Search found 493 matches

by KT785
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Re: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

I recently made the switch back to a MacBook after spending years with Windows, and I faced a similar dilemma. Given your history and how you value longevity, going for the M3 MacBook Pro seems like a wise choice, especially with the mid-level 14" model. Serendipitous that I noticed someone resurrected my thread from November; I still haven't purchased a new computer my 11 year old MBP still meets my needs. Given the new M3 MacBook Airs that just came out, I'm leaning in that direction as (has been noted above in this thread) I'm not a "power user. That said, the price delta between a 16GB 15in. MBA and a mid-level 14in. MBP isn't that great if it provides me with a little more longevity as has been evidenced by my, still well pe...
by KT785
Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Will/Trust Question
Replies: 51
Views: 4064

Re: Will/Trust Question

Following as DW and I are also going through estate planning and anticipate having a trust for a testamentary trust for our toddler (and potential future children). Initial thoughts are to allow distributions to pay for care and education (including college, etc.) but for full control at some more mature age (30 or 35) or a stepped distribution model. Understand the rationale for your choice of trustee, DW and I are leaning toward a corporate trustee (or co-trustee) given the potential size of the trust and desire for greater investment sophistication than close family could provide (looks like your brother wouldn't need the same assistance). KT785 Are you also putting investment stipulations in there? Such as, 80% must be invested in VTSA...
by KT785
Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Will/Trust Question
Replies: 51
Views: 4064

Re: Will/Trust Question

Following as DW and I are also going through estate planning and anticipate having a testamentary trust for our toddler (and potential future children). Initial thoughts are to allow distributions to pay for care and education (including college, etc.) but for full control at some more mature age (30 or 35) or a stepped distribution model.

Understand the rationale for your choice of trustee, DW and I are leaning toward a corporate trustee (or co-trustee) given the potential size of the trust and desire for greater investment sophistication than close family could provide (looks like your brother wouldn't need the same assistance).

KT785
by KT785
Sat Jan 20, 2024 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation for 100% cotton men's undershirt?
Replies: 32
Views: 3164

Re: Recommendation for 100% cotton men's undershirt?

Went through this process recently as I needed to replace old Alfani (Macy’s) shirts that were at the end of their useful life and ultimately settled on undershirts from Land’s End—softer and thicker than cheap options and have laundered very well thus far.

KT785
by KT785
Fri Nov 17, 2023 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inputs on ITOT and IXUS
Replies: 10
Views: 1225

Re: Inputs on ITOT and IXUS

Unsure what you gain from “institutional level diversification”.

I hold FSKAX and FTIHX in my Roth IRA and HSA and hold ITOT and IXUS in my taxable brokerage account (and have tax loss harvested swapping in/out VTI and VXUS).

Holding multiple similar funds at the same time can make tax loss harvesting more difficult—I only keep ETFs in my brokerage and keep the Fidelity mutual funds in tax advantaged accounts. I wouldn’t hold VTSAX and VTIAX because they’re the equivalent of VTI and VXUS.

I should also note that the equivalent Fidelity fund to IXUS and VTIAX is FTIHX, not FSPSX.

Ultimately, need to understand why you’re holding multiple similar funds and what kinds of accounts you have.

KT785
by KT785
Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.
Replies: 27
Views: 3417

Re: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.

Onlineid3089 wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:18 am I would assume your employer will only let the one who is participating in eligible health plan make payroll deductions into an HSA.
Looks like you’re right, just checked through our benefits page.

Oh well, for the sake of convenience, will stick with the current approach—maximization in this instance doesn’t seem worth potential frustration for the Mrs.

KT785
by KT785
Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.
Replies: 27
Views: 3417

Re: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.

If she is the Employee plus family rather than you, you’ll save a few more bucks this year on her FICA cost, but it’ll reduce her social security earnings record by the same amount. You have to decide if it’s worth the hassle one way or another. That’s also been back of mind—I started digging though old posts on SS “bend points” and value of deductions. However, I tend to agree with a number of the other comments above that any financial benefit I would derive isn’t sufficient to compensate for my wife’s peace of mind that she doesn’t have to deal with any of this. :D KT785 Other than filling out the benefits, what would your wife h@ve to do? Consider, your SS will likely fix your wife’s since she likely gets 1/2 yourv S as spousal benefit...
by KT785
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.
Replies: 27
Views: 3417

Re: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.

lazynovice wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:26 pm If she is the Employee plus family rather than you, you’ll save a few more bucks this year on her FICA cost, but it’ll reduce her social security earnings record by the same amount. You have to decide if it’s worth the hassle one way or another.
That’s also been back of mind—I started digging though old posts on SS “bend points” and value of deductions.

