Search found 924 matches

by shawcroft
Thu Oct 07, 2021 6:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Jack C. Bogle - Conversation With A Legend"
Replies: 3
Views: 1026

Re: "Jack C. Bogle - Conversation With A Legend"

Taylor:

An excellent post about a wonderful man! Like your experience, ours is the "House that Jack Built"
The peanut butter and jelly story about Jack is priceless.

Best regards,
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Mon May 11, 2020 3:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2020 Bogleheads Conference Update
Replies: 75
Views: 13996

The 2020 Bogleheads Conference Update

To my fellow Bogleheads:

As the "Ides of March" moved into April and then early May, I surmised the Board of Directors was agonizing over how- or if- the 2020 Conference could be held. They have responded with an excellent solution and I thank them for their efforts on behalf of all Bogleheads.

We will "see you all " in October.

And, remember, Press On, Regardless!

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Thank you, Taylor Larimore!
Replies: 49
Views: 8601

Thank you, Taylor Larimore!

Taylor:

My wife and I send along our thanks and best wishes to you. It was an honor to meet you at a recent BH Conference.

We also acknowledge the debt we owe to so many other US -and Allied- service members who also served in Europe and in the Pacific during the Second World War. The service and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation preserved the freedoms we enjoy today.

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto Insurance in Canada
Replies: 4
Views: 739

Re: Auto Insurance in Canada

A note of clarification:
Talzara helped clarify some things for me. I had my wife's cousin check and the United Explorer Visa card provides primary Loss Damage/ Collision insurance for the rental car . No liability coverage. That has to be provided by your personal auto liability insurance.
Still have to call AMEX about their offerings.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto Insurance in Canada
Replies: 4
Views: 739

Re: Auto Insurance in Canada

Talzara:
Thanks for clarifying the difference between Loss Damage Waiver from Liability insurance. I will look into this further and update my post with what I discern.
Interesting how seemingly small questions can bring up important stuff.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Mon Apr 08, 2019 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto Insurance in Canada
Replies: 4
Views: 739

Auto Insurance in Canada

We are considering a Spring driving trip which will include a few days in Toronto, departing from CT. Outbound via the NY State Thruway seeing family in upstate NY, then over to Toronto for 2-3 days, then down to Pittsburgh, and finally back to CT . Could drive our car or rent a car. The trip would be about 1600 miles so I am inclined to use a rental. A question which came to mind: what about auto insurance coverage? I just spoke with USAA about that- and their answer as of 4/8/19 is: If I use my car, I need to bring proof of insurance: This is satisfied by a copy of my current auto insurance card ( the paper most of us place in the dashboard glove box) OR a copy of the first page of my auto policy = the "Declarations of Coverage"...
by shawcroft
Mon Apr 08, 2019 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Heard Jack Bogle on NPR Freakonomics Radio today
Replies: 2
Views: 1284

Re: Heard Jack Bogle on NPR Freakonomics Radio today

Sunny:
I agree.
We have to be very grateful for the 23 additional years of life the heart transplant gave his family...and all of us.
It was to me- great privilege to have met and spoken with him.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Fri Mar 22, 2019 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawnmower(s)
Replies: 43
Views: 4748

Lawnmower(s)

Yooper16 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2019 3:41 pm We are starting our 4th summer on Greenworks Lithium. It is not self propelled. We have about 15K yard. Reasonable guess would be about 10k for mowing. Takes about 1 and a part batteries to do the yard--unless it is growing very quickly then it will take 2 batteries.
Yooper:
Interesting recommendation. I will also likely have the need to replace a lawnmower this year and converting g to an electric seems a good idea. How long does a battery charge last if the lawn you are mowing is (in your experience) its "usual height"? Do you use your mower to mulch leaves in the Fall as well?
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The $4,026,858.95 Car or a Worry-Free Retirement?
Replies: 245
Views: 19049

The $4,026,858.95 Car or a Worry-Free Retirement?

Taylor Larimore wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:28 pm Driving a low-cost (perfectly adequate) automobile is the easiest way I know to have a worry-free retirement (we enjoyed two world cruises).
Very insightful- and sobering- post, Taylor
With the lower future investment returns predicted recently by Jack Bogle and others, it is even more important to understand the difference between true needs (and how to address them) and the desire for fancy stuff created by clever marketing.
In my younger days, I drove an unimpressive 1959 Chevrolet for more than 15 years and still managed to convince a lovely and wonderful lady to marry me (there's another example of clever marketing).
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your U.S. : International ratio?
Replies: 246
Views: 52829

What's your U.S. : International ratio?

