Search found 4689 matches

by SnowBog
Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1376
Views: 167235

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Got a new one yesterday. I had ordered something trivial from Amazon that was due to be delivered yesterday, and received a text, supposedly from the Amazon driver that said he had a message for me, and asked me to click on a link, which I did without thinking.... ... I may be overly suspicious, but it seems to me that someone with access to ordering data may be trying to get login information in order to rip off ... IMHO the more plausible answer is coincidence . People get deliveries from Amazon all the time (some of us more often than is probably healthy). Much like other forms of "phishing" they have a high likelihood that such messages will end up with someone with an open order from Amazon, which will cause them to naturall...
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?
Replies: 45
Views: 2051

Re: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?

For a while we kept separate accounts and I'd basically send her whatever she needed for the month, but I don't think that was a healthy situation either. Everyone is different, but it was a weird dynamic, like I'm deciding what she gets and her having to come to me for money. We have challenges, and this is still relatively new to us (first time having house, kids are young etc), but I don't want her to feel like the money is 'mine' and shes just using it. This is in response to this post, and some of your others... I'm going to attempt to not make this "relationship advice" - which is off limits... As such, I'm not going to tell you what to do ... But I'll offer my own thoughts on our circumstances , and let you draw from them ...
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?
Replies: 45
Views: 2051

Re: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?

... It feels like we do a lot of mental accounting….right now our day to day checking account has a pretty low balance, I get paid Friday, but we gave $70k sitting in a money market fund which we use for short term saving, but my wife doesn’t want to touch it because it’s ‘savings’. My biggest concern is that we’re in this lifestyle trap of ‘if we just had $x more then we’d be fine’, and that even if my base salary was $400k we’d still be in the same position because my we (or primarily my wife) won’t exercise impulse control. Rather than figuring out what we want/need and buying it with a plan, it’s like we’re just spending as long as there is money in the account and we’re keeping on going until we hit $0 every pay cycle. Think this came...
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?
Replies: 45
Views: 2051

Re: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?

Few thoughts... First, I think the title is misleading - or I'm not understanding "% of income is variable ". From the sounds of it, you have very little "variable" income (bonus seems consistent, you didn't mention any massive RSU variations). Instead, it sounds more like "irregular" or "lumpy" income - in that your "regular paycheck" isn't enough so you have to dip into annual bonus and/or quarterly RSU. Second, to attempt to preempt more "advice" on spending, recommend you remove or rephrase comments like "but we truly don't live too extravagantly"... The median household income is something like $75k, you are comfortably in the top 2% of income earners in the US (thin...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use Windows OS on ARM?
Replies: 14
Views: 1130

Re: Anyone use Windows OS on ARM?

I use the 64-bit Arm version of Windows 11. I use it on my Macbook Air M1 under emulation (VMWare Fusion). I primarily use it for Turbotax during tax season, but I have installed a few other applications. I haven't found anything that doesn't run. If I remember correctly, there is some kind of emulation built into Windows so that it will run x86-compiled binaries on Arm. In an ideal world, of course, you would be running Arm binaries on an Arm Windows machine. But I'm not certain whether these are common, as they are now in the Mac world. FWIW it might be less "what runs" and more "how hard is it to install"... To put it bluntly some installation packages are "stupid", where they'll fail to install if somethin...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use Windows OS on ARM?
Replies: 14
Views: 1130

Re: Anyone use windows arm?

Not recently... But I was an early adopter of a Surface RT device, which was an ARM based. Back then the "app store" was very immature. The only apps that would run were some of those in the "app store", which was very immature at the time (Windows 8 era). Not sure if they still sell it, but the Surface X was the "modern" equivalent (or more modern anyway). As the "app store" has improved, I think it's usefulness has improved as well. But invariably, you'll run into applications that won't run... I think it really depends on what apps you care about. If all of them are in the app store, believe it shows if they'll run on Arm (but been awhile since I've looked). If they aren't in the App store, likely...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA contributions of 2022 resulting in additional tax now
Replies: 16
Views: 1450

Re: HSA contributions of 2022 resulting in additional tax now

Thanks again. Line 15 of form 8889 shows $4,302. Please advise if I should change anything I have entered or if there is no other choice than to pay that tax. Your image isn't accessible. You over contributed. You'll have to pay tax on the difference. Also 10% penalty for over contribution. I agree it seems that this is a failed testing period which needs to be taken into income with a 10% penalty. But the numbers don't seem to work out. A $7300 contribution with $3042 allowable would leave $4258 plus 10%, while OP reports that $2458 is what their tax software shows. I'm wondering if there's just a typo (reversed first digits) on the reported number? Or maybe there's something else going on in addition to the failed testing period. Are emp...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use Windows OS on ARM?
Replies: 14
Views: 1130

Re: Anyone use windows arm?