However, I tend to agree with a number of the other comments above that any financial benefit I would derive isn’t sufficient to compensate for my wife’s peace of mind that she doesn’t have to deal with any of this. :D

KT785
by KT785
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.
Replies: 27
Views: 3417

Re: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.

Why would your wife need to deal with benefit providers? She would need to make the elections but if you have the information I expect you can handle most interactions yourself. With most online interactions, it wouldn’t be an issue—the issue has always been phone interactions and certain online interfacing through employer email, both of which require her participation or in the case of phone interactions, authorizing me each time. That’s in addition to the calls from the benefit providers directly to the policy holder (dealt with those when we went through fertility treatments and pre-authorization). I agree it’s somewhat silly (I somewhat enjoy all of the minutia) but she wants to be completely hands off on all these things—luckily reti...
by KT785
Mon Nov 13, 2023 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.
Replies: 27
Views: 3417

Re: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.

123 wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:32 pm I would select the most inexpensive option. Employers generally subsidize the health benefit to the employee more than the benefit to other family members. That might mean that each of you separately cover yourselves under the employer plan and add the child to whichever parent account makes sense.
As noted in my OP, the premium difference of splitting it up is only about $100 a year—the benefit of combining under one of us is the aggregated deductible (me+child is the same deductible as me+wife+children).

For additional clarity, the costs of benefits isn’t different if held by me or her.

KT785
by KT785
Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.
Replies: 27
Views: 3417

Who should carry benefits? Husband/wife at same employer—large income disparity.

I’d posed a question a year or two ago during annual enrollment and a comment was made that, given my circumstances, my wife should likely be carrying the benefits (health insurance, dental, HSA deduction, etc.). The comment has been at the back of my mind since then and wanted to seek the collective wisdom of the group to see if I’m overlooking a substantive benefit (outweighing the downside, noted below). My wife and I work for the same employer (very different roles/areas) so have access to the same benefits during annual enrollment. Difference is that my comp is considerably higher than hers—my total base and bonus brings me to around $215,000/year and hers is around $85,000/year (these consist of base and bonus). Before we had our firs...
by KT785
Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use Visible or Visible+ for phone plan?
Replies: 10
Views: 1960

Re: Anyone use Visible or Visible+ for phone plan?

My wife and I used Visible for a number of years until recently. Were with the original (cloud based) back-end and upgraded to Visible+ after it was launched. Speeds with Visible+ were generally good, though there were several places we had issues (same issues we had with Verizon years before, so it’s a tower issue presumably). However, early this year, I suddenly could no longer receive SMS messages, which means accessing various accounts was impacted. I spent several days dealing with their chat support to no avail. Eventually we switched to Cricket and got their highest tier plan—problem resolved and with four lines on the account (I added my parents from Visible too) the costs are around the same. My parents had some reception issues wi...
by KT785
Fri Nov 10, 2023 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Re: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

srt7 wrote: Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:34 pm MacBook Air line of laptops are made for your use-cases. Instead of spending more on the Pro get the highest end processor, storage etc. on the Air.
A high spec’d MBA isn’t much of a price difference compared to an MBP—my other concern is, if I opt for an MBA, should I just wait a bit for the M3 chips in that line?

KT785
by KT785
Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Re: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

anagram wrote: Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:59 pm Good point about the battery. It will NOT last 10 years.
Suspect this is a YMMV situation (and for most you're likely right). But my 10 year old MBP doesn't have the same battery life as it did new, but I still get a couple hours out of it on the occasion it's off the power adapter.

KT785
by KT785
Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Re: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

illumination wrote: Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:51 pm The entry level MacBook Pro M3 is $1999?
Entry level MBP is $1,599.00 (less than that if bought at Costco, less even still if bought with education discount).

Admittedly, the mid-level MBP that I'd looked at (with upgraded specs) costs $1,999.00 before any discounts; if I bought a MBA, I'm still likely looking at a minimum for $1,499 ($1,249 at Best Buy) since 13" is too small and I need more than 256GB SSD.

