Search found 2400 matches

by bberris
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Undo withdrawal from PreTax IRA in retirement
Replies: 4
Views: 368

Re: Undo withdrawal from PreTax IRA in retirement

If within 60 days of the distribution, and if he hasn't rolled over any other distribution received in the last 12 months, yes he can redeposit it. On brokers sites there should be an option to specify rollover, to make sure the contribution is reported properly.
by bberris
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting to Zurich Airport from Lucerne, options?
Replies: 20
Views: 1274

Re: Getting to Zurich Airport from Lucerne, options?

If you've never been to Zurich airport, you might not be familiar with Swiss efficiency. I got off the train and to my gate in 15 minutes for an international flight, including exit passport check. Arriving at 6:12 for a 9 flight you'll be fine. Then again, I'd have planned to stay in Zurich the night before.
by bberris
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Urgent] New build | Closure in two days | Multiple issues - Suggestions
Replies: 17
Views: 1698

Re: [Urgent] New build | Closure in two days | Multiple issues - Suggestions

Fortune wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:45 pm
UpperNwGuy wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:59 pm OP, do you have a buyer's agent? Do you have your own real estate attorney? If so, what are they advising you to do?
We have a buyer's agent and they are in touch with Seller's sales team but no response yet
The interest of the "Buyer's" agent is not the buyer. They will want the deal to close or they don't get paid.
by bberris
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buy and Hold Forever
Replies: 22
Views: 3668

Re: Buy and Hold Forever

duplicate deleted
by bberris
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buy and Hold Forever
Replies: 22
Views: 3668

Re: Buy and Hold Forever

Adams Diversified Equity traces back to Adams Express Company in 1840. I understand the Closed-End Fund industry goes back to the early 1890's. They are much less in fashion today (though ETF's are a variation of traditional CEF's and of course they are growing in popularity), but traditional CEF's were still pretty popular in the 1970's and 1980's. ... There are plenty of CEFs still around, dwarfed in trading and size by ETFs. But new ones keep getting issued. Adams Diversified Equity was called Adams Express because they were a mail and package delivery company like FedEx, Pony Express, etc. Their business declined and they bought equities to gradually become a CEF. You can see this process happen in real time as Microstrategy, once a te...
by bberris
Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SS benefits - apply online, BUT still must go in to office [UPDATE]
Replies: 23
Views: 2505

Re: SS benefits - apply online, BUT still must go in to office

WillRetire wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:19 am
livesoft wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:04 am
WillRetire wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:47 am Yes, clearly they are trying to protect against fraud. But there is no in-person check of ID to sign up for medicare, and she was already on medicare and therefore known to the SSA/CMS systems.
I told her they wanted to make sure she was still alive and her family wasn't going to collect her benefits.
:happy Use of her medicare card is on the honor system, I guess.
I've had to show a photo ID to get medical care every time, no matter what insurance I had. There's lots of medicare fraud, but usually from providers.
by bberris
Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax software options
Replies: 2
Views: 284

Re: Tax software options

I like OLT. Free version supports all the forms. You can see/print forms as you go. Free filing and free amendments, even years later. States are $10.
The main downside I see is that you have to enter w2s and 1099s manually, there is no importing.
by bberris
Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Analysis for a trade to protect downside.
Replies: 7
Views: 513

Re: Analysis for a trade to protect downside.

andy2012 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:43 pm
Silk McCue wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:12 pm We are Bogleheads. Not BoogleHeaders.

We aren’t here to validate ChatGPT or other AI engines.

If you have a question on a subject please ask it and others will be glad to help.

Cheers
Sorry about that. I fixed it. This is not ChatGPT theory. The question is to protect downside of a stock while limiting upside. Sell call and buy put strategy. I was wondering if anyone has done P&L spread sheet for this kind of complex trades?
It's called a "collar", very well known. I'm sure you can find the spreadsheet and the graphs. The return on a collar starts from the risk free rate and the risk can go up from there by expanding the collar.
by bberris
Mon Mar 18, 2024 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a Home: Am I Required to retain Escrow Services?
Replies: 15
Views: 1113

Re: Buying a Home: Am I Required to retain Escrow Services?

syngameon wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:33 am
cadreamer2015 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:28 am It used to be that if your loan was above 80% of the value of the property,
Thanks. Multiple responses suggest that there is no fee for escrow services, which is hard to believe give that we live in a capitalist economy. Foregone interest is also a good point to consider. Our down payment is nearly 26%, so that works in our favor too.
In exchange for that service, the servicer gets the use of your balance interest free, unless your state law requires the servicer to pay interest.
by bberris
Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS says I owe it money, but I don't
Replies: 32
Views: 4249

Re: IRS says I owe it money, but I don't

toddthebod wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:33 am
CuriousGeorgeTx wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:00 pm Do you have an account at IRS.gov? You can look and see exactly what payments they have credited to your account for which period. (By the way, when you say estimated taxes, I think you mean withheld taxes. You would make a separate quarterly estimated tax payment if you had the former. If it was withheld from the distribution, then it would be the latter.).