Driver wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:06 am I did use a Surface Pro X SQ1 last year. ... I did find it wasn't as snappy as a newer Intel or AMD based laptop. ...
IIRC the X SQ1 was released in 2019, so was already 4 years old when you used it. Think the SQ2 came out in 2021, so even it would have been 2 years old last year. Makes sense their performance - years after release - was less than "newer" processors - such is the nature of Moore's Law.
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use Windows OS on ARM?
Replies: 14
Views: 1130

Re: Anyone use windows arm?

Not recently... But I was an early adopter of a Surface RT device, which was an ARM based. Back then the "app store" was very immature. The only apps that would run were some of those in the "app store", which was very immature at the time (Windows 8 era). Not sure if they still sell it, but the Surface X was the "modern" equivalent (or more modern anyway). As the "app store" has improved, I think it's usefulness has improved as well. But invariably, you'll run into applications that won't run... I think it really depends on what apps you care about. If all of them are in the app store, believe it shows if they'll run on Arm (but been awhile since I've looked). If they aren't in the App store, likely ...
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: State Retirement System Refund
Replies: 7
Views: 599

Re: State Retirement System Refund

If we roll the $14k into a traditional IRA and then in the same year convert it into a Roth how would that be reported specifically? If we take it directly and the penalty is 10% is that penalty 10% of the income tax it generated? How would I know how much income tax $14k would generate? Is there an online tool or calculator of some sort? I'm thinking if I'm paying the tax either way (roll into IRA or take directly) and the 10% is only 10% additional tax due (so if $1000 tax is due then I'll pay $100 penalty) then that seems like a fairly cheap price to pay for the liquidity given the dollar amount is fairly nominal. My understanding: traditional IRA = no penalty or tax (deferred until withdrawn in retirement where it would be X% future ma...
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: State Retirement System Refund
Replies: 7
Views: 599

Re: State Retirement System Refund

bogleviewer wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:53 pm 2024 we will not be doing a backdoor Roth or traditional IRA due to no earned income.
Just to call it out, your spouse does not need earned income for a Roth IRA - Backdoor or otherwise... Your household needs enough earned income, so long as you have it, you can make a contribution to your spouses IRA (even if they don't have earned income).
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA contributions of 2022 resulting in additional tax now
Replies: 16
Views: 1450

Re: HSA contributions of 2022 resulting in additional tax now

Thank you very much! My contribution in 2022 was $5800 (obtained by adding all my contributions in PayFlex account) + employer contribution was $1500. I received 1099-SA for 2023 with Gross distribution of 4,302.27. Payflex 1099-SA of 2022 shows Total contributions made in 2022 as $7300. Does line 15 on your Form 8889 show $4302.27? You contributed $7300 when you were only allowed $3042. +1 Just to help make this clear... You will want to reflect that you were covered by an HDHP for correct months, which is entered correctly would allow - and thus not tax - $3,042 in HSA contributions. (Which is 5/12 - aka 5 months - being covered by a HDHP under a family plan.) Anything beyond that amount (the remainder of your $7300, or minimally your po...
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA contributions of 2022 resulting in additional tax now
Replies: 16
Views: 1450

Re: HSA contributions of 2022 resulting in additional tax now

I'm not 100% sure...

But if I'm following, selecting "none" presumably ends up with higher taxes as your HSA contributions, which were pre-tax contributions, would be ineligible (aka you would have to pay taxes on them).

You can only make HSA contributions when covered by a HDHP (and only the pro-rated amount for the % of the year covered by the HDHP).

