Search found 12208 matches

by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond allocation-what I'm I missing
Replies: 15
Views: 1761

Re: Bond allocation-what I'm I missing

Bonds have a higher rate of return compared to cash. They have lower returns than stock but much more risk, and you have a short horizon. It is very possible that the market could drop and never come back in your lifetime. You invest in stocks if you have the need, willingness, and ability to take risk. Do you?
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Growing Peril of Index Funds: Too Much Tech
Replies: 67
Views: 9354

Re: The Growing Peril of Index Funds: Too Much Tech

I am pretty glad I am not overweight auto industry or energy right now, which you would be using an equal weight index.
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA and 401K – Advice?
Replies: 11
Views: 1075

Re: Roth IRA and 401K – Advice?

and!ru7 wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 3:32 pm
aristotelian wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:47 pm You can buy whatever ETF's you want with no minimum. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index would be find for a young investor just getting started.
What's the difference between ETF's and Index funds?
They are essentially the same. There are many threads on this if you need a detailed explanation.
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question on worthless stocks
Replies: 6
Views: 676

Re: Question on worthless stocks

Let it ride. Only way it can go is up.
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA and 401K – Advice?
Replies: 11
Views: 1075

Re: Roth IRA and 401K – Advice?

You can buy whatever ETF's you want with no minimum. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index would be find for a young investor just getting started.
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Most conservative allocation in Inherited IRA due to taxes?
Replies: 11
Views: 1235

Re: Most conservative allocation in Inherited IRA due to taxes?

OP, what is your income and marginal tax rate? There may be some advantage to pulling it all out now, or even if it's a wash you could simplify your finances some. Is it really worth keeping track of RMDs and such for $100/year?
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What computer should I get?
Replies: 36
Views: 4614

Re: What computer should I get?

Early December I was looking for a laptop to do much the same thing, Excel, Word, Internet and Band in a Box. And I didn't want to pay a fortune for it. So I bought Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM 15.6-Inch FHD Notebook (Intel Core i3-7100U 7th Generation , 4GB DDR4, 1TB 5400RPM HD, Intel HD Graphics 620, Windows 10 for $314.99 from Amazon. It's certainly quick enough for my needs and I'm very pleased with the purchase so far. That's a great deal! I got my wife an Asus Vivobook in that price range with Celeron CPU and SSD. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1TS-001A-007Y1&cm_re=vivo_book-_-1TS-001A-007Y1-_-Product Very happy with it so far as she only uses it for web browsing and office tasks. If you aren't gaming or encodin...
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell some taxable to contribute to traditional IRA?
Replies: 8
Views: 1061

Re: Sell some taxable to contribute to traditional IRA?

I would say yes unless for some reason you need the liquidity.
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What would you do in our situation: Roth 403b or Traditional 403b?
Replies: 57
Views: 3271

Re: What would you do in our situation: Roth 403b or Traditional 403b?

...to convert Traditional funds to Roth at a low effective tax rate, and Traditional would be the big winner. The "effective" rate is irrelevant to their decision, and using it will make future traditional contributions appear more favorable than they really are. Note that if they make no further traditional contributions at all, converting existing traditional funds to Roth will incur a certain tax rate. Any additional traditional contributions going forward will be withdrawn "on top of" the existing base, and thus taxed at some marginal tax rate . Not if they retire early and have no other taxable income. With the new big standard deduction, a portion of their traditional withdrawals could come out at 0%. It is not as...
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What would you do in our situation: Roth 403b or Traditional 403b?
Replies: 57
Views: 3271

Re: What would you do in our situation: Roth 403b or Traditional 403b?