Good luck in resolving this problem.
I don't recall seeing withholding ever showing up on my transcript.
It's there: code 806 W-2 or 1099 withholding.
by bberris
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only
Replies: 89
Views: 4987

Re: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only

gunny2 wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:13 pm I'm kicking this around. I know I'm not getting any younger and may change my mind, but for most of the years of my life, I've gone to a Dr once a year, for a physical. Typical Dr office costs are in the $200-400 range (a physical would probably be somewhat more). I'd pay more per year in just a few months of Part B.

Thoughts? Too risky? Too something else I'm not thinking of?
Outpatient surgery is part b.
If you're in the hospital for observation less than 3 days, part B
Infusions for cancer, part b
These will be very expensive.

You won't fund much support for your plan. Most here shrink in horror at the idea of going without a medigap plan, let alone part b.
by bberris
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?
Replies: 10
Views: 865

Re: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?

It is not odd that indirect and direct rollovers are treated differently. The rule about indirect rollovers was changed in 2015 to prohibit the unlimited loan of IRA funds by doing sequential 60 day rollovers. Before the rule change you could have gotten the benefit of the tax deferral of the IRA contribution, while not really saving at all. Before the rule change, it would have been possible, but perhaps a bit annoying, to continuously give one's self lots of these short term loans within 365 days. But if one really needed the money, the sequential transfers would indeed work That's because where the current requirement applies per Social Security #, it was previously written per IRA account . So one would need to already have a gaggle (o...
by bberris
Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?
Replies: 10
Views: 865

Re: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?

It is not odd that indirect and direct rollovers are treated differently. The rule about indirect rollovers was changed in 2015 to prohibit the unlimited loan of IRA funds by doing sequential 60 day rollovers. Before the rule change you could have gotten the benefit of the tax deferral of the IRA contribution, while not really saving at all.
by bberris
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quit claim deed has a lot of room for fraud
Replies: 28
Views: 3317

Re: Quit claim deed has a lot of room for fraud

A QCD only disclaims ownership. That would only be the first step in a fraud. The only way this could be fraud is when the current owner is impersonated in the QCD. Then they have to get ownership with another fraudulent document. Then the fraudster has to take out a loan against the property to cash in. That would be fraud against the lender, but the current owner would not be affected. This would be a far-fetched scheme. The most common real estate fraud is payment diversion at closing. Home Title fraud happens more often you think. I've seen or read news stories where a homeowner comes back from vacation only to find the locks have been changed. Even worse, they can't re-enter their own home because they can't show police they have curr...
by bberris
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?
Replies: 16
Views: 1972

Re: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?

Real estate agents survived the internet and online brokers with their commissions intact. They will come out of this one just as richly compensated. If you don't want to go with a flat rate broker, pay up.
by bberris
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quit claim deed has a lot of room for fraud
Replies: 28
Views: 3317

Re: Quit claim deed has a lot of room for fraud

A QCD only disclaims ownership. That would only be the first step in a fraud. The only way this could be fraud is when the current owner is impersonated in the QCD. Then they have to get ownership with another fraudulent document. Then the fraudster has to take out a loan against the property to cash in. That would be fraud against the lender, but the current owner would not be affected.

This would be a far-fetched scheme. The most common real estate fraud is payment diversion at closing.
by bberris
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22606

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

nisiprius wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:16 am
wellboy99 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:52 am Should I postpone to sell my house to save 5-6% commission based on this news?
I don't know how it's going to play out, but I would bet dollars to doughnuts the result isn't a simple--or as good--as "wait and save 5-6%."
I'm amazed the 5-6 % commissions survived the internet and online listings. Somehow, I think they will conquer this one too.
by bberris
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights
Replies: 29
Views: 2309

Re: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights

When I got notice of schedule changes, even by a few hours, the website gave me the option to change the flight or get a full refund. Maybe they changed the options on the web or app since that happened to me, but you are definitely entitled to a full refund back to the method of payment.
by bberris
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights
Replies: 29
Views: 2309

Re: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights

rkhusky wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:35 am That’s the risk of non-refundable fares. There’s probably something in the fine print to that effect.

