Search found 1135 matches

by eye.surgeon
Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A definitive data-based answer to oft-asked question, best new car for the money
Replies: 15
Views: 1941

A definitive data-based answer to oft-asked question, best new car for the money

This question comes up a lot here in various guises, what's the best most boglehead car to buy? iseecar (no affiliation) just published what I think is the most logical, facts-based answer to this question. Basically they looked at the cost per 10k miles driven, which really gets to the core of the question. Spoiler alert, the answers may surprise you. The top answer definitely surprised me, a car I never would have considered, and still wouldn't, but I can't argue with the analysis, I just have too much pride LOL.

https://www.iseecars.com/best-new-cars- ... oney-study
by eye.surgeon
Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pros/Cons of getting HELOC "just in case" in 2023 interest rate environment
Replies: 16
Views: 2395

Pros/Cons of getting HELOC "just in case" in 2023 interest rate environment

Bought a new home 6 months ago for $1.6m and have a $500k mortgage. On my last home I hade a HELOC for "just in case" things that sat unused 95% of the time, occasionally I would use it out of convenience (buying a car for example) but never kept a balance over 30 days. It was reassuring knowing it was there and that I didn't have to sell equities if I had a sudden need to write a large check. But that was in a world of 3% loans , and now I suspect will be double that. Wondering if I should get another HELOC for "just in case". I have about $1m in a brokerage account that is relatively liquid, I'd have to pay capital gains on what I sold though if I needed to access funds quickly and the market timing could be suboptimal...
by eye.surgeon
Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Rav4 Prime SE - $3500 over MSRP
Replies: 67
Views: 9661

Re: 2023 Rav4 Prime SE - $3500 over MSRP

Buy a RAV4 hybrid for MSRP and use the price difference to cover the difference in mileage for the next 10 years or so.
by eye.surgeon
Thu Jan 05, 2023 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to handle greedy dealer
Replies: 53
Views: 6302

Re: How to handle greedy dealer

I'm hard pressed to think of a single thing that doesn't cost significantly more now than it did 2 yrs ago.
by eye.surgeon
Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: son received $100k gift from grandparents, can he superfund his own 529
Replies: 16
Views: 2299

Re: son received $100k gift from grandparents, can he superfund his own 529

enad wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:24 pm
eye.surgeon wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 9:32 pm My 21 year old son who is preparing for medical school received a $100k gift from his grandparents, who live internationally. Can he use that money to superfund his own 529? He's got to park the money somewhere, I figure it might as well earn some interest tax-free.
I doubt he'll want to risk the money in anything but a money market fund so why not just leave it in such a fund
I'm thinking because a money-market like return in a 529 is tax free vs taxed outside a 529.
by eye.surgeon
Thu Dec 15, 2022 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: son received $100k gift from grandparents, can he superfund his own 529
Replies: 16
Views: 2299

son received $100k gift from grandparents, can he superfund his own 529

My 21 year old son who is preparing for medical school received a $100k gift from his grandparents, who live internationally. Can he use that money to superfund his own 529? He's got to park the money somewhere, I figure it might as well earn some interest tax-free.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Successful use of credit card insurance benefits?
Replies: 21
Views: 2349

Re: Successful use of credit card insurance benefits?

Once had an expensive TV require a $1k repair (replaced circuit board) a few months after the factory 1 yr warranty expired, AmEx offers an extended warranty on stuff you buy (or used to) and after much time and effort they did pay for the repair but it was a PITA.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone buy a much bigger house than they need?
Replies: 133
Views: 14314

Re: Anyone buy a much bigger house than they need?

