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I decided to go 55% S&P Index and 45% Dodge & Cox Income to replace Wellington

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I am now age 64. My megacorp pension was "frozen" many years ago; and you basically get the same amount per year if you retire between 60 - 65. However; for every year between 65 - 70; the annual amount goes UP a very favorable 10 %. So, like I am planning to do for maxing Social Security;...

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So, my megacorp 401K is eliminating my current choice of "Vanguard Wellington" this December. Any funds will be automatically transferred to the Vanguard "Target Retirement Fund" closest to your age (for me it is the 2025 fund). We can transfer our funds now to other remaining fu...

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Once you get the room layouts finalized.....think about in advance - and document the location of every electric outlet, switch, cable drop etc. it will be easier once the framing goes up. Think about how you'll move throughout the house.....where you'll need 3 way type switches etc. Put in extra ou...

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Does anyone with this card fully understand the constant Citi marketing push to convert our cash rewards points into some type of "Thankyou Points" that can be used a certain retailers and to buy some type of gift cards. I just called Citi and got these fuzzy answers: "Is the conversi...

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Take your potential $1 million potential expenditure (condo cost plus renovation budget) and buy yourself a house in the nice Boston suburbs for much less cost (and avoid the "money pit" of renovating that ancient place) !

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I've had real good luck with the Little Giant brand. Just occasionally clean out the basin and the check valve; and you should be "good" for a long time !

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You can easily handle pulling out 1/4 of your annual dividends....then if you do get another job; reassess the situation.

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I vote "no go"....why risk a very expensive project; when there is a risk that the stain will not cure/set properly. You may even get temp's into the 30's by the time the job is finished.

How much is the job costing ?

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With my large corporate employer; we fully pay the premium, there is a 6 month waiting period for benefits....and these are the maximum benefits based on age (at some point I plan to drop the coverage): Your maximum benefit period is the later of your Social Security Normal Retirement Age or if, whe...

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12-15 % rate of return ….fantastic....I say go for !!

What can possibly go wrong ?? (oh wait !; only about 10,000 potential snafu's...nevermind !)

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What is your marginal tax rate ? (so you can compare Tax Exempt to Taxable return)

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I found my error......I was using number of share units (after) the distribution to do the math calculation.....when I should have used the number of units on the date of declaration ! I own more units now; but i had quite a few less units a couple of weeks ago. Now the math makes sense !

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Good questions ! (answers in below) Does the price of the units equal the price quoted on the Vanguard website? (yes) Is the expense ratio charged by your 401k plan equivalent to that of Vanguard Admiral shares for Wellington? (I will need to dig into this) Did you actually confirm that the shares y...

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I own VG Wellington in my megaCorp 401k. I believe it is the equivalent of the Wellington Admiral Shares; as the daily price tracks that amount. When there is a "distribution" from Vanguard...... My 401k just shows one big lump sum as "Dividend". I know this includes the real div...

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I had used this Colorado 529 fund as an alternative to the low rates paid in the past on CD's. I have no need for the college tuition savings and it used to be a great deal in the past - even after paying the 10% tax penalty on the earnings. Unfortunately; the past couple years lower rates became th...

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I am looking to break a CD with a lower interest rate and move to a higher rate one. I have already run the calculator to prove that the move is beneficial. The current CD has interest credited monthly on the first of every month. There is 90 day 'Early Withdrawal Penalty" charged. Since I have...

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What are your thoughts on continuing to sign up for LTD offered by your employer......when the insurance premium is fully paid by you; there is a 180 day waiting period; you are in your mid 60's, payments are for 66% of annual salary (tax free); but the payments stop at age 65 ? It seems like you re...

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What is interesting is to read the Consumer Reports online reports for a specific product (say a lawnmower) ; and then immediately read some of the CR "User Reviews" for the same product on their website ......quite a lot of "disconnects" where CR loves the item; and real buyers ...

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Use "Dawn Ultra"......much better than "Original" !!

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Great input and suggestions !....but I am looking for something unique and challenging from my home theater sound system.....I really want to install a sound system that...changes inane dialog, bad/lame scripts, and clownish talking head TV commentators into wonderfully flowing and meaningful words ...

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AAA has a battery service....they will come to your house and change it in the driveway. Price was the same as buying a battery at a store. Batteries are made my Interstate (I believe) and come with a good warranty. Used them twice....very happy :happy In the process of changing the battery.....they...

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Synthetic Oil/Filter change at local Honda Dealer $34.95 (with coupon). Includes top off of all fluids and a car wash......can't beat that price ! Any other service I go to my local independent mechanic.

