Search found 1322 matches

by calmaniac
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2374

Re: Take Social Security Now?

LaramieWind wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:45 am [Topic is now in Personal Finance (Not Investing) - Social Security claiming strategy - mod mkc]

Is it advantageous to take S/S now if it would allow us to not draw from out IRA/Roth? This would also allows us to be more comfortable with a higher percentage in stocks in our AA.
Who is "us"??

Having ages and PIAs (SS primary insurance amount) of each partner in "us" is needed.
by calmaniac
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oxford UK and region - rent a car for vacation?
Replies: 20
Views: 1265

Re: Oxford UK and region - rent a car for vacation?

w/r/t Wales, my interests there are spread out and varied. I'm less into castles now than when I was a kid, but they probably add to what is already great coastal scenery for photography. I'd like to hike up Yr Wyddfa (Mt. Snowdon) and see Betws-y-Coed among other north Wales attractions. I visited Snowdonia for 4 days during the first week of March 2023, tagged on to a work trip. Got some amazing weather and saw some stunning sights. Some very rugged topography, not unlike the Scottish highlands. There are numerous paths up to Yr Wyddfa (Mt. Snowdon), some relatively easy, some a bit technical. I bought Mountain Walking in Snowdonia: 40 of the finest routes in Snowdonia (Cicerone Guides) to get a better sense of what hikes to do. Betws-y-...
by calmaniac
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oxford UK and region - rent a car for vacation?
Replies: 20
Views: 1265

Re: Oxford UK and region - rent a car for vacation?

In 2022 I had a meeting in Oxford, UK, but took off 4 days for "walking" in the Chilterns. I stayed in Wendover, which is on the Oxford to London train route. I use the term "route" rather than line, the route through Wendover requires a train change and was not a single "line".

Great walking/gentle hiking. Relaxing.
by calmaniac
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.
Replies: 19
Views: 1129

Re: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.

nisiprius wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:28 pm Low tech. Keep it simple.
Yes, that's what makes the most sense to me.
nisiprius wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:28 pm
I just searched for "File of Life" and find that they are a nonprofit organization, but they only distribute their plastic envelopes through first responder organizations--you can't get one directly from them.
Thanks for the heads up about "File of Life".
by calmaniac
Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.
Replies: 19
Views: 1129

Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.

I need to start wearing a medical ID of some type. I think the best solution for me is some kind of wrist band. Two companies that sell such wrist bands are MedicAlert and RoadID. Both companies have an option to link the ID to medical records stored in a “secure” system and in theory available to a hospital or first responders (“24/7 Protection”, “Emergency Online Profile”). Question: Anyone with insights or a strong opinion on the medical records linking feature for hospital or first responders offered by either company? My best guess is that almost all of the value is in the info engraved on the band and little in terms of the medical records linking, but what do I know? Please do not use this thread to ask or give medical advice. Thanks!
by calmaniac
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?
Replies: 19
Views: 1358

Re: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?

The Plan Description you linked to also notes the availability of Roth 457 & Roth 403b plans. If you can use these, that would be worth adding to the mix.

The Roth is not tax deferred, you pay income tax on that money when it goes in. But, once in, the money grows tax free, without taxes on withdrawal.
by calmaniac
Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dangers of excessive optimism?
Replies: 86
Views: 6681

Re: Dangers of excessive optimism?

White Coat Investor wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:40 pm A history of markets would suggest the optimists are right a lot more often than the pessimists.
Agree with WCI.

You can think about it as a system with a high probability of long term growth & optimism, that coexists with a small probability of a catastrophic "tail" event. We are mortal, both ourselves and our investment accounts. That is life.
by calmaniac
Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?
Replies: 19
Views: 1358

Re: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?

ruralavalon wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:38 pm What are the other vendors available in her employer's 403b/457b plans? Do any offer a similar fund line-up without the asset management charge of 0.73% assessed against your account balance?
I want to reinforce what ruralavalon noted above. If there are alternative plans with lower fees, those may represent a greater value.
As always, the devil is in the details.