Continuation of an interesting discussion over the years
We are currently 82% US, 18% international. Target is 80-20. Will rebalance slowly to attain 80-20 goal.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Dealer invoice
Replies: 7
Views: 1939

Re: Car Dealer invoice

core4portfolio wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:42 pm what car you are buying ? google that car name with pricing paid in search. For example- Toyota camry OTD pricing thread.
https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/802- ... n-8-a.html

First or second result is mostly from the forum of that respective car. All the best !!!!
Great suggestion - Thanks
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Elderly parent on path to run out of money in 6 months
Replies: 35
Views: 10978

Elderly parent on path to run out of money in 6 months

We provided substantial support to my wife's mother after she was widowed in 1986 at age 62. For reasons I never understood, she and her husband never saved much so when he passed away it was obvious to my wife (she is an only child) and I that her mother would need assistance if she was going to live independently. She had perhaps $45,000 from life insurance and some savings back in 1986. Her only income was Social Security which she started at 65. With that and our assistance, she was able to live independently until shortly before her passing in 2007. It was the right decision and have no regrets about doing that for her. More recently, there is now a 70 year old spendthrift member of my wife's "extended" family who knows of th...
by shawcroft
Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to buy Boeing?
Replies: 91
Views: 13301

Re: Time to buy Boeing?

I've never been successful in catching a falling knife. For those who have such expertise, may The Force be with you!
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sun Mar 10, 2019 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term Life Insurance and Genetic Testing
Replies: 29
Views: 3286

Re: Term Life Insurance and Genetic Testing

megabad wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 4:40 pm I would phrase it this way, a medical exam could potentially cost you millions if you die and were unable to get life insurance. To avoid this cost, you might have to pay $1-5 more per month for your policy.
If the difference was that small, I would agree with Megabad
deikel wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:19 pm Find a good broker to do the work for you, they can find you the right insurance for about any pre-existing condition or genetic testing on file.
Deikel also provides a very useful suggestion.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Wed Mar 06, 2019 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Photo/video storage options
Replies: 11
Views: 964

Photo/video storage options

stimulacra wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:25 pm Get plenty of storage for your primary machine, a backup/data recovery system like Time Machine or CrashPlan and a method of archiving all of your photos (A/B external hard drives with one stored off site or A/B optical media with the one set stored offsite.
Great suggestion. I would second the idea of "purging" photos and videos so you can fit the essential ones onto external drives- preferably solid state drives as the prices for them drop.
There is a LOT of work involved in keeping up with this stuff and it can quickly become daunting.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Tue Mar 05, 2019 11:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: USAA getting out of mutual fund biz
Replies: 51
Views: 12477

USAA getting out of mutual fund biz

Just got the proxy package for the sale of USAA mutual funds to Victory Capital.(I have a small amount in their Tax-Exempt MMF which qualified me for a proxy vote) The basic sale price is $850 million..with some additional performance bells and whistles. If approved, the transaction would close late in the second quarter. Not much is supposed to change in the first two years. After that, all bets are off. Like others, I primarily use USAA for insurance and have been pleased with their offerings. I also have a checking account with them and a Visa credit card. My traditional IRA was with them for several years but is now happily at Vanguard. Looks like USAA figured out they could not compete in the mutual fund area. Perhaps the USAA funds ac...
by shawcroft
Mon Mar 04, 2019 12:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: HEDGEFUNDIE's excellent adventure [risk parity strategy using 3x leveraged ETFs]
Replies: 3353
Views: 888719

Re: HEDGEFUNDIE's excellent adventure [risk parity strategy using 3x leveraged ETFs]

finite_difference wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2019 10:52 pm Thanks to you and samsdad and others for the responses. It is impressive that you are willing to consider every angle that comes up. Looks like one can pick quarterly dates at will and even if one forgets to rebalance for a month or year it wouldn’t be a disaster.
Fascinating ( to me) observations in this series of messages.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luggage Carry On 22" long x 14" wide x 9" tall
Replies: 24
Views: 2681

Re: Luggage Carry On 22" long x 14" wide x 9" tall

This is a great discussion thread. We were on an international trip last year which combined both US and International carriers. We ran into the slightly shorter international carry-on drama mentioned below- but was able to "sweet-talk" our way around it. Can't expect our luck in the matter to always work. Lesson learned
Mister A wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2019 6:52 am I would highly recommend the "international" size carry-ons, which are about an inch shorter to accommodate overhead bins on non-U.S. carriers.

