Search found 860 matches

by clutchied
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President
Replies: 372
Views: 36471

Re: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President

Rick Ferri wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:35 pm No love lost here.

When I started the “Bogleheads On Investing” podcast, I interviewed Jack Bogle as my first guest. I wanted to interview Tim Buckley shortly thereafter. He told me to my face that he would LOVE to be a podcast guest. But when Jack Bogle died, I couldn’t get a response from his office. When I finally did, I was told “not interested.”

Hopefully the new CEO will be more open.
wow that's really disappointing to hear.
by clutchied
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it Time to Self-Insure? CA Homeowners Rate Increases
Replies: 119
Views: 9374

Re: Is it Time to Self-Insure? CA Homeowners Rate Increases

Just got a notice from State Farm that my premium will be increasing by 300% (4x what is now). That seems excessive! I can't help wondering what would have happened if back in 2000, I invested the monthly premiums in an S&P 500 index fund instead of paying for a homeowner's policy and used that account to cover any damage or replacement in that time? There was no way to know back then what the future held but in hindsight I would have been OK I think. With the huge premium increase coming, I'm seriously considering self-insuring now or maybe there are some private insurance pools or community run insurance pools that exist to help spread the risk. I've been in the same house for 24 years with only 2 minor claims in that time but nothin...
by clutchied
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: selling real estate for passive income
Replies: 9
Views: 1246

Re: selling real estate for passive income

I run a mixed low risk portfolio for my parents that produces monthly income.

VCADX
VCLAX
VWEAX
VTSAX
and then a smattering of 5+% CDs.

I think the monthly yield is a combined 5.4% pretax with 25% being tax exempt.

they love it.

I've been really impressed with its performance. It's flexible and any unused funds are reinvested into VTSAX.

NOT tax efficient at all but it's what they wanted...

13% equity
24% exempt bonds
31% junk bonds
32% CDs
by clutchied
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: selling real estate for passive income
Replies: 9
Views: 1246

Re: selling real estate for passive income

barnaclebob wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:51 am

Sounds like you are dividend chasing. Total return is what matters.

Agree, I did this for too long to my own detriment.
by clutchied
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best water heater with solar
Replies: 55
Views: 5418

Re: Best water heater with solar

Great thoughts here. Unfortunately, we are fairly committed to gas heat through radiator/boiler at this point. I don't know that it would make sense to switch to a heat pump. At least, it would be logistically very difficult. I think we're in a climate that could sustain it though (i.e., it gets cold, but not THAT cold). We also have a gas oven, though it would not be too difficult to switch to electric/induction I suppose. If I'm reading you right, you're suggesting that the above facts might make switching water heat to electric less appealing, just because it's not getting us closer to zero gas , and we're already paying the service charge, right? Not that that decides it, necessarily. Exactly right. I have solar and gas and with the si...
by clutchied
Tue Feb 27, 2024 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best water heater with solar
Replies: 55
Views: 5418

Re: Best water heater with solar

But the efficiency gain from a Heat Pump is still very great. The average UK home uses something like 13,000 kwhr pa of gas. About 3k kwhr pa is for heating water (using an indirect boiler system, ie same appliance heats hot water and the water in the rads). US has longer showers etc so it's reasonable to think something like 4-5000 kwhr pa of hot water. So the saving going from 4500 kwhr pa to 1500 kwhr pa is not nothing. At 13 c/ kwhr it would be around $400 pa. Are you just thinking circuit size (amps)? Because with a separate water heater, the HVAC heat pump should be an independent decision from the hot water heating HP decision? Agree on efficiency gains but to what end? More complexity, more initial investment with no payback and a ...
by clutchied
Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best water heater with solar
Replies: 55
Views: 5418

Re: Best water heater with solar

couple of considerations. Free is free! Power wise that's not a bad deal. You have the options of cheap or complex water heating but for YOU the cost of usage is zero. I would tend towards the non-heat pump. Heat pumps steal heat from the air so if they are in a used conditioned space it will get chillier there. Do you have any other gas appliances? Many areas have minimum basic charges and a gas water heater doesn't even make blip most of the time so kinda free if you will still have gas heating. Are you in an area that would benefit from heat pump technology when the time comes(HVAC replacement)? EVs use a decent amount of juice but it sounds like you're in a great position with work charging. Overall these are all shades of great choices...
by clutchied
Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Punctured tire on Model 3 - WWYD
Replies: 16
Views: 2070

Re: Punctured tire on Model 3 - WWYD

Mich AS4 are great tires.