Keep asking questions. You are on the right path and there is a lot of wisdom within the Boglehead community to help guide.
by calmaniac
Thu Mar 21, 2024 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?
Replies: 19
Views: 1358

Re: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?

hi! i updated the post and added a link to the funds offered...thanks for the insight! Looks like Schools First has access to Fidelity 500 Index (FXIAX) that has a super low expense ratio of 0.02%. They also have access to Vanguard Total International Stock Index I (VTSNX) that has a low expense ratio of 0.08%. You should also consider the annual fees the 403b or 457 charges (on top of the individual fees for each fund you own). The handout you linked to above notes " An asset management charge of 0.73% is assessed against your account balance ". Not horrible, but is huge compared to that my DW pays for hers, which is a flat fee of a couple of hundred bucks a year. A good trick for selecting funds is just to look for the funds wi...
by calmaniac
Wed Mar 20, 2024 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleep on mattress on the floor
Replies: 40
Views: 5949

Re: Sleep on mattress on the floor

chinchin wrote: Wed Nov 16, 2022 4:37 pm Ok I gave in and bought an Amazon basics bedframe and a mattress. Couldn't take the pain anymore.
Wait a minute! This 18 month old thread gets reactivated and it turns out the OP never reported back whether his/her back pain got better after buying the bed frame (after sleeping on the floor for months). Can we get an update?
by calmaniac
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Talking with Your Kids or other Heirs"
Replies: 6
Views: 1438

Re: "Talking with Your Kids or other Heirs"

retired@50 wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:42 pm
63humber wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:21 am I've read Chapter 3 from "More than Enough" a bunch of times, ...
Who is the author?

Regards,
Mike Piper, who posts as Oblivious Investor

https://www.amazon.com/More-than-Enough ... a55677441e
by calmaniac
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce settlement money from IRA, cash, or 401k
Replies: 15
Views: 1388

Re: Divorce settlement money from IRA, cash, or 401k

The decree is finalized, the language doesn't specify how I will pay, simply that I have to pay $95,000. I see online that if it is incident to divorce, no gain or loss is recognized and thus no penalties or taxes, https://answerconnect.cch.com/federal/arp1209013e2c83dc60afSPLIT1041a/irc/current/general-rule I see your point about using pre-tax dollars, and I guess save the cash for a standard brokerage account that I have freedom over. I am not aware of any mechanism for the direct transfer of pre-tax funds in an IRA to another individual, other than the IRA owner's death (or charitable remainder trust). I would be flabbergasted if you can transfer pre-tax money in your IRA without someone taking a tax hit. Best of luck with this! Let us ...
by calmaniac
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?
Replies: 139
Views: 12986

Re: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?

Yes.

We definitely spend more on things important to us. Most notably, more expensive close-up tickets at concerts. Purchases to support our hobbies. Better wine & beer. Not sweating the small stuff.

That said, still driving a 10 year old Toyota Camry and flying economy on domestic flights (I have upgraded to premium economy for international).
by calmaniac
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When claiming SS with a young family would this reduce taxes?
Replies: 10
Views: 846

Re: When claiming SS with a young family would this reduce taxes?

ratdogg wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:00 pm But the question is, if i forego claiming for my wife, wouldn't my tax bill be lower? The calculator doesn't show taxes.
Looking at it though, the total benefit for my wife is only about $43k spread over several years, so the tax impact wouldn't be huge.
I would check out the Retirement and IRA Show podcast.
https://www.theretirementandirashow.com ... y/podcast/ or check on your usual podcast app.

Chris Stein, one of the show hosts, is a Social Security expert (as well as a CFP). Your question is so niche that I doubt any of the Social Security calculators would address your question.
by calmaniac
Sat Mar 02, 2024 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity still noting 'preliminary' 1099 as of March 2nd
Replies: 5
Views: 581

Fidelity still noting 'preliminary' 1099 as of March 2nd

My Fidelity account Tax forms page notes as of today March 2 that my 1099 is still not final, actual website text below in blue. Every other entity I have accounts with have sent me my various tax forms.

Consolidated Form 1099 (PDF)
Preliminary form available (PDF)


Anyone else having this issue? I had a similar issue last year.

Is it our investments or a general issue with Fidelity? Any suggestions how to avoid this in future years?

We can't even get our early bird discount with out tax preparer because of these late forms from Fidelity.
by calmaniac
Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29150

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

Are you asking a question?
by calmaniac
Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?
Replies: 130
Views: 20972

Re: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?

arca wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 12:07 am Hey bogleheads.. Is it too late to invest in VTI? It's performed so well that it may have peaked and I feel it may fall if the market falls.
Take a look at the S&P 500 over the last 20 years. Yes, there are dips, but overall it's up. It is not possible to time the market on a consistent basis. We've all tried....

