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Jack FFR1846

So, quite a bit that you describe existed in my house when I bought it. The difference is that my lot is on the side of a hill, so grading and water release is a simple task of getting the water to the downhill side of the house and off it goes. Clearly, something like gutter cleaning needs to be do...

Jack FFR1846

A) Did you buy the stock in March 2020 in spite of it going down 30+%? Yes. My buying consists of my 401k, which is all S&P 500, DW's 401k, which is all total Bond. As we hit cash targets, this is used in taxable to buy total US stock ETFs. All of this went as usual. B) Did you hold the stock i...

Jack FFR1846

If the client has custody of the Will and it can't be found, there's a presumption that the client destroyed it with the intention of revoking it. We had such a case where we think that someone who would be much better off absent the Will caused it to go missing. The case was settled. If the law fi...

Jack FFR1846

Sorry, you can't quit. The 529 isn't going to go very far unless your kids get scholarships or somehow have their schooling paid for. My older son started at a mediocre engineering school (didn't do well in high school) at $44k a year, but with an $11k scholarship. After the first year, he aced out ...

Jack FFR1846

Work from home has greatly accelerated my biggest money saver. That is feeding my wood burning, forced air furnace to heat our home. When working at the office, I'd light it up after work and keep it going until I went to bed. Now, I light it up right after breakfast and it's going until I go to bed...

Jack FFR1846

She has no income and no prospects for income. She has zero chance of getting a refi. What savings/retirement funds etc might she have? I sort of assume nothing as it wasn't mentioned. For housing, clearly she doesn't need the house. She should sell it and move into a rental. If she is poor with mon...

Jack FFR1846

Cool. Finally a topic I know a lot about. I bought a '73 911S for $12.5K in 1986 and it subsequently sold on Goodings 20+ years later for $214K. I drove it all those years and put 180K miles on it. Restored it twice. I now have an absolutely pristine, original, low mileage 1975 Carrera; a 1990 trip...

Jack FFR1846

Go buy $100 of junk silver from craigslist, pawn shops, coin stores. Take a magnet and be amazed how many coins stick to the magnet. There are TONS of fake silver coins out there. When you go to sell on craigslist, pawn shops, coin stores, they'll all do this and either reject all of your coins or c...

Jack FFR1846

The good news is that you're able to build a McMansion with 4000 square feet for only peanuts. That house in my town would easily be $1.5M to $2M. My own house is 2800 sq feet with an 864 foot detached garage on a bit over 13 acres across the street from a state park lake. Worth about the same $600k...

Jack FFR1846

3. My financial advisor friend recommended breaking out VTINX into individual funds. This seems complicated to me. Does anyone think it is necessary to break into individual funds. VTINX Is a 30/70 stocks to bonds allocation. I use my funds to rebalance to an overall 60/40 allocation. My spouse is ...

Jack FFR1846

I am absolutely a car guy. Many years of shows, including running Oktoberfest's show for BMW CCA, autocross championships, roadrace track records, was an officer in the Boston BMW CCA chapter. Owned everything from an E30 M3 to a fully prepped racecar to building a Factory Five Cobra, Shelby Cobra r...

Jack FFR1846

Your price is too high. You can buy these retail from Apmex for less money. I'd guess you'd get about $1.90 per dime "buy price" from Apmex. It's on you to ship them. For a roll, you'll pay (guess) $5. So for the roll, you'll end up with $95 in your pocket. https://www.apmex.com/category/2...

Jack FFR1846

First, find out from your town if it's allowed. I don't know where you are, so I can't say that it is or isn't. Realize that the conversion will reduce your home's market value but likely increase it's assessed value. Have you figured out who is going to take care of the relative when there isn't a ...

Jack FFR1846

My allocation is 50/50.

When stocks are up, I cheer.
When bonds are up, I cheer.

I absolutely never ask about going to cash. Cash never goes up.

Jack FFR1846

Before getting your car undercoated, watch this video from Eric O at South Main Auto. The short message: rubberized undercoating PROMOTES rust. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXvl9nt57Kg&ab_channel=SouthMainAutoRepairLLC Non sealing products like Krown and fluid film or even doing old school sp...

