Search found 656 matches

by Old Guy
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Career ending, getting fired. Can we FIRE ?
Replies: 152
Views: 22207

Re: Career ending, getting fired. Can we FIRE ?

If anyone has a suggestion on where to find a good employment/disability lawyer in the bay area, I'm certainly open to it. Feel free to PM.

https://www.eeoc.gov/field-office/sanfrancisco/location
by Old Guy
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5695

Re: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

I traded a 2021 Ford Mustang EV in April 23 for a 350h. It’s a fine car and I’m very happy with it although I really would have been even happier if it was a plug in.
by Old Guy
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A confident Boglehead in his 60s pondering managing a portfolio in their 80s and beyond?
Replies: 42
Views: 5537

Re: A confident Boglehead in his 60s pondering managing a portfolio in their 80s and beyond?

Last year at 80, I moved to let Fidelity manage my investments, which had been in their zero cost funds. They moved me out of those funds, and even with the costs associated I did better than with the zero cost funds. I also moved our last pre-tax IRAs to them.
by Old Guy
Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover
Replies: 10
Views: 588

Re: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover

To follow up: I met with my customer service rep at Fidelity, and he walked me through the process. The check, minus the taxes, was deposited in my IRA, and the amount of the taxes will be transferred from my cash account. I’ll deal with getting the money back on my 2024 taxes next year.
We then contacted a Wisconsin Deferred Compensation rep on the phone, and had my spouse’s withdrawn by check in a way that there will be no tax consequences. When we receive it, it will be deposited directly into her Fidelity IRA.

A+ service from Fidelity.
by Old Guy
Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Boston suburb to settle?
Replies: 198
Views: 18125

Re: Which Boston suburb to settle?

My wife grew up in Holliston, which was very small and semi-rural. Her family were among the original settlers of Framingham. We visited Holliston a few years ago, and the downtown looked to be almost the same as the 1970s. In those days it was as working-class WASP as you could get. Marie is Mayflower Society at least four times and maybe six times. One grandfather commuted by train to work in a shoe factory in Boston. One of her grandmothers ran the fourth class post office at the rr station.

What’s it like now, and why hasn’t any mentioned it?
by Old Guy
Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover
Replies: 10
Views: 588

Re: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover

Doing another 60 day rollover with in a 12 month period is not an issue. All my IRAs have now been consolidated into Fidelity.

Twenty percent was witheld.
by Old Guy
Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover
Replies: 10
Views: 588

Re: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover

The question is, when do I report it? When I do my 2024 taxes in 2025 or during the 2024 calendar year? If the latter, how do I report it? You report it in 2025. You will have a 1099-R from the originating custodian. Unfortunately you could have done this as a non reportable trustee to trustee transfer, rather than a rollover. No taxes would have been withheld and there would be nothing to report on your tax return. Because it was done as a rollover, you cannot do another rollover from any IRA for a year. If you have done a rollover in any account in the past year, you are in trouble. --vtMaps Yes, you’re absolutely right, there was a better way to do this. In order to not to repeat the problems I created for myself, when we do my wife’s t...
by Old Guy
Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to report an IRA 60-day rollover
Replies: 10
Views: 588

When to report an IRA 60-day rollover

I am doing a rollover transfer of one IRA to an existing IRA at Fidelity. The check was cut on February 1, 2024. Taxes have already been taken out, which I did not want to happen. According to Fidelity, I can fix this problem by taking an amount equal to the tax deduction from another account, for example my checking account at the Bank of America, and adding it into the deposit in their IRA within 60 days. I would then reclaim the amount I added to the IRA when I do my taxes. Again, the added amount will be identical to the amount taken out for taxes. I know there was a better way of doing the transfer, but that's what's happening. The question is, when do I report it? When I do my 2024 taxes in 2025 or during the 2024 calendar year? If th...
by Old Guy
Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How old were you when you hit the "No-Go Years?"
Replies: 77
Views: 13606

Re: How old were you when you hit the "No-Go Years?"

Retired from the feds after 30 years at 62. Worked for a B1G university for 10 years. Too much dealing with a career full of people’s tales of woe and grief. I didn’t want to do it anymore. Eighty-one now. Still lots of travel but a little limited because of my wife’s hip issues make lots of walking difficult for her. No more trips to London. Also did cancel a trip to Hawaii recently because I didn’t think I could handle all the hours in economy from the east coast. But travel is still important to us. We spent a week at a Club Med in the Dominican Republic in January. Driving to Orlando for a week in March; flying to the West Palm area in May; Aruba for nine nights in July; seven nights in Boston in August; and, nine nights in Palm Desert ...
by Old Guy
Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying for luggage at the airport in the U.S.
Replies: 26
Views: 3135

Re: Paying for luggage at the airport in the U.S.

