Search found 20 matches

by rickberg
Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Back Car Lights all went out
Replies: 25
Views: 1435

Re: Back Car Lights all went out

Thegame14 wrote: Wed Jul 25, 2018 11:58 am
Point wrote: Wed Jul 25, 2018 11:51 am Brake lights!
Tail lights?
Backup lights?
Some or all of them?

Check fuses. Check for rodents chewing.
The brake lights work, it is just the lights that are one while driving. I call them "running" lights, but maybe tail lights makes more sense.
Brake lights are dual filament bulbs - if the lights are not on, you press on the brakes, it will come on. Or if you have your lights on, the brake lights will stay on (at a lower brightness) and when you press on the brakes, it will come on at a higher brightness. I just sounds like you need to replace the bulb if all the other lights are working.
by rickberg
Wed Oct 04, 2017 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MoviePass-Too good to be true, but it's legit.
Replies: 393
Views: 68716

Re: MoviePass-Too good to be true, but it's legit.

So how does this work for most theatre chains (AMC, Century etc) that are not in their "e-ticketing" list of theatres? Is my understanding correct: 1) You purchase $9.99/mo subscription from moviepass.com 2) They mail you a debit card in ~3 weeks. Your subscription starts from the day you receive the pass. 3) You download the moviepass app on your android/iphone, login to it. 4) When you arrive at the theatre, you scan show times and "check-in" to the show. 5) You purchase a ticket using their debit card within 30 minutes of check-in. 6) Enjoy the show. Is my understanding correct? I am confused because their FAQ has questions of changing credit card on account, etc.. I hope there are not too many hoops to go through su...
by rickberg
Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Equifax customer information leak
Replies: 711
Views: 96721

Re: Equifax says info stolen. What's my best course of action?

Enrolling into their free monitoring will exclude you from any future class action lawsuits.
by rickberg
Wed Mar 08, 2017 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor roth timing
Replies: 7
Views: 1156

Re: Backdoor roth timing

retiredjg wrote:The 2016 contribution goes on the 2016 Form 8606 and is filed with the 2016 taxes.

The 2017 contribution goes on the 2017 Form 8606 a year from now. The conversion was done in 2017 so it also goes on the 2017 Form 8606 a year from now.

Thanks for the feedback - to confirm, even though I did my conversion for 2016 in 2017, I will need to file the 2016 Form 8606 with my 2016 taxes?
by rickberg
Wed Mar 08, 2017 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor roth timing
Replies: 7
Views: 1156

Re: Backdoor roth timing

In 2017, I converted my money from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA for 2016 and 2017. Do I need to file a 8606 in my 2016 tax returns or do I do this in my 2017 tax returns?
by rickberg
Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor roth timing
Replies: 7
Views: 1156

Backdoor roth timing

Due to some delays in account opening, it appears that Vanguard will not be able to open my Traditional IRA account in time. Is it possible to fund my Traditional IRA in 2017 for 2016 and perform the conversion to a Roth IRA in 2017 for 2016? Or does this have to be done in this calendar year?
by rickberg
Thu Dec 08, 2016 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quick backdoor Roth question
Replies: 2
Views: 365

Quick backdoor Roth question

I had 2 IRA's that I have just rolled into my current employers 401k plan.

If I open a Traditional IRA today and then convert this into a Roth IRA - would I be hit with any tax implications from the pro rata rule? Or should I be good since I have no other IRA's at this point in time?

Thanks for the input.
by rickberg
Tue May 05, 2015 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IPhone in Japan
Replies: 20
Views: 6612

Re: IPhone in Japan

This was the company that I went with. Smooth transaction, worked perfectly.

http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
by rickberg
Tue May 05, 2015 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IPhone in Japan
Replies: 20
Views: 6612

Re: IPhone in Japan

I just returned from Japan and you have 2 options:

1) If you have a unlocked phone - you can purchase a SIM and purchase a data only plan. I believe there is some Japanese regulation that limits foreigners from getting a Japanese phone number.