KT785
by KT785
Fri Nov 10, 2023 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Re: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

illumination wrote: Fri Nov 10, 2023 1:06 pm I think you're better off getting a base "new" model Mac and just upgrading more often with those savings than getting a higher spec'd one. So instead of getting a new one every 5 years, you get a new one every 3 years and the math works out pretty close.
I don't plan on buying a new computer every 3 or 5 years. If my last two Macs are any indication, I'd plan on buying a new one with the intent of keeping it for the next 10-ish years.

And cost savings (at least comparing base 15" MBA with base 14" MBP) appears to only be about $300.

KT785
by KT785
Fri Nov 10, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Re: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

Thanks for the responses thus far—for clarity, I won’t be carrying it around, my laptop is almost always on the desk in my home office (I have a corporate issued Windows laptop for work that commutes with me). So weight and size are not overriding factors in the decision.

I think my bottom line inquiry is whether I’d be getting appreciably more expected lifespan out of a Pro vs an Air?

Also, in either case, assume it makes sense to spring for the increased RAM over the 8GB stock they equip both base models with?

KT785
by KT785
Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air
Replies: 52
Views: 5013

Replacing 10 year old MacBook Pro: M3 MacBook Pro or M2 MacBook Air

I've had incredible luck and longevity with my Macs. My first MacBook Pro was a circa 2006 Gen 1 Intel Mac that I used for 7 years through both undergrad and law school; I subsequently gave it to my grandfather who continued to use it for years until we got him an iPad. That Mac was replaced with my current MacBook Pro (Spring 2013) which I've used ever since. However it's getting long in the tooth, some apps (e.g. 1Password) are getting kinda buggy and there are no OS updates anymore save for periodic security patches. Accordingly, it's time for an upgrade and I'm trying to determine best course of action. Given I've had success with two reasonably spec'd MacBook Pros, my inclination is to get one of the new M3s that just came out but my u...
by KT785
Thu Nov 09, 2023 8:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)
Replies: 43
Views: 2702

Re: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)

I am late 50's with last child finishing college, mortgage gone and plan to retire inside of 12 months. I dropped my policy 2 years ago when i determined we were no longer in need of LI. If I was in your position I would likely add a $500K 20 year level premium term policy and leave what you already have in place. Not sure of the $ amount, but I agree on just adding another smaller term, perhaps 20 year will do it. I wish I had done that years ago. Instead, I got a 30-year single policy, instead of two staggered policies. (I personally wanted college paid for, and the mortgage paid off, so I went to age 23 of the youngest child when the insurance need dropped when first completed college). Though I've decided to swap out the policy for ano...
by KT785
Thu Nov 09, 2023 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)
Replies: 43
Views: 2702

Re: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)

Thanks for all the input thus far, and want to acknowledge that Stinky, Chardo, and ScubaHogg do tend to speak to my inner voice on the subject (I tend to be risk averse). Ultimately, my challenge is the utility of the added expense vs. the knowledge that my family is well taken care of in the event of my passing. Did want to articulate the main options as I see them: 1) keep current $1.5 million policy as is (21.5 years left) 2) replace current policy with $2 million, 25 year (around $400 more per year) 3) add a $500,000 25 year policy to current term ($350ish more per year) 4) replace current policy with a 20 year, $2 million policy (nominal increase over current policy cost) The options above are not exhaustive, and the figures are not ...
by KT785
Thu Nov 09, 2023 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)
Replies: 43
Views: 2702

Re: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)

Thanks for all the input thus far, and want to acknowledge that Stinky, Chardo, and ScubaHogg do tend to speak to my inner voice on the subject (I tend to be risk averse). Ultimately, my challenge is the utility of the added expense vs. the knowledge that my family is well taken care of in the event of my passing. Did want to articulate the main options as I see them: 1) keep current $1.5 million policy as is (21.5 years left) 2) replace current policy with $2 million, 25 year (around $400 more per year) 3) add a $500,000 25 year policy to current term ($350ish more per year) 4) replace current policy with a 20 year, $2 million policy (nominal increase over current policy cost) The options above are not exhaustive, and the figures are not e...
by KT785
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)
Replies: 43
Views: 2702

Re: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)

soccerrules wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:14 am I am late 50's with last child finishing college, mortgage gone and plan to retire inside of 12 months. I dropped my policy 2 years ago when i determined we were no longer in need of LI.

