Search found 3344 matches

by radiowave
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 97
Views: 4406

Re: How many credit cards do you have

5 credit cards
2 ATM only debit cards
by radiowave
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 143
Views: 10499

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

Spouse and I went to one prior to the pandemic. Nice meal, about 25-30 attendees. Interesting presentation on SS and post retirement investment strategies. They handed out cards at the beginning and one of the questions was what were our investment priorities. I wrote low cost and simple diversified portfolio. I watched as the assistants collected the cards then went around and followed up with some of the other attendees for further info and to set up appointments. They never came over to us :)
by radiowave
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is there any difference between cashing out a Mutual fund in/out of an IRA - if you are retired already?
Replies: 13
Views: 1444

Re: Is there any difference between cashing out a Mutual fund in/out of an IRA - if you are retired already?

+1 on IRA to Roth conversions if you really don't need the money.

OP when do your required minimum distributions (RMD) begin?
by radiowave
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 7-day Colorado with teens, ideas?
Replies: 20
Views: 1540

Re: 7-day Colorado with teens, ideas?

We were thinking 3 places? Maybe this loop? 1. RNPK/Estes 2. Breckenridge 3. Colorado Springs Consider staying at Breckenridge and doing day trips from there. Some of the best hiking you can find, mountain biking at Keystone resort, just 20-30 min drive from Breck off I70. RMNP via Trail Ridge Rd is doable as a day trip, Breck is very teen friendly and has a sizeable downtown area with lots to do. My favorite CO hikes: Shrine Ridge Trail, just a bit further west on I70 right off Exit 190 at Vail Pass. See: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/shrine-ridge-trail Boreas Pass, about a 45 min drive from Breck down a dirt road that was the old narrow gauge right of way: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/boreas-pass--6 This has ...
by radiowave
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?
Replies: 25
Views: 2034

Re: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?

I've got a big pot of change sitting in my dresser, probably about 100 cash, can't get that deposited, but BoA stopped change deposits for individual accounts before Covid so not much I can do except go to the grocery store and pay the 12%.

I do like the ability to hold cash in the treasury mm account and draw directly from that, unlike another brokerage that makes you sell the treasury fund to cash before you can use.

I did have an issue with the Fidelity online bill pay a few years ago, it was a paper check which was my mortgage payment that never got sent.
by radiowave
Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Value of US dollar in different Asian countries
Replies: 23
Views: 1320

Re: Value of US dollar in different Asian countries

I use my Capital One card when traveling outside the US. No Foreign Transfer Fees and it's Visa so accepted just about anywhere that accepts credit cards. Agree with using bank ATMs when traveling. Chose one that is actually inside the bank and has security, e.g. you need to be buzzed into the bank (Italy). Have 2-3 different cards with you and separate with spouse/significant other when traveling. I use an inside wallet (Eagle Creek) and have a "throw away" wallet I keep just a bit of change/bills for small items like a gelato in Rome. I got pick pocketed in Madrid once, 4 young men coming off the subway, bump and run. Glad I had the throw away wallet they took which was in my front left pocket. Another was feeling around my ankl...
by radiowave
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.
Replies: 44
Views: 4881

Re: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.

Thanks for all the replies. Quickly read through all the replies. Expect to go back through and take notes. One common aspect which didn't come to mind was inflation alone which makes sense on why having no market action would hurt even more. Also reading through, lowering risk by decreasing allocation and knowing if the money remains then the market cycles should hopefully recover plus more over the long haul. If Tips required 30 years, not sure I will be around to collect. :D OP, agree with the majority above, pulling completely out of the market is not a good long term strategy. Other risks to consider: health care costs, both insurance and out of pocket; long term care if need skilled nursing; in addition to inflation, what other expen...
by radiowave
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.
Replies: 44
Views: 4881

Re: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.

I'm in the early retirement phase category. DW and I are bulking up our cash position and using treasury money market funds and t-bills as the cash instruments. Primarily: turning off reinvestment in taxable accounts, selling taxable total stock funds (VTSAX) up to the top of our 12% tax bracket, and budgeting discretionary spending in the coming 2-3 years, e.g. international travel, replacing old vehicles, etc. OP do you have an investment policy statement (IPS) as your guiding plan?
by radiowave
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 256
Views: 18535

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

Just splurged last month for a birthday present on a set of Klipsch floor, center, and subwoofer speakers. Wow, what a difference in quality of the sound and DW likes them also.

