Search found 954 matches

by TheNightsToCome
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital gains loss carryover if you sell no stocks
Replies: 16
Views: 1258

Re: Capital gains loss carryover if you sell no stocks

I use TurboTax and it tracks my carryover capital loss year-to-year and automatically deducts the $3000 against income.
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with questions about in-service distribution of 401K/457b.
Replies: 0
Views: 99

Help with questions about in-service distribution of 401K/457b.

I would like an in-service distribution of my work 401K and governmental 457b in a direct rollover to my IRA in order to build a TIPS ladder in the IRA. I can't buy individual TIPS through the 401K or 457b. I emailed HR who said our work plans provide in-service distributions to employees older than 59.5. The HR person told me to contact a specific third party financial planner who apparently has some relationship with my hospital employer. She copied him on our email. That person has not responded to my subsequent email after 2 weeks. So one week ago I emailed HR asking for directions to enact the distribution. I asked if there are forms to complete. I asked if my brokerage could initiate the process. I asked to see the 401K and 457b plan ...
by TheNightsToCome
Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread
Replies: 2251
Views: 292920

Re: MYGA as bond substitute?

I intend to put substantial sums of cash into MYGAs, though my primary aim is to defer taxation in non-qualified accounts. I want to put most of my tax-sheltered funds in TIPS.
by TheNightsToCome
Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread
Replies: 2251
Views: 292920

Re: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread

Stinky wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:04 pm
TheNightsToCome wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:43 pm I'm applying for an annuity through blueprint.com. I reviewed the application today which indicated that I would be paying by a check which they expect me to submit through FedEx. There is no option to select ACH transfer from my bank. Why is that? Has everyone been required to submit a paper check through mail/FedEX for non-qualified annuity purchases?
Practices vary by carrier. A few carriers seem to be in the 21st century technology wise, but many are stuck in the 1980s.

I’d check with Blueprint to see if there is an ACH method available for the carrier to which you’re applying.
Blueprint got back to me today and said that Oxford (the insurer) accepts only check or wire, not ACH transfers.
by TheNightsToCome
Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread
Replies: 2251
Views: 292920

Re: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread

I'm applying for an annuity through blueprint.com. I reviewed the application today which indicated that I would be paying by a check which they expect me to submit through FedEx. There is no option to select ACH transfer from my bank. Why is that? Has everyone been required to submit a paper check through mail/FedEX for non-qualified annuity purchases?
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying an Expensive Car
Replies: 101
Views: 8721

Re: Buying an Expensive Car

Hi - have a pretty straightforward question. Recently totaled my existing vehicle (cabinet drawer fell out of the back of a truck in front of me) and received an insurance payout of 17k. Need to purchase a car, and was thinking about getting my dream car (~100k). I’m 30 years old, single, make 260k per year, with a confirmed path to 330k by 33 (vesting stock). Net worth is currently 700k, with 300k in retirement and 400k in savings. No house, and live in a HCOL, with a rent of 2600 per month. No other debt. Was going to buy the car cash - but not sure if it’s a financially ruining decision! Buying new because 1-2 years used only offers a 5-6% discount in the current market. Would appreciate any advice! :confused I did almost the same thing...
by TheNightsToCome
Fri Mar 15, 2024 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Salary Amount Phase Out? - $345k
Replies: 12
Views: 1966

Re: 401k Salary Amount Phase Out? - $345k

FootballFan5548 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:50 am Thanks for the responses. I just double checked and was mistaken, my contribution did actually get pulled out, so I was able to contribute.

But my company did not match. So the poster that mentioned the company can't match over $345k salary appears to be correct. What a bummer... i'll end up with $23,000 contributed but only about $8,500k in match.
If your company matches at 5%, and if the cap for high-income employees is $345K, then they can contribute 0.05*345,000=$17,250.

I am in this situation every year, but my company matches 6%.
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is HCOLA better than LCOL??
Replies: 62
Views: 3458

Re: Is HCOLA better than LCOL??

