Search found 74 matches
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:34 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Staying in 12% tax bracket w/ annual Roth conversion
- Replies: 26
- Views: 4052
Re: Staying in 12% tax bracket w/ annual Roth conversion
I try to do something similar what you're trying to do. However, since the zero percent capital gains tax bracket is very close to the 12% income tax bracket, I try to manage income below the zero percent capital gains tax bracket. Invariably, I miss or underestimate an income source. Therefore, I usually try not to cut it to the exact dollar and leave a slight buffer. Also, you might look at your current and/or past tax filings to see what has been included in your income in the past (wages, dividends and interest, capital gains, RSU vesting, RMD's om inherited IRA, etc.)/
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Automatic Water Shutoff Valves: brands, installation, experiences?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4209
Re: Automatic Water Shutoff Valves: brands, installation, experiences?
I've not used this device, but the video interested me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RmUVOu5v2E&t=100s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RmUVOu5v2E&t=100s
- Tue Jan 02, 2024 9:38 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
- Replies: 579
- Views: 39976
- Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:05 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: I-Bond interest rate
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1129
Re: I-Bond interest rate
If you bought a new I-bond today, it would pay 5.27%. Your I-bond purchased in May 2022 is paying 3.94%.
https://treasurydirect.gov/files/saving ... -chart.pdf
https://treasurydirect.gov/files/saving ... -chart.pdf
- Wed Feb 08, 2023 7:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: WWII Non-Fiction Book Recs
- Replies: 103
- Views: 8187
Re: WWII Non-Fiction Book Recs
I've read and enjoyed many of the books already mentioned. My FIL is a retired Naval Officer so I have an affinity for naval books. Two books that I have not seen mentioned that I enjoyed were:
Jersey Brothers by Sally Mott Freeman
The Admirals by Walter Borneman
One of the things that always amazes me is how certain points in time produce exceptional people in certain occupations or roles. If you've ever read Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers, I think), you will know what I mean. The Admirals is an example where a few extraordianary midshipman all attended the Naval Academy around 1900 and all achieved the rank of five-star admiral.
Jersey Brothers by Sally Mott Freeman
The Admirals by Walter Borneman
One of the things that always amazes me is how certain points in time produce exceptional people in certain occupations or roles. If you've ever read Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers, I think), you will know what I mean. The Admirals is an example where a few extraordianary midshipman all attended the Naval Academy around 1900 and all achieved the rank of five-star admiral.
- Thu Jan 26, 2023 5:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Mediocre performance review - what next
- Replies: 69
- Views: 5665
Re: Mediocre performance review - what next
I'm retired, but I did primarily for two, large corporations in my career. Both corporations used forced ranking systems and I bounced around quite a bit throughout my career. Fortunately, some of my best performance years were near the end of my career and the associated salary increases had a very positive impact on my pension (which I know I'm fortunate to have in the first place). I say this only to encourage you to keep striving to improve your performance. One of the common things at both corporations is that the employees basically wrote their own performance reviews using a template provide by the corporations. I don't know if this is the case with your employer or not. If it is, don't minimize the importance of writing a good perfo...
- Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:45 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Digital SLR lens of choice for 10+ mile hike/landscape photography
- Replies: 47
- Views: 3318
Re: Digital SLR lens of choice for 10+ mile hike/landscape photography
I'm a complete novice wen it comes to photography. However, there may be something in this website link that helps you. Drew Robinson does a lot of
wonderful hiking and photography.
https://trailtopeak.com/photography/
wonderful hiking and photography.
https://trailtopeak.com/photography/
- Fri Jan 13, 2023 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Top Load vs Front Load washers?
- Replies: 58
- Views: 7993
Re: Top Load vs Front Load washers?
I know I'm not addressing your decision criteria, but one thing I've never liked about front loading machines is the necessity to bend over or get down on my hands and needs to take laundry out of the washer. I know you can place them on pedestals, but I could never get mine to stop vibrating (on the pedestals) on a typically framed floor. I think it would have done better on a concrete floor. I leveled mine many times and even bought rubber vibration isolators. With all that said, my wife and I currently have stackable, front loading Bosch appliances that were here when we bought the house. They are of the heat pump variety. Although they look to be compact, they actually do quite big loads and are not an issue for just my wife and me. The...