If I'm following, you'd want to enter the months covered (appropriately for "self" or "family" coverage - which again will impact the contribution limit for the HSA). Assuming you didn't over-contribute, you should not owe taxes.
by SnowBog
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annuity for spendthrift brother on mom's death?
Replies: 52
Views: 4184

Re: Annuity for spendthrift brother on mom's death?

I too looked at the annuity idea so I would not have potential headaches of calls for money. I dismissed the idea in my situation for a few reasons: I do not like SPIAs in general and since would not buy one myself did not like the idea for them; did not want to be stuck in contract; worried about them selling the annuity to a third party; worried about the monthly income not being enough, not keeping pace with inflation , and then getting a call to help them out until next month; and did not want it tied up since I foresee them wanting or needing the occasional lumpy purchase. That already occurred with needed money for car repair and it was nice to be able to let them use their money for it. Just wanted to call out the point above about ...
by SnowBog
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: NetBenefits: How to *immediately* start contributing to after-tax 401(a) after 457 is maxed out?
Replies: 3
Views: 393

Re: NetBenefits: How to *immediately* start contributing to after-tax 401(a) after 457 is maxed out?

Manually... I have a single 401k plan that let's me contribute to both, but each with a defined %. The only way I can do this is to "pay attention" and "manually adjust the %" when needed. I'm my case, I put 25% to pre-tax until maxed, then switch to 20% after-tax until maxed. For the one pay cycle that my pre-tax maxs out, I have enter an adjustment (like maybe 8% pre-tax to hit max and then 15% - or whatever - for after-tax). Given you have two different plans - which have no knowledge of each other (or how much has - or hasn't been contributed), I'd wager your need to do the same... ... Right now I've set the flat dollar amount to $23,000 which sends 100% of my paycheck to the 457.... One remote possibility - which re...
by SnowBog
Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 12 months before retirement what do you wish you had done
Replies: 72
Views: 8879

Re: 12 months from retirement what do you wish you had done

One item I've heard recommended is getting/opening a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) while still employed. That can give some flexibility in cash flow (and tax) management, especially for "lumpy" expenses.
by SnowBog
Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 209
Views: 9792

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

I do not... And have no plans to ever do so... And I would not recommend others to do so... (I'm not sure the effort/cost is worth a potentially negligible "benefit".)

But if someone was going to, I would make the same recommendations for this device as I would any/all others:
  • Ensure it remains updated on a supported OS
  • Which means you'll likely need to replace the hardware every few years as Apple, Microsoft, and Google won't make OS updates available for really old hardware (timeline varies by company)
  • Ensure it remains updated with recent/supported versions of any/all applications used on it - including antivirus.
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Return in 401k lower than market return for the same fund
Replies: 12
Views: 879

Re: Return in 401k lower than market return for the same fund

I think you missed the point...

Let's say since January 1st, you've invested $10,000.

If you invested the entire $10,000 on January 1st, you would expect the YTD return to match.

Presumably, you didn't do that... Presumably, you invested every 2-3 weeks when you got paid. Which isn't the same thing, and thus wouldn't be the same return as if you'd invested everything on January 1st.

Like it or not, the timing of investments has an impact on return. (For clarity, one shouldn't attempt to time the market... But you can't compare $10,000 invested on one day vs. $10,000 spread out over 77 days [or months, or years] they aren't the same thing.)
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax is not asking for vesting/release information or from my 3922 form for ESPP
Replies: 5
Views: 487

Re: TurboTax is not asking for vesting/release information or from my 3922 form for ESPP

I don't use eTrade, and don't think I'm familiar with 3922 form (or don't recognize it by name)...

But for my ESPP (at Fidelity), they are initially imported by TurboTax on the 1099, but without cost basis. These are flagged for me to review/correct, which IIRC is to validate the purchase date and cost basis. That information comes from a "supplemental" sheet from Fidelity (which may well be a 3922 form).

