Search found 412 matches

by marti038
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900269

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

Up 9.49%.

100% Stocks (in ETFs and Mutual Funds).
by marti038
Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: To HSA or not HSA??
Replies: 10
Views: 1179

Re: To HSA or not HSA??

It will mostly depend on the delta between insurance premiums, out-of-pocket max's, and co-insurance rates in the insurance plans available to you. Then, it's a matter of how much you spend on healthcare each year.

I have an 11 and 9 year-old and we've had an HSA nearly all of their lives. It wasn't worth it one year out of all the years we've done it, but the premiums for my HDHP at work are very low. My company also gives me another $2000 in incentives to use the HDHP (they put it in my HSA), so that's how the math works for us.

Feel free to share some plan specifics and maybe we can help provide more thoughts.
by marti038
Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country
Replies: 23
Views: 2058

Re: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country

happy_statistician wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 9:57 pm I have done this as a 1 week road trip from SF to Crater Lake. I think along the CA cost between Arcata and the Oregon border is probably where you want to go.
I'd be very interested in a high-level itinerary of what you did and how many days you spent at each stop, if you have time. Hoping to make this trip with my wife and kids sometime in the next few years.
by marti038
Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Meta becomes a dividend payer.
Replies: 43
Views: 5034

Re: Meta becomes a dividend payer.

Doesn't matter to me a whole lot unless it's in my taxable brokerage account where I try to avoid receiving dividends (and don't own individual stocks anyway).

I think it's a bit of a sign of maturity for a company to understand that they're doing better by their shareholders to begin paying a dividend instead of continuing to invest in things that may or may not produce a significant benefit to the growth of the business.
by marti038
Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Costs Of Kids From BH Parents?
Replies: 59
Views: 5124

Re: Costs Of Kids From BH Parents?

We have hired college students to provide after school pickup and care in the afternoons and in the summers as we're still at work. We pay what would average out to about $20/hr and it's totally worth it to us.

We'll do this for a few more years until we're comfortable with them being at home alone or until we have enough money for DW to step out of the workforce.

Their activities (sports, ballet, scouts, etc.) have also been more expensive than I anticipated. We spend at least a couple hundred bucks a month on that stuff too.
by marti038
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UGMA withdrawals before AOM
Replies: 4
Views: 387

Re: UGMA withdrawals before AOM

So the rules are somewhat unique from state to state. In Alabama, UTMAs are covered in the Alabama Code of 1975, Section 35-5A.

I could find no reference to restrictions on the use of UTMA assets for the benefit of the "minor" before the age of majority.

I did, however, think of a wrinkle. If the purpose of the UTMA is to save for a car, it will be challenging to do use the UTMA to buy one before the minor turns 18 because they can't legally be on the title for a vehicle in my state until then. I think one could technically demonstrate that the car is being used for the minor's benefit, but now we're getting into legal interpretations.

This is becoming enough of a headache that I might just skip the UTMA.
by marti038
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UGMA withdrawals before AOM
Replies: 4
Views: 387

Re: UGMA withdrawals before AOM

For the sake of those who might search for this topic down the road... I spoke with Vanguard briefly yesterday and their response was basically, "we won't prevent you from removing funds from an UTMA account before the beneficiary reaches the age of majority, but we encourage you to consult with a tax or legal professional to understand any potential tax consequences or penalties that might result from such a withdrawal." I thought that was reasonable enough. Anybody know of any penalties for pulling the money out before the kid reaches the age of majority, again, assuming it is used for their benefit? I tend to think that the only thing that matters is that the money is used for the kid. The age of majority in Alabama is 19. It w...
by marti038
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UGMA withdrawals before AOM
Replies: 4
Views: 387

UGMA withdrawals before AOM

Hey everyone,

Does anyone happen to know if Vanguard allows the removal of money from an UGMA before the minor child beneficiary reaches the age of majority (assuming the funds are used for the benefit of the minor)?

We already have 529s in place for our kids. Not looking for an analysis on where to save for a kid, just whether or not the funds can be accessed from an UGMA before they reach the age of majority.