- Sun Nov 06, 2022 8:48 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Pension Lump Sum option Reduced
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2338
Re: Pension Lump Sum option Reduced
I meant to add that many pensions are reduced if taken early. For instance, at my former employer, the pension was reduced by 5% for every year the pension was taken prior to age 60. Therefore, a pension taken at age 55, would be reduced by nominally 25%. The math isn't exactly that straight forward due factors like time in market, but this factor often led to folks delaying the distribution of their pension. This does expose them to the risk of rising interest rates, though.
- Sun Nov 06, 2022 8:39 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Pension Lump Sum option Reduced
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2338
Re: Pension Lump Sum option Reduced
The pension lump sum is simply the net present value of future cash flows. These future cash flows are based on your company's specific pension formula, but generally factor in your years of service and highest average pay. To calculate the net present value of future cash flows, these future cash flows are discounted based on a discount rate or "interest rate". The higher the discount rate, the lower the net present value of the future cash flows. I'm not sure if all companies get their discount rates from the IRS, but mine did and many more do. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/minimum-present-value-segment-rates At my former employer, I could ask my benefits group to run pension calculations based on different assumptions (d...
- Thu Sep 08, 2022 8:25 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommendations for Garden Hose?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 4501
Re: garden hose, good quality
I agree with the positive comments regarding Eley brand hoses and reels. They are expensive, but their quality and customer service are hard to beat. Nevertheless, we started using Dramm Colorstorm hoses a few years ago. We buy the "safety yellow" ones. Here is a link: https://www.dramm.com/html/main.isx?sub=472 We like them because the very rarely kink, are tough and abrasion resistant and use high quality nickel-plated hardware. In addition, the bright yellow hose is hard to miss with yard tools and it helps make the hose less of a tripping hazard. My elderly neighbor recently broke a bone in his foot/ankle due to a fall caused by tripping on a black hose. Finally, most hoses can be easily repaired depending on the location and ...
- Thu Jul 14, 2022 6:49 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Unused refrigerator in basement
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2654
Re: Unused refrigerator in basement
Refrigerator to Kegerator Conversion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9UW-QLg9d0
And you may be able to keep the freezer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9UW-QLg9d0
And you may be able to keep the freezer.
- Sun Jun 05, 2022 8:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
Thanks again for all of your thoughtful responses. You've help me better frame the situation with my wife and we obviously have a lot to learn. Your feedback will help us in this process.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but my wife's family probably would not be happy with me sharing any more personal details. In addition, the guidance you've provided re: questions to ask, insurance norms, long-term financial considerations, etc. are what I needed at this point.
Thanks
Please don't take this the wrong way, but my wife's family probably would not be happy with me sharing any more personal details. In addition, the guidance you've provided re: questions to ask, insurance norms, long-term financial considerations, etc. are what I needed at this point.
Thanks
- Sun Jun 05, 2022 8:44 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
Thanks again for all of your responses. You've given me a lot of information that will help knowing what questions to ask BIL, medical professionals, insurers and family members. We have begun discussions about possibly having the surgery and/or rehab done where the parents live. Given my in-laws ages, I'm sure we would be spending a lot of time down there helping out. His current insurance is a Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy written in our state that he obtained earlier this year. Would he probably need a new policy written in his parents' state or am I overthinking this? All of your comments about being realistic about the possibility of never being able to work again are something that my wife and I are more and more concerned about. I'd ...
- Fri Jun 03, 2022 10:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
Thnk you Sandi. I've been careful in trying not to share too much personal information. However, you are very perceptive and I think there is a mental illness component at play here. That is what makes the tough love approach so difficult. Will he end up on the street or harm himself if we hold him more accountable?
My BIl is a merchant mariner and he seems to think that taking medication to treat a mental illness will disqualify him from working again. This is another situation in which I am unqualified. In this day and age, I would not expect taking medications to treat mental illness would disqualify one from working. However, he is adamant that it would.
My BIl is a merchant mariner and he seems to think that taking medication to treat a mental illness will disqualify him from working again. This is another situation in which I am unqualified. In this day and age, I would not expect taking medications to treat mental illness would disqualify one from working. However, he is adamant that it would.
- Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
Thanks again for all of your input. This has been a wake up call for us. It has gone from "helping him get back on his feet" to a whole new level very quickly. In addition, the fact that he is a family member and we have the means to help him makes it challenging. It would help if he seemed to be putting in the effort to help himself. Many of his decisions aren't rational or logical and hinder progress. On many days, it seems like we're trying harder to help him than he is willing to help himself. I will be doing a lot of work trying to figure out all of the alternatives available to him and my family. I guess I'm fortunate that I've only started to deal with these types of issues for the first time at my age (58). I did not face ...
- Fri Jun 03, 2022 4:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
Thanks all. Deep down, I know open communication is the right answer.
- Fri Jun 03, 2022 3:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
He has no income currently. His line of work means that he normally works a few months and is off for few months. Unfortunately, the "off" periods are getting longer and his recent work history is spotty. Other than his vehicle, he has very few other assets. I'm not sure about his insurance coverage. He is a very private person and doesn't seem to want us involved in his health care discussions. However, I'm concerned that his financial and health care support will fall on his family and we have very little insight on what may be involved. It seems like he needs some type of a patient advocate and we would be willing to do that for him. Unfortunately, he hasn't asked for our help. This makes it very difficult to understand what in...
- Fri Jun 03, 2022 2:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Re: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
Unfortunately, he is not a veteran.
- Fri Jun 03, 2022 2:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4105
Back Surgery Recovery Options for BIL
My brother-in-law is in his mid-fifties and is currently unemployed. He recently began living in our home with the intention of us helping him get back on his feet financially and health-wise and ultimately back to work. He has private health insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I believe his parents are helping him with the premium and deductible payments. Unfortunately, he is having back issues and his orthopedic doctor is recommending major surgery. This will be his second back surgery (1st one over ten years ago). My wife and I aren't privy to the discussions he's been having with his doctors and he is not open to discussing them with us. Therefore, I may not have all of the information that you will need to help me. His parents are o...
- Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Freaking out about retirement in 2 years, please help!
- Replies: 39
- Views: 7342
Re: Freaking out about retirement in 2 years, please help!
Congratulations! You appear to have done very well accumulating significant savings and investments. This suggests a good level understanding of asset allocation, tax advantaged investments, budgeting, etc. However, my recommendation would be to pause and ask yourself if you have the same level of proficiency and knowledge when it comes to retirement planning strategies in drawdown phase of life. These are quite different and aren't commonly known and discussed among folks at your relatively young ages. I'm thinking of things like: Optimum drawdown strategies (SWR, adjustments for inflation/performance, asset allocation, etc.) Optimum pension strategies (annuity vs. lump sum, timing, benefits to delaying, impact of interest rates, reliabili...
- Sat Mar 26, 2022 10:27 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Portable Gas Grill (for RV)?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 3666
Re: Portable Gas Grill (for RV)?
I know the original poster did not ask for alternative recommendations, but my wife and I like our Eureka SPRK grill. Since it's just the two of us, we prefer the small size and we like the plastic carrying case with handle (size of a briefcase). https://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Portable-Butane-Camping-Grill/dp/B08QS365B5/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1IOEFWJ9AGD91&keywords=eureka+sprk&qid=1648308343&s=outdoor-recreation&sprefix=Eureka+SPR%2Coutdoor-recreation%2C139&sr=1-2 I've never used the grills the original poster asked about, but cleaning the Eureka grill can be a chore depending on what we make. Like some else said, I think this is an issue to some degree with all gas grills. The grate itself is easy to clean on the Eureka, it's t...
- Fri Mar 25, 2022 3:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Grass seed brands?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2537
Re: Grass seed brands?
BTW - Jonathan Green is a NJ company and they probably would be able to provide "local" support.
- Fri Mar 25, 2022 3:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Grass seed brands?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2537
Re: Grass seed brands?
When I lived up north and had a fescue lawn, I followed a lot of advice from a YouTube channel called Silver Cymbal. He uses Jonathan Green grass seeds and that is what I switched to one fall. This included aeration, starter fertilizer, seed and lots of water. I always received a lot of compliments on our yard. In my experience, it may take a couple of seasons of good lawn care to get the results you a trying to achieve. This video is an example of his videos and it discusses overseeding in the spring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVDDeP ... aA&index=5
Good luck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVDDeP ... aA&index=5
Good luck
- Wed Mar 23, 2022 12:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What has been your best volunteering experience?
- Replies: 56
- Views: 5697
Re: What has been your best volunteering experience?