Why do you plan to work so long? How confident are you in being able to work for 10 years? If you retire together in 5 years, you will have about 10 years to convert Traditional funds to Roth at a low effective tax rate, and Traditional would be the big winner. It becomes a closer call if you truly work up until retirement and you don't have any opportunity to pull the Traditional funds at low rate.
by aristotelian
Thu Dec 28, 2017 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HDHP and HSA vs PPO
Replies: 15
Views: 3246

Re: HDHP and HSA vs PPO

You mention FIRE so I assume you are relatively young, and you don't mention any major health problems. You might compare the out of pocket max for the two plans. Otherwise, I think you are right to take the HSA. With the difference in premiums and the company contribution, the HSA has a $4500 head start. Assuming you are able to max the HSA along with your other retirement accounts, you will get an additional tax benefit. I would go for it.

What is the out of pocket max for the two plans?

Are you currently maxing your 401ks and IRAs?

Any health concerns?
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 parent vs kids name
Replies: 2
Views: 586

Re: 529 parent vs kids name

You want it to be a parental asset if possible. However, I don't think it matters since you are the account owner and the money is yours until it's distributed regardless of who is the beneficiary. You can also change the beneficiary at any time.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Single member LLC retirement plan?
Replies: 10
Views: 1424

Re: Single member LLC retirement plan?

staythecourse wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:54 pm She can open a solo 401k as she has no employees. It is 18k max (2017) for employee contributions (HAS TO BE DONE BY 12/31). This can be roth or traditional. I use TD ameritrade as they have 100 free ETF (most of the vanguard ones you would want). Also, have a HSA (HSA bank) through them as the brokerage so it is easier to use the same. Have been happy with them so far. Great customer service the few times I have called.
One correction: TD is phasing out Vanguard ETF's from their commission-free list. There are plenty of competitive iShares and SPDR funds to choose from but if Vanguard is important to you, you should open a solo 401k directly with Vanguard.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe: Managed Vol Strategies Work
Replies: 24
Views: 3454

Re: Larry Swedroe: Managed Vol Strategies Work

Random Walker wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2017 3:25 pm Aristotelian,
I might disagree on one point. I’m definitely on tenuous territory here though. Given current equity valuations, I think it is possible that the expected return of some of the alternatives is greater than equities currently.

Dave
I see your point, but set aside short term considerations. I am talking theoretically about the role of alternatives in a long term buy-and-hold portfolio.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to get more bonds / fixed income into our portfolio
Replies: 12
Views: 1444

Re: How to get more bonds / fixed income into our portfolio

Do the Lifepath 2020 fund in His 401k, or purchase I Bonds from Treasury Direct and/or a muni bond fund in your brokerage account.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 4:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to setup a crypto-currency "index fund" (Bitcoin, etc.)
Replies: 77
Views: 10740

Re: How to setup a crypto-currency "index fund" (Bitcoin, etc.)

yangtui wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:45 am Spend some time looking for the next Bitcoin and invest your play money or buy lottery tickets. The cat is already out of the bag, buying crypto now is a good way to make the buyers before you money.
Are you saying I should overweight "alt coins"?
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Creating a Mid-Tier Emergency Fund
Replies: 21
Views: 4145

Re: Creating a Mid-Tier Emergency Fund

I Bonds and tax exempt muni funds are great for this purpose. I have $10K in Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund, and $50K between I Bonds and Vanguard's long term muni fund for my state.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529's or Taxable?
Replies: 19
Views: 2494

Re: 529's or Taxable?

I would go ahead and do as much as you can afford in the 529s.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe: Managed Vol Strategies Work
Replies: 24
Views: 3454

Re: Larry Swedroe: Managed Vol Strategies Work

What is starting to bug me a bit is that factor investing is getting to be more complex. First, it seemed that if you wanted to factor tilt, that you had to choose the "right" investment vehicles. Now it seems we need vehicles that are increasing in complexity or are semi-liquid. While alarm bells are not necessarily going off, I am getting a bit of an uneasy feeling. The stock market to me is a proxy for owning and operating my own business. Owning REITs is a proxy for directly held and managed Real Estate. Owning debt is a proxy for being in the business of providing loans. In other words, I want to participate in capitalism by owning the means of production and helping to finance investments in economic growth. To the degree t...
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to Invest my HSA - Lively
Replies: 32
Views: 6881

Re: How to Invest my HSA - Lively

I have 70% SPTM and 30% SPTL (Long Term Treasury Index). Also looked at SPYD for the stock and SPAB and AGGY on the bond side.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: is using HSA as investment vehicle worth the trouble?
Replies: 50
Views: 8701

Re: is using HSA as investment vehicle worth the trouble?