IIRC one year I couldn't find that form, I had to look up the information individually (I knew the dates, so just had to look up closing price on those dates to get cost basis).
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dollar Cost Averaging
Replies: 18
Views: 1637

Re: Dollar Cost Averaging

As a reminder, the wiki has a page on this very topic: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Dollar_cost_averaging Which includes: When you are ready to invest money, a common question is whether you should invest it as a lump sum or Dollar Cost Average (DCA) by splitting your investment across several payments. The answer depends on the degree to which you are willing to accept lower expected returns in exchange for lower potential losses (aversion to possible loss). In most cases, you are moving your money from cash (or the equivalent, a low-yielding money market) to some mix of stocks and bonds. The expected return of both stocks and bonds is higher than cash. However, their volatility is higher as well. The risk is that just after making your...
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:59 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Rule Against Disparaging a Post or Question?
Replies: 68
Views: 6440

Re: Rule Against Disparaging a Post or Question?

Ultimately, I see this as basically the golden rule - "treat others as you would want to be treated". Towards that, it's great when new posters show they value the communities time by attempting to use search, wiki, etc. Likewise, it's great when longtime posters remember what it was like to be new, and offer a helpful redirect/recommendation/etc. I'd wager many of them who point out that search exists and/or note the question is "asked and answered" (or some phrasing of that) are attempting to do just that. You may not like the wording they use, but likely in their minds they are trying to help . ... There is value in telling people to read the old posts. True, that. I have never (yet) had to type out a question here. S...
by SnowBog
Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dollar Cost Averaging
Replies: 18
Views: 1637

Re: Dollar Cost Averaging

I dollar cost average in the sense that when I have money available to invest, it gets invested according to my AA.

If you'd prefer to call that "lump sum" on every pay cycle, I won't object.
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Greenlight debit card for teenager.
Replies: 7
Views: 508

Re: Greenlight debit card for teenager.

Happy Greenlight customer. We opened the account to start an "allowance" (posted more background on that in another recent thread, snippet below), which Greenlight made really simple. While we never ended up using them, liked the debit card visibility and controls. As noted below, "our plan" was to switch to a "free" option (local banks, CU's, Capital One, even Fidelity Youth accounts) to avoid the monthly fee after a few years. But their "Family Card" with up-to 3% cash back (depending on monthly spend) ends up "paying for the service" with the "extra" cash back we get versus our 2nd highest cash back card. We've since added child to the credit card as well, so they should get a h...
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 93
Views: 7934

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

I used open-source software as much as possible. I don't trust closed source, because nobody outside the selling company knows whether there are vulnerabilities, though hackers can find these by brute force methods. Sorry - just have to call this out... IMHO this is a fallacy that somehow "open-source" is "more secure." That's only potentially true for massively used open source projects where you have very large teams of developers working on the open source code. Linux is a good example of this. But often many of those developers actually work for the "closed source" companies you don't like... Don't know if it's still true, but for at least a few years, Microsoft was one of the largest contributors to Linux...
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 93
Views: 7934

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

As an example, if the key is stored in an cloud location that's compromised, your data could be compromised. If your key is stored on an unprotected local USB drive, someone with access to it could access your data. And keeping the key "only locally" goes back to the risk of data loss if your "local" location is damaged by water/fire/wind/etc. In my case, if the cloud location were to be compromised, the attacker would obtain access to an encrypted file, which you do them no good and me no harm. The local backup drive is in as safe a location as necessary for my purposes. My backup for my spideroak key, like my other backups, also is encrypted. Perhaps my point was missed... And if your spouse/heir/executor needs access...
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: FAWXX for emergency funds
Replies: 6
Views: 821

Re: FAWXX for emergency funds

Should add one more consideration... You didn't state how much money, or what kind of liquidity you need. So this may, or may not, be relevant to you. But several people use I Bonds as part of (or eventually for their entire) emergency fund. The downside with I Bonds is they are limited to $10k/year purchase limit (add $5k if you get them as part of tax refund), can't be redeemed in the first 12 months, and have a 3-month interest penalty if redeemed within the first 5-years, can only be purchased from TreasuryDirect.gov. Some of the upsides include they have an "inflation" protection aspect (only thing else that does are TIPS), uniquely have a "deflation" protection as well (variable rates can never go below 0%), effect...
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Margin account is running wild with interest on Fidelity. Personal advice.
Replies: 20
Views: 1452

Re: Margin account is running wild with interest on Fidelity. Personal advice.

stevef22 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:04 am Thank you for this. I was beating myself up and worried sick. No longer now, Im a little more educated and wise. Thanks for contributing so much to the forum.
Don't beat yourself up.

