Search found 309 matches

by jbk
Sun Nov 26, 2023 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FAFSA and EE Bonds
Replies: 0
Views: 1371

FAFSA and EE Bonds

My high school senior son has a couple of EE bonds from when he came into this world and those bonds are now very close to their stated value of a few hundred dollars. We'll be completing the FAFSA next month and I was wondering if it's better to cash them in prior to that. The social security numbers shown on the bonds are ours, not his, but his name is on them with ours. Thanks!
by jbk
Thu Oct 13, 2022 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Let's play chess
Replies: 987
Views: 97367

Re: Let's play chess

He was also wanded in last month's tournament, prior to the allegation. No credible suggestion has been made as to how he could've cheated. Magnus noted that Hans didn't have the appropriate facial expressions during their game. That's the evidence with which he rested his case. Niemann loses yet again and is now 2.5/7 at the US Chess Championship in St. Louis. If he was cheating before, he certainly isn't now as he thoroughly gets wanded. Carlsen would be an idiot if he accused Niemann of cheating at the Sinquefield when the fateful game wasn't even of high quality. I think his main accusation line is that Niemann has cheated online therefore he doesn't want to play Niemann online or OTB. Carlsen also wants to improve security measures to...
by jbk
Thu Oct 13, 2022 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Let's play chess
Replies: 987
Views: 97367

Re: Let's play chess

He was also wanded in last month's tournament, prior to the allegation. No credible suggestion has been made as to how he could've cheated. Magnus noted that Hans didn't have the appropriate facial expressions during their game. That's the evidence with which he rested his case.
Marseille07 wrote: Wed Oct 12, 2022 4:14 pm Niemann loses yet again and is now 2.5/7 at the US Chess Championship in St. Louis.

If he was cheating before, he certainly isn't now as he thoroughly gets wanded.
by jbk
Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Let's play chess
Replies: 987
Views: 97367

Re: Let's play chess

investingdad wrote: Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:20 am
Marseille07 wrote: Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:06 am
investingdad wrote: Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:05 am I stay silent during matches, but when the game is lost and the person refuses to resign I usually type RESIGN a number of times. I mean, a lone king against numerous material with lots of time and the player keeps moving? Why?

But if somebody talks trash and I end up in the winning position, I will give it back hard.
I think some players never resign because one can accidentally stalemate, run out of clock etc etc.
You are correct of course. And time is certainly a factor on many games. However if time is plentiful and the game is badly lost, I would expect a resignation.
If your opponent is badly lost, recall the wisdom of the noted American philosopher John Kreese and "Finish him!"
by jbk
Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Loan at .9%?
Replies: 70
Views: 5982

Re: Car Loan at .9%?

tfunk wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:57 pm Just bought a Prius Prime this past Wednesday.
Analysis:
Prius: $25,500
Prius Prime: $29,900 less $4,500 factory rebate $25,500
Prime: CA energy rebate: $1,000 Fed Tax Credit: $4,500
Prime: Net cost: $20,000 plus tax & title
Prime: Car Pool Sticker

No brainer: Pay cash if you can.
Congrats! Yes, one of the salesmen said the Prius and the Prime basically cost the same, but the tax credit definitely makes the Prime a lot cheaper.
by jbk
Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Loan at .9%?
Replies: 70
Views: 5982

Re: Car Loan at .9%?

Watty wrote: Fri Mar 26, 2021 2:34 pm
Leesbro63 wrote: Fri Mar 26, 2021 11:21 am What’s the REAL price if you pay cash?
+1

I bought a new Corolla LE three years ago when corporate Toyota had a 0% financing offer but no rebate.

I did the process where I negotiated the price over the internet and I got a very good price(just over $17K OTD). In talking with several dealerships I got the same story which was if I used the 0% financing the dealership had to pay a $1,500 "dealer participation fee" so my price would be $1,500 higher if I used the 0% financing.