Image
by calmaniac
Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has anyone invested in marijuana stocks?
Replies: 91
Views: 12837

Re: Has anyone invested in marijuana stocks?

The OP approach sounds like me in the 90's and early 2000's, invest long in the megatrend (globalization, NAFTA, telecom, energy, etc). Although I had some successes, also a lot of failures. Ultimately, I think an index investing approach is going to yield at least as good returns with a lot less drama and wasted energy. Everyone out there is already making the bet and speculating on cannabis, AI, and the rest. Do you think you really have an upper hand on that bet? Not meaning disrespect to the OP, but this approach is pretty much what every Newbie tries at and most fail. Feeling lucky? Go buy a tottery ticket. Note of caution when holding speculative assets in an IRA. If the value of your IRA holdings goes to zero, as my technology stocks...
by calmaniac
Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Large share of apple in my portfolio
Replies: 14
Views: 1616

Re: Large share of apple in my portfolio

I bought AAPL & MSFT in October 1993. I sell ≈15-20% of my shares every year or two and invest in index ETFs to avoid your situation.

Check out this animated graphic of America’s Most Valuable Companies 1995-2023 & check out General Electric's run. Do you really think AAPL will be a high flyer forever? Are you willing to risk your retirement on that? I'm not.

https://americanbusinesshistory.org/ame ... 1995-2023/
by calmaniac
Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax reporting for abandoned worthless stock?
Replies: 6
Views: 739

Re: Tax reporting for abandoned worthless stock?

What type of account were the shares in? I didn't see that noted in the posting.
by calmaniac
Mon Feb 12, 2024 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New investment
Replies: 8
Views: 593

Re: New investment

dghiya wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 6:29 pm Is US market too expensive to invest new money. The PE ratio is high. Foreign market s and value have lower PE but haven't done anything forever.
At what P/E ratio are you willing to invest? What if the S&P 500 P/E ratio doesn't fall to that level for the next 2,4,or 6 years? Are you going to stay in cash?

How does your plan work if you stay in cash and stock prices increase 25% over the next 2 years?

You need a written plan. An Investment policy statement. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Investm ... _statement
by calmaniac
Mon Feb 05, 2024 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spousal IRA
Replies: 6
Views: 426

Re: Spousal IRA

MP173 wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:53 pm Read about this in WSJ last week.

I was not aware of this. I am working and DW is retired. It appears a Spousal IRA can be opened for her...correct? Also the article indicates it can be a Roth. She has a Roth (and other retirement accounts), so would I contribute to her existing Roth or need to open a new account?

Thanks,

Ed
Does your household income qualify you to directly contribute to a Roth IRA?
by calmaniac
Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time
Replies: 143
Views: 15063

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

Charles Joseph wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:01 pm
exodusNH wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:54 pm Because your motivation is not "how do I protect myself from running out of money in old age", the calculations work differently.
And two thirds of my income is guaranteed inflation adjusted.
I am pleased for you.

However, for most people Social Security is the only guaranteed inflation adjusted income they will have in retirement and it may not cover 2/3 of their expenses if taken at age 62. Hence, the value for many people in waiting until 70 to take SS.
by calmaniac
Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stopping 401k Contributions for Bonus
Replies: 44
Views: 4982

Re: Stopping 401k Contributions for Bonus

Change 401k to fixed dollar amount per pay cycle, not %.
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Aggregator Software
Replies: 19
Views: 1529

Re: Aggregator Software

I also use a spreadsheet to aggregate our holdings across multiple accounts and custodians. I update ≈3x a year.

I don't have any need or desire to have a global snapshot of our assets on a more frequent basis than that. For us, not thinking about our finances on a daily basis is part of the beauty of having a solid financial status.

YMMV.
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 30, 2024 10:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Deterministic/probabilistic portfolio construction- discussions?
Replies: 9
Views: 922

Re: Deterministic/probabilistic portfolio construction- discussions?

Although he does not specifically used the terms "deterministic" and "probabilistic" as labels, Bernstein's LMP (Liability Matching Portfolio) discussions touch on these issues. Google this on the Boglehead's forum for more details.
buckeye7983 wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 10:34 am Do you use this mental construct in managing/evaluating your portfolio in retirement? Why or why not?
This is a fundamental aspect of asset allocation. I would expect all of us in one way or another use this construct in our investing decisions. For those with an Investment Policy Statement even more so.
by calmaniac
Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying AMD
Replies: 43
Views: 5393

Re: Buying AMD

I remember when AMD was the hot stock of the day in the late 90's early 2000's, providing a cheaper alternative to Intel X86 chips.

