Search found 142 matches
- Tue Feb 05, 2019 11:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Family finance benchmarking/feedback
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1813
Re: Family finance benchmarking/feedback
Thank you. We have been very nervous about this life changing move but we are making it for the reasons you outline (closer to family, better environment to raise kids, hopefully more time available for family activities). The trade off between career and family is one we are trying to manage and t...
- Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Paying thousands per ticket to attend the NFL Super Bowl?
- Replies: 138
- Views: 6603
Re: Paying thousands per ticket to attend the NFL Super Bowl?
This is going the way of many Boglehead consumer product threads. Any purchase others enjoy that I don't enjoy is frivolous but purchases I like are absolutely worth it. Countless threads on RVs, boats, horses, dogs, jewelry, premium airfare, international vacations, any car other than a Toyota Cor...
- Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Paying thousands per ticket to attend the NFL Super Bowl?
- Replies: 138
- Views: 6603
Re: Paying thousands per ticket to attend the NFL Super Bowl?
This is going the way of many Boglehead consumer product threads. Any purchase others enjoy that I don't enjoy is frivolous but purchases I like are absolutely worth it. Countless threads on RVs, boats, horses, dogs, jewelry, premium airfare, international vacations, any car other than a Toyota Cor...
- Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can I afford a 50k car? If so, whats the best way to do it?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 2174
Re: Can I afford a 50k car? If so, whats the best way to do it?
You can absolutely afford it. You've got $2 million as a 30 year old (doesn't matter how you've got it, you have it). You can afford a $50k car, especially one that will likely hold it's value, and potentially even appreciate in value.
- Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HELP and advice
- Replies: 11
- Views: 715
Re: HELP and advice
I say go for it. You've more than got the income to support the house. No more debt currently. It sounds like an opportunity that you've been waiting for
- Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any good reason to get a smartwatch?
- Replies: 93
- Views: 4006
Re: Any good reason to get a smartwatch?
If you don't have a good reason, don't get one. It's definitely one of those things (like Alexa) that can be super helpful for some people, and totally useless for others. Personally, I find them both very helpful. I have young children, and the convenience of being able to just tell Alexa to add so...
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Traditional 401K vs Roth 401K?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 539
Re: Traditional 401K vs Roth 401K?
There is a Bogleheads wiki article on the topic at https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Traditional_versus_Roth If you are currently a high earner, it probably makes more sense to put all your 401k savings in tax-deferred. Once your MAGI exceeds $200k (for married) then you no longer can take a deductio...
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Traditional 401K vs Roth 401K?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 539
Re: Traditional 401K vs Roth 401K?
Have you built up a large enough traditional balance so that when you retire and are taking distributions from the accounts the distributions will put you in a higher marginal tax rate rate than your current marginal tax rate? Hmm, I haven't thought about it like that before. Between my wife and I,...
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 1:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Traditional 401K vs Roth 401K?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 539
Traditional 401K vs Roth 401K?
Looking for a bit of advice on what to do here. Company now offers a Roth 401k. Curious, with our income, should we continue to invest in Trad. 401k, or move to Roth? Can you invest in both a Roth IRA and a Roth 401K? Here's our current situation: Wife and I both 29. HH income 200k, expect this to g...
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Non-budgeters: How do you handle large purchases?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 3568
Re: Non-budgeters: How do you handle large purchases?
I think that the sample size of responses you're going to get here are going to significantly skew your results. I would assume that someone who is a non-budgeter that is reading BH is likely someone with a relatively high income. In other words, they don't budget because they don't really have to. ...
- Tue Dec 18, 2018 1:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: iMac + iPad Pro
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2243
Re: iMac + iPad Pro
I think it really really depends on what your main usage is going to be. For the majority of people, an iMac+iPad Pro is probably overkill. If all your'e doing is surfing the internet, social media, consuming videos/photos/music, an iPad is going to be just fine. If you're using your computer for ex...
- Thu Dec 13, 2018 4:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Who else is doing home automation?
- Replies: 64
- Views: 3789
Re: Who else is doing home automation?
Totally understand the first two points, but security concerns are very real and scary?
- Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:57 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 3303
- Views: 631696
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Would appreciate some advice: The 4 credit cards I have/use are: 1. Amex platinum 2. Amex gold 3. Amex blue cash preferred 4. Barclay mastercard (only use this when Amex is not accepted) As you can see, I am a heavy Amex user. I have about 580,000 amex points, which I am coming to realize might not...
- Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:50 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Desktop Computer. All in one or separate? And which one?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 2016
Re: Desktop Computer. All in one or separate? And which one?
