Recent content by Evie

I didn't post this sooner, but right around June, we crossed over the $1MM in investments - mostly retirement and some non-retirement. Total NW is just shy of $1.6MM due to SoCal house equity. We are aggressively working on paying down the mortgage, but still have a ways to go!

John Hancock tends to be one of the "go-to" companies for companies starting their first 401k plan. A lot of companies have minimum requirements for the size of the plan. I suspect advisors like to suggest them because they do get a good commission off of them. I've never tried to start a group...

I think you're way ahead of the game just paying attention to it and educating yourself. You're bound to make improvements along the way now that you're aware of where your money is going. To that end, I think the biggest help for us has been using a budgeting tool to actually make a budget...

I just did a quick look over my FB friends. I have 752, but after reviewing a chunk of the list, I'd say I'm definitely over 80%. I travel a lot for my various hobbies and have made lots of friends (being as extroverted as I am!) and see most of them at least once a year, if not more. The...

Wow! Great job! That's amazing!! Congrats! Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

I'm sad you don't live near me! I <3 Addam's Family so much!! I've always wanted to buy one, but have never pulled the trigger... :-) That said, I second the vote for cash only or meet at their bank and *then* get cash! :-) I'd be too worried about getting either a counterfeit cashier's check...

I need to read these all more carefully (when I'm more awake) and take some notes. I don't think I've ever purposely rebalanced my accounts in the last 10 years. I think just about everything is in index funds, but I should take a look at it nonetheless. It's one of those things I know I'm...

I have used Mint for about 4 years, but I hate the "budgeting" tool. It's too hard to figure out what is going on. I just downloaded You Need A Budget a few days ago and I'm trying the trial period to see how I like it. So far, I like the look of it way better than Mint. As for Costco, I break...

I think if you're happy working, you should do that. It sounds like you're financially ready, but if the thought of staying at home isn't appealing, why change it? This assumes that your wife is cool with it too. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

I haven't seen a way to auto-balance. I'd be curious about this as well. I know I should do it, but I don't think I ever have! I'm primarily in Vanguard index funds, so haven't given it much thought. Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

You might want to pick up a copy of "Road Food"... I always enjoy those types of places listed in there!

Every time I see something like this GoFundMe request, I want to post something like, "hey everyone... this would be a good time to remind you that you may want to consider getting long-term disability insurance because you just never know what can happen..." Something no one wants to hear, so...

I'd likely go with the Prius. The hatchback is great for errands and stuff. If you really want a mini-van for a trip, you can always rent one for the weekend. It may cost a few hundred dollars, but with the amount you're saving on the front end, it's probably not a big deal. I have no kids...

Traffic is definitely one of the major complaints for living in SoCal. I hate it, but my DH doesn't mind it so much. I just don't look for jobs that have me driving more than 30 minutes one way (in traffic). That will only make you hate your life and I have no interest in doing that.

Thanks for the guidance. I think you're right and I'll stay out of it.