Search found 772 matches

by familythriftmd
Tue Feb 13, 2024 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12456

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

What are all the new safety features you are missing out on? Exactly. A friend of mine has a brand new Tesla. It's fun to drive and has all the new "safety features," but guess what? My 2005 Camry has a better ride, still runs great, and also has amazing safety features, most notably a careful driver. I note that none of the safety features of my friend's Tesla can protect her from other crazy drivers. Not yet anyway. Maybe in a software update? :wink: That said, if I were the OP with a 200K car looking at expensive repairs and I wanted peace of mind for long trips, I'd be looking to buy a new car. New, not used, as I keep my vehicles a long time. I would think that one BIG safety advantage of the 2005 Camry over the new Tesla is...
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12456

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

Oh and by the way, you're talking about a secondary vehicle, so the need to haul people would be secondary importance if you already have a big people-mover.
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12456

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

ThankYouJack wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:47 pm
familythriftmd wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:02 pm
ThankYouJack wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 3:43 pm ... new 3 row SUV with leather ... Would be interested in a 4runner or Grand Highlander if I go new. Or if I go used maybe a Palisade, Tahoe, Pilot, Yukon, etc.
Maybe I missed it, but you didn't say why you need a 3-row SUV, and why leather?
For the SUV part, sometimes I haul a lot of people or stuff. Would prefer leather (or fake leather) for the ease of cleaning and feel over cloth.
OK, thanks. The reason I asked is because vans are better at hauling people comfortably and tend to cost less.
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 100% Stocks for the Long Run? Karsten takes on "Beyond the Status Quo"
Replies: 46
Views: 6826

Re: 100% Stocks for the Long Run? Karsten takes on "Beyond the Status Quo"

This is the Shakespeare part of Bernstein's saying about investing being half math and half Shakespeare.
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: half high income physician, half financial illiterate
Replies: 95
Views: 12071

Re: half high income physician, half financial illiterate

I can understand some of the OP s problems. In my early thirties I got a big bump in income when I became a partner/owner in a small company I had joined a couple of years earlier. I was working 60-70 hours a week, but still had the energy to buy some rental real estate and look into side businesses. Because I wanted a low risk side business, I concentrated on franchises. I could not connect with one for various reasons. I did start a side business with a friend which required some sizable startup loans. My friend ran the business with advice from me. I almost lost my shirt. And this was after making a lot of money for the previous 7-8 years and living relatively frugally. Finally, at about age 40, I heard about John Bogle and passive stoc...
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12456

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

ThankYouJack wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 3:43 pm ... new 3 row SUV with leather ... Would be interested in a 4runner or Grand Highlander if I go new. Or if I go used maybe a Palisade, Tahoe, Pilot, Yukon, etc.
Maybe I missed it, but you didn't say why you need a 3-row SUV, and why leather?
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 1:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who is buying bonds?
Replies: 69
Views: 8957

Re: Who is buying bonds?

adave wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:52 pm Rates have likely peaked however for this cycle. BND on sale.

If I were ever to consider bonds now would be a good time.

Staying 95% equity when managing a large portfolio might be unnecessary risk. But 90% equity is no joke as well.
That sounds a little bit like market timing.

It sounds like maybe you are preferring to increase bond allocation above 10%, which would sound like a reasonable plan. 20% perhaps?
by familythriftmd
Mon Feb 12, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: half high income physician, half financial illiterate
Replies: 95
Views: 12071

Re: half high income physician, half financial illiterate

afan wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:33 pm Someone whose independent contractor work was practicing medicine would not have that held against them if they wanted a W2 job. If they were spending all their time running a business, then people might wonder how well they had maintained clinical skills
I think that if you love your job, it's probably easier to stay up to speed on the content (as in, the continuing medical education and stuff). But I'm no coach, so that's just my thought.
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 174
Views: 16183

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

NewishBog wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:35 pm Aldi refrigerated pizza
Agree that Aldi refrigerated is pretty good, especially for the price.
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who is buying bonds?
Replies: 69
Views: 8957

Re: Who is buying bonds?

