Search found 480 matches
- Mon Jan 04, 2021 2:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What did you spend in 2020?
- Replies: 204
- Views: 12699
Re: What did you spend in 2020?
$16,550 for two people, living mostly abroad in LCOL EU countries.
- Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Last Minute Help - Savers Credit + LTCG Questions/Case Study
- Replies: 8
- Views: 514
Re: Last Minute Help - Savers Credit + LTCG Questions/Case Study
Withholding is irrelevant in your case. You could get a quick chart of what taking anywhere from $0 to $43K would do for federal and (perhaps) state taxes by using the 2020 version of the personal finance toolbox if you have even a little Excel ability. If not that, see US and state income tax calc...
- Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 2020 over Roth limit, contributed Jan 1, what now?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 896
Re: 2020 over Roth limit, contributed Jan 1, what now?
I made this mistake before, but then made an even worse mistake with the recharachterization/conversion. Be careful that you don't already have a T/Rollover IRA, or you could hit pro-rata rules that leave you with a surprise tax bill.
- Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Last Minute Help - Savers Credit + LTCG Questions/Case Study
- Replies: 8
- Views: 514
Last Minute Help - Savers Credit + LTCG Questions/Case Study
Scenario DW and I were decently high income earners (~$170k/yr past 5 years) but took a sabbatical in 2020. Our combined gross income from all sources for 2020 will only be ~$38k. We live in NY if that matters, and filing MFJ. I have $43k in unrealized, long term capital gains in my brokerage accou...
- Tue May 12, 2020 4:17 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Gap Year, Sabbatical, Leave of Absence - Questioning My Sanity
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9591
Re: Gap Year, Sabbatical, Leave of Absence - Questioning My Sanity
Well, I guess I owe anyone who was following this thread an update! We flew out of NYC on March 11th and landed in Porto. No issues with our one way tickets. Shortly after arriving in Portugal the country entered a state of emergency. We headed down to Lisbon after 5 days, and we've been here ever s...
- Tue May 12, 2020 2:29 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ally lowers APR on savings from 1.5% to 1.25%
- Replies: 79
- Views: 9848
Re: Ally lowers APR on savings from 1.5% to 1.25%
Ally already lowered the APY on the penalty free CD to 1.30%, still good if rates keep dropping.....
- Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Selling 100% stocks on a bounce
- Replies: 256
- Views: 22718
Re: Selling 100% stocks on a bounce
It looks like you missed the bounce this morning, OP. Buckle up and enjoy the ride with the rest of us.
- Wed Feb 12, 2020 1:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Case Study/Help - Roth Conversion/Realized LT Capital Gains Impact on Taxes
- Replies: 7
- Views: 504
Re: Case Study/Help - Roth Conversion/Realized LT Capital Gains Impact on Taxes
Unless you decide the Roth conversion at 12% beats Tax Gain Harvesting in the long run, which it often does. I guess it does depend. Our situation is a little unique, as we are very young, and plan on retiring early. There is an advantage to letting the traditional IRA grow before the conversions t...
- Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Case Study/Help - Roth Conversion/Realized LT Capital Gains Impact on Taxes
- Replies: 7
- Views: 504
Re: Case Study/Help - Roth Conversion/Realized LT Capital Gains Impact on Taxes
Thank you for the help everyone! That Kitces article is pure GOLD! One thing that I do have to think about, is how much to keep in traditional IRA's for the future ability of "creating" income in order to avoid getting put into Medicaid over ACA plans, etc. Will wait till end of the year t...
- Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:01 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Worried About AI Taking Your Job?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 3787
Re: Worried About AI Taking Your Job?
My career has been in IT/Business Process Automation software sales over the last 5 years. AerialWombat and HomerJ are BOTH correct in this instance, which is why I wouldn't worry too much, unless you're truly doing swivel-chair work. Areas of accounting that really need to worry are AP/AR and Treas...
- Tue Feb 11, 2020 9:31 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Case Study/Help - Roth Conversion/Realized LT Capital Gains Impact on Taxes
- Replies: 7
- Views: 504
Case Study/Help - Roth Conversion/Realized LT Capital Gains Impact on Taxes
After doing a ton of research, I'm still confused on the details of my situation for 2020. Hoping those smarter than myself can chime in with some input. Current Situation for 2020 Age - early 30's Tax Filing Status - MFJ Location - NY, USA Estimated Wage Income - $7,500 Total Traditional IRA Value ...
