Search found 56 matches

by purpleKatz
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7057
Views: 891411

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

Friendly reminder that today (Thursday, November 9,2023) is Bank of America More Rewards Day
https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/ca ... y?tid=post
by purpleKatz
Fri Aug 18, 2023 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best No Fee Grocery credit card
Replies: 57
Views: 6353

Re: Best No Fee Grocery credit card

An addendum for those recommending the BofA credit card set to online cash back...
Kroger Pay at the store still counts as an online purchase so Platinum honors will get you 5.25% back on all Kroger purchases up to the quarterly limit.
I flash the Kroger Pay QR code from my phone and leave the physical credit card at home.

For Costco, I buy a gift card online (free delivery, 5.25% off) and spend it down when I go shopping at Costco.
by purpleKatz
Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tough question regarding beneficiaries of will/trust
Replies: 35
Views: 3925

Re: Tough question regarding beneficiaries of will/trust

This is a personal decision - but try to make sure that no bad blood occurs no matter what happens. I'm single with no kids. I'm leaving everything to my older relatives (Uncle, Aunt, Mom) because it will make a significant difference in their lives. If I survive them, then everything goes to my only sibling who isn't married and has no kids. This is to backstop his retirement since he has no spouse or kids to help him if case something goes wrong. Also I know that when he passes, he's leaving everything to be divided among the rest of our siblings anyway. My ultimate goal is for all my loved ones to be taken care of. All my siblings are financially secure so inheriting my assets won't impact their lives in any meaningful way. At the end of...
by purpleKatz
Sat Apr 15, 2023 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Should I Be Looking For In New Kitchen Cabinets?
Replies: 56
Views: 6430

Re: What Should I Be Looking For In New Kitchen Cabinets?

I third the recommendation of all frameless drawers in the base cabinets - it makes everything so much more accessible. Plus I like the soft-close much more than I thought I would.
by purpleKatz
Sat Mar 18, 2023 11:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MasterCard declining transactions - Card issuer shrugs
Replies: 48
Views: 4978

Re: MasterCard declining transactions - Card issuer shrugs

Check to see whether Spain is on the Mastercard bank's blocked countries list.
Here's an example of North Shore Bank's list.
https://www.northshorebank.com/personal ... bited.aspx
by purpleKatz
Sun May 01, 2022 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086116

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Everything Everywhere All At Once
At a movie theatre.

Very oddball and a clean fun popcorn movie. Michelle Yeoh is an excellent actress, and for such a crazy plotline - it was surprisingly easy to follow. Whoever did the editing on this deserves an Oscar. I laughed out loud more than once. I recommend it for action/comedy/sheer innovative writing/and a slight bit of heartfelt family feels - but mostly for being brave. It's a very difficult storyline to pull-off and it succeeded.
by purpleKatz
Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I capitulate to selling International?
Replies: 322
Views: 24606

Re: Should I capitulate to selling International?

You’ve all given me a lot to think about. As nisiprius eloquently states, I was thinking of my portfolio allocation in terms of risk denial rather than risk tolerance - that if I held any asset for long enough, I’m promised a reversion to mean. However, that’s not guaranteed - and as several of you pointed out - dropping an asset because of only the last decade of returns is (short-term) performance chasing.

I will not make any changes immediately - since I need to consider whether the reasoning behind my original plan is still valid and I’m not quite sure I’m thinking rationally about it yet. However, thank you for giving me a much needed pause and sense of perspective.
by purpleKatz
Sat Dec 11, 2021 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I capitulate to selling International?
Replies: 322
Views: 24606

Should I capitulate to selling International?

When is it considered market timing to sell a losing fund vs smart asset allocation? In 2011 I wrote a plan to be 100% equity - 50% International (tilted toward emerging) and 50% US until I retired- at which point I would move to 90/10 Total Market. However I compared my returns to the market today and I feel really really dumb. My international has really not performed well. I would be retired by now if I had only dropped International before the 2013 runup or even in the beginning of 2020. Every year I look at the analyst opinions and they claim that international is undervalued. I kept thinking I’m investing for the long haul so in time it will average out. However after this point it would take truly stellar returns to catchup to how th...
by purpleKatz
Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Preparing to retire in 3 years at age 44; UPDATED
Replies: 539
Views: 66355

