Recent content by enginerd

$7,952.24 was my total for 2018...oof that hurt. But then I looked closer and realized that it doesn't include returns. And also I ordered some stuff with the business credit card. That that puts my actual spend around $6,000 which isn't too bad considering a had quite a few big purchase...

Mine doesn't true up either. I have to make sure I hit the $18,500 max on the last paycheck of the year otherwise I miss out on match. It's always a big guessing game because I get about 35% of my pay in one bonus in early December. Too many times my bonus was much higher than expected and I...

We just got back from our trip and it was a good one. We expanded our distance a bit and went into Canada. We left Chicago and drove to Silver Beach in St Joseph Mi for a few hour stopover then straight to Niagara Falls. We spent 1 day at Niagara Falls (Canada Side). Niagara on the Lake 1...

The rule is: Distributions made to you after you separated from service with your employer if the separation occurred in or after the calendar year you reached age 55. So you can be just shy of 55.

The Thresheree looks like a hoot...although my DW might strangle me if I brought her there. I asked my cousin (who does tractor pulls) if he’s been, but no. It did bring up an interesting conversation about my Grandfather’s first tractor, a Model T that they ordered a conversion kit from...

Wow! Thank you all for the ideas. This is exactly what I needed to get me started. So far, I like the ideas of Door County or Western Michigan. Is a circle all the way around Lake Michigan doable or too much to see in one week probably? Has anyone made this trip? But also Cedar Point is...

Most colleges now charge a service fee for using a credit card that negate the points or cash-back rewards. But it's definitely worth looking into. This morning I just charged a couple of classes for DW's MBA in which they charged a 2.5% service fee. Supposedly DW's megacorp will reimburse...

Looking for recommendations for a family road trip (myself, DW, two DD’s 6&8). Next month (August) before school starts. Leaving and returning to Chicago for up to a week, so preferably within 300 or 400 miles with multiple destinations along the way. Thanks in advance.

Sorry to go off-topic, but I can't hear shenanigans without thinking of this Super Troopers movie quote.

I use 3.5% as a target. I'm not a big budget person, so I back into our expected expenses by taking our salary and adding/subtracting expenses that will increase/decrease once I FIRE: + Salary - 401k/ira contributions - brokerage account contributions - FICA - 529 contributions - mortgage...

Build up enough in taxable and ROTH contributions to get thru the first 5 years. After retirement use the taxable and ROTH contributions while starting ROTH IRA conversion ladder from your 401K. Then live off your conversion ladder the last 5 years.

Well geez, now I feel stressed

What happens if you don’t finish those work projects in 30 days? I’m guessing there are no ramifications. Maybe there’s a little pride involved, but I guarantee in a couple of months you won’t have any regrets if you walked away without finishing them.

I was about your age when my "spreadsheet" came together. Sounds like you are following in my footsteps. I am 38 and about half way to that $5MM....I do believe I will be there before 50. The one key ingredient you haven't really shared is the projected rate of return you are using for your...

Your thread is very exciting, please keep going with the updates. I wish I could pull this type of adventure with the family, but by the time I have enough to ER, my oldest will be in high school. From what I've read, that's not the best time to pull them out of school (unless I want the...