Search found 318 matches

by wanderer
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement update
Replies: 15
Views: 2968

Re: Retirement update

Back of the envelope numbers - ignoring inflation. -Your wife retires in 2 years at age 62 with a retirement planning window of 30 years (age 92). So, overall, 32 years for planning purposes. -2 years at $5,000/month + 4 years at $7,000/month + 26 years at $3,000/month = $3,625/month average, or $43,500/year. -$43,625/$970,000 = 4.48% per year. This is more aggressive than the "4% rule". Additional questions/considerations.... -Are all taxes included in your spending estimates? -Does your spending estimate include health care costs for your wife for the 3 years before Medicare? -Does your spending plan include non-routine expenses such as major house repairs, vehicle replacement, etc.? -Does your spending plan have a reserve for l...
by wanderer
Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Binoculars for African safari
Replies: 14
Views: 1367

Re: Binoculars for African safari

We recently returned from a 12-day birding safari in Tanzania (North circuit). Take bins you are comfortable using, so you spend more time viewing than adapting to your bins. The safari group will want to see as much as possible, so you will have a limited time to watch in any particular situation. Perhaps birding in a safari vehicle is a bit like birding by car or in a more crowded situation since most of the viewing is from within the vehicle and you will be jostled. Yes, more expensive bins are nice, but of diminishing returns for the price. Comfort and experience using the optics is more important so you can confidently find and focus on the animal quickly. Optical stabilization is useful if you have unsteady hands but doesn't help when...
by wanderer
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone intend on SS@70, now thinking 68 or 69?
Replies: 86
Views: 8369

Re: Anyone intend on SS@70, now thinking 68 or 69?

We are of similar ages and still doing Roth conversions, while spending taxable income, since we are "long" on Rollover IRA (pre-tax). Since our taxable account is running low we looked at just spending from the Rollover IRA or starting SS a bit sooner. From our estimates, the tax space advantage wins out over the extra money at these ages. Our family history suggests we didn't win the longevity bonus so not figured into these estimates. These estimates are from my personal tax estimate and spreadsheet calculations, not a formalized planner.
by wanderer
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?
Replies: 44
Views: 6650

Re: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?

Under my "Fidelity Private Client" box, it says "Contact your team". Some time ago, there used to be the name of some guy with his picture. I have a couple million with Fidelity and have never used the Private Client guy for anything. I do still see the free turbo tax and will probably have my son use it. Just logged in to check - Same change here. While we are currently "self-managed", DW relied on having a person to work with should something happen to me. This is a concern of hers. Update: We got a call today from our local Fidelity office. Fidelity assigned a new advisor due to an internal change in job responsibilities. Our new representative states there are no changes to our "Private Client" r...
by wanderer
Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?
Replies: 44
Views: 6650

Re: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:59 pm Under my "Fidelity Private Client" box, it says "Contact your team". Some time ago, there used to be the name of some guy with his picture. I have a couple million with Fidelity and have never used the Private Client guy for anything. I do still see the free turbo tax and will probably have my son use it.
Just logged in to check - Same change here.
While we are currently "self-managed", DW relied on having a person to work with should something happen to me. This is a concern of hers.
by wanderer
Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
Replies: 33
Views: 2867

Re: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X

What amt's did you use for LTC "self insured"? j :D We retired in 2013. Our family experience (parents) in midwest LCOL areas was 75-80K/year at the time. We rounded up to 100K/year and the simplified 5 years total is for the two of us at a rounded 500K. At the time, my dad was in a LTC facility and my mom had serious medical issues that could quickly turn. So a two-person LTC situation seemed realistic to us. Both sets of parents had saved enough to be self-pay rather than a taxpayer burden. We hope to have saved enough to do likewise. This earmarked money is invested at 80/20 in our Roth, and hopefully this will continue for another 20+ years with the growth covering inflation. We also have buffers of rental farmland and a prim...
by wanderer
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
Replies: 33
Views: 2867

