours in the last week. You both need to protect yourself against catastrophic events, even those with low probability (just like with many kinds of insurance). This is exactly what happened to a friend of mine, but worse. My friend and her boyfriend were buying a house together. Neither had a will or trust. He died unexpectedly and she found herself owning half the house and his elderly mother owning the other half. Before my friend could get everything legally straightened out, his mother died without a will. Since the bo...

sleepysurf wrote: ↑Sat Oct 15, 2022 12:52 pm -At the opening session, have the Local Chapter Coordinators in attendance stand up and briefly introduce themselves, so newbies from that geographic region can connect with them later at the meeting, if interested.

Great idea! In fact, my husband and I got involved with our local chapter in Las Vegas by meeting a Vegas Chapter volunteer as he worked the registration desk at the first conference we attended. I saw where he was from printed on his name tag. We hadn't moved yet, but I kept his name for when we relocated a year later.

livesoft wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 9:31 pm Re: coffee service all day long. Venues may charge quite a lot for such service ... more than one might think. And the venue would not allow an outside caterer to provide such a service since the venue needs to make sure their own staff stay employed.

Ok. That's fine. Then how about a heads up that the coffee is closing at....?

Wonderful conference and I enjoyed the change ups. Welderwannabe listed two suggestions that I, too, think should be incorporated next year. <CLIP> 2) While I know the cost is significant for conferences, I think that the conference "all day coffee" package is a must. There were several times I really could have used a coffee! 3) It would have been nice if the camera in the back broadcast its feed to the two large screens up front. Many people could not see the speakers. This is done at most conferences I attend and would have been really helpful here. I could rarely see the speakers due to where I was sitting, and I wasn't alone. <CLIP> As for #3, if welderwannabe's suggestion is too techie or expensive; how about a higher stage ...

We adopted a dog almost three years ago from a national breed-specific organization. The contract had much the same kind of language. I'm sure after vetting you, they want to make sure they selected a safe, loving, permanent home for the dog and not a pass-thru situation where you sell the dog or just give it away to anyone. I wouldn't worry about it. If the dog runs away and isn't found, let them know. If you move, let them know so they can contact you if the dog is found and they've chipped the dog. If the dog doesn't work out for whatever reason, return the dog to them so they can re-home it. And, when the dog passes away, let them know for their records. Meanwhile, enjoy you new family member!

tj wrote: ↑Sun Sep 18, 2022 2:21 pm Alternatively, If you rolled it into a Roth, it's basically a "backdoor Roth" contribution, except you'll pay the same taxes on the interest.

In my case (low-paid job with small contributions), the dollar amount wasn't even worth rolling it over. I elected to just cash it out.

Wow I am somebody who prides myself on not leaving money on the table and usually keep track of things but I have to say I didn't realize I could get a refund on FERS contributions that I had made. I was briefly a civil servant under FERS back nearly 30 years ago for about 18 months. I guess I left a few hundred bucks in FERS (I did rollover my TSP). I guess I'll throw the form linked up thread to OPM and see what shakes loose. Not going to chase the money but it is worth 30 mins of my time to see if I can get something (I go in with very low expectations give the elapsed time). I, too, pride myself on not leaving anything on the table as I shut the door. So glad I read about the FERS refund here on bogleheads.com. I'd worked for the gover...

tj wrote: ↑Mon Sep 19, 2022 5:05 pm Somebody at OPM is going to wonder why all these abandoned accounts are being claimed.

Hahaha!

I will be leaving my federal government job at the end of the month after less than five years of federal service. I need to decide what to do with my retirement (FERS) contributions upon leaving. I have the option of requesting a lump sum refund payment (with interest) of these deductions or leaving the deductions in the retirement fund in case I return to the federal government. The refund payment of contributions is not taxed, however, the interest on the contributions are. I'm leaning toward requesting the refund, as I think chances are higher I don't return to federal service, but I can't completely rule it out. What are other's thoughts on this? If I request a refund, how should I handle it? I assume I'll have to move it into a taxab...

OP - Did you do a quick check of the ending number on your bill vs. the number right now on the meter? Might be a simple meter reader error.