Buy another set and drive with confidence.
by clutchied
Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts on buying cheap, used, "intermediate" range EV?
Replies: 168
Views: 14008

Re: Thoughts on buying cheap, used, "intermediate" range EV?

I wouldn't buy an EV w/o 200 miles of range at this point. Obviously personal circumstances come into play but there are many things that benefit from the higher range which also includes resale.

I've had 2 EVs and one would go 65 miles and the other 300. They were both fun but basically running on "reserve" the entire time for my i3 was untenable. Great car.

I would buy a used polestar 2. Maybe an Ioniq5 if you can get into the price you're looking for.

I think we'll continue to see them become more reasonably priced.


I have solar and I'm looking to push my extra juice into something useful... problem is I have a paid off car that refuses to break...
by clutchied
Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best dumb thermostat?
Replies: 35
Views: 3076

Re: Best dumb thermostat?

bloom2708 wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 1:17 pm These always seemed solid. Honeywell on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/byIXLx6

We have an ecobee. No learning. You set it just how you want it. I am not a fan of the Nest learning. Things change. Learning is dated fast.
These are great. There's a heat only version so beware.
by clutchied
Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recent paint work is already failing
Replies: 27
Views: 3254

Re: Recent paint work is already failing

A licensed painting contractor painted a house exterior about 4 months ago and it’s already failing in some areas (blisters, lifting, splitting, etc.). The house has wood siding in sound condition and was previously painted around 6 years prior. My house has cedar siding some parts in better shape than others, but I've basically been doing a round robin painting various sides every year. I've had GREAT luck with Sherwin-williams woodscapes paint stain. From looking in the basement that was also used previously and lasted FAR longer than it should have. My prep work includes pressure washing the wood to clean it (from far enough away) and then waiting 2 days for it to dry. Then I do 2 coats within 30 days of each other. No rain and no temps...
by clutchied
Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time
Replies: 143
Views: 15065

Re: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time

I can use my parents as an example...

My dad hit the SS cap every year for like 40+ years. He filed and suspended so my mom could collect on his behalf until her benefits matured and then claimed at 70. He filed at 70 and basically at the time received the most you could actuarially earn from SS.

What has that meant for them in practice? Well it meant that they were able to save a lot more. It meant that they deferred some retirement plans.

It meant that one of them got cancer and pushed plans later. Now sitting in their mid 70's with piles of cash they have less ambition.


Whats' the lesson for me? 62. I want that cash flowing so I can do what I want.
by clutchied
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Decaf K Cups
Replies: 31
Views: 2592

Re: Decaf K Cups

LaurenRose wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2024 12:24 pm I'm one of the philistines who uses a Keurig for her daily one cup of coffee.

I have been scrubbing caffeine from my daily intake for personal reasons. Does anyone know of a Decaf K cup worth drinking? Yes, taste is subjective, but one that you would repurchase, if we need a bench mark. Muchas Gracias.
it's fine. I usually use 1 or 2 a day after my initial cup from home.

Is it great? No. Is it fine? Yes.
by clutchied
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a used car: what's your limit?
Replies: 65
Views: 6324

Re: Buying a used car: what's your limit?

Tom_T wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:46 am If you always buy used cars, what's your limit in terms of mileage? 30K miles? 50K? More??

I like to buy cars from single female teachers. They have enough income to maintain them and they want reliable vehicles so that's where I sit.
I've also found that low mileage trophy wife cars tend to also be a good value if they have full documentation.


I REALLY like older BMWs and I do the work on them myself and I've had tremendous luck at an absolutely rock bottom cost.

I like to buy b/w 40k to 80k miles all the better if the vehicle is older.
by clutchied
Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th
Replies: 53
Views: 10305

Re: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th

Happy Birthday Taylor!

