Search found 880 matches

by AllMostThere
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with 529 plan
Replies: 6
Views: 462

Re: Help with 529 plan

The Mass U.Fund 529 is a very respectable 529 with low fees (<0.20%). Additionally, Mass gives a $2000 state tax deduction, so be sure to contribute at least that much. Please note that $2000 per year savings will most likely NOT fully fund a college education for a newborn, so you will need to contribute more. Time in the market is key, so IMHO, target $5K-$10K for first few years at a minimum. Also, be sure to get your Mass State one-time contribution of $50 as part of the BabySteps Savings Plan. As an additional bump (but no tax deduction), consider the Fidelity 529 Cashback Credit Card that will contribute 2% of all spending into the Fidelity 529. When using Index funds in the Fidelity 529, it is a very good low-cost option. Yes, you ca...
by AllMostThere
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Terrible experiences with Express Scripts
Replies: 12
Views: 1583

Re: Terrible experiences with Express Scripts

Yeah, Express Scripts can be a pain, but they are a joy and a pleasure compared to Alliance by Walgreens. My DW's insurance changed to Alliance Rx two years ago, from Express Scripts and changed back to Express Scripts after the number of employee complaints about Alliance was through the roof!! What kind of $$'s are you talking about? You can keep up the fight or chalk it up to lesson learned and move on. Good luck.
by AllMostThere
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: security issues in providing docs to tax preparer
Replies: 13
Views: 1566

Re: security issues in providing docs to tax preparer

For probably +10 years we had a tax preparer who actually came to our house, walked us through the process and filed our taxes all while on-site. He would complete taxes for me and DW then move on to completing for my DM who was also at the table. He would walk us through all the questions (sort of like Turbo Tax does) and guide us a little when we had questions. He would even give us ideas for tax minimization for the following year. All for less than $75 each. He left the house with nothing more than the tax information used for completing the filing (no paperwork left the house). This worked out great for us, until it didn't. Each year in January, we would call his contact number and his DW would do all the scheduling and planning for hi...
by AllMostThere
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Umbrella Policy: Multiple Insurers, One Coverage?
Replies: 10
Views: 1020

Re: Umbrella Policy: Multiple Insurers, One Coverage?

I'm in Michigan have AAA for Auto, Home and Umbrella. Having two young drivers, I shocked that they were very competitive by several thousand dollars to next competitor.
by AllMostThere
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 972
Views: 111050

Re: So what are you cooking

LadyGeek wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:02 pm Grey-Poupon mustard - Maple syrup Salmon in the toaster oven. I got the sauce off a Grey-Poupon mustard jar. Here it is:

What You Need

¼ cup Maple-flavored or pancake syrup <--- Use decent syrup, not the fake stuff
2 Tbsp. Grey-Poupon Dijon Mustard
1 tsp. minced garlic
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 salmon fillets (1 lb.)
1 Tbsp. Oil

===========================

Instead of grilling, I baked it in the toaster oven for about 15 minutes. That was too long, so go by temperature. The fish should be above 145 deg F to be done.
I do a similar recipe. Want to really make it pop more? After brushing with the glaze top with minced pecans or walnuts. WOW!! Best crusted salmon ever. :beer
by AllMostThere
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4772

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

ejm009 wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:27 am 3) Ability to transfer income between parent and child tax returns to maximize AOTC.
Okay, not really sure what this is about. A little more explanation please.
by AllMostThere
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
Replies: 219
Views: 25577

Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")

....Your home is an expenditure, not an investment..... I also believe in this statement with a little more definition. "Your home is a quality of life, not and investment". I remember getting in a great debate with my work manager back in the late 90's about this. Me and DW were building a house ourselves on land given to us my father. It was a modest 1325 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath house on a crawl space in a lower-middle-income neighborhood. My manager could not understand what we were doing and insisted that "you need to buy the biggest house you can afford as it will be your retirement later". This was what he did. Needless to say, during the great recession he lost his job and ultimately lost his house and couldn't affo...
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 205
Views: 9322

