Search found 1311 matches
- Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
- Replies: 42
- Views: 3486
Re: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
Personal experience here ... be sure the height of the (purchased or rented or leased) vehicle plus roof rack plus cargo is less than the height of your garage door plus low hanging Christmas lights. Enjoy!
- Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice on choosing 2/3 day side trip from Paris in September
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1304
Re: Advice on choosing 2/3 day side trip from Paris in September
Near Lyon: Are you a fan of Chatreuse liqueur? Head to the Caves de la Chartreuse in Voiron for museum, tour & tasting plus a chance to buy rare (or standard) bottles.
If you like Vermouth, or Genepi, there's a tour you might take or replicate on your own. https://www.winepaths.com/expert/france ... -of-france
- Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Paying for grandparents to babysit, medical insurance implications
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4728
Re: Paying for grandparents to babysit, medical insurance implications
Or $68k - you can give $17k to each parent and your spouse can give $17k each: 4×$17 = $68k.
Also, if you pay for their health care costs, such as insurance, that doesn't count as a gift/income.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-bu ... gift-taxes
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 5583
Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
Thank you for the heads-up. I will clarify the posting that funds marked for charity should definitely not be converted to Roth!Watty wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:59 pmI am not sure what you are saying.MJS wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:53 pm Look at slowly converting your tax-deferred accounts - 403, 401's and Traditional IRAs - to a Roth IRA. Leave the funds remaining in tax-deferred to charity (with spouse's permission in most states). That can alleviate taxation issues because the Charities don't have to pay taxes while your spouse & other heirs would.
I am about 99.9% sure that retirement accounts which will be left to a charity should not be converted to a Roth since the charity will not need to pay the taxes on a traditional retirement account.
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Need Help Finding a Hobby
- Replies: 76
- Views: 6391
Re: Need Help Finding a Hobby
Modular origami is like Legos. Castles, Starwars, models, abstracts, plants, animals ...
At-home volunteering... the Library of Congress looks for people to transcribe their archives:
https://crowd.loc.gov/campaigns-topics/
At-home volunteering... the Library of Congress looks for people to transcribe their archives:
https://crowd.loc.gov/campaigns-topics/
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 5583
Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
When I retired, I switched my heirs from siblings to nieces & nephews, per stipes but not to their spouses. I fund 528s for the grand-nieces and -nephews.
Look at slowly converting your tax-deferred accounts that you will be using for your future needs or that you plan to leave to family members - your 403, 401's and Traditional IRAs - to a Roth IRA.
Donating funds in tax-deferred accounts to charity (with spouse's permission in most states) may alleviate taxation issues. The charities don't have to pay taxes, while your spouse & other heirs would.
Edited for clarity
Tax strategy: Leave taxable & Roth to people, leave tax deferred to charity.
Look at slowly converting your tax-deferred accounts that you will be using for your future needs or that you plan to leave to family members - your 403, 401's and Traditional IRAs - to a Roth IRA.
Donating funds in tax-deferred accounts to charity (with spouse's permission in most states) may alleviate taxation issues. The charities don't have to pay taxes, while your spouse & other heirs would.
Edited for clarity
Tax strategy: Leave taxable & Roth to people, leave tax deferred to charity.
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wisdom of cross-country, one-way RV rental (with a cat)
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3141
Re: Wisdom of cross-country, one-way RV rental (with a cat)
Have you considered using a pet relocation service? Let the family have fun while the cat gets safely & securely to its new home. Fellow service members may have better recommendations, but https://www.petrelocation.com/ is available.
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:50 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Help for sister on social security during assisted living spend down
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2079
Re: Help for sister on social security during assisted living spend down
Please share when you know more. Looking at the monthly entry in your sister's bank account may provide some information.
- Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:42 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is Raymond James beating the SP500? That's what they are claiming.
- Replies: 59
- Views: 4785
Re: Is Raymond James beating the SP500? That's what they are claiming.
