Search found 636 matches
- Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is a reduction of my home's assessed value a bad thing?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1905
Re: Is a reduction of my home's assessed value a bad thing?
I live in a booming area in Texas. Tax assessment increases are capped at 10% per year, and most people I know have hit the cap repeatedly year after year. It's pretty universally accepted at this point that the value on the tax rolls has nothing to do with the market value of your house. Any buyer ...
- Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Multi-city flights and hotels
- Replies: 2
- Views: 503
Re: Multi-city flights and hotels
I also use Google Flights to screen airfare schedule and routing options. It's amazing how much variation there can be based on small schedule changes. That will also give you a good idea of the dates/times/routes to check through the bundler.
- Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Need Help in investing for grandkid
- Replies: 7
- Views: 804
Re: Need Help in investing for grandkid
What are you planning on him using the money for? Your anticipated horizon will determine in what funds you should invest, and it's not clear whether you are looking to use the funds while he is still a minor, or perhaps supplement the college savings, maybe for a house downpayment, or something els...
- Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Boglehead Flashlight?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7301
- Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:07 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Staying Motivated: How do you ward off hopelessness?
- Replies: 59
- Views: 8839
Re: Staying Motivated: How do you ward off hopelessness?
I map out a plan with overall goals, intermediate goals, and short term goals. Then I execute it and record my performance for each. The easiest way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time - so I plan out the necessary bites. By always having something actionable in front of me that is achievable, ...
- Wed Feb 21, 2018 2:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Paying off $372000 mortgage in 12 months
- Replies: 46
- Views: 8409
Re: Paying off $372000 mortgage in 12 months
If your timeline is 12 months, the "best" way is the one that you're comfortable with since it's not like you will be investing the funds otherwise in anything likely to earn you a big return (or at least you shouldn't be taking that kind of risk in the short term). When I paid off the sec...
- Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Antarctica [anyone traveled there?]
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4615
Re: Antarctica [anyone traveled there?]
I have, and there really is no reference point for it. For the most part it lacks any human scale, making it incredibly hard to describe sufficiently. It's one of those things you just have to do in order to understand. I think you will have a great time aboard Le Boreal . Pack less than you think y...
- Fri Dec 22, 2017 1:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Pay Off House or Stay Course
- Replies: 2
- Views: 538
Re: Pay Off House or Stay Course
Um, are you planning on selling the first house when you buy the second? That's how most people fund their down payment for a new residence. As far as paying off the house, the alternative is that if you want that money to go toward your down payment on a new home in 3 years, you need to keep it in ...
- Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do you include your house in your net worth if you own it outright?
- Replies: 89
- Views: 8879
Re: Do you include your house in your net worth if you own it outright?
I include it, but since it's an illiquid asset with significant transaction costs, I have not "marked to market" as it has appreciated. For my purposes that's enough.
- Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: A meal with friends yields a financial revelation
- Replies: 95
- Views: 15011
Re: A meal with friends yields a financial revelation
I don't get that feeling when I spend money on myself, but I keep getting surprised when someone asks for a donation to something that I think is worthy and my first thought isn't "can I afford to give something" but "how much do I need to make the check for." It's a bit humbling...
- Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Cashed out and wondering if/when to get back in
- Replies: 26
- Views: 4356
Re: Cashed out and wondering if/when to get back in
Of course, right after I did thatthat, we had the huge run-up in the market. There has not been a huge run-up in the market, so you still have an excellent chance to get back in if you do it today. That said, if your investment choices leave you prone to bailing, you may want to dial back the risk ...
- Mon Dec 11, 2017 5:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Save all this money, what do you splurge on?
- Replies: 193
- Views: 21919
Re: Save all this money, what do you splurge on?
Travel. I like to see how far I can get from my front door, and what the world looks like from there.
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: This close to withdrawing 27K...
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2210
Re: This close to withdrawing 27K...
I would leave the money in the account and invest it in something other than a money market fund. The big advantage that those funds have is the tax shelter offered by being in a qualified account. Once you lose that tax-advantaged space, you don't get it back. Without knowing more about your financ...