Re: Preparing to retire in 5 years at age 45; Need tax and withdrawal help

I also don't understand why filling in the standard deductions with SEPP vs Roth would be taxed differently. After retirement, you have $45k in expenses, $275k taxable (no capital gains, 100% cost basis) after sale of your house, and $156k in Roth contributions. First six years you Roth convert $25k/year, withdraw $25k from Roth contributions and $20k from taxes (0% cap gains) => 0 tax Next three years you Roth convert $25k/year and you withdraw $45k from taxes (0% cap gains) => 0 tax Next six years you Roth convert $25k/year and start withdrawing from your Roth ladder => 0 tax You're 59.5. I would also consider converting more than the standard deduction giving your expected SSI, inheritance and high pre-tax funds. *edit* corrected taxes a...
by purpleKatz
Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trip from LA to SF via the PCH
Replies: 46
Views: 7659

Re: Road trip from LA to SF via the PCH

Montana de Oro State Park is absolutely not to be missed.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best in the world. Don't miss the open sea feeding.
by purpleKatz
Sun Jun 20, 2021 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Movies - Name Five
Replies: 277
Views: 24219

Re: Favorite Movies - Name Five

My top favorites change periodically. However these are the ones that usually make the list:
Amelie
An Ideal Husband
Love Actually
Moulin Rouge
Mononoke Hime
by purpleKatz
Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ethical to Work with Two Realtors?
Replies: 31
Views: 4664

Re: Ethical to Work with Two Realtors?

I once contacted the selling agent to show me a property they listed on the MLS. I was interested and asked a redfin agent to place an offer. The redfin agent would not place the offer without the selling agent agreeing that they were not entitled to a buyer's commission. The selling agent who had shown me the property refused to give up the buyer's commission. I had signed nothing.
by purpleKatz
Sun Jan 24, 2021 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is Bengen’s Work Reliable?
Replies: 49
Views: 3416

Re: Is Bengen’s Work Reliable?

So what?
Bergen well deserves his reputation for being the first to publicize the SWR. I would bet the vast majority of bogleheads rely on some sort of swr calculation before they pull the trigger. I would also bet that after retirement very few withdraw religiously to that SWR amount. SWR is only intended to be a guideline. If Bergen wants to tilt or adjust his asset allocation because he thinks he sees something that the market doesn't and he wants to profit above the SWR, then the more power to him.
by purpleKatz
Sun Jan 17, 2021 10:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do with Amazon gift cards?
Replies: 50
Views: 7471

Re: What to do with Amazon gift cards?

When birthdays come up, I look to see if the birthday person has an Amazon wishlist. Easy selection, easy delivery. Especially excellent for Christmas.
by purpleKatz
Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best deal on unlocked mobile phones--just the phone.
Replies: 39
Views: 3746

Re: Best deal on unlocked mobile phones--just the phone.

Tracfone/simple Mobile/Total Wireless is currently offering $100 rebate off any unlocked phone (over $100) from Amazon to try their services. https://slickdeals.net/f/14431031-amazon-100-unlocked-cell-phone-stack-promotion-0-01?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1 There's no committment, but you would need to activate the phone for about 24 hrs on their prepaid plan using either a transferred phone number of a brand new number to try them out. I did this last month and it took me about 5 days between placing the order to receiving the rebate. Most of the delay was due to waiting for my new phone delivery. After the 24 hours, you can swap sims to your preferred carrier. In the past, I've also bought phones off eBay (from sellers with good reviews), clearan...
by purpleKatz
Thu Dec 03, 2020 2:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277281

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Curious as to any input on what is an acceptable delay on a refi from funding of loan to disbursement of funds. I am slightly jaded with current refi process because of the poor communication of the bank as well as issues with their vendors (poor appraisal that had to be argued and was eventually revised only after I fought them, notary communication mix up causing delays etc). Due to this not sure if I am justified or just looking for more things to complain about. I signed closing docs for refi on Tuesday the 17th, recission period expired Friday the 20th at midnight, so settlement date was 11-23. This is all laid out in the paperwork no issue. I had heard nothing after signing and reached out to loan officer on the 30th inquiring what w...
by purpleKatz
Tue Sep 01, 2020 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cancer Insurance
Replies: 43
Views: 4035

Re: Cancer Insurance

Women have a 1/8 chance of getting breast cancer. There's no way an insurance company would pay out $300k to every eighth female client.
by purpleKatz
Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moved to CA...Just Learned about HSA Tax
Replies: 26
Views: 2436