To add to the above, you could see that bonds in the short term CAN drop a bit, as seen in 2022, so I think of it more for stock kind-of-non-correlation than for EF equivalent.
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who is buying bonds?
Replies: 69
Views: 8957

Re: Who is buying bonds?

adave wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:42 pm Currently 95% equity and 5% cash in MMF. Thinking about switching to 90% Equity and 10% BND, minimal cash.

Take a few chips off the table. BND provides some income also. BND seems out of favor but looks respectable to me.

I'm no expert however.
I use MMF to bolster my EF rather than using bonds.
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SCV tilt research data
Replies: 63
Views: 4883

Re: SCV tilt research data

nisiprius wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:39 pm
... Paul Merriman is clearly an enthusiast and is grinding an axe.

...

It's not surprising that there is a risk premium. The question is whether the premium more than compensates for the risk.
I really like how you explain it there with respect to value of risk premium over projected or actual risk! And definitely I agree that he doesn't seem to talk about a whole lot more (or at least it isn't easy to remember).
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?
Replies: 111
Views: 8666

Re: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?

kumjan wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:26 am I often find myself wanting to change my perfectly fine Subaru Forester for a gently used Lexus LX 570.

I considered this exact choice when I was buying the Forester but couldn't stomach the $65k+ price tag of LX when I can buy (and did buy!) a Forester half that. Yet I can't stop thinking about it.

I also fantasize about taking the LX, with a teardrop camper, on long road trip through the Rockies.

We can afford it (income 500+) but I consider that as a really bad choice. Wouldn't you??
Seems very reasonable, but you didn't mention other factors, such as savings rate, current fixed expenses, etc.
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!
Replies: 48
Views: 3608

Re: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!

BHNewbie wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:01 pm Thank you bonesly and Meg! I appreciate you validating our assumptions (including we may have tipped too far to ultra conservative). But again, it’s the only thing helping us feel good about the move from accumulation to decimation, and allowing us to sleep at night regardless of what the markets are doing etc. thank you again!
Decimation is one way to look at decumulation! :D
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 187
Views: 20516

Re: What is your favorite book?

CorgiGoneCycling wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:21 pm Catch-22
Excellent choice! Probably the funniest book I've ever read ---- until it wasn't. :?
by familythriftmd
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 187
Views: 20516

Re: What is your favorite book?

War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy. Manages to be broad [edit: in] scope and yet dives so well into character and family development.
by familythriftmd
Sat Feb 10, 2024 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: half high income physician, half financial illiterate
Replies: 95
Views: 12071

Re: half high income physician, half financial illiterate

Great courage to put yourself out there for feedback!!

OP in 2016 you said you live in Tacoma? I would think that 4k for an apartment is a bit much in Tacoma. Even in Seattle you could get it for less (e.g. Wallingford, Fremont, Roosevelt, etc). Is your apartment pretty flashy?

For the rest, I agree with the above posters, ESPECIALLY INSURANCE.
by familythriftmd
Sat Feb 10, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24661

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

KBR wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:30 pm
bendix wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 5:33 pm
Wannaretireearly wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 5:19 pm Best: having close to a FU attitude at work, although not quite FI :)
This is so true. You dont have to be FI in order to be a little more FU at work. Freedom is a great thing to have.
Perhaps FIFU instead of FIRE?
My friend says he's aiming for FINER -- FI, never ever retire.
by familythriftmd
Sat Feb 10, 2024 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts post layoff on retirement + side business
Replies: 34
Views: 4410

Re: Thoughts post layoff on retirement + side business

Net Worth - 4.9M , Age 44 ( Married and 2 kids, WA) ~65% is in Equity ( 25% retirement account, 40% non retirement accounts) Investment mix in individual tech stock( AMZN , META, AAPLE, TSLA, MSFT + S&P 500) ~25% in real estate ( 15% is primary home, 10% in real estate investment) ~10% in cash A side business which generates about 70K a year. Yearly Expenses are around 140k. Both of us lost our tech job recently ( 500K household income, we reached these income gradually ) and now actively looking. WIth that said, there is gap of 70K currently. Have three thoughts. 1. 4M/70K = 57X + side business income = 140K. I don't have worry/stress too much about finding job immediately . 2. I need to figure out another business which generate 70K+...
by familythriftmd
Sat Feb 10, 2024 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723876

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

JD2775 wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:00 pm
familythriftmd wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:14 pm Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris. Second book after Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, same author.