If I was in your position I would likely add a $500K 20 year level premium term policy and leave what you already have in place.
For the additional $500,000—curious why 20 vs. 25 years?

I’ve also contemplated just swapping the current policy out to a 20 year once I only have 20 years left, could increase coverage for less money if I did based upon quotes I’ve seen.

KT785
by KT785
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)
Replies: 43
Views: 2702

Re: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)

In your shoes I would be comfortable simply holding the $1.5M policy. I am usually in the minority - believe a lot of folks here over-insure (and there are definitely people here in, or previously in, the insurance business that always suggest an absurd amount of insurance). If you met your demise - your auto loan would go away so that's irrelevant (unless you and your wife share only one car - I assume two - the second one wouldn't be needed) along with some other expenses. Child care might need to be paid for. $1.5M is a lot to draw on over the years for expenses to a single mom to supplement income. Hi there, for context, the new car is primarily my wife’s so the loan would stay. Full time daycare for our daughter is $830 or so a month,...
by KT785
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)
Replies: 43
Views: 2702

Should I replace current term life policy with larger/longer term? (growing family, inflation, recent promotion)

Looking for collective advice on if/how I should adjust my current life insurance coverage. As background, I’m a 36/M in excellent health (minor caveat noted below) and have a 25-year, $1.5 million term policy with about 20.5 years remaining. My wife and I have 1 daughter (18 months) and are going through fertility treatments for a second ASAP. My total annual comp: $215,000 Her total annual comp: $85,000 Remaining mortgage: $330,000 Auto loan: $29,000 We have no other debts outside of the house and car noted above. We also max both of our 401ks, Roth IRAs, and family HSA, contribute some to a taxable brokerage account and are funding our daughter’s 529 account ($200/month). We also have a fully funded emergency fund. Additionally, we both ...
by KT785
Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trupanion
Replies: 26
Views: 2491

Re: Trupanion

We looked at all options about 5 years ago when we got our dog (a Vizsla) and narrowed it down to two companies: Healthy Paws and Trupanion. We ultimately went with Healthy Paws due to their better financial backing (they were/are underwritten by Chubb) and because they had a more traditional deductible arrangement. For clarity, my understanding is that Trupanion leverages a per illness/condition deductible (maybe useful for chronic conditions) while Healthy Paws operates on a (gross) annual expense deductible. We’ve had a couple different issues crop up this year, including a pricey visit to the emergency vet that caused us to meet our deductible early—if we had Trupanion, the subsequent, unrelated issues would have had separate deductibl...
by KT785
Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trupanion
Replies: 26
Views: 2491

Re: Trupanion

We looked at all options about 5 years ago when we got our dog (a Vizsla) and narrowed it down to two companies: Healthy Paws and Trupanion. We ultimately went with Healthy Paws due to their better financial backing (they were/are underwritten by Chubb) and because they had a more traditional deductible arrangement. For clarity, my understanding is that Trupanion leverages a per illness/condition deductible (maybe useful for chronic conditions) while Healthy Paws operates on a (gross) annual expense deductible. We’ve had a couple different issues crop up this year, including a pricey visit to the emergency vet that caused us to meet our deductible early—if we had Trupanion, the subsequent, unrelated issues would have had separate deductibl...
by KT785
Thu Oct 19, 2023 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trupanion
Replies: 26
Views: 2491

Re: Trupanion

We looked at all options about 5 years ago when we got our dog (a Vizsla) and narrowed it down to two companies: Healthy Paws and Trupanion. We ultimately went with Healthy Paws due to their better financial backing (they were/are underwritten by Chubb) and because they had a more traditional deductible arrangement. For clarity, my understanding is that Trupanion leverages a per illness/condition deductible (maybe useful for chronic conditions) while Healthy Paws operates on a (gross) annual expense deductible. We’ve had a couple different issues crop up this year, including a pricey visit to the emergency vet that caused us to meet our deductible early—if we had Trupanion, the subsequent, unrelated issues would have had separate deductible...
by KT785
Mon Jul 31, 2023 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?
Replies: 133
Views: 13467

Re: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?