Almost all of us have made investing mistakes. Many far worse and far more painful.

While my prior post listed at least 5 mistakes you made, and hopefully learn from... What it didn't list were the numerous mistakes I've made, and have tried to learn from.

In other words, welcome to the club! :sharebeer

Dust yourself off. Read some of the recommended materials, solidify a better plan moving forward, and you'll have a bright financial future.
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: FAWXX for emergency funds
Replies: 6
Views: 821

Re: FAWXX for emergency funds

Many of us use Fidelity Money Market funds as our primary "checking" and/or "savings" accounts. There's even a wiki https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Fidelity:_one_stop_shop and a massive thread on the subject... https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=266538 That said, not sure if FAWXX is the "best" option for you - at least not right now. Looks like 7-day was 2.98%. FDLXX is a "Treasury Only" option, had a 7-day yield of 4.95%. Even taxed at 35%, that's still around 3.22% after federal taxes. It's also usually 95% state tax free, so likely to be higher return (currently) after both state and federal taxes than FAWXX. FZEXX would be federally tax-free, had 7-day yield of 3.16%, but you'd owe ...
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Margin account is running wild with interest on Fidelity. Personal advice.
Replies: 20
Views: 1452

Re: Margin account is running wild with interest on Fidelity. Personal advice.

Agree - OP needs to stop the damage, sell off enough to payback the margin, even better close the margin account so it doesn't happen again. One rule - a big rule - I try to live by - always make new mistakes. This falls into that category. You've made the mistake. You can't undo it. You cannot avoid making mistakes in the future. But you can avoid making this mistake again. Arguably OP made at least five mistakes, ideally they learn from and don't repeat: They attempted to "pick winning stocks" They failed to create a diversified portfolio They took on too much risk (using margin and a non-diversified portfolio) They didn't manage the risk/monitor the account They are attempting to "time the market", assuming they know ...
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?
Replies: 130
Views: 20987

Re: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?

If the market crashes, vti will absolutely crash. If it didn’t there would be something very wrong, as it is designed to mirror the market. Peaks and crashes over the long term are going to happen, so your investment strategy has to take that into account. VTI is 12% made up of two stocks - Apple and MS. Just 2 stocks. It is 31% technology. That is not "the market". That is not how to diversify. Wise to include other funds, in addition to VTI. That is the market, though. The market has chosen to weight those stocks very heavy. Exactly... There was a time when IBM and AT&T made up near 12% of the market. And that was the early 80s, I believe... Pretty good time to invest in the SP500, even though both of those stocks dropped b...
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3579

Re: Ooma Phone Service

NAVigator wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:31 pm One basic thing that I don't believe was mentioned is this; the Ooma Telo (the VoIP device) only needs the connection to the internet, it is not necessary to have a computer on in order to use it.
+1

Although unless they've changed it since we set ours up, you do need a computer or mobile device on the same network to set it up the first time.

But once setup, it just runs and runs and runs, nothing else required.
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kid's Accounts and How They Use Them
Replies: 22
Views: 2093

Re: Kid's Accounts and How They Use Them

As others have noted, lots of different opinions, no clear "right" answer. Some of that comes down to kids are just not all the same... In our case, we never planned to do an "allowance".... Kid got money from relatives for holidays, birthdays, etc. They'd keep some in "cash" (or gift cards, etc.), the rest we'd deposit into a child savings account (Capitol One). All of this was "their money", we didn't put any limits/conditions/constraints on it. We figured if they blew it on something, and then didn't have money for the next thing they wanted, they'd learn a valuable lesson. Great in theory. Failed in reality. :oops: Turns out our kid is a natural Boglehead, or at least a natural saver. There wasn't...
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3579

Re: Ooma Phone Service

Does Ooma work with a TP Link Mesh system? How does it hook up? "Ooma" doesn't care... But what matters is what Ooma hardware you have, and what it needs. It's been awhile since I've looked at their hardware choices... But the one I bought years ago didn't support WiFi, it required being "plugged in" to the router (IIRC comes with required cables). So long as your router (aka your "base" station for your TP-Link setup) has an open port, it should work fine. Even if newer versions support WiFi, it's arguably best to plug it in if you can. The other piece as I recall is that Ooma also plugs into your "phone line" (once your phone line is discounted from the phone company). This is how it enables your p...
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 93
Views: 7934

