Search found 581 matches

by adestefan
Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2022 Federal Income Taxes ... 6 months status still Pending
Replies: 12
Views: 964

Re: 2022 Federal Income Taxes ... 6 months status still Pending

Same here; filed towards the end of Match. All if my status and records show the exact same as yours. It’s a small refund so I haven’t been pushing too hard.
by adestefan
Sat Aug 19, 2023 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resignation....how to do it?
Replies: 36
Views: 4690

Re: Resignation....how to do it?

Ask to meet for 15 minutes on Monday morning. People only do that for one reason. Your boss will already be prepared.
by adestefan
Mon Aug 07, 2023 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The HVAC sales guy is on his way over...
Replies: 107
Views: 10309

Re: The HVAC sales guy is on his way over...

Never deal with this company again and find someone else. If you need a place yo start Trane can give you a list of authorized dealers in your area. https://www.trane.com/residential/en/dealer-locator/
by adestefan
Wed Aug 02, 2023 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long did you wait for your tax refund this year?
Replies: 165
Views: 17993

Re: How long did you wait for your tax refund this year?

It’s been 4 months since e-filing and still waiting…

Where’s My Refund says the return was accepted. My IRS account has nothing for 2022.
by adestefan
Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheapest way to get spare car keys
Replies: 46
Views: 17795

Re: Cheapest way to get spare car keys

Find a cheap knockoff on eBay and a local locksmith that will program the key for you. Cost me about $50 for a Mazda. This only works if you already have one working key.
by adestefan
Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxation on Bonus
Replies: 6
Views: 1272

Re: Taxation on Bonus

You’ll make up the difference when you file your taxes.
by adestefan
Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Timing to quit job
Replies: 29
Views: 3818

Re: Timing to quit job

The vacation is not a big deal. I’d start looking and interviewing now. Gives you plenty of time to shop around. Even if you find something in a couple weeks there’s no problem in delaying until the summer.

Any place that would say no to either of those requests is not worth working for anyway.
by adestefan
Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Bank failure discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 2482
Views: 212039

Re: [Silicon Valley Bank fails, FDIC takes over]

Gold is up today and there is an interesting story on Kitco with the headline: The dominos are starting to fall... . What would be interesting is why did this bank fail and not others? Were they over-extended in some manner. My understanding according to the news report on it is deposits up to $250K are insured, but those with deposits higher than $250K will receive a certificate that they may be able to redeem for some amount on the dollar once the assets are sold. Not good, and another reason to spread your deposits among different banks They had large depositors who withdrew money all at once. Other banks have smaller depositors, but they are exposed to the same issue and could easily follow SVB. A few things are missing. 1. SVB had str...
by adestefan
Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 2022 401k excess contributions and taxes
Replies: 1
Views: 330

2022 401k excess contributions and taxes

Long story short two jobs over allocated 2022 401k by around $1400. I noticed the error in early February 2023 so no big deal. Contacted employer and Fidelity to remove the excess contribution and that went well. Now this is where it gets interesting. Fidelity sent a check for around $1200. They then sent a letter stating the difference was because of losses on the contributions. It also said I’ll get two 1099-R in 2024. One showing the excess withdrawal and a second the loss. It said I should add the $1200 to my 2022 taxes as misc income, can then take the $200 loss as a subtraction from misc income on my 2023 taxes, and ignore the 1099-R. To me that sounds kind of weird and double dipping on the loss. Anyone else ever deal with this befor...
by adestefan
Wed Mar 01, 2023 5:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTSAX and the coming AI Revolution
Replies: 45
Views: 6710

Re: VTSAX and the coming AI Revolution

Step 1. Don’t buy into the hype. Most of it’s BS.

