Search found 3562 matches

by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Mar 17, 2024 1:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 81
Views: 9539

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

We have friends whose retirement plans were significantly altered by financial fraud. They invested in Stanford International Bank CDank he should have realized the unusually high commissions he was getting were a red flag). None of them ended up eating cat food, but they did not enjoy the comfortable retirement complete with lots of exotic travel that their peers did. I recall discussions with colleagues who retired in 2000 and 10 years later, their portfolios had gone sideways (as did the market that decade). They were starting to sweat and adjusting their spending plans. Yes, we knew a family who invested heavily in Stanford CDs. The back story is their long time financial advisor changed companies, and went to Stanford. The friends sta...
by NotWhoYouThink
Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kid's Accounts and How They Use Them
Replies: 22
Views: 1941

Re: Kid's Accounts and How They Use Them

We didn't have family members giving gifts except for $20 or $50 here or there. We let them spend or save it as they chose.

If our young kids had gotten more money, we would have started savings accounts earlier, and would have let them withdraw some for vacation spending, and maybe even for Legos.

We absolutely did not require that they give 10% of their gift money to charity. Or any money to charity. The point of giving to charity is that it is voluntary. Involuntary giving is taxation.

We did let our kids know that we give to charity, and solicited their input on some of those gifts.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Mar 12, 2024 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Letter to heir - what would you include?
Replies: 90
Views: 7221

Re: Letter to heir - what would you include?

Theseus wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:30 pm
exodusNH wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:45 pm Be aware that "fee-only" advisors can still work under an AUM model.
I believe those are called Fee-based. Fee-only don't do AUM - that I know. I will write about this in the letter as well.
The specific definition of "Fee Only" is something that I have only seen or heard of on bogleheads.org, and does not seem to be generally used or understood outside this community.

Fee-based and fee-only mean the same thing, that the advisor is paid a fee (AUM or other) rather than a commission on trades. Almost all AUM advisors will call themselves fee-only.

If you want to suggest to them to pay a one-time fee, or an hourly fee for advice only, you can use that kind of phrasing.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Letter to heir - what would you include?
Replies: 90
Views: 7221

Re: Letter to heir - what would you include?

lazynovice wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 1:28 pm We gave explicit permission to sell everything- house, cars, personal belongings- to an estate sale company. No worrying about keeping certain belongings "in the family."
That is very generous of you.
by NotWhoYouThink
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska trip without taking a cruise - help
Replies: 53
Views: 4569

Re: Alaska trip without taking a cruise - help

We had a great planes, trains, and automobile trip to Alaska a few years back. Plus a bus, a few boats, and could have added a helicopter.

It wasn't cheap. The state is big, and the summer tourism season is short. We decided to pay up to make good use of our time.

Denali (note it is wilderness - no marked/maintained/mapped trails for hiking, but you can pay a guide to show you some cool places.)
Fairbanks
Alaska Railroad
Kenai Peninsula
Homer
Could have added a trip to the Arctic Circle and the Pipeline.

Plenty of good places, and great food for us as omnivores. We told a long-time travel agent what kind of trip we wanted, and she stitched it together for us.
by NotWhoYouThink
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Argument against people that say stock market is rigged, so don’t invest in it
Replies: 80
Views: 5448

Re: Argument against people that say stock market is rigged, so don’t invest in it

Betting on individual stocks, or trying to time the market, are about as risky as sports betting. Buying and holding index funds is different. Even though there is some amount of insider trading that isn't caught, the broader market has tended toward growth for quite a while. Is there an index for sports betting that has the track record of the S&P 500? A good sports bettor can win a lot, but do those bettors bet their entire portfolio on every bet, or even put their entire portfolio in play over the course of a year? Your entire portfolio is compounding away all the time, even while you vacation in Vegas. If your BIL enjoys the thrill of the chase, he'll keep betting. You'll hear about all the big wins, and about few if any of the loss...
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to deal with/spend too much money?
Replies: 91
Views: 8881

Re: How to deal with/spend too much money?