Sounds like you have an axe to grind rather than a genuine question. Axe to grind?? That’s a weird comment, especially when it doesn’t provide an answer? Let me ask you directly: do you think it’s better?? Seems like a lot of people providing their answers and you argued with them your points. I have lived in most of the HCOL areas in the US. I don’t think they are better than LCOL/MCOL where I live now in many ways. But there are so many factors that it cannot be reduced to a simple yes/no. I am a doctor, I currently save 70% of my net in LCOL/MCOL while living in a 5000sf house and sending my kids to private school. Most of my colleagues in HCOL are barely saving anything at all because they buy 2M homes, pay high state taxes, and pay 30...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to sell Schwab t-bill on phone app to fund MYGA
Replies: 7
Views: 558

Re: How to sell Schwab t-bill on phone app to fund MYGA

If your phone has a web browser, can you log into Schwab.com to trade during work hours? Not sure why I assumed I'd need the Schwab phone app. I just opened the schwab.com website on my phone browser. It is tough to use given my phone is a mini so the screen shows only a limited area of the page, but it should work with some maneuvering. I arrived at the same "submit a bid request" page that I found on my desktop. It now occurs to me that this might not be requesting a limit price from me, but rather just taking me to a list of the bids available in the market at that time. If so, I can just select the best bid and click "sell?" I didn't take the dry run any further because I'm limited to requesting 2 bids per week per ...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to sell Schwab t-bill on phone app to fund MYGA
Replies: 7
Views: 558

Re: How to sell Schwab t-bill on phone app to fund MYGA

nalor511 wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 3:46 pm You can sell a Treasury on the Web instantly when the market is open, no bid process. You cannot do it on the app. Schwab and Fidelity are both this way. Are you doing this while the market is open?
I tried a dry run today, Saturday. Have not tried during market hours.
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Mar 09, 2024 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to sell Schwab t-bill on phone app to fund MYGA
Replies: 7
Views: 558

How to sell Schwab t-bill on phone app to fund MYGA

I would like to purchase a multi-year guaranteed annuity through blueprintincome.com (Oxford Life 6-year MYGA) with funds currently held in t-bills at Schwab. I will need to liquidate a t-bill position to free up the funds for the purchase. I am always at work during market hours, so will need to use the phone app for the sale. I have purchased many t-bills but never sold prior to maturity, and the phone app appears much more difficult to use than the desktop website. Can anyone walk me through this? When I click "trade" on the phone app, the options on the top toolbar only include stocks/ETFs, options, and mutual funds. There is no header for bonds. When I enter the CUSIP in the space for tickers, I'm taken to a screen which says...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is HCOLA better than LCOL??
Replies: 62
Views: 3458

Re: Is HCOLA better than LCOL??

Physician compensation is typically much higher in LCOL areas.
by TheNightsToCome
Mon Mar 04, 2024 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank
Replies: 41
Views: 2764

Re: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank

Many good points above, and clearly no consensus. Not sure which way we'll go. :happy
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank
Replies: 41
Views: 2764

Re: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank

I will say this LVP looks good in a picture:

https://homespure.com/wp-content/upload ... ooring.jpg

Not sure if looks as good in person.
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank
Replies: 41
Views: 2764

Re: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank

My neighbors all live in ~100 year old houses. Most of the houses have original hardwood floors, commonly oak downstairs and pine upstairs. Many of them have dogs. Many of the previous owners of their houses had dogs. Many of these houses raised several generations of small children and all the associated messes. In most of those houses, the hardwood is still there and functioning well 100 years later. This is an excellent point! People also forget that once LVP is damaged, it’s damaged. You can’t sand it down and refinish it like wood. I had LVP in one house and there were a couple dents and chips in it from people dropping things or moving furniture. Nothing you can do about it at that point. Unless you live in a beach house, I don’t lik...
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Mar 03, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank
Replies: 41
Views: 2764

Re: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank

Tile (i.e., ceramic or porcelain) would look nice and wear well, and I saw tile floors throughout houses frequently when I lived in Florida, but the surface is hard and somewhat uncomfortable to stand/walk on for very long, and we live in the Midwest and I don't see anyone doing that around here, so not sure if that would hurt resale when we sell at retirement.