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

Spideroak is cheap and reliable. Files are encrypted on your computer. All Spideroak ever has are the encrypted files. No bad actor at the company could see your unencrypted information. Backups are automatic. You do need to keep your key. Lose it and you have nothing. I keep multiple backups of this sort of critical password information in various physical locations and in the cloud. I also backup to a local hard drive using File History. I am a low risk target and I am comfortable with the security of my computer and the hard drive. Just to call it out... As you noted, your "key" becomes critically important. Lose it, you effectively lose all your data too. So your "multiple backups" makes a lot of sense to address th...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rate my asset allocation
Replies: 4
Views: 761

Re: Rate my asset allocation

Would recommend putting in fund names, people don't memorize the thousands of funds out there (nor want to be forced to look them up).

But even not knowing the names, the general view is that 5% isn't enough to "move the needle". You are creating unneeded complexity.
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Changing target retirement dates
Replies: 6
Views: 909

Re: Changing target retirement dates

I'm currently in 2025 and I want to change to 2035. This is my traditional IRA and Roth IRA. Do I sell everything in it and then pick the 2035? ... My husband has a tsp that is in 2030 and wanted to change over to 2040. You should be able to "exchange" your funds. Basically swap 100% of what's in the 2025 fund to 2035. The "exchange" avoids you having to "sell" and then "buy" separately. But doing so would end up with the same result. Since these are tax-advantaged accounts, there are no tax implications. I also noticed under my traditional IRA that has been idle for years, there is a button that says convert to Roth IRA. Is this something I should consider? I have a Roth IRA. This would result in pa...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Changing target retirement dates
Replies: 6
Views: 909

Re: Changing target retirement dates

I'm not sure I follow your question... Presumably you mean that you are currently invested in a target date fund. Let's use VFORX - their 2040 Target Date fund. If you want to "change" to a different "target date", you simply "exchange" your current fund for the "closest" one to your new target date (they are typically in 5-year increments). For example, if you wanted to "push back" retirement to 2044, the "closest" option would be the 2045 fund, which is VTIVX. In other words, you don't "change your date", you "change to a fund that aligns to your new date". A full list of Vanguard Target Date Funds can be found: https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-product...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax software which can calculate income exempt from state taxes?
Replies: 21
Views: 1560

Re: Tax software which can calculate income exempt from state taxes?

+1

My assumption is the "market" for this is very small, with the cost/liability is likely pretty high. It's just not worth their time...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms
Replies: 20
Views: 2892

Re: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms

Your answer to your employer is a one word sentence. "No" Then let them lay you off and go collect unemployment. LOL - yeah, because the generous unemployment benefits in any state in the US will definitely beat a severance package on offer from an established consulting firm... I don't think anyone was implying unemployment would be better than getting a severance package... But I think people were noting that if they won't share details about the severance package, that's "questionable" ("shady"). And without actually "having an acceptable offer in hand", you could end up without a job, without severance, and since you resigned without unemployment. Why risk that? Glad to hear it worked out for OP!...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA - Transfer
Replies: 6
Views: 445

Re: Roth IRA - Transfer

And my Fidelity brokerage account doesn’t charge any fees beyond whatever the fund expenses are correct? Yes, UNLESS you signed up for some type of Fidelity Advisor plan. And there is NO REASON to do so! If you go and create an account online at Fidelity, the default is a self-managed no fee account. https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/roth-ira Once created, simply start a "Transfer", and that will kick off the process. Once the transfer is complete, you can reinvest your funds in a bunch of options. Fidelity has ZERO cost funds (like FZROX), or more traditional low cost funds (like FSKAX). You can also use most ETFs with no fees, so you could use Vanguard (VTI), Schwab (SCHB), etc. if those were your preference. If you are t...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA - Transfer
Replies: 6
Views: 445

Re: Roth IRA - Transfer

Just to clarify, since this is a tax-advantaged account, no taxes are due. As such, not really a big deal if they can't do an "in-kind" transfer. You are going to end up selling/exchanging those share anyway. So if it's done as part of the transfer to a new brokerage like Fidelity, arguably no downside. OK, if we want to be nit picky, the downside is a transfer can take a few days. And if they have to liquidate the funds first, those funds could be "out of the market" for a few days during the transfer. The "concern" is if the market sees extraordinary gains in those few days you are "out of the market". Is it possible - sure. Is it likely - not really. Which is worse, being stuck with high fees erodi...
by SnowBog
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Locums life and South Dakota residency?
Replies: 15
Views: 1279

Re: Locums life and South Dakota residency?