Step 2. Buy VTSAX and chill.
by adestefan
Tue Feb 28, 2023 5:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 36" oven options- bind with kitchen appliances
Replies: 13
Views: 1056

Re: 36" oven options- bind with kitchen appliances

It could be worse. I have a 40” range. No one makes 40” ranges anymore. Thankfully I’ve been able to repeatedly repair my existing range.
by adestefan
Tue Feb 28, 2023 5:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it okay to play multiple job offers this way?
Replies: 31
Views: 2630

Re: Is it okay to play multiple job offers this way?

# 1 can wait until the end of the week. If they say no it’s not a place you’d want to work at anyway.
by adestefan
Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attempting self imposed $500 annual discretionary spending challenge
Replies: 235
Views: 20003

Re: Attempting self imposed $500 annual discretionary spending challenge

Have you read Cait Flanders‘ The Year of Less? If not, then I recommend you do while you’re on this journey. Be aware it’s not just about spending, but is a memoir of her road to
substance abuse recovery and finding her own journey through her 20s.

While I’m not doing no spending, I am try to be more intentional with my spending this year. When I get impulses to shop, especially online, I’ll let things sit in an online cart for a week. Most of the time I never go back to buy it. I’ve also been batching my Amazon/Target shopping to at least once every other week if not longer. That stops a lot if the impulses of oh I need a new x, when the old one is just fine.
by adestefan
Sun Feb 26, 2023 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Replies: 5
Views: 987

Re: Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

Be aware once you switch from MF to ETF you cannot go back to the MF without a sell/repurchase.
by adestefan
Wed Feb 22, 2023 5:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Today's T-bill auction results
Replies: 29
Views: 4835

Re: Today's T-bill auction results

Remember that rate is an annualized rate. If you keep rolling over 26 week bills there’s no guarantee you’ll see that over the full year.
by adestefan
Wed Feb 22, 2023 5:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where is everyone's ["safe asset"] allocation?
Replies: 96
Views: 12510

Re: Where is everyone's allocation

Retirement accounts are all in target date funds. Taxable is 100% VTSAX, $25k in cash. Have no idea what that ends up being as an AA nor do I care.
by adestefan
Mon Feb 20, 2023 5:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury ETF that Most Closely Replicates 1-year Duration
Replies: 8
Views: 1208

Re: Treasury ETF that Most Closely Replicates 1-year Duration

chassis wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 3:19 am
Have you considered a near-5% yield MM fund such as FZDXX? For me it would be close enough.
If you’re just chasing yields that works for now. Federal money markets usually hold 2-4 week securities. I would not use FZDXX since it has a lot of commercial debt in it.
by adestefan
Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time efile for minor under age 16
Replies: 8
Views: 690

Re: First time efile for minor under age 16

My guess is there’s no legal method for the equivalent of your signature when efiling on behalf of a minor. It’s probably a limitation of the law/rule making.
by adestefan
Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTWAX falling below minimum balance
Replies: 11
Views: 1975

Re: VTWAX falling below minimum balance

The minimums are minimums to open, not minimum balance. I’ve had holdings where I have sold everything and you can buy any amount you want even under the minimum to open.
by adestefan
Sun Feb 12, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your age and asset allocation ?
Replies: 1156
Views: 150819

Re: What is your age and asset allocation ?

HMSVictory wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:31 am 44 yo. retiring in 7 years.

90/10 - stock to bond

Age has nothing (almost) to do with AA the main driver is what % (if any) do you need to draw from the portfolio.

When you must have 4-5% of the portfolio to eat off of the AA becomes critical because you have to be able to survive an extended market downturn.

In my personal case my pension will pay every cent of my living expenses and I'm using the portfolio for travel, hobbies and giving.
Basically the same except I have no pension.
by adestefan
Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Basement Finishing Financing
Replies: 57
Views: 4258

Re: Basement Finishing Financing

Also consider if you really need to finish all 1200 sqft. It may make sense to throw up a wall and only do 600-800 sqft and keep that other part as an unfinished utility/storage/workspace area. This can significantly reduce your cost.
by adestefan
Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Frustrated at work…should I burn down my bridges before a recession?
Replies: 45
Views: 7491

Re: Frustrated at work…should I burn down my bridges before a recession?