We need to replace at least one carry-on because of wear and will definitely keep that experience in mind. And- as also suggested- I will start out with looking at what Costco has to offer.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Mon Mar 04, 2019 7:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why does Vanguard use a 40% allocation to International in their Balanced Funds?
Replies: 60
Views: 12056

Re: Why does Vanguard use a 40% allocation to International in their Balanced Funds?

[
I[quote=retiredjg
Here's a thread with Taylor's opinion.

viewtopic.php?t=196956
[/quote]

Retiredjg: Thanks for the video link. Very thoughtful remarks by Jack - as usual - regarding his reasoning.
I'm in the 20% international group. Not being a spring chicken, I recognize younger folks with a longer investment horizon may have pursued this question with a more intense investigation and have discerned reasons to pursue a higher international allocation.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sun Mar 03, 2019 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep big bank or CU?
Replies: 20
Views: 2372

Re: Keep big bank or CU?

RJC wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2019 4:20 pm Switching from Bank of America to Navy Federal Credit Union was the best decision ever. You never have to worry about random fees and feel like the CU has your best interest in mind.
I agree: NFCU is excellent! +2
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sat Mar 02, 2019 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VSUXX vs VMMXX vs VMFXX vs Money Market (FDIC insured)
Replies: 39
Views: 20157

Re: VSUXX vs VMMXX vs VMFXX vs Money Market (FDIC insured)

Ckprocker wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2019 3:28 pm How does VMFXX work in Connecticut with the current tax rules?
I’m a bit confused from comments here because it seems that VMFXX is above the 50% so I’m assuming Connecticut residents would not have to pay state income tax from funds kept in VMFXX...Am I missing something?
Ckprocker: You and I are in the same boat......(state)....so I share your keen interest in this question.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sat Mar 02, 2019 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VSUXX vs VMMXX vs VMFXX vs Money Market (FDIC insured)
Replies: 39
Views: 20157

Re: VSUXX vs VMMXX vs VMFXX vs Money Market (FDIC insured)

aspiringboglehead wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2019 12:26 am VUSXX is literally composed of a few dozen Treasury bills. For me, the idea is that I'm paying active managers at Vanguard a small fee (1) to select those well and (2) to execute the purchases and reinvest the interest so that I don't have to bother.
Aspiring Boglehead: Great observation. Certainly agrees with Taylor Larimore's frequent suggestion that we keep thing simple.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do YOU buy a car? (TrueCar, Costco, Carvana, etc)
Replies: 75
Views: 14997

Re: How do YOU buy a car? (TrueCar, Costco, Carvana, etc)

This is a great exchange of ideas and experiences. While I don't expect to buy a car soon, I have begun "preparing" myself since it is about a year before I think I may have to. The last one we bought was a 2014 Subaru Outback and it now has 79,000 .....it was our third Subaru. We do like the car but I've been told there is a major servicing on its horizon in another 20,000 miles- a timing chain and a bunch of other things. I'm definitely going to follow the suggestions offered by my fellow Bogleheads. So a Subaru would be high on the radar screen when the need arises. Our 2014 doesn't have the "fancy electronics" which I have seen in the 2018 Outback we recently rented while on a trip to the MidWest. Because my bride is...
by shawcroft
Mon Feb 25, 2019 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTSAX at Merrill Edge
Replies: 47
Views: 15818

Re: VTSAX at Merrill Edge

It appears two Bogleheads have had significantly different experiences with BofA and ME- and - owing to that- have developed different perspectives.
I trust those colleagues of ours who read this exchange will consider both viewpoints and make their judgments regarding these matters accordingly.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTSAX at Merrill Edge
Replies: 47
Views: 15818

Merrill Edge

Earl Lemongrab wrote: Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:22 pm Sorry, but that's ridiculous. Edge is a good discount brokerage. Don't confuse them with Lynch full service.
Earl:
My comments were based upon my previous personal experiences with ML, BofA, and ME. YMMV