That $50k >>> $150k calculation makes a lot of assumptions about how it would have been invested. Also, it wasn't $50k from the start. It accrued gradually based on the annual contribution limits. But yes, as always, it would have been better to invest it as we went along. :-) As for future vs. current expenses, I've wondered about that. How necessary is it to even keep documentation at this point, when my wife and I will likely have significant future medical expenses that will (probably) be sufficient to deplete the account? Hmmm... This is a very good argument in favor of keeping it and investing it. I manage the billing for my mom's assisted living (among other things) and it seems that one could very easily deplete a huge amount of HS...
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I preserve parents’ risky portfolio? Or “disobey” them?
Replies: 74
Views: 7099

Re: Should I preserve parents’ risky portfolio? Or “disobey” them?

They appointed you POA. They trust you to make decisions on their behalf. I would certainly get out of individual stocks and I would add some total bond market or treasuries in one of the IRA's so that their entire fixed income isn't riding on muni's. What you are suggesting is completely sound from the perspective of modern portfolio theory.

It is possible that their aggressive allocation was what they wanted in their 40's and 50's but might not be what they want now. It is also possible that they had no idea what they wanted and simply trusted the advisor.
by aristotelian
Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: is using HSA as investment vehicle worth the trouble?
Replies: 50
Views: 8701

Re: is using HSA as investment vehicle worth the trouble?

If you had invested it from the beginning, your $50k would probably be worth $150K now. The annual contribution basically gives us the equivalent of a third Roth IRA. It is worth it to me. If you plan to use it to cover future expenses and you already have an ample emergency fund, then you don't really need to keep the documentation for small expenses throughout the year.

Depending on your age, you might start drawing on it now to ensure you use the funds on eligible expenses.
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 9:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are Bitcoins really limited?
Replies: 10
Views: 2015

Re: Are Bitcoins really limited?

Regardless of the limit, the price of energy used to mine them operates as a natural limit. The harder they are to produce, the lower the supply and the higher the price.
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Questions on Health Savings Account
Replies: 4
Views: 1039

Re: Questions on Health Savings Account

You cannot pay insurance premiums. The HSA is meant to cover out of pocket costs due to having a high deductible. (They can be used for Medicare premiums in retirement).

Not sure what you mean by "monthly program expenses." You cannot roll non-HSA funds into HSA, only HSA to HSA, and you have an annual maximum.
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Self-employed retirement help, unexpected income
Replies: 5
Views: 806

Re: Self-employed retirement help, unexpected income

Sounds like individual 401k is what you want. Get the account open ASAP. I believe you can still make your contributions by April if the account is open by end of year.

I don't see what recharacterizing the Roth contribution gets you. Best option is to either withdraw it and pay tax on the gains, or count it for next year's contribution and pay a penalty.

In the future, definitely max your individual 401k. You will probably be over the limit for traditional IRA, so next priority would be Roth IRA. If you are over the income limit, you can do "backdoor" contributions.
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help invest for a time period of 5-10 years (not for retirement)
Replies: 27
Views: 3146

Re: Help invest for a time period of 5-10 years (not for retirement)

Is the $30K each of savings in addition to the emergency fund? 5 - 10 years - is this for something that can be delayed if you were to invest in the market and it was down in 5 years? No, my wife's 30k is emergency funds, my $30k is currently idle. We are yet to make up our mind to buy a house, so this fund is unused. We both work, so say a 10% loss of this fund is not detrimental if the markets drop. We are seeking better return on the savings than what bonds/banks offer and accept additional risk. Our thoughts were to open a stock trading account and dabble in stocks with the money, but I'm not super savvy with stock picking or trading. My thoughts were, if the markets continue to stay the course or even if it offers 50% of what we got i...
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking better all purpose financial institution
Replies: 12
Views: 1270

Re: Seeking better all purpose financial institution

stlutz wrote: Mon Dec 25, 2017 1:39 pm Can't deposit cash at Schwab.

