Search found 80 matches

by GraduateStudent
Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! My taxes are exploding!
Replies: 38
Views: 5305

Re: Help! My taxes are exploding!

celia wrote: Sat Jan 29, 2022 2:11 am This makes sense to me since you both had roughly only 10% of wages withheld for taxes.
If I may, a statement and some questions:

We had identical W4's and the only thing we did was check the "other spouse works" box and say that we had two kids. Based on this thread (thank you!) I realized that the latter was a mistake.

Question: is that likely the only problem we need to fix on our W4's at the present time? Reading over the W4, it doesn't feel like I have too many knobs to turn! Or is this more subtle than I perceive?

Question: Is withholding based on previous year's income? Could part of the problem be that we changed jobs to positions with higher salaries?

Thank you!
by GraduateStudent
Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! My taxes are exploding!
Replies: 38
Views: 5305

Re: Help! My taxes are exploding!

jebmke wrote: Sat Jan 29, 2022 6:55 am I’m curious that you only noticed this flush of cash flow in 2021 just now.
A lot of things changed at once for us. New house, new jobs, new city. We noticed lots of differences!
by GraduateStudent
Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! My taxes are exploding!
Replies: 38
Views: 5305

Re: Help! My taxes are exploding!

tortoise84 wrote: Sat Jan 29, 2022 6:57 am So it seems that you incorrectly claimed 2 dependents on both jobs.
This is very helpful. Thank you.
by GraduateStudent
Sat Jan 29, 2022 1:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! My taxes are exploding!
Replies: 38
Views: 5305

Help! My taxes are exploding!

Dearest Bogleheads, I’m worried that I screwed up my withholding elections and now owe a ton of money :oops: My W2: Box 1: 76726.49 Box 2: 7250.71 Box 3: 95011.24 Box 4: 5890.70 Box 5: 95011.24 Box 6: 1377.66 DW’s W2: Box 1: 116247.26 Box 2: 9076.75 Box 3: 136962.70 Box 4: 8491.69 Box 5: 136962.70 Box 6: 1985.96 So far, this is basically the same as we had for the previous tax year (2020). We started new jobs one year ago, in January 2021. Here are our withholding elections (unchanged since Jan '21): Me: Total Dependent Amount: $4,000 Everything else (Other income, deductions, exemptions, other withholding, etc): $0 My wife: Total Dependent Amount: $4,000 Everything else (Other income, deductions, exemptions, other withholding, etc): $0 So ...
by GraduateStudent
Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Guard against IRA hackers... keep multiple accounts?
Replies: 13
Views: 2006

Re: Guard against IRA hackers... keep multiple accounts?

samsoes wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:54 am
GraduateStudent wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:16 am This article got me thinking: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gao-calls- ... 1615816805
Crashed into the paywall.
These are the lines that got me thinking:
While 401(k) record-keepers generally promise to reimburse consumers for such losses, there are no guarantees, and some participants have sued employers and record-keepers to seek reimbursement.
So while folks are quick to offer up promises of guarantees, I am not so quick to take this for granted.
In some cases, the report said, insiders employed by 401(k) plan sponsors have perpetrated these crimes.
Note also that, for example, Schwab's "guarantee" explicitly excludes actions by their employees.
by GraduateStudent
Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Guard against IRA hackers... keep multiple accounts?
Replies: 13
Views: 2006

Guard against IRA hackers... keep multiple accounts?

I just changed jobs and so I've got IRA accounts at Vanguard, Fidelity, and another place. I've been planning on moving everything to Vanguard for simplicity, although the stats on the fees etc are broadly similar. This article got me thinking: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gao-calls-for-protections-to-prevent-retirement-savings-from-online-theft-11615816805 My question: Does keeping my IRAs split up mitigate account hacking risk? . The following may or may not be a useful way to think about this. If the probability of an account being hacked is x, then the risk of one in three accounts being hacked (assuming equal risk for each account) is 3 x. The expected loss is the total balance divided by three times the probability of it happening... ...
by GraduateStudent
Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Insurance For Hacked Investment Accounts
Replies: 17
Views: 2301

Re: Insurance For Hacked Investment Accounts

Nate79 wrote: Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:02 am Work with a broker that has the strongest guarantee:
https://www.schwab.com/schwabsafe/security-guarantee

Even if someone hacks your account how can they get your funds out? If you closely monitor your accounts with all the notices in place for account activity I don't see a risk that needs extra insurance.
Read the foot note and note that this guarantee doesn't apply if the hacker is a Schwab employee.