Your experiences- over time- may inform you as to whether or not my comments regarding ME are ridiculous.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Mon Feb 25, 2019 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTSAX at Merrill Edge
Replies: 47
Views: 15818

Re: VTSAX at Merrill Edge

Another form of Bait and Switch. Nothing that Bank of America ( or its subsidiary Merrill Lynch) does "to" its clients surprises me anymore. I would not be enticed by any of its offers Buyer Beware!
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A ROTH IRA question
Replies: 10
Views: 1732

The ROTH IRA question

Spirit Rider:
Thanks for your recent message, which adds to your earlier one below.
Spirit Rider wrote: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:55 pm You can contribute up to your compensation which will be Form 1040 Schedule 1 Line 12 - Line 27.
My take on your messages is that I will be able to contribute SOME AMOUNT of the $630 to my ROTH but not likely the ENTIRE AMOUNT. I'm almost finished with gathering my tax stuff for my accountant. Since I remain mildly confused about this ROTH question, I will bring it to him as an open question and see what his view is on it.

Thanks to all- seemingly simple questions can become complex.

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A ROTH IRA question
Replies: 10
Views: 1732

The ROTH IRA question

Eagle 33: Thanks for your post. Yes, it was 2018 income and I will make the 2018 contribution (as tiny as it is- $630) into my ROTH IRA ( the fund is VGSLX) before I submit my 2018 tax return. As my second post indicated, my wife also holds VGSLX in her T-IRA and she did her 2019 RMD on February 8th. That withdrawal generated a "Vanguard warning" of sorts about frequent trading and cautioning me about not buying back into the same fund for 30 days. Exercising an abundance of caution, I'm planning on making my ROTH contribution after the 30 days runs out- about March 11th. My uncertainty regarding this situation comes from my occasional rebalancing activities on our individual taxable accounts. No surprise that we - like many other...
by shawcroft
Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A ROTH IRA question
Replies: 10
Views: 1732

The ROTH IRA question

Thanks to all who answered my "confused ROTH IRA " question. Much appreciated.

One additional "wrinkle" to this is my wife's recent RMD. It happens her T-IRA is in the same Vanguard fund (REIT Admiral- VGSLX) as is my ROTH IRA. She took her distribution on February 8th- just before the 1099-MISC arrived.. Since she "sold" this fund, I believe Vanguard's frequent trading rules preclude me from buying it until 30 days have elapsed from February 8th.......practically speaking, March 11th or later.

Still time to before make the purchase before "tax day 2018"

Sounds; about right?

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: More Bad News for USAA Bank
Replies: 61
Views: 16335

USAA Bank

This article surprised me. I've been with USAA ( insurance first in 1973, then added banking in 1978). Haven't had any problems but use NFCU for 90% of our banking activities. NFCU is great- absolutely the best. USAA Bank is not as impressive but still light-years ahead of Chase and Bank of America.
I will watch the Forum for further news on this matter.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Wed Feb 20, 2019 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A ROTH IRA question
Replies: 10
Views: 1732

A ROTH IRA question

I admit to being slightly confused about the "care and feeding" of ROTH IRA's. That admitted, I was advised to establish a ROTH IRA back in 2014 when I turned 70. At that time, I converted a 401K to a Rollover IRA and there was some (~$15,000) after-tax money in it. So a ROTH IRA was established at Vanguard to invest the after-tax funds. In March, 2018 , I reviewed and edited some written materials. I was sent a $630 check for my efforts. (I guess you could say it was “consulting”) and earlier this week received a 1099-MISC for the $630 payment. The 1099-MISC says that it is nonemployee compensation . My question: can I add this $630 into my ROTH IRA before April 15 of 2019? I am taking RMD’s from my tax-deferred IRA’s but I don’t...
by shawcroft
Thu Feb 07, 2019 2:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bill Gross, notable active bond fund manager, retires
Replies: 10
Views: 1761

Re: Bill Gross, notable active bond fund manager, retires

Nisiprius:
Thanks for your- as usual- excellent analysis. Quite helpful. I also hold the Total Bond fund and have been pleased with the stability it has given our holdings. It has done what I had hoped. For those who selected the PIMCO fund, its even better for them. We should all be pleased.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Tue Jan 29, 2019 7:56 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: How Did You End Up Here?
Replies: 65
Views: 8012

How Did You End Up Here?