I would think you could do it at one of their branches, but never tried it.
Edit: I see cash is not accepted at my local branch. They check every other box, and having very positive personal experience with Schwab, they would be my recommendation.
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need to open HSA account and IRA before the end of the year. Possible?
Replies: 23
Views: 2104

Re: Need to open HSA account and IRA before the end of the year. Possible?

Roth IRA would not reduce your taxes this year. You pay tax now and the investment grows tax free. Traditional IRA would save taxes now but withdrawals would be taxed I'm the future. The choice is somewhat complex and you need to make sure you are eligible. As self employed, you could also open a Solo 401k and shelter a LOT more. More info on your income and tax bracket would be helpful. You will want to call a brokerage asap. Hopefully you can get the accounts open by end of year and then fund them by April 15. I would suggest Schwab because their service is very fast. I confuse names Roth IRA with Traditional. I meant Traditional IRA. Out Gross income 100k. Taxable income 50k. Right now we are in 15% brackets but if IRS will deside to ch...
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need to open HSA account and IRA before the end of the year. Possible?
Replies: 23
Views: 2104

Re: Need to open HSA account and IRA before the end of the year. Possible?

Before you open an HSA, please do provide more info on the type of health insurance plan, the deductibles and how you get the insurance (through employer or self employed). This will help in making sure that you do it right the first time. As for IRA, are you eligible for Trad IRA? Roth IRA doesnt save you taxes this year. We have high deductibles. $7.000 per person. $14.000 per family. Our insurance is My blue. Florida Blue. We are self employed. As for HSA, we are planning on using our savings on medical bills. I never heard of Trad IRA. Our purpose on opening all those accounts is to shelter money so we don't need to pay extra taxes. Roth IRA would not reduce your taxes this year. You pay tax now and the investment grows tax free. Tradi...
by aristotelian
Mon Dec 25, 2017 8:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: At What Point Do you Just Only Play with "House Money"
Replies: 27
Views: 2909

Re: At What Point Do you Just Only Play with "House Money"

How is your current portfolio allocated? What do you hope to achieve with it? Why would you need to take more risk at your age?

I would be more inclined to do the opposite. Figure out a set amount of bonds that you want to keep (could be 5 years or 10 years expenses). Then put all new money in stocks. That way you are protected to ride out most stock crash scenarios while getting increasingly aggressive.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charitable Deduction Question
Replies: 21
Views: 2283

Re: Charitable Deduction Question

Maybe request a confirmation letter specifying the donation was made in 2017? I do believe if you drop it in the mail Tuesday morning it should get there in time.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:18 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: My Christmas Present to You
Replies: 106
Views: 17293

Re: My Christmas Present to You

Wow. Great story. All I know about Bastogne is from the Band of Brothers episode. I can't imagine what it was like to actually be there. Thank you for your service to the U.S.A. and now to Bogleheads!
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking to take out Roth IRA money for house down payment.
Replies: 66
Views: 7207

Re: Looking to take out Roth IRA money for house down payment.

Just saying you are confident does not guarantee that it will happen. The face that you are raiding limited tax advantaged retirement funds is a gigantic red flag that you are going to have too much net worth tied up in real estate.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: [Deleted]
Replies: 98
Views: 20996

Re: REIT or No REIT

hdas wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:48 am

In other words...if a person doesn't have a tax advantaged account, should this person not diversify to REIT's at all based on tax efficiency considerations?