We have thought about and tried to justify helping family. A suggestion to pair up with a family member on an expensive toy went unheard of, never to be brought up again. An effort to help another single parent family member was perhaps poorly presented, was not well received, and we were told that if we gave them money it should only be done without condition. We've donated small amounts to two charities. We've already upgraded to better underwear, socks, shoes. We have the same friends. Giving away money well is something of an art. I agree with your family member that money given away should be without strings. It also should feel like a gift, not like charity when family is involved. Some people will feel more resentful over you thinki...
by NotWhoYouThink
Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6524

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

One point for you and your parents and siblings -

DO NOT, under any circumstances, sign anything that even might be considered accepting financial responsibility for his care. He has plenty of resources, no need for him not to have the best care available, but the assisted living/nursing homes will go after whoever they can get money from the easiest. Make sure that is not you.

The social worker is a great start, congratulations. You'll need a lawyer. And as others have said, someone will likely have to be named as conservator, which he won't like. The world, and even your family, have no obligation to be his servants. Sounds like he is already being treated with compassion.

Good luck.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mailing in a State paper return
Replies: 6
Views: 857

Re: Mailing in a State paper return

Turbo Tax rarely gets my estimated tax payments right or even close, so I ignore them and do what makes sense.

My state asks for all 1099s and W-2s, so that's what they get in the mail - we can't file electronically because of some of the tax credits we use.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4-6cyl turbo suv
Replies: 15
Views: 1626

Re: 4-6cyl turbo suv

If it doesnt have to be a turbo, Mazda has a very nice naturally aspirated 2.5l engine with a lot of great engineering in it. Very reasonable gas milage and a bargain in the CX-5 and CX-50, too. Especially in the Select trim. Higher CX-5 trims do have a Turbo option. We have the CX-5 with the Turbo Signature level trim. Lots of power, but not as good highway mileage as our old Acura with a 6 cylinder. It checked all of the boxes except for gas mileage when we got it but a some of the 'features' are somewhat of a nuisance. One in particular is the intervention braking if one is approaching, from the rear, a car making a right hand turn. Even at its least proactive setting it can be unsettling. You can turn it off but need to do it each time...
by NotWhoYouThink
Mon Feb 19, 2024 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4-6cyl turbo suv
Replies: 15
Views: 1626

Re: 4-6cyl turbo suv

The Mazda CX-5 keeps coming out on top in my recent comparisons that included many of the models mentioned above. I am not interested in an EV of any type. The higher trim level for the Mazda compete with the luxury brands, the lower trim levels do well against Toyota and Honda.

Largely a matter of taste.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Assisted living tax deductible?
Replies: 3
Views: 442

Re: Assisted living tax deductible?

My Mom's CCRC provided a letter to residents every year telling them how much of their annual (or maybe monthly) payment was deductible.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Distribution of living parent's estate: which bucket first?
Replies: 17
Views: 1345

Re: Distribution of living parent's estate: which bucket first?

Plenty of people live to be 100+ these days. Some of those people still post on this board.

People who can pay for nice Assisted Living and even Skilled Nursing care are generally better cared for than people who depend on Medicaid. Maybe you and your siblings will live long enough to inherit, maybe not. But your mom's care, for one more year or 15 more years, should be the priority.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Antartica, tips, ideas, suggestions, experiences
Replies: 23
Views: 2583

Re: Antartica, tips, ideas, suggestions, experiences

Just got back from an Abercrombie & Kent Antarctica expedition. Two days to and from Antarctica from Ushuaia (Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina) across the Drake passage. Five days of 2-a-day zodiac trips to the continent or islands seeing penguins and elephant seals. Fantastic experience. Whales, icebergs, interesting passengers, great food and wine. Educated guides.

Several companies have Antarctica destinations. Check out the offerings and reviews. Hope you enjoy your adventure.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama
Replies: 96
Views: 16937

Re: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama

Thanks for coming back with the update!