My best volunteering experiences include the following: Guardian for Honor Flight to Washington DC. Unfortunately, COVID limited the opportunity to more actively support this great organization as almost all flights were grounded and new flights are only being added for the larger Honor Flight hubs. Laying wreaths for Wreaths Across America prior to Christmas and going back after Christmas to remove the wreaths. I'm looking into opportunities to be more active with this organization. Cooking meals for our local Ronald McDonald House. Again, opportunities to volunteer at RMH have been severely limited by COVID. Filling meal packages at our local food bank and care packages for military personnel. Many of our volunteer opportunities were thro...
- Wed Mar 16, 2022 10:52 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Denver vs Cincinnati
- Replies: 160
- Views: 13015
Re: Denver vs Cincinnati
I agree with Sport above. We lived in one of the outside the loop suburbs in Cincinnati and our property taxes never exceeded $6k/yr on a property worth 4-5 multiples above the poster's $80k condo.
I also agree with the post about the green vs. brown high desert. My only experiences in Denver were to fly into Denver to attend meetings. For some reason, the brown high desert was something that I noticed and still remember.
Also, while the average temperature in Cincinnati is close to what you will find in places like Washington, DC, there isn't any water or mountains to moderate the temperature. Therefore, summer highs are higher and winter lows are lower, but the average is the same.
I also agree with the post about the green vs. brown high desert. My only experiences in Denver were to fly into Denver to attend meetings. For some reason, the brown high desert was something that I noticed and still remember.
Also, while the average temperature in Cincinnati is close to what you will find in places like Washington, DC, there isn't any water or mountains to moderate the temperature. Therefore, summer highs are higher and winter lows are lower, but the average is the same.
- Wed Mar 16, 2022 9:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Denver vs Cincinnati
- Replies: 160
- Views: 13015
Re: Denver vs Cincinnati
I haven't spent enough time in Denver to comment on it. However, IMHO Cincinnati is one of the nicest, most affordable and underrated cities in the US. We lived there for 24 years and it was a fabulous place to raise a family. It has great restaurants, pro sports, excellent metro parks and a culture that I found to be unique in the Midwest. Also, the medical facilities are some of the best in the country. It is nothing like Cleveland or many of the other cities metioned in a post above (although I like many of them, too). In many ways, it has a southern feel. Othertimes, the German heritage stands out. Sometimes, the river city vibe is strong. The traffic is nothing compared to many larger metropolitan areas, but people still complain about...
- Wed Mar 09, 2022 10:46 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Time to switch to an electric car?
- Replies: 94
- Views: 8653
Re: Time to switch to an electric car?
OP - I'm not sure what you are asking us. Are you asking for permission to make a purchase of a EV or are you asking us to do some sort of financial analysis for you? If the latter, we don't have enough information to do the analysis. Therefore, maybe you could post your assumptions and calculations and we could comment on them. I would think we would need to know whether or not you own the Audi and how much you would get for it in a sale. We would need to know the purchase price of the Tesla. We would need to know the financing costs for each vehicle. We would need to know the insurance costs for each. We would need to know the annual maintenance costs for each. We would need to know the annual operating costs for both gas and electric. We...
- Sat Mar 05, 2022 1:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Folding or inflatable kayak recommendations?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2904
Re: Folding or inflatable kayak recommendations?
My wife and I are very happy owners of a Sea Eagle Explorer 380X kayak. We mainly use it with the skeg attached for lake kayaking. We purchased it for the reasons you cite (storage), but also for its versatility (up to class IV rapids, as a fishing platform, etc.). We also find the seating position to be more comfotable than other kayaks. Finally, we don't find it to be difficult at all to inflate (dual action hand pump) and our primary launch does not require us to carry it very far. We do leave it inlated if we know we are going back out on the water soon. Sea Eagle makes a number of nice kayaks that would probably serve you well.
- Thu Mar 03, 2022 2:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Pickleball Paddle Choices
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3331
Re: Pickleball Paddle Choices
I found the following helpful:
https://www.pickleballcentral.com/Pickl ... e_s/49.htm
I currently play with a Prince Response Pro. I am very happy with it.
https://www.pickleballcentral.com/Pickl ... e_s/49.htm
I currently play with a Prince Response Pro. I am very happy with it.