Bogleheads appear to agree that hardwood is probably not a good choice with dogs.

I guess I should look into LVP more. My dentist has it in his office and I don't really care for the look there, but maybe there are better choices out there.
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank
Replies: 41
Views: 2764

Pet accidents: hardwood vs tile vs luxury vinyl plank

We have older carpet that we want to replace with new flooring. We could get new carpet, but I'd prefer hardwood. However, we have two small poodles that have occasional (too frequent) accidents, and I worry the hardwood might stain or otherwise show damage. We could get tile, wood-look or other, but I'm not a fan of that hard surface throughout the house (we have tile in kitchen and baths). I have no experience with luxury vinyl plank, but suspect it would clean up well. Does luxury vinyl plank look or feel "cheap" relative to hardwood or tile? Will hardwood stand up well? Is tile too hard and unforgiving underfoot? Would luxury vinyl plank clean up well after poodle accidents, but look or feel cheap? What is your advice/experien...
by TheNightsToCome
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29156

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

Let's put some context into this, below is the 2020 IRS statistics, the latest year with availability. Only 1.12%, or 1,844,685 million individual tax returns (obviously it included both single and MFJ among others) had AGI >$500k. This isn't a perfect stat for this but it does give a sense of how many salary jobs out there actually paying >$500k. I have to show this to DW from time to time previously because she thought that every new grad is making $200k+ and every average SWE is making $400k+ TC because it's so common in our tiny circle of friends/neighbors and etc in bay area. https://i.postimg.cc/c4J2zWtK/Screenshot-2024-02-26-at-9-03-34-AM.png From dqydj.com (Don't quit your day job.com): How many people made $500,000 or more in 2023...
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: LMP/TIPS Ladder Pros & Cons Master Thread
Replies: 71
Views: 6038

Re: LMP/TIPS Ladder Pros & Cons Master Thread

Have TIPS provided returns that more closely match one's personal inflation (which typically exceeds the CPIU) than a TSM index over any 10-30 year period? If so how many times has it happened? Total real return to US stocks has been negative over at least 20 years and less than 2% for at least 30 years in the past: https://dqydj.com/sp-500-historical-return-calculator/ Hi, I copied this from the linked article: “You'll also note that the minimum 40 year real annualized return was a bit more than 3% a year (as we went to press). At no point over a 40 year career did the S&P 500 lose to inflation (thus far).” Sure, but the return to equities has been less than the current return to TIPS over 10-30 year periods in the past. That was the ...
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29156

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

By now I think physician profession has become relatively a poor return-on-investment one, compared to big tech. I don't know how much my Orthopedic surgeon makes, but I sure hope it's a lot and enough to keep her motivated to continue her profession. I'm just one of many patients and the surgery I had was the difference between me probably being crippled for the rest of my life and now I'm walking normally (almost, but close enough). That's a pretty big impact, I'm certainly thankful, and I was probably just one of several surgeries she did that day, I am sure being a surgeon must be incredibly demanding and stressful I am a surgeon. I didn’t start making good money until I was 35, but I am very glad I did not go into big tech. Many of my...
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: LMP/TIPS Ladder Pros & Cons Master Thread
Replies: 71
Views: 6038

Re: LMP/TIPS Ladder Pros & Cons Master Thread

rossington wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:34 am Have TIPS provided returns that more closely match one's personal inflation (which typically exceeds the CPIU) than a TSM index over any 10-30 year period?
If so how many times has it happened?
Total real return to US stocks has been negative over at least 20 years and less than 2% for at least 30 years in the past:

https://dqydj.com/sp-500-historical-return-calculator/
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Salary (>$500,000) careers
Replies: 244
Views: 29156