Jack FFR1846

Why would OP be liable for the actions of another adult, not on OP's insurance? Because OP has not properly insured someone using his vehicle. The insurance company insures against defined risks. If a son, considered part of the household isn't covered and causes a claim, that's where the insurance...

Jack FFR1846

I'm not surprised and keep in mind that even if you are careful and first go to UPS to check shipping, the next day, the cost may go up dramatically. I had something similar happen with a long car part. Probably 5 feet. Had a quote of $36 on a Friday. Went back Monday to mail and it was $96. They sa...

Jack FFR1846

First, ask your insurance agent it it will save anything. My older son has the same "safe driver" rating as DW and me. Having him on our policy as occasional driver, as part of the household costs us nothing. If the kid still lives with you, he's part of the household. If not living with y...

Jack FFR1846

In Mass, I was offered the car value (not a new car, a same year/miles car) plus sales tax and registration/title fees. If you want to argue value, find as many similar cars for sale and if indeed, they're all higher, present them to the insurance company. If you find that the value is about right, ...

Jack FFR1846

Just a quick comment on "his roth". VTI and VTSAX are exactly the same thing. I'd convert to all VTI to save the 0.01%.

You make so much money that 100% is less of a risk. If you can avoid lifestyle expenses, you'll do well (live below your means).

Jack FFR1846

Do you actually pay $12,000 to your son? If you don't, then he has no income and you have no expense.

Jack FFR1846

Where can one get a 1+% account? If they have that option, do that.

Jack FFR1846

Buy a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and opt for European delivery. Take delivery at the Leipzig factory so you can take one of their cars on the track. Spend a month in Europe driving your new car.

Jack FFR1846

I'm no expert. I've been looking for something like this for a long time. Both the Commando and Ranger look great. I'd put on a shock post like I have on my Cannondale F700 and have the advantages of light weight and pseudo full suspension.

Jack FFR1846

When I had foot pain problems, I went to a podiatrist. He recommended a particular shoe store. They observed how I walked and had me try several shoes, observing how I walked in each. We narrowed down to the best-for-me shoes and I bought them. There is no best for everyone. For one guy a Lotus Elis...

Jack FFR1846

What's your goal? Your current portfolio follows a traditional 3 fund. You're going to have the advantage of simplicity. You can do almost nothing and capture the gains of the market. His proposal is to slice things up and actively work the slices and take advantage of tax loss harvesting. This is l...

Jack FFR1846

I would choose town A. Our kids grew up in a town B and the cliques, the huge amount of drugs, the 16 year old girls getting Range Rovers all were such bad influences. The schools are rated A+ but grade inflation is rampant and school officials have a standard practice of inflating grades as the par...

Jack FFR1846

Annual? Nope. In my "lifetime" spreadsheet, I do update the year that just went by from the projections to real numbers.

I suppose when we retire, we'll put together a plan. Mainly to optimize for low tax with our withdrawals.

Jack FFR1846

You don't have to stretch your budget all that much to buy a brand new Mustang GT. I test drove one this past summer. Zero options 5.0L manual. Could have driven it home for $30k. I'm very familiar with the Fox body cars. They're sort of legos and you can easily transplant anything from a 351 to an ...

Jack FFR1846

The first thing to point out is a study that found that on average, the length of a marriage is inversely proportional to the cost of the wedding. Anecdotally, my sister in law went over the top with her wedding with her parents paying for it. Huge wedding in a mansion. In 6 months, they were done. ...

Jack FFR1846

A financial benefit for us has been heating oil cost reduction. We have a wood fired forced air furnace and an oil furnace. Last year, I'd run the wood unit as much as possible, which was on weekends and nights only. Now, it gets lit off right after breakfast and I can load in more wood every couple...

Jack FFR1846

I'd budget more for college. I paid for my college at a private Northeast engineering college myself from savings, co-op and part time jobs. I already had an associates degree and 3 years of working, so I wasn't the typical snot nose teenager going in. Even then, I did run out of money, thus the co-...