I credit his avatar for my interest in sailing, which has made a wonderfully positive impact on my life.
by clutchied
Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another 'should I get solar' question
Replies: 90
Views: 6526

Re: Another 'should I get solar' question

Those itemized bills were for $0.306 and $0.283 per kWh. Those prices for combined production and distribution, rather than for production alone, explain your high electricity bills and make a much stronger argument for solar (with a much shorter payback). You still need to get an understanding of net metering with your utility before moving forward. You will produce a lot more electricity in the summer vs the winter, so a less optimal net metering arrangement will have a significant impact on your total ROI--even if you offset all of your electricity use for the year with production, a heavily discounted net metering arrangement could still leave you with large bills in the winter. agreed on this. Good on the board for sniffing out the er...
by clutchied
Wed Jan 17, 2024 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who is right???
Replies: 33
Views: 4479

Re: Who is right???

doesn't matter you can do whatever you want, your life is covered.

The discretionary is just for fun. So go have fun.
by clutchied
Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 35684

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

27 started career... late!
30 bought a house in downturn Cal.
34 accidental landlord and new job in Midwest
36 moved to maxing deferred accts. Bought a 4plex
39 $1M!
by clutchied
Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any pension actuaries here?
Replies: 11
Views: 1352

Re: Any pension actuaries here?

I know this isn't the question asked, but these deferrals should consider what is quality of life later on rather than can be used earlier.

Does it cause any deferrals in vacations or otherwise?
by clutchied
Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another 'should I get solar' question
Replies: 90
Views: 6526

Re: Another 'should I get solar' question

I've been reading through various threads (including a recent one), and still can't decide if solar is for me (and, if it is, what financing option to go with). 2500 sf 2-story colonial house avg. kwh approx. 1,100/month live in the north east was paying under .10/kWh (.08 for a while) until recently prices jumped and now the best I can do is .13 will likely be in this house forever (20-30 years) need a new roof which will be done sometime this year been averaging around $290/month last few years, but will go up a bit given new rates I can afford to pay whole thing up front with cash, but would prefer not to, just b/c I prefer to save money/invest and would probably want to finance it I guess, not really sure energysage says: https://i.img...
by clutchied
Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: oil change frequency
Replies: 37
Views: 4595

Re: oil change frequency

bluegill wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:59 pm I have 2021 Camry with 6,000 total miles driven. Toyota recommends oil change every 10,000 miles or 12 months. I have driven it 2,000 miles in the last 16 months, since my last oil change. Do you think I should change oil ?
I do 5k miles or 1 year, whichever comes sooner. The reason for the 12 month interval is that the oil mixes with all kinds of things in the engine and breaks down or retains things that can be corrosive. It's standard service interval and a minor cost.

you can push or pull that however you want. It's such a minor maintenance point for a car that will last 200k miles.
by clutchied
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chicago Vacation
Replies: 56
Views: 4749

Re: Chicago Vacation

Climate: What can we expect as far as weather? Entertainment: We're opting to get the City Pass and do what that allows us. Outside of the City Pass, what are some dos and don'ts? Looking at exploring Navy Pier since it's a few blocks down from the hotel. Thanks in advance! it can be hot and humid, but also nice. Spend some time at the museums and the parks. I avoid Navy Pier. Maggie Daly park is incredible for kids. Also take the river architecture tour. I grew up in Chicago and it was was a highlight for me. usually I'll just walk or take taxi's, but there's plenty of transportation. We used to stay outside the city and take the train in but it's way more fun to stay downtown. Hope you enjoy it, Chicago is a phenomenal city.
by clutchied
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good quality Air Compressor for car and bike tires, etc
Replies: 58
Views: 5944

Re: Good quality Air Compressor for car and bike tires, etc

Parkinglotracer wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 4:10 pm Can anyone recommend an AC portable air compressor for use around the house / garage to inflate care tires, bike tires, riding lawn mower tires, etc? No desire for it to be battery powered or have an air tank. I would like it to be able to fill a 90 psi tire. I have an old black and decker small compressor that really labors once it gets to 45-50 psi. Being an almost 63 yr old crusty boglehead I’d like a good quality one.
makita makes a couple of really nice half speed compressors that are pretty quiet.