If there's a clause like that on page 1, just imagine what their lawyers could argue with all the other Terms and Conditions.
by GraduateStudent
Fri Nov 13, 2020 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What'd you pay in closing costs recently?
Replies: 11
Views: 1313

What'd you pay in closing costs recently?

I'm looking at a $1m mortgage with $18,000 in closing. That's 1.6%. The internet says 2%-5% is "normal". So either I did well or these stats don't reflect my situation (maybe they were pre-2020 low rate market; maybe they were for lower mortgage amounts, who knows). So... What did y'all pay in closing costs recently? More details: Jumbo Loan at 2.875% (I am quite happy with this, even if others have recently gotten somewhat lower, historically this is still amazing). Here's the rough breakdown in closing costs: $7500 to buy points (this makes a ton of sense for us) $1300 Admin $950 Appraisal $4200 in various title services $3500 to escrow for property taxes and home owners insurance So considering all of that, it seems like the on...
by GraduateStudent
Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: One house or two?
Replies: 3
Views: 901

One house or two?

I am moving to a new city. I currently rent an apartment for my parents and own a home with my wife for us and our kids. In the new city, I'm po seeing three options,

1. Keep similar housing arrangements in the new city
2. Buy a big house with a mother in law unit
3. Buy two houses, one for parents and one for myself, wife, and kids.

How would y'all go about thinking about comparing these different scenarios from a long term personal finance perspective? What are the tax implications? What other questions could I ask myself to decide on a plan?
by GraduateStudent
Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much more will I actually make in a new job?
Replies: 15
Views: 1641

How much more will I actually make in a new job?

Dear BH Folk, Short Version: I have a new job offer. Salary is $30k more than what I make now BUT the benefits are worse and I'll have to commute. Question: What are the considerations for calculating how much more I will make after factoring in changed benefits and commute? Goal: Negotiate for a higher salary. Progress so far: 1) The new 403b is atrocious. Single digit expense ratios on everything. I get an 8% employer contribution regardless of my contribution (which will be zero). This means that I will now have to learn about taxable accounts, something I don't currently own! My portfolio/philosophy is deep and long on VTSAX, which I understand understand from the BH Wiki ( https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-efficient_fund_placement ) ...
by GraduateStudent
Wed Apr 08, 2020 2:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What percentage of your paycheck do you invest?
Replies: 268
Views: 22165

Re: What percentage of your paycheck do you invest?

birdog wrote: Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:36 pm This is a bit of an eye opener for many. While early retirement is not for everyone, achieving financial independence can be life changing on many levels and afford you the ability to drastically change your life based on your values.

https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01 ... etirement/


Image
This is my favorite thing in all of Personal Finance.
by GraduateStudent
Wed Apr 08, 2020 2:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What percentage of your paycheck do you invest?
Replies: 268
Views: 22165

Re: What percentage of your paycheck do you invest?

Good Question.

For 2019,

Income was 192,757.
Federal Tax was 26,071.
State Tax was 8,804.

We maxed two 403b's and two Roth IRAs, which makes 50,000.

So we saved 25.9% gross and 31.7% net of taxes.
by GraduateStudent
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Critique!
Replies: 5
Views: 593

Re: Portfolio Critique!

Learning about personal finance through the Bogleheads resources has completely changed our family's financial picture. Thank you so much for those who build this community. For a long time I've been shy asking for a critique here. But no longer! I would greatly appreciate your feedback on our financial situation. Household income $190k Emergency funds: Several months Debt: $7500 remaining on a car loan at 4% interest; making double payments and will be done in about 12 months. Tax Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly with one dependent and another one on the way Tax Rate: 13.5% Federal, 4.6% State. (For federal, that is our 1040 line 15 divided by line 1) State of Residence: MA Age: 33 Desired Asset allocation: 90% or more stocks. I’m yo...
by GraduateStudent
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Critique!
Replies: 5
Views: 593

Re: Portfolio Critique!