See Crutchfield if you are looking for higher end audio at competitive price and excellent customer service: https://www.crutchfield.com/
by radiowave
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: National bank you can recommend for checking acct
Replies: 22
Views: 1424

Re: National bank you can recommend for checking acct

OP, not clear from your post if you are looking for a brick and mortar bank you can walk in to get help, or an online bank that can be an anywhere, anytime access and help. If the former and you are in the south east, Bank of America is prolific. See this BH thread: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewt ... ?t=150033 .

If you want quality CSR 24/7 then one of the brokerages like Fidelity or Schwab may be of interest. See the ongoing thread Fidelity as one stop shop: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewt ... ?t=266538 . There is an interesting discussion about the Fido cash management accounts CMA that may be of interest.
by radiowave
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037361

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Just curious, but there seemed an effort by Fidelity to revise/revamp Full View. I tried the beta a few times, didn't like it and went back to the old (currrent) version. I was especially concerned that the new implementation would change all of the expense categories. I gave feedback that I would be quite angry if they did that.

Now I see the following box when I open Full View:
We appreciate the feedback regarding our recent modernization efforts to your Full View® experience. We will continue to work on that new experience, but for now are sending you to this version of Full View® you've used before. To access the new experience, please use this link.
Any insights to what Fidelity is thinking?
by radiowave
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to keep emergency funds?
Replies: 23
Views: 2479

Re: Where to keep emergency funds?

FDLXX Treasury MM Fund
by radiowave
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 15484

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

About $100 in my wallet/pocket and maybe $40 in change sitting in my night table. I typically draw 200 from the ATM at the beginning of the month and use for small purchases. I note a number of folks stash considerable cash in the house, what happens if the house is destroyed, e.g. hurricane, flood, tornado, fire, etc.?
by radiowave
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Navigating Speakers for in home theater
Replies: 44
Views: 3367

Re: Navigating Speakers for in home theater

With bare walls consider prewiring with wall connections for the speakers on the opposite side of the AV equipment. Also, are you going to wall mount the TV? if so, also consider prewiring to keep the cables behind the wall.

We just upgraded our speakers to Klipsch pair of floor standing, center and used our old Klipsch bookshelf speakers for the rear in a 5.1 setup with a subwoofer. Excellent quality, clear crisp sound and DW likes it a lot.

Try Crutchfield in VA for excellent pricing, and excellent customer service: https://www.crutchfield.com/ You can call them for a consultation and they will give you a competitive quote.
by radiowave
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip
Replies: 16
Views: 1467

Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip

DW and I are both on a Medicare Advantage plan. We are traveling to Europe later this year, any feedback on trip medical insurance to cover unanticipated illness/injury? I'm thinking COVID and hospitalization. Will be traveling to Switzerland (Zurich, Lugano) and Italy (Milan, Florence, Rome). We will be there for 3 weeks.

tnx
by radiowave
Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Newly Retired: Start Roth Conversions For IRA or Not?
Replies: 39
Views: 5483

Re: Newly Retired: Start Roth Conversions For IRA or Not?

OP, you'll have to use either one of the available software offerings or create your own spreadsheet. DW and I are in a relatively similar situation, balancing IRA to Roth and avoiding IRMAA limitations. Fortunately we are MFJ tax status so the numbers work a little better than single tax filing status. The other consideration is as your taxable account grows, you'll likely have long term capital gains to consider. In the long run, putting as much into the Roth as feasible for your situation provides some tax free distributions in the future as an alternative to covers some expenses or discretionary purchases without raising your AGI.
by radiowave
Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity advice
Replies: 67
Views: 8459

Re: Fidelity advice

OP, the next time you interact with one of the Fidelity FAs, tell them you have a "self directed" fidelity account and to update your profile. Use those exact words. I found this out last year when spouse and I moved across country and wanted to establish a relationship with a new Fidelity advisor at a local branch. One of the first things she said after pleasantries, was "I see you are a self directed client. I cannot give you investing advise, only technical assistance." The important piece is getting it set up in your client profile at Fidelity. That should stop the calls and other solicitations.
by radiowave
Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037361

