Search found 89 matches

by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: IRA with basis - what can be done?
Replies: 15
Views: 2402

Re: IRA with basis - what can be done?

Go see an accountant. I don't think you can pick and choose cost basis on part and no cost basis on the other part to roll over. I believe IRS forces you to ratio it all out so that EACH dollar transferred has a 50 cent cost basis in your case. I'm 95% sure this is the correct way, but that 5% makes me worry, so go see a tax CPA.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with taxable account
Replies: 4
Views: 1119

Re: Help with taxable account

yes, I'd use a muni bond fund in your case in a taxable account with a 35% tax bracket. By the way 47M means 47 million. I think you meant 47K or thousand. If you really meant 47 million then you don't need our help.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it a good time to invest in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond fund?
Replies: 18
Views: 4600

Re: Is it a good time to invest in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond fund?

Any time is a good time. Trying to time the market never works.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:39 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: As an expat with no US address, can I move my 401k?
Replies: 18
Views: 3291

Re: As an expat with no US address, can I move my 401k?

Your an ex-Pat so you are NOT a US citizen any longer? I'd say you won't be able to move the money anywhere.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond funds in taxable accounts?
Replies: 45
Views: 13200

Re: Bond funds in taxable accounts?

Can't answer intelligently because I don't know what tax bracket you are in. Me(wife and I), I'm in the top tax bracket so 100% of my qualified retirement funds money is in Vanguard Total Bond fund and Vanguard Intl Bond Fund---about $1 million. The other $6 million we have is in taxable funds of which $1.8 million is in Vanguard municipal bond funds--short, intermediate and long term. You can see it's a 60/40 split. The remaining $4.2 million is in Vang Tot Stk Mkt, Vang Intl Stk Mkt, Vang Small Cap Value etf's. These broad based funds keep my dividend income low because like I said we are in the highest tax bracket.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: “Fund bucket” for new car?
Replies: 14
Views: 2303

Re: “Fund bucket” for new car?

I don't use the bucket approach. Too messy. I just keep cash I need in the next 5 years in one fund---either MM or short muni term bond fund or both and mentally track how much of it is for the next car purchase. When it comes to buy another car I select one based on the cash I've saved in this fund for the car. So, if we saved $30k for a car then that's all I can spend, even if I have $100k in the fund. I never borrow money to buy a car.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Eligibility for individual 401k
Replies: 4
Views: 618

Re: Eligibility for individual 401k

Why do you want to continue contributing to a retirement plan with only 2 years to age 70? You have mandatory RMD's at that age. All that income is distributed at ordinary income tax rates which will be higher than, say, LT cap gain rates. Just put the money in a broad based taxable brokerage account index fund, hold it for over 1 year and take the money out at LT cap gain rates after age 70.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ditched bond fund for money market. Thoughts?
Replies: 40
Views: 8678

Re: Ditched bond fund for money market. Thoughts?

I think you made a mistake. I'd keep the 40% in bonds. Skew it short to mid term bonds if that makes you feel a bit better. If rates go up slowly over years, you will still make money in most bond funds. And if they go down, such as in the next Recession, you might be sorry you went to cash if the Fed reduces rates to fight the Recession then bonds will spike up and you're in a lowly MM fund.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you need a Notary for a Safe Harbor IRA roll over to Roth?
Replies: 8
Views: 1220

Re: Do you need a Notary for a Safe Harbor IRA roll over to Roth?

The notary requirement is common. Go to your bank and get it done free. It's not a big deal. Not like your going to the dentist or anything, so stay calm.
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Early Retirement - On the fence, need sanity check
Replies: 53
Views: 12308

Re: Early Retirement - On the fence, need sanity check

I think you should retire if your heart is set on it. Do it and don't look back. I came to this same crossroads years ago. I'm 62 now and still working--but I'm self employed--so there is a difference between being an employee and what I am. I don't hate what I'm doing so I continue on even with $7 million saved, no debt, and making $700k a year income from the business(not counting dividends and interest from the $7 mill). Obviously, I don't have to work. And like you, wife and I incur around $75K a year in living expenses. But, we still get away for 10 weeks of "working" vacations a year. 4 weeks to Europe lately, and 6 weeks to the Texas Gulf coast in winter(we live in MN). So, maybe I'm sort of retired in some people's eyes, b...
by fredjohnson
Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy a used car or lease one for business use
Replies: 10
Views: 1668