I am sorry that your father remains distant, but congratulate you on making the choice that you did.
by NotWhoYouThink
Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Exercise Coach 2x weekly program
Replies: 61
Views: 26473

Re: The Exercise Coach 2x weekly program

I started at Exercise Coach with individual coaching, because in my 6+ decades of life I had no experience whatever with gyms or strength training, other than some do-it-yourself books. Plenty of walking and hiking, some jogging (bad idea for me) and general activity, but no strength training. After 6 months, switched to the group sessions, which are less expensive but still monitored by coaches. Good - Most efficient use of time of any service provider I know of. Walk in, met by trainer, start a circuit, done in 20 minutes. - Can add 5 minutes of HIIT on the bike after the workout, optional - Coaches are trained to actively "coach" on form, early and often. Things you lifetime exercisers know to do or avoid aren't intuitive to no...
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has anyone changed their asset allocations in retirement
Replies: 19
Views: 1562

Re: Has anyone changed their asset allocations in retirement

Not on purpose, but the equity part keeps growing faster than I can spend/donate it. I've had to rebalance, need to do it again.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you do if you found someone else's lost credit/debit card?
Replies: 42
Views: 3586

Re: What would you do if you found someone else's lost credit/debit card?

Found it near but not that near Starbucks - called the number on the card, they thanked me and told me to dispose of it.

Found it at the zoo - turned it in to customer service.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are there any reliable refrigirators with water dispenser on door?
Replies: 58
Views: 4705

Re: Are there any reliable refrigirators with water dispenser on door?

Life is full of risk.

The risk of a failure in the refrigerator door water dispenser is not that great. We've had ours for 15 years. The water worked. When our daughter used the ice maker every day to crush ice and ice down her knees after running we had a failure in that mechanism. We replaced it, and bought some freezer gel packs for her knees.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 27, 2024 2:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Preparing for a talk with my financial advisor
Replies: 78
Views: 9746

Re: Preparing for a talk with my financial advisor

So have you had a talk with him? How did it go?
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buyers Remorse Over Inherited Merrill Wealth Management IRA
Replies: 41
Views: 2731

Re: Buyers Remorse Over Inherited Merrill Wealth Management IRA

1.4% is no such thing as thievery. It's pricey, but you get something for it. If your brother is not analytical and disciplined, it might be just right for him. He'd have a "guy" at Merrill, and many/most people like having a "guy." Someone who makes decisions. Someone to blame if things go bad. Someone to compare to your friend's "guy." If you don't need a "guy", if you are above-average in discipline and analytic skills, then 1.4% is an expense you don't need to pay. So move to Merrill Edge, or Vanguard, or anywhere else where you can design your own low-cost portfolio. But talking your brother into moving his account might be a mistake. Merrill might be pricey, but they have an office tower or 3 fu...
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Jan 21, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mom wants to give me her IRA, her advisor wants me to inherit it
Replies: 16
Views: 2131

Re: Mom wants to give me her IRA, her advisor wants me to inherit it

Inherit in 20 years?

Your original post didn't give us much to work with. More info would lead to better guidance.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 20, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cancel my health insurance?
Replies: 100
Views: 12597

Re: Cancel my health insurance?

“you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk?”

That's about it. Great money saver if you stay mostly healthy. Financially devastating if you don't.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 20, 2024 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history
Replies: 165
Views: 15883

Re: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history

The brokers like and seem to nudge toward Medicare Advantage, and most people go that way and love it.

My philosophy on insurance has been that I'll pay to insure against catastrophic events, and take my risks on the small stuff. That got me to the N/G/G High deductible decision loop common on this board.