Re: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X

We made a list of the lumpy expenses, the current cost, and expected timing and frequency. This included items like cars, appliances, major house repairs/remodeling, medical (eyes and teeth) as mandatory, as well as major travel (i.e. safaris), gifts, and other discretionary items. For the minor household repairs, we budgeted 1% of value annually. For auto repairs we had better historical history, so looked at % of value for budget. For medical, we used our medical history as well as older family member experiences. For domestic travel we budgeted an annual line item. We annualized most of these as a single "fat" line item in our annual retirement budget to estimate "X". So, in "normal" years, we come in "...
by wanderer
Tue Jan 16, 2024 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037342

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

We've been retired more than 10 years with Fido as a one-stop stop, and have not had this issue. Please make it clear that you are a self-directed investor.
by wanderer
Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retired - Keep a Taxable brokerage vs fund spending while coverting to Roth
Replies: 3
Views: 522

Retired - Keep a Taxable brokerage vs fund spending while coverting to Roth

Hi: I know this question has been discussed but I wasn't able to find the relevant threads or wiki info.  Age 67+. We are retired 10 years using our taxable brokerage account for living expenses while doing Roth conversions. The taxable brokerage was set up with a stock index fund and bond ladder for easy cash flow budgeting. We started converting at a low tax bracket but have increased this since the IRA account was growing faster than the conversions. We are now at the 22/24% marginal rate and the 2nd tier of IRMMA (one above the base) and the IRA has still growing slowly. She started SS at FRA, and he will delay until 70 for the longevity benefit. We are homeowners with no debt, etc. Investments are at Fido in index funds (him) and a bal...
by wanderer
Fri Nov 17, 2023 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wells Fargo WellsTrade brokerage account access question
Replies: 34
Views: 3937

Re: Wells Fargo WellsTrade brokerage account access question

CardinalRule wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:27 pm WF is not our primary brokerage, but I do like the website integration with our WF checking and credit card accounts.

The brokerage website is nowhere as sophisticated as Fido’s, but it works well enough, as does the app. As mentioned, all the funds and ETFs you will likely need are there. And like Fido, and unlike Schwab, Wells pays a market rate of interest on sweep accounts.
+1. Same usage/experience.
by wanderer
Tue Oct 31, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question for Married Bogleheads - % to allocate to joint accounts
Replies: 174
Views: 13491

Re: Question for Married Bogleheads - % to allocate to joint accounts

What are your expectations for marriage - a life partnership or a financial/business partnership? You and your future spouse should have these discussions BEFORE marriage and decide if you both have common expectations for your partnership. Pre-marriage counselling, such as "Engaged Encounter", was the "old school" method for young couples to discuss these realities before marriage. I know this helped us as we started out and suggest it would still help couples today. At some point in our marriage each of us were not employed so relied on the other for financial support. Neither of us thought in terms of "yours" and 'mine". Start by reading through your own post substituting every "I want with "w...
by wanderer
Tue Oct 24, 2023 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Please educate me. Are all USB-c cables the same?
Replies: 20
Views: 2587

Re: Please educate me. Are all USB-c cables the same?

"Google says" there are Android apps and Amazon sells a variety of cable tester for this question. Has anyone got some experience the share?

Thanks!
by wanderer
Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap and Plan D questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2304

Re: Medigap and Plan D questions

Medicare rate rules for Texas from the state department of insurance:

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer ... r%20things.


“ Companies may increase issue-age policy premiums once during your first year of coverage. After that, the company may not increase the premium for 12 months. If you have an attained-age policy, your premium could increase within the first 12 months and will increase on your birthday”
by wanderer
Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Starlink
Replies: 19
Views: 2375

Re: Starlink

We use it for RV living in areas without cell service or other communication options (off grid). Generally, 50-150mb speeds and 50 ms latency.

Obstructions (trees, etc.) are our challenge as the antenna needs a very open sky to get consistent service.