Re: High Salary (>$500,000) careers

I know the original poster was interested in non medical jobs but I think the physician pay is similar. Most make in the $200-300k range — those making >$500k are still the stars of the field and rare maybe 10-20% of physician (despite the impression you’d get from reading on bogleheads). By now I think physician profession has become relatively a poor return-on-investment one, compared to big tech. I don't know how much my Orthopedic surgeon makes, but I sure hope it's a lot and enough to keep her motivated to continue her profession. I'm just one of many patients and the surgery I had was the difference between me probably being crippled for the rest of my life and now I'm walking normally (almost, but close enough). That's a pretty big ...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: LMP/TIPS Ladder Pros & Cons Master Thread
Replies: 71
Views: 6038

Re: LMP/TIPS Ladder Pros & Cons Master Thread

One big con is that TIPS are based on nationwide inflation numbers, not regional. If you live in a location that experiences higher inflation than the national number, you might not meet your liabilities. The other issue with the inflation number used is the distribution of items might significantly differ from your own, especially if you have paid off your home. Absolutely, TIPS aren't a perfect hedge against future consumption. This reminds me of Churchill's famous knock on the dysfunctionality of democracy, "the worst form of government, except for all the others.” If someone knows of a vehicle that better matches future real consumption than TIPS, particularly with the current 2% (yield) margin of safety, I'm all ears. I’m not say...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental crowns
Replies: 61
Views: 8241

Re: Dental crowns

$400 in rural Midwest 2 years ago. I have dental insurance through employer, so presume that was a discounted rate contracted with insurer.

After reading above, I'm feeling good about the purchase. :D
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do your intra-company yearly raises keep with inflation?
Replies: 60
Views: 6336

Re: Do your inter-company yearly raises keep with inflation?

My pay rate is unchanged since January 2017, despite arguing for a raise on multiple occasions.
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE vs Loving your work
Replies: 101
Views: 8781

Re: FIRE vs Loving your work

Many of those who choose to work when they have the funds to retire have a career that offers them high compensation, autonomy, power, respect, or some combination of those factors. It is easy to keep going when you have a nice job that treats you well. Check Check Check Check I think you're on to something here. Agreed. Those factors above would make it hard for me to leave my current job (of 40 years). The only negative is too many meetings, so too much sitting and can be challenging to find time to exercise. I need to start rejecting some of the meeting invites to prioritize health. We have 12 flights of stairs in my office building. I get up and climb them at least five times per day. Once when I arrive, once when I go for coffee, once...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

For those interested in the subject, I found this YouTube video that clearly explains all of the pertinent rules:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evYI75xJnKg
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE vs Loving your work
Replies: 101
Views: 8781

Re: FIRE vs Loving your work

mrmass wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:20 am Why does Bill Belichick want to keep working? His Social Security is maxed out :mrgreen: He likely can afford a nice CCRC...
Shula's wins record.
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE vs Loving your work
Replies: 101
Views: 8781

Re: FIRE vs Loving your work

If I wanted not to work, I would have preferred not to work when young actually. Now that I'm on the older side, my (non-physical) work is better than not working I believe. In some sense, we live our lives backwards, unfortunately. When young, healthy, and energetic, we don't have much free time or money. When old, the situation flips, but that's not good either. This is exactly the way that I have always felt, but have never heard/read anyone else say/write this. :happy I took a year between college and med school to perform for a jazz company, then another year at 34 to travel, ski, surf, and dive. I "retired" on a modest budget in my early 40s until a serious illness caused me to want to return to medicine in my early-mid 50s...
by TheNightsToCome
Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE vs Loving your work
Replies: 101
Views: 8781