The credits are only good for 6 months?
Nope, full refund.
by bberris
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SS is insufficient, very little savings, what's the best option
Replies: 49
Views: 7956

Re: SS is insufficient, very little savings, what's the best option

People with less than $100,000 in liquid assets should not be putting anything in the stock market. They can’t stand the volatility. Cash equivalents are the only way to go. If they could purchase a mortgage-free condo apartment with the equity in their current home, that would probably be the single best step they could take to ease their retirement financial strain. A deep dive to list all of their expected expenses also is important. As is identifying whether her consulting business has any resale value. This. Sell the house, buy a cheaper condo for cash (less maintenance, but account for the HOA fees). Still should cut their expenses by a LOT to have no mortgage. Might even be able to live on their SS at that point. They should still k...
by bberris
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: perfect credit rating, can’t use my credit
Replies: 18
Views: 2374

Re: perfect credit rating, can’t use my credit

The best way to qualify for a loan is not needing one.

A good credit rating might lower your insurance rates in some places.
by bberris
Wed Feb 28, 2024 1:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Chances of deep in money covered calls getting exercised
Replies: 9
Views: 1385

Re: Chances of deep in money covered calls getting exercised

Valuethinker wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:57 am Broader question.

Why do investors ever write call options?

I can see the argument in favour of deferring capital gains taxes, but usually that will be only for your own employer's stock?
If the owner of a stock knows that they want to sell at price X, they can sell the call with strike X. It's like getting paid for placing a limit order to sell. Selling uncovered calls is another story.
by bberris
Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: File Amended Return?
Replies: 11
Views: 1299

Re: File Amended Return?

WeakOldGuy wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:24 am
bberris wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:27 am
WeakOldGuy wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:21 pm I have filed a couple corrected returns and I recall the process being very easy. Can't hurt to do it.
It could delay your refund if you file an amended before the first return is processed.. Wait for your refund if you want to file an amended return, but this seems unnecessary.
I suppose that may be true. OTOH, if someone is desperate for a refund, they may have larger problems.
I waited 3 years for a 2,000 refund, and had to pay IRS in the two subsequent years while they owed me. Call me desperate.
by bberris
Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: File Amended Return?
Replies: 11
Views: 1299

Re: File Amended Return?

WeakOldGuy wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:21 pm I have filed a couple corrected returns and I recall the process being very easy. Can't hurt to do it.
It could delay your refund if you file an amended before the first return is processed.. Wait for your refund if you want to file an amended return, but this seems unnecessary.
by bberris
Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare MSA plans
Replies: 21
Views: 2131

Re: Medicare MSA plans

telemark wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:03 pm Just found this thread today, searching for much the same reasons as the O.P. The Lasso site now says
Lasso Healthcare Insurance Company has made the difficult decision to discontinue Lasso Growth MSA and Lasso Growth Plus MSA at the end of the year. Coverage of medical services will continue as usual through 12/31/2023.

I really liked my HSA-eligible Bronze ACA plan -- no copays, no fee for some very expensive medication, and the HSA contributions helped to keep my AGI where I wanted it. Guess that's not a thing to hope for after you hit Medicare.
Just to clarify, you aren't allowed to contribute to a Medicare advantage MSA. The only money in the account comes from the provider. Anyway, it seems to be a dead issue now.
by bberris
Sat Feb 24, 2024 5:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Company division is being "Carved-Out"
Replies: 17
Views: 2544

Re: Company division is being "Carved-Out"

If you have an investment in a stable value fund, be especially wary of a change in control, where the value could become unstable.
by bberris
Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has anyone invested in marijuana stocks?
Replies: 91
Views: 12837

Re: Has anyone invested in marijuana stocks?

The big winners in this field won't be fad marijuana stocks, it's the owners of greenhouses. Look to those big flower and horticulture suppliers in northern states, like Bachmans, a private, family-owned business. Marijuana is still federally illegal, so it can't be transported across state lines.
by bberris
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Just did my own taxes for first time - owed $5k
Replies: 57
Views: 8019

Re: Just did my own taxes for first time - owed $5k

I use this to keep up with my estimated payments and withholdings:
https://sites.google.com/view/incometaxspreadsheet/home
There is a draft 2024 version that will get you close enough.
by bberris
Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA subsidies vs. Roth IRA conversions- how to decide?
Replies: 12
Views: 1404

Re: ACA subsidies vs. Roth IRA conversions- how to decide?

