Bogleheads.org

pasadena

If it's really tough, I would start by getting rid of the personal services, or drastically reduce that item, as much as possible. Then review this after the HELOC is paid off and/or the chid care decreases. - Food: $1,000 a month. Buy 1/2 at Wal-mart Grocery, 1/2 at Costco. - Gasoline/car maintena...

pasadena

If it's really tough, I would start by getting rid of the personal services, or drastically reduce that item, as much as possible. Then review this after the HELOC is paid off and/or the chid care decreases.

pasadena

Good catch. Yes, it will be over $1M in a lump sum. It could be this year or next year, but will happen in one of those years. The amount will be between $1.5M and $2.5M Then you probably don't have to worry about the safe harbor rule? Do you think that you could have it divided in two years? If so...

pasadena

I came up with a rate by first assessing my current situation and laying down my goals. Then I ran the numbers. It's just... math. I came up with a number of absolute rules (e.g. always max out 401(k), backdoor Roth and HSA while I have an income that allows me to do that without living under a brid...

pasadena

Just to be clear. I will owe about $55K in taxes for 2018 in total. I will likely owe more than $1M in taxes in 2019, in total. If I withhold $55K+10% throughout the year, I will not face an underpayment penalty? I will then owe like $900K in April. And that's okay? I will check with a CPA, but wan...

pasadena

To get past the paralysis, just jump in with your plan and then, keep thinking about it to your heart's content until you settle on a long-term plan. It's a Roth, so you can change your mind without consequences. Then once you're satisfied with your long-term plan, and confident in your knowledge, w...

pasadena

I check and update YNAB. Then sometimes during my morning routine (read: coffee) I check the markets (with the mindset of, "what's going on today?")

pasadena

I had the same issue, except it was $2k instead of $250. I sent my two W2's to my new employer's benefits team as soon as I got them, and the new 401(k)'s custodian sent me a check - took about 2 or 3 weeks. You will *not* get an updated W2. It's your responsibility to include the refund in your tax...

pasadena

My most important financial goal: To no longer worry about financial goals. This. Specifically for me, as a late starter: - Have a paid-off home when I retire (either buy one soon with a mortgage, or buy one cash when I retire) so no one can take away the roof over my head - Have enough to live on ...

pasadena

It depends on so many factors, and not just the make/model/year of the car. But if you want a personal example somewhat far from your situation, here's mine: 2012 VW Golf, paid off. One driver, working from home and trying to walk instead of driving as much as possible. - Gas: $50 to $100 - Insuranc...

pasadena

I would tell him, yes, as others said to the tune of "Boss, I really love it here, the company, the job, the people, but I can't justify letting a $70k raise pass". I did that a few years ago - when I was offered a job and visa to the US (Los Angeles, no less), 3 months after starting a new job. I l...

pasadena

I use the Direct Deposit service to have money deposited directly from my paycheck. It's very easy to setup. Follow the instructions, and you will get a PDF with the routing number and account number to give your employer. These are *not* the same as the ones on your checkbook and can only be used f...

pasadena

The one thing you are missing is a spousal IRA. Your wife should open one and contribute up to the max every year too.

pasadena

I also advise you to make an additional $6k backdoor contribution to your Roth IRA. As for your AA... a lot of people here will tell you to keep your downpayment in cash, and invest the rest according to your long-term (retirement) AA. Personally, I use buckets. I admit it is nothing but mental acco...

pasadena

When I had an HSA at Optum through my employer, the fund selection was good enough (good Vanguard funds, including institutional S$P500 index, and Institutional Wellington, plus a few others) and it didn't cost me anything (except the opportunity cost of the $2k I had to leave in cash). Now I have c...

pasadena

Because I want to invest into foreign companies, not just foreign interest of US companies. I don't think the sentence "Total U.S. Stock Market Index Fund ALREADY holds the equivalent of 40% in international stocks" is correct. 40% of foreign exposure for US companies is not equivalent of 40% in int...