I joined in 2008. Delighted that I found this group I had retired from my company, had a 401K which I needed to understand, and was being bombarded by "financial advisors" who wanted to "manage the money" because financial stuff was vey complex, my 401K had to be rolled over and needed experts to manage it. For about 6 months I was struggling with a gnawing feeling that something was wrong....and in January 2008 ( MLK weekend) happened to go on a short ski trip to Vermont. Stayed at a rental place and- voila!- someone had left a copy of Money magazine in the ski condo which had an article on Jack Bogle and the Bogleheads. I read it- things began to make sense, I came one, lurked on the BH Forum reading every post for abo...
by shawcroft
Tue Jan 29, 2019 6:32 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy Birthday Taylor! 96 years young!
Replies: 77
Views: 9303

Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Taylor:
A belated- but heartfelt- Happy Birthday greeting to you, a member of our Greatest Generation!
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Worth Of A Man: A Tribute To John C. Bogle
Replies: 45
Views: 9332

Re: The Worth Of A Man: A Tribute To John C. Bogle

JPH wrote: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:00 am Its completely flabbergasting to me that the Fiduciary Rule could not be adopted.
First: Rick- a great reflection and thank you for posting it for all to read.....

Second: to JPH- I agree with you- I too am surprised the Fiduciary Rule ( "Bogle Rule") has not-as yet been adopted. Perhaps a tribute we Bogleheads can work on is getting the "Bogle Rule" adopted. As Jack would likely say: "press on, regardless"

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
Replies: 856
Views: 82085

John Bogle has died at age 89

Jack: May you rest in peace and forever in the arms of the angels

My sincere condolences to the Bogle family- and my thanks to them for letting us- Bogleheads and others who knew him- share their love for him.

Shawcroft and ReginaGal
by shawcroft
Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Peter Jackson’s “They shall not grow old” - streaming on HBO]
Replies: 94
Views: 15062

Impressive film in theater Dec 17 and 27 only

Indeed, a very impressive film. We saw it on the 17th- read about it on the BH Forum that morning and immediately got tickets. It was sold out for the evening but- being "retired" we could make the afternoon showing.
Stayed for the "bonus" feature afterward and was impressed by the efforts made to ensure historic authenticity.
Hope it comes around again so other can see it.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:01 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 2019 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE DATES
Replies: 35
Views: 13471

The 2019 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE DATES

Thanks to all the Boglehead Conference coordinators for the exceptional work they do to organize and manage the annual Conference. It is great to personally meet some of the Bogleheads you exchange messages with on the Forum over the months and and hearing John Bogle speak is (to me) the highlight of the year.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Subaru Outback vs. used Volvo XC-70
Replies: 53
Views: 9394

Re: New Subaru Outback vs. used Volvo XC-70

We have had 3 Subaru Outbacks and have loved each one. No major mechanical issues encountered during our ownership periods.... ( although I believe they had a head gasket problem in the 2005-2009 models)

Our current Subaru is a 2014- has about 60,000 miles.....would buy another if needed.

Not specific to Subaru- but I have read that malfunctioning navigation/entertainment electronics on newer cars can be nightmares to repair. I would need to look into that extensively if/when we decide to buy another vehicle.

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal and Washington DC "Safe Harbor" question
Replies: 1
Views: 832

Federal and Washington DC "Safe Harbor" question

I have a Federal and Washington DC income tax “Safe Harbor” question. The person in question earns virtually all of her income from wages but has a bunch of 30 year Series E bonds ( ~$37,000) which will mature in July. They were gifted to her mostly by her late grandparents during 1987. (you can guess her age) I believe the current Federal Safe Harbor rule requires payment in the current year of 110% of the previous year’s income tax.This would avoid any interest and penalties for income taxes owed in 2017 ( but she would still have to pay anything stilled by 4/15/18) If this one-time “bump” in income occurs in July, is an estimated tax payment to attain the 110% Safe Harbor due to the IRS by September 15, 2017? Or can she just adjust her r...
by shawcroft
Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Biographies and Memoirs
Replies: 33
Views: 4120

Re: Favorite Biographies and Memoirs

Nigel Hamilton has written two books which "sort of" serve as FDR's memoirs of his leadership during the Second World War:
The Mantle of Command: FDR at war 1941-1942
Commander in Chief. FDR 1943

Both were great "reads"

Hamilton is reported to be working on a third volume to accompany these two which will focus on 1944 and the end of the war in 1945.