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 8:33 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best CD rates thread
- Replies: 857
- Views: 113039
Re: Best CD rates thread
Hey, so I dumped about 2 years of expenses in the 3 year CD. I have 6 months expenses that freed up from another CD maturing today......torn between the 2 and 5 year option at 3%.
Any downside to the 5 year over the 2 year?
Don't foresee myself needing these funds any time soon......
Any downside to the 5 year over the 2 year?
Don't foresee myself needing these funds any time soon......
- Fri Oct 18, 2019 1:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Gap Year, Sabbatical, Leave of Absence - Questioning My Sanity
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9591
Re: Gap Year, Sabbatical, Leave of Absence - Questioning My Sanity
Thank you for all of the wonderful advice, including some PM's with tips and tricks. We have been avid "travel hackers" playing the CC points game for a number of years. Not hardcore like some folks, but enough to rack up a couple hundred thousand airline miles across Southwest/AA/British ...
- Fri Oct 18, 2019 12:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retiring and Getting Over The Fear of Quitting?
- Replies: 84
- Views: 10596
Re: Retiring and Getting Over The Fear of Quitting?
I'm way younger and likely a lot poorer than you, and I just did exactly that. 10 years into my career I decided to take a year off to travel before figuring out what the next chapter of my professional life will look like. I would imagine that with a high net worth, you don't really need to replace...
- Fri Oct 18, 2019 12:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best CD rates thread
- Replies: 857
- Views: 113039
Re: Best CD rates thread
Do what I suggested above. You could in theory have your first auto transfer done as late as Dec 17th, so that would work for you. I'd suggest calling in to add the auto transfer feature in early November and have it begin in early December. Allow sufficient time for your $10K to become available a...
- Fri Oct 18, 2019 4:36 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best CD rates thread
- Replies: 857
- Views: 113039
Re: Best CD rates thread
I successfully got my $25k into the CD this morning, instantly. I have $10k in funds becoming available in late November. Trying to figure out how to get that in with the automated fund addition option. Can you set it up as a once a month thing? I could probably free up $5k as a bridge before those ...
- Tue Oct 15, 2019 2:33 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best CD rates thread
- Replies: 857
- Views: 113039
Re: Best CD rates thread
Capitalone CDs can be set not to auto renew.
- Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best CD rates thread
- Replies: 857
- Views: 113039
Re: Best CD rates thread
Thank you for sharing this. I just created my PSECU account and hope to dump $25k from Ally in there before the deadline this weekend.
Hope the account gets verified/approved quickly.
Hope the account gets verified/approved quickly.
- Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IT compensation comparison
- Replies: 269
- Views: 28646
Re: IT compensation comparison
What about software sales? I didn't really see it mentioned but the salary packages in this field are insane. I just recently took the leap from IT architect at MegaCorp to software sales and doubled my salary/package. I'm more on the technical side, some of the full on sales teams/account director...
- Sat Sep 21, 2019 8:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Gap Year, Sabbatical, Leave of Absence - Questioning My Sanity
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9591
Re: Gap Year, Sabbatical, Leave of Absence - Questioning My Sanity
Hi Everyone, OP here! Nearly two years later, and updating anyone who is still here on the forums after this time has passed. Since my post upthread, we've both switched jobs, cut our expenses fairly significantly (~20%), and are currently sitting around 18 years of our actual trailing twelve month ...
- Fri Sep 20, 2019 9:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IT compensation comparison
- Replies: 269
- Views: 28646
Re: IT compensation comparison
Don't want to derail this thread, but one of the first post referenced teacher salaries in CA.
Check out NY, LOL
https://projects.newsday.com/databases/ ... 2017-2018/
Check out NY, LOL
https://projects.newsday.com/databases/ ... 2017-2018/
- Fri Sep 20, 2019 7:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Failing at Market Timing & Stock Picking- How to get an Asset Allocation I'm Comfortable With
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4577
Re: Failing at Market Timing & Stock Picking- How to get an Asset Allocation I'm Comfortable With
Just my opinion, but the wide range you've set forth for each asset class/fund are so broad they are almost useless.
- Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What's your Uber passenger rating?
- Replies: 118
- Views: 7757
Re: What's your Uber passenger rating?
I use Uber a LOT for work the past two years. 5.0
- Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:59 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
- Replies: 12316
- Views: 951755
Re: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
We live in strange times, indeed......
- Mon May 06, 2019 3:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: At 28, I Don't See How I Can Make Any Projections for My Retirement Amount or Age?
- Replies: 83
- Views: 7247
Re: At 28, I Don't See How I Can Make Any Projections for My Retirement Amount or Age?
Hmm, maybe you can retire much sooner than you think?
Time to financial independence is relatively easy to calculate in today's dollars by figuring out your net savings rate.
Also, as someone who is semi-retiring at 32 in a few months.......28 was a great time to lay down the groundwork.
Time to financial independence is relatively easy to calculate in today's dollars by figuring out your net savings rate.
Also, as someone who is semi-retiring at 32 in a few months.......28 was a great time to lay down the groundwork.
- Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:47 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Millionaire by 40 and How you Did it?
- Replies: 205
- Views: 37244
Re: Millionaire by 40 and How you Did it?
We are more than half way there, and projected to crack that magic 7 figure mark around age 35/31.......this is through frugal living and regular investing. Income is decent, but not super high. Under $100k combined averaged over 10 years.
- Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:24 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
- Replies: 21237
- Views: 2881917
- Sat Dec 22, 2018 1:41 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Percentage of Net Worth in Equities
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2232
Re: Percentage of Net Worth in Equities
50% Stocks, rest is in bonds, CD's, and PM.
- Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:17 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
- Replies: 21237
- Views: 2881917
Re: U.S. stocks in free fall
At this rate y'all will have to suck it up and jump on the MMM bandwagon 

- Mon Dec 17, 2018 9:14 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
- Replies: 21237
- Views: 2881917
Re: U.S. stocks in free fall
Ehhh...not quiteJ G Bankerton wrote: ↑Mon Dec 17, 2018 1:20 am Free_fall over for now.
U.S. Stock Futures
S&P +9.50 / +0.37%
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- Sat Dec 15, 2018 10:34 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [Fidelity Health Savings Account Mega-Thread]
- Replies: 1099
- Views: 128437
Re: Rumor mill - Fidelity starting individual HSA's Nov. 15th
Just submitted my TOA and Statements via secure message this morning.
Transferring from UMB Bank, will let you folks know how long it takes. The market has been on sale since I liquidated my stock/bond positions within the account.
Transferring from UMB Bank, will let you folks know how long it takes. The market has been on sale since I liquidated my stock/bond positions within the account.
- Wed Nov 28, 2018 1:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Financial goals for 2019 (specific)
- Replies: 86
- Views: 8986
Re: Financial goals for 2019 (specific)
To beat the market returns by at least 2X
- Wed Nov 28, 2018 1:07 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
- Replies: 12316
- Views: 951755
Re: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
The top is in!
- Sat Nov 24, 2018 1:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
- Replies: 21237
- Views: 2881917
Re: U.S. stocks in freefall
There is going to be a cyber-Monday sale on stocks.
- Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:24 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Whats your number to walk away?
- Replies: 360
- Views: 58073
Re: Whats your number to walk away?
$525k for myself, $1M as a couple.
80%+ to the first goal, 50% to the second =)
Age - 31, HCOL area now, but relocating to LCOL area upon early retirement.
80%+ to the first goal, 50% to the second =)
Age - 31, HCOL area now, but relocating to LCOL area upon early retirement.
- Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:07 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Teach children to save 10% from day one...?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2517
Re: Teach children to save 10% from day one...?
Maybe you could teach them to tithe instead? Or just burn 10% of their cash on h&b?
- Fri Sep 28, 2018 7:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone ever tired of managing hair and consider shaving to go bald
- Replies: 59
- Views: 5111
Re: Anyone ever tired of managing hair and consider shaving to go bald
I have been considering it now and then, but the fear or social stigma especially in the work place is keeping me away from doing it. Not to speak of unspeakable horrors at home from my spouse and kids. But, I want to feel free sometimes of the hair, and at least for once try it. Has anyone else tr...
