Search found 1311 matches

by MJS
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!
by MJS
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

KyleAAA wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:14 pm I really enjoyed Lyon. Didn't have any issues with the quality of the food or wine.
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
by MJS
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

Franklin wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:55 am ... No gift tax issues under $17K times 2 ($34K). If over that limit it's just a form that I doubt most people ever fill out to deduct from your estate value. Nice of you to look out for them.
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
by MJS
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?

Watty wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:59 pm
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 not sure what you are saying.

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.
Thank you for the heads-up. I will clarify the posting that funds marked for charity should definitely not be converted to Roth!
by MJS
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/
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.

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?
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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?
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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...
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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?

WhitePuma wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:49 pm
At present, my pre-tax account is larger than spouses. But in time, their balance will surpass mine as they are able to contribute more (and they plan to work longer than me). So should I consider current balance or future balance?
A working spouse can contribute to the IRA accounts of the non-working spouse. So, theoretically, both your IRAs could continue to grow.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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?

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?
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.
by MJS
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)
by MJS
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/
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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/
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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, ...
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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 :wink: . 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.
by MJS
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
by MJS
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?

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).
Not familiar with these dispensers, but if they use liquid detergent can you dilute it by 25-50%?

I do this with my dishwashing liquid because a squirt of pure Dawn is way too much, most of the time
by MJS
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

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.
This is an under-appreciated benefit of working, and an under-reported issue with retirement!
..... Estimated taxes, Roth conversion, IRMAA, capital gains, how much of an annuity will be taxable this year...
by MJS
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

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),
Click on the text "Extra Income" for how to put multiple items (although not multiple scenarios) on that line.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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!
by MJS
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

Andymoler58 wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:18 pm I don’t cook that much but want it to look good
* 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.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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

Re: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?

2ball wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:44 pm I don't think people 50 to 100 years ago had the time on their hands that we do now to do foolishness like this.
Your belief that the Flappers of the 1920's lacked time for foolishness is ... very interesting.
by MJS
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 :mrgreen: )

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
by MJS
Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
Replies: 50
Views: 5142

Re: RMD Tax Withholding

bucky6225 wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:41 pm
MJS wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:02 am
bucky6225 wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:13 am ... , let’s say given one’s tax rate the RMD amount would translate to $10k withholding. But their total taxes are projected to be $25k (which include the $10k). Do some people here have $25k withheld or would most just have $10k withheld?
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.
If my planned RMD was $50k regardless of how much I withhold then would it matter where the extra $15k came from?
Apologies! I misread it as an RMD of $10k, with an extra $15k being withdrawn & withheld to pay taxes.
by MJS
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.
by MJS
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!
by MJS
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
Replies: 50
Views: 5142

Re: RMD Tax Withholding

bucky6225 wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:13 am ... , let’s say given one’s tax rate the RMD amount would translate to $10k withholding. But their total taxes are projected to be $25k (which include the $10k). Do some people here have $25k withheld or would most just have $10k withheld?
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.