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

I "sandbox" a Chromebook as my dedicated financial computer and been doing this since November 2020. I purchased from Best Buy during Black Friday for only $79. It's a Lenovo - Chromebook 3 11.6" HD Laptop - Celeron N4020 - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC. Very peppy little computer that I keep next to my TV relaxing chair and I use it daily. I think it's a great idea that I got from Clark Howard. Key is to never, ever, not ever use for Surfing the web, Online shopping, E-mail access, Visiting Facebook, Twitter/X or any other social media platform. This is where the trouble starts. I have often thought about using a dedicated email for my financial accounts but have yet to implement that option. Clark Howard has a great write up about...
by AllMostThere
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???
Replies: 54
Views: 6099

Re: Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???

UPDATE FROM OP - I visited the dealership today, and learned that our car was "digital key" compatible. So, after a few minutes of manipulation by the "technology guy" at the dealership, my phone now acts as a "key fob". So DW can start and drive the car with the "real" key fob. And I can start and drive the car using my phone. HOORAY!! The dealership technology guy told me that Lexus has now made second keys available for all cars manufactured in November 2023 and earlier. So, that means that there is (at maximum) a five-month backlog on second keys. And he said that Lexus appears to be catching up rapidly with second keys to fill the gap, so maybe there will be a time in the near future when every ...
by AllMostThere
Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 972
Views: 111050

Re: So what are you cooking

I've been trying to reduce card intake due to some high glucose readings. Additionally, DW is now gluten free. One of our triggers is PIZZA! I have adjusted the recipe below for a low carb, gluten free, keto pizza crust. - Bake 8 once skinless chicken breast in oven until completely cooked. Allow to cool. - Blend/chop in food processor: cooked chicken breast, 1 egg and 1/4 cup real parmesan cheese. Mix into a consistency similar to a fine chicken salad. - On parchment paper, shape mixture into a 10-inch round. - Place with parchment paper in preheated 400-degree oven onto a pizza stone. - Cook 15 minutes. - Flip into clean parchment paper and cook additional 15 minutes. - Remove from oven and allow to cool. - Top pizza crust with your favor...
by AllMostThere
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?
Replies: 120
Views: 9450

Re: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?

There will be unintended consequences of any new fee structure. Unfortunately, it will start with fee upon fee with from those Realtors who think they can get away with it. Will then morph into Relators who actually understand that providing superior service at a fair transparent price will be successful. Next few years will definitely be interesting. :shock:
by AllMostThere
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which typie of Fidelity account?
Replies: 26
Views: 1858

Re: Which typie of Fidelity account?

DD puts her's into her CMA. I put mine into her Fidelity 529. Hmmm, what's wrong here?? :oops:
Great product none the less.
by AllMostThere
Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Basket of Stocks
Replies: 34
Views: 3047

Re: Basket of Stocks

I totally misread this title. I thought it was Basket of "Socks"! Thought to myself, "now I've seen it all!". Yet I still clicked on it. :oops:
Sometimes one must just call it quits and go to bed early. Goodnight. :beer
Oh, yeah. TSM and/or SP500 for me.
by AllMostThere
Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625579

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

ResearchMed wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:38 pm Oh, leftover pizza for breakfast is much better still cold.
Yum. And memories!
:wink:

RM
Wake me up! I'm dreaming of a pizza breakfast. Breakfast of Champions!!!! :D
by AllMostThere
Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost
Replies: 52
Views: 3314

Re: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost

As Rick suggests, it's best to start de-bundling your services and then become a free agent to lower your ultimate costs. What I did was switch landline number to Vonage, then when they creeped price up, I switched again to Ooma. Bill is now only ~ $6 for some taxes and fees. Cancelled cable and stream all our needs. Slingbox TV @ $40/mo. + aerial antenna seems to meet our entertainment needs. You are then free to shop out your internet needs on a regular basis to keep your monthly internet costs down. When they know you can leave at any minute for a lower cost, they will play ball. :sharebeer
by AllMostThere
Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 Plan
Replies: 10
Views: 1012