Also recently read Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. Didn't seem as polished as Steve Jobs book by the same author.
The Steve Jobs book is my "filler" book. I started it like 7-8 months ago and only read it if I am in between books, or waiting on a library book. Basically if I have a day or 2 free here and there. I am about 70% done. I'm am enjoying it though so I should probably just treat it like a normal book and finish it. :D
Funny!
In that particular case, I cheated and listened to the audio CD from the library, but with Elon Musk I did read the actual book. I enjoyed how a prior library patron underlined all the typos, haha.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Boglehead firing my advisor & portfolio review
Replies: 10
Views: 1764

Re: New Boglehead firing my advisor & portfolio review

bonesly wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:29 pm
Unless this is an annually adjusted allocation (every birthday, or 1st of the year), then I'll say that 100/0 vs 95/5 is indistinguishable in risk & reward. You need to get a step of 10-20% change to notice a significant change in volatility (risk). Having said that, it's fine as is, just don't expect that 5% in bonds to "save you" when the market crashes... it will be very nearly the same as a 100/0 in a crash.
I disagree in that it may at least help psychologically to have even a small allocation to bonds, especially if your brokerage uses red and green (or red and black). The lowish r-squared value between stocks and bonds (can't find a good source right now) may help with jitters.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why BlackRock not used as much?
Replies: 45
Views: 5432

Re: Why BlackRock not used as much?

scintillator wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:12 pm
mbouck wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:35 pm Philosophically, I won't do business with BlackRock because I have a problem with permanent capital buying-up massive quantities of single family homes and turning the middle-class into permanent renters.
I don't think they do this. You can read this, although I don't know when it was written. I remember reading it at least a year ago: https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/new ... uses-facts
Maybe confusing it with BlackStone?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why BlackRock not used as much?
Replies: 45
Views: 5432

Re: Why BlackRock not used as much?

PersonalFinanceJam wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:01 pm You may use them and not know it. BlackRock is huge and runs many Collective Investment Trusts in retirement plans. These are similar to mutual funds but can only be held in employer plans. My company plan for example has all BlackRock CIT funds. Unless you read the fine print on some of the information provided you wouldn’t really know they were the ones behind the funds.
Oh, interesting. I'll have to look at my pension and GVUL to see what the holdings are. Well at least I'd think GVUL would hold equities to keep their own money growing.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why BlackRock not used as much?
Replies: 45
Views: 5432

Re: Why BlackRock not used as much?

TropikThunder wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:19 pm
familythriftmd wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:16 pm I know that BlackRock has the honor of having greater asset load than any other firm. So why are we not talking about/using it as much as Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, etc.? Is it not consumer-facing or something?
Blackrock isn’t a brokerage so you can’t buy any of their funds directly from them.
oh that makes sense
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why BlackRock not used as much?
Replies: 45
Views: 5432

Why BlackRock not used as much?

I know that BlackRock has the honor of having greater asset load than any other firm. So why are we not talking about/using it as much as Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, etc.? Is it not consumer-facing or something?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723876

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris. Second book after Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, same author.

Also recently read Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. Didn't seem as polished as Steve Jobs book by the same author.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Got a book from Charles Schwab
Replies: 18
Views: 3707

Re: Got a book from Charles Schwab

sleepy06 wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:18 am FWIW I have received much more communication from them over the last 6 months than ever, many calls from my assigned advisor to speak.
I know myself and know if I talk to them, I will like the representative as I like most people and will wish to work with them although I have no need.
For that reason, I do not respond to any of the calls or solicitations.
Agree with poster that said clarify with the chat feature.
If you didn't sign anything, I can't imagine you are enrolled in a new program.
That is brilliant self-awareness!
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 09, 2024 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Liquidate my individual stocks now?
Replies: 20
Views: 2727

Re: Liquidate my individual stocks now?

