Search found 16998 matches

by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086250

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

We just finished watching Humphrey Bogart in: The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep and The African Queen. Those movies are all hailed as so great, but tbh none of them did a lot for me. Maybe the hype pushed expectations too high? For me, it's the production quality of 1930s-1950s films that puts me off. I haven't seen any of the above films for that reason. That plus on the whole, acting and directing wasn't as polished as it is now...but I always try to take that into account with older movies. There are old movies I thought were truly great, like Casablanca...but with those three, I came away not getting the praise. Why would you be getting the praise? You’d be giving it wouldn’t you? I think gunny2 meant something like “I came away not un...
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How would you change my 401k?
Replies: 46
Views: 1694

Re: Starting to regret hiring Facet

JET1005 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:59 pm I have already read 2/3 of those books and should have known better. But I hired them to help me with some other complicated financial decisions too, so while I was at it I asked them for investment recommendations on my existing portfolios. I have not implemented any of the advice I have received and will not at this rate. I am just very surprised at what they spit out.
I don’t believe that I read the previous thread. I hope you didn’t find my response to you nasty; it wasn’t my intention.

I hope that whatever other complicated financial decisions you are asking this company for are more aligned with their strengths and abilities. On the basis of their recommended portfolio, I personally would not have faith in them.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How would you change my 401k?
Replies: 46
Views: 1694

Re: Starting to regret hiring Facet

What they are suggesting to you is what I call “a dog’s breakfast.” It should probably be a crime, but it isn’t.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Continuous Glucose Monitor
Replies: 13
Views: 809

Re: Continuous Glucose Monitor

TheOscarGuy wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:41 am
TomatoTomahto wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:16 am I stopped injecting insulin a few years ago (discussion of how I did that would go against forum guidelines) but have continued to wear a CGM 24/7; I find the nearly instantaneous indications of glucose levels informs my behavior.
Hawthorne effect in action!
Maybe to some extent, but I also discovered many diet and behavioral facts on how my glucose levels react that went beyond the obvious “don’t eat candy” level. Everyone is different.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?
Replies: 61
Views: 4386

Re: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?

But I can use the same reasoning for folks who buy a luxury vehicle over a toyota. Sure a luxury vehicle has more amenities/features, but at some level luxury vehicle owners are also making a decision based on vanity -- vehicle looks, curb appeal, status symbol etc. A $30,000 camry does everything that a $120,000 lexus does for transportation needs. You are paying for features, but I also think people make the decision based on vanity. If you had just said “some,” or even “most,” people make the decision on vanity, I wouldn’t disagree with you, but you made it an absolute “people make the decision on vanity.” One could argue that a traditional Boglehead would not buy a Mercedes EQS EV SUV; it’s expensive and will not get you from point A t...
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Continuous Glucose Monitor
Replies: 13
Views: 809

Re: Continuous Glucose Monitor

Random thought: train a dog to detect low or high glucose levels (plenty of diabetic alert dogs out there, though studies suggest their abilities vary, see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6333402/ ). Now you have a monitor and a snuggle buddy/walking companion. I assume there is a rather high risk of failure, and the training would definitely take time, but even if you fail, you still have a dog! I’m in favor of trained dogs, for kids who otherwise would have to be woken to take a reading, but there is a lot of information available with CGM that a dog can’t tell you. I stopped injecting insulin a few years ago (discussion of how I did that would go against forum guidelines) but have continued to wear a CGM 24/7; I find the ne...
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?
Replies: 61
Views: 4386

Re: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?

runswithscissors wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:42 am The only people I can see buying a Cybertruck are those seeking a lot of attention.
I disagree. I had a deposit on CyberTruck but the attention was an expected negative for me. When I got my Model X eight years ago, it attracted a lot of attention, especially in rural areas. It’s very different now, of course, now that they show up everywhere. Some people will order the CyberTruck in spite of the attention it will get; I was always uncomfortable with the attention.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?
Replies: 61
Views: 4386

Re: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?

I had a deposit on CyberTruck pretty early in the process. My Model X is VIN 0002xx, which I put a deposit on iirc more than 2 years before it became available. I didn’t need a pickup truck, but wanted a truck that I could just throw firewood into the bed of; our volunteer group that delivers firewood to seniors always bothers me because loading the trucks is an overly gentle act so as not to ding the bed.