I plan to call Vanguard about this when they open on Monday, but since I'm impatient I thought I'd check to see if someone here may know.
by marti038
Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving High-Level Advice to Younger People If You Are Older
Replies: 70
Views: 5790

Re: Giving High-Level Advice to Younger People If You Are Older

Before I opened this thread I was thinking "Older" does not necessarily equal "better" financial advice.
by marti038
Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV
Replies: 71
Views: 7652

Re: Family of 4 debating 3 row SUV

We bought a Lexus GX a few years ago and looooove it. Plenty of room inside without the headaches of navigating tight parking lots on a hulky pick-up truck frame. At the time we bought it, prices for 4-runners were comparable.

We only use the 3rd row when the kids have friends over from school or some other event, but it's certainly handy to have. We also haven't ever had trouble with cargo space.
by marti038
Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Real estate as % of net worth?
Replies: 53
Views: 6416

Re: Real estate as % of net worth?

I tend to ignore my primary residence when I update my NW calculation because I have no plans to liquidate it. If i owned investment real estate then I would certainly keep up with it.

As a percentage of NW, I think the equity in our home would be about 15%-20%.
by marti038
Mon Jan 08, 2024 1:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A few thoughts on the 25x (4%) shorthand
Replies: 42
Views: 7893

Re: A few thoughts on the 25x (4%) shorthand

LeftCoastIV wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:42 pm The point being that the equation "Current Spending * 25x = FI" is overly simplistic.
I think being simple is the point of the 25x rule. People need something to aim at and it's widely regarded as a suitable FI number (based on aging, but extensive research).

Heck, most Americans aren't even looking for a target. Adding complexity isn't going to help these people adopt a plan.
by marti038
Mon Jan 08, 2024 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utah National Parks trip in May
Replies: 12
Views: 1339

Re: Utah National Parks trip in May

I'd try to hit Zion, Bryce, & Capital Reef. It would be a challenge to add Arches and Canyonlands in such a tight window.

Highly recommend the drive up or down Hwy 89 between Zion and Arches if it's open. It's an absolutely beautiful drive.
by marti038
Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: With VMFXX yielding 5.3%, why not stay in cash for now?
Replies: 61
Views: 12350

Re: With VMFXX yielding 5.3%, why not stay in cash for now?

peterw wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:33 am I do not expect to touch these funds for another 15 years.
Sounds like you should invest according to your normal AA. If you needed this money within the next 5 years, the MM would be a solid plan.
by marti038
Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Boglehead's remorse?
Replies: 102
Views: 19588

Re: Boglehead's remorse?

You're a millionaire and you're struggling with remorse about how you might have been able to make more? Your net worth puts you in the 97th percentile worldwide. You're rich.

I'd suggest that you celebrate your blessings/good fortune depending on your worldview. Either way, you're doing very well. You might as well enjoy it instead of worrying about the dollars you didn't capture.
by marti038
Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 33649

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

wingman4uz wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:12 am College->Degree->Job—>lived below my means—>saved & invested

Then it’s just time.
Same, but I would like to emphasize the piece about living below my means. I think so many people focus on income and not enough on how they spend money. And I'm not talking about living a miserly existence; just being thoughtful and strategic about how money is spent.

Hit $1M NW when I was around 36, $1M in invested assets when I was 39.
by marti038
Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Emergency fund while balancing other goals
Replies: 18
Views: 1221

Re: Emergency fund while balancing other goals

Should next big priority/goal be to build a more comfortable emergency fund given my overall situation? Does 50K as a goal seem reasonable? You're carrying just over one month's worth of income in emergency funds right now if I'm understanding you correctly ($12k/expenses, $17k in cash right now). That's a little lean for my taste. I'd want 3 months of expenses at a minimum and maybe more depending on confident you are in the stability of your employment. Currently, I carry over a full year, but would be comfortable with 6 months (interest rates on money markets are pretty nice at the moment so we're a little fat on cash right now). I'm 42, married with two kids. Personally, I would prioritize this over maxing out your wife's 401(k), thoug...
by marti038
Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pros and cons of rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA
Replies: 30
Views: 4099