Re: 529 Plan

As others have suggested, use the Virginia529 plan as it will provide you with the state income deduction of $4K per year. Don't mess around with other plans, with one exception below, as the Virginia529 has pretty low fees. Clark Howard has a pretty good 529 guide where he ranks the plans based upon fees. Virginia529 is considered "honor roll" plan with fees <0.4%. Another avenue that has little effort is the Fidelity 529 CC where 2% of charges are deposited into the low-cost Fidelity 529 (Use low-cost index funds when invested). We have been doing this method for past +20 years and accumulated ~ $35K of low hanging fruit 529 monies with Fidelity 529. Child No.1 used it for her year 1 college costs in 2020/21, and Child No.2 is n...
by AllMostThere
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity 1099 error? Federal Farm Credit Bonds
Replies: 8
Views: 1078

Re: Fidelity 1099 error? Federal Farm Credit Bonds

Wow. I too have used and still use Agency Bonds as they are Michigan State Tax Free also. I was unaware of this issue. In looking at my 1099-INT from Fido I also noticed that while the Tresure Bond Interest is deducted from my State Income, the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) & Federal Farm Credit Bank (FFCB) bond interest is NOT! This is not an insignificant issue. There must be a manual way to manipulate this within Turbo Tax. I have ~ $3K in Agency interest so this is not minor. I plan to dig into the TT help sections before I hit submit. :confused :shock: Edit: While some have had luck with adjusting interest income for State TT, I cannot say I have been successful with this for State of Michigan. Interest is directly hardcoded from F...
by AllMostThere
Mon Mar 18, 2024 4:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New insights on safe and perpetual withdrawal rates
Replies: 61
Views: 7459

Re: New insights on safe and perpetual withdrawal rates

I like the thought process of "Perpetual" withdrawals. DW & I are at a 60/40 allocation which I consider to be a "Perpetual" money machine. If you don't like that then maybe it's an "Army of Little Green Men" keeping me safe. :twisted:
by AllMostThere
Mon Mar 18, 2024 4:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone former RV'ers happy with Tesla Camping?
Replies: 8
Views: 2552

Re: Anyone former RV'ers happy with Tesla Camping?

You are suggesting car camping, so whether a Tesla or not is immaterial. Regardless, you will be cramped for space and limited on equipment capacity. Our family did tent camping for many years, but we also had a truck with rear cap to carry all the necessary camping equipment. Ton of work to pack, unpack, setup, breakdown and repack. I can't even imagine trying to do this in a Tesla. Maybe when I was 20-something and all I cared about was a cooler beer and plenty of ice. :beer
by AllMostThere
Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
Replies: 219
Views: 25577

Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")

For me: - Figure out a reasonable monthly budget (food, etc) and stick to it - "Pay yourself first" - put aside as much as you can in savings (or investing) so long as you can live off of the rest - Use your credit card as your every day expenses card, not your debit card...this helps built credit rating (as long as you pay it off each month) - Buy cars used. You save so much that way - PLAN your family and realize that kids cost a lot! It's great to want a family, but temper that with financial realities - These last few are strictly investing so don't tell on me 8-) : -- Dollar-cost averaging: do it. -- When young, invest aggressively (i.e. stocks vs bonds); in the long run it will literally pay off for you -- Maximize any matc...
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 48
Views: 4435

Re: funeral preparations

feehater wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:14 pm The article says to name a power of attorney so that they can write a check for the funeral after your death. Isn’t this incorrect? I thought my memory was that POAs expire upon death.
Yes, I too am under the impression the POA expires with the death of individual.
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies
Replies: 53
Views: 4494