If you're dead set on a desktop, get a 21 or 27 inch iMac. Get a refurbished one from Apple's website. I bought a refurbished 27 inch iMac 6 years ago, and it still runs beautifully.
- Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:48 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Portfolio review for 29 & 30 year olds.
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1991
Re: Portfolio review for 29 & 30 year olds.
I think you will find some value on this blog: https://richonmoney.com/about-me/ He has ~ 20 paid off rental properties on a military salary. Key note about his blog is he purchased the rental properties with cash...not borrow a million dollars. Why is using leverage inherently wrong? Realistically...
- Thu Oct 11, 2018 12:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: VW Atlas
- Replies: 49
- Views: 5908
Re: VW Atlas
We have an Atlas, SE with 3.6/4Motion and Captains chairs in the 2nd row. We love it. Awesome vehicle. Tons of space, drives very smooth. The warranty helps with peace of mind. We have had it for ~6 months, and we are extremely happy. VW Dealership experience is great too. We've had it in for an oil...
- Sun Sep 16, 2018 7:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Just got a new job, looking for a bit of advice on what to do
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1267
Re: Just got a new job, looking for a bit of advice on what to do
Thanks for the replies everyone! Couple of quick thoughts: Regarding insurance, I have 300k through work that they cover, and I added an additional 200k to that. I should probably look at adding that more. I wasn't aware that the Roth IRA contribution phaseouts were MAGI, that makes a difference. Wi...
- Sat Sep 08, 2018 5:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Just got a new job, looking for a bit of advice on what to do
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1267
Just got a new job, looking for a bit of advice on what to do
Howdy! I recently started a job at a new company, came with a solid raise (about 30%). Just wanted some insight into the situation I'm in, and what I should be doing from an investing standpoint. 29M, wife is also 29. Have a 3 year old child and a new one on the way. Live in a midwestern suburb that...
- Tue Jul 10, 2018 4:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I take a $60k paycut to work 4days/week
- Replies: 58
- Views: 5918
Re: Should I take a $60k paycut to work 4days/week
Can I ask what your goals are short and long term? We would like to be “financially independent” by about age 55. Maybe retire in early 60s. Also pay for kids education and help our parents out when they retire. Now I’m not sure if it’s better to spend more time with family and maybe reach FI at 60...
- Thu May 24, 2018 12:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: any disadvantages to using Delta Skymiles for fare?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3487
Re: any disadvantages to using Delta Skymiles for fare?
Do you have any travel credit cards, such as Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum?
If you do, a lot of the higher end ones have great travel insurance built in. All you have to do is pay the taxes/fees with the card and you're covered.
If you do, a lot of the higher end ones have great travel insurance built in. All you have to do is pay the taxes/fees with the card and you're covered.
- Thu May 03, 2018 2:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Pay $2500 in rent or continue living at home
- Replies: 91
- Views: 7478
Re: Pay $2500 in rent or continue living at home
or you could go with Option 3: Stay where you are but pay $1000 in rent to your parents (Plus your share of utilities if you aren't already paying utilities). You save $1500 monthly - they get $1000 monthly to offset your being there. Win-win. EXACTLY! Considering OP specifically stated that he is ...
- Tue May 01, 2018 10:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Daughter and Girlfriend, age 19, taking cross country road trip. Advice?
- Replies: 187
- Views: 10834
Re: Daughter and Girlfriend, age 19, taking cross country road trip. Advice?
Man, some of these replies make it seem like they're driving through a 3rd world country. Special devices that send an SOS signal when there's no cell service? GPS tracking apps? What's next, a shotgun and a set of crutches? As a pair of 19 year old college girls who have already lived on their own...
- Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:44 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Daughter and Girlfriend, age 19, taking cross country road trip. Advice?
- Replies: 187
- Views: 10834
Re: Daughter and Girlfriend, age 19, taking cross country road trip. Advice?
Man, some of these replies make it seem like they're driving through a 3rd world country. Special devices that send an SOS signal when there's no cell service? GPS tracking apps? What's next, a shotgun and a set of crutches? As a pair of 19 year old college girls who have already lived on their own ...
- Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can we afford this house?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4336
Re: Can we afford this house?
I think you will be totally fine to be honest. Wife and I were younger than you, and bought a slightly more expensive home (400k) on a slightly larger salary (130k) in the south metro (Chan/EP area) about 2 years ago. We then had a baby who had medical issues, rang up a bill of ~12k. Things were tig...
- Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:23 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5526
Re: "Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
We want something that offers the look of wood, but is more waterproof/lower maintenance/more durable, and also isn't horrifyingly expensive like a super strong hardwood is. Horrifyingly expensive? We just priced out solid strand bamboo and is was exactly the same price as luxury vinyl planking per...
- Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:07 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5526
Re: "Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
We want something that offers the look of wood, but is more waterproof/lower maintenance/more durable, and also isn't horrifyingly expensive like a super strong hardwood is. Horrifyingly expensive? We just priced out solid strand bamboo and is was exactly the same price as luxury vinyl planking per...
- Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5526
- Mon Sep 11, 2017 12:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5526
"Luxury" Vinyl vs Laminate flooring?
Hello all, I posted a question several months ago inquiring about a choice between wood look tile and a vinyl flooring. You folks were very helpful. Hoping to get some more advice here. We are looking to replace about 1000-1500 sq ft of tile in our Kitchen/Family Room/Living Room. We are currently i...
- Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is Amex Platinum worth the high fees?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 12311
Re: Is Amex Platinum worth the high fees?
I just heard on the radio the other day that only 10% of people use their air miles. Can't imagine payng for a credit card. No matter what they offer. In general, it's a good idea to incorporate base rates in your assessments. However, in this case, people not using their reward miles and points ar...
- Mon May 01, 2017 2:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Kamado grill
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4610
Re: Kamado grill
I have the Costco 'Pit Boss' version, it was $399 on sale last summer (goes on sale annually) https://www.costco.com/Pit-Boss-Ceramic-BBQ-Grill-.product.100295951.html Pros: - When on sale, it's a very good deal for a large Kamado. (Even the regular in-store price of $650 is decent, but I'd wait fo...
- Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suspicious organic products
- Replies: 101
- Views: 8383
Re: Suspicious organic products
Really? I would think taste of fruits/veggies is enhanced by buying food that is grown in the ideal climate for that specific food. One can grow veggies organically or use spray on the same veggies to keep away bugs/weeds in nearly the same location/climate. I believe that locally grown fruits and ...
- Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Advice: Overextending by buying? How much house to buy?
- Replies: 57
- Views: 6611
Re: Advice: Overextending by buying? How much house to buy?
I probably should keep my comments to myself, but it just seems crazy that anyone would want to live in these kinds of areas! Its a huge sacrifice to your financial independence in the future. I see the sexiness for the young tech family that just knows they will be the next facebook, but as a doct...
- Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suspicious organic products
- Replies: 101
- Views: 8383
Re: Suspicious organic products
Went to the local walmart grabbed one just to try. At home I opened the package and realized that my wife bought the exact same brand exact same size exact same rice just not organic. You won't believe how they both look exactly same. The texture the color, the size the shape. The price is 50% more...
- Thu Mar 09, 2017 11:43 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to buy rare steaks?
- Replies: 67
- Views: 6520
Re: Where to buy rare steaks?
However, the real solution is cooking the steak sous vide. I had never heard of this before. Couldn't even pronounce it properly. I did a little research and it's pretty interesting. Researching that however sent me to an article on the "reverse sear" style of cooking steak and I think I am going t...
- Wed Mar 08, 2017 2:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to buy rare steaks?
- Replies: 67
- Views: 6520
Re: Where to buy rare steaks?
Look around and see if you can find a local farmer selling beef. I get a quarter cow of grass fed beef and the steaks are the best I've ever had
www.eatwild.com is a great resource for finding lists of local farms
www.eatwild.com is a great resource for finding lists of local farms
- Mon Feb 27, 2017 3:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Optum Bank HSA using Admiral shares on Vanguard funds
- Replies: 32
- Views: 11198
Re: Optum Bank HSA using Admiral shares on Vanguard funds
I wish my employer uses Optum Bank! :( My employer uses Health Equity and most of my money is in the investment section. The funds available are not idea and have high fees and expenses. I am transferring the bulk of my money to Optum Bank HSA to invest in Vanguard funds. I spoke to a rep at Optum ...
- Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dishwasher suggestions. LG Quad Wash vs???
- Replies: 43
- Views: 5828
Re: Dishwasher suggestions. LG Quad Wash vs???
Just got a Bosch 500 series with the 3rd rack. Super quiet, and our dishes are extremely clean. No heating element means that we can put anything on any rack, which is awesome. I thought all dishwashers had heating elements. Does this mean that dishwashers with heating elements cannot have certain ...
- Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:17 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Purchasing a new house -- Are we being stupid to consider it?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5314
Re: Purchasing a new house -- Are we being stupid to consider it?