Re: Pros and cons of rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA

cjcerny wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:50 am Biggest CON I can think of is that most 401k's allow you to start making penalty free withdrawals at age 55 while you have to wait until 59.5 to do so with an IRA.
Yes, but keep in mind the rule of 55 only applies to the 401(k) at the employer from which you retire after age 55. An old 401(k) from a previous employer would not be eligible for penalty-free withdrawals until age 59.5.
by marti038
Tue Jan 02, 2024 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what net worth did you start not sweating the "small stuff"
Replies: 137
Views: 27149

Re: At what net worth did you start not sweating the "small stuff"

I don't think my net worth will ever reach a point where I'd let a hotel overcharge me $130. Not because it would make much of a mathematical difference, it's just the principle. I'd also argue that my available cash has a much larger impact on my sensitivity for irregular expenses. For many years, our tax-advantaged retirement accounts have had plenty of money in them, but it wasn't like I could make a withdrawal without penalties, etc. It might as well have been locked away. When we started carrying well over a year's worth of income in taxable brokerage accounts with 6 month's worth in cash, all the while making larger and larger contributions each month and caring less and less about our old budget, I noticed I had almost no anxiety abo...
by marti038
Tue Jan 02, 2024 3:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900269

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

Investment returns for 2023 = 39.01%.

100% stocks.

In 2022, we were down 36.08%.
by marti038
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 Amounts
Replies: 26
Views: 3002

Re: 529 Amounts

We're aiming for around 80% of the cost of attendance for in-state. We may push closer to 100% now that we could roll the excess into a Roth for the kids after college.

I'd love to set aside extra for grad school, but since it's way too early to know if that's part of the plan we're not contributing for it.

We also probably won't tell out kids the 529 exists until we absolutely have to. As far as they know, they're on their own for college. We hope this encourages them to work hard for scholarships.
by marti038
Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Family HSA
Replies: 7
Views: 838

Re: Family HSA

$8300 baby! Fill 'er up.
by marti038
Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA without Insurance
Replies: 8
Views: 1171

Re: HSA without Insurance

ddurrett896 wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 7:35 am Ok so next question:

Can my wife + kids move to a high deductible plan and do the $8,300 max HSA

then

I continue with my individual high deductible plan and do the $4,150 max HSA
No.
by marti038
Mon Nov 06, 2023 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pair of pricey college football tickets?
Replies: 70
Views: 8704

Re: Pair of pricey college football tickets?

the biggest rivalries in college football. Save your money. The Iron Bowl probably won't be that good this year. All kidding aside, I've been to well over 100 Alabama games. DW and I spent a bunch to go to the Rose Bowl for the 2009 national championship. Games don't get any more important than that, right? After the game (my team won) I was kind of surprised how indifferent I felt about it. Was it fun? sure. Was it worth what we spent on tickets, flights, hotels, rental car, food, etc.? I'm not really sure. I hardly ever go to games now and have never been in a better financial position to do so. It just turns out that it's not as important to me as I once thought. You have to decide if it's worth it to you, but maybe this is some food fo...
by marti038
Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HDHP vs PPO (Both Premium-Free)
Replies: 14
Views: 1738

Re: HDHP vs PPO (Both Premium-Free)

charis23 wrote: Sun Oct 29, 2023 11:50 pm Which plan would you choose?
I'd go with HSA then start emailing HR to ask why they're subsidizing so much more of the healthcare premiums for the non-HDHP folks?

I've worked two places that offered HDHP with HSA, and in both cases the delta in premium from the PPO and HDHP was directed into my HSA by my employer. That way everyone was receiving the same benefit from the company without regard to the plan they selected.

Granted, it's only two cases, so maybe it's not as common as I think. It still won't hurt to ask.
by marti038
Thu Nov 02, 2023 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HDHP vs PPO (Both Premium-Free)
Replies: 14
Views: 1738

Re: HDHP vs PPO (Both Premium-Free)

With a kid? Go ppo, no hsa. Hsa is good if you can be conservative with your care. Kids are sick and injured all the time. Doesn't work out imo. Respectfully, that has not been my experience. Yes, the kids get sick and it does seem like we're constantly taking ours to the doctor, but even so we've been using a HDHP with HSA for years. The only year it didn't pay off was when I had a serious cycling accident. The kids haven't ever had an expensive health care year (yet). Now we have plenty in the HSA to cover our deductibles and up to the out-of-pocket max for the whole family. We've been using the HSA for 7 years now (with kids) and I have zero regrets. Should you consider the health of your dependents in this decision? Absolutely. Are kid...
by marti038
Thu Nov 02, 2023 9:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900269

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

Just updated this morning.