HomeStretch wrote: Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:59 am With a household income of $190k, you are on the threshold of hitting the Roth IRA income limit for direct contributions. If your/spouse’s 403b plans accept rollovers in, consider rolling your pretax IRAs into the 403b plans in order to be able to do backdoor Roths if you exceed the limit.
Good point! Thank you for this idea.
by GraduateStudent
Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Critique!
Replies: 5
Views: 593

Portfolio Critique!

Learning about personal finance through the Bogleheads resources has completely changed our family's financial picture. Thank you so much for those who build this community. For a long time I've been shy asking for a critique here. But no longer! I would greatly appreciate your feedback on our financial situation. Household income $190k Emergency funds: Several months Debt: $7500 remaining on a car loan at 4% interest; making double payments and will be done in about 12 months. Tax Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly with one dependent and another one on the way Tax Rate: 13.5% Federal, 4.6% State. (For federal, that is our 1040 line 15 divided by line 1) State of Residence: MA Age: 33 Desired Asset allocation: 90% or more stocks. I’m you...
by GraduateStudent
Thu Nov 22, 2018 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bad loan refi advice
Replies: 5
Views: 988

Bad loan refi advice

I've been too embarrassed to post about this for a while now. Here it goes. This was my family's student loan debt circa 2012: Parents ~ 200k Sib 1 ~ 160k Sib 2 ~ 50k Sib 3 ~ 10k At this time I randomly got to chatting with my different family members about how much they were paying on their loans. It turns out, I was the only one making payments! :oops: My thought was: holy shit, my whole family is going to debtors prison. They actually thought it would be okay to ignore the payments for a while. The clincher is that they could afford the payments. Don't ask me about the thought process here. :confused I wanted to "solve" this problem. So I talk to a wealthy family member who proposed the following idea. We do a cash-out refinanc...
by GraduateStudent
Sat Oct 27, 2018 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pregnant - HSA vs PPO decision
Replies: 12
Views: 10659

Re: Pregnant - HSA vs PPO decision

We did PPO for our first kid and the total cost was greater than our new HDHP OOPM. So for kid #2 we're going to do the HDHP.
by GraduateStudent
Thu Mar 08, 2018 12:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Illusion of "The Long-Term Average" in Investing
Replies: 61
Views: 10871

Re: The Illusion of "The Long-Term Average" in Investing

I think about this topic often in my line of work. The Illusion of the LTA poses a problem to some widely held beliefs around these parts. As an example, consider how many people love to hate "value tilting" as a trend which is only based on short term trends (call it short term average, STA). Yet the same individual might be proud of their faith in the LTA market behavior. In reality, we have no idea what the underlying statistical structure of the STA and LTA market behavior actually are. Putting faith in one over the other has always struck me as somewhat arbitrary*. That being said, my money is all-in on the "LTA" behavior of US/Global markets. So maybe I'm intellectually dishonest with myself. * Asterisk because thi...
by GraduateStudent
Tue Mar 06, 2018 7:02 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Foreign property inheritance, what to do?
Replies: 1
Views: 395

Foreign property inheritance, what to do?

Dear Bogleheads, I've inherited a 1/6th share of a house located in France. Here are the facts: My partner and I don't want to own a house in France. The other shares are owned by my in-laws. In-laws are willing to buy our share from us. I'd prefer a one-time lump sum, but for practical reasons the buyout will probably involve payments over many years. Because of these complications, my partner and I have thought about just walking away. We don't want to do this, though, because 1) It might be perceived as an insult by some in the family; and, 2) The monetary value is high enough that these issues are worth sorting out. My questions: What are the tax implications of this inheritance? (Assume I know nothing here and you'd be close to the tru...
by GraduateStudent
Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Etiquette of hanging up on live telemarketers
Replies: 77
Views: 6708

Re: Etiquette of hanging up on live telemarketers

KarenC wrote: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:08 am I also hang up immediately. Since it minimizes the amount of wasted time for them, I don't think of it as rude at all.
I'm on the National Do Not Call List. So they're breaking the law by calling me.