I took the lower price.
I ended up with the exact same choice on the Prius and did the same as you.
by jbk
Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Loan at .9%?
Replies: 70
Views: 5982

Re: Car Loan at .9%?

denovo wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:36 pm

You should read this thread. State you are a cash only buyer and get them to bid against each other.
A bit tricky as, unfortunately, many dealers here have the same owner (or at least share info about buyers). Dealer 1 knew I had been to Dealer 2 yesterday.
by jbk
Sat Mar 27, 2021 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Loan at .9%?
Replies: 70
Views: 5982

Re: Car Loan at .9%?

OP back. Sorry, been going back and forth to different dealers. The car is a Prius Prime and I now know the cash price is about $4,000 lower than the finance price. Thank you to the poster who recommended checking the website. I'm switching, though, to the non-Prime Prius (the car I've had for 13 years and 143,000 miles) and likely paying cash (unless there's an amazing loan on the Prius, which I doubt) as I prefer the brakes on the regular Prius.
by jbk
Fri Mar 26, 2021 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Loan at .9%?
Replies: 70
Views: 5982

Car Loan at .9%?

Toyota is offering me a 72-month loan at .9% on a new car. NY has no prepayment penalty. We can pay for the car outright, but the rate is pretty low. Investments will probably (but not definitely) beat it. Thoughts? Thanks.
by jbk
Mon Mar 08, 2021 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Let's play chess
Replies: 987
Views: 97367

Re: Let's play chess

More than 30 years at the board here. 2060 FIDE, 1900 USCF. Beat Fabiano Caruana (current world #2) and drew with Hikaru Nakamura back when both were whippersnappers. It's the best game in the world. Play it for pleasure and enjoy the wonderful (albeit occasional) times when everything clicks. There's a lot of beauty in chess and I can enjoy being on the wrong end of interesting contests (but not as much as being on the right end). That's really all I came on to say. (And to brag about Fabi and Hikaru of course.)
by jbk
Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

If he leaves the job with the 403(b) at age 55 or later (he is now 53 or 54), he can withdraw without penalty. Therefore, this money will be available as retirement income, and there is no need to liberate it now. In addition, you can withdraw contributions from the Roth IRAs without penalty. Therefore, I would not recommend taking the CARES Act distribution unless you expect to need the money for some reason (for example, moving to a larger hous). While it is penalty-free, you lose tax-deferred growth while the money is outside retirement plans. Thanks. My thinking was that if I made this move, I would use the extra funds in taxable both to increase retirement contributions and to ensure that I wouldn't run out of taxable assets before I'...
by jbk
Thu Apr 09, 2020 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CARES Act 401k Withdrawal Scenario(s)
Replies: 20
Views: 3088

Re: CARES Act 401k Withdrawal Scenario(s)

I’ve been scouring Bogleheads and other sources to try to evaluate some scenarios related to the CARES Act 401k withdrawal provisions. I’m still working since I’m in an essential business but my spouse has been furloughed from her 1099-Misc work so I think I can self-certify with my 401k provider, Fidelity, when & if they provide CARES Act 401k withdrawal provisions. Here’s my current scenario. As written in the CARES ACT, the scenario that your spouse has been furloughed, does not qualify for a distribution waiver and penalty-free withdrawal from your 401k account. It would only apply to her accounts. Only her diagnosis with the virus SARS–CoV–2 by CDC approved test would allow a withdrawal from your account. It may or may not have be...
by jbk
Thu Apr 09, 2020 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

Hi. I started this thread two years ago because my retirement to taxable assets were 85-15 and I was concerned about running out of taxable. Two years later (after sharply reducing retirement contributions) my ratio of retirement to taxable is about 89-11. (The ratio was moving in a more balanced direction before the world changed.) When I wrote originally my primary options to avoid running out of taxable assets were either to cut retirement contributions or ultimately take the 10% penalty on an early withdrawal. Now, however, the new option thanks to CARES is to pull money from retirement without penalty in order to beef up the taxable assets and rebalance my ratio. The income tax can be stretched over three years (or not, depending on in...
by jbk
Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help Me Understand 401k Match
Replies: 16
Views: 1748

Re: Help Me Understand 401k Match

lakpr wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:05 pm How can a non-profit be offering a 401k plan? Thought 401k plans are for private sector employers, not non-profits.