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Wow ! So Subaru is now know for “thin” paint ??!
Any other brands out there with same situation ?

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I've been "two hand" swinging a 79 pound kettlebell for years !! .....it is great for really pushing up the intensity of your workouts. Is it the only exercise I do ?...No, it is one element of a cross training type routine that includes running, free weights, yoga etc. I also have lighter...

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I know that some Megacorps will allow you to decline "FREE" employer-provided group life. The main reason for doing so, as you have indicated, is that the imputed taxable income may not be worth it. I haven't yet been in a situation where I would decline it but, like many things, there is...

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OP, For the amount of coverage you are receiving, what would be the premiums from the same insurance company if you ask for quote individually? Would it be the $2100 annual premium or less or more? As I mentioned before....the "fake premium" number added back to your gross is based on an ...

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Has anyone ever taken a hard look at the whole "imputed Income" item on your W2 form ? This is where "income" is added back to your gross for tax purposes; namely the "premium" cost of employer provided Group Life over $50,000. My employer provides us 2X salary in group...

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Are you still "working" and is anyone dependent on your monthly paycheck ?

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You're worried about a 1 % reduction in staff ? (corporations make changes like this all the time)

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Thanks for all the insightful feedback !.....the different perspectives were very helpful !

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It is interesting to read the member contributions over the years about this fund; from a safety and security standpoint. There are certainly folks with concerns about any NAV movement, underlying security duration / credit risk etc. But then there are quite a few folks with this type of attitude; w...

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....just want to contribute few questions / commens: "Survivorship" bias ?? How many Amercian Funds crashed, burned, were merged or deleted during that same timeframe ? Is the S&P 500 really a good risk adjusted benchmark to compare against those 5 American funds ? And how did did the ...

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Looks like Andrews Federal Credit Union no longer offers its 3% (84 month) CD.......rate dropped to 2.2 % (effective 3/16/17)

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The only real reliable washer these days is a "rock down by the river'" ; and a "rope between two trees" for a dryer ! Unfortunately, laundry appliances seem to be oriented around a 5-7 year obsolescence cycle purposely by the manufacturers. The days of Grandma getting 25 years o...

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Pretty good newspaper ! .....but here is the secret to getting the most out of the WSJ: - Get the best deal you can on the on-line version. (don't bother with the print version...it takes forever to wade through all the paper / ads) - Sign up for the daily WSJ "In Today's Paper" email news...

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I've heard Ameriprise has super pretty, perfectly aligned and formatted font proportioned pages........I suggest you move over there !

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Radon's connection to lung cancer is pseudo science; and was extrapolated from some old study uranium miners who also smoked. Check out: http://www.forensic-applications.com/radon/radon.html There are also studies showing that INCREASED radon in homes results in LOWER rates of lung cancer. https://w...

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Anybody know of a workable alternative "quick" tax calculator ? (or a way we can contact TurboTax with our feedback ? )

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Horrible change in the interface......a giant step "backwards"......what the heck were they thinking ??

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Beside the cautions mentioned about.....sit down and do this analysis: 1) - How many nights will you really visit that second home per year ? 2) - What are the real annual costs (mortgage, Prop tax, heat, electricity, travel costs)? 3) What does this place cost me "per night"? (# 2 divided...

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I always laugh when a poster like "Clive" says : " Own a home, which is like having a roof over your head with all rent paid in advance. The home value also provides a cushion in perhaps ultimately being sold in order to fund care in twilight years." .....they make it sound like ...

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Yes - time for a new one; these things are "disposable" . Or go on CraigsList and find an old running Kenore model. The old ones are more reliable

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Oh My !.....Comcast made an "error".....shocking !!!

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In regard to this comment "Our place is about 2000 sq. ft., on an acre, and over 7k in property taxes. No income taxes, though. New Hampster"......I assume the OP means "New Hampshire". If so; there is an income tax ....5% of all Interest / Dividends (with $4800 exemption per cou...

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It is a valuable, magic - Wonder Woman suit ?? (just askin)

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First of all; have you really sat down and prepared a comprehensive "Expense" chart showing ALL your annual costs (including health care) ? This needs to be your starting point for the next step...to prepare a withdrawal strategy to match up to your expense needs and determine the chances ...

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Yes, I agree with the above comment........your company is losing money in their LTC insurance business unit. They really want to cancel everyone.....but don't want the backlash from a PR standpoint.....so they will price you out of the market. I predict very few insurers being left in this market i...

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"Please, please , Step back from the ledge.......let's all talk about this serious issue.....come back inside and join the group counseling session !"
- Dr. Phil

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