Obviously this law isn't enforced very well.

So to get even, I talk to them. I have no interest in their products. But I waste their time. "Oh really? You can refi my car loan? Tell me more!" I don't own a car.

This hurts their business model because it makes each call more expensive. I recommend that everybody do this.
by GraduateStudent
Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I claim chapter 7 bankruptcy? debt 110k
Replies: 64
Views: 9889

Re: Should I claim chapter 7 bankruptcy? debt 110k

corn18 wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2018 5:29 pm You had $300k to invest last June that you apparently put all in SPY. Now you lost $500k. Where did the extra $200k come from? Just get more from that source and pay off your debt.

And you haven't had any income, so how can you owe $20k in taxes?

None of this makes any sense.
Are we being trolled?
by GraduateStudent
Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I’m not renewing my Costco membership.
Replies: 80
Views: 11673

Re: I’m not renewing my Costco membership.

Two thoughts:

1. I make my own bread. The 50 lbs sack of flour for $12.50 literally pays for the entire annual membership in its savings versus supermarket. I buy a few 50 lbs sacks per year, so for me membership a no-brainer.

2. I also don't like consumerism. Try walking through the store "backwards". They put all the consumery gadety jewelry watches crap right where you walk in. The good stuff (my sacks o flour) are usually by the registers.
by GraduateStudent
Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jogging in the cold.
Replies: 50
Views: 5539

Re: Jogging in the cold.

Have you tried running in -10 degree weather?:) It is amazing how much colder that is than single digits which are fine after the first 10 mins or so when your warm up. At -10 pretty much any exposed skin starts getting irritated in a hurry... I have! Last weekend it was 0F (not -10), but my weekend long run felt balmy for all practical purposes. But Jesus is it horrible here in the summer (80 F+ !) Maybe more clothes would have helped but balancing sweating and not freezing is difficult and where I live we rarely see temperatures that low. Yeah that's the hard part. For -10F I would do balaclava plus hat that covers the ears, insulated running tights, windpants if its windy, a few long sleeve t shirts under a big ultra lightweight wind ja...
by GraduateStudent
Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Relearning Calculus
Replies: 81
Views: 12147

Re: Relearning Calculus

This depends on what you want to learn and what you mean by "from the ground up". The foundations go well below ground level and get deeper every decade. You don't need to go all the way down to have a good understanding. In my experience a "calculus" course is a mathematical methods course. It teaches you how to solve problems using calculus. The text book is often mathematical methods for physicists or some permutation. You can substitute for "physics" if you have a subject area preference. If you want the foundations it's typically in a "real analysis" course. This should teach you about limits, proofs, Riemann and Lebesgue integrals. The text book will be called something like A first introductio...
by GraduateStudent
Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jogging in the cold.
Replies: 50
Views: 5539

Re: Jogging in the cold.

I hate running when it's above about 50 F. Way too hot :) Running below that is fine with the appropriate clothes.
by GraduateStudent
Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what to do with patent plaques and other work awards?
Replies: 45
Views: 5972

Re: what to do with patent plaques and other work awards?

My boss is the most accomplished person that I've ever personally known. He literally has a box of honorary degrees, prestigious medals (our field doesn't have a Nobel Prize, but some of them are at that level), etc. I think he would feel guilty throwing them away. So they're in a box.
by GraduateStudent
Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why do many bogleheads feel they can time the housing market but can't time the stock market?
Replies: 63
Views: 6917

Re: Why do many bogleheads feel they can time the housing market but can't time the stock market?

jayk238 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:35 pm The housing market only crashed w significance once since the great depression. No one has timed the real estate market. People flip homes as a form of speculation and bogleheads havent really supported this
I guess that depends on your threshold for "significant". Looks like there have been lots of ups and downs to me...

Image
(Wikipedia "Case–Shiller index")
by GraduateStudent
Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recharacterization question
Replies: 3
Views: 404

Re: Recharacterization question

BolderBoy wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:36 pm Don't you mean it was Roth to Traditional?
It was Traditional to Roth. Ended up being a low income year so I wanted to pay taxes up front.
by GraduateStudent
Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recharacterization question
Replies: 3
Views: 404

Recharacterization question

Hello,

I just got a 1099-R from Vanguard concerning a recharacterization that I made in January 2017 of contributions to my 2016 Roth IRA. Recharacterization was Traditional to Roth. I filed a Form 8606 with my 2016 return.