You kind of lost me there when buying a Tesla became an environmental concern. Do you have specific data showing the manufactureing of a Tesla harms the environment more than driving a gas guzzling Forester for years? My question is really focused on the emissions delta of driving the Subaru for a few more years (until some reasonable lifespan such as 10 years or 100,000 miles) vs. the emissions of an entirely new Tesla. Certainly the Subaru will generate more total emissions over its lifetime than the Tesla, but the OPs Subaru has already been on the road since ~2017 so most of those total emissions (from manufacture and use) are presumably already in the atmosphere. Depending on mileage, would be curious what the emissions for ~4 more ye...
by KT785
Mon Jul 31, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?
Replies: 133
Views: 13467

Re: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?

OP….first…go buy a Model Y! You and your family will really enjoy it. Second…..never, EVER ask permission to buy a car, toaster, shirt or anything else on the Boglehead forum. The amount of misinformation from well meaning people can be staggering at times. Now getting sound investment advice on here is quite another matter and much more worthwhile. Rick I'll reiterate something I mentioned previously, OP can certainly afford a Model Y. I think the issue that a number of us are raising isn't affordability, it's the underlying motivation and what that portends for the future (i.e. the hedonic treadmill). The two items I'd flag are 1) being "bored" of the current Subaru, and 2) the fact that OP felt compelled to ask the question in...
by KT785
Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?
Replies: 133
Views: 13467

Re: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?

OP….first…go buy a Model Y! You and your family will really enjoy it. Second…..never, EVER ask permission to buy a car, toaster, shirt or anything else on the Boglehead forum. The amount of misinformation from well meaning people can be staggering at times. Now getting sound investment advice on here is quite another matter and much more worthwhile. Rick I'll reiterate something I mentioned previously, OP can certainly afford a Model Y. I think the issue that a number of us are raising isn't affordability, it's the underlying motivation and what that portends for the future (i.e. the hedonic treadmill). The two items I'd flag are 1) being "bored" of the current Subaru, and 2) the fact that OP felt compelled to ask the question in...
by KT785
Thu Jul 27, 2023 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?
Replies: 133
Views: 13467

Re: "Upgrading" a Subaru Forester to a Tesla Model Y?

I have $200K in my checking/savings. $200K in my 401K, $40K in my Roth IRA and about $5K in a taxable account. I try to max my retirement vehicles each year. I make $160K base with the potential (and have always received) ~20% bonus. my wife brings in another $100K as a teacher with a fully funded pension. You mention your accounts and note you try to max yours out—but don’t mention any accounts for your wife other than the pension . . . what about Roth IRA for her or 403b/457? My wife and I are just a year or so younger and at a similar income level (just a little lower) but max out accounts for both of us, including HSA. We started out making similarly low incomes 10 years ago too, but have more than you guys saved at this point. Suspect...
by KT785
Thu Jun 29, 2023 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is uninsured motor vehicle insurance a good idea?
Replies: 58
Views: 5647

Re: Is uninsured motor vehicle insurance a good idea?

Also, why wouldn't you have the maximum possible limit? It's so easy for a car to cause $1M in damage. The only good answers I can come up with are "I can't afford it" and "$1M is nothing to me anyway," neither of which applies to the archetypal Boglehead. Another answer is "I carry the minimum amounts required by my umbrella policy, which goes WAY higher than what is available under any auto policy". That's where we are. $250/500k allows us to have a $3M umbrella. Once we have that, taking the underlying policy to its limit of $500k/$1M accomplishes nothing additional. For point of clarification, assume you're primarily talking about regular liability coverage, not UM/UIM? While some umbrella polices have an ...
by KT785
Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: dishwasher recomendations
Replies: 110
Views: 8435

Re: dishwasher recomendations

We just went through this process last year and bought a Whirlpool in light of various recommendations, specifically https://www.whirlpool.com/kitchen/dishwasher-and-cleaning/dishwashers/built-in-hidden-control-console/p.large-capacity-dishwasher-with-3rd-rack.wdta50sakz.html We've been incredibly happy with the model we chose, especially the third rack given we bought the device a week or so before our baby daughter was born--it's been a God-send for daily bottle/nipple/pumping accessory washing. Believe you can get the same/similar model with a front handle if you prefer, we opted for the pocket handle to hopefully reduce the risk of little hands grabbing and opening the appliance. :D We had good look with a GE dishwasher at our previous ...
by KT785
Wed Jan 25, 2023 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roomiest 3rd row SUV
Replies: 41
Views: 5643