Thanks,
Assuming the core of the portfolio is total stock market, "diversify to REIT's" is a contradiction. What you are attempting to do is concentrate your portfolio in real estate on the theory that real estate stocks have less correlation to the overall market. If you go down this path, at least be clear what it is you are doing so you understand the risks.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: [Deleted]
Replies: 98
Views: 20996

Re: REIT or No REIT

I do not buy them because I believe in diversification of the total stock market. I do not need to concentrate in non-correlating sectors because I have a long term time horizon on the stock side. If stocks go down, I am fine with that. I will just wait ten more years.

If I did concentrate in non-correlating sectors, it would be Utilities.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 12:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's in a name? "Long Island Iced Tea Corp." changes name to "Long Blockchain Corp.", stock price jumps 500%
Replies: 24
Views: 4284

Re: What's in a name? "Long Island Iced Tea Corp." changes name to "Long Blockchain Corp.", stock price jumps 500%

PaulF wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:57 pm Can we short it? :P
Shhhh, this was going to be my pick in the Bogleheads Hedge Fund contest.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 11:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Not investing through your 30's
Replies: 60
Views: 8078

Re: Not investing through your 30's

I am trying to figure out where the figure of $100k came from? Just a simple calculation of $5,500 compounded annually at 8%. 10% gives $250K. Portfoliovisualizer actually says $270K as the 50th percentile outcome but I just use $100k as a conservative back of the napkin number to impress new investors with the power of compounding. Ah, now I get it. You were talking about a one time only $5500 investment. I was thinking along the lines of an annual $5500 Roth IRA investment (plus the current law catch up of $6500 per year beginning at age 50). Exactly. Just trying to make sure OP understands the value of starting early as an investor, so the question is what would be the value of one year's Roth contribution with 40 years of compounding.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 11:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Not investing through your 30's
Replies: 60
Views: 8078

Re: Not investing through your 30's

CyclingDuo wrote: Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:58 am
aristotelian wrote: Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:46 am If you max a Roth IRA at age 20 and let it grow for 40 years your expected return is something like 100k. You get more bang for your buck the earlier you start. Personally I would love to retire now at age 42 and spend more time with my kids.
I am trying to figure out where the figure of $100k came from?
Just a simple calculation of $5,500 compounded annually at 8%. 10% gives $250K.

Portfoliovisualizer actually says $270K as the 50th percentile outcome but I just use $100k as a conservative back of the napkin number to impress new investors with the power of compounding.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Not investing through your 30's
Replies: 60
Views: 8078

Re: Not investing through your 30's

If you max a Roth IRA at age 20 and let it grow for 40 years your expected return is something like 100k. You get more bang for your buck the earlier you start. Personally I would love to retire now at age 42 and spend more time with my kids.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Will you donate less to Charity?
Replies: 109
Views: 11189

Re: Will you donate less to Charity?

We overfunded our DAF this year to cover donations for the next few years. Our actual donation level won't change.
by aristotelian
Sun Dec 24, 2017 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Plan for Stay at home mom within 1.5yrs - what to do about mortgage/saving/expenses
Replies: 46
Views: 4979

Re: Plan for Stay at home mom within 1.5yrs - what to do about mortgage/saving/expenses

We have a few thousand of the HSA not invested (not included in the %s), and can always sell off the HSA investments if needed. So that is essentially our health emergency fund. We also plan to continue contributing to an HSA. Does that make sense? We have some low-cost travel options available and I didn't think to include it since we haven't traveled with young kids - but agree that makes sense for the future. We do plan to use rewards points to keep the travel cost manageable as well. Will consider the shift of charitable to 529, but we do consider charitable a priority so will have to weigh whether and how much to decrease that by. Thanks aristotelian. If you use the HSA for health expenses, I would invest it more conservatively. Consi...
by aristotelian
Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Will Vanguard help clean up your Roth IRA mess?
Replies: 8
Views: 1635

Re: Will Vanguard help clean up your Roth IRA mess?