Easiest solution is to postpone conversions until you are on Medicare (full calendar year), and before drawing social security.
by bberris
Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turning off Margin ability on a Schwab account
Replies: 28
Views: 2321

Re: Turning off Margin ability on a Schwab account

A little quirk of taxable margin accounts and IRAs at TDAmeritrade:
If I sell an investment in a taxable account, and withdraw before the settlement date, I pay a few bucks margin interest.
If I sell an investment in an IRA and withdraw before the settlement date, there is no interest charged.
So the question is, does turning off margin in a taxable allow you to withdraw before the settlement date and avoid the margin interest charge, or do they just refuse to pay until settlement?
by bberris
Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Parking a US mobile number while traveling
Replies: 19
Views: 1985

Re: Parking a US mobile number while traveling

Thanks for the post, I am leaning to sticking with Google Voice, better go with what you know (and has worked flawlessly for me over the years, including extended China trips) than venture to the (to me) untested. For what it's worth - this is what I would do as well. I've also used GV for years, and it's great to be able to send and receive calls home when travelling internationally. It also makes it easier to switch phone service providers later on, since you don't even have to port the number to the new provider - you can just keep using GV as your main number. Only issue would be to make sure that your banks will allow your GV number to be used for SMS-based 2FA, which some banks tend to choke on. We use Fidelity which handles GV just ...
by bberris
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Parking a US mobile number while traveling
Replies: 19
Views: 1985

Re: Parking a US mobile number while traveling

I'm using Google Voice as my main number. Porting out to GV costs $20 one time. For data I use MobileX, $2 per month and 2$ per GB. Your cheapest options are port to GV, or you could port to MobilX for free and just pay for 0 data at $2 per month to hold your number.(no data service outside US).
by bberris
Mon Feb 12, 2024 5:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I take Capital loss
Replies: 7
Views: 1340

Re: Verify a Dead Investment

You can try to arrange a private sale for $1. There seem to be lots of arrangements for marks who bought now worthless NFTs.
by bberris
Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What is happening with the SEC Yield for TIPS funds?
Replies: 15
Views: 1468

Re: What is happening with the SEC Yiled for TIPS funds?

TIPS bond funds hold TIPS - fund yield is a cumulative yield of the TIPS they hold and SEC yield is an estimate of that. If underlying TIPS have real yield of almost 2%, I would expect that SEC yield for the funds would be showing something similar. Instead it shows a negative number and I'm definitely puzzled by that. Since we still have inflation , I cannot think of any way to explain that negative number. CPI-U decreased from November to December. Hmm, this might be it. Thank you Hello OP, I would be wary about TIPS for this reason: The federal government determines the inflation indexes. They determine the TIPS return. Does their determination of inflation actually match your experienced and expected personal inflation? There is no pos...
by bberris
Sat Feb 10, 2024 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A few questions for 2023 taxes
Replies: 10
Views: 1579

Re: A few questions for 2023 taxes

Aguilar wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:03 am
bberris wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:24 am If you hold ETFs or mutual funds in a taxable account from any broker, you will almost always get a revised 1099B. It's not the broker's fault, it's because the fund reclassifies dividends and income.
That's never happened to me before.
It's never not happened to me. If you only hold stocks and bonds directly, not funds, you probably will not get a revised 1099.
by bberris
Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A few questions for 2023 taxes
Replies: 10
Views: 1579

Re: A few questions for 2023 taxes

If you hold ETFs or mutual funds in a taxable account from any broker, you will almost always get a revised 1099B. It's not the broker's fault, it's because the fund reclassifies dividends and income.
by bberris
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Laundry Detergent Pods Suds
Replies: 37
Views: 3597

Re: Laundry Detergent Pods Suds

Suds don't clean, and don't necessarily indicate that you used the right amount of detergent.
by bberris
Mon Jan 29, 2024 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security: "You Have Earnings Not Covered By Social Security"
Replies: 39
Views: 4809

Re: Social Security: "You Have Earnings Not Covered By Social Security"

I got the notice too, and I think it is new. The only thing I can think of is my grad school stipend, which was not only Fica tax free but Fed tax free. It won't matter because it was such a small fraction of the total.
by bberris
Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Forms Not Available Until Feb
Replies: 18
Views: 1621

Re: Tax Forms Not Available Until Feb

I'm waiting for the corrected 1099 in March before I pay my bill. Also hoping that the IRS changes the ruling that the MN tax rebate is taxable.
by bberris
Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?
Replies: 332
Views: 24979

Re: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?