I don’t pay for one checked bag each for my spouse or me because I buy the tickets with am American Airlines credit card.
by Old Guy
Thu Jan 25, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 12996

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

I was 72 years old. Enough was enough.
by Old Guy
Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
Replies: 50
Views: 4998

Re: RMD Tax Withholding

I have 20% federal and 7% state withheld from the monthly distributions.
by Old Guy
Sat Dec 30, 2023 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concierge Doctor for Primary Care
Replies: 31
Views: 5171

Re: Conceirge Doctor for Primary Care

We pay $3,500 for both of us. We’re older and appreciate the near immediate attention either with appointments or by phone including the latter on the weekends. He bills insurance companies so no cost to us other than the $3,500.
by Old Guy
Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to convince parents of the dangers of financial advisors/fees?
Replies: 147
Views: 33398

Re: How to convince parents of the dangers of financial advisors/fees?

I'm now a 11-year older guy then when I chose my screen name "old guy" in 2012. I'll be 81 in a couple of weeks. Until last year I always managed my own investments, mostly Fidelity Freedom Funds. I switched to a Fidelity manager last year. I know it costs me money, but it was becoming too burdensome to keep on looking after my investments. Over the years, I invested well, but conservatively, but managing our house, having to keep my wife's calendar including her numerous medical/dental appointments as well as serving as her chauffeur has become overwhelming. We have close to a mil with Fidelity but between a combined four federal and state pensions, pretax investments not managed by Fidelity, and social security, the RMDs from ou...
by Old Guy
Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023: do you use your Peloton bike? (indoor cardio questions)
Replies: 42
Views: 5264

Re: 2023: do you use your Peloton bike? (indoor cardio questions)

I've had my Pelton for about a year. I use it two to three times a week and alternate with bike riding outside. I like the convenience and accomplishing the same thing in less time as riding outside. I usually do the low impact rides on the Pelton.
by Old Guy
Fri Oct 27, 2023 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone considering the new GEHA Medicare Advantage Plan?
Replies: 54
Views: 8291

Re: Anyone considering the new GEHA Medicare Advantage Plan?

My wife has her own GEHA Standard, and has close to a $1,000 month expenses in in out of network costs for a therapist who does not accept Medicare. Currently GEHA Standard pays a large portion of the out of network cost although it is very painful dealing with them and on two occasions we had to go through the appeal process. They eventually pay. Will the new program reimburse for out of network expenses?
by Old Guy
Tue Oct 17, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home exercise / fitness app you recommend
Replies: 26
Views: 2452

Re: Home exercise / fitness app you recommend

I use mapmywalk when I ride my bike outside, and the pay Pelton programs when I ride my Pelton inside. I alternate inside and outside every other day with light weight lifting on days I'm not riding.
by Old Guy
Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?
Replies: 229
Views: 22979

Re: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?

No. The only costs I had were those associated with getting documents and a gift to my wife, a bicycle. The ring was a family diamond we and bought a setting for at a discounted price from a jeweler friend of my parents. We did go to England for a week. No regrets about that. I hate the thought of spending huge amounts of money on a lavish event. For some people a big wedding is the highlight of their married life and it’s all downhill from there.
by Old Guy
Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Social Security 2024 COLA will be 3.2%
Replies: 26
Views: 4752

Re: Social Security 2024 COLA will be 3.2%

Am I right that the 3.2% raise will also apply to federal pensions?
by Old Guy
Mon Aug 07, 2023 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2067128

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Watched Guardians 3 on my iPad on a plane. Visually impressive. High production values. A truly stupid movie.
by Old Guy
Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For people with EVs what do you for road trips?
Replies: 122
Views: 11011

Re: For people with EVs what do you for road trips?

Lacked the courage to try. Traded the Ford Mach-e in for a Lexus 350 hybrid.
by Old Guy
Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smart Key on new Toyota worries me
Replies: 146
Views: 12709

Re: Smart Key on new Toyota worries me

abner kravitz wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:09 pm A lot of new Toyotas in recent times have been delivered with only one smart key, with the second key coming unknown months later. Chip shortage they say. Makes issues with the keys that much worse.

Nothing has ever been better for me than a regular key and keypad on the door.
My Lexus 350h only has one fob. I don’t expect the second one until December or later. Pia.
by Old Guy
Sat Jun 10, 2023 7:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re Retirement "I wish I'd known..."
Replies: 299
Views: 54691

Re: Re Retirement "I wish I'd known..."