Two questions:

Do I need to do anything on my 2017 tax return?

TurboTax told me that I might need to amend my 2016 return. Does that make sense?

Thank you!

GS
by GraduateStudent
Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Negotiation with landlord
Replies: 9
Views: 1522

Re: Negotiation with landlord

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. It's nice to get some validation that I'm not being unreasonable.
by GraduateStudent
Tue Jan 23, 2018 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Negotiation with landlord
Replies: 9
Views: 1522

Negotiation with landlord

I rent an apartment. The contract said I would pay for the heating oil. There's a big (100 gallon?) heating oil tank.

Last week I get a letter from my landlord. He says that I need to return the tank empty and that I need to pay the cost he paid to fill up the tank before I moved in. This isn't in the contract, so he wants me to sign an addendum.

What should my next step be? Obviously it's better for me to just fill up the tank when I leave and return the tank full. I don't feel obligated to sign the addendum. But what if he tries to screw me by taking some charge to collections when I leave?
by GraduateStudent
Sun Jan 14, 2018 4:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AirBnB my Van?
Replies: 29
Views: 4243

Re: AirBnB my Van?

Sounds like a good idea to me. In HCOL+ areas (Palo Alto) I've seen people AirBNB a tent in their backyard.
by GraduateStudent
Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why should I donate to my alma mater?
Replies: 133
Views: 15400

Re: Why should I donate to my alma matter?

flyingaway wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2017 11:13 am When a nonprofit university president makes two or three times as much as the U.S. president does, I just don't see why anyone should denote to a university?
You should see what universities look like that can't afford to hire a good president. It aint pretty.
by GraduateStudent
Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: places to live near Stanford University
Replies: 39
Views: 7705

Re: places to live near Stanford University

I used to live in East Palo Alto. EPA got a bad rap in the 90's but its fine these days. Sure it's not as cushy as almost everywhere else, but my wife and I never felt unsafe living there.

Check out the little bit of EPA that is on the Stanford side of the 101. It's a pretty nice neighborhood and I've see 2BD/1BA units in the apartment complexes there go for the low 600's.
by GraduateStudent
Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: places to live near Stanford University
Replies: 39
Views: 7705

Re: places to live near Stanford University

celia wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:51 pm If you are eligible, consider on-campus faculty housing.
As an academic with lots of academic friends, I know tenure line faculty who have had to wait years to get faculty housing. Good luck as staff.
by GraduateStudent
Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Skiing the French Alps
Replies: 5
Views: 1108

Skiing the French Alps

Hi Bogleheads,

I'm going to be in France in January and I'd like to go skiing. Any experiences?

I'm not opposed to international travel (w/i the Alps), but in my experience Switzerland is too pricey for my taste.

I've heard Val d'Isere is over-hyped and over-priced. Can anyone corroborate?

I like the Chamonix area in the summer but I've never been in the winter.

GS
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:18 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

"My wife is French and we spend two months per year in France. The mortgage payment, utilities, insurance, and repairs on this place are together going to be less than what we currently spend on AirBNB's every year." This will work if you are clear about everyone's expectations, usage, and responsibilities before the purchase. You list the financial costs as comparable to your AirBNB costs, but there are costs beyond the ones you listed. Do the three brothers live in France and what are their plans - inviting local relatives, friends, others to use the place, etc? What are the size of their families - children, cousins, and in-laws of every age? And what are their life styles? How will you divide the costs - utilities etc. damage...
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:14 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

denovo wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2017 1:43 pm I think you're being a bit defensive.
Yes I was! Was I unjustified? I was PUT on the defenses. Sample, if you will, the first few response: first was "yikes", the second response implied some sort of moral inferiority for French laws over American ones, and the third response suggested that my management of my personal finances is inadequate. Thanks for all the help, yall.