Unbeknownst to the common run of investors, RJ secretly offers access to their time machine for people with $777 million or more. The funds are transferred back to the early 90's and retrieved before the dotcom crash.Glockenspiel wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:35 am How is a cherry-picked 10-year period ending 22 years ago, of actively managed stocks with high fees and uber-high risk relevant to compare to the S&P500?
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: One spouse retiring earlier than the other?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3076
Re: One spouse retiring earlier than the other?
Have you discussed partial approaches: one or both goes half time; one retires now, the other within a year; or your spouse finds a new, nicer, job / gig work?
At least, spousal contributions to the retiree's IRA will continue to help build your nest egg.
At least, spousal contributions to the retiree's IRA will continue to help build your nest egg.
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:38 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Getting off cruise ship a day early
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3371
Re: Getting off cruise ship a day early
The most-common Tianjin 144-Hour Visa is "no Beijing."
The expertise of a China-specialist travel agent could save you -- not only money -- but considerable annoyance.
The expertise of a China-specialist travel agent could save you -- not only money -- but considerable annoyance.
- Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Help for sister on social security during assisted living spend down
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2079
Re: Help for sister on social security during assisted living spend down
Social Security is fixed - the amount you get is set by your (or your spouse's) earnings. You could win a billion dollar lottery, and you would still get your exact same Social Security check.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different: assets and income count.
Medicaid assistance is even trickier, and varies by state.
Perhaps you could provide more detail?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different: assets and income count.
Medicaid assistance is even trickier, and varies by state.
Perhaps you could provide more detail?
- Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Newly Retired: Start Roth Conversions For IRA or Not?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 5482
Re: Newly Retired: Start Roth Conversions For IRA or Not?
As a solo ager, investigate Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) especially "LifeCare" style. Part of both the entry fee and monthly fee can be tax deductible as pre-paid medical expenses, so that can use quite a bit of your tax-deferred funds at a reduced tax-rate. For those of us without spouses, kids, or other potential caretakers, CCRCs can offer very useful support.
Edited to note that only part of fees are deductible.
Edited to note that only part of fees are deductible.
- Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
- Replies: 156
- Views: 10616
Re: Your Original Medicare Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
OM + Part D (better than Wordle for a mental workout)
+ Medicare Supplement G = Sublime for 5 years!
But
+ Medicare Supplement K or L = partial payments, limited coverage, confusion = potential nightmare
+ Medicare Supplement G = Sublime for 5 years!
But
+ Medicare Supplement K or L = partial payments, limited coverage, confusion = potential nightmare
- Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What would you have done differently if you could go back and restart your financial journey?
- Replies: 68
- Views: 5913
Re: What would you have done differently if you could go back and restart your financial journey?
Hey, former-self! Do not play with your money until your annual portfolio return is greater than your annual wages. Until then, just "VTI & Chill." *
OP -- When you return to Sweden, switch to "CSP1 & Chill" which ... I think ... is the closest cheapest allowable EU equivalent to VTI.
* There is a tee-shirt if you need a reminder.
OP -- When you return to Sweden, switch to "CSP1 & Chill" which ... I think ... is the closest cheapest allowable EU equivalent to VTI.
* There is a tee-shirt if you need a reminder.
- Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
- Replies: 58
- Views: 5603
Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
You can get a one-stop 4-person round-trip flight out of Kalamazoo for ~$2200. Yes, you have to change planes, but the driving time & parking costs should be less onerous. Also, the security lines & passport check tends to be nicer in small airports.
- Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What have you baked recently?
- Replies: 538
- Views: 82875
Re: What have you baked recently?
... When I made it the other day, I rolled out a bit of almond paste very thin and placed it onto the tart shell before adding the apples and sugar and baking. It was delicious. A little almond paste goes a long way (I used about 1/3 of a 7 oz tube of Odense brand almond paste.) Almond paste (and its cousin marzipan) take about 5 minutes and $1 $2.11 ($1.55+0.56) to make one pound 15.1 oz. Commercial almond paste is very expensive and non-Boglehead. :D Almond paste - nutty flavor, mealier texture. 200 grams (7 oz) fine almond flour: not almond meal 200 grams (7 oz) powdered [confectioner's] sugar 1-2 tablespoons (30 gram / 1 oz) binder (egg white, heavy syrup, honey, amaretto, water, vodka, almond milk, ...) [1/2 teaspoon almond extract] M...
- Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Roth conversion during retirement question
- Replies: 51
- Views: 5848
Re: Roth conversion during retirement question
Use https://www.schwab.com/ira/ira-calculators/rmd to run individual RMD estimates for your father and for your mother. You might also run survivor RMD estimates, using a single combined IRA, for each of them.
The combined RMD estimate will, of course, be taxed at Single filer tax rate.
The combined RMD estimate will, of course, be taxed at Single filer tax rate.
- Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 24 year old- money problems
- Replies: 50
- Views: 6495
Re: 24 year old- money problems
Have you asked for / received a raise? In some places, only those who ask, get.
Two years of Cost of Living is ~15%, and doing a good job would be another 5%. Stellar job -- another 10%. Heck. Ask for $50,000 a year, settle for $40,00, hunt for a new job if the raise is less than Cost of Living. And no, commissions are a reward for tasks, not salary. Unless you have done a very poor job, you deserve a raise!
If you have an annual review, that is a good time to negotiate your annual salary & commission raises.
Two years of Cost of Living is ~15%, and doing a good job would be another 5%. Stellar job -- another 10%. Heck. Ask for $50,000 a year, settle for $40,00, hunt for a new job if the raise is less than Cost of Living. And no, commissions are a reward for tasks, not salary. Unless you have done a very poor job, you deserve a raise!
If you have an annual review, that is a good time to negotiate your annual salary & commission raises.
- Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Roth Conversion: Mine vs. Spouse - Does it Matter?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1464
Re: Roth Conversion: Mine vs. Spouse - Does it Matter?
A working spouse can contribute to the IRA accounts of the non-working spouse. So, theoretically, both your IRAs could continue to grow.
- Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:25 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Sad news: ObliviousInvestor's mother has passed away
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4328
Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother.
Many thanks for having improved the lives of many mothers -- and other people -- with OpenSocialSecurity.
Many thanks for having improved the lives of many mothers -- and other people -- with OpenSocialSecurity.
- Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Soc Sec for surviving/ex spouse?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1141
Re: Soc Sec for surviving/ex spouse?
On OpenSocialSecurity, vary the "Discount Rate other than the default (currently 2.05%)" The Discount Rate skyrocketed during inflation. When inflation was ~2%, the rate was closer to 0.1-0.4%. If you believe that inflation, and high interest rates, will return to the lower end, a smaller Discount Rate may give more accurate future numbers. Of course, predicting the future is a notably failure-prone process.LaurenRose wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:05 am Wow, thank you for pointing out this calculator. I wasn't aware of it.
...
Seems incredible to think the difference for me, between filing now and waiting five more years, is only a PV decrease of $3,500 over my lifetime?
- Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Soc Sec for surviving/ex spouse?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1141
Re: Soc Sec for surviving/ex spouse?
Did you run some scenarios through
https://opensocialsecurity.com/ ?
NOTE on top: "Certain situations require additional input. Click here [_] to select situation(s)
https://opensocialsecurity.com/ ?
NOTE on top: "Certain situations require additional input. Click here [_] to select situation(s)
- Fri Feb 23, 2024 8:42 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Planning for RMDs
- Replies: 3
- Views: 899
Re: Planning for RMDs
To model RMDs, take a look at
https://www.schwab.com/ira/ira-calculators/rmd
The second section has annual information.
The "Secure 2.0" law passed in 2022 means that you will start RMDs at age 73 (or even 75).
Apparently, possibly, Secure 2.0 might also mean that your annual tax-deferred annuity pay out will count towards your combined 401k's RMD, rather than the current situation.
Source:
https://missionwealth.com/hidden-secure-act-provisions/
https://www.schwab.com/ira/ira-calculators/rmd
The second section has annual information.