Shouldn't be too hard. You could calculate the gains on the 2016 balance, then subtract that from the current balance to get 2017 contributions plus gains on the new funds.
by aristotelian
Sat Dec 23, 2017 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are Roth IRAs overrated?
Replies: 88
Views: 14715

Re: Are Roth IRAs overrated?

Roth is not overrated. It is a very powerful saving device. In addition to tax free growth, it has superior liquidity over Traditional. Ideally, you use traditional to reduce your taxable income, and then save every penny you can in Roth at lower tax rates. That is the most powerful combination.

Roth becomes less beneficial when you are in a higher tax bracket. At that point, one should prioritize Traditional (although you could convert to Roth later when you have less taxable income). OP is correct that a lot of people give generic advice to save in Roth when Traditional may be better. That does not take away from the excellent benefits of Roth.
by aristotelian
Sat Dec 23, 2017 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Windfall and Personal Retirement
Replies: 18
Views: 4243

Re: Windfall and Personal Retirement

TomatoTomahto wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2017 8:03 am Welcome to the forum.

We don’t know enough to know whether you should be more conservative, but we do know:
1. You can save $2k by not having an advisor.
2. At your age, splitting between Total Stock and Total International Stock won’t be massively wrong. Keep an Emergency Fund in a Money Market, Maybe 6 months of expenses.
OP, that's $2k annually. According to Portfoliovisualizer, if you invested $2k annually in Total Stock, you would end up with a median value of $589K over 30 years. That is how much the advisor will cost you long term.
by aristotelian
Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tracking FSA to Expenses
Replies: 3
Views: 650

Re: Tracking FSA to Expenses

archbish99 wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2017 2:34 pm The second increase appeared sometime in the last day or so, so whether they're supposed to or not, they clearly do permit me to increase my election. Now I'm trying to decide whether to increase it one more time....
This is your election for this year, correct?

I am a surprised they let you do that, and would be even more surprised if they let you do it again.
by aristotelian
Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Plan for Stay at home mom within 1.5yrs - what to do about mortgage/saving/expenses
Replies: 46
Views: 4979

Re: Plan for Stay at home mom within 1.5yrs - what to do about mortgage/saving/expenses

Congrats on your 0 year old! I am impressed that you are able to spend $1800 on date nights with young kids.

No budget for OOP health expenses. Are you planning to draw on the HSA? You have the HSA invested so that doesn't make sense.

Also no budget for vacation. Do you never travel? With kids those plane tickets add up.

Personally, I would take a portion of the charitable donations and open a 529.

I would build up a large cash position to give you some flexibility when she goes SAH. That is going to be a big change to your cash flow, so a bigger emergency fund will be useful.
by aristotelian
Sat Dec 23, 2017 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Going to Invest [inherited] 100k today. Need reassurance/help.
Replies: 14
Views: 2857

Re: Going to Invest [inherited] 100k today. Need reassurance/help.

1. Are you sure you want to concentrate in real estate?

2. Tax exempt muni bonds are fine, especially in you are in a high tax bracket, but you are taking some risk making them your entire bond allocation. Most of us believe you should also hold Total Bond Market Index (which includes corporate and treasury bonds) in one of your tax advantaged accounts to serve as the core of your bond portfolio. That might be a good choice for your 401k.
by aristotelian
Fri Dec 22, 2017 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Exempt for Social Security
Replies: 16
Views: 1674

Re: Exempt for Social Security

Epsilon Delta wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2017 4:27 pm
JFanni wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2017 3:39 pm
Yes %100 sure, confirmed with my union rep. Still have to contribute to medicare and can opt in to SS if I choose to do so.
It looks a lot like you have been opted in. I'd suggest finding the keeper of the database where the opt in is recorded and seeing if the box is ticked. There may be more than one such data base (e.g. one for the union rep and a different one for payroll). Once you have this you might be able to find out who made the mistake and possibly get it fixed.
+1, it looks like they think you opted in.

You can log in to SSA.gov and see how long this has been going on.