I don't see the OP's compelling argument for buying AMD in 2024. Is there one?

IMHO, seems like OP would be better off spending some time learning about bonds, and at age 64, adding bonds to their asset allocation (presently 0%).
by calmaniac
Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Charitable Payraise
Replies: 44
Views: 4724

Re: The Charitable Payraise

BoomerSooner24 wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:09 pm Couldn't agree more. Wanted to gain perspective and appreciate your input. Apparently this tactic has been vetted through several legal evaluations and no red flags from the salesman.
You used the magic word: salesman.

Do you honestly think you are going to get a meaningful assessment from a salesman with a huge gain to be made selling you the insurance policy? This thing screams "scam".
by calmaniac
Sun Jan 28, 2024 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hiking in Dolomites Italy in October
Replies: 7
Views: 1267

Re: Hiking in Dolomites Italy in October

Hello, I will be visiting the Dolomites October 1-8, no car, for hiking, and nature primarily. Possibly also bike, enjoy Refugio's, culture. Fit, able to hike up to 20 miles at normal day hike elevation and weather. Thinking more like 10-14 miles/day max in the Dolomites. First time in Italy, but experienced overseas traveler. Solo for this portion of my trip. My original hope was to do hut to hut hiking. But most huts close in mid-September. So even though there are some huts and hiking tours (Alta Via 1 North for example) open in this area, I am concerned about risky weather. First of all, wonderful. You will love it! Agree that October is a bit late, but very doable. I've day hiked the Dolomites with 4 week-long trips in the past decade...
by calmaniac
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fee-Only Advisor $450/Hour: Total Rip-Off?
Replies: 97
Views: 8311

Re: Fee-Only Advisor $450/Hour: Total Rip-Off?

I think Mark Zoril would be an excellent choice and I will likely go that way. My target date fund comment was tongue in cheek. I looked at all his videos and read is FAQs (as he requests one does when considering his services). His fee includes personal finance advice, other advice such as Roth conversion advice, tax advice (not prep)...much more than just portfolio construction. Mark Zoril is a great deal! He's almost certainly going to be my choice. Thanks again stan1! I think Mark Zoril would be an excellent choice for you. He is very evidence based and a straight shooter. I am interested to hear if you alter your 100% equity asset allocation after he recommends adding fixed income to your portfolio, as he is very likely to do. I think...
by calmaniac
Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fee-Only Advisor $450/Hour: Total Rip-Off?
Replies: 97
Views: 8311

Re: Fee-Only Advisor $450/Hour: Total Rip-Off?

But $450 just seems ridiculous. Am I way off base? $450/hour seems a bit rich, although the advisor I am planning to use charges around ≈$350/hour, so maybe not much difference. My own sense is that around one's retirement it is critical to have a second set of eyes comprehensively review your financial plans (not just investments). As much as I value Bogleheads, I don't think you get this from submitting a "Asking Portfolio Questions" posting. Let's say your entire retirement, including SS, pensions, health benefits, is worth $4,000,000. I think it makes sense to pay a one time fee of ≈0.1% of that for a comprehensive review by a quality planner. In fact, I think it is penny-wise pound-foolish to not do so. YMMV. Lastly, if you ...
by calmaniac
Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The AMD/NVDA chip stocks are driving me crazy
Replies: 79
Views: 11389

Re: The AMD/NVDA chip stocks are driving me crazy

chicagoan23 wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:16 pm Picking back up one of the unlocked NVDA threads......

I am staying put at 150 shares with an average basis of $212. All of last year, $650 was my number to sell but now that we are getting close I am having second thoughts.

What a company.....made so many people so much money over the past year and a half.
.

I measure my financial goals over decades.
What happens to a single stock over a year and half is mostly noise.