The law changed in 1996. Non-profits can offer either or both.
by jbk
Thu Sep 12, 2019 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help Me Understand 401k Match
Replies: 16
Views: 1748

Re: Help Me Understand 401k Match

I think it's worded poorly. I would think they match 25% of your contribution, but you must contribute at last 4% to trigger any match. They will contribute up to a max of 4%. I understand it as: You contribute 3.5% Company contributes: 0 You contribute 4% Company contributes: 1% You contribute 16% Company contributes: 4% You contribute 20% Company contributes: 4% Best to check with your HR department. Or contribute the IRS max just to be sure! I think that this is a probably the way it is. And, while the company is under no obligation to match 401(k), this is a pretty chintzy match. Not enough to leave the company over, but cheapskate just the same. OP, let us know what HR says when you reach out to them. I will definitely report back. Re...
by jbk
Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help Me Understand 401k Match
Replies: 16
Views: 1748

Re: Help Me Understand 401k Match

Thanks for the replies! I thought it was badly worded, but then feared maybe it was just me. We'll check with HR. It does say elsewhere that the employee must contribute 4% to trigger the match. Somehow that still didn't help me decipher the first statement (in the original post).
by jbk
Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help Me Understand 401k Match
Replies: 16
Views: 1748

Help Me Understand 401k Match

An employer's 401k brochure says that the employee must contribute 4% to receive a 1% match of .25% for every 1% the employee contributes to a max of 4%.

Huh?

Thanks for any help deciphering this.
by jbk
Thu Mar 28, 2019 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The "Difference Card", does anyone have any experience or knowledge ?
Replies: 14
Views: 8347

Re: The "Difference Card", does anyone have any experience or knowledge ?

Can you please post an update of how the difference card went this year. Our school is looking to do the same. Much appreciated. Thanks For me it was pretty seamless. I give the doctor's office the Difference Card and a $40 primary co-pay becomes $0. We got this card for the first time on 7/1/18, when our premiums increased 4x. How about at the pharmacy? How does that work? Same way. The pharmacy will show the price of the medication based only on your insurance. Then you'll swipe the Difference Card and the price will go down. The only minor issue that sometimes arises is that sometimes a provider is unsure of how much to charge the Difference Card. If they charge too much, it gets rejected. My job provided a sheet with all of the info (i...
by jbk
Wed Mar 27, 2019 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chess book recommendations
Replies: 8
Views: 1005

Re: Chess book recommendations

Don't blame you. Just off the top of my head.. "Logical Chess Move by Move" by Irving Chernev "The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played" by Irving Chernev "Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner to Master" by Jeremy Silman "How to Reassess Your Chess" by Jeremy Silman By no means is this an exhaustive list. A whole lot of good books have been written in this area. In general, the best way to improve at chess is to combine reading with playing (but not at the same time). In addition, study your games and figure out what you did wrong (or what you did right). Look for patterns. Getting a lot of experience is easy these days at sites such as chess.com, where you can play as well as obtain...
by jbk
Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chess book recommendations
Replies: 8
Views: 1005

Re: Chess book recommendations

There's a wealth of books to choose from. Without having a sense of your level it's hard to make an appropriate recommendation. If you're on FB, I recommend joining the group "Chess Book Collectors" and scrolling through the discussions there. If you'd like, feel free to PM. I play and teach.
mak1277 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:28 pm I played a lot of competitive chess in grade school and into high school but haven't played in 20+ years. I'd love to get back into the game. Does anyone have any recent book/blog recommendations that would be good study material? Obviously I'm looking for intermediate strategy, not a refresher on the basics.

Thanks
by jbk
Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The "Difference Card", does anyone have any experience or knowledge ?
Replies: 14
Views: 8347

Re: The "Difference Card", does anyone have any experience or knowledge ?