Re: FIRE vs Loving your work

Many of those who choose to work when they have the funds to retire have a career that offers them high compensation, autonomy, power, respect, or some combination of those factors. It is easy to keep going when you have a nice job that treats you well. As of last weekend, we had 94.6 times our average annual expenses over the prior 9 years. In the past, I always assumed I'd retire at this point; no, before this point. However, I managed to negotiate an employed position with no call and no hospital work. I used to think I hated my job (cardiologist). It turns out that I just hated call and the open-ended nature of hospital work. I never thought I'd have a position this appealing in clinical medicine. As above, I have high compensation, au...
by TheNightsToCome
Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: ByRe: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

You still have to sign up for Medicare Part A. That is not my understanding. If true, one would have no option but to forfeit an HSA. Do you have a reference? It's not true. You don't have to sign up for part A at 65, but the question is, why wouldn't you? It hurts nothing, and it's free. (as long as you 40 quarters of work) What would be primary coverage if you had part A and private coverage for same hospital services ? If you actually used Medicare A without gap, it would have large deductibles. So who pays first, Medicare then private for the rest ? Or private and Medicare for your private deductibles ? Or are you stuck with deductibles either way ? Your creditable insurance (e.g., through employer) is primary. Part A Medicare would se...
by TheNightsToCome
Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

grampy wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:28 pm OP,
regarding an HSA when going on Medicare, some reading here should help understand what happens. Especially see item #5

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-sta ... you-retire

Basically you and employer must stop contributions 6 months prior, but you still have access to any balance, to pay future medical expenses.
My employer made an HSA available to us for the first time 2 years ago, and we have exhausted the contributions each year to pay for my wife's medical expenses -- but pre-tax! We're going to spend the entire pot again this year. There is no balance.
by TheNightsToCome
Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: ByRe: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

meowcat wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:08 pm
TheNightsToCome wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:27 pm
Duzz78 wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:12 pm You still have to sign up for Medicare Part A.
That is not my understanding. If true, one would have no option but to forfeit an HSA.

Do you have a reference?
It's not true. You don't have to sign up for part A at 65, but the question is, why wouldn't you? It hurts nothing, and it's free. (as long as you 40 quarters of work)
Because you can't keep an HSA if you sign up for Part A as secondary coverage. The HSA is likely to be more valuable in our case.
by TheNightsToCome
Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: ByRe: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

RetiredAL wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:40 pm
TheNightsToCome wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:27 pm
Duzz78 wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:12 pm You still have to sign up for Medicare Part A.
That is not my understanding. If true, one would have no option but to forfeit an HSA.

Do you have a reference?
Many work plans want to be secondary if you are medicare-A eligible. Check that out with your HR. Medicare doesn't care one way of the other.
My understanding is that Medicare Part A is always secondary to creditable insurance. Do you have reference stating otherwise?
by TheNightsToCome
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: ByRe: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

Duzz78 wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:12 pm You still have to sign up for Medicare Part A.
That is not my understanding. If true, one would have no option but to forfeit an HSA.

Do you have a reference?
by TheNightsToCome
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

So, I don't have to notify the government at this time that I am covered by my employer? But when I retire and want to apply for Medicare there will be a special enrollment form and my employer will have to provide me with some sort of proof of creditable coverage that I then submit to Medicare to avoid the late enrollment penalty? Is above correct? I have no current plans to retire, but don't want to screw this up. yes the form you'll need to have your employer complete to give to medicare within 8 months of ending employment is here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/cms-forms/cms-forms/downloads/cms-l564e.pdf that link is also here along with other good info to know: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/w...
by TheNightsToCome
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

Thank you for the information. I did learn that I cannot contribute to an HSA and also sign up for free Part A. My wife has medical expenses that exhaust the HSA contribution each year, so I'll want to continue that. If I understand correctly, I have to stop HSA contribution six months before I retire and start Medicare. I'll make a note of form CMS L564. When I asked my employer's human resources officer about this, she did not know the Medicare rules or type of forms needed. I appreciate the confirmation that I don't have to complete any paperwork now, but only when I retire. I worked with these people recently to assist in determining whether a business owner should go on Medicare. This page on their web site is outstanding: https://www...
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Re: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

Thank you for the information.