pasadena

Yeah paying off debt is smart financially. But seeing $$ in my savings is comforting. Seeing open credit on a credit card (which could be taken away by the issuer at any time) is not as comforting. Then do it in a few steps: - Pay off CC entirely (you are still getting interest on the whole thing e...

pasadena

That's a lot of money to spend to please the Joneses. I think the first thing you should do is make sure your girlfriend is actually expecting this (not easy to do without telling her, but hey, it can be done). Then maybe think very hard about it. If *you* think it's ridiculous, as you seem to, then...

pasadena

I want to get everyone's opinion on this topic. I have $13k in credit card debt at about 25% interest. I also have $13k in an auto loan at 10%. My savings account has about $25k in it. Should I just take that $25k and pay off all debt? My job is pretty secure at the moment. If I had an emergency I ...

pasadena

There is no consensus, and people tend to not specify, which makes it rather meaningless.

Personally, I track both: Pre-tax savings out of gross income, and after-tax savings out of "what's left" (take home).

pasadena

I wouldn't have any issue pulling my credit report and showing it. I would probably even think it's smart. I probably would look up the guy looong before it came to the point of commuting to him. I would also never get married to someone I haven't lived with for a while, and dated for much longer th...

pasadena

Absolutely correct -- and this is key, ESPP is SELF-FUNDING! , as long as you sell immediately every time. Once you have done one cycle, all you need is a little budgeting acumen and use your return of capital for the next cycle and your ESPP train ride just continues with no end in sight. This is ...

pasadena

For me, the best-case scenario is: - Pre-Tax 401k - $19,000 - After Tax 401k (and subsequent mega backdoor Roth) - $27,500 - Employer Match - $9,500 - HSA - $3,500 (including employer contribution) - Roth IRA - $6,000 (I don't usually count it as part of my retirement plan, but it is a retirement ac...

pasadena

So you've made big progress in a week. Congrats on that (and the wedding). Can you summarize your current situation, after cutting all these expenses and paying one CC off? It'd be helpful if you could give details on your remaining cards and loans (balance due, interest rate and minimum payment for...

pasadena

AlphaLess wrote:
Bonus already showing.
Feb 05, 2019 Payback Time Cash Bonus $1,000.00

Mine showed up tonight too.

pasadena

Your home network is probably not as secure as most companies', except if you work for small family businesses. Your computer is probably less secure than the network. The important thing here is, don't use unsecured wifi connections (which is what Starbucks offers) i.e. ones where you don't have to...

pasadena

Their no fee money transfers are not free. They get you on the currency spread. Last time I checked it was about 2.9%. This is correct. It varies between 2% and 3% in general. Might be even higher for Advance customers (I wouldn't be surprised). However, it's true that it's hard to beat the conveni...

pasadena

Their no fee money transfers are not free. They get you on the currency spread. Last time I checked it was about 2.9%. This is correct. It varies between 2% and 3% in general. Might be even higher for Advance customers (I wouldn't be surprised). However, it's true that it's hard to beat the conveni...

pasadena

Uh, yes, to me $2,500 minimum is worth having to log on a few minutes every quarter and click a few buttons, and having my money locked for up to 3 months.

Besides it’s good way to force me to save even more.

pasadena

French here. Paris in May is amazing. The weather should be nice. Travel within the city with the Metro -it can get you everywhere, no joke, but might be hard to navigate at first), and the close suburbs using the RER (regional trains). Get a weekly pass. The whole inner center of the city (encompas...

pasadena

1) I think your AA is fine, although very conservative. The major determinant to retiring early is your savings rate the next 10 years, and you appear to have that covered. Your AA is conservative, but over 10 years there is not much difference between 55 and 75% equities. If it makes you feel comf...

pasadena

I have a small brokerage account with a few stocks. It's about $5k. I haven't bought (or sold) anything for months now.

pasadena

pgold wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:55 pm
I'm an immigrant and been working here for almost 3 years in the US now.