Tesla customer service is not what it was 8 years ago. The CyberTruck is not what was promised. I canceled my deposit and put an order in for a Mercedes EQS SUV instead. I will be driving in luxury and will not use it for firewood delivery :D
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5993
Views: 699861

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

vnatale wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:57 pm
jjunk wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:45 pm Finally caught Fargo Season 5. I would say this is the second best of the series. Great acting, only one "wasted" episode, tight storytelling and a crazy ending. Worth watching if you liked the other seasons but I fully recognize everyone has a different opinion of which season is good/bad.
If so, is this the last one with Jodie Foster in it?

If so, I considered it by far the worst of all of an otherwise great series. Each episode was almost like work to watch it. Never bothered to watch the final episode.
I think you’re confusing it with True Detective. Jodie Foster has never appeared on Fargo.
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Switch to Roth vs Traditional 403B
Replies: 8
Views: 403

Re: Switch to Roth vs Traditional 403B

I'm not sure I'd use Roth 403b in the 24% tax bracket. But if you are going to do this at some point, now is probably better than later when your tax rate is even higher than now. The best of both worlds would be to continue with traditional now and retire earlier, giving you more years to convert traditional to Roth at lower rates. However, not everyone is interested in early retirement. +1 I don’t know your life plans, but on balance, deferring taxes is better than paying them at 24% bracket. You might find, as I have, that you have a more powerful urge to donate to charity than you thought you would. Or that you’d like to retire early and do Roth conversions before RMDs and SS kick in. Or any number of other life paths. Regardless of yo...
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 144
Views: 10611

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

articpineapplecorp- Have you ever been to a timeshare presentation? You literally are trapped for 90 minutes unless you want to refund Hilton, Westin, or Marriott Vacation clubs for the cost of your very discounted holiday. We've done 4 of these and it's 90 minutes of torture which I have vowed to never do again. But they're about 90 minutes as you say, and the question becomes where else can a retired person earn say $200/hr or more (in the case of a timeshare with discounted stay) for doing nothing but sitting for 90min? I don't believe anyone would consider that "torture." Well, if I needed the $200/hr that badly, I would not have retired. I have never been to one of these and don’t intend to begin doing so. ...so you have no ...
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you do a house upgrade?
Replies: 49
Views: 3554

Re: Would you do a house upgrade?

srt7 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:40 pm
TomatoTomahto wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:45 pm
srt7 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:42 pm Ask yourself what brings you more happiness
- 3.8MM house over 1.3MM
- Continued retirement

I'll bet the kids will value your time and undivided attention over whatever that house can give.
I didn’t see where retirement wa under threat.
On the surface it might seem like a house upgrade but in reality it's a lifestyle upgrade. That new community will require everyone in the family to start blending in and that won't come cheap.
It’s not like night and day. Same school. Same friends. It’s not like they’re the Beverly Hillbillies.
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you do a house upgrade?
Replies: 49
Views: 3554

Re: Would you do a house upgrade?

pivoprussia wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:05 pm
The kids will stay in the same district and have the same friends.
That was my one reservation, Enjoy your new house 😁.
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you do a house upgrade?
Replies: 49
Views: 3554

Re: Would you do a house upgrade?

srt7 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:42 pm Ask yourself what brings you more happiness
- 3.8MM house over 1.3MM
- Continued retirement

I'll bet the kids will value your time and undivided attention over whatever that house can give.
I didn’t see where retirement wa under threat.
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 260
Views: 18823

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

My best friend had a moderately profitable business tuning harpsichords for various organizations and the occasional individual. Apparently, piano tuners prefer an easier job 😁 I can't imagine that it makes much financial sense. I can see it for concert venues when the harpsichord has just been moved and the humidity/ temperature puts it way out of tune. Sometimes there is an intermission just to re-tune the instrument half-way through the concert. It really needs such frequent tuning that it would financially ruinous to use a professional tuner every time. I have seen the performers tune the instrument themselves prior to the start of the concert, when arriving early. This was in DC, where there are many concert venues. He also did the in...
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 260
Views: 18823

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

[Now whether I personally could become any good at a violin with enough time, I really can't say absolutely for sure, but I wouldn't be interested enough to try as stringed instruments in general just have zero appeal...I think because I'm spoiled with keyboards. :) All of the notes are right there; all I have to do is touch them, and there's no fear of a note "squeaking" or otherwise sounding bad because I didn't hit it at the right angle etc. Some keyboards can also be considered stringed instruments. My harpsichord certainly is :) To me, it is easier to play than piano, as there is no risk of playing notes with uneven volume if striking the keys with different amounts of force. It can be a challenge to keep all 189 strings in ...
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you do a house upgrade?
Replies: 49
Views: 3554

Re: Would you do a house upgrade?