2 things pushed me to G, and others will have other priorities.
- Simplicity - I know what I have to pay with G, and after that the insurance covers it. I could handle more complexity now, but what about in 20 years, or with chemo-brain?
- Thanks to a life of boglehead-like saving and investing, I can pay the G premiums without missing the money. It's an affordable luxury.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My father (Boglehead by proxy) passed away
Replies: 35
Views: 5380

Re: My father (Boglehead by proxy) passed away

Condolences for your loss, and well wishes for the job you have taken on as executor. You are going to be inundated with information, and will deal with it as you can, but remember that your sister and aunt/uncles will know you are doing something, but won't understand what, or what the timeline is. Please consider periodic (monthly for your sister, less frequently perhaps for others?) updates on what you are doing, so they don't feel excluded. Doesn't need to be detailed probably, but just - "I talked with the lawyer about the house, and the brokerage about the accounts. Something should happen in xx days/weeks/months..." When my FIL died, the eldest was executor, and we heard zero/nada/zilch until one day he showed up at our hou...
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to make FAFSA-conscious decisions?
Replies: 60
Views: 5191

Re: How to make FAFSA-conscious decisions?

Nothing at all wrong with saving to pay for college for your kids. It's a choice, and different families will make different choices. Some will pay full price for any college, some will pay nothing for any college. Everything in between is fair game, not my job to tell people what to pay for college and why. If you decide you want to pay towards your kids' college education, a 529 is a fine way to save.
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to make FAFSA-conscious decisions?
Replies: 60
Views: 5191

Re: How to make FAFSA-conscious decisions?

Most of this has been said, but... FAFSA is a commonly used application for aid, it is not a source of aid. There is no FAFSA pile of money. The money (aside from Pell grants) comes from the schools. There isn't much need-based aid available at most schools for most students. There is a lot more merit aid. The schools with the most need-based aid have the lowest admission rates, and it's risky to bet on getting into those years in advance unless you have a substantial hook. With these schools, FAFSA is just the start, they will require a deeper dive into your finances before they grant aid. Tax-deferred retirement savings are generally excluded. A great plan is for a student who wants to go to college to have high grades in hard classes, go...
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda CRV alternatives
Replies: 22
Views: 1977

Re: Honda CRV alternatives

Snow/ice generally not an issue in my area. Offroad/towing, not applicable. I do admit that I've gotten used to the Odyssey V6, so I don't want to go back down. Budget... most likely I'll go the Boglehead route and get something used in the 25K mileage neighborhood. Hopefully used cars prices will start to subside a bit over the next year. Oh, my yes! Good times with that V-6, fully loaded moving kids to/from college, luggage carrier on top, and passing on hills at highway speeds with ease and confidence. That's hard to give up, and you won't get it with a CRV. That may be ok with you, but it spooked me when I drove my mom's CRV, which was perfect for her needs. Guess I need to check dashboard-light.com on the Mazda engine issues before I ...
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda CRV alternatives
Replies: 22
Views: 1977

Re: Honda CRV alternatives

CRV is hard to beat for storage capacity and price, but last I tried one it drove like a slug and many people find the seat extremely uncomfortable. Not me, but it's a common complaint.

Mazda CX-5 is a good option. You can stick with the affordable base model, or trick it out to the point that it's favorably comparable to the Lexus or BMW- more capacity, same bells and whistles, cheaper.

I used Edmunds side-by-side to compare models.

We kept our Odyssey for 180K as the primary car, and for another 30K as the driveway-parked occasional work horse. Probably will never have a better combination of utility, comfort, and reliability, but it aged out.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited TIRA Questions
Replies: 14
Views: 901

Re: Inherited TIRA Questions

Assuming you will start Medicare at 65, look at the IRMAA tables to see how much your income will affect your Medicare payments. Your Medicare rates in 2030 will be affected by your 2028 income. It might make sense to drain the IRAs substantially before 2028 to avoid thousands of dollars in extra Medicare payments.

Don't be scared off by taxes on high IRA values - it's always better to have more assets and more income even if it means more taxes. But you might want to consider the timing of the income depending on tax rates (that are currently expected to increase due to the expiration of the TCJA cuts in 2026) and things like IRMAA.
by NotWhoYouThink
Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIL+MIL Tax returns not filed for 10+ years. What should I do?
Replies: 30
Views: 4858

Re: FIL+MIL Tax returns not filed for 10+ years. What should I do?