Could you move that all into donor advised fund and then give it to charity of choice? Doing it all doesn't make sense to me. At this level of giving one probably cannot deduct it all in a single tax year anyways. I think one could earmark these shares as belonging to one's "personal" DAF and donate them directly to the beneficiary charity. DAFs are great though for small donations of under $50K to charities. Larger stock donations should probably just go directly to the charity. Besides, gains in a DAF don't get a tax benefit, while gains in one's taxable account do get a benefit. So I use my DAF simply as a conduit: In and Out almost immediately after In.. Good to know, thanks! I suppose OP could do one company per year.
by familythriftmd
Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Meta's jump
Replies: 39
Views: 4412

Re: Meta's jump

the_wiki wrote: Tue Feb 06, 2024 9:16 am
Arash wrote: Tue Feb 06, 2024 4:01 am Hi
Meta's stock jumped 20% in one day last week following their earnings call. I was wondering how can one watch for such incidences and take advantage of it, e.g. through after hour trading. I'm particularly asking what do I need to watch for
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/02/meta-sh ... idend.html
If anyone had an answer to this question, they'd be running a private investment firm making billions.
I like that illustration! It's like asking how you can get free money.
by familythriftmd
Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Liquidate my individual stocks now?
Replies: 20
Views: 2727

Re: Liquidate my individual stocks now?

Could you move that all into donor advised fund and then give it to charity of choice?
by familythriftmd
Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: advise on selling funds held out of sentimentality & inertia
Replies: 8
Views: 736

Re: advise on selling funds held out of sentimentality & inertia

walkingg wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:57 pm
familythriftmd wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:16 pm Welcome!

Why do you feel bad about selling the Janus fund to fund your IRA? Seems reasonable to me, and it's a way to wind down your Janus investments.
Bad is too strong I guess, but when one of the only investing principles commonly thrown around is to Buy and Hold, it can feel vaguely subversive :wink:
I see. One way around that is to write it into the written financial plan with a future date that you'll execute it and then go for it.
by familythriftmd
Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: advise on selling funds held out of sentimentality & inertia
Replies: 8
Views: 736

Re: advise on selling funds held out of sentimentality & inertia

Welcome!

Why do you feel bad about selling the Janus fund to fund your IRA? Seems reasonable to me, and it's a way to wind down your Janus investments.
by familythriftmd
Thu Feb 08, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: going gluten-free
Replies: 55
Views: 4584

Re: going gluten-free

I'll repeat: "I'm not sure it's a good idea to tell others - strangers -"NO NO NO" or "Just don't" and making alarming statements about how "damage ... still occurs." (In my opinion, statements like that can and do alarm people, regardless of whether you happen to think gluten is "radioactive". I'm not sure why that type of language is used otherwise.) I still think we are talking past each other. There is literally nothing controversial in my comments. Do NOT feed anyone gluten if they are diagnosed with Celiac. If they want to block me or close a thread for that so be it. From your handle it sounds like you may have a better medical education than me... entertain me with a study that shows me ...
by familythriftmd
Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: going gluten-free
Replies: 55
Views: 4584

Re: going gluten-free

I guess you have to decide if you are going to make the entire family GF or are you only going to do it for one person. We are a GF family due to medical issues, but it wasn't always that way. Before we all switched, we'd get a few products that had wheat like bread, but the main meal we fixed did not have gluten so that made it easy in preparing meals, but if they wanted their glutenous bread, they could fix it, themselves. At some point, we all just started to eat the gluten free bread by Costco, it's good, for GF anyway. We also had a concern for cross-contamination, so it was really good to eliminate gluten from the house entirely. It only takes a little gluten to sky rocket your thyroid antibodies for some folks, so we went that route...
by familythriftmd
Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: going gluten-free
Replies: 55
Views: 4584