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: GPS tracker for loved one w Alzheimer’s
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1844
Re: GPS tracker for loved one w Alzheimer’s
I really hate to make the suggestion because I don't mean to imply anything negative by it, but have you looked at GPS locators people use for their pets? They're lightweight and look like they would clip to a belt loop, purse strap, or shoe lace fairly easily. There are quite a few on Amazon with ...
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Please suggest a dry hands product
- Replies: 82
- Views: 5225
Re: Please suggest a dry hands product
I use Crabtree & Evelyn's ultra-moisturizing hand therapy. Thick lotion but not greasy or slimy. I don't know if they make it not perfumed, but I'm usually pretty fragrance-sensitive and the verbena doesn't knock me out.
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 4:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: GPS tracker for loved one w Alzheimer’s
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1844
Re: GPS tracker for loved one w Alzheimer’s
I really hate to make the suggestion because I don't mean to imply anything negative by it, but have you looked at GPS locators people use for their pets? They're lightweight and look like they would clip to a belt loop, purse strap, or shoe lace fairly easily. There are quite a few on Amazon with l...
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 4:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Deleted
- Replies: 38
- Views: 7287
Re: Anyone try YourMechanic ?
However this is not a service I could use, for example, while Mrs. letsgobobby was home alone with the kids. I wouldn't want her having to interact with the mechanic the way I needed to. She would prefer a more traditional service regardless of the cost. Why not? Because she doesn't have the same k...
- Wed Nov 22, 2017 4:45 pm
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: How to deal with tax?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1159
Re: How to deal with tax?
I have no knowledge or experience with this, but I would start by looking at the instructions for the Form 1040 published by the Internal Revenue Service. It walks through what you have to report and where, and directs you to the other forms required. Then I would track down the instructions for tho...
- Mon Nov 20, 2017 6:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do I have to report a thank-you dinner as income to the IRS?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2773
Re: Do I have to report a thank-you dinner as income to the IRS?
I'm pretty sure both you and the IRS have other, more important things to worry about. +1. While having to pay taxes is a certainty in life, that doesn't mean everything you do in life has to be related to taxes. +2. It's not a reported transaction, and it wouldn't show up on your financial records...
- Mon Nov 20, 2017 6:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Uber for someone who knows only taxis
- Replies: 93
- Views: 8589
Re: Uber for someone who knows only taxis
Most of the Uber cars I've ridden in have been in much better condition than the taxis I've taken. The drivers tend to be very professional - I have only ever had one that was questionable in that regard (about the time he started cursing the border patrol guard, I thought he might be a bit crazy). ...
- Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Questions for Boglehead runners
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2536
Re: Questions for Boglehead runners
I spend less than $100 a year. That's for shoes and batteries for my electronics. How much do you run/what shoes are you using? Mine seem to last only about 400-450 miles before they start leaving me achy which means I spend at least $600 each year buying the last year's model shoes on sale. Or may...
- Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Questions for Boglehead runners
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2536
Re: Questions for Boglehead runners
1) This year I spent $2,961, including two destination marathons with airfare, 3 marathon entries, training group fees of about $300, shoes, clothes, a new Garmin, and trips to the sports medicine therapist. It's not a cheap sport, no matter what folks say. 2) Partly because it's the coolest part of...
- Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Better way to get rid of old fridge?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3663
Re: Better way to get rid of old fridge?
We likely will be upgrading our fridge this month. Lowes and Best Buy will both haul away our existing fridge for $15. I'm tempted to do that because it's easy, but I was wondering if anyone knows of other (easy) ways to get rid of a fridge. The old one still works, but it's showing signs it's goin...
- Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Did you tell anyone you paid off your mortgage?
- Replies: 338
- Views: 53833
Re: Did you tell anyone you paid off your mortgage?
My wife and I didn't share this news with anyone except for her parents - we have a very strong relationship with them (in my case, for over 30 years) and trust them with this kind of information, and it has not led to any issues in our relationship. And I think we shared it here too. :happy Other ...
- Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Did you tell anyone you paid off your mortgage?
- Replies: 338
- Views: 53833
Re: Did you tell anyone you paid off your mortgage?