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

GaryA505 wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 5:45 pm Does anyone know if you can have RMDs from a Vanguard IRA sent directly to a Fidelity CMA?
Are you asking if the RMD cash payout to taxable can be sent from within the Vanguard taxed deferred account directly to Fidelity CMA? If so, that would be interesting. My gut feeling is you'll have to sell to cash for the correct RMD amount to a VG taxable account then transfer that to Fidelity CMA . . . maybe you could automate that?
by radiowave
Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037361

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Yeah I started using Full View after Mint shut down. It's actually been more reliable for me. Seems I don't have to fix connections nearly as often as I had to on Mint. I did get recently get a phone call sales pitch from Fidelity which may be coincidental but I have a suspicion it's because I added my Vanguard accounts which added a significant sum to what Fidelity can see. I originally thought things in Full View were in a totally separate bucket from the rest of Fidelity, but I noticed that my external accounts started showing up on Fidelity's portfolio analyzers and whatnot, not just what's in Full View. Full View as an expense tracker works reasonably well. Need to keep an eye on expense categories and make sure they fit, e.g. gas sta...
by radiowave
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Planning - Target Date Funds
Replies: 18
Views: 1926

Re: Retirement Planning - Target Date Funds

Mr Spock, also check on the expense ratio (ER) of those target date funds. If greater than say 0.20, there may be cheaper options available within that 401K. Have you considered moving your prior TSP funds into your current 401K? If able, that would simplify your portfolio. If I am reading the prospectus correctly, the Voya LifePath 2055 fund has "total annual operating expense %" of 0.08, which seems pretty good? TSP fees are 0.059% "net admin expenses" and 0.008% "investment expenses", for a total (I think) of 0.067%. The reason I haven't rolled over my TSP into Voya is I've been told TSPs tend to have lower fees and better fund options in retirement. Yes, those are excellent expense ratios. You do have a ti...
by radiowave
Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND only in retirement account?
Replies: 17
Views: 2870

Re: BND only in retirement account?

OP, one thing to consider regarding capital gains in a taxable account is that there is a threshold, depending on tax filing status, where capital gains are not taxed (0%). E.g. married filing jointly the 2024 CG 0% bracket goes up to $94,050

https://www.fidelity.com/learning-cent ... -tax-rates

This can be helpful in early retirement when transitioning to SS, pensions, etc. with lower overall income, that accrued capital gains for taxable funds, e.g. VTSAX/VTI the Vanguard total stock fund, can be sold for no capital gains tax up to that threshold. A spreadsheet is helpful in testing income vs. 0% CG headroom.

Edit: above assumes long term capital gains > 1yr. CG held <1yr will be taxed as ordinary income.
by radiowave
Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Planning - Target Date Funds
Replies: 18
Views: 1926

Re: Retirement Planning - Target Date Funds

Mr Spock, also check on the expense ratio (ER) of those target date funds. If greater than say 0.20, there may be cheaper options available within that 401K. Have you considered moving your prior TSP funds into your current 401K? If able, that would simplify your portfolio. Nothing wrong with a target date fund, and if that is your sole portfolio, is a very simple and efficient way to "fire and forget". Keep an eye on expenses in your plan. If you have extra cash after maxing out your retirement plan and match, consider adding a taxable account (see the wiki on that). Asset allocation should be based on the total portfolio, not individual accounts. If your taxable account is substantial, going to a 3 fund approach is typically rec...
by radiowave
Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037361

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

gavinsiu wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:05 pm So I have setup an account for my mom but now an "advisor" repeatedly call her to talk to her about investment. What's a good way to tell Fidelity to stop. Is this an option on the account?
Use the following exact words when talking to any potential advisor at Fidelity "This is a self-directed portfolio" Apparently that triggers the Fidelity software to let any advisors know they need not contact any prospective client.
by radiowave
Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Planning - Target Date Funds
Replies: 18
Views: 1926

Re: Retirement Planning - Target Date Funds

gotoparks wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 5:55 am I've seen people use the same strategy. You might consider just doing the three fund portfolio so you can set how much is in bonds.
+1

If a target date fund does not fit your projected asset allocation, just craft it with a stock and bond fund. See tax efficient fund placement in the BH Wiki: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-ef ... placement
by radiowave
Mon Mar 04, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting new car
Replies: 53
Views: 6454

Re: Getting new car

OP, where in Denver are you going to live? It's a big place. In south metro, auto mile is on Arapaho Rd in Centennial near the executive airport. If your further south, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch have a number of auto dealers. As for living in Denver, you don't need a big 4 wheel drive, anything with AWD, like a Subaru or Honda will do fine. Plenty of snow and they keep the roads clear and salted. I had a Honda CR-V then Pilot and they did fine in the winter weather.
by radiowave
Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Merrill Edge Taxable Accounts
Replies: 30
Views: 4674