With kids so close to college age, it’s been my experience that they’d rather stay with the same friends. Not as bad as when they’re already in high school, but nearly. Otoh, if you don’t do it now, definitely do not do it in a couple of years.
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 144
Views: 10611

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

articpineapplecorp- Have you ever been to a timeshare presentation? You literally are trapped for 90 minutes unless you want to refund Hilton, Westin, or Marriott Vacation clubs for the cost of your very discounted holiday. We've done 4 of these and it's 90 minutes of torture which I have vowed to never do again. But they're about 90 minutes as you say, and the question becomes where else can a retired person earn say $200/hr or more (in the case of a timeshare with discounted stay) for doing nothing but sitting for 90min? I don't believe anyone would consider that "torture." Well, if I needed the $200/hr that badly, I would not have retired. I have never been to one of these and don’t intend to begin doing so. I haven't gone to ...
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 144
Views: 10611

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

tibbitts wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:25 pm
goingup wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:17 pm articpineapplecorp-
Have you ever been to a timeshare presentation? You literally are trapped for 90 minutes unless you want to refund Hilton, Westin, or Marriott Vacation clubs for the cost of your very discounted holiday. We've done 4 of these and it's 90 minutes of torture which I have vowed to never do again.
But they're about 90 minutes as you say, and the question becomes where else can a retired person earn say $200/hr or more (in the case of a timeshare with discounted stay) for doing nothing but sitting for 90min? I don't believe anyone would consider that "torture."
Well, if I needed the $200/hr that badly, I would not have retired. I have never been to one of these and don’t intend to begin doing so.
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 260
Views: 18823

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

I disagree. I started at age 43 and have been playing now for seven years. I possess zero special skill or talent. I posted my progress on here to document how it’s been going after asking other BHs what they thought about starting the violin as an adult. I can say with 100% confidence that anyone that wants to lean to play and makes a sincere effort will likely achieve a basic proficiency after five years. I can say with 100% confidence that it isn't true for everyone (and you are not giving yourself enough credit). Anything which requires skill and talent to do at a proficient level or better is something not everyone can do. Some pick it up easily, some not so easily, some never will no matter how hard they try. Sure you have to put the...
by TomatoTomahto
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Approaching parents about removing oneself from their estate
Replies: 35
Views: 3918

Re: Approaching parents about removing oneself from their estate

You can’t know what your person financial situation will be at the death of your second parent. People become disabled, have a child or grandchild who needs significant assistance, have extended periods of unemployment, etc. Your other siblings might be resentful if you voluntarily give up your share of the estate to help your sister. It could put them in an awkward position if they can’t afford to be as generous. It’s your parents’ choice. Leave it alone. this was my thought exactly Another vote of agreement. As a parent, I’ve had one of my children do an order of magnitude better, financially, than the others. He mentioned that he would be fine with a smaller share of the pie if we felt that was advisable. I am not an oddsmaker or omnisc...
by TomatoTomahto
Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Life...moving forward. Existential.
Replies: 16
Views: 1780

Re: Life...moving forward. Existential.

Well, 5 - 6 hours...better than 11. Not talking about a permanent move. ( We'd be nuts to give up our Dana Point house .) But temporary to enjoy life more fully. Again, you're saving 3-4 hours in each direction, not 6. In the big scheme of things in long-haul travel, that's close to negligible. Instead of "moving" to New York City or Boston and flying 7-8 hours every time you want to get to some place in Europe, why not base yourself in Europe for a few months at a time? Maybe southern Europe in spring and northern Europe in summer/fall? You can avoid the crowds and enjoy the best weather, and be almost anywhere with a cheap 1- to 3-hour flight or even train, and enjoy California when it's gray and rainy in most of Europe and nor...
by TomatoTomahto
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Life...moving forward. Existential.
Replies: 16
Views: 1780

Re: Life...moving forward

02nz wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:15 am
Caliscotsman wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:08 am Move to the Village, NY and use it as a base for visiting Europe. 5 hour flights etc...