Re: Moved to CA...Just Learned about HSA Tax

Third option: invest in BRKB since it doesn't pay dividends.
by purpleKatz
Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinancing Debate - 15yr (pay mortgage quicker) or 30yr (increase cashflow)
Replies: 32
Views: 2293

Re: Refinancing Debate - 15yr (pay mortgage quicker) or 30yr (increase cashflow)

I'd pick Option C also. If you don't need the money for 20 years, you could buy EE bonds and profit?
by purpleKatz
Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Prepaying mortgage to co-owner - IRS reporting?
Replies: 2
Views: 438

Re: Prepaying mortgage to co-owner - IRS reporting?

Thanks - that's a good point that we hadn't considered. I asked and he's okay if I address this in my will (or rather assign him as a beneficiary to one of my accounts) in exchange.
by purpleKatz
Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Prepaying mortgage to co-owner - IRS reporting?
Replies: 2
Views: 438

Prepaying mortgage to co-owner - IRS reporting?

My brother and I share a duplex as our primary residence. We split all costs down the middle. He's retiring next year and would like to pay off his half of the mortgage. He's offering to pay me a lump sum directly rather than the lender while I would take over the monthly payments. He's aware and unconcerned that his name would remain on the loan. Essentially I would be borrowing at 2.08% after tax deductions to lump sum invest in 100% taxable equities. I'm okay with the risks since my IPS disallows me to own bonds for another 8 years and the delta is less than 20% of my portfolio. My question: Is the IRS kosher with this? He's not gifting nor loaning me the money and he remains a half-owner, so is there anything to report? How would it eve...
by purpleKatz
Sat Jun 27, 2020 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fire HD 8 Tablet - pricing, model confusion
Replies: 19
Views: 1244

Re: Fire HD 8 Tablet - pricing, model confusion

If you can afford to wait, the Fire tablets always go on sale during Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. You can also trade-in your Fire 7 tablet for a 20% discount on a new Fire tablet on top of the discounts. https://www.amazon.com/Tablet-Trade-In/ ... 0825011011
by purpleKatz
Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: new BoA Premium Card benefit
Replies: 101
Views: 14332

Re: new BoA Premium Card benefit

I got this too!
I've actually never really used the airline incidental credit but I keep the card so I can pay my federal, state and property taxes, medical bills and insurance. I don't get cash back credit on those items from my other credit cards.
by purpleKatz
Sun May 31, 2020 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Simple jobs during FATFire?
Replies: 152
Views: 15288

Re: Simple jobs during FATFire?

OP- Check out the defense industry. They frequently hire engineering contractors for short term (<1 year), part time work. Twenty hours a week is very common and a lot of contractors dictate the hours they work as long as it doesn't cause hardship to their program. The defense industry is cyclical of course, so you would also be the first to be laid off if funding stops. There are software engineering jobs associated with aeronautics if that's what you're interested in. No benefits for contractors, but on the other hand the pay is 150%+ per hour what the full time employees get. Many people retire and then come back as contractors. However they're usually an easy hire since their expertise is known. Getting a foot in the door as an unknown ...
by purpleKatz
Fri Mar 13, 2020 12:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906917

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

-25%.
...and I even saw the fall coming. It just never occurred to me to do anything because changing my market allocation was so antithesis to staying the course. I did take out all the money I needed to spend for the year in February (normally I would pull it out every other week). I'm still sleeping fine but I am kind of dumb.
by purpleKatz
Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277281

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Seeing the same thing as others here, hard to find a no-cost loan from anyone under 3.5%. The 10-year keeps dropping so I hope that helps. Not sure if the surprise Fed action will be an extra ingredient. I’m almost 10 years into a 30-year @ 4.0%. I’ve paid in a little extra so balance is around $250k. Thought for sure I could find a no-cost 3.25% with enough lender credit to fully recover a finance, but no dice (yet). Target would ideally be a 20-year loan on a townhome in SoCal, with excellent credit and LTV around 40%. Looking to stay put another 6-8 years. If I can find anything that firmly a) lowers my payment and b) reduces life-time interest, then I’ll bite. Or am I too far into the loan to make much of a difference at this point? Tr...
by purpleKatz
Sat Jun 30, 2018 1:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906917

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

100% Stock
-2.4% YTD - almost entirely due to emerging markets. Oh well!
by purpleKatz
Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MoviePass-Too good to be true, but it's legit.
Replies: 393
Views: 68716

Re: MoviePass-Too good to be true, but it's legit.