I did learn that I cannot contribute to an HSA and also sign up for free Part A. My wife has medical expenses that exhaust the HSA contribution each year, so I'll want to continue that. If I understand correctly, I have to stop HSA contribution six months before I retire and start Medicare.

I'll make a note of form CMS L564. When I asked my employer's human resources officer about this, she did not know the Medicare rules or type of forms needed.

I appreciate the confirmation that I don't have to complete any paperwork now, but only when I retire.
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65
Replies: 33
Views: 3117

Help with Medicare rules if still working at 65

I will soon turn 65, but I am still working and covered by my employer's health insurance plan. My employer has >> 20 employees. I found this on the government's website: 2. After 65 and you've been covered by an employer group health plan This is a "Special Enrollment Period," and there are no penalties if you sign up or add Part B during this time. If you or your spouse have health insurance through your job, you can sign up: Any time while working and still covered by the group health plan. Within 8 months of the day you or your spouse stop working, even if your group health plan continues for a time. Within 8 months of the group health plan ending while you or your spouse continue to work. Your coverage begins the month after ...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Regression toward the mean: SP500 P/E
Replies: 10
Views: 1060

Re: Regression toward the mean: SP500 P/E

PhinanceMD wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:06 am Hi all, does the statistical concept of "regression toward the mean" apply to the SP500 P/E? Per this link: (https://www.multpl.com/s-p-500-pe-ratio), the current ratio sits at 27.28, the historical mean at 16.05, indicating prices are high for projected SP500 earnings. This is not a market timing question, rather a theory one. Thank you. :sharebeer
I see 33.83: https://www.multpl.com/shiller-pe
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Jan 28, 2024 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Net Worth Averages in different professions
Replies: 91
Views: 11713

Re: Net Worth Averages in different professions

dekecarver wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 11:47 am Maybe start with this.

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
This reports mean physician wage as $251,990 with cardiologists at $421,330.

I think that is reasonably accurate. I'm a cardiologist.

Although this mean cardiology figure is similar to what I've seen in MGMA data, there is a substantial range. Physicians pay a premium to live in what most consider more desirable areas. I earn at least twice what my colleagues in Boca Raton earn, and not because I do twice as much work.
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Jan 28, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Physician spouse changing jobs - 457b & 403b questions
Replies: 12
Views: 1073

Re: Physician spouse changing jobs - 457b & 403b questions

I am also a physician with a governmental 457b. If I was leaving I would definitely roll it into an IRA in order to avoid the quarterly administrative charges, and to be able to invest the funds in any way I choose. With the 457b I can't buy individual TIPS or bonds, or even invest in a TIPS fund. The only international option is actively managed, but I'd prefer a an index ETF.
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Update: Can a Retired 60 yo MD, MBA Start a Law Career?
Replies: 285
Views: 23416

Re: Update: Can a Retired 60 yo MD, MBA Start a Law Career?

2024 Update: In 2018, Boglehead lawyers convinced me that applying to law school was probably a bad idea. Again, thank you for that help. At that time, I thought it was unlikely that I would be able to arrange a better work schedule, but to my surprise, my employer agreed to each change that I requested. I now work about 55 hours during the week, but at a less frenetic pace. As a result, I no longer return home angry and frustrated. Instead, I have the time, the energy, and the motivation to go into the office on Saturday and Sunday to study. The more I study the more I enjoy my job. I was there from 6:30 to 11:30 this a.m. and had a great time. :happy So, ask and you may receive. That can backfire, but when financially independent with an...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Jan 27, 2024 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Update: Can a Retired 60 yo MD, MBA Start a Law Career?
Replies: 285
Views: 23416

Re: Update: Can a Retired 60 yo MD, MBA Start a Law Career?