That being said, Denovo, you're response is quite CONSTRUCTIVELY critical, and I appreciate this.
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:07 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

Valuethinker wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2017 10:02 am Tax might trip you up. Does IRS have any view on owning property abroad?
You can deduct foreign taxes paid on rental income and the like. You also have to declare the value of any foreign bank accounts with more than $10k.
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:29 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

Have any of you ever bought real estate in France?
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:28 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

Goal33 wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:47 pm Tell them you will "help" by paying them rent when you vacation there.
You and others have made the assumption that this is a vacation home. We think of it more along the lines of living in France for part of every year.
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:27 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

wjo wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:50 pm I have a friend who lives in France and had to refrain from selling his house to downsize for 2-3 years because one of his sons divorced and they had to legally get the former spouse's claim on inheriting the property removed. Nightmarish by US standards.
One of the reasons why folks use a Société Civile Immobilière (SCI) to buy real estate is because it bypasses the civil inheritance laws. I agree that these laws, based on France's "Civil Law" are much different than the Anglo-American "common law".
by GraduateStudent
Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:24 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Re: Buying property in France

I'll just respond to you, Diogenes, although I your questions were asked our implied by the statements of others. Are you actually a graduate student? No, I'm not. I was. But I like the mindset of constantly learning and being open to new experiences so I kept it. Grad school was also a happy time for me, that's all. If so, how does this fit with your baseline of maxing tax deferred investments first? I'm exceeding my goals, thank you for asking. Aside from the obvious problems mentioned above, are you considering this as an investment of some kind, or an ocassional vacation spot? How much time would you really spend there? My wife is French and we spend two months per year in France. The mortgage payment, utilities, insurance, and repairs ...
by GraduateStudent
Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:48 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Buying property in France
Replies: 27
Views: 4213

Buying property in France

Dear Bogleheads,

My wife and I are thinking about buying a 25% stake in a vacation home in France. My wife's three brothers will each have 25% shares.

Do any Bogleheads have experience with the French Société Civile Immobilière, or "real estate company"? The other options for joint ownership seem worse (en tontine, en indivision) seem worse. But I'd love to hear input from any experienced parties.

GS
by GraduateStudent
Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HOA wants to use American Arbitration Association?
Replies: 12
Views: 1885

Re: HOA wants to use American Arbitration Association?

David Jay wrote:Bottom line: the HOA can do whatever they want and you have to pay the cost of taking it to arbitration if you disagree.
Yes, but keep in mind that my HOA only has three condos in it! Arbitration can only be started against one member if the other two agree.
by GraduateStudent
Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HOA wants to use American Arbitration Association?
Replies: 12
Views: 1885

HOA wants to use American Arbitration Association?

Hello,

My home owners association just proposed an amendment to our condo docs. Basically they want to force everyone in the association to use the American Arbitration Association to settle disputes between association members.

What the heck is the American Arbitration Association? Does anybody have any experiences with them? Advice?

I'm definitely in no rush to just jump in and sign up. It's a small HOA and unanimous agreement is required to modify the docs...
by GraduateStudent
Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your health insurance stats?
Replies: 89
Views: 10177

Re: What are your health insurance stats?

Early results of this thread show basically a bimodal distribution in premiums between those with employer subsidies and those without:

Premiums: 0, 3, 40, 50, 283, 1100, 1300, 2008

mean ( 0, 3, 40, 50, 283) = $75
mean ( 1100, 1300, 2008 ) = $2,154

I bet many of you already knew this, but I didn't :)

Of course we're still a bit undersampled.... I'm especially interested to hear more from folks WITHOUT employer subsidies, although all responses are welcome!
by GraduateStudent
Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your health insurance stats?
Replies: 89
Views: 10177

Re: What are your health insurance stats?

Early results of this thread show basically a bimodal distribution in premiums between those with employer subsidies and those without:

Premiums: 0, 3, 40, 50, 283, 1100, 1300, 2008

mean ( 0, 3, 40, 50, 283) = $75
mean ( 1100, 1300, 2008 ) = $2,154

I bet many of you already knew this, but I didn't :)

Of course we're still a bit undersampled.... I'm especially interested to hear more from folks WITHOUT employer subsidies, although all responses are welcome!