They're portable and are decently powerful and can be used for other tasks.


Oilless pancakes are brutally loud, no thanks.
by clutchied
Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kohler 20 KW - Doing Own Maintenance - Warranty
Replies: 31
Views: 3706

Re: Kohler 20 KW - Doing Own Maintenance - Warranty

Robert_Texan3123 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:20 am I have had my Kohler 20kw standby home generator for three years now. It was professionally installed and I purchased a 10 year warranty. Each year I have Lee Company here in Tennessee do the oil,air filter, spark plugs change....charge $400. The maintenance kit for the Kohler is inexpensive at $75. The maintenance is an extremely simple process. I do my own John Deere service...basically the same kit.

So, do you think that my warranty would be voided if I do the maintenance myself? I don't see anything that states that it will.....
Mine is half that price in Ohio.

Lee Company is charging quite a bit.... [Unnecessary comment removed by moderator Kendall.]
by clutchied
Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do I stand?
Replies: 31
Views: 4582

Re: How do I stand?

Sunshine98 wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:57 pm Been a while but Ive been trying to stay on track.

age: 50

401K: 903 K
Taxable Vanguard Admiral shares: 311k
Ira: 188k
HSA: 11K

Emergency savings: 20k
CD ladder: 25K

I know, seen it with another pharmacist went from 72 to 64 hours per pay period and she is same boat).
Uh, if someone offered me halftime TODAY and I was in your position I would take it in a heartbeat.

Have you considered asking for half time? Flip the power dynamics on them and see what happens when you cut THEIR hours.
by clutchied
Tue Jan 09, 2024 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you are able to accomplish these, please tell me how
Replies: 112
Views: 26404

Re: If you are able to accomplish these, please tell me how

I don't like to say this often because the pandemic was a terrible time for many.... but it was great for us. We worked from home; ate dinner together. Worked out and got healthier. My relationship with my spouse got better. My kids got more attention. Everything about working from home was really incredible... and then it ended. We've kept some of the habits like healthy eating and lifestyle but don't spend nearly as much time together because there is less time. It did give a new perspective though on what was important in life. Where I wanted to spend my time. The place of work in my life. I don't think you can do what you're talking about as decribed. Working from home makes a big difference, but it still wouldn't solve your equation. I...
by clutchied
Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Favorite features on your spreadsheets
Replies: 82
Views: 10659

Re: Favorite features on your spreadsheets

This is a large community and a lot of us use spreadsheets to track our portfolios, so my guess is some folks might have developed a cool feature the rest of us would like to know about. So what is your favorite cool thing you implemented? In my case the first 2 that come to mind are: 1) Using the Reference CPI to adjust my estimated expenses and inflation adjusted par of my TIPS 2) A 3-D bar graph of the rungs of my TIPS ladder vs estimated base expenses through age 85, nothing special but I find it calming My biggest win with excel has been balance sheets over time. It's so helpful for future modeling to see what is working and what isn't. To see the shifts over time and be able to rebalance. Trending graphs by asset class (retirement, p...
by clutchied
Thu Jan 04, 2024 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The "Hot Upstairs" Topic
Replies: 90
Views: 13603

Re: The "Hot Upstairs" Topic

OK - so thanks for reading if you got this far. Questions for this group: Do you have a recommendation for a durable, real fix - either A, B, C, D above or option E? I'm looking for a real fix, not half measures. If $20k is what it will take, I'll pay it - but I don't' want to just cut that check without being more informed. I'm in a similar circumstance 4900 sq. ft. 3 beds upstairs. I have a solid 15 degree differential b/w the basement and upstairs. We have BIG West facing windows that just suck up heat in the summer. Single zone 5 ton unit from 1989. We've done 2 things so far. 1. We put R60 in the attic. The effect was that the A/C could actually keep up during the heat of the day and we didn't lose ground. 2. We tested a new window in...
by clutchied
Fri Dec 29, 2023 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Temecula this January
Replies: 39
Views: 4638