In the first instance I would like to ask how practical it would be moving to the village or somewhere else desirable but near an airport. Boston for example..
5 hours?! From BOS or New York to London, flights can be as fast as 5 hours, but pretty rarely and generally only in winter. Typical flight times are between 6-7 hours, a bit longer in the opposite direction, and longer still for most of continental Europe. You're only saving about 4 hours in each direction, hardly seems like a reason to move unless you'll be doing this weekly the rest of your life or something.
Yes, and that’s without adding in security, customs, delays, etc.
by TomatoTomahto
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?
Replies: 104
Views: 9029

Re: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?

CoAndy wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:06 am Where is KlangFool when we need him?
Haha. I seldom agree with KF, but I have a feeling that we agree on this OP.

Your income seems high, and it is relatively, but I know people with higher incomes who got stuffed by buying more house than they truly could afford. Just sayin’. Your anticipated increases are just that, anticipated.
by TomatoTomahto
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 194
Views: 11920

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

Beensabu wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:29 am
Milk. No. It's milk. There are no high-dollar cows giving superior milk.
Organic grass-fed. I grew up on milk that smelled like corn. There's a difference.
I don’t drink much milk myself, but my wife became an avid milk drinker when it’s GrassMilk. Cows are supposed to eat grass, not corn. I sometimes use a bit of milk in my coffee, heated and frothed, and you can see the difference.
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: short term munis acceptable?
Replies: 20
Views: 1405

Re: short term munis acceptable?

My bonds in taxable are almost all munis. Depending on how you count bonds, that is between 30% and 60% of my bonds.

ETA: maybe I should be worried, but not enough to give up the tax free return in Massachusetts.
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2923
Views: 521183

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]

gunny2 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:11 pm My heart goes out to anyone looking to buy a house these days. It's been insane for a long time now. I was looking a few years ago but finally gave up. I may be here for the rest of my life, though that was far from my intent. I may try again, but the demand has to be dialed from "insane." I'm not going to be forced to make a snap decision to buy a house.
I’m not saying that it’s the case everywhere, but sometimes my sympathy goes no further that it would have for someone priced out of the tulip market during that mania. I have always felt that renting isn’t the worst possible choice for many, especially the younger and potentially mobile cohort.
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy and sad: daughter got her license back
Replies: 5
Views: 1109

Re: Happy and sad: daughter got her license back

I also have a child who struggled with substance issues. There is a saying that a parent is as happy as their least happy child. I can be much happier now that he’s clean and finished his Masters.
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much house can I afford?
Replies: 10
Views: 1085

Re: How much house can I afford?

In your case, owning a $1M is a lifestyle choice, not a financial decision. The heuristic of 3x annual income is not a bad one for people with many more years of employment.

ETA: nothing wrong with renting btw.
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?
Replies: 87
Views: 8204

Re: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?

It is so easy that even I can do it. I am as dumb as a sack of hammers. I only rebalance with new money; never sell anything.

I have to ignore people’s success stories with individual stocks, but that’s no more difficult than ignoring stories about gambling wins, dating successes, etc.
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?
Replies: 25
Views: 2036

Re: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?

but I found it embarrassing to have a payment bounce. Won’t happen again. I have a worse embarrassing story. I has a check bounced once. At the time, I had two checking accounts that I write checks, one for every day use with small checks (a sandbox account) and one as the main account that is linked to all investment accounts and for big checks. One year I wrote the property tax check from the sandbox account instead of the main account. I got a notification from the sandbox account that I do not have enough money in it, and the check was bounced. I called the bank right away to see whether I can quickly put money in it but it was too late. I had to call the property tax office letting them know the check will bounce......., stating that ...
by TomatoTomahto
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?
Replies: 25
Views: 2036

Re: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?

The bank takes forever to clear deposits. The only payment I have bounced in probably 50 years. They said that they couldn’t do anything about the 7 day hold (with multi 7 digit assets at Fidelity) because the bank was a separate entity. I no longer use the CMA account. I only had this issue when my account was new. Now my deposits clear in 1 day +1 Sounds like Tomato didn't give it much of a chance, they started clearing my deposits in 1 day pretty quickly actually No, I didn’t give it much of a chance. Fool me once, etc. They made a big fuss about our importance to them, blah blah blah, we had many millions of assets there, and there are banks (BoA) that are happy to give us a bump in credit card cash back to be our bank. No hard feeling...
by TomatoTomahto
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?
Replies: 25
Views: 2036

Re: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?