- Mon Feb 21, 2022 5:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hard alcohol/mixed drinks Qs
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3720
Re: Hard alcohol/mixed drinks Qs
You might like a Pimms Cup. Here's one recipe. I enjoy them in the summer and there are only a couple of ingredients.
https://themodernproper.com/pimms-cup
https://themodernproper.com/pimms-cup
- Wed Feb 16, 2022 11:17 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Proper Cost Basis and Gains / Reporting RSUs for Taxes
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1035
Re: Proper Cost Basis and Gains / Reporting RSUs for Taxes
Here is what I am following:
]
https://thefinancebuff.com/restricted-s ... uance.html
The Finace Buff has other articles on his website that address RSU issues.
It is my understanding that the income and taxes withheld due to vesting are included in your W-2. When you sell the shares, your cost basis is the value of the shares on the vesting date. When you sell them after time has passed, you will have a capital gain/loss to report based on the sales price and cost basis.
If someone interprets it differently, I'd be interested.
]
https://thefinancebuff.com/restricted-s ... uance.html
The Finace Buff has other articles on his website that address RSU issues.
It is my understanding that the income and taxes withheld due to vesting are included in your W-2. When you sell the shares, your cost basis is the value of the shares on the vesting date. When you sell them after time has passed, you will have a capital gain/loss to report based on the sales price and cost basis.
If someone interprets it differently, I'd be interested.
- Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: More Roth Conversion Strategy Questions
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1344
Re: More Roth Conversion Strategy Questions
Thanks to everyone for their responses. It is nice sometimes to gain a little confirmation from others that we generally understand the subject.
FWIW, I left our partuclular details out in an effort to maybe be more helpful to a larger audience. Nevertheless, we are married and file jointly and are both pre-59 1/2. We live in a LCOL area.
I fully agree that a detailed analysis of income sources is required to answer the questions I posed for our exact situation, but sometimes it's good to know all of the issues and rules that need to be considered and followed before doing the analysis.
FWIW, I left our partuclular details out in an effort to maybe be more helpful to a larger audience. Nevertheless, we are married and file jointly and are both pre-59 1/2. We live in a LCOL area.
I fully agree that a detailed analysis of income sources is required to answer the questions I posed for our exact situation, but sometimes it's good to know all of the issues and rules that need to be considered and followed before doing the analysis.
- Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:30 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: More Roth Conversion Strategy Questions
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1344
More Roth Conversion Strategy Questions
Question #1 Assuming a retired couple can live off an an income under the current 12% federal tax rate with added standard deduction (about $108k annually), why would they do Roth IRA conversions up to the 22% or 24% brackets? Is it that they are worried that tax rates will rise in the future or that they are trying to avoid higher taxes in the future (after age 72) when RMD's, SS and any pension income push them into higher tax brackets. It seems to me that if their Traditional IRA balance was not sufficiently large to throw off large RMD's in the future, they likely should avoid such large Roth conversions now that push them into these higher brackets. Question #2 Assuming one has an adequately sized Roth IRA, can manage five-year withdra...
- Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Considering changing from 100% Roth to either 50/50 or 100% traditional. Age 25.
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1141
Re: Considering ghanging from 100% Roth to either 50/50 or 100% traditional. Age 25.
These two recent articles by The Finance Buff may provide relevant information for you:
https://thefinancebuff.com/the-forgotte ... e-ira.html
https://thefinancebuff.com/case-against-roth-401k.html
https://thefinancebuff.com/the-forgotte ... e-ira.html
https://thefinancebuff.com/case-against-roth-401k.html
- Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:48 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Mid 30's, worked hard-made money, now what?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 5852
Re: Mid 30's, worked hard-made money, now what?
Congratulations! You've worked hard and appear to have been richly rewarded for it. That should make you proud. I think you've gotten a lot of good advice in the preceeding replies, especially as it pertains to medical insurance. In my opinion (not judgemental), you have been very fortunate not to need insurance. In addition, many would argue that things like insurance need to be in place (i.e. the foundation in homebuilding terms) prior to investing. Also, I agree that you have an opportunity to let your money make money and not be so reliant on your labor to generate additional wealth. There may come a time when this forced on you due to health or injury and you're in a good position to make some of that transition today. Finally, if I ma...
- Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Rockwool Insulation for Basement and Attic (R15 or R23?)
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4929
Re: Rockwool Insulation for Basement and Attic (R15 or R23?)