Re: Temecula this January

Just starting to plan a trip to Temecula (California) and looking for sites to see, things to do. We'd be most interested in * walking & light hiking * historical sites * parks (state, national) and scenery * farmer's markets * restaurants We're not rock climbing/paragliding types, but like the outdoors. Not sure that I'll even take swimming gear but could if there were a reason. And - what about a shuttle from Temecula back to the San Diego airport? Thank you! [ETA: clarified which airport] Temecula is a commuter city born from $$ in San Diego. It exists as an urban shopping center hell with casinos between the IE and SD. It used to be farm fields. If you're using it as a base of ops; there are national parks (J Tree) and the beach as...
by clutchied
Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Losing/leaving a C Level job: advice wanted
Replies: 34
Views: 4567

Re: Losing/leaving a C Level job: advice wanted

Does anyone have any advice for losing or leaving a C Level job? I'm at the point in my career where I will leave or be forced out of my job in the next 12 to 30 months. Details below shared for context, not ego. I am lucky, blessed and worked my tail off. I run a large company. My compensation is top 0.1%. I lead several thousand people. But ... the tenure in a role like mine is typically 3 to 5 years. And I am approaching year 6. Business is starting to flatten out and I sense the winds changing. At 52 I could get another job but I don't want to. The idea of re-establishing myself at a new company will take an effort I don't sense I have. But ... the real issue is how do I transition from being busy, booked, established and fawned over ....
by clutchied
Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Funding Remodel Options?
Replies: 8
Views: 765

Re: Funding Remodel Options?

Hello- Looking to raise about 100k and trying to brainstorm the best options: Can obviously sell investments to raise this, though not my favorite option. HELOC - rates seem quite high even though there is the ability to deduct some of the interest. SBLOC through fidelity looks to be Prime + 2.35 so ~8.2% Any other thoughts or advice? We used a HELOC but the rate is like 8% so we've basically barely used it and cash flowed most of our renovations. We're about a 1/4 of your planned expenditure but we swapped some stuff around and just paid it. HELOCs are painless for the most part other than rates and offer great flexibility for both projects and otherwise. Learned I was REALLY uncomfortable with that type of debt which was news to me...
by clutchied
Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Re: Shopping safely: Parents

Assuming they stay out of Compton, I'd say your parents two biggest risks are: 1) Having a debit card. If it's lost, stolen, hijacked, cloned, etc (physically or in a system break) - ALL of their account dollars could be taken. Depending on the circumstances, they might be able to get it back from the bank, but it takes a while. You out the money in the meantime, and you have to deal with a compromised account that you probably use for much more. My father once bragged that he could buy a house with his VISA Debit card (linked to his brokerage account). We got THAT fixed in short order. 2) Carrying too much cash. The risk of losing cash is obvious, especially for a woman that carries a purse and appears more vulnerable. And, of course, the...
by clutchied
Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Re: Shopping safely: Parents

PeninsulaPerson wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 3:18 pm
delamer wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 11:26 am
My mother got more worried and obsessive about her health, safety, and financial security as she aged. Part of that is legitimate because we all get more vulnerable as our remaining life span gets shorter. But part of it is news sensationalism, reinforcement by peers, and cognitive decline.
OP, any chance you could tell them to stop consuming that poison?!

clutchied wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:57 am
... they consume a lot of fear based media.
I try! I think it's too late at this point.

thank you for the feedback.
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Re: Shopping safely: Parents

I'm eighty and on crutches. I live in a pretty decent neighborhood, a mix of long time middle class and blue collar residents and invading rich people. I don't watch the news as I got rid of my television. So I don't know what the trash stations are showing, but the regular print news is not sensational. Safety when shopping didn't even occur to me until I read this thread. I must look pretty vulnerable but also I am visible to others due to the crutches. I do carry a pocketbook, I have a lot of stuff I need in there. The one thing that leapt out at me from this thread was the OP's Mom carrying around a lot of visible cash. That's just crazy. How difficult would it be to convince her to use a cash back credit card like 1.5% capitalone? I o...
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pitfalls of withdrawing from 401k for a home loan but not using it?
Replies: 23
Views: 2410

Re: Pitfalls of withdrawing from 401k for a home loan but not using it?