Re: Buy a used car or lease one for business use

Not enough info in your post for an accurate answer. Is your business a Schedule C, a C corp, an S corp, etc? Personally, I don't like leasing for a business or for personal use because there is less value to you than in purchasing. Leasing is simply another way to finance the car, that's all it is. Remember that you can't deduct the personal use portion of the vehicle and the mechanics to calculate that depend on what tax entity you are, so that's why I said there isn't enough info.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: High Growth Portfolio for a Wealth Building Fund
Replies: 41
Views: 7099

Re: High Growth Portfolio for a Wealth Building Fund

Here's what I would consider with that taxable money not needed for 30 years:

40% Total Stk Mkt.
30% Total Intl Stk
30% Vanguard Small Cap Value
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cable Cord cutting.. alternatives/ideas? Speed Choices?
Replies: 30
Views: 4896

Re: Cable Cord cutting.. alternatives/ideas? Speed Choices?

We have a 65 mbs down and 7 mbs up speed right now for $55 a month. A good router will help maximize speed. Spend at least $200 for a decent one. We don't have 60 GB of photo's but we use Crash Plan to back up all computers and devices continuously, so there must be 300-500 GB of info backed up to the cloud on 4 computers in our house. It does incremental backups continuously while you are on your computer. The web speed we have is so fast we don't even notice the backups. We can also be watching a couple of netflix movies at the same time and have our iPads going and still no noticeable lag in our devices.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A/C efficiency question
Replies: 31
Views: 9013

Re: A/C efficiency question

I just keep the thermostat at 80 all the time. But, I live in MN and don't use A/C much. I bet our whole house A/C only runs 4 weeks a year at most.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds go in taxable (whitecoatinvestor aka EmergDoc article)
Replies: 155
Views: 25570

Re: Bonds go in taxable (whitecoatinvestor aka EmergDoc article)

I have all retirement monies in bond funds-----mostly the Vanguard Total Bond Fund. All stocks are in taxable funds----mostly Total Stk Mkt and Total Intl Stk Mkt. I still keep some of my taxable money in bond funds because the taxable money is far larger than my retirement accounts. $1 mill in retirement accounts and $4 million in taxable accounts.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2016 Mazda CX-5 AWD Touring no extra packages
Replies: 5
Views: 1520

Re: 2016 Mazda CX-5 AWD Touring no extra packages

Sounds like it was a good deal. I'm a Honda and Subaru person myself, so don't have ton's of experience with Mazda SUV's. Although I did own a B5 and an MX6 once upon a time.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tree Trimming Etiquette with Neighbors
Replies: 30
Views: 18902

Re: Tree Trimming Etiquette with Neighbors

I cut any branch that comes over the property line, but I only cut it to the property line unless I ok it with my neighbor and he lets me cut it further up the tree on his side. There's not much else you can do without getting in trouble. Oh, and I've always made it a point to get along with all my neighbors, especially the ones on either side of me sharing the property line. It makes life much much easier.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What Percent Of Your Annual Expenses Are Property Taxes?
Replies: 101
Views: 20924

Re: What Percent Of Your Annual Expenses Are Property Taxes?

My property taxes are about $7k a year or 9% of my annual expenses. $550k house in Mpls suburbs. However, that $7k is only .7% of our income of $950k last year. So, comparing prop taxes to your annual expenditures isn't always very informative.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Banff & Jasper with 1.5-yr old daughter.
Replies: 24
Views: 5508

Re: Banff & Jasper with 1.5-yr old daughter.

I live in MN and have been to Banff and Jasper 3 or 4 times. Mostly tent camping trips with the car. I liked Jasper more than Banff and Lake Louise. Banff is touristy and somewhat congested. The town is cute, but half a day there was enough for me. Lake Louise has great scenery, but there's a 4 mile walk up a foothill and back and that's about it. Uses up a day or so. The drive up the Icefield Parkway from Banff to Jasper is quite scenic. I loved it. You can also spend half a day at the Athabasca Glacier along the way.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Options for Taxable Account
Replies: 11
Views: 2172

Re: Investment Options for Taxable Account

If you're going to need that cash in 3 years I wouldn't have any of it in stock or bond funds. I'd put it all in money market or maybe into ultra short term bond fund at most.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA reimbursements - to take now or wait?
Replies: 13
Views: 2539

Re: HSA reimbursements - to take now or wait?