Up 19.43% YTD. 100% equities.
by marti038
Thu Nov 02, 2023 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FSA vs HSA
Replies: 7
Views: 644

Re: FSA vs HSA

I agree that an HSA is a superior saving and investing vehicle to an FSA. It's not really a fair fight and you should max it out if you have all of your other financial ducks in a row and you are capable.

However, you must also be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan to use an HSA. Depending on your medical needs, this may or may not be an optimal financial move.

If, on the other hand, your employer is only offering an HDHP, then I guess you don't have much choice.

All plans are unique, so it's difficult to say what's best, but I've been using an HDHP with HSA for years and have zero regrets.
by marti038
Tue Oct 24, 2023 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance: Real Estate vs. IRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1120

Re: Inheritance: Real Estate vs. IRA

Personally, I'd prefer the house because of the free step up in basis, but I'm also assuming it would be close enough to me that I could sell it on my own without having to pay a real estate agent to list and sell it.

Also assuming that I wouldn't own the house with other heirs.

If either of those assumptions are incorrect, give me the IRA and less hassle.
by marti038
Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to pay for a new vehicle with cash?
Replies: 80
Views: 7170

Re: How to pay for a new vehicle with cash?

I paid for my truck using a personal check. It was purchased about 250 miles away in a neighboring state. I just called them and asked what they needed to verify that I had the money to pay them. As I recall, I gave them my account and routing numbers which allowed them to make sure I was good for it. I admit, it was a slight risk to give them my information, but the account and routing numbers are on my checks anyway and this was a dealer; not someone flipping cars on the weekend. I did it again a few years later to buy my wife's SUV in Orlando, FL. The only think I didn't love about this arrangement was being so far away made it difficult to negotiate any once I arrived at the lot. Hammer the details out as much as you can before you go, ...
by marti038
Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay down your Mortgage
Replies: 60
Views: 8647

Re: Pay down your Mortgage

Depending on your lender, you may be able to pay it online and clearly direct that the funds go to paying down principle. Writing it on the check should work, but I'd call the lender to make sure you know the steps they want you to take.

And I know you didn't ask, but I agree with everyone else about investing/saving it instead. You can clear 3.75% easily right now with virtually no risk. The lowest yielding treasury today is a 10-year bond at 4.169%. T-Bills are well over 5%.

Of course, if you don't care about maximizing interest then by all means, pay it off.
by marti038
Tue Aug 15, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: crawl space under a house
Replies: 24
Views: 2787

Re: crawl space under a house

I own a home with a crawl space. When we bought it there were virtually no improvements to limit the buildup of moisture or improve ventilation. There was a lot of mold and the whole house smelled like the dirt beneath it. We decided to remediate the mold and completely seal our crawl space and haven't had any issues since. No moisture, no mold, the house smells better, and as a bonus it's easier to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. I wouldn't buy a house with a crawl space again unless the options were very limited. PROS: Access to mechanical and electrical if it is beneath the house. Compared to a house with a basement we had previously, the cawl space makes regulating the temperature in our home easier. Storage sp...
by marti038
Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glacier national park itinerary
Replies: 14
Views: 1887

Re: Glacier national park itinerary

It's been a few years, but we spent two nights in Waterton and did not have any regrets.

We did a ferry over to the Crypt Lake trail which was a very memorable hike (one of our all time favorites). We also drove to a lake that was a few miles northwest, but I can't remember the name. It was a really beautiful place.

