Search found 287 matches

by TenS2XS
Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1180

Re: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?

Is Dropbox the only method available for downloading the RPM spreadsheet?
by TenS2XS
Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1180

Re: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?

"Slam dunk" meaning it's clearly beneficial to do conversions.
by TenS2XS
Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: T-Bill vs CD vs High Yield Savings
Replies: 32
Views: 6788

Re: T-Bill vs CD vs High Yield Savings

Fidelity has an auto roll feature for some T Bills. The 13-week has the feature but not the 17-week last time I checked. With Auto Roll you don't have to have to keep up with the auctions as long as you want the bill to roll into a new one with the same duration.
by TenS2XS
Sun Feb 19, 2023 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1180

Re: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?

Sorry, let me clarify. 22% bracket now and for the next several years. With her first RMD year, their income would be such that they'd be in the 28% if rates revert to 2017 levels. If rates don't revert, they would be in the 24% at the time of her first RMD. This is assuming that the old bracket income ranges revert intact without an inflation adjustment.
by TenS2XS
Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1180

Roth conversions now - no brainer for this situation?

Wife is about 2 years older than her husband. Based on projections, when she starts taking RMDs it will tip them into the next marginal tax bracket, from 22% to 24%. However, this will occur after taxes are scheduled to revert back to the 2017 level, which would mean going from the current 22% to 28% rate. Since in either scenario their future tax rates are higher, is doing Roth conversions now and up until her RMDs start a slam dunk? Additionally, depending on how his tax-deferred portfolio performs, the husbands first RMD two years later could possibly tip them up an additional bracket if taxes return to the 2017 level. While I don't think they'll trigger the IRMAA premium after they're both taking RMDs, it's possible depending on: IRMAA ...
by TenS2XS
Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you have enough money, should your investments reflect that?
Replies: 14
Views: 2896

Re: If you have enough money, should your investments reflect that?

I read an article titled "Taking a Knee" or something akin to that, which basically advocated for reducing portfolio risk once "enough" was achieved. If you look at money as a means to an end (comfortable/secure/fun lifestyle for the remainder of life) rather than a goal to die with the largest number, it makes sense to become more conservative at that point. While I generally agree with that conclusion, "enough" can be hard to determine. It's partially quantifying your financial needs and your emotional need for feeling secure. I know our expected life spans and can predict our expenses within a reasonable margin of error, but there are wildcards like if we encounter a long-term illness or situation that requi...
by TenS2XS
Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fitting I-bonds into asset allocation
Replies: 36
Views: 5277

Re: Fitting I-bonds into asset allocation

I include them in my AA as bonds, although I can see how they could be considered in other ways. My main reason for considering them to be bonds is that there are liquidity restrictions in the early years of ownership. They can't be redeemed for the first year and there are interest penalties until they've been owned for 5 years. I suppose I could consider the ones I've had for 5+ years as cash or short-term holdings. However, my asset allocation conundrum is with how much inflation protection to have as a percentage of the entire portfolio and/or as a percentage of bonds. I haven't come across and guidelines or recommendations. In addition to I Bonds I have a TIPS mutual fund, so the total of the bonds and the fund are my allocation to inf...
by TenS2XS
Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: treasury I bonds purchase with a tax refund for 2022 tax year
Replies: 25
Views: 2714

Re: treasury I bonds purchase with a tax refund for 2022 tax year

I chose to get a portion of a refund in I bonds several years ago but haven't since mainly because when I did, I had no control over the denominations I received. So, I ended up with a bunch of paper bonds in a variety of amounts rather than the fewest possible that matched my refund amount.
by TenS2XS
Thu Feb 16, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US Treasury Chart High Rate and Investment Rate?
Replies: 6
Views: 5430

Re: US Treasury Chart High Rate and Investment Rate?

Thanks all. Very helplful.
by TenS2XS
Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US Treasury Chart High Rate and Investment Rate?
Replies: 6
Views: 5430

Re: US Treasury Chart High Rate and Investment Rate?

So if I wanted to compare the T bill's rate to the APY of a CD, would I use the High Rate, the Investment Rate, or some other calculated value?
by TenS2XS
Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [How does one fight the urge to make simple things more complex?]
Replies: 82
Views: 6424

Re: [How does one fight the urge to make simple things more complex?]

McGilicutty wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:34 pm I fight the urge by giving into it a little bit. For example, about 15% of my portfolio is in individual stocks. I have also tried a little market timing with a small portion of my portfolio. The individual stocks are working out OK, but the market timing didn't work out so good.