Re: going gluten-free

If your family eats pretty healthy, no a big deal. It’s only when you bring in processed foods that you run into trouble. I would recommend this app, https://glutendude.app. I find it helpful. I’d also recommend Canyon Bakehouse bread products. Best bread I have found. The problem with GF products is they are expensive. If your family isn’t all going GF, get a separate toaster for your daughter in a can’t miss color like red. Same with dishes and things like pasta strainer. GF pasta tends to be mushy. I love Andean Dream pasta, but if you can’t buy it where you are, you’ll have to experiment. Instead of regular soy sauce, get something like San-J tamari that’s labeled GF. I personally would not buy Cheerios. I know the Celiac Association i...
by familythriftmd
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: going gluten-free
Replies: 55
Views: 4584

going gluten-free

My 12 year-old daughter likely has celiac. TTG was above highest detection limits for machine.

We also have 4 non-sensitive other kids. Anybody in that same boat? Curious what foods you commonly have as dishes that the other kids will like to eat.

NOTE: I AM NOT ASKING MEDICAL ADVICE, but consumer advice w.r.t. foods
by familythriftmd
Tue Feb 06, 2024 5:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: basement storage techniques
Replies: 29
Views: 2705

Re: basement storage techniques

Now we have a basement that works in a similar capacity. This is great for the most part, but I don't want to be drilling into the cinder blocks that also obviously serve as the house's foundation. What do you posters like to do to improve storage in the basement to get things off the floor? I'd use this as an opportunity to get rid of "stuff" you don't use. :D I'm not saying it is the case here, but people tend to accumulate a lot of junk in basements and garages that could probably be donated or thrown away. My rule of thumb is that if you don't use it at least once a year, toss it. For our storage, we have had good success with plastic shelving from the home improvement store and plastic totes. Clear ones are great, otherwise ...
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: family movie night recommendations
Replies: 15
Views: 1959

Re: family movie night recommendations

Malum Prohibitum wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:51 pm Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
Oh, it's been a while, but I remember that! Good one

For the record, tonight we'll watch the 2003 version of Polyanna
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: basement storage techniques
Replies: 29
Views: 2705

Re: basement storage techniques

MikeWillRetire wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:01 pm
familythriftmd wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:05 pm
sport wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:05 pm You can build some wooden shelving that stands next to the wall. Since it is in the basement, it does not have to be fancy. There is no need to attach the shelving to the wall.
Do you fasten your wooden shelving to the nearest joists?
That is what I have done in my basement because my shelves hold some heavy tools, and I don't want them to tip over. Unless you add some sturdy cross-bracing to the shelf, I recommend connecting them to the joists above.
Thanks!
did you use tie brackets like a poster above?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: basement storage techniques
Replies: 29
Views: 2705

Re: basement storage techniques

sport wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:05 pm You can build some wooden shelving that stands next to the wall. Since it is in the basement, it does not have to be fancy. There is no need to attach the shelving to the wall.
Do you fasten your wooden shelving to the nearest joists?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond options with Vanguard
Replies: 10
Views: 1858

Re: Best bond options with Vanguard

Bernstein would recommend treasuries. He likes direct investing from Treasury Direct, but you could also consider a treasury fund. I was also thinking about moving out of VBTLX. I had been thinking of switching to VUSTX, which is a fund of treasuries.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: basement storage techniques
Replies: 29
Views: 2705

basement storage techniques

I used to store a lot of stuff in the shed in the prior house. I would take value lumber from Menard's and nail or screw that to the exposed studs and then put hooks of different sizes and stuff on that. That worked great for just about anything.

Now we have a basement that works in a similar capacity. This is great for the most part, but I don't want to be drilling into the cinder blocks that also obviously serve as the house's foundation. What do you posters like to do to improve storage in the basement to get things off the floor?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?
Replies: 39
Views: 3262

Re: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?

ThankYouJack wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:49 pm
[trimmed quotes]

My thinking is the OP would start drawing down the taxable account in 5 years when they semi-retire. So there would be 5 years instead of decades of growth.