We've never spent a nickel of our HSA funds. Have most of it in Vanguard index funds. Been saving all receipts so can reimburse ourselves when we want to, but it won't be for a few years. We are in our 50's and have had the HSA's for about 4 years. They have a $60k value right now.
by fredjohnson
Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Small Business Financing
Replies: 15
Views: 2474

Re: Small Business Financing

When I purchased a small business 13 yrs ago I used my savings for the down payment. The down was $200k and the business cost $1.2 million. That $200k was almost all my savings other than my retirement account from when I was employed elsewhere. In general you cannot borrow the down-payment as the bank will not allow it. It has to come from your personal savings, etc. I wouldn't use your retirement accounts. I just never liked doing that. I saved up for years to get the $200k, so it didn't come easy. Ok, now for the more fun part. Wife and I grew that business from around $1.5 mill in sales to about $5 mill in sales today. We've taken salaries of around $8 million out of that business the past 13 years. The business is probably worth around...
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 4:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Loss Harvesting -- go for it?
Replies: 20
Views: 4372

Re: Tax Loss Harvesting -- go for it?

Your plan sounds good to me. Better not to even have to think about "loss harvesting", but crap happens.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CA int municipal bond fund vs. Vanguard int muni fund
Replies: 32
Views: 4833

Re: CA int municipal bond fund vs. Vanguard int muni fund

As mentioned, only you can decide the tradeoff between the risks of the single-state bond fund versus the tax advantages it offers to you personally. However, several expert recommendations I've seen allocate the bond portfolio like this: • 50% Taxable Bonds • 25% National Munis • 25% CA Munis The idea is to keep your muni exposure to half of your bond allocation, and keep your individual state exposure to a quarter of your bond allocation. This protects against a blow-up of the muni market in general and limits the risk of disaster in an individual state. This is the bond allocation I've personally used for years, in an all-taxable portfolio, and I've slept well at night. If he's like me, he doesn't want taxable bond income. I'm in the hi...
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CA int municipal bond fund vs. Vanguard int muni fund
Replies: 32
Views: 4833

Re: CA int municipal bond fund vs. Vanguard int muni fund

I'd move most of it to the Calif bond fund and don't get scared out of them next time around.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 30% In International Stocks?
Replies: 59
Views: 11993

Re: 30% In International Stocks?

Here's my mix: 60% stock index funds and 40% bond funds. My stock funds are 70% Total Stock Mkt index and 30% International Stock Mkt index. So, I only use 3 mutual funds in all for the $4 million I have invested at Vanguard. I'd say 30% is good. It's the mix of stocks to bonds that changes with age.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Brokerage or Mutual Funds?
Replies: 24
Views: 3691

Re: Vanguard Brokerage or Mutual Funds?

Vanguard told me earlier this year that they will eventually have everybody's account in brokerage. I was kind of caught off guard over that statement, but more than one person at Vanguard told me that. It doesn't make much difference to me because most of my investments are in their brokerage account already since my taxable account balances are far higher than my retirement account balances. I'm not sure if they told me this because I'm a Flagship member at Vanguard or not, but they do want everyone in a brokerage account. Vanguards own mutual fund and ETF investments trade for free in their brokerage accounts.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How To Invest Your Emergency Fund?
Replies: 98
Views: 31190

Re: How To Invest Your Emergency Fund?

You won't keep up with the rate of inflation with an emergency fund. It has to be kept liquid. If it was me, I'd probably put it in the Vanguard short term bond fund or short term municipal bond fund. You'll make around 1% a year which beats a mm. You could put all of it in a 1 yr cd paying around 1% also and then pay the early withdrawal penalty in case you need to spend it.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Resident physician with question regarding 403b/457 funds
Replies: 21
Views: 3712

Re: Resident physician with question regarding 403b/457 fund

I'd probably do the Roth conversion before you get the salary jump. You will still be under the top bracket if your income stays below $400k. That being said, I wouldn't worry about it even if you decided not to. Taxes are a fact of life if your income is high and there's not much you can do to get around them. I've paid over $300,000 a year in income taxes the last several years, so I know about it.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: is 3.20% Vanguard brokered CD best deal around?
Replies: 48
Views: 6188

Re: is 3.20% Vanguard brokered CD best deal around?