I told my parents who were proud of me. I have quietly told a few close friends over the past couple years when it has been relevant to the discussion. Oh, and I told one random stranger in the Denver airport while we were making small talk the day I paid it off. I would never, never make a public a...
- Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How old are you and how much do you save for retirement a year
- Replies: 244
- Views: 38887
Re: How old are you and how much do you save for retirement a year
36, ~$75K per year.
- Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:32 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: To Avatar or Not - Get One? How did you choose?
- Replies: 147
- Views: 16815
Re: To Avatar or not to Avatar . . how did you choose or not choose?
Mine reminds me that I have chosen anonymity in this forum and I shouldn't screw that up.
Also, I like Magritte. And periodically think to myself "who is that masked manzana?" and chuckle a little at my weird little joke.
Also, I like Magritte. And periodically think to myself "who is that masked manzana?" and chuckle a little at my weird little joke.
- Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: what % return do you use?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 6277
Re: what % return do you use?
I use 0.75% real return in planning because when I calculate the net present value of what I will need to retire, and then feed that number into FireCalc for my expected length of retirement, it fails in 0 historical cycles. This is actually true up to about 1% real, but I'd rather err on the side o...
- Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you Mow your own Lawn?
- Replies: 90
- Views: 5737
Re: Do you Mow your own Lawn?
I mow my own. Self-propelled mower, small yards, and it takes about 45 minutes to mow & edge every week in the summer and every 2 weeks spring and fall. I find it oddly satisfying, and it's probably my most gratifying chore.
- Fri Oct 27, 2017 2:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can one have too much money in tax-deferred
- Replies: 128
- Views: 15753
Re: Can one have too much money in tax-deferred
Another point to make about high RMDs is their interaction with social security. RMDs and social security hit around the same time year 70 if you put them both off, and the high RMDs can trigger higher taxability of social security, while that higher taxable income means even more taxes paid off th...
- Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: [Messed up?] - Roth IRA contribution over limit
- Replies: 7
- Views: 916
- Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Joined the 1 comma club today!!!
- Replies: 18
- Views: 4446
Re: Joined the 1 comma club today!!!
Well then, let's celebrate! 

- Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: DIY Estate Planning
- Replies: 3
- Views: 715
Re: DIY Estate Planning
I would submit that the trust part makes your intentions a little more involved than "uncomplicated." I haven't used the products you mention, but in my area a decent will can be had for between $200-$500. I found that a reasonable price for peace of mind that it was done correctly for the...
- Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bolivia trip - Tight Flight Connection in La Paz?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 365
Bolivia trip - Tight Flight Connection in La Paz?
Hello you well-traveled and good-lookin' Bogleheads. I need your advice, and thank you in advance. I'm planning a trip to Bolivia where my arriving flight on American was going to land about 6:00 a.m. and I was going to catch a Boliviana de Aviacion flight out 2 hours later at 8:00 a.m. If I miss th...
- Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tanzania
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1076
Re: Tanzania
I haven't been to Africa with G Adventures, but the trips I have done with them have been great. Their customer service representatives are also fantastic, so if you have questions about your trip itinerary before you book, I wouldn't hesitate to give them a call. (The wait times are a little long, ...
- Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:50 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Bogleheads you would most like to meet and why?
- Replies: 134
- Views: 15576
Re: Bogleheads you would most like to meet and why?
Definitely. I would love to split an order of pumpkin pancakes and hear about his wild and wooly adventuresome youth!g$$ wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:33 pm Nobody mentioned market timer? I loved that thread.
A different approach to asset allocation.
- Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:20 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Bogleheads you would most like to meet and why?
- Replies: 134
- Views: 15576
Re: Bogleheads you would most like to meet and why?
Meg77 and VictoriaF and a few other LadyBogles whose screen names I cannot recall off the top of my head. Nothing against the guys, and there are many I'd like to thank / meet, but I find women who are outspoken, can speak finance, who have their act together, etc. very inspirational. And a bit rar...
- Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you value your time?
- Replies: 97
- Views: 6068
Re: How do you value your time?