Some competition for those who go to AMC:
https://www.amctheatres.com/amcstubs/alist

AMC Stubs A-List offered for $19.95+tax/month allows you to watch up to 3 movies a week, but unlike MoviePass does not exclude dine-in theaters, IMAX, Dolby or 3D films. It also allows you to reserve your movie (and seat) ahead of time. Requires a 3 month commitment.
by purpleKatz
Sun Jun 03, 2018 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Helping son buy a house
Replies: 33
Views: 4015

Re: Helping son buy a house

When I looked into this (in reverse, as a loan to a parent), it didn't make sense financially for long-term loans. Right now he has the rare opportunity to take advantage of long-term mortgage rates that are still at historical lows - and you don't have to lock this money in a low-return inflexible investment. Also the combined family portfolio decreases because although he may have more money in-hand, you would need to pay taxes on the interest. The IRS takes a cut. Long term, it makes more financial sense - and with less taxes paid to the government- if you were to invest this as his future retirement instead and have him inherit either a taxable account with zero capital gains or if you're in a low tax bracket, you can start converting t...
by purpleKatz
Sat Apr 28, 2018 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone else use AmazonSmile?
Replies: 31
Views: 4139

Re: Anyone else use AmazonSmile?

No. I noticed on my one and only purchase that the cost of the item increased by a tiny amount and the amount sent to the charity was a tiny amount. I figured it I was going to donate, I'd do it with a direct check without Amazon knowing my business and without any administrative inefficiencies using a middle man.

Edit: I just retested this on a product, and I see that the price didn't change. *shrug* I'm guessing the increase in price doesn't always hold true, but I've seen it in the recent past.
by purpleKatz
Thu Apr 26, 2018 12:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BH travel tips?
Replies: 193
Views: 27731

Re: BH travel tips?

Most of my travel tips were already covered. Here are a few not yet mentioned. Miscellaneous useful gadgets: 1) Fish toothbrush holder. Mostly so I can stash my bristles in the fish mouth without bringing a separate bag. https://www.containerstore.com/s/clever-gadgets-novelties/fish-toothbrush-holders/1d?productId=11006616 2) Toiletry bag hanger. Easy to pack and unpack. Car rentals: 1) Rental search: www.autoslash.com 2) Car Insurance: First choice = credit cards. Second choice = American Express Premium Car Rental Insurance Coverage. It's primary insurance for $12.25-$24.95 per rental period up to 42 days (not per day). Hotel rooms: 1) For off-season, you can get remarkable deals last minute. Some sites advertise this like www.booking.com...
by purpleKatz
Mon Apr 02, 2018 11:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The Intelligent Investor
Replies: 14
Views: 3400

Re: The Intelligent Investor

Electronic version on sale again for $2.99
Available at Amazon/GooglePlay/Itunes
by purpleKatz
Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you ready for Amazon checking?
Replies: 42
Views: 7176

Re: Are you ready for Amazon checking?

I wonder if they plan to give interest as a form of Amazon credit. It would be a good way to generate Amazon sales from those without credit cards. They could also afford to be more generous with the "interest".
by purpleKatz
Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have you ever found an error on your amazon bill?
Replies: 20
Views: 2494

Re: Have you ever found an error on your amazon bill?

Twice this year. Once they didn't apply a coupon on one item because I was applying a credit on a different item. Their chat rep claimed their policy was that no multiple discounts on separate items were allowed, which is stupid. It was on a third party order. I just cancelled the order and placed it as two separate shipments. This last order, they only gave me one no rush shipping credits instead of the two they promised me for a single multi-item order arriving from separate warehouses. It was a bonus so I didn't care that much. In the past, the most common error was just not shipping items that I ordered. It was in stock, they just left it as pending for a few weeks. I have prime,so my lesson learned is to just order each item i want ind...
by purpleKatz
Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How important to maximize tax-advantaged space in my particular case?
Replies: 15
Views: 1388

Re: How important to maximize tax-advantaged space in my particular case?