I'd never lock up money for 10 years at only 3.2%, especially with the Fed so close to raising interest rates. It will start next year already.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 20K Inheritance, now what?
Replies: 50
Views: 8373

Re: 20K Inheritance, now what?

If it was me, half of that $20k would go into the Vanguard Total Stk Mkt fund or ETF and I wouldn't touch it again till I retired. When I was in my twenties I did that with a mutual fund. I'm in my 50's now and that money has grown over 2000%.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement-Order of sale of investments
Replies: 11
Views: 2166

Re: Retirement-Order of sale of investments

Oliver wrote:When you are looking at taxes, do not forget the health insurance subsidy. In addition, figure out if you will have to take some tax deferred money out sometime during early retirement. In which case, you need to estimate what your tax situation will look like then. In other words, what would your tax rate look like if you had to take all the money from an ira.

PS I would feel uncomfortable if I was taking 4% out every year. (not sure my money would last)
If he has enough to retire early and he's worried about which accounts to draw from first, I doubt his income is low enough to get a subsidy. If single he'd have to make less than $40k to get a subsidy.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement-Order of sale of investments
Replies: 11
Views: 2166

Re: Retirement-Order of sale of investments

I'd take the lowest taxed income first. That would be any long term capital gain money that's in a taxable account. I'd also take the Roth money out early in my retirement since it won't be taxed. Push the ordinary income accounts off till later in life. That's the 401k, traditional IRA, etc.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 2:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to buy happiness (WSJ)
Replies: 31
Views: 4777

Re: How to buy happiness (WSJ)

Money may not buy happiness, but I do know that poverty will bring you sadness.
by fredjohnson
Sun Nov 16, 2014 2:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where does HSA money go?
Replies: 7
Views: 1704

Re: Where does HSA money go?

You still keep the dollars in the HSA account and pay off qualified medical expenses whenever you want to. Nothing complicated about it.
by fredjohnson
Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "The dangers of long-term care insurance"
Replies: 132
Views: 21222

Re: "The dangers of long-term care insurance"

That was a great article on LTC insurance. Convinced me that I don't need it. Self-insurance will work for me.
by fredjohnson
Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A $1000 lesson on how manipulative salespeople can be?
Replies: 107
Views: 22533

Re: A $1000 lesson on how manipulative salespeople can be?

It's a relatively cheap lesson for you imo. In the future, you probably won't be so quick to give anyone a credit card for something you don't need. You can always think of me when you feel like somebody ripped you off-------- I lost $100,000 in a ponzi scheme a few years ago.
by fredjohnson
Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your mortgage type, if any [POLL]
Replies: 63
Views: 6322

Re: Your mortgage type, if any [POLL]

2.75% fixed 15 yr, but only 4 yrs left on loan. Put 20% down originally. Loan was $400k.
by fredjohnson
Mon Feb 03, 2014 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying the most expensive house you can afford
Replies: 101
Views: 35053

Re: Buying the most expensive house you can afford

I'd never buy the most house I could afford. You will be a slave to your house for years. In my mind a house is a liability of sorts and not an asset. Yes, I understand assets and liabilities, but subjectively it costs lots of money to keep a house. Prop taxes, insurance, furniture, maintenance, landscaping, more maintenance, new furnace, new roof, more maintenance......you get the idea. I ended up buying a house that was about one half my annual wages. Yes, this is misleading since I bought a $500k house, but if I would have "bought the most house I could afford" I think I was looking at spending around $3.5 million. it's tough to even FIND a house in the Mpls suburbs for that price. So, maybe this idea is all relative to your in...
by fredjohnson
Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your definition of "Financially Wealthy?"
Replies: 110
Views: 14504

Re: What is your definition of "Financially Wealthy?"