2) Rent a portable WiFi - this will allow any of your devices to connect to this WiFi

I chose the portable WiFi option as this allows you to connect multiple devices and was the cheaper option. The company will ship the device to you at the airport or hotel and you mail it back in a pre-paid envelop when you are done with the device.
by rickberg
Wed Apr 15, 2015 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buy new Acura? Nearest dealer service is 125 miles away
Replies: 23
Views: 7790

Re: Buy new Acura? Nearest dealer service is 125 miles away

> Thinking about an Acura RDX but one concern that I have is that the nearest dealer service facility is 125 miles away, You don't say whether there is a different brand dealer that is much nearer. For all we know you live in the middle of North Dakota 125 miles away from everything. There's a local Honda dealer. I checked with them but they seemed a little iffy about servicing an Acura so it left me unsure about it. Perhaps since they don't stock parts and fluids for Acura they were a little equivocal about servicing them when they are still under warranty -- not sure. With my current Honda, the Owner's Manual requires only Honda transmission fluid and differential fluid so I'm thinking Acura would be the same, so there are some things th...
by rickberg
Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buy new Acura? Nearest dealer service is 125 miles away
Replies: 23
Views: 7790

Re: Buy new Acura? Nearest dealer service is 125 miles away

You can get most of your work done at a local Honda Dealership if you want to stick with OEM parts as they will be mostly the same.
by rickberg
Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Method to rebalance to target asset allocation
Replies: 4
Views: 735

Method to rebalance to target asset allocation

What is the recommended way to re-balance your portfolio when it deviates from your asset allocation? I would assume that the answer to this will vary based on age and how close you are to retirement. In my situation where I am in my early 30's and still in the process of building my nest egg, would the best way to re-allocate is to buy more into the area where I am under to bring my allocation back into balance? (assuming you have the means to contribute more $) For example: If my target allocation is 70% US Equities, 20% Intl Equities, and 10% Bonds but if my Current allocation is 75% US Equities, 22% Intl Equities, and 3% Bonds In this situation, would you sell US Equities and Intl Equities to bring your bond allocation to target, or wou...
by rickberg
Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead Portfolio
Replies: 3
Views: 692

Re: Boglehead Portfolio

A difficult question to answer with any degree of correctness without any information concerning your age, financial condition, goals, etc., etc. (see Asking Questions and a few more of the topics here [including reading a few of the referenced books] http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_started ) That said, if you look at a target date fund from anywhere between 2055 and 2040 (?), I think you'll find their asset allocation is pretty close to 90 / 10. The next question would be how long you want it to stay near 90 / 10. Updated original post to include a bit more detail. Assuming this is the only account that I have - would the recommendation be to go with the target date fund rather than select the index funds offered and make my own po...
by rickberg
Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead Portfolio
Replies: 3
Views: 692

Boglehead Portfolio

Emergency funds: Yes 6 months Debt: Mortgage $95k @4.375% fixed Tax Filing Status: Single Tax Rate: ?% Federal, ?% State State of Residence: NY Age: 33 Desired Asset allocation: 90% stocks / 10% bonds Desired International allocation: 30-40% of stocks Recently switched to a new company and I'm trying to figure out the most boglehead way to build my portfolio. Given the choices below, which funds should I choose to build my lazy portfolio? Looking for a 90/10 allocation. Contributions New annual Contributions - $18k + comp match Name Expense Ratio Target Date Income Fund 0.11 Target Date 2015 Fund 0.1 Target Date 2020 Fund 0.09 Target Date 2025 Fund 0.09 Target Date 2030 Fund 0.09 Target Date 2035 Fund 0.09 Target Date 2040 Fund 0.1 Target D...
by rickberg
Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recruiters asking for current compensation
Replies: 54
Views: 13723

Re: Recruiters asking for current compensation

DFrank wrote:
LeeMKE wrote:Your current compensation WILL be confirmed during a pre-contract offer. Might as well make it easy and tell them up front. This has been SOP for over 15 years.
Confirmed how?