Re: Roomiest 3rd row SUV

take a look at the VW Atlas. Seems larger than most in the mid sized class. bcc Wife and I went with the VW Atlas this past summer after looking at both three-row crossovers and minivans. Initially were really interested in getting a new Sienna but the dealers were marking them up several thousand over MSRP (and selling them for that price). Was never actually able to test drive any of the other minivan models (Honda, Chrysler, Kia) since supply is extremely limited. Parents have been happy with several Odysseys and, having ridden in theirs, the recent model(s) are roomier than the Sienna. That said, of the three-row crossovers we looked at, the VW Atlas was by far the roomiest. We opted for the highest trim (SEL Premium R-Line) but with t...
by KT785
Fri Jan 13, 2023 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Switching FZROX (Fidelity Zero Total Market) to FSKAX
Replies: 4
Views: 1823

Re: Switching FZROX (Fidelity Zero Total Market) to FSKAX

Last year I bought $60k of FZROX (Fidelity ZERO Total Market) in taxable. At the time, I didn't appreciate the potential tax hit if I changed brokerages and had to sell FZROX. I understand that now. It's my only in FZROX. The rest of my total market funds are in VTSAX at Vanguard. Given 2022's performance, the fund is obviously at a loss right now. I'm thinking I should switch FZROX to FSKAX (Fidelity's ordinary total market fund) while I can, since there's no negative tax implication right now. I would put new contributions into FSKAX as well. I know this is very simple, but am I missing anything? Last year I missed the tax implications of using FZROX in taxable, so I'm trying to ensure I don't overlook anything else this time around. Tha...
by KT785
Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HCOL home buying: can we responsibly afford 850K?
Replies: 41
Views: 5187

Re: HCOL home buying: can we responsibly afford 850K?

She may want to increase her retirement contributions in the near future, as she's currently at 7.5% of gross. OP, while you listed your assets, would be curious to know what both of you are deferring in tax-advantaged accounts / retirement on an annual basis. Your partner's savings rate appears awfully low at 7.5%; would focus on making sure you're both saving enough for retirement (and HSAs, etc. as applicable) and re-evaluate your budget from there. When my wife and I bought our current house, our budget was predicated on us both maxing out our 401ks, Roth IRAs, and HSAs (your target(s) may not necessarily be as aggressive as ours). As to timing, I'd be hesitant buying in the current market given house values are still quite inflated. K...
by KT785
Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HCOL home buying: can we responsibly afford 850K?
Replies: 41
Views: 5187

Re: HCOL home buying: can we responsibly afford 850K?

She may want to increase her retirement contributions in the near future, as she's currently at 7.5% of gross. OP, while you listed your assets, would be curious to know what both of you are deferring in tax-advantaged accounts / retirement on an annual basis. Your partner's savings rate appears awfully low at 7.5%; would focus on making sure you're both saving enough for retirement (and HSAs, etc. as applicable) and re-evaluate your budget from there. When my wife and I bought our current house, our budget was predicated on us both maxing out our 401ks, Roth IRAs, and HSAs (your target(s) may not necessarily be as aggressive as ours). As to timing, I'd be hesitant buying in the current market given house values are still quite inflated. K...
by KT785
Tue Dec 20, 2022 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity HSA vs Fidelity Go HSA
Replies: 2
Views: 826

Re: Fidelity HSA vs Fidelity Go HSA

drumboy256 wrote: Tue Dec 20, 2022 12:18 pm You want Fidelity HSA only--- the "GO" version is not worth the auto invest cost imo.
Agree with drumboy256, don’t see much benefit of “GO” for the HSA. I just split mine between FSKAX and FTIHX (60/40) but if you want a more hands off approach, Fidelity actually lets you buy institutional shares of index target date funds through the HSA (e.g. FFOPX).

Check out the target date funds at the bottom: https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/ftoc
by KT785
Tue Nov 22, 2022 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Increase UM/UIM Coverage Limits to $1 million?
Replies: 5
Views: 517

Re: Increase UM/UIM Coverage Limits to $1 million?