Re: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies

I help both my DD (22 yr old) and DS (18 yr old) with their Roth accounts at Fidelity. While we don't purchase VTI, we do buy the ITOT EFT. We then use the Fidelity Zero International Index Fund (FZILX) for the left-over dollars and pennies that cannot be used for whole EFT share purchase. We also use this strategy for the regular dividend and capital gains thrown off from ITOT. Last week, I just purchased $0.02 of FZILX in DD's account. :happy :beer
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22583

Re: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission

Hopefully, similar to brokerage fees, this will be a race to the bottom on real estate sales fees all to the benefit of customers. Time will tell how this shakes out. Okay, they agreed to pay a penalty. Where is this money going? Any chance for recent home sellers & buyers to receive a partial refund of fees? Having sold several properties in past few years, one can only hope.... :twisted: :beer
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: “Bellys” on sewer scope for new house
Replies: 41
Views: 2549

Re: HVAC 30 years old on house under contract

Yes, 30 years is old for a mechanical appliance. Nothing wrong with asking for something after the inspection. Maybe half or something in between. Risk is that seller may tell you to pound sand for funds on a mechanical that actually works. When we sold our starter home many years ago, we had a buyer that wanted a new hot water heater after the inspection. It was 10 years old and still produced hot water without issue or leaks. While we fixed true safety concerns (dryer electrical needed conduit and garage roof missing some shingles), we told the buyers to go pound sand on the hot water heater and we would move on. Sometimes nick picking is too much.
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garmin Watches: do you wear it at night? if not, does it affect stats?
Replies: 33
Views: 2743

Re: Garmin Watches: do you wear it at night? if not, does it affect stats?

bluebolt wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:35 am
AllMostThere wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:37 am I ditched a perfectly good iWatch for couple reasons - 1) Needed nightly charging, 2) No sleep data as it was on cradle charging
What generation Apple Watch did you have? The newer ones (Series 7 and later) have fast charging and go from 10-80% or so in about 30 minutes and to 100% in under an hour. I place on the charger when I wake up and it's charged by the time I'm ready.
Yeah, it was an old Series 2. Issue for me is I'm still rocking an iPhone 7 that is a daily struggle with memory full, so any upgrade will be cost of new iPhone plus new iWatch. Easily $1K expenditure to stay in the Apple ecosystem.... :shock:
by AllMostThere
Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 2206

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

CLKGTR wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:14 pm I have one of those premium german SUVs that is starting to break down.....
Enough said. Sell it. Money drain on repairs will be never ending on this over engineered German car. Parts and labor will be crushing. Sell it and get the Toyota or even Lexus of your dreams. :beer
by AllMostThere
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garmin Watches: do you wear it at night? if not, does it affect stats?
Replies: 33
Views: 2743

Re: Garmin Watches: do you wear it at night? if not, does it affect stats?

I ditched a perfectly good iWatch for couple reasons - 1) Needed nightly charging, 2) No sleep data as it was on cradle charging, 3) Wanted to exit the expensive Apple ecosystem. I got a Garmin Instinct 2 as it addressed all three reasons above. I'm not really impressed with the Garmin product. While it does hold a charge extra-long (20-30 days), I don't wear it at night as I find I don't like to wear a watch while sleeping. I also find the alerts to be nearly impossible to read. I may actually find myself going back to a iWatch as I find the feedback to be more useful and easier to read. :oops:
by AllMostThere
Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you completed the revised FAFSA for 2024-2025?
Replies: 23
Views: 3749

Re: Have you completed the revised FAFSA for 2024-2025?