I don't need to value my time, I just need to know if it is more or less valuable than the cost of the alternatives. For example, I enjoy mowing the lawn, so the question is whether the $30 I'd pay a service to do it is more or less expensive than the half hour it takes me to mow. Turns out, it isn'...
- Tue Sep 26, 2017 2:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
- Replies: 278
- Views: 31486
Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
W.L. Weller is my preference, but it's gotten so hard to find and the last time I ordered it in a bar in Chicago, they'd never heard of it. Hmmph. Maker's Mark will do and is my backup order, but truth be told I enjoy most bourbon. Having lower standards is handy when it comes time to economize. :beer
- Fri Sep 22, 2017 3:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The Magic of Savings Rate
- Replies: 97
- Views: 13971
Re: The Magic of Savings Rate
If you really want to look at it from a savings rate perspective, this article from the Journal of Financial Planning is about 10 years old but gives a pretty good idea for how to do it right: http://www.fiscalisadvisory.com/assets/pdfs/NationalSavingsGuidelines.pdf . It's not perfect, but pretty so...
- Fri Sep 22, 2017 3:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Loans paid off!
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1643
Re: Loans paid off!
Congratulations! Difficult job well done!
- Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:05 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What are the benefits of rolling over after tax 401k to a Roth IRA?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1009
Re: What are the benefits of rolling over after tax 401k to a Roth IRA?
When you withdraw basis or earnings from the Roth, none of it will be taxed. From the after tax 401k, earnings will be taxed as ordinary income. In addition, the 401k will be subject to RMDs, while the Roth IRA does not have RMDs. This. If you leave the after tax contributions in the 401(k), then t...
- Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: For those planning early retirement....
- Replies: 67
- Views: 12097
Re: For those planning early retirement....
I often see people in here who leave very frugal lives. I am wondering what sort of post retirement activities fit into these austere personal budgets 1. Just because someone lives frugally during their working years does not mean that they intend to do so indefinitely. I'm on track to retire early...
- Tue Sep 05, 2017 5:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Waterproof container for documents-pending Florida hurricane
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3711
Re: Waterproof container for documents-pending Florida hurricane
In case of flood/another hurricane, I would probably use my drybag backpack for this purpose since I already own it and it's easy to carry. I've got this one https://www.amazon.com/DryCASE-Waterproof-Backpack-Masonboro-BP-35/dp/B00A2ZQN5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504650658&sr=8-1&keywords...
- Thu Aug 10, 2017 3:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Good camera - new baby coming
- Replies: 64
- Views: 8747
Re: Good camera - new baby coming
I would recommending going with an entry level dslr and a prime lens. For example - you can get a canon rebel t6 and a 50mm prime 1.8 lens for ~$600. Else you could get an iPhone 7 plus and get the same effect as they have two cameras The best camera is the one that you have handy. It doesn't matte...
- Wed May 24, 2017 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Milestones (significant to me!)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1422
Re: Milestones (significant to me!)
Well done. 

- Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Missing Part of Tax Refund/I Bonds
- Replies: 2
- Views: 693
Re: Missing Part of Tax Refund/I Bonds
D'oh!

Thank you so much for doing the archives search that I should have started with. It was very helpful, and I will try to remember to start there next time.
- Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:02 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Your USER NAME...what does it mean?
- Replies: 555
- Views: 76582
Re: Your USER NAME...what does it mean?
What user name?
(The question I keep asking when I have to log in)

(The question I keep asking when I have to log in)
- Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:27 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Missing Part of Tax Refund/I Bonds
- Replies: 2
- Views: 693
Missing Part of Tax Refund/I Bonds
Hello shipmates, looking for your advice and input. This year I elected to receive $5,000 of my tax refund in I Bonds and the remainder in cash. I dutifully filled out the Form 8888 and filed it with my return. Weeks went by, and I finally got the direct deposit for the cash portion and shortly ther...
- Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:19 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: China Trip - Visa Expediter?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2792
Re: China Trip - Visa Expediter?
I have used Travel Visa Pro twice, once for China and once for Brazil. I did it to save the required trips to the consulates and it was quick and relatively inexpensive. Can you tell me the exact name of the website. I checked them out on yelp, too. Began the process on Saturday, and my credit card...