If moving into a bigger house doesn't strain your budget or delay your retirement goals, why wouldn't you? There's no prize for dying with the most money. Enjoy what you can financially afford.
by eye.surgeon
Mon Oct 10, 2022 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to transfer $1million gift from Canada to US
Replies: 5
Views: 973

Best way to transfer $1million gift from Canada to US

My aging Canadian parents have very generously given me a $1 million (Canadian dollars) gift. I am American and live in the US. It is in a Canadian bank account and I am looking for the most efficient, low fee, best exchange rate method for me to transfer this money to a US Bank account. Any experience with this here?
by eye.surgeon
Wed Sep 28, 2022 2:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Roth Contributions as "Emergency Fund?"
Replies: 40
Views: 3783

Re: Roth Contributions as "Emergency Fund?"

Pardon my ignorance but do you have to file IRS paperwork to withdraw just contributions, even if they do not involve revenue from those contributions? I always assumed the contributions were mine to do with as I please without asking anyone's permission. I've never done this but always considered it an easy option.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to "carry copies of prescriptions with you" when traveling
Replies: 36
Views: 3725

Re: How to "carry copies of prescriptions with you" when traveling

Keep in mind physicians are licensed by the state and technically cannot Rx certain meds outside of their state. Pharmacists often will honor it out of state but are not obligated to for certain meds.
by eye.surgeon
Fri Jul 15, 2022 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I fund a nephew's studies more tax-efficient way?
Replies: 14
Views: 1847

Re: Can I fund a nephew's studies more tax-efficient way?

Some universities allow credit card payments with no fees, I paid my daughters grad school tuition that way and got 2% back.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: As summer electric bills go up, has anyone invented an air conditioner that doesn't use as much electricity?
Replies: 133
Views: 14283

Re: As summer electric bills go up, has anyone invented an air conditioner that doesn't use as much electricity?

neilpilot wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 2:20 pm
eye.surgeon wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 1:45 pm a whole house fan will significantly decrease your AC needs depending on your region.
I've installed a whole house fan in a couple of homes. They would exhaust into the attic.

How would you install a whole house fan in the OP's apartment?
I wouldn't. Houses only. It was general advice for readers of the thread rather than the OP specifically.
by eye.surgeon
Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse
Replies: 31
Views: 2807

Re: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse

I renewed it, but changed my billing from annual to 10/year. So the pro-rata return will be smaller. THanks for the feedback. Had the policy 20 years and never needed it once, figured likely wouldn't need it for 3 wks, but alas such is the nature of insurance. One reason why Berkshire loves insurance companies so much, pretty much money for nothing most of the time.
by eye.surgeon
Wed Jun 08, 2022 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse
Replies: 31
Views: 2807

Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse

My home closes in 4 weeks, and my annual homeowner's policy renews in a week. Should I let it lapse? I have no mortgage. Seems like a waste of money, or even if I get a prorated amount back, at least an unnecessary temporary expense. I live in California if that matters but not in an earthquake or flood zone.
by eye.surgeon
Mon Jun 06, 2022 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 77 and a little worried
Replies: 38
Views: 7670

Re: 77 and a little worried

My wife and I are both 77 years of age and in relatively good health. Our SSA income is 57,000/year. Our Rollover IRA is 750,000.00, bank accounts are 60,000.00, and we have 83,000.00 in iBonds. We have no debt, own our 2 cars and our home. Our RMD has been around 35K/year and we use half to support us and invest the other half in iBonds if favorable rates. I am getting a little bit nervous as this needs to support us for life. My asset mix is VWENX - 57%, VWIAX - 12%, VTSAX = 16%, VFIAX - 4%, VUSFX - 11%. I would appreciate your thoughts on preserving capital. Thanks and tight lines to you fly fishermen and fisherwomen. Putting on the actuarial hat it's important to keep in mind that statistically your nest egg needs to last 10 years. Unl...
by eye.surgeon
Tue May 31, 2022 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to secure In-State Tuition
Replies: 91
Views: 8457