We've used it for more than 6 months across 3 states.

Sadly, the cost has risen to $150/month for the RV service (stationary, but able to relocate at will).
by wanderer
Thu Jun 15, 2023 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hit a rebalancing band, so IPS says must rebalance!
Replies: 65
Views: 6149

Re: Hit a rebalancing band, so IPS says must rebalance!

ThankYouJack wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2023 9:23 am
livesoft wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2023 9:13 am
I also just reviewed my trades so far for 2023 and compare what I did to doing nothing. The portfolio definitely has a higher value than if I had not made any trades, so I see a benefit. Of course, not every trade was optimal, but in aggregate, definitely.
But was it due to luck or skill?
+1
by wanderer
Thu Jun 15, 2023 10:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does your risk tolerance increase overtime?
Replies: 64
Views: 4194

Re: Does your risk tolerance increase overtime?

Just my personal experience... When we were young investor,s we focused on past performance and % loss (volatility). We swung between stocks and CDs based on our fears and reactions to market events. As we grew as investors, we came to understand that there are multiple risks that must be considered and balanced. For example, we realized we needed to accept some volatility risk (stocks) to balance against inflation risk (CDs). We also realized that our real risk (fear) was not having the money we needed WHEN we needed it, so cash flow is an essential aspect of the assessment. We also realized that retirement requires us to think much longer term than we did in our 20s and 30s. We also realized that there was no secret portfolio or formula (...
by wanderer
Tue Apr 11, 2023 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Required Minimum Distribution strategy, monthly Quarterly or when
Replies: 9
Views: 1136

Re: Required Minimum Distribution strategy, monthly Quarterly or when

Here's my perspective as one who manages and facilitate RMDs for 2 elderly relatives. I complete the RMD transactions in January. As background, a relative previously had the RMDs scheduled for mid-December .... but passed away relatively late in the year. I had to submit a death certificate for the surviving spouse to "inherit" the IRA and then manually request the RMD from the inherited IRA. The RMD came out in late December. That experience just reinforced my resolve to assure that RMDs for subsequent years are done in January. +1 Sibling and I inherited an IRA with RMDs incomplete for that calendar year, as parent was withdrawing monthly. Due to some holdings, it took us (Fidelity) a while to settle and transfer to inherited ...
by wanderer
Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Possible Parkinson’s diagnosis, how to prepare [finances and investments]
Replies: 30
Views: 4291

Re: Possible Parkinson’s diagnosis, how to prepare [finances and investments]

My suggestion would be much like the BH investment philosophy towards a financial panic: Don't panic before even having a diagnosis. Learn as much as possible about the disease and progression Learn about possible care options and assess your preferences Make a written plan that allows flexibility as events unfold IF the diagnosis is confirmed, then develop a reasonable care plan. IF the diagnosis is confirmed then make sure your financial documents (POA, etc) reflect this planning well ahead of the time they will be needed. Don't buy into a long-term financial product without understanding what you want and the financial terms. Buying "security" is expensive. Lady Geek and others have good suggestions too. P.S. My parents lived w...
by wanderer
Thu Apr 06, 2023 3:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: income generating portfolio
Replies: 42
Views: 4450

Re: income generating portfolio

To me, this AA, while not a 2 or 3 fund "lazy" portfolio, seems pretty reasonable, but it also seems to meet his goal of generating ongoing income. This is a common behavioral mistake, made and repeated by people who should know better. Stock dividends aren't income. They are really just small sales of your holdings, at unpredictable times and in unpredictable amounts. They are not interest like you earn in a savings account or from bonds. Think of it like this. The value of a company is based on the difference between its assets and liabilities. Assets are easy to value things like real estate, accounts receivable, and cash that's in the company's bank account as well as intangibles such as "goodwill/brand recognition"...
by wanderer
Sun Apr 02, 2023 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth conversion, which fund to convert?
Replies: 13
Views: 1138

Re: Roth conversion, which fund to convert?