Re: Merrill Edge Taxable Accounts

I just moved cash into Merrill for Platinum honors requirement. I never had to trade in Merrill Edge (ME) before and find the platform slow and non-intuitive, and lack of interest in “Cash” annoying (am spoiled by Vanguard). Buying SGOV took 2 whole days which defeat the purpose of being “liquid”, since I cannot use the cash immediately. Is TFDXX better in terms of speed of cash access? I tried to buy TFDXX after 4 pm ET once and the order was not executed until next day end of business. What are some best practices for those who use ME as a cash account? Only cash is immediately available for withdraw or transfer. Mutual funds and ETFs have to settle before the funds are available to withdraw. Mutual funds settlement is T+1 day and ETFs a...
by radiowave
Mon Feb 19, 2024 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Denver car theft and crime issues - how bad is it?
Replies: 15
Views: 2836

Re: Denver car theft and crime issues - how bad is it?

I moved from Parker south of Denver late last spring but lived there 10 years. Colorado is a wonderful place. One hotbed of car thefts was Aurora, just FYI. Also the light rail - please don't take my next comment as crass or unsympathetic - has become a homeless shelter of sorts and the area around Union Station downtown Denver has had issues with crime. As for attractions, yes RMNP is a gem and worth multiple visits. You might try to stay at the YMCA to get close to the park entrance (abt 10 min drive) and seek an early entrance time if you can get one. One of my favorite hikes is Bear Lake then up to Emerald Lake. Also Pikes Peak (14K ft) is at the southern boundary of RMNP and has it's own separate entrance. Note, if you are not acclimat...
by radiowave
Sun Feb 18, 2024 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safest way to pay bills electronically
Replies: 72
Views: 6209

Re: Safest way to pay bills electronically

increment wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:53 am
Berean wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:18 am What credit card pay 2.65% cash back? I use Citi Double Cash, which pays 2%. I would be open to switching. Thanks.
According to other people here on the forum, it's through B of A Preferred Rewards.
Sounds like the Bank of America platinum honors card. https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/p ... ewards/en
by radiowave
Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safest way to pay bills electronically
Replies: 72
Views: 6209

Re: Safest way to pay bills electronically

I've been using a bank online payment service for a decade or so without problems. I have a separate checking account that is connected to bill pay. Some of the accounts are eBill (I get an electronic statement and will auto pay) which I track every week or two. I do not write any checks through the online bill pay service. I had my mortgage check lost in the mail a few years ago but fortunately the mortgage company said the payment was late and I was able to get them payment by cc before I took a hit on my credit report. A few notes: - I never ever allow any direct debit to my bank account, ever. - I have a second online bill pay as backup to the first in case something happens e.g. cannot gain access to the primary bill pay account - I te...
by radiowave
Tue Feb 13, 2024 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I quit or slog through
Replies: 62
Views: 7630

Re: Should I quit or slog through

OP, Put me in the slot it out for a few more years column. You are close and if you bailed out now, you are in good shape overall. I tend to be conservative on these posts and since you are working, even though it's not an ideal situation, you don't have to worry about healthcare coverage and will put a few more dollars into retirement. Have you calculated capital gains impact of selling out of taxable?
by radiowave
Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retiring at 60. Will I go bust before 80?
Replies: 25
Views: 5386

Re: Retiring at 60. Will I go bust before 80?

OP, here is the Vanguard Retirement Nest Egg calculator: https://retirementplans.vanguard.com/V ... gCalc.jsf Just another way to make "what-if" calculations.
by radiowave
Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Asset allocation in taxable account
Replies: 10
Views: 1407

Re: Asset allocation in taxable account

OP, seems you may be overthinking this. Per above, set you asset allocation based on your entire portfolio as first step, then adjust for best tax efficiency. It's really difficult in a taxable account to predict things such as interest, dividends, and capital gains/losses.
by radiowave
Sat Feb 03, 2024 6:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Intermediate Cash Needs
Replies: 3
Views: 586

Re: Intermediate Cash Needs

Agree, OP you don't need to take on more risk to your cash holdings adding equity. What if these funds lost a substantial amount of value in the next few years? Ride the modest treasury yields for now.
by radiowave
Thu Feb 01, 2024 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking of moving to Denver
Replies: 59
Views: 6762