Re: How to secure Instate Tuition

Basically the University of Utah uses out of state grad students as a cash cow to provide cheap education to other students. It's a total scam. What part of this is a scam? The scam is that the state of Utah has a definition of state residency, which is used to determine taxation, voting rights, jury duty, eligibility for a drivers license, etc. The University chooses to ignore that definition and instead redefines it such that it's impossible for a grad student to qualify for in-state tuition, specifically for the purpose of charging out of state tuition. I tried looking online but couldn't find it..what part of the U of Utah residence rules make it hard? If a parent moves there 1 year before their kid needs to go to grad school that stil...
by eye.surgeon
Tue May 31, 2022 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to secure In-State Tuition
Replies: 91
Views: 8457

Re: How to secure Instate Tuition

JoeRetire wrote: Tue May 31, 2022 5:09 am
eye.surgeon wrote: Mon May 30, 2022 11:37 pm Basically the University of Utah uses out of state grad students as a cash cow to provide cheap education to other students. It's a total scam.
What part of this is a scam?
The scam is that the state of Utah has a definition of state residency, which is used to determine taxation, voting rights, jury duty, eligibility for a drivers license, etc. The University chooses to ignore that definition and instead redefines it such that it's impossible for a grad student to qualify for in-state tuition, specifically for the purpose of charging out of state tuition.
by eye.surgeon
Mon May 30, 2022 11:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to secure In-State Tuition
Replies: 91
Views: 8457

Re: How to secure Instate Tuition

One thought. I was considered an "independent" student after one year of paying my own tuition, rent, etc. etc. and qualified as in-state from Sophomore year on in NJ because that's where I lived during and outside the school year. Granted it was about a thousand years ago so things may have changed. Financial independence was the criteria but if you're paying the bills for her though then it likely won't work. Rules may differ by state. I know probably a dozen people who moved from California and got Utah residency (and in-state tuition) within a year. I know 4 others who did it from Texas. My sister did it, Arizona to Utah. All these people attended the same absurdly cheap Utah public university; which made it possible for them...
by eye.surgeon
Fri May 27, 2022 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Now working in the office and don't like it
Replies: 64
Views: 5985

Re: Now working in the office and don't like it

If I didn't know and employ a lot of millennials I would think this post was satire. The likely impending recession and subsequent higher unemployment is going to be a reality reset for many.
by eye.surgeon
Sat May 21, 2022 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving to Vancouver, Canada
Replies: 62
Views: 4671

Re: Moving to Vancouver, Canada

Born and raised in Vancouver, moved in California 20 years ago. Vancouver is a wonderful city. It offers the highest quality of big-city living for the upper middle class to wealthy of perhaps any North American city. It is very expensive, especially housing. There are no freeways in the sense that you are used to in the US, you have to get around the entire city and surrounding areas on surface streets, other than the transcanada highways. The weather is what it is, I personally like it. Public transport is great, you will want a car but won't need it much in the city if you don't mind taking the bus, and unlike the US, all social strata take the bus. I lived in Kitsilano and you will find that and the surrounding communities are great. Th...
by eye.surgeon
Mon May 16, 2022 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Financial 'things to do' for child turning 18 and going to college
Replies: 42
Views: 3933

Re: Financial 'things to do' for child turning 18 and going to college

You can add them as an authorized user on your favorite credit card, that builds their credit just as well as opening their own and then they can open their own card when they are done with their education and employed. Allows you to oversee their use of the card and ensure they learn proper CC use. My kids are authorized users on my AmEx and Chase and both show up on their credit ratings.
by eye.surgeon
Fri May 13, 2022 1:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone buy a car with high mark up and have no regrets?
Replies: 81
Views: 9163

Re: Anyone buy a car with high mark up and have no regrets?

I bought a 1 year old used Porsche GT4 6 months ago for $15k over original MSRP, drove the heck out of it and loved every minute of it for 6 months, and sold it for $21k over original MSRP. No regrets.
by eye.surgeon
Wed May 04, 2022 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Diesel Wagons in the US?
Replies: 50
Views: 4886

Re: Diesel Wagons in the US?