Are you planning (or are you at risk of having to) leaving the US at some point in the future? If so, where are you from (assuming you'd go home if you left here).

pasadena

4) Something else: rate of contributions.

pasadena

1 month of expenses at the beginning of the month, less than $200 at the end of the month.

pasadena

Option 2 is a no-brainer, the only thing holding you back is emotions. Emotions and money are not a good pairing. Option 1 is just not rational. You will have less money in the long term, so less income in retirement, especially early retirement. How much do you currently have in taxable? Option 3 w...

pasadena

Currently the Roth and 401(k) are fully invested in the Target Date fund. Now that I'm in a position to max them both out annually and add to a taxable brokerage account, I'd like the extra control a 3 fund strategy affords. My wife doesn't have either. Would you recommend selling the Target Date f...

pasadena

When I had rentals, nearly all my tenants preferred to pay the rent via Zelle (and before it was branded as "Zelle", they used Chase "QuickPay"). Never had a problem with it. In disagree with a prior poster who seemed to insinuate that it is ridiculous to split up a small shared-bill among a few pe...

pasadena

Thank you for all the responses ! I appreciate everyone's input on my situation. You need to start looking at your job as what a job is: a business relationship . There is no emotion involved from the company's side, there shouldn't be any from your side, when decisions are made. That includes guil...

pasadena

The plan says I can change my contributions for Pretax and for Roth. I have Pretax set at one percent and Roth at zero. I am changing the pretax to 6 and leaving the Roth alone, correct? Correct Could it make sense for them to contribute to Roth instead if they're in a low tax bracket? If her husba...

pasadena

Why do you want to do this?

Also, does your wife have a 401(k) (or similar) and Roth IRA?

pasadena

I second everything the others have said. I'll just add, don't get married and/or buy a home together before you've lived together for a while. I know many long term couples who separated after living together for a few months/years. Happened to me too.

pasadena

I use HealthyPaws. The policy is clear and I have had no surprise. Very reasonable increase each year as the pets age. I pay $50 a month for two adult cats, one of them is a senior. I did choose the highest deductible available for each of them. My previous cat died of acute kidney failure a few mon...

pasadena

$80/month/girl would net them roughly $40k after 25 years and could continue to grow but also be a backup for things such as education, wedding, home. Let's say you have $1,000 now, and add $80 a month. If you invest the money in index funds, assuming an average of 6% annual return, the total will ...

pasadena

As option new employer if they will consider a sign on bonus to match the bonus you would lose by transitioning now, or if they can wait until you receive that bonus and start at a later date. If neither works out, I would go anyway. Transferring internally is always a risky thing. Current manager ...

pasadena

I think that Vanguard needs to review their practice of sending emails that encourage their users to click on a link in the email. They are encouraging a bad practice. At some point, users have to take responsibility. The best practice is not so much to never click on links, but to check that the a...

pasadena

BL wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 28, 2019 1:29 pm
Girlfriend may be too expensive or complicated until this is paid off; then he may be a catch.

Rolling my eyes at this. Seriously?

BL wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 28, 2019 1:29 pm
Moving, getting paying roommates, selling car, etc. should all be considered.

That is what a live-in girlfriend is.

pasadena

It depends on your need and the volume of files you want to back up. Simple external hard drive - I recommend a SSD. They have a much lower rate of failure than traditional hard drives, and a much better transfer speed. They can also be much smaller. As other said, if it's just a few spreadsheets, a...

pasadena

I think your definition of "middle" income is a little off. The USA median income per person was a bit under $32,000 in 2017, (Note that's lower than the mean, and quite a bit lower than mean household) The 401k contribution cap of $19k is more than half of the median income. And thus maxing it out...

pasadena

I did have a lump sum to invest this month, and I put it all to work at once.

If you're in it for the long term, it won't matter as much as it seems now. Also, your theory would have been proved wrong, had it been last year. You have no way to know.

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