.
Image

Credits: Carl Richards, Behavior Gap
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ways to Deal with Large Gains in Taxable Account
Replies: 35
Views: 5411

Re: Ways to Deal with Large Gains in Taxable Account

1. Sell some shares every year and take capital gains. Slowly unwind a bit every year.

2. When there are big market drops and you have index ETFs with capital losses, sell ETFs at a loss and match losses by selling your highly appreciated stocks. See below link for more details.

viewtopic.php?p=5782845#p5782845

3. Make sure you understand how capital gains are taxed.*
See Understanding Tax Brackets: Interactive Income Tax Visualization and Calculator
https://engaging-data.com/tax-brackets/ ... fKlr0uo6LA

* I assume you are not receiving Medicare and are not subject to IRMAA tax.
by calmaniac
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Ever Retire With a 6-Month Notice?
Replies: 50
Views: 4682

Re: Anyone Ever Retire With a 6-Month Notice?

I gave 6 months when I retired (the first time) in 2015. As noted below, I think anything more than 6 months does not make sense for 99% of Bogleheads. I am shocked by all the 6-12 month responses. The last one of these threads I looked at several years back, almost all were in the 2-8 week range! I felt like a real outlier at 6 months. Now I am seeing people suggesting 1-2 years. I honestly think anything more than 6 months, either you are kidding yourself as to your irreplaceability or your employer is lazy ± using you. Despite many of us having a decade or more of graduate studies and training, I venture that few of us are that brilliant and irreplaceable that, if we dropped dead tomorrow, our employers could not find a replacement in 6 ...
by calmaniac
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:51 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 43345

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

A century. Wow!
Taylor, your teaching so clear
Boglehead wisdom
by calmaniac
Wed Jan 17, 2024 5:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Always Turn Off Taxable Dividend Reinvestment In Retirement?
Replies: 73
Views: 11343

Re: Always Turn Off Taxable Dividend Reinvestment In Retirement?

In the bad old days, dividend reinvestment got drummed into our heads as a good thing. Back then, brokerage fees were substantial, and dividend reinvestment was a means to buy stocks or funds without paying brokerage fees (No brokerage fee on DRIPs). What could be more Boglehead than lowering brokerage fees?

Fast forward to 2024 and for most of us brokerage fees (and individual stocks) are a thing of the past and for all the points mentioned above, dividend reinvestment is probably best turned off in taxable accounts.
by calmaniac
Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My father (Boglehead by proxy) passed away
Replies: 35
Views: 5438

Re: My father (Boglehead by proxy) passed away

Who is named as the executor in the will? Do a Google search for "death" and "checklist" or similar. Lot's of stuff out there. I found Nolo's The Executor's Guide very helpful when I settled my parents' estate. You may be able to get it at your local library. https://store.nolo.com/products/the-executors-guide-exec.html Hopefully the tIRA has a 50/50 beneficiary designation. Could get very sticky trying to split 50:50 if not designated as such. Cannot magically transfer funds between inherited IRAs. Sounds like there are a good amount of liabilities ($30k for dad's siblings, $22k for funeral & headstone), but limited cash outside the retirement accounts. You will need to think about where this money will come from. I...
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA umbrella insurance increase, best options for lowering the premium?
Replies: 32
Views: 3696

Re: USAA umbrella insurance increase, best options for lowering the premium?

Drop it to $1 million. You will still have something like a few chances per 100 million of exceeding it. It probably won't lower the premium as much as you might think. As you noted, big payouts are rare. That first $1M has a greater chance of payout then the final $1M, meaning that first tranche is going to be relatively more expensive. I pay $119 for $1M. I'd consider that a pretty substantial difference from even $500 for $3M. My point was this: Let's say that an umbrella has a 1/100,000 chance of paying out $1M, a 1/500,000 chance of paying out $2M, and a 1/900,000 chance of paying $3M. Each of those tranches may be priced differently -- that first $1M is going to be more expensive than the second. As for OP, we don't know enough about...
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you love outdoors/hiking, what do you do in the winter?
Replies: 62
Views: 5878

Re: If you love outdoors/hiking, what do you do in the winter?

I love it outdoors in the winter!

You need the right gear to keep warm and safe

• Softshell pants, such as REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants
• For snow & ice, microspikes, such as Kahtoola EXOspikes or Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System or YakTrax
• Hand or foot warmers for those needing the extra Oomph
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: International Driving Permit: ever actually needed one?
Replies: 16
Views: 1524

Re: International Driving Permit: ever actually needed one?

fujiters wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 4:35 am I was asked for one in Italy.
It's a crapshoot. I've not been asked for an IDP in 4 Italian rentals over the past decade.