Not enough information provided. This depends on your tax bracket in retirement since you're essentially pushing your tax liabilities onto your future self. Make a prediction of your future expenses and evaluate your tax breaks based off today's laws to guess at your marginal rate. It's not good to be in the zero or 12% bracket now if it's going to drive you to the 25% tax bracket with pension or social security later.
by purpleKatz
Tue Jan 23, 2018 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone here with net worths north of $1 mil use financial advisors?
Replies: 454
Views: 87474

Re: Does anyone here with net worths north of $1 mil use financial advisors?

I don't - but I've advised a brother to. He's a believer of index funding and understands completely that he can do exactly what the advisor is doing in very little time. However, when it comes to finance, he's has no inclination and no desire to handle the details. He'll leave a year's salary in a bank account because he "doesn't have time" to deal with it. The quarterly phone meeting with his FA situates him and relieves him of stress. It may not be the best financial move - but as long as someone is taking care of it that's not him- he's happy.
by purpleKatz
Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Poll: BHs who rent - what % of gross do you spend on rent?
Replies: 84
Views: 8614

Re: Poll: BHs who rent - what % of gross do you spend on rent?

27% back when I was renting. I felt lucky to grab it even though it was right next to a noisy airport and a smelly sewage plant. I very quickly found two roommates who lowered it to 10%. HCOL in Southern California.
by purpleKatz
Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: california homeowners - do you have earthquake insurance?
Replies: 97
Views: 14688

Re: california homeowners - do you have earthquake insurance?

There's a California Residential Mitigation Program that will help with the cost of earthquake retrofits if your zip code qualifies.
https://www.earthquakebracebolt.com/Hom ... gistration
by purpleKatz
Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How far would you travel to see The Eclipse?
Replies: 259
Views: 26320

Re: How far would you travel to see The Eclipse?

Guillaume Le Gentil is the guy who waited 8 years to see the transit of Venis....and missed it again! Talk about unlucky...
by purpleKatz
Sun Apr 02, 2017 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Recent Retiree with many questions
Replies: 29
Views: 6084

Re: Recent Retiree with many questions

Comment 1: I don't think you need to do anything drastic to meet your expenses. You'll make it even if the markets do horribly. Assume you take your SSI at age 70. You need $1900 for 39 months and $200/mo afterward to meet $3k/mo expenses. $320000- (39 months x 1900) = $245900. $245900 x 3.5% safe withdrawal rate = $8606/yr or $717/month > $200/month Comment 2: You're approaching the 50% vs 85% SSI tax jump if you take too much from your 401k/tIRA so be careful about Roth converting if you plan to delay taking your own SSI. I ran some examples with taxcaster assuming that you pay $12k/yr in property tax/mortgage interest: If you delay own SSI until age 70: Now: Income: $1100 SSI, $1900/month 401k/tIRA Federal Tax=>$898 At age 70: Income: $2...
by purpleKatz
Wed Oct 26, 2016 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ER Scenario [Early Retirement]
Replies: 7
Views: 1682

Re: ER Scenario

According to Kitces, a 3.5% SWR is a good baseline for early retirmeent.
https://www.kitces.com/blog/adjusting-s ... e-horizon/

2.4m x 3.5% = $84k.

I don't know your state tax, but I used Taxcaster to estimate your federal taxes as <$7k.

$84k-$7k = $77k after tax.

This is all based off investment income before SSI kicks in. I think you're good to go.
by purpleKatz
Thu Sep 22, 2016 11:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Small smartphone recommendation? Anyone use a BLU?
Replies: 27
Views: 3671

Re: Small smartphone recommendation? Anyone use a BLU?

I have a BLU Life One M and I liked it a lot when I first bought it - good specs, sizable with a great screen, and pretty cheap at $100. I bought a 2-year warranty with some of the savings. The problem is after 15 months, things started breaking down but not enough to send it for repair. The screen is no longer as touch sensitive. The applications stall. Antenna constantly loses reception. I have to reboot the phone at least once a day. The battery of course, is older and holds half the charge it once did.

I'm looking for a replacement phone now and it probably won't be a BLU phone. Speaking from a sample size of one, I'm still ahead price-wise but I just don't like dealing the hassle.
by purpleKatz
Sat Sep 17, 2016 1:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Contribute to Roth 401k? Tax related question.
Replies: 9
Views: 1334

Re: Contribute to Roth 401k? Tax related question.