Travel nurses and locums providers pay taxes to the states they work in. Not in the medical field, but I've heard of some employers doing the same... You work X days in state A, they withhold taxes X/365 days of your income to pay to that state. We are taking regular W2 work, not consulting or other "income generation" conducted in the state. As I understand it, different states have different "minimum" thresholds - from no threshold to week+ of work. But my working theory is your "residence" may have less impact on your taxes than you think, as it's likely you'll owe taxes in/to the state you are in when earning the income. Admittedly, not sure how well this is enforced or understood... When I first heard of ...
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3579

Re: Ooma Phone Service

I always ask people what their use case is for keeping a landline versus shutting it down and simply using Mobile all the time. - If the use case is a second number to give out so you aren't giving out your mobile - you can get a free Google number. - For my Dad, he didn't want to give up all his handsets that he had throughout the house that he was accustomed to using. He had a set of 5 wireless Panasonic handsets - wanted to answer from various rooms without having to carry his cell phone around with him. I looked at the set and noticed it supported blue-tooth so we connected his mobile to the system and he was able to answer both landline calls AND mobile calls from anywhere in the house on his existing phone handsets. Once he got used ...
by SnowBog
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3579

Re: Ooma Phone Service

We have/use Ooma - although very rarely as most things are done via cell now. But for the few dollars it costs, we don't mind keeping a "home phone." Works out well for kids, guests, etc. - knowing if they need to make a call, especially emergency call, they call do so. I was not impressed with their support for porting my phone number over to a cell service provider. I cannot be certain that the issue was with Ooma or the new cell phone service provider (US Mobile), but my impression was that Ooma was not that cooperative and I had to make a lot of phone calls back and forth to make it happen. FWIW this is not unique to Ooma. Telephone companies are notorious for trying to delay number porting. It just is what it is... Unfortunat...
by SnowBog
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick way to efile an extension?
Replies: 16
Views: 818

Re: Quick way to efile an extension?

As a reminder, taxes are due in April, an extension simply gives you more time to figure out and file the actual taxes - it does not give you more time to pay.

To avoid interest and penalties, they should have a good tax estimate, and pay that estimate. Making the payment should automatically grant an extension. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extensio ... tax-return

They could also fill out the extension form and mail it in, with a tax payment, before taxes are due.

Ideally, when they file their taxes, it will be "close enough" that no interest/penalties apply.
by SnowBog
Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax software which can calculate income exempt from state taxes?
Replies: 21
Views: 1560

Re: Tax software which can calculate income exempt from state taxes?

I don't hold as many funds as the OP, but I don't find this too difficult...

Simple spreadsheet with:
  • Ticker/Fund name
  • amount of dividends/interest (from 1099)
  • % exempt from state taxes (from supplemental information from each institution)
  • a simple formula multiplying the two together.
Hardest part was "finding" where each institution puts their info...

Entering the calculated amount into TurboTax was simple.
by SnowBog
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 16 yr old - how can I best take on high risk?
Replies: 65
Views: 5612

Re: 16 yr old - how can I best take on high risk?

Highly recommend reading https://www.etf.com/docs/IfYouCan.pdf

After that, tune out the noise, follow its timeless advice.
by SnowBog
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 157015

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

I can't speak to the "free" offer part. I can confirm that you can have/use multiple TurboTax/Intuit accounts. But I'd advise "using caution" doing so. A few years back I filed minor child's tax return (under Kiddie Tax limits), using the "federally free" version of TurboTax - as their federal taxable income was $0. Since the online version works in the browser, and browsers use things like "cookies" to ostensibly "help" the user experience - I had lots of issues trying to switch between "accounts". IIRC it kept wanting me to pay for child's "free" return... Ultimately, I had to use separate logins on my computer (or separate computers, browsers, etc.) to get it to work ...