That said, we've largely gotten these before travel as the small price of the IDP is dwarfed by the cost of having our precious travel disrupted by losing our car rental.
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good quality Air Compressor for car and bike tires, etc
Replies: 58
Views: 5937

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

I bought a California Air Tools compressor for use with my tubeless road bike tire set up. I also use it on my car. Choice really depends on your specific application.

This is the model I bought. Very high quality, oil-free motor. Sells for $179.00.
CAT-1P1060SP 0.6 HP 1 Gallon Light and Quiet Steel Tank Hand Carry Air Compressor
https://www.californiaairtools.com/cont ... -1p1060sp/
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA umbrella insurance increase, best options for lowering the premium?
Replies: 32
Views: 3696

Re: USAA umbrella insurance increase, best options for lowering the premium?

InfiniteFrontier wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:54 am That sounds extremely expensive.

I pay $160 for $1M umbrella coverage from USAA. I also have auto/home/term life policies with them so there is some bundle discount.
USAA, and I believe most insurance companies, only provide umbrella insurance if you also have auto and/or home policies with them. They do not provide freestanding umbrella insurance.

So, we do get the "bundle discount".
by calmaniac
Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA umbrella insurance increase, best options for lowering the premium?
Replies: 32
Views: 3696

USAA umbrella insurance increase, best options for lowering the premium?

I have had $3 million in umbrella insurance with USAA the past few years, with the following premia:

3/2020 new: $502.98
3/2021 renew: $528.13
3/2022 renew: $528.13
3/2023 renew: $528.13
3/2024 renew: $734.03 (39% increase from 2023)

Any thoughts on why the increase this year and best options for lowering the premium?

Thanks!
by calmaniac
Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 100% defensive stocks vs 60/40
Replies: 155
Views: 19866

Re: 100% defensive stocks vs 60/40

OP may want to listen to the December 2023 Rational Reminder podcast episode with Prof Scott Cederburg, that addresses some of the deficiencies of bonds.

Some Boglehead discussions of Cederburg's research:

"In general, bonds add little or no value to the portfolio of ordinary long-term investors"
viewtopic.php?t=417291

Replace Bonds With International Stocks?
viewtopic.php?t=419403
by calmaniac
Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Beating the market too easy?
Replies: 51
Views: 6831

Re: Beating the market too easy?

I started picking individual stocks a year ago and finding it too easy to beat the market . For example, I loaded up on LT bonds when LT interest rates peaked at 5%, and now those are up about 30%. I don't even understand how the market allowed interest rates to get that high in the first place, it was so much free money . I also bought some tech stocks when they dipped in late october, and those have also rebounded 30% . I also invested in solar back in 2020 and it tripled . The total market index cannot keep up with the returns of individual winners. Plus, as one gets older and pays closer attention to news and world events and understands what is going on in the world, stock picking intuition only sharpens over time . My recent bet is i...
by calmaniac
Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this Apple's normal business practice?
Replies: 46
Views: 10923

Re: Is this Apple's normal business practice?

Our household has exclusively used Apple computers since the early nineties. Ditto for my work computer. I've never encountered anything like this. I would escalate to the customer service supervisor for an explanation at the very least. This is outside of normal policy for any company.

Sorry for this to be your introduction to the Apple computing. :(
by calmaniac
Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 35673

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

wingman4uz wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:12 am College->Degree->Job—>lived below my means—>saved & invested

Then it’s just time.
+1

Not much to add to the above. It's simple...but not always easy.
by calmaniac
Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am I missing the big picture
Replies: 32
Views: 5987

Re: Am I missing the big picture

If the real estate is negatively cash flowing, it is not an investment. It is a speculation that its value will increase over time.

When you invest in an index fund, your are investing in many companies future positive cash flows (or anticipated cash flows), which is reflected in their stock prices and the index.
by calmaniac
Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?
Replies: 74
Views: 18773

Re: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?

Occasionally, it is useful to have a living breathing contact at the local office.

I met with my local Schwab advisor ≈8 years ago, but decided against having them manage my investments. I talk with them by phone or email maybe once a year. They are very low key, no hard sell. Often have good advice (typically regarding how cash is held).

I have $$ at Fidelity as well, but haven't engaged.
by calmaniac
Fri Dec 29, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Small Left-Over Money in IRA from Back Door Roth Conversion
Replies: 5
Views: 439

Re: Small Left-Over Money in IRA from Back Door Roth Conversion

Our CPA advised us to keep our year end IRA balance less than $0.50 and we should be OK. Presumably, they round to the nearest dollar.