Ours is still "In Review" , anyone here who had their FAFSA in 'In Review" status, got it eventually "processed" yet ? Well today is March 15th, so basically mid-March and we still have two FAFSA applications "in review". Based upon how terrible this new process was rolled out, I really wasn't holding my breath that anything would change come the 15th. Waiting game continues. :annoyed March 21 Update: FAFSA's for DD and DS both processed on March 18th. Only 10 weeks from submission to processed status! Reddit and other Forums are a flurry with many posters screaming that they are stuck in never ending loop in that their FAFSA's cannot process without signatures, yet system will not allow them to sign. As ...
by AllMostThere
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights
Replies: 29
Views: 2303

Re: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights

Don't play their game. As they cancelled the flights, demand a full refund (not credit) per DOT guidelines. Let them know you will be filing a "consumer complaint" with the DOT should they continue this garbage. Things will move once a complaint is filed. Do it today!!! :beer
by AllMostThere
Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3570

Re: Ooma Phone Service

We've had Ooma so long I've lost count of years. Maybe 8 or 10 years..... :confused
Zero issues with service, quality nor any voice lag. We are on our 2nd Ooma router, which we purchased from Costco ~ 4 years ago (Teleo Air).
We do not subscribe to the premier service as I do not see the value in it $10/month. We only have the basic service which comes out to ~ $6/mo which is just taxes and some additional service fees. I recommend Ooma to friends often. :beer
by AllMostThere
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Emerging Markets Stocks have been a complete disaster
Replies: 175
Views: 17681

Re: Emerging Markets Stocks have been a complete disaster

Yeah, I had an allocation of EM many years ago. I grew tired of all the ups and downs. I realized that the slice and dice of my allocation wasn't worth it, so I dumped EM and while I was at it I also dumped REIT's. Have never looked back and glad I did. IMO, not worth it. :annoyed
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Negotiating Full Size SUV
Replies: 23
Views: 3647

Re: Negotiating Full Size SUV

I am also looking for full size SUV - Tahoe. I am not finding anything below sticker price right now. Better than last couple years where I was seeing multiple thousands over sticker price. I am seeing some price movement and incentives on full size trucks right now, so I am hoping to see the full-size SUV's to follow suit soon. I will continue to wait out the storm.... :annoyed
by AllMostThere
Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax and Mega Backdoor Roths
Replies: 8
Views: 572

Re: Turbotax and Mega Backdoor Roths

I had same problem when I was doing Mega BD Roths. TT help forum had a help section that addressed this. Basically, you manually break the single 1099 into two as if you received two - 1 for the Roth rollover and 1 for the tIRA rollover. End result is zero tax due.

Edit - looks like Duckie beat me to the punch. He is correct and this aligns with already proven methodology to address this. :beer

Edit Edit - I had same question several years ago. See: viewtopic.php?p=4374778&hilit=turbotax#p4374778
by AllMostThere
Wed Feb 28, 2024 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Using PayPal to pay bills and earn 5% on credit cards]
Replies: 603
Views: 90368

Re: [Using PayPal to pay bills and earn 5% on credit cards]

^ I just checked and two of mine are also gone: water/sewer and, the big one, property tax. :( What's left is only our gas/electric. But even for that one, if I search for the company, it doesn't show up. I'll find out in a few weeks if I can still pay that remaining bill, but the value will be minimal, in any case. The credit card fee to pay it directly is not too bad. I'm probably only netting about 1% extra on it by paying through paypal. Ditto for me. City water and property tax are no longer listed. :annoyed Gas company is still there, and the only left for me, so I paid that. It was good while it lasted..... March 2nd Edit: Seeing all the comments on some utilities being removed. My gas company, which I paid on Feb 29th, is now gone....
by AllMostThere
Wed Feb 28, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jeep Grand Cherokee problem with starting and quits
Replies: 11
Views: 1715

Re: Jeep Grand Cherokee problem with starting and quits

I second the recommendations related to battery investigation. I had an older Jeep GC I got from my DM when she passed away. After sitting awhile, it would only start and run ~ 5 seconds before dying. I received many backyard mechanic recommendations from friends ranging from engine controller bad to injectors bad. Ultimately, I was determined to get'r fixed and spent a weekend digging in. I found the positive battery connector was cracked making a poor connection to the battery. Battery was also in bad shape and wouldn't hold a charge. I was able to replace the battery connector myself ~ $10 and got the battery replaced by Costco under warranty. After these changes, it would start and stay running. Who knew?? :confused :oops:
by AllMostThere
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pressure Treated Decking Lumber
Replies: 26
Views: 2383