Mortirius wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:07 pm Can you please post an update of how the difference card went this year. Our school is looking to do the same.
Much appreciated.
Thanks
For me it was pretty seamless. I give the doctor's office the Difference Card and a $40 primary co-pay becomes $0. We got this card for the first time on 7/1/18, when our premiums increased 4x.
by jbk
Sat Jun 30, 2018 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The "Difference Card", does anyone have any experience or knowledge ?
Replies: 14
Views: 8347

Re: The "Difference Card", does anyone have any experience or knowledge ?

Rumors are that any employee who was on a POS low deductible plan are now switched to a high deductible plan with this Difference Card supplementing the difference, which if true, is not what all members want. That said, it's all rumors because neither the school nor Difference Card has done any explaining to the union or the employees about it. Very very shady if you ask me. We just found out yesterday that we're being switched to new health insurance with the Difference Card tomorrow! My impression is the same in that I think the new plan will have a higher deductible and that the "difference" between our current deductible and the new deductible will be covered by the Difference Card. We're in similar boats, though, in that we...
by jbk
Mon Dec 25, 2017 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Guidance on Asset Allocation regarding my 403(b) TIAA-CREF retirement account
Replies: 14
Views: 2002

Re: Guidance on Asset Allocation regarding my 403(b) TIAA-CREF retirement account

[/quote]
CyclingDuo,
I have TIAA Traditional but I do not see any ER listed with it in my plan. Could you please shed some light on how to find the ER of TIAA Traditional? Thank you!
[/quote]

TIAA Traditional guarantees its return. There is no ER as it's irrelevant. We use Traditional for the entire fixed income portion of the portfolio.
by jbk
Sat Nov 25, 2017 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

Earl Lemongrab wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2017 1:24 pm
flyingaway wrote: Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:51 pm I think it is not that much advantageous for the OP to maximize the retirement accounts. It seems that they are in lower tax bracket, why pay the 10% penalty?
There is no option to roll over with or without a 10% penalty, at least for employee deferrals/Roth. Seriously. It's against the law.

The plan could allow distribution of employer contributions or employee after-tax, but then there would be no penalty on the rollover.
I took Flyingaway's reply as a vote for cutting current retirement contributions instead of incurring the 10% penalty in the future.
by jbk
Sat Nov 25, 2017 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

nolesrule wrote: Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:47 pm You are focusing on the savings side of the equation, but the problem is your expenses are too high. You are not living below your means.
Probably so, but I'm locked into a couple of expensive things now which I should be able to ease off of in the future (i.e. summer camp for two kids, and other childcare-related issues). The overall portfolio is growing every year, but it's the location of the assets that I'm sensitized to now as I see the taxable portion shrinking faster than originally anticipated. Thanks!
by jbk
Sat Nov 25, 2017 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

To be clear, I'm not withdrawing from retirement funds now. At 54 or so, I may not have taxable/liquid assets left for living expenses other than my Roth contributions. If you continue to work, why may you not have liquid assets left for living expenses? Somethings been nagging me about the details, so I tried to put some hypothetical figures in for me to get a frame of reference. Based on details in OP: Low seven figures = minimum $1mm 15% taxable = minimum $150k Expect to be depleted in 3 years = minimum $50k withdrawn/year Contributions to retirement accounts = $24k +$18k +$6.5k +$5.5k = $54k It appears you are getting (nearly) all of the retirement contributions from taxable, and taxable is being depleted, and no other savings exist. T...
by jbk
Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

teen persuasion wrote: ↑ Fri Nov 24, 2017 11:00 am OP, if you cut back on retirement contributions, where would you cut: traditional or Roth? I would heavily reduce 401k/403b contributions. I'd probably continue contributing to Roths since the contributions can be accessed without penalty. >>IOW, are you shifting taxable to traditional, or to Roth today? Both. Selling taxable to fund 403/401 and Roths. >>Without an EF, I'd be reluctant to drain taxable down completely. That gets to the crux of it, though even after taxable is exhausted we have a few years of Roth contributions that can be accessed. >>What is your plan? Are you getting close to ER, and just trying to eek out as much tax advantage as possible while in high tax brackets? Are y...
by jbk
Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

goingup wrote: Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:37 am
Why are you selling taxable assets? We plan to use taxable assets as the bridge between early retirement and tapping retirement accounts. Aren't you incurring a capital gains tax bill when your sell your funds now?