I am thinking about taking a home loan from my 401k. Per regulations, we are capped at $50k and interest is 9% or thereabouts which gets paid back to yourself. I have about 95% pre-tax contributions and 5% post-tax contributions into the 401k. What is the harm of taking out $50k for a home loan via 401k loan and just keeping the money set aside for emergencies, etc? I would stick it in a money market or tbill. In fact, those funds are sitting in a money market in the 401k anyway (earning about 5%). More specifications for home loan via my 401k plan rules: 1. OK to make 401k contributions while a home loan is in the repayment stage. Still qualify for full match. 2. Home loan repayment term is up to 20 years. 3. Repayments occur via regular ...
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Depreciation, closing costs and taxes - rental property
Replies: 9
Views: 1467

Re: Depreciation, closing costs and taxes - rental property

so the cost basis is what you keep personally on a piece of paper or whatever documents you have. It's NOT necessarily your depreciable basis but they are often similar. Your cost basis doesn't really change over time with a rental but your depreciable basis (tax) will change as the rental ages (take depreciation!). In a closing statement sometimes there are property tax costs (closing cost) that you can deduct on sch. E that some people don't notice or aren't advised to take. IF you did not take them you can add them to the cost basis of your property which you will then deduct from any gains upon sale. If you used a good accountant to do the transaction and provided them with the correct statements it's likely that all this was already do...
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 8:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient
Replies: 121
Views: 13735

Re: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient

gavinsiu wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:14 am For those who survived several stock market crashes, do you feel that the experience has made you more resilient, wiser, and more able to handle crashes in the future? Did it make you know yourself more? Did it have the opposite effect because every crash is different and you have no idea what the next one is going to be like?
2008 sure was a fun one with a double dip.

I was greedily buying and ran out of money before the full bottom was realized.


15 years later I'm much less tolerant of debt. Still take on plenty of age appropriate risk but the debt is just no longer acceptable.

That was interesting to learn about myself because I just didn't see it coming.
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Depreciation, closing costs and taxes - rental property
Replies: 9
Views: 1467

Re: Depreciation, closing costs and taxes - rental property

Hi Fam - I have had a rental property for past 7 yrs. I refinanced it once. I always file Schedule E (as part of tax return) listing rental income and all associated expenses including depreciation and property tax. Upon checking it seems I did not include original closing costs from 2016 (ie buyer’s closing costs) in my past tax returns. I did include refi closing costs that are amortized annually on tax returns though. Question: can I somehow include 2016 ie original closing costs moving on? Also, can one explain in simple words - how does depreciation recapture work at time of property sale and how does it work with annual depreciation I have been having and will have (until sale) on tax returns? Thank you. Generally closing costs will ...
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Re: Shopping safely: Parents

I don't consume tv "news" but I know they consume a lot of fear based media. It's this. Totally agree. We live in one of the safest cities in the US. Yet, if you open up Nextdoor, you would think everyone here lives in the inner city in-between crack houses. It's really amazing the disconnect from reality. Looking at FBI crime stats, there was been something like a 25 yr drop in crime across the board across a wide array of regions and socioeconomic levels. There are momentary short term rises in an individual category and also increases in things like shoplifting which seems to be precipitated by dumb laws, but I don't think it's in question that we are much safer now than before. But, good news doesn't sell papers/clicks. So I ...
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Re: Shopping safely: Parents

Doctor Rhythm wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 11:59 am Yes - I do suspect that age is one factor. Hard to say if the media consumption contributes or is a result of their anxiety; as we tend to seek out information that reinforces our beliefs.