My advice? Buy Mike Piper's book, Social Security Made Simple: Social Security Retirement Benefits and Related Planning Topics Explained in 100 Pages or Less (Financial Topics in 100 Pages or Less). It is what I used and I've given it as a gift to a few friends that ask me about SS. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mike+piper+s ... doa-p_3_10

adamthesmythe wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 10:51 am Definitely a "do you feel lucky" issue. I have seen the use of sizers and I have seen bags weighed. Don't know if it will happen to you. Some airlines have a rep for being more restrictive. <clip>

This!

I once flew to Japan and Singapore Air weighed carryons. Mine was a couple of pounds overweight and the agent asked if I had a laptop in there. When I said I did he said “Ok…this time”. What would I have done otherwise? Since then, not one of my carryons have been overweight or oversized. And, none of my carryons have been weighed or sized!

jello_nailer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:46 pm

tennisplyr wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:27 am We enjoy Celebrity. Always professionally run…good food, great shows, pleasant staff.

For upper mid-tier market - Celebrity is the only line we book!

Agree, although we haven't cruised since 2019.

Over the years, we've picked cruises more by itinerary than by cruise line. With that, and somewhere around 15 cruises, we've sailed on Princess, HAL, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity. And, overall liked the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity products the best. I have no idea if this holds true post-covid.

Depends. Could be lower fees, but not protected from creditors and lawsuits. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/p ... ditors.asp

criticalmass wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 12:40 am
Nobody has mentioned Hoover Dam yet...

I did!

Vegas local here. Some great mentions above. But, here are some of my favorites: I'd visit Red Rock Canyon if you have a car. https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org The Mob Museum is fun. It is in the old Post Office and Courthouse in downtown Vegas. https://themobmuseum.org Another place to visit if you have a car is Hoover Dam and the vanishing Lake Mead behind it. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/ As for vegetarian food, I have been to this vegan restaurant for lunch and it was tasty. http://chefkennysasianveganrestaurant.com If you want to just have a little fun with slots, set yourself a spending limit and stick to it. Remember, the old saying by Frank Sinatra, "Las Vegas is the only place I know where money really talks--it says, "...

We live in an ultra-dry desert climate and put in wood look tile throughout our house about five years ago. The tile replaces both original builder-grade tile (entry, hallways, family room, kitchen, baths) and carpet (bedroom). We have a household of two adults and two medium size dogs. So far, the tile still looks new. The installers never mentioned any problems getting the original tile up or leveling the floor. We went with a sort of wood textured (to help prevent slipping) ceramic tile with a PEI Rating of 4, figuring it would be pretty durable. We picked a grout that blends well with the color of the tile and doesn't seem to show the dirt. After five years, we still love it! If you have a Floor & Decor store nearby, they have a hug...

Keep in mind, it costs just as much for labor of a low rated tile as high rated tile. Explanation of porcelain tile ratings from the Porcelain Tile Institute: https://mosaictileco.com/explanation-pei.aspx

Bb073084 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 30, 2022 9:10 pm <CLIP> Looking for an answer that isn’t easily answerable and will have a range of responses. At the time really was confused on what to do. Now just staying the course.

Nice windfall, but considering your yearly income it seems rather inconsequential. Good idea to stay the course.

If this is a good friend, talk to him, get answers, ask questions and express concerns before agreeing to serve as a backup trustee.

Eagle33 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 5:32 pm I am assuming that BL is suggesting you gift 4-$10k I-Bonds to your spouse and your spouse gifts you 4-$10k I-Bonds. Then each of you will deliver one of the $10k gift I-Bond to the other for each of the next 4 years (2023-2026).

Couple of questions: Can I assume the I-bonds bought as gifts start accruing interest during the time they are held by the original purchaser, before gifting them? Also, what happens to the I-bonds if the gifter or giftee dies before they are gifted?

celia wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:06 pm Here’s my suggestion:
“We need need to discuss ownership of the house as wife and I are starting to do estate planning. Since I own 1/3 of the house, I need to figure out what I want to do with it, so you aren’t left owning the house with my future heirs. [make brothers look into the future]

I think we need to come to some agreement now and then have the plan implemented within a year. [being reasonable here]. What would you suggest so I can get my equity out? [make them start thinking/ talking about it]”

I like this approach. AND, follow through.

One question: If probate closed, why wasn't the house included?

I'd check with Wayne Dalton directly about whether their "special spring system" has a lifetime warranty or not and what they will do for you if the springs have failed in seven and a half years. Then, go from there. I wouldn't do anything with the motor at this time.