What is your expected timing for withdrawing from the Roth?

We are in the conversion phase of life, with most of our bond and short-term money in the tIRA for tax minimization.

We have been converting stocks with the expectation that the Roth would not be tapped for years. As we approach RMD years we see the Roth as our future “emergency fund” to ensure we won’t need to hit the tIRA or taxable accounts for unexpected expenses which exceed any tax bracket breakpoints. We are now converting a mix.
by wanderer
Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity sweep account - UMB Bank
Replies: 10
Views: 3268

Re: Fidelity sweep account - UMB Bank

Review your monthly statement. See: https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/060_www_fidelity_com/documents/fcma_disc.pdf#:~:text=Your%20Fidelity%C2%AE%20Cash%20Management%20Account%20utilizes%20a%20core,bene%EF%AC%81%20ciaries%20of%20that%20trust%20are%20natural%20persons. Our monthly statement itemizes the CMA balance between what is in FDIC insured (Citibank in our case) and money market SPRXX. The monthly statement also itemizes the interest/dividends respectively. None of this money shows as deposited at UMB (United Missouri Bank). Our checks do show UMB as the bank. The statement says "FDIC INSURED DEPOSIT AT CITIBANK". Fidelity also uses the ticker symbol QPCTQ to reference this subaccount. The statement also says "NOT COVE...
by wanderer
Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "1.28 gpf" and handle operating technique
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Re: "1.28 gpf" and handle operating technique

Perhaps tjis is what you are looking for.....
EPA procedures:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files ... s-spec.pdf
by wanderer
Wed Dec 21, 2022 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Running shoes: how important is "heel-to-toe drop"?
Replies: 20
Views: 2982

Re: Running shoes: how important is "heel-to-toe drop"?

I'm no expert, but my experience and advice is to be careful with zero drop shoes. I run in them, but came from barefoot running days. Adjust your mileage carefully (true for any change in shoe type). Your body's current foot/ankle/leg strength and flexibility, and running style, will affect your adaptation. If your calf muscles are tight, zero drop shoes put more stress on your Achilles tendon as your foot rotates through the foot strike and push off. If you are a heal striker with longer strides your body will need to adjust more. Your body may "adapt" to the new shoes by changing your gait to get more of a mid-sole strike, again testing your Achilles tendon and calf strength as they absorb the impact/spring back. If the new sho...
by wanderer
Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cut glassware - safe? (Lead concern)
Replies: 17
Views: 1990

Re: Cut glassware - safe? (Lead concern)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8157224/

Found this on the web when young granddaughter was enthralled by some old glassware.
by wanderer
Thu Dec 01, 2022 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In Retirement "Every fund/account has a purpose/job"
Replies: 14
Views: 1279

Re: In Retirement "Every fund/account has a purpose/job"

I think the other posters are a bit too black/white. There are shades of gray discussed here all the time. You may have multiple savings goals, such as "retirement", "Children's education", "home down payment", etc. Each "goal" has a separate time horizon, risk assessment, and possibly tax implications. Using separate accounts for each "goal" may make sense. Drilling down, multiple accounts may have the same saving goal, such as "retirement" expenses. This may include taxable accounts such as savings and brokerage accounts, traditional IRA/401(k) and other tax-deferred accounts, and Roth IRA tax exempt accounts. Because these different types of accounts have different tax treatment...
by wanderer
Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:34 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad news - Sheepdog passed away
Replies: 135
Views: 25744

Re: Sad news - Sheepdog passed away

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Sheepdog family.