The bank takes forever to clear deposits. The only payment I have bounced in probably 50 years. They said that they couldn’t do anything about the 7 day hold (with multi 7 digit assets at Fidelity) because the bank was a separate entity. I no longer use the CMA account. Wow 7 days is crazy. Was this for an ACH or a check? Do you use a regular bank now, or just bank out of your brokerage account? It was an ACH from BoA, where my wife had an account for decades. The CMA was a few months old, but not used much. The bounced payment was an ACH to Vanguard! So, the good news is that Vanguard didn’t make a big fuss about it and let us provide other funds. The other good news was that it wasn’t a rent check. We usually make payments from a bank no...
by TomatoTomahto
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?
Replies: 25
Views: 2036

Re: Any downsides to the Fidelity CMA?

The bank takes forever to clear deposits. The only payment I have bounced in probably 50 years. They said that they couldn’t do anything about the 7 day hold (with multi 7 digit assets at Fidelity) because the bank was a separate entity.

I no longer use the CMA account.
by TomatoTomahto
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 260
Views: 18823

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

meowcat wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:35 am
TomatoTomahto wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:27 am
meowcat wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:23 am 5.1 Dolby Digital/Atmos surround sound.
? Wouldn’t it be 5.1.2 ata minimum?
Currently working on the Atmos part.
For years after Atmos was announced, I was a sceptic; “who needs stinking height speakers?” Having installed a (7.2.6) Atmos system, it really makes a difference. To be honest, declining benefit comes from going from 5 to 7 ear height speakers, and I’m not sure that 2 to 4 or 6 height speakers carried the full weight, but having at least 2 height speakers made a big difference. I’m not a big time bass nut, but having the second sub smoothed out the room response.

Enjoy your audio journey :beer
by TomatoTomahto
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 260
Views: 18823

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

meowcat wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:23 am 5.1 Dolby Digital/Atmos surround sound.
? Wouldn’t it be 5.1.2 ata minimum?
by TomatoTomahto
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 260
Views: 18823

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

Home theater. Acoustic treatments, receiver, speakers, screen. Wonderful place to spend time.
by TomatoTomahto
Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I take and additional QCD after taking RMD
Replies: 13
Views: 884

Re: Can I take and additional QCD after taking RMD

Lynette wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:56 am . I have not exceeded the $100,000 annual limit for QCDs.
Just FYI, the annual limit for QCDs is $105,000 in 2024 and will be inflation adjusted going forward.
by TomatoTomahto
Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting cash to my Registered Domestic Partner
Replies: 8
Views: 778

Re: Gifting cash to my Registered Domestic Partner

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to read and ponder my post. I recently (yr 2024) received/was bequeathed a foreign inheritance in excess of 100k. I have no yet submitted IRS form 3520 but plan to. My registered domestic partner and I live in Seattle tate of Washington a community property state. Both filed separately, as single, RDP is self employed and a W2, I am a W2. FInancial accounts (retirement, brokerage, credit, checking, saving) all separate. Is there any way to gift my RDP more than the gift limit (18k yr 2024) without tax implications? I would like to share this windfall with her. Thank you again. Do you expect to die with many millions of dollars? If not, just file a form 709 and be done with it. Estate taxes in Washington...
by TomatoTomahto
Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting cash to my Registered Domestic Partner
Replies: 8
Views: 778

Re: Gifting cash to my Registered Domestic Partner

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to read and ponder my post. I recently (yr 2024) received/was bequeathed a foreign inheritance in excess of 100k. I have no yet submitted IRS form 3520 but plan to. My registered domestic partner and I live in Seattle tate of Washington a community property state. Both filed separately, as single, RDP is self employed and a W2, I am a W2. FInancial accounts (retirement, brokerage, credit, checking, saving) all separate. Is there any way to gift my RDP more than the gift limit (18k yr 2024) without tax implications? I would like to share this windfall with her. Thank you again. Do you expect to die with many millions of dollars? If not, just file a form 709 and be done with it. Estate taxes in Washington...
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???
Replies: 54
Views: 6193

Re: Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???

A modern car can easily contain more than 3,000 microchips. These control brakes, doors, airbags and windscreen wipers; they even support advanced functions like driver assistance and navigation control.
Is Lexus saying that the only microchip they can’t source is the one on the key fob? Jeez.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???
Replies: 54
Views: 6193

Re: Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???