How much money we would have in retirement. More than when we were working.

The variety of medical issues my wife would face in her middle 70s.
by Old Guy
Fri Jun 09, 2023 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best East coast beach town to live in
Replies: 93
Views: 12073

Re: Best East coast beach town to live in

Hilton Head Island but not on the south end of the Island. Too many tourists during the summer.
by Old Guy
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can you give examples where tax bracket will be higher in retirement then in 40's age?
Replies: 118
Views: 12753

Re: Can you give examples where tax bracket will be higher in retirement then in 40's age?

We make more in retirement then we did while working retiring and then working again for a combined 17 years. Wife and I both have federal pensions based on a combined GS-29 and 48 years service, state government pensions, and social security. The wife has full SS while mine is reduced. Plus we have RMDs and state government pre-tax investments. Obviously FIRE was of no interest to us.
by Old Guy
Sat May 27, 2023 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New SUV Model vs Used Lexus RX350?
Replies: 31
Views: 4409

Re: New SUV Model vs Used Lexus RX350?

I also have an 2023 RX 350h. Nice car. Expensive though and required add on. I traded in a Mustang EV for it. Only one fob though. The second may not come until the end of the year.
by Old Guy
Fri May 12, 2023 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-resident state taxes for a few days of business travel
Replies: 56
Views: 6072

Re: Non-resident state taxes for a few days of business travel

I worked for the federal government for 30 years. Travelled all over the country and never filed other than DC or VA taxes depending on my residence. I never heard of any federal employee having to file out of state taxes for traveling on official business.
by Old Guy
Tue May 09, 2023 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No SAT required in college
Replies: 61
Views: 5534

Re: No SAT required in college

Neither Gates or Zuckerberg graduated Harvard.
by Old Guy
Thu May 04, 2023 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best stand up comedy
Replies: 95
Views: 7258

Re: best stand up comedy

James Acaster especially his take down of Ricky Gervais.
by Old Guy
Thu Apr 27, 2023 10:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "What I Don't Own" by Jonathan Clements
Replies: 31
Views: 8666

Re: "What I Don't Own" by Jonathan Clements

I have 19 $1,000 I bonds purchased in 2001 now worth almost $61,000. I feel ok about that.
by Old Guy
Sat Apr 22, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Two years of owning a Peloton:by the numbers
Replies: 54
Views: 11047

Re: Two years of owning a Peloton:by the numbers

I bought a Peloton in December for my 80th birthday. They were on sale. I had been riding my bike outside for many years in my resort town. I’ve taken some falls and the tourists riding in large family groups on the bike paths can be problematic. I had been limiting my riding over the last year to the paths within my gated community, which got boring.

I use the Peloton usually about every other day schedule permitting. I find many of the instructors too chatty but enjoy the scenic rides. I wish they had more. I think I’ll try the classes again.
by Old Guy
Thu Apr 20, 2023 6:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ: Fidelity and State Street Push To Make 401(k)s More Like Pensions
Replies: 73
Views: 9827

Re: WSJ: Fidelity and State Street Push To Make 401(k)s More Like Pensions

Pension, which is why I stayed in the federal government for 30 years and then worked for a state university for ten, thank you very much.
by Old Guy
Fri Apr 07, 2023 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: YouTube TV
Replies: 127
Views: 16716

Re: YouTube TV

Do you need a smart tv to use YouTube TV?
by Old Guy
Tue Apr 04, 2023 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: NJ Tax refund, received notice...need help
Replies: 20
Views: 3591

Re: NJ Tax refund, received notice...need help

I had the same thing in South Carolina a few years ago. No big thing. They just want to verify what you stated on your return. Sent the paper with NJ withholding.
by Old Guy
Sun Apr 02, 2023 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents with kids in colleges? What does it take?
Replies: 129
Views: 14232

Re: Parents with kids in colleges? What does it take?

Having worked at a flag ship state university in the B1G as an administrator and an investigator for the US Department of Education, it’s my thought that there are very few really “bad” colleges particularly among the public universities. The competition among graduate students for professorial positions is fierce, which leads even lower ranked schools being able to hired quality academics. Additionally, many schools with lower ranks have individual departments, which may be among the best in the country. Again, this especially true among public schools.

One final thought, students get what they put in.
by Old Guy
Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Replies: 21
Views: 1777

Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows

3 M professionally installed on windows and skylights.
by Old Guy
Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do I have to get a hybrid?
Replies: 178
Views: 17317

Re: Do I have to get a hybrid?