For the backdoor Roth, I like this link for a nice how-to guide. https://thefinancebuff.com/the-backdoor-roth-ira-a-complete-how-to.html It explains how you can contribute the full $18k to a Roth OR Non-Roth 401k and still fund 5500 into a separate Roth IRA. Second, with regards to the usual Roth 401k vs non-Roth 401k, how much do you currently have in your non-Roth 401k? If you’ve only been contributing 4% to your 401k so far then I second maximizing the non-Roth 401k since it’s unlikely that RMDs will force you to the 33% bracket in the future at this point. If you’ve been maximizing 18k to your non-roth 401k each year, AND you never expect to leave California AND you don’t expect to retire very early, then Roth 401ks are worthy of consid...
by purpleKatz
Wed Aug 03, 2016 1:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WHEN to Roll/Convert...401k/tIRA - Roth
Replies: 4
Views: 684

Re: WHEN to Roll/Convert...401k/tIRA - Roth

To implement the Mega-Roth, you fill up the first 18k with pre-tax (or post-tax, your choice), and the remainder up to 53k (minus employer contributions) to after-tax.

You have automatically paid income tax on the after-tax/post-tax accounts, so you just want to minimize tax on the profit of the after-tax account.
So move the after-tax money into a Roth as soon as possible so there's little profit to be taxed on.

You have not yet paid income taxes on pre-tax accounts.
So move the pre-tax 401k into a Roth when you're in a lower tax bracket - such as during early retirement.

Most people taking advantage of the MegaRoth leave the pre-tax 401k alone until they're unemployed, but move the after-tax 401k into a Roth as soon as possible.
by purpleKatz
Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who do you not tip, and why?
Replies: 57
Views: 8229

Re: Who do you not tip, and why?

To some extent there is a correlation between tipping and service. I regularly visit restaurants where the patrons regularly tip between 10-15% with a fast table turnover rate and other restaurants where the tipping practice is 20%+ with a slow table turnover rate. Let me assure you that the service you can expect is remarkably different.
by purpleKatz
Fri May 13, 2016 5:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quality; shower hardware where to find it?
Replies: 23
Views: 2978

Re: Quality; shower hardware where to find it?

JoinToday has good advice. When I did my bathroom remodel I worried about getting compatible parts and finish colors in the future.
Also in reference to what btenny noted - look the specs of your showerhead/faucet when you pick it out. If you're based in California or New York, there's a low flow rate requirement that limits it to 2.0 gallons/minute (or below) whereas nationally you can still get hardware that just meets the federal requirement of 2.5 gallons/minute. Alternatively - find one where you can circumvent the d*mn low flow restricter and enjoy the higher flow rate. :twisted:
by purpleKatz
Fri May 13, 2016 4:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell Plans
Replies: 22
Views: 3188

Re: Cell Plans

I'm on the Cricket Wireless family plan but arranged Ringplus for my niece/nephew.

The pros with Cricket Wireless is that it takes GSM phones and is on the ATT network which works better in my area. Their family plans are very good bargains if you're okay with their basic offerings. You can easily find a "family" group to join on reddit.

The advantage of Ringplus is that it's dirt cheap (possibly free!) but 1) It's on the Sprint network 2) I'm not sure how easy it is to find a compatible phone now because of the recent April 17 policy change, 3) I have my concerns about the sustainability of the company. You could always port your number to Google Voice as insurance.
by purpleKatz
Fri Mar 25, 2016 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: In-Plan Roth Conversion - Worth doing?
Replies: 5
Views: 1777

Re: In-Plan Roth Conversion - Worth doing?

Final update:
Decided to do the In plan roth anyway after using the very helpful spreadsheet contained in the wiki to determine tradeoff between traditional vs private+roth conversions when maximizing. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Traditional_versus_Roth

Admittedly it's very much a grey area, but I just like the idea of getting rid of all my taxable (non-tax-advantaged) dollars. Moreover - by using the IRR to convert pre-tax dollars to a separate empty Roth account, the ability to recharacterize in case of any losses is pretty sweet especially given this year's performance so far.
by purpleKatz
Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to buy Surface 3 tablet
Replies: 9
Views: 1636

Re: Where to buy Surface 3 tablet

Best buy is selling the 128gb Surface Pro 3 for $599. You can also get a $100 coupon if you know a college student who will sign up for their .edu discount. $599 - $100 = $500
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/global/coll ... 6200050000

The Surface Pro 3 is an upgrade to the Surface 3 in many ways.