I know my company will not disclose anything more than an indication whether or not an individual is currently employed at the company. So it's all up to the employee whether they disclose and what they disclose.
In my job search last year, all of the recruiters that I dealt with did inquire about my current salary. This is confirmed when during the background process (after you accepted your offer) - they will request a copy of your last pay stub. Whether or not a company will care if that number doesn't match what you say you made, I'm not sure.
by rickberg
Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I have a tIRA & a Roth?
Replies: 19
Views: 2577

Re: Can I have a tIRA & a Roth?

I'm in a similar situation with the OP -

For 2014 - I've reached the income limit and cannot contribute to my Roth for 2014. I cannot current perform a backdoor roth because I have a rollover IRA from my previous company. I'm looking to roll this amount into my current companies 401k this year.

What are my options? Should I contribute to a non-deductible tIRA for 2014? Whats the benefit of doing this if I don't get any tax benefits? If I move all of my rollover IRA's into my current companies 401k, can I convert the 2014 tIRA to roth this year?
by rickberg
Thu Jan 29, 2015 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement account limits
Replies: 8
Views: 1175

Retirement account limits

Looking at all the other Bogleheads post out there I want to ensure that I am taking advantage of all available tax-advantage accounts that out there. Can you tell me if my list is complete:

For someone in their 30's, married, no kids, working at mega corp:

For myself:
401k - 18k
Roth IRA - 5.5k

What else is there that I can take advantage of? Can I fund a tIRA? HSA? 529?

How does one qualify for a HSA account? I get health insurance via my company and they have FSA accounts where I can put pre-tax money in to spend on health related expenses.

Thanks
by rickberg
Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cricket wireless experience
Replies: 38
Views: 6586

Re: Cricket wireless experience

T-mobile has a "walmart" pre-paid plan that consists of 100 mins talk, Unlimited data (5gig LTE speeds then throttled), unlimited text for $30 a month. If you are concerned about minutes, use the Hangouts app from google and you can talk all you want for free and it just uses your data.

Another good choice is Simplemobile from Target. This runs off the Tmobile network also. It has 300 mins talk, 3 gigs of data at 4g speeds then throttled and unlimited text for $35 a month. For every 6 months of service, you get a $25 target giftcard. In this case, you can also use Hangouts app from google for unlimited talk.
by rickberg
Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with Backdoor Roth
Replies: 32
Views: 2697

Re: Help with Backdoor Roth

Here is the step by step process: http://thefinancebuff.com/the-backdoor-roth-ira-a-complete-how-to.html You need to move your existing IRA's into your 401k. No need to close any account if you don't want to. Fund your IRA. Move the money from the IRA to the Roth. At Vanguard, I do an exchange from the IRA to the Roth. Is it possible that I leave both existing IRA accounts alone, and open a new IRA with Vanguard with $5500 and do a roth conversion only on this amount? It is possible, but you will owe taxes due to the pro-rata rule. Read the link above. It explains it. Thanks for your response. Looking at the article - it mentions this: When you are doing the backdoor Roth IRA, remember not to rollover from an employer-sponsored plan to a t...
by rickberg
Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with Backdoor Roth
Replies: 32
Views: 2697

Help with Backdoor Roth

I've been reading up about the backdoor roth and I'm not exactly sure what I need to do in my situation. I have 2 accounts: Fidelity - Contains a IRA account from when I rolled over from a previous employer. It consists of stocks and mutual funds. Vanguard - Contains a IRA account from when I rolled over from a previous employer. This only consists of mutual funds. If I were to do a backdoor roth, do I need to convert both of these IRA into my current employers 401k? (I would rather not convert all of this to Roth due to tax implications) Then within one of those brokers, fund a traditional IRA with $5500 and then convert that into a roth? Is it possible that I leave both existing IRA accounts alone, and open a new IRA with Vanguard with $5...