Your attorney will advise you to consider the case where she pre-deceases him. It happens.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV
Replies: 71
Views: 7631

Re: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV

Cool is important more to the young families. The grandparents I know love their minivans.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 13, 2024 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history
Replies: 165
Views: 15883

Re: I'm having a hard time deciding if I should pick Medigap Plan G or Plan N because of my history

One benefit of plan G is easy billing - you pay your premium and Part B deductible, the plan covers the rest. I hope. I've been on it almost 3 months now. Before that I helped my mom and MIL/FIL with their bills as they got older and unable to handle their finances. Fortunately, they were on plan F (MIL/FIL) and MegaCorp super duper retiree insurance, so there were almost no bills. They had to pay for dental and glasses, but that's it. When you go to 1-3 doctors per week, the paperwork and billing get to be a challenge. I can handle the challenge now that my medical care is minimal and I have my brain cells in order, but picked plan G as the easiest to manage when I'm older and sicker. That's what pushed me to plan G rather than G High Dedu...
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 13, 2024 3:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Preparing for a talk with my financial advisor
Replies: 78
Views: 9746

Re: Preparing for a talk with my financial advisor

What is your purpose in having a "talk" with your advisor? It will be impossible to have a discussion that leads you both to better insights about how your money should be managed, because you have different interests. You want your money managed in a way that benefits you, he wants to keep charging you money. You just started looking into investment theory 2 days ago, and he spends all day, every day selling his services to bring in new clients and keep the old one. If he fails, he starves. If he is not starving, and especially if he seems to be living well, then he is very very good at selling. His skill and expertise is not investment management, it is sales. If he is with one of the larger companies, he has his marching orders...
by NotWhoYouThink
Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upcoming travel to Argentina: cash or card? If cash, USD or ARS?
Replies: 20
Views: 3440

Re: Upcoming travel to Argentina: cash or card? If cash, USD or ARS?

We were in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in December.

Most places took credit cards, many would accept clean, crisp, unmarked US dollars. We tipped guides and restaurants in USD. I tried to buy something in Ushuaia with USD, which the clerk seemed to prefer, but there were ink marks on some of the dollars so we went back to the Visa.

Guides and concierges warned over and over about pickpockets, warned not to wear expensive watches or jewelry.

We were there the first day of Milei's administration. It was crazy how close you could get to the government buildings while he was there. New days there, or maybe more of the old days.
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?
Replies: 36
Views: 3298

Re: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?

When calculating my future withdrawals, I plan for some % of those to go to taxes. So maybe I need $120K of withdrawals a year to support $100K of spending. (Those aren't the real numbers, but just nice round easy to type ones.) I attribute different tax rates to different income sources - pension, SS, IRA RMDs, and brokerage account withdrawals (here is where unrealized gains might come in, if/after I work off all the tax losses harvested). Also there are taxes on all those pesky dividends in the brokerage account, which I may or may not spend all of, but always get taxed on. The price paid for having enough to need to account for taxes on the income the assets produce. Also I calculate net worth because it provides some useful information...
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does a SUV have more utility than a sedan?
Replies: 297
Views: 143856

Re: Does a SUV have more utility than a sedan?

A van has the most utility imho. We have a Sienna, rx 350, and accord. Can fit a couch in the van. Seats 6 adults easy. Has a 3.5L V6 and tows our little old boat. Of course it hurts people’s ego to drive one. I don’t let those people borrow it. As a boglehead I don’t get my ego mixed up with what is most practical to drive, own, buy, etc. in the USAF as a fighter pilot we have a saying about if you have a large watch You are making up for having other short comings. Kinda like a cowboy with a big hat has no cattle. Agree. I bought a minivan last year and use it as a work vehicle. I have all the seats rows out. It has extreme flexibility for moving cargo. 10' lumber fits in just fine if I pop out the center console. I rarely have a need fo...
by NotWhoYouThink
Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Concerned my elderly parents are spending too much of retirement portfolio
Replies: 69
Views: 10421

Re: Concerned my elderly parents are spending too much of retirement portfolio

Could be a lot of donations to their church, or could be a lot of "donations" to "charities." At their age, they will get a staggering number of solicitations.