2024 Update: In 2018, Boglehead lawyers convinced me that applying to law school was probably a bad idea. Again, thank you for that help. At that time, I thought it was unlikely that I would be able to arrange a better work schedule, but to my surprise, my employer agreed to each change that I requested. I now work about 55 hours during the week, but at a less frenetic pace. As a result, I no longer return home angry and frustrated. Instead, I have the time, the energy, and the motivation to go into the office on Saturday and Sunday to study. The more I study the more I enjoy my job. I was there from 6:30 to 11:30 this a.m. and had a great time. :happy So, ask and you may receive. That can backfire, but when financially independent with an...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TIME = MONEY: strategies to **SAVE TIME** (even if it costs $)
Replies: 51
Views: 7806

Re: TIME = MONEY: strategies to **SAVE TIME** (even if it costs $)

White Coat Investor wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:25 pm
bhzmark wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:26 am What are your strategies?
I mean, if my wife would let me, I wouldn't shovel the driveway. We've got 4 wheel drive cars that will get in and out of the garage just fine and it'll melt eventually, usually sooner than you think.
Ditto. Fortunately, my wife allows this. :D
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rate of return on primary residence
Replies: 56
Views: 7095

Re: Rate of return on primary residence

Because you need a place to live, you can compare the financial implications of owning versus renting to decide which is the better (financial) option. There are online tools that can help with that comparison.

However, there is no expected return to home ownership as there is for an investment in equities or bonds. Homes are made of sticks, bricks, drywall, appliances, HVAC systems, shingles, etc. None of these things increase in value with time. On the contrary, they gradually disintegrate. Most homes will eventually be razed.

If you enjoy a real return on the sale of a home, it was the dirt beneath the home that appreciated in value. In recent decades, the dirt in Detroit lost value while the dirt in San Francisco appreciated.
by TheNightsToCome
Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Do You Value Your Time At?
Replies: 126
Views: 21500

Re: How Much Do You Value Your Time At?

I prepare all patient charts before the day starts so that I won't be delayed during clinic by those that require extensive record review or research. My clinic would run on time without fail if patients would show up 20 mins before I am supposed to see them. It takes that long for the front desk and nurse to do their jobs before I do mine. Unfortunately, most show up at the appt time despite being told to arrive early, and many more arrive late. I have never understood why medical facilities do their patient scheduling that way? Where I go it's "please arrive 10 minutes before...", which I do. But why not just schedule to patient for the time that they need to arrive and have the clinic staff adjust their timing? So instead of a...
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seek Flooring Advice; Repairing Flooded Basement
Replies: 29
Views: 3251

Re: Seek Flooring Advice; Repairing Flooded Basement

tetractys wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:29 pm
TheNightsToCome wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 5:12 pm1. The LVP will rest on VCT for most of the floor, but on bare concrete around the perimeter. I suspect it will not be level, and may feel different underfoot depending on whether it rests on VCT or concrete.

2. I have heavy weight-lifting machines (Hammer Strength and other) and dumbbells, which I doubt will do well on a floating LVP floor.
It's worth tearing everything up and leveling. The specs contractors use are something like within 3/16", but for a comfortable solid feeling and good looking floor you want it dead level. Contractors make it out to be harder than it is to increase their margin; but you can DYI.
This won't be DIY. :happy
by TheNightsToCome
Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seek Flooring Advice; Repairing Flooded Basement
Replies: 29
Views: 3251

Re: Seek Flooring Advice; Repairing Flooded Basement

I am not sure why you have to redo it to sell? the reality is you have a flood prone basement and the best thing that a buyer will see is the sump pump, not aesthetics? Your wife gets that the sump pump isn't actually a cure all and redoing the floor is a potential time and money waste? Maybe explain your basement usage? Is it totally finished? You redid drywall and everything? It has a bathroom and we had the shower sitting in the middle of the floor to allow the sump pump installation. We've repaired that and drywall and paint, including doors which had water stains. I work out in basement and wife rarely sets foot there, so ok for us, but a buyer will be turned off by disaster area in basement. We've had one flood, and now have sump pum...