Re: Thinking of moving to Denver

OP, take a look at Douglas County south of Denver. It checks all of your boxes. Consider Castle Rock, Parker and Lone Tree. We lived just south of Parker up at 6500 ft and could see down into Denver and were above and outside the major pollution zone. And if you are a hiker, some of the best hiking in the county parks, that are just a small few mile trail off a local highway. Look at hidden mesa and two bridges Douglas county parks and castlewood canyon. Yes, as mentioned above, crime has increased in the Denver metro area, and traffic has increased. If you want more info on Douglas County, let me know.
by radiowave
Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me navigate huge LTCG tax
Replies: 85
Views: 8458

Re: Help me navigate huge LTCG tax

livesoft wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:25 pm
radiowave wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:20 pm Only other thing I can think of, if OP is within 2 years of Medicare, could take a big hit from IRMAA. If not, nonissue.
In the context of this thread I would have written "tiny hit" instead of "big hit." LOL!
Yeah, after I hit the return key to post I thought that :)
by radiowave
Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me navigate huge LTCG tax
Replies: 85
Views: 8458

Re: Help me navigate huge LTCG tax

Only other thing I can think of, if OP is within 2 years of Medicare, could take a big hit from IRMAA. If not, nonissue.
by radiowave
Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"
Replies: 112
Views: 11918

Re: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"

Sharing a 'gift link' to this recent opinion piece by Elisabeth Rosenthal, which warns of patients who have been blindsided by unexpected medical charges for doctor visits (I know, this may not be 'new news'). The piece covers visits by ACA patients, which I am not, admittedly. I suppose to make this "actionable" I am sharing this item as I figure the types of issues described in the piece may well apply to non-ACA folks as well (now or soon enough). That said, I am also posting as a PSA on some level, too, as I found it quite informative (if disconcerting). https://wapo.st/47MXfb9 Not sure what you mean by "ACA patients". That various screening procedures are covered 100% as preventive care is an "Essential Benefi...
by radiowave
Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?
Replies: 44
Views: 6650

Re: New Fidelity Private Client Policy?

I'm a "Fidelity Premium Services" client is that the same as a private client?
by radiowave
Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rome - Florence - Venice
Replies: 49
Views: 3845

Re: Rome - Florence - Venice

OP, here is a really nice modestly priced hotel in Rome with easy walking distance to the main train station Rome Termini and centrally located for all the normal places to see in Rome: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d232882-Reviews-Hotel_Columbia-Rome_Lazio.html . we stayed here on a pre Covid trip and were very happy overall and the current reviews show the hotel has kept up its reputation. The high speed train from Rome to Florence is like flying in an airplane without all the fuss. I think it was about 1.5 hours or so. We did the Tuscanny tour from a group at the main train station, abt $100 each for us but well worth the money and great winery tour with a hugh lunch. We did not get to Venice but did go to Naples/Pompe...
by radiowave
Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 13144

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

MFJ and now 2.5 years into retirement. On the front end of retirement, we planned and executed a move selling our house in CO then moving across country to NC. So we bulked up our cash position to low six figures and are now just a year out from closing on the new home. Currently getting into a new settled financial picture. We use a "cash flow" approach. SS and pensions cover our basic expenses. Discretionary expenses are planned for the coming year, e.g. for 2024 we have a Europe trip planned and some major garden renovations. We also have a reserve fund for anticipated new vehicle in next 2-3 years, and unanticipated major expenses. From a practical standpoint, that means keeping more in cash instruments like money market accou...
by radiowave
Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Choosing between DIY and Financial Advisor
Replies: 67
Views: 6950

Re: Choosing between DIY and Financial Advisor

OP, when you count up the AUM fee, high expense ratios, front/back end loads 4-5%, and a complex not understandable portfolio, well if you keep things simple, keep costs low, have good diversity, and live below your means, then you'll have your portfolio working for you and not someone else.
by radiowave
Thu Jan 04, 2024 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: T Bill or Money Market?
Replies: 11
Views: 2125

Re: T Bill or Money Market?