EddyB wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 7:48 am
eye.surgeon wrote: Mon May 02, 2022 6:41 pm Having lived in Europe and driven a diesel for 2 years, most Europeans I knew drove diesels because they had to not because they wanted to.
They had to? Why? I own a diesel-engine car in Europe now, but I owned several petrol-engine cars in the US. My needs are somewhat different in the two places, as are my choices, but I’m not aware of any way in which “have to” drive a diesel, and I’m genuinely curious.
The cost of diesel vs petrol/gas made diesel much cheaper. European countries highly incentivized diesel vehicles through tax policy, until they realized the harm they had caused. Now they are banning the very same vehicles they previously promoted.
by eye.surgeon
Mon May 02, 2022 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Diesel Wagons in the US?
Replies: 50
Views: 4886

Re: Diesel Wagons in the US?

Having lived in Europe and driven a diesel for 2 years, most Europeans I knew drove diesels because they had to not because they wanted to.
by eye.surgeon
Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Difficulty getting into Treasury Direct
Replies: 4
Views: 1063

Re: Difficulty getting into Treasury Direct

They must be kept at TD and can only be purchased there.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Minivan Purchase Strategy
Replies: 17
Views: 1771

Re: Used Minivan Purchase Strategy

Given the used market currently, if you're planning on driving the wheels off it, buy new. Buying used for many models currently is penny wise pound foolish .
by eye.surgeon
Tue Apr 19, 2022 12:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to get an honest(unbiased) second opinion from medical doctors
Replies: 93
Views: 10415

Re: how to get an honest(unbiased) second opinion from medical doctors

blackwhisker wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 4:31 pm It seems some doctors don't want to step on anyone's toes, or they don't want to be sued by the first doctor when patients are seeking a second opinion.
This isn't a thing.
blackwhisker wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 4:31 pm
Anyone has suggestions or tips about how to get an honest second opinion from medical doctors?
What possible reason would the second doctor have, or any doctor have, for not being honest in their opinion?
by eye.surgeon
Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: i-bond: gifting more than 10K to spouse
Replies: 31
Views: 4961

Re: i-bond: gifting more than 10K to spouse

ModifiedDuration wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 8:53 pm
Itster wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 8:50 pm Thank you, that makes sense. So they would accrue as if they were purchased at the current time but you would be locked in until (a year after) delivery, at which time they might not be as beneficial.
The lock-out period begins when first purchased, not when delivered.
I believe that's incorrect . I think the lock out starts when it is gifted.
by eye.surgeon
Sun Apr 17, 2022 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: i-bond: gifting more than 10K to spouse
Replies: 31
Views: 4961

Re: i-bond: gifting more than 10K to spouse

Note that the bond accrues interest from the month of purchase not the month it is gifted. So it's a nice gift at these rates even if you can't officially give it for some time.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone using the Fidelity Rewards Visa card?
Replies: 58
Views: 11547

Re: Anyone using the Fidelity Rewards Visa card?

runner3081 wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:17 pm Rewards auto-post to Fidelity savings account, I withdraw to bank account, transfer to Vanguard and invest :)
I do the same thing. I've been using the Fidelity rewards card for a few years now and have probably made a few thousand dollars in rewards. Worth it. At the time I opened it it was the highest rewards card I could find with no annual fee and no excessive hoops to jump through or rotating cash back categories and other nonsense I don't have time to track.
by eye.surgeon
Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grandma's 16 year old Honda Civic
Replies: 150
Views: 13441

Re: Grandma's 16 year old Honda Civic

Of all the things I've learned reading the Bogleheads forum the most surprising to me is just how many people are hyper concerned about vehicle safety -- thinking that having the largest, heaviest possible vehicle with every single gizmo and do-dad is of paramount importance regardless of cost. Marketing. Not surprising to me at this point, there have been dozens (if not hundreds) of threads on the topic over the years. I still don't get it; from a cost/benefit standpoint (what this board is all about), buying a new massive car every few years for "safety" can't be anywhere near the top of a list of things you can do to minimize accidental injury/death for your family and cars can get people in financial trouble really fast. I te...
by eye.surgeon
Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grandma's 16 year old Honda Civic
Replies: 150
Views: 13441