I know I can't fight the urge to optimize completely, so I try to optimize with a relatively small portion of my port.
I do the same. I call it my $andbox.
by TenS2XS
Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Indexing Now?
Replies: 16
Views: 1071

Re: Indexing Now?

mega317 wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:09 pm
TenS2XS wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:50 pm The active managers are supposed to.
According to who?
There is a great graphic in Bogle's Common Sense that compared mutual funds by performance over two 5 year periods. There was almost no correlation between performance in the first and second period.
I know. I was being sarcastic. I should have made that more clear.
by TenS2XS
Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Indexing Now?
Replies: 16
Views: 1071

Re: Indexing Now?

delamer wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 12:01 pm You’ve answered your own question to a degree.

If you can’t identify how much is bad and ugly, then how will you (or an active manager) identify the good?
Good point.
by TenS2XS
Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Indexing Now?
Replies: 16
Views: 1071

Re: Indexing Now?

CardioMD wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:59 pm The way I look at it is when I hear on the news that the market is up 14% for the week, I know 90% of my portfolio is up 14%. Keeps things simple because I know I’ll outperform the vast majority of active managers over the long-term.
Agreed. I like to keep things relatively simple as well. I'm at a much lower allocation to equities at my stage and even though I'm retired, I have a long time horizon for my equities because they're essentially there for the next generation.
by TenS2XS
Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Indexing Now?
Replies: 16
Views: 1071

Re: Indexing Now?

Fallible wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:02 pm
TenS2XS wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 11:56 am ... Index funds always include the good, bad and ugly but right now there could be a lot more bad and ugly than usual and we don't really know how much.

I could go with managed funds but I don't know how quickly their holdings are being adapted. Another alternative would be individual stocks and bonds. ...
There could also be a "lot more bad and ugly than usual" with managed funds and individual stocks." Or do you know something nobody else knows or can know, like the future?
The active managers are supposed to.
by TenS2XS
Sat Apr 11, 2020 11:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Indexing Now?
Replies: 16
Views: 1071

Indexing Now?

I've been making use of low-cost index funds and ETFs for many years and still favor them over actively managed funds. However, in the current climate I'm questioning whether I want to put my "dry powder" into indexing. Index funds always include the good, bad and ugly but right now there could be a lot more bad and ugly than usual and we don't really know how much.

I could go with managed funds but I don't know how quickly their holdings are being adapted. Another alternative would be individual stocks and bonds. I could wait or simply dollar cost average into the indexes while the market is down and/or continues to pull back.

Do I have a valid concern with index funds and their holdings given the current situation?
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ESPP shares at Computershare, want to move to Vanguard
Replies: 3
Views: 4926

Re: ESPP shares at Computershare, want to move to Vanguard

Thanks for the reply. My wife's ESPP doesn't allow for transfers of shares except for those purchased via dividends, so we have to sell them or keep the Computershare account open. I'm trying to consolidate/simplify things by reducing the number of accounts and funds so I'll probably enter a limit order to sell. Thanks again.
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ESPP shares at Computershare, want to move to Vanguard
Replies: 3
Views: 4926

Re: ESPP shares at Computershare, want to move to Vanguard

If you're still on the site, did you ever get an answer to your question? I'm in a similar situation now.
by TenS2XS
Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lively HSA offers first dollar investing
Replies: 352
Views: 78334

Re: New HSA provider Lively offers investments for $30/yr fee

Thanks jhfenton. I did get through to Fidelity this morning and they basically echoed what you stated, that I track it on my own. Since I have a coverage tier of me + 1, I will have a maximum contribution of $7,900 for 2018 (with my $1,000 catch-up) and a maximum of $8,000 for 2019.

We only have a few years where we'll be able to contribute before reaching age 65, but I believe it is worth the effort to get some money into this tax-advantaged account.

Thanks again for your quick response.
by TenS2XS
Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lively HSA offers first dollar investing
Replies: 352
Views: 78334

Re: New HSA provider Lively offers investments for $30/yr fee

I opened an HSA with Fidelity but haven't funded it yet. During the online process there was no option to designate if I was opening a Family or Individual account. The account type determines the maximum I can contribute for a given year. Getting in contact with their HSA specific support line has been difficult, as might be expected. As retirees, my wife and I are covered under a HDHP offered by my former employer so I plan to have a Family HSA. Anyone know if there are specific account types or if I simply make annual contributions based on the limits for a Family HSA?