I could be wrong, but I think the R15 is for 2x4 wall constriction and the R23 is for 2x6 wall construction. Therefore, I would use whichever is appropriate. I used the R15 in my detached garage for both insulation and soundproofing reasons. I live in SC and R15 is all that I need in this application. I do like the product. Without seeing it, I would tend to remove the old insulation if for nothing else but a neater job.
- Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Volunteering “Bucket” List
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4209
Re: Volunteering “Bucket” List
In 2019, I was a guardian for a veteran on an honor flight. It was very satisfying and surprisingly emotional for me. Also, my wife and I have had the pleasure of volunteering at our local Ronald McDonald house, primarily preparing meals for patients' families. Unfortunately, opportunities to serve these wonderful organozations has been limited by the pandemic.
- Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Signature Golf Holes that are worth traveling to? . . . And. . Most Memorable Golf Experiences?
- Replies: 78
- Views: 6220
Re: Signature Golf Holes that are worth traveling to?
I'm not much of a golfer, but a friend played this and had a lot of fun.
https://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Bear-s-B ... lf/Course2
https://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Bear-s-B ... lf/Course2
- Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard's service as Peanuts strip
- Replies: 46
- Views: 4605
Re: Vanguard's service as Peanuts strip
I understand the original poster's complaint and I have had similar frustrations on the few occasions that I have called Vanguard. However, I don't care who you call today (cable company, retail store, manufacturer of things in your home, 401(k) manager, etc.), customer service pretty much stinks everywhere (except for Chick-Fil-A ). This is especially true now with the struggles many companies have had adapting to the challenges presented by COVID.
- Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:43 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: "The Hills of Bastogne"
- Replies: 93
- Views: 9142
Re: "The Hills of Bastogne"
Taylor, Thank you for your service and for this incredible site. I don't post often, but I've benefitted greatly from all who share their knowlwdge here. In 2019, I served as a guardian on an Honor Flight from Cincinnati to Washington, DC. It was one of the greatest honors of my life. One of the veterans on my flight served in the Battle of the Bulge. I believe he was 93, but I think he could still kick butt! Unfortunately, all flights have been cancelled this year due to COVID. Hopefully, we can get back to flying in 2021. I ride motorcycles and I really enjoy this young lady's channel. In particular, I was taken by the reverence the folks in the Netherlands have for the Allies who liberated them from the Germans. I believe it was shortly ...
- Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:01 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: My Christmas Gift to You
- Replies: 71
- Views: 11529
Re: My Christmas Gift to You
Taylor, Thank you for your service and for this incredible site. I don't post often, but I've benefitted greatly from all who share their knowlwdge here. In 2019, I served as a guardian on an Honor Flight from Cincinnati to Washington, DC. It was one of the greatest honors of my life. One of the veterans on my flight served in the Battle of the Bulge. I believe he was 93, but I think he could still kick butt! Unfortunately, all flights have been cancelled this year due to COVID. Hopefully, we can get back to flying in 2021. I ride motorcycles and I really enjoy this young lady's channel. In particular, I was taken by the reverence the folks in the Netherlands have for the Allies who liberated them from the Germans. I hope you also enjoy it....
- Mon Nov 30, 2020 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Truck Purchase
- Replies: 105
- Views: 10237
Re: New Truck Purchase
I drive a 2012 4X2 F150 with the Ecoboost engine. I purchased it in 2019 with 85K miles. I love the truck, especially the engine.
I bought this truck based on how I intended to use it. With all of the options out there, I agree with many other posters that how you intend to use it should drive your decision. You may not be like me, but I couldn't see myself buying a new truck and then proceeding to haul mulch, yard waste, etc. in the bed and potentially scratching paint, dinging the bed liner, etc.
I'm retired and don't put a lot of miles on the truck. If this was my daily driver and I did more driving than working with the truck, then I may have a different decision.
I bought this truck based on how I intended to use it. With all of the options out there, I agree with many other posters that how you intend to use it should drive your decision. You may not be like me, but I couldn't see myself buying a new truck and then proceeding to haul mulch, yard waste, etc. in the bed and potentially scratching paint, dinging the bed liner, etc.
I'm retired and don't put a lot of miles on the truck. If this was my daily driver and I did more driving than working with the truck, then I may have a different decision.