I'm missing the point of your current strategy. :confused
Thanks. I think the capital gains hit is more than offset by reducing taxable income. Ideally, the taxable assets would've lasted to retirement, but it looks like I'll miss by a few years. Interested in opinions on whether to cut retirement contributions now or possibly take the 10% early withdrawal penalty for a couple of years. Thanks again.
by jbk
Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

sophie1 wrote: Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:13 am
The part I don't understand is when you start talking about withdrawing from retirement accounts in order to fund retirement account contributions. Can you explain this more? Unless I'm missing something, what you're proposing is equivalent to taking a couple thousand dollars a year out to the backyard and setting it on fire.
Thanks. To clarify, we're not currently withdrawing from retirement accounts at all. In a few years, we may need to withdraw from retirement accounts in order to fund living expenses, not retirement expenses. Thanks again.
by jbk
Fri Nov 24, 2017 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Re: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

I don’t understand the question. Why are you withdrawing from your retirement funds at all? I understand why you might withdraw from taxable to fully fund retirement accounts if you can’t max with your current income, but why are you considering withdrawing retirement assets while you are working? Especially assets subject to tax and penalties? Should the question be instead, do I continue withdrawing from taxable to fully fund retirement accounts, or should I leave retirement space on the table? In that question, I would continue to max retirement accounts using taxable, and once that is exhausted contribute as much as possible from income. Do not withdraw retirement funds until you can do so penalty free. Thanks. To be clear, I'm not wit...
by jbk
Thu Nov 23, 2017 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?
Replies: 26
Views: 3336

Light on Taxable- Cut Retirement Contributions Or Take 10% Penalty?

Thanks for any assistance with this. The subject sums up my question, but here are the details: Emergency fund: Don't keep a separate one. Debt: 22 years remaining on 300K mortgage balance @ 3.75% Tax Rate: 25% Federal, 6.45% State State of Residence: NY Age: Him 51, Her 45 General Asset allocation: 70% stocks / 15% TIAA Traditional/ 15 % TIAA Real Estate Portfolio Size: Low seven-figure. Taxable assets: 11% VLCAX Vanguard Large Cap Index Funds .06% 3%VSGAX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index .07% His 403b: 15% CREF Equity Index R1 .61% 14% TIAA Real Estate .85% 13% TIAA Traditional GSRA paying 3% No company match. His Roth IRA at Vanguard 9% VFWAX All-World ex U.S. Index .11 Her currrent 401k 10% Mutual of America Equity Index 1% No match. Her...
by jbk
Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell stocks in brokerage account to fund IRA?
Replies: 15
Views: 4544

Re: Sell stocks in brokerage account to fund IRA?

aristotelian wrote: Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:20 am
Also note that there are ways around early withdrawal penalties if early retirement is a goal.

http://www.madfientist.com/how-to-acces ... nds-early/

I would make 529 the lowest priority.
Interesting site. He notes that taking the 10% early withdrawal hit is often a viable strategy as well. That had never occurred to me.
by jbk
Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 899769

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

2.73% through June 30th on a 70/15/15 allocation (equity/TREA/TIAA Trad.)
by jbk
Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional Annuity as sole fixed income component
Replies: 84
Views: 18886

Re: TIAA Traditional Annuity as sole fixed income component

Based on advice here and elsewhere, I moved nearly our entire fixed income allocation to TIAA Trad a little over a year ago. (Only a small inherited IRA still has bonds.) The timing wasn't particularly great as I believe bonds did better than Trad over the last year, but we're looking at the big picture (we're 10 years from retirement, at the earliest) and sleep soundly with our 3%.

A reminder, as noted above, that there may be no liquidity issue. It depends on your contract. We have the GSRA, which is liquid.
by jbk
Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What is your fixed income mix?
Replies: 33
Views: 4113

Re: What is your fixed income mix?