I’ve always had my phone as a backup with Tesla. Until the day I locked my phone in the car 😁

Don’t most new cars have phone apps that can function in place of keys? My Tesla is 8 years old.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to receive an inheritance if options are given
Replies: 13
Views: 1689

Re: How to receive an inheritance if options are given

Recipient is not taxed “upfront” on any inheritance. Apparently 6 states have an inheritance tax, including Pennsylvania. (I am a beneficiary of a trust where the trust company says they need to verify if the inheritance tax was paid more than 80 years ago!) Agree that without more details it is difficult to give precise advice. But in general a Roth would be preferred since all gains would be tax-free. Recipient is not taxed by states nor feds. The estate is taxed and pays, not the recipient. The recipient simply gets less as the estate size is reduced. Fed tax starts at $13.6 million this year. An estate tax is levied on the estate of the deceased while an inheritance tax is levied on the heirs of the deceased. Yes, that’s what the terms...
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dangers of excessive optimism?
Replies: 86
Views: 6693

Re: Dangers of excessive optimism?

I don’t really worry about it, other than to wonder if some people deciding to “early retire” are doing so foolishly, thinking that the good times will continue to roll without interruption. I think some might be cutting it too close.

If you’re not going to make major life decisions because of a seemingly inexhaustible bull market, no harm no foul.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to receive an inheritance if options are given
Replies: 13
Views: 1689

Re: How to receive an inheritance if options are given

snackdog wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:08 pm
cadreamer2015 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:20 pm
Recipient is not taxed “upfront” on any inheritance.
Apparently 6 states have an inheritance tax, including Pennsylvania. (I am a beneficiary of a trust where the trust company says they need to verify if the inheritance tax was paid more than 80 years ago!) Agree that without more details it is difficult to give precise advice. But in general a Roth would be preferred since all gains would be tax-free.
Recipient is not taxed by states nor feds. The estate is taxed and pays, not the recipient. The recipient simply gets less as the estate size is reduced. Fed tax starts at $13.6 million this year.
An estate tax is levied on the estate of the deceased while an inheritance tax is levied on the heirs of the deceased.
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:53 am
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?

Have to agree with OP. I've come across far too many comments that are just simply rude and not necessary. Belittling someone because they might have more saved than the average person is just wrong. If you read a post, you don't agree with what is being asked, can't keep yourself from criticizing someone's personal situation, just don't reply. What is gained by embarrassing someone? If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. There was a time when I found a lot of replies that basically said “first world problem (FWP), get over it” which I didn’t find useful. That was around the time that I restricted how much personal financial information I would share on the forum. For whatever it’s worth, I find that snarky FWP...
by TomatoTomahto
Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:25 am
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?

Have to agree with OP. I've come across far too many comments that are just simply rude and not necessary. Belittling someone because they might have more saved than the average person is just wrong. If you read a post, you don't agree with what is being asked, can't keep yourself from criticizing someone's personal situation, just don't reply. What is gained by embarrassing someone? If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. There was a time when I found a lot of replies that basically said “first world problem (FWP), get over it” which I didn’t find useful. That was around the time that I restricted how much personal financial information I would share on the forum. For whatever it’s worth, I find that snarky FWP...
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 19, 2024 12:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reinvesting tax savings from munis
Replies: 14
Views: 1248

Re: Reinvesting tax savings from munis

cat_guy wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 12:15 pm this is what i get for posting at 2AM. Upon further consideration I realize there is no point to be made here. The tax savings calculation is already being netted against the fund's return, so the classic math is all that is needed.
I have a bunch of those posts. In my case, it lead to a rule that I can’t post until I’ve had at least one cup of coffee. :D
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23864

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

cosmos wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:05 am Bogleheads forum is a very rare and fortunate bunch. The majority of Americans have barely any savings comparatively and many cannot even save a dime or ever retire. The plethora of surveys etc showing average retirement funds by age and then the even scarier median numbers none of which would fund for a very long retirement but a large percentage here are way, way, way above those numbers and still worried.

The whole thing is very sobering.
My personal contact with this was when a kid’s hockey coach, mid 40s in age, could not get $1000 together to fix their vehicle. They had what seemed to be reasonable employment.

Unfortunately, I think most people are in a similar boat. BHs are the 1%.
by TomatoTomahto
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:37 am
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?

thedaybeforetoday wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:09 am
WhitePuma wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:45 am The site’s search function is an abomination, so finding old posts isn’t very easy. Plus, things change over time and/or there are slight variations on posters’ questions and/ or circumstance.
+1
I often find it difficult to effectively search the site, and often apologize in advance if a topic I begin has already been addressed.