- Fri Sep 07, 2018 10:48 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Low-earners- What is your profession?
- Replies: 371
- Views: 57420
Re: Low-earners- What is your profession?
This thread is hilarious. Couples earning $150-200k are "low earners" now?
I guess we qualify too
Her - $30k/yr - Grocery Store Employee
Him - $130k/yr - Software Sales
I guess we qualify too

Her - $30k/yr - Grocery Store Employee
Him - $130k/yr - Software Sales
- Sat Jul 14, 2018 12:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Capital One 360 no beneficiary option
- Replies: 41
- Views: 9860
Re: Capital One 360 no beneficiary option
I called them today and you can now submit a form via fax/mail to add beneficiaries to all savings/checking/CD accounts. You can add 4 accounts per form, and have it notarized before submitting to them. Takes 3 business days to turn around once they receive it. Guess they have been listening to thei...
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 1:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What are you doing with cash?
- Replies: 82
- Views: 14118
Re: What are you doing with cash?
As of late 2016 you can only use the default settlement account. New SEC rules I believe.
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 10:21 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
lack_ey, thank you for your thought out responses. It has been a very helpful mental exercise. What I'm realizing is, it comes down to a lot of what if's in the future for most investment vehicles and it may be prudent to spread risk (be that tax, interest rate, equity, geopolitical, inflation, etc)...
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:54 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
A friend also suggested looking at I Bonds, current yield 2.52% with fed tax deferred interest, and no risk to principal, easy liquidity after 1 year.
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 6:34 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
Hmmmm, would you consider T. Rowe Price Stable Value Common Trust Fund A?
It has an expense ratio of 30 basis points vs. 4 basis points for Vanguard Total Bond Fund in my 401k.
Looks like NAV stays at $1.00 with a 1.92% SEC yeild.
It has an expense ratio of 30 basis points vs. 4 basis points for Vanguard Total Bond Fund in my 401k.
Looks like NAV stays at $1.00 with a 1.92% SEC yeild.
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 4:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
So I wouldn't necessarily say allocating from CDs to bonds is any real priority. Hmm, that's a lot to think about. I catch a lot of flack for being heavy on the cash, I figured tax free bond yield of 3% would be better than 2.1-2.8% CD interest being taxed at 24%. I'm not sure how much the NAV of a...
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
Did I miss your current tax rate? That's important, as is your tax rate in retirement which sounds like it will probably be zero. You will likely unwind anything you do now when you retire in order to do something else. I would wait to make a decision until the morning of the FOMC press conference ...
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
If you re-balanced some of your stock funds in tax deferred, how would that affect your stock portion of your AA? Would you just direct new $$ towards stocks? I think it is a good thing to have muni bonds in a taxable account. Nothing like tax free income. :dollar If I rebalanced stocks into bonds ...
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 2:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Re: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
@RCL, thanks. I should have been a bit clearer. I understand that there is no point holding a muni (or other tax exempt) bond fund in tax deferred space. My question is, would it be better to hold NY Muni bond fund in taxable, or to rebalance some of my stock funds in Roth/401k in order to get my bo...
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 2:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1560
Help Deploying Extra Cash To Bonds....
Hello BH, I always value the advice on this site. I am currently 31 years old and looking to semi/early retire within the next few years (using geographical arbitrage). I currently feel as though I have too much cash (sitting in CD's earning 2.1-2.4% interest). I would like to increase my stock/bond...
- Tue May 08, 2018 11:28 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Newby to this forum: do i have enough?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 9893
Re: Newby to this forum: do i have enough?
our lifestyle requires approx 300-350K per year to live- several vacations per year with usually one international travel per year (hoping we can go business class from now on for international flights). otherwise we are quite frugal-old cars, just love coupons and costco!! Thanks. hard for me to i...
- Tue May 01, 2018 8:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Those with high savings rate: why?
- Replies: 249
- Views: 41761
Re: Those with high savings rate: why?
I''ll be able to retire @ 35 years old, after a 13 year career.