You might even consider giving him an ultimatum that unless you make partner at 3x your current compensation you are going to leave to start your own business and compete against him. That usually gets peoples attention. And being properly valued with a seat at the table probably snaps your out of your current funk. I don't think there is much coming back from giving a boss this type of ultimatum-would certainly change the tenor of work even if it was successful. This would seem to be overplaying the hand. Have you tried this tactic with success? Did it change the interpersonal dynamic? Five years ago I was overworked and spread too thin across about 12 area to feel like I was accomplishing anything. I walked into my boss’s office wrote ev...
by adestefan
Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Basement Finishing Financing
Replies: 57
Views: 4258

Re: Basement Finishing Financing

I’ll be the naysayer on cost here. I had mine done a few years ago, including an egress window, and it was $32k. Now, I think you could easily keep it under $50k. I’d start by getting a couple quotes and go from there.

I’m also in the camp of you shouldn’t finance it.
by adestefan
Tue Feb 07, 2023 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WWII Non-Fiction Book Recs
Replies: 103
Views: 8044

Re: WWII Non-Fiction Book Recs

The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. It’s in my top 3 of the best non-fiction books.

Between Silk and Cyanide by Leo Marks. This is a ok e if if to cryptography and spying during the war, but I’d also very well written.
by adestefan
Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Diplomacy training
Replies: 4
Views: 742

Re: Diplomacy training

https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/ ... n-process/

Good luck. I know one person that’s made it from my undergraduate class. He has a graduate degree from Harvard in International relations.
by adestefan
Sun Feb 05, 2023 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TiVo for Samsung HDTV
Replies: 23
Views: 1925

Re: TiVo for Samsung HDTV

TiVo was nice for their time, but are now well past their time. I had various flavors of TiVos for over a decade but just sold my Roamio OTA that was unused for over a year. It was so slow I couldn’t even handle watching OTA local channels in it. Nice thing is that people are paying absurd amounts for them on eBay so I sold it for more than I paid.

I use an Apple TV now and it’s a lot better. For the few times I watch OTA channels I use the TVs built in tuner.
by adestefan
Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to Find Tax Basis in Vanguard for Past DAF Donations?
Replies: 28
Views: 1898

Re: Where to Find Tax Basis in Vanguard for Past DAF Donations?

Artsdoctor wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 2:01 pm
What I've learned is that every single transaction in a taxable account has a potential tax implication so it's really important for you to track everything. I know that we all assume that Vanguard, Fidelity, etc., will keep track of everything for us but that's really not the case in some instances.
This is especially true as things bounce around between accounts. Vanguard probably does not show original basis in this case because they may not always know it. The securities transferred in to a DAF doesn’t have to be purchased at Vanguard.
by adestefan
Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can this be right? This can't be right. [non-deductible travel expenses]
Replies: 10
Views: 2119

Re: Can this be right? This can't be right.

You could ask the employer for reimbursement, but it’s not a tax issue.
by adestefan
Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard in ??? Monroe, Wisconsin, pop. 11,000, Swiss cheese capital of the world?
Replies: 32
Views: 12113

Re: Vanguard in ??? Monroe, Wisconsin, pop. 11,000, Swiss cheese capital of the world?

A long time ago I did some network support work for a bulk mailing printer that was one of the first to go fully digital. We upgraded their network from coax to twisted pair and transitioned them from Netware with IPX to TCP/IP as they expanded.

They integrated digital design, printing, and mailing all in house. A main source of revenue was negotiated bulk mailing rates with the USPS and skimming off of that. In the early 90s they made really, really good money doing contract work for a lot of major corporations.
by adestefan
Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 30 Day Notice [Switching Employer]
Replies: 6
Views: 877

Re: 30 Day Notice

Myself and others I have known have done start dates out months into the future. Once I had a planned 2 week vacation at the end of the summer so I started 10 weeks after I accepted. A friend did 4 months once because it involved a move across the country and she didn’t want to do it in the winter. She accepted in December and started in April. In both cases we only did the standard 2 weeks notice.