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Fri Apr 28, 2017 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting a down payment/avoiding gift tax
Replies: 27
Views: 4044

Gifting a down payment-gift tax questions

Dogsplaypoker:
No one has mentioned state gift tax considerations. I believe there are only two states which have gift taxes- Minnesota and Connecticut.
If you are not a resident of either of these, then your only consideration is Federal gift tax. (If anyone knows if there are more states than the two I mentioned, please let me- and our Boglehead colleagues- know)
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Fri Apr 14, 2017 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Merrill Lynch advisory fees
Replies: 25
Views: 7450

Re: Merrill Lynch advisory fees

Jim3:
If you are asking for assistance on the Boglehead Forum, you clearly suspect you may be about to do something unwise......Run - do not walk- away from Merrill Lynch or any Bank investment group.......

.......and please recall the timeless advice of John Bridges (1587)
"a foole and his money is soon parted"

Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restoration of old slides
Replies: 10
Views: 1940

Re: Restoration of old slides

Watty wrote:There are a number of ways to fix the colors of the faded or discolored slides and they are usually pretty fixable. In extreme cases you can convert them to black and white and still get an acceptable image. There are lots of software options but I use Photoshop Elements since I already have that and it is not terribly expensive. If you Google something like "video fix slide photoshop elements" you will get lots of information on how to fix the faded slides.
Watty:
Thanks for your thoughts. There are a number of suggestions on line about how to fix faded slides. The challenge clearly is to select the ones of real significance so the number becomes manageable
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restoration of old slides
Replies: 10
Views: 1940

Restoration of old slides

Greetings to all: I've been on a project to clean out "stuff" which we have accumulated in our home. Amazing what debris you collect when you have lived in the same house for over 30 years! But, to my delight, I recently found trays of Kodachrome slides I have taken of family events and trips from 1961 to 1985. Many of the slides still have good color contrast and I plan on digitizing a selected number of them using my Mac computer. Some, however, are a bit "washed out" and I would like to improve the color contrast of the ones I want to digitize (specifically improve the sharpness of the images of the people on the slides) Two questions: 1.- Does anyone have good experience with a (hopefully simple) program for the Mac ...
by shawcroft
Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is there any downside to Home Equity line of credit even if we won't use it immediately?
Replies: 24
Views: 6006

Is there any downside to Home Equity line of credit even if we won't use it immediately?

I had to close the HELOC when I refinanced the mortgage. The only downside was a delay in the refinancing until I got the documents confirming the HELOC was closed.
Shaw croft
by shawcroft
Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CCRC [Continuing Care Retirement Community]
Replies: 10
Views: 2339

Re: CCRC [Continuing Care Retirement Community]

skepticalobserver wrote:The CCRC's I've looked at do not include LTC in the buy-in/rental. For that you'll need LTC insurance or pay out of pocket. Should you or your spouse need LTC see if the LTC facility is on site and that you and/or your spouse are GUARANTEED a bed at that facility.
Excellent observation. I have a colleague who did not have this guarantee and had to place his wife in an external facility when she developed the need. Investigate thoroughly.
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)
Replies: 18
Views: 3152

Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)

Interesting concept. I know two families in Florida which have installed these and they like them- their experience with battery life is in the 4-5 month range.I'm up in the Northeast and the best places to install them is inconvenient but do-able. I wouldn't want to have to change batteries frequently- Does anyone have experience regarding how much cold weather might diminish the battery life?
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)
Replies: 18
Views: 3152

Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)

Interesting concept. I know two families in Florida which have installed these and they like them- their experience with battery life is in the 4-5 month range.I'm up in the Northeast and the best places to install them is inconvenient but do-able. I wouldn't want to have to change batteries frequently- Does anyone have experience regarding how much cold weather might diminish the battery life?
Shawcroft
by shawcroft
Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The russians are hacking me
Replies: 36
Views: 9012

Re: The russians are hacking me

Excellent discussion. I've learned much to improve our computer security......and to do very regular backups
Shawcroft