I would not pay it off, but it is probably not as advantageous as it looks. If you are taking the standard deduction, you could get 3 % tax and risk free paying it off. And even if you itemize, only the amount over the standard deduction is effectively deducted. Muni bonds are under 3 % now, and you might be paying state income tax on them if they are not in your state and your state has an income tax.
by bberris
Fri Jan 26, 2024 6:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rome - Florence - Venice
Replies: 49
Views: 3844

Re: Rome - Florence - Venice

MMiroir wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:14 pm Rome to Rome is needed as the flight is free due to credit card points. June is the only time the daughter has significant time off her schedule for overseas travel.
Booking tickets with miles is essentially two one-way fares on Delta, United, and Flying Blue. Check rebooking it home to rome and venice to home.
by bberris
Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Psychological Aversion to Decumulation Phase
Replies: 73
Views: 7444

Re: Psychological Aversion to Decumulation Phase

You might be a candidate for an SPIA. Having a regular distribution can help overcome the psychological resistance to consumption.
by bberris
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension or lump sum pay out
Replies: 37
Views: 4319

Re: Pension or lump sum pay out

Joyful wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:51 pm Have you considered taking the lump sum and buying an annuity (with all or part of the money) therefore you don’t have to worry about the company going out of business (just the insurance company)? If you choose this option select a rock solid insurance company for the annuity with rock solid financials. You could also take the lump sum, invest it and create your own payout schedule - say 4% per year or just the dividends preserving the capital. With this option you have and are in control of the money.
This will certainly be worse than taking the company pension. OP can plug the numbers in to see what kind of annuity it buys.
by bberris
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39641

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

State income tax is one cost of many. I don't see how it is causally correlated to insurance rates.

There are a few states (Iowa and Illinois) that levy an income tax on earned income but not on retirement income of any kind, except maybe cap gains. Only a few tax social security.
by bberris
Thu Jan 11, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best bank for international ATM withdrawals
Replies: 44
Views: 4387

Re: Best bank for international ATM withdrawals

In my experience, the European ATMs don't charge their own fee. You must reject the currency conversion to get a decent exchange rate. The ATM will probably make it seem like you are cancelling the transaction, but you are only cancelling the DCC. Secondly, avoid the nonbank ATMs like Euronet and Travelex. The Euronet machines are all over the place. A post office ATM is ok; they are like banks.

If your bank charges a fee, just limit your ATM withdrawals by taking out the maximum.

You can use a credit card almost anywhere.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/ ... e-atm-tips
by bberris
Sun Jan 07, 2024 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fixed Index Annuity Question
Replies: 10
Views: 1270

Re: Fixed Index Annuity Question

Although not my primary vocation, I hold a health and life insurance license. The primary downside to products like fixed index annuities seems to be high commissions, but if I sell myself a fixed index annuity or SPIA, all of the commission comes back to me, so that ‘con’ is moot. In this instance, would an annuity make sense as part of a broader portfolio which includes VT, BND, and Social Security? I like the contractual aspect of annuities to diversify against downside financial asset risk. Welcome your thoughts. You are still paying the 3 % spread that the insurance company collects each year. As another poster said, you rely on the seller to explain the product, but as this post shows, even the sellers don't understand the product.
by bberris
Wed Jan 03, 2024 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheapest phone service in US. Pre-paid?
Replies: 49
Views: 7272

Re: Cheapest phone service in US. Pre-paid?

On X-mobile I don't pay for text or voice, but it seems to allow texting using the phone number they assigned to me. I don't use that number except by mistake. Seems to be a feature/bug. Not sure how long that will last.

Voice does not work on the bonus phone number. I text and call using Google voice and Whatsapp.
by bberris
Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling $80000 of ETFs— one sale at noon, or four sales over the day?
Replies: 17
Views: 2838

Re: Selling $80000 of ETFs— one sale at noon, or four sales over the day?

I always use a market order on very liquid etfs. At TDA, I get executed between the bid and ask, usually right between the spread.
I had another weird experience; I had a limit order to sell and relatively thinly traded CEF at the ask price, and the order sat there. Then I switched it to a market order, and it got executed at the ask. I checked afterwards and it wasn't a market move, I just got lucky I guess and saved $10.
by bberris
Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Delaying Social Security is getting less advantageous
Replies: 258
Views: 224623

Re: Delaying Social Security is getting less advantageous

It's always primarily a gamble on how long you will live. Well, it's only a gamble in the sense that if you live a long time, clearly you can "win" by having the inflation-adjusted income. If you die you don't lose in the sense that you don't need the money. Your beneficiaries might lose, but you don't. You lost by not having additional income before you died. You could have lived marginally better before death You lost even more by not spending all your assets before you died. Think how much better life would have been had you known. That's based on the assumption that by taking SS early, you won't withdraw from your portfolio. But there are scenarios that the person would spend down their portfolio along with the SS income, and...