.... The concern was motivated by a high school friend that was hit by a teenage driver and will have to undergo long term rehabilitation and numerous surgeries as a result (compounded by the fact that she's a single mom of two). I'm also cognizant that as someone who regularly runs outside on streets/roads, I may have a higher risk for catastrophic injury for which UM/UIM coverage would be warranted... I too am a runner and cyclist. Are you certain that UM/UIM coverage would actually provide coverage if you weren't in a motor vehicle yourself. Also, did your friend not have adequate medical coverage? Do you? I have excellent medical coverage, and per recommendation from my insurance agent, actually completely dropped the UM / UIM coverage...
by KT785
Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Increase UM/UIM Coverage Limits to $1 million?
Replies: 5
Views: 517

Increase UM/UIM Coverage Limits to $1 million?

Hoping to get some perspective from the group. DW and I had our first child back in May and we'd had robust insurance coverage since before her arrival, but have recently started to question if I should increase my un-insured / under-insured coverage on our auto policies. The concern was motivated by a high school friend that was hit by a teenage driver and will have to undergo long term rehabilitation and numerous surgeries as a result (compounded by the fact that she's a single mom of two). I'm also cognizant that as someone who regularly runs outside on streets/roads, I may have a higher risk for catastrophic injury for which UM/UIM coverage would be warranted. All insurance is with USAA and DW and I have had a $1 million umbrella policy...
by KT785
Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual Enrollment - Sign up for Dependent Care Flex Spending Account and continue (payroll based) HSA?
Replies: 2
Views: 330

Re: Annual Enrollment - Sign up for Dependent Care Flex Spending Account and continue (payroll based) HSA?

You're on the verge of crossing the SS wage limit. For that reason, and simplicity's sake, I would sign up for the DCFSA through your wife. That goes for the HSA as well. She should sign up for insurance/HSA, not you. Also, to avoid problems with Optum, just reimburse yourself the full account value and perform an indirect rollover once per year. Thanks, SteelyEyed! Curious of the rationale re: aligning HSA and medical coverage for the family under my wife given apparent guidance that lower income folks shouldn’t avoid FICA? (see wiki article https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Payroll_-_cafeteria_plan_deductions#Health_Savings_Account) Also cognizant that my wife prefers all these things be aligned under me to avoid the inevitable phone calls...
by KT785
Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual Enrollment - Sign up for Dependent Care Flex Spending Account and continue (payroll based) HSA?
Replies: 2
Views: 330

Annual Enrollment - Sign up for Dependent Care Flex Spending Account and continue (payroll based) HSA?

Fellow Bogleheads, Wife and I are wrapping up annual benefits enrollment with our employer (we're employed by the same mega corp) and are trying to decide on two issues: 1) Our 6 month old daughter will start daycare in January, should we opt for the DCFSA and if so, with which parent should it align? For clarity, my wife grosses around $70,000 per year and I gross around $150,000 to $160,000 (as an HCE, I'm limited to $3,000 in DCFSA contributions). Our company also provides some reimbursement for child care for employees making under $100,000 . . . my wife will get $2,750 back under this scheme. Daycare will cost $190 per week. Initial thought was to have my wife contribute $5,000 to her DCFSA since we'll also be leveraging the employer p...
by KT785
Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shutting off household water during trip . . . how to adjust (gas) water heater?
Replies: 12
Views: 2242

Re: Shutting off household water during trip . . . how to adjust (gas) water heater?

Do modern natural gas-powered water heaters still rely on a continuous-burning pilot light? Or do they use an electronic ignition system? My water heater is probably six or seven years old at this point. It is completely sealed up but has a continuous burning pilot light that is lit by an electronic ignition system when you first turn the gas back on after turning it off as we do for vacations. Thanks, mine is about the same age and similarly has an electronic control setup. Given some of the additional responses, will be shutting both tanks off (and the gas supply to each) in the morning right before we hit the road. I live in upstate NY and frequently leave my home for 1 month at a time in the dead of winter. A smart thermostat is a plus...
by KT785
Wed Oct 19, 2022 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shutting off household water during trip . . . how to adjust (gas) water heater?
Replies: 12
Views: 2242

Re: Shutting off household water during trip . . . how to adjust (gas) water heater?