Remember you’re in control here. The new company wants you and you owe nothing to your parting company. Just don’t be mean about it and realize it’s a business, not personally, transaction.
by adestefan
Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For those who stopping growing vegetables, why did you stop?
Replies: 36
Views: 3353

Re: For those who stopping growing vegetables, why did you stop?

treypar wrote: Fri Jan 27, 2023 2:00 pm Not enough sun in my yard now
Same happened here. The tree canopies grew back out and now I only get mottled or about 3 hours of full sun through most of my yard.
by adestefan
Fri Jan 27, 2023 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: washing machine replacemnt
Replies: 58
Views: 5915

Re: washing machine replacemnt

If the problem is a non-available circuit board, this company sells refurbished appliance circuit boards at a very good price point. https://circuitboardmedics.com/about-us/ You order a refurbished circuit board; they send by express mail along with a return envelope; you return your faulty circuit board, which they then refurbish for a new customer. They have Youtube videos to help in your replacement. I did this and had a great result at a good price. Not for everyone, but worth considering. I used them to repair an oven board with that had a burned out relay. At the same time they replaced all the capacitors and fixed the dim display. It took two weeks total turn around and fixed my oven that’s basically non-replaceable (it’s an odd siz...
by adestefan
Tue Jan 24, 2023 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2013 Nissan Sentra CVT Transmission Failure
Replies: 6
Views: 2699

Re: 2013 Nissan Sentra CVT Transmission Failure

Don’t do 4. The dealer did nothing wrong. It’s very rare to open up a CVT transmission unless something is wrong. There are too many chance to get small amounts of debris into the system and cause move damages then your fix.


You got 10 years on a known bad transmission. Be happy and go on your merry way.
by adestefan
Thu Jan 19, 2023 4:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128380

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

SimpleGift wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:52 pm On the very small chance that a debt ceiling debacle will occur, with severe impacts the short-term Treasury bill component of our Vanguard money market funds, we will be transferring all the liquid funds we will need for at least three months to our FDIC-insured bank accounts. It's hard to guess when the "X date" might occur this year, when default could actually happen, but most current estimates are for this June. We currently plan to execute our money transfers in April.

Why would you believe that FDIC would payout in the event of a default? That’s why any politician even thinking default is a good idea is terrible. The entire house crumbles.
by adestefan
Wed Jan 18, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garage Door Opener Replacement
Replies: 48
Views: 4068

Re: Garage Door Opener Replacement

The sound difference between the chain and belt is worth the extra cost of a new opener. If you’re sticking to the sane brand and size the swap should be straight forward. You can look at the installation manual online to see what’s involved. Two ladders or getting someone tall helps when putting up the new track.
by adestefan
Wed Jan 18, 2023 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using AT&T prepaid service
Replies: 15
Views: 3460

Re: Anyone using AT&T prepaid service

I’ve been using AT&T prepaid for at least 5 years and never noticed any data slowdowns. That includes in areas with large groups of people.
by adestefan
Mon Jan 16, 2023 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resigning From A New Job
Replies: 77
Views: 7160

Re: Resigning From A New Job

CletusCaddy wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 5:38 pm A job provides many benefits other than money

1. Socialization outside family and friends
2. A common purpose you are working for
3. Intellectual stimulation, problem solving

Does your job provide any of these?
Your job is not your life. You should find all of this outside of a job.
by adestefan
Mon Jan 16, 2023 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resigning From A New Job
Replies: 77
Views: 7160

Re: Resigning From A New Job

If I didn’t need the income, then I’d quit.
by adestefan
Sat Jan 14, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort
Replies: 42
Views: 4748