I traded a 2021 Mustang Mach E for a 2023 Lexus Premium + hybrid. A hybrid is a better option for us than a full electric vehicle based on how we use a car.
by Old Guy
Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: dishwasher recomendations
Replies: 110
Views: 8263

Re: dishwasher recomendations

Old Guy wrote: Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:50 am I’ve had nothing but problems with Miele. Warranty repairs were needed for the bottom tray, but I live in an area where there’s nobody to actually come to do the repairs. I’ve made at least five telephone calls to them and they referred me to two repair places neither of which will service Miele anymore. So if you want one of their dishwashers, make sure that there is a repair place nearby.
The seller replaced the bottom tray with one in their showroom. In the interim, water wouldn't drain. The seller showed me how to fix it. My warning still remains, make sure you have someone to repair the machine nearby. Btw, how did you all get Boschs? My local seller is unable to get any.
by Old Guy
Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calm small dog breed for family
Replies: 142
Views: 13633

Re: Calm small dog breed for family

As to the greyhound recommendation above, greys are very hard to get now, especially in the east, since they closed the Florida tracks. They maybe too large for what the OP wants although some females are in the low 50-pound range. They do not require much exercise and will sleep up to 18 hours a day, which is why they're known as the 40 mile an hour couch potato. Hardly ever bark. Are major poopers. Useless as guard dogs since they love everyone. Great watch dogs if all you want is a dog that watches. We've had four. Do know they tend to be prone to cancer. We lost two that way. We lost our last one to Gastric dilation-volvulus (bloat). The prey instinct in most of our dogs was not especially strong particularly compared to the Galgo (aka ...
by Old Guy
Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?
Replies: 229
Views: 22979

Re: Do you regret spending money on your wedding?

I regard weddings as wasteful. I feel very strongly about this. We got married in the judge’s chambers in front of five people. Saved the money for a honeymoon in England. For many people the wedding is the highlight of their marriage. It’s all downhill from there.

We’re still married after 48 successful years.
by Old Guy
Sun Mar 12, 2023 4:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 223024

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

I have contributed earlier in this thread but I just finished my taxes and was somewhat astounded that in retirement (nine years) my wife and I earned $290,000. The money comes primarily from our federal pensions as well as state pensions, SS, and RMDs. Of course some may regard our careers as non-BH since I worked into my 70s and my spouse into her late 60s. We enjoy life at the beach in the largest house we’ve ever owned.
by Old Guy
Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: dishwasher recomendations
Replies: 110
Views: 8263

Re: dishwasher recomendations

I’ve had nothing but problems with Miele. Warranty repairs were needed for the bottom tray, but I live in an area where there’s nobody to actually come to do the repairs. I’ve made at least five telephone calls to them and they referred me to two repair places neither of which will service Miele anymore. So if you want one of their dishwashers, make sure that there is a repair place nearby.
by Old Guy
Wed Feb 22, 2023 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: dishwasher recomendations
Replies: 110
Views: 8263

Re: dishwasher recomendations

I have a Miele G5006SCU. The bottom rack has been very problematic. The wheels come off as have the rack's separators that go up and down. I have been unable to reattached them. Not happy. Have made a request for a technician and I'm awaiting a call to schedule a home visit.

Commentors are right about the plastic. Doesn't really dry. The Miele replace a two-year-old GE, which was a piece of garbage.
by Old Guy
Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is [car's] blind spot monitor worth while?
Replies: 180
Views: 12217

Re: Is [car's] blind spot monitor worth while?

I wouldn’t buy a car that didn’t have it.
by Old Guy
Thu Feb 16, 2023 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: please help me get started with TV streaming
Replies: 152
Views: 18005

Re: please help me get started with TV streaming

Do you need a smart tv?
by Old Guy
Sat Feb 04, 2023 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First timer - London in June?
Replies: 66
Views: 5735

Re: First timer - London in June?

Transportation museum is great.

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/

Lots of great theater in London. Discount tickets available at : https://officiallondontheatre.com/tkts/
by Old Guy
Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do in retirement
Replies: 202
Views: 24636

Re: What to do in retirement

As little as possible.
by Old Guy
Sun Jan 29, 2023 5:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Nailed It! (tax refund)
Replies: 54
Views: 5422

Re: Nailed It! (tax refund)

I always overpay since I like getting a large refund. It’s useful for capital expenses. This year it’s going to be a very large amount because of medical expenses and the purchase of an ev and related expenses.