I turn off water at main, and turn the water heaters to vacation (pilot). I used to turn off the watersoftener, but after the control panel stopped working, I just leave it on. I reckon that in the worst case it will cycle through a regen cycle and do nothing, so I might have one cycle of harder than the softened water. To OP: Option 1 turn off water turn water heaters to "Pilot" Unplug water softener Option 2 turn off water turn off water heater gas and valve "open the small door on the side, or panel and relight the pilot when you get back, using a long fireplace gas lighter thingy. Unplug water softener **Have trusted neighbor or trusted friend look in on your home when you are gone. Just do a walk through and lock up. Bo...
by KT785
Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shutting off household water during trip . . . how to adjust (gas) water heater?
Replies: 12
Views: 2242

Shutting off household water during trip . . . how to adjust (gas) water heater?

Fellow Bogleheads, DW, DD (baby), DD (four-legged), and I are going on a two week trip on Saturday. Wanted to take appropriate precautions and accordingly planned on shutting off the water for the house before we leave. However, I've seen quite a variety of opinions on how to set our water heaters (we have a side-by-side pair in the garage). Our water heaters are gas and have vacation and pilot (among other) modes on the thermostats; some sites and forums I've checked advise to just move to vacation mode, others to pilot, while others recommend turning them off (and shutting the gas to each off as well). During the great Texas winter storm of 2021, we lost water in our neighborhood (but not power, thankfully) and I ultimately turned our wat...
by KT785
Sun Sep 25, 2022 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tall driver Looking for a car
Replies: 24
Views: 2229

Re: Looking for a car

Subaru Forester
by KT785
Tue Aug 30, 2022 11:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yet Another "Seeking New Cell Company" Thread
Replies: 31
Views: 3496

Re: Yet Another "Seeking New Cell Company" Thread

JustThisGuy wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:03 pm I looked at Visible, but read that they don't allow roaming, so if you can't get access to one of Verizon's towers, you're out of luck.
Happy Visible customer here—believe the lack of roaming used to be the case some time ago but not any longer. If you check out the coverage map on Visible’s website, you’ll find certain areas of “extended coverage” which constitutes roaming on non-Verizon towers.

I still have the legacy $25 a month unlimited plan but will likely upgrade to the $45 per month Visible+ plan which incudes 50gb of priority data as well as some international coverage. Suspect those of us grandfathered into the old plan will have to eventually move to the $30 plan at some point.

KT785
by KT785
Tue Aug 09, 2022 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking at New House--Reality Check (Are we crazy?)
Replies: 65
Views: 5378

Re: Looking at New House--Reality Check (Are we crazy?)

That whole committed contractual buyer thing confuses me, not sure I really get that. Sounds like you don't think where you are is your forever home. If that is genuinely the case, then might as well make the move now, to the extent you have good confidence in your job continuity. With that said, some of the things you say your missing in your current house seem like fairly marginal considerations, but not for anyone else to tell you what is your forever home. I think you hit the nail on the head a bit here. We bought this house fully aware that it wouldn't be our forever home because it didn't meet our all our wants (note these are wants not needs). The house certainly still works and we could stay her long term, we even discussed spendin...
by KT785
Tue Aug 09, 2022 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking at New House--Reality Check (Are we crazy?)
Replies: 65
Views: 5378

Re: Looking at New House--Reality Check (Are we crazy?)

Samosa22 wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 3:52 pm
KT785 wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:41 am
Personal Financials:
Combined based income: $200,0000 with an additional $30,000+ in bonus
Sorry I don't mean to be picky but couldn't figure out whether its a missing AND a misplaced comma (making it a 2mil), or there is an erroneous extra zero at the end (meaning that the correct figure is $200k).
Total average comp is $230,000 year which is inclusive of a $30,000 bonus between the two of us; $200,000 is base comp. It appears I added an extra zero . . . if I was making $2,000,000 I'd not likely be asking the question :D
by KT785
Tue Aug 09, 2022 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking at New House--Reality Check (Are we crazy?)
Replies: 65
Views: 5378

Re: Looking at New House--Reality Check (Are we crazy?)

DW and I work for the same employer but in very different areas of the company. KT785 This would give me great pause. How much income would you sacrifice to have different employers? I should have been clearer; my comment was related to the specific circumstance of the OP’s question, in that I would not want to take on a house that requires dual incomes if spouse and I both worked for the same company. Too many eggs in a basket. If one income is optional or budget isn’t stretched, this is much less important. My job is the higher earning of the two and get recruiter contacts regularly for the same or more comp. Wife earns half (or slightly less) of what I make but could pretty easily find a job remotely with a competitor making a bit more ...