The "Secure 2.0" law passed in 2022 means that you will start RMDs at age 73 (or even 75).
Apparently, possibly, Secure 2.0 might also mean that your annual tax-deferred annuity pay out will count towards your combined 401k's RMD, rather than the current situation.
Source:
https://missionwealth.com/hidden-secure-act-provisions/
- Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Full solar ECLIPSE April 2024!
- Replies: 80
- Views: 9591
Re: Full solar ECLIPSE April 2024!
If you can, find a place with a high wide view to the southwest -- even the top of a parking garage or high rise. Watching the shadow of the moon race towards us across the plains to the lower Tetons was incredible. Bring one of those colanders with round holes and project the sun against a wall or sheet. We even saw shadow bands! A total solar eclipse is unforgettable.
- Mon Feb 19, 2024 3:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2092
Re: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country
Moonstone Beach near Westhaven at low tide for driftwood, shells and yes, moonstones.
The Arcata community forest if your kids are playground age or an easy hike & picnic if older.
Evening sail out of Eureka on the Madaket.
If your kids are Ravenous, Samoa Cookhouse.
The Arcata community forest if your kids are playground age or an easy hike & picnic if older.
Evening sail out of Eureka on the Madaket.
If your kids are Ravenous, Samoa Cookhouse.
- Mon Feb 19, 2024 12:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Holbein colored pencils / Art Supplies Japan (website)
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2513
Re: Holbein colored pencils / Art Supplies Japan (website)
Another thought: look for the 24 shortest pencils (ie, most used) and replace just them with similar colors from the better lines. Also, get sharpeners:
Long point: https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog ... sharpeners
Color: Uni Color Pencil Sharpener
I sort my pencils by color in old but pretty Trader Joe orchid pots, with stubs in a separate tiny pot. Stubs are a pain.
Long point: https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog ... sharpeners
Color: Uni Color Pencil Sharpener
I sort my pencils by color in old but pretty Trader Joe orchid pots, with stubs in a separate tiny pot. Stubs are a pain.
- Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Online Tax Software for 25 year old.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2516
Re: Online Tax Software for 25 year old.
Consider practicing with paper forms this first time: it's a good introduction to IRS terminology, the what-ifs, and the sequence of how the parts fit together. File electronically.
Will he have more complex tax returns in the next decade or so? (Bonuses, 529s, charity, spouse/children, healthcare, gig income, odd state rules?) = FreeTaxUSA.
Pretty simple taxes for 10 years? Go with the cheapest.
Will he have more complex tax returns in the next decade or so? (Bonuses, 529s, charity, spouse/children, healthcare, gig income, odd state rules?) = FreeTaxUSA.
Pretty simple taxes for 10 years? Go with the cheapest.
- Thu Feb 15, 2024 8:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?
- Replies: 168
- Views: 18351
Re: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?
If you want to present as cautious (or you are mildly paranoid,) a DuckDuckGo overlay for your existing email account is useful. It cleans out trackers then forwards messages to your favored account.
To get: https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help- ... addresses/
About: https://www.cloudwards.net/how-to-use-d ... rotection/
To get: https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help- ... addresses/
About: https://www.cloudwards.net/how-to-use-d ... rotection/
- Thu Feb 15, 2024 8:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Small sedan + dog + baby in NYC
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1600
Re: Small sedan + dog + baby in NYC
Given the advantages of a sedan-sized car -- parking, MPG, maneuverability -- have you looked at hatchbacks? You could even put a luggage rack on top for longer trips.
- Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: ACA APTC when "Tax Family" different from "Coverage Family"?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1437
Re: ACA APTC when "Tax Family" different from "Coverage Family"?
ACA is local, not national. Try https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ for information that fits your situation. What works in Bronx County may be utterly wrong for Brazos.
- Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:51 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I quit or slog through
- Replies: 62
- Views: 7624
Re: Should I quit or slog through
OP here. Yeah, I think this is exactly what I'm dealing with, as much as I don't want to admit it to myself. I'm trying to get something out of my job that just isn't there. Having experienced unemployed for about 5 months a few years ago, that boredom what even worse than a job I dislike and find unfulfilling. Keep earning money at work, but make your job for the next 1-2 years finding something to retire to . Read books, find retirement blogs & forums, watch YouTube, take classes, volunteer -- you clearly need a plan for the next big adventure. Retiring is a lot like graduating from college: plan ahead. Finally -- Retirement is wonderful. I've enjoyed editing for Wikipedia, walking streams for the water department, teaching origami, ...
- Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you buy a mattress?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 3825
Re: How do you buy a mattress?
Ikea firm spring mattress. Not a fan of plush tops & foam.
At $500, replace every 5-6 years.
At $500, replace every 5-6 years.
- Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: I'm receiving a large inheritance and need advice
- Replies: 46
- Views: 5191
Re: I'm receiving a large inheritance and need advice
You and your sister should ensure that you have a complete picture of the Edwards Jones situation before making any changes or letting EJ know you might wander away out of their clutches . Request print-outs of your "cost basis" -- rather than your mother's -- essential tax information!
EJ is notorious for restricting access to account information if there is any indication of moving.
Condolences and best wishes.
EJ is notorious for restricting access to account information if there is any indication of moving.
Condolences and best wishes.
- Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed
- Replies: 71
- Views: 7013
Re: Sleeping struggles with two people one bed
Two joined twins in king frame
Bed toppers for softness/firmness control
Twin fitted sheets
Double (or even queen) toppers -- duvets or sheets+
... one tucked, one overlaid on top
...yes, it does look odd with one ½" thick & one 10"
King bedspread
0-6 pillows each
Weekly maid service to construct bed
Bed toppers for softness/firmness control
Twin fitted sheets
Double (or even queen) toppers -- duvets or sheets+
... one tucked, one overlaid on top
...yes, it does look odd with one ½" thick & one 10"
King bedspread
0-6 pillows each
Weekly maid service to construct bed
- Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best Costco Value Detergent?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2553
Re: Best Costco Value Detergent?
Not familiar with these dispensers, but if they use liquid detergent can you dilute it by 25-50%?leland wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:13 pm As a related aside on the amount of detergent to use we have an auto-dispensing washer. Wish we didn't but won't be correcting that until the machine goes. Have to extra rinse and try to trick it into using less detergent by using soft water settings (which we have anyway).
I do this with my dishwashing liquid because a squirt of pure Dawn is way too much, most of the time
- Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Awkward den with 2 doorways. Close off one of them?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1545
- Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2023 Taxes, How close were your estimates
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4529
Re: 2023 Taxes, How close were your estimates
This is an under-appreciated benefit of working, and an under-reported issue with retirement!UpperNwGuy wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:51 pm I don't waste my time doing estimates. I wait for all the forms to arrive and do it just once.
..... Estimated taxes, Roth conversion, IRMAA, capital gains, how much of an annuity will be taxable this year...
- Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rich, Broke or Dead? Post-Retirement FIRE Calculator: Visualizing Early Retirement Success and Longevity Risk
- Replies: 22
- Views: 6663
Re: Rich, Broke or Dead? Post-Retirement FIRE Calculator: Visualizing Early Retirement Success and Longevity Risk
Click on the text "Extra Income" for how to put multiple items (although not multiple scenarios) on that line.Wannaretireearly wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:49 pm As I’m playing with the numbers & guesstimating social security at either 62 or 70 (the tool only allows one line for extra income),
- Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: UK Trip Estimate
- Replies: 104
- Views: 9660
Re: UK Trip Estimate
Prudence wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:25 pm OP here. . . We make day trips from London by bus or train to: Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton, Canterbury and Dover (single trip?).
Kew Botanical Gardens
Stonehenge
Questions:
1. Should we go in September or October?
Sunset is 7:30pm; sunrise is 6:20am in early September.
Sunset is 5:30pm; sunrise is 7:45am in late October -- 4:30pm after daylight savings time ends on the 28th.
- Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Where to park RMD?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3131
Re: Where to park RMD?
Do you do charity? Take your Qualified Charitable Donations (QCD) before your RMD.
Park money to be spent in the next three years in cash or bonds - if you plan to do renovations or house maintenance, new car, expensive travel, or host a family reunion.
Park money to be spent in the next three years in cash or bonds - if you plan to do renovations or house maintenance, new car, expensive travel, or host a family reunion.
- Mon Jan 22, 2024 10:12 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
- Replies: 429
- Views: 43315
Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Happy Birthday! Thank you for your Holland America stories, your sailing stories, and your service to our country and our world in World War Two. Many thank for sharing your financial thinking!
- Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best cookware to buy
- Replies: 143
- Views: 13933
Re: Best cookware to buy
* If they will be hung on the wall or a rack, take the hook with you to ensure each piece is secure yet easy to remove.
* If they will be stacked, ensure that the pieces nest readily.
* Take care that lids have a convenient (and attractive) storage system.
- Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Blocking Extreme Sun/Heat in Window
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2839
Re: Blocking Extreme Sun/Heat in Window
In Tucson, my west windows have
Inside - blinds, privacy curtains, sunblock curtains
Outside - sun film, 80% sunblock screen, desert lavender
My HOA is fine with sunblock screens as long as they fit the color rules.
Inside - blinds, privacy curtains, sunblock curtains
Outside - sun film, 80% sunblock screen, desert lavender
My HOA is fine with sunblock screens as long as they fit the color rules.
- Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 6399
- Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Helping retired parents, Why quarterly tax payments?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3239
Re: Helping retired parents, Why quarterly tax payments?
WillRetire, if your retirement will include a period before Social Security and RMDs, then you will probably need to do quarterly estimated taxes yourself. Use this gift of experience from your parents to try out both EFTPS and IRS Direct Pay (and all the various government ID systems you need to get into them )
The start of Social Security and RMDs (or other deferred-tax withdrawals) will add withholding options. The recent thread on "When [during the year] to take RMD?" might provide some ideas.
viewtopic.php?t=421176
The start of Social Security and RMDs (or other deferred-tax withdrawals) will add withholding options. The recent thread on "When [during the year] to take RMD?" might provide some ideas.
viewtopic.php?t=421176
- Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5142
Re: RMD Tax Withholding
Apologies! I misread it as an RMD of $10k, with an extra $15k being withdrawn & withheld to pay taxes.bucky6225 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:41 pmIf my planned RMD was $50k regardless of how much I withhold then would it matter where the extra $15k came from?
- Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: UK Trip Estimate
- Replies: 104
- Views: 9660
Re: UK Trip Estimate
There's a reason working people get two days off per week: goingGoingGOING without rest is exhausting.
Schedule two "down days" per week - do little local things, not major see-the-sights. Grocery shop at low-end Asda and high-end Waitrose or Harrods; do your own laundry; go fishing or play golf or punt down a stream; visit local bookstores; walk in the nearby park or garden; go to evensong at the local church; take tea at a shop not a big hotel; visit a market town on market day. Just slow down a bit, deliberately and calmly, sometimes.
Schedule two "down days" per week - do little local things, not major see-the-sights. Grocery shop at low-end Asda and high-end Waitrose or Harrods; do your own laundry; go fishing or play golf or punt down a stream; visit local bookstores; walk in the nearby park or garden; go to evensong at the local church; take tea at a shop not a big hotel; visit a market town on market day. Just slow down a bit, deliberately and calmly, sometimes.
- Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 6399
Re: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?
Bottles of distilled alcohol or wine. Dip the lids in beeswax for additional protection. Brands and specific products disappear over even as short a period as 50 years.
And what a party when the capsule is opened!
And what a party when the capsule is opened!
- Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5142
Re: RMD Tax Withholding
I would not take an extra $15,000 from my tax-deferred accounts just to pay taxes (unless I really needed the $15k for other expenses.) In the 24% tax bracket, that withdrawal would add $3,600 in additional taxes.