Thanks.
by TenS2XS
Fri Oct 26, 2018 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lively HSA offers first dollar investing
Replies: 352
Views: 78334

Re: New HSA provider Lively offers investments for $30/yr fee

Thanks for the update. I'm considering Lively and have to make a decision relatively soon for my 2018 contribution, which will be my first. I only have a few years to make contributions before going on Medicare. I kind of hate the idea of having to open three accounts (Lively, TD Americatrade and Choice Financial) in order to have an HSA. That's my information spread across three more institutions. Hopefully it will be worth it given that I won't be able to get a large amount in the HSA.
by TenS2XS
Fri Sep 28, 2018 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Criteria used to make Roth Conversion decision
Replies: 51
Views: 7458

Re: Criteria used to make Roth Conversion decision

I've kept our taxable income low in this first year of retirement to facilitate doing Roth conversions from our 401k and/or realizing some long-term gains to reset the basis. I've been using online calculators like the one available on the Schwab site. I don't know if these calculators adjust for inflation or if they need to. For example, after entering my numbers it will tell me the additional income tax I will owe and also the additional balance that we'll have 20-30 years from now if the money is in a Roth and the taxes are paid from other sources. What I'm questioning is if that additional balance has been adjusted for inflation to reflect the buying power 20-30 years from now. If it's not, then the benefit of paying taxes now with doll...
by TenS2XS
Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Poll: Your Max. REIT Allocation
Replies: 56
Views: 9705

Re: Poll: Your Max. REIT Allocation

Has, or is anyone considering reducing their REIT allocation considering the potential for increasing interest rates?
by TenS2XS
Sun Mar 01, 2015 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If your net worth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
Replies: 913
Views: 239832

Re: If your networth is over $3 million, how did you do it?

I'm curious as to how people calculate their network. Liquid network that excludes home equity, households items, etc.? Do you include the full balance of your 401k? I look at my 401k as a joint account with the IRS since they will get a portion of it when I get to the withdraw phase. Do you include your emergency fund?
by TenS2XS
Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement vehicle for 2014 AGI over $160,000
Replies: 9
Views: 1480

Re: Retirement vehicle for 2014 AGI over $160,000

If you exceed the MAGI for making Roth contributions you can use the so called "backdoor" method of contributing to a non-deductable traditional IRA contribution and then convert it to a Roth. Another place to put money to have it grow tax-deferred is Series I Savings Bonds.
by TenS2XS
Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "stretch" IRA and backdoor Roth contrib.?
Replies: 2
Views: 458

Inherited "stretch" IRA and backdoor Roth contrib.?

A relative of mine has in past years made contributions to a Roth IRA by first contributing to a traditional non-deductable IRA and then converting, a.k.a. the backdoor method. Now they have an inherited IRA that will be distributed via annual RMDs based on their age. Anyone know or have an opinion on whether this impacts their ability to use the backdoor method of making contributions to a Roth?

Thanks.
by TenS2XS
Sun Nov 04, 2012 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PenFed Credit Union - 1 year CD = 1.26 APY
Replies: 6
Views: 1406

Re: PenFed Credit Union - 1 year CD = 1.26 APY

I could not find any indication that their certificates are NCUA protected either.
by TenS2XS
Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bye Retail Mutual Funds
Replies: 5
Views: 803

Re: Bye Retail Mutual Funds

With all due respect, it would seem you've executed part of a plan without having a plan. I would suggest that if your proceeds are sitting in a vehicle earning 1 percent or less that you're losing quite a bit now to inflation like you were to fees in the MFs. But, I can see where you might want to take advantage of the recent market run-up as an exit point and then take some time to determine where to go next. The previous suggest was a good one. Do some reading and develop an investment policy statement, and asset allocation target and a plan and then execute.
by TenS2XS
Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k vs. Roth 401k
Replies: 2
Views: 1741

401k vs. Roth 401k

My wife and I are 5 years from our target retirement date. We may want to work longer but for planning purposes that's the target. We are maxing out our 401k contributions. My wife's plan has a Roth 401k option that we're currently not taking advantage of. Although we have accumulated a decent amount in our accounts, I look at the balances knowing that we'll be paying taxes on them when we finally open the tap. It seems likely that taxes will be increasing to attempt to address the deficit and to fund the so called entitlement programs. Granted, we are likely to be in a lower tax bracket post retirement. We have Roth IRAs and have added to them recently using the "backdoor" method, but I'm concerned about a potential negative IRS ...
by TenS2XS
Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Junk removal companies - any recommendations?
Replies: 14
Views: 3102

Junk removal companies - any recommendations?

I'm thinking about using "Got Junk" or one of their competitors but I don't have any experience with them. Does anyone have any input on their service, value for the cost, etc?

Thanks.
by TenS2XS
Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what age did you start feeling old?
Replies: 110
Views: 13055

Re: At what age did you start feeling old?

I felt older when our child announced his engagement, but not old.

I felt older when a parent passed away, but not old.

I felt older at the milestone of 30 years with my employer, but not old.