To keep it actionable, have you shown them how to shop on-line safely?
Yes I have, could do better, but they are very TANGIBLE people and are not at all interested in the web other than media consumption.

thank you,
by clutchied
Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Re: Shopping safely: Parents

We are just slightly older than your parents, and also live in a "nice" neighborhood... keeping in mind that nothing is "perfectly safe", etc. My main concern, assuming the area isn't sketchy, is that your mother should NOT carry a large sum. But more importantly, , she should **NOT** ever display the money! :!: That is, IF she is reaching into her purse (or pocket) to get money to pay for something, she should have an "easy to access" place where a SMALL ( small! ) amount of money is easily grabbed. So perhaps one $20 bill, or three $10 bills, depending upon what she is expecting to purchase. If it's a larger grocery order, then again, take out something like 4 or 5 $20 bills WITHOUT showing any other money a...
by clutchied
Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping safely: Parents
Replies: 29
Views: 3253

Shopping safely: Parents

I was recently visiting my parents in Socal over the holidays. They are talking more about crime and safety more than they ever have. Talking about how their friends have been pickpocketed and they don't feel as safe going to grocery stores. My parents are 75 years old and the area they shop at is a very nice area or at least it used to be so I went and did a little test or secret shopping and yup it's the same as it always was... Perhaps a question for the "more experienced" on this board. Did you or do you feel more vulnerable as you age? Is it a political thing? I don't consume tv "news" but I know they consume a lot of fear based media. My Mom carries a lot of cash and my Dad will almost exclusively use a debit card....
by clutchied
Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost Basis didn't transfer -- worth fighting?
Replies: 5
Views: 980

Re: Cost Basis didn't transfer -- worth fighting?

Hi all- I recently transferred about 10 positions from Morgan Stanley to Fidelity. For 8 of the positions, the cost basis transferred over. For the remaining 2, the cost basis did not transfer over. I have the records for the remaining 2. They were purchased on a single date at a single price. Easy enough for me to enter. I've spoken to Fidelity. They blamed Morgan Stanley. I spoke to Morgan Stanley. They blamed Fidelity. I'm sure I can get this all straightened out. But it's just a question of whether it's worth the hassle or not. Is there any benefit to having Morgan Stanley provide the information to Fidelity instead of me entering it manually? For example, if I enter the information manually and subsequently sell the position, will Fid...
by clutchied
Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY Cleaning Evaporator Coils ?
Replies: 52
Views: 5807

Re: DIY Cleaning Evaporator Coils ?

zlandar wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:00 am The HVAC installer explanation is partly hogwash. It's not the amount of water produced. It's if the water is draining properly from the drain pan to the condensate pump.

Agree with this; you have water pooling or standing or something.

I can't fathom someon trying to sell you coil cleaning to clear up the smell.
by clutchied
Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House with three HVAC Systems
Replies: 20
Views: 2669

Re: House with three HVAC Systems

a tuneup cost accounts for the time to get there and get to the next job. IF you have 3 lined up there should be some consideration of efficiency.

I WOULD want 3 jobs right in a row that I could knock out and I'd offer a discount to get them.


That being said, what are they "tuning" up? Do you change your filters? Make sure your drain lines are working? Are you having issues?


I replace my filters on the proper interval and clean my furnace every couple of years. I also have CO detectors in my house. I'm always reticent to have people poking around in things that are working perfectly fine.
by clutchied
Thu Nov 30, 2023 12:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What non-index fund investment made you a lot of money?
Replies: 141
Views: 26753

Re: What non-index fund investment made you a lot of money?

Keeping my house in CA (that we bought in the downturn) after we moved out of state.
by clutchied
Thu Nov 30, 2023 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you sold a house just to buy another one..... did you really profit?
Replies: 51
Views: 8166

Re: If you sold a house just to buy another one..... did you really profit?

Example, say you bought a home a few years for $400k, and now you're selling it for $500k. Great, you're profiting to some extent after the various transaction costs. But you still need a place to live. So now you go out and buy a house for $600k. This $600k house was worth let's say $480k back when you bought your current house for $400. Sure your house value increased by 25%- so it looks like 'profit'- but you're simply exchanging that money for a house that has increased by the same % in the same number of years. So have you really 'profited'? Aren't you simply exchanging one thing for another, minus the very substantial transaction costs? Arguably at a true loss once those are factored in The unique set of circumstances that currently ...
by clutchied
Thu Nov 30, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which down jackets are better/comparable to REI?
Replies: 53
Views: 9361

Re: Which down jackets are better/comparable to REI?

Patagonia is almost always the answer. I've had my down "sweater" now for 15+ years and it's still a champion. I can't actually imagine a scenario where I'll have to replace it.