Sheepdog's posts were a guide and "must read" as we began our BH journey. You will be missed by many here on the forum.
Thank you, Sir!
by wanderer
Sun Sep 11, 2022 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiree profile article from wsj (under 2 mil portfolio)
Replies: 16
Views: 2691

Re: Retiree profile article from wsj (under 2 mil portfolio)

All retirees need to have retirement activities/plans which keep them engaged with life and life values.
The folks in the article mentioned the struggle to stay engaged with fiends/colleagues, board seats, etc. These aspects of the article seem more important than the financial.
by wanderer
Sun Aug 21, 2022 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Open Social Security Calculator Help
Replies: 3
Views: 675

Re: Open Social Security Calculator Help

Thank you for the replies.
by wanderer
Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Open Social Security Calculator Help
Replies: 3
Views: 675

Open Social Security Calculator Help

Hi. We are reviewing our SS filing info using the Open Social Security Calculator from Mike Piper (Oblivious Investor). We plan to defer the higher wage earner (him/self) until age 70 but would like to determine what filing age makes the most sense for the lower wage earner (her/spouse). We choose to review the mortality table options to see what happened with the longer life expectancy estimates. We found that changing her (spouse) mortality tables did not change the recommended filing age. But, changing his (self) mortality tables did change the recommendations for when she should file. Here's a table showing the results. The columns are wacky and the filing age is shown as age,months. We are close in age, but these are dummy DOBs. Can so...
by wanderer
Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what point after-death can you dismiss billing
Replies: 67
Views: 6583

Re: At what point after-death can you dismiss billing

Lee_WSP wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 12:39 pm Each state has specific statutes regarding the barring of creditor claims. Google that plus your state and you should pull up the requirements. Probate may be necessary.
I didn't see any responses that actually googled MA law. Perhaps these will help....

https://malegislature.gov/laws/generall ... ction3-803
https://www.fegreuslaw.com/probate-and- ... obate-code
by wanderer
Mon Aug 08, 2022 11:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Full View - recent experiences?
Replies: 33
Views: 9630

Re: Fidelity Full View - recent experiences?

I have been tracking expenses in FV for nearly 3 years. No issues with sales calls. Once your accounts are linked and the categories set up it is easy. We occasionally have to re-link, but mostly because the supplying account owner has a time limit for these connections or changes their methods. The automated categorization for new transactions is often bizarre, so I review each transaction and adjust as needed. I spend only a few minutes each week or so to review the expenses, including re-categorizing as needed. We prefer to categorize expenses similar to Fidelity's retirement planner. FV doesn't quite work that way, (that I could figure out) So we have forced categorizations. FV cannot amortize (to my knowledge) any non-monthly income/ex...
by wanderer
Mon Jul 25, 2022 10:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: National Park Adventure Trip Recommendations
Replies: 48
Views: 5837

Re: National Park Adventure Trip Recommendations

Stick with the second definition, since the accessible side of the Tetons is East of the Continental Divide, as is much of Yellowstone :wink: Colorado is another great destination in the "West", but requires even more altitude acclimatization. Actually, the Tetons (and Jackson) are west of the Continental Divide. The divide travels NW-SE across the lower part of Yellowstone. It then enters the Bridger Teton Forest's Teton Wilderness (Absaroka Mountains), down the spine of the Wind River Range and across the Red Desert (Great Divide Basin) towards Rawlins, WY. And both sides of the Tetons are accessible. The west side is in the Caribou-Targhee NF. Though not every year, plan on snow about October 1 in the Jackson area. The focus t...
by wanderer
Tue Jun 21, 2022 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Turn off Fidelity auto roll?
Replies: 12
Views: 13096

Re: Turn off Fidelity auto roll?