The town was nice and quiet when we were there in late August too. We will likely go back if we go to Glacier NP again.
by marti038
Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Donating Shares From Vanguard Account
Replies: 10
Views: 812

Re: Donating Shares From Vanguard Account

jebmke wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 2:41 pm I have a Donor Advised Fund at VG and transfer shares there from time to time. I don’t try to “time the market” on those transactions.
Jebmke,

I'm not sure "who you're quoting", but donating appreciated shares isn't timing the market. It's a way to get a free step up in basis while making a charitable donation that I was going to make anyway.

https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/arti ... arity.html
by marti038
Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Donating Shares From Vanguard Account
Replies: 10
Views: 812

Re: Donating Shares From Vanguard Account

Thank you all for the responses, and some of you for the condescension that has become all too common among bogleheads.

As it turns out, there is some sort of technical issue that Vanguard is having with my account. For some reason I can only visually see a portion of the options for managing my account that I should be able to see. Basically, I can see my account balances and makes trades. No access to tax documents, donating shares, even updating beneficiaries.

Granted, it took nearly an hour on the phone and getting passed to four different people just to identify the issue, but we now know it's there. They still haven't fixed it, so we'll see.
by marti038
Wed Jul 12, 2023 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Donating Shares From Vanguard Account
Replies: 10
Views: 812

Donating Shares From Vanguard Account

Does anyone here regularly donate shares from their Vanguard account? Before the market swoon we went through over the last year I did this quarterly, but now I can't figure out how on earth to go about it on Vanguard's site (which is awful, btw).

I'm now waiting (anywhere from 39 to 49 minutes) for someone to call me back from Vanguard.

The temptation to move to everything I have to Fidelity is growing by the minute. How had Vanguard gotten so bad?
by marti038
Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900269

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

16.89% as of 5/31/23. 100% stocks.

Still about 15% off our all-time high which we hit back in 2021.
by marti038
Tue May 02, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm new. I need reassurance I can do this.
Replies: 17
Views: 2042

Re: I'm new. I need reassurance I can do this.

I don't see any fault in the advisor. Sounds like she did a good job.

I also don't see why you can't do it yourself. Especially if you're going to backcheck her work and see how much better you could have done on your own.

He job isn't to "beat the market". It's to keep you on track and offer advice. If that value doesn't match her fee then I'd self-manage (which is what I do by the way).
by marti038
Wed Apr 19, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2024 summer Yellowstone trip - best place to stay?
Replies: 18
Views: 2133

Re: 2024 summer Yellowstone trip - best place to stay?

I'd try to stay in the park first, but I've also stayed in West Yellowstone and Gardner which are fine too. If you stay outside the park, get going early each day because the traffic coming in gets pretty crazy coming in the gate around mid-morning.

I'd also consider visiting the Tetons since you have 11-12 days. Jackson is a cool town to visit too.

The key thing is you're way out in front of it. Book early and get places that will allow cancellation.
by marti038
Wed Apr 19, 2023 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever used your emergency fund?
Replies: 272
Views: 28817

Re: Have you ever used your emergency fund?

We keep a little over one month's worth of expenses in a checking account and another 3+ months worth in a money market account. The rest is invested.

If we had a large purchase coming up we'd probably just let it build up in the checking account until it was time to use it.

In a way, I guess we have an emergency fund, but it's more of an "easy assets to liquidate" fund.
by marti038
Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what makes a satisfying charitable gift?
Replies: 48
Views: 3397

Re: what makes a satisfying charitable gift?

Giving is such a personal thing, and it should be. DW and I have only ever given to charities that we have a personal connection to and know a lot about. We've never given to more than 2 or 3 in a year, but generally give thousands to each. We find this quite fulfilling and meaningful. We have close friends who are very similar to us socially, financially, spiritually, etc. They love to give small donations to dozens of charities each year, whether they know much about the people in the organization or not. As long as the cause suits them, they are happy to give to it. I will add that we have never made donations through an automatic withdrawal. Not that there's anything wrong with it, we just "feel" it more when we write the chec...
by marti038
Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: tracking net worth and asset allocation
Replies: 62
Views: 7440

Re: tracking net worth and asset allocation

+1 for the spreadsheet.