Re: Pressure Treated Decking Lumber

Nothing wrong with using the pressure treated 5/4 boards as they are very economical and last if installed and maintained correctly. I have used for multiple decks over the years. In my experience, when selecting boards at the bog box store look for boards that are not warped horizontally as this will only get worse after installation. Some very light warping left or right over length (in one direction, not both) is acceptable as this can be bent back into shape when screwing boards down. The less knots the better. Use 2X deck screws on every cross member (assume 16 inches on center) over the length of the board. Pre-drill holes prior to screw installation. As the boards will be somewhat damp, they will shrink a lot in width as they age ove...
by AllMostThere
Mon Feb 26, 2024 5:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1098-T form / Do I pay taxes on my daughter's scholarships?
Replies: 58
Views: 15832

Re: 1098-T form / Do I pay taxes on my daughter's scholarships?

Bumping and following with interest as this may be applicable to my family this year with two kids in college.
by AllMostThere
Mon Feb 19, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Warning - TurboTax Form 8283 Issue
Replies: 9
Views: 1918

Re: Warning - TurboTax Form 8283 Issue

invest4 wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:38 am I don't recall any year where bugs were not present with updates following. As a result, I don't get too frisky trying to file early as I try to avoid a redo.

Best wishes.
Exactly. Seems like the TT software updates are nearly daily. I usually wait until mid-March to file to allow as many updates as possible. Plus, I like to procrastinate :shock: :oops:
by AllMostThere
Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Edward Jones New Low
Replies: 110
Views: 19914

Re: Edward Jones New Low

Not sure how I missed this post from many months ago. All I can say is OMG and I'm sorry you and sister had to go through this with ordeal with EJ. After reading this I can truly agree that they are the epitome of classless thieves :twisted: . You're a good brother and did a great job on getting the FINRA and SEC involved. BH's need to keep this post handy for the next poor person who posts "should I stay with my Edward Jones Financial Advisor?" :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:
by AllMostThere
Fri Feb 09, 2024 7:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Contributing to 2023 Roth IRA with no 2023 income
Replies: 35
Views: 3056

Re: Contributing to 2023 Roth IRA with no 2023 income

18 years old and thinking about Roth investing. You are awesome and on the right track. Unfortunately, without "earned" income in 2023 you cannot contribute to a Roth for tax year 2023. Good news is the 2024 Roth contribution limit is $7,000, so be prepared to invest this amount for 2024 contribution (assuming you have at least gross $7K earned income). Continue with this mindset of saving as much as possible by paying yourself first, investing in low-cost index funds, avoiding consumer debt, don't keep up with the Jones's and living a frugal life through "intentional" and planned spending you will be setting yourself up to a future of prosperity (see my signature tag line). While not a huge fan of Dave Ramsey I do like ...
by AllMostThere
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you buy a mattress?
Replies: 47
Views: 3825

Re: How do you buy a mattress?

Costco's return policy is your friend here. Buy the size of your choice using the best reviews. Try it & keep or try it & return.
by AllMostThere
Wed Feb 07, 2024 5:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you completed the revised FAFSA for 2024-2025?
Replies: 23
Views: 3749

Re: Have you completed the revised FAFSA for 2024-2025?

..... 1) If you have modest* assets, look in to managing your AGI down to 175% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Level to get automatic full PELLs for the 2026-2027 college year. (*If I take another deep dive in to FAFSA materials I'll come back and revise "modest assets" to something more precise:).) ETA: Another possible reason to manage AGI downwards to the 175% of Federal Poverty Level zone is that it positions you nicely to get free or near free ACA/Obama Care/Health Exchange insurance while your kids are in college (if you don't have an employer/ group plan, of course). ...... I believe assets are not included in calculations of SAI if you can get AGI below 175% of FPL. So level of assets wouldn't matter, at all, if you are eligi...
by AllMostThere
Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you completed the revised FAFSA for 2024-2025?
Replies: 23
Views: 3749

Re: Have you completed the revised FAFSA for 2024-2025?