Man, I had a reply all typed out but looks like it didn't go through. I'll try to regurgitate some of it to answer a couple of the questions and provide some additional context. - Rental property is going into the second year of a two year lease. Negative cash flows of about $200 dollars per month....
- Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dishwasher suggestions. LG Quad Wash vs???
- Replies: 43
- Views: 5828
Re: Dishwasher suggestions. LG Quad Wash vs???
Just got a Bosch 500 series with the 3rd rack. Super quiet, and our dishes are extremely clean. No heating element means that we can put anything on any rack, which is awesome.
- Mon Feb 13, 2017 1:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Does anyone have $0 in cash (except for bills), not even an emergency fund?
- Replies: 45
- Views: 3037
Re: Does anyone have $0 in cash (except for bills), not even an emergency fund?
Very interesting question, and one that I honestly struggle with myself. I'll tell you my situation, and see what others think. I suspect that the amount of "risk" I am taking on is probably a bit much for most on the board. Wife and I are both 27. We have stable jobs and live in a Midwest city with...
- Wed Feb 08, 2017 3:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
- Replies: 68
- Views: 14970
Re: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
Again, thank you everyone for the feedback! A couple of thoughts: We currently have tile. It is cracking in a few spots, and needs to be replaced. It also looks dated, as it is original to the house (about 20 years old) We have a pretty nice house, but nothing extravagant. We are a young family, so ...
- Tue Feb 07, 2017 2:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
- Replies: 68
- Views: 14970
Re: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
I put the wood tile down on one side of a rental 2 years ago. I was trying to go for durability as well as not have plain ceramic tile. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't. The tiles are too small to look much like anything besides tile plus now I have to maintain grout. Or rip it up eventually to repla...
- Tue Feb 07, 2017 2:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
- Replies: 68
- Views: 14970
Re: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
Thanks for all the responses! As far as location and type of home, it's a home from the late 90's that we are in the process of updating. We are located in the great state of Minnesota in a suburban neighborhood. I have seen a few friends that have wood look tile, and it looks quite nice. Honestly, ...
- Tue Feb 07, 2017 1:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
- Replies: 68
- Views: 14970
Hardwood floors vs Wood Look Tile?
Looking at replacing about 1500 sq ft of tile in our home. Currently in our kitchen, entryway, part of the family room, most of the living/dining room. We are debating between wood look tile and real hardwood floors. We do have a small child, and expect to have another in the next couple of years. S...
- Tue Feb 07, 2017 1:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best CC for Travel
- Replies: 82
- Views: 13705
Re: Best CC for Travel
So, I am liking the perks of CSR and we just got the cc. I was looking at the lounges and see she gets free access. If I am traveling with her, do I get in free also, or since I don't have a card, am I SOL!? I noticed its 75 more for me to be added to the card, and I can't find the info now of cour...
- Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:53 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How to know your risk tolerance, without ever living through a crash?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3170
Re: How to know your risk tolerance, without ever living through a crash?
I honestly have no idea what my risk tolerance is, simply because I've never lived through a crash (I'm in my mid to late 20's). In lieu of experience, I try to supplement with knowledge. I have studied and read, and I believe that at my age, I need to be as aggressive as possible. Hence, between my...
- Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Weight machine vs free weight
- Replies: 64
- Views: 5715
Re: Weight machine vs free weight
Free weights have their specific situations where they provide a great benefit...however, at your age, and with what I presume to be your goals (better overall health, not necessarily setting powerlifting records) a weight machine will absolutely suffice
- Thu Jan 05, 2017 4:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: spousal disagreement over how much house to buy
- Replies: 99
- Views: 8156
Re: spousal disagreement over how much house to buy
Off topic, but is 23% a crazy high number for gross pay? I just calculated ours, and our total house payment+utilities is ~28% of our gross. It doesn't feel like a lot...is it?
- Thu Jan 05, 2017 4:57 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Are Younger people funding 529 Plans?
- Replies: 109
- Views: 10082
Re: Are Younger people funding 529 Plans?
Wife and I are both 27. We live in a state that offers no tax deduction for opening a 529, but we went ahead and opened one anyways. Main reason is so that grandparents/great grandparents have a place to put gifts. We do 50% into savings, 50% into 529. We have put in relatively little ourselves. Why...
- Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bosch - Ascenta 24" Dishwasher experience
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1653
Re: Bosch - Ascenta 24" Dishwasher experience
My inlaws just bought this model actually, they love it. We needed something with a few more features, we went with the 500 series from Best Buy. Both models are awesome. Very quiet, excellent cleaning, and the nice thing with Bosch is that you can put plastics/tupperwares on the bottom rack because...