Re: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort

And it is also handy during other times when you want to be warmed up. As others have posted, ASHPs don't have super hot air blowing out of registers. When its above 40°F outside, I just kick up the setpoint a couple degrees to be cozy. When its chilly outside, I can light a fire in the woodstove (when I am awake and at home) and turn my family room into a sauna. My teens then migrate to that room and pass out. LOL. Overall an ASHP paired with a heater like a propane fireplace or wood/pellet stove (for fun and backup) is just great. I run mine all the time. I usually go though 1 ton of pellets in a winter using it as a supplemental heat source on the evenings and weekends. It usually costs around $300 delivered and stacked in my garage. My...
by adestefan
Fri Jan 13, 2023 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort
Replies: 42
Views: 4748

Re: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort

It is possible to run a gas furnace off a small portable generator. Or in my case a whole house natural gas boiler. The Taco 007 circulator pump for the closed system low pressure hot water to the radiators is only 1/25th HP. The pump requires 120v and 0.71 amps. The boiler controls use even less electricity. I have a modern, EPA rated woodstove insert that can heat my whole house during a blackout, for <100W to run the blower motor. I will not freeze with my electric heat. I’ve had to do that twice in 10 years. Once was for multiple days. I have a pellet insert and it will happily run for days on end as long as the blower and feed has power. The electric igniter will take some juice to start, but it’s only for a minute and my small Honda ...
by adestefan
Wed Jan 11, 2023 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort
Replies: 42
Views: 4748

Re: Heat Pump - mid-Atlantic region - energy efficiency & comfort

Almost 10 years ago I upgraded to a variable speed heat pump. I’ve been very happy with it in the DC metro. It has supplemental electric heat that is only used on the coldest (<15-20 degrees for a high temperature) of days. If you regularly change the filter and do minimal maintenance it will take care of you. I recommend getting a humidifier accessory as an upgrade.

I also have a wood pellet fireplace insert that can heat just about my whole house. We usually use that in the evenings/weekends when it’s below 40 degrees.
by adestefan
Wed Jan 11, 2023 6:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Possible Business Exit - $3M
Replies: 8
Views: 1533

Re: Possible Business Exit - $3M

$600k is a a lot, $2.4mm is even more.

If you don’t trust the advisers you hired, then fire them and find ones you do.
by adestefan
Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon giving up on its own delivery?
Replies: 45
Views: 8965

Re: Amazon giving up on its own delivery?

It will be credited back to the gift card. They can’t be reloaded but they can be refunded.
by adestefan
Tue Jan 10, 2023 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Did you stay in TSP just for G fund after retirement?
Replies: 45
Views: 6856

Re: Did you stay in TSP just for G fund after retirement?

Yes. My plan is to utilize the G fund as I move near to retirement.
by adestefan
Sun Jan 08, 2023 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Building small house yourself as job
Replies: 80
Views: 7852

Re: Building small house yourself as job

Firemenot wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 6:36 pm
adestefan wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 6:28 pm Read Michael Pollan’s A Place of My Own.

https://michaelpollan.com/books/a-place-of-my-own/
Awesome. Thank you!
It's not a book on how to build a small out building, but is instead a meditation on why with some what and how mixed in. Reading your first post made me think of the book and you should enjoy it.
by adestefan
Sun Jan 08, 2023 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why not invest downpayment?
Replies: 26
Views: 2158

Re: Why not invest downpayment?

99.99% of people saving for a down payment do not have more than 3x their down payment in a brokerage account. Nor do they get $70k bonuses.
by adestefan
Sun Jan 08, 2023 11:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Guidance requested-funding Roth IRA and 529 from taxable account
Replies: 2
Views: 251

Re: Guidance requested-funding Roth IRA and 529 from taxable account

I’d wait. Fund what you can now and do the rest throughout the year.
by adestefan
Sat Jan 07, 2023 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why are TaxAct downloads so much more expensive than its competitors
Replies: 8
Views: 1768

Re: Why are TaxAct downloads so much more expensive than its competitors

They don’t want you to use the desktop product. Instead they want you to use the web version. But if you insist they’ll happily pocket the difference.