Fasfa status is still "in review" as of today. Noticed that the update went from "We'll share their FAFSA information with their selected schools starting end of January" to now saying "We’ll share their FAFSA information with their selected schools starting in the first half of March". Looks like another 6 weeks of waiting..... :oops: Looks like additional the delay was result of needing to update SAI calculations to include inflation effect. "Additionally, the Department has updated the supporting tables used in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation—which replaced the Expected Family Contribution formula—that account for inflation." https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-an...
by AllMostThere
Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 6001

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

Great video. I really like how Rob actually pulls up Mike's SS tool and applies input examples. This tool is so simple to use. In my case the tool gave me a result that I really never thought about. We were both planning on taking SS @ 70 yrs. old to get the max yearly payout, but the tool output is telling me that spouse 1 should file @ 62 yrs. 1 month and spouse 2 should file @ 70 yrs. This strategy gives us the highest present value.
Awesome tool !!! :moneybag :moneybag :moneybag :beer :beer :beer
by AllMostThere
Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
Replies: 100
Views: 10211

Re: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?

kinaokole wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:04 am Rock climbing is great for strength, balance, and flexibility. It’s good problem-solving, too. I like hiking/scrambling for more balance and cardiovascular fitness.

I also recommend moving somewhere with weather that allows outdoor activity year-round.
I had a college roommate who was a rock climber. He was in excellent physical condition. Only issue I have with this path is that I am deathly afraid of heights to the point I won't even go on my roof. :shock: :shock: :D I much rather like your recommendation for a warmer climate as we have been thinking about that one. :beer
by AllMostThere
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
Replies: 100
Views: 10211

Re: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?

I have been thinking about the same type of post for a while now, so timing and topic is spot on. Interesting list of different healthy options provided by the BH forum. The winter months have put a hamper on my step counts so looking forward to better weather. While I will get my steps and miles on my e-bike, I am curious what are others are doing to improve their flexibility and balance. DW & I have been thinking that some Yoga introduction will help with this aspect. Are there any free on-line classes for beginners that we can explore? Keep up with the great healthy lifestyle recommendations. :beer
by AllMostThere
Tue Jan 30, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S&P 500 Closes at Record High
Replies: 203
Views: 26403

Re: S&P 500 Closes at Record High

I am firm believer of stay the course and time in the market is more important than timing the market. I have a cousin who, at the advice of his "guy", has stayed out of the market for years waiting for a correction. He still believes his Index Annuities from his "guy" are keeping him in the market :oops:
by AllMostThere
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 13207

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

To each their own. If you love your work, then continue on. I recall +20 years ago going to one of those Success Conventions with a prior boss and hearing Zig Ziglar speak. He hit the nail on the head for me. I paraphrase what he said - "You work not for the love of the job, but for those you love". This small sentence helped me change my work-life paradigm and allowed me to retire early without remorse. I have spent 3 wonderful years with my family and have not looked back.
by AllMostThere
Sat Jan 27, 2024 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advise me on mediocre 401k options
Replies: 8
Views: 724

Re: Advise me on mediocre 401k options

Calling this 401k "mediocre" is polite. I would be using more descriptive language. These funds and their ER's, and 12b-1 fees are large. Do the "A" class funds really charge you a sales load to get in? If me, I would do the following:

- Continue using T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 R (RRTVX) or even Alger Capital Appreciation Trust (ALARX)
- Invest in 401k minimum to get the max employer match, then
- Open Roth IRA and invest max in a low cost Market Index Fund (Fidelity, Vanguard or Schwab), then
- Do you have access to HSA? If so, invest max and keep invested in market index fund. Fidelity is best option for this.
- Only then continue maxing the 401k

Good luck. :beer