100% TIAA Traditional, earning 3%.
by jbk
Sun Feb 08, 2015 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Old Jobs And Rollover Decisions
Replies: 2
Views: 593

Re: Old Jobs And Rollover Decisions

Since you say you are not in danger of going above the Roth contribution limits, rolling from a Voya 403(b) to a Vanguard IRA is a no-brainer. Why are you even considering a plan where the ERs are 0.79% and up? As far as rolling the T-C 403(b), keep in mind that the moveability of Traditional will depend on the contract details. If it is the non-liquid variety, a rollover of Traditional dollars will take 10 payments and 9 years. You could still roll the non-Traditional dollars out in one shot. (Subject to quirks peculiar to that employer and their plan details.) Whether to move it or not I think depends mostly on how much you value consolidation. A judgment call. Traditional and TIAA Real Estate are the two things you cannot get elsewhere....
by jbk
Sat Feb 07, 2015 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Old Jobs And Rollover Decisions
Replies: 2
Views: 593

Old Jobs And Rollover Decisions

Hi, All. My wife has about $8,500 in an old job's Voya (formerly ING) 403b. All of that is in the Voya Russell Large Cap Index Portfolio. She has just about six figures in another old job's TIAA-CREF 403b. Those funds are split between Traditional, Real Estate, and Equity Index. In her current job, she's putting everything into an S&P 500 index fund offered through Mutual of America. We think the $8,500 should be part of a consolidating move, but we're not sure what the best move is. Should it go to a Vanguard IRA or roll it to Mutual of America? The E.R. on the Mutual of America fund is .79 (the lowest ER to which she has access). Her current IRA accounts are a Vanguard Roth and a Vanguard Inherited IRA (from her dad) of about 15K. We ...
by jbk
Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How are you doing through the first half of 2014?
Replies: 91
Views: 13166

Re: How are you doing through the first half of 2014?

Return through June 30th is 5.25%. Portfolio (including contributions and withdrawals) is up 6.12%. Rough asset allocation is 70% equity, 15% TREA, and 15% TIAA Trad.
by jbk
Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Termite Warranty?
Replies: 1
Views: 482

Termite Warranty?

Friend of mine pays $200 per year for a termite warranty. The warranty means that if the house has termites, it gets treated for free. There is no provision for damages. He's paid $1,000 over the past five years for just this warranty and has never had a termite. Asked me if I thought he should drop it. I know that as soon as I tell him to drop it, he'll get termites. Thoughts? I, by the way, live nearby and haven't had a warranty or a termite.
by jbk
Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?
Replies: 72
Views: 9358

Re: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?

willie838 wrote:
westie wrote:Pay it and move on. Hiring an attorney would be foolish. New York state instituted a a new $25 state surcharge for speeding motorists who plead down to the common lesser charge of “parking on pavement” this year.
lol, i'll take the 25 surcharge over the insurance hike.

i've had several situations rectified to parking on pavements. It is just standard procedure upstate.
No pleading down in NYC. The options are guilty or not guilty.
by jbk
Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?
Replies: 72
Views: 9358

Re: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?

How about the honest approach? If you were speeding then pay it. If you were not then contest it. It's not just a money/risk analysis. Not for nothing, but Hiring a Lawyer IS an honest approach. The Officer and the Court have to provide certain documentation for the charge to hold up. Calibration of the radar gun used, etc. Implying that not just simply paying the ticket is not honest is very incorrect, there is a process, following it is everyone's right for their day in court. After all have you ever gone over the speed limit in your life? Even accidentally? In all "honesty" you should report yourself. Pay the fine to society and all that. You are confusing honesty with due process. If the OP knows that he was exceeding the 15 ...
by jbk
Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?
Replies: 72
Views: 9358

Re: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?

KyleAAA wrote:Can you not please nolo in New York?