I think I will feel old when I can no longer do something independently that I more or less take for granted today...driving, walking, eating, remembering what I did yesterday. I can only hope that by then I'll feel that I lived my life fully and that I can find enjoyment and meaning by focusing on what I can still do.
by TenS2XS
Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's Your Favorite Username?
Replies: 89
Views: 6485

Re: What's Your Favorite Username?

When you think about it, this thread is typical of BH behavior...having a little fun with a very low ER.
by TenS2XS
Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's Your Favorite Username?
Replies: 89
Views: 6485

Re: What's Your Favorite Username?

Buyhighsellow
Rick Ferri
megomatic
worldbfree
mydawgblue
myusername
freebeer
ShiftF5
Phineas J. Whoopee
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG Tax-managed G&I
Replies: 9
Views: 872

Re: VG Tax-managed G&I

Yes. Sorry for that outburst.

I don't usually see institution-only funds when comparisons. I guess it's the way I searched.
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG Tax-managed G&I
Replies: 9
Views: 872

Re: VG Tax-managed G&I

Actually, I was thinking "Investor" shares not "Institutional" shares vs. Admiral, so maybe it's typical that the institutional version generally does have a lower ER.
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG Tax-managed G&I
Replies: 9
Views: 872

Re: VG Tax-managed G&I

From what I've seen, it's generally the other way around. In exchange for the higher commitment you get a lower ER.
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG Tax-managed G&I
Replies: 9
Views: 872

Re: VG Tax-managed G&I

vtglx and vtmix
by TenS2XS
Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG Tax-managed G&I
Replies: 9
Views: 872

VG Tax-managed G&I

Any idea why the institutional shares have a lower expense ratio than the admiral shares?
by TenS2XS
Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I splurged this weekend!
Replies: 71
Views: 9577

Re: I splurged this weekend!

It's all good as long as you didn't sacrifice some needed retirement savings for it. Good pick - enjoy! Right. I wouldn't do it till I was FI. Agreed. I did debate this for a while, but at the end decided that I rather be driving this car when my knees and body can take the everyday "abuse" than wait for me to be financially independent. I think without the kids in the pictures, I might have been able to wait just a few more years, but with kids who knows! And, in true, slightly "modified" Boglehead fashion, I didn't sacrifice any savings retirement or otherwise to get this car :P I'm using the same logic now with my car shopping. I drive my cars for 10-15 years so if I'm going to buy a performance vehicle and one that ...
by TenS2XS
Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much is short-commute worth?
Replies: 57
Views: 9836

My circumstances at the time may not relate to yours but I'll share my experience anyway.

After 3 years at my first job out of college I started looking around and ended up getting two good offers on the same day. The commutes were similar, both kind of long. The money at offer A was about 20% more than offer B. I made my decision based on factors such as: company reputation, their industry, fit with my goals, advancement potential, etc. I chose offer B and after a couple of years moved within 3 miles of their campus. I ended up with a job a love and a short commute that I've enjoyed for over two decades.
by TenS2XS
Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: kitchen counter brand/materials?
Replies: 11
Views: 1841

We decided to go with Quartz about 18 months ago. So far so good.
by TenS2XS
Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Shopping for a family SUV Round#2: Kia Sorento vs GMC Acadia
Replies: 16
Views: 3550

Buy American.
by TenS2XS
Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has anyone survived a bear attack?
Replies: 157
Views: 20882

Opponent Process wrote:turns out I couldn't survive a cougar attack.
Nice.
by TenS2XS
Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock certificates - defunct companies?
Replies: 6
Views: 15783

The AlliedSignal shares are now Honeywell shares, one for one. Still working on the Mack shares.
by TenS2XS
Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How many friends do you have?
Replies: 52
Views: 8698

I'm not sure. I'll know when I'm in need and I'm on the receiving end of self-less acts.
by TenS2XS
Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock certificates - defunct companies?
Replies: 6
Views: 15783

Thanks. I'll provide updates as things progress.
by TenS2XS
Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock certificates - defunct companies?
Replies: 6
Views: 15783

Stock certificates - defunct companies?

I have several stock certificates of Allied Signal, Inc (merged with Honeywell in 1999) and Mack Trucks (now owned by the Volvo Group).

How can I determine if they have any value? Thanks.
by TenS2XS
Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Master's of Information Management?
Replies: 13
Views: 1570

Re: Master's of Information Management?

jbdiver wrote:I don't buy that MIM is the hot new degree in IT. In my experience (16 years) degrees mean little in most IT work. This is a "doer" industry where people are rewarded based on their ability to get stuff done. That being said something like a MIM might be worthwhile if it helps you make a career switch. I think a marketing or project management background would actually be more helpful for a product manager.
+1