Does brother live near them? Someone needs to, soon, if you want them to get humane care. 5 minutes away from one of you is life-changingly better than 30 minutes away. A few hours away and you won't really know or be able to control what their care is like.

The money is covered, as you have been adequately reassured here. You need to start following a good memory care board. That will just have to become one of your priorities for a few years.
by NotWhoYouThink
Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV
Replies: 71
Views: 7631

Re: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV

You're parents. Get a minivan.

You can pay more for a fancy SUV that will do a worse job of accommodating both people and cargo. But it will look cool on the road and people won't laugh at you. Or you can buy something functional. I made my choice (Toyota Previa/Honda Odyssey) You make yours.
by NotWhoYouThink
Wed Jan 10, 2024 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does a SUV have more utility than a sedan?
Replies: 297
Views: 143856

Re: Does a SUV have more utility than a sedan?

Bogleheads! For a while now I am looking to opportunistically replace my current car. The market for SUVs is fairly tight but sedans are attractively priced. Now I am wondering if anyone has substantiated if an SUV really has more utility than a sedan? To me, when I look at the interior space of front seats, head room, back seats, trunk space, fuel consumption etc. this all looks very comparable. So, why are SUVs then all the rage and sedans are not? Heck, you even get decent discounts off MSRP if you buy one. Even at Toyota or Honda. Are SUVs structurally more sound than a sedan? From the NCAP ratings it seems rather not. I must be missing something here. What do y'all think? Yes, SUV has more utility, but not as good as a minivan. As an ...
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does a SUV have more utility than a sedan?
Replies: 297
Views: 143856

Re: Does a SUV have more utility than a sedan?

This thread moved so fast I missed a page or 2 of posts, but where is the love for minivans?

If you are a road warrior and want to drive a lot of miles in comfort, a big sedan is the way to go.

If you want to haul lots of people sometimes and lots of stuff other times, a minivan is way to go.

If you need to tow heavy things, a pick-up truck is better than a SUV is better than a minivan.

There exist people who are shamed into thinking it matters that minivans don't look "cool", but when I owned minivans I never had to ask to borrow anyone's SUV to haul stuff, but the reverse happened several times.
by NotWhoYouThink
Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama
Replies: 96
Views: 16937

Re: Real Estate Windfall Amid Family Drama

Your father may well think it is a good deal for you, and it may well be a disaster of a project for you. You don't have to impute any ill will to him to confidently walk away.
by NotWhoYouThink
Sun Jan 07, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Letter CP2000--529 Issues
Replies: 29
Views: 3090

Re: IRS Letter CP2000--529 Issues

This is a recurring issue, and based on the dozens of posts on this forum over the years I can't see any association with filing status, or whether you pay the money directly to the university, or any other common factor. It happened once to us over 7 years of having kids in college. We responded as below. No receipts, no spreadsheets no details. Never heard about it again. 10 October 2015 To: IRS Reference: CP2000 for Tax Year 2013, Dated 5 October 2015 Reference: Taxpayer NotWhoYouThink We have received the reference letter, and do not agree with the proposed changes to our 2013 taxes. The reason we do not agree is that MOST Missouri 529 Plan withdrawal of $XY,000 was for qualified educational expenses as summarized below. Calendar Year 2...
by NotWhoYouThink
Thu Dec 07, 2023 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard says we have a trust account????
Replies: 35
Views: 6543

Re: Vanguard says we have a trust account????