- Thu Jun 04, 2020 7:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Pl recommend a garden hose
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2564
Re: Pl recommend a garden hose
I have used black rubber Craftsman hoses for many years. I would consider them to be above average hoses when it comes to durability, weight, etc. However, I use and abuse them a lot (dragging on concrete, dragging against landscape rocks, etc.) and I have historically chosen to fix them rather than replace them. Unfortunately, you eventually reach a limit on how many times a hose can be repaired. Therefore, I recently decided to replace rather than repair one of my hoses. I went with a Dramm 5/8 inch x 75 foot "Colorstorm" hose. One of the reasons that I went with it is that the fittings appear to be of higher quality. The fittings seemed to be the weak part of my Craftsman and many other hoses. So far I am very happy with the ho...
- Thu May 14, 2020 7:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Secrets to a great lawn
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7104
Re: Secrets to a great lawn
You might check out the Silver Cymbal YouTube channel. He has a specific videos discussing an annual lawncare program and he is in the Northeast (MA, I believe).
- Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Purchasing Vehicle Insurance
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1132
Re: Purchasing Vehicle Insurance
Thanks. Looks like I wasn't alone in asking this question. In addition, many posters never really received a specific answer. Maybe it just doesn't exist. I think the reference to asset allocation and risk tolerance makes sense. However, I also know that there are questionnaires, data (historical gain/loss for different asset allocations) and personal experience (what did you do in 2008 or 2020 and how did you feel) to help with the asset allocation decision. This is true over time as assets change and risk tolerance changes. In addition, looking at the asset allocations for various target retirement funds may give someone a ballpark estimate of the appropriate asset allocation for them. That is all that I was looking for in my post. Thanks...
- Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Purchasing Vehicle Insurance
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1132
Re: Purchasing Vehicle Insurance
Thanks everyone for your replies. I did discuss it with my insurance company today (USAA) and they basically said that I had higher than normal coverage, but otherwise couldn't directly answer my question. We have had USAA for 39 years (very satisfied) and I believe they were being honest with me. Their advise was to call my financial planner. I then had a conversation with a financial planner provided through my former employer (I'm retired, but still get financial planning as a benefit). He didn't have any hard and fast rules and described it as akin to asset allocation and risk tolerance decisions. He also made a good point that the fact that umbrella insurance is fairly inexpensive should tell you something about how often umbrella insu...
- Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Purchasing Vehicle Insurance
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1132
Purchasing Vehicle Insurance
I recently purchased a new motorcycle and was adding it to my coverage. It is my understanding that the purpose for insurance to to protect my assets and lessen my financial liability in the case of an accident. Therefore, it always strikes me as odd that the insurance company has never once asked me anything about my assets (home value, savings, etc.). Shouldn't there be some kind of questionnaire or survey to fill out to determine the appropriate coverage? I feel very confident that I'm adequately insured with my current coverage and umbrella policy. Our ages (wife and I) and driving records actually make it relatively affordable to carry what is probably excess coverage. I guess I'm more concerned about people who end up underinsured (i....
- Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How many paid for kids' college?
- Replies: 282
- Views: 18808
Re: How many paid for kids' college?
My wife and I have three sons ages 25-30. All graduated from public universities in our home state of OH. Two are engineers and one has a business degree. All had > 4.0 GPA in HS and were active in varsity sports and all-state band. All received some levels of scholarships, but no where near free rides (probably < 25% scholarship). All worked summer jobs and internships through HS and college. My wife and I funded the rest of the bachelor's degees via 529 and regular cash flow and savings. None had any debt upon graduation. I am glad to hear from them how fortunate they are to be in this situation (debt free). Importantly for my wife and I is that their hard work and our financial support led to them quickly getting through college and onto...
- Thu Apr 16, 2020 3:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Online / Gun Dealer Recommendations
- Replies: 101
- Views: 11647
Re: Online / Gun Dealer Recommendations
I also have had great experience with Bud's and a locall FFL. However, my local range and Bud's both offer the Glock 19 at about the same price. This is not often the case. When it is, I like to support my local range who helped me to rent and test drive different firearms.
Finally, if you are intrested in the latest generation of the popular Glocks like the Glock 19, I think you will have a hard time finding them in stock (even at Bud's) at the current time.
Finally, if you are intrested in the latest generation of the popular Glocks like the Glock 19, I think you will have a hard time finding them in stock (even at Bud's) at the current time.