I like one of your definitions of 50X living expenses, however I don't think 50X is enough. I'd feel better with a higher X. My living expenses are low---$50k a year or so. I have $4 mill in liquid assets right now. I'm not retired yet. My net worth is probably $6 mill. No debt. I'll shoot for 100X living expenses before I retire. Will need another $1 mill to do that. Why 100X? Because after I retire I am going to spend more money than I am now on travel, buying a second house in TX or FL, and other things like a boat. I won't go nuts buying these things, but you have to spend the money on something and before you die is a better time to do it. :happy
by fredjohnson
Mon Dec 02, 2013 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First Eagle Global fund swap to Vanguard
Replies: 1
Views: 726

First Eagle Global fund swap to Vanguard

Some of my IRA money in in SGENX, First Eagle Global funds. Has high-ish expense ratio. If I move this money to Vanguard, do any of you have specific active or passive fund suggestions that would closely mirror the stocks in SGENX?
by fredjohnson
Mon Dec 02, 2013 11:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tactical Flashlight for long walks at night vs. pepper spray
Replies: 85
Views: 11101

Re: Tactical Flashlight for long walks at night vs. pepper s

Steelersfan wrote:I always figured I could outrun anybody who was approaching me as long as I kept a reasonable distance from them. That might entail crossing the street, or increasing or decreasing my pace.

Bad guys aren't fast runners. They specialize in other things.
Well, you can't outrun a bad dog.
by fredjohnson
Mon Dec 02, 2013 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tactical Flashlight for long walks at night vs. pepper spray
Replies: 85
Views: 11101

Re: Tactical Flashlight for long walks at night vs. pepper s

I do 10 mile unpaved trail runs every Saturday out in the middle of nowhere near the Mpls metro area. Sometimes I don't see even one person on these trails. I always carry MACE along with my water bottle, protein bar and phone. I don't run these trails at night since its too easy to get hurt via sprained ankle, etc. since the trails are not lit. Since you are running/walking at night I would definitely carry mace and I would wear a headlamp, the kind that is bright, LED, affixes to your head with a strap. Same kind I use for hiking in the dark when camping in summer. I carry Saber Red pepper spray/mace for joggers. There is a velcro strap that your hand slips through putting the canister in your fingers. You can unlock and fire the spray in...
by fredjohnson
Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fort Myers Beach, Marco Island, or ?
Replies: 22
Views: 3306

Re: Fort Myers Beach, Marco Island, or ?

I like FMB and Sanibel. Have stayed there a few times in winter. Should be nice and warm in December. The water in the Keys is nicer, prettier, than in FMB or Sanibel. It's also warmer in the Keys.
by fredjohnson
Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Status...Independent Contractor or Company Employee?
Replies: 17
Views: 1724

Re: Status...Independent Contractor or Company Employee?

I'd do the work as an employee. Too much liability for you as an independent contractor. Too late in life to deal with a lawsuit, lawyers and all the stress involved.
by fredjohnson
Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Not Planning To Retire?
Replies: 51
Views: 5089

Re: Not Planning To Retire?

I think it depends on your job. Mine is pretty stressful, so I want to retire before age 62. "Stress" meaning its easy for me to get sued by an unhappy customer, etc so I will have enough saved to retire at 62 and then I'll probably take the plunge.
by fredjohnson
Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dental Insurance Recommendations
Replies: 14
Views: 1725

Re: Dental Insurance Recommendations

Greatness wrote:Need some suggestions for dental insurance for my wife and me. Who are some good companies? Delta seems to be a fortune. Cigna and Aetna are fairly affordable.
I use Delta Dental. Around $26 a month premium, but you get 2 free checkups/cleanings and one set of Xrays a year with that. Half off of other procedures like crowns, root canals, etc for the first $2k.
by fredjohnson
Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Purification
Replies: 12
Views: 1291

Re: Water Purification

We have an Aqua-Thin filtration system with reverse osmosis. Before the water gets to that system we have a whole house purifier about twice the size of a typical water softener, also from Aqua-Thin and a water softer before the water gets to the whole house filter. The goal is to keep contaminants to less than 10ppb. It's been working for us for 15 years. Needs annual filter cartridge replacements at cost of around $150, done by a technician.
by fredjohnson
Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I rebalance even if tax cost very large?
Replies: 31
Views: 2671

Re: Should I rebalance even if tax cost very large?

Wait till a year your income is lower and then rebalance. Can you put extra savings/income into bond funds or cash for now as a method of rebalancing without selling anything?
by fredjohnson
Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: to user or not to use HSA
Replies: 37
Views: 4938

Re: to user or not to use HSA

Can you put your HSA into the stock market? I use HSA Bank and they let me use TD Ameritrade with the money in my HSA. I have it invested in Vanguards index funds via TD Ameritrade. I don't use that money for medical expenses. I use it as a type of retirement account.