Re: Grandma's 16 year old Honda Civic

All of these features are intended to make up for the following: I'm too busy to pay attention I'm too busy to pay attention I'm too busy to pay attention I'm too busy to pay attention I'm too busy to pay attention I'm too busy to pay attention I'm too busy to pay attention Taking high performance driving classes and getting track time to use those skills with an instructor in the passenger seat trump every single one of these features. 2 hands on the wheel at all times. No phone in view. If the kids scream, yell, do anything needing you to address them, PULL OVER and then address them. Otherwise, call a taxi and let someone who might be able to pay attention drive. Your logic taken to the next level would say that seat belts are unnecessa...
by eye.surgeon
Mon Mar 28, 2022 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding a Less Expensive MRI
Replies: 13
Views: 1311

Re: Finding a Less Expensive MRI

You still get a contracted rate for an in-network MRI, even when you haven't met your deductible. Your insurance company has negotiated rates on your behalf. It's not the same as if you were uninsured and paying cash.
by eye.surgeon
Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grandma's 16 year old Honda Civic
Replies: 150
Views: 13441

Re: Grandma's 16 year old Honda Civic

Here's the NHTSA data on the frequency of fatalities in car accidents by model year up until 2017. Extrapolation would indicate a ~15% reduction in the risk of your child dying in an accident in a '06 Civic vs '22 Civic.


1984 and earlier: 55%
1985-1992: 53%
1993-1997: 46%
1997-2002: 42%
2003-2007: 36%
2008-2012: 31%
2013-2017: 26%

I would approximately estimate the benefit of upgrading the car to, for example, enforcing a bike helmet rule for your child, in terms of impact on survival to adulthood. Whether that's meaningful to you is the question.
by eye.surgeon
Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving job, need advice on funding for next a few years
Replies: 7
Views: 912

Re: Leaving job, need advice on funding for next a few years

happyfree20 wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:34 am Dear bogleheads,
Thank you in advance for your time and input. I'm resigning from my job in June this year at the age of 49.
Just curious as to why.

Is this a FIRE thing? Your retirement savings seem to indicate a willingness to live a fairly minimal lifestyle.
by eye.surgeon
Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting Nest Egg for Kids?
Replies: 21
Views: 2471

Re: Starting Nest Egg for Kids?

I agree with above suggestion fund 529s rather than use Roth money for college. If you still have money beyond the annual 529 contributions, I'd do ibonds next. Then fund their own Roth IRAs when they have earned income.
by eye.surgeon
Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ibonds for retired parents name
Replies: 16
Views: 1564

Re: ibonds for retired parents name

Keep in mind legally you can't buy ibonds in someone else's name. You can gift them money and they can buy them. May seem like a technicality but you will get called on that on the forum.
by eye.surgeon
Wed Mar 16, 2022 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RAV 4 salt damage hybrid malfunction
Replies: 23
Views: 3806

Re: RAV 4 salt damage hybrid malfunction

2019 hybrid model. I was stranded for a couple hrs last week due to malfunction. Had it towed to Toyota and they said nothing wrong. One day later lights back on and now they said the whole thing is bad when I drove it back to the dealership. My car has a hybrid malfunction light on. Long story but they finally diagnosed the issue as having corroded wires underneath the car from salt. They said it has to be fixed. Vehicle is 2.5 years old. 5k or so to replace everything. I can trade it in for 18k after all the fixes. I still owe 16k. Other vehicle is a Toyota sienna minivan with 160,000 miles on it. Need two vehicles. Ideas? Not under warranty per dealership as salt is normal wear and tear. Fix it and keep driving it? Fix it and trade it i...
by eye.surgeon
Mon Mar 14, 2022 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m
Replies: 73
Views: 7619