Unfortunately, you're pretty much guilty until proven innocent in traffic court. Still, over half of people who actually fight these tickets end up winning. The odds are in your favor.
No nolo in the city.
by jbk
Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?
Replies: 72
Views: 9358

Re: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do? (Update)

will98683 wrote:
jbk wrote:Update from the OP: I did not spend $400 on a lawyer and ended up pleading guilty and paying the $200 ticket. Looks like that was the right choice in this case. The car insurance renewal came today and the annual premium only went up $100 (a typical increase). I don't believe the company ran my license or, if it did, it didn't care about the ticket. Thanks again for all the feedback.
Your annual premium increase is a "typical" $100? If my insurance went up $100 every year, I'd be looking for a different insurance company regardless of the ticket.
Yes, that's typical. Went from $1,800 to $1,900. I do shop it and my current company is always the best. Life in the big city.
by jbk
Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do?
Replies: 72
Views: 9358

Re: First Speeding Ticket: What Would You Do? (Update)

Update from the OP: I did not spend $400 on a lawyer and ended up pleading guilty and paying the $200 ticket. Looks like that was the right choice in this case. The car insurance renewal came today and the annual premium only went up $100 (a typical increase). I don't believe the company ran my license or, if it did, it didn't care about the ticket. Thanks again for all the feedback.
by jbk
Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Withdrawal Limit At Capital One Savings Account??
Replies: 9
Views: 18221

Withdrawal Limit At Capital One Savings Account??

I've had an ING Direct savings account for many years. Recently, Capital One took that over. Today, after making a withdrawal from the account, I received a warning that I had three withdrawals left this month. Looking on the FAQ, I found this: "Is there a limit to the number of withdrawals I can make from my 360 Savings? Yes. Due to federal regulations, the 360 Savings has a limit of 6 withdrawals per calendar month. Withdrawals include transfers to your linked checking account or between other Capital One 360 accounts and external withdrawals. So, for example, if you transfer money from one 360 Savings to another 360 Savings, 360 Checking, etc., it still counts as 1 withdrawal. Keep in mind, the 6 withdrawal limit is per each 360 Sav...
by jbk
Sat Mar 08, 2014 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worth fighting ticket to avoid points, higher insurance?
Replies: 46
Views: 4679

Re: Worth fighting ticket to avoid points, higher insurance?

leonard wrote:
placeholder wrote:The message is that you are innocent until PROVEN guilty in court you have no duty to self incriminate or to plead guilty.
So, the legal standard is the moral standard then?
I think Leonard may be right in that the moral choice is to admit guilt (if he did it) and not fight the ticket. However, the OP started the thread by asking specifically whether his nephew's insurance premium would go up and whether it's worth the time and effort to fight the ticket. That strictly financial calculus seems to me to be a separate matter and more in line with the Boglehead expertise found at this forum.
by jbk
Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Many Funds Do You Have in Taxable?
Replies: 97
Views: 8513

Re: How Many Funds Do You Have in Taxable?

Doc wrote:Hmmn ...

In the poll the biggest number is the 5+ group but the people that are posting are all in the <= 5 groups. I wonder why.

Perhaps all of us with the 5+ are too busy keeping track to have time to post.
I've noticed this about several of the Boglehead polls. The vote goes one way and the comments go another. We're a tough group to figure out.
by jbk
Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worth fighting ticket to avoid points, higher insurance?
Replies: 46
Views: 4679

Re: Worth fighting ticket to avoid points, higher insurance?

I posted on this very topic a short time ago. I'm a different age and a different state, but here's the link as you may find the input helpful nonetheless: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 2&t=130988
by jbk
Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Year Is Expense Deductible?
Replies: 9
Views: 1097

Re: Which Year Is Expense Deductible?

More complicated than I thought. Hopefully more specificity will help. It's a landscaping bill, part of which is deductible to me as the landlord as a rental expense. Thanks for the replies! Even more complicated than you thought you thought. Is the landscaping an expense, a depreciable asset, or inextricably associated with the land? Perhaps you've already considered this when you said "deductible to me as the landlord as a rental expense." If expense, then deduction when paid in 2014. If depreciable asset, then depreciation begins when placed in service (assuming 2013). If inextricably associated with the land, then add to basis of the land. Wow. It is more complicated than I thought. It's my first year as a landlord. I'm hopin...