And here I thought I was a weirdo for not using an app or some other software to summarize it all.
by marti038
Wed Mar 22, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Beach trip recommendations - Gulf Coast (Not Tx/FL)
Replies: 23
Views: 2507

Re: Beach trip recommendations - Gulf Coast (Not Tx/FL)

I've been going to Orange Beach, AL with family for over 30 years. We love it, but generally speaking, the further east you move the more likely you are to have clear water.

I have been to Orange Beach when the water was like glass and when it was a rusty brown. I'd say 80%-90% of the time, there is some tint to the water, but it depends on how currents carry outflow from the Mississippi River.

By the way, October is a glorious time to visit assuming the hurricanes are cooperating.
by marti038
Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it ok to park some Emergency Fund in Vanguard VMFXX?
Replies: 61
Views: 10018

Re: Is it ok to park some Emergency Fund in Vanguard VMFXX?

I hope so, because I have about half of our emergency fund in VMFXX.
by marti038
Mon Mar 06, 2023 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you do with document management at home?
Replies: 28
Views: 2735

Re: What do you do with document management at home?

I save as little as possible on paper, but what we do keep does in the file cabinet. For us, this is little more than receipts for HSA use or tax documents. We keep deeds, titles, passports, etc. in a firesafe that may or may not actually survive a fire, but it's better than anything else we've got.

If we get anything in electronic form we store it on our PC and back it up with Dropbox.

We have a firepit on the back patio. The "secure" documents I don't want to throw in the trash are used to start our fires.
by marti038
Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: File Jointly or Separately
Replies: 16
Views: 1570

File Jointly or Separately

DW & I both work. Combined, our taxable income is on the upper end of the 24% bracket and we will itemize as our deductions exceed the standard deduction. She made more income last year, but the difference wasn't huge. Probably less than $15k.

We have always filed jointly, but I'm wondering if we should consider filing separately to avoid a marriage tax? We use TurboTax, but I don't think it will automatically tell us the most advantageous route to take.

Any suggestions for figuring out the optimal filing method other than just running it a few different ways in TurboTax?

If we file separately, who claims the kids? Who itemizes or do we split the deductions?

Thanks in advance for the help.
by marti038
Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Personal Finance "Gems" -- What's Yours?
Replies: 49
Views: 8482

Re: Personal Finance "Gems" -- What's Yours?

So far, the most helpful things I've learned are:

1) What type of assets to hold in a taxable account so I'm not getting dinged by taxes on dividends or interest.

2) To donate appreciated shares of investments instead of writing checks to charity directly so I can get a free step up in basis while making donations I would have made anyway.

3) Tax loss harvesting.
by marti038
Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA's After Age 45?
Replies: 35
Views: 3496

Re: HSA's After Age 45?

The high deductible HSA eligible plans are often good when you have little medical expense and when you have larger medical expense. It's in the middle range that it can be harder to tell. For me, I will hit the max out of pocket no matter what plan I am on so it's easy to pick the plan that has the lowest total premium plus max out of pocket cost. Of course plans vary so you have to look carefully at your specific plan. The choices about the HSA account are independent as long as you are eligible to continue contributing to the HSA. Pick the insurance first. Then decide how to manage the HSA account. You can continue holding and using any HSA you already have open. Agree with the comments that it depends on your plan. This "middle ra...
by marti038
Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k questions
Replies: 28
Views: 2072

Re: 401k questions

Do you have access to a Roth 401(k)? If so, is the backdoor necessary for you?

For her, I'd just leave the old 401(k)s where they are if you want to keep working the backdoor method. Especially if you think she'll return to work outside the home one day, where she may be able to roll all of those old 401(k)s to a new employer plan.

If you want to get it into a Roth bad enough you can start moving it a little bit at a time and pay the taxes, but if you move amounts that are too small the earnings may outpace your conversions.

If I was in your shoes, I'd leave the old 401(k)s where they are and keep working your current plan.
by marti038
Mon Jan 30, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should people start out conservative or aggressive
Replies: 50
Views: 4721

Re: Should people start out conservative or aggressive

firebirdparts wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:53 am Super aggressive and totally unemotional.
+1.

If they can't handle the ups and downs, I'd tell them to buy a target date fund and look away for a long, long time.