HomeStretch wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 8:35 am You may be spouse’s agent but that doesn’t apply to a Trust account. Unless you are a co-trustee, Vanguard (and any other brokerage) won’t discuss the account with you.
This.

You are an agent for your wife. You are not an agent for the trust, which is a separate entity from your wife, even if her name is on it. Vanguard is doing this right.
by NotWhoYouThink
Tue Dec 05, 2023 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Insuring an heirloom engagement ring - seeking advice
Replies: 33
Views: 3141

Re: Insuring an heirloom engagement ring - seeking advice

Families are weird about estate jewelry. Not just yours, many families. But if you aren't going to wear it, and your wife isn't going to wear it, it's not really valuable to you. It's a burden. I've always had the idea that I would get the ring out of the safe deposit box and give it to her for our 10th anniversary as kind of a symbol of my appreciation for her. I'm guessing that she would find it touching and then sort of politely decline to wear the ring and it would go back into the safe deposit box. Appreciation??? golly. If it's hers, can she give it away, or is it really yours and you let her wear it? Think about that before you get it out. You probably don't want to think about who gets it in the divorce, but that is something you sh...
by NotWhoYouThink
Thu Nov 09, 2023 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College F/A application - how to handle "NO CONTACT" non-custodial parent's information
Replies: 28
Views: 3090

Re: College F/A application - how to handle "NO CONTACT" non-custodial parent's information

Two points: I think it would be very helpful to discuss these factors with the head(s) of financial aid at the schools where the kid is applying. They've seen a lot of this stuff, and should be able to provide advice and guidance. As to majors: what?? There are many options for people with degrees in science. One need not work directly in what one majored in in college. Many companies are looking for people with good grades and good references, to work in many areas. Beyond that, one need not get a PhD. It's possible, for example, to get a master's degree in a variety of engineering fields, starting with a basic science degree. Or data science, information science, library science; or professional schools, including law school, business, a...
by NotWhoYouThink
Wed Nov 08, 2023 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College F/A application - how to handle "NO CONTACT" non-custodial parent's information
Replies: 28
Views: 3090

Re: College F/A application - how to handle "NO CONTACT" non-custodial parent's information

It might make sense to downplay the FAFSA/CSS route, and go for merit aid. There really isn't a lot of grant (vs. loan) aid available at most schools. The very most competitive schools will have generous need-based aid, but you can't count on getting admitted to those. The job prospects for students with a BS in Biology or Chemistry is dismal. You need to get your PhD to get work (Good news, doctoral programs are funded, no financial aid needed!) if the Med school plan falls through. And it usually falls through. Lots of students enroll expecting to go on to Medical school or Law school, but most don't make it. It is kind of you to help. Make sure your kindness doesn't lead you to co-sign loans for the student. That is almost always a bad p...
by NotWhoYouThink
Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glacier National Park/Canadian Rockies Trip in 2024
Replies: 36
Views: 4607

Re: Glacier National Park/Canadian Rockies Trip in 2024

If you want to save 30 minutes of driving each way getting to and from the West Glacier park entrance, check out the Glacier Guides Lodge.
https://glacierguides.com/stay/glacier-guides-lodge/

We stayed in the guest house, which at 3 bedrooms is more than you need. But the lodge is very close to the park entrance, and Glacier is such a huge place that you can feel like you spend more time driving to the trailhead than hiking.
by NotWhoYouThink
Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glacier National Park/Canadian Rockies Trip in 2024
Replies: 36
Views: 4607

Re: Glacier National Park/Canadian Rockies Trip in 2024

Edit: Have you looked at staying at Lake McDonald Lodge in the park?

https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.c ... wyEALw_wcB
For our 2021 trip we found you have to book the in-park lodging 12+ months in advance. Everything is already booked in 2024. If you want to stay in the park any time in September of 2025, you should go online to book just after midnight (or maybe a couple of hours later) the morning of September 1, 2024.

Maybe travel agents know how to pick up rooms with cancellations, I don't know if you can do it as an individual