Re: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m

Final update, didn't buy the house. And happy with that. Going to keep looking and cap my budget at $1.5m.
by eye.surgeon
Sun Mar 13, 2022 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m
Replies: 73
Views: 7619

Re: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m

I hope you can answer my questions: 1) Do you really think you are interested and capable of working full time for another 15 years? Yes. I'm not a FIRE type guy. I have a 79 year old partner still working and doing surgery. I will want to work until my late 60s. I don't want to be retired for 30 years. 2) Have you considered buying yourself time instead of real estate? You are currently in the position to choose to work less. You can cut back to 3 or 4 days a week and still be finically independent and retire well before 60. You can use that free time to work on your health, your family, learn new hobbies, or anything else you desire? Again, I am a physician and this is exactly what we did in our 40s. My family is closer, we are healthier...
by eye.surgeon
Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m
Replies: 73
Views: 7619

Re: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m

Wanderingwheelz wrote: Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:06 am
Respectfully, the sort of anxiety you’re feeling over a “reasonably large” California home purchase is somewhat at odds with the sort of posts you make on other threads here. For example:

“I pay cash for my weekend/fun car because I change my weekend car as opportunities arise and it's a lot easier to be nimble in the buy/sell if I have the title.
I agree. I know how to spend money on cars just not houses :)
by eye.surgeon
Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m
Replies: 73
Views: 7619

Re: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m

I appreciate the feedback thus far. And let me assure you, my question is genuine and not a parody. I realize debating a $2m home purchase with my income may seem inconsequential in the abstract, but It's a mental struggle for me to consider this purchase, perhaps more than a financial struggle. I would be lying if I didn't admit that there is some element of keeping up with the Dr Joneses in this decision given my current home is barely more than 1 year income. My $4m NW is $1m in taxable account, $1.1m in retirement accounts, $1m in business equity, and $900k in home equity. Therefore I will likely put 20% down in cash, then after my. home sells put that $900k down, leaving me with a $700k mortgage. The single biggest thing holding me bac...
by eye.surgeon
Sun Mar 13, 2022 12:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m
Replies: 73
Views: 7619

Re: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m

CletusCaddy wrote: Sat Mar 12, 2022 11:53 pm My $2M home costs me $50k/yr
Between property tax, utilities, and maintenance that sounds about what I expect to spend.
unclescrooge wrote: Sun Mar 13, 2022 12:10 am On the flip side, if kids are grown, why do need a bigger house?
I don't, I just want it. I could say room for kids and their spouses and future grandkids, etc to visit. But the bottom line is I just want it.
by eye.surgeon
Sat Mar 12, 2022 11:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m
Replies: 73
Views: 7619

Yes it's another "can I afford this house" thread-- but it's $2m

52 yr old physician in California, annual income ~$750k/year. Net worth $4m. There are reasons my net worth is not higher but they don't pertain to my question. I've been living in the same home for 20 years, worth $~900k, no mortgage, no debt, kids are grown. Planning to work another 15 years.

Looking at a $2m home.

Have at it.
by eye.surgeon
Fri Mar 11, 2022 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $150K+ Car - Cash or Finance
Replies: 100
Views: 9124

Re: $150K+ Car - Cash or Finance

H-Town wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 6:09 pm
eye.surgeon wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 3:58 pm
H-Town wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 3:18 pm
I made $4k selling my past Porsche. These days some Porsche cars are appreciating assets.
That's good!

$4k pre-tax right?
Pre-tax, post-fun.
by eye.surgeon
Fri Mar 11, 2022 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $150K+ Car - Cash or Finance
Replies: 100
Views: 9124

Re: $150K+ Car - Cash or Finance

H-Town wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 3:18 pm
I made $4k selling my past Porsche. These days some Porsche cars are appreciating assets.