Say the OP does $7k backdoor Roths for the next 5 years with an average return of 7%. That grows to about $43,100 a Roth. If that money was in a taxable account with a tax drag of 0.3% it would grow to about $42,700. So not a substantial difference.
I see! I totally forgot about the particulars and was just thinking in generalities. Based on your calculations that is a tiny difference.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: family movie night recommendations
Replies: 15
Views: 1959

family movie night recommendations

We are trying to make a family movie night a recurring event, maybe biweekly.

We have children ranging from 1 y/o to 12 y/o. The most easily-scared age would be the son who is almost four.

Any good movies that you like that would be engaging for the older grade school age but not scary for the toddler-preschool set?

Thanks!
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?
Replies: 39
Views: 3262

Re: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?

ThankYouJack wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:19 pm
myartman wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:21 pm
Bingo. What criteria did you use to decide bw investing surplus in a Roth vs a brokerage acct?

If I won't pay capital gains and I don't need the money until retirement, would that make the Roth the better option?
A backdoor Roth would be slightly better but in your situation I don't think it would save you much -- maybe $1,000 in taxes. Is that worth it to you? If so, look up the pro-rata rule on your IRA.
The purchasing power parity would be higher with the Backdoor Roth vs the taxable. It's effectively the same (currently $7,000 with no tax deferral) going into it, but withdrawing it tax free could be a big deal when it's had multiple doublings over decades.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: beneficiaries in Vanguard
Replies: 32
Views: 1537

Re: beneficiaries in Vanguard

Could you remind me the problem with inheriting a Roth IRA? And I have heard that the HSA is even worse. At the risk of scope creep: That would make spending down tough, assuming that we did live to retirement. The Roth IRA is great to let grow due to being untaxed, but from what you're saying, it is also a lousy thing to leave to heirs. Vs. the taxable, which has tax drag on dividends, but as of last I checked, there's a step-up in basis at death for survivors. I am not sure who you are quoting, but it does not seem very accurate. Roth IRAs are great for heirs, better than a taxable account of the same value. HSAs on the other hand can indeed be a tax bomb. If the beneficiary is anyone other than a spouse, the entire value of the account ...
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: beneficiaries in Vanguard
Replies: 32
Views: 1537

Re: beneficiaries in Vanguard

toddthebod wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:36 pm
familythriftmd wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:30 pm Could you remind me the problem with inheriting a Roth IRA? And I have heard that the HSA is even worse.

At the risk of scope creep:
That would make spending down tough, assuming that we did live to retirement. The Roth IRA is great to let grow due to being untaxed, but from what you're saying, it is also a lousy thing to leave to heirs. Vs. the taxable, which has tax drag on dividends, but as of last I checked, there's a step-up in basis at death for survivors.
There's nothing wrong with inheriting a Roth IRA. What you want to avoid is your Roth IRA passing through your estate, as that will require distribution within 5 years instead of 10 (or more).
Estate instead of named beneficiaries, you mean?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?
Replies: 39
Views: 3262

Re: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?

myartman wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:57 pm I'm asking how people who make 300k or more contribute to their retirement account once they've maxed out their 401. Is everyone on BH doing Roth backdoors?
Also MFJ, also income over 300k. We both do backdoor Roth IRA and max out 403(b) (same difference), 457(b), and HSA. The taxable account gets the spillover.
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?
Replies: 39
Views: 3262

Re: Options if we earn too much for Roth accounts?

livesoft wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 2:03 pm Even if you do that backdoor Roth thing:

Contribute to a joint taxable investment account at Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, ....
...
Hmm, I'm missing something, here. You can hold a taxable account jointly?
by familythriftmd
Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: beneficiaries in Vanguard
Replies: 32
Views: 1537

Re: beneficiaries in Vanguard

By the way, if I could get anybody's book recommendations that would cover the estate questions above, then that would be helpful.
I suppose White Coast Investor Guide to Asset Protection would be good, as would Bogleheads Guide to Retirement.