Jack FFR1846

Market gains and prior investments made the increases last year for me. My net worth went up a bit over $400k. My income was $165k. Obviously, my contributions were trivial this past year compared to what the market did for me. You think the 2nd million is easier? I set my spread sheet target at the...

Jack FFR1846

I've been working from home since March. Every week, the amount of work has steadily dropped.

Jack FFR1846

Bare minimum would be $1000/month allowance. :lol: That's funny, right there! I have a fleet vehicle. I prefer it. For the same benefits, rough math gets me to $1,000 per month. When the company discussed allowances it was closer to $600 per month. So if the humor is "good luck getting $1k/mon...

Jack FFR1846

TxAg wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:49 am Bare minimum would be $1000/month allowance.

:lol:

That's funny, right there!

Jack FFR1846

Next time you talk with your insurance salesman, ask him what color BMW he will be buying with the commissions from this sale to you. No, really, ask him.

Jack FFR1846

You have a good amount of due diligence to choose the better plan for you. Some questions with prior experience I've had with various car plans over the last 25 years. Are there car requirements. One employer required a car 5 model years old or less, verified with a copy of my registration every Jan...

Jack FFR1846

I don't know about your company. Mine uses eTrade. For RSUs that vest on the 15th, I always see them "released" and in my eTrade account at about 7pm on the 16th. If the 15th is in the middle of the weekend, and Monday is a normal business day, I'll see them at 7pm on Tuesday. Other holdin...

Jack FFR1846

High yield savings account.

Otherwise, there is nothing.

Jack FFR1846

My first car was a 1961 Rambler that I bought from my Chemistry teacher for $50 when I was 15. I guess if I had your house, I'd buy some plasti-dip and spray the inside of the windows black so nobody could see in. I live in a very different house. I see no other houses from mine unless it's night an...

Jack FFR1846

You're buying your daughter a brand new car for college? I suppose if she's going somewhere like Clarkson where there are as many bears as people, then maybe. Otherwise, look into zip car at her college. My son received a free subscription because of being at the college. He would reserve a car when...

Jack FFR1846

Does MA not include OOS assets in the overall estate? I am pretty sure WA asks for the value of ALL assets owned, not just the ones in WA. OOS real estate would still be included in the WA estate. I am not sure if one could set up a trust domiciled in the OOS place and own the real estate in that t...

Jack FFR1846

With Covid, tenants can't be evicted. Is it a case that the current owner can't afford to have a trailer park bringing in zero dollars a month, yet pay property taxes and other expenses? This seems to be a horrible time to become a landlord.

Jack FFR1846

When I decided that we were going to buy a boat for the family, I went to every boat show within 50 miles. I brought a tape measure. I talked with virtually every dealer displaying boats. I learned the pros and cons of various materials and engines and configurations. I learned that when a boat manu...

Jack FFR1846

Current Subaru incentives are from SOA (Subaru of America) serviced by Chase. All dealers will offer this financing as it's way better than anything you'll find anywhere. My son bought an STi, which typically is the last model to receive any incentives. Up to 4 years (with a good enough credit score...

Jack FFR1846

Also, if you love the feeling of driving a fast car, you should look into the various forms of high-performance driving and amateur racing. You can get a Spec Miata or various other track-worthy cars for $50k or less, and properly prepared they'll be similar in lap time to all but the highest-end e...

Jack FFR1846

The cost of insurance in a UL policy INCREASES every year. Yes, they reset the cost as if you're Joe off the street. I cashed in mine shortly after finding that from my $390 a year or so payment, the monthly insurance cost was $69. Wait, what? Yes. So the design of a UL policy is that you merrily go...

Jack FFR1846

Why not a Miata? Fun, better on gas, fits better in a garage and parking space.

I mean, with the differences in the cars you're comparing, this isn't all that far off.

Jack FFR1846

Come to think of it, I've used everything I've ever heard of. We do have the electronic clicking device. Dryer sheets in the car. Moth balls under the car. Hood open. Remove any engine covers. Inspect regularly and vacuum any sign. And of course the anti freeze in the kitty litter tray under my roll...

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