Hipospadus wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:57 pm i have some of my savings in two T Bills and some in a fidelity money market which has a 7 day yield of 4.98%. the T Bills are now up to 5.4 %. is it worth it to get the extra 0.4% interest in the grand scheme of things?
OP, if you don't need the money for less than a year, a t-bill or two makes sense. They are essentially liquid of course and if you need part of the money invested in t-bills, you may want to consider multiple purchases, e.g. instead of one 2k t-bill, purchase two 1K bills and can sell one if you need up to 1k in cash.

Note, Fidelity has an excellent t-bill service and you can also set up a t-bill ladder that will auto rollover. https://www.fidelity.com/fixed-income-b ... ry-bonds
by radiowave
Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $20K windfall - Where to put cash?
Replies: 16
Views: 2640

Re: $20K windfall - Where to put cash?

Take your spouse on a surprise nice trip.
by radiowave
Thu Dec 28, 2023 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Merrill Edge Taxable Accounts
Replies: 30
Views: 4674

Re: Merrill Edge Taxable Accounts

TTTXX is a reasonable place to park cash and acts like a money market and interacts with Bank of America accounts and also counts towards premium rewards status, but you need to trade during the trading day to sell shares to cash. The TTTXX fund you have to get your buy/sell order in by 1:45PM ET. I use a slightly different fund, TFDXX that extends the trading time until 5:00PM ET. If you are actively moving cash in/out of these funds, TFDXX may be a little more convenient with the extended deadline. Note, these Black Rock funds don't trade like mutual funds where you can put your order in any time then they will trade at the end of the next business day. Just an FYI. Here is the ME page on these cash management funds: https://olui2.fs.ml.c...
by radiowave
Wed Dec 27, 2023 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement: what was more expensive than anticipated?
Replies: 80
Views: 20680

Re: Retirement: what was more expensive than anticipated?

Moving from 2 story home in HCOL to 1 story transition to retirement home MCOL area. We budgeted about $100K as worse case scenario (not counting the costs of the home), was slightly less than that but more than anticipated especially needed and unanticipated repairs in both houses. We bulked up cash couple years prior to retirement so were able to jump on a really nice home in a crazy real estate market. After all said and done, it was about an even swap house vs house plus the above expenses.
by radiowave
Wed Dec 27, 2023 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Southern Spain in March
Replies: 47
Views: 4843

Re: Southern Spain in March

OP, DW and I stayed in the Parador on the grounds of the Alhambra many years ago: https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-gra ... =organico Its a bit expensive in the low 400 Euro range but the stay was exquisite and we did a night tour of the Alhambra with only a small group and no tourists.
by radiowave
Tue Dec 26, 2023 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tuscany region in late March
Replies: 8
Views: 1288

Re: Tuscany region in late March

DW and I did a Rome, Florence trip a few years ago and going back this coming May. Siena and San Gimignano were favorites on our Tuscanny leg. Also stayed in Perugia and did a day trip to Assisi, quite nice. We are staying in a farm house outside of San Gimignano for a week this upcoming May and doing day trips or just staying put. Avoid Pisa, it's a tourist trap.
by radiowave
Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: % in cash?
Replies: 35
Views: 3851

Re: % in cash?

OP, what do you want to do with the cash?
by radiowave
Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: asset allocation first 5 years of retirement
Replies: 9
Views: 1574

Re: asset allocation first 5 years of retirement

Similar to above, we are now 2 years into retirement with an approximate 60/40 portfolio (measured for the entire portfolio). Cash instruments in taxable such as CDs, Treasuries, and money market funds are counted in the fixed income (bonds) side, cash is what is in checking account for paying bills, discretionary, etc. about 2-3 months baseline expenses or a few thousand. Note, we bulked up our cash position a couple years prior to retirement to purchase a transition to retirement home in LCOL state across country. That worked well for us and we are comfortably settled in our new home and glad we left the snowblower behind :). As for post retirement, with SSx2 and pensions x 2 we are essentially at 0% withdrawal rate at the moment, RMDs in...
by radiowave
Fri Dec 22, 2023 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sanity check on a simple plan to get to retirement
Replies: 25
Views: 3146

Re: Sanity check on a simple plan to get to retirement

OP, I agree with KF on the Roth 401K but do avail yourself for the normal annual Roth contribution. As for expenses, DW and I have a similar approach but do keep a close eye on everything and look at weekly and monthly income/expenses summaries. We keep a target annual number and know our baseline expenses then look at what discretionary expenses we want to incur. A BH "living below your means" approach has some common applications such as keeping a vehicle for several years, prudent shopping, having a buffer for the unknowable expenses, etc.