You need to call Fidelity. I learned by hard experience.
by wanderer
Mon May 16, 2022 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: One week in Yellowstone/Grand Teton vs. Acadia/Bar Harbor mid August
Replies: 45
Views: 4424

Re: One week in Yellowstone/Grand Teton vs. Acadia/Bar Harbor mid August

We have been to both multiple times. As others have said: both Yellowstone/Grand Teton and Acadia are extremely crowded all summer. However - our experience is that September is just as crowded as summer in both places thanks to the "newly weds" and "nearly deads". Yes we have experienced both months at each park. Last year was in Yellowstone/Tetons. Acadia is a much smaller park, so short distances between attractions. Yellowstone (and Grand Teton) by comparison are MUCH bigger. So expect to spend ALOT more time travelling between attractions. Park roads are generally posted at 45 mph. Plan 35 mph in Yellowstone and maybe 35-40 mph in Grand Teton due to the trailer traffic and "bear jams" Plan about 25 mph in ...
by wanderer
Tue May 10, 2022 9:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone else at Fidelity Being Prodded into a Separately Managed Account
Replies: 143
Views: 14642

Re: Anyone else at Fidelity Being Prodded into a Separately Managed Account

UpperNwGuy wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 5:54 pm I only use ETFs at Fidelity, and they leave me alone.
We are in the BH-approved MFs. We are also left alone. Haven’t see or spoken to our “advisor” since some roll-overs in 2019. We have been to the local office for some paperwork a few times since then.

Just tell them you are self-managed and to leave you alone.
by wanderer
Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to keep rodents out of engine compartment?
Replies: 28
Views: 2452

Re: How to keep rodents out of engine compartment?

Known suggestions:
Lights in engine compartment and/or surrounding the vehicle, peppermint (mix) packets or in granules surrounding the vehicle. In the coach part, try to seal off all entry areas with hardware cloth or copper cleaning pads. Keep all food and other attractants out of the vehicle. None of these seem perfect, but appear to work in combination. In the end, traps surrounding the vehicle are a last defense.

You are fortunate this was an easy repair and learning lesson. We know of vehicles with $K of damage from the damaged wiring. (Look up info about soybean-based wiring harnesses)
by wanderer
Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Preparing to retire in 3 years at age 44; UPDATED
Replies: 539
Views: 66355

Re: Preparing to retire in 3 years at age 44; UPDATED

Sounds like a very reasonable plan.
by wanderer
Thu Apr 14, 2022 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Preparing to retire in 3 years at age 44; UPDATED
Replies: 539
Views: 66355

Re: Preparing to retire in 3 years at age 44; UPDATED

willthrill81: Several posters above (who are retired for many years) mentioned the intellectual and personal value of working. We have been retired 8+ years now and, despite all the travel we desired and no significant financial worries, we still longed for a place to which we could make a contribution and some place where our presence/contribution mattered. We kept our sticks and bricks house and travel/live by RV to volunteer at National wildlife refuges for most of the year. This has become our travel fix, and a "work-like" outlet to stay engaged. You are obviously stimulated by intellectual challenges and very engaged here at BHs. Presumably this applies to other places and things too, despite your loathing of your current wor...
by wanderer
Mon Mar 14, 2022 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expanding Driveway / Parking Area
Replies: 14
Views: 1795

Re: Expanding Driveway / Parking Area

Before committing to big dollars, check to see if there are any neighborhood, city, or HOA restrictions. Common ones are the width of the driveway along the curb/road access, and requirements for maximum % of hardscape (minimum green scape/ lawn/gardens). These both apply in our neighborhood.

Yes, several neighbors have difficult, curved driveways along the cul-de-sac. One person has installed some permeable pavers to get more width. Chose pavers to avoid drawing attention and ignored the permit issues. (I am not suggesting that route - follow your local codes/deed restrictions).
by wanderer
Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost of Medicare and Supplemental Insurance in Retirement
Replies: 118
Views: 15190

Re: Cost of Medicare and Supplemental Insurance in Retirement

Costs vary depending on plan type (Medicare Advantage vs Traditional w/Supplemental and Drug), income (IRMMA surcharge), and medical costs in your state/county. Best to educate yourself on what type plans and coverage you want before just asking cost.

See:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Medicare
viewtopic.php?t=343273
viewtopic.php?t=330312
viewtopic.php?t=228808

You can look at costs for your state/county at medicare.gov
For Houston, Texas (Harris County): https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/# ... 22&lang=en
by wanderer
Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax Cares Act Charitable Contribution
Replies: 15
Views: 1689

Re: Turbotax Cares Act Charitable Contribution

We are using the on-line Premier ed - MFJ. Seems like it showed up in the review process, or at least towards the end after going through the whole entering deductions process and then choosing the "std" deduction.
by wanderer
Fri Jan 28, 2022 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What do you ask your Fidelity advisor?
Replies: 21
Views: 2889

Re: What do you ask your Fidelity advisor?

+1 to using/understanding the analysis and performance tabs, as well as the retirement planner. I'll add the suggestions to: 1) Ask for a review of your accounts and setup. My initial Fidelity accounts were set up by my employers at the time, but in our retirement review our advisor noted these accounts had some limitations because they were tied to employer accounts, and were handled differently within Fidelity than personal accounts. He set us up with accounts based on our needs along with expeditiously getting new Roth accounts set up, after-tax 401(k) funds transferred, and walking through all the account set-up details and beneficiaries. He helped explain options for how to accomplish Roth conversions at Fidelity, and other post-retire...
by wanderer
Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity account opened by an advisor always "managed account"?
Replies: 17
Views: 1505

Re: Fidelity account opened by an advisor always "managed account"?

Suggest opening new accounts in your name(s) only and transferring the fund positions. Leave these old accounts behind.

Some accounts seem to be coded a specific way at opening that cannot be changed. Years ago, I had a brokerage account opened by my employer for stock option grants. I also had a Fidelity "Separately Managed Account" for a while. When we cleaned up out accounts and switched to a BH approach we could not get these accounts renamed or switched over to regular accounts. Our advisor just opened new accounts in our names (DW and mine) and transferred the assets. These old accounts are still listed in my name, but with $0.00 balance.
by wanderer
Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: snow birding advice, please
Replies: 35
Views: 3562

Re: snow birding advice, please

Regarding the "mechanics"... Have you decided how you will "maintain" the home in the Great Lakes area during the winter? I'd recommend keeping the home operational, with utilities on, and hiring someone (perhaps family) to look in on it regularly. They will need to flush toilets, run sinks, and etc to ensure the water traps stay wet/sealed. They will ensure the furnace is functioning properly and holding temperature. They will look for signs of entry or damage, etc. You may want a service to clear snow and drive on the driveway to leave others the sense that the home is occupied. You will need to ensure that you have arrangements to handle mail and anything that is dropped off at the doorstep. These issues will be house...
by wanderer
Thu Dec 02, 2021 12:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scanning print photos and slides
Replies: 16
Views: 1555

Re: Scanning print photos and slides

Now please tell me you have an off-site backup of them after all that work. Of course! Primary is with me (actually two SSD drives). Daughter has a copy (her responsibility to manage and may not be updated), and, as stated, photos are on a paid cloud server - Smugmug. It really wasn't all that much work. We cleaned up our storage, sorting the photos into plastic boxes (from mostly in old shoeboxes in moving boxes). We had "our" collection as well as my parents and some of her parents collections. This is where most of the culling occurred. DW did a lot of this. Once I had the photography setup (lighting) worked out we tackled the digitizing step as time permitted. It sat in the dining room for months. Used Lightroom for keywordin...
by wanderer
Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scanning print photos and slides
Replies: 16
Views: 1555

Re: Scanning print photos and slides

Here's the most in depth video I've seen on using a camera to accomplish this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmFjvFLPu4 +1 That's basically the way I did it, but with a more self-rigged setup. I made a mounting adapter for my tripod to aim the camera down to a flat bed with the photos. Made sure it was square and level. Covered photos as needed with a clear glass from an old picture frame designed to minimize glare. Used several lamps with "natural color" light bulbs. Note - need to have several for lots of light and avoid shadows. Connected the camera to the PC to shoot in session mode (most name-brand cameras have in-house software). Made notes for each photo to add keywords and captions. For slides I purchased a slide adapt...